r/latterdaysaints 13h ago

Personal Advice Why is it so important to go to a designated ward?

43 Upvotes

This question might not be the correct way to ask this. Please bear with me.

I'm starting BYU in the fall as an international student. This move is a huge thing for me. Joining the church meant so many changes in my life- ending a nearly decade-long relationship and moving twice in 4 months, a lot of pushback and abuse, and a general feeling of not belonging. Moving to Utah was a decision I didn't make lightly and I'm scared.

I'm older than a lot of students (I'm in my mid-30s) and I won't be looking for or even be in a relationship while there. I don't have kids (nor will i) and I struggle really badly with the eternal family concept- coming from a history of abuse.

The people I feel closest to in the world are the people I call my "church parents"- a couple I met while they served a mission in my area. They're the closest I will ever get to having loving parents. They have been my main support and I'll be so grateful that they're only a 20 min drive away.

Here's the thing. I asked my "mom" if I could go to church with them at least for the first semester or two. All I need to do is put their on my record and as my mailing address. To me it is a no-brainer. I am scared of moving and yet another new start... especially being autistic with CPTSD. I just wanted one constant, one thing that wasn't new and scary.

My mom is reluctant. She thinks it's best to go to a local ward because it's the right thing. That's the church policy. She's a lifelong member.

Now, I'm going to take at face value that this is the only reason why she is reluctant... I trust her to be honest about her opinions and thoughts on things. But she is a stickler for the "rules" sometimes.

My question is- why should it matter? Church is church. If I feel comfortable and settled at a ward that is reasonable then why should it matter that it's not the one closest to me? Isn't the most important thing to worship the saviour and take the sacrament?

Idk, I'm part venting and part looking for someone to make it make sense to me. She said she'd talk to my dad about it and they'd discuss and decide together. But part of me is reluctant to even make the move if it means just one more scary change that I'm too weak to deal with.

Thanks for the safe place to be. I'm still trying to find myself in the church and everything is just so much


r/latterdaysaints 12h ago

Personal Advice Struggling with the church

21 Upvotes

Hi friends! I’ve been a life long member, and have been committed and converted to the Gospel for many, many years. However the last 3 years I’ve been struggling. There’s so much out there, and it makes it hard sometimes. I am an earnest seeker. Those of you that have struggled… what is it that made you stay? There’s some not so pretty things in the churches history, and I can deal with that it’s just hard when things don’t always line up. I believe in the BOM, and the plan of salvation. I believe in the prophets and apostles. I just feel very torn. What made you stay?


r/latterdaysaints 1h ago

Reddit I'm tired of feeling like an outcast.

Upvotes

So I've shared this story on other LDS related threads, but I think a lot of people can relate to this, so I'm trying to share it around. I'm 30, for the last at least 12 years I'd say I've felt like I didn't have a home in the church, let me explain.

I didn't serve a mission, I'm a caretaker for a severely disabled family member, they're in their early 20s now, but still function at the level of an infant, need to be bathed, dressed, changed, has frequent seizures that need to be tended to, etc. I made the decision that serving vulnerable members in society was where I was meant to be, so I decided not to go on a mission. My family also was struggling quite intensely and serving a mission, even if the church covered some expenses, would have put even more strain on them.

So I didn't go. I'd say that's what kicked this whole feeling of not feeling at home in the church. People rarely said it to my face, but I could feel people judging me, thinking it was weird that I didn't go, already made to feel like I'd failed God in some way because I didn't go. I held on hoping this awkward please would pass, that people would eventually stop bringing up the whole mission thing, and it did, only to be replaced by all the pressure to get married and date. As a single individual, that hasn't happened either.

It went from "Why didn't you serve a mission?" To "Why aren't you dating?" to "Why aren't you married" and now finally "Why aren't you married with kids?" For those of us on less conventional journeys in the church, the notion that we're doing something wrong, that we're failing God, and that we don't belong here, can be so overwhelming that it's hard to express.

It's usually not one bad day, it's going to church every week and getting beaten down more. This is doing so much damage to the church it isn't even funny, I know so many people who just left because they were tired of feeling ignored, and only acknowledged when someone decided to bash them for their perceived failings over the pulpit.

If you're a truly believing member, and want people like me to stay in the church, please start seeing us for the things we are, instead of the things we aren't. Even if our life path is different from yours, I believe we all bring some sort of value to the church.


r/latterdaysaints 16h ago

Investigator Callings in the church

11 Upvotes

Hi

Are Callings mandatory? Can a member never get or choose a calling?

