In need of help.

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Grafy,

God created you and will not abandon you. Stay with him. Set time aside every day and pray. Read Holy Scripture everyday. Go to your preist. If you do not have a good one go to another parish.

The devil does not attack most people directly. He convinces people that their personal truth is the truth of the Lord. At this moment the Devil knows that your faith is weakened and he will continue to lead you astray. You need a solid Catholic support group that understands the Bible and the Churches teachings.

Get involved in your Church if you are not already. You probably hear many things negative things about the Catholic Faith; however, do you hear the good. The Catholic Faith has been the largest charity organization in the world for centuries. We started the university system and the rule of law. We have over 20 priest deemed fathers of science. The Church was the first to create orphanges and hospitals and funded them for centuries. Many people post items that are negative about our faith out of ignorance. Hitler’s Pope is nonsence and has been proven as a Protestant lie. Luther was part of the murder of 100,000 people. Calvin murdered or excommunicated over 6 percent of the people living in Geneva. (What is worse the misuse of an indulgence or the murder of a person.) Calvin’s murders were often in barbaric ways. The Church is based upon love. Ignore anyone that tries to tell you different as they just do not know the facts.
 
Honestly I think the best way to become reconciled with god is study, prayer and practice. Study Christs word each night, start with prayer, pray for guidance, write down insights/inspirations, seek ways to practice what you learn from him each day. He truly is the way, the truth, and the life. Put your trust in him, strive to do your part and he will take care of the rest.
 
Jash said:
Perhaps god is pushing you onto a different path? Following this post I imagine there will be a lot of anti-mormon sentiments expressed. However, for me The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provides clear understandable answers to those questions. I know who god is. I know what I must do to return to his presence.
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So does every Catholic.

Jash, Catholicism isn’t like Mormonism where people are discouraged from learning about other faiths. I see nothing wrong with someone checking out Mormonism. And there is nothing wrong with you stating what you believe, but you should be careful not to encourage Catholics to leave their faith because it is against forum rules.

But the OP should also heed the advice to learn their own faith. One shouldn’t change to a false religion just because it “feels” good. Be careful of any religion or belief system that works by telling YOU what YOUR emotions mean.

And please read Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth
 
Jash said:
Honestly I think the best way to become reconciled with god is study, prayer and practice. Study Christs word each night, start with prayer, pray for guidance, write down insights/inspirations, seek ways to practice what you learn from him each day. He truly is the way, the truth, and the life. Put your trust in him, strive to do your part and he will take care of the rest.
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Jash: great advice, but again, as a Mormon–to whom do you look for authority? By your quote above, it would seem you look to Jesus Christ. How do you explain the divergance from authentic/historic Christianity in what you believe? What does your church teach about authority?
 
grafy;:
I have always had concerns with aspects of the church and its beliefs.
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a) Make a list of what you do believe. Be inclusive. List everything you believe that Christianity represents, or is;
b) Write at least one page for each item on the list stating why you believe those things;
c) Find at least ten pericopes in the Bible that support each item on that list, that you believe;
d) Find at least five more pericopes that cover each item on that list;

e) Make a list of the aspects of the church that you have concerns with;
f) Find at least ten pericopes in the Bible that cover those concerns;

g) Now dig up a copy of the Official Catholic Catechism. Go thru it, looking at each of the aspects of the church that you have concerns with.
h) Compare the list of pericopes you constructed, that dealt with those concerns, and the pericopes that are provides in the Catechism. Carefully study each pericope;

k) Write two ten pages essays for each concern. These essays are to take opposite sides of the concern. Both essays must be able to convince others that they advocate the theologically “correct” viewpoint.

l) If you still have concerns, write an essay outlining each issue within the concern, how the material you have has not satisfied the concern. Also explain what else is needed for the concern to be resolved.

m) Now, you can make an appointment with your local priest, giving him a copy of the essays you have written.
Has anyone been in this situation before?
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Yes.
How can I better understand ?
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Knowing why one believes what one believes is the usual first step.

xan

jonathon
 
Steven1620 said:
Jash: great advice, but again, as a Mormon–to whom do you look for authority? By your quote above, it would seem you look to Jesus Christ. How do you explain the divergance from authentic/historic Christianity in what you believe? What does your church teach about authority?
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To whom we look for authority:
To understand our view of authority you must first understand we believe in different levels of authority. For all levels of priesthood authority we look to Jesus Christ who bestowed priesthood authority necessary to lead his church to the Apostles.

