Mormons: Why Do You Believe The Church Is True? Non Mormons not welcome to answer?

Question

Okay, I have met with missionaries numerious times and lived with Mormons for two weeks and gone to church a bit.
I want to know why people think the church is true and it's not out of disrespect. I just know that alot of Mormons are really offended whenever I quote the Bible. How is asking a question from the Bible anti if the Church is true and the Bible is true? And why is it that every Mormon's testimony sounds the same. It's boring. A Christian testimony is suppose to be about how God has removed you from sins you use to commit. At least I thought. Does anybody have any touchy Mormon stories they want to tell. I have a few of my own because I've tried believing the church and have gotten blessed in some radical ways but I'm still really stubborn because of the things the Bible says. Also, How do I know tithing isn't witch craft to get those blessings? I'm close to getting kicked out of church for quoting the Bible and I need help.

Answer 1

Basically, because there is no other religion that seems to have it right.

I am very well aware of the Mormon Church's tainted past, and I am well aware that many prophets said many things that were not inspired by God, but then again, Noah was found drunk in his tent and no one cares about that.

Who cares if Joseph Smith married 14-year-old girls? Who cares if Brigham Young said the blacks are an inferior race? Who cares if Joseph Fielding Smith prophesied man would never walk on the moon? Lots of people have had quirky opinions on lots of things, but it doesn't make a whole religion true or false.

I believe what I do because I have faith in Christ, and since the LDS Church professes a complete devotion to Christ, it fits.

Answer 2

Try some good Bible commentaries to help you see how the Bible and the Book of Mormon fit together. You might want to try W. Cleon Skousen's "Thousand Year" series, or Hugh Nibley, or if you're pretty young just pick up an Institute manual for the Bible. You can ask the missionaries to help you find a copy, or a Church member. I'm not sure how Mormons would be offended when you quote the Bible. Sometimes there are some verses which "stick out" by themselves, but if you go back and study how the Bible was actually written and compiled, they become much clearer. What you may think is a look of being offended is really someone trying to express to you somehow that reading the Bible is a contextual activity, that you must come at it from a Jewish point of view. The same thing goes for the Book of Mormon, looking at Semitic customs and language.
As far as tithing goes, I once met a man in Puerto Rico who had such a strong testimony of the principle of tithing, that he paid his tithing for more than a year before he was even baptized. I watched my mother pay tithing for months while our family was going through some financial stress, and it amazed me how every month she was able to somehow pay all the bills with maybe $3 or $5 leftover each time. So maybe you can try living it for a while and see what happens. Have a happy day, and I send you a gummy bear.

Answer 3

You know when you hear something, and you feel it is right? It's like that... I know the church is true. I have felt the presents of angles and I have prayed about the truth and felt the love of God overcome me, and make me feel all good inside. You really have to know alot to feel alot, you have to have faith, and every living thing is a testimony of God. The solar system, is so complex there has to be somthing great that created that. Law of SCIENCE, matter cannot be created or destroyed, things are not made or dissappear out of no where. You are living. Things are made up that just happen to work? No there IS A GOD, and a Savior who are two seperate beings (Testified by Joseph Smith) exsist and will come soon in our later days (mormons call this "the second coming) and you better have an open mind, instead of trying to prove us wrong with the bible, that is why you have to look into it more... Research it. Free DVDs are given to non-members to judge and decide what they believe. Keep your life pure and chaste, and keep the scary devil out of your life. Invite god, and allow yourself to be converted... The church is true. Soften your heart and allow the blessings of the gospel to flow into your life, like a river! I know the church is true. I don't need a great vision to know the sweet, simple and natural blessings that God strengthens my faith with. If you have any tough questions you think I can't answer about the Mormons, you just try me, I will give you a good solid answer of whatever you need an application to your daily life with! I can testify that God is literally our father, and Jesus is our brother. The gospel enriches your life, will make you happier and will help you to avoid the worldly dangers that can cause sicknesses, addictions, heartbreak, dishonesty, unhappy circumstances, depression, and some of those things you won't believe are caused from the world, but in the long run of life... it is! Ask me ANY question, you will recieve an answer if you write me at [e-mail] and write in the subject box "Mormon question" so that your question will not be marked as spam. I will answer questions. The church is true. I have a prayer for you that you will find that is what is right. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!I hope this helps. Good luck. CTR!

Answer 4

A personal testimony is just that - very personal. My story of how I got mine started when I was 12, when I first decided to read the Book of Mormon by myself (without my parents even knowing) and learn for myself if it was true or not. I read it all the way through - and then took Moroni's challenge (Moroni 10:3 - if you've been studying with the missionaries, I'm sure you've read it).

Maybe something the missionaries didn't go into detail with you about those verses is what it means to pray "with real intent." That means you are 100% willing to ACT on the answer no matter what it is. I often find the hardest part of praying to God to know what's true, or what the best choice is on anything, it getting myself in a state where I truly am praying with real intent. (because sometimes, deep down, I haven't really wanted the answer, because I didn't really deep down want to act on it).

