We believe that the first principles and aordinances of the Gospel are: first, bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, cRepentance; third, dBaptism by eimmersion for the fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ghands for the hgift of the Holy Ghost.
The 3rd Article explains that we believe obedience to the laws and ordinances to the Gospel are necessary for salvation (the chance to live with God once again), and the 4th Article details what those saving ordinances are. Each person who expresses interest in joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must go through each of the above “steps” to become a member.
1st-An expression of Faith in Jesus Christ. The potential convert must express a belief that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. This testimony will be obtained through reading the words of the scriptures, fasting and prayer.
2nd-We believe baptism washes a person clean of all sin, but it is necessary to first put things in order before undergoing this ordinance. Forgiveness must be sought for broken relationships, addictions must be overcome, recompense made. Couples who are living together outside of marriage must either marry or separate until marriage. Those who smoke or drink coffee often have a very difficult time with this step because daily habits must be changed, as adhering to the Word of Wisdom before becoming a member of the Church is mandatory. Kate wrote about her struggles with breaking the caffeine habit here, and I’m so proud of her for overcoming!
3rd-Baptism must be done by immersion and with the proper authority. Those who were previously baptized by other faiths must be re-baptized when they join the LDS Church. When baptism occurs the convert must go completely under the water. I’ve been to baptisms where the ordinance was performed several times because a pinky or a toe were not fully submerged! 
I love the symbolism found in baptism, the perfection and rebirth promised to those who have sinned. When I was baptized at 8 years of age I remember coming up out of the water and thinking “Right now, I am perfect.” The perfection didn’t last long though, and I am grateful to my Savior for making the sacrifice which allows me to live with Father in Heaven once again.
4th-The last step in the process is confirmation. This happens immediately after or within a few days of baptism. A group of men holding the Melchizedek priesthood surround the new convert and lay their hands on the converts head and confirm the convert as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
What is the process like for those who wish to join your faith?
May 17th, 2009 on 6:07 pm
Believe in Jesus Christ and all that He stood for. In sum, His death, burial, and resurrection. It’s a simple requirement! What an amazing God!
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kaitlyn Reply:
May 17th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
P.S. I hope you are beginning to feel better!
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May 17th, 2009 on 6:17 pm
So I know that this isn’t what your post was about, but back to the word of wisdom. I’ve been studying and I was wondering about section 89, lines 12-13 in the Doctrine and Covenants:
12 Yea, flesh also of bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
I’m wondering why the sparingly eating meat part is not followed as stringently as the alcohol, caffeine or tobacco parts of the WOW?
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Evelyn Reply:
May 17th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
We have various manuals that we use in some of our scripture study classes. What I quote below is from a manual often used with study of the Doctrine and Covenants, as I think this may address your question. One thing that should be noted is that with the exception of gluttony or severe imbalance meat is not bad, whereas coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, etc. are addicting substances and are therefore specifically avoided. (Obviously some people do have an addiction to food and perhaps even meat, but that’s not because the food itself is addicting, thus that situation is therefore something of an exception.)
D&C 89:12. Flesh Is to Be Used Sparingly
“The Word of Wisdom is not a system of vegetarianism. Clearly, meat is permitted [see D&C 49:19]. Naturally, that includes animal products, less subject than meat to putrefactive and other disturbances, such as eggs, milk, and cheese. These products cannot be excluded simply because they are not mentioned specifically. By that token most of our foodstuffs could not be eaten.” (Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations.)
D&C 89:13. “Only in Times of Winter, or of Cold, or Famine”
This verse has caused some to ask if meat should be eaten in the summer. Meat has more calories than fruits and vegetables, which some individuals may need fewer of in summer than winter. Also, before fruits and vegetables could be preserved, people often did not have enough other food to eat in winter. Spoiled meat can be fatal if eaten, and in former times meat spoiled more readily in summer than winter. Modern methods of refrigeration now make it possible to preserve meat in any season. The key word with respect to the use of meat is sparingly (D&C 89:12).
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Jenna Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Thanks Evelyn! Seriously, this was so helpful. It would have taken me hours to research this answer!
