Letter of admiration to Mormons from a Catholic

[ConvertHereYay]

I am a Catholic. I converted to the Catholic Church from “non denominational” Protestantism toward the end of high school. In my junior year of undergrad I declared myself anything from secular humanist/atheist/agnostic/etc. I will not explain how I came to return to the Catholic Church except to say that the development of the written accounts of the gospel, studying Medicine, and the persecutions imposed by the Roman Empire helped me get there.

I wanted to let all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that I respect you and your Church. I lived with a Mormon for one academic year, and we are still close friends. I’ve read the Book of Mormon and some of Doctrine and Covenants.I engaged in lengthy conversations with this friend. I respect how you accept something that is similar to what we Catholics call “Sacred Tradition of the Church.” However, I am not convinced of the the Apostasy after the death of the last Apostle.

Peace be with you.

 

[WetCatechumen]

I have to say that many of the Mormon youth I know are intelligent, pious, and moral. I salute the LDS church for this work. I think that their beliefs are intellectually untenable, but I cannot argue with the results.

I too converted to the Catholic faith from non-denominational Protestantism, but I had a long period where I flirted with Mormonism. Doctrinal stability, a pseudo-claim to apostolic succession, a magisterium, pseudo-sacramental ordinances, and tritheism appealed to me. I’d been raised with an anti-sacramental mindset and a father who floated from heresy to heresy. Hence, the Trinitarianism I was taught was more reminiscent of Sabellianism than true Trinitarianism, so I kind of reacted to it towards Arianism, but thanks to the intercessions of some friends, I swung back and found the Catholic faith.

 

[Langdell]

I am a Catholic. I converted to the Catholic Church from “non denominational” Protestantism toward the end of high school. In my junior year of undergrad I declared myself anything from secular humanist/atheist/agnostic/etc. I will not explain how I came to return to the Catholic Church except to say that the development of the written accounts of the gospel, studying Medicine, and the persecutions imposed by the Roman Empire helped me get there.

I wanted to let all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that I respect you and your Church. I lived with a Mormon for one academic year, and we are still close friends. I’ve read the Book of Mormon and some of Doctrine and Covenants.I engaged in lengthy conversations with this friend. I respect how you accept something that is similar to what we Catholics call “Sacred Tradition of the Church.” However, I am not convinced of the the Apostasy after the death of the last Apostle.

Peace be with you.

The example of a Mormon colleague is one of the things that finally led me away from atheism and back to the Church. He is someone who really does preach through his conduct.

.

 

[benidict]

agreed. the Mormons, i have come to know, over the years are Godly people. i especially like the way they form their communities out in utah around their places of worship. there is a real sense of community. utah is one of 3 choices im giving myself after i retire. i would love to have these folks as neighbors. Peace

 

[Steven_John]

I too have had great experience with Mormons and their community.
The mother of my children used to have some elders sneak out at night and meet with her and her friend until i asked they be removed from our town, and i have a beautiful daughter likely his, but thats another story.

Best i discern G-d placed in my heart that i should spend some time with mormons. After mass a Sister asked how i was and i told her i felt drawn to spend time with mormons, she warned me against this so i did not even though she could not give me a reason for the warning.
We had the same conversation more than once then finally i went against her advice.

She asked me after mass how i was and i told her i was fantastic and had been hanging with mormons and found them to be wonderful kind people. “I know” she said “I used to work with one” i asked again then why she warned me off them she replied " I just thought it would be too much for you". While her advice was unfounded it is very nice that G-d places people in my life that care for me. Praise Him 4 that.

I spent many Sundays with them and loved their heavy doctrine classes. Catholics where i live do little shared deep seeking in scripture.

I dont know i buy the story of their prophet (pbuh) and the plates.
I dont like that one needs approval of men to go into temples.
I prefer giving to their doctrine of storing goods for end times and think that is maybe why i dusted off my sandals.

I really have good things to say of them as people, one of their leaders gave a reflection on the Gospel that made personal judgement on John Howard (the then pm). I was a nobody to them and the spirit groaned in me with grief over the leaders exampling John as bad. I spoke into their gathering gently and their leader took the correction on board with humility. This made me feel assured that these people were not being lead to darkness but were genuinely seeking.

The mormon testimony of love witnessed to me showed me even in error of doctrine G-d does good works in men who seek Him.

Praise G-d for His goodness in all peoples.