[Can I save my marriage?]

First let me start by saying I admire your courage to seek some help and advice. I know it's not always easy. I think you are not the only one that struggles with this sin. Our world is plagued with violence, porn, homosexualaity and a real careless attitude to have meaningless sex. The internet makes it so easy to fall into these types of sin. Honestly I think your wife could forgive you. I have been married for 19 years. I love my husband very much and if he came to me with this in a humble manner how could I not forgive him? I am sure it would stir up some insecurities of my own. That would be my own issues that him/I would have to work through. Ask God to put that degree of forgiveness and that degree of love and faith in you in your wife's heart. God never wants to see marriages fail. Sometimes things do have to get bad before they will get better.

My wedding vows were for better or worse, in sickness and in health and so on....

Honestly I think you need to turn this over to God. God is so loving and so powerful and so just. It is Satan's grasp that has a hold of you. Sometimes I think the world gives too much power to Satan. He is nothing more then a fallen angel. God is all knowing, all powerful and most importantly, HE IS our ALL in All. Pray to God, ask for forgiveness. Stay humble. Start doing other things to occupy your time when you find yourself falling into a pattern of behavior that leads you falling. Simple prayers, Lord please grap ahold of me right now, I feel myself starting to slip...Lord clear my thoughts... Lord HELP. Everytime he clears your mind of the images of porn and the desires that follow, respond in thanks and praise.

Scripture tells us God is faithful to us if put our trust in Him. This could honestly be a faith building time in your life. Struggling with a sin and realizing you are human and you need God's help and can't do it on your own is a powerful step in the right direction. Let this be between you and God. Let him be your All in All. Stay in constant prayer with Him and lead a life that makes you dependent on Him. I think as you do that and as you ask for that you'll find yourself more focus on the positive things you have going on in your life and less on the stress. Let 1 John 1:9 be a scripture you cling to. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Lean on God for your cleanse of your mind and spirit. Let Him send put the love and strength you need in your heart. Focus Focus Focus on God and let Him help you shut out the perversion of the world. As you focus more on Him and less of the stress then you'll find yourself in less of a need to turn to stress relievers. Keep you head up, You're not abnormal and you haven't devasted your marriage. God is more powerful then you and your mess ups. Let Him fix them and then move forward past it and leave it in the pass. Pray with out ceasing.

God Bless!

[How to get the spark back?]

This is not an easy situation. But I do remember the day I told my husband I was not in love with him. I remember telling him that I loved him but wasn't in love with him. I truly meant it. I felt almost dead inside. It was a very hopeless feeling and it was the hardest thing I had to tell him. I even told him that I felt trapped. Not that I wanted to go out or anything like that. I felt trapped as a mother and wife and constantly having so many demands put on me. I felt he was very unappreciated of anything that was done and I felt that nothing I did or the kids did were ever good enough. He was working a lot and so was I and going to school. He was snappy with the kids and I just hated being in the same room with him. I became very matter of fact about it actually. I think that was defense to try and shield myself. But I was not ready to give up on my marriage. He moved to a separate room. I enjoyed my space. We avoided each other and nothing was getting fixed. We had pushed each other to such extremes in our marriage that we literally had to start over. I held on for years trying to make our marriage work as he just got worse and worse. I finally just became closed off. Then he realized what the years has cost us and about to cost him. He began praying for our marriage. I did not. At that point I had the attitude, "if it works it works, if it don't I gave it my all".... and I believed that because I had loved him through some very awful years. The down talking the begrading. It took him probably almost a year or so of watching him change. He was open when we discussed things. He more importantly listened and heard me o ut. He had more patience with the kids. But I still stayed closed off. He would get upset and feel if I just lowered my wall and let him in everything would be ok. But the problem was, I had no feelings for him besides a dim light of hope. He was my friend and the father of my girls. I know this don't seem like a very hopeful post. But finally I was humbled and I realized that I couldn't fix my marriage and that my husband couldn't fix our marriage. My husband had been praying and we finally started praying as a family, then again together. Finally I just had to ask the Lord to help me forgive. That was the barrier. I told him I forgived him of things but there was still a wedge. THEN I had to ask the Lord to help me see my husband through His eyes. To help have Christ's love for my husband dwelling in me. I wanted to be able to talk with my husband and be convicted of things and have my tongue held of things and have that forgiving heart. Then I invited the Lord into our marriage. I had to complete surrender myself to God and let him put me and my husband and our marriage together. AND he did. This month we will be married 15 years. God is powerful and loving and faithful and will help if you ask him and allow him. I had to give into the fact that asking God for help then trying to fix it myself wasn't working. I had to ask him for help and allow him to help.

