Should I go back to LDS church?

[King Bowls]

In October of 2012 I started researching Christian religions to become a part of to find happiness, meet new people, and to open a new chapter in my life. I ended up having Mormon missionairys come over to my house, and there was a lot of appeal. One being that if I joined the LDS church, id be the only mormon in my family and I loved the sense of independence. I was with the mormons for about 3 months, went to church a couple of times, and that was it. A couple of Mormon families had me over for dinner, they are very kind people who will do anything for you.

 

But I started doing some research into the Book of Mormon. They wanted me to pray asking if its true. And they insisted I get baptized and kept trying to get me to schedule a date to do so (which was part of what drove me away). I found in my research things that seem to debunk the BOM.

 

I have this feeling of wanting to go back, because I want to be apart of something again. I would love it. But it's hard for me to be apart of the LDS church and have to believe in a scripture that seems to be...well, hard to believe.

 

Should I go back?

[King Bowls]

One more thing, can one believe in God and the bible and still read Buddhist stuff and not be "penalized"? (By that I mean not reading just the bible, and God not being too happy with that, if you believe in him)

[Robert Z]

Mormons believe that God created multiple worlds and each world has people living on it. They also believe that multiple Gods exist but each has their own universe. We are only subject to our God and if we obtain the highest level of heaven we can become gods ourselves.

Top 10 Bizarre Mormon Beliefs - Listverse

God only decided to allow black men to be ordained in the church in 1978. It seems that God was in agreement with the Civil Rights movement.

 

 

I was told by one Mormon missionary that God came down in physical form and had sex with Mary. I was told by another that this isn't true.

 

 

As for tithing, that isn't the end of it. Where I was living, I learned that there is also the Bishop's warehouse, the missionary fund, and a number of funds that meant in total they wanted about 25% of your income. And of course, if you have faith, then you will give willingly.

 

 

I was reading recently that a pillar of Mormon beliefs, the migration of Native Americans, has been debunked.

 

 

The Book of Mormon tells that a small band of Israelites under Lehi migrated from Jerusalem to the Western Hemisphere about 600 B.C. Upon Lehi's death his family divided into two opposing factions, one under Lehi's oldest son, laman (see Lamanites), and the other under a younger son, Nephi[sIZE=2] 1[/sIZE] (see Nephites).

wiki

 

 

Salt Lake City—A noted Mormon DNA researcher associated with the Mormon defense league known as the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) has posted a concession on the FAIR blog site regarding Native American origins, traditionally a central tenet of the Mormon Church. The Mormon Church has long taught that Native Americans derive from the Middle East and were Jewish in origin.

 

 

Geneticist Ugo A. Perego writes in a blog posting under the heading “Misquoting Science” that he cannot “clearly discern any non-Asian-like genetic signals in the New World that would have resulted from migrations that took place in the last couple thousands of years.” According to the Book of Mormon, migrations to the New World occurred 4,000 and 2,600 years ago. Scientists today think the Americas were settled about 15,000 years ago.

 

Perego is currently the Coordinator of Seminaries and Institutes for the Latter-day Saint Church in Rome (Italy), but until recently was a senior researcher for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation in Salt Lake City. He holds a doctorate in genetics and biomolecular science from the University of Pavia in Italy

Signature Books » Mormon Scientist Concedes Native American Origins

 

 

I don't know about you, but I found that all a bit too much to take.

[pie2]

No, I think you should find true freedom in Christ alone.

