Personal Revelation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jodi
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jodi

Guest
As those of you reading know I am converting from lds to Roman Catholic. I have heard from my lds collegues that I am being led away from the true church (lds) by my intelectualism and that I should rely more on the workings of the spirit and on personal revelation and less on the scriptures. I was very distraught and immediately started praying. I begged for Christ to make me sure of my path so that I could in good faith follow him. No sooner that I had finished my prayer than my husband returned from work 3 hours early. He had been worried about me and praying for me at a local shrine. He was concerned that I would falter in our new catholic faith. I recieved my angel, my answer to my prayer. The funny/sad part is that when I tell the story to my lds friends while odmiting that it was my husband who came to my door and bore witness of christ and of the catholic church they express their absolute belief that this is a sign from God and that now I should never doubt the (lds faith) again.
When I tell the story with those details they are sure I am being led away by the wiles of satan and question if I am I sure I got the answer I was looking for and maybe I should try again.

Either they believe in personal revelation or not. I am sure if my former lds bishop had been at the door to testify of the truthfulness of the lds faith they would all be absolutely convinced of this revelation. Why does it only work when it agrees with what you want to believe? I wanted the church I grew up in (lds) to be the right church. I have sacrificed countless hours of my time to the building up of my local ward. I wasn’t looking for Christ but he was looking for me. I asked him in faith and he answered me. Not my will but God’s will is what I want for my life even when it is dificult.

I am SO grateful that my husband could be my angel and that he was listening when God gave him his marching orders.
I am also thankful for all of your prayers that have been helping me. I really do feel them.
 
I hope your friends in the mormons won’t drive by your house and throw your Corning Ware from their car windows to your lawn as was done to one mormon who converted. Of course, that was in Utah.
After this experience of prayer, I’m sure you know that you are exactly where God wants you. Welcome to the body of Christ! 🙂
 
I do understand your frustration. For me it was with my Bible alone friends. They said either you believe the Bible is God’s word or you don’t. I 100% do. They say you must take it literally. The world is only a few thousand years old.

Yet when I point out that John 20:21 does not say go and teach forgiveness but it says go and forgive (proving the sacrament of Reconcilliation), suddenly not everything is literal. They only want to believe what they believe when it proves their point. You having personal revelation pointing you to the Catholic Church does not fit their view and so it must be the hand of Satan.

Just pray for them that God will soften their hearts. It is only through the grace of God that you now see the truth. Pray that God would grant them the same grace.

And thank God for answering your prayer so swiftly in the form of your husband!!!

God Bless,
Maria
 
i’d point out how dangerous it can be to place your confidence in personal revelation (which can be faulty, or misled by lying spirits) rather than in Scipture, or in the authority of the church.

i’ll say a prayer for you, my dear friend, as you tread the difficult waters of coversion.

tread. on top. 😉
 
Jodi,

I have been very hands off with respect to your posting here. I responded to one of your posts (two actually) and you didn’t say anything so I have left you alone.

I would never tell you the intellectual examination leads one out of the CoJCoLDS, but I fully recognize people place emphasis upon different aspects of things when they conduct intellectual examinations. (I also that some LDS might say that to you).

In receiving answers to prayers, I believe God knows us personally and knows the type of things that communicate to our soul. My worldview does not demand that I disparage your answer to prayer or suggest it was anything other than what you thought it to be. I have faith that it is following God that God desires for us to do and that you must walk by the light God provides you.

Catsrus and MariaG (not jeffreedy789 J ),

You seemed to jump quickly to claim that Jodi’s prayer was answered. You seemed willing to call the LDS who claim it was not as Jodi thought, “hypocrites.” I agree the LDS who dogmatically declare prayers are not answered in this way are generally and or often hypocrites. The question I have for you is when I relay answers to prayers that seem much less common place than husbands concerned about my feelings praying and returning from work three hours early, does you worldview allow that God answered my prayers in favor of the CoJCoLDS?

Jeffreedy789,

While I consider your view (or the hint of your view) to be consistent, I do not consider it to be sufficient. I believe that Bible is a history of people interacting with God. I believe that God will not give you a rock when you ask for bread. To suggest that we must be careful of following spiritual witness is reasonable, but I believe that we must have room for God to speak to us.

I personally say that God has never communicated to me in the way he must have spoken to Abraham when he was told to sacrifice Isaac. My entire family spontaneously arriving from 4 states at my door to say that the answer to my prayer is that I should sacrifice my son would not be enough for such things.

But if when I was praying about the Catholic Church my wife came from across town unexpectedly to tell me that she too had felt called to the Catholic Church, this would have been significant.

