Lindy

Especially if you are dating a vampire

Hey Dizzysmiles :)Others know how I feel about non lds.... I have no problem with them or their opinions....heck I used to be one of them...BUT it took some good LDS people with strong testimonies to help me find the truth I was looking for. And that is why I love this site so much....Heather sees the good side of people, knowing that just because they don't agree with us, doesn't mean their opinions and thoughts are less important. In reality, some things said in the open forum may help you to do some research and some extra reading, which in turn increases and strengthens your own testimony. Or maybe that's just me

I'm not answering for Heather, Ray, but this post just grabbed me by the hair and jerked me backwards. I don't know how you can' say it is impossible to show "respect" to someone you don't agree with. Geeez I know I would show respect for President Bush because of what and who he represents..... I don't agree with him on a lot of things, but I will show him respect. I will show respect for Tony Blair....I don't agree with some of his thoughts on things...but I will show respect for him. The Pope...I don't agree with him....but I will show him respect....the list can go on and on. Maybe respect is an individual thing, like tolerance is. Some people can tolerate a lot, some can't. Doesn't make either person wrong, just different views.

Ray, I think that is what we are all supposed to do, help those walking about aimlessly without a clue how to make it up to the top; by pointing out the right path for them.... It might NOT be the right path for us, but the right one for them.

Thanks for that great post Ben Raines.... I get a bit protective about our military personnel sometimes. Lost a friend in Iraq last year, and know many who are in the military. Good man who stands when the flag passes....not a lot of respect is shown anymore for our flag or our country. Shan/Please..... I really am sorry if I was coming off rather forceful....but I do have to take a stand for things I believe in and that includes people. I like both of you very much, and there are not many things I explode over....but the military is a fuse that is easy to light for me. I know you have your own opinions, and I value you them....I agree that one should be careful. And trust is something very precious. When the man asked me to post names, ranks and locations of friends I have (or had) in the military; my fuse ignited and I exploded. HOW DARE HE want me to endanger my friends to prove something. That's when I REALLY knew he was a wanna be , no Navy SEAL would EVER endanger a life like that. I let him have it full barrel, didn't pull any stops in my verbal thrashing....and if I knew how to track him down... I would have done more.P.S. Thanks Gurl....but I wasn't being much of an example for ya SF....we will just keep together and conquer everything! :)

Hello Red~ Just MY two cents here..... I know a lot of posters on this board have gone over these things many, many times, and it's always a nice challenge when another one comes up to greet us! A lot of discussions about YOUR God - MY God. What about the universal ONE GOD? The one we see the way we see, the one you see the way you see, the one the Indians see, the one the Muslims see, the "power" the agnostics believe in? Why can't people just allow others to believe in the way they see best for themself? I think we all have one ultimate goal in life....to return to our Creator, who ever or whatever we believe Him to be. Sure we try to enlighten others along the way, but I don't think I have ever told one of my non LDS friends that they are WRONG for what they believe. To WARN them? I hope I don't do that. Hey guys (and gals)......let me know if I stoop that low ok? I told someone once that I believe that our journey to heaven is like we are going to meet up on top of the same mountain. Some of us will take the cross country adventure route others will find a well worn path and follow that one to feel safer, still others will meander around and around and around losing their way after every 4th turn in the path they chose to take, and some might leave the mountain completely after giving up trying to find their way. There will be those who will take longer to reach the top, some will have bumps and bruises, others might make it all the way up in record time with out breaking a sweat. Does that make any of the paths chosen the wrong route? It leads to the same peak at the top. But everyone had a different view of that same peak from the path they chose to take. And everyone who made it to the top accomplished their goal... it didn't matter how they got there, they got there. And that took hard work on everyones part. No one looked down on the other, they all congratulated each other for making it. The end......:)

Sheesh people! Where is your faith? BeGood....YOU are awesome! You have faith in someone you don't even know, going on what you feel inside. Have I lied to anyone on this board? NO!! Yet, I have said that Setheus is OK....that he is a good and honorable man....and do you listen? NO! Reasons? He HAS reasons .. He has explained some things.....Leave the man be! No one needs to know any more PERIOD. Man is fighting for YOUR country.... serving in YOUR military, defending YOUR children and you act like THIS! Geeeez I don't believe in showing support to things that are bad or felonious....and I back Setheus, Eros and Massi 100% It's something called FAITH! edited with: It was a long day..and I come home to THIS THREAD! One that was started with happiness for one of OUR guys coming back HOME to the USA. I for one am very glad that "EROS" gets to be going HOME.... I was really hoping for a little more celebration that one of our "heros" made it through some very tough times. I hope and pray that they all get to come back home the same way they left. I'm done venting To each your own, YOU GUYS BE SAFE OVERTHERE...the heck with everyone else.