[Considered Suicide. worried about living]

I'm not LDS but let me see if I can offer you a few words of hope. We may not understand why we are doing through hardships when they come or why they seem to drag out. I remember high school and it is a very difficult time in life. I honestly think the world is harder now then it was then. Gosh that makes me feel old. But keep this in mind. We live in a very broken sicken sin fill world and we have since sin entered the world. God never promised it would be easy only that he would go through it with us. God uses our trials and tribulations to mature us. He is the potter and we are the clay. And if you have every watched an actual potter making pottery on a wheel you would see how the clay is mashed and twisted as it is mold. Going through trials is never easy. It's hard. It's frustrating and a lot of times it's a test. God will use trials to test our love for Him. To see if through the midst of the storm you love Him enough to keep on praying and praising Him for the things that you do have. When you feel weak in faith, ask the Lord to give you that degree of faith you need to reach for Him and to hold out. The Lord is the author and finisher of our faith and he developes our faith through the experiences in life. When we pray and ask the Lord for help through a circumstance and He pulls us through it, our trust in Him grows. When our trust in Him grows, He then increases our faith.

2 Corin 1:3-5

3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

This verse is sometimes easier to understand in the NIV translation as well.

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Don't give up praying over it. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Ask for his comfort. Let him comfort you and then you will be able to comfort someone else through the love of Christ. I have had that heartache that made me want to give up. Sometimes it's the Lord's amazing way of making us draw closer to Him. I will keep you in my prayers! God Bless you!

[Emotional Prayer?]

I think for many prayers becomes ritual and I think when that happens there is a missed opportunity. I know when I was younger that is how my prayers were. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit that rushes me to my knees. The Lord knows when we pray because we feel it to be a sense of obligation and when we are humbling ourselves before the Lord to commune. My prayers are emotional. They are deep and the more the Spirit of Lord empties me, so that He can fill me the humbler I become. It's through prayer I realized how much the Lord truly loves me. It's through prayer I can communicate my needs even though He already knows every single one of them. I pray through out the day. I keep the Lord in my heart in all that I do through out the day. I try and keep myself prayful and humble. I've learned that it's when I stay sensitive to the Lord, he can mold me and guide me and mature me in Himself. You know we raise our kids (those that have them) to be mature and independent. The beautiful thing about the Lord is that He matures us to be dependent on Him. To trust in Him for everything. He wants our love and our trust. I believe that it's when we come to the realization that there isn't anything we can do in life without the Lord, it's then and only then that we can feel the fullness of his love. Our sucess, our riches, our joys, and our sorrows are all filtered through the Lord's hands. It's through times of prayer that the Lord can crumble me. It's in that trusting time of prayer that I can be submissive to him crumbling me, because when He lifts me back up... I'm renewed, refreshed and stronger in Him. It truly is a beautiful thing to fully submit to the Lord. To give up your will and have it replaced by His will. To feel the very power that created the universe and all the beauty within it, dwelling in the very core of you. I had a friend tell me one time that prayer is powerful. At the time I let the words just kind of casually stick upon me. But the Lord has an amazing beautiful way of humbling us to the point that we can do nothing but reach for him and it's in those amazing times of prayer that I realized just how powerful prayer truly is. Sorry for rambling on. But yes prayer is emotional. Prayer is beautiful and at the times when we don't want to do it, or feel to busy to take the time is when we need to rely and pray the most. God Bless

[I guess it would go here.. ? on Quiverfull]

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

for he grants sleep to [a] those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

This is the scripture that the quiver full comes from. Children are a blessing from God and blessed is the man whose quiver is full. I think God gives to people the amount of children He trust them with. I don't think this verse has to do with birth control. As my minister said once when announcing the birth of a new baby in our congregation and having the parents stand up. "Blessed is the young man who's quiver is full".... then he said, we all have different size quivers that hold different amounts of arrows. Then he chuckled and said that his only held two. I may be off topic but maybe I didn't really understand your question.

