I have returned to the church after being inactive. The missionaries and Bisop all agree, I need to be rebaptized. I talked about it to my Husband. He is Catholic. He gave me a long negative reply starting with according to cannon law we cannot be married to each other unless we are both of the Catholic faith. Next mormons believe God had a wife and the plan of salvation has no basis in the gospel. Mormons think God was a man and then became a God. “I would rather you become a Moslem, its more like christianity than Mormonism”. So do I go ahead and get baptised? Just worship in sacrament as a nonmember (I tithe though)? Or wait to get baptised after I am dead? I tried to correct him on some of these ideas, but he thinks he knows everything because he studied to become a Catholic Priest.
4 Responses to “I have returned to the church after being inactive. The…”
Manuel Leal
2013-07-01 01:01:58
Hi sister. It's wonderful that you made your way back to the church. It takes a lot of courage to return to activity, especially given the family challenges you face.
I can't really comment with authority on Catholic doctrine, but I'd be very surprised to learn that that church invalidates a marriage because one spouse joins another denomination. My understanding is that it's actually pretty difficult to get a religious divorce/annulment in Catholicism, as it should be. I doubt it would be "automatic" under any circumstances. But, again, I'm no expert on Catholicism.
Its excellent that you've tried to correct your husband's superficial and at times incorrect understanding of various Mormon concepts. Given the prevalence of misleading anti-Mormon claims, correcting these kinds of ideas is a constant battle. Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding specific things your husband has said. I'm happy to help.
Given that Mormonism is a Christian denomination, the idea that Islam is closer to Catholicism than Mormonism is is of course ridiculous. Muslims in particular would find your husband's assertion pretty silly.
Jesus Christ was Himself baptized in the Jordan river to provide an example for each of us. (Reflections of Christ)
My membership in the LDS Church is the most precious thing in my life. My gut instinct is to recommend that you be baptized as soon as possible. However, in the end it's a decision that you need to make for yourself. If you decide to forgo baptism for now, though, I hope you do still worship with us every Sunday, as you suggested. Keep your testimony strong so that when you are ready for baptism, you can act immediately and with a clear conscience.
Anonymous
2013-06-25 14:21:53
The Church’s missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.
Dear Sister, The questions posed by your husband do not reflect accurately the Mormon doctrine. There is only one way to know what the church really teaches and that is to study it from the source, and not from bits and pieces we hear here and there.
Invite the missionaries to your home and also the bishop of the ward you would be a member of. Ask them to help your husband understand that the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are as Christian as it gets.
Also, you should visit the the Neal A. Maxwell Institute web page and FARMS for some of those "tough" questions.
Best of luck, and remember to include Heavenly Father and the Savior in your struggles and desires. He´s the best friend you have now.
Pamela Bonta
2013-06-25 06:59:45
Dear Sister, You have some serious things to think about it. Your husband is presenting some very dogmatic, controlling and not entirely correct views about marriage. (My uncle, for example, is Anglican while his wife is Catholic.) You should talk to your ecclesiastical leaders about your concerns. In the meantime, I would continue going to the church of your choosing.
The tithing question is one for your bishop, but if your husband doesn't agree then you may not be able to.
I was in the opposite position that you are in. My ex-husband decided after 3 1/2 years of marriage that he wanted to be become a Jesuit. I only agreed to marry him in the first place because he was LDS, so for us, the solution was to divorce.
I do have on question... You say that have returned to church after being inactive? Were you a member before your marriage? This could play an important role in your discussions with church leaders.
God bless you in this trying time.
Shalon
2013-06-26 13:42:19
We believe that disciples of Jesus should follow His example and be baptized by someone with authority from God.
I would tell your husband that it's very important to you that he give it a second look. This time maybe not from anti-mormon rhetoric, and maybe from our church websites instead? Remind him that if we believed everything anti-catholic pondits said, there'd be a lot of garbage In our heads about THAT worthy church too.
I wouldn't try to argue with him, just make the request gently. Remember, if It causes contention in your home, then its not from Heavenly Father. Otherwise, I would continue to pray about rebaptism, and for Inspiration about how to be the most loving to your husband within gospel bounds.
God will love you, whether you get re-baptized or not, but if you want the chance to be with your husband for eternity, you need to nurture that relationship as well.
Its possible that with enough time, your husband will come around and maybe attend your baptism.
I can't really comment with authority on Catholic doctrine, but I'd be very surprised to learn that that church invalidates a marriage because one spouse joins another denomination. My understanding is that it's actually pretty difficult to get a religious divorce/annulment in Catholicism, as it should be. I doubt it would be "automatic" under any circumstances. But, again, I'm no expert on Catholicism.
Its excellent that you've tried to correct your husband's superficial and at times incorrect understanding of various Mormon concepts. Given the prevalence of misleading anti-Mormon claims, correcting these kinds of ideas is a constant battle. Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding specific things your husband has said. I'm happy to help.
Given that Mormonism is a Christian denomination, the idea that Islam is closer to Catholicism than Mormonism is is of course ridiculous. Muslims in particular would find your husband's assertion pretty silly.
Invite the missionaries to your home and also the bishop of the ward you would be a member of. Ask them to help your husband understand that the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are as Christian as it gets.
Also, you should visit the the Neal A. Maxwell Institute web page and FARMS for some of those "tough" questions.
Best of luck, and remember to include Heavenly Father and the Savior in your struggles and desires. He´s the best friend you have now.
The tithing question is one for your bishop, but if your husband doesn't agree then you may not be able to.
I was in the opposite position that you are in. My ex-husband decided after 3 1/2 years of marriage that he wanted to be become a Jesuit. I only agreed to marry him in the first place because he was LDS, so for us, the solution was to divorce.
I do have on question... You say that have returned to church after being inactive? Were you a member before your marriage? This could play an important role in your discussions with church leaders.
God bless you in this trying time.
I wouldn't try to argue with him, just make the request gently. Remember, if It causes contention in your home, then its not from Heavenly Father. Otherwise, I would continue to pray about rebaptism, and for Inspiration about how to be the most loving to your husband within gospel bounds.
God will love you, whether you get re-baptized or not, but if you want the chance to be with your husband for eternity, you need to nurture that relationship as well.
Its possible that with enough time, your husband will come around and maybe attend your baptism.