investigator01

Thank you to all who kindly, sincerely and maturely responded to my questions. I really appreciate your time and input. Business for me has really picked up recently and I must currently devote my time to my company. I will not have the time needed to be further involved with the site. Thank you again and God bless.

Ok. Hot button topic I get it. It’s the player against the stadium here. We can all make good points and convince ourselves our theories are true all day long. This only causes contention and an argumentative environment which as I mentioned before I do not wish to be a part of. The reality is that just because someone believes something does not make it true. I guess I ether choose to believe in and praise Joseph Smith or not. It seems like If Joseph did not see God and Jesus then a large majority of the LDS belief system would be false. If he did then it is all true. 50/50 question. What should I believe would be my next question. This question I will have to answer for myself.

Where might I look to find archeological or historical evidence of the Book of Mormon and its contents? Are there any non LDS organizations that would also have this information?

OK, well in that case I must be wrong and there is no possible way my feelings or experiences could be right or have any truth (OH wait I have not had any meaningful experiences yet) I looked up the second commandment for the first time ever (funny it was hanging on my office wall the whole time). It said: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; Bow or serve or make image: Everyone seems to bow to Joseph and the church has images in the church of him. I guess I am the only one on the planet (or site) that feels this way so there is no point in going any further. Thank you all for Quoting from the D&C but please remember I am an investigator and am still investigating the church. It does not help me to quote from a book which I still question. I know everyone believes in The Book of Mormon, D&C and Pearl of Great Price as equal to the Bible and scripture from God. I however, do not have that testimony of those scriptures or Joseph Smith yet which is why I question these claims. The LDS church is the only church that claims this doctrine. I did not have the privilege of having parents to raise me in the LDS church so it may be hard to believe that the theology is new and different to me. I guess if everyone says it true I should just jump right in with out any investigation or logical thought to the topic. Better yet I think it would be smart to blindly follow a group that has already prepared my beliefs’ and feelings for me. I don’t have to do anything but just believe. That’s easy!!!!!!!

Question: Please explain to me how Joseph Smith is viewed in the church. The feeling driving my question: Please note that I understand he is one of the founders of the church and he is believed to be a prophet and revelator. I have also read allot of literature regarding him and the church history. Here is my area of concern: I refuse to hold any man in reverence or praise before God. Everyone LDS I have talked to about this said “We do not hold him in reverence or pray to him but that we are thankful”. My eyes can not help but see this differently. For example there are 2 pictures on the way in the church of Joseph. There are also pictures of Christ hung in the same manner right along with Joseph. Maybe I am wrong but technically the second commandment speaks against both. In addition when we attended sacrament one day I could not help but notice that Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon were mentioned much more than Jesus and the Bible. To me that seems like offering reverence or even praise (especially in Sunday services to our lord who seemed to not be the main focus of discussion) I find that Joseph Smith is referred to quite often in the church which to me seems reverent and praiseful. Why are other revelators of the Bible not mentioned and given thanks if it is the scriptures we are thankful for? Does God not want our full focus on him and his son? Any ideas? Is my logic flawed here?

Thank you all for your posts. It appears that in the end we would agree to disagree on this topic in its general form. At any rate I did not come there to argue but to gain a true perspective of the churches views. This question has been answer for me. Thank you.

Hello “Little Wyvern” Great comments and feedback I agree 100 percent and feel the same way. Sometimes the most complicated things can be made very easy with the mere approach of simplicity. I love that. Great comments everyone. I have received a lot from this. I am short on time this week so I would like to summarize and soon move on to a new thread and question: I understand now what some have meant by the “True Church” The Church Christ has intended. It is also now my understanding that the LDS church and most members believe that they are not the “ONLY true church” but that there are also others (denominations or whatever you wish to call them) that hold the same “true Church” standards as Christ had intended. Please correct me if I am wrong.

