freckleface

Awwww . . . congrats! .

A big cyber hug! My baptism was just this past February, so I know about the joy you speak of. Freckles :)

Big cyber hug, EP! Congrats! Freckles:bighug:

Thanks, its chet. That was incredibly interesting. I wish they could have incorporated that into the story line in the movie. I think it would have been great. Mormon history is fascinating to me. Do you have any books that you could recommend concerning JS? I'm not interested in the ones that want to bash him, I've heard enough of that to last me a lifetime. However, the info you gave on this post was great. Thanks!

This particular quote speaks volumes to me. Because of my past transgressions(which I have many:eek:) it has hindered me in the past of feeling worthy of any church involvement or Christ love. However, I no longer have to struggle with these feelings the way I use to. Sometimes it'll creep in, but a dear friend from church shared with me some things to say aloud to myself that'll slap me back to the right track.

Really enjoyed these, I hope that a fourth will be coming out soon. The scenery was beautiful! It made me want to leave the California coast and move to the east where ever it was filmed. Just gorgeous :) Did anyone else enjoy the series?

Oh! eternalpromise516, I'm so happy for you. I was baptized in February and it's been a life changing experience for me. I love my calling, my friends, everything! Blessings, freckles

Hi Cheetahben . . . That's some avatar you have there!

I wanted to say that the trinity was always very hard for me to wrap my head around. So I just wouldn't think about it. It's just so much more sensible for me to see them as separate. However, I'm not one to argue or say I'm better because I believe this such and such . . . It's just not my style.

You know, I think it probably comes down to what I feel in my heart is true. I truly believe what the Book of Mormon teaches about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I just do. It falls into place for me. But then again, I think that so many things in the Book of Mormon are fascinating. I think that Joseph Smith did indeed have a miracle happen to him and what he saw and heard was real and true. I know it might sound crazy for some people, but I believe it happened. You know, it has been said "If a donkey to speak in the Old Testament (book of Numbers chpt. 22 I believe) why can't a young man have a vision?" I'm not a very good apologist for the LDS faith, M . . . But I can tell you that my life has changed and my world would seem too bleak and lonely without my faith. You can take my car, home, and precious heirlooms, but losing my testimony would be the ultimate loss I couldn't bear. I believe the vision Joseph Smith had that day in the grove is true. I don't think he was having a hypnagogic hallucination from sleeping, nor do I think it was the early onset of bipolar disease, or any other such ailment. I don't think a man would sacrifice his life and endure the things he did if it wasn't true. It's just what I believe, and that's probably all I have to say, but it's enough for me. I don't know if I'm answering your questions, but . . . I'm just trying the best I can.

Hi Jorsen, You know people who have panic and anxiety tend to over analyze things and get a little too obsessive in their thoughts. We tend to pick things apart and then get negative thoughts ruminating in our head. Then the "what if" pattern sneaks in. I've had issues with anxiety and panic too. Agoraphobia anyone? It's not fun. I was baptized in February of this year and I haven't looked back once. It was a beautiful experience and I'm glad I finally did it. This past Sunday I actually got up in front of several people and read scriptures and really enjoyed it! No panic what so ever. I agree with others here who have commented that it might be a good idea to stay away from things that are negative concerning the church. Stay positive and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Let's see, I think it works for me because things make more sense in a biblical and spiritual context. I'm a believer.:) However, the trinity always confused me the way I was taught as a child. "Three in one" was hard to grasp. I believe the three are separate. But then again, it works better for me, doesn't have to for everyone else. Some like apples some like oranges. Also, the "rapture" seemed sort of bazaar to me. I don't believe that one day millions of people will suddenly disappear to heaven and others are left to doom and gloom. I know that some mainstream christians believe that Mormons are not saved and will be left behind. The one shot deal where you get to go to heaven if you accept Jesus as your savior is sort of limited. I like the idea and it makes sense to me that you are given more than one chance after death as Mormons believe. I think that the LDS church teaches a pretty forgiving and more positive outlook on eternal life. Besides having the greatest friends I've made in years, I also love that they look after their own and others too. It's a very well organized and beautiful group of people. I think that there's some pretty scary and strange things written about Mormons that is really sorta dumb. Once you get past the fears of what has been said "out there" it's really not as mysterious as one would think. It's just my humble opinion though.

