Recently I had a very nice gentleman stop by and leave the following comment on my blog:
You are a rare person to see common ground between the LDS and non-LDS Christians. I’ve been looking for someone like you for a long time. I’d like to know more about what you believe and how our heavenly Father brought you to your current level of revelation.
This message is in response to his inquiry on knowing more about what I believe and how Heavenly Father brought me to my current level of revelation.
I have not always believed in the LDS religion. In fact, for a time, I was very bitter towards it and filled with hate for Mormons. I was young when my parents were divorced, but as a result I put blame on my father for splitting up our family. My father was LDS and my mother was baptized LDS but left the LDS church and became an Evangelical Christian.
After my parents divorced I lived with my mother and sisters. We went to the LDS church for a few months after the divorce, but soon started attending other churches. I started regularly attending the Baptist church and also spent some time in the Presbetyrian and Lutheran churches as well. As a young man, I learned many great things at these churches and met some very wonderful people who helped me learn of God and Jesus Christ. Also during this time I was taught many things about the LDS church that made me dislike the church even more. During this time, my hate towards the LDS church was very strong and also towards my father. I wouldn’t even go and visit him as a result. However, after a couple years of avoiding my father, I decided it would be good to at least go and meet my new little brother who my Dad and Step-mother had just had. I decided to go and visit my father.
I was a very young man at the time I visited my Dad and I clearly remember one of the first things I told him when I saw him was that I was not going to set foot in an LDS church. However, I ended up seeing the love in my Dad’s heart for the Lord and the way he treated others. I did end up going to church and witnessed the same thing and my heart was softened towards the LDS people. It didn’t take me very long to begin to feel the Spirit of the Lord in a way that I never had at any other church. I soon decided to read the Book of Mormon. After reading the Book of Mormon, the following passage stood out to me in Moroni chapter 10:
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.
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
The scripture stood out to me and I received a desire to pray to know if the things found in the Book of Mormon were true. I remember thinking that if I were to pray and find these things out that many questions would be answered for me including: is there a God, is Jesus our Savior, will God answer prayers, is the LDS church true?
Almost instictually I dropped to my knees and offered a simple prayer asking if it was true. As I prayed, I felt a warm feeling come over me that filled me with a love and happiness I had never before felt. I felt a desire come into my heart to share the gospel with people who may not know of God and Jesus. I felt born again as a new person as the hatred I had been holding onto dissolved into love and a desire to tell people of Jesus Christ and his teachings.
That was the first experience I had with God and being born again as a new creature as the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5 discusses. Since that time I’ve had many more experiences with God answering prayers through visions, feelings form the Holy Spirit, scriptures in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and through listening to prophetic voices.
I’ve shared these experiences because I feel it is the foundation for the answer to both of the questions posed by my evangelical brother who stopped by and I will now answer his questions.
I believe in a God who loves each one of us and who is liberal in His blessings to His children all over the world. I believe we are created in His image and have potential to become like He is. I believe in Jesus Christ and that through Him one can be saved both physically and spiritually. I believe that God will speak to us through many ways including scriptures like the Bible and Book of Mormon, but also other good books as well. I believe that if we strive daily to stay close to God, he will stay close to us through His Holy Spirit, which will guide us in our daily walk through life. I believe that when we make mistakes, through repentance made possible from the atonement of Jesus, all of us can be forgiven for any sin we commit and I know that the Lord will help us overcome any weakness we have and help it become a strength.
Since I have family who are both LDS and non-LDS Christians, I have the unique opportunity and blessing to see how God works in many ways. I have seen that the beliefs that I stated are shared by both my LDS and non-LDS family and friends. Throughout my life since I decided to be active in the LDS faith, I have seen many amazing miracles as I’ve served others through missionary service, church service, and in my family. My brother-in-law and sister are missionaries for an Evangelical Church called the Puget Sound Christian Center. They have blessed the lives of many young people in their ministry and I have seen the Lord bless their lives as a result. They have genuine hearts and are true Christians. (you can learn more about their ministry on this website: http://ignite-plu.blogspot.com/).
In addition to this, I have been blessed as my mother, who is not an LDS Christian anymore, has shared with me some very inspirational books and messages from Christian preachers and pastors who I would normally not hear from in the LDS church. As I listen to sermons from the late Adrian Rogers and other pastors, I have felt the same Spirit that I feel when I listen to the LDS General Authorities as they speak in General Conference and elsewhere. I feel that the Spirit of Christ confirms truth and truth can be found anywhere that people are sharing the gospel of Jesus.
