If you were not LDS....

[Heartleap]

No merely that it was the Book of Mormon, as well as experiences in the church that led me to actually succeed in my trial of faith. No LDS church, no Jospeh Smith, no Book of Mormon, nothing to inspire me to actually try to have faith in God. The Bible just doesn't do as great of a job, I hate to say it - my two favorite verses in the scriptures are both from the Book of Mormon; I relate to it much much better than the Bible. Doesn't mean the Bible isn't correct, simply I wouldn't have actually tried to have faith if it hadn't been for the Book of Mormon causing me to put my faith in God. I wouldn't have been inspired to try.

*Trys to explain it better below*

To describe it in retrospect - the Book of Mormon made me challenge the 'dominance of vicious logic' in my mind - it made me think, perhaps faith could work, perhaps it could. Before I read the book, I was persay, very interested in scientific developments and in arguing with other people about logic. But my heart wasn't clear; life's purpose to me was lost. I became rather depressed. Then I read the book, and it gave me questions. Questions I considered. Questions I wanted answered. Questions I knew the world wouldn't give me an answer to.

So I knelt in prayer and asked a simple question...

God, are you there?

I felt the greatest peace that ever fell upon me.

And as to why I am Mormon? Because the Book of Mormon is what led me to ask the question in humility, with full trust I would receive an answer. Without the Book of Mormon, I never would have bothered asking. I never would have truly considered the important questions; never knelt down in prayer; never asked "God, are you there?". Without the Book of Mormon, there would be no answers for me.

Thank you, I am glad that God revealed himself to you. I love it when he shows up.

Heartleap...

[kolipoki09]

Progressive Judaism.

[Tsuzuki]

All of them.

[Garden Girl]

If I wasn't LDS... assuming you mean if for some reason the Church was no longer in existence, I don't know what I would or could be... while there are many wonderful and faithful Christians attending various denominations, they just don't fill me or inspire me in the same way the LDS Church does. I might even simply continue believing as I do now, but spend my sabbaths enjoying nature, quiet contemplation and prayer, etc... just between me and the Lord. I would hope I wouldn't become agnostic...

GG

[volgadon]

Progressive Judaism.

I would probably be Conservative. Much closer to Orthodox Judaism, yet not as fundamentalist. also, a very fertile intellectual environment, the legacy of Shechter, Ginzberg, Marx, and Lieberman.

[Sevenbak]

I would hope I wouldn't become agnostic...

Better Gnostic than Agnostic, I say.

I wonder if those Nazarene Essenes have a full 3 hour block?

[Muc'ul Ajwalil]

Tough call.

I'd probably go with Catholicism or Orthodoxy. Leaning more towards Orthodoxy

[TAO]

Thank you, I am glad that God revealed himself to you. I love it when he shows up.

Heartleap...

Thanks yah... the first part of the response didn't seem right... so I just decided to start clean with the second... but yah... for what God did to me, will have me serving him for the rest of my days, that it will.

Hmmm... I know this next part sounds random, and it has nothing to do with your post, but I just feel like saying it... XD.

Yah... I know it sounds wierd, but I don't really view him as a 'Mormon God', I simply view him as 'God', who helps people all over the world, regardless of their faith. To me, all this debate over who or what 'God' is that happens in this forum, seems kinda trivial in the long run, if you know what I mean. To me, he's simply who he is. And his son is simply who his son is. And I think we are being kinda ridiculous when we debate it, because I think he would rather have us spending time doing service, lifting others, and being kind people. I don't think that God is going to care all that much whether people look at him and his son as the same spirit, or not. I mean, it's important for knowing the mysteries, but that's something we should be listening to the spirit ourselves over - not arguing in forums if ya' know what I mean. I think God would much more care about us doing good in the world then about a person having a tiny misconception about the gospel; after all - that will be fixed the moment they leave this world, because they are humble.

But yah, I know that had little to do with your post, it's just something that came to mind for some reason. Maybe it will be of use to someone, I don't know =).

[Heartleap]

Thanks yah... the first part of the response didn't seem right... so I just decided to start clean with the second... but yah... for what God did to me, will have me serving him for the rest of my days, that it will.

Hmmm... I know this next part sounds random, and it has nothing to do with your post, but I just feel like saying it... XD.

