Shera

It definetely makes me sad when people I love pass on. No matter where I think they are going, when they're gone, it means that I have instantly lost all communication with them. It's different than when someone moves away because you can always write, email, call, etc. But when someone dies you have nothing like that. The knowledge of the gospel and the peace that it brings to know that my loved ones are in a better place is incredible, but it is never easy to lose someone.

This is something that really gets to my husband. It really bothers him that by the time so many people sit down from "baring their testimony", you know their life story, when and where their last few vacations were, what's wrong at home, and so much more information than you cared to know, and still after all of that you don't know what they believe. I think a testimony should be simple and just what it says, a testimony... you, testifying of eternal truths you have come to know. I think it's nice to share stories sometimes of how you came to know something specific, but other than that, I don't think stories should be shared in your testimony. there are other times and places for that. However as many times as bishops and stake presidents stress that a testimony should just be you sharing what you know to be true, and not a travel log, I don't think it will ever stop. People just don't get it.

Hmm, lots of good perspectives. I have similar thoughts that others have posted. My family was not really good at blessing the food while I was growing up. We always did at dinner when we were together, but I don't really remember it other than that, over food. However when I got married, I noticed my husbands family praying over every meal, whether his mom was eating alone, or it was a big family meal, a blessing was always said. His mom was a good example to me and I have tried so hard since to always bless my food, whether I am alone or not. But I don't want to draw attention to myself. When I'm at my parents house and fix a little something for myself to eat, I just fold my arms bow my head and say a quick little prayer. Sometimes I worry, and I do try to be discrete because I don't want people to think that I'm trying to be "holier than though" kind of a thing. Which I think happens more than not, and that just leaves a bad impression anyway. So I do try to just keep it to myself and try not to be noticed. However, that's how I learned to pray over all my meals was by watching my mother-in-law. And I think it was because she had the right spirit about it. She just wanted to give thanks for her food.She didn't make a big deal out of it, but she taught me by example. Now I always make sure that my children say prayers over their food, and the greatest day was when I put down some food and walked away only to hear my little 4 year old bless her food. I think it's just fine to bless your food in public, but I do think that it should be discrete and silent. If I was together with my family I would not call a formal prayer, but just recommend that those that want to bless the food, say their own little silent prayers. But you do want you think is right. :):)

I completely agree with Rich. We have been told that the same spirit and desires that posess our bodies in this life will carry onto the next. I believe that is similar with the preexistance. That's not to say you may have been unfaithful in the pre-existence and can't change it now, but for the most part I think our spirits were who we are now. If we tried to be faithful then, we will try now, if we weren't faithful then, I don't think many would try to be now. Why have we heard so many times that the strongest generation was saved for last? Because Heavenly Father knew that His faithful servants in Heaven would continue the fight here on earth. I do think that there were unfaithful spirits who's penalty was to take on those specific limitations quoted by the prophet, but no where did he state that all handicapped people were unfaithful or not valiant. To say that is to say that all people of one race or all people in one nation were unfaithful, and that is absolutely not true! And anyone who says to another that they weren't valiant because they have a handicap, I hope does not profess to be a Christian, because that is not what Jesus taught, nor do the current prophets and apostles of this Church teach that! If you were born with a handicap I stand by my thoughts that if you are trying to do your best in this life then it is a continuation of your pre-existence. And no one has the right to tell you that you weren't faithful in the pre-existence! And anyone who has spent time around handicap people knows that they are some of the MOST special and valiant that will EVER BE BORN! When Elder Haight was still alive he spoke at our stake conference, when it was over he walked straight to my brother (who was born with severe cerebral palsy), everyone was in tears from the sweet things that apostle of the Lord had to say to my brother. I won't repeat those words here, but I testify to you that i know my brother was one of God's greatest and noblest sons, as well as thousands of other handicapped people on the earth, and he will recieve exaltation and all the Glories he has been promised by God!

Yikes, I'm getting a little worried now. hehe. I grew up watching Shera, and loved her! She is AWESOME! I even got to see her and her horse in the mall once! I will never forget that day! lol.

