skippy740

Alma 22:16-18

Okay, I'm a techie. I used to have a Palm Treo and I had the scriptures downloaded to it to reference during Sunday School. I've upgraded to a Cingular 3125 windows-based smartphone, and I cannot find a way to download the scriptures to it. I'll pay for the software if I need to, but I'd like to know that the software would be compatible for me. Perhaps there's a link on LDS.org that I'm missing? For the scriptures, the only format that is supported is the EZ-Reader, but that software is grossly outdated for the Windows platform. Any ideas out there?

Find a copy of the book "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" by LeGrand Richards. Of course, nothing will help without prayer.

Here's what you do: You go into the door that's open. Then you find the double-doors inside the building to enter the chapel. You can wear whatever you want. But to be most comfortable, you should dress wear a shirt, tie, slacks, etc. You don't NEED to ask for anyone, but you can ask for a program. Then take a seat anywhere you want in the pews (long benches). There will be 2 pews in the front on the right or left that will have several young boys there that pass the sacrament. Don't sit there. Just avoid the first 2-3 rows from the front and you'll be fine. Take a look around. Find others that you might know. They might come up to you, or you can be bold and go talk to them. Arrive about 15 minutes early and you can listen to the prelude music before hand, flip through the hymn book, etc. Sing with the congregation the hymn numbers as they sing. (If you don't want to, it's okay.) Partaking of the Sacrament - this is an area that you have to ask yourself if you want to or not. The Sacrament is the renewing of our baptismal covenants. As a member of the Church it is a cleansing ordinance. As a non-member, you may partake of the sacrament to remember Christ. It is up to you to partake or not. No one will think anything of it if you do or don't. People will say "Amen" after prayers, but not while anyone else is speaking. The Church is very much a learning environment, not a place to get "carried away" as other churches may practice. After the meeting (when everyone else gets up), I would encourage you to introduce yourself to the person who conducted the meeting (the person who announces the flow of "who's going to do what/when"). They should be able to direct you to the next class for you during the "block". (The "block" is the 3 hour time frame of church meetings and classes.) Don't worry about any church "lingo" you might hear. You know you're a member of the church when you go to a PEC meeting to discuss an objective of the CES system and later need to talk to someone about a PPI and encourage them to CTR. If they talk about a "Stake" center, think of it like a "stake" of a tent of Zion, not a "steakhouse" to order a prime rib. If you want some help in interpreting the "LDS" lingo, just find the congregation's missionaries and they'll be happy to "decode" anything that was mentioned. I hope this helps!

Meetinghouse Locator Use the above to find the meetinghouse nearest you. Then find the ward (congregation) that is for your area. Then attend at the time listed. (Of course, if you attend a different congregation at a different time & place, it'll be okay!)

If you're asking me personally... I'm out of order lately. Job God Wife Children Church I highlighted the book above because our focus needs to change at different times AS LONG AS we can keep Christ in the center of our priorities. The book will explain in greater detail how we can do that.

Amazon.com: The Divine Center: Stephen R. Covey: Books All of us at some point search for an organizing principle in life, one that is simple without being simplistic, that offers enduring direction. The book introduces, explains, and illuminates such a principle – centering one’s life on Christ. It examines twelve other "centers" and their effect on key dimensions of our lives: our security, guidance, wisdom, and power. Although those other perspectives offer some value, only the "divine center" meets all the tests. This powerful principle is given life by an inspiring presentation of "how-tos" –imaginative, thought-provoking explanations of the divine-centering process and steps necessary to achieve the goal.

The first time someone uses profanity, it is to impress someone. When was the last time you were impressed by someone using profanity?

It's INSIDE and the water's WARM!

I'm going to completely take this OUT OF CONTEXT - but I hope to make a point. Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver. Denying yourself the blessings of the truth for social security is similar (in my mind). I'm NOT saying that you're denying Christ, but you are avoiding His Church.

Help me to truly understand this. You either feel or you know that you can "never be a member of the church". Yet, since that is your truth, you're trying to disprove the Mormon teachings. Why? I sincerely want to know. I don't understand why people who don't agree with our teachings are driven to disprove them - and many times in a spirit of contention. I'm relatively knowledgeable about the doctrines of some other faiths, but I don't knock anyone for believing in the way that they do. I try to add to their faith - as they let me, but I don't push. So, why? Why do you try to disprove our faith? What is your motivation?

"I am not man" means that he is not CARNAL or ruled by the flesh - to lie, to lust, to cheat and steal, etc. He is our God and an Exaulted Being who is above such carnal instincts. That is what the scripture means. Just my $.02 and I am not trying to stir up any contention, but that is what I believe is the intent behind that scripture.

