lost87

Ridiculous.

i would take about a week (at least) off bfore you begin the new shift schedule and take the time to let your body adjust to the change... day 1-stay up all night like you would for your previous night shifts and then stay awake all day the following day...no naps (its going to be rough) that night you'll be able to sleep despite the change in schedule because you'll be so tired...from here on out keep the schedule the same...go to bed at the same time each night and wake up the same time each morning. the first couple days will be pretty much terrible, but by day 3 you should be just fine and adjusted to normal life again

religious buildings are not considered "commercial" buildings, which is why they can build it in a residential zone. Because it is a religious building it does not have to meet "residential" standards. really this debate doesn't have much value because ultimately it is perfectly within a religious groups right to build however they want, assuming it meets safety qualifications. At the same time though, those in opposition have the right to voice that...it won't do much good, but they still can do it.

so...i struggle with the same kinda thing and last night I just couldn't sleep...it was about 3am and getting hard to stay committed to not giving in. I had heard once eons (did i spell that right?) ago that we can command Satan to leave in the name of Christ...not sure if where I heard it from, or even if its doctrinally correct, but the thought came to me and I thought that maybe i'd try it before giving in to the temptation. I kinda said in my head "satan, in the name of Jesus Christ i command you leave and take this temptation with you"...it was amazing because just as i finished saying it my mind was crystal clear...almost like the stage was empty and waiting for the next act....the desire was gone, the not so great thoughts were gone and i was free to choose what i was going to run through my mind. It blew me away so much that I rolled out of bed and onto my knees to say thanks....now, im not sure if this will work every time, BUT i think that any time we turn to the Lord and recognize His power to help us, we are going to get the help we need.....just a thought.

unixknight....thanks, that was really helpful to me too. Muchly appreciated advice and wisdom.

well, im a nurse, so i wouldn't even be allowed to wear it every day because it would slice open my gloves and expose me to aids or something. So that is just another reason not to have one...i wouldn't get to wear my engagement ring everyday. as long as its not yellow gold, i am sure i'll love it.

The whole story of the prodigal son is a great one, but there is a verse there at the end that always throws me off and kinda casts a shadow over the sweet message of forgiveness for me. Basically what I understand of the story is that the prodigal son asked to be given his inheritance from his father (v. 12) and then went off into the world and wasted all of it (v. 13). Then he realizes that he has nothing and returns to his father in humility and his father welcomes him back into the family with open arms (v.14-24). Everyone is happy for the return of the son except for the other son...for good reason I think. Then the father explain in v. 31 "thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine". Thats the verse that I always get stuck on. It should work that way I think, the people who have always been more or less on the Lord's side ought to have all that He has. In the story the prodigal son doesn't get back the inheritance that he wasted away. He gets welcomed back, but can't ever gain everything that his father has again. Thats where I feel I am. I know its possible to repent and be forgiven and thats wonderful and amazing, but people keep saying that its possible to still obtain all that the Father has.......this story doesn't really support that theory and it confuses me. I feel like my progress is limited and I'm ok with that because its a very justified limitation like this story illustrates, but it throws me off when people explain differently....both can't really be true, so do you know which is?

personally I have no desire for a diamond. I am sold on the whole "blood-diamond" concept so I guess my boyfriend should we get engaged is gonna luck out I'm also not a big fan of the culture that supports diamond rings for engagements...i can't tell you how many times I see a girl tell everyone she is engaged and one of the first comments back is "lets see the rock!"....sigh, I suppose I just want to skip all that nonesense and not sum up his love with something like that. Lucky him!

so...my bf spent the weekend with me at my house with just the two of us and we were SOOOOO good all weekend! we didn't do anything bad! I know its only one weekend in the midst of many many not good ones, and that we need to still be ridiculously vigilant and cautious, but it really meant a lot to me that we made it these few days. Thanks for your support guys!

wow...can you imagine the reprocussions if a teacher really did ask that of her class as an assignement in today's world! she would be sued halfway to china! sad!

I think the kind of revelation that this post was referring to is an individuals revelation to the "higher truths" of the gospel...the real deep meaty stuff of the Lord. If you are having "revelations" that contradict the basic teachings of the church, it might be a good indication that your getting the messages from the enemy Here is my thought on the situation....if you are recieving revelation from God then you are probably living a life that allows the presence of the spirit, and if you continue then you'll be led to know when you should open your mouth and share the new found knowledge, and when you should keep your mouth closed and just pray in private that those around you will come to know the wonderful things that the Lord has revealed to you....at least I think thats how it should work

while its true that our ward ought to be a family to us and we to them, I think that the OP is doing something very wise and honorable in respecting his non-member wife and the time that they share together I think that if you were to explain to those people who are requesting these things of you that you have to maintain the time you have set aside for your own family but would love to help in any way you can outside of that time then they should absolutely understand and RESPECT you for being such an honorably husband. Your ward is a family to you but it should never take priority over the needs of your own family..."no success can compensate for failure in the home"...that includes success in the church, its not worth much to you if you lose your family in the process. Your ward leaders and the elders will understand that. GREAT job on everything you are doing! I love the way you honor and respect the feeling of your spouse despite the differing beliefs, it is such a wonderful example of Christlike love and compassion!

