Bini

Hot Pursuit Had some laughs, though, the plot was beyond predictable. Surprisingly, mostly family friendly, with the exception of a man scurrying for a towel to cover-up but you don't see anything but waist up. So basically, he's just shirtless but the audience gets the idea. Definitely just a rental watch, though.

I haven't read the article, yet, nor have I read every response. Just adding that in. I don't believe self-esteem must be earned. Yes, there might be situations where earning your place holds up, but there are other contexts in which self value shouldn't be questioned. Everyone has worth. The scummiest and laziest of people, and the polar opposite of that. I think suicide is one instance where someone finally gets to the point of believing there is no way out and no way to move forwards, they lack the self-esteem and self-worth to reevaluate their situation, ultimately, making a permanent decision with no bounce back. Anyway, I don't view self-esteem and self-worth as pride. I view arrogance as pride. In terms of prophets, weren't there a handful of them that had strong self-esteem and self-worth, and yet, were not arrogant?

Both of your posts cleared that up for me a lot. Thanks.

Here's two cents from an atheist/agnostic. I'm guessing it might be the only one you get on here. If you've both chosen to remain married - good for you - something might change given patience and unconditional love for each other. It might not. I agree with others, don't procreate and bring a baby into this world until you're both on the same page when it comes to parenting, at least on the same planet! Mummy and daddy will always have some parenting differences. I resigned from Mormonism early this year. Officially. Papers and all. I had talked to my husband about his feelings regarding the gospel and he chooses to remain a member. The oddness in our ball of wax is that I got him active again in the church after about 30 years of him basically living as a non-member. To point, though, we have decided on how we'll raise our daughter together. I won't badmouth religion - any religion - and my husband won't ingrain in her that there's a god or gods, but rather, that's something she'll need to learn for herself. Our system isn't perfect, especially, from a very active LDS perspective, but for a couple where one is atheist/agnostic and the other believes in faith - it's a reasonable outcome. Good luck.

Are church resources just for members and investigators? Or, does it extend to inactives and non-members? I've seen where the RS president will host a baby shower for someone that is inactive or a non-member. Invitations are handed out and RS members are encouraged to participate. In addition, the venue is often on church property, which is, the RS room. Might not always be the case, but I suspect that this is often done as charity work for a financially struggling mother, who was noticed by someone in the ward. I think it's a very kind and generous gesture. But I know not all members feel it right. Could this type of service span over to hosting bigger events, like a wedding for inactives (who've not stepped foot inside an LDS chapel since baptism, exaggeration, but example) or non-members with no intentions of converting? Slight branch off. I had mentioned before that I'm part of a local online Buy & Sell group, and often times, we'll get people posting that they need free items or a cheap venue for a social event - and members are quick to name the LDS Church as a resource. So what are the guidelines for using church resources? Are there any? Or, is there no official statement on it, and solely up to bishops and leaders to make the call?

I'm not particularly loyal to any genre, musician, or band. What I listen to greatly depends on what I'm doing. When in my car, my daughter and I listen to a lot of pop, basically the top-of-the-charts stuff (which spans a variety of genres, surprisingly). When I'm at home working on projects, I'll listen to Disney soundtracks and classical music. When I'm gearing up for a date with my husband or girls' night out, I listen to mostly pop/hip hop.

If anything, I would bring the church thing up with his mum and see how she feels, as she and her husband are inactive. From my understanding, the whole family has been inactive for years, I don't know that the kids have ever attended church, ever - so a good chance the teen isn't even baptised. My husband is the kind of person who would make an excellent mentor, unfortunately, his time is very limited and taking on a troubled teen would not be practical. But a programme like Big Brothers is a good idea! Hadn't thought of that.

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure of all the intimate details regarding the teen, ex, and my friend. I know she was barely 17 when she had him, and at the time, marriage seemed like the right move. So they got married. As it turned out in their situation, being a teen wife and a teen husband, was not in the cards - they divorced. Again, don't know all the details, but I know he was with his mum for awhile and then back with his dad. It's been a tough road for the kid, certainly. In the last bit, he has lived with his biological father, but is now here in Utah with her. She married into a blended family, so, yeh more complicated dynamics there. Anatess, I disagree with your conclusion that she's isolating the teen. I think she's handled things very well, considering, he's been mouthy - throwing tantrums (things literally) - in an environment with little children. The phone was taken away as a disciplinary consequence. I think it was reasonable but ultimately, it wasn't a resolve.

I agree with Beefche and Eowyn. I don't think I can explain my thoughts any better than they had. There are days where I've given it my all (best) and there are days where I haven't. Simply put, I think when you've exhausted everything inside yourself to achieve something, that in and of itself, is doing your best.

I think this is a great idea for new members. I love welcome packets and or goodies whenever I signup or join something. Not only are you getting helpful information as a newbie but anything that welcomes you aboard is always nice. Adding DI to the list is essential, so good job on that, as I think that's a good place for someone that might need some employment help or even getting basic needs met. It's not uncommon for converts to join a religion for the sole fact that they are being helped, which is okay, because the door to teaching is opened by charity and kindness. Great idea.

Has anyone seen The Visit, yet? I really want to see this. Looks interesting.

