LDSVALLEY

Best way to rekindle the spirit, invite the missionaries in and ask them to reteach you and or family the lessons. It is actually something that the area 70 implemented in our Stake two years ago and is doing well. Leaders visit an inactive and after getting a handle on the situation invite them to be taught by the Missionaries as a way to reconnect with the gospel and rekindle their testimony. All who have agreed have come back so far.

Hand her a book of Mormon, it says Mormon and has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints both on it. Makes it hard to argue I would think.

My wife and I had looked into different religions after our 1st child was born. Neither of us had been baptized anything. I believed in God but not organized religion, I had considered it when I was 13 and worked out that religions didn't make sense. Randomly 2 Missionaries knocked on my (our) door, first time in 28 years. Told them they were welcome to teach us but I had my belief's and was not changing them. Nor could they brainwash me into their cult. Everything they said fit my personal beliefs, but I am a big skeptic and question the motives of most everybody so I kept looking for their hook. Finally I did as they asked and prayed, no other religion had ever told me to ask God for the answer! When I asked if it was true it was like a warm blanket was draped over my shoulders, wife had the same thing. Still I did it three times before I figured I had better do as I was prompted. I still say I was a new convert for 3 years until a member fully took me under their wing to guide me. Since then I have had too many experiences to question the truth of the Gospel. The family reacted as one might expect, we heard all the Mormon stuff, had some tell us to never talk about it etc. No family was at our baptism. But time passes and the example is seen, most of our families have been at each of our 3 child's baptisms. They have watched or kids so we could attend church events etc. Mom has even taken food to Missionaries a couple of times. They might never join but they have seen the positive influence on our family. As for me it is like a different life, not that I was living a bad one prior to baptism, but things are far better then they ever could have been without it. My wife and I most likely would have been divorced without the steadying influence of the church to help us with the rough patches during 17 years of marriage. I have never regretted answering the door that day.

If your son remains active in the gospel then he will be following the path of the Priesthood. If your son has enough understanding to be baptized then he can understand that no matter how great his Dad might be (or not be but don't use that) that he is not able to use his Priesthood at this time because of things between him and God. While your tactic might seem easier and less harmful in the short term it simply delays the inevitable conversation about worthiness. And if you don't stress the importance of the Priesthood and being worthy your son will not take it seriously. What will happen when your son wants a blessing or his Dad to take him to the temple in a few years etc. You can do it in a kind clear manner that does not damage the father son relationship. But from experience, (I had an alcoholic Father, my parents divorced, wife and I only members in either family, 3 children.) not being upfront and honest causes more harm in the long term even when they seem to accept it. 8 year old's are not unaware of what is going on especially after a divorce.

Didn't have time to read all the replies, ,have to leave for work in 15min. love is a verb and a noun. We are in the state of love (noun) after we have been loved or love (verb). Often people feel they are no longer in love (noun) because either they or the other person has stopped the active role of love (verb). The seven habits of highly effective families (Steven R Covey) explains this very well and I guarantee the solutions it gives work. My wife and i have been married for 161/2 years. At times we grow distant as the stresses of life are on us. We get into dump arguments about nothing etc. One of us will have enough and will start to love the other no matter what the provocation of the other one is. I testify it can be hard when you get in the defensive mode or the what's the point mode to force yourself to ignore indifference or annoyance and force yourself to show large amounts of love. But every single time one of us has started this after two weeks it has become natural again for both of us to show love to each other. Even when we both know what the other person is doing it still works. READ THE BOOK LOVE YOUR WIFE as a VERB and she will love you as a NOUN in time.

Not sure I follow your line of thinking. I believe the scripture quote you gave was the answer to your question. If you don't believe in God but in man then you will define everything within the narrow confines of natural man. You will never have the perceptiveness to go beyond the horizon of what can be seen or rationalized. If you are of the Spirit then you can see beyond that restriction. It is not a secret nor is it hard. Nor do I believe the word is hidden, but you have to be willing to look for the 'word' and to take it in the context intended which is a wider then Earthly outlook. God has not hidden anything from us in the scriptures it is the method of viewing and interpreting we choose that puts the blinders on keeps them off.

