Why Should a Mormon Become Catholic?

[ImLDS]

My grandfather was Mormon and my great grandmother converted from the Mormon religion to Catholicism. If she did not, I would most likely be Mormon. The question that I find compelling is: When Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16 that “the gates of Hell would not prevail against” the Church, do we believe he had the power to fulfill this promise. In other words, was He really God? If Jesus was just one of many gods, then he might have wished that the gates of hell would not prevail, but he (not being the Supreme God) might not have the power to make it so. If Jesus is who he says he is, the Son of the One true God and a member of the Holy Trinity, then he has the power to make it so. So who is Jesus? I believe that He is God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He meant what he said and he had the power to make is so. This makes the Catholic Church the only existing Church that was founded by Jesus and is sustained by His Grace.

To LDS Jesus is Lord, the Lord of the universe. He was Jehovah of the Old Testament and created the earth (John 1:3). Without him there would be no salvation. “He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come” (Ensign, Apr. 2000, 2-3). We take Matt 16 to be : the keys of the kingdom are the keys of the Priesthood. And the Rock to be Christ, the Stone of Israel and head of the Church.

 

[ImLDS]

Welcome IamLDS.
Have you read LW’s story and his extensive research or are you just assuming he hasn’t put in literally hours of prayer, discernment and research.

His journey has been very thoughtful and thorough. Very commendable.

No I have not. However, I can speak of experience as I have also put many hours days and years into my pursuit of truth. I will be sure to read it.

 

[Miriam1947]

I was Mormon, became Catholic, and am now coming back to the LDS Church so I may have a unique view. For me it was certain doctrines within the Catholic Church (and some of its history but not really). For starters, purgatory, celibacy (I know its a discipline, not a doctrine), Mary and the Saints, Confession, Hell in the Bible meant sheol or land of the dead not fiery pit (that isn’t just Catholicism), etc. However, once you come to that conclusion that the LDS Church is truth, nothing else really matters. The Spirit has born witness to me I was not on the right path and needed to repent and return to the Church and therefore I am. Before you leave, make sure you know what you’re leaving. That was my mistake.

So you have read all of the Mormon scripture and even though it contradicts other parts as far as what and who God is, you still think it is the truth?

Because at the beginning Joseph Smith taught that God was trinitarian. It was only later that he changed to three separate gods who used to be men and had to progress.

He also had several versions of his vision and I believe it is his third revision of the vision which is now official LDS doctrine.

Does any of that bother you?

Joseph Smith was just a man. Not a prophet. He was a polygamist and in fact hid that from most of his followers.

He died not because he was a prophet but because he was involved in the burning of the press at the Nauvoo Expositor.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo_Expositor

The Nauvoo Expositor was a newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois that published only one issue, which was dated June 7, 1844. Its publication set off a chain of events that contributed to the death of Latter Day Saint movement founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. The Expositor was founded by several disaffected associates of Smith, some of whom claimed that he had attempted to seduce their wives in the name of plural marriage.[1]
The bulk of the maiden issue of the Expositor was devoted to criticism of Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and the mayor of Nauvoo. After two days of consultation, Smith and the Nauvoo city council voted on June 10, 1844 to declare the paper a public nuisance, and ordered the paper’s printing press destroyed.[2] The town marshal carried out the order that evening.[3] These actions generated considerable disturbance, and culminated in Smith’s death by a vigilante group while he was in legal custody and awaiting a trial in nearby Carthage.

That vigilante group was made up of disaffected Mormons.

 

[ImLDS]

I also found, as we saw in the Cumorah thread as an example, that many times, LDS apologetics creates a dichotomy between what LDS prophets and apostles have said and taught, including in General Conferences, and what the actual evidences show. When the actual evidences demonstrate that they were wrong about something, or if something doesn’t fit with the way they would like to present the Church, then we are to take the apologist argument over what the latter day prophets and apostles have stated. An example of that is with where Cumorah is. Another example is with the priesthood restriction on blacks until 1978. LDS will frequently state that we don’t know who, what, where, when, why as to the priesthood restriction. It is not known how it originated. But what we should focus on, and what we do know, is that it’s over. The problem I see with that is that the First Presidency in 1949 said in a letter:

---

"The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the Priesthood at the present time. The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: “Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to.”

President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: “The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have.”

The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes." ***

So it seems that the First Presidency understood the priesthood restriction quite differently than apologists would have us believe, as well as the Church today. Because the LDS Church does not specifically define and state many things, the apologists are frequently left to opine and define where the Church doesn’t (though it is always amusing when the FAIR wiki will give explanations on various difficulties, then end with “The Church offers no opinion”).

