RipplecutBuddha

Think about it this way. If you're humble, you are teachable. You listen to the spirit, and thus to the council of Heavenly Father. Through this communication all sin can be avoided because you are warned of the dangers and you are more likely to heed them. Now, if you're proud...even a little bit, you think you have learned what you need to know. Thus you stop asking questions in some areas. Thus when temptations arise, rather than seek the Lord and his spirit, you try to conquer it alone. When men boast of their own strength, they are left to the same. Speaking for myself, pride led me to commit sins I would have never considered a good idea. I thought I knew better. I thought I was strong enough to indulge and still be okay. I was desperately wrong. Had I remained humble, I would have avoided much of the trouble I still struggle with today, all these years later.

Congrats on the Austraila call. I served in the California San Diego mission

This would only make sense if we ALL were raised with the same standards to begin with. In pacific cultures, tattoos are an expected thing. Some are even handed down within families. Would you have people with tattoos removed from the church, or prevented from being baptized...because they didn't follow the standards of a church they didn't belong to at the time? I seriously doubt that you would want this. The point is that all of us fall short of the standards of the church in one way or another. Yet we are to forgive as Christ has instructed us. Why? Because he seeks to forgive us all, but he cannot so long as we judge others this way. I disagree with this as well. Stake Presidents shouldn't be adding their own questions or standards to the recommend interview process...however if they feel guided by the spirit to act in that way, who am I to say they're wrong...maybe the person planned to get more work done on their tattoos after getting a recommend and the spirit told the SP that such was the case. We just can't judge from outside. In short, those of us that know better, ought to follow our knowlege. We cannot judge someone against a standard they were unaware of. At the same time, we cannot use their situation as an excuse to go out and get a tattoo either. I heard it explained this way, would you care to see graffiti on the SLC temple? Some graffiti is very good from the artist's perspective and it can take amazing skill. But does it belong on the temple? Our bodies are a temple; a place for the Spirit of the Lord to dwell. We ought to regard our bodies as such for several reasons beyond tattoos, but again...not all cultures would agree with this mindset. Some of the most spiritual people I have known from childhood have had tattoos.

Also, by not telling anyone else, you are inadvertantly beginning the process of isolation. Of course it's a serious issue, and no, it's not something you want to shout from the rooftops, but Satan would have you face this alone, because he knows you can't win on your own. Speaking as one who has faced this addiction for many years, I can tell you that it will take time and serious effort. However, it will take far longer and it will be even harder if you don't reach out for help. By talking with the bishop you are reaching for the support system that Christ has put in place for exactly this situation. I would also advise selecting a personal time to sit down with your parents and tell them as well. You've already begun the process of repentance, and I can also tell you that a father's blessing will be a tremendous boost to your ability to beat this demon in your mind. Also understand that you're hardly the only one that's been tempted by pornography and given in to it. It is so pervasive today, I tend to be more surprised when I learn someone has never really had an issue with it. Finally, take heart in knowing that you can beat this. The more people you have working to help you along, the stronger you will be. Pray as many times in the day as you feel the need to. In the MTC we prayed close to 20 times a day. The more connected you are to the Holy Ghost, the better.

wait...that twig wasn't supposed to be used as arch supports?? suddenly I have an urge to move to indonesia for a year or two....

Also, the time spent on a video game, as you mentioned, has an impact on our spirituality. To supplement what judominja said, each family is going to have a different idea about what constitutes 'appropriate length of time' spent playing video games. For some, a half hour sounds good. For others, an hour to three hours isn't a big deal. It's really a personal judgement call. I feel that once the needs of the home and family are taken care of, the rest of the time spent on video games can be very useful. I won't spend more than an hour at a time though, because my eyes just can't take more than that comfortably...I gotta get up and move around. Also, this comes under the heading of things we know well enough to handle on our own. As Christ said, it's not wise to command a servant in all things, because they stop thinking for themselves and become slothful. (a gross re-statement I know....) God gave us a mind, and he expects us to use it. While praying about this is always a good idea, it's also important to remember that we are free to make our own decisions. In this case, I think going to God about it is good, so long as we say something like "We want video games to be a healthy part of family activity, so help us make good choices in the games we choose, and the time we spend playing them."

My father sold two-way radios for nearly 40 years. Most of his clients were either emergency responders/law enforcement or oil companies and related contractors. In order to do business, he was required to be licensed through the FCC for authorization to use the transmission frequencies he needed. However his FCC license had nothing at all to do with am/fm radio, satellite, or cable transmissions. Now, I told you that story to tell you this one. My grandmother (dad's mother in law) was having issues with her cable box. Some of the channels were fine, others weren't, and still others totally disappeared. She called the cable company to ask if they could come look at it. Of course they promised to be there sometime between three pm and the next tuesday. Needless to say they didn't show. So she called them again. Same promise, same result. Now my grandmother was a very tenacious woman. When she was faced with a problem, she never walked away from it. So...she called my dad and asked if we'd like to come visit her that weekend. He said sure (since we all loved going to grandma's). Then she called the cable company again and once more asked if someone could come look at her cable box. This time the person taking the call said they wouldn't be able to get out to her for a few days. Her response, and I quote; "Well that's okay. My son in law is licensed with the FCC and he's bringing his family over for the weekend. I'm sure he'll be able to fix it when he gets here." Twenty minutes later, a repairman arrived at grandma's house and swapped out the cable box. When we got there for the weekend, we all enjoyed the free two-year upgrade she got for her troubles.

I never saw the film, but the prayer seems in accordance with the tone of the film judging by the previews that I did see on television.

Could it be he was lifting some of that from the movie Taladega Nights?

When we pray, we are asking for things we think are most important to us in our lives at the moment. However, because God has a far more expansive perspective, he can see what is really most important for us to recieve. It is true that he wants us to have all the blessings of heaven, but the trick is our agency. God simply cannot do something we don't want him to do. We indicate our desires through prayer, and that is why we need to pray for certain blessings. We need to demonstrate that the blessing he wants us to recieve is in accordance with our will as well as his. God will not force his will upon us any more than we can impose our will upon God. Thus when we are asking for something in prayer, we are hoping that our request is in accordance with God's will, though it may not be. God gives blessings to us due to the faith and prayers of others all the time. For example, Alma's prayers for the welfare of his son Alma the Younger were fully in accordance with the will of God, and at the appropriate time, it was answered with generations of miraculous results. I'm not sure if this helps address the questions you've been given from the atheist, but hopefully it will help you organize your thoughts.

Not to derail the thread, but violent video games cannot be blamed for someone acting out this way....otherwise everyone (or at least more than one person) would be acting out this way due to the video game. The issue is within the attacker himself. It takes a specific kind of psychology within the mind to cause someone to act out in such a way that most anyone else immediately accepts as wholly inappropriate, if not outright evil. What should be looked at are the events in the man's life that could have contributed to his behavior. The video game is more of a symptom of the problem within, not the cause. Back to the horrible tragedy itself, God will bless the survivors with the strength they need to endure the trial as they seek it. My own question would be to the attacker himself..."what was your ultimate goal in this...are your problems now solved?"

A large man was with some friends at a bar when he saw a small frail-looking man sitting alone in a corner booth. He looked as though he would cry at any moment. Just to have some fun, he walked over to the man, grabbed his drink and swallowed the entire thing. Immediately, the frail man erupted into uncontrolled wailing and crying. Now the larger man was embarassed, so he quickly sat down and tried calming down the total wreck next to him. Eventually the little guy composed himself enough to talk. The larger man said "I didn't know your drink was so important to you. Let me buy you another one." The smaller man answered and explained himself. "It's just that today has been a totally miserable failure from the start. I woke up late for work and ripped my best dress pants trying to hurry out the door. When I got to my car it wouldn't start, so I had to call a cab. When I went to pay the driver I realized I left my wallet in my ripped pants at home. Then when I got to my desk, I found a note from my boss that I had been fired for failing to manage an important project properly. I had to walk home only to find my wife had left me, but only after letting my dog out of the yard to run away. I was so miserable I decided to kill myself...and then you walk up and drink all my poison...."

