Do any Mormons/LDS attend other denominations' services?

[msnobody]

I’ve never been LDS. I’ve attended the Catholic Church with friends and family (mass, funerals, wedding, and infant baptism), Lutheran, Kingdom Hall once, several wards and one stake conference, Church of God once, and have been a member of the United Methodist Church (raised in this church), Southern Baptist, and Presbyterian Church in America. That is all I can think of.

Thank you for your reply. Which ones did you like best? Which seemed real and not a show? What turned you on or off regarding each?

Catholic- turn off-doctrine. One thing that really struck me as wrong in every sense of the word, was when the priest at my infant cousin’s baptism claimed to be removing original sin from the infant. Turn on- I admire my friends and family member’s devotion to a faith tradition they believe in, but that is more about my friends and family. However, again, the doctrine, for me is a problem all the way around. Wedding ceremonies are looooong.

JW- turn off- the doctrine. The music was like a bad worn out cassette recording. This was like in the early 2000’s when I attended. Turn on- the people. A friend who recently attended told me that when the sacrament is served, no one takes it. That was something that I did not know.

UMC- turn off- I wasn’t wild about the rotation of clergy. Otherwise, no complaints. I probably disagree with some of the current practices, but I never experienced any of the modern day practices.

Southern Baptist- Turn off- the tendency to use Lifeway materials for Sunday school, rather than self-preparation for leading/teaching a SS class. “Bowing down to Nashville, I once heard it called.” Turn on- So many things to do like activities and methods of teaching children and youth. I saw so, so much personal ministry done by members, aside from church ministry. Missions are a plus. Another turn off for a period of time for us was topical sermons, rather than expository ones, but that isn’t always the case for all SBC churches. We had an interim pastor who first introduced us to expository teaching. We joke that he ruined us for other churches. This is ultimately why we left the SBC, in search of regular expository teaching/preaching. I did for many years enjoy our SBC. Great people.

PCA- turn off, I can’t think of anything in particular. Turn on- adherence to sound biblical doctrine. Expository teaching. Mission mindset.

Church of God- I’m sure there are some doctrinal differences. Possibly lack of eternal security of the believer. I am not particularly knowledgeable of the doctrine though.

TCoJCLDS- turn off- the doctrine. Turn on- the people. There is a lot to like, but then again, the doctrine. Arrogant missionaries are a turn off, but I think that is often a survival method of coping with being on a mission, and learning things you did not previously know about the church. Absolutely love the people.

Abhorrent essential doctrine is a deal breaker for me with any church.

[msnobody]

Let me add Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. I went several times to see what they allowed the LDS missionaries to say during their Wednesday night services. Turn off- doctrine. Turn on- the love of the people. They were so very kind and gracious to the LDS missionaries. I loved seeing the missionaries’, what I viewed as amazement, with the music and congregation’s responses to the black pastor who was preaching. I think the missionaries really enjoyed it. Lively services. One missionary really was enamored with a picture painted on the wall of the crucified Christ with the fluid coming out of his side.

Lutheran- Reminded me of my UMC church at the time.

Our local PCA church partners with what we call a sister church, gospel Baptist church, food pantry.

At the SBC, it was cool when three different denominations donated to each other’s building campaigns (Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, and gospel Baptist church).

I enjoyed visiting other churches, like I think you did too, Jersey. Add Assembly of God to my list too.

[Jersey Girl]

I forgot United Church of Christ. One service. Actually I was presenting a "Sing and Sign" preschool choir. I don't know if that counts as attendance. I suppose so.

msnobody I think I always benefitted by going to other churches. Even the Hindu funeral when my co-worker's son took his own life. Prior to going I read about Hindu beliefs re: suicide. It's really akin to obliterating the person/soul forever. They cease to exist. I'm glad I did that so I could better understand my co-worker's despair. The service was different, for sure. But at the end of the day we are all people who experience love, grief, despair and joy. I don't think I've ever regretted visiting other churches. I always learned something. And I think we should all be ready to love and support each other regardless of our church affiliation or non-affiliation.

When I read through your turn offs and turn on list...did you realize that in almost every case you loved the people? I'm not at all surprised.