The new heading to Official Declaration 2 in the new 2013 edition of the Scriptures offers a very nice explanation, even helping me understand. It says,"
The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33). Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the Church. During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood. Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance. The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelations removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood."

 

[pablope]

Th\

The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelations removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood."

Why were there restrictions in the first place? Why could it not start with no restrictions?

Is God of one constant mind? Or is God’s mind ever changing, changing according to the mood of the times?

 

[ImLDS]

So you have read all of the Mormon scripture and even though it contradicts other parts as far as what and who God is, you still think it is the truth?

Because at the beginning Joseph Smith taught that God was trinitarian. It was only later that he changed to three separate gods who used to be men and had to progress.

He also had several versions of his vision and I believe it is his third revision of the vision which is now official LDS doctrine.

Does any of that bother you?

Joseph Smith was just a man. Not a prophet. He was a polygamist and in fact hid that from most of his followers.

He died not because he was a prophet but because he was involved in the burning of the press at the Nauvoo Expositor.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo_Expositor

The Nauvoo Expositor was a newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois that published only one issue, which was dated June 7, 1844. Its publication set off a chain of events that contributed to the death of Latter Day Saint movement founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. The Expositor was founded by several disaffected associates of Smith, some of whom claimed that he had attempted to seduce their wives in the name of plural marriage.[1]
The bulk of the maiden issue of the Expositor was devoted to criticism of Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and the mayor of Nauvoo. After two days of consultation, Smith and the Nauvoo city council voted on June 10, 1844 to declare the paper a public nuisance, and ordered the paper’s printing press destroyed.[2] The town marshal carried out the order that evening.[3] These actions generated considerable disturbance, and culminated in Smith’s death by a vigilante group while he was in legal custody and awaiting a trial in nearby Carthage.

That vigilante group was made up of disaffected Mormons.

I am not sure about the burning of the Nauvoo Expositor. However, Joseph Smith was not perfect. All 3 accounts are all related but if you tell the same story over and over it might be changed on account of memory from time to time. Its hard to tell the same story word for word over and over. In his own writings, he says “For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.” I have not read all of the Scriptures but am getting there. Where do they contradict? Also, LDS believe the Bible has not been kept in its perfect form over the thousands of years but still contains the main principles of what happened and what the Apostles saw.

 

[Becca3]

I also found, as we saw in the Cumorah thread as an example, that many times, LDS apologetics creates a dichotomy between what LDS prophets and apostles have said and taught, including in General Conferences, and what the actual evidences show. When the actual evidences demonstrate that they were wrong about something, or if something doesn’t fit with the way they would like to present the Church, then we are to take the apologist argument over what the latter day prophets and apostles have stated. An example of that is with where Cumorah is. Another example is with the priesthood restriction on blacks until 1978. LDS will frequently state that we don’t know who, what, where, when, why as to the priesthood restriction. It is not known how it originated. But what we should focus on, and what we do know, is that it’s over. The problem I see with that is that the First Presidency in 1949 said in a letter:

---

"The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the Priesthood at the present time. The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: “Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to.”

President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: “The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have.”

The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes." ***

You know, that was another thing that has got me questioning the LDS doctrine. There was a thread going on about the LDS faith and someone mentioned Cumorah and how the archaeologists couldn’t find any evidence of the battle between “Moroni’s people and the Lamanites”. No swords or nothing.

About the priesthood restriction on blacks, when I first heard that, I was shocked cuz I knew that surely the Lord himself would welcome all people to His kingdom as long as they believe and are faithful to Him. He would not have stood for that race discrimination against blacks. I mean, after all, remember when Jesus himself asked the prostitute Mary to walk with Him and His disciples? Well, He didn’t care what she was but He only cared that she was a person, a human being, just like everyone else. He didn’t discriminate. If she was black, He would still invite her to walk with them. But why did the LDS single out the blacks?? They could have easily done it to the Chinese, Russian, Japanese, etc… See what I mean?

 

[twopekinguys]

Yes it’s still up, I’ll link to it at a later time.

Luckily, my ward was dissolved recently, so we were all released from our callings. I stopped going months ago. Figuring out how to do this while still in my calling was definitely an issue for me, so I definitely felt relieved, and it made this whole thought process a lot easier, when we heard that news.

Was you ward dissolved because of lack of members? attendance?

I’m assuming active members were assigned to another ward. Would that be correct?

