skalenfehl

Welcome to this website. I'm sure you'll make many good friends here. I commend you on your desire to become a member of the church. Sometimes the most rewarding decisions are the most difficult to make. I hope we can help you find your way. :)

Could it be that you're just going through all the motions with no prayer to start your day or conversations with Father in Heaven? I've done that and it's robotic at times, almost unfeeling to go throughout the day without having prayed intently, conversed with the Lord, read in my scriptures, pondered them and felt joy in all of it. In other words, how is your relationship with Father in Heaven? On another note, I remember when I first realized I had a testimony. It was on my mission. I prayed and prayed and pondered and prayed and nothing. I couldn't figure it out. I knew everything that my parents had taught me was right and my decision to serve a mission was correct. Then why did I not receive an answer? It wasn't later that I realized I already had a testimony and that it was confirmed to me earlier in life when I shared it with a friend about the Book of Mormon. I recalled an overwhelming confirmation in the bearing of my testimony but didn't recognize that in the sharing of my testimony, I had received my answer. You may or may not have had a similar experience and if you have, the best way to feel or continue feeling is to serve others and look for opportunities to serve or help someone. Do kind deeds for a neighbor, an elderly member in your ward, etc. Spend time with a sister who is very lonely or needs help. I have found in my life that by focusing on others and their (sometimes desperate) needs, I "find" myself and my testimony grows. Hope this helps.

Congrats on the upcoming arrival! I didn't become a dad until I fostered and adopted two boys in dire need of love and discipline. My challenges were infinitely different than what you will go through, perhaps at least until your child or children become young teenagers. What I have learned is always listen. Listen first, then answer. Love unconditionally and teach them that they can come to you no matter what, and if they trust you, they will and the questions they will have!! Be prepared! Everything should be a teaching/learning experience and will be for both of you. Never show anger when they confide in you because they will learn to confide in someone else. It takes courage to confide in parents (remember when you were a kid all those questions you never asked dad but found out some other way?) My philosophy with raising child is basically the same way Father in Heaven teaches us. We have commandments, agency and consequences of using our agency. We don't get struck with a lightning bolt when we decide to skip church one Sunday or not pay tithing one time, etc. But blessings are withheld from us. When my boys defied me, I withheld privileges and when they quit their screaming, swearing and tantrum throwing and were ready to talk and listen, I explained to them what they did was unacceptable and I taught them what was acceptable. Sometimes we had to role play scenarios. When they understood and agreed, they received their privilege back. It also got to the point where I had to draw lines and consequences for crossing each line. It was tough and they loved to do things to tick me off, but I always tried to keep calm and teach them properly how to conduct themselves. Eventually you have to let them go and govern themselves and hope that they remember what you taught them (and when it really matters, they probably will). I've dealt with teachers, principles, councilors, police officers, judges, neighbors, etc more times than I can honestly remember. You just gotta love them and love them and love them. Although my boys got into so much trouble they learned that they could confide in me and they knew that no matter what I always love them. I guess in the end you can look at it this way. You aren't just raising children, but you are also raising how your children will treat their future spouses and how they will raise and treat their children (your grandchildren) so be mindful of the habits that you will pass along! As for diapers? I don't think I've ever changed a poopy diaper in my life.

Best two pieces of advice. On the one hand you've got a good thing going, and she might very well be the one, but on the other hand, you have a wonderfully serious commitment ahead of you. The Lord needs missionaries on task and focused. A two year mission with a fiancee on the brain will take away from many blessings for you and for the people that you will meet and teach. You're also still young and living in the moment and so many variables exist such as her finding and marrying another man while you're gone and/or you finding someone else when you get back (or on your mission happened to me, though I remained focused and disciplined in my work to the very last day, mind you!), etc. My personal advice? Let nature take it's course but remember who you will be serving and let nothing interfere with serving with all your heart, might, mind and strength. She may very well be there when you get back and if not, you will be blessed to find someone very special. Just keep all your promises and covenants with the Lord and stay on the path.

Welcome!

I can see a battle hymn created from this. Very nicely written!

Thank you, pam. :)

I'm not sure any of us are truly qualified to answer that question. I am willing to bet that if you speak with missionaries, they can find out from their Mission President, who can investigate further from the General Authorities of the church, or if you speak with an LDS bishop in who's ward boundary you live, he can also find out for you. This would be your best scenario to find out. Best wishes.

Wow, the irony! Great post!

Sorry Adeipho, your post ended with a smiley face. No ESP for you! I do have ESPN, though, does that count?

I've yet to study Isaiah and Nephi's inclusion of those chapters. Great topic!

Oh, oops, I'm sorry. I guess the key word in your statement is murder. Murder is not synonymous with justice and justice is not the job of any one person. My opinion is that anyone who murders another will be judged accordingly as will the molester, but as far as how? That's a tough one. Only God is qualified to do that. Just my opinion, though.

