Posts Tagged ‘baptism’

Pushka Baptized Through Online Associations

October 9th, 2008 by Karen Merkley | No Comments | Filed in How We Are Helping

If you're new here, read more about the More Good Foundation. We help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church) share their beliefs on the Internet. Learn more about what Mormons believe or talk with Mormons at LDS.net.

Pushka is 44 years old from England. She attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in her teens for about 5 years, but was never baptized. She has been a member of LDStalk since March 2003, after deciding that her life was not heading in the direction she wanted it to be. Her purpose was to make friends with people who had the high standards she would like to adhere to in her own life. Just after LDS.net launched, she started talking with the missionaries with a desire to become a member.  Pushka was baptized on February 16, 2008.

Since I first registered as a member of the site, back in 2003 when half my online time was spent drunkenly chatting to strangers and acting in a way that was not good for my health or my spirit, this was the one message board/chat room that was like an escape from the world…it was the one site where I had to watch my manners and my words, and generally behave myself…and it helped me immensely. The people I’ve met thru this site have been with me throughout my troubles with my daughter’s surgery and my struggle with alcohol and have seen me turn the corner to where I am now trying to live life more healthily and with a little more compassion for the world at large. It takes me a while to feel completely comfortable with new people I meet, now that I’m not drunk all the time, and this is one of the only sites which has accepted me and not made me feel that I must impress everyone in order to be accepted. I can be myself, the real me, not the alcohol influenced me of the past decade or so. I’m really thankful for my experiences on this site, and for the widening of my Spiritual Education (Pushka)

Pushka’s conversations with her Mormon friends on LDS.net created a space for her to re-assess her life and enter the waters of baptism in The Church of Jesus Chrsit of Latter-day Saints.  Thanks to all who contributed to those conversations and Pushka’s progress.

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Baptist Preacher Now Baptized Mormon

October 9th, 2008 by Karen Merkley | No Comments | Filed in How We Are Helping

Lytle, a Baptist Preacher, was baptized as a result of his discussions with faithful Mormons on a social networking site, LDS.net (ex19k). He is 36 years old from Cincinnati.  Lytle joined LDS.net on Dec 9, 2007.
Not long ago there was a middle aged Baptist Preacher was doings some soul searching. After his church closed, he started going to other churches. None seem to be a home. He went to a lot, but could not find one where the spirit was sending him. He even had a lesson with some young men from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He moved from his area and was looking for just a place to chat. This site popped up and he decided to give it a try–and to find out about this newfound desire to learn more about the faith.

He stumbled into the chat room and met with some really nice people. They answered all of his questions. Encouraged him with prayers. Pretty soon he found out about what he needed to do and was baptized. Through the months that followed a lot of things happened in his life. He thought about not only leaving the church but also the site. When he told his new found friends they did not belittle him nor scorn him for thinking of leaving the church. On the contrary, they simply said that he needed to do what’s best. Not many people would do that with someone’s faith.  [Some also said], ”Please stay.” They kept him in their prayers.

And he finally figured out what was missing in his life. . . the Church. When he told his friends online and in real life, [what he discovered], they rejoiced in his decision. Now. . . you might think that this is just another site. No. .to some of the people this site is more like a home. A home of not just people getting together and having a good time, but a group of people that band together in time of need. For Prayer. Learning. Studying. And also for questions. No matter how trivial. Of people helping other people. . .not many chat rooms can say that, nor forums.

I leave you with this. The young man was me, and through the encouragement of this site I did come through a lot with all your prayers and not giving up on me. I want to thank you all personally for that. Each and every person on this moderator staff means the world to me. I want you all to know that. This site is very special to me in so many ways. From the deepest part of my heart I love every one of you in Christ.

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