 

[SpeSalvi]

^Often it’s just redistricting stuff. The physical ground that was covered by that ward will have been split into different wards.

When I was 16, our ward was dissolved, which was a pity because everyone was very tightknit. Most of the other families in our ward were assigned to another ward with a similar demographic, but my family was assigned to a ward where all of the kids were from much more affluent families. I was routinely left out of activities because I wasn’t “one of them”.

Less than a year later, they ended up redistricting again because they found that the ward was just too large now. They split it, called the “original” ward “(name) 1st ward” and the other “(name) 2nd ward”. That also caused a lot of division between people, and to this day there’s a rivalry between the “1st” and “2nd” wards that my younger brothers and sisters deal with.

 

[Becca3]

^Often it’s just redistricting stuff. The physical ground that was covered by that ward will have been split into different wards.

When I was 16, our ward was dissolved, which was a pity because everyone was very tightknit. Most of the other families in our ward were assigned to another ward with a similar demographic, but my family was assigned to a ward where all of the kids were from much more affluent families. I was routinely left out of activities because I wasn’t “one of them”.

Less than a year later, they ended up redistricting again because they found that the ward was just too large now. They split it, called the “original” ward “(name) 1st ward” and the other “(name) 2nd ward”. That also caused a lot of division between people, and to this day there’s a rivalry between the “1st” and “2nd” wards that my younger brothers and sisters deal with.

You would think they wouldn’t be that way huh? Such attitudes is a handicap to them only. Really and truly.

 

[LivingWaters7]

Was you ward dissolved because of lack of members? attendance?

No, they’re doing some construction, so they want the building to be used less (there are 3 wards that meet at that building, plus weekly activities, baptisms, etc).

I’m assuming active members were assigned to another ward. Would that be correct?

Yes, all members were reassigned to other wards based on where they live (boundaries were redrawn to accommodate the changes).

 

[KathleenGee]

LW7, you have done alot of comparative studies and believe you will do alot of good with all your insights.

I pray you will help many find the true Church of Jesus Christ that is ours. Our perfection is not in us but in the Lord.

 

[laurenannie]

Just a quick background as this is my first post, I was raised LDS and have chosen to convert to Catholicism. This was the first thread I saw today, my first day back since I registered, and I had to laugh. How applicable to my situation! I know that the OP has already decided to revert to Catholicism, but I thought I’d share why this Mormon has chosen to become Catholic.

I was a history major at BYU. When I entered the history program we were guided to Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Mantle is Far Greater than the Intellect” (link in case you’ve never read it: si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/library/talks/ces-symposium-addresses/the-mantle-is-far-far-greater-than-the-intellect_eng.pdf) and informed in no uncertain terms that in complying with this talk we should not submit research papers on any church history topics, especially not Joseph Smith. This of course made me more curious than ever and I had to know what they didn’t want me to know.

After being completely devastated by the things I found about church history and Joseph Smith especially, I still couldn’t leave. I was raised in a very devout Mormon family, the descendant of Mormon pioneers on both sides, and everything I had was tied up in my identity as a Mormon. I tried desperately to make it work. I figured if I just tried hard enough and prayed hard enough these doubts would be made clear. During this time, I would take some breaks from Mormonism and investigate other churches. I was consistently drawn to Catholicism but I resisted. I know now that I had many misunderstandings about the doctrines of the Catholic faith, and partially because of these misunderstandings I choose to not attend a Mass, even though there was a strong urge to go. I attended many other denominations and though the services were generally fine, nothing compelled me to return. It wasn’t what I was looking for.

About a year ago I stopped going to LDS Church completely. I also gave up on finding any church to join. I continued to believe in Christ but I was so hurt by my experience in Mormonism and frustrated at my lack of finding another faith. Of course, the draw to Catholicism increased, but, being my stubborn self, I didn’t attend Mass. Finally, about three weeks ago I realized that this urge to attend Mass wouldn’t subside until I did it. So I researched Catholic parishes in my area and found the one closest to me.

During the Mass I tried to follow along in the book, but I admit it was a bit overwhelming. It was just so different than listening to talks and lessons for three hours like LDS church. I sort of gave up during the Eucharist. I put down the book and just started watching the priest bless the Eucharist. Then the priest held up the host and stated “Behold the Lamb of God” and thank heavens I was kneeling because I might have fallen over otherwise. I knew that Christ was there in the consecrated host. I knew He was there just as surely as I knew the priest was there. After Mass was over I left quickly and went home. I thought, I prayed, I cried. And then I knew the Catholic Church was the truth I had been looking for. The next day I called to make an appointment with the priest and inquire about RCIA classes. I start in September and I haven’t been this happy or at peace in years.

