astral

Most of you will may find this post upsetting. (Pam and other moderators, please don't delete it.) This time I'm not posting copyrighted church materials. :) The post was going to be in the original bishop's shooting thread. As I was typing, my post seemed to take on it's own character. I decided to post this as new but is related to the shooting of the Bishop in California. I started a long paragraph but realised readers need a bit of background about me to understand my point of view. To make this simple I'll list some quick facts inorder to better understand what I wrote. 01 Parents divorced when I was 2 & father remarried member of the church. 02.He had total 4 sons - 2 from each marriage 03. I was raised by my non-member mother while 3 brothers live with father 04 All brothers and there families are active in church 05 I was baptized in 1989 and was semi-active through the 1990's - eventually had name removed from records due to built up anger with myself and being gay 06 2007 came out to LDS side of family- Decided to give church another try - this time being honest 07 2008 baptized by father and confirmed by a brother. 08 long history of mental health problems and am on disability- I have weekly couseling and take meds. Now for what I typed in the original post. I WANT TO ADD I TRULY FEEL SORRY FOR THE BISHOP'S FAMILY AND THE MEMBERS OF HIS WARD. I'm sure most of you will not like this post. The shooting of the Bishop, in California, is a big release of anger for me. I was Baptized by my father in 2008. Not long after the baptism he passed away due to complications of a stroke. I'm gay & most of my family knows about me. As for church I was "being good and celibate". I became an Elder, attended a baptism session at a temple, and was about to have my first calling in church. Local church leaders knew what I was strugling with. They were also aware of my dysthymia ( constant low-grade depression) and social anxiety disorder. With all those things to deal with, my anxiety increased each time I went to church. I never really fit in. Mainly, because I was not married & had children. The church calling was a behind the scenes clerk job, which involved little interaction with people. I was basicly a loner in a church full of people. I would have continued to fell more anxious as the time went on. Church leaders tried to help but nothing eased my anxiety. I was also denying myself companionship to live a church lifestyle. November 2008, sent me over the edge. I was disgusted with the church's involvement and victory of the passing of Proposition 8. I do not live in California but live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal. To maintain my stable mental health life , I decided to become inactive. This was in February 2009, the same month my father passed away. Anxiety grew to anger towards the church. It was going to rip me apart. Now that I have distanced myself from the church I am much happier than when I was active. Out of respect for my father and brothers I will not seek to have my name removed from the records again. Also I have found my companion, that I've been seeking for all my adult life. As most of you are aware Prop 8 is in the news again. Much of the anger towards the church has started to come up again. Owning the Prop:8 the Mormon Proposition movie on dvd did not help either. AS FOR THE SHOOTING OF THE BISHOP, NEWS STILL DOES NOT INDICATE THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE SHOOTER. IN A STRANGE WAY, THE SHOOTER'S ACTION HAS SOMEHOW RELEAVED MY ANGER. I WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING HARMFUL TOWARD THE CHURCH OR ITS MEMBERS. The shooter's actions was kind of like a "proxy" to vent my frustration. Why he did what he did was wrong and has actions has changed many lives. I do feel bad about the situation even though it somehow helped me. What ever happens in California, regarding the church and Prop 8, I will not let it bother me. My companion and I don't need to be legally married to be happy with each other. But, I will continue to support same sex marriage. I KNOW THE CHURCH PROMOTES NORMAL AND TEMPLE MARRIAGES. The church teaches temple marriages can be for time and eternity. I wish same-sex marriage would not be a problem. Couples would be happy if they chose that avenue. Christianity teaches regular marriages are "till doeath do us part". That would be the case for same sex marriages. I feel that would not interfere with the churches teachings of God's full eternal plan. THOSE LAST FEW SENTENCES HELPS ME COPE WITH THE CHURCH, ANXIETY, PROP 8 AND THE WRONGFUL MURDER OF THE BISHOP. ASTRAL :)

I wonder if this shooting has anything to do with the churches involvement with the Prop 8 issue in California.

Is the direct link to the image appropriate for this site and this particular topic?

Well can I at least post the link for my subbmission? The link is a photo of what is told to stake presidency and bishoprics on how to handle confidential matters.

I struggled with sexual addiction. I abused the internet looking at porn, ect. I finally got tired of feeling terrible of what I was doing. I discussed the problem with the bishop. He directed me to the church's 12 step addiction program. You may want to look into attending the mettings. I think most church stakes offers the program. If the internet is a major problem, I would refrain from using it during alone times. Go to a public place like a library, to use the internet. You can still use the internet but only for good purposes. Think about those ideas, and also what others have suggested.

First, I want to state that I have no temple clothes and don't plan to do what I'm asking about. I've noticed there are several photographs on the internet showing people wearing their temple clothing. Similar clothing was featured in an episode of "Big Love". I've heard of ex- church members wearing their clothes to costume or halloween parties. Is there any type of law that makes it illegal to wear them in public. For instance, what if a church protester wears the clothing during General Conference? They would not be on church grounds but on a public sidewalk. I once went to a church production held on the Manti temple grounds. There were protesters there as well. But none were wearing the clothing. Obviously I know no worthy member would ever show their full temple clothes outside a temple.

Today is a good day!

The link is corrected.

Well I confessed to my Bishop that I'm gay. About 2 years later, I came out to a church member. That member already knew about me because of some church office position he held during the time I confessed. The issue was apparently brought up in a church meeting.

They say books are better than movies. I saw the movie Fahrenheit 451 on tv 22 years ago. I never read the book. I remember nothing of the movie.

