To become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, there are a few key requirements that must be met. Some of the main requirements involve faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Much of the process focuses on developing faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel, making a commitment to follow Him, and receiving essential ordinances and covenants.
Have Faith in Jesus Christ
The first requirement to become a Mormon is to have faith in Jesus Christ and believe that He is the Savior of the world. Mormons believe that it is only through Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and grace that people can return to live with God again. Having faith in Christ is the first principle of the gospel.
Part of having faith is believing that Christ’s original church was lost after the death of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. Mormons believe that Christ’s church was restored again through the prophet Joseph Smith. This restoration included revelation, such as the Book of Mormon, which Mormons view as scripture that goes hand in hand with the Bible.
Repent of Sins
In order to qualify for baptism into the Mormon church, an individual must repent of their sins. Mormons are taught to continually repent and strive to follow Jesus Christ throughout their lives. Repentance involves recognizing sins, feeling godly sorrow, confessing sins, making restitution, abandoning sin, and resolving to keep God’s commandments.
True repentance comes from a love of God and the desire to align one’s will with His. It is more than just confession; it involves changing thoughts, behaviors, and actions. It leads to forgiveness and greater devotion to God. Mormons repent both privately and with the assistance of church leaders.
Be Baptized
Baptism is an essential ordinance to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons believe baptism is necessary for the remission of sins and is symbolic of spiritual rebirth.
To be baptized Mormon, the following criteria must be met:
– Be at least eight years old
– Demonstrate appropriate mental maturity and ability to understand the significance of the ordinance
– Have faith in and repentance towards Jesus Christ
– Commit to serve God and keep His commandments
Baptisms are typically performed by immersion. Candidates dressed in white are fully immersed under water and then brought up again. This symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection. It also represents purification and commitment to follow Christ.
Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost
After baptism, new members of the Mormon church also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is done through a priesthood ordinance called confirmation, in which authorized priesthood holders lay their hands on the person’s head and formally bestow this gift.
Mormons believe receiving the Holy Ghost gives them continuous divine guidance and inspiration in their lives. The Holy Ghost acts as a constant companion to lead them to truth and righteousness. Staying worthy of this gift requires keeping God’s commandments.
Endure to the End
While the steps of faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost are required to become a member of the Mormon church, simply going through these motions does not guarantee salvation or exaltation in God’s kingdom. Mormons believe they must endure to the end and remain faithful to these covenants for the rest of their lives.
Enduring to the end means regularly partaking of the sacrament to renew covenants, striving to keep God’s commandments even when faced with challenges, serving diligently in the church, and remaining dedicated to the faith until death. Mormons believe this lifelong devotion is essential to achieving eternal life and the highest blessings God has to offer.
Other Requirements and Commitments
In addition to the core requirements of faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, there are several other commitments expected of Mormons:
Tithing
Mormons commit to paying 10% of their income to the church in tithing. This is used to build churches, temples, and support missionary work and other operations. Members meet annually with church leaders to declare they are paying a full tithe.
Word of Wisdom
Mormons pledge to follow the Word of Wisdom, a health code that prohibits alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and recreational drugs. They strive to eat healthy foods and take care of their physical well-being.
Home and Visiting Teaching
Members agree to serve fellow church members by visiting them monthly as home and visiting teachers to share spiritual messages, strengthen faith, and attend to welfare needs.
Church Attendance
Mormons commit to attend church services and meetings each Sunday and worship together. Church attendance helps renew covenants and build faith.
Temple Worship
Mormons strive to be worthy to enter temples, considered the House of the Lord. Within temples they participate in sacred ceremonies, such as eternal marriage, that unite families forever.
Supporting Leaders
Members sustain and follow church leaders, including the prophet and apostles, by heeding their counsel and guidance in living the gospel.
Missionary Service
All worthy young Mormon men are expected to serve a two-year proselytizing mission. Young women and retired couples may also choose to serve missions. Doing so spreads gospel teachings, baptizes new members, and strengthens the faith of missionaries.
Conversion Process
The process of converting to Mormonism typically involves several steps over a period of time. These may include:
– Learning about the church by reading the Book of Mormon and other materials, meeting with missionaries, and attending services
– Gaining a spiritual witness that the gospel is true through study, prayer, and church attendance
– Making the decision to be baptized and keeping commitments such as attending church, living the Word of Wisdom, and tithing
– Preparing for baptism through repentance and gospel study with missionaries
– Being interviewed by church leaders to confirm worthiness for baptism
– Being baptized and confirmed a member of the church by priesthood authority
– Progressing after baptism through regular church attendance, temple worship, fulfilling callings, and enduring faithfully to the end
This conversion process requires significant commitment, conviction, and lifestyle changes. Support from local church congregations, leaders, and members helps new converts successfully transition to full activity and faithfulness in the church.
Becoming a Member in Practice
While meeting the requirements makes one a member of record in the Mormon church, truly becoming a faithful, practicing member takes time and diligent effort. Mormons believe the gospel should become deeply ingrained into the way one thinks, feels, speaks, and acts on a daily basis.
Some of the principles and practices that characterize an active, practicing Mormon include:
– Studying the scriptures regularly, both individually and with families
– Praying daily, both alone and with family
– Living the Word of Wisdom health code by not smoking, drinking coffee and tea, or using alcohol and drugs
– Attending three hours of church meetings each Sunday
– Abstaining from work and recreational activities on Sundays in order to keep it a holy day focused on spiritual matters
– Participating in church responsibilities and callings assigned by local leadership
– Dressing modestly and avoiding loud, immoral forms of entertainment
– Using clean, uplifting language and avoiding profanity
– Being honest in all dealings with others and in business
– Being a good family member by creating a loving home
– Doing family history work and vicariously participating in temple ordinances for ancestors
– Regularly holding family prayer, scripture study, and activities to strengthen the family
– Paying tithing and also giving generous fast offerings to help the poor and needy
– Refraining from extravagance and seeking to be self-reliant
– Magnifying church callings and serving diligently in assignments
– Sharing the gospel with others through member missionary work
– Obeying God’s commandments and sustaining church leaders
While striving for perfection, Mormons also rely on Christ’s Atonement to overcome weakness and improve daily. With faithful adherence over the long term, these practices and principles gradually reshape every aspect of a Mormon’s life to follow Christ and serve God.
Conclusion
Becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins with faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism by priesthood authority. But it involves much more than that. Being Mormon requires committing to a Christian lifestyle centered on Jesus Christ and His gospel. Mormons devote themselves to continual spiritual growth through gospel study, church participation, temple worship, and service to others. Their lives revolve around worshipping God and following Christ’s teachings by keeping commandments, serving, and enduring faithfully. With the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, Mormons strive to let the gospel permeate their souls and guide all they do.
