Do you believe that there is one true Church?

Question

I'm LDS, that means Mormon... same thing. My mom tells me about the Joseph Smith History etc.. I understand it yes, but my mom says this is the only true Church, the others are false. Well, I told her "no, are church is not the true Church in the world, there are other religions like Buddhism, Paganism that they are good too." I don't believe that there is any true religion out there, we all have different beliefs.

I explained that to her, and he points out scriptures, and explains why this religion is wrong, and that religion is wrong... I'm saying doesn't matter, people have the right to choose any religion that best describes who they are, and that fits their personality.

I'm LDS, and I'm best friends with an Atheist, and I respect his beliefs and he respects mine, however, my mom feels uncomfortable having him over... I love my mom, but she just doesn't understand that tolerance is the key to the truth.

Answer 1

You are correct, there is no "one true church", that is led by man.

There is, however, the real church, of which Jesus is the Head, includes all who believe on Jesus Christ as their God and their master and know that He rose again after his death (Romans 10:9) Understanding that Jesus Christ is the one true God, and there are no other gods, is key. (God also reveals himself as Father God and the Holy Spirit, but there is just one God who is unchanging.)

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

True believers, in whatever Christian (or even Mormon) church they attend, are a part of this "church" For I know that not every mormon believes all the facets of "mormonism", with you being one possible example.

I hope this helps.

Don't look for the "true church", look for a relationship with Jesus Christ.

God Bless -

Answer 2

Hmm, perhaps the real reason there are so many different churches and religions in the world is that you can't have too many leaders in the same place at the same time. Everyone has part of the truth, and even atheists may be where they are because they have become disillusioned with only being exposed to a part. As a Mormon I believe that even our church is not done growing yet, but I also believe that we have authority from God and Jesus Christ in the capacity of the Priesthood. I think you are close to a deep thought there when you say "tolerance is the key to the truth." It might be more correct to say, "Tolerance is the key to understanding how people come to learn more truth." People can't do missionary work until they learn to be tolerant and listen to others' point of view first, and people do not "convert" until they feel they are needed and understood as well. Have a happy day, and hope your mom makes better friends with your friends.

Answer 3

She might be explaining it a little differently...We as LDS believe our church is the most COMPLETE, not the only true church because most if not all churches out there have good and teach good. That also does not mean we do not respect what other's believe. I would never go to a person and say "well you are wrong and I am right", that is just not what we are taught. I believe there are many things that are correctly taught in other churches, just not the whole gospel...
Like - no other church holds the Priesthood authority or practices the saving ordinances as the LDS do. But for instance, Christians believe in following Christ - wonderful! We believe that too...people would be surprised how many similarities there are to "Mormonism" and every other religion.. because all religions stemmed from the correct one - which was taught to Adam and Eve, taught by Christ, and then restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Don't worry so much, just do what you know is right and ask for help from your Heavenly Father when ever you need it!
Good luck.

Answer 4

Look, no matter what religion we may be we should respect all people from whatever religion. I have studied hundreds of religions and it definitely allows you to better understand people and their cultures. However, if you believe in God, then I don't know how you also couldn't believe there is only one true church. The fact is, every church out there teaches something different. If you think that many churches are true you are saying that God tries to confuse us and leads us all over the place. In other words, you would be saying God is a confused God and doesn't really have the best interest of us in mind. God does care about us, and does not intentionally want us to be confused, so he would logically provide us with a clear path. Good luck.

Answer 5

I understand your reasoning. And to a part I agree.

People do have different beliefs. People do have the right to chose and many do chose based on their own personality.

However. The bibel does identify that there is certain requirements from Gods standpoint. Again, peoples choice is theirs. But for God to approve of their worship there are standards.

I encourage you to look up the following scriptures:

2 Tim 3:15 - The bible is inspired by God.

John 17:17 - Gods word is truth.

John 4:23,24 - Must worship in truth.

Eph 4:4,5 - One body, one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.

John 13:34,35 - Will be known as true disciples, if they have love among themselves.

Acts 10:34,35 - Like God, not partial, but embracing people from all nationalities.

Matt 6:9;Ps 83:18 - Sanctfying Gods personal name.

John 17:6,26 - Jesus made that name known.

Luke 8:1- Jesus message, the Kingdom.

Matt 24:14;28:19,20 - Good news of that Kingdom preached all around earth.

Answer 6

Well well well... why don't you go and have a talk with your bishop about these things and ask him questions about if the LDS is a true church and also about believing in the the 4 Books of Mormon and so on...

No offence but, your mother is right... LDS is the right and true church....

I'm Mormon as well... everything about the Mormons came from straight from the Bible... when you read it, it's the same thing from the Bible... it's jus' that Joseph Smith went deep into the story in the Bible and then yeah so on... you should kno'...

Anyhow... and yes.. your mom shouldn't be judging other peoples religion... thats wrong as well... you should always respect others beliefs and so on about "Their" religion... because it's not her spot to judge and put others down... it's God who is the Judge... because once you judge someone, the Lord will judge you...

But see, your young... you still have alot to learn... you do realize that Mormons and Christians are the same thing right? well, I advise you to go talk to your Bishop and he will be willing to answer your questions.... have a humble heart....

Answer 7

I believe the LDS religion to be the only Church on this earth with the FULL truth. Most every church or religious organization are generally good. Most religions contain parts of the truth, but none have the FULL truth.

I agree with your belief in tolerance and letting everyone choose his or her religion. This country was founded upon these freedoms. God gave us agency to choose. This is one of his greatest gifts to us. One thing you need to be aware of is the type of tolerance which you have. There is tolerance and acceptance as far as letting someone practice thier life the way they want to, but it is another to let their practicing interfer with your beliefs and ideas. You can't let them influence you for the worse. Stay strong in your beliefs and stand with open arms to the rest of God's children. This is what Christ did. He did not condemn them.

Answer 8

Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom (cf. Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus' flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (e.g., Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).

By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10).

Answer 9

Yes. The Bible says that God's true End-Time church will obey the 10 Commandments (all ten!) and have the spirit of prophecy. So far, I've only found one church that does that. I believe that before Christ returns, there will be a "shaking" among the churches of the world, like a sieve, that will make people fall into one of only two churches. One church will be God's true church, who will receive the seal of God, and the other one will be the Beast, whose followers will receive its mark.

Answer 10

You betcha! There is a true church and the Mormon church is not it. If you want to find out more, go to your closest Baptist church and check it out. There are a lot of great people over there and they can answer your questions.