Look for LDS publishers. As a novice author, you have a better chance of getting your work published in a magazine or through a small publisher. There are several companies, such as WindRiver Publishing or Cedar Fort, that are looking for submissions. If you have just completed a short story, you can also submit your stories to LDS magazines that publish fictional stories. Even if they don't publish fiction currently, you can send a proposal to the editor.
Read the rules and edit your piece accordingly. Since LDS publishers and publications are targeting church members, most of them have specific rules regarding the story's language and content. Many publishers may refuse submissions that include any sexual content or gratuitous violence.
Some publishers may even caution about the use of profane language in the story. If you can contact someone at the publishing company, you can ask for a specification in the policy. While some may accept several words within the correct context, others may insist that they cannot publish a story containing any inappropriate language.
If your story openly challenges the tenets of the church, consider submitting your piece to a general publisher. LDS publishers and magazines will most likely not accept overtly controversial works.
Prepare your piece for submission. If you have completed a manuscript, the publisher may only request a 'sample,' which usually includes several chapters. In this case, send the first three or four chapters to the publisher.
Read the submission FAQs on the publishers' or magazines' website. If they request a hard copy, do not send the manuscript through e-mail. Make sure that the font size, margins and other document characteristics are in line with their regulations.
Write a cover letter. You can look for examples of cover letters for publishers on the Internet or simply look at the publisher's website. Some websites include explicit instructions for the cover letter.
At the very least, include a thorough yet succinct summary of the story's plot, a rough word count and a working title. Attempt to differentiate your story from the existing LDS stories in the market. Describe your writing style and approach as an author. Treat the cover letter like an interview and 'sell yourself' as best as you possibly can. Make sure that your cover letter is perfect before submission; publishers may refuse to consider submissions and cover letters with typographical errors or grammatical mistakes.
Submit your work. As a new writer, you may not receive approval for publishing immediately. If the publisher or editor has any advice about your writing, edit your work accordingly and submit it to another publication.