At a young age I was exposed to various Christian denomonations as I have throughout my life. I can not say that I always have felt a bond towards their faith, especially after I joined the LDS faith. However, as I have opened my eyes to try and see things how God sees them (a life-long pursuit in all areas!) I have been blessed to see a common ground between our faith in Jesus Christ and also the power of prayer in both of our faiths. As my fellow Evangelical brother stated in his comments, both faiths are Christian faiths.
Maybe it is a rare thing to find common ground between LDS and non-LDS Christians, but to you LDS people who struggle to find good in Christians of other faiths, and for you Christians you find it difficult to find good in LDS I encourage both parties to let go and pray to see each other as God sees all of us. I know that as you do you will find that you learn more about yourself, God, and others.
Grace for Grace 
17 comments
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April 16, 2010 at 1:52 am
Cal
Thank-you very much for your interesting and warming post above, ama49. God has definitely been faithful to respond to your life-long pursuit of his perspective. I pray that your ministry will be projected far and wide for the glory of God and his Son, Jesus Christ!
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April 16, 2010 at 3:28 am
Doug
From the moment I first stumbled upon this site I have been impressed, ama49, by your love for Jesus Christ and His Church. I believe the Lord is using you to build a bridge between two groups of people who share so much in common. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is an honor to be part of the grace for grace community.
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April 16, 2010 at 3:58 am
ezra
Ama, There is no doubt that you have a very warm and caring heart–and the work you put into the site is a testament toward your sincerity and your goal of bridging the LDS and Christianity. Thank you for having a site where ideas and insights can be shared. I have learned a lot about what mormons believe and some of the history behind it and I’m sure others have gained insight–and that goes a long way toward bridging the communities of faith. There is no denying the goodness done and the kindness shared–and there is certainly no hatred for the mormons in that regard. In this particular political world, where good values and hard work are in great peril by the neo-socialists, it is essential that there be some unity between those of a conservative perspective. And mormons certainly are exemlary in their values, honesty and hard work.
Nevertheless, it is incumbent for me to point out that the Book of Mormon is that “different Gospel” that St. Paul warns about, that, if delivered even by an angel should be marked as accursed–for no other reason than it leads a person away from the teachings and sacraments of Christ.
Your testimony is heart-warming–but it is cautionary not to follow the heart if it departs from the unique Gospel of Jesus Christ, as given us in the Scripture.
Blessings, as always, in Christ,
Ezra
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April 16, 2010 at 5:16 am
ama49
Hi Ezra,
Thank you for you kind words. I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon before you make comments on it leading you away from Jesus. If you read it, you will find it falls nicely right in line with the unique gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve felt the same exact confirmation from the Holy Spirit in both books and God doesn’t lie.
Once you’ve read the Book of Mormon let me know how it was for you. However, don’t read it if you are not going to read with a open heart.
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April 16, 2010 at 5:19 am
ama49
Hi Doug,
You have a great spirit about you and I thank you for your comments and contribution here. I think we all have learned from each other here…actually I feel the Spirit has taught us as we all have shared our testimonies. Let’s remember what we’ve learned and make a difference in the world!
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April 16, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Cal
Hi Ezra,
I’m an evangelical Christian.
It’s nice to meet you.
Mormon Heretic made me aware of a Southern Baptist who discovered that the Book of Mormon has the same gospel as the Bible. This Southern Baptist has a long post on his website in which he proves it. The address of this website escapes me now–maybe someone will help me out.
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April 17, 2010 at 1:52 am
ama49
Hi Cal (and Ezra),
I’m not sure if this is the same person you are talking about, but I wrote about a Baptist preacher who preaches from the Book of Mormon. See the post here: https://graceforgrace.com/2008/06/06/baptist-preacher-believes-in-book-of-mormon/
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April 17, 2010 at 5:23 am
jks
Wonderful post. Thank you.
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April 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Cal
That’s it, ama! Thanks.
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April 17, 2010 at 1:13 pm
ama49
Hi Cal,
If people take the time to read the Book of Mormon with an open heart they find that it is the same exact gospel as the Bible. In my opinion, the Book of Mormon is essential because it testifies of the truths in the Bible and we’re all familiar with the scripture “by two or three witnesses will all truth be established.”
When Christians or anyone else attack the Book of Mormon, they may as well attack the Bible. In a similar sense, when LDS attack the Bible they may as well be attacking the Book of Mormon.