Yah... I know it sounds wierd, but I don't really view him as a 'Mormon God', I simply view him as 'God', who helps people all over the world, regardless of their faith. To me, all this debate over who or what 'God' is that happens in this forum, seems kinda trivial in the long run, if you know what I mean. To me, he's simply who he is. And his son is simply who his son is. And I think we are being kinda ridiculous when we debate it, because I think he would rather have us spending time doing service, lifting others, and being kind people. I don't think that God is going to care all that much whether people look at him and his son as the same spirit, or not. I mean, it's important for knowing the mysteries, but that's something we should be listening to the spirit ourselves over - not arguing in forums if ya' know what I mean. I think God would much more care about us doing good in the world then about a person having a tiny misconception about the gospel; after all - that will be fixed the moment they leave this world, because they are humble.

But yah, I know that had little to do with your post, it's just something that came to mind for some reason. Maybe it will be of use to someone, I don't know =).

There is one God over all, and I know that he reveals himself to those who ask. He shows up for me, so I know that he will show up for you. He showed up when I was LDS and he is still with me today. I know that he loves us all fully, not wanting that any should perish. Who am I to say who showed up for you. In the end we will all stand before God, with or without Jesus contending for us. I think we should trust God more than a religion though. Men will fail us. God does not. So I wonder the state of someones faith in God, if they say they would not believe in God if their Church failed them.

Heartleap...

[TAO]

There is one God over all, and I know that he reveals himself to those who ask. He shows up for me, so I know that he will show up for you. He showed up when I was LDS and he is still with me today. I know that he loves us all fully, not wanting that any should perish. Who am I to say who showed up for you. In the end we will all stand before God, with or without Jesus contending for us. I think we should trust God more than a religion though. Men will fail us. God does not. So I wonder the state of someones faith in God, if they say they would not believe in God if their Church failed them.

Heartleap...

I 100% agree... it's not the church failing that would prevent me from believing in God (although it might)... it's if there was no-existance of the church ever that might be a problem for me XD. The church failing would either have an effect of me not really joining any church, or I'd lose my faith. I think it'd be the first though. Although, to be quite honest, I don't think there's anything that can cause the church to fail, simply because the past is so hazy.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

If I were not A Member Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints I would would Worship the Lord and Be Eastern Orthodox. Where would you attend ?. As for other posters who are not LDS here if you were not a member of the Faith/Church you attend where would you attend to Worship The Lord ?.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

Judaism

[thesometimesaint]

Garden Girl:

Without the Restored Gospel agnosticism has a lot going for it.

[Tsuzuki]

Judaism

[Garden Girl]

Garden Girl:

Without the Restored Gospel agnosticism has a lot going for it.

Without the restored Gospel... hmmm... you just might be right... hello TSS...

GG

[3DOP]

Without the restored Gospel... hmmm... you just might be right... hello TSS...

GG

I hate to see all the agnostic/atheist stuff out of you guys. What do you think you should have believed in 1750 when there wasn't a Restored Gospel? From an LDS perspective, I don't see why because the true church should not be here now speaks as to whether God exists? In fact, according to the reasoning that suggests agnosticism/atheism as a viable alternative to the Restored Gospel, there have been only a handful of centuries since the Resurrection of Christ where everyone needn't have considered atheism. What about the "light of Christ" that I hear you talk about which operates even in the absence of the true church? Why does one have to believe that the true church is here in our own lifetimes, when according to your own beliefs it hasn't been here for hundreds of years of history and millions upon millions have lived and died without it being an option? If God existed during their times without a true church, why not ours without a true church?

So anyway...I don't mean to sound too aggressive here. Most of you know I am Catholic anyway. I can't be aiming to get you to go that direction when you're thinking that maybe it would mean God Himself wouldn't exist! So let me offer another option that includes belief in God with retention of a lot of LDS views that might survive loss of belief in the LDS Church. Why shouldn't Mormons who lose faith in their church just become "Restorationists-In-Waiting" believing in God and Christ, but not seeing a true church on earth yet? Couldn't you still believe in God while waiting for the advent of the next dispensation? According to your own beliefs, that would have been the most correct position for most of the centuries since Christ, right? Why would it be correct for the 18th Century, but not the 21st?

Sincerely,

3DOP

[SilverKnight]

Agnostic Odinism.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

How about pre-Judaic Semitic polytheism?

Too much confusion. It is interesting though that the Jews worship

[SilverKnight]

I hate to see all the agnostic/atheist stuff out of you guys. What do you think you should have believed in 1750 when there wasn't a Restored Gospel?

Deism.

From an LDS perspective, I don't see why because the true church should not be here now speaks as to whether God exists?

Because secular knowledge ignored the various appendages of religion and killed God with a quick, painless shot to the head.

In fact, according to the reasoning that suggests agnosticism/atheism as a viable alternative to the Restored Gospel, there have been only a handful of centuries since the Resurrection of Christ where everyone needn't have considered atheism.

The last couple of centuries have been very eye-opening when it comes to the claims of religion.

