If I wanted to become Mormon again?

[Prince_Hal]

What do you have to do to return to the Mormon Church once you’ve resigned? How do you resign from the Catholic Church?

First you need to go visit the Bishop or Branch President in the chapel that is closest to you. You will be welcomed. You will need to be interviewed by him to determine how you left, why you left and your current status.

So, were you excommunicated by the LDS church ? or put under any other discipline ? If so, then a church disciplinary council will be held for you, either by your bishop or the Stake President, all dependent upon whether you are male or female, temple endowed or not. It could be a long process if you were excommunicated, or if you left without having your name removed and then committed sin (e.g. “fornication”). It could be up to 1 year of faithful attendance without taking the sacrament, but paying your tithing (generally) before you can be re-baptised or if this is not needed, to have restrictions removed.

Your records and transcripts of any court that was held for you will be obtained from Salt Lake City and the bishop will make himself familiar with them before he can proceed.

Of course, the big question is why ? Mormonism is a religion based upon emotion and some very false doctrines. I am a mormon bishop who realised this and am going the other way - mormonism to Catholicism.

Feel free to discuss further - send me a message, or just browse. Mormonism is infinitely shallow compared to Catholicism.

God bless you in your search,

Hal.

 

[bacalzoLDS]

Wow! Mormonism infinitely shallow to Catholicism. You were a Bishop in the LDS church! I am glad you are happy in the Catholic church. If that is where you need to be then that’s great. I guess as a convert from Catholicism 10 years ago, I don’t have any inkling how you could be a Bishop and turn your back on LDS. From my perspective, as a former Catholic, there is SELF accountability in the LDS church. There are no Mormon police checking on you. If you feel like your life needs to be corrected or you need help, you need to request it and can take it or leave it. If you want to progress and want to learn there needs to be self accountability. If you don’t want accountability in the LDS church then you do what you want and don’t tell anybody which is damning to one’s own progression. I am not accusing you of anything. The self -accountability exists in the Catholic church. There are no Catholic police either. I have a desire to be self accountable in the LDS church. There was no motivation to be self accountable in the Catholic church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays. If you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance. If you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then? And vain repetitions? Infant baptism?

 

[twopekinguys]

I thought the answer to that was obvious. If you decide to join another church, you can no longer remain officially a member of the LDS Church; you either have to offer you resignation or be exed. In either case you would cease to remain a member of the LDS Church. You would not, however, be prevented from attending the LDS Church if you so wished; but you would not be enjoying the privilege of a baptized member.

Now I don’t know how strictly this rule is applied. It may be that some discretion is granted to the local leadership. If the local leadership feel inspired not to take action against such an individual, maybe they wouldn’t. I don’t know the answer to that for sure. But if the rule is strictly applied, then the answer to your question would be obvious.

Your first answer may have been obvious to you, but I wanted to make sure before I asked my question.

So how do you reconcile people on this board as well as other boards that claim to be practicing the LDS faith, and the Catholic faith? Do you agree that they should make a decision one way or the other?

Personally, I don’t care which an individual chooses, but I don’t think straddling the fence, and playing the odds is going to work for you in the end. If you want to be LDS, great, go for it, if you want to be Catholic or anything else, go for it. But be only one.

Again, I just wonder what you think of those on this board that claim to be practicing LDS and Catholic, or LDS and any other faith it may be.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Mormons a false church? I was raised Catholic, baptised as an infant in 1965 went to CCD religiously, first communion, confession at age 9, confirmation at 13. Did I read all the books they gave me as a kid and teen. Yes, all of them multiple times. Did I go to church every Sunday. Through some of college.

Your Catholic background does not make a truth out of Mormonism.

 

[reggieM]

I am a mormon bishop who realised this and am going the other way - mormonism to Catholicism.

That is very great news - thanks.

Mormonism is infinitely shallow compared to Catholicism.