JerseyMs Girlnobody

[Limnor]

Another never-Mo response.

My experience has mostly been with military chapel services, both Protestant and Catholic. Finding peace and fellowship on an aircraft carrier is welcome regardless of the denomination.

Outside of that, I’ve attended Assemblies of God, large Baptist churches, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, several non-denominational churches, and quite a few independent Bible studies. I’ve also attended a Greek Orthodox service in Thessalonica, and heard the muezzin call to prayer in Istanbul, Bahrain, and UAE.

If I had to name a church home today, it would probably be Calvary Chapel, although my attendance record is low.

One thing that tends to turn me off is appeals for money. I appreciate that Calvary highlights a specific recipient for that week’s giving rather than making donations the focus.

I’ve noticed over the years is that the people themselves have been similar across denominations. In my experience, they’re generally friendly, gracious, and sincere. I don’t think “showiness” is denominational so much as individual.

Liturgical services are a big turn off for me. Some of my best experiences have been in small, independent Bible studies where people spend time digging into the text together.

[msnobody]

JerseyMs Girlnobody

still funny. We’ve melded into one person.

Yes, love the people. Often seeing them as just like me. My first realization of people just like me was with Latter-day Saints back in the early 2000’s.

[Jersey Girl]

Another never-Mo response.

My experience has mostly been with military chapel services, both Protestant and Catholic. Finding peace and fellowship on an aircraft carrier is welcome regardless of the denomination.

Outside of that, I’ve attended Assemblies of God, large Baptist churches, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, several non-denominational churches, and quite a few independent Bible studies. I’ve also attended a Greek Orthodox service in Thessalonica, and heard the muezzin call to prayer in Istanbul, Bahrain, and UAE.

If I had to name a church home today, it would probably be Calvary Chapel, although my attendance record is low.

One thing that tends to turn me off is appeals for money. I appreciate that Calvary highlights a specific recipient for that week’s giving rather than making donations the focus.

I’ve noticed over the years is that the people themselves have been similar across denominations. In my experience, they’re generally friendly, gracious, and sincere. I don’t think “showiness” is denominational so much as individual.

Liturgical services are a big turn off for me. Some of my best experiences have been in small, independent Bible studies where people spend time digging into the text together.

I agree with you on appeals for money (aggressive appeals) and liturgical services. Also the Bible studies. Although I don't engage in organized religion these days beyond visiting, I continue my Bible studies independently using various resources.

JerseyMs Girlnobody

still funny. We’ve melded into one person.

Yes, love the people. Often seeing them as just like me. My first realization of people just like me was with Latter-day Saints back in the early 2000’s.

I felt the same way about LDS. They were all very welcoming and as we came to know eachother I realized we all have the same worries and joys in our lives.

Oh and look at it this way...it makes more sense.

MsJersey NobodyGirl

[Limnor]

I agree with you on appeals for money (aggressive appeals) and liturgical services. Also the Bible studies. Although I don't engage in organized religion these days beyond visiting, I continue my Bible studies independently using various resources.

We might be in a similar place with regard to organized religion. After moving so many times over the course of a military career, the idea of a permanent church home—in the physical sense—has never really taken root. What has remained constant is my fascination with the Bible itself. I enjoy exploring the text, especially Old Testament symbolism and historical context (including the challenges). Viewing the book as literature, whether from a devotional approach or as a body of poetry, allegory, or history, is much more invigorating than sitting through a one-way sermon.

As I get closer to retirement, I hope to find more purpose in serving than in intellectual exercise. Outreach to veterans or the homeless feels more like the sort of faith I’d want to practice than just sitting in a pew every Sunday. I’ve donated money over the years, but that’s always seemed to me to be an “easy” approach to serving.

The continued interest in Mormon things is similar, particularly from an intellectual standpoint and due to the mystery—establishing a theory of composition of the book—but unless others are interested in following where those parallels lead it’s a bit of a dead end.

[msnobody]

I often think it is the greatest piece of literature ever written, Limnor.

[Res Ipsa]

I never did while I was active LDS.