Feeling a bit lost

[WANDERER]

Umm, more of a 'not as an anti-Morman looking for fodder'. The critical aspect 'for me' is in looking at what it means to be part of the LDS church and whether that's a choice I want to make.

[PentiumInside]

But I get the mormons are devil worshipers,they are a cult,I even get you will go to hell if you go do a mormon church.I still wonder if Im going in the right direction? So the only thing I can say is pray for god to lead you down the right path.

Thats the same spirit that burned people alive in " the name of Christ" for being witches. It's the same spirit that pervades the Islamic religion. Any religion that uses fear to control you should send up a red flag.

When I came to the realization that the church was true, it was as if I had been working on a giant jigsaw puzzle and had only a few pieces together and then suddenly, someone showed me the picture on the box!! It all made sense, then they took the box away. I'm still putting pieces together and no I don't have the answer to every question, but I know in my heart and for an ASSURITY that I SAW thepicture and it was complete and no one will ever scare me away from that beautiful glimpse of an eternal testimony I had that moment. The trick is to keep reliving that moment, no matter how small the first one is, keep reading the scriptures, especially thge BoM. Keep talking to members who have a strong testimony. Keep living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life and you will have additional power to over come doubt, temptation and fear.

Remember also this quote:

"Mysheep will hear my voice and THEY WILL KNOW ME."- Jesus :)

And Wanderer- Fill your heart with the truthfulness of the gospel before you start researching "anti-questions". If you do, you will find you already know the answers to some of those"questions" and the true spirit of how they are worded will be laid bare.

Pentium :)

[HiJolly]

Thats the same spirit that burned people alive in " the name of Christ" for being witches. It's the same spirit that pervades the Islamic religion. Any religion that uses fear to control you should send up a red flag.

When I came to the realization that the church was true, it was as if I had been working on a giant jigsaw puzzle and had only a few pieces together and then suddenly, someone showed me the picture on the box!! It all made sense, then they took the box away. I'm still putting pieces together and no I don't have the answer to every question, but I know in my heart and for an ASSURITY that I SAW thepicture and it was complete and no one will ever scare me away from that beautiful glimpse of an eternal testimony I had that moment. The trick is to keep reliving that moment, no matter how small the first one is, keep reading the scriptures, especially thge BoM. Keep talking to members who have a strong testimony. Keep living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life and you will have additional power to over come doubt, temptation and fear.

Remember also this quote:

"Mysheep will hear my voice and THEY WILL KNOW ME."- Jesus :)

And Wanderer- Fill your heart with the truthfulness of the gospel before you start researching "anti-questions". If you do, you will find you already know the answers to some of those"questions" and the true spirit of how they are worded will be laid bare.

Pentium :)

Awesome post, Pentium.

HiJolly

[WANDERER]

Thanks Pentium. That went right to my heart.

[reggstuard]

Regg...I know I'm going to say this is not dangerous...it's all good. Might be a bit of a rocky path. I guess I'm at the fragile stage. Not ready for people to hack away at something that is uplifting.

HiJolly, I really hope so cause additional help would be great. The whole 'milk before meat' thing. I have no problems with seeing the revelation and inspiration of God in this, that is the easiest thing. I have this really strong wish to get a study guide for the Book of Mormon and work my way through it. No, not in a critical way. Er, help!

I know I felted alot better after reading the book of mormon,I think you will feel better,I prayed before i read it to give me the insight,and prayed after about being true.And I can say I really did feel at peace,and warm,happy.

Also i can tell you that we moved a hr from where we were going to church,and I hadnt found a ward here,but i prayed about helping me go down the right path,and if this church was the right path.And I ask for god to help keep the holy sprit in me,and that give me some sign that I was going down the right path.And I few days later I got a letter from this ward from the relief class president,and iI hadnt give the ward I was going to my new address cause at the time I didnt know it.But I received that letter,made me feel that was a sign from god that I was on the right path.

So please read the book of mormon,I truely believe you will find some of your answers.

