Rekhyt2238

That quote was completely out of context dear. I said that to illustrate a point on the Catholics. I said if they do not believe the Pope gains revelation, then why would they believe in Papal infallibility? If he did not gain revelation, it would simply be his opinion. No. I am currently in California for a month and do not have my BoM. Yes, quite my thought! Though like I said, I think I am going to concentrate on the Bible. I think it makes sense to get a decent knowledge of the Bible before tackling the BoM.

I'm just curious, when did you graduate? They have probably raised the graduation requirements. I know between when I graduate('09) and my brother('12), they are raising the requirements a couple credits. I wish I had as nice of experience in seminary as you did. I liked two out of my five teachers, and only one of them was any good at teaching. Seven-thirty, though I have to be leaving my house at seven at the absolute latest. I have about a twenty minute drive, which includes passing another high school...lol Screwed up boundaries...

The way I understand that, is that when they marry someone who is dead, they do not marry them to a specific person. So when this has been done for both people, they are then married...That could be completely wrong, but it is what I have been led to believe.

Seminary is not part of the curriculum. On my transcript, it shows a big zero for credit under seminary. I have friends that because they did not take it, are about 2.5 credits in front of me. Yes, you can graduate with seminary, but you are pretty much scraping up credits until the very end. Early morning seminary?...I'm sorry, but I already wake up at five am just to get to school on time. I can't wake up much earlier than that. Also, if it doesn't matter how badly the teachers teach, then why can't I just study the bible on my own?

Islander, if you wish to talk of more personal issues, then yes please do PM me. Thank you.

About Catholics and revelation, I think they do. They believe in Papal infallibility, which leads me to believe that they think the Pope is in direct contact with God. If they did not think that, why would they believe the pope is never wrong?...What would make his opinion better than anyone else's? On reading the BoM, I think I have already promised to do so before I leave. Honestly I have nothing to loose, which is why I'm so willing to try....Though at this very moment, I think I am going to concentrate on the Bible which I know is true.

Why?...I have always been curious about this. As far as I know, this is the only church that wants to control which ward/Parish/etc you attend. All the other ones I know of are simply happy you are going, regardless of when or which building. Unfortunately even if I wanted to, I do not have room in my school schedule. I'm already behind 2.5 credits because of seminary. I also have so many AP classes(I have three periods for AP Chemistry alone!), internships, etc that I simply do not have room for it. If it was really making an improvement in my faith, I would never have dropped it in the first place. And--I'm simply stating my experience here, not being rude--most seminary teachers are really bad. I know they try hard, mean well, and some are the nicest people, but they still are not very good. They are wonderful people, but still....

If I was just being rebellious, I would not be wearing it under my shirt. I would be wearing it in plain view of everyone. As it is, there is only about one other person that knows I'm wearing it.

What do my concerns and desires have to do with wearing a Cross under my shirt where no one can see it? Yes, some things must be done despite what others think. If my mother knew I was wearing a Cross, she would be furious which is one reason I wear it under my shirt.

I personally would wear my Cross under my shirt, as I always do.

Thank you Islander. I appreciate it, and I look forward to your response.

Everyone seems to be thinking that my "bad baptist friends" are leading me astray on purpose. They are not. I think only one of my friends goes to an actual denominational church, and she is not the baptist. The rest of my friends go to nondenominational Christian churches. Like I said in another topic, most of my friends were practically clueless about the LDS church. That is until a few of the bible studies, where we talked about the LDS Church a lot. Islander, i am trying to get those questions answered. I really am.

I first want to apologize to everyone for my outburst. The term evil was very harsh. Islander, as I have specifically apologized to you in our private messages, I hope you will reconsider talking with me. If you do, please elaborate on what you meant, I would really appreciate it. Apology accepted. I simply hope everyone accepts my apology.

I'm curious about this. Hypothetically speaking, lets say that I do leave the church. After I die, I find out that it was actually the true church. What would happen to me? Let me add, that I do not, nor have ever had a real testimony of the LDS church. How many times have I said that I tried going to church?! I STILL went even when they did not WANT me there! And after so long, I had had enough! I was not getting much out of it, and the people were evil(And yes, there are plenty of very evil mormons). My non LDS friends knew almost NOTHING about the church until I told them things! Half of quite a few bible studies was me explaining their questions about the church! I STATED that I was not looking for a testimony HERE! I am looking for a testimony! I simply am not naive enough to think an online forum could give me a testimony! Bytor, you seem very familiar. You seem a lot like some of the mormons who have been pushing me AWAY from the church!

