Things have changed since I joined the church, I think. I never filled out any forms. I can't remember being asked about abortion. I would assume it just has to do with family history kind of stuff. I know members who had abortions before they joined (and one after she joined. I know it was a drama and she went inactive for like a year afterward of her own choice. She was a friend, and the RS Pres and other ladies were always asking me how she was doing and if there was anything they could do for her), so it's doesn't bar membership. Maybe there's a specific conversation that has to happen for such instances? Hopefully someone else will know, but if you find out from someone in person please come back and let me know. I'm curious about that one.

I'm a convert. I joined with my first husband. My current husband also is a convert. He joined when we were dating. Current dh and I were both unaware that there could be any controversy over joining the church, until we tried to invite people to our baptisms. Xh knew full well, and that's why he joined the church. His family is VERY catholic. His mom used to be a nun! lol There were a lot of arguments, but honestly he was setting them up for a situation where he could feel unjustly persecuted. If he had handled things differently, his mom would have just been annoyed and made passive aggressive quips for a while, and the rest would have rolled their eyes and ignored him. After joining the church, he became such a different person, though, that I ended up joining as well as his brother and his brother's wife and their 4 children. Now, everyone in that family is back to Catholic, but xh's mom and occasionally sister are the only ones that are practicing. His mom loves our church because my children love God and love church. They have strong personal convictions, even when no one is around to care - so much that they stand out from all their cousins. They always ask if they can go to her church with her when they visit, too, and they usually talk all their cousins and aunts and uncles into going, too. Once per year, xh's mom gets to have the whole crew attend mass with her. It makes her so happy, she cries every single time. She never has anything bad to say about our church anymore.

My family. My mom was annoyed that I was getting baptized "again". I had been coerced into it when I was little, then did it by choice as a teen already. She didn't come to the real one. My sister and her husband were pretty rabidly anti-Christian and one Christian church was just as evil as another in their eyes. I invited her out of courtesy. She declined politely. My little brother was a hardcore, stereotypical punk. He considered himself sober if all he had in him was alcohol and pot, back then. He always argued and fought about everything ... always. Preferably physically. He said every nasty thing he could think up, made up crazy stories to prove his points, etc. I didn't invite him to the baptism. lol He would have come, and one of us would have sent the other to the E.R. ...again...and I thought that would have significantly detracted from the day. lol

Dh's family. His mom and grandmother were beyond annoyed. They hate religion in general. They couldn't care less what church he joined. They were his only local family, and wouldn't come to his baptism. They change the subject whenever he talks about the church or his participation in it. His dad is kind of vaguely glad he's doing something that makes him happy, but keeps his mouth shut as not to make waves. His other grandparents were crazy happy that he was getting baptized. They're all very religious. They were a little wary about the church he chose, at first...but he has a REALLY rough past, and they didn't want to scare him off by being critical. They've since asked a few questions, but more seem to find the differences just a little weird. Their love for their grandson is forcing them to respect the faith, regardless of preconceptions.

The first year, there was a lot of turmoil. After that, people got used to the idea and settled down. Now, my mom enjoys attending ward events and even attends sacrament meeting when she visits. She absolutely will not ever join the church, but enjoys sharing it with us sometimes. Xh's mom sent dd a quad as a baptism gift! My sister came to dd's baptism (BIL didn't because he didn't trust himself not to start arguements and didn't want to ruin dd's big day). Dh's family love that ds passes sacrament, and get excited when dh has a talk or is given another level of priesthood or something. He doesn't mention those things to his mom or grandma. The rest think it's a little odd, still, but are just so happy to see his involvement in any church growing, that they are learning to be accepting of this church.