Thanks Snow! This is exactly what I was looking for! It has everything I needed Irish, educational and interesting,! My Christmas dilemma for one person is solved! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Something struck me in RS today, and I knew at the time, I had to share it with as many as I could, because it touched my heart. The talk was what one could accomplish with member missionary work, teaching others of the gospel, sharing the truth and knowledge with others as only you can. The talk was given from an article by Julie B. Beck “A Work for Me to Do,” Ensign, May 2005, 107 Some of the highlights: "The work Joseph started was carried on by early members of the Church who had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Through their efforts the gospel of Jesus Christ began to spread over all the earth. They truly did a marvelous work. But the day of miracles is not over, and the marvelous work is still going on. When we were baptized, each of us became part of that work. This past year as I have visited with members of the Church, I have seen that through the faith and work of simple people, the Lord’s covenant is being established on the earth (see D&C 1:17–23). I have been where the Church is small and where it is large in numbers, where it is new and where it is well established, but the responsibility of each one of us is the same: we are part of the true, restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a work to do. We serve in simple ways, our testimonies grow, and we are part of this day of miracles. In my own lifetime I have been a witness to the miracle of the restored gospel. When I was a young girl my family moved to São Paulo, Brazil, where my father had been called to preside over the Brazilian Mission. It was an exciting time for me and a great place to grow up. A favorite game for my brothers and me was to dress up and pretend to be missionaries. We spent hours scribbling our own missionary pamphlets and “preaching” and “transferring” all over the yard. For five years the nightly conversations around our dinner table centered on missionary work, and I listened intently to stories of faith told by missionaries. Even at that age I knew I was part of a great work. There were only about 3,000 members of the Church in Brazil when we arrived there. I remember being in a very small Primary with a few other children, singing the same five songs every week, as those were the only ones translated into Portuguese. Two of my favorite songs were “A Luz Divina,” or “The Light Divine” (Hymns, no. 305), and something about a bunny in the middle of the woods (see “The Little Rabbit,” Children’s Friend, June 1955, 257). In many ways our experience was similar to the early pioneers. We had no hymnbooks or pictures or lesson manuals sent from the headquarters of the Church. Everything that was needed to teach the gospel in Portuguese was written and printed in our mission home. All of us, even the children, were pressed into service to help assemble mission newsletters and lessons. No one shipped the Church to us. The prophet did not send us stake presidents or bishops. He did not send Relief Society presidents or youth programs. The Church in Brazil was made from the same material that the pioneers started with. The material to build the Church was in the people. During our years in Brazil, we saw great growth come to the Church. Thousands became Latter-day Saints. Soon the mission was divided, districts and branches were organized, and new chapels were built. The new members were enthusiastic, and they grew in faith and became more experienced in the manner of the gospel. A lot of years passed, and then last year I returned to Brazil to attend the rededication of the São Paulo temple. At that time I learned that there were 187 stakes in Brazil. There are now 26 missions, 4 temples, and almost 1 million members. Imagine my surprise when I walked into a stadium filled with over 60,000 members who had gathered to hear President Gordon B. Hinckley and celebrate the temple dedication. To me it was a miracle to see thousands of youth dancing and singing together. As I watched that joyful celebration, I kept saying to myself, “This is amazing! This is a miracle! How did this miracle happen?” I marveled all that night at what I had seen. Then, the next morning at the temple dedication, I had a reunion with my Primary teacher, Sister Gloria Silveira. That was when I knew how the miracle had come about. As a new convert with no prior Church experience, Sister Silveira had come to Primary prepared to share her simple testimony and teach me the Articles of Faith in Portuguese. She and her husband, Humberto, are still faithful. They have served in many Church callings over the years, and they are still serving. When I saw Sister Silveira, I realized that the Church in Brazil had grown because of her and thousands like her. She and Brother Silveira represent people everywhere who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. They have grown in knowledge and skill, and they have served in the Church (see D&C 88:80). They have shared the gospel with friends (see D&C 30:5). They work in the temple (see D&C 138:48). They taught their five children correct principles (see D&C 68:28). Of their 43 descendants, 15 have served full-time missions. Their grandchildren are now marrying in the temple, and their great-grandchildren are the fourth generation of Silveiras who are part of the marvelous work that was started by Joseph Smith. Because of them, faith has increased in the earth. They are an example of the miracle the Lord spoke about when He said that His gospel would be proclaimed by the weak and the simple (see D&C 1:23) and that by small and simple means great things are brought to pass (see 1 Ne. 16:29). The Lord sent an angel to Joseph Smith to tell him that he had a work to do. That work continues today in us and is directed by President Gordon B. Hinckley, a living prophet, who said: “Glorious is this work. It will bless the life of every man, woman, boy, and girl who embraces it” (“Missionary Service,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 11, 2003, 21). “God be thanked for His marvelous bestowal of testimony, authority, and doctrine associated with this, the restored Church of Jesus Christ” (“The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 81). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Gospel topics: Joseph Smith, missionary work, service, testimony --------------------------------------- The sister who gave the closing prayer in Relief Society was heading back to her country of Brazil. (that same area as a matter of fact) Before she gave the prayer, she wanted to thank the mothers who have sent their boys out on missions. She said it was missionaries who serve God who teach others who in turn teach others, such as Sister Silveira; and that is why there was such a growth in the church membership. Teary eyed, she thanked everyone for sharing the gospel, especially those who came to Brazil to teach her people. From 3,000 to almost a million, within ONE lifetime! It was time to pass the kleenex.

