Jakesmom917 Posted October 15, 2018 Posted October 15, 2018 I joined the church 28 years ago in Connecticut. I lost my first child about a year after due to still birth. He was Full term. I was very distraught. I moved to NC in 1991. I haven't stepped foot in a church since. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident in July. It's been very hard. But, it's made maybe want to go back. Is it unheard of to redo the lessons and get rebaptized? Thanks
ksfisher Posted October 15, 2018 Posted October 15, 2018 12 minutes ago, Jakesmom917 said: I joined the church 28 years ago in Connecticut. I lost my first child about a year after due to still birth. He was Full term. I was very distraught. I moved to NC in 1991. I haven't stepped foot in a church since. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident in July. It's been very hard. But, it's made maybe want to go back. Is it unheard of to redo the lessons and get rebaptized? Thanks Being taught by the missionaries, or even ward missionaries if your ward has them, could be helpful. You wouldn't need to be rebaptized though. The covenants you made at baptism can be renewed each week as you worthily partake of the sacrament. A good first step may be to speak with the bishop of the ward you are now living in. If you're unaware of which ward you reside in you can find out here https://www.lds.org/maps/meetinghouses/ 4
Jeanne Posted October 15, 2018 Posted October 15, 2018 40 minutes ago, Jakesmom917 said: I joined the church 28 years ago in Connecticut. I lost my first child about a year after due to still birth. He was Full term. I was very distraught. I moved to NC in 1991. I haven't stepped foot in a church since. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident in July. It's been very hard. But, it's made maybe want to go back. Is it unheard of to redo the lessons and get rebaptized? Thanks As an ex member, I just wanted you to know that my heart is with you. That your journey from here on out is a journey to bring you peace. Having lost so much family my empathy is full with you and yours. God loves you and so do I. 3
The Nehor Posted October 15, 2018 Posted October 15, 2018 Getting baptized again is not done unless you have been removed from church records. I would talk to the Bishop and ask if he can ask the missionaries to give you the lessons again. That can almost certainly be arranged. 3
Garden Girl Posted October 15, 2018 Posted October 15, 2018 5 hours ago, Jakesmom917 said: I joined the church 28 years ago in Connecticut. I lost my first child about a year after due to still birth. He was Full term. I was very distraught. I moved to NC in 1991. I haven't stepped foot in a church since. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident in July. It's been very hard. But, it's made maybe want to go back. Is it unheard of to redo the lessons and get rebaptized? Thanks Hello Jakesmom... I want to encourage you to find which ward you should be in, then call the bishop and meet with him about returning to activity... if your name was not removed from Church records, you are still considered a member, so as Nehor has pointed out, you won't need to be rebaptized. You just need to have your records transferred to your current ward... the bishop will help you with this. When I reactivated after 34 years. I didn't redo the lessons, but I did a lot of studying, particularly the "Gospel Principles Manual." (Ask the bishop for a copy, and to advise you on other resources to study). Be completely open and honest with the bishop... I know that you will be warmly welcomed... and the Relief Society president will also help you to become familiar and feel at home... Just start attending Let me tell you, Jakesmom, returning to the Church was the best thing for me (through the years I had been prompted by the Spirit numerous times, pulling me back until I finally heeded those promptings and began my return, which was hastened by the sudden death of my mom). So, again, I truly encourage you with all good wishes...and welcome here to this board. GG 2
rpn Posted October 16, 2018 Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) Welcome back. Just google meetinghouse locator and use your current address to look up you local ward and its hours and show up next week. Give the bishop your current address and date of birth and name and the ward clerk will ask for your records. Unless you officially resigned, you do not need to retake the lessons. Until January when they won't do it anymore, you can go to the Gospel Principles Sunday School class and learn basic doctrine. The current prophet has just asked the sisters to read the book of mormon between now and the end of the year --- so you can start doing that. If you would like to take the lessons again anyway, you can do it with online missionaries, or you can just ask the missionaries in your ward to give them (in some wards, the ward missionaries will give them to you, not the young people who are serving 2 years). If you did formally resign, then you will need to take the missionary lessons and be rebaptized. Remember that worthily taking the Sacrament each week renews your baptismal covenants: you don't need to be rebaptized to be clean again before the Lord. I bet your Heavenly Parents and Savior are really rejoicing in Heaven about your desire to return: They know you fully and intimately in each moment and They will do everything in Their power consistent with your agency to help you. Welcome home. PS You can find President Nelson's first talk and Elder Cook's first talk from most recent October conference announcing big change in the way the church will operate effective in January, and some other talks about ministering that will help you as you ease back in at lds.org . President's Nelson's talk on the name of the Church is probably also a different way of thinking from when you were last in Church and is important to the recent emphasis on Jesus Christ within the Church. Edited October 16, 2018 by rpn
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