JOEL - Normally it is best to attend the correct home ward for a couple of reasons:

1. It promotes a sense of community whereby individuals attending the same ward can recognize each other as neighbors and friends and care for each other as such.

2. It enables the Church to do its work in a unified, organized way(D&C 132:8). The Bishop can more efficiently look after his ward members without him or home and visiting teachers having to travel greater distances to visit them.

However, allowances can be made for certain circumstances. Approval from the Bishops is required to do this because it helps to ensure that there are no problems with transfer of membership records and tithing donation records.

If a member does not feel the spirit in the ward he is supposed to attend, it is not the fault of that ward. How well we feel the spirit in our lives is a personal responsibility and depends on our personal relationship with God and the Holy Ghost and should not be affected by outside forces. Each ward may have its own "personality", but the opportunities for giving service and worshipping are the same no matter where you are. Ask not what your ward can do for you, ask what you can do for your ward.