It’s good to hear you say that. As one who has lived and studied the Catholic faith for some decades, and also living very close to the Mormon “Holy Land” of Palmyra, NY – I see the truth of what you’re saying the way that I see the sky is blue and water is wet. But hearing it from a newcomer is encouraging. You’re seeing the same thing and can say it in a matter-of-fact manner. *Infinitely *is the right word.
Thanks again, and wishing you many blessings on your journey.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Wow! Mormonism infinitely shallow to Catholicism. You were a Bishop in the LDS church! I am glad you are happy in the Catholic church. If that is where you need to be then that’s great. I guess as a convert from Catholicism 10 years ago, I don’t have any inkling how you could be a Bishop and turn your back on LDS. From my perspective, as a former Catholic, there is SELF accountability in the LDS church. There are no Mormon police checking on you. If you feel like your life needs to be corrected or you need help, you need to request it and can take it or leave it. If you want to progress and want to learn there needs to be self accountability. If you don’t want accountability in the LDS church then you do what you want and don’t tell anybody which is damning to one’s own progression. I am not accusing you of anything. The self -accountability exists in the Catholic church. There are no Catholic police either. I have a desire to be self accountable in the LDS church. There was no motivation to be self accountable in the Catholic church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays. If you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance. If you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then? And vain repetitions? Infant baptism?

“Self accountable” what do mean by that? You mention CCD as something related to self accountability and I just don’t get it. CCD is run by the parish and kids have to go (usually) in order to receive the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation. How can something required contribute to “self accountability”? From my perspective the LDS church is the opposite of “self accountability”. Home/visiting teaching, required Sunday school and priesthood/relief society meetings, primary, seminary, temple recommend interviews, tithing settlements. How is that in anyway self accountable? In all of it you are accountable to church, not self.

 

[bacalzoLDS]

No one makes me do any of those things. If you think I am forced to do those, you are wrong. Maybe you felt forced to be a RM, EQP, go to Primary, etc. I wasn’t raised LDS. I converted at 34. I choose to do those things. I am accountable to no one but myself. II can do the wrong thing, but I suffer the consequences. If you felt constrained by being Mormon, I can understand why being a Sunday church attender w/ occaisional confession is more appealing. As a former LDS Bishop and High Priest, you of all people know that the things LDS do are not forced up on them, nor are they a way to check up on you. I am sorry you felt pressured, if that is the case.

CCD was expected. It was a means to indoctrinate the young just like LDS primary. Reconcilliation, Confirmation is expected from Catholics just like LDS ordinances such as baptism. After my baptism at 34, it was my choice to be active (VT, meetings, tithing). I wasn’t forced into anything. I wasn’t avoiding punishment. I feel the consequences of not paying tithing, not doing VT, attending meetings. I forgo blessing. The accountability I feel is w/in my self. Why did I do the Catholic thing? To avoid being punished. WWhat did I get out of going to church on Sundays? Not anywhere close to what I get from being active LDS.

I think those raised in the LDS church felt the same way about the LDS church as I felt about the Catholics. I have heard those raised LDS for generations say the very same thing about the LDS church. They were going on a Mission, seminary, Institute, attending the temple because it was expected and they didn’t want to be punished.

Guess we will have to wait til we are dead to find out if the Mormons or Catholics are right or some other denomination. In the meantime. YOu will be the Catholic former Mormon and I will be the Mormon and former Catholic and we will both be happy where we are and will have to agree to disagree.

 

[bacalzoLDS]

Quote: Teach them proper principles and let them govern themselves.