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May 17th, 2009 on 7:02 pm
This is quite interesting to me. I was raised in the Methodist church, but have always followed the practices of the Catholic church. My fiance and I recently went through the classes necessary to become full members of the Catholic church. He had done everything except confirmation, while I had only been baptized. As long as you are baptized in another Christian faith, you do not repeat that step. We had to attend the classes to learn what the faith is about, and also to see if we were willing to make that commitment to God and Jesus. It was fascinating, and I learned more than most of my students could answer (I teach in a Catholic school!). I will never forget my welcoming into the church!
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May 17th, 2009 on 7:12 pm
I know that I should know this, but what exactly does “ordinance” mean for Mormons? What is the difference between an ordinance and a law? It seems similar to the Catholic understanding of a sacrament, but not exactly.
Catholic initiation consists of baptism, receiving Communion for the first time, and confirmation. The order depends upon whether one is growing up in the faith, or joining as an adult. Study and confession are part of both processes, but it is different for children than for adults.
For non-Catholics who wish to become Catholic as adults, there is a time of learning about Catholicism (usually months to years). Then, if not already validly baptized, one is baptized. After baptism one is confirmed and then receives communion for the first time.
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Evelyn Reply:
May 17th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
We, that is-Mormons, define ordinances as follows:
In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord.
(You will note that in the fourth article of faith it says that these are the **first** principles and ordinances of the gospel, hence they aren’t the only ones.)
I think that *may* have answered your question about the difference between a law & an ordinance… but I can try and clarify further if it didn’t. =)
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Evelyn Reply:
May 17th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I just noticed the time stamp… it’s kind of fun to comment because it’s like I’m going back in time, it’s the 18th at 10:39 a.m. for me! =D
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R Reply:
May 18th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for the answer!
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Jenna Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Again, thank you!
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May 17th, 2009 on 7:37 pm
Nicely done..I enjoyed your posts over on WeddingBee, being a member myself..and missedreading about you, so came to find you here…looking forward to reading more
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May 17th, 2009 on 9:05 pm
For me, it’s easy. I believe that Jesus paid for my sins on the Cross. That’s it! Once I believe that, I am saved and have Heaven. In my belief system, salvation isn’t dependent upon whether or not once is baptized. Baptism, for me, is a symbol of what happened in my heart-a physical sign of the inward washing. Actually, since I am Reformed, we baptize our babies and bring them into the covenant (similar to how circumcision was used in the Old Testament). A baptized baby isn’t saved-he/she still has to make a personal decision to accept Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior.
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Jenna Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I’ve never heard of baptism being used as an entrance into the covenant. We believe the same thing about baptism as well. One becomes a member of the 12 Tribes and the blessings of the posterity of Abraham when they join the Church.
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May 18th, 2009 on 9:19 am
I attended two churches while growing up. In the non-denominational/Bible churches believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (that he died to save the world from sin, was raised on the third day, ascended to heaven, will come again, and that it is through faith which we are saved) was all that was required for membership.
During middle and high school we attended (and my parents still attend) a Baptist church. The only other requirement for membership was baptism. And they accepted baptisms done in other churches.
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May 19th, 2009 on 10:40 am
Does everything happen at once for children who are baptized at 8, or is confirmation at a different time? did you feel ready to make that commitment at 8? Are there particular classes that kids take to get ready too? In my church (Presbyterian) we confirm in 8th grade or around, and for the whole year they have a special sunday school class to prepare.
Adults joining who have been baptized anywhere but aren’t Presbyterians join the particular church by “affirmation of faith”, and Presbyterians just transfer their membership. Non baptized adults are baptized (but just with a little water on the head, not submersion.)
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Jenna Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Children in the Church attend a Sunday School called Primary from the age of 3 years old, which, among other things, prepares them for baptism. Those who are not “lifetime” members take classes from the missionaries.
And yes, baptism and confirmation happen either on the same day or on the same weekend (or at least in the same month).
All children go through an interview with their bishop before getting baptized, and have to answer some basic questions about their knowledge and understanding of the Gospel. Although I haven’t heard of it personally I assume that the bishop wouldn’t let the baptism happen if the child expressed hesitance about the ordinance.
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