Views on Mormonism?

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Tony888 said:
Hey blueadept,
What do the Catholics do to a member who participates in an Abortion?
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blueadept said:
In old days, it would be grounds for ex-communication.

In today’s time, it’s obviously a Mortal Sin and they’ve separated themselves from God. Not a good present state for sure.
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I thought that ex-communication was self inflicted and not nessecarily a judgement from the Church.
 
I was a “card holding” (litarally; Valid Temple Recommendation) Latter-Day Saint for several years. The post above that starts by saying one would be hard pressed to find a kinder or sweeter group of people reconciles with my experiences perfectly. Similarly, the post above that mentions adoption of their faith rests on their foundational doctrines, and that once you see they are flawed the house of cards fall, and fall quickly, is very well articulated. In fact, I was very engaged with church activities, held important callings, led in home visit completions, and was rapidly being recognized as an effective LDS apologetic. I was asked to “give a talk” (homily of sorts) on special occasions such as Easter Sunday, etc. Ironically, but really not all that surprisingly, it was in all my preparations for leading Sunday school lessons and talks that I discovered the weakness of their foundational doctrines. In what seemed like a split second I was in full doubt and sliding down a slippery slope as I read the Holy Bible feverishly and found contrast with LDS beliefs. The largest part of my focus was on the “works versus grace” dialogue. I eventually was led to a book I recommend any current or prospective Latter-Day Saint read; it’s titled “Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.” It is written by a practicing Mormon who is also a Harvard graduate and had taught at Brigham Young University. The Preface gives acknowledgment to several Church employees that work in Church Archives and museums. The book is given a positive review by Deseret Books, which I believe is an LDS subsidiary or at least a “Mormon friendly” publisher. Quite frankly, I don’t know if they read the book though, or at least very thoroughly. Many church artifacts are illustrated and described that clearly point out Joseph Smith was a fraud. He may have had good intentions, and the fruit of his fraud is a community of unbelievably wonderful people. However, the word “anti-christ” doesn’t necessarily mean “against Christ.” It means, “to replace Christ.” My research of the Holy Bible and the works of the Church fathers/doctors led me to conclude that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put personal merit (works) in the place of Christ’s sacrifice (grace), as the means to salvation. Sola gratia via sola fide via sola scriptura. The Holy Spirit worked in me as I read the Holy word of God. I believe the Holy Spirit worked through St. Augustine and Martin Luther too; and their translations/explanations helped me truly understand His word, His love, and eventually the path to His church (RCC).
 
Discepulo

God bless you…we pray for the Mormon people, and yes, I have found them very sweet.
 
Discepolo,

Welcome Home! And as a former mormon myself I would like to caution you that even though you may have held an office in your ward/branch/stake and had a firm faith in the LDS’, it is very possible that you will lose all credibility with the Mormons who do post here (as has been mine and I’m sure others experience) so please be patient.
 
Hi, Discepolo,

Welcome to CAF 🙂

Let me commend you for an excellent post! 👍 Thank you for sharing your personal experiences. 🙂

