Why Should a Mormon Become Catholic?

[Marie5890]

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

Will be praying for you. Glad to hear that you took the time and did what you needed to do.

 

[Becca3]

But what always gave me pause was the Great Apostasy, a total, complete apostasy of Christ’s Church. It really is untenable, not supported by the Old nor New Testaments. I searched threads here and over at Mormon Dialogue and Discussion Board, and read thoughts from both sides (as well as various books and articles on both sides). I found the posts by the poster Soren1, here and MDDB, and they were extremely helpeful in providing exegesis on relevant OT and NT passages, showing that the Apostasy simply is not supported. God is faithful, even when we aren’t, and provided a means by which His Kingdom could be perpetuated.

That was also one of the first things I found out too. I mean, I couldn’t believe that I missed that in the OT and NT. There never was the “Great Apostasy”. There was always a group of believers here and there in both books. Christ was always present in their lives. So, they weren’t totally gone. There was a discussion on this in another thread as well. I just can’t believe that the LDS believed in that there was a total apostasy!! Where did they get that info from?? That is just crazy.

 

[SteveVH]

I just can’t believe that the LDS believed in that there was a total apostasy!! Where did they get that info from?? That is just crazy.

The Great Apostasy is the one legged stool upon which Mormonism stands. They believe it because there would be no reason for their existence if it was not true. As I was told by a Mormon bishop: “I don’t need to know history. I have the testimony of Joseph Smith”. So there ya go.

 

[eddie_too]

Living Waters,

Praise God!!! There must have been many prayers offered for your return to the faith. Thank God for He is merciful.

 

[pablope]

Yes.

But what always gave me pause was the Great Apostasy, a total, complete apostasy of Christ’s Church. It really is untenable, not supported by the Old nor New Testaments. I searched threads here and over at Mormon Dialogue and Discussion Board, and read thoughts from both sides (as well as various books and articles on both sides). I found the posts by the poster Soren1, here and MDDB, and they were extremely helpeful in providing exegesis on relevant OT and NT passages, showing that the Apostasy simply is not supported. God is faithful, even when we aren’t, and provided a means by which His Kingdom could be perpetuated.

Thanks for your witness…LW7…great story. I hope you can share it with the Coming Home Network.

I think a lot of former catholics would benefit from your story…God bless…:byzsoc:

 

[tarboy]

That is definitely true. I guess the way LDS envision the Catholic view is that in Heaven, everyone has the same relationship with everyone, so while you’ll be with your wife and children, they won’t have that same family relationship with you.

I’ve puzzled over this and now feel it’s actually a fantastic ‘coaching technique’. Many many years ago when I was young and fit, I was on the swim team. I remember when our coach taught us the technique of visualization. We had mediation time to visualize our fantastic race with correct technique and a fast finish time. Visualizing the completion of the race with rewards was very important.

It seems like the mormons are teaching their members to visualize winning the race to heaven. I expect their mind image of being together with their immediate loved ones is much more personal and compelling versus imaging equal love about everyone else.

 

[KathleenGee]

Visualizing is also what is done by followers of tv evangelist Kenneth Copeland whose teachings are considered heretical by Evangelicals.

It is more about the “I” achieving success and blessings than the emptying of self and carrying one’s cross, another form of the prosperity gospel.

To be chosen within Christianity, in face of the world that does not believe, is to have the grace of faith to believe in Christ and that He is physically present among us for 2,000 years in Word and Eucharist. He is a most faithful and loving God.

All relationships based on true love and in Jesus Christ will be continued in heaven.

Yesterday on EWTN, Fr Mitch Pacwa spoke of the Gospel, when Christ was speaking of Judgement Day, where all the nations will be assembled. “I was naked and you clothed Me”, “I was hungry and you fed Me”, …

If you look at the word, “nations” in Hebrew, it means ‘goyem’. This is the Hebrew word for those who are outside of Israel, outside faith. Those of the world that perform works of mercy for their neighbor are on the road to salvation, and those who serve only themselves will be divided as sheep from goats.

So those who believe in Christ and serve Him are chosen by His grace. But, as is defined in Vatican II, all those people of good will who serve and help others are also on the walk of salvation.

 

[Becca3]

The Great Apostasy is the one legged stool upon which Mormonism stands. They believe it because there would be no reason for their existence if it was not true. As I was told by a Mormon bishop: “I don’t need to know history. I have the testimony of Joseph Smith”. So there ya go.

Well, if he knew history, he wouldn’t be a bishop in the first place right? lol.

 

[LivingWaters7]

That was also one of the first things I found out too. I mean, I couldn’t believe that I missed that in the OT and NT. There never was the “Great Apostasy”. There was always a group of believers here and there in both books. Christ was always present in their lives. So, they weren’t totally gone. There was a discussion on this in another thread as well. I just can’t believe that the LDS believed in that there was a total apostasy!! Where did they get that info from?? That is just crazy.