WOW! I have got some home work to do. (Lol) Thank you all. This is the type of feed back I am looking for. I think for the most part we are on the same page with how we view this topic. I have a business related obligation that will consume my time for the next few days. I will be pressed for the time it will take to respond to all of your wonderful posts. For now I will offer a few comments to keep the ball rolling. I will check back in a soon as I get a free moment. I would like to further clarify my feelings on this topic. I do not have any problems with Divine authority nor do I question or deny its meaning or purpose. My feelings are quite the contrary or I would not have the concern I do on this topic. I feel God has given “authority” to a select few of his choosing. There were some in the past and there are some now who hold this privileged position. I believe God has chosen who he deems worthy of holding this position not man. I believe that God also brings great spiritual reward to those who maintain the worthiness and qualifications to continue this awesome position. In contrast God also has a way of “weeding out” those who may have fallen short of his will or those who have used the authority as a tool for their own agendas. Both scenarios I feel are proven time and time again and anyone of the slightest attention to the topic could see this in color. There are many “denominations” on the earth but all seem to share the common belief that there is a God. What does that say? Well it says more than I could type in one evening. The bottom line is that God has touched them, he has touched you, and he has touched me and so on. That is where there is no confusion because it is God not man at that level. At that level is where our unity as believer’s co exists. Here is where man comes into the picture. Man is inspired and driven by God’s love. Man also feels touched by how God has touched him or her individually. Man therefore is compelled to interpret his or her experience and the feelings regarding the experience. The interpretation may or may not be correct but it will undoubtedly move onto communication to others. Here is where the link can become weak. There is an exercise in Psychology that will prove this point time and time again. If you line up 15 people in a line and tell the first person something like: “tomorrow we will begin work at 10:30 at the water tower” the statement is quietly passed along through all 15 people until the 15th person is reached. I guaranty you by the time it reaches the 15th person they will not repeat the statement as it was originally intended. You could have something like: “We will not work tomorrow because the water tower closes at 10:30” This may or may not be a good example but that is sometimes what happens when man tries to interpret Gods will. That in my opinion is how some things can get so far out of line. They are touched by man which is why Iam always checking that there is water in the pool before swimming. The other half of that is that God is a brilliant being and none of us will know the full truth on this earth. We are limited and covered by a Vail that will only be lifted when he is ready. With all of that said I will always feel strongly that God does not give all or even more to one group, person, entity or organization (as many of you have also agreed). I feel it would be foolish to sustain a belief that God is sectional and not universal which is where my passion arises. I feel God places those deemed worthy in our lives to help clear the fog off of the lens sometimes. My favorite quote: “Good people do not go to heaven, forgiven people go to Heaven” I am really tired so hopefully all of this makes sense. Talk to you all soon. God bless.

Hello "Just a guy" Fantastic answer. I agree that Jesus wanted a "true church" especially with all of the Idols and wretched things that were going on at that time. The Bible speaks very clear of that numerous times. I am totally on the same page with you there. My questions and feelings originally arose when it was presented to me that the LDS church was the "only true church". I would have a hard time claiming membership with a group that shared that as a common belief which is why it brought me concern. Something must have not been communicated or perceived correctly when this was being taught to me. I have 1 small responsive question though. Could you please expand on your quote: But we would humbly suggest that that isn't quite what God intended.

