Prodigal_Son

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Everything posted by Prodigal_Son

  1. Are we not all just regular mortals? Was not the Messiah hung between thieves? Was not Joseph Smith shot and killed, falling gruesomely from a window? There'd be little need for faith in this world if Christ sheltered, coddled, and cocooned every faithful saint that came along. Everyone would jump on board if they could see such protections... Personally, while I sorrow for the mourning families, I'd humbly suggest those two young men have it made! Could there be a better time in life to be taken back home than at your spiritual apex?
  2. Spending my high school years in the Bible Belt, I know where you're coming from. And, from my perspective, when one gets a feel for their concept of the Savior, I tend to completely agree with the premise that we're somewhat apples and oranges on The Messiah. As for whose version is truer to the biblical record, however, can be (and is) debated ad nauseum. So this begs the question (that we don't need to answer with this thread ): which version of Christ is the right one?
  3. If you're just beginning to feel the fire, the Bible is a tough read - long and slow and frightfully boring at parts. The Book of Mormon starts fast, is high paced, somewhat less confusing, and more doctrinally relevant on a page-per-page basis. If you start at the beginning of the Book of Mormon, ready yourself for those Isaiah chapters not too far in, or (like so many before) you risk losing your rhythm.
  4. My most formulative years came during my high school period. I lived in the suburbs of Atlanta. It was, unequivocally, the best thing that could happen to me. I was a "Mormon". I was different. I was watched, I was questioned, I was drilled, I was called out. I grew so much from having to stand firm and really "know my stuff" that I would simply not be half the disciple I am now (not that I'm any sort of superstar... but I could be even worse ) had I not spent 4 years in the Bible Belt. Truths were affirmed, convictions were deepened, and the foundation I based my life and efforts on was strengthened. Utah is a beautiful place, and one can grow anywhere at any time with proper personal motivation... but there IS a trial out here that one of the brethren referred to in conference a few years back called "spiritual drift". Because there is nothing unique about a Latter-Day Saint here, it's easy to become casual in our religious strivings. Much easier (at least in my experience) than in a culture where those who surround you are watching, waiting, and keeping you constantly on your toes. Perhaps it's not the same for everyone, but the strength that came from my time in the South is an indispensable part of who I am now - and who I will always be. Truth be told, I don't live in SLC... and wouldn't want to. It's a beautiful city and a safe place... but it's just not my style. It's a bit worldly for my tastes... Instead, I'm in a rural farming community (think Napoleon Dynamite) up on the UT/ID border where people are simple, plain, honest, hard working folk. I have room to breathe (even if our air is allegedly terrible), I leave my keys and wallet in my car, my front door unlocked, have to drive behind and around hay trucks, tractors, and combines day in and day out, and everything I could need can be found on Main Street. Small town America. Perfection (or as close as it gets).
  5. That's because you're not saying it right. It's "Woman, get me a SAMMICH." It's meant as a mockery of both parties. Very trailer trash... and very amusing in the right context. But if used improperly, it's just gay.
  6. Mililani: I'm glad you're safe at present, though I'd like more information (if it's posted in some other thread, you could just link to it): * What are your longterm hopes for your marriage? * Has he always been like this? Or did it come with the porn habit or something else? (I.E. is there an "old him" that he could possibly return to?) * Have you been honest in any/all assessments of what hand you might have played in his current state? ------------------------ Please don't interpret these questions as any accusation of/towards you. Rather, I'm wondering if your husband is dealing with a "temporary insanity" period of life that he might be snapped out of?
  7. Of course they exist. But they are few and far between in comparison to anywhere else.
  8. Hmmpfh. I'll take the inversion over a city loaded with smokers any day of the week. (Which is every large city BUT Salt Lake.)
  9. Again, we're 50/50 here. As well, though not exactly a bragging-right, when one factors in the percentage of active/practicing Mormons, that # drops more. That being said, however, the vices of the world are FAAAAAAAAR less ostentatious than other cities. I grew up all over the country, lived in several major metropolitan areas (Kansas City, Seattle, Atlanta, Omaha...) and - while the vices are all here - they're NOT flaunted, NOT generally socially acceptable, and keep to themselves. SLC is a safe, clean city. Not perfect by any stretch, but the social pressures of Mormonism keep some of the more unsavory components of the world in check and subdued. It IS, in my opinion, different from most other major metro areas.
  10. I don't buy that FOR A SECOND. How can one claim that the Song of Solomon is at all comparable to Isaiah or Nephi? How about verse after verse after verse of "A begat B. B begat C. C begat D. D begat E." ????? Sure, lineage is relevant, but those passages don't hold a candle to, say, 3 Nephi 11...Further, Gordon B. Hinckley marked his scriptures with varying colors. First off, I have found that Pilot makes fine point pens that are awesome for making notes. And for the highlighting, the Crayola Twisty Pencils CANNOT BE BEAT.For me, I just mark whatever's poignant at the time. I fill my scriptures up, wear them out, and then buy a new quad every several years and start all over. I find that things super-profound to me 5 years ago aren't anymore, but the verse just below it is suddenly calling my name! May not be for everyone, but I'd rather write/highlight too much than not enough. Besides, I find that taking that extra time provides additional moments to contemplate the passage AND helps me to remember it later on down the road...
  11. I can hear my wife in the Game Room listening to it right now...
  12. Is there a possibility that emailing her your questions BEFORE the conversation would help? Giving time for her to ponder over and then respond - without knee-jerk reaction (as you sit on the other end, biting your knuckles to quietly listen to her answers)? Just a thought...