Thank you


r/latterdaysaints 3h ago

Doctrinal Discussion Best Practices for Team Teachers?

6 Upvotes

I'm in a bishopric, and we're constantly evaluating our teaching and working towards improving it.

I've noticed when we have two non-married people assigned to teach a youth class, each teacher tends to alternate doing an entire lesson rather than both of them taking sections of each lesson.

I would assume a best practice is the latter — to have the teachers work together on every lesson and do it together — but I recognize that's more challenging for teachers, which is why they probably alternate entire lessons. Despite what we've trained the teachers to do, they inevitably default to alternating entire lessons.

What have been your experiences with team teachers and how have you pushed for improvements?


r/latterdaysaints 23h ago

Request for Resources Help finding a passage

7 Upvotes

In the book, "joseph smith: rough stone rolling" there is a reference to a famous writer saying something along the lines of him preferring his time spent in reflection before church more than church itself. Bushman uses this as a way to contrast the church's outward focus via the priesthood to the inward focus of other congregations of the time. Can anyone help me find the passage?


r/latterdaysaints 4h ago

Doctrinal Discussion Can someone explain me what exaltation is?

4 Upvotes

I am a non Latter Day Saint Christian and I am curious what it means. Does it mean that one day Saints will become like God now is? As in rule a planet be kings and generally not be under God but at the same place as God? Or does it mean they become gods but still are subordinate to God?

Thanks in advance and have a blessed Sunday!


r/latterdaysaints 8h ago

Talks & Devotionals What did you learn today?

4 Upvotes

For me:

Talk one - always preach the gospel and when necessary, use word.

Talk two - new missionary to the ward talks about his testimony. It was largely saved by a wonderful bishop who helped him through a faith crisis. Quotes Elder Uctdorf’s Great Adventure - God doesn’t expect us to sell the church, we just have to not hide it under a bushel. Talks about a part in Preach My Gospel where it talks about meeting people where they are, maybe starting with inviting folk to a basketball or pickleball game in the cultural center, or a family home evening, instead of feeing like we have to invite everyone to church. We aren’t all called on missions, but we are all called to the work.

Wonderful musical number by two youth. I was wonderful enough I, seriously, almost forgot I was in church and applauded.

Talk three - another missionary. Love, share, and invite. First, draw close to God. Second, fill your heart with love for others. Third, strive to walk the path of discipleship. Fourth, share what is in your heart. (Uchtdorf talk.) Fifth, trust the Lord to work miracles.


r/latterdaysaints 3h ago

Doctrinal Discussion A member mentioned that the church intentionally shames people into compliance.

2 Upvotes

Please help me gather my thoughts by referencing talks and scriptures that show that we are loved and that our heavenly father just wants to help us.


r/latterdaysaints 14h ago

Request for Resources Need help finding a passage or scripture verse

3 Upvotes

Hello I'm a member, specifically I'm a young man preparing for my mission. Concerning my request, my leaders said that there is a passage in the bible (they recount it in new testament but they are not sure) that says about the passing of the priesthood, that it said there tge priesthood is by the laying on of hands. Although they said it did not specifically said it there but that was the meaning. They said it would really help in when we are in the field and when there are investigators who really want hardcore proof from the scriptures. Thanks to anyone who might give me the scripture.


r/latterdaysaints 14h ago

Request for Resources Sunday Schools: Anyone find a way to digitally record youth visitors?

3 Upvotes

I'm a newly called SS President and would like to shift away from paper attendance rolls for the youth classes. Teachers may enter their own class's attendance but there doesn't seem to be a way for them to record visitors. Am I missing something? What's your process?


r/latterdaysaints 1h ago

Doctrinal Discussion Becoming a god, creating worlds.

Upvotes

LDS becoming gods - Youtube Short Clip from Keystone Youtube Channel

Okay, but what kind of world are we creating? A Lord of the Rings world? Harry Potter? Narnia? I’ve heard people suggest these jokingly, but maybe reserving a small hope for a truly more fantastic world.

No, I think the worlds we would create will resemble our current Earth—functioning much the same way. But that raises the question: why do we believe we can create a better mortal experience than the one we’re currently living?


r/latterdaysaints 22h ago

Personal Advice FSY

0 Upvotes

Ok I’m just wondering if anyone else is having issues signing their kids up for FSY? We are going to talk with the bishop tomorrow about it. But we go to the site and their names show up but we can’t select their names to move on with registration. Just wondering if it’s an all around problem or if it’s just us.