[todreaminblue]

i am a mormon convert(not born into the church) I believe and my heart knows the book of mormon is true, you can debunk and recant most things in life(darwin recanted on his own theory of evolution) all you have to do is plant seeds of doubt and away it goes, you dont have to disprove or prove anything that is not considered main stream, just throw doubt in the mix.........haven't really come out and said it on here what faith I am, i have now though...standing up yep ...mormon

 

 

 

its a choice that no one can give you to go back or not you have to do what you feel is right no matter what that is it has to be your choice ......my heart knows truth and I know deceit.......I know the people in the mormon church try as hard as they can to follow what they believe is true as do i and i mess up often just came back myself after a hiatus

 

 

As a mormon i will say and follow the interfaith policy which is respect and understanding for peoples personal religious freedom....it is your freedom to choose..... you shouldn't be told whether to go back or not....... you should choose and not follow promptings from strangers on the internet to make a decision that is one that is a lasting commitment....pray and do what is in your heart follow that prompting......i wish you well and whatever path you decide to take may you find loads of happiness......sis deb

Edited April 27, 2014 by todreaminblue

[Robert Z]

you can debunk and recant most things in life(darwin recanted on his own theory of evolution)

 

Only when you believe whatever you want to believe. Your statement is false.

 

It has been widely held among many sincere and well-meaning Christians that Charles Darwin on his deathbed not only renounced evolution, but also accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. The tale of this deathbed conversion has been passed down over the years as fact. This “event” has even been used as “evidence” that evolution is false. The overzealous have, at times, boldly proclaimed, “See—even Darwin knew that this theory was not true!”

 

Early Reports

 

What is the basis for this story? As often as it is repeated, there must be credible evidence that these events actually took place, right? Surely, the tale would not have continued though the years if it were a lie? Sadly, when evidence is sought, there is little to support this story.

Charles Darwin died in April 1882 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Within days of his death, reports of a conversion experience began to circulate. The first report supposedly came in a sermon preached in South Wales by a gentleman identified as “Mr. Huntingdon.” Some weeks later there surfaced a report about a letter sent to John Eadie, a divinity professor in Glasgow, in which Darwin indicated, “He can with confidence look to Calvary.”1 Curiously, when examined, Darwin’s existing correspondence (which totals over 14,000 letters) contains no communication between these two men.2

Darwin?s Deathbed Conversion?a Legend? - Answers in Genesis

 

Also

The Lady Hope Story

 

 

Just another lie told to sell religion.

[todreaminblue]

Only when you believe whatever you want to believe. Your statement is false.

 

 

Darwin?s Deathbed Conversion?a Legend? - Answers in Genesis

 

Also

The Lady Hope Story

 

 

Just another lie told to sell religion.

 

 

My statement isnt false robert...not to me its not people believe what they want to believe.....i wasn't there with darwin on his deathbed but neither were you ...there's conflicting opinions given by learned men...i dont know any of them

 

 

none of those men and what they say make it possible for me to believe my life has purpose rhyme or reason for what has happened nor would what they say comfort my family when they have to say goodbye to me or when i have t say goodbye to anyone i love and care about......in fact........ it would be the opposite i choose to look up towards the sky and not six foot under ground its dark there.....

I do know that Darwin's wife was a strong good christian woman and maybe when darwin's time came and he knew it that he wanted and needed to believe it wasnt over yet, maybe his wifes love softened his heart enough for him to see that it wasnt the end as he faced his own mortality and then all the people who had supported the theory of evolution didnt want to look like fools so full of pride they recanted darwins recant...who knows......

 

 

I respect your choice to believe what you want to believe robert....you have a mad music ear i respect that too...;0) i will always choose to believe in what my heart is glad to hear what gives my body purpose to look forward to tomorrow and i will to the best of my ability follow this .........

 

This is having faith to me

 

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—

We believe all things

, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

[King Bowls]

Ill have to think about it more. If the book is true then why do they hammer you down (I was hammered down) to pray if its true

[todreaminblue]

Ill have to think about it more. If the book is true then why do they hammer you down (I was hammered down) to pray if its true

 

 

 

Missionaries can pray about you but they cant pray for you...thats yours to do

 

Because you need to know in your heart it is true they don't want to tell you its true and have you think its true on what they say or anybody else says is true......The missionaries want you to know truth but.....its not their choice its your choice your heart your life your personal relationship with god in your life not theirs.....You need to pray if you are wanting to find the truth for you...

