any former mormons out there?

[artist3189]

Even if this debate is over, I want to put in my two cents. I am currently a catholic, but have decided to become LDS. Why? Because I have looked for the fullness of the gospel and I have found it in the LDS church. Why is that? I used to go to the oldest Catholic Church in my city, say the rosary almost daily, go to Mass at least 2x’s a week, praying Marian devotions morning, the Angelus at noon, and I also prayed with traditional images. I was an altar server, because there was hardly anyone who ever went to that beautiful church. I fully believed history was totally on the side of the Catholic Church, the 1 billion+ hammer of the Faith smashing the false religions of the world, and I even believed that Mormons were damnable heretics. But then my eyes were opened. I saw the South Park episode “All About Mormons” (dum dum dum dum dum) (Also, I know it’s a vulgar show but my roommate was watching it & since I am at college it was kind of hard not to, having just a dorm room). I thought, “How could Mormons believe this stuff? Joseph Smith must have been the best con ever!” Well, boy, did God have a surprise in store for me. I was in the library over the weekend looking for writings by the Church fathers in Latin (classics major to read, and as I was walking down the shelves a copy of the Book of Mormon caught my eye. I picked it up, expecting to start howling with laughter. Instead, I was shocked. This wasn’t a silly little frontiersman piece of Injun literature. This was a strange book. Before I looked at my watch again I’d gotten to 2 Nephi. I was shaking. Could this church, the Mormons, those crazy smiling Mormons, actually be right? So I checked out the copy and read, read, and researched. I had no idea that the Trinity was not taught in the Apostolic Age, but only in the mid-Ante-Nicene period. I thought the Bible supported original sin, not that Augustine, who allegorized and de-vitalized the Bible with his Manichaeism, had. I was scared. Was this the true Church? So I went to the Newman center, to ask some theological questions. I did not want the LDS church to be true. I hoped it was the silly false cult I’d thought it was. But when the Catholic brother who I was talking to learned what I had been reading, he really let it all out. He told me that I didn’t need to think whether this was true or not, that this book and that the LDS church was so false, it defied all description. His face was almost contorted when he talked about how twisted, how sick the Mormons and their beliefs were. Well, with that display of pure, holy, apostolic Christianity, I was really impressed. And then as I thought about Church history, I realized how violent Catholic/Orthodox history was. Those great ecumenical councils, filled with riots in the streets incited by Bishops, those revered Saints of “true” trinitarian belief attacking one another, scheming, name calling, using political intrigue. If that was the Church that Jesus ran and had decided was his Church, well then screw Jesus. But maybe not. Maybe there was a peace, a middle church, a church that led its members to plateaus of spirituality with the voice of the Good Shepherd calling His lost sheep unto Him. And so the next week I went to a Mormon ward. I was shaking as I walked in the door, scared to death. And guess what? It was a general meeting. No one was there, but these two nice guys, one a recent convert from the Catholic church and another a guy from Finland, were there to gather some materials to take to the meeting. I talked to them for a couple of minutes, and gave them my phone number to give to the missionaries. Really, the kindness LDS show is so genuine and heartfelt. I remembered once when I went to a summer science program one of the grad students helping us was the nicest guy, and he was LDS. I remember that me and three other guys drove to RI on the last day of the program when all the students went to the beach, and we had a great discussion about religion and science and I didn’t realize he was Mormon until one of the guys asked what LDS meant. He never pushed his beliefs on us, never bashed our beliefs (2 catholics, 1 atheist jew). So, I’ve been meeting with the missionaries for about three months now, but my parents have been really upset about it. The family issue has been tough. Study the Book of Mormon. You’ll be amazed at what it contains.

Sorry, I’m not buying this drivel, this sounds very fishy to me… this is the ol’ reverse, I was one of ‘you’ but now I’m one of ‘them’, so my story has more weight and truth, yeah, OK. There is never a shortage on weak minded idiots. Why not try reading Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard, that has 'amazing, fantastic things in it too, maybe you’ll be a Scientologists next time around. I don’t think anyone should waste time replying to this.