The quote did not say, Teach them proper principles then force it upon them, tell them it is required and threaten w/punishment.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Wow! Mormonism infinitely shallow to Catholicism. You were a Bishop in the LDS church! I am glad you are happy in the Catholic church. If that is where you need to be then that’s great. I guess as a convert from Catholicism 10 years ago, I don’t have any inkling how you could be a Bishop and turn your back on LDS. From my perspective, as a former Catholic, there is SELF accountability in the LDS church. There are no Mormon police checking on you. If you feel like your life needs to be corrected or you need help, you need to request it and can take it or leave it. If you want to progress and want to learn there needs to be self accountability. If you don’t want accountability in the LDS church then you do what you want and don’t tell anybody which is damning to one’s own progression. I am not accusing you of anything. The self -accountability exists in the Catholic church. There are no Catholic police either. I have a desire to be self accountable in the LDS church. There was no motivation to be self accountable in the Catholic church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays. If you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance. If you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then? And vain repetitions? Infant baptism?

I can see you weren’t listening in CCD or at Mass either:tsktsk:

 

[zaffiroborant]

No one makes me do any of those things. If you think I am forced to do those, you are wrong. Maybe you felt forced to be a RM, EQP, go to Primary, etc. I wasn’t raised LDS. I converted at 34. I choose to do those things. I am accountable to no one but myself. II can do the wrong thing, but I suffer the consequences. If you felt constrained by being Mormon, I can understand why being a Sunday church attender w/ occaisional confession is more appealing. As a former LDS Bishop and High Priest, you of all people know that the things LDS do are not forced up on them, nor are they a way to check up on you. I am sorry you felt pressured, if that is the case.

CCD was expected. It was a means to indoctrinate the young just like LDS primary. Reconcilliation, Confirmation is expected from Catholics just like LDS ordinances such as baptism. After my baptism at 34, it was my choice to be active (VT, meetings, tithing). I wasn’t forced into anything. I wasn’t avoiding punishment. I feel the consequences of not paying tithing, not doing VT, attending meetings. I forgo blessing. The accountability I feel is w/in my self. Why did I do the Catholic thing? To avoid being punished. WWhat did I get out of going to church on Sundays? Not anywhere close to what I get from being active LDS.

I think those raised in the LDS church felt the same way about the LDS church as I felt about the Catholics. I have heard those raised LDS for generations say the very same thing about the LDS church. They were going on a Mission, seminary, Institute, attending the temple because it was expected and they didn’t want to be punished.

Guess we will have to wait til we are dead to find out if the Mormons or Catholics are right or some other denomination. In the meantime. YOu will be the Catholic former Mormon and I will be the Mormon and former Catholic and we will both be happy where we are and will have to agree to disagree.

To make things clear I am not the former bishop I am a life long Catholic. And I just don’t understand what are you talking about when you say “self accountability”???

As to the rest you say none of those things are required, I know those who would disagree, starting with my former neighbors. Tithing for instance, no ex-communicant is going to be re-baptized without paying it. Nor will you get a TR unless you lie in order to obtain it, so you won’t be able to see friends and family get married for instance. What was that you were saying about punishment?

Again could you please explain just what you’re talking about when you use the phrase “self accountable”?

 

[ParkerD]

Hi, folks,
I just thought it would be good to point out that Catholic20064 has clarified why he wrote his question, and he was asking because of his wife and never intended to show any interest in re-joining the Mormon Church.

 

[Religio71]

Wow! Mormonism infinitely shallow to Catholicism. You were a Bishop in the LDS church! I am glad you are happy in the Catholic church. If that is where you need to be then that’s great. I guess as a convert from Catholicism 10 years ago, I don’t have any inkling how you could be a Bishop and turn your back on LDS. From my perspective, as a former Catholic, there is SELF accountability in the LDS church. There are no Mormon police checking on you. If you feel like your life needs to be corrected or you need help, you need to request it and can take it or leave it. If you want to progress and want to learn there needs to be self accountability. If you don’t want accountability in the LDS church then you do what you want and don’t tell anybody which is damning to one’s own progression. I am not accusing you of anything. The self -accountability exists in the Catholic church. There are no Catholic police either. I have a desire to be self accountable in the LDS church. There was no motivation to be self accountable in the Catholic church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays. If you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance. If you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then? And vain repetitions? Infant baptism?

bacalzo, from this post, it is clear that, despite frequently referring to your being a former Catholic, and all the hours you spent in CCD, etc., you might not have been paying attention. For example:

-“there was no motivation to be self accountable in the Cathoic Church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays”

-“if you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance.”

