Questions about being a mormon?

Question

im a catholic 13 year old. whats the big difference between the 2? they're practically the same thing. is it wrong to change religions? i do like mormonism better... help!

Answer 1

I am a member of the LDS church, and I love the church.  If your parents love the Catholic church, and you want to investigate other religions, then you may be in for a rocky ride.  More likely than not, they would be really offended at you.  Maybe you should talk to them first, and see where they stand.  Your parents are important and every effort should be made to show them respect.

Both the LDS and Catholic churches claim authority from God, but they can't both be right.  At some point you will have to chose which one you believe to be correct.  I recommend scripture study and prayer.  Read the Book of Mormon.  Seek a divine witness to the truth, and be willing to follow God where ever he leads you.

"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths..."

Answer 2

No, they're not the same.  Both the Catholic church and the Mormon church raise the question of authority from God, and both churches study the Bible and believe in God and Christ.  Catholics, however, believe that God and Christ are one person, and Mormons believe they're not.  Also, the Mormons have the Book of Mormon, which is basically scripture written by prophets who lived in the Americas (as opposed to the Bible, which was written by prophets who lived in Jerusalem-type places).  

...and there are so many other differences.  You really need to do some more research, but most importantly, you need to pray.  One of the other answers mentioned that you need to know for yourself if the Mormon church teaches truth, and the only one who can supply that answer is God.  Pray and ask Him.  Answers come in different ways for everyone, but typically, if you feel good about something, that's God's way of confirming truth.  Ask your parents if you can meet with representatives from the Mormon church, though (you can ask for them through mormon.org).  They can answer your questions and make this easier for you, whichever church you choose.

Answer 3

Next time they come around to your house, invite them in instead of telling them to go away.

Signing up to Mormonism is easier than signing up to a credit card.

Answer 4

Mormons believe in the Book of Mormon, and that Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and all the other leaders of the church are prophets, like Jesus.

Answer 5

They are not practically the same thing. Pay attention in religious ed and discuss this with your teacher.  

Answer 6

FIND YOUR OWN!

When it boils down all religions are going the same place, have the same people. just a different name or way to get there. so find the one that suites you best and stick to it.

Answer 7

Mormons refer to a book called the "book of Mormon" which is supposedly "the bible part 2".  and of course the overall way we practice christianity

Answer 8

Catholics are Christians. Mormons are not. There are many, many differences between the two. You should talk to your parents, other Catholics, or members of any mainstream Protestant church.

Mormons do not believe in the same Jesus, they believe that there are many, many other gods (in fact, they believe that God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are separate gods) and that when you die, you will also become a god. They have (at least) three other "holy books" that were written by Joseph Smith (a very evil man) that they use in addition to the Bible. One of those books is called the "Book of Abraham" that Joseph Smith created in order to convince his followers that he had found an ancient book written by Abraham (a very famous person in the Bible). I've posted a link below that will show you an excellent video about how Joseph Smith lied when he created this book.

Mormonism is also a cult - there are many books and other resources that show how they brainwash their members and trick them into believing that their "church" is good. You may also want to contact others who have left the cult of mormonism for more information. I've listed one of these, the Utah Lighthouse Ministries, below. Be very, very careful and please do not become a mormon - it is a very evil religion.

Finally, do not ever do anything just because you "like" something (mormons are very good at making people "like" them). Always ask a lot of hard questions and find out everything you can before you make a big change (like changing your religion). Mormons will do everything they can to make you join them (which is one reason they are cult). Mormons will also refuse to give you answers if you ask them questions they don't want to answer. Mormons won't tell you that:

1. Mormons believe they will become gods

2. All people were born on a planet called Kolob before they were born here on Earth

3. Jesus and Satan are our brothers

4. The person who wrote the book of mormon did so by looking at imaginary gold plates by looking through two stones he had placed into a hat

5. They wear magic underwear (called "garments") that they were to "protect them"

6. They believe that Native Americans came from the Middle East when scientists have proven that they came from Asia (through DNA testing - ask your science teachers about this)

Again, please be very, very careful - Mormons believe that the Catholic Church is very evil. God bless you and please be very careful.  

Answer 9

I am a mormon and believe my church is the church of Jesus Christ.  The Catholic church is a good church with many sincere and wonderful people in it, but some of the plain and precious things about Christ's church that had been lost has been restored in these last days.

It would be a mistake for you to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints if you did not really have a witness that this is true.  To find out for sure for yourself you need to study and pray about it.  

First you need to study.  This means to take the missionary lessons if you can, and read the Book of Mormon. Will your parents allow you to have the missionaries teach you?  If so, do you have an L.D.S. friend that would let you come over and hear the missionary discussions?

Or would your parents allow them to come over to your house with them present to hear the discussions.  It is essential that you learn the important principles of the gospel so you will be able to gain the witness you seek.