Here's something from the Teachings of Brigham Young manual: LDS.org - Relief Society Chapter Detail - Knowing and Honoring the Godhead God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost constitute the Godhead. President Brigham Young taught the Latter-day Saints to worship God the Father and address prayers to Him in the name of Jesus Christ. He taught further that God the Father was once a man on another planet who “passed the ordeals we are now passing through; he has received an experience, has suffered and enjoyed, and knows all that we know regarding the toils, sufferings, life and death of this mortality” (DBY, 22). Some believe or conceive the idea that to know God would lessen him in our estimation; but I can say that for me to understand any principle or being, on earth or in heaven, it does not lessen its true value to me, but on the contrary, it increases it; and the more I can know of God, the dearer and more precious he is to me, and the more exalted are my feelings towards him (DBY, 18). The great architect, manager and superintendent, controller and dictator [absolute ruler] who guides this work is out of sight to our natural eyes. He lives on another world; he is in another state of existence; he has passed the ordeals we are now passing through; he has received an experience, has suffered and enjoyed, and knows all that we know regarding the toils, sufferings, life and death of this mortality, for he has passed through the whole of it, and has received his crown and exaltation and holds the keys and the power of this Kingdom; he sways his scepter, and does his will among the children of men, among Saints and among sinners, and brings forth results to suit his purpose among kingdoms and nations and empires, that all may redound to his glory and to the perfection of his work (DBY, 22).

Visit ANOTHER ward - perhaps a singles ward?

You make a lot of good points. Here's my own view of why Polygamy is no longer practiced by the LDS church. First, the Church already had plenty of persecution BEFORE they began to practice Polygamy. When the Church went west to the Utah Valley, they petitioned the U.S. for statehood. With so much persecution, it stands to reason that some kind of cessation would have to be made by the church as a material gesture (and give in to the powers of men that govern the nation). How about a practice that the Lord instituted for the later purpose of giving it up to gain statehood in the U.S. and future stability and prosperity to His Church and its members? Just my thoughts.

3 seems to be rather significant in many areas. Might I suggest that it can represent the Godhead? God the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Here's an online video of it! Enjoy! YouTube - Monson Ear Wiggle

As far as the thread's question: We don't live in a COMPOUND with our Bishop. We aren't cut off from the rest of the world. "In the world, but not OF the world." And yes, I'm happy that the local law enforcement has stepped in, but I'm concerned for the kids. They will be told that their CULT was a cult, and that these things shouldn't be happening. But, if that's true, they may feel a huge sudden loss of personal self-esteem if they are the RESULT of some of these unions. Most of these kids were BORN into this situation. While I'm glad they're out, I don't know how well they'll work with the rest of the world. This whole situation will need to be handled with great care. I wonder if some of these kids will end up in LDS foster care homes? Now they can REALLY get confused! Especially if they have pictures of the Temple up in their homes, Book of Mormon & D&C books. They'll begin to wonder, but be reasonably afraid.

The church doesn't need our money. We need the law of tithing in our lives. It is a testament of our faith to show an outward sign that we trust in the Lord. Here's an idea: What about paying a PARTIAL tithe? Paying some is better than paying none at all. None would say to the Lord: "I don't believe that you can work financial miracles in my life at all." Partial would say: "I have some faith. Please help me to be blessed with as much faith as I've shown in my tithe. As my blessings grow, I promise to continue to obey, strengthen and increase my tithe to the amount that Thou would have me pay." Full says: "I trust completely in the Lord to help me provide for all things for my family." It's very rare that the Lord would ever say "Prove me now" on anything. On this law, that's what he says. Just because you may not be able to do it perfectly (full tithe) doesn't mean that you shouldn't pay anything at all. I might venture to say that you will be rewarded with blessings equal to your faith of how well you can keep this law - including temple attendance. I've heard of people who pay their annual tithing at the beginning of the year to anticipate their earnings, then have to pay more by the end of the year because they made more than what they based their initial tithing contribution! As far as that particular Bishop is concerned - he may have been trying to convey a similar message, but may not have communicated it in the proper way. Some is always better than none!

You can only LOVE people into the gospel, not GUILT them. You're really not being fair to him to tell him that you've felt guilty about marrying him. You married him for WHO he is. I'd say that it's rather selfish to expect him to change to make you happy. While you may be feeling the Spirit, do you think it could be a dividing factor in your home? Satan doesn't want you to be happy either. So, what do you do from here? Be the BEST example you can be by loving your husband. Love him for WHO he is and the person he is. You need to feel the Spirit in your home, and it will take BOTH of you to do that. If you're going to desire his full conversion (and you're willing to be patient), then you need to show that YOU are willing to live by the gospel standards. You will feel alone doing this for some time. It may take a couple of YEARS before he may follow you in your example. Are you willing to do that? Work on yourself first, then invite your husband to join you in a spirit of love, not of any kind of guilt. Just my thoughts.

