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Diversity: when I got to the point of reading that sometimes you feel darkness when praying, this is what came to my mind.......when I feel darkness in praying, I stop and raise my right hand to the square and say 3 times: "in the name of Jesus Christ, I command satan to depart". That has been a lifesaver for me so many times. I too come from an abused family and satan knows my many weak spots and need for love. I also study/pray every day and that is a huge help in discerning......it has changed my life to hear God's voice in His Word. If I am not reading through the book of mormon, I look up the footnote b of mormon scriptures where ever I'm reading in scriptures so that I have b. of mormon in my daily study. God be with you, Diversity. God does value mercy. He will not change our personal choices, though He will send His influence to us. He always respects our right to choose. Maybe someone suggested this: get blessings from your Bishop often to help you discern, and for comfort.

I have children that are not married, have young children and come to visit. This was also hard for me. Our kids, every one of them, married or not, KNOW without a doubt that we do not condone living together before marriage. They also know they are family and we love each other very much and we are all close. We do allow our children/partner to be together when visiting us. We let them know we love them just where they are at. This may not work for everyone, but it works for us. When together as a family.....this issue is NOT discussed......we are together to love each other and if there's a need for private talks, that can wait for another time. We do hope that our family love will soften hearts and change minds; and pray for that end. Meanwhile, we love one another and accept one another no matter personal choices.

defenderofzion, I am glad you are facing your addiction, congratulations every time you are able to resist....and congratulations every time you take your problem to God. I live in a small town, our lds group includes those there for porn addiction: 2 are female; several males, and the rest of us have varied addictions from drugs and alcohol to overeating. I guess from reading here, the church does have separate groups for porn?? Hope you are going to an lds addiction recovery group.

slamjet, nothing is more joyful to read than you are coming back into the fold of Christ!! With what you have been through (guessing on that as I'm new here), you could be a great blessing in the lives of others that must face what you have.....and I pray God will use you in His ministry of love. God Bless You always. The wonderful thing about the Gospel is the way it equalizes all through Christ....a sinner is a sinner and we all are sinners. But repentance cleanses all through the power of His holy atonement.

I agree with slamjet......help is needed with strong addictions like this. I pray your husband will work hard to keep the faith. Healing is needed for him, and a group support for you.

I have already shared on this post, but want to add: Was a visiting teacher to a single mom, recently reactivated, that was quite overweight. One day after we got a new bishop, she called me crying and asked me to come over. She had gone to new bishop for help with rent from recently being laid off. After she explained her temporary need, he said: "what are you doing about your weight?". I was so proud of her, she told him that had nothing to do with why she was there and stood up and walked out. And this is the most awesome of all: she said to me: "A short time ago, this would have caused me to go inactive, BUT, I am not going to go inactive over this, my activity is based on Jesus Christ".

Reading what slamjet posted......I agree with you....... God does indeed intercede, and most likely is answering heartrending prayers of loved ones. I have a friend that was excommunicated, she said she felt a huge loss without the Holy Ghost. Any GOOD we do/choose comes from God (see book of mormon). This goes for anyone in the entire world (conscience/the light of Christ). Thus, those choosing to live carnal/worldly lives can still choose good/decency. This is what I told my athiest son: "just because you don't believe in God, does not make you exempt from choosing decent things in life, and making the best of your life." He is responding well to that advice. Infact, from meeting some of his athiest friends, I can see how my son's background and how he was raised, makes a huge difference in how he is conducting his life 'without God'......he is a good young man, and I often compliment him on his gentle kindness, wisdom, and amazing talents.

I am married to a husband who has recently converted. We our very much in love and has a great courtship, the only thing that could have been a deal breaker was because he was not a member, he looked at pornography. Through my support he was able to break the habit which is a great accomplishment seeing as the world does not view this as a bad thing at all, even within marriage. You are so right, the world does not view that porn is bad., not an addiction. They don't understand the deep LUST involved in this practise. But if our prophet says to avoid it like a plague, then let's follow him. We have a grown son, out of the church, that follows this worldly view of porn. To me, his faith was ripped from him because of this addiction to lust. The best we can do is pray and fast for him diligently, and ask God to turn him from lust unto love. I know the lord really gave me strength to bear with him and be by his side while he was looking at these images because I am a bit jealous and would have otherwise never been willing to work through this situation as it really hurt alot. So sad for the hurt you went through. Is it going to be impossible to steer my kids away from this without completely wrapping them up in cotton wool and sheltering them??? The best we can do is teach and live God's ways....there is sadly, no guarantees. But open communication and loving acceptance helps tons. I believe in 'raise them up in the way they should go' and if they leave the fold of the Good Shepherd, He will call them back. Also what do you teach them about masturbation? I mean, I know the church teaches you should not do this, however, I know how hard it is as a male to withold these feelings. Teach them that it is a lust, not love and that is why they need to learn control in this challenging, so personal area. Not only boys, but girls are vulnerable to porn/lust of porn. A woman I visit teach, that is getting active again, had a horrible addiction to this lust, and is now in recovery.