 

[zerinus]

That was my first instinct – Catholic miles really doesn’t exist.
Is there a way to find out if Catholic miles, Wademann and Zerinius are all the same person?

I think that you are going out of your mind. Pretty soon you are going to believe that you don’t exist.

zerinus

 

[artist3189]

I think that you are going out of your mind. Pretty soon you are going to believe that you don’t exist.

zerinus

OK ‘ARALIS’ boy, do you really exist?

 

[artist3189]

But what really brought me to realize this is the right church is perhaps the strangest thing in the world: my class comparing the Tanakh with other Ancient Near Eastern texts. I was astounded to learn that there is a large consensus among scholars that the original Hebrew religion was monolatry (worshipping one god but not denying the existence of others, “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Cor. 8:5-6) that God had a wife in their original belief system, that God was most definitely anthropomorphic, that the Greco-“Christian” concept of a God was totally un-imaginable to the anicent Hebrews (just read the Old and New Testament, yeah, that’s a God who has no passion or parts), that creation ex nihilo was never a part of Judaism or Christianity until they were hellenicized, and then also through my own independent study of the Disciplina arcani, I realized that these scholarly arguments, grounded in real history and not neo-platonic theology (or “orthodox” theology, there the same thing) that these facts about the real beliefs of the Israelite nation would KILL the Catholics, Baptists, Jews, Methodists, Orthodox, etc. These are real conclusions formed through real research by real scholars. But do they make a dent on the LDS church? Not a bit. In the 13th article of Faith, Joseph Smith wrote, " If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praisworthy, we seek after these things." I’d say 150 years of solid scholarly research would be “of good report.” And to think an ignorant New York frontiersman, with a 3rd grade education, came forth and brought these truths to light before all these things were known, now, if that doesn’t make him a prophet, I don’t know what does. But then, I did what the missionaries told me to, to go and ask if these things were true, and guess what, I did. And now I bear my solemn testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith brought in the Restoration and is a true prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is a true record of the ancient inhabitants of America, and that Heavenly Father does have a plan for all of us. I do say this, in the name of the one and only, living Son of God, Jesus the Christ. I didn’t have a burning in the bosom. The Holy Ghost told me the truth of all things by opening my mind and making me receptive of the truth. Mormonism makes it all fit. This is my testimony. I’m not a member yet, and I’m not telling you to listen to me. Ask your Father about these things, don’t appeal to anyone else but him. Blessings,
Lawrence ( I go to an unaffiliated college (Boston U.) and the class has as its working assumption that religion is a social construct, not any religion presented there.)

Hey, Catholic_Miles, zerinus, et al, and all other minions of Mormon lier’s and their lies, here’s one for ya, why not try this for a while…trade in you old cult of needy, weak minded fools for a new one, get in on the ground floor this time.

msnbc.msn.com/id/16840066/site/newsweek/

 

[truthsilence]

Catholic_Miles,

Yes, if you’re looking for “nice people” and you can somehow get your head buried far enough into the sand, then perhaps Mormonism is the way to go. If you’re looking for Jesus Christ, don’t think you’ll truly find him in the LDS church.

After a little while of attending their “worship services” you’ll realize they’re not worshipping Jesus Christ at all.

You’ll hear this alot:
“Iknowthischurchistrue.nameofjeezchrisamen”

And to conclude almost every prayer, given by child or adult, you’ll hear this:
“nameofjeezchrisamen”

God opened my eyes and heart and led me out of Mormonism. You can find nice people anywhere. I’m nice, and I’m Catholic.

God be with you.

 

[truthsilence]

I had no idea that the Trinity was not taught in the Apostolic Age, but only in the mid-Ante-Nicene period

What time period was the “Apostolic Age”? I’m assuming you mean before the last Apostle mentioned in the Bible, died? I’m just wondering where you get all your information about what was being taught then. From the Bible?

