Azriel

I planned the Branch Christmas dinner. Was a chili dinner. Went off great. Everyone I asked to bring stuff brought stuff, and then some. Kids decorated sugar cookies and loved it. We had like $100 budget and because everyone pitched in I don't think we went over $5-10. I opened with the Christmas story, which really got to me (in a good way.) They might be having me be the activity planner, which would be way less stressful than Mission Leader. Been going regularly, even though lately I get off work at 7 AM Sunday Morning, and by the time Church starts at 11 AM I'm dead exhausted. (Snowstorm canceled it for today, though.) Anyway, it's going better IRL now. But, I'm still not ready to be back on this board. I feel too much negativity and fear I still don't keep enough negativity out of my own posts. So, thanks for your help/suggestions. I did read, I did listen. Hope y'all had a great Christmas! (I was snowed in, pretty nice.) Bye.

Also, I'm back to getting too frustrated by being here. Thanks for the replies, the information did help, but I'm leaving again.

Hey, Vort, your answer would have been great and clarifying if it wasn't also so bent on subtly and sometimes not so subtly sniping me. It would be nice to be able to go to and LDS board, ask LDS question about things that I clearly do NOT know about and get the answers to them. Period. I don't need this veiled negativity in my answers. I thought I was very clear about me being confused, not understanding, and generally flaunting my lack of knowledge. I do get the feeling that if I had said "Hey, I'm paying a full tithe on my gross income, but I have these concerns..." that my replies might have been given to me in a different manner. Yes, anatess, I do feel I have some grievances. I can tithe on my gross income, or net income, whichever. Then when I don't have money for groceries I CAN get some groceries from the Church. However, I usually have to go hungry for awhile while I'm waiting for someone in RS to get the OK to buy some for me. But then, it turns out that the groceries aren't really for ME, they're for the entire household. So what would last me a month or more turns into one or two meals for me for a week. The blessings there aren't exactly running over, for me. I'd have more food for me if I took that tithe and spent it on groceries. It gets to be pretty frustrating. When I tithe I get employment, or better employment. Other people around me have been financially blessed, as well. If I weren't working and tithed on my last paycheck I KNOW I'd find a decent job before my money ran out. Yet for some reason I can't get that knowledge to transfer over now to: I KNOW if I paid my tithing I'd still have food to eat afterward. I don't know why that my testimony on tithing NOW isn't sufficient for me to believe I won't go hungry.

""Profit" is what you bring home in your paycheck." Oh? My paycheck is net, not gross. No one has a clear answer on that one. I don't understand why business expenses are counted against profit, when living expenses aren't. A business can say "I HAVE to pay my electricity, rent, wages, utilities, etc." So they get to subtract that from their income? So their $10,000 for a month doesn't get tithed, their remaining $5,000 does. A person can say "I HAVE to pay my electricity, rent, utilities, etc." So they DON'T get to subtract that from their income? Their $1,000 gets tithed, not their $500. The bible says a tenth of our interest, the money we make. But I don't make what my paycheck says. That money is already claimed, and in one case automatically taken from my bank account. If I didn't pay rent, or for my car, or for gas then the end result is me jobless and homeless and unable to take care of myself, let alone the family I'm planning. So why, then, do people say that I can't pay on my profit, like a business owner gets to do, but I have to tithe on well more than my profit? This statement: "the profit from the operation of a business" leaves me in confusion, and God is not the author of confusion. I don't understand why it would be different for and individual than for a business. A business might have more and/or higher expenses, but their expenses nonetheless (and business owners CHOOSE to accept those expenses by creating a business)

This statement taken from an Ensign article: President Howard W. Hunter stated it this way: “The law is simply stated as ‘one-tenth of all their interest.’ Interest means profit, compensation, increase. It is the wage of one employed, the profit from the operation of a business, the increase of one who grows or produces, or the income to a person from any other source. The Lord said it is a standing law ‘forever’ as it has been in the past. Seems to contradict itself. Why is it the PROFIT of a business? A business pays rent, utilities, wages. Some businesses pay for food for their workers. But a worker pays on their wage? This says they pay it on their pre-expense income, whereas a business pays it on post-expense profit? Why am I different as a worker? Why am I not considered a 1 person business that hires myself out to another paying company for whatever they ask of me? I've been looking into Tithing because I really want to start paying again. 68%-70% of my net income goes to expenses that do not include food. Starting in the new year those will go up as I have to start paying Student Loans off again. If I paid tithing on my gross wages I'd have about $50/wk for groceries and any other bills or expenses that come up. They inevitably do. I don't like having less than $50 in my bank account. So some weeks I have to pick other bills and expenses over food. If I paid on my net wages I'd have about $10 more a wk. Not a whole lot. I don't feel comfortable having so little money on hand. I already don't go to the doctor. I don't have current medical prescriptions for meds I'm supposed to be on. There's a lot I can't afford to take care of. I have a testimony for tithing. It ALWAYS blesses me. But tithing on my pre-expense income doesn't seem feasible to me at this point. I can throw a few dollars out here and there, but not a set 10% of net or gross. But 10% of my actual profit. Yes. I can do that. Gonna pray on it, but not sure it'll help

