TruthSeekerToo

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Emphisis mine. So, why are we trying to argue this? God IS love! What a beautiful thing to remember. I have to spend more time pondering this.

Thanks for sharing this. As you may know, I am one who is trying to understand these particular scriptures. I was pondering today on what Laban was symbolic of. Thank you for your thoughts on that! I was thinking greed and spiritual death. It is amazing what the Spirit will teach us through the scriptures if we ask with an open heart. I can't really put into words what I am learning about Nephi & Laban. But I can testify that this story is more than what is initially read.

Snow thanks for the book recommendations. I don't have a problem with the stone in the hat method so much as hiring out as a treasure finder. I thought he had this stone before getting the plates. <headscratch> I also thought the U&T was taken away when the 116 pages were lost and wasn't given back. Not a sticking point for me, but I like to know what is true.

TheyCallMeMom-I'm not sure if you are still checking this thread or not since it kinda morphed. When you go through temple prep you can probably ask more detailed questions about the garment. When you actually go to the temple the first time the temple matron will tell you how to wear the garments in conjunction with your other clothing (ie. bra). I agree with the 4 S's. I think it is an easy guidline to follow. Obviously anytime you undress you will remove them-doctor, hospital, massage, etc. For a man who has been through the temple he is typically not going to just take his shirt off in the summer anymore. He will always wear at least a tshirt and shorts that hit the top of his knees. A woman who has been through the temple will always wear at least cap sleeved tops and skirts or shorts that hit the top of the knee. The mid-section will always be covered. Tops will not delve too far in the front or back. Necklines can be tricky sometimes. I find boat necks and scoop necks are usually out because they go too far over on the shoulders. There are a lot of little tshirt businesses for LDS women that make modest tops that can go under all your sweaters or not modest enough shirts. They come in a wide variety of colors, etc. I do remember preparing my sister to go to the temple. She had to get rid of sooo many clothes! She had lived in California and had lots and lots of tank tops. It is far better to start changing your clothing habits now so you don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe later. Way to go on starting now!

(((hugs))) Pray about your pain. Even if your blubber through the entire thing. Pray through your fear. It can be hard to let your wall down, but it will help you so much. I struggled with secondary infertility and 2 miscarriages. I'm not going to pretend to know the depth of your pain, but I do share a little of it. It sucks! It hurts! It can be really, really hard. But, Colorado rocks! You would totally love it here.

Soul Searcher (((hugs))) I'm sorry for your pain in the whole situation. It's definatly NOT easy. Families usually aren't. Pray for peace. I don't know if you are praying much right now, but it might be a good time to start. I can tell you it has given me peace on many occasions. Who knows, maybe some grand idea will pop into your head.

I just want to thank everyone for all the great posts! I have really learned so much. It is fun to discover things I have always taken for granted. Basically, I think I've concluded that there is and always has been a natural opposition (thanks to the poster that mentioned that). That is why two opposing trees were put in the Garden. So, even when Satan is bound there will continue to be natural opposition. Just not the temptation or opposing force of evil. Mostly, because the people living will have no desire to do evil and be one with the Lord who is ruling on the earth. It's all pretty cool, IMHO. Traveler, I totally agree with knowing God and becoming one with Him being so critical!

<Sorry, I am quoting you to make a point-not directed at you. :)> This is something I think people are not understanding. It seems like many are being sooo casual about killing. Even if you are justified in killing someone it is a painful, horrible event in your life!!! It is a heavy burden and a huge sacrifice! Or maybe it is just being glossed over to make a point. I don't know. This was not some glorious event for Nephi.

Traveler-I totally agree that opposition is truly two forces working against eachother. It is different than traditional opposites. I have found some helpful things in some books. But, I am led to wonder something. Can we have opposition without Satan or not? If we can have opposition without Satan, what is the point of him? In other words, why is he even allowed to mess with men?

Well, the formula of studying it out in your mind and praying to know really does work. We can learn a lot from this story. And not at all what you would expect. HEP-thanks for sharing Moroni 7:15-18! That was a scripture that first came to mind, but I couldn't remember how it went in order to find it.

I don't know what I would do. It does sound like something is going on. I mess up names all the time. I sometimes call my kids by eachothers names-or my oldest by my husbands-or sometimes I will call my kids by 2 of my siblings names. Those are the only names I have ever messed up on (and do all the time). The fact that you aren't blood related and he is saying your name so often seems a bit strange to me. But maybe that can be normal? That added to the fact she is trying to be like you and put you down makes me think something was said to her. Like maybe she was compared to you by BIL. I'd probably try to ignore it. If it becomes more of a problem or you are worried then your husband needs to talk to his brother about it. In a non-confrontational way. This is just my opinion. I have nooooo idea what I would really do.