Catholic_Miles, are you willing to throw out everything the Bible has to say about God always having been God? (what “time period” was always?) Or are you willing to accept that God was once a man who progressed to Godhood?

I sincerely want to know.

 

[artist3189]

What time period was the “Apostolic Age”? I’m assuming you mean before the last Apostle mentioned in the Bible, died?

Catholic_Miles, are you willing to throw out everything the Bible has to say about God always having been God? (what “time period” was always?) Or are you willing to accept that God was once a man who progressed to Godhood?

I sincerely want to know.

truthsilence, can you explain something for me, I really don’t understand that much about Mormon theology and maybe you can help. If ‘god’ was first a ‘man’, and men are finite, created, beings of a earthly nature, how did the ‘man’ get here before he became ‘god’. Did he create himself, or is there another creator ‘god’, similar to Gnostic beliefs, or was ‘man’ always around? This really confuses me. If ‘man’ progressed into ‘god’, were there other ‘men’, also progressing at the same time into, ‘god’ or ‘gods’? Or is there one main ‘god’? But where did the first ‘man’ come from? Nothingness, the cosmos, he just came into being, I can’t understand this? Maybe you can clear this up rather than the others. Thanks

 

[Allweather]

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is all about polygamy. The Morons have their multiplicity of Gods and heresies, and their constipated minds, and whatnot. But in the final analysis, the thing that will turn people off to them is polygamy. I’m tellin’ ya. The little boy Mormons love polygamy. The little girl Mormons don’t, and it is as simple as that.

If we can keep polygamy in front of them, then the little girl Mormons, and the little girl investigatores, will avoid Mormonism, and for sure, where the little girls go, the little boys will follow.

Well, except for the Koolaide drinkers like Zerinus. They probably don’t date much anyway.

 

[truthsilence]

truthsilence, can you explain something for me, I really don’t understand that much about Mormon theology and maybe you can help. If ‘god’ was first a ‘man’, and men are finite, created, beings of a earthly nature, how did the ‘man’ get here before he became ‘god’. Did he create himself, or is there another creator ‘god’, similar to Gnostic beliefs, or was ‘man’ always around? This really confuses me. If ‘man’ progressed into ‘god’, were there other ‘men’, also progressing at the same time into, ‘god’ or ‘gods’? Or is there one main ‘god’? But where did the first ‘man’ come from? Nothingness, the cosmos, he just came into being, I can’t understand this? Maybe you can clear this up rather than the others. Thanks

Artist,

If I could have cleared that up, believe it or not, I would possibly still be LDS. And still longing for this Jesus that the Bible spoke about; but I would never come to know.

Even with allllll the other things that made no sense: problems with the translation of the BOA, evidence and translation problems with the BOM, Polygamy issues, (topped off by JS hiding his participation and even lying to his wife about it for so long), Blacks not allowed to hold the Priesthood, Gordon B Hinckley’s denial of doctrines that I knew were still being taught, and most of all feeling absolutely dead in sacrament meeting;… This one doctrine, (back to your question) was the absolute clencher for me. I knew it was a false teaching by a so-called Prophet of God. Even GBH must know it is false doctrine, because he denied it was “still taught” or that he even “knew that much about it”. sigh I guess that’s the beauty of “continuing revelation”. You can even change the very eternal nature of God and its somehow ok.

The way you asked pretty much answers your own question. Bible aside, it still makes no sense. Sorry.

 

[artist3189]

Artist,

If I could have cleared that up, believe it or not, I would possibly still be LDS. And still longing for this Jesus that the Bible spoke about; but I would never come to know.

