We Promise We Aren't A Cult
"Would you like to hear about the gospel of our lord and savior Jesus Christ?"
*SLAM*
"Gosh darn it, Elder Sunrise! We just can't connect with the ponies of Equestria," Elder Silverdust rubbed his temples, distraught. "We haven't even baptized a single pony yet! Why doesn't anypony want to join our church?"
"Maybe it's your fault for bringing up Kolob in the first lesson, Elder Silverdust." Sunrise said, the life taken out of his eyes at this point in the day, after so many rejections. All they wanted to do was share the fullest gospel of Jesus Christ with the citizens of Ponyville!
"They have to learn about it at some point, Sunrise!" Silverdust shouted back, keeping his tone in check.
So they set off, wandering around the streets of Ponyville, going door to door, with each one slammed in their faces every time.
Elder Sunrise was from Yuletah,, and Elder Silverdust was from Manehatten, the place of origin for the first latter-day prophet, Joseph Smith. They both left their very, very large families behind to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And hopefully convert some people along the way.
They didn't have much luck so far, not baptizing a single pony so far. Of course, Ponyville was a small town, and the rate of baptisms-per-mission was low, and the lack of new members was to be expected, but for the two young ponies, just barely 19, it was getting frustrating!
"Elder Silverdust, I can feel the spirit coming from.... approximately that direction," he pointed to a path leading to a side of Ponyville they haven't explored yet. It didn't look like many lived down there, but it seemed like it was worth a shot.
"Are you sure, Elder Sunrise?" Silverdust asked, looking at his watch. It was almost time for lunch.
"We won't ever know if we don't ever try," Sunrise inquired.
So the two ponies set off on the path, making their way down town, walking fast, faces past and they're homebound.
They finally arrived at a small cottage that smelled like animal dung.
"Ah, this seems like a person that appreciates nature! Appreciating God's creation is one step away from accepting the gospel!" Silverdust exclaimed, running down the path to the friendly cottage.
They rung the doorbell and waited.
Eventually, it opened.
"Hello!" Started Sunrise. "My name is Elder Sunrise, and I would like to share with you the most amazing book!"
"Oh, hello," the yellow pony replied. "Would you like some tea?"
"Actually we can't drink tea, God forbade it in a revelation made by Joseph Smith called the Word Of Wisdom!" Elder Stardust said cheerfully.
"That's nice, my name is Fluttershy. Nice to meet you..." Fluttershy examined their name tags, "Elder Sunrise and Elder Stardust?"
They sat down at Fluttershy's table while she served them hot chocolate. Mormons like their sugar.
"Have you heard about the bible before, Fluttershy?" Elder Sunrise asked the pony in front of him.
"Oh, my friend Twilight Sparkle's read it. I've heard about it, but my family isn't religious."
"That's a good start! Have you heard of Jesus Christ and his atonement?"
"His... atonement....?"
"Have you ever heard the story of how Jesus died on the cross for our sins?" Elder Silverdust asked, sipping his hot chocolate.
"Oh, yes, I've heard of that..." Fluttershy replied back, sipping her tea and petting her bunny Angel. "What do you mean by, for our sins?"
"He died and felt all the suffering of all the world, so we wouldn't have to. His atonement was one of the major parts of obtaining God's glory." Elder Sunrise spoke with patience and slowly, not to scare off this pony. He had a good feeling about her.
"Oh! What's God's glory, exactly?" Fluttershy sat Angel down on the ground, put down her tea, and began to listen closely.
"God's glory is the blessings you receive in every day life, and after this life. In our church, we believe there are three degrees of heaven. Celestial, the highest one where you dwell with God and Jesus Christ forever, Telestial, where Christ might come visit sometimes, but you did not accept the gospel in your life while living on Earth. Terestrial is where you go if you actively disputed the gospel." Sunrise explained, praying silently that this part wouldn't turn the pony away.
"But here's the best part! In the next life, you get to live with your family, forever eternally." Sunrise smiled, silently thanking Elder Stardust for saving his butt.
"Oh.... like you're saying that I get to be with my animals and friends forever..? I never thought about that." Fluttershy lit up at the thought of living with her animals forever.
"We also believe that someday Jesus Christ will walk on this earth again, and there will be 1000 years of peace where everybody, young and old, will be able to experience the gospel of Jesus Christ to the fullest extent, with members of our church being the teachers and ones who were not being the students. This is so as many people as possible obtain the highest level of heaven."