[Guest Malcolm]

Wanderer: Even from the purely empirical research model, you must fully assess the validity and data of a claim (study in detail and compare with your own data/evidence/beliefs) before you go looking for alternative theories set forth by opponents of the first. Pentium is absolutely right. Feast on what is right before you at this time. The fact is that The Book of Mormon contains internal evidence and explicit facts about the Savior, who He was, why He came and what He did that the Bible only approaches peripherally. Let the truth of the Gospel speak to you heart through the Spirit. The dissenters reject every thing as to avoid being confused by the facts. They already made up their minds.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Fill your heart with the truthfulness of the gospel before you start researching "anti-questions". If you do, you will find you already know the answers to some of those"questions" and the true spirit of how they are worded will be laid bare.

Some of the best advice I have ever heard.

The closer we get to the Lord by scripture study and prayer the easier it is to recognise truth against error.

[InTheDoghouse]

Wanderer

I have arrived a little late on the scene, but have read the previous posts and wish to add my testimony to what has been said.

I too, although born in the church, became converted later in my life. All members at some point face the same fears that you are facing before they take that "leap of faith" and submit to the will of the Lord. I love that Indiana Jones movie, I believe it is "The Temple of Doom", where in he walks to the edge of the cliff and then is required to take a step before the path becomes visible. I truly believe that is the way the Lord works in our lives. He leads us to the point of knowing where we need to be, then requires action on our part before He reveals the "sureness" of the way. This action is the seed that Alma refers to when he asks us to "Experiment upon the word":

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

Faith really does require some action. I firmly believe that true testimony comes only after the trial of you faith. So my advice is to "Experiment on the Word."

[cgrantreed]

Wanderer,

I was not born in the church but became a convert later in my life. Even with the knowledge I had and the testimony that was burning in my heart I still chose to go by the wayside for a few years. For some it is hard to conform to the ways of the church. For some its easy. The part that makes it hard is that the adversary doesn't want you to do it right. No one will ever tell you outright that doing something that is bad for you is wrong because that is a choice you have to make for yourself. Satan loves that and he will not try and stop you. But when you make the choice to give yourself to God, Satan gets his undies in a bunch and tries to prevent it. People that don't believe in God or believe in falsehoods about Him will try and change your mind about what you believe. That is why it was hard for me to stick to what I knew was right for me. I didn't want to fight it. The bottom line is this : God never said this life would be easy...He just said it would be worth it.

Don't ever take anything that anyone says as gospel. God wants you to try it and test it for the truth. When you do, He will show you its importance in your life. I will give you some examples from my own experience. I smoked cigarettes for 9 years. I knew that it was bad for me and it was against the churches health code (Word of Wisdom). I did it anyway. My health was failing pretty rapidly and I was miserable. I put my faith in the Lord to help me stop so that i could live and He gave me that help. My health has returned and I feel so much better because of it. It was hard to stop but I know that God was watching over me in this quest.

Tithing is a sticky one with people too. I used to pay my tithing religiously, no pun intended. I did it just to be obedient to the laws of God as it was in the scriptures. Never thought much of it. Then one time when money got tight i stopped paying it so that i could cover a bill that needed to be paid. My finances went into the toilet and I could not explain why but it was awful. I almost had the power turned off and I prayed for help and I just felt that I needed to pay my tithing and leave it in the Lords hands. I paid it and wondered where the next days meals for my family would come from. The next morning a check came in the mail for something that was owed to me from WAAAY back that I had forgotten about. I never expected to get that money back but it came when i needed it the most. It was enough to pay the power bill and buy a bunch of groceries. Dude!!!! I'm telling you, I have never missed my tithing since. I also have never had a time where I could not take care of my necessary expenses. This list goes on and on for me. These confirmations of the truths have built me up to where it is not hard for me to follow God anymore. I question everything that i read to make sure that its the gospel truth and I get confirmation when i ask for it.

Our Heavenly Father guarantees this:

7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:Matthew 7:7

The truth is out there and I believe for myself. No I KNOW for myself that I have found the truth of Him in the LDS faith. This is MY testimony. for ME, and I KNOW deep in my heart that its true. Keep searching for it Brother. You will gain a knowledge that will forever change your life. You may run into some that will try and change your views. Seek to KNOW it for yourself and they will have no power over you.