[For my Little Family]

Misshalfway,

Marriage is hard and satan knows that and does what ever he can when ever he can to try and divide people. I have been married for almost 15 years. It has been hard. But I finally have learned to turn my marriage over to the Lord. I asked the Lord to be a part of my marriage every day. I have the Lord living in me so I asked the Lord to help me love my husband in the same unconditional way that He does and I also asked Him to help me see my husband with Christlike eyes. It's made a huge difference. Having Christ dwell in me and having His love in me that He has for my husband has made a world of difference. I don't build walls as I have in the past because Christ doesn't build walls. I'm able to love him and communicate with him in the way that God would want me to. I can support my husband now and submit to him as head of household and support him in that role because of the love that is in me. My husband has also done the same by asking the Lord to help him in our marriage. I can easily submit to my husband because as a Christian man he is submitting to the Lord. There is such freedom in submitting to the Lord. It's hard to describe. I will keep you in my prayers!

God Bless

Missy

[Gratitude: Count Your Blessings]

atta girl! lol

[Gratitude: Count Your Blessings]

Learning to praise God in the storms of our life is hard. But it's when we can learn to do that we are showing and displaying such a great degree of faith. Every trial and tribulation we face is for our maturity in the Lord. I've always loved this song since it's come out. Not sure if many of you listen to christian contemporary music.

[Why do you pray? What's the point?]

My sister is really sick. I want to pray for her- but what's the point? Is Heavenly Father going to heal her if I do, and take her away if I don't? Can all you pray for is comfort?

This situation has made me question why I pray at all...

First let me say I’m sorry to hear that your sister is sick and I truly hope that by now she is doing better. It’s an awful feeling seeing a loved one suffering and feeling as though your hands are tied. We never know what plan God has in our lives. When someone we love gets very ill or when someone we love dies, sometimes it’s easy to blame God or even hate Him. He’s big and mighty and loves us through our emotions. I think there are many saved through prayer of their loved ones. God wants us to pray for each other and lift each other up in prayer. Does praying mean we will get the answer we want, no. Because it is God’s will that will be done, not our own. I have learned over the years that in the worst storms of my life, even when I couldn’t see it, God was in control and working through the situation. My cousin died as a teenager to cancer. It was hard on the family to see someone so young with such a love for God pass away. It didn’t make sense. But He was God’s and now all I can do is praise God for not making him suffer anymore and having mercy on him. In the very worst of times, God is still in control. We live in a very sick fallen sinful world and With that comes heartache, sickness, disease and many other consequences of the state of the world. God promised never to leave us or forsake us. Even if we feel He has, he hasn’t. We just need to turn to Him in prayer and ask Him to carry us through the storm. He will carry us and comfort us. There are many storms that I’m sure he protects us from ever seeing or experiencing but as part of this life we will all have tribulations. Because it’s is with trials and tribulations that we mature in Christ and our faith grows. If we pray and lean on the Lord through the trials, as we see him carry us through our trust in him grows. As our trust in Him grows, our faith then grows as well. Praying gives us communion with God. It’s a time where our spirit reaches out to His. It’s a time where we can take our cares and suffering to Him. Yes God knows everything but by taking it to him we are showing him that we trust him. We are showing Him that we want the very personal relationship with Him. As we learn to do that and as we learn to accept his comfort we then learn how we can comfort one another. My prayers are with you and your family.

2 Corinthians 1:4 - Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

James 5:15 - And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Sorry for the length of this post but this was really laid out on my heart. God Bless!

[Quick question about literal bible interpretation...]

Here is what I could gather up

This might help look at what Jesus said.

Luke 24:44-45, "Now He said to them, 'These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. "

Jesus speaks about what is written regarding him in the Old Testament. Then John the apostle writes that Jesus opened their mind to understand the Scriptures. What Scriptures? The Law (Moses), the Prophets, and the Psalms. This was a common designation for the Old Testament. Therefore, Jesus says that the written form of the Old Testament is Scripture.

