StrawberryFields

Thanks Jenda and Curvette for your kind words. Even though my parents have been less active my entire life, I know that they get much strength and comfort from what we have been able to offer them through our faith. It would hurt me not to feel that I could give comfort to my father now through my faith and my prayers.

I do believe that prayers can bring blessings of healing. I believe God expects us to ask according to His will in order to receive these blessings. Praying for one another definitely makes a difference in both ourselves and those we pray for. It isn't just a change in ourselves and our perspective, it can have a change of outcomes. We are not powerless, we have the power to give of ourselves through prayer. I remember a few years ago when my youngest son was struggling to learn to read. He just couldn't hold onto the knowledge and was failing horrible. I was an excellent reader. A fast and well educated reader. But I was old and felt I didn't need to read that well, so I told the Lord that I was willing to give my talent to read to my struggling son. It wasn't too long before I saw a surprising improvement in my son's ability to read and a lessoning of my own ability. Through sacrifice and prayer I believe we can and do receive magnificent blessings. I believe we are given these opportunities to pray for others because we can make a difference. This is what I have been taught from as early as I can remember. This is what I want to believe. The other way does leave me feeling powerless. "God expects us to ask according to His will in order to receive these blessings." This is something that I don't always do and maybe that is where my confusion is with the question of prayer. Shortly after Nick was injured I heard a talk in Sacrament where the man was talking about priesthood blessings. What he said was that if is God's Will and a request of healing is given it shall be done. Being as far along in Nicks recovery that we were I especially liked hearing that. Then my thought turned to my mom who had received a similar blessing of healing just a year before and she didn't make it. Her passing at that time had also been God's Will. The part that strikes me now is what if we had never asked? I believe (having been reminded) that praying for others is important just so we remember that the ultimate decision remains with the Lord. A very beautifully written post Amillia, thank you for sharing it. I will remember your story of sacrifice just as I have learned other things from you. :)

Now that's a road I haven't crossed yet, so I'm not qualified to answer. I'll bet you are really missing her about now. Mother/child ties are the strongest on earth (I think.) Thanks for sharing your story Curvette. Yes, my heart yearns to have my mom back. Just yesterday my dad got the results of his PSA test and his cancer is active again. He will go to meet with his doctor on Thurs to discuss his options. Do I pray for my father and his health? I have heard here on this message board where prayer doesn¡Çt change the Lords mind, it only changes ours. These past couple of years have really been a test of my resolve but I have also been blessed beyond measure. I just feel that I need the world to stop spinning so that I can see where I am.

What? I don't see how this relates to someone we love having a disease. Really? Have you ever studied Paul's writtings? 2 Cor. 4: 17 17 For our light aaffliction¡¦ which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and beternal cweight¡¦of glory; Two years ago, this month, I lost my mom at the age of 63 to cancer. How will her death help me to win the good race?

What?I don't see how this relates to someone we love having a disease.

Changing the scenario a bit... What about disease? Is it Gods Will for our loved ones to become infested with disease? Do we have any power over this? Does fasting and prayer help to heal them or are we to just to submit to Gods Will?

Winnie, That is great; you have learned how to personalize a stranger. The same scenario can be in replacing anger to a stranger in a car by doing this; there would be no road rage. After all, who are we to judge another, what matters is the intent of goodness in our hearts.

I know for a fact that this has happened, both parties lied. I just wouldn't want to be them in the end.

I think yes and/or no. Sometimes perhaps there is a larger picture when a child is born with a handicap but most often injuries and birth defects are a direct result of a poor decision. Now I know that small children aren't mature enough to always make "good" decisions. I think that the "plan" is in affect in these situations in that LIFE is meant to test our resolve and faith. If we can over come it and touch the lives of others then that is added blessings for us. Agree? No and Yes. Some birth defects are in the genes and carried from parent to child. I don't see how that can be a result of a poor decision. Injuries are often the results of another's poor decision such of being hit by a drunk or careless driver and yet, it is the injured party has the changed life. I understand that to us LIFE isn't always fair and that we do not see the big picture. I do agree that something¡Çs are meant to test our resolve and faith. The part you said about having added blessings if we can over come it...I am still thinking about that. Okay, yes there are blessing, but sometimes you have to take the time needed to get that big lump out of your throat first.

I guess what I really meant was his new wife can have him and all of his baggage. If he ever really cleans up his act, you will be first, not replaced. Did you get a Temple divorce? Something I believe is that our intentions will also measured come judgment day. One who knows better then sins anyway planning to repent later will be seen as such. Never forget that our Father In Heaven can see clear to our hearts. IMO if you can begin to see this man as just your son¡Çs father you will be much better off. Is he good to your son?

Welcome to LDSTalk! Wow, this can not be easy for you and your child. I can understand your curiosity but do you really care? Is his previous wife chooses to be with a man like that and then to be sealed to him. I mean really, who would want to be with a guy like that?

There has been some discussion on this topic but I would like to explore it more. Just recently I saw the music video by Martina McBride- Gods Will and I was touched by it. http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-257794-videos--...Martina-McBride The Words I met God's Will on a Halloween night He was dressed as a bag of leaves It hid the braces on his legs at first His smile was as bright as the August sun When he looked at me As he struggled down the driveway, it almost Made me hurt Will don't walk too good Will don't talk too good He won't do the things that the other kids do, In our neighborhood (Chorus:) I've been searchin', wonderin', thinkin' Lost and lookin' all my life I've been wounded, jaded, loved and hated I've wrestled wrong and right He was a boy without a father And his mother's miracle I've been readin', writin', prayin', fightin' I guess I would be still Yeah, that was until I knew God's Will Will's mom had to work two jobs We'd watch him when she had to work late And we'd all laugh like I hadn't laughed Since I don't know when Hey Jude was his favorite song At dinner he'd ask to pray And then he'd pray for everybody in the world but him (Chorus) Before they moved to California His mother said, they didn't think he'd live And she said each day that I have him, well it's just another gift And I never got to tell her, that the boy Showed me the truth In crayon red, on notebook paper, he'd written Me and God love you I've been searchin', prayin', wounded, jaded I guess I would be still Yeah that was until... I met God's Will on a Halloween night He was dressed as a bag of leaves What do you think? When a child comes to us with a handicap is that part of the plan? What about when a child is injured and changed for life? Are these things Gods Will?

