Hi Everyone - New here and need help

[mumspreciousones]

HI Everyone, I am from a small town, am Baptised and Sealed in the Temple to my husband (as a convert about 4 years ago) and have a nearly 8 year old son. Im having trouble with my testimony and have actually been considering becoming a Catholic. There are some things in the Church that I just cannot get/accept/live with - although I love my branch and the people there as my family. I have spoken to people about my concerns but I havent had anything to relieve my feelings about them. Also my husband is less active although he believes in the Church, and as such I am having a hard job instilling into my son the gospel, and it doesnt help that I have my own doubts. How can I teach him something Im not sure about myself.

I have a testimony of the priesthood definitely, and I believe in God and Jesus without a doubt - and maybe its due to things that I have heard, but I cannot believe that polygamy was or is right, and in our branch it is spoken of how in the eternities men will have more than one wife and I cannot accept or agree with this. There is also the whole God was as man is.... and that God is of flesh and bone that I have trouble with. And the idea we can become as Gods. It all is just unbelievable to me and therefore I am confused and upset to say the least. I have tried to believe it all, as what do I know and God knows all and I certainly do not however I feel really really awful about this and have prayed and pondered and still cannot believe it. As a side note I was baptized after about 3 weeks first meeting with the Missionaries and I didnt know any of this when joining. I have been praying and praying about this, however so far I am just as confused about it all as ever. I have been looking into the Catholic Church for different reasons but find many of the areas that I have trouble with in the LDS Church I feel comfortable with in the Catholic Church.

I love my President dearly and feel unable to speak to him about this and as we live a way away from the rest of the members we do not have the regular contact other than church on a Sunday, which my son and I attend, while my husband works. I dont feel able to support my son spiritually without my husbands help and feel I need a community in our town that can help me.

Obviously very confused and in need or prayers and help. If anyone can help me with any of this please feel free to advise. Please no telling me off though as Im dealing with enough of that in my own head

[ldsz]

I am deeply sorry with the internal conflict you are facing. I can speak from experience as a convert and a formal Catholic. There was a time where I face nearly exactly what you are facing. After four years of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my testimony wasn't as strong as it initially was. In fact, I felt a huge pull to return to my Catholic roots. What our church (the Mormons) believe can truly be mind boggling at times. However, there is no doubt a Spirit that speaks to me, which saved me, that gave me my strongest testimony right now after such strong doubt. Through much fasting and prayer and pondering and searching the scriptures, I knew that (1) God and Jesus Christ live (2) The Priesthood was Restored by Joseph Smith (3) The Book of Mormon is inspired, true, and living scripture. With this knowledge, how could I doubt anything else? We have heard it 1000 times, these fundamentals are 100% true or 100% false. My suggestion is to read through the entire Book of Mormon. Study it out. No, it doesn't mention all this deep doctrine stuff, no it doesn't answer questions about Church History. However, that book itself testifies fully of the reality of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and, for me, leaves little doubt. The Spirit of God will truly testify. Read it or read it again. Give it a chance with your full attention. Record your thoughts on the words of the Prophets, their actions, their examples. Put yourself in the scripture. That's what saved me.

I wish to say this very meekly and respectfully too, but if there are issues that you have with the Church History of the LDS Church, I think you are going to find that every church has a questionable past, its just a matter of how much it has been dusted by the sands of time. I originally left the Catholic Church because of historical issues I had with it and joined the LDS Church. Then, I found out that our church, too, had some questionable history. I couldn't rely on what these church leaders in both faiths - men who are honest, yet make mistakes in every and all churches, did wrong. I simply couldn't "trust in the flesh". I had to simply do as I have already stated above.

Lastly, there is a chance that you might, in time, find something about the Catholic Church you simply can't accept, just like in our church. The new appeal and lure might guise some of these doctrinal issues that may later arise. However, you maybe it will fit you 100% too, you know yourself best.

I hope that my thoughts have not hurt or offended you in anyway. I just hope that I have meekly shared my experiences and feelings. I hope the best for you and wish you peace as you search for your faith.

[Justice]

ldsz is right. It all stands or falls on the Book of Mormon.

Put it to the test. It will not fail.

I, too, am sorry you get little support in your Branch. I really think you need to talk to your Branch President about it.

[mumspreciousones]

Thank you for all the replies and support. I am on a path of learning what I need to know and have a lovely person helping me now. I am researching and finding out more about these issues and taking them to prayer. As I am things are becoming clearer and I am becoming more settled within my self. It will take a while, but I feel confident I will get there. Went to Church and it was a wonderful experience and I will continue and pray and Im sure I will sort these things out with help and the Lord. Blessings to you all :)

[sister_in_faith]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I know that I have some issues with things that have happened in the past with the church, and I won't pretend to understand all our teachings, BUT I know that the spirit has testified to me that this IS the true church, and that I am in the right place, doing the right things. I have been able to comfort myself by saying that there are a lot of things that I don't understand, and that's okay. As long as the spirit keeps directing me, and I 'endure to the end', everything will work out. I hope that's not 'buring my head in the sand', but that is how I see it.

[skippy740]

In addition, I would like to recommend that you review the newly revised Gospel Principles manual on other subjects that are not covered in The Book of Mormon:

Gospel Principles 

[annewandering]

I am not enthused about polygamy but if you remember it is in the bible too so the Catholic church has that issue in the bible as well.

As far as Gods body goes just remember you are a child of God.

Prayer really is the answer with the desire to learn and you are already doing that.