Understanding what is Mormon?

[Hala401]

For the whole of my time with the people of the church, there is one surprise marching right after another. Self hate and sense of rejection is gone. Bitterness and hatred for perpetrators is gone. I can think of them and feel love for them and sorrow for what they are missing from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Young Muslim woman is visiting, and at first she was very defensive and had concern that I might try to convert her. I told her that was not the case; that I have respect for her beliefs and that I am not the Holy Spirit.

Still we have long conversations about who Jesus Christ is, about the "Mormon secret rules", and when I took her to lunch with the Elder Missionaries, she carried on a very nice conversation with them, acting like the loving, intelligent, and open young woman that I know her to be.

She has 14 month old daughter named Yasmin. She is very good with her daughter, and patient beyond what I can remember being with my young ones. I told her once that she was very good Mother.

Today, she said that I am the only one who ever said something like that to her.

I would not have known to do that had many people of the church already encouraged me. Can it be that I am growing into being a good member of the church?

[pam]

I don't know if I would necessarily say that you are growing into being a good member of the church.

I would probably say that you are growing to be a more Christlike person because of the understanding and knowledge that you have gained.

[anatess]

Originally Posted by Hala401

For the whole of my time with the people of the church, there is one surprise marching right after another. Self hate and sense of rejection is gone. Bitterness and hatred for perpetrators is gone. I can think of them and feel love for them and sorrow for what they are missing from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Young Muslim woman is visiting, and at first she was very defensive and had concern that I might try to convert her. I told her that was not the case; that I have respect for her beliefs and that I am not the Holy Spirit.

Still we have long conversations about who Jesus Christ is, about the "Mormon secret rules", and when I took her to lunch with the Elder Missionaries, she carried on a very nice conversation with them, acting like the loving, intelligent, and open young woman that I know her to be.

She has 14 month old daughter named Yasmin. She is very good with her daughter, and patient beyond what I can remember being with my young ones. I told her once that she was very good Mother.

Today, she said that I am the only one who ever said something like that to her.

I would not have known to do that had many people of the church already encouraged me. Can it be that I am growing into being a good member of the church?

Whatcha talking about? You already ARE a great member of the church!

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by Hala401

...Young Muslim woman is visiting, and at first she was very defensive and had concern that I might try to convert her. I told her that was not the case; that I have respect for her beliefs and that I am not the Holy Spirit...

I love this thought. I appreciate your genuineness and testimony. Thank you for sharing.

[HEthePrimate]

Kindness to others, and complimenting them for a job well done are not unique to Mormons. However, they are Christlike behaviors. In my opinion, becoming more Christlike is the main point of the LDS Church, so insofar as you behave in a Christlike manner, you are being a good Mormon.

[HiJolly]

"We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316.)

"I want to say to my friends that we believe in all good. If you can find a truth in heaven, earth or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it." (Discourses of Brigham Young selected by John A Widtsoe, p. 2)

"...the most prominent difference in sentiment between the Latter Day Saints and sectarians was, that the latter were all circumscribed by some peculiar creed, which deprived it's members of the priveledge of believing anything not contained therein, whereas the Latter Day Saints have no creed, but are ready to believe all true principles that exist, as they are made manifest from time to time." (The Journal of Joseph: The Personal Diary of a Modern Prophet, p. 203)

"One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to recieve truth. Let it come from where it may." (An American Prophets Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, p. 395.)

"...study and learn and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people." (D&C 90:15)

HJ