What is a Mormon? Many people hear this word and different images come to their minds. Having served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and having dealt with many members of other faiths through business and other travel experiences, I can probably guess what many think when they hear the word ‘Mormon.’ Many comments have been made to me about being a Mormon throughout the years, some of which I find quite commical. Here are some statements I’ve heard:
“Aren’t you those guys who ride horses and buggies and can’t use electricity?”
“How many wives do you have?”
“You’re a fool for believing Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. In fact, all Mormons are going to hell!”
“What?!? You don’t drink coffee, tea, or alcohol????”
“No way! You’re 28 years old, single, and still a virgin?…why would you torture yourself like that!”
The list goes on and on, but you get the idea. Most people have certain ideas or things either they have heard through the media, history books, or their preacher. My hope with this blog is that I can provide you insight on why I personally choose the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) faith and to help clarify mis-conceptions many people have about this christian faith.
How I became a Mormon
Although I was baptized into the Mormon faith at the age of 8, I wouldn’t say I was converted to the faith until I was 11. Soon after my being baptized, my parents were divorced and I moved away with my mother and siblings. We quit going to the LDS church.
My conversion started when I came across a Book of Mormon a few years later. I had been struggling for a few years since my parents’ divorce and was searching for guidance and direction in my life at the time. I remembered my father reading the Book and I thought I would read it as well. The title page, written by Joseph Smith stated that the Book of Mormon was the “most correctly written book….” and that “a man would draw nearer to God by abiding by it’s precepts than any other book…” I read the Book and felt a peace and calmness as I read of the prophets testifying of Jesus Christ on virtually every page. By the end of the book, I had felt feelings of love, calm, peace, confidence that I’d never felt before and then I read the following verses in Moroni 10: 3-5:
” 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 amerciful 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 bponder it in your chearts.
7 comments
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January 1, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Chris Hartwell
Hey Aaron,
Nice post. This is a great idea for a blog. I grew up my entire life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and living the gospel of Jesus Christ has been such a blessing in my life!
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January 9, 2008 at 5:11 pm
ZeeZrom
I don’t believe you. Honestly, the way you told your “conversion story” sounds like every other “golden investigator” story ever told. Come on, “…and then I read the following verses in Moroni 10: 3-5:” (Paraphrasing now) “And I was so super duper excited that I prayed, received my answer, and was so moved that I shouted to the world about Jesus.” No you didn’t. No eleven year old had themselves such a moving spiritual god connection moment brought about by some scripture and prayer. Book of Mormon, Bible, Q’uran. I don’t care what book. It didn’t happen. Won’t happen. Not unprovoked at least. I could definitely tell someone, perhaps as a missionary, to read said verses and I could tell them that if they heeded the words that they would have such an experience. Yet, I would also know that I was leading that person on.
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January 11, 2008 at 5:46 am
Response to my Atheist Friend « Ama49’s Weblog
[…] Top Posts Why do you believe in God?How I became a Mormon (Latter-day Saint) AboutPurpose […]
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January 14, 2008 at 5:04 pm
robin tanner
hey aaron,
i didn’t realize you had a blog! i’ve read through it a bit. great job!
robin
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February 4, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Why do People leave the LDS Church? « Grace for Grace
[…] you read my post entitled “How I became a Mormon,” you will know of my conversion story and will know why I chose and still choose to be a […]
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June 8, 2010 at 11:14 am
phhc j00
Wow that almos exactly mirrors my conversion story….
Riddled with feelings.
3 years later, a temple marriage, 2 kids and a lot more experience has taught me that what I was feeling was false. Go look it up. “Fallen angels demons joseph smith first vision” in google.
Run away as fast as you can!
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June 10, 2010 at 4:45 am
ama49
phhc,
I can understand how you could feel that way, but the Holy Spirit speaks to us the same way. I’ve felt the same Spirit testify to me in other Churches when they teach of correct principles that I’ve felt when I prayed about the Book of Mormon for the first time or when I’ve prayed. I encourage you to remember when the Spirit testified to you.
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