Beliefs > Question & Answer > The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Question

Let me start by saying I really love all your work in everything you do especially the BBC2 contestant show of Identity which I really loved and never missed one show so well done, can I also say that as an investigator into the Mormon religion I regard you as an inspiration to me and many people like me just like Gordon B. Hinckley is to your religion. Anyways I'm writing this email to you because I'm struggling with some issues to do with me becoming an LDS member. I've secretly been seeing some American missionaries for sometime now however when I finally had the courage to tell my parents I wanted to investigate abit further into the religion they didn't take it that well that I except but instead booted me out for a few weeks until I could see sense, anyways I'm finally back home but my parents still don't want me to investigate or even mention it because they say its just a weird cult that brainwashes people and steals their hard earned money referring to 'Tithing'. Which they believe they shouldn't because I go out to work everyday giving it all my blood, sweat and tears only for the church to take 10% of it all which they find it weird and stupid SO to prove their point they tell me about ex-mormons they know who also tell me the same things. However I really liked seeing these missionaries and when I do I get an overwhelming feeling that what they say is the true Gospel and not false therefore i've been secretly attending Book of Mormon talks on Thursday, going to Mormon baptism when I can to see how they are which I may say is an excellent feeling but also I've been going out to film nights with the missionaries on nights to watch films such as the 'Testimony' etc. My second problem is that I'm currently dating an American girl who hasn't told her parents yet that she's dating me. We've been dating now for four months and her parents do now she likes me as she's told them as well told them what I've been up to with regards to the church, but not yet said she's dating me however I feel they kinda know but aren't positively sure yet anyway they've seen/spoken to me on an number of occasions like when she went home from university for Thanksgiving where she told me that her mother really likes me and regards me as a perfect gentleman. Well the problem I have is I want her to tell her parents and not carry on lying to them but I'm scared of their reaction because dating outside the church is often discouraged due to differences in beliefs but all I'm asking is for them to give me a chance just one chance to prove myself and to show them that I really want to convert not for her but for myself thats why I want her to tell them but this is also because I'm off to visit her in February and her parents so thats why I want to know how they might take me so that I'm prepared for when I visit although I have told her mother over the webcam that I would really love to attend church with them for the first time since I cant over here as I'm scared of been booted out again since I'm 18yrs old and have nowhere to go unlike most people who are often in their mid 20's. To add to that second problem she is still doing schooling and her dad doesn't want her dating because he strongly believes that guys may become an distraction from school but I'm not like that I respect her dad's wish but I also love her too much to finish with her therefore I want to make her dad understand that just because I'm dating her I wont allow her to fail her subjects or fall behind thats why I'm always there for her to give her that bit of loving attention plus make sure she does her homework as I too dont want her to fail therefore I wanted to also know what I could do for this issues as well. Finally my last issues is I've always wanted to work over in America to experience a different culture to the one I do now and would really like to work for the LDS church to further my knowledge and prepare myself for eventually getting baptised but also help me with a personal issues of telling my parents that I'm carrying on with this investigation therefore I believe that working over in America for one of the LDS church would help me but also my parents wouldn't have to boot me out as I'm already living aboard surviving on my own. The issue here is that I've found a good job suitable for me at a LDS church in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Material Handler however it states in the agreement that the candidates must be temple worthy and an LDS member two things I cant do at the moment due to the fear of been kicked out of my home and left homeless but I really want to apply for that job before it goes to someone else but these two things are holding me back. I know that if I applied for that job they wouldn't consider me but all I'm asking for is for them to give me a chance I know that if they did then working for them I would get baptised whilst over there and become an member as thats something now I truely want to do in order to expericence more of the joy in my life as other members I've spoken to do as of now my life is really at rock bottom. So yet again is there any advice you could give me. I hope to hear from you soon Donny and thank you for listening to me rant on about my problems but I just needed someone to speak to who would understand me rather then speak to me as if I was a little children.

Response

Thank you for your kind remarks and for your great courage. You do have some challenges, but may I assure you that if you continue in prayer and faith and listen to the spiritual promptings you are receiving, you will find a way to do the right thing. Please be patient and try to understand how your parents must feel so you will not be frustrated with them. They think they are looking out for your best good. I can't imagine that your friend's parents will be too upset if they understand your inclination towards the true gospel. Here again, it would be wise to be sensitive to their concerns for their daughter's education. You are young and have time on your hands. You are also at a stage in your life when you will be making major decisions and changes in your life. Embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ will be a great strength and guide in this important stage. I know the feelings you are having are from the Spirit of Truth and you are on the right track. My advice is to be prayerful and patient yet to continue in your investigation of the gospel. I can assure you that if you do this with real intent and with an open heart, you will make the right decisions and it will guide and bless your entire life and exhalt your eternal future. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. ( Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:4 - 5) 18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:18) Please stay in touch and let me know how things go. Please feel free to email me back any time. Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

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