Starfish

Another female perspective: Men ARE weird, but at the same time, so darn appealing!

Another oft-heard one is "free agency". When is agency not free?

Oh boy! You and my husband. This drives him crazy. "Received" is correct.

Hi Zookeeper! Welcome. On this subject, I've always wondered this and never found the answer in the handbook. When blessing a baby, do you speak to the baby, or to Heavenly Father? It just feels odd to me, to speak to a newborn like that, who can't understand you.

Okay, what about the spitting thing? I mean why do guys do it? Especially on sidewalks. Yuk! Don't give me the "too much phlegm" excuse. Swallow, for heaven's sake. If a bug flies into your mouth, then go ahead, but really . . how often does that happen?

We do not officially know why blacks were denied the priesthood. We only have theories and opinions. We do know that throughout history the priesthood was available to limited groups. I belong to the last group to not receive the priesthood--women. I do not feel slighted or left out or unworthy. I don't anticipate ever receiving it, but you never know. This I DO know. The Gospel is true and our Father in Heaven loves us all equally. His plan was set up to give each of us, in our own way, the greatest advantage to return to Him.

Ha, I have it easy because I teach the Gospel Doctrine class (the greatest calling on earth!). I HAVE to read it! It's been a great year and I've learned so many new things in the BoM, even though I've read it numerous times before.

I'm happy you're all here, and love the diversity and fellowship. Just wondering what brings you to this forum.

Thank you Candy, for sharing such a personal, sacred experience. I've also had experiences that I cannot deny. I know God is there. ALL pain can be healed through the Atonement.

If I may, I'd like to requote a portion of the letter sent to the leaders of the LDS Church in CA, from the First Presidency: "The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage. We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage." I submit that this letter was drafted after extensive prayer, study, and urgent seeking of guidance from the Spirit. These men do not act lightly, nor do they act without complete unanimity of all 15. If we do not support our Prophet and the Apostles in this important matter, then we are in a position of rejecting them and their divine calling. If we are in disagreement, then it's time to get on our knees, work it out with God, and get our own confirmation.

Here are some quotes by various founders of our nation who felt religion was important in society. John Adams "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798 "Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." [John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1817] Benjamin Franklin “ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 Thomas Jefferson “Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.” James Madison “ We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of our heart.” George Washington “ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”

You are completely right about communicating online. It's hard! My post included examples of what conservatives are accused of being, and how for me, it's just not true. I'm sure I've misinterpreted other's meanings also.

I'm confused by your post, so I reread my old posts to see where I got defensive. Still confused, but never mind. If I came across as defensive somewhere, I apologize.

Oh my goodness, no. I live out in the "mission field". I live with this all the time and I feel absolutely no defensiveness, as long as people aren't rude. In fact I'd probably see it as an opportunity to tell about how it IS possible! I am thoroughly surprised if someone of another faith DOESN'T wonder this about us. What I don't understand is when other religions are offended that we claim to be the only true religion. Don't they feel the same about their religion? It doesn't offend me that the Catholics believe theirs is the one and only. Good for them! Atheists think we are wrong; we think they are wrong. Why be offended or defensive? I don't understand that at all. I agree.

I agree with you that sometimes our focus is out of whack. It's something that I've realized of late and am trying to change. I believe our true focus should be on God. What is His will? What will please him? Do I love Him enough for that alone to matter? IOW, if God commanded me to do something and I KNEW there'd be no blessing from it, would I do it? Would I be obedient simply because I love my Father in Heaven so much that pleasing Him is enough, regardless of my "reward"? Regardless of eternal families, Celestial Kingdom, eternal life, etc. Just to please my God because I love Him. I think that's what is meant by charity. It's also interesting, I think, that I figured this out via discussions with non-LDS Christians. And as said before, we do ask ourselves "What if I'm wrong?" Quite often. However, there's just too darn much evidence to discount the Gospel. Speaking only for myself, I'd be a fool to leave it.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, of course. But our Prophet has asked us to get involved. When a society degenerates, the "righteous" go down with it in that they are not spared the grief (classic BoM message). Sometimes we have to dig back into our testimony, decide if the Prophet is truly a prophet, and follow him.

Good for you, Islander! Write letters, send emails. COMPLAIN!!

I'm one who is less likely (I didn't say never) to vote for an atheist. I've voted for people of many religions. I've voted for candidates of many different minorities. The simple reason is that I prefer my civic leaders praying to God. I prefer that they have at least a semblance of Heavenly guidance as they lead my community, state or country. However, to be honest, I've only know the religious preferences of a very few. Since to us God-believers, God is VERY real, so this natually factors into the criteria we use. Is this bigotry? I'm not even picky as to how one views God, or what name they give Him. If they believe in a higher power, I can hope they are praying, and I can then hope their decisions are influenced in a Godly way. I honestly believe that God was instrumental in setting up this country (USA) and I believe, as our Founding Fathers did, that God's influence is vital to it's success and survival. It's not the ONLY criteria, but one of many. Am I bigoted if I prefer to vote for Republicans, or rather conservatives?

Do the non-Mormons feel unwelcome here? I hope not. I haven't seen that, but I could be wrong. Again, I certainly hope not; that would be terrible. Generally LDS are usually the friendliest and most welcoming people I've known. I have a question about the accusation of "hate". We, of the conservative leaning, are accused of hating all the time. We hate homosexuals. We hate liberals. We hate blacks. We hate abortionists. We hate sinners. On and on. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I DON'T HATE ANYONE. There are a few individuals I know personally that I don't care for, but hate? No. Just because someone doesn't agree with you, it doesn't mean they HATE you.

Do you honestly think that atheists get as much flack outside of Utah, as the LDS get outside of Utah? It goes both ways.

Read the entire article.

The founding fathers wanted to keep religion out of government, but felt religion was very important in society. George Washington, for one, occasionally MADE his troops go to church, because he felt it was good for them.

I've asked myself that question many times. Then I remember all the evidences that I've received to its truthfulness. I remember the answers to my prayers; some have been miracles and undeniable. I look for the logic of the Gospel and logical, it is. I continue to discover new parts of the puzzle that fit in perfectly. But a lot of it is simply good ol' faith. I choose to believe it because I am completely convinced after all these years, that my life is better with it.

I dunno about the quarreling thing. My husband and I don't quarrel--hey, today is our 33 anniversary btw! We've had a few disagreements but we just talk them through. Or wait till the next morning when we're not tired and it no longer seems important. Quarreling isn't necessarily healthy, IMO, though many long-term marriages live with it, I suppose. I have married friends who do quarrel frequently and are often not-speaking, etc. Not a happy household and some of their children grew up resentful of it. I wouldn't want to have lived in their home. If you quarrel before the wedding, it's a good bet you will quarrel after, and probably more. When my son was young and would visit a friend's home where the parents argued and snapped at each other and at the kids, my son would come home upset by it and ask, "Why can't they just be nice?" A lot of wisdom in that little question.

I'm trying to understand the differing points of view here and not come across as judgemental. If the Gospel, as taught in the LDS Church, is true, then we all need it. It gives us the plan to return to our Father in Heaven. There is only one way. That said, I didn't mean that LDS people are better than anyone else--though I can see how I implied that. I should have said that LDS people are better off in that they have the truth. However, we will be judged by what we have been taught and this puts most LDS people in a position of stricter judgement, meaning more will be expected of us. Again, if the Gospel is true, then we ALL need it--your children, my children, their children, etc.