I do appreciate your encouragement, thank you!

I'm sorry to read about what you are going through. It would be embarrassing for you. Do seek God's help to love her/accept her 'where she's at' and pray for her; put her name in the temple; the world so easily grabs each one of us in different areas of weakness. So many mormon women and girls think if their tight clothing has a sleeve: that is somehow modest; but they are being duped. The prophet can let us know what the standards are, then we personally must choose to follow. Sadly, it does not always end well....... My son was a counselor to a great bishop.....when I went to visit, I was so shocked when meeting his darling wife: she was 'dressed to kill' with low cut and tight, very sexy dress, and the body to flaunt it. That worried me. Fast forward 4 years: she just divorced her husband. Her disobedience in wearing worldly clothing that isn't modest was where it started.....a seemingly small choice that grew over the years into a divorce. Yes, temple marriage/4 adorable kids.

What I have learned about forgiving others: I have no forgiveness in my heart....maybe in my head I want to, but it doesn't go to my heart. I have to ask God to place His Gift of forgiveness into my heart; and then it takes time to let go of my pain. BUT constant prayer finally brings it all about, over TIME. Just decide to NOT give up on striving to forgive and praying. Then that day of 'release' finally comes and His Peace is abundant in your heart.....another small step forward is completed.

My Mom died many years ago.....the woman my dad then married got everything when Dad died, except a $3000.00 policy that was in my sister's name.....when the wife found out about this, she told my sis it should go to her (the wife). Let me tell you: talk about selfish.....she has properties/homes that were paid for and all of dad's assets....set abundantly for the rest of her life.....she changed the place of dad's burial so he's not by my Mom.....and still did this huge fuss that she did not get the $3000.00, which my sis split between us kids....that was all we got of dad's estate/holdings. I love what my dh did when his dad died: the kids were fussing about their sister that had lived with grandpa and taken care of him....she was getting the very small 2 bedroom home he had. WOW.....everyone had homes except this sister, and no one had taken care of grandpa but her, as we all lived in different state. My dh told his bros/sisters that he wanted nothing to do with it, and to let their sister have the house.

Well, maybe you already had the picnic?? If not, how about at least one of her favorite foods?? To me as a woman, if my dh made a fave, I'd feel special and loved....the entire thing wouldn't have to be 'perfect' . And, is your girl one that likes real dishes....etc. mentioned?? Do what you know fits her likes and personality.....for me, I'd really dislike all of that.....what would matter to me would be that you thought of the picnic invite and made one of my fave foods, and maybe taking me to our favorite hiking spot..... IMHO.

Rameumpton says: "First, one has to determine whether the Great Global Flood was as great as many people think. There is no geological evidence of a Great Flood, but regional ones have been noted." So are you following the world's view on this? The entire earth was flooded/'baptized'. Here's an article to help you decide: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Flood and the Tower of Babel

My sister, many years ago did a very healthy thing: her bishop was deeply unkind to her in a sensitive situation, and she needed a lot of spiritual help.....so she found a bishop that understood her, and moved into his ward......he was able to help her through some huge difficulties; she was able to remain active. For me: when a former bishop yelled at me out of the blue about my inactive son, screaming: 'what do you want me to do about it? come visit him?' it hurt me so much, it was almost impossible to forgive him. Finally when that bishop was released, I followed the spirit's promptings and went to our stake president, told him the situation......he said: 'first of all, sister, may I apologize for the priesthood; you were mistreated.' My greatest regret is: when the bishop yelled at me, why didn't I get up and with dignity, walk out of his office?? NO, I sat there a let him yell at me.....trained from my past to bow to anyone in authority, even when obviously being mistreated.