Doing better.

Wow. Okay. As a young guy with a younger girlfriend, I get to to think about this often enough. A good baseline: Doing anything that would be considered illegal for an adult and a minor to do together, or two minors, or two adults. (This covers genital/nipple contact, sexual stimulation, and plenty of other things all in one handy lump!) Any sort of passionate act that would typically be classified as "foreplay" (name such because it leads up to further acts) Hickey-giving activity (although, when I was 9 I used to give my self hickeys in my 'elbow pit' because I thought it was neat... So I don't think that counts!) Masturbation. (Definitely not a need. Even in males. I think males, to be frank, have a physical imperative to ejaculate. While awake this manifest as a desire for enough arousal for it to happen. However, if one lets things be, nature runs its course on its own, during sleep. This was addressed in the 2007 April Gen Con Priesthood session, I believe.) Doing any of these things after marriage with someone other than your spouse. Viewing pornography (which CAN be done without the directly above mentioned) or viewing non-spouse nude (IMO, CERTAIN art excluded.) (Also, this includes yourself not being nude in front of others, supposing you're old enough to know better.) Voyeurism. Talking about these things in a crude fashion (as in, not this conversation, or confessing such activities.) -------- I know to be baptized you can't be living in the same house as your non-spouse/opposite sex. However, right now I live with my girlfriend, her little sister, and her parents. My Branch President and leaders don't feel that I'm doing anything that violates that. As the only Priesthood holder in this house my Prez encourages me to give Priesthood blessings to the others. Obviously I'm in a bit of a different situation than if I were living with a female my own age, and I lived with only her. When I was in high school I was addicted to pornography. Shortly before I joined the Church I realized how negative my thoughts towards women were becoming (which was totally against my chivalrous self-image) that I quit. But that experience has taught me about Chastity. When you are not being chaste then your actions inevitably more life more difficult or unfulfilled. For instance, with my last girlfriend I really liked to make out as much as possible. When we had a chance, that seemed to be what we'd do. It was not good for the relationship. Rather than just being focused on spending time together, my thoughts were increasingly geared towards "When's the next time we can snog?" When I was still addicted to porn I would stay up ALL night looking at it, for the right "one." I would wait and think about the time when everyone else would be asleep and I could have the chance to surf the net. My freetime thoughts were not about things that could uplift me, strengthen my character or moral fiber, develop and nurture friendships and relationships. Non-chaste thoughts, words, and actions break down essential connections with other human beings. They make girlfriend/boyfriend relationships turbulent, and can break marriages. They lower respect for others, rather than raise it. Realizing that for yourself, IMO, is one of the steps needed in overcoming unchaste behavior. When you realize that you're disrespecting others, yourself and God, and that you would rather be the kind of person to respect all those persons instead, then you can truly begin to heal. (That's how I did it, anyway.)

Well, went to Church last Sunday. After taking the Sacrament I finally felt the Spirit again, and forgiveness. Started sobbing, :/ . We had to leave early, though. (Ugh!) I do have this next Sunday off, too, and plan on attending. Elders have transfers soon. I am most definitely not the only one in the branch the is hoping the Elder I've had problems with is the one to get transferred. Glad to know it's not just me being overly bothered, but it's a general consensus.

Nokia E75. If you want GSM look into phones that T-Mobile offers. Also try phonescoop.com and search for GSM. Other major carriers, Verizon/Alltel, Sprint, etc. are CDMA.