I met a friend through one of my daughter's activities and we get along so well, it's scary sometimes, we see eye-to-eye on just about everything. Anyway, the last month she's been struggling with a household change. Her son, from a previous marriage, has moved from Florida to Utah and has moved in. He's fifteen-years old and is a bit of a handful. Nothing serious like getting into trouble with the law but he's got some authority issues and has got away with a lot of things with his biological father that she wouldn't allow. I guess that's how things go with teens, attitude and belligerence, but as she's confided in me - she's totally overwhelmed by it. To add to the stress, she is 8 months pregnant, and has four other children with her current husband, who are all under 8, Her husband is a loving father but has little involvement with the teen, as the teen doesn't relate to him anyway, and there seems to be less drama when the two aren't interacting with each other. (Short of sitting at the dinner table together.) Any suggestions from those who have been in similar shoes? They are inactive LDS, so the teen does not participate in YM's or any type of ward activity, but having met him, it'd take a miracle to convince him to give any of that a shot. I would only recommend it as a way for him to possibly meet other youth. Apparently, he has not connected with any kids at his high school, granted school just started... But he has a girlfriend that he texts and talks to day and night for hours on end, who lives back in Florida, which is about all the social interaction he has. My friend has taken his phone from him and she said it wasn't worth the wrath she got. (Throwing his dinner plate on the floor and slamming doors is just an inkling of that hell.)

So sorry. Not knowing details limits my contribution, but if the family isn't opposed, perhaps consider talking to the daughter's closest friends regarding a song that was special/sentimental to her in life? I wouldn't worry too much about including Christian hymns at a funeral service, especially, since part of the service will be inside an LDS chapel. Saying that, I think it's very thoughtful to think about the people in the daughter's circle of friendship, and trying to be sensitive to the fact that the daughter was a non-believer and likely surrounded herself with like-minded friends. But really, atheists/agnostics aren't all bitter, I know that there were groups that sent their condolences to the victims' families of the tragic church shooting not so long ago. I believe it was done out of sincerity. The point of the occasion is to bring those together who loved this individual, and hopefully despite differences, each side can weep together and maybe find some closure.

Congrats! Exactly same weight as my daughter, minus, 1 ounce

Oh gees. You can't "save" anyone. Make sure you understand that. Whether they're Mormon or not, you will never, have the power to save someone from life. I think it's a pretty crummy mindset to assume that this young woman is off to a horrible start after she's confided in you that she doesn't relate to Mormonism anymore. If you care about her, you'll wish her well and respect her feelings, whether or not you agree. Unless she's given you blatant proof that she's self-destructive, harmful to herself or others, what she does is really none of your business. She says to let her go. Can you manage that and just be a friend? A real friend? A listening one?

Haven't read all the comments, so, this is my response from the initial post. I think the policy works as is. I think it's more preventative than not. So that's a step in the right direction. That said, I wouldn't be opposed to having the policy enforced for women, as well, but with statistics in mind - the more likely "risks" are covered.

That sounds amazing. Wow. How care-free, as far as, just enjoying the small things. I'd go with my spouse but if I were to do it alone, I think, maybe I'd have a canine companion to keep me alert :)

Alright, I'll go. This'll make me sound super lazy but it is what it is and husband doesn't complain, in fact, he likes to do it for me and has done it since we officially got married and bought our first car together. He fills the gas tank up as needed, sometimes I'm with him and sometimes I'm not, usually he does it without me when he uses the SUV but I haven't put gas in my car for the last...6 years about. Not once! So yeh, perks of being married, for sure! Other perks...I don't ever have to lift or move anything heavy, and yes, I know it's sexist but having a man around the house really helps in that department. Especially, up and down stairs And something a bit more sentimental...always having someone to share great and terrible news with, and never feeling like you're being judged.

I'm not planning on doing this, not any time soon, since I'm pregnant and it'll be a good year before anything like this is remotely doable. But for fun, has anyone just backpacked, like a nomad, throughout the states? I'm literally envisioning carrying nothing more than a backpack on your back, and that's it, and you travel around - setting up tent - and hiking it. The only travel you'd actually do is maybe a direct flight out of your current state and into another, then from there, trek it (maybe bike it). I'm not necessarily even talking about being outdoors all day long, but even city sightseeing, but everything you need is on your back. So if you've done this, what was your journey? How did your day to day adventure go? Would you say it was enjoyable? Or, maybe not so much enjoyable but a worthwhile experience?

Kingsmen was really good! It's gory and the language can be a wee bit bad but the writing for it was overly entertaining. I wasn't expecting to like it, at all... It Follows is a horror film, which I thought was geared towards adults, but really it's more appealing to teens. The beginning is captivating but it gets less interesting towards the end. A big graphic, obviously, horrors all have the same ingredients...

As for trying to get someone to return to something (church or not), it's a fine line, and I think it should be approached thoughtfully. First step, should be listening, see what they have to say. Second, don't get straight into the why aren't you attending x anymore and instead just be a friend and show kindness. Third, don't pressure, especially if you're getting vibes that the individual isn't interested in x at the moment. Give them time to breathe, maybe, gather themselves a bit. I think just showing you care, genuinely care, is enough to get that door open again. It might not be immediate but you're working on their time line, not yours.

I think some simple reasons, at least for those who are newly converted or don't have a strong testimony to begin with, are things like: feeling alienated or disconnected from fellow members, not feeling the spirit in their ward and finding it elsewhere, unable to come to terms with certain teachings and doctrines, and sometimes, it's a clash between them and another member that never gets resolved.

Yes, haha, I have been 'warned' about these 'adventures' lol

Boy!

Thanks everyone :) I'm feeling pretty good. There's definitely been some awkwardness between some family and friends that are Mormon and or Christian in general but overall we've come to accept our differences. @Anatess! I've been around, just mostly pregnant and trying to keep busy and active :) I have less than 12 weeks left and this baby is due!