"Are you gonna keep moaning about the unfair lot you have been dealt with, or are you going to learn what the master taught via the atonement? Forgiveness and rising toward exaltation." I don't believe this is moaning......she is looking for help to handle her pain and hurt. Though no one should be mistreated, it does happen and it is a painful process to get to the forgiveness needed. What would the Savior do? What does He do? He listens, he feels our pain with us, He helps us climb the impossible mountain to forgive and move on. He is kind and empathetic more than anyone can be......HE carries our griefs and agonies.

Well, this is the perfect place for me to share: I was widowed when our youngest was 10. This child was raised from babyhood on daily prayer, scripture, testimony of Christ, etc. When around 17, this child went inactive; and 3 years later became an agnostic. He believes we shouldn't be burdened with guilt over our human ways/tendencies. He is still very loved; I make sure he knows I love him, and that his deceased dad (though this son doesn't believe we exsist when this life ends) also loves him. He says believing in God was hard to give up because of the comfort,. I think a big chunk of this is that he found acceptance with internet friends that were athiest. We have talked many times, and I finally see that this was an intellectual decision on his part. For a long while he was agnostic, but now he's mostly decided he's athiest. Let's remember that this life and our choices go beyond the grave to the time of judgement, so those that die in 'sins' can still make choices of change/repentance. God is a greatly merciful being. Only He can judge and see into our hearts and hurts. Let's also remember that satan uses our weak areas, as well as our griefs, to grab us away from truth, and especially is glad to grab us away from believing in Christ. My hope is in the story of Alma the younger. The Spirit tells me to keep praying, that a parent's prayers, as well as a parents righteous example, makes a difference; so I choose to trust Him to change the mind and heart of this beloved son of ours. I also feel that his dad can do more to help him from the other side of the veil than I can do here. If I didn't believe in Christ and His holy gift of repentance/change, I'd be a huge mess of tears and agony and sorrow over this......not that I didn't go through that stage/shock......I prayerfully choose to not stay there. The Spirit also asked me to keep a picture in my mind of our ENTIRE family in the temple/covenants. I have a great amount of peace that could only come from God. NO, I do not accept this choice of my son.......it is however, my choice to love this son and accept him as the wonderful, kind, lost young man that he is.

Kneel. Except for the prayer in your heart all day long, kneel in prayer. When I was younger, it was hard for me to remember to pray. Then I thought of this reminder: never get in bed without kneeling first to pray; and when I get up, always go straight to my knees in prayer. That little reminder has made the habit of kneeling to pray, a sacred part of my daily life; a time to spend with my dear Heavenly Father. Later, I learned to not get up right after praying, but to listen for God's answers......and His answers are the best part of my prayers now.

There is something humbling in bowing our heads and thanking God for giving us food to eat. Don't let a meal go by without a prayer of gratitude. PLUS, we also ask God to cleanse our food since these days there are so many harmful additives.

My experience: Years ago I decided to read the Book of Mormon for my first time (I was in my early 20's). At first it was very hard to follow and understand, but I was determined. Then I got to 2 Nephi 4:15 -35 and this just grabbed at my soul. The reading didn't really get easier, but I had an increased desire to press on. Now, years later, after studying the Book of Mormon many times, it is easier to read/study/understand the "language of the scriptures". PRESS ON in prayer, you will never be sorry. You will find so many answers to questions, and marvelous daily guidance. It has changed my life more than any other book I have ever studied.

I just recently read this same thing.....didn't know that before! God has many signs that He expects us to be aware of that tell of Christ's second coming. He wants us to be aware and prepared.

When my dh died, we had very little life insurance. That taught me to get some life insurance, and I did. It isn't enough to pay off the mortgage, so after reading here, I'm going to get more life insurance, or maybe just sell this house and buy a condo.

Over the years I have had many questions, and still have some now. BUT, I take them to Heavenly Father in prayer. No one is asking us to follow blindly, so questions will come up. If my questions and concerns seem to go against any gospel truth, then I ask God to help me have a change of heart and mind; and He has given me that needed change. Most of the time, a question becomes a way to study out information until I prayerfully find the truth.

Dear Lydie, You are as good as anyone else. Yes, some of your past choices weren't good, but YOU are good, a daughter of a loving and caring God. Everyone has sins/transgressions and things to work on/change. All of us; so you aren't alone in the least. Plus, your experiences can be a way to help someone else with similar struggles and/or questions. So glad you went back to church and that you want the happiness God has in store for you!!!

I buy melaleuca shampoo, it is more expensive, but one bottle lasts for months, and it truly cleans my hair, keeps it in good condition. I use suave hairspray. Get my hair cut about 2 times a year and trim it myself in between.