That’s why this Mormon is becoming Catholic.

 

[twopekinguys]

^Often it’s just redistricting stuff. The physical ground that was covered by that ward will have been split into different wards.

When I was 16, our ward was dissolved, which was a pity because everyone was very tightknit. Most of the other families in our ward were assigned to another ward with a similar demographic, but my family was assigned to a ward where all of the kids were from much more affluent families. I was routinely left out of activities because I wasn’t “one of them”.

Less than a year later, they ended up redistricting again because they found that the ward was just too large now. They split it, called the “original” ward “(name) 1st ward” and the other “(name) 2nd ward”. That also caused a lot of division between people, and to this day there’s a rivalry between the “1st” and “2nd” wards that my younger brothers and sisters deal with.

My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister in Springfield Illinois, and ran into something similar.

There was 1st Presbyterian, 2nd Pres, 3rd, etc. His last assignment was at “3rd Church”. Nobody liked it, that’s for sure.

After he passed away, several of the churches decided to change their names to things like “Walnut Street Presbyterian”, “6th St.”, etc. Ironically, First church never changed their name. Go figure…lol

 

[Boulder257]

Just a quick background as this is my first post, I was raised LDS and have chosen to convert to Catholicism. This was the first thread I saw today, my first day back since I registered, and I had to laugh. How applicable to my situation! I know that the OP has already decided to revert to Catholicism, but I thought I’d share why this Mormon has chosen to become Catholic.

I was a history major at BYU. When I entered the history program we were guided to Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Mantle is Far Greater than the Intellect” (link in case you’ve never read it: si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/library/talks/ces-symposium-addresses/the-mantle-is-far-far-greater-than-the-intellect_eng.pdf) and informed in no uncertain terms that in complying with this talk we should not submit research papers on any church history topics, especially not Joseph Smith. This of course made me more curious than ever and I had to know what they didn’t want me to know.

After being completely devastated by the things I found about church history and Joseph Smith especially, I still couldn’t leave. I was raised in a very devout Mormon family, the descendant of Mormon pioneers on both sides, and everything I had was tied up in my identity as a Mormon. I tried desperately to make it work. I figured if I just tried hard enough and prayed hard enough these doubts would be made clear. During this time, I would take some breaks from Mormonism and investigate other churches. I was consistently drawn to Catholicism but I resisted. I know now that I had many misunderstandings about the doctrines of the Catholic faith, and partially because of these misunderstandings I choose to not attend a Mass, even though there was a strong urge to go. I attended many other denominations and though the services were generally fine, nothing compelled me to return. It wasn’t what I was looking for.

About a year ago I stopped going to LDS Church completely. I also gave up on finding any church to join. I continued to believe in Christ but I was so hurt by my experience in Mormonism and frustrated at my lack of finding another faith. Of course, the draw to Catholicism increased, but, being my stubborn self, I didn’t attend Mass. Finally, about three weeks ago I realized that this urge to attend Mass wouldn’t subside until I did it. So I researched Catholic parishes in my area and found the one closest to me.

During the Mass I tried to follow along in the book, but I admit it was a bit overwhelming. It was just so different than listening to talks and lessons for three hours like LDS church. I sort of gave up during the Eucharist. I put down the book and just started watching the priest bless the Eucharist. Then the priest held up the host and stated “Behold the Lamb of God” and thank heavens I was kneeling because I might have fallen over otherwise. I knew that Christ was there in the consecrated host. I knew He was there just as surely as I knew the priest was there. After Mass was over I left quickly and went home. I thought, I prayed, I cried. And then I knew the Catholic Church was the truth I had been looking for. The next day I called to make an appointment with the priest and inquire about RCIA classes. I start in September and I haven’t been this happy or at peace in years.

That’s why this Mormon is becoming Catholic.

What a wonderful story! Welcome home.

 

[JustaServant]

Well, to keep it simple: after much prayer, study (a ton on both sides), talking to people (on both sides and other sides), etc, I’ve concluded that I already had 1.5 feet back in Catholicism for the last few months, and that I was only kidding myself. Tomorrow, after a few errands, I’ll be going to Confession! Wasn’t an easy decision to make (as far as doubting myself, what ifs), but it just seemed obvious after awhile, especially with the scriptural promises God made as to the continuity of His Church, His Kingdom (in both the Old and New Testaments).