Just letting you know that I am reading the responses and taking them seriously. I'm feeling better today. I talked about everything with my girlfriend's mom (She's just Ma to me, too) Eventually I realized that, like usual, my anger was my armor against the hurt I was feeling. Throughout most of my life it's been the only reliable shield to cover up the inner pain. I'd use it until the pain was tolerable, something I could cope with. I have some abandonment issues. Everyone up to this point in my life that I've been attached to, whether friends, family, or staff and therapists, have in some way left my life and/or given up on me. This has all brought up all that pain again. I was able to let some of that out yesterday (not too long after the last post). Now that I know the source, it'll be easier to manage. I know I need to change the way I think about things. I'm a pessimistic person. I see everything that could go wrong, and plan as if it would. I'm naturally distrustful of others, and paranoid about their actions and thoughts towards me. I've adjusted to be used and hurt by others that I can't help but think about what they want of me when I'm around them. (I honestly can't conceive that someone would want me around just because I'm good company.) I don't know how to change this. Even when I read Scriptures my mind is invaded with thoughts about things that seem "off" (things too man-made or conceived, and things that add up too nicely, the way a sly salesman could make them, or things that just seem inconsistent). I don't find that I'm able to go to them for comfort, peace, or understanding on a consistent basis. I seem to recall a Gen Con talk about learning to see things "half full" instead of "half empty." Does any recall such a talk? It may have just been an Ensign article. I'd be grateful for a link. Anyway, I feel like going so I can get down on my knees. I know I need to put more effort into that. But, honestly, aside from taking the Sacrament, I don't see why I should go to church. Social environments can be hard enough for me, and after all this? Should I bother to work on going right now, or should I focus more on redeveloping more fundamental pieces of my relationship with God?

But when I pray I don't feel His love. And since this last incident I've probably prayed more than the last few weeks combined. I DO talk to Him. I just can't hear Him right now, not like I used to for sure.

Work improved, and I like my new job. I was even able to get the shift I wanted (overnight) which allows me to spend more time with family (sleep during normal school/work day, wake when they're home, work when they're asleep.) I'd been wanting the position for about a month. I'd started wanting it more and more. I knew I wouldn't get it unless I paid tithing. I didn't give a full tithe, but I gave $5 one Sunday, and the following Thur. I had the position I'd been wanting. And then I get missionaries accusing me of not keeping ANY of my covenants.

Before I read more replies, I have an update. I've been aware that the current missionaries have been telling recent converts that they are "disappointed" in me. They've also been disrespectful, and tend to back out on commitments they make to my "family" (me, gf and her fam) One of the missionaries has a thing for one of my coworkers. He calls her to essentially chat at times after 10 PM. Will "hang out" with other recent converts and their friends if she's with them. Based on a cell phone call he had with this girl, my suspicions were further confirmed and I was further aggravated. (He didn't know he was on speakerphone.) He made rude comments, and was a general jerk to me and everyone who wasn't this girl. I finally confronted them Friday morning as they were leaving "for an appointment." At the time I was at a friend's. He's a recent convert. I was hanging out with him and my coworker. This appointment was actually MY appointment that I set up and scheduled, but they were intent on avoiding talking with me. (When they heard over the phone I was a block away they tried to high tail it.) I was very angry. I asked them what their problem with me was. Apparently it was my whole attitude. I asked them how'd they'd know considering they never talk to me. I yelled and swore at them, and the one returned in kind. The companion to the missionary I'm annoyed with decided to defend his buddy by coming up to me and saying that I was not keeping ANY of my covenants. He reiterated that, and said that I was just living in sin because I live with my girlfriend. Then, after this he asked me where my garments were. The look of confusion on his face when I told him I haven't been through the temple astounds me. They've been ready to make assumptions and accusations from Day 1, when we met and they knew I was the nearly inactive Branch Mission Leader. After I told them I had no plans for a mission, and I guess they "found out" that I'm living with my girlfriend and her family, that was that. After being so angry Friday, I crashed Saturday (luckily I didn't work) with panic attacks, and made it through with some Xanax. But I'm still so angry at the one missionary that I'd just as soon knock him out as look at him. Oh, and this same missionary later that day was telling my friends, the recent converts and all, that he could so "whoop my a**" I'm hurt about my car breaking down. About not being able to get some groceries when I'd been paying my tithing and I was out of money. (I still owe my girlfriend for what I had to borrow to not have a negative bank balance.) About the Branch President seeming to care about the Stake rep getting his missionary report rather than my well being. About not being able to feel the Spirit when I pray. Not being able to feel God's love, not being able to know who He is. About putting in my best, yet still inept and fruitless effort earlier in the year to get nothing from it. About feeling like my branch is more concerned about what I'm doing than how I'm doing. Every phone call that I don't get because they think just calling my girlfriend or her mom is enough. I'm not important enough on my own. Having dealt with frustrating sister missionaries before, then to have new elders be nothing but judge and jury. I've asked and prayed for answers, and solutions. And I get silence, or scorn, or comments about me behind my back. I'm sick of it. I don't think I want to be part of this church right now, at all. I feel abandoned and let down, and I've had that enough in my life that I don't need to add a whole extra realm of possible hurt. I feel like I've put more effort into the church than everyone I've dealt with combined has put into me. I know I sound selfish. But I'm broken. I needed more foundational work than I was given. It's only been three years. God and Christ are new to me. Faith. Not to mention everything else LDS. I was my own teacher for so long. I learned more about the Scriptures and the faith when I was a moderator here than I did from real life. And I'm convinced I failed myself as a teacher, because I've led me down the wrong path. My chest hurts thinking about all of this. I know I have a Heavenly Father, that Christ is Savior. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet and Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. I miss my relationship with the Godhead. But I'm sick of the people. And I'm sick of being let down and hurt. I'm at a loss. Possibly having a phone meeting with branch president tonight.

