andypg

That's a very interesting theory. Originally TIME said that Pope Francis was disagreeing with dogma, which is absolutely false. It's been interesting to see the media misunderstandings of the Popeal as well as the misunderstandings both liberals and conservatives have of him. He's not the great liberal savior set out to change the evil anti-women anti-gay Catholic Church. He IS Catholic! I'm just waiting for the day when everyone realizes he's theologically Pope Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul the Great. off topic, I've gotten used to referring to Pope John Paul II as Blessed Pope John Paul the Great for a while (before my conversion), it ok if I still call him that? (Blessed is his official title and "the Great" is something many of the faithful have added as a sign of respect to a great leader like him)

For those of you wondering how celebrating Advent's been so far this season, here's a link to my blog where I discuss my reflections on the readings I chose for the last two weeks of Advent Advent Reflections: First and Second Weeks of Advent Advent Reflections: First and Second Weeks of Advent | Latter-Day Thoughts The passages I read were: First Week: Luke 1:26-38 and concentrated on the verse "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” Second Week: Luke 1:39-45 and concentrated on the verse “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” Hope you enjoy my reflections (and if it isn't very LDS, let me know)

TIME's Person of the Year 2013 Pope Francis, The People's Pope | TIME.com Personally, this comes as no surprise to me, he's been very popular ever since he came out on the balcony in March. I remember being super excited, as I was a Catholic then, to see him step out and the joy of seeing not only the new Pontiff, but a man who chose the name Francis, it was beautiful for me. Although sadly, my first choice didn't win, Pope Francis has proven to be a wonderful Pope for the Catholic Church and showing to be a wonderful continuation from Pope Benedict XVI. So what do you guys think of TIME's choice? Also, I don't really talk to many LDS, live in a non-LDS area and am a Catholic Studies Minor (didn't feel like switching after my conversion) at a Catholic university, so what do you guys think of His Holiness Pope Francis?

As for why bless a crucifixes and rosaries, I am actually not sure, just something I've always done as a Catholic and feel kind of weird not doing. I asked on a Catholic forum I'm a member of, so if I get an explanation I'll let you guys know.

Thanks everyone. For me, the cross isn't a sign of death but a sign of victory! Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection brought about victory over death and gives us life. As St. Paul says, "We preach Christ crucified. " For me, that's one of the beauties of Christianity, it's a religion of contradiction! Death brings life. The cross is a sign of victory!

A family friend went to Italy recently and got me a cross. The cross is a San Damiano cross. It's a very important cross for Franciscans. Knowing that I like the Franciscans and that their spirituality interests me, she got it for me. I know most Latter-day Saints don't wear crosses, I'm new to the church so was wondering if I could wear this cross (as a reminder of the atonement and the resurrection). Also, as a former Catholic, I'm used to blessing religious objects like crosses and rosaries. It feels weird not having my cross blessed. Have you ever heard of a priesthood blessing for a religious object? I'd love for it to be blessed. Thanks for your help. if you want information on the cross, here's the Wikipedia page for it San Damiano cross - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is my blog Latter-Day Thoughts

To add to what anatess said (and I apologize if I am being repetitive), Advent is part of the Catholic liturgical calendar. The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is a season of preparing spiritually for the coming of Christ. The way most Catholics celebrate it, as anatess previously stated, is through Advent candles. There are 4 candles (3 purple, 1rose/pink). Every Sunday a new candle is lit (the rose colored candle is lit). How I do it, and my family did before I went to college, was every night we light the appropriate amount of candles, pray, read from a book of Advent meditations, and sing (usually "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" since it is about waiting for Christ's birth). I'll be researching between now and the start of Advent (Dec. 1st this year) to see what LDS Scriptures or words from the prophets I can add to my Advent reading. (Also, if you want to learn more abotu Advent in depth, this is from the Catholic Encyclopedia Advent - Original Catholic Encyclopedia)

Not really, I'm just afraid of being seen as "too Catholic" and people thinking I'm not sincere about my conversion. I tend to keep things from my former Catholic faith that really helps me, so I often post Catholic quotes on Facebook or bring them into discussion. Wasn't sure if Advent is considered "too Catholic".

This will be my first Christmas season as a Latter-Day Saint. One of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season is Advent. For Catholics, Advent is celebrated 4 weeks before Christmas. It is meant as a reminder to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of the baby Jesus. So my question is, can I still celebrate Advent and light the Advent candles every night as while meditating on the incarnation and while praying?

Personally, I like the anti-Mormon stuff. Why? I've only been a member 2 and a half months and spent only a month investigating before then (thought had an interest in the "oddities" of LDS faith and history for a few years). Since I am still new, and a journalism major, I like the anti-stuff because it gives me a chance to do more research! And that involves coming on here, asking questions, and debating you all until I resolve it intellectually. It strengthens my testimony because I go out seeking answers. It doesn't let me stay complacent, it forces me out. And isn't that what we, as Latter-day Saints, are supposed to be doing: progressing in faith and knowledge and going out to share the Truth?

Personally, my interpretation of exaltation is different than most Latter-Day Saints, so no one report me to President Monson! Also, fully disclosure, I've been a member only 2 and a half months. Anyways, my view of exaltation and becoming gods is that we will reach a mystical and mysterious union/communion with God. It's a less conventional LDS view of it. As far as God having a wife, that I'm still not sure I believe, I'm working on it.

