Introducing myself, support needed

[Fronterizo]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I grew up a Cultural Roman Catholic, and three years ago my wife and I were baptized LDS. We were active for almost a year and a half, but I struggled a lot to really believe in all the doctrines. So we left the church.

Since then, my wife has turned into a Fundamentalist, Bible-only Evangelical Christian. This, instead of bringing me closer to God and to her, has made me want to go back to Mormonism. To put it mildly, Mormons are liberals compared to the attitude my wife has right now.

Anti-everything-that-is-not-Evangelical-Christian: so anti-Catholic, anti-Mormon, anti-JW, anti-a-lot-of-things. That's not the path I want to follow.

Today I met with the missionaries because I want to become active again. After following my wife to Evangelical Christianity, and through several denominations this last year, including non-denominational, Baptist, Pentecostal, Apostolic, Messianic Judaism, I truly believe that Mormonism is the best path for me, spiritually, and I love the social support system that the Church offers, even if I don't truly understand all its doctrines. (Then again, I don't really agree with all the doctrines of other Christian denominations). I need support on how to deal with an inter-faith marriage, family. We have two children, 7 and 3.

My wife says I can choose the path I want, but she's reluctant to let me take the children back to the church. Thank you for your time! Looking forward to your advice, and spiritual support.

En Cristo,

Fronterizo

Edited April 11, 2013 by Fronterizo
Spelling

[Guest]

Welcome, and I hope it all works out for you.

[skippy740]

This is a great place to ask various questions. Remember that the root of our faith is simple: a testimony in Jesus Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God, and that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

It isn't everything, but it's the start of the foundation of testimony.

[mnn727]

I'm a convert of 20 years and there are still things I am learning and things I struggle with.

if something specific is bothering you, ask about it here, there are a lot of good people with good answers that post here.

[Anddenex]

The best way to deal with inter-faith marriages is to honor each others moral agency. Once you have fully integrated yourself into full fellowship again, remember to be an example of the believers.

Continue to pray. Continue to read the scriptures. If you want to understand the doctrine, then you must read and pray about the doctrines themselves and receive confirmation from the spirit.

After we read and pray, we must then act to know of the doctrine ourselves. You are not alone. Welcome back.

I would encourage to set up an appointment with your bishop, explain to him your desires, why you left and why you are returning. Share with him the hopes you have.

[ZionsRodeVos]

Welcome!

I've been a member all my life, left the church for a few years, and returned about 24 years ago and am astounded by the things I am learning by talking with people here. You will get lots of help here.

A question that came to my mind is that you indicated your wife is anti-most everything including anti-mormon. I think it is great that you want to return to the church and think it will help you a lot to understand as best you can why your wife is anti-mormon as that will help you create less friction with her and may give you an idea how to get her to change her mind about letting you take your children with you to church. Do your children attend church with her?

[wyarwehere]

Hi. :) And welcome.

I can understand the inter-faith. I was Baptist, then C&MA, then IFB for a while, and finally joined the church(with no plans to change. ) One of your biggest things is going to not be arguing with her about who's point is true. I know this is the case for a lot of Evangelicals, they want to talk it into the ground, and are totally unwilling to look at another's point of view. If this isn't your wife's style, that's great, you're quite lucky.

Is there anyway you guys could sit down with the kids, explain that Mom and Dad want to go to different churches, and alternate taking them with you guys? that way when the kids are older they can make an informed choice.

[mnn727]

I can understand the inter-faith. I was Baptist, then C&MA, then IFB for a while, and finally joined the church(with no plans to change. )

I was raised C&MA.

[Fronterizo]

Thank you all for the welcoming and encouraging words.

My wife doesn't accept that I follow the Spirit of God and return to the Church. She argued with me today that it is an evil spirit that's leading me stray. I told her that we can focus on the shared beliefs that we do have, and she said that ecumenism is of the Devil. That I'm a mega-apostate.

I then asked her to just respect my beliefs, and she reluctantly said that it was going to be hard for her to do that. Regarding the children, she told me that we will confuse them if we both teach them different- and contradictory- doctrines. She then said she would leave it in God's hands.

I feel so overwhelmed. To her, it's her way or no way. But she claims it is not HER way, but God's way. How can I argue with that, with an opinion? I'm not trying to convert her.