Need Advice

[ViolinGirl]

I am a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ and am now in a relationship with an LDS believer. We discussed religion and our religious beliefs when we first started getting somewhat serious. When I asked him what he wanted in a partner, he said he wanted a Christian who believed in the Bible and God...everything else was negotiable, meaning he didn't really care what church I belonged to as long as I was a believer.

That being said, I am very curious about the LDS church and have been doing a lot of reading and research. I am finding way more negative information about Mormons than positive, but I choose to believe the positive side of things. I don't feel compelled to join the LDS church in any way at this time, but I would like advice from LDS followers on the best way to get more of the right information. Should I consider attending services or are there books I should read (besides the Book of Mormon)? I'm open to all suggestions.

[Connie]

If you haven't looked at mormon.org already, that's a good place to start.

[Hemidakota]

Start with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Mormon Network, LDS FAIR Apologetics Homepage, Mormon.org - Home, and other notable websites vice who express anti-Mormons rhetoric.

We have in this world, those who would profess Christianity but failed to live the basic lower set of laws called the Mosaic Law. Especially the two called. THOU SHALT NOT LIE and THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS.

I have a WAN web-spider alert service turned on for any words that matches MORMON, LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when it used on the web [English only]. It is interesting to read what is said and by whom. :)

Edited April 23, 2009 by Hemidakota

[Maya]

One thing I alwasy tought when i was not an LDS was that when i heard something weird about the LDS I tought about the LDS people I knew and tought that would they really believe that!?

There is so much nonsense, so much things taken out of the big picture thus giving a wrong picture of things. IF JC really did appear to JS, wouldnt the bad forces try to destroy the true church? Is there ANY other church that is atacced as much and hard as LDS? I dont think so. Yes there are attacs against others too anyone who believes in Jesus, but not that obvious, not payed "cultfighters".

It is very good to be aware that there are real forces against LDS who spread lies and half truths about us everywhere.

I am pretty much familiar with all accusitions against the church, if you want to you can pm me if you have questions you do not want to ask in the forums.

I was 30 when I was babtized and now I am a lot loder ... uh soon been 50% of my life an LDS and 50% a lutheran. I would NOT change back NO WAY! This church is a fantastic ride. You learn so much, you enjoy of so many more things. The gospel that I knew when lutheran is becoming alive in LDS.

[Hemidakota]

Lucifer even tried to destroy Joseph Smith. I had noticed this with any important mortal being called of GOD. Lucifer is there first and after seeking that persons life. Then we have his minions listening in seeking to carrying out his plans. Another pattern noted.

[Just_A_Guy]

If it's history you're looking for, you could do a lot worse than The Story of the Latter-day Saints or The Mormon Experience (both written by Mormons), or Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition (by a non-Mormon).

There's also some fine less-scholarly material out there.

[rameumptom]

VG, lots of good info here and other LDS sites online, such as fairlds.org.

If you have specific questions, feel free to ask them in the forums here, and we'll help where we can.

[lestertheemt]

You may also want to find the video/dvd "Amercan Prophet; The Story of Joseph Smith" It wan't put out by the church but IMO it is very very good.

[LDSVALLEY]

Have the Missionaries over to teach you the 4 lessons which give a good back ground of the gospel. If you don't want formal then invite them to dinner and listen. Attending is always good, if you do and go to the classes after sacrament don't go to regular Sunday School as your boy friend most likely does but have him go to Gospel Principle class with you where they teach at the level for people looking into the church.

You can attend church as often as you like and don't worry about having to "join" we have had investigators for up to 2 years regularly attend and take lessons before deciding they were ready.

And might I add that you are impressive that you are willing to understand his religion even if you don't wish to embrace it. Relationships are hard enough without religious contention in a marriage as well.

[ViolinGirl]

Thanks everyone for your help. I do have a ton of questions, but mostly it's because I only have bits and pieces of the truth. Would anyone recommend attending Sunday services as a way to gain a better understanding of the LDS faith? My boyfriend has been able to provide answers for me, but I'm trying to learn some things on my own, though, so I'm not always tossing questions at him. I feel like a curious three year old always asking 'why'.

[JohnnyRudick]

I have a WAN web-spider alert service turned on for any words that matches MORMON, LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when it used on the web [English only]. It is interesting to read what is said and by whom. :)

Where do I find such a wonderful device?

Bro. Rudick

[ViolinGirl]

LDSVALLEY, I appreciate your information about attending church. My boyfriend and I don't live close enough to each other to attend services together at this point in time (he's moving here eventually, though). I've been afraid to attend a service on my own simply because I wouldn't know where to go or what to do. The church service I grew up with is very organized and it doesn't seem to me like the LDS service would be that way. I didn't want to get in over my head.

Religious beliefs are very important in a relationship. I don't expect him to change what he believes for my sake, nor do I want him to expect me to change my faith for his sake. BUT what I do want is for us to understand each other and try to find some common ground between our beliefs. We're both Christians and both believe in God and both of us feel that God has led us to one another. He's truly the most wonderful man I've ever known and I'm very lucky to have him in my life.