I am a financial advisor, so I'll impart some basic wisdom (if I can). First, pay your tithing. That one's obvious. Second - it's time to become a better steward over your finances. You need to evaluate EVERY expense that you have and question yourselves about it. - Rent: Can we live somewhere else and pay less? - Cable TV: Is it worth it for what we pay for it? - Electric Bill: Is there a way to keep this lower? - Car: Is it reliable? Are repairs (and downtime) better than an ongoing car payment with interest? - Car Insurance: If I have limits above the state minimums, why? Can I raise my deductible to lower my bill? - Life Insurance: If it's a permanent policy (which I like), can you take a loan out against it? Should you get a TERM policy instead for a while to keep your expenses lower? This is the time to try to look at everything with a fresh set of eyes and question it. It's called a "Paradigm Shift". At the same time, PLEASE keep in mind that you're trying to get more control, not "starve" yourself financially. Remember to have some fun! Here's an idea that my wife and I recently did: We moved to a smaller apartment and now we pay about $100 less. Cable TV is included with the rent! We don't have a TV, but we use an older Dell PC with a TV card and remote control. We save on space and we can PASSWORD protect our TV from the kids! I needed a new laptop for my job, so I got the laptop along with a 22" flat panel monitor to be our new "Flat Screen TV". Find ways to CUT costs considerably WHILE enjoying life! For example: cut out cable TV and get a DVD movie subscription instead. You can save money and have a nice life. Something else to consider: Anything you have of value that you're not using anymore can usually be sold on ebay. You just need excellent feedback on yourself and a digital camera. The next step is to determine what to do with the money you've saved from your expenses. I usually recommend some kind of online savings account - like INGdirect. This way, the money works hard for you, it's available, but it still takes a couple of days before you can get access to it directly. It's also fun to see the interest it's accumulating every day. BTW, if your credit isn't so good, you might want to take a look at the link below to see an old posting of mine on another forum regarding SECURED credit lines and how to use them to build your credit and your savings at the same time. Make Money, (re)Build credit and build your savings accounts - The Credit Info Center Forums

The BIG step would be to talk with the Bishop of your ward. Your mini-steps would be to: - pray - read the Book of Mormon - Attend Sacrament meeting - Stay for the other meetings I don't have any practical experience with your situation, but I advise to "wade in the water" before diving in. (Puns fully intended!)

There's a larger temple in Las Vegas and a smaller temple in Reno, NV. You won't be allowed inside without being a member in good standing and possess a Temple Recommend, but you should enjoy the grounds! I didn't find anything on LDS.org. Depending in your schedule, you might want to travel to Saint George, UT. You'll find a lot of LDS history there.

Living in Utah has got to be a hard way to learn about the Church. I say this because I live in Southern California. California has the second largest population of Mormons, but we've also got one of the largets populations. You'll find a fair number of meetinghouses, but not on every other block as you'll find in Utah. Here's my best advice: Look to the gospel foundation FIRST. I won't say that it isn't inappropriate, but it can be fairly common that there is much discussion on Joseph Smith. We owe much to him, but remember, you and I both agree that he's just a MAN. Here's what Brigham Young once said: "To live with Saints in heaven is full of bliss and glory. To live with Saints on earth... is quite a different story!" Our meetings seem to focus more on HOW to live a Christlike life and we frequently use modern-day examples to reinforce these examples. You'll find this in the majority of our meetings. We rejoice in Christ, but we must ACT on our faith and convictions. Where we ALL need the most help is in Living a Christlike Life. Most of our talks are about this, so we can live more like our Father in Heaven would want us to live like. As far as your "random question", I don't know either. I'm new here like you. We don't want to take the Lord's name in vain, so perhaps this is a built-in feature of the forum for certain words to be "blocked out" or shown in a different text. I'm sure that most profanity would automatically be edited (and a moderator to give a warning for such posted remarks). I hope this helps!

No offense taken! It's really hard to read into "tones" of how people type on an online forum. First, YOU'RE RIGHT! Joseph Smith is a MAN. We revere him as a great and well-respected man, but a MAN nonetheless. Joseph Smith was a mason. (I don't know if there's a difference between being a mason or a freemason. It's probably just the spelling!) Masonry is another sensitive subject. Might I suggest that you ask about this at a later time after we've discussed your other post? "Line upon line" is a great way to learn about the Church.