UGP 278 - Christian Wife, LDS Husband Navigate Faith Differences – Ashley Grinstead – Part 1

Ashley grew up in a home without faith but her parents got saved when she was in her 20s and now suggested she marry the guy she was living with—the marriage lasted 7 months. After the divorce, she met the nicest guy. Vince was inactive LDS which made no difference to her at the time. Although he’d served an LDS mission, he struggled on and off with alcohol. Ashley began to attend her parents’ Baptist church. One day she encountered the Holy Spirit and was all in with the Jesus of the Bible. She saw things with brand new eyes. Ashley got baptized; Vince did not come and when she got home, he was intoxicated. One day, she convinced him to attend a Bible class but the topic happened to be false religions and Mormonism was included. Vince was not interested in a faith that trashed his faith. Eventually they had a daughter and, as tends to happen, religion became important to both. Vince repented of his alcohol struggles to his LDS bishop, endured a church court, worked his way back into good favor, and returned to activity in the LDS Church. Grateful he was no longer drinking, Ashley joined him in attending his church and was taught the LDS gospel from elderly missionaries. She joined the LDS church to keep family unity. But the following things bothered her. First, they did not use or talk about the cross. They taught that the atonement happened in the Garden of Gethsemane and not on cross; the cross was an instrument of His death and not to be revered. Second, they taught eternal life required works (see 2 Nephi 25:23).

2 Nephi 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

And, finally, Ashley could never bring herself to sing the beloved LDS hymn about Joseph Smith, Praise to the Man.

Praise to the Man

1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

(Chorus]
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Find the complete lyrics here: https://ldshymns.com/lds-hymns-26-50/27-praise-to-the-man

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