LDS, mormons: did "holy spirit" tell you the truth?

First and foremost--------you are way off base since there is no difference between the Christian God and the Mormon God, they are one and the same! Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) are Christians. Perhaps that is the problem that you are trying differentiate and therfore you have not learned or read the Book with an open heart. If you do that for the pupose of understanding and not just to get some proof, the the Truth will be revealed to you. If you do not then I guess you can certainly walk away forever or try another day. The answer comes through your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ not that of Church Leaders or Missionaries. Just you and the Lord!

As for the Trinity, the only difference as you point out that Mormons believe in 3 distict beings. Remember, Christ spent a lot of time Praying to God the Father in the garden! Who was he Praying to? Himself? They are three but One in Pupose each with thier own place in the Great plan of Salvation for the People of this Earth. Each doing their part to carry it out.

For Jeffery___ We do not Pray to Moroni, we Pray to god, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of Mathew Chap 6 in the New testament has the words of the Lord Jsus Christ teaching his diciples how to pray. Please read it!

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/6/11#11

We do not expect "Revelation in the form of a Personal Visitation or Vision from God. For some Christians you might liken it to what you Call an Epiphany. Not much Difference.

This is not something I or anyone can teach in a few minutes on the Internet so I suggest you contact A local LDS Ward leader and arrange for Missionaries to come and Answer you questions. It will not place you under any Obligation whatsoever and never will. We are Members because we want to be and anyone that is can leave and have thier name removed anytime with no questions and no fanfare. We are not a Cult and do not Brainwash you! We do not believe in Original Sin and do not Baptise members until they are at least 8 years old and up to 18 only with Parental consent. Please do not confuse us with the FLDS and the Polygamy groups in Utah, Arizon, Texas and Elswhere that live in compounds and have thier every move monitored. We are Free to do, go, work, Go to School or anything else as we as we wish Many of our Members serve in the Armed Forces and groups like the Peace Corps. They even work with Habitat and many many including my Daughter went ot the Gulf Coast to assist the People after Katrina without regard to thier Religious affiliation or lack of, Just aid to fellow Human Beings and not to convert anyone!

For those that think Mormon Doctrine is a big secret, then let me let you in on the "Secret": Here is a link to all the LDS Scriptures and even a search engine to reseach them. It includes both the Old and new Testaments of the Bible as well so if you are Non LDS you might want to use it anyway. Good Reading! It is the King James Version of the Bible!

http://scriptures.lds.org/

Perhaps you would like some Non-Mormon Input? Here is a letter from Paul Allen, to a Newspaper in California: Disclaimer: It is claimed by some this is from the "Microsoft Pau Allen" I can not privide proof of that but the letter was written and printed by a Paul Allen. This is confirmed by the Paper! Check Snopes

"He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper, 2006

I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law.

I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known.

They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has. They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in.

The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.

I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself.

What a surprise!

What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.

They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you?

I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find.

Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them. At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder.

I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon. What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country?

They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes.

You never see them on TV begging for money. What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class? They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month.

They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us. The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths. (Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach.

If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised. When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right."

Have a great Sunday and Every Day and May God Bless You, America and the entire world! Let us all Pray for a Lasting and meaningfull Peace in the World One where we all, People of all Faiths) can live in harmony and true Brotherhood!

Proud Vet

Based on the view of your arguement displayed in this yahoo question, clearly, there was little sincerity while you were reading the book of mormon. It seems to me that you either claim to have read it and felt no power in order to argue the fact the the holy ghost would answer you if read with an open heart and pure intention to understand, or you read it in a mockful manner, not taking any of the information given into consideration, only to insult the mormon religion and insult the testament of Jesus Christ.

Our God is the same God as your God. The manner and literary tone you use whilst saying, "could it be that you were praying to the wrong God?" intends direct invective opinion. Doubt that you read the book of Mormon with curious ambition fill my mind and your stance seems highly uninformed.

We believe in the trinity just as everyone who reads the bible does. Heavenly Father (God), Jesus Christ (Son) and the holy ghost. (or spirit) Do you know what the holy ghost is?

"A person may feel the Holy Ghost in many different ways, called the fruits of the spirit and the still small voice. The Holy Ghost enters our mind and heart, which anyone can hear, but one must receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost for it to linger with them always."

The gift of the holy ghost is a sacred agreement between God and us. We will recieve the gift of the holy ghost as confirmation of truth after reading with an open heart the book of mormon, the bible, AND follow the commandments of God. You must really be trying to be a good person to recieve it, for it is not a thing that just suddenly happens when you skim a few lines in the book. Many people get it in different ways and during different times. Usually it is received while reading the bible or the book of Mormon. Some say they feel a sense overwhelming peace rush through their body and it is like no other feeling they have ever felt, and when you feel it, you know it was the holy ghost. People who have felt this say often, "and when it happened, I knew it was true."

There are random internet-goers that post their experiences with the holy spirit, and you can read how it is that they felt it.

The way you approach the subject of Mormonism is very ridicule. Mormons are christians, and to tell you the truth, we're the closest thing to it.

