From: agr00@ccc.amdahl.com (Anthony G Rose)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: A Mormon lurker speaks!!!
Date: 16 Oct 92 05:00:05 GMT
Reply-To: agr00@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Anthony G Rose)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <1992Oct15.125901.59733@cc.usu.edu> slh1y@cc.usu.edu (Jay Cliburn) writes:
>I've lurked around in this newsgroup for some three years now, rarely posting,
>but avidly reading.  It is truly amazing to see anti-Mormon crusaders come
>and go, with their database dumpings, flaming keyboards, non-canonical
>references, and "spittle on the chin" (I *loved* that phrase from our friend 
>in Alaska) vehemence.  It has grown especially strident in the last month or
>so.  I just wanted to say a little something before I begin sending all 
>messages from Messrs. Fuller, Rose, Clapp (you've quieted down of late, 
>Glenn, but I notice that you're heating up again with these insanely long 
>things which I haven't read, nor will I), and a few others to the great bit-
>bucket in the sky.
>
>I converted to the LDS faith from the Southern Baptist denomination nine years
>ago at the age of 27.  I found at that time what I had been missing in 
>religion before.  I have come to enjoy a personal relationship with my God, 
>through His son, Jesus Christ (I know Tony... you're spouting, "*which* 
>Christ?"... sit back down now and let me finish).  I have witnessed the power 
>of God at work in my own family and have from time to time been filled - 
>almost overwhelmed - with the quiet dignity and reverence that arises from 
>the individual, sincere, and faithful worship and consideration of diety. 
>I have felt numerous times what I consider to be the Holy Spirit; guiding
>my life, confirming the course I've set therein.  In short, I have found all
>that I need to be spiritually filled.
>
>As for those who wish to "prove" that the LDS religion is "false," you will 
>not succeed.  There are simply too many ordinary folks like me who have 
>chosen the LDS faith as our religion who live ordinary lives of thoughtful 
>contemplation in ordinary homes with ordinary families, but who have 
>extraordinary spiritual experiences - each one of which further binding us to 
>our faith and to our conviction that we are on the "strait and narrow path."
>
>I am happy for Tony, Mark, Glenn, and others who have obviously found solace
>and comfort in their respective religious endeavors.  I will never attempt
>by word or deed to take you from your chosen faith nor "prove" that it is
>untrue.  It would be hopeless.  What converts people from one (or no) religion 
>to another is not rancorous debate, but a feeling of absence of some aspect
>of spirituality in the heart, which leads to searching.  Some end their
>search in Islam; others in Buddhism; still others in Roman Catholicism.
>You get the idea...  My search ended when I found the Church of Jesus Christ
>of Latter-Day Saints.
>
>For those intrepid Latter-Day Saint stalwarts who defend our faith here in
>t.r.m, my heart goes out to you.  Dana, Robert, Jason, Kermit, Willard, and
>Gordon:  Keep up the good work.  I learn from every single post you write.  
>I apologize for not joining in the "fun," but I'm afraid I wouldn't be
>nearly as good at it as you guys are.
>--
>
>Jay Cliburn


Jay:

Praise God you are happy!  I am sincerely happy that you are happy with
your religion.  You know, different people seek different things out of
religion.  If the things you mention are what you are after, then the LDS
church is for you!  I am glad you have found what you are looking for.

I admire the LDS church for it's morals and family ideas, to the extent
that I almost joined the churh too.  But I am also interested in Truth,
and I couldn't reconcile all the errors within Mormonism so my Truth
seeker within me was satisfied.  I am glad that you have been able to do
that and I praise God for you.

Our post are not for people like you.  I have LDS friends that have told
me that they are LDS because of morals and families and other social
things, and that if Joseph Smith was not a true prophet they didn't want
to know about it.  That is fine.  I am here posting what I do to help
those LDS members out there that are interested in Truth.  If you are not
then that is alright, and I don't mean for my post to affect you.

But one thing that I think all LDS members should do is this, sit down
with an 1830 edition of the BoM and todays edition, and go through it
side-by-side.  If you can deal with those changes and errors and made up
words, then you have found the right church.
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc