IF I came back...

[MormonGirl02]

Ok, so I recently withdrew my membership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am considering possibly coming back. My membership has been officially withdrawn and so I'd have to be re baptized etc. I was just wondering, would the process for me to be re baptized and such take longer than it was for me to become baptized the first time or what? What is the process like?

[Dr T]

Rebaptized? What does the LDS church think baptize is and for what reason would someone be rebaptized? Just wondering, thanks for answering my question all/MG02

[KosherXMorg]

I believe having your name removed in akin to excommunicating yourself and you have to wait at least a year before being rebaptized. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Aphrodite]

How long ago did you have your name removed? What has made you want to come back? To me, if someone has their name removed its a really serious decision. Just curious really-although Id think really realy carefully to make sure its what you want :)

[Guest Username-Removed]

Ok, so I recently withdrew my membership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am considering possibly coming back. My membership has been officially withdrawn and so I'd have to be re baptized etc. I was just wondering, would the process for me to be re baptized and such take longer than it was for me to become baptized the first time or what? What is the process like?

MormonGirl02,

I didn’t have time to read all the posts that replied. So I apologize in advance if I am redundant.

The process is very similar. 1) You'll interview with your bishop. The interview questions are slightly different than when you were originally baptized. These questions center on activity that lead to you removing your name. 2) After all of that, then they will need to find your original records at Church HQ. They will not be a part of the active members so sometimes they can be difficult to find. Be patient but also keep pressing your priesthood leadership to find them. 3) The baptism itself is no different than the first time.

You may find that there are some in leadership positions that may hesitate slightly when considering your progression. I suggest you prove to them how much you are willing to serve. You may obtain assignments (before your baptism) from your bishop. They are not official callings, but if I were you I would strongly consider accepting them or even asking for an assignment. There are many good ones including those in the welfare area. Also, bear your testimony every testimony meeting. Be an active part in your Sunday school and Relief society. You may find that Heavenly Father is willing to get you back now, but understand that sometimes human beings require (unfortunately) a little more time.

I suggest you talk with your bishop and review the process of getting back to membership by you both reading from the Bishop's manual together in his office. If you understand the plan and process, you won’t feel that someone is trying to slow you down.

Good luck and welcome back!

[Guest Username-Removed]

How long ago did you have your name removed? What has made you want to come back? To me, if someone has their name removed its a really serious decision. Just curious really-although Id think really realy carefully to make sure its what you want :)

It is a serious decision... of course. But believe it or not, its not nearly as serious coming back after being excommunicated. However, most members don’t realize this. This is why it is always good for a person to sit down with the bishop in his office and review the proceedures from the handbook. They are different from the electronic version of the bishop’s handbook that was out on the internet 5 years ago.

The most serious part, in my opinion, is the loss of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. Once she has that restored, she'll find her life's direction will be much better and well informed. Having one's name removed is wrong and a mistake. But isn't it wonderful that we can ALL fix our mistakes. The cleansing power of Christ is free for all men and women to obtain.

She will come back and actually have more passion for the gospel then ever before and will be an asset to our Heavenly Father that will be both rare and highly sought after.

[Hemidakota]

Ok, so I recently withdrew my membership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am considering possibly coming back. My membership has been officially withdrawn and so I'd have to be re baptized etc. I was just wondering, would the process for me to be re baptized and such take longer than it was for me to become baptized the first time or what? What is the process like?

First, let me commend you on the greater change to do the right. Second, seek out the ward missionaries and explained to them what transpired. They should just ask you the few usual worthy statements prior to baptismal date. Your process of being a previous member is much quicker than for non-members who are seeking.

Here is something I left Tom this morning that maybe fruitful for your own situation:

We find when we leave the gospel over personal disputations, we loose the Spirit and the truths given overtime will begin to fade. When we are allowed back into that Light, it begins to return to us what was formerly given. It is then we realize our silly motivations on why we left in the first place. It is then we appreciate our own uniqueness before our Elder Brother and what He has given us. It is then our soul begins that purification process by the Holy Spirit in preparation to bring us into their Presence.

When we live in that Light, we see sin as taboo and seek only to please Him every living moment of mortality.

[Hemidakota]

MormonGirl02,

I didn’t have time to read all the posts that replied. So I apologize in advance if I am redundant.

The process is very similar. 1) You'll interview with your bishop. The interview questions are slightly different than when you were originally baptized. These questions center on activity that lead to you removing your name. 2) After all of that, then they will need to find your original records at Church HQ. They will not be a part of the active members so sometimes they can be difficult to find. Be patient but also keep pressing your priesthood leadership to find them. 3) The baptism itself is no different than the first time.

You may find that there are some in leadership positions that may hesitate slightly when considering your progression. I suggest you prove to them how much you are willing to serve. You may obtain assignments (before your baptism) from your bishop. They are not official callings, but if I were you I would strongly consider accepting them or even asking for an assignment. There are many good ones including those in the welfare area. Also, bear your testimony every testimony meeting. Be an active part in your Sunday school and Relief society. You may find that Heavenly Father is willing to get you back now, but understand that sometimes human beings require (unfortunately) a little more time.

I suggest you talk with your bishop and review the process of getting back to membership by you both reading from the Bishop's manual together in his office. If you understand the plan and process, you won’t feel that someone is trying to slow you down.

Good luck and welcome back!

It will start with the Missionaries not the Bishop. Even being Excommunicate, the travel back is much quicker than a non-member. Based on their questioning, it will be elevated to the Mission President. It is up to the Mission President to either present this to the Bishop or allow the Baptism.

[Hemidakota]

Let me correct myself from the last two postings, if you asked the records to be removed from the same ward, you will need an appointment with the Bishop for reinstatement. If not the same ward, then you need to talk to the Mission President.