Guilt is a huge thing in any discussion about sexual morality. The Lord places extreme emphasis on sexual cleanliness before him, and rightly so. However, the focus seems to be centered on the seriousness of the sin, rather than the commonality of the temptation. Just as with any addiction, it cannot be overcome completely by one's self. To focus on the guilt of the sin is to take a great risk in isolating the guilty. Once isolated, Satan has that many defenses swept out of his way. Direct and clear conversation is essential, but the key is that it must be done in such a way that the child knows that you love them no matter what, and that God loves them no matter what. The fact is immorality is an enormous issue, and nearly all children will have to face it outside the home, often long before their parents feel prepared to take it on. As long as you can maintain a strong bond of trust with your children (which is in itself an enormous challenge today) they will be far more receptive to your counsel. 1. As serious as sexual transgressions are, from porn to sex out of marriage, complete forgiveness is absolutely within reach through sincere repentance. The biggest attack against any one of us (regardless of what sin we have committed) is that our sins have placed us beyond redemption. So long as the sins are in this area, there could be nothing further from the truth, and that cannot be forgotten. 2. Our bodies are an immeasurable gift purchased and guaranteed to us through the resurrection and Atonement of Jesus Christ. Think about it for a minute. Christ placed more importance upon our ability to have our bodies forever above himself. The greatest element of this truth is that he did so deliberately, purposefully. He knew he would have to endure whatever happened to him in order to secure this priceless gift, and not once during the greatest suffering in the history of this world did he try to get out of completing it. He humbly submitted to all things inflicted upon him for each of us. 3. Understand that we all must endure the trials before us. As much as any parent wants their child to remain spotless before God, mistakes will be made just as any of us know from our own lives. Some trials will be easier than others, and some won't be a challenge at all. However each of us has our own 'favorite sin', or what Paul called his 'thorn in the flesh'. The challenge will not be in remaining sinless, but in recovering from mistakes, and trusting the Plan of Salvation to fulfill its purpose. No child learns to walk without falling repeatedly. However it is through determination and repeated effort and practice that it becomes second nature. Resisting temptations of sexual impurity will require exactly the same tenacity and determination to succeed. As with walking, it is not learned by someone in isolation, but through the help, love, support, and encouragement of parents, siblings, spouses, and other loved ones who sincerely wish to see the struggling soul find strength and victory. One final comment, the stigma of sexual impurity in ones past places a seeming darker pall on individuals. This ought not be the case. Instead such people must be surrounded by support and encouragement, understanding and love. In many cases spousal forgiveness is also required, however much time is needed. It is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. The all can be intimidating, but even in that we are not alone. God will guide and support all who exercise faith in him.

An amusing bit from my mission...more to follow....maybe.... Levels in the mission field Mission President 1. Leaps tall buildings with a single bound 2. Is more powerful than a locomotive 3. Is faster than a speeding bullet 4. Walks on water 5. Talks with God Assistant to the Mission President 1. Leaps short buildings in a single bound 2. Is more powerful than a switch engine 3. Just as fast as a speeding bullet 4. Walks on water if the sea is calm 5. Talks with God on special requests Zone Leader 1. Leaps short buildings with a running start and a favorable wind 2. Almost as powerful as a switch engine 3. Faster than a speeding BB 4. Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool 5. Occasionally addressed by God District Leader 1. Barely clears a quonset hut 2. Loses tug-of-war with a switch engine 3. Can fire a speeding bullet 4. Swims well 5. Recieves inspiration Senior Companion 1. Makes high marks on walls while trying to leap tall buildings 2. Is run over by a switch engine 3. Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self-injury 4. Treads water 5. Prays a lot Junior Companion 1. Climbs the walls 2. Continually rides the rails 3. Faster than a stationary bullet 4. Walks on ice 5. Talks to animals Greenie 1. Runs into buildings 2. Recognizes locomotives 2 out of 3 times 3. Not issued ammunition 4. Can stay afloat with a life jacket 5. Talks to walls MTC Missionary 1. Falls over a doorstep trying to enter tall buildings 2. Says "Look at the choo-choo!!" 3. Wets himself with a water pistol 4. Plays in mud puddles 5. Mumbles to himself Returned Missionary 1. Lifts tall buildings and walks under them 2. Kicks locomotives off the tracks 3. Catches speeding bullets in his teeth 4. Freezes water with a single glance 5. Answers questions addressed to God

A possibly related example is one of my friends who served his mission in Brazil. He struggled to learn the language, but as he did so he noticed himself praying more comfortably in the language. Most interesting was when he realized he was dreaming in portugese. In fact, on the flight home, the stewardess asked him three times if he wanted a drink of water. It took her that many times before my friend realized she was speaking English. The way we think can be changed, but it requires focus and determination. Once again, the Lord is not asking us to do something impossible. We may not see from this end how it can be done, but once we accomplish what God asks of us, we can more easily see how it happened. The important factor to keep in mind is how directly involved God wants to be through it all. Study the example of Nephi and the brass plates.

Paul Harvey 'For What It's Worth' update November 8 1978 Our For What It's Worth Department hears from Pretoria, South Africa... Where a newspaper has been trying to correct a classified ad. Because the ad, as it was first printed, said, quote: The Rev. A.J. Jones has a color TV set for sale. Telepone 555-1313 after 7 pm and ask for Mrs. Donnelly who lives with him, cheap. So....the next day the Pretoria paper printed a correction, quote: We regret any embarrassment caused to Rev. A.J. Jones by a typographical error in yesterday's editions. It should have read, "The Rev. A.J. Jones has color TV set for sale, cheap. Telephone 555-1313 and ask for Mrs. Donnelly who lives with him after 7 pm." Then the next day....the paper said: The Rev A.J. Jones informs us he has recieved several annoying telephone calls because of an incorrect advertisement in yesterday's paper. It should have read, "The Rev. A.J. Jones has color TV set for sale. Cheap. Telephone after 7 pm 555-1313 and ask for Mrs. Donnelly who loves with him." ONE DAY LATER Please take note that I, the Rev. A.J. Jones, have no TV set for sale. I have smashed it. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Donnelly. She was until yesterday my housekeeper. Yesterday, one more ad: WANTED a housekeeper. Telephone the Rev. A.J. Jones 555-1313. Usual housekeeping duties, good pay, love in. End quote.