1 makes sense, I guess cause I'm a Canadian I don't get the need for 2, 3 is a mind thing. I was just wondering because we usually take what we believe our self image is and transfer that thinking into the minds of others. Then we project every interaction through that filter to determine what the level of interaction is. Which of course is most often not completely correct. Just don't sell yourself short, our appearance might make the first impression but it is what is inside and how we use it that makes the long haul. A woman in the town nearest us has some kind of disease that causes huge purple lumps all over her face. It is very startling to be caught of guard when you first see her. Yet she has friends and attends many functions and laugh's. She is very disfigured and many people would be turned off by her appearance. I can not imagine the courage it must take for her to endure the looks and comments she must face. You are willing to defend other people's freedom, that is truly a noble and courageous cause and something to be proud of. I seriously considered the military route after high school but, having studied military history and the consequences of combat, I did not have the courage to do what you do.

I seriously don't think the Lord cares one way or the other what we drive in order to get to church, just that we get there. Limo, helicopter, car, van, foot, donkey, horse, skateboard, canoe or bicycle who cares? One mode does not make you more worthy then another. Judging someone by the mode of transport they use is one of the most idiotic things I've heard of members doing.

NO Harley Riders but Six motorcycle riders in our Ward. We've had 1 Bishop and 2 Bishopric who have been. While not every sunny Sunday but it is not unusual to have a least one bike in the parking lot.

If you are a lot like me then you have my sympathy :) I don't do the computer games much anymore, no time. It was nice what you did for your Dad. My wife and I do HO which is 1/2 O scale. One problem with us humans is this for example. Someone who is trying to overcome sin, lose weight or reduce debt is forced to think about those things in order to try and solve the problem which makes it harder to overcome because they have to keep it in their minds all the time. The solutions are to give your sin to the Lord and instead of trying to not do something change it to doing something. When they have the urge to commit the sin have a replacement plan ready. Don't diet, create a healthy eating lifestyle. Don't scrimp and do without create a healthy financial lifestyle. You have, from what you have typed, very real and valid issues. The more you ponder them and guard against them the more you unknowingly judge others based on that criteria. Being human you will most likely hyper focus on any event that conforms to your deepest concerns and likely cause an overreaction. When we fear hurt it is natural to "attack" first even in our own mind to ward of further hurt. One suggestion I have found helpful is a book The 7 habits of highly effective families. There is also the same title but effective people and a newer one the 8th habit. They are all by Steven R Covey, they are not written for church members but he is one and it ties in very well with doctrine. You may have every right to have bitterness toward those who hurt you in the past, but consider if you carry this to the new members you are in contact with you punish them for the behavior of others! You are also allowing those who wronged you to continue to have power over you by not letting go. Last you deny yourself the love and spirit of the many many wonderful members who strive to live as God would have us live. Last comment. I notice that your profile picture is very dark ( at least on my computer) I believe you have on wrap around sun glasses but the rest looks like a black mask, I see no facial features at all. If it is not just my computer and that is your pic, considering your thread you might want to sit and think on why that pic? Don't give up on the Lord, the Ward or yourself, it might not always be easy but I testify it is worth the journey. Don't give up on the people in this forum either, I've never met any of them but I can tell you many are kind, loving and will try to help. See you were not so lucky this round, I had more time to babble

Well my job should be gone by then so the time off isn't an issue but I think it might be a bit far to drive from Nova Scotia! $20.00 for the meal $90.00 for the passport $400.00 for fuel $300 in travel expenses (food etc down and back) :)

I might add that we have to remember to keep things in context both to the section and to the times that things were written in. Words can have different meanings over the years. Also that the Bible, no matter which version you use, is often the interpreted version by man with many references. And our perspective is worldly not heavenly so we are forced to try and understand or interpret from a narrower scope then the heavenly perspective would allow. I tend to apply Logic when deciding how to take something. Is what I am reading and understanding in line with a loving eternal Heavenly Father who takes the very long view of things? Learning in Sunday School, seminary etc. Listening to the Leaders and such, help with understanding. Last but far from least, if I am not sure, I pray.

