Question for LDS (MORMONS)

[TheExorcist]

Hi Charles,

I hope. I am not being intrusive. Most Catholic churches have chapel masses on weekdays, in the morning. Usually around 8am.

P.S. I have been in love and married to my husband for 28 years. If he chose to be another denomination or religion, such as Jewish, Buhdist or Muslim. I would never leave him. I would respect his wishes and respect his beliefs. As he would respect mine.

Oh yes I know. I work at 6am and so cannot make it to those Masses. We have three parishes here in our town of 45,000 all within 5 minutes of my house and all three have M-F Mass at either 8 or 8:30. So if I ever have the freedom to come home I will be able to easily. One of those is even an FSSP parish

I SO wish my wife felt as you so. She has told me point blank if I ever left the church she would leave me. Im quite sad her love for me is tied to my membership in the LDS church.

 

[SteveVH]

Thanks!! I’ve been praying the rosary daily, even shooting for twice a day when possible. I know our Lady’s intervention can be miraculous. Im also going to incorporate the Divine Mercy Chaplet into my routine. Beside EWTN podcasts this is the only interaction I have with Catholics. There is no way to break away for Mass on Sunday, DEFINITELY not Sunday (dang 3 hour block). All the prayers I receive from you fine fold sustain me and your stories give me hope, however small.

Thanks LOADS!

Charles

I hope you realize that you are receiving incredible graces for the cross you are carrying. God knows the desire of your heart. I wish you much peace.

 

[Inishfree]

I hope you realize that you are receiving incredible graces for the cross you are carrying. God knows the desire of your heart. I wish you much peace.

I think so too. Peace be with you. God does know what is in your heart.

 

[KathleenGee]

Pinay,

Thanks for your prayers! They are deeply appreciated…

I love the biblical spirituality of the Carmelites and receive their ‘Carmelite Digest’ magazine that comes out of California…deep inner silence to hear the Lord Who comes through the gentle breeze…

Some times when I am alone, and I are start to pray, I notice the branches and leaves gently begin to sway…like responding to my prayers…and it makes me think of the Holy Spirit taking the prayers to those in need…

We need to pray more with confidence that the Lord does indeed hear us and will answer every prayer.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Hi Charles,

I hope. I am not being intrusive. Most Catholic churches have chapel masses on weekdays, in the morning. Usually around 8am.

P.S. I have been in love and married to my husband for 28 years. If he chose to be another denomination or religion, such as Jewish, Buhdist or Muslim. I would never leave him. I would respect his wishes and respect his beliefs. As he would respect mine.

And Saturday mornings and evenings, evening is usually around 5pm.

 

[pinay]

Oh yes I know. I work at 6am and so cannot make it to those Masses. We have three parishes here in our town of 45,000 all within 5 minutes of my house and all three have M-F Mass at either 8 or 8:30. So if I ever have the freedom to come home I will be able to easily. One of those is even an FSSP parish

I SO wish my wife felt as you so. She has told me point blank if I ever left the church she would leave me. Im quite sad her love for me is tied to my membership in the LDS church.

Hi TheExorcist (interesting name!). I am saddened by your situation too. I know how hard it is to be forced to do something you don’t really believe in. Threatened with divorce/father-children separation unless you “conform” is such a terrible thing to do. It is different when there’s some kind of abuse - like threatening divorce if a spouse continues to beat his/her spouse black-and-blue… that’s different.

I am fairly certain your wife is trying to hold on to her “eternal family” ideal. But, this is really not the way to go about it - I hate to say this but your wife seems to have forgotten the very important doctrine of free agency. So, for that, I feel you need all the support you can get, and you have mine (for what it’s worth).

 

[RebeccaJ]

TheExcorcist: You can hope for the best, but don’t get caught unprepared for the worst, When it comes to “apostates”, some Mormons have no qualms about playing it dirty. Especially former spouses who still believe, and their family. Start protecting yourself. Get a lawyer. Now.

 

[pinay]

TheExcorcist: You can hope for the best, but don’t get caught unprepared for the worst, When it comes to “apostates”, some Mormons have no qualms about playing it dirty. Especially former spouses who still believe, and their family. Start protecting yourself. Get a lawyer. Now.

I advice against this. You should too being Catholic and all…

Divorce is always the last option. Getting a lawyer is a signal that says - I’m ready to call it quits, aren’t you?

