[purrdeta]

Is anyone here a mormon? If so, why are you a mormon, did you convert? or were you born into a mormon family? I am thinking about becoming one so that is why I ask :).

[Francisjr]

I am not a mormon, nor my family is one. But I know their teachings and their doctrines. For me the best reason why we want to join a church or congregation is through their teachings, as the bible says in John 7:17-18 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." So you have to find out if their doctrines speaketh of themselves only or if its trully from Jesus Christ. One of their teachings is polygyny: the marriage of one man and two or more women. Accroring to their book, a minister or a bishop or a man can mary as many virgins as he can as long as current wife permitted him to do so. For me that is clearly againts the doctrines of Christ which says in I Tim 3:2 " A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;". This is not an act of condemning the LDS church or a blatant act of attack againts them but we are just reading and comparing what is written in the bible. Its up to us to decide.

[purrdeta]

They do not believe in plural marriages any more according to my research.

Mormon.org - Answer

and

BBC - Religion & Ethics - Polygamy

[zewlie]

Mmm, I've known quite a few Mormons and attended several LDS events, and in my experience they are a very varied group. Many of them have strict family rules concerning behavior, diet, and media, although these differ. The Mormons I've known do not practice polygamy, but take it as an accepted part of their religion's history. They also came from families where 'traditional' gender roles were enforced.

[purrdeta]

Well, I have found that the LDS people tend to be accepting of others choices. For instance not having as strict a life style wont kill you or send you to hell and what not. Really, I seem to find them to be very accepting.

[zewlie]

I definitely wouldn't consider them unaccepting or hostile toward non-members, but they do tend to have a very high standard amongst themselves. None of the Mormons I know drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol, and they don't listen to music or watch movies with themes they consider inappropriate (sex, drugs, swearing, etc).

What makes me uncomfortable about the LDS church is that it can, in some ways, be very exclusive. For example, non-LDS family members (including parents, siblings, etc.) and Mormons without approval (if you drink coffee or don't pay tithes, this is you) aren't permitted to attend temple weddings.

[purrdeta]

Yeah I know. That is somewhat concerning.

[zewlie]

No harm in attending a few LDS services and seeing if it's something you're interested in, though. And even if the religion doesn't fit with your personal beliefs/feelings, you may find a warm community and make some friends, which certainly doesn't hurt!

[purrdeta]

Of course not. I intend to attent some serivces soon. Just not quite ready to yet :).