Do I believe the wrong things?

[WANDERER]

***

[AnthonyB]

Wanderer,

So you want stop being a fundamentalists (not counting myself one I don't have a great desire to stop you), I don't know if that is a great reasons for necessarily wanting to be a Mormon. I wouldn't place the LDS as among the most liberal of Christian groupings. Sure I can see a number of things that are quite nice in their take on the gospel, but if your planning to take your walk with Christ seriously from an LDS perspective then there are some of the things that they believe God requires of people who are wishing to follow him seriously that would take a fair bit of discipline.

Anyway I wouldn't count myself as a fundamentalist, not in the US sense of the word. However I would point out the following....

1) I nearly always address prayers to Father God but end with in Jesus name. It is how Jesus patterned prayer for us.

2) I believe that salvation comes through Jesus and only through Jesus but I aren't going to tell him who makes the grade.

3) I don't think anyone thinks mumbling a few words is enough, entry into the kingdom may be a free gift but walking with God is tough. If works were ever enough to earn entry into the kingdom then Jesus died for no reason, God could have just set the rules and expected us to follow them. However if you receive such a gift then don't set out to obey Jesus then you are mocking the gift he has given and how could anyone who has truly received such a gift treat it and the giver of the gift so flippantly.

I hope and pray that you encounter the risen Christ Jesus in your life even more, no matter what path you head out to meet him on.

[Elgama]

only God can answer you if you believe the wrong things -when you pray what does your heart tell your head, keep a journal of your prayers and reread it every few weeks see where your study and learning takes you.

Whilst I am a Latter Day Saint, and I believe the Church is the bestway to reach our eternal potential I am not the one to convert someone only the Holy Ghost can do that.
try Mormons.org for basic beliefs, order a Book of Mormon, read it pray about it and see what God says

-Charley

[Elgama]

I write how I felt during my prayers and what I prayed for - on the days I can't pray on my knees or my concerntration is bad I actually write the prayer I want to say. Keep a list of the blessings in my life what I am greatful for etc I often find when I read back that prayers I have forgotten about have been answered and I note that in the journal as well. Ialso note scriptures or poems I want to talk to my Father in Heaven about to ask him for understanding or thank him because they feed my soul

-Charley

[prisonchaplain]

I am quite curious...Wanderer...which fundamentalist church was this? It sounds very controlling. My one counsel to you is that you study the Scriptures prayerfully, for yourself. Be certain that your disagreements with your parents' church are based on God's truth, and not on what you think oughtta be true.

[LionHeart]

Hello wanderer. If you would like to read the Book of Mormon, you can find it here: Scriptures

Good luck with your search.

L.H.

[LdsNana]

Hello Wanderer,

I believe that you are being led by the Spirit in your quest to ask questions about those things that you have held, for so long.

You are most likely, an honest seeker of truth. One who is not concerned with the 'words' of man... and desires to know what is true, and is now, seeking only the Spirit, to be your teacher.

I would simply say to you... of course, I believe with all of my heart, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, is the Lord's Church, here upon the earth.

I could go on, endless days, and tell you how I know this is true; but only you, can really know, for yourself. Once a person knows, then this discussion is remarkable.

I would strongly admonish you, with all the ability that I have to do so... that you download the Book of Mormon; turn off your internet connection, have a prayer and ask God, to guide you in your search to know IF the Book of Mormon came from Him; then, begin to read...

I would stay OFF of these forums and any outside influences... and seek to know for yourself, and allow His Spirit to teach you.

When you find out... then come back and tell all of us how it went.

I testify that IF you do this, you will know IF The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints is true or NOT.

IF it IS... then you will readily accept all of its teachings. If NOT - then you will leave this forum, and continue your search for truth.

Most important... you will be finished, wondering - - about the Mormon Church.

Keep it simple and go from here.
tDMg
LdsNana

[LdsNana]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

I am quite curious...Wanderer...which fundamentalist church was this? It sounds very controlling. My one counsel to you is that you study the Scriptures prayerfully, for yourself. Be certain that your disagreements with your parents' church are based on God's truth, and not on what you think oughtta be true.

Great advice Chaplain.

tDMg

[WillowTheWhisp]

I can relate to some of what you are saying Wanderer.

I too believe that we should pray to the Father and not to Jesus Christ or anyone else (assorted saints etc) because that is what he told us to do. He did however tell us to pray to the Father in his name and so that is also what I do, ending my prayers in his name.

I don't believe that a loving Heavenly Father would condemn people 'to Hell' for not having joined, or having had the opportunity to join, one particular denomination. I also believe God's plan is bigger than that.

I do believe that faith is greater than works. We cannot buy our salvation through our deeds alone. As Paul said, 'lest any man should boast'. I believe that our deeds follow our faith because of our faith - in the same way that Jesus said, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' He also complained about people who have left him naked and starving and explained that when we do that to our fellow men we are doing it to him.

I'm a Latter-day Saint and it is true that these are all things which are taught in our Church but I do not believe them because I am a Latter-day Saint, I am a Latter-day Saint because I believe them. These are beliefs I came to through prayer following Bible study long before I'd ever even heard of the Book of Mormon. I could not understand how anyone could read the same Bible I was reading and not believe these same things - then I found a church which did.

You must not approach this by logic though or because of anything anyone says to you on this forum or elsewhere. You need to have your own conviction in your heart that this is true. Let spirit speak to spirit. When you have that then no amount of persuasion by human beings can affect what you believe.

I know the church I belong to is the true church on earth as organised and lead by the Saviour himself. No human being has convinced me of that and no human being could ever convince me otherwise.

Do as others have said and read the Book of Mormon online - or even get your computer to read it to you. When I first tried reading it I struggled over how to pronounce the unfamiliar names. When you get to Alma and read the bit about faith being like a seed consider that you have just started by planting yours and watering it. It will be a fragile little shoot to start with but the more you water it and care for it the stronger it will grow.

Heavely Father loves all his children and I believe he has guided you here to ask these questions. Learn all you can, and above all pray about everything you learn.

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by WANDERER

I read Nephi 1. Nephi prayed for direction and God gave him understanding and wisdom and revealed things to him. His brothers asked him for explanations or looked to their own understandings and there were consequences for that. What a difference it means to have a personal revelation, Knowing is not the same thing as seeking.

I'm glad that you encouraged me to start reading for myself. I think I need to stop and think and pray.

Search, Ponder and Pray (a song for children):

1. I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart—
A testimony that they’re true.


2. So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as he would have me do.

Chorus
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.


Words: Jaclyn Thomas Milne, b. 1949. © 1986 IRI


HiJolly