God bless
Discepolo said:
I was a “card holding” (litarally; Valid Temple Recommendation) Latter-Day Saint for several years. The post above that starts by saying one would be hard pressed to find a kinder or sweeter group of people reconciles with my experiences perfectly. Similarly, the post above that mentions adoption of their faith rests on their foundational doctrines, and that once you see they are flawed the house of cards fall, and fall quickly, is very well articulated. In fact, I was very engaged with church activities, held important callings, led in home visit completions, and was rapidly being recognized as an effective LDS apologetic. I was asked to “give a talk” (homily of sorts) on special occasions such as Easter Sunday, etc. Ironically, but really not all that surprisingly, it was in all my preparations for leading Sunday school lessons and talks that I discovered the weakness of their foundational doctrines. In what seemed like a split second I was in full doubt and sliding down a slippery slope as I read the Holy Bible feverishly and found contrast with LDS beliefs. The largest part of my focus was on the “works versus grace” dialogue. I eventually was led to a book I recommend any current or prospective Latter-Day Saint read; it’s titled “Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.” It is written by a practicing Mormon who is also a Harvard graduate and had taught at Brigham Young University. The Preface gives acknowledgment to several Church employees that work in Church Archives and museums. The book is given a positive review by Deseret Books, which I believe is an LDS subsidiary or at least a “Mormon friendly” publisher. Quite frankly, I don’t know if they read the book though, or at least very thoroughly. Many church artifacts are illustrated and described that clearly point out Joseph Smith was a fraud. He may have had good intentions, and the fruit of his fraud is a community of unbelievably wonderful people. However, the word “anti-christ” doesn’t necessarily mean “against Christ.” It means, “to replace Christ.” My research of the Holy Bible and the works of the Church fathers/doctors led me to conclude that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put personal merit (works) in the place of Christ’s sacrifice (grace), as the means to salvation. Sola gratia via sola fide via sola scriptura. The Holy Spirit worked in me as I read the Holy word of God. I believe the Holy Spirit worked through St. Augustine and Martin Luther too; and their translations/explanations helped me truly understand His word, His love, and eventually the path to His church (RCC).
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Discepolo said:
I was a “card holding” (litarally; Valid Temple Recommendation) Latter-Day Saint for several years. The post above that starts by saying one would be hard pressed to find a kinder or sweeter group of people reconciles with my experiences perfectly. Similarly, the post above that mentions adoption of their faith rests on their foundational doctrines, and that once you see they are flawed the house of cards fall, and fall quickly, is very well articulated. In fact, I was very engaged with church activities, held important callings, led in home visit completions, and was rapidly being recognized as an effective LDS apologetic. I was asked to “give a talk” (homily of sorts) on special occasions such as Easter Sunday, etc. Ironically, but really not all that surprisingly, it was in all my preparations for leading Sunday school lessons and talks that I discovered the weakness of their foundational doctrines. In what seemed like a split second I was in full doubt and sliding down a slippery slope as I read the Holy Bible feverishly and found contrast with LDS beliefs. The largest part of my focus was on the “works versus grace” dialogue. I eventually was led to a book I recommend any current or prospective Latter-Day Saint read; it’s titled “Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.” It is written by a practicing Mormon who is also a Harvard graduate and had taught at Brigham Young University. The Preface gives acknowledgment to several Church employees that work in Church Archives and museums. The book is given a positive review by Deseret Books, which I believe is an LDS subsidiary or at least a “Mormon friendly” publisher. Quite frankly, I don’t know if they read the book though, or at least very thoroughly. Many church artifacts are illustrated and described that clearly point out Joseph Smith was a fraud. He may have had good intentions, and the fruit of his fraud is a community of unbelievably wonderful people. However, the word “anti-christ” doesn’t necessarily mean “against Christ.” It means, “to replace Christ.” My research of the Holy Bible and the works of the Church fathers/doctors led me to conclude that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put personal merit (works) in the place of Christ’s sacrifice (grace), as the means to salvation. Sola gratia via sola fide via sola scriptura. The Holy Spirit worked in me as I read the Holy word of God. I believe the Holy Spirit worked through St. Augustine and Martin Luther too; and their translations/explanations helped me truly understand His word, His love, and eventually the path to His church (RCC).
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Well said. I think you very effectively articulated the very position a lot of us ExMos, or wannabe ExMos have in regard to “the church”. Im still a card holding Mormon, was just there today. I’m an act as if NOM due to family circumstances.
 
To those of you who have left the LDS church & culture, my hat is off to you; God’s hand in your life is so apparent. Thank you for your endurance as decision to separate oneself is difficult I’m sure & a powerful witness to me (I worked in a Mormon office for 14 years & know how strong & relentless that influence was to both to them & to me). Welcome Home! :tiphat:

PS how did you remain serene & calm in the eye of the storm as you were disconnecting?
 
blueadept said:
Mormons tend to date the Apostasy sometimes between when the last Apostle died and probably by the Council of Nicea.

You can’t really lump Mormonism with the Protestant movement. Protestant are Reformists that started with Luther and Calvin. They were technically fine with Catholic Church until that time when they believed the RCC got a few things wrong.

LDS, on the otherhand, is a Restoration-type church who believes the proper priesthood authority was removed from the earth which they refer to as the Apostasy. This of course was given back through the prophet Joseph Smith. They consider him a seer, prophet and revelator. They also consider each subsequent president as a prophet, seer and revelator and of course they re-established the 12 Apostles as well since Joseph Smith’s time and even today. Another difference is that EVERY worthy male, holds the priesthood.
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I believe this to be a fair analysis. Thank you.👍
 
Remaining calm while pulling away:

It was sad, very sad to hurt folks that I love and respect. Your great Mormon friends will struggle emotionally when you reveal your doubts about the LDS faith. I fully understand those that stay with the LDS church, even though they know the truth about it. Family and friends within the church believe apostates (those who choose to leave) are in serious danger (in several ways). It was very hard to watch one grown man after another well up with tears from genuine sadness as I pulled away from different callings and eventually the church altogether. I still don’t like to think about the pain I caused. It is hard to stay friends with them too because they cannot help but believe you are lost and need rescuing, and they truly love you. However, when you have the truth, you cannot deny it.

I quote this to my LDS friends: “We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent - if we are informed. Thoughts and expression compete in the markplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression…This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable.” ~ President Hugh B. Brown (a counselor in the LDS presidency during the 1960s).
 