I think people born with handicaps are born with them for more than one reason. I have a brother who was born with cerebral palsy. In his patriarchial blessing it talks about how he was one of God's noblest sons and that he was given this particular body to protect him from the destroyer. It also talks about how he has these disabilities to help his family to learn patience and reach their full potential . So I think that Heavenly Father kills 2 birds with 1 stone. He protects many of his noble and valiant children, (I don't think all the most valiant are protected that way though, I wouldn't doubt one bit that Joseph Smith was one of the most valiant sons in Heaven, but he has born with what he needed to accomplish him mission on earth.) I believe that those with disablities are capable of even more sometimes than those of us with no physical or mental handicaps. They have a special spirit in them that emits to those around. They can teach us love and kindness like nothing else on earth. I love my brother so much, almost more than I love some of my other siblings (and I love them TONS!) And it is soley because of the fact that I serve him more, and I truly believe that the more you serve someone, the more you love them, it just happens. I think that is the reason many of them are here, to teach others of us how to serve. So I am grateful for the compassion that I have learned and the patience I have been able to see with him in my life.

Yes, I think I remember that in the letter that it had been redone or revised or something, so they were re-encouraging useage. And You know, I was still basically a little girl, well almost, when it was first up and running so I didn't even know it was there.

There's a place that says "ask a question" have you tried asking "what are the doctrines of the church?

On Sunday our bishopric read a statement from the First Presidency of the Chruch telling us that they have put out a new Official church site. Mormon.org - Home It is awesome and questions are answered right from the source. Don't leave us alone here, but I think it is a really good place to visit and ask questions. :)

Well, we have been promised by God that the prophet will never lead us astray. So I do follow the council that is given. However I don't think that means that we can't ask God if it's right and pray to Him to know that the council came from him. For example, I had many friends and family members that had mulitple earrings when Pres. Hinckley came out and said that women should just wear one. Some of them did exactly as they were told and removed them, every one of them has told me that their lives were blessed for obeying, even though they didn't understand or thought that it was silly. Others however did not understand at all and had a hard time with it, one was a seminary teacher and she did not remove her extra pairs of earrings. When her seminary students asked her why she wasn't following the council of the prophet she said that she hadn't recieved her witness yet and that she was praying to understand. A few weeks later she removed the earrings and said that she had recieved her witness. I don't know that I would have done the same thing, but I do know that we are so blessed to recieve personal revelation and that if there is some direction that we are struggling with, we can go to our Father in Heaven and ask him to help us understand. I know that I won't be lead astray if I follow the council of God's prophet on earth.

Hey Carol, I know it can get confusing sometimes, and there is so much information. Have you checked out Mormon.org - Home yet? It is actually an "official" site of the LDS church so your questions are answered right from the source. I hope you can check it out and get those answers you are looking for. Good luck!

Well you sound like a really nice person and you seem to have it figured out. I wish you the best!

As a member of the church I think that getting your education is extrememly important, and yes, the prophets have spoken of how great it is for women to get their education. But God has commanded us to have children. It is the higher and more important law than that of getting an education. You can always go back to school, but the longer you put off your family, the harder it is to start. I'm not saying you have to start the day after you're married, there certainly are maturity issues and getting used to your spouse, but we are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth. I never regret for 1 second having my children early. They bring my life more joy than I ever, ever could have imagined possible.

I think that is a hard question to answer because I feel that it is such an individual thing. I was 19 when I got married and I totally felt that it was right, and i was ready. However my brother is engaged to a 19 year old who is so immature and shallow that I really think they will struggle. (that's my opinion) My grandma was married at 16...Her father had died and her mother really struggled so she basically raised the family. At 16 she was ready to be married. On the other hand, I know some people who are in their late 40's but are not ready for marriage. Everyone is at a different stage in their life that's why I think it is an individual thing. My strongest opinion is that if you know you have found "the one", why put it off? Why delay your progression and joy? If you put your trust in God, things will fall into place. Your mom is right that marriage is hard. I never fought once with my fiance, but once he was my husband we definetely had our differences. But we love each other and work them out. We had to learn to compromise and serve eachother. I thought Pres. Hinckley's advice was the best ever..... something like......"love your spouse just a little bit more than you love yourself". Great advice! I think marriage is hard at a young age because it's new, we have spent most of our lives focusing on and pleasing ourselves, and then you get married and so much of it is about the other person. But I also think that getting married young, and for the right reasons, is wonderful becuase it allows you to grow together. You learn and experience things together. You're still learning who you are and developing that person, so it's great to do that together! I think that if others think you are too young, you need to help them to realize that you are ready. That you are mature and responsible enough to work through problems and challenges. .... and also that you have goals and a plan to reach them. ......But ultimately it is your decision, so make it a good one and one that you are willing to work your hardest at! :) .......... just a few thoughts.

Hello there, My Bishop has asked me to delve into missionary work via the internet. I wasn't sure where to begin? I'm still new to all of this forum stuff, and quite nervous! But hopefully this will be a good place to start. Good to be here . And does anyone know how I can change my user name? Thanks