Even with allllll the other things that made no sense: problems with the translation of the BOA, evidence and translation problems with the BOM, Polygamy issues, (topped off by JS hiding his participation and even lying to his wife about it for so long), Blacks not allowed to hold the Priesthood, Gordon B Hinckley’s denial of doctrines that I knew were still being taught, and most of all feeling absolutely dead in sacrament meeting;… This one doctrine, (back to your question) was the absolute clencher for me. I knew it was a false teaching by a so-called Prophet of God. Even GBH must know it is false doctrine, because he denied it was “still taught” or that he even “knew that much about it”. sigh I guess that’s the beauty of “continuing revelation”. You can even change the very eternal nature of God and its somehow ok.

The way you asked pretty much answers your own question. Bible aside, it still makes no sense. Sorry.

WOW…this makes me sad to read this, I may come off sometimes a little pushy with Z and the others but I really feel sad for them…BUT I’m sooo glad to see you found the answers, and I have a big smile on my face right now, for you

 

[truthsilence]

Artist,

I’ll see what I can find that might actually *answer *your question. Sorry for the rant. I can see you were looking for a theological explanation. I don’t remember alot of details, possibly because there arent any.

 

[artist3189]

Artist,

I’ll see what I can find that might actually *answer *your question. Sorry for the rant. I can see you were looking for a theological explanation. I don’t remember alot of details, possibly because there arent any.

Don’t go through all that trouble, I am SURE we’ll get blasted by the ‘minions’ with all kinds of gobble-de-gook soon enough. Don’t worry about it, I was just wondering out loud.

 

[JonathanKinsman]

All that that proves is that you do not have the testimony of the Holy Ghost, have never experienced it, do not believe in and have no faith in it, and therefore cannot understand how anybody else can. You call it “feelings” because you have never experienced it, and have no other way to describe it. But those who have experienced it know that it reveals to them the truth, and cannot be shaken.

zeirnus

Sorry, Zerinus, but the testimony of the Holy Spirit told me that your sect is bogus.

Catholic miles is NOT a Catholic.

Watch. I will address him in Latin (remember, he said he reads it)

 

[truthsilence]

WOW…this makes me sad to read this, I may come off sometimes a little pushy with Z and the others but I really feel sad for them…BUT I’m sooo glad to see you found the answers, and I have a big smile on my face right now, for you

Thank you so much. That made me smile too!

(Ok, I won’t spend alot of time looking for theological explanations).

God Bless,
ts

■ “In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 349).

 

[wademann]

I had gained a lot of respect and understanding for the catholic church, by reading this forum. This thread is sad and reflects poorly on all catholics. If this is a reflection of most catholics, I would think that we will continue to have an easy time of converting more of them. The ex mormons seem to be the most venomous, which is sad. I’m glad, that in their current state of mind, they are not in my church anymore. With that kind of attitude I can see why they might not have fit in.

 

[christianley]

I had gained a lot of respect and understanding for the catholic church, by reading this forum. This thread is sad and reflects poorly on all catholics. If this is a reflection of most catholics, I would think that we will continue to have an easy time of converting more of them. The ex mormons seem to be the most venomous, which is sad. I’m glad, that in their current state of mind, they are not in my church anymore. With that kind of attitude I can see why they might not have fit in.

Well Wademann, look at the videos and the book I suggested. The claims of the Mormon Church just can’t be defended when it comes to the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham. All of the evidence is against it. I have known a lot of Catholics who have converted to Mormonism briefly and then converted back to Catholicism. The claims of the Mormon Church simply don’t hold water. Believing that Native Americans are descendents of Hebrews is almost like believing America was settled by space aliens.

 

[Brad_Haas]

I had gained a lot of respect and understanding for the catholic church, by reading this forum. This thread is sad and reflects poorly on all catholics. If this is a reflection of most catholics, I would think that we will continue to have an easy time of converting more of them. The ex mormons seem to be the most venomous, which is sad. I’m glad, that in their current state of mind, they are not in my church anymore. With that kind of attitude I can see why they might not have fit in.

I find it hard to believe that internet discussion board participants are representative of any religious group.

