I feel like I should...

[Chrissy3818]

Some of you have read my former post when I asked when you gained your testimony of the church. So you'd know I am the only only (besides my younger brother) who goes to church. Well, not I will be the Only one going to church, but that's not why I am posting.

My mom just told me probably an hour ago, she found a church she wanted to go to. It's one of those ones where you believe in God, study the scriptures, but aren't catholic or anything, its just forgetting closer to God I guess?? Anyways after she hung up "I told her No" I broke down crying. and then I prayed and got the feeling I should go to church with her, Stopped crying and then like 10 minutes later began crying again and asked God for help and got the feeling to go to church with her. I think I repeated this process at least once more.

I am trying to gain a testimony of the LDS church so why would he want me to go to the other one with my mom? Another though came to mind, what If he didn't mean to go to church with her, but to go to church ALONE (something I have never done before). Or to get her to come to the LDS church again?

(she left because they began judging her when she was dating a non mormon) I am sooo LOST.....

[Vort]

If you feel you should go to church with your mom, then go to church with your mom. In my experience, following spiritual promptings is always best, and following my gut is almost as reliable.

[applepansy]

If you're feeling you should go to church with your Mom then you should go. By going with her, maybe she'll come with you one day.

[estradling75]

Agreed if that is what the prompting of the Lord is telling, you then that is what you need to do.

Don't take such a prompting as some kind of reset on all the other truths you have learned and have accepted though. Everything thing else is still true and correct. You still need to hold fast to all the other truths that you have while expanding out to follow this. Go to church with your mom and then if possible go (by yourself if necessary) to the LDS church. Continue to study the scriptures, continue to pray. And have faith that the Lord will lead you where you need to be

[Chrissy3818]

Thanks guys, I was just shocked to hear "Go to church with your mom" because I am trying to find which church is true at the moment and this took me back. Growing up in the LDS church, you know everything (or almost everything) about it. But I've been having trouble with my testimony and a lot of what they teach seems bizarre to me at the moment. I know one day I'll find the true church and if it's the LDS church so be it. If it's not then, so be it. But at the moment I am fasting, praying, reading the book of Mormon, looking up things on Lds.org, following Mormon blogs, asking questions and what ever else I need to do.

[rameumptom]

There is good and truth in most churches. It may be that this church may be a stepping stone for your Mom to become more spiritual. You should applaud her for that. As you have this experience with her, you will have opportunities to comment in positive ways about the LDS church. "I agree with their teaching here, as it is also taught by the leaders in my Church." "My church sees it slightly different, teaching us that we can receive even greater blessings by doing this thing the Lord has revealed through modern prophets". etc.

[Chrissy3818]

There is good and truth in most churches. It may be that this church may be a stepping stone for your Mom to become more spiritual. You should applaud her for that. As you have this experience with her, you will have opportunities to comment in positive ways about the LDS church. "I agree with their teaching here, as it is also taught by the leaders in my Church." "My church sees it slightly different, teaching us that we can receive even greater blessings by doing this thing the Lord has revealed through modern prophets". etc.

She grew up in the Lds (mormon) church she just fell away, so she knows all about it. She fell away because of the judgments and she says their too strict on how they do things. She feels that anything she does wrong will get her excommunicated. I sort of think that too, but I think it's more of "if you keep doing it" then you'll possibly get excommunicated.

[prisonchaplain]

There are some important doctrinal differences between your church and the type your mother is going to. Some of the sacraments (rituals, ordinances) are different too. However, you will find Jesus lifted up, good deeds encouraged, and love promoted. So, go once, and the pray hard. Chances are you will quickly discover if the prompting was of God or not.

[bytor2112]

She grew up in the Lds (mormon) church she just fell away, so she knows all about it. She fell away because of the judgments and she says their too strict on how they do things. She feels that anything she does wrong will get her excommunicated. I sort of think that too, but I think it's more of "if you keep doing it" then you'll possibly get excommunicated.

Whether a Latter Day Saint or not, she will find that any sin that would get one excommunicated in the LDS church surely will not lead one closer to HIM of they choose the behavior whether LDS or not.

[Chrissy3818]

Whether a Latter Day Saint or not, she will find that any sin that would get one excommunicated in the LDS church surely will not lead one closer to HIM of they choose the behavior whether LDS or not.

Yes, but one mistake shouldn't lead to excommunication. Jesus forgave Mary, did he not? She was a hore, but yet he forgave? Now a days if your a hore the church is like "You Evil! Off with excommunication"

[Vort]

Yes, but one mistake shouldn't lead to excommunication. Jesus forgave Mary, did he not? She was a hore, but yet he forgave? Now a days if your a hore the church is like "You Evil! Off with excommunication"

Mary Magdalene was not a whore. This is a myth begun by a Catholic pope, who identified the woman taken in adultery as Mary Magdalene.

