Mormon or not?

Question

I have been a mormon all my life but I don't feel so sure anymore. I love the Book of Mormon, and I have all my life. But I've found that it is just a storybook. A unique one of course, one with powerful words in it, but one that claims to be historical with little evidence to back it up. But I will not become "Christian" either. Mormons are more "Christian" than other denominations that I've tried out ( baptist, born again, fundementalist, catholic). They have a lot more christ-like attributes than other religions, they just offer no evidence like the dead sea scrolls, or even geographical evidence. I do however believe that God exists no matter what. So what should I do? I am so confused. And I don't wan't to read answers like "You're going to hell" from christians. I always get that answer from them. If god was that cruel what happens to the millions of Jews that died in the Holocaust and the millions of people like myself who are confused or misled? Please try to understand........

To me the bible is just as much a storybook as the BoM.

I try to live my life as god would have me live it.

for your info jereme and kait I HAVE READ THE BIBLE! and there is plenty of evidence against it too. Why should I belong to any church? I just want to find the truth.

Let me tell you something adam. I am still in seminary which means I read every day! I enjoy reading of course and the BoM is my favorite. But I don't feel the spirit like you say you do. What I feel is more of a confort like I should follow it's teachings. Same with the Bible. I live my life following the teachings of christ. I just don't view any church as a "true" church anymore.

Thank you st aliaoftheknife and lord frenchfry. very conforting thoughts.

Answer 1

I am pleasantly surprised to find somebody else who admits to having my belief structure! I will star your question!

I too believe that the Book of Mormon is a powerful storybook. Look up View of the Hebrews (by Ethan Smith), Manuscript Found (by Solomon Spaulding), and the referenced chapters of the KJV to find the source material that inspired Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (and probably Sidney Rigdon) to draft the book.

I profess disbelief in the main historical and authoritative claims of the LDS Church, but profess nothing but love and admiration for faithful LDS who live the Church's doctrines and standards. I choose to continue to participate in the Church, simply because (as you have stated) it is a wonderful influence for good in the lives of those who perceive and follow it with the correct mindframe.

The Bible also contains many "stories" and allegories that aren't necessarily true. However, there is at least evidence to show that the people in the Bible actually existed, and most post-Exodus historical material can be verified by secular records, even if some of the individual stories (Samson, Jonah, Job) are either fabricated or embellished.

Regardless of historical "truth", however, you and I both feel that it is important to live according to the social morals that Christ prescribed in His Sermon on the Mount (as well as other teachings). Since the day I accepted the fact that the Church isn't the "Restored One True Church", I have been much better at finding opportunities to live according to these teachings. It really helps keep you from "passing the buck." Dissenting Mormons have the unique opportunity and privilege of evaluating their own principles and doctrines, rather than simply accepting the ones the Church advocates and rejecting the ones it criticizes.

If you'd like more details on how this process has benefited me and my family, feel free to e-mail or chat:

[e-mail]

I give you props and kudos, and admonish you to not let anyone tell you that "you're on the path to Spiritual darkness." I bet you feel that your mind is much clearer and that your Spirit is much lighter now that you've established what you don't buy into.

Let me know if you have any questions on the matter, or if you'd simply like a new perspective. I graduated from Seminary myself, served an honorable full-time mission, married in the Temple, and am now raising a young family. It really IS possible to "be a Mormon" without "believing in Mormonism."

