Greetings!

[Backroads]

This is my very first post on these boards, and I really am excited to be here.

I am actually here for help, and putting this in the introduction section so you can know where I'm coming with this.

I have been a member of the Church since I was eight. I really love the Church and the Gospel. I love being Mormon.

BUT I don't know if I'm the best Mormon. I'm not promiscuous, never have been. I don't swear, I keep the word of wisdom, I pray daily.

Here's the deal. I belive in God. I believe in Christ. I believe in modern-day prophets and revelation. I believe in temples. I believe in the Book of Mormon. However, the rest of all the little doctrinal things I really could not care less about. I've heard all the historical/doctrinal "horror stories" ever since I was a kid, and they've never really bothered me.

But yesterday this all really hit me. Am I bad Mormon because I don't concern myself with the number of First Vision accounts but just what affects my own spirituality and salvation? Is it wrong that I put a relationship with God first and religion second? And yesterday I was perusing some church history sites that did get me thinking about various discrepencies.

It's just been a very difficult past two days. I'm just looking for some advice and insight.

[CW0072]

HI Backroads, I can only ask that you pray for guidence in these matters, although you pray everyday, say a special prayer that may solve the problem for you, also ask friends to pray for you.

Best regards. John

[Maya]

This is my very first post on these boards, and I really am excited to be here.................

But yesterday this all really hit me. Am I bad Mormon because I don't concern myself with the number of First Vision accounts but just what affects my own spirituality and salvation? Is it wrong that I put a relationship with God first and religion second? And yesterday I was perusing some church history sites that did get me thinking about various discrepencies.

It's just been a very difficult past two days. I'm just looking for some advice and insight.

Hi Welcome. I am a bit of a difender.. cant say apologist as I dont knwo that much yet... but I do ahve connections... if there is soemthign that begins to bother you you can always PM me. Or if someone writes to you something weird... I heard the most too.

For the questions above. NO you are NOT a bad mormon if those things dont bother you. Some are give the gift of belief... and I understand it so that those things dont bother them. However ther is no sence in setting yourself deliberately in danger by reading the negatives. If they cant make you believe them they may make you more negative than what you really are.

About setting God first.... Dont see anythign where LDS leaders had not set God first even threadhening their life on it. There is nothing wrong in the past of the Church its leaders have been leading the Church according to Gods will and leadership. Dont let the nasty negatives get under your skinn and make you think otherways. Go read and search this site for the true knowledge: Main Page – FAIRMormon

Truth is we dont know everything from the past, but it dont mean that anties would have it right, especially as their sources are 3-4 generation knowledge against LDS 1-2 generation. An other thig is you need to KNOW what was life like in the time of the history bewfore you can say anything. Then there is also the question of WHO do you want to believe when ther is no firsthand knowledge.

[Backroads]

Yes, I'm definitely praying. I like to keep things in perspective. I was actually talking with a co-worker and she said how important it is to discern between essential doctrine, interpretation of doctrine, apostle's comments, policies, and even the form of the doctrine versus the essential nature. I avoid bitter sites, but official church history can suck.

Thank-you so much for your comments!

[NeuroTypical]

There's absolutely no reason at all to be even a little off-put about discrepancies in 1st vision accounts. Folks who toss around this issue as a criticism, do not understand how humans function.

We humans just never tell the same story twice. We communicate what we figure is important, to different audiences at different times. We stress things differently on different occasions. We have memories that are often selective, and occasionally poor. This is what a human being is.

You try having a life-changing experience, and telling people about it exactly the same way across two decades. It can't be done.

LM

(p.s. - "cut and paste" didn't exist in the 1800's either.)

Edited December 14, 2010 by Loudmouth_Mormon

[Wingnut]

Am I bad Mormon because I don't concern myself with the number of First Vision accounts but just what affects my own spirituality and salvation?

Maybe I'm just biased because I take the same attitude, but I think this makes you a good Mormon. I wish more people would focus less on things like how many First Vision accounts there are, and focus more on the things that actually impact and affect their everyday lives and salvation.

[Backroads]

There's absolutely no reason at all to be even a little off-put about discrepancies in 1st vision accounts. Folks who toss around this issue as a criticism, do not understand how humans function.

We humans just never tell the same story twice. We communicate what we figure is important, to different audiences at different times. We stress things differently on different occasions. We have memories that are often selective, and occasionally poor. This is what a human being is.

You try having a life-changing experience, and telling people about it exactly the same way across two decades. It can't be done.

LM

(p.s. - "cut and paste" didn't exist in the 1800's either.)

That's actually a concept I always use. Any psychologist will tell you the human memory is notoriously untrustworthy, and I'm always fighting with people about the details of various events and when they actuall happened. I don't know a single person who gives all information at once when they're concerned with such-n-such particle of it over other such-n-such particle.

Thank-you.

[Backroads]

Thanks, everyone!

Honestly, I think my spirituality thing was a moment of temporary doubt. I'm feeling much better and closer to God.

I like this place. It's good for my neurosis.

I am rather neurotic.

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