So i made a deal with God...

[Maureen]

deb, have you talked to your husband about your religious feelings? If so, how does he feel?

[sjdean]

Hi Deb, I was thinking about adding a ps saying we could go to church together.

I also understand what others are saying about not seeking signs or testing etc. But I think the thing that worries me and possibly Deb, I dont know, is that we have faith in God. We are sure of Jesus. But what we dont know, is which interpretation is correct.

Its one thing having faith in God, quite another thing sayibg that a particular church is correct. Every church believes its correct and all the followers believe their church is correct.

We have reservations about the faith but not about God. So we ask whether God can help clarify. Not to prove he's correct, but to prove the church is correct.

[sjdean]

ps im in birmingham

[its_Chet]

Originally Posted by deblldo

Hi,

Thanks Simon, its nice to know that im not the only one. I am in cannock in the midlands. As for the other posts i do agree, i am not meaning to test God i just want to make sure im doing His will rather than going off and doing what i want, ive been a little bit of a church hopper the past 2 years, and to be honest im not sure if thats because i havnt yet found the church that God wants me to be in or because im looking for somtying that doesnt exist.

If i had my own way and cared about no-one else i guess i would be down at my local Lds church on sunday and just keep going til i fet it was right (or wrong) for me. However this is a very big step for me to make, due to the fact i have been a baptist for 16 years, that my husband does not agree, annd that the pastor of my current church happens to be my father- in- law. I think it would seem selfish and hasty to just go off and "see what happens" although i know that if this is the church God wants me at things will work out.
If this is where God wants me then i just want to make sure before i cause upset in my family and make a stand for a church that im not sure of.
I hope this explains my situation a little better, im not trying to be demanding, i just dont want to flit from church to church any more, and the next time i want to make such a big step i want to make sure that its the right one.

deb

Aha! The plot thickens!

This changes things, the way I see it. While I know for a fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true Church of Jesus Christ (and anyone else can too if they want to know for themselves), and while I believe you shouldn't postpone joining yourself to it any longer than absolutely necessary, I can see complications to that that I didn't see before.

First, I know what a pain in-laws can be. Best not to invite any wrath if you don't have to. There's another thread around here somewhere about a guy who joined the Church and his wife didn't, and now there's a bit of tension between them. He says she's coming around, in that she is less hostile than she used to be about it, and the PrisonChaplain did a good job of giving us all an idea of what the wife's point of view must be.

So you've got a tightrope to walk here. I can see already that the Holy Spirit is testifying to you of the truth of the Gospel, and make no mistake, that should come first. But not yet having the gift of the Holy Spirit (and I can tell you as a convert what a TREMENDOUS difference that makes), joining the Church for you has GOT to be a little worrisome because you don't yet know that it is true, and most likely won't until after you've been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. For most people, it's a leap of faith. You jump in not knowing how you'll land, but trusting in God that you will land safely. We all do, of course, but going into it, you can't really tell how it will unfold. I had little to lose when I joined, but I was still a bit hesitant.

You've got bridges that may have to be burned, if you join the Church. Not because you want them burned, but because joining the Church has a way of making enemies for people in situations like yours. You won't be the one burning the bridges, but they will burn just the same. The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not it's worth it. I doubt you're going to know with the level of confidence I'd want in your situation until after you've gotten the gift of the Holy Spirit and had a few months to read scriptures, attend Church and General Conference, and pray. Doing all that without the gift of the Holy Spirit is not the same thing as doing it when you do have the gift of the Holy Spirit. There will come a point where you feel you have to make the decision. I wouldn't rush it if I were you. I'd keep diligently and earnestly investigating the Church if I were you, but I wouldn't take that big step until you're prepared to accept the persecution you may face for doing so. When you feel strongly enough about the Church to do that is a decision you have to make yourself. You're not ready yet. You need more time.

I would recommend you continue to sincerely investigate the Church, and if your father in law gives you any grief, perhaps you might explain that you're only trying to learn more about the Church, and that you haven't made any commitments to it. We commonly have non members use our genealogical research centers with no strings attached. Visitors are welcome, no obligations. We encourage people to hear our message, and we go to great lengths to make it available, but we're not out to wreck your husband's home. Any way you can ease the tension would be helpful to your own situation. Not much more I can say other than this:

Do what you think is right. The Holy Spirit (aka your conscience) will guide you. Have the courage to follow Him (the Holy Spirit), and if you lack courage, pray for it. Your situation is not easy, but God will be there for you.

