Will reading about a mormon bible for information can potentially ruin my Catholic standing?

Question

So there were two mormons who visited my house today, and I was kind enuff to answer teh door for them. At the end of our lengthy conversation, they gave me this mormon bible, and i do not know whether i should even open it for information. What should i do?

I didnt want to sound rude by driving them away, but at the same time, i just want to yell "I'M CATHOLIC AND I'M NOT INTERESTED IN CONVERTING!!"

As it was pointed out by another answeree/answerer (or however you put it), correction: they handed me a book of mormons (or however you call it)

apologies if anyone else is offended by me calling it a "mormon bible"

(and thank you for noting my kindness)

More details about the incident:

-- I did not let them in

-- I have clearly stated that I am a Catholic

-- I, however, committed a sin by stating a lie, that they will not likely see me again for I will move out in the next couple of days (I did it for my protection)

-- I did not know exactly why I even opened the door; I guess it's just another one of my "niceness reflexes"

-- I really did want to ask them though, this question, "Is your main goal of visiting me is to slowly convert me?" If ever I get an answer that sounds like a "yes", then I would say "no thank you, I am happy with my religion."

... and so that is pretty much more about it.

Thank you's and kudos to all the nice informative answers.

There is a bit of confusion about my "moving" -- I am NOT moving, I only said that so to avoid having them visit me back for two things:

-- I'd rather find more about the matter myself
-- I'd rather not turn them down later

Answer 1

No.

Reading the Book of Mormon cannot ruin your Catholic standing.

If you are strong in your beliefs then learning about other faiths and how they are similar or different to Catholicism can be a good thing.

If you are weak or confused in your faith (which you do not seem to be) then reading the Book of Mormon may just make the matter worse.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

If you're asking whether or not there is a "companion" book to the Bible like the Book of Mormon, the answer is no, there isn't. We're encouraged to read the Catechism, but it's an explanation of existing Scripture, not addenda to the Bible. There are many excellent Catholic books -- collections of letters and theological documents from the earliest days of the Church, lives of the Saints, etc. But again, these are not additional Scriptures or a new revelation of Christian truths. And for those who think that we Catholics don't read the Bible, all I've got to say is: what a crock of moose muffins! Just by turning my head, I can look at a shelf full of well-worn Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and study helps. That also includes the Bible that my parents gave me when I was nine years old and have been reading for the past 48 years. That's why I know the RSV better than any other translation: it's the one I've been reading for all these years. Edit: "99.5% of all Catholics don't read the bible. The clergy does not encourage the reading of the bible, because they would soon see that they don't need the Church to have a relationship with God." That's strange. I could've sworn that it was the Bible that is read at every Mass: a selection from the Old Testament, a responsorial Psalm, a portion of the Epistles, and a reading from the Gospels. Just now you get around to telling me that I've been listening to the Bhaga-vita all these years? And here I was practically sure that we heard the entire Bible read through every three years. That doesn't even include the Bible reading that I do on my own: I am never more than about three feet from a Bible anywhere in my home, and they aren't just propping up wonky table legs, either. I guess that just goes to show that 99.5% of fundamentalists don't have a dim clue about what the Catholic Church really believes and does.

Answer 3

Ok, a few things. I am LDS.

They do not convert you,

That is strickly between you the Holy Ghost, and the Lord.

They are just there to teach you about the Gospel.

Another question.
You said that you were moving for your protection???? Why?
Are you afraid of being taught by a Mormon.

Another thing. I was reading through some of the other answers and was amazed by how many people lied, it's interesting how scared some people are of reading a book.

It does not contridict anything in the bible (KJV). It may contridict some of the popular beliefs of mainstream christianity but not the bible.

There is a few more things I wanted to say.

There are some people who are looking for truth but don't know where to find it.

There are some people who are looking and praying and two missionaries knock on their doors.

Then there are those people who are nice but say, no I don't feel like listening to what Christ has to say to me, I already have enough. And thus they close there hearts.

Which one are you?

Answer 4

It's not really a "Mormon Bible." The Mormons use the KJV Bible. The Book of Mormon another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is prophesied of in the Bible. Jesus refers to the people that the record is about as his other sheep.
Read John 10:16 and Ezekiel 37:14-19.