[JohnnyRudick]

Thanks everyone for your help. I do have a ton of questions, but mostly it's because I only have bits and pieces of the truth. Would anyone recommend attending Sunday services as a way to gain a better understanding of the LDS faith? My boyfriend has been able to provide answers for me, but I'm trying to learn some things on my own, though, so I'm not always tossing questions at him. I feel like a curious three year old always asking 'why'.

LDSVALLEY has given you great advice.

Just_A_Guy also has a great idea for sugesting DVD's such as The Story of the Latter-day Saints, The Mormon Experience (both written by Mormons), and Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition by non LDS.

May I add if you like movies, (I love movies:D) the Trilogy The Work and the Glory.

This is is a drama of a fictional family in the early days of the Church into the Kirkland era just before the Nauvoo era.

It will give you a flavor of how Satan from the beginning attacked this Church and some of the background behind it from the perspective of those in the Church of Jesus Christ.

I love this series and wish they would do the Nauvoo period of the Church as well.

I can be placed in OK with the DVD Praise to the Man.

And Emma.

Well ViolinGirl, I wish you well in your quest.

Bro. Rudick

[Maureen]

The church service I grew up with is very organized and it doesn't seem to me like the LDS service would be that way.

The LDS Sunday block (3 hours of worship, learning and fellowship) is quite structured. You'll see when you visit.

[Madriglace]

If you decide to go to Sunday services usually the first thing you will see or should see as you come in is the missionaries greeting people. Tell them you are new and would like their help getting around. They will probably implode having someone walk in ask for help but it's good for them.

Your quest to learn about your friends religious beliefs is to commended. Welcome sister!

[ViolinGirl]

Maureen,

Can you you explain the three hour service? What are the different parts?

[Maureen]

Hi VG, I can't explain them as well as regular LDS church goers but I can try. Most wards will start with Sacrament Meeting (worship service for everyone), then after that might be Sunday School and after that would be the designated gender specific class like Priesthood for the men and Relief Society for the women. Did I get that right? I am not a regular attender since I am non-LDS but I go occasionally, (ie Farewells). Can anyone add more --- please!

[JohnnyRudick]

Hi VG, I can't explain them as well as regular LDS church goers but I can try. Most wards will start with Sacrament Meeting (worship service for everyone), then after that might be Sunday School and after that would be the designated gender specific class like Priesthood for the men and Relief Society for the women. Did I get that right? I am not a regular attender since I am non-LDS but I go occasionally, (ie Farewells). Can anyone add more --- please!

Or reverse order depending on the wards agreement on meeting order as many wards will in most cases share a building.

Yup, ya got that right:D

But ya got the idea right.

But just don't be afraid to ask for help.

You'll get it:)

Bro. Rudick

[Guest]

Hi ViolinGirl!

You and I are the same. I was Catholic and married an LDS. We both agreed that we won't have kids until we decide which religion will be primary in the house. And with that agreement, I agreed to meet with missionaries and my husband agreed to attend Catholic church service (the CCD classes are for those who already decided to be Catholic). We weren't looking to get "converted". We just want to establish a "primary" religion that the kids will be raised in.

Anyway, I was adamant that I don't want anybody pressuring me. I was very sure our kids will be Catholics since I thought LDS was just one of these cultish religions and such. I met the missionaries (there used to be 6 discussions - I didn't know they only have 4 now?) and by the 3rd discussion, they always ask, do you want to be baptized? That's when they would give the lesson on apostasy which I felt was an attack on the Catholic church... so I would stop meeting missionaries... A new set of missionaries would come and I'd go have the first 2 discussions and croak on the 3rd... AGAIN. I did this for about 3 years.

In the meantime, I would ask my husband questions, and his home teacher comes every month for dinner and I would ask him questions as well. I don't want to go to the internet for information nor any of the books because there's just too many mis-information out there that I get confused (I didn't know about mormon.org or lds.org or any of those places).

Anyway, long story short, I'm LDS now but that's because of some personal experiences I went through rather than something I "studied".

So, what I'm trying to say is, I really love that you are open to learning about your boyfriend's religion and that he is open to yours. Religion is something personal and you have to find your own journey - so I always tell people to weigh the bad with the good, and follow what your inner instinct tells you to figure out which is true and which is crap. Praying about it is good too to align your instincts with the Spirit.

Best of luck to you. If you want to ask me questions, you can PM me too!

[Elphaba]

May I add if you like movies, (I love movies:D) the Trilogy The Work and the Glory.

This is is a drama of a fictional family in the early days of the Church into the Kirkland era just before the Nauvoo era.

It will give you a flavor of how Satan from the beginning attacked this Church and some of the background behind it from the perspective of those in the Church of Jesus Christ.

I would not recommend TWATG to a person who is looking to learn about the Church. It is romanticized historical fiction, and is not an accurate portrayal of the Church's history.

I agree it is entertaining, but it is not accurate.

