How did you know?

[Sitamoia]

A question from the curious :)

What is it that told you the LDS church was the one for you - rather than Baptist/Catholic/Episcopalian/Islam/Buddhism etc.

I have always had an interest in religion but have never joined a church and wonder what it is that tells people they have found the right church/religion (or at least the right one for them?) Is it because the church fits what you already believe? Is there a realisation of 'This is what I have been looking for" or just having the certain knowledge that this is the only church you could belong to?

[InquisitiveSoul]

The biggest thing for me was continued revelation. The argument of "The Heavens are sealed..." never made sense to me. Certainly when the people become more evil in their actions the prophets may go silent for a time, but the idea that there won't be any more revelation or scripture always struck me as false.

Now if I could only figure out personal revelation...

[Elgama]

My religious journey began very early I have always known God exists, I have never had a moment of conversion and only about 5 minutes of doubt on the matter. I have let Him guide me through my life and my investigation of various churches and religions, I knew at 6 I wanted to be baptised by full immersion that desire came from seeing a picture of Jesus being baptised.

For me when I met the missionaries what the church taught was unimportant it was where the Lord wanted me and I would learn as I went along, I only had 1 and a half discussion lessons.

What converted me completely was when I realized the priesthood achieved things with a prayer that most other religions seem to have to jump through hoops to achieve or simply can't achieve. Latter Day Saints seem to have the most direct and simple route to God, also the continuing revelation element deeply attracts me as a child I often wondered why God had abandoned the Earth.

[Guest mormonmusic]

I started with a blank sheet. I felt I had no real knowledge of anything.

I realized that every single Church had its own reasons for believing it was correct -- and none of them were verifiable scientifically or objectively.

Then, I met LDS missionaries who taught me that personal revelation was the key to knowing what was true and what wasn't. They even said "you don't have to even believe us, pray and ask God if what we're saying is true". It did that, and after a while, I had a very strong personal spiritual experience immediately after I asked God if the LDS Church was the Church I should join, and if it was true.

To get an answer to your prayer, you have to a) do some basic study of the principles b) be serious that you'll act on the answer He gives you, which means being baptized. The state of your willingness to be baptized is very important to getting an answer; in my opinion, He doesn't answer people who are only curious but have no intent to act on the knowledge they are seeking. c) Have faith you will get an answer. Believing Jesus Christ actually existed is important -- at least a willingness to believe this.

That's the formula that I've used, and that brought me to being an active LDS person for several decades now.

It's important to have that spiritual confirmation -- an experience that convinces you its the right thing to do. For me, my experience as an LDS person in this life has been challenging in many ways; however, the spiritual confirmation I had is at times, the only thing that keeps me coming back.

I think you are asking one of the most intelligent questions of all time here, my friend.

[Hemidakota]

A question from the curious :)

What is it that told you the LDS church was the one for you - rather than Baptist/Catholic/Episcopalian/Islam/Buddhism etc.

I have always had an interest in religion but have never joined a church and wonder what it is that tells people they have found the right church/religion (or at least the right one for them?) Is it because the church fits what you already believe? Is there a realisation of 'This is what I have been looking for" or just having the certain knowledge that this is the only church you could belong to?

To make a long story short, being a Catholic, my friend gave me a copy of the D&C and through lengthy prayers, Lord told me.

I firmly believe, if Joseph Smith could talk to GOD, so can any man that follow his footstep.

[Sitamoia]

I wasn't brought up with any religious beliefs - my grandparents were (technically speaking) C of E although neither in my memory were regular church goers. I recall going to church at Christmas - like many people I guess - and trips to England always involved going into old churches and walking through the graveyards. I still find both places to be both peaceful and fascinating but do not attend any church myself. Having never been into an LDS church (or should it be temple?) (whether empty or full) I cannot say whether they have that same feeling. Whether they are as formal/informal, welcoming/standoffish as others. How important was the reception you got at the first service/meeting you went to in sealing your decision/feeling that LDS were the right ones for you?