I have had a rough start getting past the introduction process but that’s ok. (It builds character and foundation). To those in previous posts I ask that we could please clean the slate. I apologize if I came on strong or asked the wrong thing. I simply wanted some help with questions that I feel might be tough. That is also my opinion and to a seasoned member my questions may be easy. I did not mean to set off any type of attack pheromone with my wording. Again my apologies. In light of another investigator requesting I post my questions I have decided to do so. Let me also be clear that I wish to learn as well. My questions are true and as I have mentioned before I do not intend to offend anyone. I have attended the church for over a year and although I am not considered a member I am also not some crazy trying to stir the pot or fill my free time. I will begin with the question I deem as the most simple. Any questions I post will have first the question and then the driving feeling behind the question. Thank you all. 1. Question: Why does the LDS church believe they have the only remaining "priesthood keys” and that they are the only “true church”? My feelings driving the question: This has been told to me by many LDS members and also taught in our small groups. My knee jerk reaction to that statement is that it is incredulous and presumptuous. That would mean that all other churches are void and hold limited or no value. Coincidentally some other religions believe the same thing also. That belief system is confusing and that also means some one is wrong if that statement is true. I also feel that God is not confusing but that man is which is why I am weary of such belief systems. (1 Corinthians 14:33 King James Version (KJV) "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints") My belief is that God speaks to everyone differently and each “authority” holds a bit of the truth. (Romans 12: 3-8) I truly don’t feel that God only speaks to one group and gives complete privilege to one entity. That would contradict allot of the Bibles teachings. Any ideas? Is my logic wrong or have I been misinformed?

For those who have asked: I was sick last week which is why I did not post. I am sorry my non expeditious response was taken out of context. Vort: You posted something about supremacy Christian beliefs? Not sure where that came from. Also, you stated for some reason that I was not considering LDS members as Christian because I named you as LDS and myself Christian. As a prior Catholic if someone called me catholic I would not assume they were calling me a non believer in Christ. Catholics sometimes refer to themselves as catholic like LDS refer to themselves as LDS or Mormon. What’s the deal with that? Was that a proactive stab at me for the anticipated “toughness” of my questions? What’s wrong with “nice to meet you how may I be of assistance”? You met me with immediate offense before I said anything. That is why I am done. LDS want the general populous to know "the truth about the church". How can some one accomplish that when met with such opposition before a conversation is even started? I introduced my self and I was labeled a hacker, accused of calling LDS non Christians and to top it off someone posted a horribly false list of my questions and claimed they were from me. You tell me my friend would you be interested anymore?

Skippy740: Thank you. You are correct and I will not let the small things get to me. I greatly appreciate everyone who responded positively and with open arms. I appreciate your time and I have read all of your comments. I am withdrawing my interest because I wish to have a meaningful sincere conversation without inserts like those from "Vort" and "Mordordund" I will find another path to seek what I need. Thank you all and God bless.

Mordorbund: What are you saying? Those are not my questions. My IQ is quite a bit higher than that my friend. I have not asked a single question yet to anyone other than for help. What is going on here? You should be ashamed for making things up.

FROM INVESTIGAOTOR01: Thank you ReynaRosa that is along the lines of what I am thinking. I am not a hacker or someone trying to throw spears at people. I am not trying to spread hate or do any harm. I have done nothing but introduce myself and ask for assistance. That was the only question I have asked so far. I thought that is what this site is for? I guess I was wrong. Vort: I refer to LDS members as LDS because that what they refer to themselves as. ("Ladder day saints" like on the sign in front of every church or “LDS.org”). I never even insinuated that you were not Christian. I referred to myself as a believer in Christ. I even refrained from the word Mormon as some get offended with that. Once again my interest and studies have come to a screeching and disappointing halt. The response from"vort" is unfortunately the most typical response I get from LDS members when I even mention that I have tough questions. I came to this site in the hopes of a good alternative direction. I am sorry but it seems as though I will not find what I am looking for. I humbly and respectfully withdrawal my interests and questions. Thank you for your time.

Investigator seeks assistance. My wife is LDS. I am Christian. We have been attending an LDS church for 1 year. I have a few tough questions regarding LDS beliefs and the things that the church is teaching me. I wish to ask someone who has a little time, tough skin and a great knowledge of the church. I wish to e mail someone a few pages of questions regarding topics I have been studying with the church for this past year. I hesitate to ask the local members and missionaries I have grown to love because I fear my questions could be perceived as offensive or insulting. I only seek to humbly yet firmly ask the questions that I can help but wonder about. Any help or takers? Thank you.