Elphaba

[Maya]

About the 3 blocks. While women and men have their sundayschool and reliefsociety or preasthood meetings the children have their own classes. They start with a 30-20 min gathering where usuallu is: song, prayer by a child, a short scripture red by a child (someone can assist), trutharticle of the month red by a child, bitrthdaysang if birthdays, a speach by a child (with assistance if wished), a 5min lesson by an adult. Then kids deal to older and smallet one of the groups go to their own aged (somewehre there are nto enough kids for for each class and some ages can be put together) clases with their teacher for some 30 min and the other group has a momenst with sangs and a moment with sctivity with the leaders. Then they change. Those 1,5-3 year olds have a childrensroom where they can play and also have a small short lesson with prayers and they sing together. Kids under 1.5 ar with parents or parent.

Uoung men and women halso have their own sundayschool classes dealt to over 16 and under 16 and then they deal to young women and young mens own classes. Often ypung adults have their own sundayschool too and those invetigateing have their investigators clas.

My ward has the sacramentmeeting last. and we start at 11.30

Uh I had many times the missionaries visiting and NOBODY ever asked me if I wanted to be babtized... I had to tell them myself, that I want to. My ex was a lutheran (went to church at Christmas and weddings). Unfortunately he had NO intention to be happy of what I had found, not even for my shake.

[Mahone]

I have a WAN web-spider alert service turned on for any words that matches MORMON, LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when it used on the web [English only]. It is interesting to read what is said and by whom. :)

Am also interested in exactly what this does. What advantage does it have over simply typing the words into google? After all, google are probably the biggest user of web-spiders.

[applepansy]

Sunday Worship Services vary somewhat. The three hour block is not the same in all Stakes/Wards.

Some start wth Sacrament Meeting and others end with Sacrament meeting. In Utah the missionaries are not there very often. The three blocks of time are 1:10 for Sacrament Meeting, 1 hr. for Priesthood meeting for the men, Relief Society for the women, Primary for the young children and Young Men/Young Women for the Youth, Primary continues for 1:45 hours, and the rest have about 45 minutes for Sunday School. The Youth attend separate classes. The Adults attend Gospel Doctrine or Gospel Priniciples where available. This is also the time when a temple preparation class is taught.

ViolinGirl, Just go. Ask the first person you see for directions. Explain why you're there. You will find helpful people willing to answer your questions and help you find the meetings that would best answer your questions.

applepansy

[JohnnyRudick]

I would not recommend TWATG to a person who is looking to learn about the Church. It is romanticized historical fiction, and is not an accurate portrayal of the Church's history.

I agree it is entertaining, but it is not accurate.

Elphaba

I guess in our minds we make up for the short comings and are not aware how a gentile might see it.

I was speaking to the "flavor" more then the History but . . .

Sorry:(

I still love the story:D

Bro. Rudick

Edited April 25, 2009 by JohnnyRudick
After thought;-)

[Guest missingsomething]

Maureen,

Can you you explain the three hour service? What are the different parts?

Great thing about Mormon churches- they all function the same way! You know exactly what you are getting! Well ok, there are slight variations - but we all get teh same lessons, same basic structure.

Other than first sunday of month

First meeting is sacrament held in the chapel. Starts w/ member of bishopric welcoming everyone, then comes opening song, a prayer offered by someone pre-selected. Ward business (announcements and such). Then comes sacrament hymn while young men or men prepare the sacrament (break bread). Then prayer for bread is given and it is passed out, then prayer for water (yes we use water instead of wine -but it is representative of christ's blood -symbolic...and yes blood is made up of water too) anyways then water (little cups) are passed out. Then bishopric will announce the two speakers (someone from congregation or perhaps from stake presidency). IF this is first sunday of month- it is fast and testimony meeting. This is normally the least comfortable (but most spiritual) meeting for non-members. Members will get up infront and tell people what they believe, how they have come to believe it or other good things that have happened to them relating to their testimoney. Be warned - some people gett off topic.

After 1st speaker(s) then comes a prayer...concluding speaker... closing song....closing prayer. Lasts about 1 hr total.

Then comes Sunday school. Small kids 12 and under go to primary classes. 12-18 go to youth classes. 18 & Up go to adult. People learning about the church or newly baptised people go to Gospel Principles. It gives just what it says- the basics of our religion. Missionaries normally attend or teach this and can help you find your class. The other class is gospel doctrine - where topics are explored a little deeper. Last about 50 min

Finally comes 3rd hour. (HOnestly, my least favorite- maybe cuz Im getting tired and hungry by then :) ) Men go to Priesthood.... to have another sunday school type lesson but that is focused on the male perspective...or so I jive cuz Im a chickapoo. Women go to Relief Society. A GREAT orginazation that lets us talk about how the religion and faith affect us as women and our roles in the world and family. (Youth go to young women/young men classes and primary has "sharing time- singing,etc).

Each 2nd hr and 3rd hr start with song, prayer and end with song and prayer after the lesson.

So there you have it! Nothing to be scared of... lots of new people all the time - we are used to it...and most wont smother you. Be warned, us mormons LOVE to shake hands... so bring some germx lol.

Hope this helps. Dont be scared - its really not that bad.