Well, I had the chance to go to RS today....and asked where the talk was from...here it is.. OH and please read the entry I am adding to the end of this article: General Young Women Meeting First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency Julie B. Beck, “A Work for Me to Do,” Ensign, May 2005, 107 I remember a family home evening lesson when I was a girl where my father taught us of the visit of the angel Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He said that after a sincere prayer, an angel appeared at Joseph’s bedside. The angel was a messenger sent from God, his name was Moroni, and he told Joseph that God had a work for him to do (see JS—H 1:33). I remember my father teaching that “Joseph did not say, ‘Oh no, Angel, I just wanted to know which church was true. I did not know I needed to do something!’ ” But of course Joseph needed to do something. He had a special calling from the Lord. What Joseph did was remarkable. He began life as a simple farm boy, but through him the Book of Mormon was brought forth and translated, the priesthood and its keys were restored to earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and holy temples began to be built. Through Joseph Smith all the ordinances the children of our Heavenly Father need for their salvation are now upon the earth. This was the day of miracles spoken of in Moroni (see Moro. 7:35–37) and the marvelous work and wonder foretold to Nephi centuries ago (see 1 Ne. 14:7). The work Joseph started was carried on by early members of the Church who had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Through their efforts the gospel of Jesus Christ began to spread over all the earth. They truly did a marvelous work. But the day of miracles is not over, and the marvelous work is still going on. When we were baptized, each of us became part of that work. This past year as I have visited with members of the Church, I have seen that through the faith and work of simple people, the Lord’s covenant is being established on the earth (see D&C 1:17–23). There is a young woman in Korea who is the first member of the Church in her family. She held her well-worn Personal Progress book and said she dreamed of having a gospel-centered family. A Young Women president in Armenia is carrying out the Young Women program faithfully although she does not have a Church Handbook of Instructions written in her language. Members in Russia go to the temple regularly. They save their rubles and travel for days by bus, train, and boat to get to the nearest temple in Sweden. My nine-year-old niece, Kimberly, talked so enthusiastically about the Church to her friend that her friend said, “I want to sign up for your church. Where do I sign up?” The young men and young women in my own ward are developing leadership skills and talents. They are willing to sing, play musical instruments, give talks, participate in service projects, and do any number of other things so that they can be part of this marvelous work. And then there was the young man in Bogotá who said, “I speak on behalf of the young men of Colombia. We are worthy and we are preparing to serve!” I have been where the Church is small and where it is large in numbers, where it is new and where it is well established, but the responsibility of each one of us is the same: we are part of the true, restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a work to do. We serve in simple ways, our testimonies grow, and we are part of this day of miracles. In my own lifetime I have been a witness to the miracle of the restored gospel. When I was a young girl my family moved to São Paulo, Brazil, where my father had been called to preside over the Brazilian Mission. It was an exciting time for me and a great place to grow up. A favorite game for my brothers and me was to dress up and pretend to be missionaries. We spent hours scribbling our own missionary pamphlets and “preaching” and “transferring” all over the yard. For five years the nightly conversations around our dinner table centered on missionary work, and I listened intently to stories of faith told by missionaries. Even at that age I knew I was part of a great work. There were only about 3,000 members of the Church in Brazil when we arrived there. I remember being in a very small Primary with a few other children, singing the same five songs every week, as those were the only ones translated into Portuguese. Two of my favorite songs were “A Luz Divina,” or “The Light Divine” (Hymns, no. 305), and