Catholics Come Home-Epic

We Are Catholic

Catholicism Series

Welcome home LW!!
I was never Mormon, my journey took me into the fundamentalist world. It took a while for much of that to be “undone” in my mind. That’s what many don’t understand, it’s not instantaneous. You don’t cross or re-cross the Tiber in one day. It’s like coming home after a long absence and having to get used to the house rules again. Whether you understand it or not. The evidence is one thing. For me at least, getting my ego out of the way to accept it was quite another. Age for me was a factor as well. The older you get the less “sure” you are about things. As somebody said once, “surety is the affliction of youth”.
Welcome back LW, and keep us updated.

 

[twopekinguys]

Just a quick background as this is my first post, I was raised LDS and have chosen to convert to Catholicism. This was the first thread I saw today, my first day back since I registered, and I had to laugh. How applicable to my situation! I know that the OP has already decided to revert to Catholicism, but I thought I’d share why this Mormon has chosen to become Catholic.

I was a history major at BYU. When I entered the history program we were guided to Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Mantle is Far Greater than the Intellect” (link in case you’ve never read it: si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/library/talks/ces-symposium-addresses/the-mantle-is-far-far-greater-than-the-intellect_eng.pdf) and informed in no uncertain terms that in complying with this talk we should not submit research papers on any church history topics, especially not Joseph Smith. This of course made me more curious than ever and I had to know what they didn’t want me to know.

After being completely devastated by the things I found about church history and Joseph Smith especially, I still couldn’t leave. I was raised in a very devout Mormon family, the descendant of Mormon pioneers on both sides, and everything I had was tied up in my identity as a Mormon. I tried desperately to make it work. I figured if I just tried hard enough and prayed hard enough these doubts would be made clear. During this time, I would take some breaks from Mormonism and investigate other churches. I was consistently drawn to Catholicism but I resisted. I know now that I had many misunderstandings about the doctrines of the Catholic faith, and partially because of these misunderstandings I choose to not attend a Mass, even though there was a strong urge to go. I attended many other denominations and though the services were generally fine, nothing compelled me to return. It wasn’t what I was looking for.

About a year ago I stopped going to LDS Church completely. I also gave up on finding any church to join. I continued to believe in Christ but I was so hurt by my experience in Mormonism and frustrated at my lack of finding another faith. Of course, the draw to Catholicism increased, but, being my stubborn self, I didn’t attend Mass. Finally, about three weeks ago I realized that this urge to attend Mass wouldn’t subside until I did it. So I researched Catholic parishes in my area and found the one closest to me.

During the Mass I tried to follow along in the book, but I admit it was a bit overwhelming. It was just so different than listening to talks and lessons for three hours like LDS church. I sort of gave up during the Eucharist. I put down the book and just started watching the priest bless the Eucharist. Then the priest held up the host and stated “Behold the Lamb of God” and thank heavens I was kneeling because I might have fallen over otherwise. I knew that Christ was there in the consecrated host. I knew He was there just as surely as I knew the priest was there. After Mass was over I left quickly and went home. I thought, I prayed, I cried. And then I knew the Catholic Church was the truth I had been looking for. The next day I called to make an appointment with the priest and inquire about RCIA classes. I start in September and I haven’t been this happy or at peace in years.

That’s why this Mormon is becoming Catholic.

I (and I’m sure others) am going to include you in my prayers.

As you know, you’re going to have quite a journey ahead of you. Converting, no matter which way you go can sometimes be an overwhelming experience.

Converting is something people who haven’t done it simply cannot understand. For many, it feels like you are turning away from things instead of toward something.

Many feel like they are abandoning family, friends and culture, and their families often feel the same way. There is nothing further from the truth.

By starting RCIA, you have opened the door. Once you get through that door, everyone will say “Welcome Home”.

I converted in 1995, and I was telling people in my RCIA class that it was like I had been lost (with no GPS), and I was finally on the road home.

God Bless you on your journey.

PS. I got so much out of RCIA, and still do, that I became the Parish Director.

 

[LivingWaters7]

Just a quick background as this is my first post, I was raised LDS and have chosen to convert to Catholicism. This was the first thread I saw today, my first day back since I registered, and I had to laugh. How applicable to my situation! I know that the OP has already decided to revert to Catholicism, but I thought I’d share why this Mormon has chosen to become Catholic.

I was a history major at BYU. When I entered the history program we were guided to Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Mantle is Far Greater than the Intellect” (link in case you’ve never read it: si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/library/talks/ces-symposium-addresses/the-mantle-is-far-far-greater-than-the-intellect_eng.pdf) and informed in no uncertain terms that in complying with this talk we should not submit research papers on any church history topics, especially not Joseph Smith. This of course made me more curious than ever and I had to know what they didn’t want me to know.

