FayetteIA

I would try one more time to request my parents not serve alcohol but if the refues..I would go to my church member friends and explain the situation. Most members are not going to jusge you, like someone said as long as you are not drinking too. You do not want to throw out the baby with the bath water here..create and estrangement with your parents. I am saying talk to them..see if you can reach a comprimise. Oh yeah you need to talk to your Bishop again..Yes it is true that with membership in good standing you can go to the temple one year after baptism. However, if you get married civily, you also have to wait one year. I would imagine if you are not going to be married in the temple, you will have to wait until you have been civily married one year. Joni

I think it is interesting..of all the terms that could have been used for us to address God..we were instructed to call him "Father" that being said..I do not know what your experience is with father's..but if you allow yourself to consider it..most Father's want to protect their children. Heavenly Father made it possible for you to be on this earth to work out your salvation...HE has said in many scriptures how great is our potential. I know it is easy to look at yourself right now..with an unforgiving heart. That is not Heavenly Father's way, his way through the Bishop called to be your local leader is to help you. Please remember that. Also remember (?) the account of the harlot who was brought before Jesus, the citizens wanted to stone her. What did he say? "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" then the most beautiful part of the message: Jesus then tells the woman "Go thy way and sin no more" There is a name to the influence that holds you hostage with self-loathing. We all know him and his assistants. If he can get you to have enough anger at yourself so you will not seek your Bishop's help..he has won. Can you really imagine a loving Father dealing so harshly with you as you are dealing with yourself? If it were me..and I was so angry at me..I would first try to get rid of that anger at myself. The Lord cannot get through to you so you can feel the love until you let some of it in. I would look up every scripture I could find on the love our Heavenly Father and our Savior has for each of us. I would simply ask our Father "Lovest thou, me"? Your pain is intense, that is obvious...The Lord said we should feel "Godly" sorrow for our transgressions. That is enough..to feel the sorrow..I believe the self-loathing is beyond what our Father desires for us. I wish I was there and could give you a hug. Years ago, before it was "acceptable" I went through a severe depression. I understand the depths of despair to which a person can fall..from the depression alone. It is important to separate the two issues. Do not blame yourself for any infirmities, physical or mental. And do not blame yourself if another persons use of free-agency has caused you great harm. The Lord loves you, that is enough for now..all the other stuff can be sorted out..after all we didn't just fall off the turnip truck when we came to earth, and we wont just fall into a wasteland when we leave. Remember also the Lord does not want your to run faster than you have strength. For today..look at the good you are, the good you do..call your Bishop .ask the Lord for the strength to make that call. Love Joni

Welcome..glad you found us:bearhug: Joni

Johnathan Gospel in a beautiful thing. It seems amidst all the turmoil you did not lose your testimony. I for one would also love to read your "Work in Progress" maybe we could collaborate as I have a daughter in a similar situation as yourself. It is so humbling to read your words and feel your courage. I have barely touched the surface of my own conversion process here..also a work in progress...I feel our lives on this earth, our conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an ongoing process. We may lose our way on some issues, only to find it again strong and confident. My suggestion..find the meeting house in your area, or better yet call church headquarters and get the info,,they may give you the name of local leaders so you can get the meeting schedule and then just go....talk to the Bishop or Branch president...they will guide you every step of the way. Joni

I cannot say enough or find all the words to express my emotions at being able to be baptised for my ancestors and then doing the work by proxy. I was able to be baptised for grandmothers I knew well in this life. It was so incredible. By far the best was in Nauvoo temple 25Nov 2006 when my husband and I were finally sealed after years of submitting and resubmitting paperwork to cancel previous sealings. That same day, my husband did the baptism, confirmation(s) for my Dad, I for my Mom. We went through the temple as proxy's for my parents before my husband and I were actually sealed. Once my husbands and my sealing was completed, then my parents were sealed to each other...again my husband and I were the proxy's. Then with the help of other temple patrons, I was sealed to my parents. It was an awesome day. Our picture on our page was taken later that day in front of Nauvoo Temple. My parents were not members of the church in this life, but we both (my husband and I) know for a surety they were grateful for our efforts in the Temple that day. Likewise when my children were young, in my previous marriage, when they were of age, they were baptised for their ancestors in the Temple. Even though they have strayed from the church..they still speak of those experiences with gratitude. I have a great love for family history. I have made several starts/stops over the years. This last 2 years as FH consultant..I have made my greatest strides. We have a CD of about 150 names to take to the temple right now. We just need to be able to make the trip to Nauvoo, which is 5-6 hrs from here. If you get bit by the Family History Bug or get an opportunity to participate in Temple baptisms or any ordinances for the dead..your life will never be the same again. The experience(s) have a profound effect. Joni

