Invited to attend a Mormon baptism, should I go?

[Mayah]

I love you guys!
I've read all your excellent, godly & thoughtful responses and I did just call my mom and lovingly declined. I told her it would not be right for me as an ex-mormon to attend because of my convictions. She said she was afraid I would say that. She still tried to convince me by saying it's to support Irene, and that other non-mormons come to these baptisms (I'm amazed how LDS is morphing) but I gently told her that I DO NOT support Irene's decision to join the LDS, therefore my presence would not be appropriate. I told her to tell Irene I will pray for her (I didn't tell her I'm praying for her salvation ) so she will kindly let Irene know I will be unable to attend. I told her that it's beautiful that Irene is seeking God, she's a lovely lady, etc...and apparently this woman is very taken by me. (Actually, Jesus in me. Praise the LORD!)
She did say, "well if this is the case, was I wrong then to go to your christian functions, your son's baptism, etc?!" I told her those are different as that's involving family. She accepted that and we left it at that.

johnd, you've hit every nail on the head! Great insight. Thanks so much for your response, my husband said the exact same things! I will definately get a hold of Bill McKeever.

 

[KEPLER]

I love you guys!
I've read all your excellent, godly & thoughtful responses and I did just call my mom and lovingly declined. I told her it would not be right for me as an ex-mormon to attend because of my convictions. She said she was afraid I would say that. She still tried to convince me by saying it's to support Irene, and that other non-mormons come to these baptisms (I'm amazed how LDS is morphing) but I gently told her that I DO NOT support Irene's decision to join the LDS, therefore my presence would not be appropriate. I told her to tell Irene I will pray for her (I didn't tell her I'm praying for her salvation ) so she will kindly let Irene know I will be unable to attend. I told her that it's beautiful that Irene is seeking God, she's a lovely lady, etc...and apparently this woman is very taken by me. (Actually, Jesus in me. Praise the LORD!)
She did say, "well if this is the case, was I wrong then to go to your christian functions, your son's baptism, etc?!" She accepted that and we left it at that.

johnd, you've hit every nail on the head! Great insight. Thanks so much for your response, my husband said the exact same things! I will definately get a hold of Bill McKeever.

Mayah,

I think you've just lived through one of those moments that Jesus warned us about in Luke: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26)

I've never personally taken those words to mean that we should go out and actively seek to do this... They're more of a description of what will inevitably happen when we become followers of Christ. I also think it's a parallel verse with John 16:33, where more comfort is offered.

Christ's Peace to you!

Eric

 

[Mayah]

Actually I am surprized that you are able to attend at all. From the Mormons I know, one must be an approved "temple Mormon" to attend the Baptism, and as an 'apostate' in their eyes, I am surprizedd that you are approved.

Ever hear of Utah Lighthouse ministries?

It is interesting that I'm invited, because in all my years as LDS, "outsiders" simply were not invited, nor welcomed and if they were born-again christians even less so. johnd hit the nail on the head (my apologies to anyone else who said the same) that she's trying to bring me back into "the church".
I must clarify one point, there are 2 types of baptisms in the LDS. The first is baptisms for the dead, which are done "by proxy" in the temples. You are correct, that only LDS in good church standing and with a "temple recommend" can go to the temple.
The other type is the baptism by full immersion which is understood by LDS as an acceptance of "the "true" church, Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, and the teachings,..." essentially, a membership ritual. It does not have the same meaning that it has for christians, that's a very important distinction to make. Oh, and these are usually performed in churches, so this is why I would have been allowed to be invited.
Yup, I have heard of Lighthouse Ministries and in my early years as a recovering ex-LDS, I was greatly helped by their articles on the web and other ministries. Truth needs to replace all the error and the word of God is my anchor, yet I needed to hear from apologetic experts too. God bless all of them and all of you who have a heart for the LDS people. Don't give up, just keep loving them, planting seeds, shine Jesus to them, be honest, but with gentleness, kindness, respect,... One day in heaven I want to personally thank all those faithful christians who planted seeds in me. Often they were total strangers who shone Jesus with a smile, their kind, joyful loving way... and I knew I wanted what they had. Don't ever give up on any person, no matter how militant and committed they may seem on the outside, inside God is wooing, calling them, our part is to be faithful.

 

[Mayah]

Mayah,

I think you've just lived through one of those moments that Jesus warned us about in Luke: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26)

I've never personally taken those words to mean that we should go out and actively seek to do this... They're more of a description of what will inevitably happen when we become followers of Christ. I also think it's a parallel verse with John 16:33, where more comfort is offered.

Christ's Peace to you!

Eric

I couldn't agree more! Who do we love? Really. God or our fleshly attachments? This is part of the "pick up your cross and follow Me" walk that we will encounter all our earthly lives. If we really do love our families, we will love God 1st, because to do less is not real love.

 

[johnd]

I know it was not an easy thing to do. But I know God is pleased and that he blesses you. May he continue to work in your mother's heart. Whether you realized it or not, your refusal to compromise proved something to her about your conviction and may well give her cause to look further into what you believe so strongly.

God bless you and your family.

I love you guys!
I've read all your excellent, godly & thoughtful responses and I did just call my mom and lovingly declined. I told her it would not be right for me as an ex-mormon to attend because of my convictions. She said she was afraid I would say that. She still tried to convince me by saying it's to support Irene, and that other non-mormons come to these baptisms (I'm amazed how LDS is morphing) but I gently told her that I DO NOT support Irene's decision to join the LDS, therefore my presence would not be appropriate. I told her to tell Irene I will pray for her (I didn't tell her I'm praying for her salvation ) so she will kindly let Irene know I will be unable to attend. I told her that it's beautiful that Irene is seeking God, she's a lovely lady, etc...and apparently this woman is very taken by me. (Actually, Jesus in me. Praise the LORD!)
She did say, "well if this is the case, was I wrong then to go to your christian functions, your son's baptism, etc?!" I told her those are different as that's involving family. She accepted that and we left it at that.

johnd, you've hit every nail on the head! Great insight. Thanks so much for your response, my husband said the exact same things! I will definately get a hold of Bill McKeever.

 

[Mayah]

I know it was not an easy thing to do. But I know God is pleased and that he blesses you. May he continue to work in your mother's heart. Whether you realized it or not, your refusal to compromise proved something to her about your conviction and may well give her cause to look further into what you believe so strongly.

God bless you and your family.

You're so right, it was one of the hardest things to do, because I don't want to harden her heart, yet I don't want to compromise. God will honor this decision and work it all together for His absolute best according to His will and eternal purposes, I really believe that.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and loving support, I treasure it.
May God bless you and your family too! (And everyone else who responded here )