God Bless

Your humble Brother in God

Grant

[inthearmsofsleep]

Wanderer,

I was not born in the church but became a convert later in my life. Even with the knowledge I had and the testimony that was burning in my heart I still chose to go by the wayside for a few years. For some it is hard to conform to the ways of the church. For some its easy. The part that makes it hard is that the adversary doesn't want you to do it right. No one will ever tell you outright that doing something that is bad for you is wrong because that is a choice you have to make for yourself. Satan loves that and he will not try and stop you. But when you make the choice to give yourself to God, Satan gets his undies in a bunch and tries to prevent it. People that don't believe in God or believe in falsehoods about Him will try and change your mind about what you believe. That is why it was hard for me to stick to what I knew was right for me. I didn't want to fight it. The bottom line is this : God never said this life would be easy...He just said it would be worth it.

Don't ever take anything that anyone says as gospel. God wants you to try it and test it for the truth. When you do, He will show you its importance in your life. I will give you some examples from my own experience. I smoked cigarettes for 9 years. I knew that it was bad for me and it was against the churches health code (Word of Wisdom). I did it anyway. My health was failing pretty rapidly and I was miserable. I put my faith in the Lord to help me stop so that i could live and He gave me that help. My health has returned and I feel so much better because of it. It was hard to stop but I know that God was watching over me in this quest.

Tithing is a sticky one with people too. I used to pay my tithing religiously, no pun intended. I did it just to be obedient to the laws of God as it was in the scriptures. Never thought much of it. Then one time when money got tight i stopped paying it so that i could cover a bill that needed to be paid. My finances went into the toilet and I could not explain why but it was awful. I almost had the power turned off and I prayed for help and I just felt that I needed to pay my tithing and leave it in the Lords hands. I paid it and wondered where the next days meals for my family would come from. The next morning a check came in the mail for something that was owed to me from WAAAY back that I had forgotten about. I never expected to get that money back but it came when i needed it the most. It was enough to pay the power bill and buy a bunch of groceries. Dude!!!! I'm telling you, I have never missed my tithing since. I also have never had a time where I could not take care of my necessary expenses. This list goes on and on for me. These confirmations of the truths have built me up to where it is not hard for me to follow God anymore. I question everything that i read to make sure that its the gospel truth and I get confirmation when i ask for it.

Our Heavenly Father guarantees this:

7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:Matthew 7:7

The truth is out there and I believe for myself. No I KNOW for myself that I have found the truth of Him in the LDS faith. This is MY testimony. for ME, and I KNOW deep in my heart that its true. Keep searching for it Brother. You will gain a knowledge that will forever change your life. You may run into some that will try and change your views. Seek to KNOW it for yourself and they will have no power over you.

God Bless

Your humble Brother in God

Grant

Thanks for all your great, long responses in so many of these threads Grant!

[WANDERER]

Grant, I can relate to what you are saying...thankyou for sharing.

Keep searching for it Brother.

I'm a girl. : )

[cgrantreed]

Grant, I can relate to what you are saying...thankyou for sharing.

I'm a girl. : )

Whoops:blush: Sorry I guess I need to revise the use of that phrase huh? Lol

Well then... Sister:-) I won't hose that up again I promise.

[HoosierGuy]

Wanderer, I want to thank you. Monday I went to meet

missionaries at the church. I have never done anything like this

in my life. As I was driving to the place, I was scared and

nervous. I kept thinking about the Heavenly Father and Jesus,

the things I have read, and the people here on this board.

Sunday night I read the little quote you have under your posts:

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. Elizabeth Kubler Ross

As I was driving to the church I remembered that and it really helped.

I said to myself - I'm scared now. Now is the time to show my faith.

When I'm not safely behind a compute screen but going to meet real

people and talking about all this - now is the time for my faith to shine.

Thanks for that Wanderer, you really helped me.

[jadams_4040]

I come from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing. I moved away from that when I went to college and I guess tried to avoid any involvement in religion at all.

Posting on this forum is a huge step for me, you wouldn't believed how scared I am just to do this teensy thing. I have been trying to find out as much as I can about what it means to become a Mormon and what Mormons believe. I was visited by some elders regularly in the past and I have the strongest feeling of regrets about that. You know I offered them coffee for each and every visit, not exactly the right thing to do but I was pretty ignorant, and while I wanted to know more, you can understand from my upbringing that the line was too hard to cross.

