mhansen

Well, the Marian dogmas bother me, because I feel that they put too much emphasis on Mary's role in Salvation History. Historical things that bother me include the corruption of the Church, crusades, etc. Something that I would sorely miss if I became LDS would be the Catholic belief in the Real Presence: the idea that the elements of bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. While that may sound appalling to the LDS, to me and many other Catholics it is a beautiful and powerful way to experience God's love physically.

What are the must-sees in SLC? What are the best LDS things to visit? And what about the best secular things? Etc.?

I do. I'm not very far into it, though.

Biblical canon was decided at the Council of Hippo, not Nicaea.

No, I've been researching on my own. My parents are fairly staunch Catholics, and I highly doubt that they'd be okay with me talking to missionaries. That's also why I haven't got a chance to go to a Sacrament Meeting.

Well, I'm looking into many churches at the moment. This spiritual searching was brought on, I suppose, by the spiritual and mental shock that came with college. The reason that I am particularly interested in the LDS Church is because of its wholesome reputation, although as I said in my first post, that doesn't make it true. That's why I'm trying to learn more about the unique LDS doctrines, and seeing if they are true.

Well, let's not be glib. This is something that I am struggling with as well. There is plenty of evidence for many, if not most, of the Biblical cities, civilizations, and historical events. What is debatable is the miraculous aspects of the texts--Jonah, Noah's Ark, the Resurrection, etc. When one puts their faith in the Biblical accounts, they know that there is at least something solid (the historical aspect) to stand upon. However, as I read the Book of Mormon and I learn more about the Lehites I cannot help but wonder why I never learned about them in history class. LDS scholars continue to debate where in the Americas the BoM narrative takes place, how large an area it was, etc., without any conclusive archeological evidence. So, unlike the Bible, the BoM doesn't have a proven historical foundation. Now, I'm not saying that that makes the BoM false, or a hoax, or whatever. However, I am being intellectually honest. If I am going to commit myself to the LDS faith, then I must find and be certain of the truth of the Book of Mormon. I'm just saying that, for me, it'll be hard to put my faith in a book that lacks any evidence beyond spiritual confirmation. Does this conflict with Paul's view that the pagans can discover the truth of God solely through logic and the majesty of His creation? Can't faith come through reason? Or are the two mutually exclusive?

I was quite an active boy scout before going away to school, I even achieved the rank of Eagle. In all that time, I never knew how active a part Mormonism played in the BSA. I was wondering if someone could explain the precise relationship between the LDS Church and the BSA. Thanks in advance!

The only story of unrest at Nicaea that I know is that St. Nicholas (of Santa Claus fame) got so angry at the heretic Arius that he punched him in the nose.

So, I know that the LDS do not believe in the Trinity in the same way that Catholics do. So, I have a few questions: -Who do the LDS worship? God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirt? All three together? Only two? -Who is the Holy Spirit, what does he do, and why does he lack a body? -If God is a god and Jesus is one too, does that make Mormonism duotheistic? -What exactly does "worship" mean? -Could you explain the LDS version of the trinity? Thanks in advance for your replies!

I happen to live very close to the Chicago Illinois Temple, so a week ago I went over there and just walked around. It's an absolutely beautiful building, and even more so when night fell and the lights went on. I had never really thought about temples before, but this visit began to spark many questions in my mind. Hopefully you can answer them? -Why are temples closed to the outside world? -In what way are the ordinances that are given inside help me grow spiritually? --related to both: is it selfish, therefore, to restrict access to Mormons only if everyone ought to be saved? -I guess it's a sensitive subject, but could you please explain temple garments? -What is the function of temple presidents and matrons? -What is this "baptism for the dead" thing all about? -How often to people usually visit the temple? -If I were to convert to the LDS Church, how soon could I expect to begin visiting the temple? I guess those are the ones that strike me right now, but I'm sure that more will come. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hello everyone! I'm Michael. I'm 19 years old, and was raised Catholic. After a year of college, I feel like I'm at a crossroads religiously. I can either strengthen my Catholicism, find the "true" church if I'm not in it already, or simply abandon God altogether and go to the world. The last option is certainly appealing--at least in the short term. I first heard about the LDS Church in high school, when one of my friends took to calling me "Mike the Mormon" on account of my clean-cut appearance and prudishness. It was because of that friendly teasing that I first read the story of Joseph Smith, and I have to say that to an outsider, the whole thing is, quite frankly, absurd. But then again, so is the story of a some guy who claims to be God's son coming back from the dead. So I read quite a bit more, and came to see in Mormondom what has been lacking in Catholicism since Vatican II: a distinct, close-knit culture. I came to see Mormons as a group of hard-working, loving and virtuous people. If I could re-live my childhood, I think that I'd want to do in a Mormon family! Of course, just because Mormons have a positive culture, doesn't make their doctrines correct. So, I guess that's why I'm on this site: to learn. Hopefully it will be a productive time. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and your church, better! -Michael