Comments on: Ask a Mormon Woman: Does it make sense for me to join the Church? https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/ Who We Are, What We Believe, How We Live -- Glimpses into Latter-day Saint Life Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:41:17 +0000 hourly 1 By: Q&A: The roles of men and women in Mormonism | Mormon Women - About LDS Life and Belief https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-64713 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:41:17 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-64713 […] here to your question from several Mormon women, but I also wanted to point you to the post where several Mormon men and women responded to Jo as […]

]]> By: Clint https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52729 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:11:34 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52729 Jo,
You ask a great question. My immediate thought is that people are sometimes single for a variety of reasons—some choose to be so and others don’t. Some would love to be married but for whatever reason cannot make it happen. Some are single from the choice of another individual whose consequences have reached beyond themselves. Whatever the reason and whatever your ‘status,’ I think it’s important to keep an eternal perspective. God loves you, married or not, and the gospel and Church are truth. What I love about God’s truth is that it does not adapt to us but that we learn to adapt to it. Whatever I am, it doesn’t matter to anyone else. I have a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. That faith means that if I’m living how I know I am supposed to live on the straight and narrow path, whatever God wants for me will happen and I’ll be all the better for it.

As an LDS missionary in England in 2004, I was able to be part of the conversion of a 70 year old single, English man who never before had been very religious. Still single, he enjoys serving others in the local congregation and lives his life according to the commandments to receive the blessings that are in store for him—constant companionship from the Holy Spirit to teach him, guide him and comfort him, blessings of friendship through the local congregation, not to mention many eternal blessings that come along with living the gospel. I admire your humility and honest desire in seeking the truth. I urge you to act on the good feelings and promptings you feel so you can continue to receive them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with some of us. I hope we’ve helped somehow.

]]> By: Christa-Ann Godsdaughter https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52721 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:32:28 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52721 Jo, walking with God is like any other relationship in that it is built a bit at a time. First, recognizing that you are worthy of the love of a Heavenly Father and accepting his love shown most vividly in the atoning sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. Second, repenting and seeking with all your might to come unto him day by day. Consistency in daily small steps will do you better than great spurts of action for short periods of time. Third, listen to the whisperings and promptings of the Holy Ghost along the way that testify that what you are doing is right. Know your scriptures so that you will know when you are guided by his will for their are wicked and foolish people, even in the Church. Fourth, forgive yourself and others along the way and look to God in all you do. We will fall short, that is to be expected, not that this justifies to doing wrong, but keep reaching to God, even in your weakness and he will reach out to you and help you through it. I can say this because he has done so for me. There will always be challenges and their will always be pain, if not for self then for others, but God shows us how to carry it and not be overwhelmed by it. This is one of the great beauties of the gospel that I have found. His is the way of life and truth and light. And that nervousness is a healthy thing for it will keep you cautious and alert. A favorite scripture of mine is Ephesians 6:11-18. It is in God that we want to to rely. Take care, may God be with you. Christa-Ann

]]> By: cory huff https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52719 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:55:06 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52719 Jo – being worried about whether you’ll fit in or whether you’ll be up to the task is a common concern for all of us. We each come from different backgrounds and have different strengths and weaknesses – it makes church far more interesting that way. 😉

The fact that you’re even asking Heavenly Father for guidance means you’re on the right track. Keep going!

]]> By: Jo https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52678 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:56:48 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52678 Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the help and ideas. I realized my concerns in this area add up to would I be semi shunned once I joined the church. I’m still doing my research and waiting to be contacted by local missionaries, but I think I’ve also figured out that if I did join and for whatever reason ended up single (which may happen to me regardless of the church or anything), I’d still have my faith? After all, that’s why I’d be joining in the first place!

Aside from the marriage aspect, I am beginning to struggle with figuring out having a religion….I can’t really describe it. On the one hand, I’ve never done anything related to religion so I worry I wouldn’t be able to if I commit to a religion. On the other hand, I think about it positively quite a bit and am excited at the possibility of belonging to one, especially the more I read about Mormonism and its beliefs. I’ve also begun asking for guidance/direction/signs but am not used to doing so, so there’s that too.

I know I have a long road ahead of me, but it is one I am excited (albeit nervous) for!