My mother's family believed in life after death (and life before birth - in a spiritual sense if that makes sense) and I was named in a spiritualist church and was given the name of the angel who was to look after me. So religion has never been a strong focus in my life but a desire to know more about religion has always been there. I have just never felt that any have been like the last jigsaw piece - that perfect fit that many seem to find.

And you are right mormonmusic - every church says that they are the one and only way to heaven and/or eternal life which for people wanting to find the 'true' church can be very confusing - are they all really just a different way of worshiping the same God by a different name or is it a matter of eternal life that you get it right? What if you pick the wrong one but have followed the rules and believed with all your heart? Is having a religion (whether the 'right' one or not) essential to having good morals and values or is it just an added bonus in that respect?

Apologies if any questions seem nosy or rude - I guess I am just as curious as my four cats :)

[Guest mormonmusic]

And you are right mormonmusic - every church says that they are the one and only way to heaven and/or eternal life which for people wanting to find the 'true' church can be very confusing - are they all really just a different way of worshiping the same God by a different name or is it a matter of eternal life that you get it right?

The second question is easier to answer, so I'll do my best with that one. If you choose the wrong Church, then our scriptures tell us this:

Mosiah 3: 11

11 For behold, and also His blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned."

"His" refers to the Jesus Christ and his atonement, which is THE most central belief in our religion. Part of the suffering of Jesus was for those who, due to no fault of their own, don't know the truth, and therefore, don't join His Church, which we believe to be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We also believe people who inadvertently miss joining the right Church due to no fault of their own will eventually be taught and given an opportunity to accept the truth before judgment.

However, it's best to actively seek His will and ask him for the knowledge that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true; you can live a better life on this earth, and get closer to God by abiding by our basic principles of the gospel taught in our Church, than in any other organization.

Regarding the first question -- are other Churches just a different "way" of worshiping God?

We believe that other Churches have parts of the truth, do a lot of good, and do help people get close to God, however, we believe they don't have the full set of principles for the highest blessings of salvation. For example, other Churches don't accept or teach all the principles that we do, as found in our scriptures -- the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Nor do we believe they have the formal authority to perform ordinances, like Baptism, that are essential to be "saved' some day. So, although they are good, they fall short of providing all knowledge and ordinances necessary for salvation.

Is having a religion (whether the 'right' one or not) essential to having good morals and values or is it just an added bonus in that respect?

I believe there are many philosophies that can teach you to have good morals. However, living one's life on earth isn't only about having good morals -- it's about determining God's will for you, and then aligning your life with it. This is part of the test of living this life, is to see if we'll do all things which the Lord commands us to do.

And this goes beyond simply having good morals....being in the right Church is important because we believe our Church is guided by revelation from God, and His only fully true Church on earth. Therefore to have full access to His will, you to be aware of and abide by the principles taught within His Church.

You might want to check out this website which describes basic beliefs:

Mormon.org - Home

Apologies if any questions seem nosy or rude - I guess I am just as curious as my four cats :)

No problem - we love to share our faith. Keep asking and searching for answers...there are many to be found about life's great challenges in the gospel as we know it.

Edited June 12, 2010 by mormonmusic

[SeekingTruth]

I started with a blank sheet. I felt I had no real knowledge of anything.

I realized that every single Church had its own reasons for believing it was correct -- and none of them were verifiable scientifically or objectively.

Then, I met LDS missionaries who taught me that personal revelation was the key to knowing what was true and what wasn't. They even said "you don't have to even believe us, pray and ask God if what we're saying is true". It did that, and after a while, I had a very strong personal spiritual experience immediately after I asked God if the LDS Church was the Church I should join, and if it was true.

