Left Mormonism. Wanting to reconnect to the divine. Having a hard time doing so.

I'm in my late 40's. I converted to Mormonism when I was 24. Did all the right things. Before that I was baptized a Catholic when I was an infant. Being that I'm Italian, it was more for cultural purposes. We maybe went to church for Easter and Midnight Mass. After converting to Mormonism, I felt like I found the truth. They preach that to you by the way. That it's the only true church on the face of the earth. I also noticed I became a righteous puke. While I never spoke openly about it, I would inwardly put down others from different faiths. It's a weird feeling, when you drink that kool-aid. You feel like you're part of God's chosen religion. My wife and I have a son with autism, so it made going to church rather difficult. During this time, I would still try to be a worthy member by going to the temple often and then listening to church prescribed podcasts. Though in my early 40's things started to slowly unravel. I heard a piece of info about the Mormon church that I wasn't ok with, so it led me down the rabbithole. It was a slow burn, as I tried to make it work through random acts of justification. Around the time I hit 45 I just couldn't do it anymore. I stopped going. While I felt free from the indoctrination, there's been a void since. I noticed that I'm having a hard time believing again. I want to believe differently, but having a hard time trusting. For one thing, I'm not a fan of religion. Spirituality, yes, and finding that connection to Christ, absolutely. So that's what brought me here I'm looking for ways to believe again.

Welcome to CC.
You'll find everyone here debating a lot of things, especially with all the strange current events...
but you'll find we're mostly all in agreement about the rudiments of the historic Christian faith.

If you talk to people and ask questions, I'm sure you'll make new friends and get some answers.

.

Hi and welcome.

It can be difficult for people getting out of a heavily indoctrinating environment. Oftentimes they feel a void like you've described and end up getting indoctrinated into some other group. I think prayer and Bible study are probably your most potent allies right now. A lot of controlling groups like to filter the scriptures through their own lens; so just read them for yourself and pray for understanding.

God bless.

Exactly. That's the hard part for me. I definitely won't get involved with other religions, but it a way puts me on a path to disbelief. I've been listening to a few things, which does resonate. Did Jesus come down to abolish religion or not? That's what I'm wrestling with. I want to say he did, because at that time everything was rule based. At the end of the day, the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. While everyone has their own path, it would make sense to me that all that God cares about is believing and following him, where religion is just a set of rules you need to follow to have God in your life.

1.) If you've just come out of Mormonism, and you have a lot of questions, and confusion, and uncertainty... it's not a good time to remain floating around with uncertainties.

2. The Bible says God gives his people teachers, because we need them.

3. This would be a good time to seek out some traditional and orthdox Christian teachers... and hear them out... and see if they can use the scripture to answer your questions.

4. Listening to teachers, and availing yourself of what God has provided, does not obligate you to join any particular church or religion.

5. Here is something you probably don't understand yet, and which is going to seem foreign to you:
ALL Christians with traditional beliefs, from ALL denominations, ALL AGREE on essential doctrine.

6. You're coming from a place of confusion, after years of lies... and you're going to need good teachers to help you sort through it all.

.

While praying, Jesus said:

John 17:3

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Eternal life has everything to do with knowing God and Jesus Christ.

This needs to be your goal, and it seems as if that is what you are after.

Basically, like the rest of mankind, you strayed from God like a lost sheep, and Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, came to reconcile you back to God. He did so by becoming a substitutionary sacrifice for your sins which were separating you from God.

If you are willing to repent of your sins, and place your saving faith in Jesus Christ, then you can be reconciled back to the heavenly Father, and God himself will indwell you in the person of the Holy Spirit. It is through this indwelling that you will truly come to know God as you become one in Spirit/spirit with him. This is the type of "knowing" that Jesus was talking about. It is similar to how a man "knows" his wife intimately in the natural realm. In other words, it has to do with a lot more than just some head knowledge. Instead, it is when the two become one. Again, in the case with God, the two become one in Spirit/spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:16-17

"What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

Stop #1 | Romans 3:23
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
The word “gospel” literally means good news! The reason it’s good news is that there is bad news. Why would anyone ever believe they need to hear the gospel or believe the gospel unless they understood their need for the gospel? That’s where this passage comes in. Romans 3:23 is a foundational reminder that we are all sinners. No one is righteous (Romans 3:10-12), no one is good, and no one keeps the Ten Commandments perfectly. God is holy, and every single human being who has ever lived does not perfectly live up to God’s standard. Whether you’ve sinned once, or are serving a life sentence in prison for murder, whoever fails to keep the whole law in one point is accountable for all of it according to God’s standard (James 2:10).
Sin is a reality that needs to be presented if we are going to understand the gospel. Everybody is a sinner. Being a sinner separates us from having a relationship with a holy God. We need a solution.

