How to Move Into a New LDS Ward

As a Latter Day Saint, moving to a new home, could mean that you may no longer live in the designated area for the ward you used to attend. If this is the case, you may need to locate and join a new ward or branch.

Before you move: find out in what ward your new house is located . The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormons) divides itself into geographically defined congregations called wards or branches.

• Bishops preside over full sized congregations called wards and Stake presidents preside over smaller congregations called branches. Several of them combine to form a stake (aka a tent-peg) of Zion. You can find these by visiting the LDS Church's website and using their meetinghouse locator.
• A ward or branch will often be identified with a neighborhood descriptor, and a number. For example, the Mt. Timpanogos 4th Ward or the Canyon Crest branch.
• Stakes are identified with a descriptor, sometimes with a direction attached. For example, the Murray South Stake or the Foothill Stake. From the meetinghouse locator, you can often link to the homepage of your new ward, where you will find a phone number, meeting house times, and a welcoming message from the bishopric.

Find out who is the bishop of the ward and make the first contact. This can sometimes be tricky because the number listed on the website will be for the meetinghouse, not the bishop's home. Because (usually) the church has no full-time clergy, the most likely time to find someone at the church is on Sunday. Check the ward meeting times on the ward's homepage and try to call about an hour before or after the times listed. When you call, explain:

• You are moving into the ward.
• You are not LDS.
• You are anxious to get to know your neighbors.
• You may need some help in the first few days as you get accustomed to your new surroundings.
  
  
  
  
  
  Most bishops will be so excited you called that they will immediately offer free moving help. They will also likely give you contact information for some additional people who can help with your transition: the Relief Society President, and the Elder's Quorum president.

Contact the Elder's Quorum president . Each ward has a group of men who are ordained to the LDS priesthood and make up a quorum of elders.

• Think of it as a community service group that specializes in coordinating sporting activities, home and neighborhood cleanup projects, parenting support, and gospel instruction.
• Arrange a time with the quorum president when a few members of his quorum can meet your moving van and help you get settled. Even if you are using a full-service moving company and don't need help with the large furniture, express your willingness to meet with a few of the elders anyway on the day you arrive.
• Remember, these are not just your neighbors; they are men who have entered into a holy covenant with God to help you feel comfortable in your new place. Take them at their word and accept their offer.

Contact the Woman's Relief Society President . She is in charge of a group of women who are also organized for service. She is likely a long-time member of the neighborhood who can provide a wealth of information about schools, PTA, babysitters, health care, shopping, child-friendly parks and recreation.

Tips

• There's a good chance that the members of the LDS church will help you move in
• You may want to find out where they live so you can ask them questions comfortably and make friends.
• Realize that 50% of the people in Utah are not Latter-day Saints, so be sure to introduce yourself to your neighbors.
• If the congregation you move into is a branch, the bishop's role is instead played by the branch president.

Things You'll Need

• A house to move into
• Neighborliness
• An accepting heart