True evil, or the true faith?

Question

I am plagued by the descision whether or not to believe and follow the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in full faith, and have been so for over three years. After my first meeting with the missionaries, I felt something I had never felt before, something inside of my heart that just wanted to believe, even though I was only taught a few things in that hour or so, and even though I was raised protestant my whole life. Since then, I've prayed...I've studied, and I've hoped for years...To finally be able to decide if the LDS faith is truly of God. It seems that there are many things in this world, including people close to me, that seem to work in a way to keep me from this faith...So I ask, is this God truly trying to keep me away because it is false? Or is this the evil in the world trying to keep me away from that which is true and of God? If God has answered my prayers for the truth, I have been ignorant to His responses...Or perhaps He has not yet answered them?

Answer 1

Have you actually read their material.

I found it absurd. Golden tablets the disappear at just the right moment so no one can prove or disprove their reality.

Look for a faith that tells you to think for your self, not one that tells you what you should be thinking.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

What a bold mood you did, asking about religion here.

There are those who will tell you that the Church is evil and anything that has to do with it is of the devil. Many of those people either don't understand or have had a bad experience, like dorkmobile. There are people out there who are religious snobs, and if you don't meet what they have intepretted as LDS doctrine will shun you, but there are people of that sort in any group. I have been in that situation, and though I still strongly believed in the Church itself, I went inactive to avoid those people.

There are also people out there who will tell you that the Church is true, and they will use anything you give them to support that, much like those who will take anything you give them to say that the LDS church is of the devil. They believe that they have felt the Spirit and have had the truth made known to them.

No one can tell you what to think or decide for you, though that might seem easier. Do you think what you have been taught is true? Does it feel right? Try to keep an open mind either way, because at some point you'll need to make a leap of faith, no matter which way you choose to go.

My personal beliefs are that the church is true. I have never felt better than when I am with the people of this church, learning more about what I believe to be God's plan for us. I just... I just know its true, and though I can't exactly explain, I can't deny it either. I hope that you will be able to know what the right choice is for you with the same certainty, whether its being joining the Church or not, and I hope that everything works out for you in the end. Good luck with your leap of faith.

Answer 3

Hey YUHATEME! Christians are no longer under Mosaic Law. Jesus came to fulfill it. That Law was just a shadow or tutor leading to Jesus Christ. (Gal. 3:24-28; Heb. 10:1-4, 10, 18) I am grateful to the questioner for his accurate & kind words. You looked for yourself instead of accepting gossip. We do only go by what the Bible actually teaches. This is totally different from other religions and causes them to hate us. The Bible teaches it is because we tell the truth. I feel today, it is also because of the effect on the clergy's wallet. Who would give them anything when they find out the clergy has been teaching lies? Some might even demand a refund! Now what about you? Come join us! You know what is correct. Don't wait till it is too late. Either when the time of our ministry will be closed or, like me get physically messed up so as not be able to go out.

Answer 4

I think if God has spoken to you, then it is your choice to obey him. It's the only thing that makes sense... asking others for guidance on a personal decision is letting others making that decision for you.

You need to decide if you want to be obedient to God's will. You sound like God has spoken to you in one way or another but hesitate to obey because of social and family pressure.

In the end you will know if you made the right decision or not, the holy spirit or holy ghost will indicate if you are drawing closer or growing further apart from the Lord.

God wants you to be happy and he knows how you can be the happiest, if you choose to obey the whisperings of his spirit.

Always remember that you will be happy to the degree or extent that you keep the gospel principles, this applies to all of us... whether we are members or not.

The gospel principles are gods' commandments, these will lead you to live a problem free life... however it's impossible to be perfect so we must repent whenever we choose wrongly and ask our savior to redeem us.

I got baptized LDS 11 years ago, I know I have been blessed to have known my savior and to live a more fruitful life than I would have if I didn't get baptized. Loved the church and the social life it brings along with it.

In the end, the choice is yours and yours only. When you make that decision ask others to respect that, and to support you in it. Also, as a convert... be respectful also towards others don't be preachy to those who don't want to be preached at. As converts tend to be over zealous in the faith.

It's awesome to develop a relationship with the savior, to pray daily to our heavenly father, and to rely on Jesus Christ to help us overcome our weaknesses.

I have loved the church all this time. I don't think True evil is the answer to your question, but the question is if you want to be true to the faith to that spirit which has given you knowledge of the true faith.

Answer 5

Let's address your meeting with the missionaries: You felt something wonderful, something you have never felt. That was the Holy Ghost bearing witness to you what you were learning is from God and is true. We learn through the Holy Ghost, that is how prayers are answered and the desires of our hearts are given.
Just as you said - there are many things in the "world" that are trying to keep you away from the church...things of this "world" are under the influence of Satan...bear in mind, he can turn people's hearts towards hatred and confusion, he will try in ANY way he can to lead you astray. One thing you must know though, is he cannot make you feel the Holy Ghost, he cannot duplicate the feeling you have from the Holy Ghost.
As far as your prayers, I would suggest learning HOW to recognize the answers. Sometimes it is right infront of you, sometimes it is given through others, sometimes it is a feeling of comfort and peace...it is usually different for everyone and sometimes different for each answer. Read this article:
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=05339209df38b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1


Honestly, the only way you will ever know if it is true is from your Heavenly Father. He is perfect and will not lead you astray.
Good luck, email me anytime.