The Catholic Church is wonderful and has many Godly aspects. Sacrificing my son is horrible and far from anything that seems Godly to me. This is how I have gauged my spiritual witnesses. Spiritual things have happened and seemingly prohibitively unlikely things have happened. These comprise my spiritual witness that the CoJCoLDS is true, but they stand next to my logical witness.

All,

And while I do embrace the “one true church” aspects of the CoJCoLDS, my spiritual witnesses have never communicated to me the falsity of others spiritual witnesses. I simply do not understand those who have heard God tell them that other folks are deceived. Perhaps they have received something I never have. Perhaps they assign more meaning to what they have received than I ever have. All I know is that God has called me to walk and lifts me so that I might walk in His way. This is His path for me.

Charity, TOm
 
Jodi-

It’s very common for people to become defensive of their religious beliefs. I am sure if it was you going in the opposite way (RCC to LDS) that there would be some who would say you are being led away by possibly your subjectivity. One of the things that is always hard for me personally is to understand that people who believe in “one true church” all believe that their church is the one true church. They have to otherwise they would not be in that church. So your LDS friends believe 100% that the LDS church is the one true church and all others are not. It’s very hard to change someone with point of view’s mind. Continue praying, continue studying, continue following God’s call. I believe with all my heart that you are on the right path. I will continue to pray for you as you make this journey to the Catholic Church.
 
The Holy spirit is working through your husband, hang on to him ,he must be a fantastic bloke.Keep praying . robert
 
Jodi,

I do know were you are comming from this is a quick synopsis of my story that I placed on another thread.
I have been married to a catholic for ten years and found myself at a point in our marriage when the question of how our children should be raised came up. My father being a Mormon Bishop and my mother being a bishops wife have struggled for years with the fact that thier second oldest of six children married outside the covenant and that my four children are their only grandchildren out of fifteen that were not blessed in the church, but baptized catholic. I had not gone to church for ten years , except for Christmas and Easter mass, when the question of the children came up. Having feelings of guilt and preasure from my parents I started a crusade to prove to my wife that the LDS church was the true and restored gospel and that the Catholic church was the great and abominable apostasy or the whore of babylon. I found that the true and everlasting gospel has been here for two thousand years from Christ to Peter to Pope John Paul II. My journey began with a the goal of giving my children a single religous up bringing to finding the truth and becoming a better man, husband, and father. I will receive the Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, First Communion, Confirmation and validation of the Sacrament of Matrimony performed 10 years ago in the catholic church on holy Saturday March 26, 2005 at St. Elizabeth Anne Seaton Parish in Tucson, Arizona

God bless you
 
I know that personal revelation is a shakey foundation. It is just one of many experiences that is leading me to the catholic church at this point in time. I was just frustrated by people who disagree with my direction so are disagreeing with my methods. If I stick to the scriptures they say I need to pray if I pray they say I need more personal revelation. There is no winning so I am not trying to. My reasons at this point for joining the catholic church are still in their infancy.
  1. Only church that agrees with my heart that a tubal ligation was the wrong decision
  2. Teaches belief in one god instead of many (supported extensively by scriptures)
    3.Teaches that the fulness of the gospel was taught by Christ. (instead of by Joseph Smith)
    4.My soul seems happier when I consider a future as a catholic. I know not horribly scientific.
    5.I feel very comfortable with the communion of saints it answers allot of questions for me.
    6.The catholic church is the root of all christianity.
I am working on others. Things still feel strange to me.
I still have some mormonisms to get rid of but I am learning.
 
40.png
Jodi:
I know that personal revelation is a shakey foundation. It is just one of many experiences that is leading me to the catholic church at this point in time.
Click to expand...
Well Jodi, The Church does not discount private “personal” revelation. The Church realizes that it has a role in a person’s faith life. However, there are some caveats if you will. Private revelation is for helping someone live the faith life better, not for giving new revelation. It can never go against the deposit of faith that was handed on once and for all through Jesus Christ. And any private revelation requires prayerful discernment.
  1. Only church that agrees with my heart that a tubal ligation was the wrong decision
  2. Teaches belief in one god instead of many (supported extensively by scriptures)
    3.Teaches that the fulness of the gospel was taught by Christ. (instead of by Joseph Smith)
    4.My soul seems happier when I consider a future as a catholic. I know not horribly scientific.
    5.I feel very comfortable with the communion of saints it answers allot of questions for me.
    6.The catholic church is the root of all christianity.
Click to expand...
You’ve come a long way from the first post you put up on these forums! May God bless you abundantly on your journey home to Him and His Church!!!
 
