Why Is Mormonism True?

[Rosewood]

(PC) There is no missionary or evangelistic impulse

I'm not sure what you're saying with this. Can you explain please?

(Slowly) It seems that there is not just one answer. To be clear, Mormons get confirmation about the Mormon truth through studying the scriptures and prayer, Muslims get confirmation of Islam in the same way, studying the Qur'an and prayer. Same with the Reborn Christians, the Catholics and I suspect the Hindus as well. How am I to think about this answer once I get it?

This is an exciting subject to me, because after 1/2 a century I have learned something very valuable. It is this; Don't worry about what other people are doing. You can only be responsible for your own relationship with God. Thats what you will be held accountable for. You won't even be able to get started until you come to this conclusion. You pray & listen, He speaks, you do. I't that simple. It really is. And don't say, "But....but what about....?" It is a walk with Him for the rest of your life, so you need to continue to pray & listen and let Him guide Don't be too hard on yourself, yours will be a path of discovery. This is where you accumulate wisdom. And it should be a joy.

[Maureen]

What makes any faith true? I think this is the reason why I am asking these questions in the first place. If I can find universal criteria for why a Religion is true then I should be able to find the one true Religion, not?

Hi slowly, why do you need to look for a true religion? As PC has mentioned, it might be easier looking for a relationship first and then once that connection has been made, a family church to help that relationship grow might be easier to find than a true religion, IMO.

M.

[rosie321]

Lots of good responses.

Slowly-

I can truly understand your concerns. It can be kind of confusing and scary. As you pointed out there are lots of good choices out there what makes LDS the one? What if you're wrong in what you choose?

It is by the Holy spirit we are taught. Galatians 5 really helps us to understand what we would expect from the spirit of God and from spirits other than God.

We can seek God's will through prayer.

Those two things may seem cliche but I don't think they'd be mentioned so much if they didn't work.

As far as different religions go and which one is right? The spirit will lead our willing hearts to truth. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. As others stated truths can be discovered in different ways. The spirit will lead us to understand in the way that we would understand the best. Will going to a non-LDS church bar you from God's truth? Not necessarily. The spirit will lead you to the truths you need to know. It will help you to recognize untruths as you go. I did learn many truths outside the LDS church. Thankfully, because I learned them, I was able to recognize them when I saw them in the LDS church. Even if the LDS church were to be wrong I am sure I am recieving truth there. Line upon line. No matter where you are, Willing, humble hearts will never be barred from recieving truth and the love of God. The wicked are "ripe unto destruction" before they are forever destroyed. God is a merciful God. If you make your way to destruction you will have earned it.

The point of LDS worship is to know God, to follow His will and become one with it-not solely to be saved.

The thing that draws me to and keeps me at the LDS church is truths. What truths do you believe in? Think about every area of your life. What things might matter? Take a look at different faiths and religions. There are truths in each one which the spirit will reveal to you. Look at history. You will see certain truths and patterns over the different beliefs and throughout history. How does the LDS faith measure up? Is it unreasonable? Does it encourage you to adapt true principles into your life? In my seeking, while I may not agree with everything or struggle with its human aspects at times, I think it does the best job at identifying the truths that we will be measured up to and encouraging us to do the things that will help us both eternally and temporally. It does the best job for me , at blending together the worlds of faith and reason together. YOu need to find the path best for you.

One thing I like about the LDS church is that it addresses truth in each area of our life and pushes each member to seek truth and to follow it. Church becomes a way of life , not just a one day hobby. It is not just set apart for a chosen few either. Everyone is trained.

There are many concepts that LDS bring out that are not widely pronounced in other faiths. This is something that stands out to me as very LDS. It brings out things whether popular or not. While there have been adaptations to times and circumstances there still is a pattern or line that is in keeping with what scriptures and history reveal is possible.

As before mentioned in another post, the amazing concepts of the spirit world and after death teachings stand out as LDS. Everyone has a chance to learn and accept to follow God's will or not. Those taken suddenly without opportunity to hear will not be condemned without choosing their path. Most faiths say that the point of death is it. No more opportunity to repent. Its impossible and blasphemous. But is it a totally unchristian concept? I look at things like purgatory in the catholic faith, which while different does show that there was some concept of a time between death and judgement. There is also a history of baptisms of the dead having been done. Paul mentions it in his scriptures too. So probable yes. This brings about a number of amazing possibilities through which God can work. It presents more opportunity for faith to grow.

Authority and structure. God does the calling. There is organization. Is everyone perfect? No. Look at OT. Samuel was chosen prophet because of priest wickedness.

Temple. Blends together OT and NT. We can have a relationship with God/ christ because of the atonement. But we are also reminded there is order too. We seek to purify ourselves inwardly (the temple of our hearts) and outwardly (the physical temple). Now instead of animal sacrifices , people go in with contrite spirits and willingness to do the will of God.

