Church history...

[Hmmmm]

Hello all i would like a quick and dirty history on your church. I would like to know specifically what in your history makes you believe you have the "true" religion. Understand that i am not here to argue with anyone, i am currently researching my own faith and find the "evidence" to support our claim as the "true" chuch a little hard to swallow.

Thanks. :)

[Guest]

Start with this and let us know if you need more:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng

[Wingnut]

I would like to know specifically what in your history makes you believe you have the "true" religion.

Absolutely nothing.

[Hmmmm]

Ok stand by.....

[Hmmmm]

ok just read the first 20 paragraphs, and as far as i can tell the LDS faith is the right one because Joseph Smith said so. This is basically what my church teaches. this is why im struggling, i want some actual proof from history that points to us as the true one, not someone that just says so. Do you guys understand what i mean?

[Jane_Doe]

Hmmm..., your profile says that you are a Christain. What of history makes you believe in Christ?

Personally, I don't find my faith in the Savior from history. I just don't care about some anthropoligist inturpertation of a bunch of Mid-Eastern rocks (for example). I believe in the Savior for the impact I feel He has in my life, and the comfort that gives me.

Simileraly, I don't care about any American rocks (or lack thereof) to find my faith in the Book of Mormon and how it testifies of Him. I find faith in prayer, in comfort, and how I can palpably feel Him.

[Hmmmm]

i totally agree with you, so then why do i need to be part of my religion? Why cant i just serve God as directed from the bible? I am told anyone not in our faith (JW) will die so my head is messed up.

[Hmmmm]

One reason im on here talking with you guys is the argument to me when i ask my elders "how do we know we are the true faith" the main answer is that no one is doing the worldwide preaching work like JW's. Ummm hello the LDS are as well as other faiths. So that argument to me is invalid.

[skippy740]

History does not convert. Only the Holy Spirit to help give personal spiritual evidence to build testimony.

I recommend reading this chapter in The Book of Mormon regarding exercising faith:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng

[Hmmmm]

If history does not then why do both of our organizations rely so heavily on it for proof of trueness? Come lets be real, if it is all about holy spirit then why does it matter where we go to church?

[skippy740]

It looks like you're trying to wrap your head around our doctrines, but you wanted to see it from a historical perspective?

I would take a doctrinal approach to learning about LDS (or any other faith).

One of our best resources (aside from our missionaries - which you can reach via Mormon.org | What is the Mormon Church and Religion?) is our Gospel Principles Manual. This manual is written for investigators and new members. It helps to establish the fundamentals of our faith regarding various doctrinal topics:

https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng

I think you'll find it useful.

[skippy740]

If history does not then why do both of our organizations rely so heavily on it for proof of trueness? Come lets be real, if it is all about holy spirit then why does it matter where we go to church?

We don't. We use history as historical lessons and as a chronology of what happened... not as the foundation of our testimony.

It only matters where you go to Church... if God tells you through the Holy Spirit where you should go to Church. :)

[Jane_Doe]

I have visited several Kingdom Halls over the years, listened to thier lessons, and spoken individually with many Witnesses. Hmmmm, I welcome you to the forum and admire your courage to seek answers.

In my experience, true Answers don't come from history books, or someone else babbling at you. Answers come from searching, seeking, and knocking. If you truly want to know something, then ask God.

[Lakumi]

Ok stand by.....

riddle me this, what in your churches history makes it the true one?

[skippy740]

Moroni 10:3-5

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

It's one of the neat things about our Church doctrine - you never have to take anyone's word for anything. We simply share what we believe and let you pray to ask God if it's true. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide in all spiritual matters... not what man says... but what God says.

[Hmmmm]

We don't. We use history as historical lessons and as a chronology of what happened... not as the foundation of our testimony.

It only matters where you go to Church... if God tells you through the Holy Spirit where you should go to Church. :)

Hmmm to me the holy spirit tells us to go to the church we are affiliated with. I have preached for decades door to door, and always invite LDS missionaries in to talk. And they have told me that the spirt directs them in what they need to believe. I have not had this experience....what is wrong with me? am i evil? Im really struggling.

[Hmmmm]

riddle me this, what in your churches history makes it the true one?

I cant say....anymore. It all seems like i have to take the word of someone else. I need proof because i want to be an acceptable person in Gods eye.

[Hmmmm]

by the way this is awsome thanks for talking with me.

[skippy740]

That's what a discussion forum is for.

BTW, if you wanted to discuss any theology of the Jehovah's Witnesses, you can start a new thread on it in the Christian Beliefs sub-forum.

For LDS Gospel Discussion, we'll share what we believe and let you "try it on for size" so to speak. :)

[skippy740]

Hmmm to me the holy spirit tells us to go to the church we are affiliated with. I have preached for decades door to door, and always invite LDS missionaries in to talk. And they have told me that the spirt directs them in what they need to believe. I have not had this experience....what is wrong with me? am i evil? Im really struggling.

I can't tell you. We're both anonymous here on the internet, so I can only speculate.

If you've always been TOLD what to believe, then you may not have had the experience of having your own prayers answered?

If you have been conditioned to trust in what someone else says - and we know what the Bible says about trusting in the arm of flesh - then you're simply conditioned in this way.

It's not necessarily a bad thing. You just want MORE... and I think that's a good thing.

All this is a guess... based on SOME interactions I've had with others who are/were of the JW faith.

[Hmmmm]

Thanks, so i guess what im hearing is as far as the LDS faith is concerned, if the spirit tells me i should remain as a JW i will be saved? The only reason i ask is if that is the case religious denomination is not important. Hmmmm... i have prayed hard for direction and as of yet had nothing to guide me. Frustrating.

[Jane_Doe]

by the way this is awsome thanks for talking with me.

You're quite welcome. Personally, I am quite enjoying this conversation.

You seem to be wondering why you have never had a deep answer from God. Have you tried asking?

If you haven't, that doesn't make you evil-- far from it!! In my experience, people get so busy with life and doing what everyone tells them, that most people forget to ask the big "Why?" The fact that you are doing so tonight shows courage, insight, and true yearning to know God. I admire you.

[Hmmmm]

You're quite welcome. Personally, I am quite enjoying this conversation.

You seem to be wondering why you have never had a deep answer from God. Have you tried asking?

If you haven't, that doesn't make you evil-- far from it!! In my experience, people get so busy with life and doing what everyone tells them, that most people forget to ask the big "Why?" The fact that you are doing so tonight shows courage, insight, and true yearning to know God. I admire you.

I have been praying that is a huge part of my life. I have flat out asked if i am in the true faith....and i get nothing. How do you get your answers?

[Lakumi]

I have been praying that is a huge part of my life. I have flat out asked if i am in the true faith....and i get nothing. How do you get your answers?

I often, out of habit, go to my dreams

[skippy740]

Let me share with you a little bit of LDS theology. All good people will be in a place that they will call heaven - a home built for them. "In my father's kingdom, there are many mansions. I will go and build a place for you." (Can't remember the reference, but it's pretty close.)

Will you be saved if you adhere to the faith of the JW? Yes.

There are too many aspects of the LDS doctrine that show how merciful our Lord is - both within our faith, and outside of our faith; both living today, yet to live and has lived before us. He really is merciful.

I invite you to learn more about it. :)