Jesus never said the scriptures contain the word of God. He said they were the word of God. Therefore, we can see that the word of God is the written form of Scripture. In fact, we are told by Paul not to exceed what is written. Note, Paul doesn't say to not exceed the parts of the scripture that contain God's word, he says not to exceed what is written!

1 Cor. 4:6, "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."

It is the written form that is proclaimed as being Scripture, unbreakable, the word of God, and the standard of which we are not to exceed. This can only be true, if the written form is the Word of God, not just something that subjectively contains the word of God.

Also

2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

[Gratitude: Count Your Blessings]

"Count your blessings; name them one by one.

Count your blessings; see what God hath done.

Count your blessings; name them one by one.

Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.''

What are you grateful for at this moment? List at least 5 things you're feeling most grateful for (I'm sure we could count thousands of things though)

I'm grateful for:

1. Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ's love & mercy!

2.My children: I love them!

3. My job: It helps support myself & my children, and help others in need

4. Our health!

5. That nothing has happened! :)

Let's count our blessings and see what God hath done!

Wishing you all a blessed and safe week!

:)

This is a very good topic! I think it's important for people to notice how much they have to be thankful for and to see how much God is working in their lives.

- I'm thankful for the personal relationship I have with Jesus.

- I'm thankful for Jesus and his selfless sacrafice of himself for my sins

- I'm thankful that through him my sins are nailed to the cross and I face them no more

- I'm thankful that through Him I can be counted as righteous in the sight of God

- I'm thankful for the blessings He pours out on my family and I'm thankful for the tribulations as well. Life is hard at times and hurtful but I know that through our tribulations God matures us in Jesus. So even in the storms of life I try and remain thankful and look for God's hand working through it.

- I'm thankful for my family and my girls and I'm thankful for their love of the Lord

- I'm thankful that I can turn my problems over to the Lord and can be confident that He will handle them. I'm thankful that the veil was ripped in two and that we have a direct connection with the Lord.

- I'm thankful for the healing He has given me, when the doctors could not figure out what was wrong.

Honestly, I guess what it all comes down to is that I'm thankful for the Lord. He's my Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, Comforter, Healer, He's my all and all.

God Bless!

[I'm having some issues with Joseph Smith]

Well either a bunch of women lied about being married to him or he has lied. I have read that talk to and he goes on about how people were trying to accuse him of things. The lds family search engine is either saying that the prophet lied by keeping all his wives listed as well as their other husbands or he really was married to several women.

[I'm having some issues with Joseph Smith]

Well not sure. I could say that he was sealed only to them and the marriages were never consumated, because that seems to be the answer I get from a lot of LDS members. But then I was also told that what I was taught for the reason of polygamy was invalid and incorrect. I was taught that it was so that the women that didn't have husbands would have a member of the priesthood in their home. I was told the "real" reason for polygamy was to raise up the righteous seed. Ok so then if the marriages were never consumated then how can you raise up the righteous seed? He was married to women that were already married according to the lds website and journals from some these women. Yes I know the lds church says that their journals aren't considered doctrine. But the church presses upon it's members how important it is to keep an accurate journal. I think Joseph Smith was taking advantage of his position and clearly going against his own revealation. What is your answer to that question?

[I'm having some issues with Joseph Smith]

Good question, do you have an answer?? So do you believe that he only had one wife??

[I'm having some issues with Joseph Smith]

Yes, Joeseph Smith had more than one wife. Did he have thirty wives that were already married to other men, no. Did he marry woman who weren't old enough to be woman, no. You have to believe that in those days polygamy wasn't illegal, and it was normal for a man to have more than one wife, but woman couldn't have more than one husband. Joseph was a righteous to his wives and they weren't fourteen years old, they weren't married to other men, and I'm sure he didn't have thirty.

If Joseph Smith had broken the rules that Heavenly Father set, he wouldn't have recieved those wonderful revelations that are the outline of our church. This mormon basher doesn't want you to walk with the light. And the Deciever's fallen angels feel that your confused and disheartened heart and they'll keep whispering in your ears to believe in these things.

