Morris789 Posted April 19, 2009 Report Posted April 19, 2009 Hello! I've already posted a couple of times but I thought i should introduce myself. I'm 29, male, married with 2 children, live in Finland but am British by birth. I'll be honest and say I have a crisis at the moment with my faith. I'm an Anglican by denomination but quite recently i've been reading more and more about the LDS church. Actually I think i've been interested in the church a long time. My first encounter with missionaries was at about the age of 12 when 2 young guys (older than me obviously at the time) came into our driveway and they gave the usual i'm a Mormon story. As a cocky young punk does, I gave them a hard time and after they left the other kids in the street and I exchanged a few sniggers and that was that. However, literally 30 minutes after the encounter I felt a sudden guilt and some strange feeling came over me that I should go and find them and apologise for my rudeness and perhaps even go to their church to see it for myself. Nevertheless after riding up and down the various streets for 15-20 minutes, they were gone. I've been thinking about the experience ever since. Now at the age of 29 i'm starting to question different aspects of my faith. I'm really searching for that place where I feel comfortable, a place that follows good principles and devoted to the Lord. Now, I can't say i'm without skepticism of various things the LDS church teaches, but that's one reason why i've joined this board. I feel it's always best to chat with people in the faith as well than the critics or the uniformed as it gives a balanced viewpoint. One thing I have noticed though about critics and adherents of other denominations, they always tell me Mormons are wrong. I've very seldom heard a Mormon tell somebody of a different denomination they are wrong. I personally feel there is too much bias in this world. What right does someone have to say another's faith is wrong? God will judge us when the day comes! So, anyhow i'm making a start to a more righteous life by firstly reading the BOM. Yes, I will pray and hope to feel the truth in my bosom! Secondly i'm starting to follow the principles set out in the Words of Wisdom. Tea and Coffee have gone (the former is quite a challenge for a Brit you know!), i've completed the first time fasting (the money has gone to a local charity that gives food to the needy), alcohol has definitely ceased (to be honest I only really drank beer and I never really liked the after effects). I'll try to reduce the consumption of meat (not that difficult as my wife is a vegetarian anyway)... ok I won't go on. Thirdly, I will try to get to a meeting at some point. That's actually the part I fear the most. I'm quite afraid of what family and friends might think. I'm sure this will have an affect on my social circles.... ah what the heck, they have to deal with it! Anyhow, that's me for now... pray for us (me and my family). God bless. Quote
Lbybug Posted April 19, 2009 Report Posted April 19, 2009 welcome! i look forward to hearing about your experiences as you continue to search for your answers :) good luck! Quote
mcthomas25 Posted April 19, 2009 Report Posted April 19, 2009 Hey Morris, Welcome! I am new to the sight as well. My Parents joined the LDS faith when I was 3. And both of their parents weren't really happy. But after a while, they started to see what good the church brought to us as a family. I wouldn't worry about what "Others" are going to say and think. I would worry about you and your family. Is this something you feel is right, is it something that would help you as a person. Others will always have an opinion on you, no matter what you say or do. Good luck in your search for answers! I hope you get answers to them all. Quote
Maya Posted April 22, 2009 Report Posted April 22, 2009 Hi WELCOME! That is for living in Finland I am Finnish but live in NOrway! I do vist Finalnd many times. Have you seen teh beautiful Temple in Karakaillio? I used to live a few hundred feet from the Temple some 20 years ago!I know a lot of members in Helsink area and Mikkeli and here and there. So let me know if you need to know anbythig abiout finland. If you go to Mormonismi it is a sistersite to this site and is in Finnish! Want to practice Finnish so just come over!I was babtised at 30! In Haaga LDS church. In finnish Myöhempien Aikojen Pyhien Jeesuksen Kristuksen Kirkko! Dont hesitate to take contact with me if needed.Enjoy! Quote
Morris789 Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Posted April 23, 2009 Hi WELCOME! That is for living in Finland I am Finnish but live in NOrway! I do vist Finalnd many times. Have you seen teh beautiful Temple in Karakaillio? I used to live a few hundred feet from the Temple some 20 years ago!I know a lot of members in Helsink area and Mikkeli and here and there. So let me know if you need to know anbythig abiout finland. If you go to Mormonismi it is a sistersite to this site and is in Finnish! Want to practice Finnish so just come over!I was babtised at 30! In Haaga LDS church. In finnish Myöhempien Aikojen Pyhien Jeesuksen Kristuksen Kirkko! Dont hesitate to take contact with me if needed.Enjoy!Hello Maya!Thanks for your message. Yes I know quite alot about Finland and the church here, i've lived almost 10 years in Finland. I know the temple in Karakallio as I work in Leppävaara and I quite often cycle past it on my way to work, and I agree it is beautiful! Funnily enough every time I do pass it, the Beach Boys song "God only knows" from the HBO series Big Love starts playing in my head hehehe. Don't ask me why!There are a number of MAP-churches in the Helsinki area, i'm thinking to go along quite soon to one of them.Anyhow, nice to meet you! Quote
Maya Posted April 23, 2009 Report Posted April 23, 2009 Hi Morris (mini?) So cool! Then you should go to the church in Espoo... close to Espoo center... ah a few km... there are two wards visiting there... when I visit my mother in Leppävaara I always visit that ward... I think they have the morning services this year starting at 10.00 with the sacrament meeting. In Finland they usually have the sacrament meeting always first. I like that oprder best. If you have a speach you do not need to sit and swet waiting for the last meeting. After sacrament meeting is the sundayschool which I warmly recomend probably in a cless for "titkija" (investigator). I think sundayschool can be the best for learning many times. Yeah God only knows Quote
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