"So, what are the steps to start.. whatever you're supposed to do to go into the Celestial kingdom?" Fluttershy asked, too inthralled to put her tea down.
"Baptism is the first step, it's where you're completely submerged in water by a member who holds the Priesthood, which is basically any stallion over 18." Sunrise was so happy, he could do a dance! Finally, someone who could experience the gospel, thanks to him! This is why he came on a mission in the first place!
"The next step is endowment, which can be done after a year of being a member. That's where you attend the temple and receive your garments that keep you closer to God and following his commandments. You also must attend church to renew your covenants you made at baptism, with the sacrament, and hang out with other church members."
"How do I start?" Fluttershy was cautious to start anything new, especially join a whole new religion. But these guys seemed so nice, and hearing them explain this foreign concept to her filled her with the spirit that she couldn't identity as the spirit yet. It made her feel really happy and excited.
"We'll arrange a date for baptism for you, and this Sunday you can start attending church! I promise you, the gospel gives you so many blessings, you'll never regret this decision."
And so, Fluttershy's baptism date was set. She invited all her friends and family to attend, and most of the reception was a confused, huh? But once she explained the feeling she felt and how hopeful she was of this new church, they all accepted her with a kind smile.
Fluttershy began reading the Book of Mormon by herself, and was already on Alma within a week. She attended church, where they sang a song all together, which she enjoyed, then passed around bread and water. She didn't understand everything and mostly looked at other ponies for clues on what to do, so she ate the bread and water, taking her first sacrament. Afterwards, some ponies gave talks and at the end they all gave their testimonies on how they knew the gospel was true. Then they went to classes, and studied different parts of the scriptures. She made many friends that first day at church, there was something special about each of the ponies she met that day. They all had a glow she hadn't seen in a pony before, the same glow Elder Sunrise and Elder Stardust had.
Fluttershy finally felt the blessings the missionaries promised in her life, and learned what the spirit is. They stopped at her house a few more times before her baptism, for pre-baptism lessons. They taught her about the gift of the holy ghost, and how it is received after baptism.
Fluttershy was so excited to be baptized and officially be a member of the church, at last. She hoped nothing would get in her way.
"What do you mean, you're getting baptized?!" Fluttershy's mom, Mrs. Shy, shouted at her daughter. This was the first they were hearing of this, and today was the day Fluttershy decided to tell them about her plan of being joining the church.
"Doesn't that church practice ponygamy, big sis? What, are you gonna get married off to a man and be his 10th wife now?" Zephyr Breeze was chewing some gum and sitting on the couch, the sight annoyed Fluttershy.
"Ponygamy was outlawed a long time ago, Zephyr." Fluttershy said back, not afraid to raise her town at her do-nothing brother.
"Oh, what has come of our daughter! She's being initiated into a cult!" Mr. Shy exclaimed, murmuring with his wife.
"Fluttershy, I know you're an adult pony and all that, but you cannot be baptized! We aren't a religious family! What place would you have in this religion?!"
"The people are very nice," Fluttershy began.
"Too nice if you ask me," Zephyr griped back and earned a glare from Fluttershy. "One time the missionaries came knocking at my door, and I shouted, YOUR RELIGION IS A SHAM and slammed the door! HA! Got'em."
"The missionaries are very kind and have been giving me lessons. They say that to achieve the highest degree of heaven, baptism is the first step-"
Fluttershy was then interrupted by her mother again. "How can you believe any of that crap?! Their so-called prophet was a fraud, I heard! Here, read this article about it..."
"Joseph Smith was not a fraud, mom! You shouldn't read so many articles, they're mostly biased and propaganda for other religions." Fluttershy couldn't handle much more of this. "Will you at least attend my baptism? Just be there to support me?"
"We'll go, just to make sure they don't start singing chants and marry you off," Mr. Shy replied, adjusting his glasses.
"Thank you. Zephyr, what about you?"
"I bet it'll be hilarious! I have to go!" Zephyr giggled.
"Fine then." Fluttershy then zoomed out of there, and flew back to her cottage without saying goodbye. She was peeved at her family members' reactions!
When Fluttershy arrived at her cottage, she realized she had an appointment with Rarity at the salon. So she fed her animals and set off to the Ponyville salon.
