This has always been difficult for me. My parents aren't too religious although my mom's involved somewhat in the LDS Church. My family background is Mormon and Evangelical, and I live out west where both religions have big presences.
I've been involved in both -- the Foursquare Church and the LDS Church. I'm in my mid-twenties and feel I should decide soon -- for the sake of when I got married and have kids.
Here's the thing, when I pray I feel both are true. I've read much of the debate on Mormonism and feel the LDS Church has reasonable answers to all the critics objections. I'm reading the Book of Mormon and have nearly read it cover to cover and have taken Institute classes. I've also read the Bible.
I really love and respect my family members in both religions and I think both churches (LDS and Foursquare) have very wise and knowledgable leaders who I respect.
Can someone help me sort this out?
2007-09-21 05:38:28 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It boils down to one thing, really: Was Joseph Smith a true prophet of God? If he was, then the LDS church is the true church of Jesus Christ, the only 100% true church on the whole Earth.
How can you know? Jesus taught us to beware of "false prophets" and that we could know whether or not the prophet was true by judging "their fruits".
Joseph's "fruits" are, in large part, the Book of Mormon that you're reading. If you have received confirmation that it is true, and that it is of God, then logically, the following must also be true:
1) The Book of Mormon is True
2) If the above is true, then Joseph Smith was a true prophet
3) If the above is true, then the church Joseph Smith founded is the true church of Jesus Christ
I would encourage you to focus your search for truth there, and ask God. He will make the truth of the matter known to you, just as He promised in both the Bible and in the Book of Mormon.
EDIT: One further point, ask "no1home2day" the verse for his quote: "I alone am God, and there are no other gods. There were no gods before me, and there were no gods formed after me. I alone am God." (it isn't a real scripture quote...now why would he need to do that?)
2007-09-21 05:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 12⤊ 3⤋
Let's stick to facts. The Mormons believe in their Four Standard Works, these are the indisputable cornerstone of their faith, regardless of what any General Authority says at any time. Let's look at the Four Standard Works and see what they say about God. Note: the best way to determine if a religion can be considered Christian is if they believe in the Trinity. So, let's begin with a quick view of what the Mormons believe about God as stated in their Four Standard Works. I think any active Mormon will see from this that they do not believe in the Book of Mormon, but they follow the teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants:
The Book of Mormon says there is ONE GOD. Alma 11:27-29, 44
II Nephi 31:21, Mormon 7:7, III Nephi 11:27 who created all things II Nephi 2:14
Jacob 4:9. This agrees with the Bible. However, the Doctrine and Covenants says there are MANY GODS. D&C 121:32, 132:18-20, 37 The Pearl of Great Price (another of the Four Standard Works) states that the MANY GODS created all things in Abraham 4:1-31, 5:1-21; Moses 2:1-31. So, the Mormons do not know what to believe.
Again, in the Book of Mormon it states that GOD'S WORD DOES NOT CHANGE Alma 41:8, but in the Doctrine and Covenants it states that GOD'S WORD CAN CHANGE D&C 56:4-5.
Beginning to see now? Literally, on almost every major tenet of religious faith, the Mormon doctrine can say they believe it; e.g., "Is there one god?" "Yes", or "Is there more than one god?" "Yes". Flexible, to say the least.
The Bible is quite clear that God is a trinity. You can rely on the Bible. If a so-called Christian church does not believe in the Trinity, they are not following the God of the Bible. Also, if they require tithing, just remember not even Jews pay tithing since 70 AD. It is a practice that started in the Christian church about 700 AD. So, looking for a church? If they believe in the Trinity and do not require tithing, you are on a good start. Test the doctrine against the Bible, and correct your pastor if he is wrong.
TRINITY IN THE BIBLE
One God:
1 Tim 2:5, Deut 4:35, 6:4, Isa 43:10-11:
Plurality of One God: Gen 1:26, 3:22, 11:7, Isa 6:8.
Isa 9:6 shows the multiple persons of God as Father, Son, and Counsellor
(aka Comforter, which Jesus said he would send to his disciples John 15:26)
The Father is God
Isa 6:3 ,1 Cor 8:6, John 17:1-3, II Cor 1:3, Philippians 2:11, Col 1:3,
I Peter 1:2, Matt 6:8, 7:21, Gal 1:1
The Son is God
Jn 12:41, 5:18, 20:28, 1:1-14, 9:35-3, Titus 2:13, Rom 9:5, II Pet 1:1,
Col 2:9, Heb 1:8-10, Rev 1:8,18, Is 7:14, 45:21-22 Mic 5:2, Matt 1:23
The Spirit is God
John 16:13, Heb 9:14, Acts 5:3-4, II Cor 3:17, John 15:26
Who raised Jesus from the dead:
Father Rom 6:4, Acts 3:26, I Thes 1:10
Son John 2:19-21, 10:17-18
Spirit Rom 8:11
God Heb 13:20, Acts 13:30, 17:31
Who is God?
Father Eph 4:6
Son Tit 2:13, John 1:1, 20:28, 9:35-37
Spirit Gen 1:2, Ps 104:30
God Gen 1:1, Heb 11:3
Who saves man?
Father 1 Pet 1:3
Son John 5:21, 4:14
Spirit John 3:6, Tit 3:5
God 1 John 3:9
Who justifies man?
Father Jer 23:6, II Cor 5:19
Son Rom 5:9, 10:4, II Cor 5:19,21
Spirit I Cor 6:11, Gal 5:5
God Rom 4:6, 9:33
Who sanctifies man?
