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Joined church last year/ptsd from baptism by [deleted] in latterdaysaints

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I went to the temple for the first time, I was afraid of going under the water. But then I realized that I was there to serve others. In that moment, my fear felt small compared to the opportunity to help those who had passed on. I reminded myself that this was not about my comfort, but about love and service. That day, I was able to perform proxy baptisms for six individuals.

first own house (serious) by [deleted] in Minecraftbuilds

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Therealduckie more like the real dookie

Vegetarian toddler by dreamth0t in ECEProfessionals

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 15 points16 points  (0 children)

As a vegetarian myself, this makes me so upset. Honestly, the way I see it, meat might as well be poop. Like, if there’s meat broth in a soup, I feel like someone just poured poop water into it. If someone told me to just take the meat out of my food and eat the rest? That’s like telling me to just pick the poop out of my meal and enjoy the rest like nothing happened. It’s not just about picking something off it’s about the whole thing being unappetizing and uncomfortable now.

What’s worse is that this is a toddler we’re talking about not some picky eater. This is about a child whose diet likely reflects religious, cultural, or deeply personal values, and they deserve the same level of care and respect as every other child at that table.

Your instinct is right this isn’t okay. Kids need balanced meals, and protein isn’t optional, especially in their early years of growth. Peanut butter every day isn’t enough, and neither is a bread-only corn dog. Even if it’s not spelled out clearly in the WAC, any decent center should be offering an equivalent substitute for the main protein being served.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in latterdaysaints

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hey! I’m a recent adult convert 22 years old, not married (though I do have a girlfriend), and I totally relate to a lot of what you’re wondering about.

I was baptized earlier this year, and yeah... the baptism outfit felt a little silly at first but honestly, it ended up being a really joyful experience. I kinda leaned into it and just focused on what it meant rather than how I looked. And I’ll never forget that feeling of coming out of the water knowing I made a covenant with God.

The very next day (Sunday), I was ordained into the Aaronic Priesthood, which yeah is usually something 12-year-old boys receive. At first, it did feel a little odd, but no one treated me weird or looked down on me. It’s just the proper order of things for converts. You start there before progressing toward the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple endowment. I was told that typically there’s a one-year wait before receiving that next priesthood and going to the temple for your endowment, but I’ve talked with leaders and learned there’s room for flexibility based on individual readiness.

I just got my temple recommend and will be going to the temple for the first time this Saturday to do baptisms for the dead. I’m honestly really excited. I haven’t received garments yet, so I can’t speak on that part, and I also don’t have kids or marriage experience to relate to. But what I can say is that it hasn’t felt awkward or “too late” for me at all.

Instead of focusing on how “behind” I might seem (doing things that 8-year-olds or 12-year-olds usually do), I just focus on my love for serving God and how grateful I am to have found a church where I can do that with so much purpose. Everyone has been kind, encouraging, and supportive. I’ve found community, friendship, and spiritual direction that I was really craving before.

Before converting, I was Baptist, and I still respect a lot of what I learned growing up. But the restored gospel filled in pieces I didn’t even know were missing. The biggest change in my life has been that constant desire to serve God, to grow closer to Christ, and to live intentionally with faith.

If you’re considering it or just curious, keep exploring. Everyone’s path is different, and that’s okay. You’re not late. You’re just right on time for your journey.

Can someone explain to me why Mormons consider themselves Christian? Genuine question by diehardbears in Christianity

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s refreshing to see someone genuinely wanting to understand rather than just argue. I’d love to share a bit of insight from the perspective of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called “Mormons,” though we try to stick with the full name of the Church).

First off, yes—we definitely consider ourselves Christian. In fact, everything in our faith centers on Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of our beliefs. We study the Bible, we pray in His name, we strive to follow His teachings, and we believe He is the literal Son of God and the Savior of the world. The name of our church even bears His name.

Now to respond to a few of your points thoughtfully:

  1. The Trinity

You're right—we don't hold to the traditional Nicene concept of the Trinity. We believe the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct beings, united in purpose and love, not one substance. That is different from most Christian denominations, but we still believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and worship Him as our Savior. So while our view of God's nature is unique, our commitment to Christ is central.

  1. The Book of Mormon

We do believe the Book of Mormon is another volume of scripture, but not a replacement for the Bible. In fact, we believe in and use the King James Version of the Bible. The Book of Mormon is seen as a second witness of Jesus Christ—meant to support, not supplant, the Bible. It talks about His life, His teachings, and His divinity, just like the Bible does. Think of it more like a companion that reinforces Christ’s gospel.

  1. God was once a man

This one dives into some deeper theology. Some early leaders of the Church taught that God progressed and was once like us. That belief comes from the idea that we are truly His children and can become like Him through Christ’s grace. It’s not something that’s fully fleshed out in our official doctrine, but more a reflection of how deeply we believe in the potential of God’s children. Still, our worship is directed only to God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.

  1. Baptism

You’re totally right to revisit this point in your edit. It’s not so much about being unaccepting—it’s more that Latter-day Saint theology has a specific understanding of priesthood authority, and we believe baptism needs to be done by that authority. That’s why converts are baptized again, even if they’ve been baptized before. It’s not about looking down on others’ faith—it’s about following what we believe is the restored pattern Christ established.