Good luck and God bless,
Will

Answer 2

There is actually a lot of evidence to back up the Book of Mormon. May I suggest checking out some good commentaries by Church scholars? My favorite ones when I was your age was Cleon Skousen's "Treasures from the Book of Mormon." I think you can still find them at Deseret Book, although it's been a few months since I looked for them. One of my favorite references in there is documentation by a Jewish archaeology professor named Dr. Joseph Ginat, who actually found evidence in the Beith Lehi cave near Jerusalem to show that it could have been the cave Nephi and his brothers hid out in. The former president of the Utah State Poetry Society, who is my friend, was on a trip to Israel with him when he also found an important dove altar. But guess what? Archaeological proof does not make someone become Mormon. Dr. Ginat is still Jewish, at least he was very Jewish when I saw him at a big musical function a year ago in Utah. But if you are willing to start studying in detail how Jewish culture and practices are all throughout the Book of Mormon, you will find so much evidence that you will wonder how anyone could have missed it. Also, you might try studying the city of Lamanai, with its ruins in Belize. That is an interesting city, whose name was documented by a Spanish priest shortly before it was destroyed by fire, and it was only recently excavated by Canadian archaeologists. Don't be afraid of getting true answers, by the way, which are best when coming with sincere study and prayer. Incidentally, have you met any Apostles lately?

Answer 3

I'm Mormon. I'm still a teenager ( young one), so I'm trying to gain my own testimony. I've been praying about it alot, and its been helping. When ever I sing a church song, or read my scriptures, or am at mutual, or that good feeling I get when I help others, reminds me that I know inside that this is right. I've been praying for help and comfort alot lately because I'm going through alot of pain, and a couple of days ago in Sunday School, the lesson was answer to my prayers. It really helped. Where do you think your life is going to go without the Holy Ghost to be with you ALWAYS? I know that my life would be in complete ruins and I would've just given up on life by now. Stay with the church. You'll forever regret it if you don't. Don't listen to other churches, Mormon haters, athiests. Just remember the good feeling you get in church and when you sing hymns, and when you do something right. Remember that, and it should be answer enough.

Answer 4

I understand. If you use most any scripture as the basis of science or history, you may be disappointed and then disillusioned. If you read scriptures to change your heart, you will be rewarded. The Book of Mormon is 5% history and 95% about the teachings of Jesus Christ. As a witness of the Savior, it answers the things you see missing when you go elsewhere. If you want evidence, look to the evidence Jesus gave. Do the lame walk and the blind see? Are peoples lifes better?

Answer 5

have a thought for you... rather than thinking of a church or religion as true or false... consider true as in direction... true north v magnetic north.
I believe the Mormon Church is the only church upon the earth which has all the necessary ordinances and authority to guide me on my return trip home to my Father in Heaven.
It is my guide - my compass. My true way Home.
When I was younger I rebelled against the molly mormon, peter priesthood models... and yet I lived the standards of the gospel. I looked around and saw people who were wasting their intellect -- and focusing upon the social aspects of the church [still hate crafts] rather than the meat of the gospel. Sunday school teachers who didn't even realize that the Savior could cast out devils. YW Presidents who thought it was better to be popular than honest.
And I tell you, there is archeological evidence, historical evidence [even within art & architecture] that point to the truthfulness of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the Bible.
I understand your confusion. You have reached the point in your life where you can no longer stand on the testimony of others and are seeking your own. Congratulations. Desire is the first step. Wanting to know for yourself. Second, start with a grain of faith that if you ask God, He will answer you. Third, open your soul to the answers which come.
You are a son of God. He loves you. He is aware of your struggle. You have inherited some of His Divine Nature and Traits. Look within yourself. All that is enobling comes from Him.
Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you. A great example is Nephi. After hearing of Lehi's dream, he wanted to understand for himself - to know that this was from God. So, he asked. The answer Nephi received was more complete than even his father's understanding. That was a defining moment in Nephi's life - and the birth of a prophet.
Best wishes.

Answer 6

I think you have a lot of good advice on here.
I think you are wise to be going to seminary and reading the scriptures. How do you feel in your heart when you do these things? You may have to struggle, but it is worth it to gain a testimony.
Sometimes you have to take a step into the darkness (I'm sure you've heard that old quote), but keep praying and listening for the Holy Ghost, and the light will appear.