something about a bunny in the middle of the woods (see “The Little Rabbit,” Children’s Friend, June 1955, 257). In many ways our experience was similar to the early pioneers. We had no hymnbooks or pictures or lesson manuals sent from the headquarters of the Church. Everything that was needed to teach the gospel in Portuguese was written and printed in our mission home. All of us, even the children, were pressed into service to help assemble mission newsletters and lessons. No one shipped the Church to us. The prophet did not send us stake presidents or bishops. He did not send Relief Society presidents or youth programs. The Church in Brazil was made from the same material that the pioneers started with. The material to build the Church was in the people. During our years in Brazil, we saw great growth come to the Church. Thousands became Latter-day Saints. Soon the mission was divided, districts and branches were organized, and new chapels were built. The new members were enthusiastic, and they grew in faith and became more experienced in the manner of the gospel. A lot of years passed, and then last year I returned to Brazil to attend the rededication of the São Paulo temple. At that time I learned that there were 187 stakes in Brazil. There are now 26 missions, 4 temples, and almost 1 million members. Imagine my surprise when I walked into a stadium filled with over 60,000 members who had gathered to hear President Gordon B. Hinckley and celebrate the temple dedication. To me it was a miracle to see thousands of youth dancing and singing together. As I watched that joyful celebration, I kept saying to myself, “This is amazing! This is a miracle! How did this miracle happen?” I marveled all that night at what I had seen. Then, the next morning at the temple dedication, I had a reunion with my Primary teacher, Sister Gloria Silveira. That was when I knew how the miracle had come about. As a new convert with no prior Church experience, Sister Silveira had come to Primary prepared to share her simple testimony and teach me the Articles of Faith in Portuguese. She and her husband, Humberto, are still faithful. They have served in many Church callings over the years, and they are still serving. When I saw Sister Silveira, I realized that the Church in Brazil had grown because of her and thousands like her. She and Brother Silveira represent people everywhere who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. They have grown in knowledge and skill, and they have served in the Church (see D&C 88:80). They have shared the gospel with friends (see D&C 30:5). They work in the temple (see D&C 138:48). They taught their five children correct principles (see D&C 68:28). Of their 43 descendants, 15 have served full-time missions. Their grandchildren are now marrying in the temple, and their great-grandchildren are the fourth generation of Silveiras who are part of the marvelous work that was started by Joseph Smith. Because of them, faith has increased in the earth. They are an example of the miracle the Lord spoke about when He said that His gospel would be proclaimed by the weak and the simple (see D&C 1:23) and that by small and simple means great things are brought to pass (see 1 Ne. 16:29). The Lord sent an angel to Joseph Smith to tell him that he had a work to do. That work continues today in us and is directed by President Gordon B. Hinckley, a living prophet, who said: “Glorious is this work. It will bless the life of every man, woman, boy, and girl who embraces it” (“Missionary Service,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 11, 2003, 21). “God be thanked for His marvelous bestowal of testimony, authority, and doctrine associated with this, the restored Church of Jesus Christ” (“The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 81). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Gospel topics: Joseph Smith, missionary work, service, testimony --------------------------------------- The sister who gave the closing prayer in Relief Society was heading back to her country of Brazil. (that same area as a matter of fact) Before she gave the prayer, she wanted to thank the mothers who have sent their boys out on missions. She said it was missionaries who serve God who teach others who in turn teach others, such as Sister Silveira; and that is why there was such a growth in the church membership. Teary eyed, she thanked everyone for sharing the gospel, especially those who came to Brazil to teach her people. It was time to pass the kleenex.