LDS believe in two types of marriages. One is a civil marriage which is to death do us part. The other is a temple marriage for time and all eternity. Unless he or his soon to be ex has their temple sealing undone they will be together in the afterlife. If you have a civil marriage with him it ends at death and you have no further tie in the afterlife. If you have a temple marriage also then you are tied to him along with anyone else such as his children and ex wife. As far as how it effects you in life it is up to you how you allow it to effect you. The Temple Sealing will not have an Earthly effect if he is separated from his ex wife, unless someone makes it have one. Hope this helped, welcome to the forum.

You are lucky I only have a couple of minutes I didn't grow up in the church, when I moved into our current Ward, I felt like I didn't fit in, I told the Bishop, he told me I was nuts he would see me talking with people etc. When I looked from his perspective I realized it was me keeping me from seeing that I did actually have connections. In the Military if you had one bad Officer did that cause you to hate all officers? These people are not your tormentors. Nor does being LDS mean that members do not comprise bullies, unkind people, and all the rest that society has helped create. Nor does it mean that they all are either. I have anxiety attacks, ,I can't handle being in groups for too long, I hate sports, don't hunt, fish or work on cars. I have very little in common with many men. I read, study military history, write and model Railroad. But I still find companionship etc in interacting with others, each of us is different, we just have to take things one step at a time day after day. I don't trust others completely until it's earned. But I have learned to assume that most offense is not on purpose and to let it go. And to provide a chance for others to show trust so that I then know. Hope it helps, keep trying

I agree, I pointed out to our Bishop when this started last fall that his family is one who needed it most because his calling was keeping him away from his family due to the pressures of his calling. That created a void which should be watched over by Home Teachers to help out the family. Personally I find when I don't have home teachers coming my motivation to go out goes way down. My previous Ward found that trend was with most members when they tried this years ago and now my current Ward has found the same thing. In Theory this plan makes sense, focusing Home Teaching on those most in need, reduce numbers of families to make it easier. These should enhance home teaching both in percentage and in real impact on those who seem to most need it. Reality is different however, it ends up making it harder to get done not easier. And less of those who need it receive it because the Home Teachers actually doing the work goes way down.

Often the youth works at saving a portion of the cost, many families expect them to raise 1/2. If the family or potential Missionary can't raise some or all of the money then often it will be put to members of the Ward or Stake to help fund someone's mission. I know of one case where a family in another Ward simply had no means of paying for a mission so the Mission President went around discreetly to members all over the Stake whom he know potentially had extra resources and asked them to contribute. He served two years and baptized several people thanks to the efforts of many who did not even know him. The desire is that the potential missionary earn at least a portion of the funds himself in order, I believe, to give him a stake in the work and effort he is going to do. When you pay into something you have a stronger desire to see a good return on your dollar. We have 2 girls and a boy. They started mission funds around age 5, not much $8.00 per month but each of them has added several hundred to those amounts on their own desire over the years. I don't know how much they will have and the cost by the time they are old enough to serve or even if all three will go on a mission but the money will be there for them if they choose not to. As for the remainder we have yet to be able to put any aside for them, I expect it will end up being added onto our mortgage to fund it. People have sold cars, furniture, stuff they could live without, sometimes other siblings have helped cover the costs etc. I didn't grow up in the church, joined when I was 29? so never had the opportunity to serve a mission but I will do what I have to in order to give my children that chance. But it will be worth it no matter the financial cost not just because it serves the Lord but it serves them and helps them grow the right direction and provide focus.

Another comment to margin of error I agree completely with your comments in your last paragraph. That is one issue we find with the current organization because we are not responsible in EQ for most of the EQ home teachers, HP are. We wanted to hold a Home Teaching conference for EQ members to discuss and have them help create a plan to deal with those issues so they have ownership of it. But until we can have a united EQ in effort it is hard. And most of the answers to the questions mentioned in that paragraph have been negative. But until we can build a sense of stability, purpose and accountability re home teaching we can not get the members to take on the responsibility to those questions. I don't care about numbers themselves. When I was mission leader I never cared about the numbers baptized it was the number retained that mattered because that represented salvation. I can have the Ward get 90 percent Home Teaching, have an after church monthly meal and use it to home teach each other. But that gets the numbers but not the purpose.