What about the "light of Christ" that I hear you talk about which operates even in the absence of the true church?

It's not going anywhere.

Why does one have to believe that the true church is here in our own lifetimes, when according to your own beliefs it hasn't been here for hundreds of years of history and millions upon millions have lived and died without it being an option?

Because if there was no restoration, we are free to gravitate to whatever belief system works best for each us.

The the evidence for secularism exerts a strong pull.

If God existed during their times without a true church, why not ours without a true church?

Sounds like a good reason to be an agnostic.

Why shouldn't Mormons who lose faith in their church just become "Restorationists-In-Waiting" believing in God and Christ, but not seeing a true church on earth yet?

That's a great idea. Until God shows up with further light and knowledge, I will enter reserve judgment and live according to the truth that I have - by being an agnostic.

Couldn't you still believe in God while waiting for the advent of the next dispensation? According to your own beliefs, that would have been the most correct position for most of the centuries since Christ, right?

Yes!

Why would it be correct for the 18th Century, but not the 21st?

Cause we've learned a few things in the past 3 centuries.

[StuddleyG]

I would be pantheistic. The belief that the universe itself and nature is God.

[ELF1024]

If I were not A Member Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints I would would Worship the Lord and Be Eastern Orthodox. Where would you attend ?. As for other posters who are not LDS here if you were not a member of the Faith/Church you attend where would you attend to Worship The Lord ?.

Well, I am not LDS, but I am working towards getting my membership back, so my first preference is LDS.

However, if I were not so inclined; I'd most likely start my own church. Tell people what they want to hear, charge a minor tithe (9% HA!)... basically be like the Amalekites and the Amulonites from Alma... or after the order of Nehor (Alma 1).

After all, if Truth doesn't matter, you might as well make a buck off the suckers who are dumb enough to believe the swill your dishing out from the pulpit.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I find it very disheartening the so many LDS members idolize their organization so much that being agnostic or atheist appeals to them more then being with another Christian organization. It is Jesus Christ that should reign in our hearts, not a church organization. Is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior nothing without the LDS organization, does His atonement not count if their is no LDS Church? Very Sad.

[Ahab]

If I were not A Member Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints I would would Worship the Lord and Be Eastern Orthodox. Where would you attend ?.

I don't know, and it really has no bearing at all on reality, because, in fact, I am.

[bluebell]

I find it very disheartening the so many LDS members idolize their organization so much that being agnostic or atheist appeals to them more then being with another Christian organization. It is Jesus Christ that should reign in our hearts, not a church organization. Is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior nothing without the LDS organization, does His atonement not count if their is no LDS Church? Very Sad.

You're not understanding what they are saying.

Think of it this way, if you couldn't be Christian, which religion would you be? Would one of the false religions be good enough for you or would agnosticism seem the best way to go if you couldn't be what you right now believe to be the best option?

It's hard to answer isn't it? That's because in your heart you probably believe that if you can't be Christian, it doesn't really matter what you are. You probably can't separate worshiping God from being a Christian. Sure, some people would be willing to be Jewish, but most Christians probably can't conceive of finding fulfillment outside of a Christian church.

For many LDS, they can't separate being a member of Christ's church from Christ Himself. If Christ's church didn't exist, what other church out there could really take that place?

[Ahab]

It is Jesus Christ that should reign in our hearts, not a church organization.

When Jesus Christ reigns in our hearts, as he should, we'll choose to join his Church as long as we know which one is his.

Is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior nothing without the LDS organization, does His atonement not count if their is no LDS Church?

Without people to follow Jesus Christ, he wouldn't even have a Church. He does, though, and I'm in it.

Very Sad.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about the good news, so don't get sad, be glad, and give the glad tidings to all.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

You're not understanding what they are saying.

Think of it this way, if you couldn't be Christian, which religion would you be? Would one of the false religions be good enough for you or would agnosticism seem the best way to go if you couldn't be what you right now believe to be the best option?

It's hard to answer isn't it? That's because in your heart you probably believe that if you can't be Christian, it doesn't really matter what you are. You probably can't separate worshiping God from being a Christian. Sure, some people would be willing to be Jewish, but most Christians probably can't conceive of finding fulfillment outside of a Christian church.

For many LDS, they can't separate being a member of Christ's church from Christ Himself. If Christ's church didn't exist, what other church out there could really take that place?

Jesus Christ is not a church organization, He is the Sovereign Lord and God. To say that going from the LDS Church to a mainline Christian church is like going from Christianity to Hinduism or Buddhism is ridiculous. So much for the LDS claims that they don't look down on other churches, and that other churches are good and have some truth to cherish. This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.