On my bookshelf I have two books in the Jesus of Nazareth series written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It's known as the most influential books in traditional Christian theology written in the last 100 years and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) has been known as one of the greatest theologians of the modern era. I also have books by St. Faustina and St. Therese of Lisieux (who came up with her own spiritual path known as the "Little Way"). Also on my bookshelf, books by the Cuban priest Father Felix Varela (Letters to Elpidio) and a beautiful book explaining the Catholic Church by Father Robert Barron. What I am trying to say is, as a life long (20years) Catholic, I have come to love theology with a passion and with a 2000 year history, the Catholic Church has put out some great theologians to read. Now that I am LDS, I still read these writers, but I want to learn and delve deeper into my new faith. The closest thing I can find are apologetics, which isn't what I'm really looking for. I want writers not defending, but explaining and trying to discover Truth and God. Are there any hard core theologians in the Church? They could be either authors of books or of articles (being that I'm a college student, essays and artles may be easier at this point). Who are the greatest theological minds of the Church? What do they write and where can I find their writings? Thanks so much!

We're following Boyd K. Packer's Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple. We just did the "Worthy to Enter" section last week so I'm assuming this week is "First and Every Time". I'm thinking of just taking a break this week from Temple Prep and going with her to Gospel Principles, she doesn't know much about the Church so it could be helpful. I may ask the missionaries what lesson they did last week so I'm caught up and know what she can expect to learn and get ready to answer any questions after church.

A friend of mine is visiting church with me this Sunday to hear me give my first talk at Sacrament Meeting. She says she'll stay all 3 hours so that I don't leave early. So here's my question, I'm currently in a temple prep class in Sunday School. I kinda don't want to miss a lesson and I don't want to leave her alone for both Sunday School and Relief Society. So can she go to temple prep with me or should I kust skip temple prep and go back to Gospel Principles for one Sunday? Thanks.

Before I became LDS I was a regular poster on CAF, though I tended to stay out of the Non-Catholic Religions section. I tended to be in the News, Popular Media or Traditional Catholicism sections. Now that I converted, I post under a different name. I made a thread about a "friend" (me) converting to Mormonism. Mostly because I was curious as to what Catholics would think if someone they knew did. Anyways, by page 3 a conversation on excavating the Hill Cumorah started and now on page 10 it's turned to an all out war about Hill Cumorah. I had to go in now and ask to stop going off topic. The ex-LDS on there can be very nasty. But then again, the traditionalist Catholics on there are so harsh on there that when I first joined that forum and saw how nasty they could be to other Catholics, I had a crisis of faith, I mean, "real Catholics" can't be that nasty. I will give them this, their criticisms of the LDS faith that I find when discussing Mormonism with them (or other LDS debating them) strengthens my testimony. How? They say "Mormons believe x" I say, "That can't be. if it is, I'm out." So I come on here, ask and work it out and strengthen my knowledge and testimony of the Gospel.

In short: YouTube and the mormon.org online missionary chat

How about, for many this will be the only time they can have the benefit of having an LDS store nearby? I don't plan on going back to Utah anytime soon...oh well, deseret.com from now on. though I do get where they are coming from. The Catholic bookstore I grew up with was closed on Sundays. Still kinda annoyed me but I understand. just would have thought with conference they would keep it open this one Sunday every six months.

Right now as a convert of 1 month, the important part is understanding the Book of Mormon and how it relates to other scriptures and our beliefs. And what I found has been nothing short of beautiful (In Mosiah 2-3 alone there is so much to learn!) I'm making connections everywhere. I'm a Catholic Studies Minor and am currently taking a class on the Virgin Mary. One of our textbooks was written by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. My professor always goes back to the point of Benedict being one of the greatest Bible scholars of the 20th century because he reads the Bible as one continues, coherent text. Meaning, he doesn't just look at Luke and say, "What does this mean?" In interpreting Luke he looks to the entire Bible. I sort of want to be the LDS version of that, seeing everything in light of the whole, which first, I believe, comes with understanding and reading carefully then with memorization.

For me, memorizing verses and passages isn't as important as understanding the scriptures. I have just (yesterday after conference) been getting back into my scriptures and it's amazing to see how what is written in the scriptures connect so perfectly with LDS doctrines and the words of the prophets, even when not explicitly stated in the passage. There are so many deeper meanings for us to find and relate and connect to the words of the modern prophets and our doctrine that I came away yesterday with the certainty that it is an ancient record, not a 19th century document. That is what I consider scriptural mastery, seeing and understanding how the scriptures work together and how it relates and connects with doctrine and the prophets. Find the deeper meanings. They're there!

Yay! I'm not a heretic. Now I don't see what's the big deal Trinitarians make about exaltation. They believe the same thing, just not the same terminology. I wrote an entire paper on it in an Intro to Christianity class last year taught by a pre-Vatican 2 Catholic. They just don't say "become God." They had me scared for nothing. The doctrine of exaltation worried me. I don't want my own planet! Lol I just want to live with my Heavenly Father! So I guess I am a Latter-Day Saint...with a couple more things to work out it seems.

I believe God has a physical body. But I don't (can't?) believe in infinite progression of gods (that God has a god who has a god who has a god). So how He got that body, I don't know. Maybe He always had it. Could be. That seems to be my take on this. Hopefully you won't report me to President Monson or my bishop for excommunication.

My understanding of the afterlife (even while I was a Catholic) was that in heaven we will reach communion with God. That is, we will reach perfect unity with God. That's how I interpret exultation, not as becoming gods of our own planets, but we will reach a special and perfect union with Him.

So from what I'm understanding, since it hasn't really been made clear by prophets, I am free to believe what I want about the origins of God as long as I don't preach it as doctrine of the Church?

Elder Holland, President Uchtdorf (both of his talks), and President Monson spoke directly to me. It was as if they said, "Hey, Andy's coming to this thing, let's write something to help him out." After the prophet spoke I texted the missionaries from back home, "Does the prophet know me???" It seriously felt like he did!