There are many people who want to decieve us from our teachings. They want us to let go of the Iron Rod because they already have. I must caution you to stay off those anti-mormon websites, and take comfort in our Heavenly Father, that he'll make these things right in the end. For in the end all things shall be revealed to us.

I remember when I was a member hearing the saying that the first step to apostacy was researching the church history. I always found that puzzling. I think if you want to know about Joseph Smith's wives then you should go to the LDS.Org website, (Not anti Mormon) then go under the family search engine. Type in Joseph Smith 1805, He and several of His wives and His wives husbands all come up on the site. I could and accept polygamy the way it was taught. That their was not enough men for the amount of women. I could understand that HF would want a priesthood member in the household. BUT what I can't understand is why Joseph Smith would Marry women that were already Married? Makes no sense. Absoluetly none. Also, If you look at Herber C kimball, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young it looks as if they shared some wives. This clearly goes against D&C 132. If I remember right D&C 132 supports pural marriage and states that a man could have a lot of wives BUT that a woman could not be married to more then one man OR she would be committing adultry.

[Receiving the Holy Ghost... non-LDS mehods?]

In short, I want every blessing and empowerment God has for me...not for my glory, but so that I might be used to accomplish more for his glory

Amen very well put. :)

[How easy is it ????]

This is a false sense of security which Satan loves to lure us into, unfortunately it isn't true. What about the parable of the sower? We are capable of accepting Christ as our Saviour but then afterwards going astray. Simply declaring that we accept him isn't the be all and the end all. If we subsequently stray, break the commandments, we have thrown that gift away. No unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of Heaven. The atonement isn't a licence to sin.

Consider:

Matthew7 21 - 27

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

good post Willow. I enjoy reading your post.

When a person committs to the Lord and asks for forgiveness. God is just faithful to forgive. But as you said, it's not a license to sin and I think most Christians know and understand this. There is a change that takes place when someone is truly saved. There is a conversion that takes place where sinful things that once seemed enjoyable aren't anymore. With all of us there is a growing process that takes place. Some God has to work on harder then others. But we have committed our lives to the Lord. He is in us. There is a surrendering that takes place. A submission that takes place in the heart. I was saved several years ago. And during that time since the Lord has been working on me. He has broken me down and humbled me over and over and built me back up. Each time strengthening me. Everytime I call on the Lord and he protects me , helps me, comforts me. My trust in Him grows and He increases my faith. He is a part of my life everyday all day. I have an intimate relationship with Him. He is in me, and for me. Having that, I know my salvation is secure. I can have confidence in that. I have humbled myself and turned my life over to Him. I know that I don't deserve the grace he gives. My life is no longer my own. The work I do is as a result of Him in my life and it's done to glorify Him. My eternal life has already begun and it will continue with Him and in Him. My life is a life of praise and worship to the one that gave up His own life so that I would have eternal life. When I die, the worship and praise will continue at the feet of His throne.

[I Have Officially Resigned From The Mormon Church]

Satan doesn't teach people that they must be righteous. I don't personally know anyone (besides you at this time) who teaches such a thing. Jesus Christ himself teaches that we must be righteous. It is something we do, in the process of the exercising true faith in the Savior and in His Atonement. Listen to the words of the Redeemer:

"19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:19-20)

With talk about different levels of "greatness" in the kingdom of heaven, it's pretty clear people will be rewarded for their level of righteousness, and further, they need to at least qualify above the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees to enter. Who teaches us to be righteous? Jesus Christ does!

"48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. " (Matt. 5:46)

What Satan puts in the hearts of men, is similar to what you are saying:

"8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 28:8)

Just saying...

Regards,

Vanhin

Satan doesn't teach people that they must be righteous. I don't personally know anyone (besides you at this time) who teaches such a thing.

I don't teach such a thing

Will Holly and all Christians be saved? I believe they will. Each will be saved to the level of truth and righteousness each one embraces for him/herself. Some embrace Christ much more than others - some serve, while others are Christian in name only. Each will be blessed for the level they accept to follow God. This concept was actually taught by the early Christian, Shepherd of Hermas, btw. He compared everyone to a branch, and according to the amount the branch grew and blossomed, determined that individual's glory in God's kingdom(s).