"Book of Mormon Evidences discusses some of the factors that suggest the Book of Mormon may be an ancient document. Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the Book of Mormon as a nineteenth-century fraud from Joseph Smith. Such evidence is not "proof" but represents indications of plausibility that demand further attention."

If the book of Mormon is fraud, who made up the history and why? You could rip the title page off, "Book Of Mormon," and it would be complete history without bias of religion. It is another testament of Jesus Christ and I know in my heart that it is true. The reason why Mormonism is an elite religion is because it has everything God wants us to know. People who are strictly by the bible are missing a lot of the history that should be in it, but people forget the bible was handled by actual people and rewritten by actual people. Believe it or not, there were things that were cast out.

I sincerely urge you to try it again this time, with true intention, and read it slowly. It takes just as much concentration and rereading as it does to take reading the Bible.

I swear by everything I know, that you WILL feel the holy spirit and you WILL know the truth if you follow the commandments and read it again with honest concentration. The gift of the holy ghost is unlike anything anyone has ever felt and you will know when you feel it.

Some examples I have seen on here and elsewhere are: • We worship Joseph Smith • We believe God had physical sex with Mary to beget Jesus • We believe in "another Jesus" (I'm only aware that there was ever one) • We believe in salvation by works, rather than faith These are only the most common ones. I have seen some really crazy stuff; one person even said that Mormons aren't allowed to cross water. I just looked at Sandra Tanner's website, and here are the half-truths I have found just on the FAQ page. Point 3 says we believe that celestial marriage is necessary to gain eternal life. Not so. We believe that celestial marriage is necessary for exaltation, but anyone can have eternal life. Point 4 says: "Mormonism teaches that the God to whom they pray is but one of a whole series of gods who at one time were mortal then progressed to godhood. The LDS Church teaches that their Heavenly Father was once born as a spirit child of a god and wife who ruled a different world. After maturing as a spirit being he was sent to another world where he was born as a human. There he grew to maturity, married, died, was resurrected, went to heaven, progressed and eventually became the God of our world." Well, that may be doctrine somewhere, but I have been a member for 16 years and I have never been taught that.

Yes, you pray with an open heart. The matter is that this is a restored gospel. You must understand the troubles of the times past and how much Christianity has been distorted over the years. How many times has the Bible been rewritten. This is a dispensation were distortions are taken out of Christianity and a restoration is made in a time where it's not going to be destroyed. We pray to the same God as any other Christian the matter is that we have correct doctrine.

Why would I be praying to a Mormon God, BEFORE I was a Mormon????????? That does not make sense.

I had a relationship with God, before I EVER met a Mormon. Why would you assume, I'd switch Gods???? I prayed to God, for an answer and received it. My prayer was sincere.

How dare you, disrespect God in this way!

You didn't receive an answer, well look to yourself not us, for the reason why. How bloated up in your own pride do you have to be, to accuse others of praying to a different God. Could it be, your prayer was not sincere, or that you were not living in such a manner to hear an answer. That is between you and God.

There is only ONE God.

Now why don't you, try a sincere prayer, read The Book of Mormon and then pray sincerely for an answer.

Mormon God???? Christian God???? Where is there a difference? As for the whole trinity thing, Mormons believe there are 3 separate beings that are one in purpose. When you pray to God the Father, do it with an open heart and clear mind about your purpose. Pray in the name of Christ since he is the mediator between us and the Father. OH, Yeah...try not mocking a religious people and their beliefs.

Paul Allen Mormons

Yes.

But you have to pray with an open heart. By your question and obvious antagonism towards the church, you're not. The Spirit only testifies of truth to those that are willing to listen and follow - that is what a broken heart and contrite spirit means.

God is God. Do you start your prayers "Dear Christian God"? I start mine with "My dear, kind Heavenly Father."

ADD: Many Christians reject the idea of the Trinity. Go here for a list of some of the denominations that are non-trinitarian:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontrinitarianism#Gro...

The Book of Mormon challenge requires several things.

1) You have to read the Book of Mormon.

2) You have to ponder how God has been merciful to mankind in past times.

3) You have to pray to God, the father, in the name of his son, Jesus Christ.

4) You have to be sincere. You must really want to know the truth.

5) You must have real intent. You must be willing to repent of your sins, and do whatever the Lord would have you do, if God answers your prayer. You have to be willing to join the LDS church, if God reveals the truth of it unto you.

Whenever I encounter someone who has prayed without receiving an answer, it is because they missed one of these steps.

" 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. " (Moroni 10)

There is no such thing as a Mormon God and a Christian God. If there is a "wrong" God, then you are the one who's praying to him. Either that, or you're not listening to Him.

Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind and won't listen to God if he slapped you on the nose.

Somebodyznobody, GREAT GREAT answer!

Wrong God? How many Gods are there that are actually real and will respond to your prayers??????

Maybe the spirit of God will answer your prayers if you are not constantly challenging Him in a negative way.

There is no "Mormon God" and "Christian God." That's so silly, how can a grown up person think this way??????

Logic helped me realize the truth of the gospel even as the spirit did. Logic is a beautiful thing.