]]> By: Christa-Ann Godsdaughter https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52608 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:38:54 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52608 First of all congratulations for listening to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost that has prompted you to seek out the truth. Second, remember this is a relationship with God, the creator, and the Savior, Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Ghost and their love and knowledge of you has no bounds. You will be placing yourself in the great master’s hand.
You will have bumps and joys along the way and he will be with you. People, being people, will do well and will do poorly but if you commit to knowing God and his will for you and remember that you are worthy of his love and guidance because you are his child you will be given more than you can imagine and whether your hopes and dreams are met in this world you will come to a time when you will understand that you would change no challenge for the opportunity to know God that way.
This is the outline of my journey in the gospel. I was 27, married, with my fourth child having just been born. It has not been easy but I am so grateful for the gospel and, yes, for this church in my life. Its doctrines have given me the tools and the hope that I needed. It gave me something I could do to change my situation if I had the faith to act one day at a time. Now things have not turned out exactly the way I would have wished but I would not have it be any other way because of my testimony. It is my greatest treasure. He is my Rock and my Salvation and I rejoice in him mercy. Please believe in yourself enough to keep seeking Him…you will not be sorry, best wishes and God bless.

]]> By: Ambie https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52589 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:16:29 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52589 About joining the church…. My advice is to take it one step at a time. We believe that the spirit works in miraculous ways. You don’t know, with your spiritual growth, how you will feel later on. Listen to your heart and just take the first step. Best wishes and God Bless!!

]]> By: Kathy Green https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52586 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:52:47 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52586 That’s a great question, and one that a lot of members grapple with regardless of the details of their conversion or their age. Marrying outside your faith is similar to other “odd couplings,” such as partners from different racial or even economic or educational backgrounds. Some will worry that they are doomed, others will say those things have nothing to do with mutual respect and commitment. Most LDS people will tell you they know of couples who do not share the same faith, who have done a great job of respecting each other’s viewpoints and living joyfully. Others will tell you it’s the worst imaginable mistake. The great thing about religious faith is that it’s possible to feel inspired, or prompted, or guided in these important decisions. I think you will find yourself seeking and receiving answers to this sort of thing as you pursue this decision sincerely.

]]> By: Lilly https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52585 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:41:03 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52585 Hello,
well first off I would like to share my experience, I was raised in a strong family who was brought up catholic, I knew and felt in my heart since I was young that this church was not for me. Now, I joined the LDS church in 2004 and I am also in my mid twenties. I was first introduced to the book of mormon by a non-active member, who is now my fiance and happy to say very active. when I read the book of mormon I felt the holy spirit which is something I’ve never felt before. I believe the book of mormon to be another testament of christ. I also believe in all the principals this church has. The best suggestion I can give you coming from someone being raised catholic is to pray about it, open your heart, and ask questions and see if you believe. I would also concentrate and ask yourself about your true intention of being apart of the church of Jesus Christ of ladder day saints.

]]> By: rebecca https://womenseekingchrist.org/2011/10/21/ask-a-mormon-woman-does-it-make-sense-for-me-to-join-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-52583 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:20:15 +0000 http://mormonwoman.org/?p=10473#comment-52583 I think it depends on what you expect (or would like) to get out of church. It also depends on your local LDS church culture. The only way to really find out if it’s a good fit is to study the religion and attend church. Also, it sounds like it is important to you that your future spouse share your religious faith. I can tell you that a person (male or female) who doesn’t want kids is going to have a difficult time finding an LDS spouse who also doesn’t want kids. Of course, the kids issue is bound to come up regardless of what religion you are. You’re still young, and you may very well change your mind about kids at some point–but you may not. The church is very family-oriented. That may become a source of pain (or at least irritation) if you continue to be single and/or child-free, or if you choose to marry outside the church. But it seems like you have already figured that much out.

Again, the only way to know if this is the right path for you is to start down the path and see what happens. Becoming a member of the church is a big commitment. You should probably hold off on that step until you feel a strong conviction that it is right for you. I don’t know if you are currently attending a ward or have LDS friends, but I encourage you to keep learning and keep asking questions. Base your decision on your personal experience with the church and don’t be afraid to take your time.

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