Stop #2 | Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The second stop on the Romans Road emphasizes the unconditional love of God towards the sinner whom He is willing to save. We were unlovable, but He loved us. We were hopeless, but He gives hope. We couldn’t save ourselves, but Christ could. In our spiritually dead and sinful condition (Ephesians 2:1), God chose to show mercy, love, and kindness to us.
This passage brings Christ into the forefront and provides an opportunity to integrate Him into the good news. If it wasn’t for God sending His Son to deal with sin, we couldn’t be saved from the penalty of sin. That is where the new stop on our journey comes in.

Stop #3 | Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
After stops 1 and 2, a person might readily accept that everyone is a sinner, that God loves us, and that Jesus died for us. But stop number 3 takes us deeper into the bad news, before highlighting more of the good news.
Upon hearing that “the wages of sin is death,” someone might ask, what does that mean? This stop provides you with the opportunity to highlight God’s wrath towards sin, His dealings with the unrighteous, and the reality of a literal heaven and a literal hell (Romans 1:18-32; Matthew 13:42; Revelation 21:8). The earned payment for sin — all sin — is death. Much like a human court system has a standard of law that if not kept leads to punishment, God has a law and there is punishment for not keeping it. More than that, as human beings who readily admit that we are sinners, we must also admit that we cannot keep God’s law faithfully. Therefore, we all are condemned in God’s court and deserve the wages for our sin: death.
But Romans 6:23 also includes good news! In contrast to our inability to keep the law of God and our wages earned by sin, God gives the gracious gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. This aspect of the gospel provides you with the opportunity to know and share what Jesus did on the cross. He died in the sinner’s place. He paid the penalty for sin so the sinner wouldn’t have to. He gave His life so you could live. By “eternal life,” the Bible means that you don’t need to die and end up in hell forever. You don’t have to experience the judgment of God upon sin for all eternity. You can live in heaven with Him for all eternity after this life ends. The Bible teaches that everyone will die (everyone knows this is true) and that after death in this life comes a moment of judgment (Hebrews 9:27). That moment of judgment does not need to end badly.
God has given us a gift. His name is Jesus Christ.

Stop #4 | Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ…”
This is really good news! If you are “in Christ,” that means you’ve put your faith in Him, believing that He died for you and rose again from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). Anyone in Christ is not going to be condemned for their sin and will not go to hell. If that’s you, then you don’t need to walk around feeling guilty or shameful over your sin once you’ve believed in Christ because your sin is washed away (1 John 1:7).

Stop #5 | Romans 10:9
“…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…”
The final stop is where the rubber meets the road. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord? Do you believe He was the Son of God who died for your sin and rose from the dead? Are you willing to confess your sin, accepting the bad news that you are spiritually bankrupt without God’s help? Are you willing to accept the good news that God has made a way for you to have a relationship with Him and be saved from the penalty of sin, which is His wrath?
Through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s power can change you. You don’t have to live a life of brokenness and bondage, you don’t have to be hopeless. Jesus can set you free. Jesus can give you hope.
The question is often asked, how do I know if I’m saved? The simple answer is that if you have truly believed in Jesus Christ and put your faith in Him, God will transform you. The old ways of sin that you used to relish are going to fade, and the new life you live in Christ will dominate your passions (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In a world looking for solutions to the brokenness of human sin, the gospel declares that Jesus is the answer.

Hi and Welcome!!

What are the 5 verses for the Roman road?
The Romans Road to Salvation
Stop #1 | Romans 3:23. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” ...
Stop #2 | Romans 5:8. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ...
Stop #3 | Romans 6:23. ...
Stop #4 | Romans 8:1. ...
Stop #5 | Romans 10:9.

Ephesians 5:18
Verse Concepts
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

"
In Ephesians 5:15–20, the apostle Paul teaches believers how to experience a holy relationship with God—how to live for Him, obey Him, and discover His will as we serve Him. He writes, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. . . . Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (NLT)."
https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-filled.html

Believers have the indwelling Spirit of Christ, the Comforter who proceeds from the Father (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer (Jude 1:20) and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). He also leads the believer into righteousness (Galatians 5:16–18) and produces His fruit in those yielded to Him (Galatians 5:22–23). Believers are to submit to the will of God and walk in the Spirit.
A “walk” in the Bible is often a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to walk it—we are to make consistent forward progress. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the Spirit: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, KJV; cf. Romans 8:14). In other words, the Spirit gave us life in the new birth (John 3:6), and we must continue to live, day by day, in the Spirit.