Answer 7

I have said it before and I stand by my witness, Find the things that help you to be happy. The book of Mormon and the Bible both contain teachings that have impacted me in a very positive way. They ofer me comfort and When I am reading and praying I am happier than when I am not. God is not cruel. He loves you and each of his children. Everything happens for a reason, the holocaust and all of the cruelties that you see included. It's hard for us to understand that with our limited perspective, but each individual is loved, there is a plan for all of us, God knows the tiniest and biggest details of everyones life, including yours. That is the message of the book of Mormon. If Jesus visited those people, and the foundations of their civilization is rooted in Truth, then he has a message for each child that suffers on this earth. Your questions and concerns are not unknown to Him. Continue in prayer and faith and you will find answers and comfort!

Answer 8

My friend are you just trying to open yourself up to be put down here or what!!!??

I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I grew up going to many different Christian churches and I felt nothing in them and they could not answer my most profound questions on life and on God. It wasn't until I picked up the Book of Mormon and read it with an open heart. At this time, I had stopped believing in God or in Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon converted me to Jesus Christ. It converted me in such a way that I have never been the same man since. Because of that book bringing me to Christ, I was able to let go of some hard core addictions that I had, I was able to see beyond myself and serve my fellow man. Either that book is of the devil or it is true and is of God. I testify to you that it's of God for it converted me to Jesus Christ who is my personal Savior and my friend and who will bring me back into the loving arms of my Heavenly Father. There is no other church on the face of this green earth that can give the answers that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can. And you're a fool if you reject it because I can tell by your question that you know it. Joseph was a prophet. God will do nothing unless it is through prophets. If Joseph is not a prophet, then God has ceased to be God for God always chose prophets through every dispensation. You really expect to get answers to those questions you posted from others who don't have the fulness? Why are you asking them? So they can attack your beliefs!? This kind of stuff is just tearing you down, brother. Read the Book of Mormon and kindle your testimony. How long has it been since you've read?

Answer 9

The Book of Mormon is true!
there is supporting evidence out there if you are trying to obtain your testimony in that way...
try http://www.fairlds.org/
or http://www.mormonfortress.com/crit-fr1.html

or other lds websites like
http://jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/index.html

I hope you will continue to stay in the church and give it time and your sincere investigation. I believe the key is:
***Ask God!

Once you ask God you are "in the clear" so to speak....if you ask Him, then go with your best knowledge of what you should do.... how could God condemn you?...if you did your best...He wouldn't!...
But...the key is...He WILL answer you!

BUT if a person refuses to ASK...then they are not entitled to the blessings assciated with it....so by all means.... Ask God about it if you haven't yet!

I will just let you know that God showed me by His power that the Book of Mormon is true and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church. I hope you will believe it...and I hope you will receive your own knowledge from God about it too!

Answer 10

The Bible's accuracy and reliability have been proved and verified over and over again by archaeological finds produced by both believing and no believing scholars and scientists. This included verification for numerous customs, places, names, and events mentioned in the Bible.
One among many examples is the fact that for many years the existence of the Hittites (a powerful people who lived during the time of Abraham) was questioned because no archaeological digs had uncovered anything about them. Critics claimed the Hittites were pure myth. But today the critics are silenced. Abundant archaeological evidence for the existence of the Hittites during the time of Abraham has been uncovered.
Bible scholar Donald J. Wiseman notes, "The geography of Bible lands and visible remains of antiquity were gradually recorded until today more than 23,000 sites within this region and dating to Old Testament times, in their broadest sense, have been located." Nelson Glueck, a specialist in ancient literature, did an exhaustive study and concluded: "It can be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverter a biblical reference." Well-known scholar William F. Albright, following a comprehensive studies, wrote: "Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the value of the Bible as a source of History."

There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament. These manuscript copies are very ancient and they are available for inspection NOW. there are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity). In fact, there are enough quotations from the early church fathers that even if we did not have a single copy of the Bible, scholars could still reconstruct all but 11 verses of the entire New Testament from material written within 150 to 200 years from the time of Christ. Bottom line: The New Testament has an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting its reliability.