Catsrus and MariaG (not jeffreedy789 J ),
Click to expand...
You seemed to jump quickly to claim that Jodi’s prayer was answered. You seemed willing to call the LDS who claim it was not as Jodi thought, “hypocrites.” I agree the LDS who dogmatically declare prayers are not answered in this way are generally and or often hypocrites. The question I have for you is when I relay answers to prayers that seem much less common place than husbands concerned about my feelings praying and returning from work three hours early, does you worldview allow that God answered my prayers in favor of the CoJCoLDS?
Click to expand...
Tom, though I referenced an incident inflicted on an RC convert from LDS, I don’t think I called anyone a hypocrite.
I respect and enjoy your well thought out and non confrontational postings and am sorry if you feel I insulted the LDS.
So you know, though I am unable, even with explaination, to ever understand or embrace the LDS theology, I have known some beautiful folks who are LDS. As in any faith tradtion, I also know some not so good people, but the majority of my contacts with them has been very good.
As far as Jodi is concerned, I DO believe her particular prayer was answered. I would also believe it was answered if DH had shown up 3 hours early and said, “wrong path babe!”. Then she’d have had to contend her conversion unsupported by him as many have done. Most still find their way. Perhaps God is giving Jodi more support because she needs it more. Who are we to know? 🙂
 
40.png
Jodi:
I wasn’t looking for Christ but he was looking for me. I asked him in faith and he answered me. Not my will but God’s will is what I want for my life even when it is dificult.
Click to expand...
Pray this:
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me, Amen.
 
40.png
Jodi:
As those of you reading know I am converting from lds to Roman Catholic. I have heard from my lds collegues that I am being led away from the true church (lds) by my intelectualism and that I should rely more on the workings of the spirit and on personal revelation and less on the scriptures. I was very distraught and immediately started praying. I begged for Christ to make me sure of my path so that I could in good faith follow him. No sooner that I had finished my prayer than my husband returned from work 3 hours early. He had been worried about me and praying for me at a local shrine. He was concerned that I would falter in our new catholic faith. I recieved my angel, my answer to my prayer. The funny/sad part is that when I tell the story to my lds friends while odmiting that it was my husband who came to my door and bore witness of christ and of the catholic church they express their absolute belief that this is a sign from God and that now I should never doubt the (lds faith) again.
When I tell the story with those details they are sure I am being led away by the wiles of satan and question if I am I sure I got the answer I was looking for and maybe I should try again.

Either they believe in personal revelation or not. I am sure if my former lds bishop had been at the door to testify of the truthfulness of the lds faith they would all be absolutely convinced of this revelation. Why does it only work when it agrees with what you want to believe? I wanted the church I grew up in (lds) to be the right church. I have sacrificed countless hours of my time to the building up of my local ward. I wasn’t looking for Christ but he was looking for me. I asked him in faith and he answered me. Not my will but God’s will is what I want for my life even when it is dificult.

I am SO grateful that my husband could be my angel and that he was listening when God gave him his marching orders.
I am also thankful for all of your prayers that have been helping me. I really do feel them.
Click to expand...
Jodi that is what my missionaries say to me! They ask me if I was sure it was God who told me not to read the BOM
 
40.png
Jodi:
I know that personal revelation is a shakey foundation. It is just one of many experiences that is leading me to the catholic church at this point in time. I was just frustrated by people who disagree with my direction so are disagreeing with my methods. If I stick to the scriptures they say I need to pray if I pray they say I need more personal revelation. There is no winning so I am not trying to. My reasons at this point for joining the catholic church are still in their infancy.
  1. Only church that agrees with my heart that a tubal ligation was the wrong decision
  2. Teaches belief in one god instead of many (supported extensively by scriptures)
    3.Teaches that the fulness of the gospel was taught by Christ. (instead of by Joseph Smith)
    4.My soul seems happier when I consider a future as a catholic. I know not horribly scientific.
    5.I feel very comfortable with the communion of saints it answers allot of questions for me.
    6.The catholic church is the root of all christianity.
I am working on others. Things still feel strange to me.
I still have some mormonisms to get rid of but I am learning.
Click to expand...
Jodi
Catholic Church doesnt believe in any form of contraception cuz it is forbidden in the bible! Isnt it awesome to know that the CHurch is on our side. Any church who says Birth Control is okay if it is their choice is wrong. It goes against the Lord!
 
Please stay on topic. Theology of the Body issues, such as contraception and reproduction, can be appropriately discussed in the Moral Theology forum.

God Bless,
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top