[sjdean]

hello chet, is it possible to get more of a testimony without fully committing? i mean, if im not sure and cant make that leap of faith, is there anything besides living the WoW and reading scripture that can help? is there something that would bring me closer? would attending church services help?

sorry to deb for jumping into the thread... sounds like we have similar issues so one of us will get the answer.

[ryanmercer]

Demanding things from God rarely works. You have to have FAITH... saying "if lightning strikes that tree at 7 minutes before dawn on the 18th Sunday of the year, then I will worship you" is you trying to make an excuse not to believe... the same stands with the missionaries to your house thing.

You either want to be a believer or you don't. A character in a book I read a few weeks ago said something along the lines of "Miracles are only shown to those that have faith, those that lack faith claim they will believe if they see a miracle" the same principle applies here, you have to have faith and believe, you can't wait for some divine sign before you choose to believe. Religion ultimately boils down to one thing, faith.

[deblldo]

Hi,

thanks chet, i just dont want to rush into anything, i dont want it to turn into a another mistake, i dont want to bring my children along get them settled in just to drag them back out if its not where im meant to be. I want to be 100% certain myself that this is what i want to do before i get anyone else involved into my way of thinking. I guess i should just keep reading and praying and your right im sure there will come a time when i will have to make the descion, i just dont think im ready for that yet.

Hey simon i dont mind at all, i think you right we are both in the same boat! If you figure this out let me know, although i have a feeling its all going to come down to us jumping in feet first and trusting God. I will let you know when im ready lol!

Ryanmercer as i have said before i am not demading anything from God, i have already been a christian for 16 years, i am more than ready to take the next step in my faith whatever and where ever that may be. Some people when they want somthing bad enough jump in and the confirmation comes later, and although sometimes i wish i was a bit like that i'm not. I have a husband and 4 children to consider. So i will continue prayfully seeking out God's will for my life and that of my family, and when or if im sure then i will make my move.

I truly believe my heavenly father loves me and has guided me all through my life (even though there have been times i havnt listened). I dont think He will let me down now, its just that things happen in His time and not ours. I think im far too impatient. God probably knows im not ready and is waiting for the perfect time, or His answer to my prayer could be no this is not the church /denomination for me.

I think i have come full circle and have answered my own question ! Thankyou very much for all your help and advice, its nice to know i can come here and talk to you guys.

deb

[ryanmercer]

Originally Posted by deblldo

Hi,

thanks chet, i just dont want to rush into anything, i dont want it to turn into a another mistake, i dont want to bring my children along get them settled in just to drag them back out if its not where im meant to be. I want to be 100% certain myself that this is what i want to do before i get anyone else involved into my way of thinking. I guess i should just keep reading and praying and your right im sure there will come a time when i will have to make the descion, i just dont think im ready for that yet.

Hey simon i dont mind at all, i think you right we are both in the same boat! If you figure this out let me know, although i have a feeling its all going to come down to us jumping in feet first and trusting God. I will let you know when im ready lol!

Ryanmercer as i have said before i am not demading anything from God, i have already been a christian for 16 years, i am more than ready to take the next step in my faith whatever and where ever that may be. Some people when they want somthing bad enough jump in and the confirmation comes later, and although sometimes i wish i was a bit like that i'm not. I have a husband and 4 children to consider. So i will continue prayfully seeking out God's will for my life and that of my family, and when or if im sure then i will make my move.

I truly believe my heavenly father loves me and has guided me all through my life (even though there have been times i havnt listened). I dont think He will let me down now, its just that things happen in His time and not ours. I think im far too impatient. God probably knows im not ready and is waiting for the perfect time, or His answer to my prayer could be no this is not the church /denomination for me.

I think i have come full circle and have answered my own question ! Thankyou very much for all your help and advice, its nice to know i can come here and talk to you guys.

deb

Making a deal is making a demand.

[sjdean]

so what about promising to read three chapters of the bible if god helps you get home? what about the deal to get an answer if you read the book of mormon? umm sounds like deals to me.

i know the problem i have. i trust god implicitly but im less certain in putting my trust in various people or religious leaders. men are known to lie, cheat, deceive and be lead astray. there are many faiths. muslims believe they are correct, catholics think theyre correct, methodists, jehovas and so on.

how can i be sure whether what i feel about the church is of god? how can i be sure im not lying to myself? how can i be sure im not being obsessive, or just want to join a new clique?

each religion feels just as sure about theirs as the lds do about theirs. not coming from a religious background, these thoughts make me worry. i want to follow the lds faith but i need something to confirm that this is right.

[ryanmercer]

Originally Posted by sjdean

how can i be sure whether what i feel about the church is of god? how can i be sure im not lying to myself? how can i be sure im not being obsessive, or just want to join a new clique?

This is called FAITH.