Polygamy was restored, ongoing revelation was restored, prophets were restored, temple building was restored....is it all that shocking really? I mean to western sentiments it's shocking, but it was an ordinance that portrayed the Savior's role in the Plan of Salvation. It was also a key ordinance equal in many respects to the sacrament we perform today. Whether literally, or symbolically, the prophecy will be fulfilled. I just hope the priests of Aaron that fulfill it have stronger stomachs than me.

Based upon what you've said, my advice would be to keep things as positive as you can while you're there, and move on when you move out. However, as the prior two posters have pointed out, if the situation is more complex than what has been posted, my advice would be best taken with the requisite salt. Prayer is always helpful as well.

Rod Stewart on marriage: The next time I think I want to get married, I'm going to find a woman that hates my guts. Then I'll buy her a house.

Indeed, Nehor's ideas are very equateable to Satan's in premortal life. Think about it. He agreed to be the Savior, but the Savior of people with no agency. With no agency, we could not sin, therefore Satan would not need to atone for anything at all...pretty cushy set-up really. The problem with either concept is a something-for-nothing ideal, which is not just, nor do eternal principles allow for it. It just cannot work without someone giving up their due property with no return. As for the modern equivalent, I am too hesitant to paint any direct picture. It could too easily slip into a bashing of other religions. However I can agree that the attitude is out there in some Christian operations. Having a paid clergy does not equate to priestcraft IMHO in all situations. As far as I can see it's a fairly limited segment of the whole.

When I meet someone who has used MJ regularly for years....I know it immediately. Everything about them is....how should I put this....very relaxed. It's as if they just...can't...fully...wake...up. One such person I know is so far along, his reflexes are noticeably delayed. There are worse consequences to drug use than death, nor have I ever implied that MJ kills people who use it. Having said that, if you want to use it, by all means carry on. If we're going somewhere though, please let me drive.

blackmarch is correct...a coffin

I think we can examine our condition here, and use it as a possible mirror to what conditions were like before we arrived. For example, we know about our parents at the very least, and hopefully we know our parents and have been taught by them from the moment our life began on this earth. We have to learn everything from communicating to how to move and control ourselves. We have to learn about social issues such as how to be polite, how to share, and how to help others. As we learn our intelligence and glory grow with us until we reach a point that requires us to move to the next phase. While few people have been translated, it has happened. What is important to know is that we can reach such a point...each of us. The realities of what life would be like on earth probably weren't fully known to us, but we knew it would be hard. We knew we would not be able to be with Heavenly Father, nor even regularly hear his voice. We possibly knew about the veil, and that we would essentially be starting over once we were born. What we did know for sure was that we had to come here in order to continue our process of becoming as our Heavenly Father is. Perhaps the moment of leaving Heaven to come here caused us anxiety, as death causes anxiety in many people here. What our knowledge of pre-mortal life helps us to understand is that we exercised our faith in God to take a tremendous step. This is something we need to prepare to do again. We need to exercise our faith in God to take the steps necessary to return to him. They are not easy, and most often anymore they are not popular either. However we have the assurance from God as we exercise our faith in Him every day that as we do so, our trust will be rewarded with guidance and strength to continue on. Most all of us believe in our Savior, but how many believe what he has told us? This, I think, is a key element to building stronger personal faith.

I think it's a concrete example of the consequences of casting pearls before swine. The fact remains that polygamous marriages were not only regular occurences in the OT, but they were supported of God. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had more than one wife, and the twelve tribes of Israel came from four women. I don't think it's a matter of us needing to defend the practice of polygamy. I think it's a matter of realizing how quickly people condemn things before thinking them through, and how hard it is to overcome such a reaction once it reaches multiple generations in age. The facts remain what they are. If God accepted and encouraged polygamous marriages in the past, there is no rational basis for saying he cannot do so at any time afterwards. Doesn't the bible itself state that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever? When God commands man, and that man obeys, that man will always be right.

One man built it but didn't want it Another man bought it but didn't use it Another man used it but didn't know it What is it?