Interesting. I think the trinity is what I have always been taught, but I may have just been misunderstanding them the whole time.

Thank you. When I try reading it again, I will start at that point. We have been mormon for a few generations. That is what my parents, church teachers, and seminary teachers have always taught me. Is that not what the church teaches?... Maybe I have simply misunderstood them.

I did not come here to receive a testimony. I did not expect a miracle from this site. I came here to have a few questions answered, that I believe may have an effect on whether I stay in this church or not.

Would you like to expound on what you think I should also be doing?

Of God, yes. Whether the priesthood in the LDS Church is God's, I do not know. Did I ever say it was better? No. To tell you the truth, it was a gift. I then found that I liked it better, simply because the wording is slightly more modern. If the Bible had been written during the current time period, would it still be written as it was? No! It would be written using our modern language! So why we are clinging to the King James Version, I do not understand. Who had the authority to make a better version? God of course. You believe that God helped Joseph Smith translate the BoM. Is it not equally possible that God helped someone else to create the New International Version? This is one thing that I also do not understand. Yes, of course it would be nice to have someone that is in direct contact with God. But what makes the LDS Prophet special? The Catholics have the Pope?

I agree with that, but is the Cross not a symbol of a crucial part of our salvation? Without that part, Christ would not be the one dying for our sins. If anything, that is encouragement to wear the Cross. It says the Cross is a reminder that if I do not follow God, then there is no chance of me choosing correctly. IMHO, that sounds a bit arrogant and full of yourself. I will not get that from any Christian religion? Is Mormonism included in that? Honestly, the only thing I could tell was specifically about the Cross was the first two things I quoted. And they did not even come close to explaining why we should not wear a Cross.

The church doctrine on eternal marriage is another issue that I have with the LDS Church. Like I have said before, I am very close to leaving the church, for many reasons. The LDS belief on marriage is, correct me if I am wrong, as follows. If you are married and sealed in the temple then you can be married throughout eternity. For this to happen though, you must make it to the top tier of the Celestial Kingdom. Once you reach said top tier, you and your spouse basically become Gods(This is another issue I have with the church, but if you do not mind I would like to ask one question at a time. So if it is okay, lets talk about it in another thread soon.). Correct? Matthew 22:23 (My bible is New International Version, so it is worded slightly different.) Mark 12:25, and Luke 20:34 basically say the same thing. So looking at this, explain eternal marriage? Jesus specifically says that there will be no marriages after the resurrection and that people will not be given in marriage, which I see as meaning we will not be given to marriage, aka we will not be married. Please help me to understand how eternal marriage is possible? Personally I do not like the thought of not being married in heaven, but that is what Jesus seems to be saying.

As I have said multiple times in this thread, the reason I am close to leaving is not just the Cross. The Cross is one of many issues I have with the church.

My testimony on Christ and Christianity came from God obviously. On the body part, I don't know. On the Trinity, it is what I have always been taught, and it makes sense. Like I have said, I have tried going to church. But when the people there do not want you there, its not exactly appealing. Even in my old good ward, it still did not do much for me. On reading the BoM, I do not currently read it. Like I said, I have tried multiple times but when I get about halfway through, I can not continue because I am not getting anything out of it. On the first vision, I have never had any reason to believe it or not believe it. I will probably go to the missionaries before I leave. Though I do not have much hope with them. I have been, and have been trying to pray with as much of an open heart as I can.

I said in my other thread, that I had been in seminary for two and a half years and that I did not like it or get anything out of it. If anything seminary pushed me away from the church. Thank you for your suggestions. I think I am going to try asking what I need to do to receive answers.

As I previously said, yes I do believe in God, Christ, and Christianity in general. On the body part, I do not know. I only know what I have been told. I believe that the trinity is one, just simply different parts of that one. Yes, I believe that Jesus can appear to anyone, and do anything he wants to. I believe in pretty much all of what you said. That is what I thought you meant about Satan. I just wanted to make sure. On asking different questions, what would you suggest? I have asked, 'Is the BoM true?'.....Nothing. 'Is this church true?'.....Nothing. 'Do I need to be somewhere else besides this Church?.....YES! I just reread what I posted, and it sounded like I was gay or something. Let me assure you that is not what it is. I simply can not pretend to be as perfect as they pretend to be.