Dating and Marrying a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: A Personal Journey

Many people have stories of dating and marrying a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). My own story is one such example. I told my husband I would never convert, yet here I am today, now happily married to an active member of the LDS Church.

Cultural and Personal Background

My husband and I date like everyone else in the community. In fact, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law (SIL) have also been through similar experiences. For instance, my sister-in-law married someone outside the church and converted 18 years into their marriage. Their 40-year marriage is a testament to their journey. Similarly, my mother-in-law married a convert, who is no longer active, but they have been married for nearly 60 years.

My Journey to Conversion

When I married my husband, I had openly declared I would never convert to the LDS Church. However, life had other plans. We fell in love, and I eventually surrendered to the missionary presentations. At 18, I was baptized and subsequently we got married. Over six years, I immersed myself in the teachings of the church, studying its scriptures and doctrines with great enthusiasm. I even used LDS sources like the Bible and the Triple Combination (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price).

Despite my deep engagement with the church and its doctrines, I began to question some of the teachings. It became clear that these questions stemmed from a lack of complete knowledge. I decided to study the church and its teachings in earnest to resolve these doubts.

Disillusionment and Decision

Through extensive research, I came to the inescapable conclusion that the LDS Church was not true. My decision was not made lightly; it was based on a thorough examination of the teachings and a deep reflection on my faith. I consulted the Bible and other LDS sources, including those provided by my parents after my baptism. I couldn't find evidence to support the church's claims.

Before making my decision, I had prayed for God to open my eyes to the truth, no matter what that truth was. My conclusion, based on extensive study, was that I no longer had faith in the teachings of the LDS Church. This realization was particularly challenging as I had a newborn, a two-year-old, and a young wife whom I had pressured to convert when she was 17.

Confronting the Ecclesiastical Challenges

Turn my back on a church that had been my entire life up to that point was a monumental decision. However, I realized I couldn't continue to attend a church I knew to be a counterfeit of Christianity, regardless of the consequences. After several agonizing months of soul searching, I told my wife of my decision. To my surprise, she was understanding and supportive, acknowledging that she had not felt the presence of God during her time in the LDS Church. This revelation came as a surprise, and it was a relief to me.

Aftermath and Reflection

My wife's revelation that she felt Jesus' presence in a different church during her childhood confirmed what I had come to believe. She explained that she had no problem thinking the LDS Church was just another Christian church because she was biblically illiterate at the time. This insight clarified why she felt no spiritual connection during our time in the LDS Church.

After telling my wife and the LDS elders in my community about my decision, I began to experience a sense of release. The burden of maintaining a facade of faith was lifted, and I could now live authentically according to my beliefs.

In the end, my story is just one of many that illustrates the complex and often challenging journeys of dating and marrying a member of the LDS Church. It serves as a reminder that faith and understanding can evolve over time, and it's essential to pursue truth and authenticity in one's spiritual life.