AFDaw

Nice cutting and pasting Bat :)

When we are kids and growing up in the church, I do believe that the majority of us lean on someone's else's testimony, at least for some time. Usually it's the testimony of our parents. But when we grow up and become adults and move out of our parent's homes and start to support ourselves, then our "Adult mind" does wake up. And we have to find out for ourself (if we haven't already) if WE believe the church is true. Because it doesn't matter if daddy who lives 250 miles away believes it's true, I have to believe it's true. And if I don't, then I don't go to church, I don't keep the commandments, I don't have faith. But if I do, then I do attend church, I do follow the guidance of my Bishop and Prophet, I do have faith, because for me to have my own testimony, means I know for a fact it's true. It means that MY adult mind has awaken, and has searched for the truth, on it's on doing. I can't speak for anyone else's parents, but my dad never, not ONE TIME said "This church is true because I say it is." Instead, he said "I believe this church is true, and you need to find out for yourself whether or not you believe it's true." At a young age I was taught not to believe something just because my parents did, not to do something because they did it, but because I truly believed it in my heart and mind. Hardly any brainwashing going on.

Yes...I guess it would make sense that he didn't actually say it. I just know I've seen it on a picture of Christ with it in " marks as if he did.

I am so with Halley on this. Bad things happen to EVERYBODY. Good things happen to EVERYBODY. Just because you're righteous and doing what you believe the Lord wants you to do doesn't exempt you from trials and/or tragedies. Plenty of righteous people have had their children taken away from them, have been murdered, robbed, raped, layed off, stricken with illnesses..whatever. Just as plenty of non-righteous people have found ways to cheat, steal and fraud others without so much as a hard look from someone. In fact, when Joseph Smith was praying to the Lord in the end for him to soften his heart towards the him and the saints, the Lord tells Joseph "Thou art not yet as Job..." (D&C 121:10) He was told to endure his trials, as we are told to endure to the end as well. I'm not sure where I heard this from, but the Lord said "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it."

More times than not we've paid our tithing with the idea that we will NOT be rewarded. It's not a matter of rewards for the most part, like "You do this...I'll give you more money" Instead, it's a commandment, simple as that. Do it or not, maybe you'll be blessed, maybe you won't. It's all a matter of faith to the tithing payer.

True. My friends in high school didn't think there was anything wrong with my beliefs while maybe some other kids did.

Would the church really come out with a statement about it?

So are we jumping into it now or waiting til Monday? I'm confused.

Interesting point Peace.

As long as Lucifer's free agency wasn't taken away (which it wasn't) then he was still able to CHOOSE what he would do. All God did was ask for a plan, Lucifer spoke up...he put himself in the situation. God never forced him to do anything.

I believe that God knew his sons well enough to KNOW that Lucifer would rebel. Not that he made him do it, just that he knew he would. I also don't believe that Lucifer is the only one who tempts us. I believe the 1/3 host of heaven that were also cast out can also tempt us. I don't think it's necessarily that God's plan REQUIRES sin, just that it requires us to choose our own paths, and that requires us having to chose right from wrong.

I'm not sure "play" is the right word, but if you wanted to truly read and discuss what we've read I wouldn't see why that would be a problem. Don't know how others who know you a little better might feel though just picking on ya :)

Well, I'm 25, but I had the same thing happen to me while I was in school. Basically my experience has been kids in high school thought my morals and beliefs were foolish...however in college, I was GREATLY respected for my beliefs. Just tell em to hold strong and one day the other kids will grow up.

sounds good

God's Army wasn't too bad. But Singles Ward, I promise I think I have mental wounds from watching it. It just hurt me.

Well I could tell it was centered around "Utah Singles Ward" humor, so being in a singles ward out here it was just goofy. Sorry...out here meaning NC (edited to include that)

Did anyone watch Singles Ward? I thought that movie was SOOO bad!!

Thanks :)

I think it just hit me that we didn't get our Jan Ensign, and I'm in charge of the message this month with our visiting teaching. Does anyone know where I can find it online? Or what it is so I can prepare a little something before tomorrow?

I guess you could say that. Though I'm not sure what other religions believe as far as how they will be related, but I do believe that without proper temple ordainces (either performed by them or through the temple work for the dead) they will not be united as family.

Cal -I see your point. You're saying every other religion believes you can be together after death also...not just us, so why do we make a big deal out of it. Well maybe the difference is we don't believe we'll all be angels floating around playing a harp on a cloud. We believe we'll still be a family in the afterlife. (ie: parents, kids, brothers, sisters)

*sigh* Antishock, I see my post completely went over your head. I wasn't comparing Mormon/Muslims, I wasn't talking about Kuwait. (Let's see...that takes up half of your reply that was completely useless) God likes us bestest. Yes...that's what I said isn't it? I believe I merely stated that America is a BLESSED nation, and it SHOWS. How that is considered silly is beyond me. Then you want to ask me if I have a thought on the first topic?! I WAS REPLYING TO WHAT YOU SAID!!!! Don't ask me if I have a thought in reference to the first topic if... 1) You brought up something that doesn't relate to it 2) You're going to continue to discuss it with me

This entire statement is so wrong it's not even funny. First off, the 3 richest Arabic countries have a far lower GDP per capita than the US. (Qatar being the closest with $22,468 compared to the US's $36,731) And I wouldn't go as far as to say the Muslim countries are rich...but rather the Royalty IN the Muslim countries are rich. And I wasn't the one getting side tracked. I replied to your comment about the Muslims obviously having something special because there were millions of them compared to our small measly numbers. I was stating that quantity isn't everything, hence why we are a BLESSED nation despite having smaller numbers. Notice I was replying to YOUR statements...so maybe you should be asking if YOU have a thought regarding the first post of this thread instead of making up "facts" that aren't even true.

The Muslim Empire...there's something to be proud of. Let's see, how old are they? Probably one of the oldest around, yet there's no democracy, no advancement, no money. America is a VERY young nation, yet we're a Christian nation and look at where we are. Look at where we've come from. Wouldn't it be feasible to say that we are a blessed nation BECAUSE we are a Christian nation?Quality AS, not Quantity. I'll take my chances with this one :)

Let me know when you're going to take the topic serious Cal and I'll consider replying.