I look at what it means to live the 'walk' and I think I can't possibly do what Mormons do...they do so much. I mean I live on coffee, have mostly clothing that would be considered indecent, smoke...yep general feelings of unworthiness and stuff. I look at 3 hour services, ten percent tithing, missions and all that stuff and the discipline and standards and think I can't possibly do what you guys do...that I will fail dismally. Not to mention coping with anti-Mormon flak.

While I have the strongest wish to open the door and go where my heart is...I'm just staring at the doorway if you know what I mean.

Go and open the door to the spirit, let him in, then sincerly follow his guidance, he will show you beauty and wonders you have never known before, a little at a time as you go, if you are sincere and honest with the lord he will not let you down, he will direct you. It took me 50 years to get up the courage to buckle down and do the things that i knew i had to do, but now its all over and i would never in a million years even think about going back! this is sssooo wonderfull! there are so many blessings involved that cannot be put into words. Its true! And how great and beautufull it is. :)

[WillowTheWhisp]

HoosierGuy, I feel so chuffed that you arranged and met up with the missionaries. I suppose for those of us who are members of the Church we don't always realise what a big step this must be for people and how much courage it can take sometimes to just take that first step. :)

[Guest AutumnBreez]

I come from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing. I moved away from that when I went to college and I guess tried to avoid any involvement in religion at all.

Posting on this forum is a huge step for me, you wouldn't believed how scared I am just to do this teensy thing. I have been trying to find out as much as I can about what it means to become a Mormon and what Mormons believe. I was visited by some elders regularly in the past and I have the strongest feeling of regrets about that. You know I offered them coffee for each and every visit, not exactly the right thing to do but I was pretty ignorant, and while I wanted to know more, you can understand from my upbringing that the line was too hard to cross.

I look at what it means to live the 'walk' and I think I can't possibly do what Mormons do...they do so much. I mean I live on coffee, have mostly clothing that would be considered indecent, smoke...yep general feelings of unworthiness and stuff. I look at 3 hour services, ten percent tithing, missions and all that stuff and the discipline and standards and think I can't possibly do what you guys do...that I will fail dismally. Not to mention coping with anti-Mormon flak.

While I have the strongest wish to open the door and go where my heart is...I'm just staring at the doorway if you know what I mean.

Wanderer-

If you are walking down the street, do you know what each person you pass believes? Probably not, and neither do they. Only if you are walking with a sign in front of you that states your religion. You probably would not do that either.

You come to any internet site that is labelled MORMON it is going to be there for those who are either members, interested in learning earnestly,or those who have issues beyond Mormonism but can't see their problem, if they are here to give flak, let them give it. Funny thing is...some get smart and realize that there are many conflicts in their own anti story to keep going and join the church. ANTI's- They are generally not here out of love and concern because they genuinely care about us. Knowing that this portion of life is all temporary and what I do for my eternal salvation is more important then anything they could ever say. There is more pity and sorrow for them in my heart that they are being so hard hearted.

Giving up coffee- I did it. Avid drinker for years. 2-3 c. a day.

My husband still drinks it. I stopped- once I realized that my Heavenly Father sincerly loves me and he wants my body reserved for his work, he loves others and I can not help him if I am poisoned and dead-

It's not really my body to do with it as I please. It is mainstream yet ignorant to think-if it doesn't hurt anyone else then it is ok- you are his instrument. This does not mean you are not to enjoy life either.

Coffee, tea, cigarettes and what is lerking within:

Cadmium - Elson M. Haas M.D. - HealthWorld Online

Coffee and Tea

TOXIC METAL SYNDRONE: HOW METAL POISONINGS CAN AFFECT YOUR BRAIN

You mentioned clothes....indecent, what makes them indecent? can you add something to make it decent? don't get so hard on yourself, you can gradually change, if it is money for new clothes you are worried about- that problem works itself out if you are paying tithing with a heart of gratitude. Your outlook and attitude changes as you allow the spirit to dwell and grow. Changes you may have tried to make and failed on your own are not in comparison to the changes that are possible with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in your life. You will see progress when you have them in your life.

What do you want after this portion of life, once you pass over? I bet clothes and coffee will not be on that list if you are deep in thought.

