Avrham

Hi there yep I would consider myself an active member in the Gospel without the need to go to a Church on a permanent basis at the moment , Except for going to partake of the Sacrament as being the only time I go these days and even then I leave straight after. I don't heavily socialize within Church circles anymore I don't drink smoke I live pretty much family orientated existence . I strive just like every one else in the gospel to choose the right and live the commandments , I take care in heeding the advice by modern day prophets and old ones my kids are free to choose if they want to join the Church as baptized members . I give my family no obligations about Church. We like to teach principals such as faith repentance baptism and the laying on of hands gift of the Holy Ghost . We encourage prayer as the key building block in are family, I just want my family members to find Christ in their own way and time . However in saying that people still come and ask me about how to do this and that and so so callings and ask about Doctrinal questions kind of strange considering that they put me and my family on the inactive list . I hope its because they miss us and not because of the lack of attendance on Sundays only . I love sharing the gospel principals with my neighbors, co-workers and so on there was a time when an Asian lady was trying to read my Book of Mormon at work and how her daughter became a member by reading my Book of Mormon which I said she could keep . To answer your question ''When you choose to be inactive in the Church, how are you able to continue to be active in the Gospel?'' I would like to ask? is living the gospel easier or harder being a active member:) these I just my 2cents

Next time I take a shower it means I am getting closer to God lol a bit of dirt never did me any harm especially with my relationship with God , No harm in looking after yourself/self-respect but the bigger issue would be trying to purify the heart and if you need some routine like cleaning and cleansing for that then whatever works for you:)

this brings to mind the scripture in Proverbs 9>10 '' The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding''. Everyone has a starting point with Heavenly father and building up that relationship is the key to the Gospel to move beyond that fear I suppose that is the key which I found when reading scriptures especially the 10Commandments how it refers to your relationship with heavenly father and to everyone else:)

Thought this was interesting one of the Seven gifts of the Holy Ghost from the Catchism of the Catholic Church as described by St Thomas Aquinas from the Summa Theologica ''Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in correct location with respect to God: we are the finite, dependent creatures, and He is the infinite, all-powerful Creator.'' found this very interesting years ago when ever fear and worship was mentioned in RE(Religious Education) and puts a another enlightening perspective :):)

I find this interesting because we are ordered to love God and are neighbor If one just simply obeys an order because of fear then maybe that person has not yet developed a relationship at that point . Yes I totally agree I believe Love is the only way too God because I also believe that without it everything else we do is irrelevant because change can only happen If you have love which causes the change of heart I think it was Alma becoming aware of his sins and being honest about them with the Lord and not so much about him fearing God but the sins he committed and transgressed so yes He experienced a change in heart which all Christians are striving for and it was Love that brought this experiance about and not fearbut thank you for reminding me about Alma the younger's conversion and sharing your thoughts:):):)

I was sitting in the testimony meeting the other week and it was the first time in 2yrs since I have attended any Church meetings and was paying attention(as always) to what was being said majority of the testimonies seemed to have a fear basis to it like ''I fear God so I do not disobey '' and it seemed that peoples motivation is out of fear which I find kind strange . I made the comment to my friend later on who gave his testimony, about this line of reasoning because I was always taught that we do things because we love the Savior and that fear does not come into the equation . My personal belief is the more I love God/Savior the more it motivates me to serve . It seemed on that day the fear of God was present in the testimonies given , However I have also found that other Christian/religions seem to follow this path my readings in the Old testament is that fear of God is not unusual . So should fear play a part in motivation for Obedience? just my thoughts :)

hehehe you forgot the ANZACS no only kidding being Australian myself we have a pretty easy lifestyle compared to some other places which can also lead to laziness in are affairs especially in regards to politics and religion I suppose no one ever likes to challenge the status quo I think more so out of apathy than anything else or the ''she'll be right mate'' attitude all up its great place to live(well where I am it is lol) cheers thanks for the history reminder:)

talk about being bold Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com I don't know if this is the right place but I believe it is faith/Gospel promoting have a great day or night:)

nice topic we did these for my family home evening being grateful is such a blessing and is never a burdon in my life , We talked about all the bad and good in life and challenges and ways of dealing with them in our family the example my daughter gave about Abraham and Issac was pretty good in that after the test He(Abraham gave thanks too God and completed the sacrifice plus with the many observances that written in the old testament/Gospel all turn attention towards God> for myself and my family we don't have much but in terms of material stuff and we don't own anything major but what we do have we are very grateful too God for:)and shall continue too be

Hi there just wondering what is JBS just googled it could not find much on the first search :)

Hi there just wondering the same thing myself the "why question" good things happen too bad people and vice versa I am always remind that life is always unfair and unequal on a daily basis however my limited understanding of the Atonement of Christ has helped me cope with those questions and accept that God is in control and his justice and his mercy will prevail my favourite scripture "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." matth 5>45 this puts things in perspective for myself both now and into the future gives me great comfort:):)