My explanation:
I reiterate that these Apostles held all the keys (or authority) necessary to guide the church on the earth. Over time, a portion of
these keys were granted to bishops as the church grew. Bishops received only those keys necessary to lead the church in their respective areas. This would not have included keys necessary for church as a whole. (such as the authority to ordain new apostles or to receive revelation for the church as the original twelve did.) As the Apostles were slowly killed and new ones not ordained this overall authority was slowly lost. The result: Good men with authority to lead the church in their respective areas striving to do their best but subject to their frailties. Without the direct authority of a prophet who could say “Thus saith the lord.” These men were forced to rely on individual revelation and reason to try to lead the church. This obviously led to differences of opinion (given the many ways scriptural verse may be interpreted.) Differences of opinion in turn gave way to councils on what the whole church’s true doctrine was. The councils lead to compromise and compromise lead to the evolved definitions of deity we see today. This gradual deviation from truth is what we refer to as apostasy.

We teach all the authority necessary to organize and lead the church of Jesus Christ by revelation was restored by Jesus Christ through Peter, James, and John. These three visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery along the Susquehanna River as resurrected beings in 1829. They bestowed their authority to Joseph and Oliver and the church was officially organized in 1830.

Long response but you did ask. And please save all the rebuttles, I’ve seen them already. I’m merely answering Steven1620’s question. This is by no means meant as an attack on anyone’s beliefs. Simply an explanation of what we believe and why.
 
Jash said:
To whom we look for authority:
To understand our view of authority you must first understand we believe in different levels of authority. For all levels of priesthood authority we look to Jesus Christ who bestowed priesthood authority necessary to lead his church to the Apostles.

My explanation:
I reiterate that these Apostles held all the keys (or authority) necessary to guide the church on the earth. Over time, a portion of
these keys were granted to bishops as the church grew. Bishops received only those keys necessary to lead the church in their respective areas. This would not have included keys necessary for church as a whole. (such as the authority to ordain new apostles or to receive revelation for the church as the original twelve did.) As the Apostles were slowly killed and new ones not ordained this overall authority was slowly lost. The result: Good men with authority to lead the church in their respective areas striving to do their best but subject to their frailties. Without the direct authority of a prophet who could say “Thus saith the lord.” These men were forced to rely on individual revelation and reason to try to lead the church. This obviously led to differences of opinion (given the many ways scriptural verse may be interpreted.) Differences of opinion in turn gave way to councils on what the whole church’s true doctrine was. The councils lead to compromise and compromise lead to the evolved definitions of deity we see today. This gradual deviation from truth is what we refer to as apostasy.

We teach all the authority necessary to organize and lead the church of Jesus Christ by revelation was restored by Jesus Christ through Peter, James, and John. These three visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery along the Susquehanna River as resurrected beings in 1829. They bestowed their authority to Joseph and Oliver and the church was officially organized in 1830.

Long response but you did ask. And please save all the rebuttles, I’ve seen them already. I’m merely answering Steven1620’s question. This is by no means meant as an attack on anyone’s beliefs. Simply an explanation of what we believe and why.
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Tell me if I am wrong; but, do not Mormons believe they can become God? If true one should state this up front to people in order that they are not mislead. This is not the norm for people that refer to themselves as Christian’s.
 
Jash said:
To whom we look for authority:
To understand our view of authority you must first understand we believe in different levels of authority. For all levels of priesthood authority we look to Jesus Christ who bestowed priesthood authority necessary to lead his church to the Apostles.