I was saying that the above is a lie that satan would have us to believe. I think satan would want us to believe that we will be saved to the level of truth and righteousness each on embraces for him/herself. <<< It's false and yes therefore he would love if we believed it. One of satans goals is to get us to believe false teachings. So I'm sorry if I didn't make my thoughts clear. We are not saved by what we embrace we are saved by the blood of Jesus. I am not a teacher and I didn't teach, that satan teaches people to be righteous. I do think satan would teach someone that something is righteous when it really isn't however, but I wasn't even say that.

What Satan puts in the hearts of men, is similar to what you are saying:

"8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 28:8)

^^^^^^^^^^^^I didn't say this. I never said that it's ok to sin a little bit. But I do believe satan does tell people such lies. Sorry for the confusion.

[I Have Officially Resigned From The Mormon Church]

I see this for the same reasons many join other churches, including the LDS Church. Usually, doctrine is a part of the reason, but not the initial or key reason. Let's face it, most Christian churches have a lower expectation of their congregates than do Mormons. There is no annual tithing reconciliation with the Bishop. There is no expectation to advance through the priesthood levels, accept and magnify callings, or be active in the temple. There is no requirement to find your ancestry all the way back to Adam. There is no problem with attending Church Sunday morning, and then going to the movies or store in the afternoon.

I know many who have left the Church because they believe they must save themselves by doing all these things - right now. And they never feel they can measure up, so it is easier to accept the teachings of another Christian faith that does not require as much; I suppose so as not to feel guilt. I am not saying these are Holly's reasons, btw.

Many join the LDS Church, but doctrine usually is not the main reason. As it is, the missionaries teach just a bare set of doctrines to our investigators, so it isn't like they have been taught the LDS teachings in depth prior to baptism. Most join the LDS Church because they have felt the Spirit witness to them, or they like the missionaries enough to do them a favor. Doctrinal understanding comes later, as they search the scriptures and study the teachings of the Church (that is, IF they study).

As for your issues with gods and God, I can understand it. It is very different from classical Christian teachings. However, that does not make it wrong - rather it is an ancient belief that many non-LDS Biblical scholars have written about: such as Margaret Barker.

Will Holly and all Christians be saved? I believe they will. Each will be saved to the level of truth and righteousness each one embraces for him/herself. Some embrace Christ much more than others - some serve, while others are Christian in name only. Each will be blessed for the level they accept to follow God. This concept was actually taught by the early Christian, Shepherd of Hermas, btw. He compared everyone to a branch, and according to the amount the branch grew and blossomed, determined that individual's glory in God's kingdom(s).

Oh, and I do not necessarily consider you an anti-Mormon, simply because you disagree with LDS teachings. Anti-Mormons are those individuals that go out of their way trying to destroy the Church, even if it means they have to lie or twist the truth to do it.

Let's face it, most Christian churches have a lower expectation of their congregates than do Mormons. There is no annual tithing reconciliation with the Bishop. There is no expectation to advance through the priesthood levels, accept and magnify callings, or be active in the temple. There is no requirement to find your ancestry all the way back to Adam. There is no problem with attending Church Sunday morning, and then going to the movies or store in the afternoon

I think this paragraph shows how little you know about Christian. Christian churches expect their members to live their live according to the bible. No they don't have an annual meeting with their bishop/pastor to reconcil if they have paid their full required tithe. But paying tithing is important and it shows obedience and a love for God's teaching. Paying tithe is an act of faith. It's up to each indivdual if they pay tithe or not. Each person handles it directly with God. I don't need to sit down with a bishop about if I pay my tithe. If there is an issue with my tithe I get down on my knees with the Lord. I ask for help in my finances and I ask for help in trusting Him to meet my needs and paying my tithe. Tithing isn't a condition that holds a member back for service in a Christian church, it's a form of gaining a stronger faith and trusting in the Lord to provide for us when we are faithful. No there is no expectation to advance through priesthood levels. There is one high priest of the Church and it's Jesus. Always has been and always will be and He dwells in each of us. There are opportunities to do services for the Church and different ministries in the church so yes there are callings that we do. There is no need for us to go do work in a temple when we don't believe in the "works" that go on there. And as far as attending Church on Sunday morning and then going to the movies or a store that afternoon that's just wrong. We are taught to keep the sabbath day holy. And you need to be in check with LDS members too on that because they go to out to eat after church services, especially on fast and testimony sundays. They stop by stores and things too. So don't down play Christians on things the LDS do as well.