After you have studied and read the Book of Mormon, then you are ready to ask.  Not before.  You cannot rely on any one Else's witness or testimony that it is true.  You must find out for yourself or you will only be going through the motions of conversion without the real conviction behind that conversion that is necessary to sustain you throughout your life.

With that said, I would like to add that once you have gained that witness, and join the church, it will bring you such joy and happiness into your life that you will not believe it.  

You are very young in the scheme of things and if your parents want you to wait until you are older you should honor their wishes.  When you are 18 you can choose for yourself.  If your parents do not oppose you learning more and perhaps eventually joining the church, then go ahead and do the things I have mentioned above.

Good Luck and remember to stay close to your Father in Heaven through prayer.  Pray to him as if he was present and listening to you.  Not a memorized prayer, but from your heart.  Their is a little song that the primary children learn in the Mormon church that helps them learn to pray.  It goes like this:  I kneel to pray everyday, I pray to Heavenly Father.  He hears and answers me as I pray in faith.  I begin by saying Dear Heavenly Father, I thank him for blessings he sends.  Then humbly I ask him for things that I need in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  Going to your Father in Heaven in prayer is the way you will know for sure what you should do.  Trust him.

P.S.  I have read the comments of some of the others to your questions, and find it iteresting that non mormons seem to think they know so much about Mormon doctrine, but never quite get it right.  I think it is very non christlike to down others for their beliefs especially when what they are telling you is a little truth mixed with alot of non truths.  Be careful, and find out for yourself.

Answer 10

I get ya here.It's not okay to convert to Mormonism just because of David Archuleta.Mormonism is hard to understand, and you would need to directly speak to a Mormon to understand.

If you really love David, I suggest becoming his friend, then moving to Utah before you convert.

I am not trying to be rude.I love David myself, and I don't consider him being a Mormon to make any difference in our relationship, at least not until the future.

What's my point??To make sure you don't convert to Mormonism for the sake of David Archuleta.

He was raised that way his entire life, and he's used to it.Just for fun, why don't you Google all the stuff he has to go through.

Morning Bible studies before school, forced to donate 10,000 dollars to his church, and almost forced to be a missoinary at 19.[ he still might]

I actually like Mormonism and I love David, I just think we should all be a little cautious.

I am sorry if I offended anyone.

Answer 11

As a fellow Catholic I say stay Catholic. Please. Trust me.

My brother-in-law is a former Catholic who became a Mormon. They baptize at 8 instead of infancy, and my husband and I went to our nephew's baptism this past weekend. Instead of a trained pastor, the baptism is done by the father. Mormons do not consider the Catholic baptism to be valid and vice-versa.

Mormons believe that dark skin is a curse from when the ancestors of African tribes refused to fight in the battle between Satan and God. However, if a black person is a good Mormon, then when they get to Heaven they will be blessed with pale, white skin. They also believe that Satan and Jesus are brothers.

Something else that Mormons believe in is a rite called Baptism of the Dead. Basically, they believe that the dead non-Mormons reside in soul cages until they're ready to accept the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ. At that point, one of their living Mormon relatives has a revelation that their dead relative is ready, and that person is baptized Mormon in their dead relative's stead.

Mormons also believe in three heavens. The first heaven is for non-Mormons, who are supposed to be with the saints and angels for all time, which is difficult since all the non-Mormons are supposed to be caught in soul cages in their own version of limbo. But that's impossible because they're supposed to be in that first heaven. And it goes on and on.

The second heaven is for Mormons who have stumbled. There they are with Jesus for all time. Maybe they've smoked or had alcahol or some such. But that's impossible because if you smoke or drink in the Mormon church, or gamble, or have caffeine, you go to h**l. But that's impossible because you go to the second heaven because EVERYBODY goes to Heaven.

The third heaven is for the Mormons who led perfect lives and never did anything wrong. There they live with God and Joseph Smith, who they believe is at God's right hand, for all time.

Mormons use water for communion, not wine, and believe it to be purely a symbolic rite instead of the literal rite with the miracle of transubstantiation that Christ meant it to be.

Something else that Mormons practice is celestrial marriage. The idea is that a couple is sealed forever in a celestreal marriage, though divorce is encouraged if one part of the couple fails or chooses to leave the Mormon church. The whole idea behind celestrial marriage is that the couple will be together forever, creating lots and lots of spirit babies who will come down to earth in human forms and grow up and be good Mormons. But that's impossible if one stumbles and the other doesn't, or if there is a divorce. But the families are supposed to be united forever in the same heaven. But that's impossible because if one member stumbles and the other doesn't, or one converts to another faith and the rest of their family doesn't, then they're torn apart after death.

Still think Mormonism is better? This is just the tip of the iceberg. There's a company called Catholic Answers that is VERY well researched. They have pamphlets on other religions, including Mormonism. If you check out a copy of the Book of Mormon or Mormonism for Dummies, you'll find that the pamphlet is well researched and very accurate.