lol, anatess. I never got a copy of that book. I even taught the class, and never got my own copy!

Maureen> Yes. Side note: I have not been on any medication, with the exception of maybe 10 Xanax, since Sept. of last year. I've discovered that real love and support from the girl I love has worked better than any medication I've ever been on. It's hard for me to immerse myself in the church at this point. We rarely have activities, and the times I do stay on Sunday for all three hours... I just can't focus. Our branch and stake boundaries are, geographically speaking, the largest in the USA. I can't afford the gas to visit others... I have a very in depth budget, and I only have so much for gas each week. I don't know anyone well enough to call them up for advice on my issues, instead of going in person. I feel selfish. I've told God that. I don't want to be. I've been offered a two Priesthood blessings, requested by my girlfriend and her mom, in the last couple months. I've declined... I'm just... Afraid, I think. I don't think I'd have enough faith in them right now. What if I get a blessing and nothing happens, if it doesn't help? What if it does? For some reason that worries me, too. Sometimes I wonder, do people pray for me? On my behalf? Does anyone not in this house care enough to do that? I think maybe most don't even realize I'm struggling. I know I don't talk about it, and probably don't outwardly show it. But sometimes I just hope someone outside the picture will notice, and care, because I really don't feel important or cared about.

Thanks for the replies. I've got some outside work to get done today, and I'd rather do it before I sleep. I'll try checking back in later tonight. I appreciate any comments. If I sound upset at all, it's not at any of the posters. It's just a reflection of my feelings towards my faith right now.

I know God still has a hand in my life. When all I could afford was a $5 tithe a few weeks ago, I gave it because I wanted a new shift at work. That Thursday following I had it. Someone else was fired rather unexpectedly and I moved into their spot. I know that I've avoided the illnesses going around the area (h1n1 and URIs) because I've been following the Word of Wisdom, despite being tempted not to more than any other time in my life. (Being tempted at all is brand new to me.) I don't feel like I've disappointed anyone at church. I feel like they expect things from me that I'm not in the mind, heart, or mood to give. At my last job I was dealing with so much stress that I was developing an ulcer. I went to church when I didn't work Sundays. I paid my tithing (which is how I managed to get my current job.) But I got nothing from it. I didn't have enough money for food, for medicine. The stress made not only my digestive system suffer, but every joint constantly ached. Some days I could barely flex my hands. I was dealing with more than I could emotionally and mentally cope with and was suffering physically because of it. I was beyond my limits. I didn't want blessings, I just didn't want to have to run faster than I was able to. I know growth comes from struggle, and we get placed in tough situations for our own good... But this did not feel like a trial to overcome. It felt like I was being made to run faster than I had strength. I did not grow from it. I was injured by it. The situation has passed. I've reflected on it... I gained nothing from it. And if it can only be understood from an eternal perspective, then I call bull on God. I know He sees eternally, but He also knows we only see mortally. "Eternal perspective" is insensitive.

