The only way to become a member is to start visiting with the missionaries. Click Here to Request a Visit
What happens when you contact the missionaries?
The missionaries will visit you and teach you the gospel. They will teach you the basic principles and lead you down the path to baptism. The only way to join the church is to be baptized into the church. They will teach you about Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion, and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. They will also teach you about the prophet Joseph Smith, the First Vision, The Book of Mormon, Tithing, the Word of Wisdom, Temples, and much more.
Do you need to be baptized to join the church?
Yes. This is the only way to join the church. We believe that the “authority” to baptize was given to Joseph Smith by John the Baptist. This is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 13. This authority is called the priesthood and it is the power to act in God’s name.
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority…
Luke 9 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
3 Nephi 11 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
How is someone baptized?
When Jesus Christ visited the Nephites in the Book of Mormon after his death and resurrection, after he let the people feel the prints of the nails in his hands and his feet, he called men and gave them power to baptize. Then he taught them what to say and how to perform a baptism. In his words:
23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.
24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
3 Nephi 11 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Can anyone attend church?
You do not need to be a member to attend any ward or congregation. Everyone is welcome.
Find a Church Service to Attend
There are thousands of congregations around the world. To find the congregation closest to you, go to the Meeting House Locator on the ChurchofJesusChrist.org website.
Most other churches have a number of church services you can attend based on your availability. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a bit different. Each ward is a geographic area called a “Ward” and each Ward attends at a specific time. All of the leadership is from within that same geographic area. In Utah where there is a high density of members, a Ward could be a group of 100 homes. Within those 100 homes, they would give different members assignments or “callings” to lead, teach, or many other things. All of the needs are filled by members of the Ward. They all work together as a Ward family to make everything run smoothly. One church or chapel could house 2 or 3 Wards (congregations)
What is appropriate to wear to a church service?
Everyone is welcome to attend how they are, there is no dress code. There are rules for missionaries, but not the general members of the church.
Though not required, you will find that most people dress in their Sunday best to attend church. This would be a suit or shirt and tie for men and boys; and a dress or skirt and blouse for women.
As a rule, you will probably feel more comfortable if you dress modestly. This would include wearing clothes in general and making sure those clothes cover the sacred parts of your body. The church released a guide called “For the Strength of Youth.” It provides generalities for making choices without giving direct commands. It is a good reference for youth and adults.
What is the difference between a temple and a chapel?
A chapel is where we have our weekly religious services. We gather as a small community (called a ward) which is run by a bishop (equivalent to a pastor or priest). There we take the sacrament (communion, Lord’s Supper) weekly and have weekly lessons. In the past, we broke into all the groups weekly. Now they alternate weeks. One week there is Sunday School for youth and adults. Every other week they break into the Young Men, Young Women, Priesthood, and Relief Society classes.
- Primary (For the children 3 to 12)
- Sunday School (General Gospel Learning)
- Young Men’s (12-18 – Aaronic Priesthood Learning)
- Young Women’s (12-18 – Teen Women Learning)
- Elder’s Quorum (18+ Melchezidech Priesthood Learning)
- Relief Society (18+ General Women’s Meeting)
Weekly services used to be 3-hour blocks. Now they are two-hour blocks.
A Temple is a sacred building. We often refer to it as The House of the Lord. When dedicated only members in good standing may enter. Good Standing refers to living the commandments, being a faithful member of the Church, and follower of Jesus Christ. They ask you a number of questions before entering before issuing you a recommendation that gives you permission to enter. See the actual questions here. The questions generally focus on a higher standard of living and testimony in the teachings of the church.
- Having faith in Jesus Christ
- Sustaining Church Leaders
- Belief in the restored gospel
- Keeping the commandments
- Wearing the temple garment
Temples are used Tuesday through Saturday. Inside the temples, we perform ordinances for the living and the dead. You always go through the ordinances first for yourself. Then every subsequent time, you perform ordinances on behalf of someone who is dead. There are a few things done in the temple. The work performed in the temple is considered sacred. We believe it links us to our ancestors and our ancestors to us.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
We believe this is accomplished through genealogy work and performing temple work for the dead. In a sense, it links the family of God together from beginning to end, every child to their parent and every parent to their child.
Why serve in the temple? When you enter the temple you change into white clothing. The atmosphere is beautiful and peaceful. You separate yourself from the world for a brief time. Every time you perform an ordinance in the temple, you perform it vicariously for someone who is dead, except the very first time which you do for yourself. The work performed in the temple is a work that the person who has died cannot do for themself. While in the temple you feel closer to God and Heaven. There is often time to ponder and pray while within the temple. These quiet moments can be full of peace, inspiration, and revelation.