No there is no requirement for us to trace our ancestry all the way back to Adam. I do see the need. We don't believe in the works that are performed in the LDS temples so there is no need. Although there are several Christians and people in general that find it interesting and do trace their family history back. But we are not required to do this and in fact there is a bible verse and I would have to look it up that says, not to get caught up in endless geneologies. So if the bible tells us not to then why. I know I'm sure that verse is corrupt and can't be trusted according to your beliefs.

Will Holly and all Christians be saved? I believe they will. Each will be saved to the level of truth and righteousness each one embraces for him/herself. Some embrace Christ much more than others - some serve, while others are Christian in name only. Each will be blessed for the level they accept to follow God.

Will Holly and all Christians be saved? I'm glad you believe they will be saved to the level of truth and righteousness each one embraces for him/herself. I don't believe this. I believe our righteousness and our works are nothing but filthy rags and to believe that someone could be saved to the level of truth and righteousness one can embrace for him/herself is nothing more then a lie satan would want us to believe. I have no righteousness none zilch nada. However the righteous that I will have is that which is imputed on me by Jesus when he washed me with his blood. After I die what will be seen of me will be Jesus' blood. That and only that will save me. Everyone is not saved. A Christian in name only isn't saved. Just because someone says they are Christian doesn't mean they are. There is a verse in the bible that says that many will call on the Lord and he will answer that He doesn't know them. Hell is a real place and not everyone is saved because Jesus died for our sins. Only those that accept His gift will be saved. He will not make anyone take that free gift.

I'm not an anti mormon but I will say when I believe you mis represent Christians and you clearly have.

[I Have Officially Resigned From The Mormon Church]

This is true most Christians teach that you have a change of heart and become a better person, others teach that being a Christian requires living a holy life otherwise you'll lose your salvation. Roman Catholics who I see bashed a lot don't think that you can just go out and sin and be saved by doing a few prayers, if you commit a mortal sin you lose your salvation if you don't make penance, the feeling of repentance and remorse is more important then the prayers and penance given by the priest. Many Christians teach that if you repent God knows your heart and if you're just trying to 'trick' him by pretending to be repentant and not wanting to change then you aren't going to be forgiven. God isn't a fool. My mother changed her life around when she was born again. Sure there are slackers that only go to church on Easter and Christmas, I'm sure there are these types in the LDS church also.

As for the temple recommend, are there not people who lie during the interview process and get a recommend therefore being able to get a recommend and still hold on to there sin?

God does know your heart, but not just your heart every thing about you. Every thought, every feeling. Because God becomes an intimate part of you. When someone puts their lives in God's hands, there is a change in them. People can see it as God takes that person and begins to mold them into the person He knows they can be. Sure there are slackers. Sure there are people that may even slide back into their old life style, but God is faithful and he convicts. He will allow people to dable in sin, but He calls them out. It's a way of maturing that persons faith. God gives us our faith. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Everytime I'm posed with a trial, or illness or temptation and I pray for God's help through it, and He pulls me through it, I learn trust in Him. My faith increases through Him. Then the next thing that arises in my life I turn to Him quicker and stronger. Christians continue to grow in their faith and trust in God as he molds us and makes us.

As far as your comment on people lying to get a temple recommend to hold onto their sin. I know of some that have lied to go to the temple. And I'm going to leave it at that. To lie to go to the temple that is something I'm sure they have to work out with God. But I think a lot of weight is held on if someone is able to hold a temple recoommend or not and I can see why some would lie. Do all? No. Do lots? I have no idea. Do some? yes indeed.

