MormonMema

I loved Elder Holland's powerful talk and testimony of the Book of Mormon. I wish I could be more forceful in sharing my own testimony. I loved Elder Scott's talk about personal revelation, the importance of consistency, the importance of applying whatever inspiration you receive, and acting on the first impulse, not second guessing. I have a tendency to second guess and talk myself out of following the promptings I get from the Holy Ghost. That's something I need to work on. I loved so many of the talks, all were wonderful, as always, but the one that hit home with me the most, and left me in tears, was Elder Anderson's talk about repentance, and why we often can't forget past sins, even after repenting. His talk gave me so much hope, especially his comment that we are not alone in our repentance; the long arms of the Savior reach out to us... and to our children, and they will return in the due time of the Lord.

Nope, there are a lot of us out here! Last I heard, it's not against Church policy to be a Democrat.

I'm inclined to agree, to an extent. But, it's also a humbling experience to realize what a privilege and blessing it is to be able to participate in the temple ordinances, for those who never had that chance. It is humbling to stop and realize that my own small efforts are but a drop in the bucket, as compared to the ocean of work that is yet to be done for the millions of people who are still waiting for their ordinances to be done.

Fred Phelps is a poor excuse for a pastor, who abused his children, and hates everybody. He was a lawyer, but his explosive temper got him into so much trouble in the court room, he was eventually disbarred. Then, he found religion. His cult of a church (Westboro Baptist Church, by definition is a cult, and has no semblance to a real Baptist Church) has picketed the funerals of homosexuals, and the funerals of soldiers who died in Iraq. He and his group, mainly brainwashed members of his own family, and a few outsiders, carry signs that say God hates soldiers. God hates America. God hates fags. , etc. ad nauseum. I watched a documentary on him and his group from Netflix, and it was really sad. His young grandchildren, young as 4 or 5, were talking to the reporter in the documentary, and talking about how they hated the gays, and the gays should all die and go to hell. When the reporter asked why, they said they didn't know why, they just did. That's what I mean by brainwashing. Their stupid parents actually brought their children to the protests! You saw infants and toddlers carrying hate signs! It was appalling! They planned on picketing a funeral for a soldier here in AR, a year ago, but this state has a law against such conduct within a certain radius of a funeral. What is really funny, is that that lunatic group on one occasion picketed a funeral, and a patriotic motorcycle group surrounded them and revved their engines, drowning out the voices of the protestors.

In rapid succession, we have civil uprisings in Iran, a military coup in Honduras, and in a little over a week, threat of an upcoming missile launch from N. Korea. Is the world going mad? What's next? Was George Bush, Jr. correct in his assessment of the axis of evil?

I have changed my profile colors, a little, so my headers look like green banners. I will be getting a green candle to burn while I pray for the people of Iran. My tears join with the tears of others, in a waterfall of sadness, washing over Iran. It isn't much, I know, for one person, but joined with the prayers of thousands, or millions of others, God can do miracles.

I pray for the people of Iran. I also pray for our military forces serving in the Holy Land. We are still in Iraq, have resumed operations in Afhanistan, so what is to keep us from getting involved in Iran, too. I hope we don't, but as volatile as that whole region is, I won't be too surprised if we do get involved.

PETA: People Embarrassing Tidewater Area. I can say that, because I used to live in Virginia Beach. Between PETA and Pat Robertson's CBN, there was always something interesting in the local news. So, if it's wrong to kill flies, is it also wrong to kill mosquitos, fleas, and other disease-carrying insects? Should I allow the ants, and roaches to frolic happily without bothering them? Is it now politically incorrect to squash bugs?

I spent a lot of time on forums that allowed, and encouraged, Mormon bashing by ex-Mormons and anti-Mormons, and I've had my share of defending the faith in realtime, too (I live in the Southern Baptist Bible Belt). I have never understood why they can't just leave us alone. If they are perfectly satisfied with their religion, and are convinced that we are wrong, then, fine, more power to them. Let them go on with their lives, and enjoy the limited truth that they have rationalized is all there is. I have left many churches over my lifetime, but I've never gone back and harassed the members, Bible-bashed them, or tried to humiliate them, as anti-Mormons do to us. The worst offenders are the ex-Mormons who are angry at the Church, for whatever reason. I've seen them throw tantrums on the Internet, bad-mouthing everything from the Prophet to the Temple, with everything in between. I have been called everything from a polygamous prostitute (which is really strange, considering that I do not practice polygamy, and in fact am single, celibate and chaste), to brain-washed, brain-dead, and a hive-thinking "Morg" (a clever play on words that Trekkies might understand). So, my first thought on seeing this thread was, oh boy, here we go again. Why would anyone start a thread that way, assuming everyone would react with hate, and pitifully pleading, Don't hate me? I don't hate anyone because they have different beliefs than I do. I just wish they would allow me to live my religion in peace. Oh, and I've heard that old retort: then the Mormons should let me live in peace, and not send the missionaries to my door. It isn't the same at all. Our missionaries are probably the most non-threatening preachers of religion that there are, except maybe New Agers and Buddhists.

