WmLee

That was fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing it!!! great job. :)

The label isn't set to divide but to define who we are. I consider “libera” those people who want to “spread the wealth” and take away from others while sharing little from their catch. When I write of “conservative” I consider a far right while moving far left when writing of “liberal”. There is a lot of room in between and we all land someplace in there.

PC ~ Great question. If anyone is to be a “Christian” is it safe to assume they have taken on the name of Christ, to be “His” and strive to be more like Him? Than anyone from any sect could be a Christian. Now, the libral and conservative, the labels we place on each other would be a reflection of our interpretation or our application of His teachings. In the Restored Church Jospeh Smith taught that so many religions have changed and manipulated the gospel that non were true. He never said they were all wrong, (teachings were completely incorrect) just not true. How we, as Latter-day Saints now apply the standards we are instructed to live by I believe gives us the lable of liberal or conservative aong ourselves. Joseph Smith made a statement something to the effect of “teach them the principles and let them govern themselves” (remember I have an old brain so I hope I’m close). We have been given principles or guidelines to follow and we apply these as we interpret them. With the Word of Wisdom if I am correct the exact phrase is “hot drink” which has become coffee which has been narrowed down to caffine, (though they left hot chocolate out which is hot and often has caffine). Some feel ANY sort of caffine while others believe chocolate is exempt while some add soda and some decaf coffee. I find the same when “paying an honest tithe”. Some pay based on the total earning, some on the total net while a few will place the money into an interest earning account, pay the “tithe” and keep the interest accumulated. I think a conservative LDS member would use what’s needed, prepare for tomorrow and always be ready to help, to give where needed. A liberal LDS member would keep as much, use as much because of “entitlement” and then organize and start programs that would have minimal impact on their “stuff” while everyone else helps the needy.

I haven’t seen anything written that states single sister MUST wait till age 25 UNLESS they are . . . Perhaps your bishop feels since you’re a recent convert, (and I know 2 years is not brand spanking new but still fresh), and he feels a little more time and experience would be beneficial before you receive the blessings and make the covenants in the temple. Keep in mind that the work you do now in the temple is more than fantastic. If you’re going to the temple once a week you are doing more than many who have received their endowments and you are showing a real commitment to serving others. Perhaps once you receive your patriarchal blessing and give it another 6 to 8 months you can go back and share your heart with the Bishop. I haven’t found anything in the books requiring single sisters to be 25! Trust your Bishop, be patient!

You've got the right place to ask!! The only help or hint I can share is about when I went a looong time ago. I was 10 year s old, you could sit on the hod of your car or on logs set up for the crowd. It was a log time ago but it was one of the most amazing thigs I had ever seen. Take the kids and give them memories!!

When someone want you to look at something; "Don't do it! Next she'll want to see yours" (it's from a line used by Fireside Theatre, a radio comedy group in the 1970’s in Los Angeles)

For all three of my girls, when their dates have arrived to pick them up for the prom, I’ve been waiting in the kitchen. When they arrive I like to be taking care of my leather gear and my pistil, cleaning my pistil or my handcuffs and collapsible baton. I always invite them in for a talk while they are waiting. (The joys of being a cop). This is the perfect time to explain my thoughts on curfew and chastity. Prom’s can be so much fun!

golflovingpres had it right! If you really want to serve a mission, perpare yourself and take the mission prep classes, once or twice, and start saving money. If, in about a year or so, you have shown self control (financially) and you've demonstrated your desire, you might be serving one day!! Good luck.

Lizzy ~ great idea!! I think the visitors would be a great idea but be sure to get a signed agreement from the youth AND a parent IF you plan on publishing this. In your agreement make sure you spell out exactly what you are doing and what circulation you expect. And, if they would like a copy, get an address. That part might cost you a little, but people who have written, their families would love to see it. Adding their picture is a nice idea, but you might think about, at the end of the testimony, you give credit as “Lizzy, St. Charles, MO” or “Lizzy M, Denver, CO” Also, writing a testimony might take a little time and families may not have that much time to sit quietly for that. You might want to write up your project, have it printed on nice paper and on it have an email address you have dedicated just for your project. Then they can write it out and email it to you. You might also think about contacting youth were a temple is being built or was just dedicated, (write to the Stake Presidents in that district) and ask for the youth to write what that temple, that youth celebration, meant to them. With a picture of that temple that might be something others would like to read. Good luck!