Wanderer-You are a Child of God. He is great, so must you and I be. Take care-AB

[Guest AutumnBreez]

Generally I don't think Mormons get flak on a normal basis, in their non internet day to day lives. You may experience someone that has misconceived ideas and you may have to show or tell them them the realistic view, by living the way you know is right, the wrinkles work themselves out. It is usually a missionary moment that arrives, not a conflicting moment.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Before I got baptised my skirts were what I now consider too short. A few days before my baptism I bought some lengths of broderie anglais and lengthened the skirts by adding an imitation underskirt just under the hem in a matching colour.

My daughter has some strappy tops but she wears them over matching t-shirts. There are many ways round the clothing problem.

[rameumptom]

I come from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing. I moved away from that when I went to college and I guess tried to avoid any involvement in religion at all.

Posting on this forum is a huge step for me, you wouldn't believed how scared I am just to do this teensy thing. I have been trying to find out as much as I can about what it means to become a Mormon and what Mormons believe. I was visited by some elders regularly in the past and I have the strongest feeling of regrets about that. You know I offered them coffee for each and every visit, not exactly the right thing to do but I was pretty ignorant, and while I wanted to know more, you can understand from my upbringing that the line was too hard to cross.

I look at what it means to live the 'walk' and I think I can't possibly do what Mormons do...they do so much. I mean I live on coffee, have mostly clothing that would be considered indecent, smoke...yep general feelings of unworthiness and stuff. I look at 3 hour services, ten percent tithing, missions and all that stuff and the discipline and standards and think I can't possibly do what you guys do...that I will fail dismally. Not to mention coping with anti-Mormon flak.

While I have the strongest wish to open the door and go where my heart is...I'm just staring at the doorway if you know what I mean.

I suggest you take this as with eating an elephant: one bite at a time. If you cannot handle stopping coffee and smoking right now, then work on the things within your comfort zone. Talk stuff here. Read the Book of Mormon. Attend Church (preferably LDS services, but anywhere is better than nowhere), even if it is only Sacrament meeting or Sunday School.

Little by little, as you get accustomed to doing something, and it becomes easier for you, you will then be ready to take the next step - whatever that might be.

LDS teach that we all learn and grow "line upon line, precept upon precept." Sometimes we have huge/quick changes in our lives (Significant Emotional Events) that cause huge upheavals and changes in our lives. Most of the time, we change a little at a time. Most of us do not have a Joseph Smith First Vision or Paul seeing Christ event. Most of us gain our testimonies through study and prayer over time, with the Holy Ghost guiding and building us as we go along and are ready for the next level of growth.

So, if you aren't ready to take it all on at once, no problem. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin told us that we should not run faster than we are able, but we should be moving in the right direction. If you cannot run, then you should still try to walk or hobble as best you can. God will help you, and with time you will be strong enough to stop smoking and drinking coffee and will manage other weaknesses, as well. Interestingly, even after 32 years in the Church, I find I still have weaknesses and issues to overcome - so I keep on walking in the right direction, believing that Christ will help me to overcome all my weaknesses in His own time.

[WANDERER]

A long time since posting...thankyou for your support in answering my questions and the help you have given. It really has set me thinking and there are many changes on their way in my life : ) . No, I haven't gotten up the courage to chat to missionaries or anything like that. Anyone got an online link to LDS lessons?

In my effort to give up smoking I seem to be on a caffeine track...something I gave up ages ago. But I'm working on substituting with cocoa. It's one of those things where you loose out to the addiction repeatedly, but I'm not giving up. Slow and steady wins the race.

Umm the clothing issue...thanks Willow for the hints. Great ideas! I'm anti-airconditioning and the weather is super-hot here. Some clothing is unbearable in 40 degree heat. I think I would be the only person wearing short sleeved cotton t-shirts- shirts minus sleeves are the norm. Does anyone get tired of responding to, "Aren't you hot in that?" Sweaty shirts are just *yuk*. Er, that's probably too much honesty there.

Hoosier, I'm glad the quote helped. It's something of a seige going through the investigator thingy.

[rameumptom]

Wanderer,

Remember that we are all seeking to improve our lives, whether it is overcoming an addiction or bad habit, etc. The key is to always keep trying and have faith that Christ will consecrate our efforts for good.