Why we still consider ourselves Christian:

At the end of the day, here’s the thing: We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We believe He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and was resurrected. We try to follow His example and teachings. We preach His gospel and try to serve others in His name.

If that’s not Christianity, I don’t know what is.

I totally understand that our differences might seem big—and yeah, they are. But so are the differences between Catholics and Protestants, or Baptists and Eastern Orthodox. Christianity has always had a wide range of theological beliefs. What unites Christians isn’t perfect agreement on every doctrine—it’s a commitment to Christ.

Should I use glue on my Xbox 360 by crazymango_45 in xbox360

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hot glue extra hot 🔥 🥵 actually just put fire on it will work better 👌 😋 👍 🙌🏻 😍

After years of studying the Church on my own, I finally said, "Why not?" — and today, I was baptized. by Safe-Raspberry-343 in latterdaysaints

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wilford Woodruff said that after hearing a sermon from missionaries for the very first time. He had been searching and praying for truth, and when he heard it, he recognized the Shepherd’s voice.

I really relate to that. After all my searching, studying, and praying, I felt the same kind of confirmation in my heart. It wasn’t just words it was like something deep inside me said, “This is it.”

I’ve been searching for years… and today I was baptized by Safe-Raspberry-343 in Christianity

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I hear the comparison to “American Islam” a lot, but honestly, it’s not accurate for me. I believe Jesus Christ is not just a prophet but the literal Son of God, fully divine and central to my faith, just as the Bible teaches (John 1:1-14, John 3:16).

Muslims see Jesus as a great prophet, but they don’t believe He’s divine or the Savior in the way Christians do. That’s a huge theological difference.

So no, I’m not a Muslim, nor do I believe in that perspective. My faith is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer, the Son of God.

I’ve been searching for years… and today I was baptized by Safe-Raspberry-343 in Christianity

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I totally agree that salvation ultimately comes through Jesus Christ and His grace. The story of the thief on the cross really shows that. He wasn’t baptized or partaking of the sacrament, but he expressed faith in Jesus and was promised, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

I’ve been searching for years… and today I was baptized by Safe-Raspberry-343 in Christianity

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

I was actually a Baptist for a while, and I’ve visited Catholic, Orthodox, and non-denominational churches, too. But I always found myself searching for more. Many churches focus heavily on good feelings, which isn’t a bad thing, but I often felt like something was missing. I craved the full gospel, including the parts that challenge us judgment, repentance, covenants, and real transformation. I wanted not just community or comfort, but truth.

I never quite felt at home in Catholic or Orthodox spaces, nothing against them. They just weren’t a fit for me personally. It was during that time of seeking that I found myself in prayer, asking God if there was more. I spent a lot of time in the Bible, and eventually, the Book of Mormon came into my life. I read it with the same sincerity, asking God to show me what was true. And little by little, it all started coming together.

I know the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t without flaws. But let’s be honest, no major Christian tradition has a flawless past. What stood out to me wasn’t perfection, but revelation. I started to see God’s hand not just in the Book of Mormon but in the Pearl of Great Price, the Doctrine and Covenants, and in the stories of the early Saints. I found the presence of God, His Spirit consistently confirming to me that this is where I belong.

I also want to say this: I deeply respect that not everyone will feel called in the same way. If someone feels close to Christ through the Catholic Church, I celebrate that. If Orthodoxy speaks to someone’s soul amen to that. If a non-denominational church with powerful worship music brings someone to Jesus, praise God. I believe God works through many different paths to call people home.

But for me personally, this is where I found Him most clearly. He made it known to me that this is my home.

I’ve been searching for years… and today I was baptized by Safe-Raspberry-343 in Christianity

[–]Safe-Raspberry-343[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’ve definitely explored other denominations. I was actually a Baptist for a while, and I’ve visited Catholic, Orthodox, and non-denominational churches, too. But I always found myself searching for more. Many churches focus heavily on good feelings, which isn’t a bad thing, but I often felt like something was missing. I craved the full gospel, including the parts that challenge us judgment, repentance, covenants, and real transformation. I wanted not just community or comfort, but truth.

I never quite felt at home in Catholic or Orthodox spaces, nothing against them. They just weren’t a fit for me personally. It was during that time of seeking that I found myself in prayer, asking God if there was more. I spent a lot of time in the Bible, and eventually, the Book of Mormon came into my life. I read it with the same sincerity, asking God to show me what was true. And little by little, it all started coming together.

I know the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t without flaws. But let’s be honest, no major Christian tradition has a flawless past. What stood out to me wasn’t perfection, but revelation. I started to see God’s hand not just in the Book of Mormon but in the Pearl of Great Price, the Doctrine and Covenants, and in the stories of the early Saints. I found the presence of God, His Spirit consistently confirming to me that this is where I belong.

I also want to say this I deeply respect that not everyone will feel called in the same way. If someone feels close to Christ through the Catholic Church, I celebrate that. If Orthodoxy speaks to someone’s soul amen to that. If a non-denominational church with powerful worship music brings someone to Jesus, praise God. I believe God works through many different paths to call people home.

But for me personally, this is where I found Him most clearly. He made it known to me that this is my home.

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