RebeccaJ said:
My dear husband was raised LDS, kind of, he was ordained in their priesthood as a teacher, but he is now an atheist. I didn’t buy what Mormonism was selling very early in my life, by the time I was in my early 20s, I was out and atheist. I converted to Catholicism from atheism.
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I’ve heard that many many returned missionaries ‘lose their testimony’ and leave faith altogether. Is that true? I don’t personally know enough LDS to say, though I would find it sad.
 
bz5 said:
I’ve heard that many many returned missionaries ‘lose their testimony’ and leave faith altogether. Is that true? I don’t personally know enough LDS to say, though I would find it sad.
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LOL, I’ve heard the majority of returned LDS get married within a year, and start a family within the Church community.

Just what I’ve heard, don’t have stats one way or the other.
 
bz5 said:
I’ve heard that many many returned missionaries ‘lose their testimony’ and leave faith altogether. Is that true? I don’t personally know enough LDS to say, though I would find it sad.
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I only know from what I have read on the internet about those who leave the Mormon church. Many have become atheist or agnostic. They are very angry and feel they have been deceived and now feel that no religion tells the truth.

Joseph Smith has a lot to answer for.
 
Of my friends and family who are from an LDS background, I’d say an unofficial observation is half are active Mormons. Both my husband and I have very Mormon siblings, and very ex-Mormon siblings. All but a few of the ex-Mormons are atheist or agnostic. I’m the only Catholic.

Among my fellow converts in mynparish are more than a few former Mormon missionaries. One of whom said it was while on his mission he started to question Mormon belief, and began a long journey to Catholicism, which, started when he went to mass while on his mission.
 
Tony888 said:
LOL, I’ve heard the majority of returned LDS get married within a year, and start a family within the Church community.

Just what I’ve heard, don’t have stats one way or the other.
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Is that what you’re hoping for after your mission, Tony? From what I understand, all LDS are called to serve a mission at some point. Have you already been on your mission? Or are you just honing your skills and testing out different methods of arguing your points here, before going out to try to convert people that don’t know anything about your church? Some of your responses seem to be an attempt to try out certain comebacks and arguments that you might need to use when you are proselytizing. I’m sure after your experience here, it should be a lot easier for you, as long as you don’t run across someone that can actually challenge all of your talking points. Are you trying to see if you can convert someone from this forum, or are you just trying to convince us that Mormonism is just like any Christian religion? If you are, then I can understand your frustration when it seems that you aren’t really getting anywhere in doing either one.
 
Hi, Telstar,

I had honestly never thought of that. Actually, this does explain a lot!

God bless
Telstar said:
Is that what you’re hoping for after your mission, Tony? From what I understand, all LDS are called to serve a mission at some point. Have you already been on your mission? Or are you just honing your skills and testing out different methods of arguing your points here, before going out to try to convert people that don’t know anything about your church? Some of your responses seem to be an attempt to try out certain comebacks and arguments that you might need to use when you are proselytizing. I’m sure after your experience here, it should be a lot easier for you, as long as you don’t run across someone that can actually challenge all of your talking points. Are you trying to see if you can convert someone from this forum, or are you just trying to convince us that Mormonism is just like any Christian religion? If you are, then I can understand your frustration when it seems that you aren’t really getting anywhere in doing either one.
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We need people like the Mormons in the Church. They are enthusiastic, active, evangelistic and good people. There is a Carmel in Utah and the community are, no doubt, engaged in prayer for the conversion of these good people as I pray myself at Mass. It is a pity that we do not have knowledgeable young Catholics knocking on their doors and bringing them to the truth of Christ’s only Church.
 
StevieD said:
We need people like the Mormons in the Church. They are enthusiastic, active, evangelistic and good people. There is a Carmel in Utah and the community are, no doubt, engaged in prayer for the conversion of these good people as I pray myself at Mass. It is a pity that we do not have knowledgeable young Catholics knocking on their doors and bringing them to the truth of Christ’s only Church.
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Amen to all of that. Most of the Mormons that I’ve gotten to know over the years have been wonderful people (at least, until you start asking them about their religious beliefs). It wasn’t until I started researching their beliefs that I realized how far from the real Truth they actually are. I was very sad for them, and started praying for their conversion. While they do seem to live a life that is focused on most of the same virtues that Jesus taught, their motivations for doing it are just a tad off the mark because of their perception of Who God is. Without understanding the Trinity, it’s difficult for them to know Who the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit really are, and to fully understand God’s teachings in the Bible. Most of their intensive religious study is geared toward all of the books that Joseph Smith wrote, so their whole perspective of God is a bit more than slightly askew. 😦
 
In reference to the comment that our young adults had not been catechized properly…it depends.

I think the Catholic high schools were not teaching the youth at their developmental level…way too scholarly writings…instead of working with them on their level and using a more wholistic approach.

Steubenville in Ohio is very successful, as many Franciscans are, in helping young people come alive in Christ. What that implies is not the more intellectual or ascetic approach, but the Franciscan approach of ‘The Descent’…finding God at the feet of Christ in being a servant of His love.
 
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