[HoosierGuy]

A long time since posting...thankyou for your support in answering my questions and the help you have given. It really has set me thinking and there are many changes on their way in my life : ) . No, I haven't gotten up the courage to chat to missionaries or anything like that. Anyone got an online link to LDS lessons?

Hoosier, I'm glad the quote helped. It's something of a seige going through the investigator thingy.

Wanderer, thank you for that quote. You and your quote really

helped me get down there and meet with those missionaries.

You really helped me and I'm grateful. I've now met with the

missionaries three times, been to services twice, and I cant wait

to go again this Sunday. Thank you Wanderer!

Please, when you are in bed and all bundled up for the night,

put your hands together and pray to our Heavenly Father.

Open up your heart to him and ask him what you should do.

Don’t be scared to give it a try on Sunday. You don’t have to

stay all three hours if you don’t want to. Nobody will force you

to go back if you don’t want to. Call up those missionaries and

have a talk.

[WANDERER]

Ugh. Utter frustration on the closure of the "Becoming A God" thread. I understand the whole it was an anti-Mormon thread and that it would probably end up a bit of a troll thing, but I really wanted my question answered and to work out how things were different. Is there an icon here for banging your head against a brick wall?

Ugh. Yesterday the JW's came doorknocking and I was so disappointed it wasn't the mishys.

A bit down at the moment emotionally...the joys of nicotine withdrawal.

[Canuck Mormon]

Ugh. Utter frustration on the closure of the "Becoming A God" thread. I understand the whole it was an anti-Mormon thread and that it would probably end up a bit of a troll thing, but I really wanted my question answered and to work out how things were different. Is there an icon here for banging your head against a brick wall?

Ugh. Yesterday the JW's came doorknocking and I was so disappointed it wasn't the mishys.

A bit down at the moment emotionally...the joys of nicotine withdrawal.

That thread was not about discussion, it was about trying to prove the LDS wrong. People have speculated about certain scriptures and concluded that we might become Gods, but the truth will only be known when we pass through to the other side. If you want the "mishy's" to come over, call them and invite them over for a discussion. I'm sure they would love it.

Sorry to hear about the nicotine withdrawl. It's not fun, but it'll be worth it in the long run.

[Dale]

I have read your question about Lucifer. We have to be caution's not to continue a closed discussion. In regard's to Isaiah 14:12-14 his problem was not godhood, but wanting to place himself equally beside God. Only Jesus share's the status of being able to claim himself exclusive God with the Father. Most god's in LDS belief as i understand it will be forever subordinate to God. The old Lorenzo Snow couplet "As man is God once was, and as God is man may become." suggest's for some becoming an independent Deity is possible. But such a new God with a capital "G" will not be in competition with God's place as Lucifer was.

And even with Jesus if i understand LDS belief right is not before or after God as God. When he speak's as Father in Isaiah 43:10 it's not as a 2nd God, but is as if he is the Father speaking himself. The Father's exclusiveness as head God is not in any way compromised with the 2nd God. While he is supposed to be a seperate being from the Father they pretend to be speaking as the same being.

With Isa.43:10 and Deut.6:4 i see the exlusiveness of God as God presented. But the Father and Son seem so aware of each other to me they seem like distinct being's to me. The only thing that prevent's becoming God's is if the three are and can only be the same being. If God is only one God then we cannot become God's. This is my Community of Christ/RLDS churche's objection to becoming god's.

In the early Reorganization we had person's that had no objection to the plurality of God's. I am like the early RLDS like Issac Sheen one-time editor of our Saint's Herald in that regard. In the 1890's i think 1894 it was held to be an idea of man. Joseph smith 3rd Joseph Smith's son did not continue all his father's ideas like the idea of God's when he became our church president. The Book of Abraham became viewed as Joseph Smith's speculative writing. Unlike the LDS we never considered it scripture.

I see two idea's of God among Community of Christ. Officially we have become Trinitarian. But we have had person's who view God and Christ as two personage's, but not two literal God's. To avoid teaching two God's this official older position figuratized Jesus status as Deity. The Father alone was viewed as Almighty God. Not being a creedal church we had Trinitarian verses Anti-Trinitarian debate's amongst ourselve's for a number of year's. We still do.