I sent out an email asking what issues LDS people are currently facing and received a plethora back, this being one of them. Initially I looked at it, pondered it and put it aside so that it could percolate a little more. I’m ready to address it now.
You get out of life what you put into it. The same goes with becoming a “Mormon” or Latter-day Saint, as we prefer to be called. You get out of it what you put into it.
Becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints involves making covenants with God. This is not something that should be taken lightly. Upon baptism we take these covenants:
1. We covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world. Elder Robert D. Hales
2. We covenant to stand as witnesses of God [and His kingdom] at all times and in all things, and in all places. Elder Robert D. Hales
3. We covenant to take on the name of the Son and remember His name.
These aren’t covenants to be taken lightly. These are the first in a line of covenants that we will make that, if honored, will lead us back to the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. There are many beautiful promises which come from keeping these covenants:
1. Our sins are washed away upon the condition of repentance.
2. We can return to live with Him upon condition of our worthiness.
3. We will be brought forth in the morning of the first resurrection upon condition of our worthiness.
This ordinance is so important, that the most perfect of us all, even Jesus Christ, was baptized in obedience to His Father’s commandments. This ordinance and accompanying covenants started me on a path that leaves me longing for the presence of my Savior and Father in Heaven. I literally absorb the scriptures, the words of modern prophets and apostles and trusted theologians. I strive constantly to improve my behaviors, become more like the daughter of God I know myself to be – I am not alone in this.
I am not one to deny the social aspect of the church. Dances, road shows, dance festivals, parties, book clubs, dinner clubs, lunch clubs, pinewood derbies, dinners, luncheons, it goes on and on and on. This is a wonderful part of our church, but certainly not unique to it. Latter-day saints tend to be a good and loving people (yes, I know we all have our nosy neighbors who like to be in every one’s business) who love celebrating life and our God. But this is not a good reason to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A wonderful social life amongst the saints is a by-product of being a saint. In other words, we enjoy the company of others who are like-minded in values, beliefs and behaviors. We welcome one and all to the church, but with membership come heavenly covenants that should not be taken lightly. I ask you to take that into consideration before being baptized in order to improve your social life.