2 years, 11 months and 1 day ago I was baptized. Last year I felt the strong desire to move out of my parent's house and try to make my own way in the world. I was able to move out to Utah in June of last year. I made it 6 weeks. A combination of meds that wasn't working, depression (including suicidal thoughts), lack of employment, and what turned out to be a horrific room mate all worked against me. On incredibly short notice my father came to get me and I moved in with him and my brothers. (Before all this I was living with mom and stepdad.) I lived there for a few months, until just after my 21st birthday. My older brother and I did not get along, and I felt like nothing more than a nuisance and a source of income for my father. After a fight with my older brother (physical) and then with my father (verbal) I called my mom and went back home. During the time at my father's I made it to church no more than 3 times. I hated going alone. I was at my mom's for only days before I went on a vacation to visit the girl I'd fallen in love with (I'd been in touch with her since than March.) I stayed with her and her family for a full month, and then her parents offered to let me move in. So I did. In the household, her mom, her little sister, her, and myself are LDS. Her father is not. After moving I went to church about 90% of the time. Being in a small branch, I was called as Branch Mission Leader. I was really excited about the calling. I worked with the Sister Missionaries and the branch missionaries (both sisters). I tried to give direction and tried to get reports from them, but I ended up feeling like I was wasting my time and resources. Nothing got done. In August I gave the Sisters a ride to one of their district meetings, 2 hours from their apartment, which is half an hour from where I live. On our way back my car broke down. My car which I hadn't yet started paying my girlfriend's dad for. $1200 of scrap, and debt, acquired while trying to do the right thing for the Missionaries. I felt betrayed by God. That coupled with job issues, financial issues, and other issues with church... everything seemed to be going wrong for me. It was the last straw. I've not had much to do with my calling since. I show up for Sacrament about once a month, usually only staying for the first block. I know that good came out of the old car breaking down. I was able to get a nicer one that I feel much safer driving. But I can't shake that hurt I feel. Then, during one Sacrament, a brother from the Stake said something about correctly addressed prayers. He said he would catch people praying to "Lord" or "Christ" instead of Heavenly Father. This upset me. I realized I often prayed, after an opening of "God/Heavenly Father/Father/etc.," to "Lord" instead, and I'd be thinking of Christ, not Heavenly Father. It hit me very suddenly that I did not know my Heavenly Father. I knew Christ. I could talk to Christ. I'd learned so much about him at church and from study and prayer. But I did not know Heavenly Father. I knew He was the Father, of Christ, of us all. But beyond that... I was distraught. Since then I have had revelation that He is the one who protects me. He keeps me from danger, and keeps accidents from being worse. I know that's Him. But beyond that... I don't have a relationship with Him, and I don't know how to get one. Prayer hasn't helped. I've stopped feeling the Spirit when I do attend church. I don't get very much out of the meetings. When I pray, most of the time I don't feel anything from it. I know I don't pray enough. I don't study my scriptures. I don't even crack them open. I haven't felt comfortable enough to give Priesthood blessings in months. I feel that I can't feel the Spirit right now. I don't feel as if I'm a member of the branch. No one contacts me. This is very hard for me. My faith is broken, dwindling, yet my testimony is intact. I can't stop thinking about the future. Getting my cars (new and dead) paid off. Going to school. Marrying my babe. Becoming a father. But those last two won't be good enough unless my family is eternal. Unless I can bring the Priesthood into my home to bless those I love the dearest. I don't feel like I'm ready for that, spiritually. Nor do I feel that I'm on the proper track towards it. And I don't know how to get onto that track. Yes, I know I should pray and attend church... But I'm tired of the empty feeling. I don't have the endurance for that. The Spirit is not there, and I can't bear that. I know He SHOULD be there, and He's not anymore. My spiritual "muscles" have atrophied. What used to be a small step is now beyond my reach. I pray about once a day, in my head, to get home safely from work (and to work safely.) Sometimes that is difficult me. It's my baby step, but I feel like I'm getting nowhere. The Sister missionaries have since been replaced by Elders. They've come to visit the family a few times, but not me. I heard that they're "disappointed" in me, yet I've had no outreach from anyone in the branch, they included. I still feel very much like a recent convert struggling with brand new faith. I feel very many expectations from church and people at church, but I don't feel like I get anything back (temporal or spiritual). It feels like God and His people just want things OF me, not FOR me. Because of my age I have to deal with church members pestering me about going on a mission. I'm not going to. I don't want to. And by now I'm so sick of people trying to explain to me how it'd be good for me, or seeing the judgment in their eyes when I say it's not happening, that bringing it up just alienates me further. I'm completely out of sorts. I've tried to pray to Heavenly Father for help... But I don't know what to ask Him. I've broken down in tears telling Him as much. I'm sorry for the jumbled presentation. I'm exhausted (I work overnights now). But my thoughts on all of this are jumbled, anyway. I just can't comprehend what's wrong right now. I can think of all the different things that bother me, but not one, nor all of them seem to be the root of the discord in my soul. So, I ask for help. I don't know what kind. I don't know what advice to ask for. But I'm listening. -Vision of Lehi