 

as far as studying and reading about other religions........there are many commonalities with all religions.......buddhism to live in peace and harmony with the natural world virtuous principles we seek those things......

 

 

at church yesterday there was a talk given about mother theresa she is not mormon but her quote ....

we must do small things with great love

was part of the talk about being of service to all men.......how cool is that part of the mormon faith is respecting other religions and anything that is good and virtuous.....

 

 

you think about it, search your heart and follow whatever path your heart knows truth is on......not only truth but gladness to believe what you know to be true.....whatever you do, wherever you go, live with gladness and a heart filled with reason and what is truth to you.......i wish you well brother whatever path you take....deb

Edited April 28, 2014 by todreaminblue

[King Bowls]

I see what you mean. I never really prayed about it being true or not.

 

As far as Buddhism, what caught my interest was the statue of the enlightened one (the "fat" one ) and its unique. Would it be sinful to even read Buddhism?

[sagetalk]

 

Should I go back?

 

I wouldn't, but it's your choice. They have a large number of rules that they made up in their bible that have nothing to do with the Bible. It's mostly works based beliefs that has you focus on the wrong things (serving the church and their will instead of serving God). True Christianity is a life lived full of love for God by loving others and obeying His will not mans.

 

Find a Christian church that lets you serve God with a one-on-one relationship with Him, without needing a middle man between you and God (who are usually fond of collecting money from you).

[angel.eyes]

I have a number of close friends (and an ex) who are Mormon. I have tremendous respect for them, the way they conduct their lives, their priorities, their choices, their integrity. I admire their values. I respect that my friends are truly sincere about following their faith...even when it’s challenging and inconvenient (e.g. college). (I’m sure there are non-observant Mormons out there, but I haven’t met any yet.)

 

As much as I respect them, however, I personally feel their religious beliefs are flawed. Specifically, I disagree with their view of Jesus. Central to my faith is God, and as a Christian, Jesus Christ. Mormons believe Jesus is the Son of God, rather than God. I believe in a triumvirate God, with Jesus being God. (Normally, I avoid criticizing other belief systems, but here it’s central to my answer…so apologies to any Mormons.)

 

Of course, my beliefs might be flawed and theirs right! We won’t know for certain until the very end. That’s the definition of faith. Believing in the absence of definitive evidence.

 

You have to follow what is in your heart. I did. What does your heart say to you?

[King Bowls]

I have a number of close friends (and an ex) who are Mormon. I have tremendous respect for them, the way they conduct their lives, their priorities, their choices, their integrity. I admire their values. I respect that my friends are truly sincere about following their faith...even when it’s challenging and inconvenient (e.g. college). (I’m sure there are non-observant Mormons out there, but I haven’t met any yet.)

 

As much as I respect them, however, I personally feel their religious beliefs are flawed. Specifically, I disagree with their view of Jesus. Central to my faith is God, and as a Christian, Jesus Christ. Mormons believe Jesus is the Son of God, rather than God. I believe in a triumvirate God, with Jesus being God. (Normally, I avoid criticizing other belief systems, but here it’s central to my answer…so apologies to any Mormons.)

 

Of course, my beliefs might be flawed and theirs right! We won’t know for certain until the very end. That’s the definition of faith. Believing in the absence of definitive evidence.

 

You have to follow what is in your heart. I did. What does your heart say to you?

 

 

I've always believed as Jesus being lord and savior and was raised being taught by the few religious people in my family that he is the son of God. And the Joseph Smith story had me questioning it as well

[angel.eyes]

If a group's belief system about God doesn't match mine, that religion is a non-starter for me, no matter how wonderfully everyone treats me.

 

I understand what you mean about being drawn to a worship community that is warm and welcoming. You can find that without sacrificing your beliefs. Explore different churches that share your religious convictions, until you find one that is also warm, welcoming, and feels like family.

[Grumpybutfun]

If the only reason you want to go back is for the social aspect of it, you shouldn't go back because you are misleading the other worshipers into believing you are just as dedicated as they are, and that is deceitful.

Good luck,

Grumps