To get an answer to your prayer, you have to a) do some basic study of the principles b) be serious that you'll act on the answer He gives you, which means being baptized. The state of your willingness to be baptized is very important to getting an answer; in my opinion, He doesn't answer people who are only curious but have no intent to act on the knowledge they are seeking. c) Have faith you will get an answer. Believing Jesus Christ actually existed is important -- at least a willingness to believe this.

That's the formula that I've used, and that brought me to being an active LDS person for several decades now.

It's important to have that spiritual confirmation -- an experience that convinces you its the right thing to do. For me, my experience as an LDS person in this life has been challenging in many ways; however, the spiritual confirmation I had is at times, the only thing that keeps me coming back.

I think you are asking one of the most intelligent questions of all time here, my friend.

You know, this is something I've discussed recently with the Missionaries.

I consider myself someone who is honestly a truth seeker. It's a gift from God and it's what He used to draw me from atheism to believer. However, when I was trying to find out which Church was His, I had a very different answer. I read the Book of Mormon and I prayed, truly seeking an answer, whether the LDS was the true Church.

I did the same with the Catholic Church (I knew that it was one of the two-- they are the only two churches with legitimate claims to being true) and it was there that I received that spiritual confirmation.

I don't understand how or why some people receive one answer and others a different answer. Clearly I believe firmly that the Catholic church is true-- universally... and you all here, believe that the LDS is universally true. Somebody is wrong. But how or why? Deception by the Devil? I don't know.

[Hemidakota]

Not being there in person has moments of speculation here.

How was your answer received by you? Was it feeling that made you believe? Did you hear a voice or rushing water that called you by name and told you who he was? There are only two ways to receive a given answer to this - feelings or voice.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Hemidakota

[Landy77]

I lost a bet....

[SeekingTruth]

Not being there in person has moments of speculation here.

How was your answer received by you? Was it feeling that made you believe? Did you hear a voice or rushing water that called you by name and told you who he was? There are only two ways to receive a given answer to this - feelings or voice.

Well, I have two separate, but very similar experiences. The first was the experience that led me to believe in God in the first place. I had been reading from the Book of Mormon, from the Book of Nephi. At this time I was still an atheist, but I wanted truth and, despite my own atheistic beliefs, I wanted to believe in God.

Anyways, I put down the Book of Mormon and, for the first time in my life, I decided to pray. I knelt, thinking myself crazy, and asked God if He existed, said that I wanted to believe but I couldn't, and that I needed something from Him.

What happened in response to that prayer is still ineffable. My body began to shake ever so slightly and I was filled with a joy that I had never before known. I thought my heart would burst out of my chest! In the course of a single moment I knew, without any doubt, that God existed and more, the He loved me! That God was love! Love beyond any love I had ever known!

A few moments later I was sitting on the floor next to my bed, out of breath and shaking uncontrollably. My palms were sweating. All that I could do was cry. So I cried. Out of joy, out of shock, out of sorrow… I don’t know. Probably a mixture of all three.

The second experience occurred a few months later, as I was trying to figure out which Church was the true church. By this time I had met a few times with Mormon missionaries (I had been reading the Book of Mormon, after all) and had done what they had instructed, what you have also suggested... but I did not receive any sort of spiritual confirmation.

I had gone to the local Catholic Church and it was there, during Mass, that I had my spiritual confirmation. It was almost exactly the same as my previous experience, except that I knew, without a doubt, that the Catholic Church is the true church established by Christ and that the Eucharist is truly the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

[JThimm88]

I know someone here has mentioned continued revelation. That was one of the first things I was told from the missionaries while investigating, and it was one of the things that started to make the most sense. I was a "Bible only" gal growing up, where prophets after Christ ceased to exist. But being told by the missionaries that we have prophets in this day and age just like those in the Bible made sense to me -- they also asked me the question (to a certain extent, it's been almost 2 years since I've been baptized): "Why would God cease to provide prophets for the people in this day when he provided prophets for those in scriptural times?"

It just turned the light bulb on for me and opened my eyes to the potential that this gospel has for me, my life, and my family.