[Traveler]

Originally Posted by ceeboo

Hi to all,

I am Catholic and have come to this site to try and gain perspective on LDS directly from LDS.

It is important to state ( if I may ) that I realize I am a GUEST on this forum and will do my best not to offend any member's beleifs or what they hold so precious. If I do, PLEASE consider that it probably stems from MY IGNORANCE of LDS and not an intentional effort to not treat others with the respect, dignity, and kindness in wich I would ask to be treated.

Although my visit here has only been a few days, I thought I would offer an update as to what my experience has been thus far.

The things that have NOT surprised me

1. Great love and friendship extended for members in common faith
2. Kind hearted advice for those who seek advice ( advice board/ super idea IMO )
3. Very supportive community to share with
4. Warm welcome to me by many ( thanks for that )
5. A strong willingness to defend your faith against any ( for what it's worth, I admire this)
6. Lots of laughs ( I played the question game for the first time ) LOL FUN
7. I was ( already ) able to get some perspective that I was looking for


The things that WERE a little surprising to me

1. The disagreement between LDS members on historical events and teachings
2. The over use ( sorry, I said I may have some ignorance ) of " anti Mormon " this or that

I will stop for now,

Thanks again for the warm welcome

God bless,
Carl

Some perspective concerning “Anti-Mormon” and historical events. The first Prophet of the Last Days, Joseph Smith, was murdered by a mod encouraged by religious leaders that desired to end the LDS religion. Not long after that the “Mormons” were driven from their homes in Nauvoo Ill in the dead of winter. They were forced from their homes and left the United States for the west. It was quite harsh and 1 in 5 LDS died during that winter (mostly women and children).

You might be interested to know that the Catholics were the only religious sect that attempted to help the LDS during this tragic time. Much of the same rhetoric of those that sought ill against the Mormons is still being published by various religious groups even today. This rhetoric is labeled among LDS as Anti-Mormon for lack of a better term.

Just for reference my great great grand mother was a young girl (8 years old) when she was forced to leave her home in Nauvoo and walk bear foot to the Salt Lake valley. Her mother died giving birth (the baby also died) along the way and my great grand mother suffered greatly from the experience and was unable to walk without crutches the rest of her life.

Perhaps to some these events may not seem like history but the journals have been carefully preserved by my family as a part of our history.

The Traveler