Well, LDS members are just as normal or abnormal as anyone of any other faith. Some are charismatic and gifted speakers and some are very shy, introverted and probably nervous as all heck when standing in front of a congregation to give a talk. Conversely there are many members in the congregation at different levels of spirituality. Many listen attentively and many are distracted by how slow their garden is growing. As mentioned previously, the main purpose of having sacrament meeting is to strengthen one another and to partake of the sacrament where we renew our baptismal covenants with the Lord. Focus on the sacrament blessing and ponder it in your heart during the passing of the bread and water. During the meeting, focus on the messages of the speakers. Sometimes it's easy to tell if they have planned their messages prayerfully and with plenty of time for planning or if they're just shooting from the hip with little or no preparation. You will know by the Spirit and if it "fills your cup", so to speak. As for the rest of the members, unfortunately this is common probably most everywhere you go. But this shouldn't change your opinion of the church or it's teachings. The church is perfect, the people are not. Hope this helps. :)

Interesting question, but Christ said in the NT that it would be better for a person if a millstone were hung about his neck and cast into the sea if he harmed a child. That's some perspective! Mark 9:42 ---

I believe depression can happen based on our surroundings (being depressed if someone passes away, you lose your job, etc), but I also believe that there is the depression that literally is caused by a chemical imbalance. My wife has the second and I know that she keeps herself active, preoccupied and positive amidst her condition, but without the proper prescription it simply is not possible for her to function normally, though she can go through the motions. It is a tough thing to live with, but for the most part, manageable.

That is such and awesome intro. Your testimony is already strong. Reminds me of Alma chapter 32 in the Book of Mormon (if you're bored and feel like reading). Welcome to this forum. I, too, was very happy to find it and associate with like-minded people!

Boy, my reply sounded so textbook and unfeeling. It's past my bedtime. Congratulations on a wonderful decision to becoming baptized. You will indeed have some wonderful experiences and testimony building opportunities. Your life will be blessed with opportunities to serve. Take advantage of them. Best wishes. :)

Essentially baptism is the "gate" to the path to the celestial kingdom. There are a couple more such as receiving your endowments and then temple marriage. In the meantime, you may be given callings in church as a Sunday School teacher, librarian, etc. You can also prepare to receive your patriarchal blessing. Aside from all this, you continue with reading in the scriptures, praying daily and enduring to the end. Hope this helps a little.

I agree with Flyonthewall. Yes, but aids such as the seer stones, the Liahona, etc all had purposes and similitudes given. This peyote nonsense is conjecture. With respect.

I heard about his on the radio. Very silly. Just my opinion.

I remember as a boy cranking out lots of wheat the old fashioned way on my dad's manual grinder. Got a good workout too!

I have had similar experiences, but I believe they are more personal revelations that anything else. The Spirit will communicate with us to keep us (even loved ones) from harms way, even from the reach of the adversary if we're tuned in. Perhaps for some the revelations are more intense than others.

Curious, how often have you been able to see something that came to pass? I do believe in personal revelation. Does that count?

I had a rough childhood and despite what my dad put me through, there were enough tender moments that I knew without a doubt that my dad loves me. It's funny how like my dad I am. I love my dad. My poetry/verse is very personal, but I feel compelled to share it here. The ending is presumptuous, but I strive to live so that this comes to fruition. I've shared this with very, very few people since the day I finished it years ago. Perhaps it can benefit some reader. This is my original work. --- A Father’s Love Reminiscing days of youth, one childish desire A skateboard for my pride and joy--my chariot of fire! On gilded wheels I soared upon my gift from father when One fateful day a tiny rock my dignity had stolen. Oh how I cried, tears streaming; on bended knees I fell And to my side my father came my pain to gently quell. “I’m here my son,” he softly said, “Please do not despair,” Then lifted me so comforting with strength beyond compare. Remembering years later, of fatherhood, my quandary My sons in righteousness to raise, I oftentimes lay pondering. And questioning my efforts, vain? Recalling desperation, I longed for reassurance through fervent supplication. Oh how I cried, tears streaming; on bended knees I fell. And to my side my Father came my pain to gently quell. “I’m here my son,” He softly said, “Please do not despair,” Then lifted me so comforting with strength beyond compare. A tired old man’s reflection; my visage on display Bore witness of my earthly trials faced each and every day No sooner was my race complete, I laid this mortal by; Before the judgment-seat I stood and I began to cry! Oh how I cried, tears streaming; on bended knees I fell. And to my side my Father came my pain to gently quell. “I’m here my son,” He softly said, “Please do not despair.” Then lifted me so comforting with strength beyond compare. No longer troubled, heart and mind, I knew my race was won And sweeter still, His words, “Well done my good and faithful son!” © 2003 Marc Martinez

That's great news. I commend you on your steps to seeking out truth. One of the bravest things one can do in life is to do the right thing in the face of all adversity and opposition. Probably the most rewarding thing in life is succeeding at doing the right thing despite the consequences in the face of all adversity and opposition. Best wishes!