Yay that you are going to the temple!

btw...im 21 and he is 25

My boyfriend and I are in a long distance relationship and visit eachother every weekend or so, as much as possible. We have struggled with the law of chastity in the past, and want to fix all of that now. It is inevitable that we stay together on our visits because we live so far apart, so with that in consideration, what things can we do to help each other stay clean? We are both committed to repenting, but it is still tempting every now and then. we can't get married right now as it is impossible for either of us to move.

2 Nephi 4...its my very favorite!

I am looking for different ways that people maintain the desire to follow the Lord and do all the right things (read scriptures daily, pray often, attend church, etc.). I find myself going through phases where I'll be really committed to doing all those things and living a truly LDS life, but it only lasts for a little while and then its as if I couldn't care less. How do you keep that desire to continue on in righteousness?

My head hurts a lot. I think I may go to bed, but dream in haiku.

really don't listen to what 3% said dear. he is one person compared to all the many people who have applauded your efforts and recommended a filter. You chose to install it because you thought it would help you...stick with that. It is not cowardly to build defenses, its stupid not to. Imagine this as a war and take 3% advice into account....in a real war like situation what he is suggesting is to forget putting any walls or obstacles between you and your enemy because it is cowardly, forget putting on armor to protect yourself because it shows your enslaved, and shoot, lets forget to fight the oncoming army with your unit...you don't need to depend on the man holding the gun next to you, you can take the whole legion coming towards you all on your own, defensless, and unprotected. Exactly how long do you think someone would last in this situation? Parallel that to your own personal war against satan, its just as real. In fact, it is even more devastating than a physical war between mortals. The battle for our souls will far outweigh any mortal fight throughout history. This is something that you should be putting every wall up possible between you and the enemy, laying every obstacle you can possibly think of between you and sin, covering every possible vulnerable spot of you with heavy armor, and relying on those around you to help in the fight. A filter system is one piece of your armor, it creates an obstacle that satan has to overcome to get you to give in to pornography again, and your mother and your bishop are the friends standing by your side prepared to fight WITH you, not FOR you in this battle. Your doing the right thing, making the right choices...it takes a tremendous amount of courage and dedication to fight against Satan as much as you are now...don't let him convince you otherwise. Keep fighting in whatever way you can.

hmm...I think the best advice i can offer you my dear is to completely ignore wht threepercent said...i'd take about 3% of his post to be valid to your situation I am sooo proud of you for taking this step! You are doing awesome. I know it was probably very difficult to turn to your family for support but taking that leap of faith was a huge step of courage! I think that the lord gave us families for a reason, and its wonderful that you recognize that and are willing to be humble enough to do so. In my opinion this thread testitifies of your strength and ability to overcome this more than anything else i've read from you...you are showing the Lord that you are willing to do whatever it takes to overcome this, and I know He will reward that effort! Let me know how you like the program...I may think about it for myeslf... Thanks for being such an amazing example to me today! Your the best!

I can't even imagine how that will be.

If this is the case my dear, then you will never understand us or our beliefs. What is more important in finding truth than a witness from God, the one person in all of existence who knows and understands everything? That is what we believe we recieve when we have a spiritual impression through the Holy Ghost. Asking us to prove the truth of our religion independent of that witness is like asking a doctor scientist to prove truth independent of science. I think people are weary of the "I believe its true because I have felt the Holy Ghost bear withness of its validity" statement because they don't want to hinge a life change simply on someone's supposed spiritual experience, and that is completely fine. This confirmation is not just limited to a few people, EVERYONE who asks with a sincere intent has the right to feel this confirming influence. We don't ask anyone to just believe us when we say the church is true, we ask them to believe God when he tells them it is true. You can't ask an LDS person to give up their spiritual experiences to explain a religion, that would be asking us to give up the most important part of ourselves and our relationship with God. We believe in continuous revelation from Him, not only to our prophets, but also to just us everyday members. That revelation is what unites us in our core beliefs.

does anyone know if the "wait a year" thing is standard? I am in a similar situation and am wondering if i need to wait a year before i can be worthy of a temple recommend.?

and Maxel...I apoligize for my rude post...my young and fiery passions got the best of me. I could have said all of that with a much cooler and more respectful approach.

hmmm...vort...that was a good argument. I still support the reform, but I respect your opinion on the issue...thanks for shedding some light on how my argument could be flawed.