What can becoming a LDS offer me that Christianity cannot?

Question

www.mormon.org was not helpful.

Answer 1

Recon, I can only tell you what I prize about my church membership. I've been an eager "Mormon" since I was a Sophomore in college.

First, real opportunities to serve. I was a little older than the usual 19, but was still allowed to serve a mission for the church. I found joy in that service, learned my new religion, and frankly grew up.

Because the church is led by ordinary lay people, I've enjoyed serving in its volunteer leadership in addition to my career. Perhaps the best reason for organized religion is so someone makes sure the widow and orphan are cared for, visited and succored. It's pretty easy for everyone to rush to the side of the popular sister who misses church for the first time in years, but someone needs to be sure similar care is extended to the folks who are too sick to show up at all, or too cranky to be popular.

Second, the chance to be the spiritual head of my household. Since I learned my religion as a missionary, I was able to teach it to my children. Because every worthy adult male holds the priesthood, I baptized my children when the time was right, ordained my sons, and blessed them and my wife by laying my hands on their heads and praying for them when they were sick or discouraged -- or just when a new school year started.

Third, the truth. A wise Mormon once said, "My religion requires me to believe only one thing -- the truth." The doctrines of Mormonism are the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to the earth in all the purity, simplicity and beauty they had when Jesus taught them 2,000 years ago. Trust me, it's a far cry from the mean-spirited attacks posted here in ignorance!

I suppose you sense I love my faith. I could go on for hours, but I hope you feel a bit of what it means to me. I didn't commit myself to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lightly. It was after I'd investigated it for several months, but it was, by far, the best thing I ever did.

Answer 2

First of all, the LDS church is technically Christian. And you are right that there may at times seem no reason to change if they focus on Christ and the need to accept him, follow him, be baptized as he was, etc. just like many other religions. However, where they differ is the claim of authority. What they believe is that once Christ died, and his disciples were all martyred, the authority he had given them to run his church was no longer on the earth. There were therefore teachings that passed down, many being interpreted by man and changed to accommodate the mood of the people, or the Pope (nothing against the Catholic church). In 90 A.D. or somewhere thereabout, the Catholic church basically came (and declared they had the power from God as was given to the apostle Peter, which I won't go into) about and then later there were those who broke away (protested the church - thus, protestants), e.g. Luther, Calvin, etc. These churches basically took the teachings of Catholicism and tweaked them to fit what they believed was true, but really claimed no authority from God. There continued to be many religions and much confusion. Now, then came Joseph Smith, who saw all these religions and wondered how they could all be right, or any, if there was one God. Would God really sanction many religions who teach different things? I don't think so, then he would be a God of confusion. Joseph prayed, and because he had faith and was humble (and an innocent 14 yr old) God answered his prayers and said there were no churches with the full truth. Later God restored his Church, as was set up by Christ on the earth, with the help of Joseph. Thus, the Church was no corrupted through time and the authority which he had given his apostles was brought back. This authority is called the priesthood, and is the power to act in God's name. With this authority things can be sealed on earth and be sealed in heaven. Also, as times change God does not, and therefore he will send prophets to help mankind. Prophets have always been (as we see in the Bible) and they continue to be today (only in the Mormon church). I could say more, but those are the key things. God does provide revelation to mankind and does answer prayers on a personal level. He has answered mine.

Answer 3

Well first, you need to keep in mind that the LDS faith is a Christian group. We believe in the Holy Bible as well as the Book of Mormom, which is another testiment of Jesus Christ and his visit to the American Continent after his resurection.

The LDS faith is God's church. It was here on earth thousands of years ago, but He took it away when the apostles were killed after Jesus' crusification. He brought it back to the earth through the Prophet, Joseph Smith, that His children may once again know the truth and return to live with Him again in the afterlife.

We believe in being active in our faith. We do not simply show up and then go home. We all have callings in the church - a job to help out in some way that helps us to grow and learn within the gospel.

We keep out bodies clean from harmful drugs and alcohol, thus promiting a longer life and a better one too.