I applaud you for not being rude. Go ahead and read it. Read James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God...

Peace.
Idaho Mike: You lied about five times in your answer... You really should be more careful about what you say.

For those who reference Revelation 22... read Deut 4:2. According to your logic all the books after Duet. Would be thrown out. And the Book of Mormon does not change God's word.

Answer 5

Free2Bfearless said best. You should read it and then pray to God and ask him if it is true or not? Don't believe us here on R&S. But, believe in God.

Also, contrary to what some others say, The Book of Mormon is simply Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is a compendelum of the writings of prophets that resided here in the American Continent.

The warning that John gave when writing the Book of Revelation was strictly for the Book of Revelation. Many other prophets gave the same warning. The warning is to not change their writing. As you can see with all of the various Bibles in the world, people have changed them.

Again, don't follow the words of men. But, pray to God and follow his counsel.

Since you anticipate moving before the two young men come back, If you have any questions while reading the Book feel free to email me. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also served a mission as those two young men did.

Answer 6

If you weren't comfortable with letting them inside, I don't see anything wrong. First, it's your house. You don't have to let anyone in that you don't want. Secondly, and most importantly, you were guarding your faith. I don't know how well versed you are in the Faith, but it's totally understandable that if you weren't comfortable that you would politely decline any further visits. As for me I'd probably engage them in discussion after versing myself on what Mormons believe so as the evangelize them (I'm Catholic), but it's different for different people.

Probably the best thing you can do right now is keep them in your prayers. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit that converts, not us. In the meantime, take some time to dig in and learn the Catholic Faith more deeply. Immerse yourself in prayer and read the Holy Scriptures. Who knows, God may want you to be His instrument to help convert someone one day.

Keep strong, keep the Faith. God bless.

Answer 7

Reading the Book of Mormon would only change your standing as a Catholic if what you decided that what you were reading was true. Do you trust God and yourself enough to read about another person's beliefs? I have found that I always end up believing at least SOME of what another person says about their beliefs... because invariably there is some truth to it. If finding the truth is important to you, go ahead and read it. If not, the choice is yours. Make up your own mind.

The reason Mormon missionaries share the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, is because most people don't know about it. Your average person already has a Bible, or has at least heard of it. LDS certainly do learn from the Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

God bless you. Trust in Him to "direct your paths".

Answer 8

Read up as much as you can, I had my christianity challenged by mormons, who claimed to belong to the one true church. I studied, and there are a lot of good references on exmormon.org . THe More I learnt the more my own christian faith was reinforced, but it also created in me a drive to want to show the mormons the errors in their ways. Only because I would hate such good people to think they are going to heaven, when in fact the doctrine of their church is leading down the path to hell. Study on exmormon.org There is no way your faith will be challenged, and your church will be happy you are having an open mind. THe same can not be said for mormon church as they would ex communicate someone for studying anything but mormon literature. Anti Mormon literature means yu can be kicked out of the church. Read the book of mormon if yu like, it has been copied a lot in King James English which proves it was not translated word for word from sme plates. Main reason being is there is no way a Book could be written in 600 BC in exactly the same language word for word as the KJV bible was written almost 1500+ years later.

Answer 9

Perhaps the better question is this:

If the things that they're teaching are true, would you be interested in learning about them?

If you are not interested in Truth and are only interested in remaining Catholic, then by all means, do not listen to them.

However, if you're not afraid to listen to their message, read the book, and then ask God himself what the truth is, then you should invite them back and give it a look.

Either God's prophets wrote the book of Mormon or they didn't. If they did, don't you think it would be important to study them?

They will encourage you to seek God for answers. If God told you that they taught truth, would you be willing to change your life?

Are you more interested in following God, than following you're parent's teachings?

I'm not saying that the Mormons are right...I'm only saying that you should ask God who is right, and then align yourself with that church and with that church's teachings.

Answer 10

I'm a Mormon and I really love the Book of Mormon. It's just a book. It's not going to blow up your house or impregnate your daughter or neuter your dog or spoil your milk. It's just a book! Go ahead and read it. Don't you think you'd rather that I go to a Catholic for information about Catholocism rather than a Methodist or a Born-Again Christian?

I don't believe that reading a book is a sin. Read and see what you think. You have the right to inform yourself.