geebee

My husband is a non-member and although he doesn't object to me going to church he was adamant that I wasn't to mention anything about 'church stuff' to him. I have respected that condition for over a year. During that time I have prayed for his heart to soften and also for my attitude towards him to change. I resented his hardheartedness for a long time and I became patronising towards his lifestyle, drinking etc. I realised in time how I was changing towards him and began to pray about it. He is a good, loving husband and father and I decided that me respecting his opinions were just as important as him respecting mine. I cannot say he has become interested in the church but he will occasionally ask me a question about it. We are happier as a couple because I show him as much respect as he shows me. I allow him to take the lead, I don't talk church unless he wants me to, I don't ask him to go with me to any church related events, I arrange home teaching visits, etc for when he is out of the house. BUT, he knows that I will attend church every Sunday and also any weekday meetings, that I will not negotiate my membership or my lifestyle in any way and that my faith is more important to me than anything else. It works for us and I know that through constant prayer and faith it will continue to do so. I don't ask the Lord to make my husband join the church or make him change because he has his free agency. I just ask for a softening of my husbands heart and that is what I've experienced. Contention is not a good road to go down if you love your wife. Be respectful and loving towards her at all times and it will be returned, let her see that the church is important to you but don't throw it down her throat. Pray sincerely for the Lord's help and guidance and counsel with your bishop and I'm sure you will work this out.

My 17 year old son has Dubowitz Syndrome which manifests in severe mental development and some physical disability. He is the happiest, most loving boy you could ever meet. I do not believe for one minute that he was not a valiant spirit because he loves going to church. I have had a personal revelation that it is where his spirit wants to be so how could he be a lesser spirit if this is so. He sings the hymns (in his own particular way) with real gusto and he gives a resounding AMEN at the end of every prayer. He is friends with every member of our ward and he has many friends outside of church because of his loving, happy personality. He sees only the good in people, he believes everybody is his friend and he has a hello and a smile for everybody he meets. Please don't insult my boy or the many other less able among us by telling us that they are unvaliant in spirit. I personally feel that these spirits are among the most faithful and strong because they have accepted this challenge. I feel it a privilege to have my special son, to be a mother to one of these special spirits, to be given the opportunity to give this service to him and my Heavenly Father. He is my great blessing from the Lord and nobody can tell me he isn't valiant, not after all he has achieved.

I have a very good friend who was 'psychic'. She drew a portrait of the Yorkshire Ripper (English serial killer from the 80's/90's) months before he was caught, she could tell you things about your family etc that she couldn't possibly know or guess at but the day she was baptised that 'gift' disappeared. She is now just like the rest of us, living simply by her faith.

Hello, everybody! I am Gale Beech from England. I live in a small town called Scunthorpe and we have a ward of around 100 active members. I am 2nd generation LDS but haven't always been active. I was reactivated about a year ago and have gone from strentgh to strength. I love the gospel and regret my inactive years. I have four sons and two grandchildren. My three eldest boys are not active but my youngest, Jamie, who is mentally disabled comes to church with me. He loves church and I know his spirit knows it is where he should be. I love my Heavenly Father and my Saviour and am proud to be a member of this the one, true church on earth today.