Gale, I am disappointed in your comment. Just as someone who knows about various religions, never would I speak of their beliefs as such. It seemed to be a derogatory statement against the Methodist Church. I would never attempt to either explain your beliefs, or those of the Mormon Church. I thought the Mormon church was suppose to practice tolerance of other’s beliefs, and religions. All church’s believe that they are the only one, and true religion, and have authority from Christ and the study of Holy Bible, however churches are slowly coming together to accept that as long as one studies the Holy Bible, and believes in God, there is common ground. You did not answer the question. You could have instead explained the beliefs of the Mormon Church, and directed this person to go to the Methodist site online to understand their beliefs. Truly if I was seeking to study Mormonism, I would have been turned off by this blanket statement concerning the Methodist Church. It is good that your are passionate about your church, but words must be chosen with care when speaking about another religion. I come from a very varied religious background. My father’s family went to the Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, while my mother’s family went to the Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and my husband’s family is Catholic. Not only have I been exposed to the above church’s but I have also visited the Assembly of God, various non-denominational churches, and the Lutheran Church. I think we must have tolerance for all religions, and not judge.

This comment shows a misunderstanding of three things: Mormon doctrine, the Book of Mormon, and the infinite nature of the atonement. Christ’s atonement covered original sin, so that you and I are accountable only for our own sins and not for the sin or transgression of Adam. Thus, babies are not born in sin, but they are born in innocence. If a person believes that babies must be baptized in order to be saved, then what has happened to the millions of little children who have died without baptism? The idea that innocent children need baptism is actually cruel. If they die, they are saved and exalted in innocence into the actual presence of God. Christ has made sure of that. His love for little children is especially manifest in the Book of Mormon, whose people He visited after His resurrection. He called the little children unto Him and blessed them one by one. Then they were encircled as if by fire, and angels descended and ministered unto them. Their tongues were loosed so that they could bear testimony of God and heaven, and they uttered things so sacred, it was not lawful to write them. Read more at the following article: http://www.mormonwiki.com/Salvation_of_Little_Children

Yes, they do read the Bible, but try to intentionally point to the Book of Mormon instead on certain issues, especially baptism. In a least two places in the Bible, there are quotes where “households” or entire families were baptized. Not just adults but the entire family. The Mormon Church ignores these verses and will tell you that only those of the age of accountability need to be baptized and even condone baptizing young children, against direct teachings of Jesus Christ to allow the little children to come to him.

Jason, thanks for your question. As a reminder of Mormon doctrine, same-sex attraction is not ever considered a sin, but acting upon that attraction is. We do try to understand how extremely difficult it is to want to live according to God’s commandments while facing this constant trial. Many heterosexual Mormons face something somewhat similar in that they are single, widowed, or divorced. They choose to live a celibate life in order to keep the Law of Chastity. You should definitely discuss this with your bishop, as you will need to make some choices, and you will need understanding and support. The Church also has a new website that includes personal stories — http://mormonsandgays.org/
I think you will find that this website feels like a safe place where you can get some of your questions answered. We wish you all the very best as you move forward.

Hi, Matt. Thanks for your comment. There are no live baptisms performed in Mormon temples — only baptisms for the dead. Regular baptisms are performed in baptismal fonts in Mormon meetinghouses, or where none is available, in suitable bodies of water where baptism by full immersion can happen. Mormons who have been baptized at age 8 only need to be re-baptized if they have been excommunicated from the Church, and that rarely occurs, especially when the common mistakes of youth are taken into consideration. Here are some steps you might want to take.

Get in touch with your local bishop (find out who that is by using the maps feature at lds.org — Find a Meetinghouse). Tell him you are 24 and have been inactive for a long time, but would like to come back. He will arrange to meet with you, or he will send some young Mormon missionaries or home teachers to discuss your feelings with you. When people, especially young people, become inactive, they often have lifestyle problems they need to fix, and there are people and Christ who are ready to help. Your working on Sunday could interfere with your ability to get to church meetings. Sometimes, people with that kind of commitment can work after church meetings. Or after sincere prayers for help, they get up the courage to discuss different arrangements with their bosses. Often, because our Heavenly Father wants to help, miracles happen, and they find their bosses ready to cooperate and compromise.

Good luck with your journey, Matt. Let us know if you have more questions.

Jesse, in answer to your concern, Acts chapter 8 verses 14-19 talks about Jesus’ apostles and the Holy Ghost. Verse 17 says that they received the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands. In verse 18, a man named Simon saw that the Holy Ghost was given by laying on of hands, and offered Peter money to receive this gift. Peter responds that money cannot buy the Holy Spirit, that instead Simon must repent and be forgiven. Anyone can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, or the blessing to have the Holy Ghost as his/her constant companion, so long as he or she repents and is baptized. Also, those who don’t have the gift of the Holy Ghost can still feel the Holy Ghost, but cannot have the Holy Ghost with them always. Hopefully this is helpful to you!

Thanks, Willie, for sharing this sacred experience. I’d keep it close to your heart and only share when prompted.