Laureltree

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I believe you said it best when you said: There is a link between natural events and wickedness but that does not mean that only the wicked suffer. When nature challenges it comes to both righteous and wicked. The only difference is the righteous need not fear - G-d will stand with them in their dark hours. See the song "Come Come Ye Saints". I think both please and strawberry need to remember that sometimes its a bit of both reasons. What if someone who wasn't mormon watched how you dealt with the situation and was converted by your strength and testimony that also happen to help you survive that tragic time. What I'm saying is sometimes tragic things happen...But the lord gives us the will and strength to endure, it doesn't mean it was meant to happen to change your soul because you maybe a great person...But the out come of the tragedy brought forth great changes in others. In other words... God takes the worst things and lifts us up and strengthens us...it doesn't mean he wanted a disaster, it means he took a bad situation and helped us use it to grow,and strengthen ourselves and others, isn't that how it should be? :unsure.dont know: just my thouughts

Lindy, JohnD was one of the origional posters of the first group here. Allot of them like ed and several others dont come anymore. We had a good group then....

Lol lol Good or europe............................................... :unsure.dontknow:

To tell someone not to become a member because they don't have a full fledged testimony is garbage.... I didn't have one when I joined, I wanted one...but I didn't have one. I think if your heart is in the right place with a real intent to know I don't feel there is any problem...If we went on that rule over half of our members would still not be members....I know dozens of mormons who didn't have a testimony until after there mission and some after they graduated.... Let's get real here We already know things happen in there own time, for there own reason....and we cannot change it, but it doesn't mean we should stop our growth, for some it takes taking that step into baptism to push themselves to search for more. :thinking.idea: And through faith, baptism, and repentance our eyes will be opened and the gift of holy ghost will be given to us, and from there we will receive guidance. Sometimes that step come way before a testimony...... :signs.backtotopic:

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that if ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Read this scripture closely.. 1.)that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them. 2.) And when ye shall receive these things. 3.)ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true. 4.)if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,. 5.)he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 6.)by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. The lord gives us the way, but sometimes we are not ready to hear it or except it at this point, I would suggest fasting, with deep prayer. Heavenly father does answer us we just have to give him time, and remember a testimony is not built overnight, but created through out a lifetime. Love and prayers Laureltree If you ever want someone to pray with you, I'll be happy to do so in chat or via teleconference. Right now you need to just have faith that he will guide you. Your answers may not come at the pace you and I are use to, Be patient, have faith, pray, and fast................... I added an attachment that explain how I think the lord would want us to be, and to help us remember we are not all perfect...

and add ray, and please to my post along with anyone else i might have forgotten

1. Name? Sherry 2. Age? 33 3. Where born/ Live now? Born in Michigan/ live in TX 4. Who do you live with? My husband and 4 kids 5. Any pets? no.... 6. Occupation/ school/ otherwise?HomeMaker 7. Place you’d most like to visit?Ireland/Italy 8. Favorite Book? Anything by Jane austin 9. Favorite Movie? Emma 10. Favorite Band and/or Song? I like to many 11. Favorite Food/ Drink?Anything Italian 12. Favorite Forum Pal(s)? Spencer, Jenda, Snow, JonhD,Outshine,Peace,Lindy,StrawberryFeilds,Curvette,Winnie,Prouduck,Taoist, Jason and i know im forgetting someone.

I have seen it too many times when certain kids ina family get picked on as being bad seeds, and they end up that way. And knowing the kids I wonder if different words owudl have worked for them John ← John, I agree totally, I see parents every day trying to live there dreams through there kids and expecting more out of there children that even they can give back or put in , in return. I think if parents were more christ like, they would find they would also act more child like as well. lol lol Lehi's dream at this point had kind of scared him, he was worried of what might happen to them...Funny thing is we tend to look at Laman and Lemuel as bad, they were some what, but they truly were naive about the lord. I think they believed in him, but to believe that there father was receiving visions from the lord, that would be hard for most kids to comprehend. I believe that when they returned from getting the plates, it was at this point where everyone had gained a better testimony of the lord. And they knew at this point Lehi's visions were real. However that did not end there wickedness because we still have free agency. It does make you wonder though, how would have we reacted? during those day's we might have even secound guess our father.

There is only one way any of us can know the truth.. and here it is 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful• the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder• it in your hearts•. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true•; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real• intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth• of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know• the truth• of all things. 6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. 7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according• to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

I think sometimes its not meant that way though, some people are just overwhelmed by church, family, children, and school activities that they forget to make time. I think if we all remember to say hi to one new person every sunday church would be a much closer place. :thinking.idea:

I believe both because without understanding it, you cannot demonstrate it. :thinking.idea:

I personally believe each new day we spend here on earth we find new ways to feel the spirit, it is our way of surviving through things that are hard for us. Having faith helps us and gives us an open door for the lord to spiritually touch us.

I think that if we were all knowing we would have no purpose here, to many become prideful in what they know and do, instead of learning what they dont. :thinking.idea: At my own rate I will have to add an extention to my time here on earth because I love to learn to much B)

I attend because it helps me to feel the spirit and fill my cup to hold me through to the next week. I think with out it, the trials would get us down.

I agree, They ask you to wear your sunday best out of respect, but if you dont have much or are on a lunch break I think they would understand that you are trying to make time for the lords work..

Now, I'm no expert mind you but from what I understand; the temple workers would not even give you permission to enter the temple if you are not dressed appropriately.M. You would not be turned away for not wearing 'sunday clothes'I went just recently in very casual clothes...no-one said anything. ← No...But if you remember right his robe is similar to the ones warn in the temple And that was the dress in those times, and now we are in our day.... B)

Charmless, Lehi is actually telling them of what may come if they are not obedient, he is in no such way trying to have them live life out as he has envisioned it. We are not in the "Do not think of elephants stage" This is the lords way of working through Lehi to get to laman and Lemuel to understand what direction there lives are heading. I feel that heavenly father works through lehi as a father figure, knowing there might be hope that they will listen to there father "because he is just that there father". Just my thoughts

This is another one of those sticky subjects. I think if people were truly wanting to know something you would go to the source in any religion....I feel people have the right to believe what they wish, I don't have to agree with them but I wont be critical of them either. I live life by example and if they see something in my life that makes them wish they could have a piece of the cake I share a slice with them....But throwing the cake at there thoughts is not my cup of cocoa. B)

Hey Paul, it's nice to see agian...Personally I still think Sean connery is cute.... :signs.backtotopic:

Charmless, I don't think it was the logical part that got her, I think it was the spiritual part where Lehi explained if he had not been a visionary man and seen the things of god in a vision, he would not have know of the goodness of god, and would have perished like all of his brethren. And because of his obedience he was able to bring them to the promise land. He knew from this that the lord would also bring his sons back to the promise land if they were obedient as well. I think it was at this point Sariah finally spiritually understood the lord. Sometimes in life logic is easier to accept, than spiritually because we are dealing with something we cannot see, but only hear and feel. I think this is where Sariah was finally comforted by the return of her sons. It was this point where she gained her testimony. just my thoughts

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JonhD, Hey............ We have missed ya !!!!!!! Maybe we can get the old gand back lol B)

Strawberry,

Hi ! I'm LaurelTree..................... Wow ! it's been so long I cant remember l lolhmmm or is it old age?