PC ~ I love to listen to a well grounded discussion or debate! I recall years ago, as a child with my grandfather back east when he would take me to listen to local politicians debate issues. Though i didn't alway understand each issue they brought up, the things my gandfather would say later made me feel as if he learned more about things. Sadly, we don't find that any longer. Debating issues seem to swing into charactor attacks every time.

Funky said it first, but let me add that IF this is the woman you would spend eternity with wouldn't you want to show her your strength, commitment and love for your Father in Heaven by correcting this right now? See your bishop!

Go and enjoy! My mother and sisters all take non-members to enrichment night! It's a great social and learning time.

I was bothered by my memory of things I had done well after repentance. I was reminded that our Father in Heaven forgives and forgets, we remember and we remember the pain so we won’t repeat. How much of your ‘past’ you want to share with others is up to you. But is it important for others to know? Some of my mistakes I prefer no one ever learns about and for them to know or not know isn’t important; it’s not a part of me now. When I met my future wife it was important to share things I felt terrible about so she would understand where I came from and so she wasn’t surprised by a ghost coming out of the closet a few years later. She didn’t HAVE to know until I proposed a future together. Then it was important for her to know before she agreed to an eternity with me. I’m always afraid of people knowing too much too soon and judging someone without cause.

Public humiliation sometimes works. Wait until the next testimony meeting and get up in front of the congregation and just spell it out! (Just kidding here) Though we are all “called to serve” and most willingly accept, at times our goals or expectations are not met. Something may have happened with this brother/sister that prevented them from following through with their commitment. Ask them is anything went wrong. Make sure they are alright, see if they needed help and didn’t get it from someone. Perhaps the people that should have been helping them didn’t. Bottom line, talk to them about it.

Oh sister ~ I think the problem is a little deeper than it seems! If your husband is repentant and wants to clean his act up, why does he hold things back? Is there a pattern here he likes to follow or just admitting to his weakness a little at a time? You didn’t explain, and you don’t have to, but if you and he were part of what he is repenting for, I have trouble understanding why he doesn’t want to start new with you. The drugs and alcohol are probably a part of the other things that he is repenting for; why didn’t he get it all out at once? Excommunication is something that happens to the most grievous of transgressions. He seems to think he is the only one who ever made a mistake. What disappoints me the most is that he would let you, a new convert, think it’s okay to only tell part of the truth when he’s dealing with his salvation. Good luck.

I grew up Russian Orthodox and I always loved to go to mass (I still love the old mass services). I felt like I was in the right place as I grew up. Then I started to have questions and the I wanted to understand more. The answers I received seem incomplete. I visited Lutheran and Baptist churches and listened to what they had to say. Even went to Calvary for a bit. None of them seemed to have the answers and the Calvary seemed to only want to tell me what was wrong with everyone else, (I found that a weak way to promote a religion). I felt good about the LDS Church. I felt like there were answers that simply made sense. Not smoke and mirror, no “trust me, you’ll understand later”, no one said, “Well, that’s just the way it is”. And then, how can you read the Book of Mormon and not know it wasn’t . . . that it didn’t come from something or someplace that had anything to do with a farm boy. That book is, or of, something very special! I’ve had my conversion reaffirmed so many times; it’s as if I have been converted over and over again. I found truths and answers for every question and things simply make sense. No smoke, no mirror!

