Justinator1

I was ordained an Elder when I was away at school. My older brother who had just gotten home from his mission was the one who ordained me, and I had the Bishop and my 5 roommates in the circle (total of 7 people). This is something that is normally done in the quorum or in private with friends and family.

Life IS what you make it. The only thing in this world you can control is you and how you handle things. I applaud you, Lizzy, for taking such a proactive view on life. If more people in general had a more proactive attitude there would be a lot less heartache in the world.

https://beta.lds.org/church/to-look-upon?lang=eng From the new LDS.org site (still in beta). I love what they are doing with these videos nowadays.

This is not a Democratic nation. When you consider it as a Republic, things change.

It is far more important, and in the end effective, to have a testimony of the Divinity of Christ then it is to have a testimony of the church. If you truly have faith in Christ and His Atonement, the rest will come.

Welcome! Another book I would recommend is "The Great Apostasy" by James E Talmage.

The biggest thing you miss out on by waiting, especially if you have the support of your parents, is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. You've already felt the influence of the Holy Ghost or you wouldn't be considering baptism. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is what you need to continue to progress spiritually.

Welcome indeed.

Don't see her anymore. That more then anything else right now will help you. Get rid of the temptation and don't allow it back. Second would be, if you are looking for acceptance and companionship, find it in the scriptures and prayer.

My wife and I decided when we got married that we would pay on net income and then pay on any tax benefit or return we may receive in April. Never had the other issue, I'd imagine, if it bothers you, that you should make it a matter of deep, contemplative prayer.

The thing that most missionaries do nowadays, and something that I did toward the end of my mission when it was available, is carry a couple of the blue BofMs as well as the newer blue Bibles that don't have the references at the end and these are used for street contacting and tracting while using the larger personal set for studying and teaching set appointments. Personally I preferred my quad as a missionary because I found it easier to handle, but to each his or her own. Seeing as you've already decided on the separate books that a moot point anyway. For missionary scriptures I would definitely go with the standard size edition, and in my experience the real leather, while a bit more expensive, hold up a little better after hours of study.

Hmmm, a bit late on this one. My advice would be to write a letter to her parents once you are in the field. Don't make it about you, or their daughter, or you and their daughter, instead tell them about your mission, how much you love what you are doing and why you are there. The maybe drop them a line giving them updates 2-3 times throughout your time as a missionary. Bear testimony of Christ and the love you want to share with the people in your areas. Then let the spirit do any other talking, and wait and see.

I don't have it anymore, his e-mails (along with all newsletters I sign up for) went to my junk account that I check about once a week.

I followed Mercola for several years until I got an e-mail had clear anti-mormon overtones. Since then I visited his website once and found he has started to go pretty radical IMHO.

Exactly, my wife has a .43 carat diamond that was $300 less then an almost identical .50 diamond from the same store, generally the large chains aren't going to carry these off sizes, you'll need to go to a smaller jeweler to find them.