Can Mormons Join Other Churches and Stay LDS?

In the world of religious membership, questions often arise about the flexibility and limitations of being part of a particular church. This article explores the complex issue of Mormons joining other churches and their standing as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

Mary's Journey

My wife, Mary, was a fifth-generation member of the LDS Church and had never known any other church. However, her interest in other denominations began to grow in her teenage years. This curiosity was sparked by her introduction to me, a newly converted Christian who believed that Mormons were not Christians. Together, we decided to visit each other's churches to understand each other's beliefs better.

The No-Return Policy

During Mary's formative years, she was taught that leaving the LDS Church and joining another church would result in excommunication. Her mother warned her repeatedly about Uncle LaVerne, who had converted and then converted back, leading to his eventual excommunication and disappearance. This strict stance was instilled in Mary's psyche, making her cautious about straying from the LDS Church.

The Baptism Controversy

When we decided to get married and start a life together, the question of which church to join was a significant one. My pastor was hesitant about a Mormon girl joining his church and suggested that Mary would need to make a public profession of faith and be baptized in his church. Mary had already been baptized, but she did it in the Baptist church, which raised questions about her status within the LDS Church.

The Paradox of Baptism

Initially, Mary thought she needed to be re-baptized in the Baptist church to be accepted by my church. However, when she was invited to visit a different congregation — the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) — she hesitated due to her fear of excommunication from the LDS Church. This decision was made even harder because the RLDS church also required baptism, even though Mary had already been baptized twice.

The Journey Through Conformity

Despite the fears and reservations, we decided to join the RLDS Church. My wife, Mary, expressed her frustrations with the spirit of conformity in the LDS Church, which she felt oppressed her. She found more freedom in the RLDS Church and we both grew uncomfortable with the pressure to conform.

The Home Teacher's Insight

The RLDS Church's home teachers, who visited us regularly, explained that we were not going to be excommunicated for joining another church. They clarified that excommunication would only occur if we openly challenged the LDS Church and tried to recruit others to leave it. This revelation came as a surprise, as Mary had been warned about Uncle LaVerne's fate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the LDS Church's stance on joining other churches is strict, it is not an absolute no-go. Many members may experiment with different religions or even join other churches and remain in the LDS Church if they respect certain boundaries.

For Mormons interested in joining other churches, it's essential to understand the potential implications and to respect the policies and boundaries of both churches.