The title “Home Teacher” is a rather narrow name for someone whose primary responsibility is to “call on and watch over” members. I was assigned as HT to a male, inactive member who was married to a non-member. The first time I went to the house the brother told me straight out, “I know where the church is. If I need something I’ll call ya”. I stopped by once a month on a Sunday after I finished my meetings. That was about the time he and his wife got back from golfing. I always asked first about his game, the son who was in college and then about his work. We had a common ground for conversation without “preaching” to him or his wife. After a few visits he asked why I kept coming around. I told him as a Christian I had been taught to help my brother. Looking at his golf scores I figured he needed my help. From then on the challenge for him was to get me out there on a Sunday with him. My challenge was to say “not this time” as my mind gave me all sorts of excuses to join him, (it would be a service so to speak). It’s been over 10 years and he still knows where the church is and has no desire to attend. But when his mother passes away he called and asked for some help as he had no idea what to do. When the doctors found a small lump on his wife’s breast and they were worried about the biopsy that was scheduled for the next week he accepted the offer of a blessing to his wife, (the bishop came right over) and the bishop blessed the family and home in the prayer he gave before we left. The lessons taught there weren’t given like you normally expect; the lessens were shown, no spoken. Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers can be wonderful tools of the Saviors work!

I don't think there is an accent that set Utah or Arizona apart. Southern California has a "language" that is different, that does stand out. Arizon has a lot of farmers, so the women's hands are a little rough and they have a grip that gets your attention. It's the Utah hair that sets them apart. When we travel to Utah we can pretty much sit back and point them out; "yep, she's a native. That ones a 'wanna be'" I'd look at the hair and the hands!!

Welcome!! Enjoy what you find and don't be afraid to voice your opinion!!

Welcome and I hope you find some interesting things here!

It’s a shame you can’t ask him what time he will pick the kids up or what time you should bring them over each week he has custody; then document each time he can’t and why. You have tour mother there to help you. Who will watch the kids while he is at work, or until he gets home? It’s shame you can’t simply document all of this and take it to court for the next hearing. People do stupid things when it comes to divorce. Never make the kids like a pawn in some game called divorce. Protect them as much as you can, but play by the rules and by the decisions of the judge.

PC ~ very good insight after your tour. The temple is considered a place of learning and a place to make covenants with our Father in Heaven. We learn about our relationship with our Father and with our Savior. We promise, or make covenants to live our life to be worthy to return to our Heavenly Father. And, authorized priesthood holders can seal us, as a family, for eternity. For some, this is a lot. For some, being reminded of our obligation to live worthily is tough. Especially when we don’t. I think being reminded of our promises and our obligations make some feel so bad they don’t want to go back any more than they have to. I think some stay away because the idea of spending 90 minutes on your day off in the temple is too much. I have a brother-in-law that went to the temple once, about 20 years ago. He said he’s been there and doesn’t see a reason to go back. He also likes his NASCAR and fishing on Sunday and reminds me he knows where the church is. If he wants to go or see someone he knows where to find ‘em. I sometimes wish all LDS members were lining up to go back to the temple, the chapels were full and we all lived as if in Zion. Then again, I like my brother-in-law and enjoy challenging him to set better priorities!

Welcome!!!

I’m rarely surprised at what people, in and out of the church, do in their lives. I was surprised when I read what Joseph Smith wrote about adultery and the problems the saints had BACK THEN with it!! Imagine, men who worked in the field or in a factory or in construction and only showering once a week; women who worked all day and only showered once a week and did they shave their legs??? Doesn’t sound appealing to me! I think that people can come here and open and discuss what they are dealing with helps a lot. There are a lot of topics here that people can ask questions about without being judged.

The instructions given to the men serving in the temple is to TRY to have married couples be the witness couple. They don’t have to be, but the instructions are to TRY and obtain husband and wife. In temples with waiting rooms, it’s easy to see who is together and who isn’t. In temples without we would stand at the desk and watch the people coming in. Also, my wife and I went to Hawaii for our Honeymoon. We went to the temple on our third day there and I couldn’t find my recommend. When they learned we were there on our Honeymoon the Temple President called my Stake President and I was able to attend the session. We were about 30 minutes late but they held up the session and asked us to be the witness couple. Everyone there was so happy we were with them. That was our 2nd time at the temple, our 2nd time at a session! The people were so forgiving!!