Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie32
Right now I believe in God, but I'm not sure about all the details of the LDS religion as they would apply what's required as a member. After visiting temple square and looking online I understand the basic beliefs, but I'm confused about what kinds of things would be necessary for me to convert other than what I believe. I certainly don't want to be considered faking it.
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Others have covered this already but I felt like chiming in.
Yes you will be faking. In fact you will have to out right lie to become a member if you don't have a testimony of Joseph Smith and the current Prophet and if you don't intend to keep the covenants and commitments you'll be making at baptism and later on. Volgadon covered some of those.
Additionally, if some gal (I realize you are a guy, I'm making things more applicable to me) converted and we dated and it came out that she misrepresented herself as a faithful member of the Church when in fact she only joined so she could date LDS boys and never had nor has a testimony, well misrepresenting is putting it nicely. She's quite accuratly be called a liar, and not only did she lie to the people around her (the Missionaries and the like) she lied to God. Why on earth would I want to continue to date somebody who is not only willing to lie to people around them to represent themselves as somebody they are not but is willing to mock God by making promises they have no intention of keeping? And if I married such a person, disappointment, hurt and betrayal is putting it mildly.
Such behavior is not something espoused by my standards or religion. If you want to join the church that's awesome, but do it for the right reason. False pretenses are only going to get people hurt in the end.
P.S. I know I'm probably coming crossed as super harsh here, but this is a very serious matter, we aren't talking about joining chess club when you'd rather play checkers.
Edit: You say you believe in God and I'm assuming you are Christian, if not you'll have to lie about the first question in the interview as shared by Volgadon and adds more the the pile so to speak.