My explanation:
I reiterate that these Apostles held all the keys (or authority) necessary to guide the church on the earth. Over time, a portion of
these keys were granted to bishops as the church grew. Bishops received only those keys necessary to lead the church in their respective areas. This would not have included keys necessary for church as a whole. (such as the authority to ordain new apostles or to receive revelation for the church as the original twelve did.) As the Apostles were slowly killed and new ones not ordained this overall authority was slowly lost. The result: Good men with authority to lead the church in their respective areas striving to do their best but subject to their frailties. Without the direct authority of a prophet who could say “Thus saith the lord.” These men were forced to rely on individual revelation and reason to try to lead the church. This obviously led to differences of opinion (given the many ways scriptural verse may be interpreted.) Differences of opinion in turn gave way to councils on what the whole church’s true doctrine was. The councils lead to compromise and compromise lead to the evolved definitions of deity we see today. This gradual deviation from truth is what we refer to as apostasy.

We teach all the authority necessary to organize and lead the church of Jesus Christ by revelation was restored by Jesus Christ through Peter, James, and John. These three visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery along the Susquehanna River as resurrected beings in 1829. They bestowed their authority to Joseph and Oliver and the church was officially organized in 1830.

Long response but you did ask. And please save all the rebuttles, I’ve seen them already. I’m merely answering Steven1620’s question. This is by no means meant as an attack on anyone’s beliefs. Simply an explanation of what we believe and why.
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Instead of being lured away from the Church Jesus established by following false profits, and believing in a great apostasy that can’t be proven ( IN SEARCH OF “THE GREAT APOSTASY”
Patrick Madrid ) You might look to read the church fathers, and see how the church grew in it’s understanding of the truth.
You will see how the apostolic succession progressed in an unbroken line, you will see how the church responded to error creeping into the church, and how it reaffirmed the Traditions that were passed on from the Apostles. You will see how all the teachings of the church are very ancient.

I recommend a three volume series called “Faith of the Early Fathers” by William A. Jurgens the three set volume is going for $33 at amazon. This series has a good index pointing to the teachings of the church and where they were taught by the fathers. This book covers the didache and the apostolic fathers who were taught by the apostles themselves, and continues through the first 400 years of the church. It also included some of the writings of the heretics so you can compare them to what the fathers were teaching.

I would also recommend “Catholicism for Dummies” by John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti which goes for $14 at amazon. This book explains the faith is simple terms.
 
Jash said:
My explanation:
I reiterate that these Apostles held all the keys (or authority) necessary to guide the church on the earth. Over time, a portion of
these keys were granted to bishops as the church grew. Bishops received only those keys necessary to lead the church in their respective areas. This would not have included keys necessary for church as a whole. (such as the authority to ordain new apostles or to receive revelation for the church as the original twelve did.) As the Apostles were slowly killed and new ones not ordained this overall authority was slowly lost. The result: Good men with authority to lead the church in their respective areas striving to do their best but subject to their frailties. Without the direct authority of a prophet who could say “Thus saith the lord.” These men were forced to rely on individual revelation and reason to try to lead the church. This obviously led to differences of opinion (given the many ways scriptural verse may be interpreted.) Differences of opinion in turn gave way to councils on what the whole church’s true doctrine was. The councils lead to compromise and compromise lead to the evolved definitions of deity we see today. This gradual deviation from truth is what we refer to as apostasy.
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This is not historically accurate. The succession of Peter occured while John was still living in Ephesus. It did not transfer to John it remained with the Pope. We have clear documentation of these events and the transfer of power. If your hypothesis was correct the transfer of power would have went to John. As I stated it did not. Peter ordained that his power would be transferred to the next Pope.

I am not sure if you responded to my earlier questions. Do Mormons believe that they can become Gods?
 
grafy said:
I hope I can get some feed back here. I was directed to this site from a member. And a very good friend of mine.
My friend cannot answer my concerns and answers so they directed me to you.