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April 18, 2010 at 1:25 am
Cal
Yes, ama, I go along with what you’re saying. I’ve read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, you’ll be glad to know, and agree that it has the same gospel as the Bible.
The first time I picked it up, however, I was so full of religious traditions and fear of being deceived, that after only reading two sentences, I concluded that the devil wrote it! The two Mormon missionaries didn’t think too highly of me after I told them that!
The thought had come to me after two sentences that the devil imitates what God does–which is true–and I thought that that thought must be the Holy Spirit telling me the devil wrote it. I had only been a Christian for about a year, and my discernment wasn’t very strong. It’s amazing how people can be deceived.
During the Civil War there must have been Christians killing each other, both claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit.
On another subject, my wife and I just finished watching Glen Beck’s testimony. It was funny, entertaining, personal, and touching all at the same time–very good. I assume you know who he is and that he is a Mormon.
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April 18, 2010 at 10:29 pm
ama49
Hi Cal,
I did know Glenn Beck was LDS and I really do like his testimony as well. If you listen to his show he is doing a great job of subtly brining Christs gospel into his messages. We should all be praying for him and others who are trying to stand up against the evils in our society.
I wrote a post last year about the most famous Mormons in America with a poll. Feel free to check it out and cast your vote:
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April 18, 2010 at 5:40 am
Mormon Heretic
Ezra, why is it “incumbent for [you] to point” out anything? Really, your schtick is really old now. You supposedly laud AMA’s “goal of bridging the LDS and Christianity” and in the next paragraph implode the bridge by declaring the Book of Mormon leads people away from Christ. I understand your point of view Ezra, but you’re a broken record now. Please, work on building the bridge instead of destroying it constantly.
You are nothing but a destroyer of faith, not a bridge builder. I encourage you to join hands with Doug and Cal in building upon Christ’s love, rather than constantly trying to destroy Mormon faith. You’re a destroyer, not a builder. Please change your message from a negative one to a positive one. I really think it will help you in the long run. Why do you have so much bitterness toward Mormons that you can’t try to build bridges?
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May 6, 2010 at 8:06 am
ezra
MH,
Building bridges are important–building them correctly is even more important.
It is incumbent upon an inspector to point out the strengths and the weaknesses of the project.
Since this project is to build a bridge between LDS and Christianity, it is incumbent to point out the weakness as well as the strength.
I have learned a lot about mormonism–its history and people. I find it interesting and beneficial.
If the bridge is really about mormonism, then perhaps this is a bridge to nowhere. If this is a bridge between two faiths, esp that which deals with Jesus Christ, then an open dialog is important.
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1Corinthians 3:10-11
Theology of the cross is tiresome for some–refreshing for others.
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May 7, 2010 at 12:18 am
Cal Fullerton
Thanks for your good comments, Ezra.
Someone teaching at a men’s fellowship group I attended the other day pointed to Ephesians 4:3-6 after some men had strong disagreements with a few unorthodox teachings she had presented.
She wisely quoted the above (and below) verse as referring to 7 pillars that were “nonnegotiable” for her. After that, she said, disagreements are “puff”—-no big deal.
I think Mormons and non-Mormon believers pretty much agree on the pillars listed in these verses:
Eph. 4:3-6:
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—- just as you were called to one hope when you were called—- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
It’s interesting to me to find those “pillars” prefaced with “make every effort to keep the unity.” That’s what we’re learning how to do at GraceforGrace.
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May 11, 2010 at 5:33 am
MH
Ezra, I do not tire of the theology of the cross; it is refreshing to me. I tire of your incessant divisiveness, and your comments remind me of the continual dripping or contentious woman in Proverbs 27:15, “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”
Really, who made you “inspector to point out the strengths and the weaknesses of the project”? I doubt it was AMA.
Open dialogue is welcome, but your Inspector Gadget/Clouseau schtick is old. Build me a bridge to Christ, but don’t keep exploding AMA’s bridge as your “incumbent” duty to “inspect.” Who died and made you king of AMA’s blog to pass judgment? Please, “make every effort to keep the unity.” I won’t tire of that.
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April 19, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Cody Bosch
I’ve been LDS my entire life. The first time I read it and prayed I didnlt feel much. I still felt some, but I realized that it was due to reading it just so I could honestly say that I’ve read it. So the second time I read it for a true want of learning about it. I took notes to understand what was happening easier. It came at me stronger than before. For those who think they would like to get a free Book of Mormon click on that Book of Mormon hyperlink. You will enjoy it.
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