I agree.

However, we should be clear on a point: LDS do believe that during the period of the Apostasy, there still may have been true believers around, as well as people that had varying degrees of the truth. Many say that Christ was present in the lives of such people. The issue of the total apostasy belief is that there was no organized Kingdom on the earth, and that God’s priesthood authority was not present.

So, when I say that the Great Apostasy is untenable based on the Bible, I mean that the Bible nowhere predicts a total apostasy of Christ’s Church, where the priesthood authority of God and keys of the Kingdom are not found/removed/weren’t passed on. I believe that the Bible clearly demonstrates that despite human failures, God is always faithful, is always in charge, and provides a means by which His Kingdom could be perpetuated, and that since Christ is at the head of His own Church, He would not let it fail after He Himself established it (in the same way that an apostasy of the LDS Church today is viewed as not possible).

 

[Becca3]

God is always faithful, is always in charge, and provides a means by which His Kingdom could be perpetuated, and that since Christ is at the head of His own Church,

That is what I am noticing and seeing from reading the scriptures. Throughout the whole bible, God was there. He is faithful. Now if you will notice, especially in the OT, why do you think the writers would mention all that geneology?? It is cuz right down to David’s line where Jesus comes from on the human side, God was telling us He was there. And still is!

 

[Marie5890]

LW, thinking and praying for you today. God bless.

 

[SpeSalvi]

One of my biggest pet peeves is that it’s called the “Great” apostasy. You’d think that, if it were a big event, it would have been documented a bit better.

LW, you totally rock. I remember first seeing you on these boards and praying that you’d come back to the fold. Your journey these past few months has been inspiring for me!

 

[TexanKnight]

Having been both, I would be Catholic because it just makes sense. If you read the Church Fathers, it is clear that Catholics do it the way they did it.

Mormons claim to be a restoration. Read the writings from the First Christians and tell me who truly resembles the way things were done and beliefs that were held back then.

Read the Bible and see if you see ANYTHING that truly resembles all of the past and current LDS teachings.

And ask yourself…IF the lds church restored something, which lds church? The one from the 1800s, or the one now with its different teachings and changes.

I would choose Catholic because I want to belong to Church that Jesus started.

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

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

 

[LivingWaters7]

The Great Apostasy is the one legged stool upon which Mormonism stands. They believe it because there would be no reason for their existence if it was not true. As I was told by a Mormon bishop: “I don’t need to know history. I have the testimony of Joseph Smith”. So there ya go.

Yes. The Great Apostasy really is the basis for the LDS Church. If there was no Apostasy, there was no Restoration, since there was no need. Yes, LDS express that they have faith in Christ, accept His atonement, etc etc, however if there was no Apostasy, nor a Restoration, then their priesthood, as well as the ordinances performed by their priesthood, are not valid. I have found that the proof proffered by many LDS apologists in an attempt to prove the Great Apostasy and Restoration are lacking, with many of their arguments against Catholicism (such as the mode of baptism) could equally be applied to the LDS Church itself (such as the mode of the temple Initiatory).

 

[Church_Militant]

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

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[twopekinguys]

Yes. The Great Apostasy really is the basis for the LDS Church. If there was no Apostasy, there was no Restoration, since there was no need. Yes, LDS express that they have faith in Christ, accept His atonement, etc etc, however if there was no Apostasy, nor a Restoration, then their priesthood, as well as the ordinances performed by their priesthood, are not valid. I have found that the proof proffered by many LDS apologists in an attempt to prove the Great Apostasy and Restoration are lacking, with many of their arguments against Catholicism (such as the mode of baptism) could equally be applied to the LDS Church itself (such as the mode of the temple Initiatory).

I love the change in religious affiliation you’ve got going on there!



(I’m guessing you didn’t burst into flames during confession. )

 

[SteveVH]

I love the change in religious affiliation you’ve got going on there!



(I’m guessing you didn’t burst into flames during confession. )

Wow, I didn’t even notice that. I know have tears in my eyes.

God bless you LivingWaters.

 

[KathleenGee]

God bless you, LW7…we wholeheartedly welcome back to the fold!

Praise to Our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

[LivingWaters7]

I love the change in religious affiliation you’ve got going on there!



(I’m guessing you didn’t burst into flames during confession. )

Haha no I didn’t. I of course had to refresh my memory a little as to how to “do” Confession, and this was a longer than normal one, but it was nice, and the priest offered great counsel as well.

Oh and for good measure, I bought Scott Hahn’s “Lord, Have Mercy-The Healing Power of Confession” (along with his Hail, Holy Queen, Reasons to Believe-How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith, and Many Are Called-Rediscovering the Glory of the Priesthood, to add to my existing Hahn library) .