Many people who are attracted to Mormon culture, values, or social life may be wondering how to become a Mormon (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) If you are asking, "How do I become Mormon?" then you need realize that while the church does provide traditional values and a close-knit community, it's important that people interested in joining the LDS church go through the appropriate sequence and are baptized for the right reasons.
How to Become a Mormon - Learning About Mormonism
Before joining any religion, you first need to know what they teach and believe. If you want to learn about Mormonism just to satisfy your curiosity then a good place to start is mormon.org, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' website designed for introducing people to its basic beliefs. More in-depth information can be found in Gospel Principles, the LDS church's manual for new converts to Mormonism.
If you do some preliminary research and think you may be interested in becoming a Mormon, then it's time to contact the LDS missionaries in your area. Ask a Mormon you know to put you in contact with them or request a visit from missionaries at Mormon.org.
A partnership of two Mormon missionaries will make a series of appointments with you to explain LDS gospel beliefs. They will want you to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know whether their message is true. (If you are under the age of 18, missionaries will need parental permission to teach or baptize you.)
Becoming a Mormon – Keeping the Commandments
If you show continued interest while meeting with the LDS missionaries, they will want you to put into practice the things you've been learning. Making goals to pray every day, attend church on Sunday, stop smoking or drinking, regularly reading your scriptures, and so on is seen as a very important part of your spiritual progress.
Mormons believe that as you continue to pray for a witness of the truth and keep the Lord's commandments, you can then evaluate the resulting feelings from the Holy Ghost. Feelings of peace and happiness are believed to be the Holy Ghost communicating to you that you are doing the right things.
Set an LDS Baptism Date and Have a Baptismal Interview
Work with the missionaries to set a date for your Mormon baptism. Mormons see baptism as a serious promise between an individual and God, so prior to your baptism date one of the missionaries will privately ask you the following questions:
- Do you believe in God and Jesus Christ?
- Do you believe in the restoration of the gospel? Do you believe that the current LDS church president is a prophet of God?
- Do you feel that you have repented of serious past transgressions?
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the law of chastity?
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the law of tithing?
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the word of wisdom?
- Do you understand and are you willing to keep the Sabbath day holy?
- Are you ready to make the covenant of baptism and strive to be faithful to it all your life?
Affirmative answers to the questions in this baptismal interview signify your readiness to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After Your Mormon Conversion
After converting to Mormonism, you'll find that the real journey has just begun. Mormons believe that continued obedience after baptism is necessary for salvation, and that the rest of your life will be spent spiritually progressing in the gospel.
You will attend the Gospel Principles class for one year after baptism to ensure you understand all of Mormonism's basic beliefs. You'll be given callings to assist with church efforts such as teaching Sunday School or organizing church activities. While support from missionaries and other church members will be available, you'll be primarily responsible for your own spiritual growth, prayer, and study.
It's not difficult to become Mormon, but it does require earnest spiritual effort and sincere prayer on your part. Learning about the LDS church and contacting the missionaries is the first step, but gaining a personal testimony of the truth of the church is viewed as the most vital key to Mormon conversion.
Learn more at What Do Mormons Believe? and LDS Beliefs That Are Unique to Christianity.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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