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I don't mean to "re-hijack" my own thread (and I'm not at all offended by the tangent it has gone off on; I think it's a great discussion), but in the weeks since I first posted this topic I've been amazed by how many articles and talks, in magazines, church publications and online, have dealt with my very concerns. I'm talking about things that have come out since I asked my question that I've just stumbled across accidentally. I have been presented with so much information, encouragement and spiritual nourishment from these talks and articles, just when I needed it most. As always, I am stunned by just how aware Heavenly Father is of my needs and how He comes through with what I need when I am finally receptive to it.

A good Nicholas Cage movie. :)

I believe that .....good article

Doctrine and covenants 19: 4 And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless. 5 Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand. 6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. 7 Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory. 8 Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles. 9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. 10 For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore— 11 Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. 12 Endless punishment is God’s punishment. I agree that LDS theology has a different take on sin, repentance, punishment, judgment etc. than evangelical christianity does. I think it shows a great deal of respect and insight that although you see our views as less severe that you would ask for discussion rather than simply make up your mind on your own perception of our views. I find this passage of scripture above does a great deal to help explain some of these differences. Essentially we believe that everyone will repent. If they repent in this life than the atonement of Jesus Christ covers them and they need not go through more pain than that required of forsaking evil and offering a pure heart and contrite spirit. As for those who die without the law, we know that they can be taught the gospel and have ordinances performed on their behalf that they are free to choose; yet we know very little about how repentance works outside of this life. As for those who have the gospel in this life, but do not repent... these are clearly who this passage is speaking to (not necessarily exclusively). These will suffer a pain that is incomprehensible to us, essentially putting the Saviour's sacrifice to naught. The suffering endured will meet the demands of Eternal and Endless punishment under the direction of He who is Endless and Eternal, but not lasting indefinitely. I would not want to find myself in this position. It should also be noted that those suffering such will not be going on to exaltation as this would half defeat the need for a savior if we could all just suffer for our own sins. The lesser kingdoms of glory, while no doubt wonderful, do represent a damnation as far as it refers to having a limit on progression. This in contrast to eternal progression in the highest order of Celestial glory and exaltation. A thorough reading of the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants helps to paint a more clear picture of the individual kingdoms of glory, or the many mansions prepared for us. Because everyone will acknowledge that Christ is the Lord and be judged by him there will no doubt be regrets within those that are in the lesser kingdoms, but we are given assurances they will be happy places.

You cannot repent after death. If you have not heard of Christ, you will be introduced to Him and have an opportunity to accept the Ordinances of salvation through proxy, but that only applies to those who would have accepted His message on Earth. If you rejected it here, you will reject it there. And although Mormons do not believe in a literal buring for eterntiy, the separation from God is a very real and eternal sorrow. I think the greater point is that sin must be atoned for. Christ atoned for all of mankind, but if we reject that gift and do not repent, we will atone for that sin. 15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— -Doctrine and Covenants 19

My position is based on every bishop I have ever met and the OP's stated subject of trying to get to the temple... While I fully accept that I don't know every bishop every where, I used my head in answering the question 'How does the bishop know?' With the the most easy and sensible answer of that 'they told him.' Simple logic really. Bishops have way to much to do then to personally track every members tithing payments every Sunday. If one can already go to the temple then they have no need to talk to the bishop, and they will only discuss tithing at tithing settlement or recommend renewal. But if one wishes to go to the temple but don't currently have a recommend they have to go to the bishop. The bishop interviews them and finds they have an issue with tithing and sets the path and goal posts for tithing. That is exactly what he is called to do. Then he follows up with them to see how they are doing and adjust what they need to do accordingly. This could very well (and most likely) means that he asks them. From the OP's posts this is what I think the most simple and likely course of events where leading up to this. It makes a whole lot more sense then the idea that the bishop is monitoring everyone and then pulling in the OP and taking away the recommend because they did not pay for four months Now when the bishop followed up and found out about the four months all at once he made the call that it wasn't good enough. Why did he make that call??? We don't know. That is speculative. We could speculate that the bishop messed up or got it wrong. Or we could speculate that the bishop knows the OP much better then we ever could and made the call he felt was necessary. Of these two possibilities I find the later to be less judgmental of all the people involved and less likely that I am inferring things in without basis of information the OP gave us. The only reason for a bishop to say pay tithing for six months is if there was a history of non-paying

I wonder about AngelMarvel, her distance between her and her husband, her excitement and how she is doing?

The situation you describe is no where near close to what we are talking about. The bishop isn't checking the whole ward about tithing. He is dealing with one individual member/family who is struggling with tithing and wants to go to the temple. After talking and understanding what this family situation and history has set the bar of six months of tithing payment so they can get recommends. This is both understandable and a reasonable expectation from the bishop for these individuals. Then while working with the bishop the OP forgets to pay tithing for four months and then pays it in a lump sum. Paying in a lump sum is not wrong. But clearly if they forgot to pay it for four month (and they had the ability to do so) then the bishop is right to be concerned about how quickly they forgot their commitments. It can understandably give the bishop doubts on if they are truly ready. It's totally different situation from someone whose personal situation calls for paying tithing once a year or very six months or every quarter. Its also different from an individual who has been paying with every paycheck for years forgetting for four months and then catching up.

Anyone else thinking of the TV Show 'Lost'