Father Jude 1
Son Tit 2:14
Spirit I Pet 1:2
God Ex 31:13
Persons of God do: Of the Father, by the Son, through the Spirit 1 Cor:8:6, John 15:26
2013-10-24 21:33:35 · answer #2 · answered by Metoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, the LDS Church is a Christian church. Be careful with all the anti-Mormon statements above. They don't know what they are talking about!!!!
We are NOT a cult & don't keep changing things. There aren't inconsistencies between the Book of Mormon and the Bible. (I doubt they read the BofM if they can honestly say this.)
Read and study with an open heart. Don't look at negitive articles or books. That will only confuse you. You have to ask God which is true. You need to do what YOU feel is right.
It can be difficult if part of you family is a different religion. It was hard when I got married, in the Temple, since my in-laws were not there. However, we KNEW we were getting married the right way.
I KNOW the LDS Church is true. I asked and my prayers were answered.
2007-09-21 06:45:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
Your "facts" seem to be just a bit off: Mormons don't teach that God has a body of flesh and blood. Moroni did not provide the plates to Joseph. Reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics are actually quite common, and there are several different types known today. And yes, we do rebuke traditional Christianity, because many of their creeds are indeed an abomination before God. Infant baptism, original sin, the Trinity, predestination, just to name a few. These are all false doctrines that you won't find in the Bible.
2016-05-20 01:22:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you can tell from my name, I'm a little biased. I find it interesting that in your question you mention that you've read the critiques of the LDS church but people couldn't help but put more in their answers.
I think it comes down to which you feel will church will suit you best in your journey to return to live with God. My personal feeling is that all other churches are good, great, and grand (I'm not specifically familiar with Foursquare church, though) but only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fulness of the gospel. If you come to this same conclusion, then the choice is pretty easy.
Good luck and God bless.
2007-09-21 06:40:37 · answer #5 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Feeling that both are correct - that's most likely true! We believe most, if not all Christian sects/churches, teach some important parts of the gospel...we just believe the LDS has it all covered. That's just the thing - if you are feeling they are BOTH true, they both are. Truth is truth. The LDS church teaches and contains the whole gospel, that is the reason you are feeling that both religions are correct. That is the Holy Ghost whispering to your heart and mind that what you are learning is correct...continue your prayers, continue to read the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine & Covenants... if you truly are seeking answers the Lord will provide them. Also, sometimes we already have the answers he has given us, we just need to recognize them!
2007-09-21 06:37:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
I of course love my faith. I have learned so much. As far and having an LDS family for yourself, I can't imagine a better way to raise kids. Just the youth programs alone are awesome! I never did get to do them because I converted when I was 20. But now, experiencing a little of it with my kids, I am so happy and excited for them.
I KNOW that this church was restored by Heavenly Father. I guess you need to get to that point so you can be 100% one way or the other. But at least make the decision to be unified in your married. Otherwise the kids grow up split in 2 and usually end up with nothing.
One word of advice though...stop reading the anti stuff. Trust me, it didn't come from Father. Keep reading the scriptures and keep praying, your answer will come. GOOD LUCK!
2007-09-21 06:16:35 · answer #7 · answered by LDS Mom 6 · 9⤊ 1⤋
The N.T. says in John, that they might know thee the one true God and his beloved Son Jesus Christ.
One thing that I like about the Mormons is their family values can't be found anywhere else. I don't like the idea that when I die my family will be taken away from me, because I didn't love them enough to get sealed to them. A Stake President put it like this to me, when you get married by man when you sign your marriage certificate, you also sign your divorce papers. I love my family to much, when I marry I want to be a family even after this life.
The other thing is that attracked me to the LDS faith is the belief in Modern Prophets, and Apostles. My family was Jewish about 200 years ago, and they wanted to see a Prophet of God come forth. Where in all of Christianity is there a Prophet of God, Called by God, not man. The LDS church was the first one to bring back the ancient foundation spoken by Paul. The true church is founded upon Apostles and Prophets with Christ being the Chief corner stone.
2007-09-21 06:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by newwellness 3 · 8⤊ 0⤋
That' really hard to tell.
I am partial to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I have friends who belong to that church and are among the best people I know.
They're not polytheistic, my friends explained that to me. They believe in only ONE God and that is God the Father. His son, Jesus Christ is part of the Godhead but not God and the Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead but not God. Kind of like the Bishop with his 2 counselors sort of deal.
I like that they teach that families can be together forever, I like that they have a temple in which they worship and have sacred ceremonies in them...what they do, I don't know...except for what I've read on LDS.org.
When you're in the LDS church, you'll get called to serve in callings, you'll get the priesthood, and you will be baptized and confirmed. I don't know about the other church you mentioned.
The LDS church professes to have a prophet, if that's true, that church is truly lead by a wise man who has a direct connection with God.
It's nice that you feel a want to choose, I'm not there yet.
2007-09-21 05:52:49 · answer #9 · answered by CurlySue 6 · 8⤊ 2⤋
I would pray about it. God will tell you which one is true. For inspiration I would read Joseph Smith's account (it's at the beginning of the Book of Mormon). I myself, am LDS, and have had those times where I wonder if it's really true. If I get discouraged I just pray and then I know for sure I am where I'm supposed to be. A good place to ponder about this would be in the temple, I always get inspiration when I go there. Also take Moroni's challenge at the end of the Book of Mormon. I did, and the spirit was so strong. That's when I knew for sure the church is true. Good luck!
2007-09-21 05:49:56 · answer #10 · answered by Julia P 3 · 8⤊ 4⤋