What defines male and female? It's not genitalia. It can't just be chromosomes (some have one or two extra sex chromosomes). It can't be whether or not they're able to get pregnant (else infertile women would be men instead.) These things are all we can physically measure, but I honestly don't believe are accurate. I think the true determination of male/female IS the Spirit. MOST of the time a male spirit is CLEARLY in a male body. MOST of the time a female spirit is CLEARLY in a female body. But sometimes there's confusion. Sometimes confusion is psychological, and part of that can be due to nurture, rather than nature. To shed some light on that confusion, we do have a proclamation to the world: These aren't answers, but things to ponder.

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. 34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. 35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; 36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; 37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; 38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. 39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. 40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved. 41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come. 42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you. 43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. 44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

A few months ago I was called as the Branch Mission Leader. This was two weeks after they received my records (I'd just moved.) So, I have often thought about how to improve missionary work, as you can imagine. I work with to "Stake" (they are members of our Branch) missionaries, and two full time Sister Missionaries. (All four females.) And I have often told them that I am not particularly concerned with getting the numbers up, yet. (That is, # of referrals, investigators, baptisms.) I am of the mind and mission that in order to better our missionary power, that we need to strengthen the branch. We need to pool our resources and abilities. Find member strengths and weaknesses (this is done by visiting them in person, in their homes.) We also need to teach them what it means to be a member missionary. Members are not expected to give full lessons on gospel topics. One of the examples I'm using is about scrap booking. Say two women are talking about it, one of them a member. The member says that she loves scrap booking. The other women probably says something like "Oh, me, too." But then the member can say something such as, "I think it's really important to have some sort of family history." And in that small exchange you've share not only an interest with a friend, but you've let them know about one of your values that opens the door to more conversation. As members grow more confident in the own ability the share pieces and bits of the gospel with friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. then there will be more opportunities for them to reach a point of "You know, we have full time missionaries dedicated to answering your questions." Home teaching and visiting teaching numbers seem to always be low. The number of inactive families, even if it's 2, is unacceptable. I believe that if we first our able to manage our current flock, and take care of our own, then our ability to take care and share with others will naturally grow and flourish.

Becoming a mod is easy-peasy. Just be nice to the lady folk. Soon enough they'll all want you to mod with them.

Some thoughts: Wise men did not warn Joseph to flee. An Angel of God did this after the wise men left. So Joseph fled. It never says Christ was 2 years old when the wise men arrived at His doorstep. It says, that after Herod realized his wise men weren't going to return at all, it had been two years since Christ's birth. Matthew does not say that Joseph and Mary are from Bethlehem. (He does say that Joseph wanted to put Mary away privily, and I would not be surprised if they left wherever they were FROM [where people knew her, and knew she was unwed/pregnant] and went to a town where people wouldn't know of her condition) Luke states: 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. But it doesn't say how long it took to do all the things, what all the things were, and where they were currently dwelling before their return.

Doctrine and Covenants 6 Lists a couple. Gift of the Knowledge of the Mysteries of God. (Which seems distinct from just Knowledge.) Gift of Salvation (or The Gift of Eternal Life, as worded here: Doctrine and Covenants 14 ) Doctrine and Covenants 46 The Gift of Discerning of Gifts Alma 9 The Gift of Preaching (differing from teaching Knowledge and Wisdom, in that it is teaching about the Gospel and declaring repentance?) Romans 5 The Gift of Grace The Gift of Righteousness 1 Corinthians 12 The Gift of Helps The Gift of Governments (I don't understand these two.) Mosiah 8 The Gift of Being a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator Articles of Faith 1 The Gift of Revelation (listed separate from Prophesy, and not just in this scripture) Doctrine and Covenants 11 The Gift of Convincing of Men Others I would muse on from personal experience, not scripture: The Gift of Diligence. I know people who can work 60 hours a week and then come home and have energy to do more work. Some can't manage more than 40. The Gift of Testifying of Christ Just listen in Sacrament meeting. Some people seem to be able to do it "easier." The Gift of Counseling The Gift of Comforting Both of these I've realized in giving and receiving blessing of comfort and counsel. Some individuals seem to comfort better, some counsel better. Some both the same. The Gift of Remembrance. Any Priesthood Key is a gift, as well. The Gift of the Interpretation of Dreams