Those are just a few things that stand out to me. It's hard breaking the LDS faith and why one would believe down to a few words... Hope this helps

[prisonchaplain]

(PC) There is no missionary or evangelistic impulse

I'm not sure what you're saying with this. Can you explain please?

Jews do not try to win converts. Neither do Buddhists. If people are interested in their religion, there is a means for conversion. However, especially in Judaism, such efforts are met with great scrutiny. Rabbis are actually told to discourage would-be converts three times, before agreeing to mentor.

[Nate]

Considering Jews feel that they are the chosen people thats a bit strange, any reason why they would practice such a stand-offish view?

[rosie321]

Considering Jews feel that they are the chosen people thats a bit strange, any reason why they would practice such a stand-offish view?

I guess my question would be why would they let just anyone in if they are chosen? Why wouldn't it be selective?

I have a very limited view on judaism. Personally I don't know why a true blooded jew would even be accepting of the non-Jew by blood into judaism, especially considering their tough history. What would there be that would make them even take in outsiders? If they are the chosen ones, the NT is not believed and Paul, a "rebel jew" was introducing the idea of letting the gentiles in, then why would they feel compelled at all to let outsiders in? Historically even the Samaritans were a scourge to them because they only had a partial blood. Why do you think this is so? What changed?????

[prisonchaplain]

Considering Jews feel that they are the chosen people thats a bit strange, any reason why they would practice such a stand-offish view?

In a nutshell, the Jewish people have a covenant with God, involving the 613 commandments of the five books of Moses. This is not an individual pact between God and each Jew, but one that is between the Creator and the Hebrew tribe. Therefore, by taking on newbies, the risk that someone might violate the covenant, and thus bring judgment upon the people (note--not the person) increases. So, it is best to be very cautious with those non-Jews who wish to become proselytes. Thus, the rabbi will say, "You don't need to convert. Just obey the Seven Laws of Noah, and be the best ____ (Mormon, evangelical, Buddhist, etc.) you can be." If the candidate is persistent, then after the third request, the rabbi will way his/her sincerity, and make the choice as to whether to instruct or not.

See the following for more detail: http://www.jewfaq.org/gentiles.htm

[Guest jackvance99]

it doesn't matter.

a man asks christ how he can be saved.

christ then aks the man what the two great commandments are.

the man responds, to love god with all one's heart, might, mind and strength, and to love one's neighbor as thyself.

to which christ responds - i perceive that thou art not far from the kingdom of god.

i know that if we all did that - rather than worry too much about getting married, getting a good education and subsequent job, finances, and so on - that we really will be saved in the kingdom.

christ said that things like, by their fruits you will know them, not to forbid those who do things in the name of christ but don't necessarily follow our way, that he is no respecter of persons, etc

when he comes it's not like born agains are gonna be raptured and everyone else (incl devout mormons with murderers) are gonna stay on earth to endure end time hell, neither are mormons gonna enter the kingdom of heaven leaving devout good muslims, catholics etc behind

he will save those who have loved him during their lives. that includes many good muslims, jews, born agains, mormons, jehova witnesses, catholics, and yes, even agnostics and atheists. the least you did it unto one of these my brethren you did it unto me. i think he will judge us by how we treated others, and not by how exactly we believed him to be, what church we went to, our political ideas, or whether we are married or single, have no kids or many kids, are rich or poor, educated or ignorant.

is there truth in mormonism? yes. was it inspired by god? yes. but if you personally are not sure of that, despite becoming as a child and teachable, then don't worry about it too much. more important, serve and love your neighbors unconditionally, and you will not be far from the kingdom of god.

[prisonchaplain]

...then don't worry about it too much. more important, serve and love your neighbors unconditionally, and you will not be far from the kingdom of god.

The problem with this advice is that "not far" only counts in horseshoes and grenades.

[Dale]

I find it easier to accept the one true church idea than those orthodox groups who claim they alone are Christian. Using that definition people say Mormons arn't Christian.

I am ex-LDS turned Community of Christ/RLDS. I am not satisfied any religion is a 100% free of error. I don't believe any religion is a 100% true. People can misread scriptures. Leaders & members can sometimes speculate sometimes badly. The LDS Church is truer than some religions.

I think the LDS religion is truer. Books like Restoring the Ancient Church, Joseph Smith and Early Christianity by Barry Bickmore(FAIR) shows Mormonism has a lot in common doctrinally with early Christianity. The early church believed obedience was important to salvation for example.

No other Christian faith teaches that good members of other faiths can be saved from seeing places like hell & outer darkness. To them you either believe their way or you are damned. No hope for dead not a believer in life relatives.

While the church has significant differences with other faiths they try & be as non-contentious as possible. I don't find books attacking the Baptists as a non-Christian religion. But you can find many thousands of books, tracts, films, DVDs, and CD's attacking the church. I know how bad the counter-cult industry is because I have a small sampling of the attack literature. I find the fact that LDS missionary literature is positive a big plus for the truth in the church.