Stats are not what is important it is what they represent that is. The Ward started this program prior to the hand book of instruction. It was tried in my previous Ward and ruined home teaching for 2 years after they went back to teaching everyone. Simply put for many people when they are not being home taught their motivation to go home teaching is reduced. And when you remove every easy to see family we loose the buffer against those who are hard to see or deal with. My biggest issue was we were organizing home teaching without reference to the guidelines laid out in the old and new handbooks. The EQ Pres and HPGL would sit and between the two of them decide who was teaching who, create companionships with no concern to which group each belonged to, they didn't know the needs or abilities of all the families or companions so there was constant adjusting because of such conflicts and every time a minor change happens, ie one companion moved etc it forced a major revamp of the list. EQ for example has 3 normal companionships, 1 full time missionary and 1 husband-wife teams. The other 12 EQ Home Teachers are paired up with HP members and report to them. It makes it hard to talk about being accountable in EQ when most of our members are not under the EQ direction. The handbook allows for exceptions and they should exist where needed but the entire program should not be an exception to the guidelines. As I had warned our numbers have continued to drop even though we have less families for each companionship to visit, we have worked with the concept of geography and ease being the main determining factors. Last month it was the main topic in PEC and they asked for ideas. I checked to see if they actually wanted to hear from me about it again, I pointed out exactly what the handbook states on how it should be organized and pointed out that we keep changing things and they are getting worse not better so lets do it the way the Lord says, my opinion is from experience no matter what sense it seems to make when things are done the Lord's way they work. They are reorganizing based on the handbook, the only thing I am not positive on is if they are dropping the two tier home teaching or not, I believe they are which will give each companionship 5 families. Note I did all this when I only had 3 families with the current method and I have to drive 30 minutes just to be in the area of my families that I teach which makes it hard to get 3 done in a night let alone 5.

It's from a letter the First Presidency set out in early 90's. Which would be about when my previous Ward tried it. Since Sept 2010 our stat's have gotten worse each month until we are under 20% I brought up last month when I filled in for the EQ President at Ward C how the hand book says we are supposed to do it. I was blunt and said it will never work unless we do it the Lord's way and at this point what do we have to lose. They are in the process of having EQ teach EQ with EQ companionships and the same with HP teaching HP with HP companionships. The rest of the families being split by the Bishop between the two groups. I believe from the numbers of families to be taught that our Ward has tossed out the idea of only teaching less actives and 'weak' families and going back to teaching everyone again. I'll know when the new list comes out. The EQ and HP don't include councilors in creating the new lists so I have no idea where it stands at this point.

I joined the church at 26. I felt the spirit testify to me that I should join but after that nothing for 3 years. I thought I must not be worthy, that maybe it was not a true church etc. Then one day when I was not seeking it there it was. Clear and undeniable. It comes in our own time, in it's own way, when the Lord wants it, and when we need it, and are worthy in action and attitude to receive it. You didn't say but from your age I would point out that it is said that those born into or joining the church at a very early age have more trouble recognizing the spirit then adult converts because they grow up with it as a constant companion without realizing it. The only answer I can give you is for you to seek the answer. Contact the Missionaries, have the meetings, give up the things you know you should not be doing. Give it six months to a year, do all you should do and put it to the Lord. If in the end you decide you want out, then remove your name knowing you diligently sought the answer.

No idea, talk to the Bishop, remember we are always accountable for the consequences of our actions both good or bad. Does the level of illegal activity make a difference to the church I can't say but I do know not facing the consequences before the church, your family, the Lord and you soul will. For example from what you are saying you are guilty of breaking the law, yet you are trying to get charges dropped. That might save a mission or embarrassment but what does it do to your standing before God, and your worthiness? Now having said all that please do not misunderstand something. I don't know you at all, I personally have no stake in your choices. I am not trying to parent or priesthood you, nor guilt, judge, condemn, or condone you. I am actually trying to help you understand the answer to your real question about what will disqualify you from serving a Mission. A mission is only a small portion of your life, God will not condone or condemn you dependent on serving a mission or not. But how you live your life and deal with the consequences of life, both by your and others actions will. The Lord loves you, your family loves you, now you must love you. Do what is right, accept what will be good and bad, and get back to the strait and narrow path every time you stray from it. That is what each of us must do with our own struggles, and endure to the end. I hope and pray you find what you seek.