[Chrissy3818]

Mary Magdalene was not a whore. This is a myth begun by a Catholic pope, who identified the woman taken in adultery as Mary Magdalene.

It was just an example, but the point I am trying to make is Jesus and God both said "Go and sin no more" not "sin no more, but your kick out"

[estradling75]

It was just an example, but the point I am trying to make is Jesus and God both said "Go and sin no more" not "sin no more, but your kick out"

This simply shows you (maybe even your mother) do not understand what excommunication is about.

Your mother as a member was under a covenant (Baptism at the very least) when she sinned she also broke this covenant and heaped condemnation to her soul. Now I don't know the details of the church council that excommunicated her but excommunication removes the covenant so that further transgressions do not lead to further covenant breaking and further condemnation for breaking said covenant. Therefore it is an act of mercy, it is also a reset. So the person if they desire can repent and undo the damage. This is very much showing mercy and saying Go and sin no more.

As for being kicked out that is not what the church has done. She is more then welcome to come and sit and enjoy church with everyone else. Her status is now the same as any potential convert who are very much welcome to attend.

The only things I can see stopping her is her pride and/or her unwillingness to repent of her sins... And the possibility that some members through pride and lack of forgiveness are making her feel unwelcome. That situation unfortunately can exist, but it is contrary to what both Christ and the Church teaches. Its wrong and it sucks but for someone coming back really the only thing they can do is accept it as a trial they need to go through and push through it.

[Chrissy3818]

This simply shows you (maybe even your mother) do not understand what excommunication is about.

Your mother as a member was under a covenant (Baptism at the very least) when she sinned she also broke this covenant and heaped condemnation to her soul. Now I don't know the details of the church council that excommunicated her but excommunication removes the covenant so that further transgressions do not lead to further covenant breaking and further condemnation for breaking said covenant. Therefore it is an act of mercy, it is also a reset. So the person if they desire can repent and undo the damage. This is very much showing mercy and saying Go and sin no more.

As for being kicked out that is not what the church has done. She is more then welcome to come and sit and enjoy church with everyone else. Her status is now the same as any potential convert who are very much welcome to attend.

The only things I can see stopping her is her pride and/or her unwillingness to repent of her sins... And the possibility that some members through pride and lack of forgiveness are making her feel unwelcome. That situation unfortunately can exist, but it is contrary to what both Christ and the Church teaches. Its wrong and it sucks but for someone coming back really the only thing they can do is accept it as a trial they need to go through and push through it.

She wasn't excommunicated, but you helped me understand a little better. This is all so very confusing... Most people (not all) of those who get excommunicated never come back to the church. (some because of others judging them), I just don't see why they have to be excommunicated when they did it one time and they repented and promised never to do it again.

Now I can see why they would be excommunicated if they repented and promised never to do it again, but then went and did it again, over and over.

[estradling75]

She wasn't excommunicated, but you helped me understand a little better. This is all so very confusing... Most people (not all) of those who get excommunicated never come back to the church. (some because of others judging them), I just don't see why they have to be excommunicated when they did it one time and they repented and promised never to do it again.

Now I can see why they would be excommunicated if they repented and promised never to do it again, but then went and did it again, over and over.

Sorry for my misunderstanding about your mothers situation... I thought you talking something personal not something you were just curious about

It is also my understanding that many that are ex-d do not return. It is also my understanding that the church is being a lot more restrained now about excommunicating people for this. But I have no proof to back up any of those understandings.

As for why someone might be ex-d for one time it really depends. We believe that where much is given much is required. So someone like a bishop or lifelong active member is going to be held to a higher standard then a recent convert or someone just returning to activity.

In a way image if you were a parent and you had two kids that did something wrong. One was a toddler and one was a 18 years old. What they did was clearly wrong and needs to be corrected. As the parent would you use the same method for both?

[Vort]

It was just an example, but the point I am trying to make is Jesus and God both said "Go and sin no more" not "sin no more, but your kick out"

I don't understand. We are always told this.

The "kicked out" part has to do with what it means to be a child of the kingdom. In Christ's time, the Jews were the chosen people. You were born into the line (or became a proselyte). How could you be "excommunicated" from your bloodline?

[Chrissy3818]

Sorry for my misunderstanding about your mothers situation... I thought you talking something personal not something you were just curious about

...

In a way image if you were a parent and you had two kids that did something wrong. One was a toddler and one was a 18 years old. What they did was clearly wrong and needs to be corrected. As the parent would you use the same method for both?

It's all right. To answer your question yes, but I wouldn't disown my child. I think of excommunication as disowning something, unless they did something really bad like go out and do something a long the lines of killing or rape. (and I am sure my mom would too).

