WmLee

Ben, you are very right here; the EQP has nothing to do with an inactive sister and her excommunication. Suggesting it (and I question if that is his place), to anyone other than the Bishop, is a mistake. Wingnut, perhaps in your area this was the practice, but I still have a little problem thinking church admin would support it. My grandfather served as Bishop during most of the 70’s. When I was first called in the early 80’s (in a different county) he and I talked a lot. I was feeling like a hard nose and suggested just that; if they don’t want to be here, take ‘em off the records, (again, the number game). He explained we deal with individuals and their salvation, not numbers. So that wasn’t common or even considered in our area. M-Error, again, I think you are mistaken here. My grandfather was a “by the book” sort of guy being retired military. But he dealt with a lot of inactive members and we discussed it a lot. Inactivity is one reason for Ward Missionaries. In the 70’s, If someone was a member and didn’t want to attend church or have Home/Visiting Teachers they were placed on a “Do Not Contact” list but their records remained in the Ward.

Chaplain ~ so there is a place for you when you are ready!!

Ps. The one you got looks great! :)

It’s amazing that you can’t find a really nice dress for your wife that isn’t “modest”. Your wife doesn’t look good without showing off some skin?? I worked with a doctor from India, she had the tattoo dot thing on her forehead, (sorry but the correct name escapes me right now). After working together for about a year she started asking about my faith. I asked about her dot thing. She said it was placed there so a man will have his attention drawn to her mind, not her body. I asked where I could get a dote thing for my girls!! The garment is to be worn, it has a purpose. Remember you are respecting the covenant it represents when you wear it; it reminds you of a covenant you made in/with your heart. A bathing suit is a different issue, don’t try to mix ‘em to justify your actions.

1st determine if your child is autistic. Get a profession examination/diagnosis and find out. Then get the proper help for both of you. This you need to do right away. His behavior could endanger him as well as the family. If autism isn’t the problem, find out what is.

The next time you are feeling weak and have that impulse to find something to make you feel better, try looking on your knees in prayer. As you get ready to serve, the one who would destroy you, will work hard to break you. Pick now who you will serve, pick now what will get your high. You have to be stronger than the drug, your faith has to be stronger than the drug, your love for your Father in Heaven must be stronger that you love for the drug. I worked to long with people in your situation to not say something here. This you CAN do, but YOU must want it, you must love your Father in Heaven and You must know how much He loves you.

I just shot pictures for a guy that is putting out a Christian music CD. I've listened to part of his music ( he wanted me to get an idea of his sound so we could shot a picture(s) that would fit the CD. I had to do a little research to get an idea of just what other Christian (but not LDS) bands were doing, (how the CD covers looked) and how they present their material. The music isn't bad, it isn't what I would listen to, but it has the beat and all that kids seem to like. So, my question is, does it have to be LDS? Why not use music that sells as Christian Gospel Rock? As for movies, we have gone through a company called "Clean Flix" (I hope I remember that correctly). They have taken the movies and cleaned them up. We were able to get a few movies for my son last Christmas that normally wouldn't have made it had the company not taken out some language problems.

Wow!

I fell in love with them when they first came out, (yea, that long ago). I would drive 45 minutes to an hour to work each day and I have them all on tape, (now on CD). I still listen to one every once in a while, if I had a road trip or I just want to some entertainment during a trip. (Sorry, I don't want to part with them; just wanted to let you know your son has good taste!)

You should be the best example the Mormon's are not confused. We should live our life so as to always show what you believe in our hearts to be true. We would be living testimonies of our Savior. If you have a true friend, you should be an example that Mormon's are not confused.

Chaplain ~ I have always admired the things you write, the question and the suggestions you share here. That you started your look into the B or M with a prayer asking for His spirit to be with you is just the thing that I admire most! You argument with the B of M is with these keys points or do you not fully understand these points? Can I suggest you look at the student manual for those who are enrolled in a B of M class at an LDS Institute? Might help you understand some of these key points a little better. I do a lot of photography and PhotoShop is one of my main programs. I couldn’t breeze through the instructions book and with that general overview understand what it was all about. Nor could I read the manual and fully understand it’s potential. I got PhotoShop for dummies; now I consider myself dangerous!

Welcome!! My son served his mission in Spain.

Sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn’t! I have been in a Ward where I felt so alone and like no one knew I was even there. I heard brethren talking about things they did with others guys, fishing and stuff, but, no one invited me. Basketball or things like that and no one invited me to join. I was in law enforcement at the time and worked weird hours and day off. I offered to help with the boy scouts and the young men activities as time allowed and that opened the door. Once they knew something about me, I would have invitations to do things if I had time off. You make the first move. Offer to help with the YM program and I think things will change! Oh, and ignore the suits. It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that they put them on, one leg at a time, and a few only get them on because their wife told ‘em to. There are one ot two that only get them on because their wife let's 'em!

You’re not wrong here. Debt is one of the biggest problems that can turn a marriage south. I have a sister who married a divorced man (her first marriage) and she had her wages garnished to pay off his debt, (same ex-wife thing, ex-wife wouldn’t pay and suddenly had no income). Marriage should never be a hurried decision. I have always preached the need of a four season courtship. Since this is a second marriage for him (I assume a first for you) take your time. He will find a way to get his financiers in order. If you’re worth it to him he will find a way to get it done. If he’s worth it to you, you will wait.

Dito with Palerider. Stake President's also attend quarterly training with Area Presidencies and such.

welcome!!

Pam ! That is the fanciest assisted living home I have ever seen! I hope when I get that old my kids will find something like that for me!! Enjoy your golden years!! You deserve it.

Yep, first time out you receive 8 to 10 sets at less than half cost. If you are going to serve in the temple, again, your clothing is less than half cost. The regular cost for all of these are far less than what you purchase conventional clothing for and if a member has financial problems the bishop would assist, (he fills out the form and there is no cost). Everyone else, purchasing what is needed as inexpensive as they are, help cover the cost for when someone receives it at a discount or at no cost.

Welcome back!!

Pam ~ I hate when you do that so fast!! I guess that's why you wear the funny hat on Wednesday, (the red one right?).

Welcome!! I hope as you read that you will fire away the questions you find. Keep in mind that the answers you receive here are usually from members of the church. We have all travelled different paths, have different experiences and will offer different perspectives. Never be afraid to ask or challenge! The truth doesn't hide or mislead.!

I do so apologize to Traveler and to anyone else who thought I was belittling in my statements. I was amused by the way the question was asked. Again, not to make fun of or to put Traveler down, it just struck my funny. I was sincere in my answer, though I believe BlackMarch put it much better. Traveler, I do apologize for my remarks. It is a very good question and in my inability to make my answer clear I even referred to myself as sounding like “a pot head”. I don’t think either of us are. I will be more careful with my writing and my humor. Wm.

Traveler ~ This is funny! Reminds me of when I worked on the drug detail and would get the pot heads talking. If you’re walking across town and decide to turn left at the intersection, and then turn left, you made a decision and acted on it. A block later you decide to turn around, go back past the initial street and continue, does than void out the first decision you made?? Of course not. You simply changed direction. You made a choice and you acted on that decision for which something occurred. (now I’m sounding like a pot head). If given a choice, for which you make a decision and act on it, you have completed the decision. Anything that follows is a new decision, a new act. Your question is so funny and gave me great memories! Thanks.

I got my wife a book, like a journal for her birthday last year. I wrote the romantic stuff in it and explained it was a card that kept giving. She keeps it on her nightstand and every once in a while sneak it out and write something. It's the romantic kind-a thoughts that don’t get wasted or thrown away with the card. She likes that a lot. She likes the notes I sometimes leave in her scriptures or purse when I have to leave town. That’s normally something I wrote on a little note pad and leave the page in her scriptures or wallet (if that’s what you call the wife’s money/card holder thing). Something you DON’T DO . . . One year she told me not to get chocolate; she was trying to lose weight. So, for breakfast I surprised her, in bed, with breakfast. Fresh fruit, some juice and an ice cold glass of Slim Fast, chocolate of course. Man, things hit the fan! Never listen to your wife when she says she is trying to lose weight and show your support by getting her something like Slim Fast. Get her chocolate and ask for forgiveness.

I have an adopted daughter who was 13 when she joined us. She and I go on a Daddy/Daughter date for her baptism anniversary date. She also wants a Daddy/Daughter date to celebrate the day she came into the family. Why just a Daddy/Daughter date? I am the parent of record, not my wife and I.