I have lived in Utah for 15 years, and for years I have had people try and convert me to Mormonism. (in the best of manners, but it is from all sides of me) I finally gave up trying to find truth in their relgion (I had wanted to be Mormon for a long time), and now I can't let it go. It is haunting me. Stronger than it ever was. The people act the same, I am not avoiding it, and I have stopped wanting it for a long time now. I just don't get why I am so obsessive right now. Might this be a hint that it is true? That my very being won't let it go. (ahh don't hit me!)
Note: I'm not looking for why Mormonism is fiction or anything. I'm looking for help on why I am acting like this.
2007-08-15 05:17:02 · 12 answers · asked by Chris 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is true there is pressure, but my family is non-mormon, and they are the people whom I'm closest too. I would never be an outsider. (I currently consider myself an antagonist)
2007-08-15 05:30:21 · update #1
I would guess it is the spirit's way of letting you know it is true. Have you attended any church services? Have you read any of the Book of Mormon? Visited with missionaries? I would not ignore these strong feelings, this is the way the Holy Ghost works, he tells us in our minds and hearts what is true.
Good luck and I hope you make the right decision!
2007-08-15 07:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a similar story, so maybe I can help a bit.
I was Mormon for many years. My mom is mormon, my sister is mormon.
But then, just about 5 years ago, I was dropped from the roll. Excommunicated because I live with a man I am not married to. I was hurt, and angry. I did my best to find fault with the church, it's members, and it's doctrine. But sometimes, every once in a while, I found myself wanting to go back to church, even though I was still angry.
I think the main reason for this was that I felt left out. My family was still attending church, my friends were there, and everything I knew was tied into the church. It's only natural to want to "belong" to something.
This may be the reason that you feel like converting even though you don't believe the teachings of the church. Everyone around you is in this "club", and you are not. So you feel left out. It's a completely understandable feeling!
But here is my advice to you:
If you do not believe that the Mormon church is the TRUE church, DO NOT join it! You would only be hurting yourself. If you join and don't believe, you would only end up feeling like something was wrong with your life.
However, if you really feel that you can believe the doctrine of the church, please, explore it more. You may find that it is indeed the place for you. But PLEASE do not join ANY church just to be one of the crowd.
I hope this helps you a bit, and good uck.
{And for those of you that have stated otherwise, Mormons ARE Christian. They use the KJV Bible, and believe that Christ is mankind's saviour.}
2007-08-15 05:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by wuzzle, deus ex machina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That "pressure" you are feeling is the "call".
God is calling you.
How you answer this call is up to you. It is my understanding that believers of many of the world's "religions" will be saved. Even so, when I read about Jesus coming back for "His Church", I don't want to take too many chances, so I picked a church that is bible-based, with sound preaching and teaching.
My congregation looks like and sounds like the New Testament churches as they are described in the Bible. This gives me greater confidence that when He does come back, He will find me "front row center"!
If you are convinced that the Mormon church is the way to go, then go right ahead. If there are things that bother you, then look for a different church.
Either way, compare what you hear in the preaching and teaching to what you read in the Bible. Go and get a few different versions of the Bible to ensure that you are getting the correct message. Your salvation is indeed yours to work out, so you want to do the best job you can.
Give yourself every opportunity to understand the word of God, and obey His commands. The New Testament is where these commands are located. If you get a Bible with the words of Christ printed in red, pay close attention to those Red Words.
2007-08-15 05:58:28 · answer #3 · answered by Barry F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Social pressure.
Most likely, in your area, all you will hear is THEIR side of everything concerning God, Mormonism, Jesus, and the church.
You do not have to just give in to it. Sure, it will haunt you. That's all you've heard, right?
Look into a different denomination or two. See THEIR perspectives. Look into many.
I looked into alot, and I began with the Jws, then LDS, then the mainstream denoms. I finally found myself being non-denominational, but Christian.
Social pressure. Whether something is true or not IS NOT determined by our feelings. Remember that.
2007-08-15 05:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not a "hint" that it's true. You're in Utah, for crying out loud, of COURSE there's going to be Mormanism all around you. You sound like you generally have some misgivings about being a Mormon--so DON'T, it's as simple as that.
2007-08-15 05:28:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Converting to what? I can assume that you are converting to Christianity, not that I am convinced that Mormons are all wrong, those that trust Jesus through faith are saved, and I have met ONE who said this to be true.
If the Mormons believe in the Bible, specifically the King James Version, which I have a Mormon KJV, then they ought to pay attention to it. Whatever Joseph Smith says, is it not more important what Jesus said? And what did Jesus say?
Jesus said:
John 3
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
So it is not whether you call yourself 'Mormon, Catholic, Protestant, that makes a difference to Jesus, but believing in Him that makes the difference to God.
We have to remember that!
2007-08-15 05:28:31 · answer #6 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is in my understanding that when one asks for advice they really only want to hear what they want to hear. I will not do that. It sounds to me like you simply want to assimilate in a community. You sound like you'd like to be a part of something, gain widespread acceptance.
Another argument is you are having a "spiritual awakening," though I don't believe in the jesus spiritual awakening. One thing about churches/religions: their prime objective is to get more members, have everyone agree with them, and reassure them that whatever they believe in is the "Truth."
It really sounds to me like you'd just like to be a part of something. All humans want to be accepted, it's understandable; in America, the easiest way is to join a church. Go try it out if you must, though I think you have plenty of alternatives.
2007-08-15 05:30:07 · answer #7 · answered by ajm48786 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're being pressured on all sides, according to what you've shared. Nobody likes to be on the outside of any group, looking in because they feel left out.
2007-08-15 05:23:35 · answer #8 · answered by Meow 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You say you are not looking for why Mormonism is fiction.
I think you have to ask yourself then what really matters the most to you - Truth? or the acceptance of people?
If it is the first, God will guide you.
If it is the latter, you cannot please God.
2007-08-15 05:28:13 · answer #9 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God works in MYSTERIOUS ways, dear...and that could be exactly where your feeling are coming from!! GO and do what your heart tells you to do.
2007-08-15 09:55:14 · answer #10 · answered by Linda M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