California gears up for ruling on same-sex marriage California gears up for ruling on same-sex marriage - CNN.com

The LDS church asked the members to give their TIME and NEEDS to the passing of Prop:8. Hearing this from the leaders of the church makes the members feel like it's a commandment. They have to follow what the leaders say. The church cleverly used this ploy in a political issue. There is supposed to be a seperation of church & state.

I though the documentary was well made. I'm pleased to see it among the top dvd sellers of it's genre. I was baptized in the church in the summer of 2008. Soon after Prop 8 passed in California, I became angry with the church leaders becoming involved with the political issue. The thought the video showed the manipulation of what the church leaders wanted it's church members to vote on. Yes, the dvd indicates that the lds church was not the only organization involved. I was outraged that California became the first state to take away "rights" to what was granted to it's citizens. Fortunately, I live in a state that still allows same sex marriage. I have the right to marry my partner if when I choose. The lds church says same-sex marriage disrupts God's plan for marriage and the afterlife. I do not agree with that stance. I KNOW there will never be a same sex marriage conducted in any temple. How does a "mortal only" marriage disrupt God's plan? The (till death do us part) portion of the ceremony goes in effect when a partner passes away. In the afterlife, the couple would not be married. Let the partners find the happiness they want during their mortal probationary time on Earth. I'm ashamed to be affiliated with a church that spent millions of dollars to deny some people their "free will" in choosing how and what they do to bring happiness in their lives. Because of all this, I feel the church is only "man-inspired" and therefore no-longer attend services. I'm thankful there are five different churches in my community that does not see same-sex marriage as a problem.

That was fun to read. Of course, not everything can be mentioned, I'm adding a few extra facts for 1970. That was the year I was born. This part may be strange. I am a "Product" of the Spring of 1969. So 1969 is just as important an 1970 to me. More 1970 Facts. 1st Earth day was observed. The Kent State shootings happenned in May. The Beatles broke up. Other movies of that year were Airport & M*A*S*H. Top TV: Flip Wilson Show, Laugh in, Brady Bunch, Marcus Welby MD Most viewed tv program was the Bob Hope in Vietnam Christmas Special (aired in January 1970) Top Album and song was "Bridge over troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel The Jackson 5 had 4 #1 songs & The Carpenters went to #1 with "Close to You" These were a few things just from the top of my head. For those of you born in 1970, I hope you enjoyed these additional facts.

There is a documentary about the LDS church's role in the Proposition 8 matter. Here is a link to the films website. 8: The Mormon Proposition

I kind of cheated on this topic. I don't have a playlist. However, my profile page has a list of the 5 most current songs i've listened to from my pc / ipod. I just played "It Hurts to be in Love" by Gino Vannelli. It will be listed in my profile for a couple of days.

I think anyone who has the chance to get their endowments, should do them as soon as possible. I had planned on getting my endowments done this past July. It was a goal since my baptism in 2008. The first half of 2009 was a rough time for me. The closer July approached, I was slowly turning away from the church. On July 4th I made a choice that now prevents me from being in a temple. That was just a couple weeks from my target date to go to the temple. As of November 2009, I have virtually cut off all ties with my ward/stake. I also avoid the LDS members of my family. Other than this web site, I have no desire to do anything else with the church. (NOT YELLING) MY ADVICE IS: DON'T WAIT TO DO YOUR ENDOWMENTS IF YOU CAN ALREADY DO THEM NOW. IF YOU WAIT, THINGS IN YOUR LIFE COULD CHANGE UNEXPECTANTLY THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM YOU RECIEVING YOUR ENDOWMENTS.

It used to be "Come Come Ye Saints". I even saw the Mormon Tabernacle Chior sing the song this past summer. There have been major life changes this year which led me to become inactive. The only affiliation I have with the church is through this web-site. I no-longer appreciate or like any hymn the church sings.

I saw the story on the news. I would like the cross remain standing under one condition. I hope the court allows any other religions the freedom to erect their "belief symbol" right next to the cross.

Laura Bush defends Obama school speech CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Laura Bush defends Obama school speech « - Blogs from CNN.com

"Come undone" - Duran Duran

About a year ago, I saw a news segment about 2 gay birds in England who were caring for a newly hatched species of their kind. I don't remember what kind of birds they were. They were large birds but not penguins. Possibly flamingos or swans.

I'm sure you all have heard the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I'm curious about the opposite. OK AT THIS MOMENT I THINK I JUST GOT A POSSIBLE ANSWER. I got a whispering of the name "Satan". Since early this year, I've nearly stopped praying , reading scriptures, I attend church less, and an addiction has kicked back into full swing. My finances, volunteer work, medical benefits, and material things have greatly improved during this year. Other than paying my tithing, i'm spiritually lacking in all other areas the church asks us to do. The question is why are these good things happening to me at this time. I'm not as close to Heavenly Father as I should or used to be. I'm not a father, so I don't exactly have an idea of what it feels like. It would seem strange that a father would grant tempory gifts to a child who is not holding on to the iron rod. It does frighten me that Satan may be playing a role in all this. That is, if I got the correct answer while typing this. I'm fully aware that I need to grab hold on to the iron rod again and not let things get worse offf spiritually. Heavenly Father does not seem to be punishing me during this time. However I'm slowly losing confidence, faith, and being more critical of myself. I must change now.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with people calling us Mormons. However, when asked what church I belong to, my response is always "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." If i get a blank stare, I then say "The Mormons".

Just be glad you are able to look for a wife. She may appear in a week or a few years from now. In the mean time, work on some personal issues you may have. Being very patient also will help. I know how you are feeling. Unfortunately in my case, marriage is not possible during this probationary time. I sometimes get frustrated over this issue knowing that I'll be single guy for the rest of my life. Heavenly Father does promise that all things will be in their proper place one day.