I am definitely not pro-abortion. There is a big difference between pro-abortion and pro-choice. Even the Church leadership say it should be left up to the woman, her husband/boyfriend, and the bishop. It is definitely not to be taken lightly. As for the tax cuts, there is already talk about another stimulus package.

What are you, a bunch of sour grapes Republicans? The President hasn't even been in office more than a day, and you are all moaning about how bad it's going to be! Let's give him a chance! I did my homework, I don't think I'm unintelligent, and I honestly liked what he had to say during the campaign. That's why I campaigned for him, in my own humble way, and why I voted for him.

There is really nothing wrong with it. As I said, I'm used to more formal prayers, so I thought it was a rather strange way to end a prayer. I am American, born in the USA, and I am not racist. In fact, I voted for President Obama.

I don't feel that way at all. I'm really happy with the results of the election. I think we picked the right man. I was a grassroots worker for President Obama, in my own way. I have hope he will be able to break a few barriers that need to be broken in this nation, so we can really become the United States. For too long there have been divisions because of race and religion. Maybe some of that will be healed now.

I thought it was a rather strange way to end a prayer, but then I'm used to more formal prayers. I did like Rick Warren's prayer, though.

I'm having a problem now with the fact that Facebook keeps me with my full name. I am a member of Navy For Moms, and I put up a little status bar widget, like what they have on Facebook, and it connects to Facebook, so my Facebook status updates will show up on Navy Moms. The problem is we only use aliases or first names only, to protect our sailors. If I use my Facebook status updates, it will automatically show my full name, thus compromising my son's anonymity. So, I will probably end up deleting the widget from N4M.

Who are you to say who's Christian and who isn't? Latter-day Saints ARE Christians. Read the Book of Mormon before you say we aren't Christian. That precious book of scripture has a whole lot to say about Jesus Christ, his mission, his atonement and his resurrection. The main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince the whole world, "Jew and Gentile, that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations...." In the words of a truly great prophet, Nephi, in the Book of Mormon: "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ..." Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:26. If that doesn't make us Christian, in the eyes of mainstream Christians, I don't know what will. We will never be mainstream, creedal Christians, and we don't want to be, if that requires us to give up our latter-day scriptures, our teachings, our prophets and apostles, and the unique blessings we have as Latter-day Saints. Yet, we ARE Christians. Nothing you say or think can change that.

To my understanding, no that commandment would not necessarily apply to that situation, and I agree it would be very unfair to the partner. One thing I like about our understanding of the afterlife is that if we, for whatever reason, are not able to find a marriage partner in this life, we trust that it will all be worked out to everyone's joy and satisfaction in the next life. We believe that we will continue to grow and develop, and will continue to have the right to choose, beyond this life. We also believe that earth life is a testing ground, and that some of us volunteered for some very difficult tests. IMHO, perhaps homosexuality is one of those tests. I have much respect for those Latter-day Saints who have SSA, but who have chosen celibacy so they can keep sacred covenants.

I think maybe one difference between converts and those who are born into a long, illustrious lineage of LDS heritage, is that converts have to study, pray, and even fight for our testimonies. It isn't just handed to us on a silver platter. We don't get the early teaching in Primary, unless we are called to teach in Primary. In my case, I was blessed to be the teacher for the Sunbeams, Stars, and CTRs, so I had a chance to grow in the gospel a little. We don't get to be Young Men or Young Women, most of us get the teachings in Gospel Essentials, Relief Society, and Priesthood. We don't have a family backing us up, or encouraging us. In some cases, in fact, family and friends are doing everything possible to discourage us, which is probably one reason there is a problem with convert retention. One thing to remember is this: Nobody can live very long on borrowed light, or borrowed testimony. It is up to each individual to seek for the Truth, study, pray, and live the gospel principles. It is in the living of the principles that the testimony grows, even as we are told, in the Book of Mormon, Alma 32:27, that we must experiment to prove the words, so we must experiment to prove the principles. That is how we get a testimony. Also, we need to study and pray with the right intent, or the right purpose. I don't believe that means to force an answer in a desperate attempt to convert so you can marry a certain person on a certain timetable. A true testimony can't be forced. The Spirit speaks on His own timetable. It's when we get impatient that we run into trouble, and become vulnerable to being misled, by our own desires, or by more sinister forces.

I wonder if the same rule holds true for the patriarchal blessing as it does for the temple blessing. When I came back to the church and had my temple blessings restored, I was told that the past was wiped out, and they even restored my original baptism date, and my original endowment date.