[Prayers for Deborah]

*Lord, I just bow my heart humbly to you and lift Ms. Deborah up in prayer. Lord she's struggling with breast caner. You know her body, you created her and you know every thing about her. Lord please minister to this family. Cover them with comfort. Draw them nearer to you during this time. Lord help Deborah. Give her the strength she needs to get through the treatments. Help the doctors Lord and help the treatments. Help her body in ways that only you can do. We know no matter which way the healing comes it's always done through You. Lord I just humbly ask for Your help, Your healing and your comfort for Deborah, her family and her friends and I'll praise you for it, in Jesus' holy name....Amen"

[I Have Officially Resigned From The Mormon Church]

Unfortunately, the person who leaves the LDS Church over the concept of Trinity vs Godhead, really doesn't understand the history of the Christian Church.

Those I've known who have left for this "reason" in the past, almost always had underlying reasons that were the real clinchers. Some decided that to be a Mormon is too difficult, and so it is easier to blame it on doctrinal issues. Others have had disagreements with Church members or leaders, and used this as a reason to leave. Then there are those entrenched in sin, who want to be good Christians and have their sins at the same time.

Given that Holly hasn't held a temple recommend in some time, I would suppose there are other reasons for her falling out with the Church.

Some decided that to be a Mormon is too difficult, and so it is easier to blame it on doctrinal issues.

I think this is a common perception by LDS when ever someone leaves. I heard it quite a bit. "Oh they think it's too difficult"... or..."they are weak in their faith they just need to read the BoM more" When maybe the real reason they are leaving is God revealed to them the contradictions in the teachings. Or maybe you are right in some cases, maybe it is too difficult to believe the teachings of things like, God was once a man like us and worked his way through ordinacnes of the church and died and continued to progress until one day he was exalted into god. I can understand how some of those doctorines would be "too difficult" to believe.

One more comment and then I'll stop before you bash me for being anti mormon.

Then there are those entrenched in sin, who want to be good Christians and have their sins at the same time.

Given that Holly hasn't held a temple recommend in some time, I would suppose there are other reasons for her falling out with the Church.

I'm not sure where the LDS come up with the notion that some one can be Christian and like their sin and keep their sin. When someone becomes a Christian and they ask for forgiveness of their sins and committ themselves to follow Christ they are changed. Christ dwells with that person. Things they use to like that are sinful become not so appealing. God changes them into a new creature and they walk in a new light. There is a conversion in that person that takes place. It's not instant because it's a growing process. They gain a very intimate relastionship with the Lord. To say that some are entrenched with sin and still want to be a good Christian and keep their sin. That is such a major contradiction. And then to follow it up by bringing up the fact that Holly has or hasn't had a temple recommend is a long time is out of line. You are trying to say she's full of sin, can't keep a temple recommend so that's why she left. Unless she told you that's why she left then you owe her an apology for trying to drag her name down. I'm not sure what your reasoning is but maybe if you bring her down in the readers eyes you help protect the image of the church. Make people think something is wrong with her not the church.

[Questions for Christians]

10) How free are your prayers? What form do they take?

Hi Elgama, can you expand a little more on what you are asking here? I'm not sure I understand what your question. :)

Thanks!

[Do Satanists Infilltrate The Church?]

Your questions are interesting but I'm still trying to figure out is you mean satanist as in pray to satan, worship satan or do you mean athiest as in, don't believe in God at all. I guess either way it doesn't really matter. I mean what your sugguesting could happen in any church. Although I think people are allowed to dabble in sin. I think God allows it for a while then I think they are exposed. That's why I think it's important to use the Bible as a benchmark of truth. Take what is being said and compare to bible. If it goes against the bible then it can't be of truth. If a Satanist taught a Sunday school class and said things that seemed out of order then it seems like it would be pretty easy to verify and start to question that person. If a member of the apostles started teaching stuff out of realm of God I think the others around him would, I would hope, come down on him and investigate. But I have a hard time believing that a person that is Satanic could work his way up through all the ranks to be a member of the apostles and his sin not be exposed. But in all honestly I think people have evil in them and some people have great evil in them. So I guess anything is possible. I just think it would take several years for a person to fake their way that far up into the church with out someone figuring things out.

[Just a greeting]

Welcome Heavenguard

I really like your introduction. You seem very outgoing and friendly! :) I think it is good to learn about the world around you so you can understand others better. The world is very diverse in religions as well as ethenicities. Take care and God Bless! :)