Most people get excommunicated for making a mistake with their BF or GF (or they can't go on their mission). Now I've taught my child not to do this and if they did it and came to me and I saw they knew what they did was wrong and they promised to be more careful next time, I would tell them (aside from taking it up with God) "Mistakes happen, just don't be alone or in dark places with them again. Be in public or with family" I would NEVER handle it this way "YOU DID WHAT??? THAT'S IT GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AND NEVER COME BACK!!!" (that would do more damage than harm).

If my toddler stole something after giving them lessons on not stealing I would take them back to the store and make them return it themselves and apologize to the owners or manager and then maybe give them a ten-twenty minute time out to think of why they did it and why it was wrong."

If they ate or broke what they stole, I would have them go into the store apologize (I would pay for the stolen thing) and make them earn it (with small chores or helping me cook dinner).

[Vort]

It's all right. To answer your question yes, but I wouldn't disown my child. I think of excommunication as disowning something

There's your problem. You think wrongly about excommunication. It is not disowning someone. It is formally dissolving a covenant that you have already broken.

God will not be mocked. Openly breaking your covenants is mocking God. Much better not to be under covenant than to continue heaping condemnation upon yourself.

Most people get excommunicated for making a mistake with their BF or GF (or they can't go on their mission).

I doubt this is true. Where did you get the idea?

Now I've taught my child not to do this and if they did it and came to me and I saw they knew what they did was wrong and they promised to be more careful next time, I would tell them (aside from taking it up with God) "Mistakes happen, just don't be alone or in dark places with them again. Be in public or with family" I would NEVER handle it this way "YOU DID WHAT??? THAT'S IT GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AND NEVER COME BACK!!!" (that would do more damage than harm).

Yes, it probably would. But of course, God doesn't tell us never to come back. And we are not talking about a child here, but an adult who freely and consciously entered into sacred covenants which s/he then willfully broke. It's a completely different situation.

If my toddler stole something after giving them lessons on not stealing I would take them back to the store and make them return it themselves and apologize to the owners or manager and then maybe give them a ten-twenty minute time out to think of why they did it and why it was wrong."

If they ate or broke what they stole, I would have them go into the store apologize (I would pay for the stolen thing) and make them earn it (with small chores or helping me cook dinner).

I agree. With toddlers and young children guilty of minor wrongdoings, this is an appropriate response. With adults guilty of gross covenant-breaking, other measures are called for.

[Guest]

Yes, but one mistake shouldn't lead to excommunication. Jesus forgave Mary, did he not? She was a hore, but yet he forgave? Now a days if your a hore the church is like "You Evil! Off with excommunication"

Deleted my reply.

Vort already addressed it above.

Carry on.

Edited September 11, 2012 by anatess

[estradling75]

It's all right. To answer your question yes, but I wouldn't disown my child. I think of excommunication as disowning something, unless they did something really bad like go out and do something a long the lines of killing or rape. (and I am sure my mom would too).

Most people get excommunicated for making a mistake with their BF or GF (or they can't go on their mission). Now I've taught my child not to do this and if they did it and came to me and I saw they knew what they did was wrong and they promised to be more careful next time, I would tell them (aside from taking it up with God) "Mistakes happen, just don't be alone or in dark places with them again. Be in public or with family" I would NEVER handle it this way "YOU DID WHAT??? THAT'S IT GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AND NEVER COME BACK!!!" (that would do more damage than harm).

Which comes back to you having a fundamental misunderstanding of what excommunication does.

If excommunication was never come back there would be restraining orders filed... Bouncers checking IDs at the door...etc... etc... The worse you get is some members being judgmental and making you feel unwelcome and that is contrary to what the church teaches.

Excommunication is saying you messed up in a major way, and because of it certain privileges are going to be revoked until you show you can handle it. With the hope and expectation that you will step up and correct your course.

[Chrissy3818]

...

I doubt this is true. Where did you get the idea?

...

In my family there were a few who got in trouble with their GF or BF and could not go on a mission, even though they repented and promised to never do it again.

[Guest]

In my family there were a few who got in trouble with their GF or BF and could not go on a mission, even though they repented and promised to never do it again.

Not going on a mission is not the same as getting ex-communicated.

[Chrissy3818]

Another question, why were all three witnesses excommunicated?

[estradling75]

Another question, why were all three witnesses excommunicated?

You do know that bouncing around from question to question make it hard to give meaningful answers right?

While I understand that you are probably just writing as you think of stuff, for those that take the time to answer you appear to be less interested in hearing the answers then to be asking rapid fire questions.

[Chrissy3818]

You do know that bouncing around from question to question make it hard to give meaningful answers right?

While I understand that you are probably just writing as you think of stuff, for those that take the time to answer you appear to be less interested in hearing the answers then to be asking rapid fire questions.

Sorry I don't be meaning to, Just when I got the answer I need I move on to the next questions.