 

[majick275]

I had gained a lot of respect and understanding for the catholic church, by reading this forum. This thread is sad and reflects poorly on all catholics. If this is a reflection of most catholics, I would think that we will continue to have an easy time of converting more of them. The ex mormons seem to be the most venomous, which is sad. I’m glad, that in their current state of mind, they are not in my church anymore. With that kind of attitude I can see why they might not have fit in.

Mormons want converts. thus they paint anyone who steadfastly says they are wrong as anti-mormon hate mongers. Catholics who stand up for their faith do not reflect poorly on their religion. I have to ask is this sour grapes or reverse psychology? either way it won’t work. The reason the former LDS here are so energetic is that we KNOW exactly what is going on there. we know what was taught, what is taught, how it gets “spun”, what the conversion “tricks” are, etc. I don’t think it wrong at all to say the LDS church is wrong. it was NOT founded by God, it does NOT teach what God taught us nor will it lead anyone to heaven. I think it my duty to God and my fellow humans to warn people away form it. I believe it is spiritual peril to do otherwise. We are also glad we are not in that church anymore and obviously our attitudes don’t “fit” in the mormon church. No one who believes in and worships the one true God in his own personally established church would. All I ask is for some thorough study on the part of the mormons so that at least there is a chance for God to show you the truth. I want you in Gods church regardless of your attitude or how you “fit” in because I know God loves you and his church can literally save your soul. I want A and Z and wademan and all the rest of you to spend eternity in heaven with God enjoying all the blessings he has to offer and I know that can’t happen if you stay in the LDS church.

repent and be baptized

 

[christianley]

Mormons want converts. thus they paint anyone who steadfastly says they are wrong as anti-mormon hate mongers. Catholics who stand up for their faith do not reflect poorly on their religion. I have to ask is this sour grapes or reverse psychology? either way it won’t work. The reason the former LDS here are so energetic is that we KNOW exactly what is going on there. we know what was taught, what is taught, how it gets “spun”, what the conversion “tricks” are, etc. I don’t think it wrong at all to say the LDS church is wrong. it was NOT founded by God, it does NOT teach what God taught us nor will it lead anyone to heaven. I think it my duty to God and my fellow humans to warn people away form it. I believe it is spiritual peril to do otherwise. We are also glad we are not in that church anymore and obviously our attitudes don’t “fit” in the mormon church. No one who believes in and worships the one true God in his own personally established church would. All I ask is for some thorough study on the part of the mormons so that at least there is a chance for God to show you the truth. I want you in Gods church regardless of your attitude or how you “fit” in because I know God loves you and his church can literally save your soul. I want A and Z and wademan and all the rest of you to spend eternity in heaven with God enjoying all the blessings he has to offer and I know that can’t happen if you stay in the LDS church.

repent and be baptized

I would have more patience with Mormons if this were just a matter of theological differences, but what they teach about the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham are easily shown to be false. The videos and book I have linked to in my previous post convincingly demonstrate this. They are not even questions that serious people can debate at this point in time because the evidence is in. I have real impatience with people who willingly ignore the truth.

 

[Allweather]

I had gained a lot of respect and understanding for the catholic church, by reading this forum. This thread is sad and reflects poorly on all catholics. If this is a reflection of most catholics, I would think that we will continue to have an easy time of converting more of them. The ex mormons seem to be the most venomous, which is sad. I’m glad, that in their current state of mind, they are not in my church anymore. With that kind of attitude I can see why they might not have fit in.

Here’s what really makes you sad, wademan: we are muscular Catholics. We know our faith. A Catholic who knows his faith is immune to the mental meanderings of mormonic midgets. The only “Catholics” you Mormons convert are faith weaklings, not catechised, not spiritually guided, not grounded in the True Faith that Jesus established upon the Apostles. And, based on my observations, many of these are people with serious psychological malfunctions which, combined with their faith weakness, makes them particularly vulnerable to the various blasphemous teachings of Mormonism, and of the other cults. Don’t forget, wademan, you’re locked in competition with the JWs, too. You know? The other door-knocker cult?