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I recently discovered that some of my ancestors were Presbyterians in Scotland way before the missionaries ever got to them. They were good Christian people. I had the temple work done for them, but feel like I should investigate their church and attend it to find out more about it so I can understand more about my ancestors beliefs. What do people think? Would you do the same? I actually am worried that I might like their Church better and not want to go back to the LDS faith. This is the biggest reason why I have stopped myself from pursuing it. I just don’t feel like the Utah LDS Church is Christian. I have investigated protestant/evangelical Christianity my whole life and find myself sympathizing with some of their beliefs; Priesthood of all Believers, the Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16), Saved by Grace knowing we all fall short and cannot save ourselves, Christian music – and how it relates to praising Jesus and the Lord; it is something to get excited about, and the godparent concept (I’m not sure if Presbyterians still do this, I know they did in Scotland). There are no answers that need to be pursued; God is Love, His son is Jesus who saves all that believe, and the word of God is in the Bible. Even Mormons must realize that without the Bible there would be no book of Mormon, and no Restoration (see James 1:5), and the Brass Plates. Additionally if the apostles in Jesus’ day wrote down Jesus 40 day ministry, what would the Book of Mormon be needed for? The Book of Mormon’s biggest contribution is that it chronicles Jesus’ post-mortal ministry, while the Bible has one or two chapters on it. I know I believe in the Atonement and the Resurrection as a LDS member. I even believe int he Godhead as three separate beings, baptism for immersion, and celestial marriage, but I believe that the Bible has a high status and in Utah it seems like the Bible is marginalized and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is rarely even taught on Sundays. Sometimes Gospel Doctrine lacks real scriptural/spiritual power and just seems like a book club, where hardly anyone is that enthusiastic. I thought we were excited for the Gospel and that we are the living Church of Christ, and that we have the solutions to the worlds problems of sin, immorality, and misery all around, yet I go to Church and it seems like a funeral where everyone has a long, and serious face, only talk to their cliques, and chat up a storm in sacrament meeting before it starts to the point that I cannot feel the spirit. Even one of the 12 recently in conference stated that we need to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than referring to the Church. Even a general authority would hesitate before he brings a non-member to church. Elder Oaks even suggested that the ward counsel design a non-member friendly sacrament meeting for members to bring their friends to. Why would this need to be done? Every sacrament meeting should be non-member friendly, and member friendly. jamison wrote:I recently discovered that some of my ancestors were Presbyterians in Scotland way before the missionaries ever got to them. They were good Christian people. I had the temple work done for them, but feel like I should investigate their church and attend it to find out more about it so I can understand more about my ancestors beliefs. What do people think? Would you do the same? I actually am worried that I might like their Church better and not want to go back to the LDS faith. This is the biggest reason why I have stopped myself from pursuing it.
I attend a Buddhist temple weekly. I’m not worried about liking it so much that I abandon the LDS church but that’s because I view both the Buddhist faith and the LDS faith as being supplemental to
myfaith. In that regard it’s not an “either or” thing, it’s a “what benefit can I derive out of both” thing. It’s sort of like spiritual cross-training where the LDS church is my main “sport.” I’ve been surprised by how similar Buddhism is to (one of my interpretations of) the LDS church and Christianity in general. Life is a little busy now but once things calm down the plan is to visit with at least one new faith per month. The similarities between faiths fascinate me.
The Book of Mormon talks about feasting upon the words of Christ. Maybe the LDS church is our favorite type of food but there are other dishes at the banquet. We’ll likely run into lots of food we don’t like (haggis?
So yes, I would do the same. Feeling what it’s like to live other faiths can help me in my quest to get in touch with my spiritual self. It can expose me to new ideas and ways of thinking.
I also have Presbyterians from Scotland in my family tree. In my case they were closely related enough to call upon their local pastor to give me a dressing down shortly before I joined the LDS church. Apparently Joseph Smith didn’t win any friends when he said, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” I was told that if I joined the LDS church that I’d never be allowed to join the Presbyterian church, even if I wanted to. Meanwhile I’m thinking, “I
wantto join some other church so I’m not terribly concerned about that.” Go figure. I don’t hold that against them though. I’m sure the pastor was given the mandate from my family to scare me off joining the church. That was decades ago and I’ve since learned for myself that Presbyterians are good people, very good people; which is true enough for me in this horseshoes and hand grenades arena I call life.
Jamison, it sure sounds to me like YOU want to go try it. It is good to ask a bit of groups like this in case there is something you have not thought about, but you don’t need our permission nor the permission of the church in any way. You need to ask God and if he is ok, go for it! I think you go see what it is like. If you don’t you will always wonder. I have went to other churches before. It was interest to see what they believe. It is a good way to meet some nice people. I agree with you about some of the Utah wards. I hope you will go and that you have a nice experience.
Donna
@ nibbler. I too like Buddhism, I attended a Nicheren Buddhist meeting with a good friend of mine. It was peaceful, very enlightening and I enjoyed the sense of community. Thanks for sharing. I participate in the evening service of a local Assembly of God church almost weekly. The sermons are quality, the children’s program (where the children go during the hour of the worship service) is engaging, the music is nice, the acceptance of others differing backgrounds is phenomenal, and the hour duration and evening schedule are convenient. I love hearing sermons using the same scriptures that I am familiar with but interpreted a slightly different way. It opens up my mind to see new perspectives. The focus is not on doctrine. The sermons in the evening usually follow a series. Two of my favorites have been on establishing personal conduct guardrails and on Love and respect within marriage. Right now the pastor is preaching of increasing “margins” in our lives (basically to stay flexible, simplify, and not stretch ourselves too thin).
They know that we are Mormon. Even though we have participated for years there has never been any pressure to make a commitment.
I have sometimes described it as supplementing my spirituality.
I have gone to a lot of services of a lot of denominations and religions for a lot of reasons. Other than Budddhism, no other theology does it for me, but I have no problem attending other services and enjoy a lot of things about each one. Ultimately, you need to do what you feel is best for you.
I have substantial experience of Presbyterianism. Really a service sinks or swims depending on who the minister is. Presby services are very sermon orientated. A bad minister means a bad service, a good minister a good service. Roy wrote:I participate in the evening service of a local Assembly of God church almost weekly.
the music is nice,
You mean when it’s both played and sung with actual feeling? That sure would be an interesting thing for some LDS wards to try.
Growing up Methodist, they strongly encouraged pianists to actually be able to do more than just mechanically play the exact notes on the hymnal page, (when my mom was playing piano there, they would occasionally hold musicians’ potlucks so the pianists could trade embellishment tips, made sure the building was made available to any pianist or organist wanting to practice at any reasonable hour, etc.) and to use a metronome set to what the page actually says, not 15-30BPM below the low end of the specified range.
Quote:they strongly encouraged pianists to actually be able to do more than just mechanically play the exact notes on the hymnal page
Half a dozen years ago we had a brother who really worked to magnify his hymn playing for the ward. When he was called he only knew basic piano, but he bought an organ and learned how to use it the fullest. It was so beautiful. Bell chimes, and other wonderful additions.
We had a Bishop change. Brother Accompanist continued to hold his calling and do his thing – until new Bishop called him out publicly on it, then released him the next week. And we ask people not be offended. I was offended and I wasn’t even connected to the issue or people.
Lots of wards sing with feeling and gusto; lots don’t. Same is true of so many things.
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