-“if you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then?”

-“and vain repetitions? infant baptism?”

I suggest you reread Catholic theology before commenting on it, as the above comments are not actual Catholic belief or practice.

 

[zerinus]

Your first answer may have been obvious to you, but I wanted to make sure before I asked my question.

So how do you reconcile people on this board as well as other boards that claim to be practicing the LDS faith, and the Catholic faith? Do you agree that they should make a decision one way or the other?

Personally, I don’t care which an individual chooses, but I don’t think straddling the fence, and playing the odds is going to work for you in the end. If you want to be LDS, great, go for it, if you want to be Catholic or anything else, go for it. But be only one.

Again, I just wonder what you think of those on this board that claim to be practicing LDS and Catholic, or LDS and any other faith it may be.

I assume you are referring to why me. I don’t know his situation very well. I am not sure that he is officially a member of the LDS Church. But his daughters are Mormons, and he sees the good influence it has on them, and he supports them in the choice of their religion. He is knowledgeable about the Church, and is sympathetic towards it. He seems to attend the LDS Church occasionally with his family, and he defends it when he feels that it is being unfairly attacked—and does a good job of it too. I don’t see a problem with that, and neither would the Church.

 

[twopekinguys]

I assume you are referring to why me. I don’t know his situation very well. I am not sure that he is officially a member of the LDS Church. But his daughters are Mormons, and he sees the good influence it has on them, and he supports them in the choice of their religion. He is knowledgeable about the Church, and is sympathetic towards it. He seems to attend the LDS Church occasionally with his family, and he defends it when he feels that it is being unfairly attacked—and does a good job of it too. I don’t see a problem with that, and neither would the Church.

Why me is/was one. (I haven’t seen him around for a while), but there have been others. I know he has talked about receiving sacrament at the LDS church and receiving communion in the Catholic church both. Wouldn’t that pose a problem?

 

[Catholic20064]

Why me is/was one. (I haven’t seen him around for a while), but there have been others. I know he has talked about receiving sacrament at the LDS church and receiving communion in the Catholic church both. Wouldn’t that pose a problem?

Mormons even allow non-Mormons to take the sacrament as long as they haven’t resigned or been ex’d. It should be a problem for his priest.

 

[ricko]

bacalzo, from this post, it is clear that, despite frequently referring to your being a former Catholic, and all the hours you spent in CCD, etc., you might not have been paying attention. For example:

-“there was no motivation to be self accountable in the Cathoic Church except to the extent of going to CCD until you are 12 and then attending Holy Days and Sundays”

-“if you sinned you said your Hail Mary’s or Our Fathers. That is not true repentance.”

-“if you committed a mortal sin you are damned to purgatory. What is the point of repenting then?”

-“and vain repetitions? infant baptism?”

I suggest you reread Catholic theology before commenting on it, as the above comments are not actual Catholic belief or practice.

I was going to say the same thing. For all the reading he did it looks like it didn’t sink in.

Bacalzo, it’s too bad you got upset for someone stating that the LDS is a false religion. What do you expect anyone to say about a religion that started from a man (not Jesus) sticking his head in a hat with a magic stone?

 

[zerinus]

Why me is/was one.

Like I said, I don’t know his situation very well. I know that he was originally a Catholic who converted to Mormonism; then he reverted back to Catholicism. Now I don’t know whether he is still officially a member of the LDS Church or not. But from LDS point of view attending two different churches is not a prolem.

(I haven’t seen him around for a while), but there have been others.

I don’t know of any others. It all depends on their individual circumstances.

I know he has talked about receiving sacrament at the LDS church and receiving communion in the Catholic church both. Wouldn’t that pose a problem?

That would depend on his situation, which I don’t know. But from our point of view an investigator can partake of the sacrament; it is not a problem.