Is it worth me converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism)?

Question

I was in Manchester earlier today and there were a large group of LDS Elders and such like preaching to people.
I talked to an Elder and was quite surprised by how much i agreed with his teachings.
I'm C of E at the moment but don't really feel like i fit in with my Church as i'm the only person there between the ages of 12-16 (i'm 15) and was rather drawn in by the LDS teachings...
what to do?

Answer 1

Whatever you do, don't let anyone make the decision for you...

The LDS Church today is VERY different than the original "restored" LDS Church back in the 1830s and 1840s. When you met with the missionaries, you were probably informed about the cycle of apostasies and restorations, and how Joseph Smith restored the "true church" after the latest apostasy when he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees.

The "official story" taught today by the LDS Church is actually quite a touching one. Believe me, I taught it myself for two years. It has been revised and reviewed over several generations to work out all the kinks to the point that it flows together smoothly enough so that the naked eye can't pick out any contradictions. The whole suite of lessons/discussions can usually be taught to investigators within 2-3 weeks, so that those who don't question can be baptized immediately.

The problem, however, is that when you look back at the original source material for this history, you find events that sharply contrast what the church represents as fact today. For instance, Joseph Smith didn't claim he had seen God and Jesus until 1838, which was 18 years after it had supposedly occurred. For the first 18 years, he had told at least 5 different versions of the story, with each successive version increasing his role and calling as a "prophet" of the restoration. In the first version he told, in fact, he simply said that he saw an angel "as if it were a vision" and that he was informed by the angel that his sins were forgiven, and that a single "True Church" didn't exist. Of course, later, this angel turned into several angels, and then into two angels, and then into "The Lord", and then finally into God & Jesus.

Other issues are the 3913 changes in the BoM since its publishing. About 3800 of them are grammatical or spelling changes, but a good 100 or more of them materially change the verse. For instance, "Mother of God" was changed to "Mother of the Son of God", in order to accommodate the LDS shift to a non-trinitarian view of the Godhead in 1834.

Basically, I would admonish you (as a practicing but disbelieving Mormon and former Elder myself) to research everything you can from every source available regarding the Church. Don't simply accept what the Elders tell you happened in the history. Find out for yourself. I didn't know half of Joseph Smith's story until the very end of my mission and felt so guilty for spreading half-truths and even some downright lies, simply because I didn't know. Elders aren't allowed to read any other books except the ones published by the Church for the missionaries. Therefore, their knowledge of the history of the Church will be limited to the revisionist "official" history.

If you're joining the Church for fellowship and because you believe in many of the same concepts the LDS believe in (eternal progression, Israelite Native Americans, an all-encompassing apostasy requiring a restoration of priesthood by Peter, James & John, and other unique concepts), and you can reconcile these with your belief that the Bible is God's word, then I wish you much success. However, if you are reluctant to simply accept the "official history" and have an itching urge to seek out history and information beyond what the church itself provides, you will fight an uphill battle to maintain your personal integrity and feel honest before God. The LDS Church is a highly conformist church, and is meant to be that way for those who feel more comfortable in a conformist environment.

I am the first to admit that the Church has MANY redeeming positive qualities. It is for this reason that I remain a member, in addition to family considerations. However, I cannot stress fervently enough that the Church's claims are highly misleading, and that any serious investigator should look at fact (in addition to "feeling") in making the decision to join or not. If you have any questions regarding the Church (either its positive or its negative aspects), or simply want a straightforward answer that's not copied and pasted out of the missionary guidelines and testimony meetings, please don't hesitate to contact me. Sometimes the old-fashioned "only God can tell you that, just pray about it and you'll feel better" answers don't quite cut it, and I try to recognize that.

Best of luck with your endeavors, and remember that above all else, your allegiance is to God, and not to me, to the Elders, to your previous religion, your friends, or your vicar.

God bless,
Will

PS: To clear up misconceptions below, the LDS don't pray to Joseph Smith. They believe he has ascended to godhood (all faithful Mormons can), but he doesn't exercise any godly powers over us in their theology except to "pre-judge" us with Adam, Peter, and the apostles before Christ does. LDS don't pray to anyone but the Father.

Edit: C of E means Church of England (commonly referred to as Anglican), for those who don't recognize it. It was the first main faction to courageously stand up to the dogmatic claims of the Roman church and deny the notion that a One True Church existed. How appropriate.

Answer 2

I joined the LDS church when I was 14 and it was the best thing I have ever done. I listened to the missionaries, read the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the NT.
I did what they told me to do and prayed. I received a firm testimony of Jesus and the restored Gospel. I have a firm testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus's church on earth.


I know it is true. But, lets just pretend that it isn't. I would still be a member. We teach the Biblical Jesus and because of that I have a much stronger relationship with Him than I ever did with the Baptist (the church I used to belong to) strange mystical belief that Jesus is the son and the father and the holy ghost. He doesn't have a body but yet he had a body while he lived on the earth and also had it after he was resurrected. The Bible tells about Stephen being filled with the HOly Ghost and looking into heaven and seeing Jesus on the right hand of God. How can that be if all 3 are actually one? How can you be on your own right hand side? At Jesus's baptism we have Jesus in the water, the HOly Ghost descending as if a dove and we have the voice of Heavenly FAther coming from Heaven. How can those things that the Bible teaches be true if they are just one person. Those ideas of 3 in 1 were put together by a committee of men centuries after Jesus died by the Council of Nicaea.
The LDS church has been a blessing to me in my life. It has given me many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. I have seen the hand of God many of times in my life, many of those because of my membership in the church. If I were you
I would meet with the missionaries, with your parents permission. I would read and study the scriptures. Listen to the missionaries with an open mind and heart. Also, I would pray. In fact, I did those things when I was 14 and I received my testimony. Be prepared for a wonderful spiritual journey that will lead you closer to Jesus Christ than anything else you could ever do. Good luck. I have been an active member of the church since my baptism in 1966 and am very grateful for everything the church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ have done for me.