I didn't know this was possible. I've wondered about it, because I feel like I really blew mine, and some of it doesn't seem relevant to me anymore. On the other hand, I've heard that the blessing is good for time and eternity, and if something doesn't come true in this life, it might later.

I respect your quest. It looks like you struggled long and hard to come to faith. I've come to the conclusion that God can use other religions as stepping stones on the path to faith in Christ. I also believe fervently in the passages in the Book of Mormon, 2 Neph 29:7-12, which talks about how God has commanded men in all nations to write (and share) his word. I have a feeling that this is why there are so many religions: God sent prophets and teachers into the world, with his gospel, to be taught according to the cultural understanding of the people in the various nations. Someday, all the teachings will come together, and we'll all have the whole story. Right now, we have the Bible, mainly the teachings of the Jews, which Protestants believe is all there is, the Book of Mormon, which I believe is the companion to the Bible, and the other latter-day scriptures. We also have the teachings of Islam, as found in the Queran. These are, collectively, the teachings of the children of Abraham because Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all stem from the same root. All are wonderful, beautiful teachings. There are also beautiful teachings in the Asian religions, such as Buddhism. I really believe that there is a purpose for all religions, and truth is found everywhere. Someday, all the truths will come together, and we'll all have the whole story. As Paul said, "For now we see through a glass, darkly..." 1 Corinthians 13:12. Someday, we shall all see clearly. I think the Internet, through web sites like this, can be a great force for good, in increasing understanding, and lessening prejudices.

Prisonchaplain, as a matter of fact, we are called to celibacy as part of our Law of Chastity, if we are single for any reason, including homosexuality. I don't know anyone personally, but I have read comments on other forums by active Latter-day Saints who are gay, and yet, because they have chosen to be celibate and keep the Law of Chastity, they do have temple privileges. I am long-time divorced, but living the celibate life. This late in my life, I seriously doubt that I will get married again. I am content with being alone, single, and celibate. I am keeping my covenants, serving my family and the Lord as well as I can.

I just pray for the end to hostilities in the Middle East. I'm a Navy mom, and my son is on deployment somewhere over there. On behalf of military moms and dads everywhere: I just pray every day for the safety of our sons and daughters, and for wisdom and common sense to prevail in governmental chambers. I know the song "In the Hollow of His Hand" refers specifically to keeping our missionaries safe, but I think it can be a prayer for our military forces, too.

I can only tell you it won't be easy, but it is so worth it! Once you feel the Spirit telling you the Truth, once you have the Truth in your heart, you will never be truly satisfied until you follow through with what your heart is telling you. That can cause a rift with friends or family, at least temporarily. Out of six children, I have only one daughter who is a devout and devoted Latter-day Saint. I have another daughter who is Baptist, and four sons who don't believe in any religion. That does cause hurt feelings, even hostility sometimes. My wonderful, loving and compassionate daughter and I did have some painful discussions and arguments, but we finally came to a compromise, realizing there were some things we couldn't agree on. We decided to focus on the goodness and beauty of the religions each of us chose. From her, I learned the simple joy of praise and worship, and simple, childlike prayers. Her church is very contemporary and very casual. In return, I've taught her the value of family prayer and scripture study. Together, we try to give her son a good Christian foundation. One thing that bothers me a little is that she has been very clear with me that she doesn't want me to talk to her son about the Church, especially about Joseph Smith or latter-day prophets, or some of the other things we believe. I can understand why she does this, because he is only 9 years old and she doesn't want him to be confused. Still, I wish I could, especially when he asks if he can go to church with me. I think that day will come, someday. He will, I'm sure, have questions as he gets older, because when he comes to visit me, he can see pictures of the temples on my walls,a picture of a latter-day prophet (Gordon B. Hinckley) a picture of Jesus, and a copy of the Book of Mormon on my table. He hears good music, including instrumentals of our hymns, and sometimes he sees scenes from the Book of Mormon on my computer desk top. The main thing he sees is that I am Christian. That is the main thing I've been able to get across to my daughter, too, by my example. That is our main message, that we are Christians, members of Christ's True and Restored Church, his disciples in word and in deed. We do differ in theology from other Christian churches, simply because his Church has been restored to the earth, just as it existed, as he set it up, in ancient times. We welcome you, and hope you will follow your heart and join us. The journey is an interesting and exciting one, and the blessings are abundant and eternal. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I like Facebook because of the LDS Application. I have my testimony on there, as well as quotes from President Hinckley, favorite scriptures, etc. Most of my friends there are LDS, and I also have my family on there. My main problem is too many applications. My friends, and family, are always sending me new applications, and I usually don't have the heart to ignore them! That takes up a lot of time, but it is fun.