Answer 6

Anything attempting to prevent you from deciding whether or not the church is true is of Satan and is pure evil attempting to keep you out of the church. He wants all mankind to be miserable like unto himself. I know that the church is true. The feeling which you felt at your first meeting was the Holy Ghost bearing witness to you that the church is true. I promise you, the prevention of you coming to the knowledge of the truth is completely and utterly from Satan. The LDS church is the truth, I know it, and deep down, I'm sure you know it as well. Good luck - and don't listen to most of the answerers - they are absurd.

* Just a side not to dorkmobile - That is a sad story, but I have no idea where you got some of your ideas. You are allowed to hang out with anyone you want. The church encourages choosing good friends carefully that share your standards, but you can hang out with whoever you choose.

Answer 7

You follow your heart and mind and make your decision not based on the opinions or influences of any others. Belief is personal to each one of us. You shouldn't feel pressed for time or otherwise. Live your life in a God-fearing manner and respect others as you do yourself, and one day, when you are ready, the answer will come to you. Keep asking, keep reading, keep searching! No one can make this decision for you! Perhaps, attend other faiths that you feel may be better or are curious about, and leave it at that! You will eventually find yourself and your religion! A church is a church is a church! I am multi-denominational. I see merits in many religious faiths. Why do I need a label to believe in God? Man needs labels for his own purposes. God is above all such petty affirmations. I believe and I live my life with truth and honor. What faith am I? I am faithful, that's all that need be said! Be suspicious of anyone trying to force you into a decision. It has more to do with them than it does with you then, in that case! It's your personal business, between you and God, whatever faith you pledge allegiance to. God goes by many different names, from all of man's various cultures. But don't forget, God is God in Japan or Russia or America. This labelling fixation is a phenomenon of humanity. But we are all children of God, be we Judaic, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, etc. The human lists are numerous! Basic faith is faith in whatsoever discipline one chooses to express it. You only need find which one holds the most meaning for you and in which, you feel you have found personal truth! God bless!

Answer 8

The best answer I can tell you is to continue to pray and ask God for guidance. Just be yourself when you talk to God. You don't have to submit some immaculate prayer. God knows what you need. God does answer us in many ways. Sometimes He sends others to us with answers they never knew we needed and you know it was God because you never said anything to anyone. Sometimes there is a still quiet voice in your spirit that lets you just know. I pray you be blessed. May God Bless U.

Answer 9

I answered this one before, but...
I went thru much of the same experiences you describe about the missionary teachings. I was so excited to become LDS.

Then I was baptized.

I felt nothing but guilty all the time, could not meet other LDS'rs that would date me because I was a convert, and generally was majorly disappointed in the theologic discussion part of the religion. I wasn't allowed to ask questions that went against the Church, I wasn't supposed to hang out with non-LDS friends unless they took lessons from missionaries.

Major letdown. And when I left, no one ever called to find out where I went. They only called to see why I hadn't tithed for three months.

I was 18 at the time. Now I'm 35 and so glad I never went back.

Answer 10

I would stay away from them. They always say "Oh will you just pray about it and see if this isn't the truth" Well, the sin in us just loves this and responds in a warm fuzzy way which makes us believe that there is something to it but, there is not. It is a trick. It is an insult to God who is Jesus. Jesus is not Satan's brother. If we are good and follow God's will , we will not go to another planet so we can be the God there. (these are all doctrines they profess)

Answer 11

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an evil, if not a true evil. Seriously! On the surface, the mormon missionaries may be very clean, well shaven, wear 3 piece suits and name tags claiming to know Jesus Christ, but their "Jesus" is a false one. They pervert the Holy Bible teachings in many ways They claim their "Book of Mormon", and I think 2 other mormon books - one of them being "The Pearl of Great Price" are more important than the actual Holy Bible! Even though these books are like "bibles", only the "Holy Bible" is the bible that is most important to Christians, the real Jesus Christ, and God the Heavenly Father. Sorry to say, but Mormons aren't true Christians in my opinion. They have many weird beliefs. They believe Lucifer was Jesus Christ's younger brother! How fuc*ed is that (pardon my french)? Mormons believe you have to earn your way to heaven. Nobody deserves Heaven in God's eyes, but through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, there is a way to Heaven. Jesus Christ died for us! He wants us to follow Him and His teachings as much as we can. Sure, we're not perfect. We're allowed our share of mistakes. Mormons also believe that there are 3 levels of Heaven, and only Mormons go to the "top level." Mormons also believe that we actually existed BEFORE our natal birth as "spirit children." They have a lot of strange, different rules. Go look up their specific literature sometime. Joseph Smith was the man that "had a vision" and "read the golden plates from God" according to the mormons. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and mormon people like that were liars (always changing their history to cover their own as*es), at least one got thrown in jail (? not sure), and committed polygamy (each had more than one wife) - some of the wives being underage! Mormonism is a cult! Find a good prodestant (sp. ?) church instead!