If she files the papers, then do get a lawyer. Not one second before.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I advice against this. You should too being Catholic and all…

Divorce is always the last option. Getting a lawyer is a signal that says - I’m ready to call it quits, aren’t you?

If she files the papers, then do get a lawyer. Not one second before.

No, that is not the signal. It is prudent planning, for when SHE follows through with her threats. Hiring a lawyer does not mean one is getting divorced. Protecting yourself, your assets and most of all your interest in having a relationship with your children, is not a divorce. He needs legal advice on what to do now, even it is nothing more than making sure everything is documented.

There are enough former LDS who have experienced the dark underside of Mormon divorce. The experience is not always bad, but when it is beginning with a person who is threatening to cut you off from your children? It is never too soon to begin planning against that threat.

 

[TheExorcist]

I hope you realize that you are receiving incredible graces for the cross you are carrying. God knows the desire of your heart. I wish you much peace.

I hope you know how much your kind posts mean to me. They sustain me and carry me through my week. I just had to “out” myself to one of the leaders at church because he asked me to teach a class in a few weeks. I could not in good conscience teach doctrine I don’t believe in. He will be discrete because I know him to be so in other settings.

 

[TheExorcist]

TheExcorcist: You can hope for the best, but don’t get caught unprepared for the worst, When it comes to “apostates”, some Mormons have no qualms about playing it dirty. Especially former spouses who still believe, and their family. Start protecting yourself. Get a lawyer. Now.

I would but I have no resources for that. I just have to keep “playing the part” while continuing my private devotions. Im looking for a local parish that has adoration that might fit my schedule so I might at least go before the blessed sacrament, even though I cannot partake at this time. I have to trust in God and his grace.

 

[pinay]

No, that is not the signal. It is prudent planning, for when SHE follows through with her threats. Hiring a lawyer does not mean one is getting divorced. Protecting yourself, your assets and most of all your interest in having a relationship with your children, is not a divorce. He needs legal advice on what to do now, even it is nothing more than making sure everything is documented.

There are enough former LDS who have experienced the dark underside of Mormon divorce. The experience is not always bad, but when it is beginning with a person who is threatening to cut you off from your children? It is never too soon to begin planning against that threat.

“Dark underside of Mormon divorce”? What does that even mean?

So, let’s say Exorcists’ wife was Roman Catholic and Exorcist wanted to be LDS and threatened him with divorce… that would be the “dark underside of Catholic divorce”?

 

[Inishfree]

I would but I have no resources for that. I just have to keep “playing the part” while continuing my private devotions. Im looking for a local parish that has adoration that might fit my schedule so I might at least go before the blessed sacrament, even though I cannot partake at this time. I have to trust in God and his grace.

I believe you are recieving God’s grace.

Is there anyone at the LDS church whom could talk with your wife in your behalf? There are many interfaith couples.

 

[pinay]

I believe you are recieving God’s grace.

Is there anyone at the LDS church whom could talk with your wife in your behalf? There are many interfaith couples.

Talking to anybody else in the church besides the Bishopric of the ward is probably not going to give TheExorcist what he wants. The church is focused on eternal families - and that includes being faithful to the sealing. They would be counseling him towards strenghthening his eternal sealing.

This is really the problem here - in LDS doctrine, eternal families is the ideal everybody strives for (doctrine not found in Catholic, so it is understandable that the non-LDS community cannot relate to the intense challenge here). TheExorcist basically, to put it bluntly, is hindering his family’s eternal family, something that I’m sure his wife - if she would have known this prior to getting married - would have not married him. So, in his wife’s eyes, TheExorcist married her under “false pretenses” - something that, in the Catholic faith as well as in LDS, could qualify for annulment. A woman cannot be sealed to more than one Priesthood - therefore, TheExorcist’s wife and children are now “orphaned”, a state they find themselves in by no choice of their own. The way I understand it, TheExorcist wife would rather have the sealing annulled than continue on this “orphaned” state.

What they both really need is to approach their bishop together and present the problem there. Living a double-life is not only hurting TheExorcist’s family, it is going to hurt the ward as well. I’m assuming that TheExorcist has already brought this problem to God. Sometimes, to really follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, we just have to be bold, follow what the Holy Spirit tells us and trust that He will protect us in our journey to be closer to Him.