To walk in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over us. To walk in the Spirit is the opposite of resisting Him or grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30).

Galatians 5 examines the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. The context is freedom from the Law of Moses (Galatians 5:1). Those who walk in the Spirit “eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope” (verse 5) and are free from the Law (verse 18). Also, those who walk in the Spirit “will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (verse 16). The flesh—our fallen nature under the power of sin—is in direct conflict with the Spirit (verse 17). When the flesh is in charge, the results are obvious (verses 19–21). But when the Spirit is in control, He produces godly qualities within us, apart from the strictures of the Law (verses 22–23). Believers “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (verse 24), and now we walk in the Spirit (verse 25).

Those who walk in the Spirit are united with Him and are the bearers of the fruit the Spirit produces. Thus, those who walk in the Spirit walk in love—they live in love for God and for their fellow man. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in joy—they exhibit gladness in what God has done, is doing, and will do. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in peace—their lives are not defined by worry or anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Those who walk in the Spirit walk in patience—they are known for having a “long fuse” and do not lose their temper. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in kindness—they show tender concern for the needs of others. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in goodness—their actions reflect virtue and holiness. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in faithfulness—they are steadfast in their trust of God and His Word. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in gentleness—their lives are characterized by humility, grace, and thankfulness to God. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in self-control—they display moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to the flesh.

Those who walk in the Spirit rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them in thought, word, and deed (Romans 6:11–14). They show forth daily, moment-by-moment holiness, just as Jesus did when, “full of the Holy Spirit, [He] left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” to be tempted (Luke 4:1).

To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit, and some results of the Spirit’s filling are thankfulness, singing, and joy (Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16). Those who walk in the Spirit follow the Spirit’s lead. They “let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly” (Colossians 3:16, ESV), and the Spirit uses the Word of God “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Their whole way of life is lived according to the rule of the gospel, as the Spirit moves them toward obedience. When we walk in the Spirit, we find that the sinful appetites of the flesh have no more dominion over us.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html

Based on Romans 8, ask both the Holy Spirit and Jesus join you in Prayer.

I appreciate your candor of seeking the truth.
We know that the 66 Books/ letters of the Bible are truth. "Jesus is also the way, the truth and the life."

A man asked a simple question that I think summarizes what you want to know. In Acts 16 he asked Paul and Barnabas,

" Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

The requirement was to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
First we must understand exactly Who He is.
Most everyone here would agree that there are dozens of verses stating that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, showing that He is 100% God. He did not become A god.
We can not become Gods of our own planets. There is no God besides Him.
He always was God from infinity / eternity past.
He did that which Nobody else has ever done, nor ever will do. He created everything into existence from nothing. The entire universe exists at the spoken words He proclaimed in 6 days. His Father lives in the place called Heaven (not a planet kolab). His Father has no wives or physical relations to produce offspring. We are born into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. See John3

Jesus is not only 100% God Almighty, but also the Son of man, becoming a man through the miraculous virgin conception of Mary, His mother of His humanity. This is when He became 100% human too.

He later proved His divinity by miracles like those of creating food for thousands of families at various times.

Unlike every other person in History, Jesus never sinned, therefore He was the only acceptable sacrifice for all our sins.
Most in "Christianity" have a superficial knowledge of this fact. They look at Jesus as a down payment for sins and at self as the rest. They think that religious rites, sacraments, living a "righteous life" and other such things will be acceptable sacrifice for the sins they've committed. This is a false teaching in Mormonism as it is in all apostate denominations that teach works based righteousness.

"There is None righteous, no not one."
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

That puts everyone under the condemnation of hell. If you and I get what we deserve, we will go to a literal place of fire. That's why salvation from there is required by the Sinless One. We can never pay for one sin regardless of our behaviors. That is why you must be cautious about even the protestants on here that teach the same basic false works for salvation as Joseph Smith.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2

The grace is the kindness of God offered to us in spite of our many sins. It is not earned, that is why it is not of yourselves. Eternal life is the gift that has already been paid for. Jesus did that when He suffered for all of our sins upon the cross, died, went to Hell for three days/ nights and went back to His body to walk out of the tomb.