I am putting my heart on the line here so please be kind.

I** am thinking of leaving the church. I just dont feel it is right for me. I have always had concerns with aspects of the church and its beliefs. My family tells me to just believe and dont get bogged down in details; **but its the details I fuss over.
Has anyone been in this situation before?

Maybe I just dont understand the church?

How can I better understand ?

ETA:
I always seem to be searching for God; well not God. I KNOW he exists; but the path to God is what I seem to always be looking for. What IS the path to GOD? Where is the Path?
I have been contemplating this for the last 15 years of my life.
It never ends with me! I feel I have and am letting HIM down?
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grafy

Wecome to the forum.

Sometimes a person will post one time and not return. Sometimes they lurk just to see various reactions but are not ready to engage in conversation. You haven’t given enough information here to your story to really start a conversation. I hope you stick around and dialogue. I sense you’re in need of answers to specific questions, which I hope you list.

In the mean time, I think you have made a wise choice coming here. I sense you’re feeling the nudge to do what Peter, our first pope told us to do
:

2 Pet 1:
make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins
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NDfan said:
How can you even make that statement when Jesus Himself tells us that HE is the only way to GOD. Mary is not our intercessory to GOD, only Jesus.

You are basically telling this individual they don’t need Jesus just Mary. Shame on you.
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That’s not what he said. I think you misunderstood his statement and his meaning.

Let me ask you,

  1. *]Is Jesus God? Yes
    *]Did God come to you and me directly? No,
    *]Did God come to us through Mary? Yes
    Therefore, going to God through Mary is merely keeping with scripture and keeping with the way God chose to come to us…

    If you don’t want to do that, it’s your choice. But don’t call down shame on someone who is taking a perfectly biblical approach
 
Hi grafy,

Welcome to Catholic Answers and to the Catholic Answers Forums!

There are two “independent” approaches.

One is intellectual … food for the mind and the other is purely spiritual.

Below is a partial list of some things that have been helpful to me.

Catholic Answers publishes some very relevant and useful literature.

I would suggest the tracts … simply written and to the point.

catholic.com/library.asp … and on the left side under the library button and free on-line copies of the tracts. Or you can order print copies from the CA bookstore.

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CT400.html?L+scstore+twlw9336ff4cce4c+1219869437

Karl Keating’s book, “Catholicism and Fundamentalism” … which really discusses the basics of Catholicism.

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-B0121.html?L+scstore+nwzw4448ffc8d3c8+1219862036

And the brochure, “Pillar of Fire”.

Karl Keating’s book, " What Catholics Really Believe" … Answers to 52 questions … .

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-B0077.html?L+scstore+nwzw4448ffc8d3c8+1219880148

There is a book by Fr. Thomas Green, “Weeds Among the Wheat” … that I have found to be the most powerful discernment device that I have ever encountered.

avemariapress.com/itemdetail.cfm?nItemid=437

And, there are two spiritual things I also I would strongly suggest.
  1. a daily Rosary in private.
  2. frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament. See if there is a parish near you with Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Visit there on some off-hour and just sit.
Friends of mine have done these things and report back that each one in their own way received “something” … some little gift of the Holy Spirit that helped direct the course of their lives.

Before you make any decisions, just try these few things.

Things like the Rosary have stood the test of time.

Introduce prayer into your daily life. Every few minutes, some short simple prayer … “Jesus, hold me.” [Use this one or make up your own … or several different variations on that theme.]
 
You wrote in you post that you believe in God, but you are looking for the path to God.

I would recommend listening to Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins in their audio program “Our Fathers Plan”.
It consists of 13 different sections which are about 55 minutes each so you could go through it in two weeks listening to one program a day.
This audio program goes through the entire bible from Genesis through the book of Revelation, and tells the story of salvation history.