 

[RebeccaJ]

“Dark underside of Mormon divorce”? What does that even mean?

So, let’s say Exorcists’ wife was Roman Catholic and Exorcist wanted to be LDS and threatened him with divorce… that would be the “dark underside of Catholic divorce”?

Pinay, the divorce rate for Mormon couples in TheExorcist’s position is 80%. It is the believing spouse who wants the divorce. So you can imagine, there are a lot of people out there who have gone through this. Mormon Bishop’s will counsel the believing spouse to get a divorce. It has happened over and over. So your ‘advice’, to talk to a Mormon bishop… is not in the interest of keeping the marriage intact.

There is almost a cookie-cutter fashion to the way the the believing spouse behaves. The first is, they want sole custody of the children in order to raise them Mormon. When the non-believing spouse wants a legal agreement of sole custody, joint custody or even just visiting rights that block this wish of raising the children Mormon…that is when some Mormons get very dirty in how they play the divorce.

Often, the non-believing parent is just as strong in their wishes that their children are not raised in Mormonism. You can understand this, if you understand that the majority of people who leave Mormonism have come to view it as nothing more than a huge fraud. Who would want their children raised to believe lies?

I’ve read a whole range of Mormon behavior, making up lies about the non-believing spouse… they are alcoholic, they abused their own children, neglectful, etc. They tell these lies to their bishop, and anyone who will listen in the ward. The non-believing spouse loses all support from anyone in the ward, including from people who were once relied on as friends and held in confidence.

There have been parents and grandparents who have kidnapped children from the non-believing spouse. Children baptized Mormon without the permission of the non-believing parent. It goes on and on.

You know very well the importance that Mormons put on families. A believing spouse who is making the kind of threats that are in this situation, is acting the part that has been acted thousands of times before. This is not new territory.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I would but I have no resources for that. I just have to keep “playing the part” while continuing my private devotions. Im looking for a local parish that has adoration that might fit my schedule so I might at least go before the blessed sacrament, even though I cannot partake at this time. I have to trust in God and his grace.

When does your temple recommend expire?

I am in an interfaith marriage. I converted to Catholicism from atheism, my husband remains an atheist.

Those graces are there, in abundance. I understand trusting in God’s grace.

This is the USCCB’s website on marriage, and in particular, the section on interfaith marriage:

foryourmarriage.org/catholic-marriage/church-teachings/interfaith-marriages/

I have always found comfort in the words of St. Paul, that are quoted in the Catechism:

1637 In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband.” It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this “consecration” should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith. Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion.

1 Cor 7:12-16 (KJV)

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

 

[pinay]

Pinay, the divorce rate for Mormon couples in TheExorcist’s position is 80%. It is the believing spouse who wants the divorce. So you can imagine, there are a lot of people out there who have gone through this. Mormon Bishop’s will counsel the believing spouse to get a divorce. It has happened over and over. So your ‘advice’, to talk to a Mormon bishop… is not in the interest of keeping the marriage intact.

There is almost a cookie-cutter fashion to the way the the believing spouse behaves. The first is, they want sole custody of the children in order to raise them Mormon. When the non-believing spouse wants a legal agreement of sole custody, joint custody or even just visiting rights that block this wish of raising the children Mormon…that is when some Mormons get very dirty in how they play the divorce.

Often, the non-believing parent is just as strong in their wishes that their children are not raised in Mormonism. You can understand this, if you understand that the majority of people who leave Mormonism have come to view it as nothing more than a huge fraud. Who would want their children raised to believe lies?

I’ve read a whole range of Mormon behavior, making up lies about the non-believing spouse… they are alcoholic, they abused their own children, neglectful, etc. They tell these lies to their bishop, and anyone who will listen in the ward. The non-believing spouse loses all support from anyone in the ward, including from people who were once relied on as friends and held in confidence.

There have been parents and grandparents who have kidnapped children from the non-believing spouse. Children baptized Mormon without the permission of the non-believing parent. It goes on and on.

You know very well the importance that Mormons put on families. A believing spouse who is making the kind of threats that are in this situation, is acting the part that has been acted thousands of times before. This is not new territory.

RebeccaJ, I forgot you were the one who has this chip against the LDS church (I haven’t been active in these forums for a while). I concede the discussion to your skewed view of Mormons.