My wife likes coffee, doesn't have to have it but enjoys it. Several members, her included, drink what is called cafe-lib which is a coffee substitute made with 0 caffeine content. Thus it is not breaking the Word of Wisdom. Hello, all. I am interested in joining the LDS Church, but naturally, I have a few questions and concerns before I attend my first meeting. I wanted to mention a couple of things after reading your opening statement. 1) The only way you can decide to join the church or not is to take the time to attend some services, investigator classes, meet with the Missionaries and begin to study the scriptures. And Pray for direction. You don't have to alter your lifestyle in order to investigate the Church. You don't have to be living the word of wisdom, be a Bible or Book of Mormon scholar to attend meetings and activities. 2) When you come to know that the church is true then you will have the spiritual strength to help you overcome the challenges you might have to face in your lifestyle or thinking in order to be worthy to enter baptism. You do not need to be perfect or to know all things, you need to be committed to trying and diligently working at putting your life in harmony with the Lord. My issue was not coffee it was tithing. I joined the church but took three years to be able to get the Melchizedek Priesthood because of my issues with it. I was always allowed to participate in all aspects of the church that didn't require me having it. It was not until I had gained enough knowledge of the Lord and enough Faith that I was ready to overcome that hurdle. But I always kept in my mind that it was not the church that was preventing me from attaining that level it was me, but in time my level of faith got me there. Keep asking questions but you should know up front that often the answers make no real sense to someone who has not yet begun to establish a testimony. I use logic for example, it helped me know the church was true because it made logical sense to me that we would have Prophets on Earth because God had given our ancestors Prophets to help them and he loves us equally so we should be given the same help. But giving up 10 percent of a 5 member 1 income family (and a lower middle class one at that) just didn't make any logical sense. I finally figured that if everything else was logical somehow this must be as well so I did it. There is no logic on how we can pay 10% of our income and end up with more money at the end of the month until you can factor God into the math. Simply it works. Go, seek, ask, study, learn, laugh, and enjoy the journey.

Good Day eh From the home of New Scotland IE Nova Scotia !!!!!!!!!!!!

After the sacrament, the bishopric member who is conducting the meeting bears a brief testimony. He then invites members to bear heartfelt testimonies and to relate faith-promoting experiences. The bishopric encourages members to keep their testimonies brief so more people may have the opportunity to participate. I checked the handbook under Ward Meetings this is an excerpt from it. I've never heard of a Bishop calling people up during a meeting to give testimony. Looking at the portion in bold I guess it depends on how you interpret inviting. It has always been an open invitation to whomever decides to come up I thought but I can see how it could be interpreted to mean a more direct approach such as how that Bishop is doing. I don't like being put on the spot, I guess if I didn't feel the spirit prompting me to get up I simply wouldn't. The only advice I can suggest is to talk to him directly, considering how long he has been Bishop he might simply be doing what has always been done because 10 years ago members needed the direct approach. You and the others might take some heat for voicing your concerns however that is the burden of the gospel at times.

Remember one thing also. Hitler as well as all the rest of the worst in human history received a body and came to Earth. Thus they were on the side of righteousness in the Spirit World. Anyone of us could return there and find out he is our best friend on that side! He came to Earth to be tried and tested in order to be like Heavenly Father. While here on Earth his acts are horrendous, he was worthy to come to Earth in the Lord's eyes. In most family trees there are people who committed horrible deeds, every bit as bad as Hitler just on a much smaller scale. Yet we don't pass judgment on them and decide we should not do the work for that person for this reason etc. We have to remember the Lord's plan works from the spiritual world not the Earthly world so the rational is beyond our true understanding while we are on this side. I love each of my three children, my love is not conditional on their acts or choices. My reaction to those depend on the choices but not my love for each of them. The Lord's love can be no less, the most despised people on Earth are still his sons and daughters. If a wayward child repented from unworthy deeds would you not forgive them and help them? I am not defending Hitler or those like him, but from a parent-child relationship I can see Heavenly Father forgiving anyone of us no matter how grave the wrong we had done, like it or not he is our Brother in Heaven. He is entitled to the same opportunities each of us has before our Father in Heaven.