After being completely devastated by the things I found about church history and Joseph Smith especially, I still couldn’t leave. I was raised in a very devout Mormon family, the descendant of Mormon pioneers on both sides, and everything I had was tied up in my identity as a Mormon. I tried desperately to make it work. I figured if I just tried hard enough and prayed hard enough these doubts would be made clear. During this time, I would take some breaks from Mormonism and investigate other churches. I was consistently drawn to Catholicism but I resisted. I know now that I had many misunderstandings about the doctrines of the Catholic faith, and partially because of these misunderstandings I choose to not attend a Mass, even though there was a strong urge to go. I attended many other denominations and though the services were generally fine, nothing compelled me to return. It wasn’t what I was looking for.

About a year ago I stopped going to LDS Church completely. I also gave up on finding any church to join. I continued to believe in Christ but I was so hurt by my experience in Mormonism and frustrated at my lack of finding another faith. Of course, the draw to Catholicism increased, but, being my stubborn self, I didn’t attend Mass. Finally, about three weeks ago I realized that this urge to attend Mass wouldn’t subside until I did it. So I researched Catholic parishes in my area and found the one closest to me.

During the Mass I tried to follow along in the book, but I admit it was a bit overwhelming. It was just so different than listening to talks and lessons for three hours like LDS church. I sort of gave up during the Eucharist. I put down the book and just started watching the priest bless the Eucharist. Then the priest held up the host and stated “Behold the Lamb of God” and thank heavens I was kneeling because I might have fallen over otherwise. I knew that Christ was there in the consecrated host. I knew He was there just as surely as I knew the priest was there. After Mass was over I left quickly and went home. I thought, I prayed, I cried. And then I knew the Catholic Church was the truth I had been looking for. The next day I called to make an appointment with the priest and inquire about RCIA classes. I start in September and I haven’t been this happy or at peace in years.

That’s why this Mormon is becoming Catholic.

That is wonderful!

Thanks for posting, and yes, all are welcome to share their reasons, stories, and questions here, this thread isn’t about me .

I’d say just focus on going to Mass without a book for the first few times. Also see what devotions the parish you’re going to has.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the Eucharist was very instrumental in my coming back to Catholicism. It simply is amazing reading the strong Biblical evidence for the belief in the Real Presence, as well as the historical evidence. There simply is no evidence of the LDS view on the Sacrament from the earliest Christians. As well, we see that the most ancient Churches, no matter where they were and are, Rome, Constantinople, Greece, Ethiopia, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, India, Armenia, etc all believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

I think you’ll also find that many of the things that you may find attractive in Mormonism are found in some fashion in Catholicism (further evidence to me that there was no apostasy), plus the things that come with the Catholic Church having the fulness of Truth. The Bishops are the successors to the apostles, holding apostolic authority, the same authority that they did. The Catholic Church is guided by God, and the Holy Spirit protects the Church. We can receive inspiration and revelation from God to guide our lives. There have been prophets, and prophetesses, throughout Catholic history, who have received real revelations and visions that we are free to accept as true. Some of these spiritual events were even witnessed by MANY people, and not just one. Miracles happen all the time, in many ways. The Lord’s Church never failed, and has been protected and guided, through the sins and failings of man, be here forever, because of Jesus Christ.

Welcome, and please share your thoughts and concerns as you go about this process with us!

 

[LivingWaters7]

Oh and yes, Sacrament Meeting is very different from the Mass. One of the things I missed was actual worship (and yes, I recognize that things like service and prayer are ways to worship God). Not even the temple provided that (not sure if you’re Endowed). Catholicism provides many liturgies and devotionals aimed at worshipping God. With Catholicism I feel like I’m connected to the ancient Jewish temple that we read about in the Bible (there are indeed books and scholarly articles written on that very topic), more so than I did going to the LDS temples, despite reading LDS apologetics on that topic.

 

[twopekinguys]

I agree with what LW is telling you.

Stay away from the missal for a while.

Personally, I don’t use the missal at all. For me, it draws my attention away from what is going on, and what is being said.

Besides, it drives me NUTS when 700 people all turn the page at the same time.

Our parish streams all of our Masses over the internet. This also includes weddings and funerals. (I run the cameras for our 5pm Saturday Mass).

If you like, I can send you a link. Maybe watching the Mass live, or taped, might help you out a bit.