The best prayer is the one where I am grateful for whatever the Lord gives me I try too align my prayers with his will my son believes that I am just talking into the air or myself but I know its important too be thankful for whatever goes my why and accept it:)

interesting just found the problem there is no ''SENSE'' that we can know why faith in Christ is the 1st test because maybe we are trying too endevour too box God into what we think he should be and all we can really go by his dealings with us , I suppose trying too make ''sense'' of it all you will be doing your head in till the day you die . Why would Avraham lead Isaac up a mountain too essentially execute him for God what was his faith made of can it be tangible so it can be duplicated I don't know but everyone I know who believe in God will have faith as a corner rock can it be duplicated probable not , faith is unique concept but is widely shared just like love we all both experiance it at some stage of life :):) sorry for the rant

Live your life too its fullest with the gospel in your forfront of your heart and mind and learn too love others especially the haters keep searching for truth always a real testimony comes with experiance and trials will develope your faith just a small amount can move mountains :)

my wife had a strong gut feeling when she went to take my son who was 1yrs for his vaccinations she was overcome with something powerful she couldn't quite nail it other than it made her feel uncomfortable my son got his vaccines for melinchogial he suffered a instant reaction blistered and fever for next 4days quite severe then suffered extreme Ezcesma for the next 4yrs , Apparently he was allegic too pork which was in the shot . since then my wife and I decided not too vaccinate the rest of are kids , she believes too this day that she didn't follow those strong feelings promtings she regards as the Holy Ghost and are son who's 8 has had serious health issues since then .However the rest of the kids the other 3 who haven't been vaccinated don'tseem to suffer from any major issues other than allegies but my oldest daughter who's 12 was vaccinated up too 4yrs old didn't seem too have any health issues I suppose Parents must make a informed choice , but my wife still believes that she disregarded those promtings of the holy ghost makes her sad today knowing what are oldest son has been through we keep those feelings amongst ourselves in the family and this is the first itme I have ever mentioned this in the open or too anyone else:)

Hello this reminds me that the only thing that I or anyone can do is pray for all the inactives and especially for active members on there list all the works and programs will fall short if this basic principal is not adhered too the Lord prepares the people becuase he knows their situation and thats why prayer is the only answer when someone once asked me how do you achieve 100%HT I had too laugh becuase I said ''is there such a thing of achieving 100% but one can only do his/her best effort' , When I was EQ Pres one of the strong emphasis or goals was too increase each members testimony'of the Gospel especially regarding HT a little bit of faith moves mountains according too scriptures forgive me if this sounds like gospel 101 or insulting because I assume most are doing these anyway just a nice reminder for myself from a supposedly inactive member:)

Its interesting to note that 10commandents involves a relationship between God and ourseles and it is really the core of the gospel that relationships with God and each other carry over into the next life :)

I believe that that showing of ones sins will be a way for one too accept the sins that where hidden or unrepntent I always thought that with sins being revealed meant that everyone is a sinner so therefore we cannot judge each other only Heavenly Father is the final Judge :)my 2cents

Ignore the last post I am Mannessah myself however I did ask if I could be from Dan

I suggest you get your Patriarchal blessing if you haven't already go see the Bishop about seeing the Stake Patriarch , as too the sacredness of your friends tribal record thats his bussiness maybe should studied up on the 12tribes from my understanding where not born into them we are adopted:)

The song Praise to the Man this always comes too mind when I think of putting leaders on pedestals , yep everyone wants too appease or seek approval from their fellow man( or so it seems to me its so funny how we build monuments and sing praises about people '

reading this thread reminds me of the scripture that "God created the rain to fall on the just and the unjust " too me this just puts all things into one's life experiance everything is relative good and bad are no exceptions just my take:)

hey Dove your trying your best thats all that matters we do have too let go and trust HIM(after all he knows you really well)I love the sacrament prayer and the promise given about the HG I am grateful for you sharing your thoughts I am also in a similar situation however there are so many "arms of flesh" its great too have that Testimony of the Savior and his Church, Prophets , Apostles and comandments as a major backbone , for my situation I have tried too give or surrender(give the burden over to the savior) myself a little more and accept things as they arrive good or bad but having that Testimony that he "LIVES" makes my troubles seems very smallPS I am guy:)

thanks Judo for that post I find that my faith in Jesus Christ has lead me too accepting lifes issues both good/bad and try too follow His will is the fun part wether its paying a tith or helping out in any capacity its great when you see God working in your life on a daily basis simple because you have what the other 90%of the world is looking for a Testimony of Jesus Christ through faith

first time I read the thread heading I thought it was about Packing "wheat" lol I then I realised you where talking about weapons (I used too get the impression that most Christians in the US carry a Bible and AK 47, its not much of a issue here I think in Australia but my father was a SOG Member(like SWAT)He was armed with a HK5 easily concealed under his suite jacket he went everywhere with it holidays we grew up with the attitude that a policeman is a 24/7job and Church was no exception:)