When I first told my mom she nearly fainted. Truly, she shrieked. She said, "why did you have to tell me this???" My older sister hasn't spoke a word to me in three months, which I think is odd for a Christian woman. However, my mom and I have started speaking and it's all very new and different. We actually seem closer now than before for some reason. My sister is another story. It has been very heart breaking for me, but I can tell you I wouldn't "go back or undo" anything I've done by joining the church. Hopefully it will all iron it's self out in time. Keep asking away!

Well, ask away . . . don't be shy!

Are you curious or interested? Freckles

Okay! Love to talk anytime, M. Oh may I call you M for short? That's a quite a name!

Hi M . . . I was brought up strict Seventh Day Adventist as a child, and then my mother converted to the Evangelical Church. As a young adult (18 yrs.) I started reading quite a bit of "New Age" but attended Relief Society with a good friend, which I loved. I never joined the church because of my mothers insistence that it was a "cult." I then joined the Episcopal Church for about 20 years. I never forgot about the people I had met in the LDS church and my dear friend who took me to Relief Society. FWIW, I do not believe that the church is a cult by any means. I mean if you think eating lots of jell-o, living a healthy wholesome life, and playing lots of sports is a cult, well then . . . maybe so . . . I started investigating the church about three years ago on a serious basis, and finally decided to be baptized. I can tell you that it works wonderfully for me and I believe that it has made an absolute positive transformation in my life. I wish I had followed my heart years ago, and joined then, but I don't think I was quite ready. Sometimes life teaches you some harsh lessons that prepares you for the goodness you can only appreciate later. I'm believe that it's a wonderful and true church, M!

It's not as complex as it might seem, JPL1234. It has been a pretty simple process for me, so I wouldn't worry that it is difficult by any means. I can now participate in sacrament fully and also tithe what I can. My tithing varies as my husband is a member of another church, and I am a stay at home mom. I personally feel that is between you and Heavenly Father and how the Holy Spirit guides you. But that's just my opinion. I really enjoy the Gospel Principal class, and have made some great friends in there. You'll learn a lot and are welcome to ask as many questions as you want in this class. I've done some family research at church and it is really interesting and fun. You might really enjoy that, I know I did! I still have some time before attending the temple, but I have some great friends at church who are anticipating helping me when that day comes. In my experience it has been life changing. :)

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! It will be interesting reading and posting with all of you. I look forward to it. :)freckles

What a guy! I'd be one proud mom if he was my son. Gotta Love em.

As long as I have electricity to crank up the Singer sewing machine, a jug of lemonade, my trunk full of quilting stuff . . . life is great! Oh, I can't forget the James Taylor tunes playing in the background.

Hello, I'll go by freckles for short here at LDS.net. My conversion came about in a bit slower process than most, in fact it took years. But after my investigating and pondering, it happened very suddenly and I really had no doubts at all that I was doing the right thing for myself. I have not looked back once and thought. "Uh Oh, what did I do that for?" It has been quite the opposite. I am very happy and really can't imagine my life without my friends at church and what I am continually learning at Sacrament, Gospel Principals class, and RS. I am not the scholarly type of personality, but more highly intuitive. What I feel in my heart and my joy that I've found can only be the result of my baptism and testimony I have. It's nothing profound and emotional that would move people to tears, however, it is very real to me and I treasure it. Being the only Mormon in my entire family has been an interesting experience. Some of my family members want nothing to do with me. But, having a great husband who fully accepts and respects my decision makes up for it. I still wouldn't "go back" to my old life for anything. Thanks for letting me share!