They start with explaining the covenant, and the sonship of God. They then go through the bible and show all of this points the the Catholic church. Through out the series, they explain catholic teachings, and since they were both Protestant ministers before coming back to the Catholic church, they explain the objections of the Protestant faith has against the Catholic church.

This is an excellent overall view of the bible, and can help build a base upon you can better find your path to God.
 
runandsew said:
You wrote in you post that you believe in God, but you are looking for the path to God.

I would recommend listening to Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins in their audio program “Our Fathers Plan”.
It consists of 13 different sections which are about 55 minutes each so you could go through it in two weeks listening to one program a day.
This audio program goes through the entire bible from Genesis through the book of Revelation, and tells the story of salvation history.

They start with explaining the covenant, and the sonship of God. They then go through the bible and show all of this points the the Catholic church. Through out the series, they explain catholic teachings, and since they were both Protestant ministers before coming back to the Catholic church, they explain the objections of the Protestant faith has against the Catholic church.

This is an excellent overall view of the bible, and can help build a base upon you can better find your path to God.
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Thanks abundantly for that link.:tiphat: I think Scott is fantastic, I’m a big fan 👍
 
savedsinner said:
I would also recommend “Catholicism for Dummies” by John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti which goes for $14 at amazon. This book explains the faith is simple terms.
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By the way, Father Trigilio and Father Brighenti have a super television program, “Web of Faith”, on EWTN in which they answer email questions from viewers. ewtn.com/series/2003/weboffaith.htm

They also have written a bunch of books that answer essential questions … click on the link above and then click on the authors’ names.

Here is one of Fr. Trigilio’s television programs.

ewtn.com/series/2006/fall2006/Crash_course.htm

I got to thinking about the original poster’s question and this slim book popped into my mind:

amazon.com/He-Leadeth-Me-Walter-Ciszek/dp/0898705460

It’s about a priest who was falsely imprisoned in the Soviet Union and how he became “converted” into a true Christian and raised his priesthood to a new level. He went in as a “tough guy” and came out as a disciple of the Holy Spirit and with a different / higher understanding and appreciation of Jesus Christ.

If nothing else, click on the Amazon link and read the reviews by readers.
 
Jash said:
As the Apostles were slowly killed and new ones not ordained this overall authority was slowly lost.

We teach all the authority necessary to organize and lead the church of Jesus Christ by revelation was restored by Jesus Christ through Peter, James, and John. These three visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery along the Susquehanna River as resurrected beings in 1829. They bestowed their authority to Joseph and Oliver and the church was officially organized in 1830.
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I find part of your quote confusing in the fact that Mormons have said repeatedly throughout these forums that John did not die, but was translated.
“Translated Beings” are human beings who prior to their death have had a change wrought upon their bodies that preserved them from death until the moment of their resurrection. They were translated so that they could fulfill future missions. Known translated beings include John the Beloved and The Three Nephites.
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This would infer that Jesus undermined His own created Church by removing John from the earth. If there was an Apostle left to make corrections in His Church, why would God “translate” John? How do you explain Jesus waiting 1800 years to “restore” His Church if John was still alive the whole time? How did John appear in a “resurrected” body if he never died?

This also contradicts the majority of Mormon accusations that the Church lost it’s authority around the second century as opposed to the death of the Apostles.

Very confusing contradictions here.
 
Steven1620 said:
Trishie, in charity, The Church IS perfect, it is we, the members who are not. QUOTE]
No Steven, bless you, but God alone is perfect. As scripture reveals eg St Paul,
the Church is not only the **truths and the Spirit which are perfect because they are of God, **
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but the Church is also all of its members built upon the foundation of Christ. The Body of Christ is made up of many parts, the people of God, and we are not perfect.
Anyway that’s not Grafy’s question

**Grafy, Jesus instituted the Church for you, and for each of us… and in the end we can only ask the Father to send His Holy Spirit of love, wisdom, and truth, to give you genuine faith in God and knowledge that the Catholic Church is His gift to us, to you. I ask in Jesus name, that the Spirit will truly enlighten you. **
 
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