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Sounds like weakness is a blessing so that we will be humble and come unto Jesus. There are other scriptures that also indicate that weaknesses become strengths or make us strong.

interalia-hopefully you have found your answer. I would suggest that people really study the law of tithing AND the law of consecration. Read all of the passages you can find in the D&C. Pay close attention to all the passages about the poor. The current law of tithing is contained in D&C 119 and has TWO parts, though we only pay attention to one. I suggest reading the whole thing with a prayerful heart. ETA: My point is that everyone needs to seek the council of the Lord in this. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or says. If you and the Lord know that you are a full tithe payer (or exempt) then that is all that matters.

It is so easy for me to see that we are the House of Isreal. We are really not so different, are we?

That gave me serious goosebumps! Wow. I can imagine myself scrunching up or spreading out my writings over 24 plates to try to get the right number.

But some of the minutia details of the LoM really didn't come from God. Or at least the stringent ways they were sometimes interpreted. Didn't Jesus prove that? People can take things too far.

Well, I think people who struggle with suicidal thoughts are already miserable! It is a miserable feeling. Who wants us to be miserable? Satan I really think that some people have these thoughts because of chemical imbalances and others it is more situational. I think we can also see there could be a genetic component as well.

I have no idea for #1 2. This is tricky to add up. If you don't count the time the teacher actually teaches you still have to count the time spent planning the lesson. The choir is voluntary but the pianist and choirister are callings-so I guess we'd count their time but not the choirs time? The Enrichment activities (women's meeting) are voluntary to go to, but the committee is called and has to be there. So you can see how this gets tricky. There is just no way to average this number! I would estimate about 15-20 hours a month for myself. That does not include choir or attending ward or stake parties or baptisms or church. That includes my leadership calling, meetings, visiting teaching and planning talks or lessons. 3. In reality it is easy. There is an expectation of willingness to serve, though. Sometimes a bishop has a very difficult time filling a position. People do say no. Lots of them. And they say no for all different reasons, not just being overextended.

I'm sorry you have struggled with this so long! I had a hard time last summer with bad thoughts. I'm pretty sure it was post partum depression. What was so bad was sleep deprivation and a high needs baby. So, I am lucky that my bad thoughts have completely gone away with more sleep!!! There is no single answer for why these thoughts plague some people. For some it is chemical and others situational. Plus, we all have different things that work for us that won't work for everyone. It can be frustrating. Countrygirl makes a great point about isolation. And you can even see that you have that problem. I would encourage you to force yourself to talk to your wife or trusted friend or bishop. You could also look into alternative healthcare treatments. They can work wonders for some. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and eating healthy. Sounds silly, but it helps me. Don't be afraid to call out to God to help. I mean really cry out to Him, let Him know your anguish. You can be comforted and delivered in times of need. I almost forgot, sunshine, fresh air and exercise! So many people never connect with nature anymore. Go outside and take a walk. I know it is the last thing you want to do when depressed, but do it anyway. It will feel good to get out of your head and into your body. What is this failure you are feeling? Maybe by understanding your feeling and needs you can change it. Remeber that Jesus Christ atoned for all our sins and sorrows. We just have to grab hold of it (easier said than done). I think a lot more people struggle with this than we realize because we rarely talk about it.

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, it does appear that entire books were ignored so he possibly *could* have made additional changes. However, he and the entire first presidency declared it finished 2 July 1833. Both in writing on the manuscript and in the History of the Church. The Lord spent the next 10 years commanding them to print it. Commanding the members of the church to financially support the printing (and JS personally so he could attend to it). If the Lord felt it was ready to be published that is good enough for me. :)

Actually, the translation was complete according to most sources-including Mormonwiki. It was being prepared for printing at the time of the martyrdom. The church was also commanded to publish it to the inhabitants of the earth.

I am not sure what you mean by the part I bolded. Do you mean that millionaires get more blessings because they are paying more $ in tithes than poor people? Or do you mean that a full tithe payer gets more blessings than a partial tither? Because I have to disagree that the more dollars you pay in the more blessings that come out. That is not found anywhere in our doctrine. Sorry if I totally misunderstood you! Everything belongs to God. It is all His. We are to be responsible stewards over all that He gives us.

What about what girls? What are you asking? Sorry, I think I'm lost.

I like calling it the "Inspired Version" of the Bible. That really explains what it is better than saying translation.............if we wanna get technical. I believe the RLDS call it the Inpired Version. And you can see the entire thing online. Pretty nifty. I love using it!

I've never heard that, but it makes sense. Although, I would say that faith would relate best to Holy Ghost. Not that they can't all be combined, etc. I agree Jesus Christ aligns perfectly with hope. Of course, like LDSV says, being unified they all are faith, hope and charity.