Our Expert Advice

Last night while browsing the Ensign:
Erin: "Matt, check out this article, 'In our first six years of marriage, my husband and I moved five times, so we had a lot of practice getting to know people in each new ward...'" (The article shared ways to get involved in a new ward.)
Matt: "Hah! That's nothing. We moved six times in less than two years."
Erin: "I know, our advice would be so much better."

Since we've had some friends move recently, I thought I'd share our expert advice on how to get to know people in a new ward.

• On your first Sunday at church make sure your entire family sits on the stand—preferably where the bishopric usually sits.
• Whether or not it's Fast and Testimony Meeting, get up during the meeting and bear your testimony.
• Show off your musical skills by playing the organ during someone's talk. (It's okay if you don't know how to play, a little background noise is always good.)
• During Sunday School raise your hand and answer every single question. If the teacher doesn't call on you, bounce up and down in your seat and wave your arms frantically to get his or her attention.
• The article suggests paying your tithing the first Sunday you're at Church so you can meet the bishop. Matt and I feel a more effective way is to introduce yourself to him during sacrament meeting. (But if you take our first suggestion, you'll probably meet him before church even begins.)

So there you have it. Follow these five tips and everyone in your new ward will definitely know who you are. Anybody else have advice for my friends who've just moved? (P.S. I'm not trying to make fun of the Ensign's article in any way. It really was great.)