"Oh, Fluttershy, do tell me about your new religion," Rarity said, cucumbers over her eyes and a pony buffing her hoofnails.
"Um... Well, it all started when we were spirits.... and God made the Earth and decided to send us, his children, to Earth and give us a body... He gave us earthly parents and intended for us to grow in this world." Fluttershy said as they smeared mud all over her face, trying to relax after that disastrous meeting with her parents and brother.
"Oh, that's wonderful! What's it called again, amish...?" Rarity then told the pony doing her hooves to do rounded, not square. And make them glossy!
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," Fluttershy said back. "You could come to church with me after my baptism to see me be confirmed a member of the church, if you'd like. It's very nice there."
"Oh, you aren't going to try to convert me now, are you? I don't know how my parents would feel if I steered away from Catholicism, it's in our blood." Rarity thought for a bit. "Although Sweetie Belle has been trying out Methodist lately. But she's a kid, she'll come back once she realizes it's our family tradition."
"My parents were concerned, a lot.. because we're traditionally atheist, but I think starting new traditions is part of the joy of life... especially if it comes with as many blessings as this church does. What blessings have you seen in your live from your religion, Rarity?"
"Well, um.. uh... We get together every Sunday to have dinner. Although my dad isn't usually there, he has to work."
"See, in my church, he wouldn't be working because we have to keep the sabbath day holy... we don't do anything stressful on Sunday." Fluttershy let the pony remove her mask and start on her hooves.
"That's very interesting, darling, for sure." Rarity took a second to sort her thoughts out. "I think I'll attend to see you confirmed... and see if the other girls want to go with me, but I can't promise Rainbow Dash will want to go! She doesn't like the mushy stuff, as you know..." Rarity examined her hooves.
So the rest of Fluttershy's friends were invited to her confirmation, and they all agreed to go, although Rainbow Dash was wary and had to be convinced by Applejack.
"They don't like gay ponies! I have a freaking rainbow mane. Will they even let me through the doors?" Rainbow pointed at her colorful locks.
"Sugar, we're doing this to support our friend... but do they really not like gay ponies, Fluttershy?" Applejack looked at Fluttershy questioningly.
"Oh, we believe God created the world for marriage to be between a man and a woman... but we love everypony. There's even a few gay members in my ward," Fluttershy said, and she finally understood what it was like to be a missionary. They really have to deal with these kind of questions all day.
"As long as they'll accept us, we're good to go!" Applejack said, pulling Rainbow Dash's tail to shut her up from saying whatever she was about to say.
"Thank you, for supporting me," Fluttershy smiled.
It was finally time for Fluttershy's baptism. All her friends and family, missionaries included, were sitting on chairs in the baptism room. It was a normal church gym, but with a little pool for baptisms. The pool was filled and Fluttershy was wearing her baptism gown, an all-white jumpsuit.
"Oh darling, I wish that baptism gown was somewhat fabulous," Rarity said to her, looking at the fabric.
"It's not for fashion, it's so it isn't see-through in the pool." Fluttershy smiled back at her friend.
"But you will change into the dress I made for you afterwards? The white one with the lace?" Rarity asked.
"I'm sure she will, just calm your tuckus, Rare." Applejack replied back, hoping to alleviate Fluttershy's anxieties.
The piano began to play, and everyone found their seats. They sang a hymn, and a few ponies gave talks. One gave a talk on the holy ghost, and one gave a talk on baptism in general. Even Rainbow Dash felt the spirit a little.
It was time for Fluttershy to be baptized, and so she went into the pool and stood. A member of the priesthood held her hooves and back.
"Fluttershy, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
She suddenly went underwater. It was a brief second she was in the water, but it felt like eternally. She knew that once she came up from that water, for however many seconds, she would be pure of sin. Completely reborn, like nothing she had ever experienced before.
She came up from the water, and took a gasp of air. She smiled at the crowd through the glass, and saw Pinkie Pie begin jumping up and down in the seats on the other side of the room.
Fluttershy continued to attend church, and was confirmed the next Sunday as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her and Discord even had a temple wedding and were sealed together for eternity.
She was happy. She was really, really happy. And it was all due to the missionaries stopping by her cottage that day, drawn there by the spirit and faith that this would be the one. She was eternally grateful.
The End
Author's Note
fluttershy is apart of my church now, i converted her yall cant have her angry atheists that will dislike this story on sight