Anyway, as I said, I took that challenge, and as Moroni promised, the Holy Ghost manifested to me the truth. Our JW brother is right in noting that Satan can imitate an angel of light, but something that Satan can never, ever imitate is a feeling of peace - he can't do it - that can only come from God through the Holy Ghost.

Of course that was just the beginning, like the first stirrings of a seed in the ground. I've continued in a pattern of study, prayer, and gaining personal experiences that have let my testimony grow into something beautiful and strong with deep roots.

I can tell you already have a testimony of the Bible - which is great, we do believe the Bible to be the word of God, as you study, keep an open mind and understand that every Christian denomination (and even individuals) will interpret the Bible differently from what you may be used to. Are you open to the possibility of other interpretations being right?

As far as tithing goes, since you do have such a strong testimony of the Bible, I suggest you start your studying on the subject there. I did a quick Topical guide search on-line and found all of these Bible scriptures on tithing for you to look up - Happy studying :)

Gen. 14: 20 (Heb. 7: 2; Alma 13: 15) gave him tithes of all.
Gen. 28: 22 I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Lev. 27: 30 tithe of the land . . . is holy unto the Lord.
Num. 18: 26 for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe.
Deut. 12: 6 your tithes, and heave offerings.
Deut. 14: 22 (Deut. 26: 12) tithe all the increase of thy seed.
2 Chr. 31: 5 tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
Neh. 10: 38 Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes.
Neh. 12: 44 for the treasures, to gather.
Neh. 13: 12 brought all Judah the tithe of the corn.
Mal. 3: 8 (3 Ne. 24: 8) Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Matt. 23: 23 tithe of mint and anise and cummin.
Luke 18: 12 I give tithes of all that I possess.

Answer 5

I don't get offended when one quotes from the Bible, only at times when they insist that their interpretation is the ONLY right one. When you refuse to listen to any other interpretation of a Bible passage, that there could be another interpretation, then of course, people are going to get a little hinky after a while.

A testimony is not always how one came to be Christian, it's how and why one believes as they do.

The reason I am Mormon? Because, first, I find it to be the most Biblical church. Second, because I believe the Book of Mormon to be as much scripture as the Bible. That's the big one. If you don't believe that the Book of Mormon is as much the word of God as the Bible, then you are wasting your time and ours.

Answer 6

I was brought into the LDS church by my parents, at that time, I don't even know who Joseph Smith was.
When my parent went inactive, I have to made a choice whether to continue to go to church. I decided to continue and find the truth for myself. I wanted to know what that "burning confirmation feeling" that many members mention, which I do not get yet.
As I continue reading the Book of Mormon one day,unexpectedly the feeling came, and boy you know its different, you know it is the Holy Ghost.

Once I got the confirmation from the Holy Ghost, nothing else matters, because you know Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and the Book of mormon is true, and the rest of the puzzle falls into place.

Sounds boring ? well,that is a true experience with God, if is dramatization you want, you maybe looking in the wrong place. Truth not necessary came with thunder and lightning.

Answer 7

To answer you question about tithing:
Basically, I see it is a commandment to prove our obedience, the blessings we receive are the perks for being obedient. True tithe payers pay it because they want to be obedient and do as the Lord asks. It is showing humility, sacrifice, and shows the Lord we can live by a law he has set forth.

Who says what a testimony is supposed to "be" like? It is personal, it is special. It is gained through study, prayer, knowledge, answers received in prayer... there is no format or requirement. BUT, the only way to gain your testimony is through repeated confirmation of the Holy Ghost that what you are reading/hearing/or believe is true. Go to the best source for answers: The Lord.

Answer 8

I'm Mormon and cant understand why Bible passages would offend anyone in my religon. We believe in the Bible, and use the King James Version. I'm thinking that you have not posted a sincere question, because you can't get "kicked out" of our church for using the very book we also believe in. People's testimony's shouldn't be of your concern. Everyone needs to develop their own, and who are you to tell someone what theirs should be about. You only need to be concerned about your own.

Answer 9

As a J.W., I cannot answer this question, as requested, but might i point out that all the information that was related COULD have come from Satan. Although Evil, this does not preclude knowledge. Of god, of languages, of anything.
The bible terms Satan ' a n angel of light', light being knowledge, and not always for the good.
Jesus, God's ONLY Son, gave us the information in the Bible. As Jesus was perfect, surely the information is perfect. We do not need further information. Especially from ordinary men who had two HUMAN PARENTS.
Jesus was far above Joseph Smith.
For God to send ANOTHER prophet after Jesus actually would DE-VALUE what Jesus taught. The same could be said about Muhammad of Islam.
Jesus was the FINAL WORD.

Answer 10

Maybe they are offended because of the way you ask things... I mean, really, the way you ask this question is somewhat offensive... If you want an answer from Mormons only, go to a Mormon website, and quit being rude..