Don't let the negative posters keep you from investigating the church. That kind of people existed in NT times when Jesus was teaching and establishing His church and fought against it then too.

Answer 3

I would suggest to make a really informed decision before you make the step. If they haven't I'm sure they will give you a Book of Mormon soon. Take a good look into it.
Talk to former LDS that were born in the religion and listen to why they are no longer LDS.
Talk to LDS converts that were not born in the religion.
Do all this with an open mind and heart.

Answer 4

u really sudnt gadge ur opinions of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints thru avenues such as this, i know ur looking for an honest answer so i'll give it to you...

read the book of mormon, pray first asking heavenly father to tell you if its true. the spirit will tesify to you of the truthfulness if u really want it to. the feeling of the spirit is quiet like a still small voice so u need to be in tune.

u sud create ur own opinion from this, of course ur not rushed in to a decision, u can attend youth activities and get to know the teens in ur local ward,

i believe the church of jesus christ of latter day saints to be the true church on the earth today, that is my testimony. u hav 2 know this for urself and the only way to do this is to study.

Answer 5

I think it’s great that you were willing to talk with the missionaries, and that you are seriously considering joining the Church.

Unlike what View of the Penguins said, the Church today is the SAME as when it was founded in the 1830’s. We teach the same doctrine that Joseph Smith taught. Many people will tell you differently, but this is something that you can discover for yourself.

Obviously Fireball doesn’t know that we teach that God is the Father, Jesus Christ is his Son, and the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God. We believe that all 3 form the Godhead, but they are three separate and distinct individuals who have one purpose. While we do not believe that they are one being, we do believe in all three.

MrMyers is a bit confused about the Church. We do not pray to Joseph Smith. We pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. It is obvious he has never attended a meeting. We do not have to have lots of children, either. I have 4, a friend has 1. We have as many children as we feel we can care for properly. As you said, MrMyers, you really need to read up and study about the Church before you spout off your misinformation and lies about the Church.

As you have seen, you are getting a lot of negative feedback, but don’t let that discourage you. Continue talking with the missionaries, attend meetings for a while, make your final decision only after you have given it time. One discussion with the missionaries is not enough. You can also visit www.mormon.org to learn more. And, don’t forget to get to know the members, especially the youth. Study and pray, and make your decision only after you have had time to learn more.

You don’t have to join in order to attend the meetings and enjoy the activities and association with the youth. I attended for 10 years before I joined.

In the last three places I’ve lived, we have had very few young people. In the last place I lived, my daughter was the only person there between the ages of 8 and 25! We had no teens at all. That’s the way it works sometimes.

Answer 6

Hi,
Why would you even consider what we think!? What we think doesn't count. I feel you should be more concerned what God thinks. Some questions you may want to ask yourself are; Is the Mormon beliefs the same that Jesus taught. Is this a life that Jesus approves of. And most important is it in keeping with the Bible which is the word of God. Answer those questions first and you'll know what to do. And remember these words. "Not all those saying Lord Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" These are Jesus's words so heed them.

Answer 7

Follow up with the Elders - they'll happily sit down with you and explain the beliefs of the church and encourage you to come to your own conclusions and testimony. They will also introduce you to other Latter-day Saints in your area and help you understand the process of joining the church, if that's your decision.
best wishes

Answer 8

I became Mormon at the same age as you. As I got older I realized that they used my neediness as a way to draw me into the church. I left shortly after turning 18. If you aren't sure, you shouldn't do anything drastic. I completely understand how you feel with the whole not fitting in thing and feeling alone, but you have to find Christ on your own. Don't settle for a church, but rise up to Christ alone. He'll come when you ask...

Answer 9

I'm not sure what C & E is! but the church of the biblical christ is the only true church "The body of believers in Faith". I don't
read anywhere's in scripture where is saids that you need to add latter-day saints onto the end.

God loves you...God bless

Answer 10

Is it worth it?
*Eternal Family
*Being with God and Christ through eternity
*Being married to your spouse for eternity
*Holding the Priesthood - if you are a man
*Receiving wonderful blessings by being obedient to the gospel principles
*Knowing who you are, where you came from, and where you can go after this life
*Knowing true happiness, not just earthly joy
*Being a part of the Lord's true church
*Receiving blessings from attending the temple

YES! It is worth it!
But, I would challenge you to continue to speak with the missionaries, study the Book of Mormon, pray to your Heavenly Father and ask him if the gospel is true. He will testify, through the Holy Ghost, to you the truthfulness of all things. What a wonderful blessing!
I love the gospel and love this church.

Answer 11

God knows which Church is his Church and he knows which one you should join that will bring to pass your eternal life and exaltation. Ask him, he knows.
In other words, seek out the truth by prayer, fasting, and earnest seeking of his spirit. He will reveal the truth to you by way of the Holy Ghost.
I did this, and joined the LDS Church as the Holy Ghost testified of its truthfulness to me. You can feel the same if you seek it.