H
HopeTrail
Guest
I am sorry that my comments appeared to make you very unhappy. I think it is important to seek the good in every religion and let the spirit guide us as we seek truth. I was recently involved in an interfaith service, for my community. It was during November 2008 and the different faiths came and shared how they give thanks. It was very sweet and wonderful to build relationships with those of other faiths. We all seem to be trying to arrive at the same place. That place being our perception of what Heavenly Father is. We are trying to emulate him. I left that meeting with a feeling of appreciation for all those different faiths that are trying to do good in the world and are trying to learn TRUTH. I felt like they were all my brothers and sisters and that we had much in common. There is no doubt that we also differ a great deal on theology, but with a spirit of cooperation, love, service, compassion and brother/sisterhood - we can all appreciate the good in all religion - still continuing to find TRUTH.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been taught deeply through out my life. I do not profess to know everything, but I do know a lot. I just turned 40, so I have many years of gaining knowledge through my religion, under my belt. Twice a week I have gone to Church (since I was very small). One of which would be Sunday and the other a mid week activity. Then I attended seminary during High School. That is just about every school day for approximately 50 minutes of scriptural study. Every year we would rotate through The Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. We would attend four years of study, during that time. I did this and then through college attended more religious classes. We do not have a paid ministry in our religion. We are called to serve and teach. I have been serving in this capacity my whole life. There is a lot of time invested in this service. Great amounts of prayer and study and time. I have attended other meetings and activities that have further instructed me. I mention this to let you know the TIME I have invested in my religious study and search.
In all that time of study and service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I can say that I do not find truth in your previous statements about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (unless they were just opinions, and in that case we are all entitled to our opinions).
I will take just one example. If you go to this web site you can read about our view on apostasy lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=2dd843097758b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____
It is a long article, but if read all the way through, it gives a lot of insightful information about our beliefs on that subject. The article gives rise to other things that would be interesting to discuss or research more, but like all knowledge, it is gained one day at a time. We can’t have a perfect picture or understanding with one article, one conversation, one week of study or even one year. Knowledge is built line upon line, precept upon precept - until we come to a more perfect understanding. Any Church should not be judged by an imperfect member and a comment taken out of context or even unknowingly misunderstood. We can search from many different angles to gain a better understanding. To explain triginomitry to a small child would seem silly. They need to learn the fundamental first, line upon line etc. until they are able to understand the bigger picture. As adults if we want to learn a new subject, we start at the beginning and build our knowledge until it becomes clear. I could not play the piano with skill, just by hearing it described. It requires a great deal of investment. So does understanding some ones religion. It will require a great deal of investment of time to gain a correct understanding of what is being taught. The source is still the best place to begin. And researching doctrine, not someone’s interpretation or opinion of doctrine. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does have doctrine. It can be viewed and seen.
Sorry you have had such unpleasant experiences with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or so it appears). I can say that I have been truly blessed by my relationship to Christ and guided through many trials, by the Savior. I love learning of Christ and how I can improve my life and influence my family, my community, my world for good. I hope your previous unpleasant experiences can fade away and you can find the truth that you seek. I have great faith that you will. It appears that you are already working hard toward that goal. May Heavenly Father grant you greater comfort in your journey and peace. I am just a fellow friend wishing you happiness and praying for your success.
P.S. I recently watched a show on fox. A minister, along with his wife was being interviewed (just last night). This man was not of my faith. I could feel his goodness. He replied to a question, that I do not remember now. The part I loved was when he answered: “You need to use your faith in the right way.” We can exercise faith in the negative. I think the use of faith for the positive and honest search for truth will yield desired results. But that the use of faith to talk negatively about someone or something will also yield results. They will just not be good results. Happy Hunting!
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been taught deeply through out my life. I do not profess to know everything, but I do know a lot. I just turned 40, so I have many years of gaining knowledge through my religion, under my belt. Twice a week I have gone to Church (since I was very small). One of which would be Sunday and the other a mid week activity. Then I attended seminary during High School. That is just about every school day for approximately 50 minutes of scriptural study. Every year we would rotate through The Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. We would attend four years of study, during that time. I did this and then through college attended more religious classes. We do not have a paid ministry in our religion. We are called to serve and teach. I have been serving in this capacity my whole life. There is a lot of time invested in this service. Great amounts of prayer and study and time. I have attended other meetings and activities that have further instructed me. I mention this to let you know the TIME I have invested in my religious study and search.
In all that time of study and service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I can say that I do not find truth in your previous statements about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (unless they were just opinions, and in that case we are all entitled to our opinions).
I will take just one example. If you go to this web site you can read about our view on apostasy lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=2dd843097758b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____
It is a long article, but if read all the way through, it gives a lot of insightful information about our beliefs on that subject. The article gives rise to other things that would be interesting to discuss or research more, but like all knowledge, it is gained one day at a time. We can’t have a perfect picture or understanding with one article, one conversation, one week of study or even one year. Knowledge is built line upon line, precept upon precept - until we come to a more perfect understanding. Any Church should not be judged by an imperfect member and a comment taken out of context or even unknowingly misunderstood. We can search from many different angles to gain a better understanding. To explain triginomitry to a small child would seem silly. They need to learn the fundamental first, line upon line etc. until they are able to understand the bigger picture. As adults if we want to learn a new subject, we start at the beginning and build our knowledge until it becomes clear. I could not play the piano with skill, just by hearing it described. It requires a great deal of investment. So does understanding some ones religion. It will require a great deal of investment of time to gain a correct understanding of what is being taught. The source is still the best place to begin. And researching doctrine, not someone’s interpretation or opinion of doctrine. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does have doctrine. It can be viewed and seen.
Sorry you have had such unpleasant experiences with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or so it appears). I can say that I have been truly blessed by my relationship to Christ and guided through many trials, by the Savior. I love learning of Christ and how I can improve my life and influence my family, my community, my world for good. I hope your previous unpleasant experiences can fade away and you can find the truth that you seek. I have great faith that you will. It appears that you are already working hard toward that goal. May Heavenly Father grant you greater comfort in your journey and peace. I am just a fellow friend wishing you happiness and praying for your success.
P.S. I recently watched a show on fox. A minister, along with his wife was being interviewed (just last night). This man was not of my faith. I could feel his goodness. He replied to a question, that I do not remember now. The part I loved was when he answered: “You need to use your faith in the right way.” We can exercise faith in the negative. I think the use of faith for the positive and honest search for truth will yield desired results. But that the use of faith to talk negatively about someone or something will also yield results. They will just not be good results. Happy Hunting!
Sorry I took your comments out of context, but that happens sometimes. 
"Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened. Dr Seuss. I say “All for one and one for all” 3 muskateers That is a good quote too…childhood has some of the best of them. Good hunting!