This is the Jesus of the Bible that Paul and Barnabas spoke of when they said,

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

I was sceptical at first after hearing this truth because I took was raised in false religion. What I did was to take my King James Bible and open it to the chapters that I was presented with. I read those chapters and realized that this was the simple absolute truth. That's when I decided to pray a simple prayer to receive that most valuable gift.

I will make it easy for you by leading you in prayer right now. That way you can have that gift from God too. God the Holy Spirit will help you too when you ask. Just say out loud to God as He listens right now,

"Dear Lord Jesus.
I know that I have sinned against You and the Father. You had to suffer an awful lot for me, for all the punishment that I deserve....so that I won't suffer in hell. Please give me the gift of salvation and everlasting life that You paid for when You died, was buried and rose again.
I can never add to Your sacrifice with any of my own works. You did it all because You love me so much.
Thank you for this precious gift Jesus.
Amen

If you prayed this with me, I would love to know.

If you have any questions, please watch this short description that goes into a little more details. Then feel free to ask whatever you want. Take care my friend.
☕🙂👍

Lots of people have lots of ways to get a relationship with God going. Most are very well meaning, but some explanations get quite complicated. But it isn't really complicated. Early in the book of Genesis, men began to call upon the name of the Lord. Jesus Himself says come unto me. James said draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto thee. I just started talking to God one day and haven't stopped. So don't overthink it. Just start talking.

Welcome to CC, dear friend.

Easy to understand why. As you say, one needs to believe differently. Salvation cannot be found in ritualistic rule-based religions. Even denominationalism can be a great hinderance. It takes great humility go back to where we began and start over after building towers of Bable all one's life. We must come as little children.

Yes, and trusting just happens to be the very one thing that is required. All we can do is call out to Him in faith. The good news is that He loves you and has set everything up so that you can just call out to Him right now and be saved at this very instant.

Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Let me explain how it came to be so simple and easy...

In the beginning, everything was good and there was no curse or condemnation. Men then rebelled against God and sin entered into the world. Everything in the world was stained to the point where self-redemption was impossible. Only God Himself could remedy this situation. The Son Himself came down from heaven and paid the ultimate price; He gave His own life and shed His own blood as payment in full. All you now need do is accept God's gift of salvation. Nothing we can do to earn it. We must humbly receive it as a gift. He will guide us and strengthen us so long as we let Him have His way with us. His is the wise Father and we are the child who must trust that He knows best. Just go to Him alone now and surrender your proud and selfish nature to His Lordship now. He will give you His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort you day by day.

I am so glad you came and let me share this with you.

Love and God's blessings to you.

Then you've come to the wrong place. Go to God if you need belief. Knock and the door will be opened. Stop going to an organization for your belief.

Go to the Bible. Let the Bible speak for itself and don't assume anything while reading.

The Bible is a book that contains religion, but is more about a new kingdom. "The kingdom of God." Its all about establishing this new kingdom.

But when religion and government were together they changed many things to enslave people to their government. So you'll find much about both of them that are wrong.

Hi and welcome to the good fellowship here at CC!!! You have already got a lot of great encouragement, so I'll add in a God bless you and your family🙏 Hope you enjoy the Forums!

#ICAMETOSHARE



"I have found a spiritual heart to be a joy to behold!"
"Amen"

My advice is to read the gospel of John. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. He has promised that if you seek Him, you will find Him. I don't like religion either. Jesus died and rose again so that we can have a relationship with God through Him. Christianity is not a religion, although some make it one.

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome To Chat. I will pray for you;
Please be blessed by God's:

Grace, Peace, Mercy, And Joy!

Then:
Please Be Very Richly Encouraged And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided (+ I and II). ← PG Rated "Approved" *
↑ God Helped me get Out Of Confusion ↑

Rich Blessings ♫ 😇 ↑

* PG: Perfect God / Parental Guidance

Thank you very much for your kind words. When you're in a high-demand religion such as Mormonism, you get tied up in the rituals and covenants. It makes you feel you're never doing enough to achieve saving. You're reply makes it much less complicated. I appreciate that you have some knowledge of the Mormon faith. It makes it easier for someone to understand the complexities of leaving that and then trying to learn the right way.

Thank you for the prayer.

Thank you very much!

Yeah, I plan to start reading the bible again with a new lens. Mormonism puts a lot of emphasis on the Book of Mormon, which they use more than the bible.