We understand the importance and true meaning of repentance. In many faiths, a person says a few hail marys and they are "forgiven." Often, this isn't true repentance, so they do it again. Our faith promotes true repentance... feeling bad for the sin we did, talking with a church leader to make things right, doing what we can to make amends to help those we may have hurt, and the most important part - never doing it again. Sounds like more work to most people... but the other ways are not true repentance. When we truly repent, God forgives us of our sins and we can stand before Him spotless.

We believe in eternal marriage - not just until death do you part. Mariage in our faith is sacred, thus the reason for our temples. The church offers a special place for members to worship and escape the world.

Visit www.lds.org and search scriptures for any questions you may have or get in touch with a local LDS ward or missionaries. I love this church so much. I am a convert of 4 years. It has done nothing but change my life for the better. I live better, and have a completely different outlook on life... and death when it happens. I know that God lives and his son, Jesus Christ died for me. I know that if I follow all of His commandments, I can return to live with them both. And I know that I will be with my family forever.

Good luck ;)

Answer 4

Try LDS.org, talking with your local missionaries or even going to a LDS church service...
All Christian faiths have blessings but knowing the complete and true gospel is just one step further of the LDS Church that others do not fully have...
Basically, becoming a member of the LDS church will entitle you to many wonderful blessings from our Heavenly Father that aren't normally "available" for non-members, such as blessings of holding the Priesthood (or having it in your home if a woman) the blessings of receiving your endowment, eternal marriage, blessings of tithing & fast offering paying, and many more (but of course anyone can join and become member and become worthy to receive their temple recommend!) Hopefully that didn't sound too harsh to non-members - Heavenly Father loves all of his children and wants all to come unto Christ...
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have - to the best of my ability of course...
have a good day.

***I love how so-called "christians" say we are "going to hell"...how Christ-like of them...and who are they to judge???

Answer 5

In what way are you thinking? If the area is in church and salvation, the asnwer is "Nothing!"
They don't have a consistent plan of salvation among their scriptures.
If you were thinking of a literary style, you could learn more about the literary works inspired by that of James MacPherson. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is another.

Answer 6

Your own planet if you're a man, and eternal pregnancy if you're a woman.

In addition to the Bible, they accept "Pearl of Great Price" and "The Book of Mormon" as canon... which is kinda funny, because the Bible does not allow for any other works to be considered canon alongside it. Mormonism is great for enforcing conformity, producing people who do good works and are generally pretty nice (in my experience), but the religion itself is rife with inconsistencies.

Sadly, and though many may deny this fact, LDS is not Christian. Christianity requires belief in salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Meanwhile, LDS emphasizes works and even accepts the aforementioned books as reliable when the Christian Bible does not allow for the canonization of any other books, and it most certainly does not allow for additions to God's word based on "angels" speaking to some person (as allegedly happened with the founder of Mormonism.

It is not Christian, though I have seen many good things come from the religion.

Answer 7

Eternity in Hell. LDS is a cult. Check out Macgregor Ministries on the web.

Answer 8

You can, if you live worthily, a chance to return to live with Heavenly Father with your family. You have the possibility to become a god yourself. You see, Mormons are not evil. We are greatly misunderstood. No one really takes the risk to delve into our beliefs. They are simply misguided by the media and other ignoramuses. Trying to get someone to investigate our church is like trying to get a smoker to quit. Either he gets it or he doesn't. Unfortunately, a lot of pinheads spew off garbage on stuff they only hear about. They can't read big books with lots of words so they get angry. Mormons are Christians despite what others think. Believe me, I once thought as most people did. However, I took a leap of faith and I cannot express in words how salvation has saved my life.

I laugh when I see how typical your sad answers are. Its a shame that you have all been swayed by other pinheads. I challenge you all to take the missionary discussions. Your failure to do so will only affirm my suspicions, that you are probably athiests or on crack.

Answer 9

multiple wives, grrrr.

It seems to really drive some people. But so does christianity. Why do you need any religion?

You know the joseph smith story right? how he was pretty much a charismatic con man with an extremely vivid imagination.

Answer 10

A nice bicycle hat.