I mean, I can tell you Catholic horror stories too, but, what good will that do?

Carry on…

 

[RebeccaJ]

RebeccaJ, I forgot you were the one who has this chip against the LDS church (I haven’t been active in these forums for a while). I concede the discussion to your skewed view of Mormons.

I mean, I can tell you Catholic horror stories too, but, what good will that do?

Carry on…

80% divorce rate…this is a Mormon occurrence, not Catholic. A priest will not counsel a person to obtain a divorce, a Mormon bishop will. It is not my fault that you can’t face reality.

But, you just keep on telling yourself that all is well, and blame me, it is a typical Mormon response. You can’t address the subject without attacking the other person, especially when that person is a former Mormon. It happens like clockwork around here.

 

[Inishfree]

Talking to anybody else in the church besides the Bishopric of the ward is probably not going to give TheExorcist what he wants. The church is focused on eternal families - and that includes being faithful to the sealing. They would be counseling him towards strenghthening his eternal sealing.

This is really the problem here - in LDS doctrine, eternal families is the ideal everybody strives for (doctrine not found in Catholic, so it is understandable that the non-LDS community cannot relate to the intense challenge here). TheExorcist basically, to put it bluntly, is hindering his family’s eternal family, something that I’m sure his wife - if she would have known this prior to getting married - would have not married him. So, in his wife’s eyes, TheExorcist married her under “false pretenses” - something that, in the Catholic faith as well as in LDS, could qualify for annulment. A woman cannot be sealed to more than one Priesthood - therefore, TheExorcist’s wife and children are now “orphaned”, a state they find themselves in by no choice of their own. The way I understand it, TheExorcist wife would rather have the sealing annulled than continue on this “orphaned” state.

What they both really need is to approach their bishop together and present the problem there. Living a double-life is not only hurting TheExorcist’s family, it is going to hurt the ward as well. I’m assuming that TheExorcist has already brought this problem to God. Sometimes, to really follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, we just have to be bold, follow what the Holy Spirit tells us and trust that He will protect us in our journey to be closer to Him.

Thank you, for your reply. As a Non-Mormon, I wasn’t aware of this. I don’t want to give wrong information or false hope and I do respect everyone’s religious beliefs. I myself have never been in this situation. I honestly wouldn’t know what to advise.

 

[Inishfree]

Pinay, the divorce rate for Mormon couples in TheExorcist’s position is 80%. It is the believing spouse who wants the divorce. So you can imagine, there are a lot of people out there who have gone through this. Mormon Bishop’s will counsel the believing spouse to get a divorce. It has happened over and over. So your ‘advice’, to talk to a Mormon bishop… is not in the interest of keeping the marriage intact.

There is almost a cookie-cutter fashion to the way the the believing spouse behaves. The first is, they want sole custody of the children in order to raise them Mormon. When the non-believing spouse wants a legal agreement of sole custody, joint custody or even just visiting rights that block this wish of raising the children Mormon…that is when some Mormons get very dirty in how they play the divorce.

Often, the non-believing parent is just as strong in their wishes that their children are not raised in Mormonism. You can understand this, if you understand that the majority of people who leave Mormonism have come to view it as nothing more than a huge fraud. Who would want their children raised to believe lies?

I’ve read a whole range of Mormon behavior, making up lies about the non-believing spouse… they are alcoholic, they abused their own children, neglectful, etc. They tell these lies to their bishop, and anyone who will listen in the ward. The non-believing spouse loses all support from anyone in the ward, including from people who were once relied on as friends and held in confidence.

There have been parents and grandparents who have kidnapped children from the non-believing spouse. Children baptized Mormon without the permission of the non-believing parent. It goes on and on.

You know very well the importance that Mormons put on families. A believing spouse who is making the kind of threats that are in this situation, is acting the part that has been acted thousands of times before. This is not new territory.

Rebecca, is it true?

There are Catholic couples who have divorced, remarried and maintain custody rights to their children. I’m sure the same goes for Protestant and Jewish people too. I have never heard of anything like this before. I met two LDS members, briefly. It was at a funeral and they knew I was Catholic. So was the deceased.

I admit. I knew nothing of the LDS beliefs or practices. Coming from the United Methodist faith into Catholisim. This is all brand new info. for me.