  13. :lol: That'll all change. We're one big, happy, semi-dysfunctional, fairly goofy family that LIVES for doing stuff together!
  14. In a sense, she's been taking advice from "strangers" that has led to her conversion. Are you coming across too defensive when you communicate with her? Is that why she's bothered/hostile about your reaction to her actions? As for searching for multiple sources of info: that's wisdom. That said, however, when it comes to religion... well, it's easy to find lovers and haters, defenders and assassins of EVERY religion out there. So if you go looking for what's wrong with the Mormon church (or Catholic or Baptist, etc.), you'll find boatloads. Just remain unbiased and level-headed about the information you gather and you'll be able to sort through the extremes of both ends and come up with a pretty good feel for LDS theology - and how it affects its followers... I don't know how religious you are personally, but the Savior taught, "ye shall know them by their fruits." While we are an imperfect people attempting to follow a perfect role-model, I believe that it would be a gross untruth to declare that the LDS faithful would qualify as anything other than good fruit. Try to relax and really focus in on ensuring that your communication with your wife is as peaceful, loving, and caring as you can possibly make it as you sort through this new development in life.
  15. Hey, brother, sorry to hear about the complications. Yes, these things are to be expected. The church is an integral part of an "active" Mormon's life. It's far more than a couple hours on Sundays. That being said, I would take a deep breath and keep studying. No, garments do not qualify as "sexy" or "lingerie" - but they're not that hard to get off when the time is right... so I wouldn't sweat that too much. As for her response regarding the eternities and you two, no one can tell you for sure what she means, but it's only logical to conclude that she secretly hopes you'll join her on this venture in time. She just found one of the best things she's ever come across - so OF COURSE she wants to share it with you... eventually. Even if she wont say so (for fear of your response). A year from now is plenty of time to sort things out. Just keep your head down and stay safe over there. Keep learning, asking questions, venting... Try hard to keep the larger perspective in mind. Things have a way of working themselves out. This wasn't a step backwards. Rather, just one more hurdle on the track you two are on. Good luck, Brother.
  16. My sentiments exactly. (Only you do it with more tact and less sarcasm than me. :) ) In Abraham 3:19, Abraham is taught about the Intelligences, and is told "I am more intelligent than they all." B.H. Roberts suggested that this meant: "more intelligent than they all COMBINED." Admittedly, this is not canonized opinion, but I think it's safe to say he knew a thing or two about the scriptures... And there are sects all over this world that can scripturally support saved-by-grace, while others can scripturally support saved-by-works. And we could make a whole list...Interpreting scripture without the Gift of the Holy Ghost is nothing more than intellectually-anemic hypothesizing. It's pure guesswork, opinion, and circular reasoning. That's precisely why we have so many brands of christianity today... I would submit to you that the Atonement began when Christ was born. He could not have qualified for the heavy and fearsome task, had He not lived a perfect, sin-free, exemplary life preceding the Olive Press and cross...
  17. Sooooo when the Lord told Joseph in Liberty Jail, "thou art not yet as Job" - was that just Him being silly? I don't doubt for a moment that the Lord has a sense of humor, but I don't believe FOR AN INSTANT he would trivialize the suffering and concerns of Joseph Smith by telling him he hadn't yet achieved the same status as an imaginary character. Maybe he should've just used Santa or the Easter Bunny...
  18. Aside from Shrek, no. I've also never seen water turned to wine, a blind man instantly healed, walking on water, etc. I have enough faith to believe that God can do all things - just like He said. You're apples and oranges here. I am referencing events chronicled. Not spoken word and admonishments from prophets/the Savior. Who are YOU to limit what God can do and HOW He goes about doing it? I suppose you think Job is just a neat story, too? A great teaching lesson?
  19. Hmmm... I must be missing all the good threads, because I haven't caught any of the claims for allegory. I've heard them before, though. It's sad. Unless a prophet of God announces a passage as allegorical, I don't know how anyone could claim such a stance...
  20. Okay, I didn't read all the posts (so maybe someone else already mentioned this)... but some of y'all suggested he talk to the boss's boss. Okay... I guess... but I was more thinking along the lines of talking to the boss's wife.
  21. Regardless of the reasoning behind the command, the Brethren have been crystal clear on the matter and this is a no-brainer.
  22. Asking for marital advice in an online forum is playing with fire . That being said, in your shoes, I'd try to do a lot more listening than talking. Explain that, while this hit you like a brick wall at first, you're intrigued, have been trying to do your homework, and would LOVE to hear ALL ABOUT how this all came to be and what SHE has learned and felt. That way you're just a captive audience, listening dutifully, and she's free to tell you all about it. We always learn more by listening than talking.
  23. By all means, ask whatever questions you have, and you'll get a good feel for the spectrum of "Mormonism" by the responses you receive here on lds.net. I suspect you'll find that we're not so bizarre as the world has made us out to look like - that, in fact, we're just normal folks trying to be the very best we can be. We believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, we do NOT have plural wives , Joseph Smith - the founder of the Mormon faith - is not a deity (he was just an amazing man), Family is of utmost importance to us, and we're not fans of the decaying morals of society. Some of us are Conservatives, some are Liberals, and some are in between. Some of us refuse to drink caffeine, while others can't live without it (albeit they get it through their Mountain Dew and Coke, as opposed to coffee and tea). We're just plain old, regular, everyday people striving to obey the teachings of Christ to the best of our ability, and believe that obedience to God should be the motivating factor in all we do. It is our moral compass and motivation for being good husbands and wives, sons and daughters, good citizens and patriots (wherever in the world we hail from), good leaders and followers. So ask away. We won't be offended, and we'll give you the best answers we can!