I did not get involved in the hypocrites thread earlier or even read it for that matter. I believe that placing a label such as that is a cop out. How anyone can group so many people together and call them something like that is beyond me.Yes, there are doctrines to follow and service is a big part of the LDS Church. If you choose not to do these things then you can become very complacent and unhappy. There are rules wherever you go to some degree and that is what keeps us civilized. To serve others keeps us from becoming self centered and enriches our lives as it does the person being served. I will agree with you to a point about the perfectionism. I believe that there are many members who live in an unrealistic world and have blinders on when it comes to problems occurring in families. I testify that everyone has problems to some degree and that when people are strong enough to admit that they have a tragedy or need support this is what brings people together. Some of my dearest friends are those who I have served with in the ward. When you serve with another person you come to realize that they are also human and make mistakes, have problems etc. It isn't fair to judge the doctrine based solely on its members because members are not perfect. The doctrine is for perfecting the saints, not perfect saints.

If he doesn't believe LDS doctrine, it shouldn't bother him. Catholic doctrine has me going to hell, but since I don't believe Catholic doctrine, that doesn't bother me! Curvette, What have you done that the Cathloic doctorine would send you to hell? Maybe I am in the same boat.

Interesting post Snow.I really enjoyed it until the last sentence. Anyway, thanks for sharing some insight about Hugh Nibley and yourself. Writers have been people I have only been able to admire from afar. The closest I have ever come to "knowing someone" who writes is Traveler, Peace and yourself. I also know that you like to read and now I know that you may have gotten that from your father? As children grow up it is interesting to see what has an impact on them into their adult lives. My husband followed the same line of work that his father was in. When he returned from his mission he needed a job and so my father in law suggested that he go and apply where his friend owned the company. My husband has been in the same line of work for 23 years. Our son now works for the same company. BTW, what is Mormon Tea? Does it have something to do with the desert plant?

Welcome to LDSTalk! I can understand your wanting to get all of the past relationship taken care of before entering into another marriage. To start your new marriage with a clean start would be ideal. Is this new man planning on taking you to the temple to be sealed to him? If you are inactive now I would think that it could take some time before you are ready to go to the temple yourself. Inactiveness has varying degrees and reasons but you will need to at least go to church and pay your tithing if you have not been doing other things that would keep you away from the temple. If you're worried about airing your dirty laundry to your bishop, don't be. I believe that bishops welcome the opportunity to welcome inactive families into their wards. I would think that your children also need the support that a ward and going to church offers. What do you have to loose?

I know a lot of people disaffected with the church who don't come up with any stories to "cover their butts." What an odd thing to say. I read the family's statement about Martha's allegations and it sounds like she has always been a "drama queen." No one seems to deny her claims of physical abuse, but they are completely shocked at her claims of sexual abuse. I personally have 0% confidence in recovered memories through hypnotherapy. Maybe she is just bitter about being named "Martha". It's too bad that the book will be released in just a few weeks following her fathers¡Ç death. I wonder how she feels now that he is gone. She will not have a chance to reconcile.

Setheus,I am sorry for your loss. Do you have any good memories that you care tp share with us?

Thanks for sharing! Do you scrapbook? It's photo's like these that will warm your heart even when he is grown. :)

Gotta love Winnie! I have seen this before and am grateful that our minds can correct imperfections such as these.

BTW, for what it is worth, you know that I like you. I believe that from the above post that it is because of your complete distain for the church and its basic principals that keeps you (most of the time) at arms reach of this board. My question to you would be why you would want to be a member of a board like this one if only to add ridicule and sarcasm.What is it that keeps you coming back to LDSTalk? Is it to add questions and doubts to those who are content in what they believe? If so, I have heard that there are plenty of other websites for that kind of stuff. You say that you feel that you are unwelcome here or in the LDS Church. My question is again, why do you care?I choose not to support the practice of drinking and smoking so thus I chose not to hang around at a bar or night club. Am I bothered by the choices of the people who do these things? No, of course not, unless it is someone who I care about and can have an influence on. Certainly, the strangers in a night club would want nothing to do with my intentions to get them to change. I choose not to participate in the way of life as those who frequent the bars and leave it with that. I chose not to visit websites where there are mocking and ridicule to the core of the LDS Church. The previously mentioned behavior does not belong on LDSTalk and that is why you are banned. If you believe that there are those on this message board who want to hear this kind of stuff from you, maybe you can express once and for all, where the gospel of Bat can be found. Which website allows gospel of Bat to be preached? Hugs, SF

Hi Ray! Glad you're back! You were Missed! Thanks, and even though I won't be on this board again for a while, don't go thinking that I'm ignoring you. I'm just trying to keep myself for getting addicted to this thing again. I figured out that I probably have OCD too. :) I understand. I have a bit of an addictive personality myself.

I am so sorry about this. How old was he when it happened? Has he been to therapy for this?There are not too many things that feel worse as a mom then when your child is hurt and you can't make it better.

What is comical castration? Even with the worst of criminals, I don't think it would be comical... LOL I think she meant Chemically, not Comically...

Hi Ray!Glad you're back! You were Missed!