So wordflood is correct. Even if you had your record removed.

[Hemidakota]

I have an electronic copy of the Church Handbook of Instructions (dated 1998, so policy might have changed) I found years ago, and this is what it says on the subject:

Pg 149 thru 150

[havejoy]

Mormongirl02 is the same person as Holly3278.

[MorningStar]

How did you know that, Havejoy?

[Guest tomk]

Ok, so I recently withdrew my membership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am considering possibly coming back. My membership has been officially withdrawn and so I'd have to be re baptized etc. I was just wondering, would the process for me to be re baptized and such take longer than it was for me to become baptized the first time or what? What is the process like?

Get your hands on "The Worth of A Soul" by Stephen Cramer. Also the book has been updated. I'll give you both links:

Amazon.com: Worth of a Soul a Personal Account of Excommunication and Conversion: Steven A. Cramer: Books

updated version:

Amazon.com: The Worth of Every Soul: Gerald Curtis, Loanne Curtis: Books

The short answer to your question is: It depends on your heart and your desires. It always has. God must honor your agency. But He cannot protect us sometimes from the consequences. Sometimes we must be willing to wait a few years so that the needed changes inside of us can be realized through God's grace.

How would you characterize your relationship with Jesus Christ right now?

[havejoy]

I follow her on a couple of other religious boards. She has been banned from some for stressing out the members with her constant changes but she's still on a few I go to. She used to change religions every few weeks but lately it's been every few hours. I feel sorry for her but don't like the way she toys with people's feelings about something as sacred as religion. IMHO She needs help.

[lilered]

deleted.

[Latter Days Guy]

I have an electronic copy of the Church Handbook of Instructions (dated 1998, so policy might have changed) I found years ago, and this is what it says on the subject:

9. Do not to post any copyrighted material, unless the copyright is owned by you.

Strange as it is perfectly legal to post copyrighted material as long as it does not exceed 10% of the whole document.

[MormonGirl02]

I follow her on a couple of other religious boards. She has been banned from some for stressing out the members with her constant changes but she's still on a few I go to. She used to change religions every few weeks but lately it's been every few hours. I feel sorry for her but don't like the way she toys with people's feelings about something as sacred as religion. IMHO She needs help.

Yes, I change religions frequently but no, I have not been banned from any boards but 1 for changing my religion and that board was a fundamentalist board that couldn't deal with the fact that I had gone back to Catholicism once more. And actually, I am getting help. I see a therapist once a month and sometimes more. I still don't think this is a good reason for people to be rude to me though.

I am seriously considering doing an in depth study of Mormonism and possibly coming back for good. Please take me seriously people.

[havejoy]

Yes, I change religions frequently but no, I have not been banned from any boards but 1 for changing my religion and that board was a fundamentalist board that couldn't deal with the fact that I had gone back to Catholicism once more. And actually, I am getting help. I see a therapist once a month and sometimes more. I still don't think this is a good reason for people to be rude to me though.

I am seriously considering doing an in depth study of Mormonism and possibly coming back for good. Please take me seriously people.

You also got banned from the Catholic DCF message board.

[MormonGirl02]

You also got banned from the Catholic DCF message board.

I honestly don't recall that but if you say so...

[MaidservantX]

Moderator warning to entire thread: If you think a user has broken an lds.net rule, please report it, otherwise please do not discuss another user in this manner. You don't have to participate in this thread at all if you don't have a desire to answer the OP. What has been posted thus far -- you've made your point. I edited out the rudest comments. Thank you. :)

[MormonGirl02]

Well everyone, I have finally made my decision. I am coming back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was reading on Jeff Lindsay's page about the accuracy of the Book of Mormon and needless to say, I was astounded. I am not sure that I ever really realized just how accurate it was before. I believe again and will be coming back. I know that means I'll have to be baptized and confirmed again but that is ok. This time, I'm staying!

[WillowTheWhisp]

Welcome back MormonGirl. It may take a while to get back to where you were but it will be worth it.

[Guest Username-Removed]

Welcome back MormonGirl. It may take a while to get back to where you were but it will be worth it.

Ditto That. It will take a while.

MG, use every difficult moment as a learning experience. Use the humility that you feel from these moments to improve yourself. Also realize that being re-baptized is a significant step, but only a step nonetheless. Its the journey that counts. Also, you might start to question yourself as to what you would do differently next time if this were to happen again (as it relates to why you left the church); eventually you may be asked that question by a church leader.

There will be people that won’t trust you, say you have no credibility. I suggest you show them that they can trust you and show them your credibility. The best way to accomplish this is through selfless service. To those that still won’t accept you, I say to you it does not matter. Heavenly Father will be your ultimate protector. And he may use you to help teach others by helping them understand the true cleansing power of Christ and just how it works for all people, rich or poor, male or female, black or white, foreign or national.

When working with your bishop, he may ask you to study some church concepts. I suggest you carefully study those and take your time to let the spirit teach you those concepts. You'll find some amazing truths that perhaps you didn’t realize before or simply forgot.

I like how you've handled yourself in these posts. Keep it up! You are on the right track. I look at how Christ dealt with people that have all sorts of issues and how he was able to improve them. Gordon B. Hinckley said that we (the church) can make you better. I believe he was saying that to anybody who is really good, or having issues. We will simply make you better than you were.

[Hemidakota]

Sister, gaining the right testimony foundation should be your first priority. I for one don't rely on Jeff for a testimony. [No offense Jeff...] Try the Godhead first via the Holy Ghost.

[MormonGirl02]

Sister, gaining the right testimony foundation should be your first priority. I for one don't rely on Jeff for a testimony. [No offense Jeff...] Try the Godhead first via the Holy Ghost.

Ok I'll do that Hemidakota.

Anyway, the missionaries are coming over this evening to talk to me. :)