Sorry Biz, didn't mean to get your dander up The poor man MAY have been relaying a story told to him as the truth as HE was told. A lesson I had to learn the hard way....which was....don't let others blind you to the truth by letting something someone said (in print) destroy your power to reason.

AK~ I so agree, we need to study and confirm for ourselves. Key words people FOR OURSELVES. God gave us the power to think, and to apply thought, and I so believe in the promptings of the spirit.....I think Snow's statement echo's my own also, when he said: "God gave them a brain and the tools to learn and good golly I intend to raise them to use their brains and their tools as well as to accept the promptings of the spirit." We can't be puppets led on by a string, we need to exercise that God given ability to think and to reason, and I'll stop now....before I have to give a Sunday talk.

BenRaines, I presume this is your idea of a joke. I feel that Setheus has high integrity and he would not try to deceive us that way. ← I second that! He is one of the good guys, joke yes, deceive with evil intent NOWe've got your back Seth! .

News Flash......I think we were only looking at it as a funny story...not something we really believed happened Funny IS Funny Snopes or no snopes

Weeeeellllll, I'm not like most LDS.......but it does sound a little better Thanks Paul!

ROFL.....Setheus..... I was thinking that same thing! LOL Hey Ray...."You know that I don't know what I know? Heh, how could you know that, when you don't know anything? And btw, I do know what I know, whether you know it or not." FUNNY! I like it! TAO! Long time no see....how you doing my friend?

Now, Now Paul.... I've made it only this far in the thread and have to have my say now. You know I look up to you, BUT Jason isn't "a lost cause" no one is. And those 3 little words cut into my heart. I'm sure that everyone on this board has had a time in thier lives when they searched for more than they had at hand. Some found the answers they were looking for, some are still looking. But that doesn't mean they are "a lost cause". Don't you believe in "as far as it's translated correctly"? Everyone doesn't have to translate the same thing....the same way. I take a lot of things with a grain of salt, don't sweat the small stuff, kinda what Please had mentioned before. According to some....being LDS is "a lost cause" LOL.....story of my life.....I keep believing in what others consider lost causes. Oh well! I'm going to keep reading the thread now.......

All that intelligence......tsk tsk tskNot that deism is a BAD thing if that's what you want to believe in. Question for you Jason....I thought that a deist believed in God...but believe He's not around any longer....just letting everyone do their own thing (so to speak). You know I'm not a big Thomas Paine "Age of Reason" fan BUT I found this quote by T.P. that I really liked: "I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe the equality of man, and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy. " Thomas Paine, Age of Reason

Thanks Trav! That was fun! A little room service 101 :)

Snap, boing, meeeeeeeeooooooooooowwwwwwww, (soft) thud..... "mommy, mommy, God gave me a kitty!" LOL that was great!

Well, username..... maybe some of the others don't remember what it was like being a 16 year old boy, who may have been typing fast because he was excited about telling something near and dear to him.... Not that I can remember being a 16 year old boy...mind you..but I do remember boys that age who type fast and don't spell check. It's not the end of the world people! He had something to share.... and it was great! Pat on the back for the kid....who felt the spirit and wanted to share it!

Maddie had her baby boy!!!! Monday Oct 17 6:04 am Name of Dallin 9 lbs 4 ozs 22" long Baby Dallin and Mommy Maddie are both doing fine! Daddy Dom is beaming from ear to ear! Congratulations to you both!

LOL...sounds like something those guys would do I guess it depends on who and what you believe in, I believe in them...have for the last 3 years or so, And if God tells me he's ok.....he's ok in my book.....and guess what? HE'S O-K!!! All I need to know You guys be safe, :) Lindy

Awwww, let the man have some fun :) Tell Eros Congratulations for me Setheus,,,,and tell him to come into chat to say goodbye before he leaves. OK? Oh my heck....Quaz the new TL? LOL That could be interesting! LOL RUN PEOPLE RUN!

OMH...HAHAHAHA HA!!!! LOL Just wanted to ask who DOESN'T ever show random acts of kindness to others in their everyday lives? Isn't that what we are SUPPOSED to do?