Answer 12

It seems to me that some non-Mormons on this board are misinformed on our beliefs. Here is a website from the Mormons by the Mormons, so you won't get any misinformation about our doctrines and beliefs:

http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/

Answer 13

The two faiths are nothing close at all.

Their God was once a man.  He can lose his Godhood.  He has parents.

Their Jesus was a polygamist.  He was not born in Bethlehem.  He was not born as God, but worked through obedience to be one of many Gods the LDS believe in.

They are works based.  You "do" things in order to hope for your salvation.

  

Here are some differences with references...

Mormonism Teaches: The Existence of Many Gods   JoD 2:345

Christianity Teaches: There is only one God.  Deut 6:4; Isaiah 43:10

Mormonism Teaches: God the Father is Exhalted Man.  Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 345-347

Christianity Teaches: God the Father is not Man.  Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 31:3

Mormonism Teaches: God the Father has a Physical Body D&C 130:22

Christianity Teaches: God the Father is Spirit John 4:24



Mormonism Teaches:  God the Father had a Beginning- The Seer, 132

Christianity Teaches:  God the Father is Eternal- Isaiah 43:13

Mormonism Teaches:  God the Father has Parents- The Seer, Feb 1853, p 132

Christianity Teaches:  God has no Parents- Isaiah 43:13



Mormonism Teaches:  Jesus is a Polygamist- The Seer, Feb 1853, p. 172

Christianity Teaches:  God is not married

Mormonism Teaches:  God only organized the Universe- Mormon Doctrine, 589-590

Christianity Teaches:  God Created the Universe- Gen 1:1; John 1:1



Mormonism Teaches:  Jesus was the Physical Son of God- Mormon Doctrine, 546-547       Christianity Teaches:  Jesus was begotten by the Holy Spirit- Mat 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35

Mormonism Teaches: Jesus became a God- Deseret News, June 17, 1901

Christianity Teaches: Jesus has always been God- John 1:1-18; Colossians 2:9

Mormonism Teaches: Jesus and Satan are Brothers- Gospel through the Ages, 15

Christianity Teaches: Satan is only a Created Being- Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:9

Mormonism Teaches: Jesus was a Polygamist- JoD, 1:345-346

Christianity Teaches: Jesus has only one bride- the Church Rev 19:7-9; 21:9

Mormonism Teaches:  Men can become Gods- JoD, 2:345     

Christianity Teaches:  Men can only become the children of God- John 1:12; Romans 8:23

Mormonism Teaches:  There is Salvation after Death- Mormon Doctrine, 669-672

Christianity Teaches:  There is no Salvation after Death- Heb 9:27

Mormonism Teaches: There is Salvation only in the LDS Church- Doctrine of Salvation, 1:350  

Christianity Teaches: There is Salvation only in Jesus Christ- John 14:6

Mormonism Teaches: Salvation is through Jesus and Joseph Smith- JoD, 7:289

Christianity Teaches: Salvation is only through Jesus- John 3:16; Eph 2:8-9

Mormonism Teaches: Their God is the Author of Sin- 2 Nephi 2:20-25

Christianity Teaches:  God tempts no man- James 1:13-18

Mormonism Teaches: Heavenly father can lose power - Cleon Skousen. The first 200 years page 335-336

Christianity Teaches: God is all powerful.- Jeremiah 32:17, 27

Mormonism Teaches: The Blood of Christ isn't sufficient for all sins. - Mormon Doctrine, 1979, page 93.

Christianity Teaches: Jesus' blood is sufficient for all sin.- 1 John 1:7, 9

Mormonism Teaches: Jesus became a god by obeying the laws of Mormonism -Gospel Principles, 1978, page 9.  The Gospel through the Ages Milton R. Hunter 1945, page 51 Christianity Teaches: Jesus has always been God.- Psalm 90:1-2, Micah 5:2

Mormonism Teaches: God cannot create man, man's spirit has always existed.- Doctrines and Covenants 93:29, Abraham 3:22, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 354

Christianity Teaches:  God is creator.- Isaiah 40:12, 22, 26, Genesis chap 1 and 2

Mormonism Teaches:  The language of some Jaredites was NOT confounded (Ether 1:34-37)

Christianity Teaches:  At the tower of Babel, God "confounded the language of all the earth" (Gen 11:9)

Mormonism Teaches: Jesus was born at Jerusalem (Alma 7:10).

Christianity Teaches: Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Answer 14

There are alot of differences.Too many for a single sentence, see lds.org. No, its not wrong to change religions. But since you are under 18 you'll need parental consent to join the LDS church.I think the LDS are more biblically correct than catholicism, personally.I'm unbiased as I am neither.But, I have researched both.

Answer 15

A lot of your responses are confusing, aren't they?

I recommend you go directly to God in prayer with your question. Listen for the answer from God. I am not talking about reciting a memorized prayer, but a prayer from your heart, Talk to God more like you would to a friend, directly.

Also visit with the missionaries and see if you don't feel better just being in there presence.