I am still a newbie here, reading what catches my interest. I have been doing home storage since I joined the church in 1971. Where do you store it?...EVERYWHERE. You have to be aware of the climate and weather condt'ns in your area. I would not recommend storing grain in your garage if you live in Phoenix, AZ. If that is the only space you have, then get some plywood or something build a small unit and insulate it. What to store? Store what your family will eat/use. If you have not introduce your family to cracked wheat cereal, the week of no paycheck is not the time to do that. I store a variety of items. Some freeze dried, some I dehydrate, some canned (my own efforts and store sales), I store grain. I became the unofficial food storage peep for our branch. I get a lot of deals online, and I use my resale ID to get us good prices. We have a commercial sealer, so when we order in bulk, we just seal our stuff with that into mylar bags. I store a lot of mylar bags floor in totes. Mice do not like to chew thru plastic. On lds.org under provident living, you will find a chart of recommendations for per family member items..the chart can be modified for your own family needs. Remember..you need to use the stuff you store. At the cost of powdered mike, you do not want to have it end up as a 50# hockey puck. I keep an inventory list on the outside of my freezer(s) and all the areas I store things in the house. It is pretty much like a mini warehouse. From my years in trucking I have been in many warehouses..so I got some good ideas for what works. I try to keep a small separate savings acct, I say try because in tough times that is the one we raid first, for opportunities that come up to add to our storage. I KNOW you are all familiar with this: "Sisters, we have an opportunity to get XXX at this really great price, BUT..we need to order today.

I am not sure either. I do know that the scriptures plainly state the Lord expects us to be humble and to follow the laws of the Gospel once we accept them. The one scripture reference that really makes me "Quake" is where the Lord says if men will not humble themselves, he will compel them to be humble. Now I don't know about anyone else here..I think it is easier to chose to be humble (obedient) rather than "Compelled" to be humble. Joni

We are glad you found us. lds.org is our official church web site, I am sure you can get everything there in your language. Just remember the language of the spirit is universal..no translation needed. Welcome Joni

Welcome we are glad you are here. Of course me and hubby being truck drivers do not share your love of the "Buckeye" but we still have many friends that live there. Joni

I am sooo excited for you...I cannot think of one thing that feels better than a newly born testimony of the Gospel. Joni

In most wards and branches youth age 12 can get a recommend from the Bishop/Branch president for baptisms for the dead. Most wards/branches plan youth trips to the temple and encourage the youth to go. They can only go to designated areas of the temple as indicated by the temple staffing and the reason for the youth being there. If a young person is there to be sealed to a parent, that is the only ordinance the youth will be able to participate in. Children, not born in the covenant are able to go to the temple to be sealed to parents. As when a family joins the church and they already have children. I am not sure i am understanding..are you asking if your 13 yo can accompany you through the temple when you go to receive your endowments or are you just asking if he can be there in the temple while you are going through the endowment session? I do not know if there is a "rule" or age limit for a temple recommend for all ordinances. Young men and women going on missions go to the temple and receive their endowments before they leave for the MTC and the mission field (Missionary Training Center) A young man or woman who does not go on a mission, but wants to receive their own endowments are generally encouraged to set a goal for temple marriage. Many single people receive their endowments after a time has passed and they are not married or serve missions. This is decided by local leaders and the individual worthiness of the person requesting a temple recommend

DUH..she is right..they are made with a new-finagled invention called a sewing machine at a place called Beehive Clothing. The best place to get answers abut garments?? Have a valid temple recommend or become worthy to receive one, go to the temple where you will receive your own and all questions will be answered there. They are called the "Robes of the Priesthood" and are sacred. Most of us who wear them will not discuss it further. Joni

oops I nearly forgot. In our FHC we use and recommend Cemetery Records Online We divide our talents, our director is the research guru, the ohter consultant is our PAF genius, and I am the new.familysearch.org peep. You can actually do a google search and come up with a lot of grave/cemetary record locator sites..hint. don't forget to type "+free" in yuor search. Otherwise you will be lead to the ones who want $$ first.

Glad you found us...let uis know how the discussions are going... WELCOME Joni

Welcome..hope you enjoy each visit and keep comming back! Joni