Tayo

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. Well, my friendship isn't exactly like that. She does indeed inspire me, build me up, and make me want to become a better person. I desire to better myself everyday because of her.

That's how I'd like it to go, but yes, it is very confusing to even me. I want the choice to be hers, so I want her to choose a worthy priesthood holder who will make her happy. If that isn't me, that's ok. It only means that if I want it to be me, I just have to work hard to better myself to be more like Christ. I don't want a girlfriend before my mission (for obvious reasons.) I also don't want to be jealous, for a jealous heart will only lead to hatred. @Eowyn: Yeah, that's exactly how it is, but my only problem is just my reluctance. It's keeping me from talking to her. It's been going on like this for maybe 3 years. I don't know what it is. @skippy740: Well, the thing is that my brother once asked her sister on a group date thing that was supposed to be random. He kind of went against the rules and requested her specifically. Apparently, she didn't talk to him for awhile once she found out later. They're fine now, though, and he ended up taking her to a dance before his mission. I know they're different, but I think what I'm afraid of is that it might hurt our friendship if I made any indication of something more than that. Maybe I do, but I don't want her to know right now. I'm not planning on a relationship right now, so I only want to have a good friendship. I'm also afraid of forcing people into doing things they don't want to do because they're being nice. She's very nice and I know that. I wouldn't be able to tell if she's doing things just to be nice. I think my problem is that I'm considering how others will feel TOO much.

This isn't really a problem or anything, but I think I need some advice. Just so you know, I'm a male high school student. Actually, I just turned 17 a couple weeks ago. I guess my question could relate to just about anybody or friend I talk to. Anyway, I have this friend. Technically, I've known her almost all my life since we've been in the same ward since we were like 3 or 4. It wasn't until about high school that I suddenly noticed her again. I feel like an idiot for doing that since I really admire her. We've had a fine friendship, but for some reason, I've always had a reluctant feeling whenever I talk to her. It's always her that starts talking to me. I just want to be friends is all (I hope you can tell I REALLY despise modern teenage drama.) Actually, one of the reasons I like her is because she's not so dramatic about clothes, boys, or whatever like every other girl and she's actually kind of tomboyish. I don't want to get into all of her great traits, but my point is, I think I'm feeling more than that. I think my problem is just that I honestly believe anything I do to talk to her or involve her (like maybe ask her to a group date) may indicate something. I don't want that and I just want to be friends. It's nice though that we both plan to go to BYU after High School. I was planning to go there for a bit before my mission and then after my mission. I do want to let her know how I feel someday, but I care more about her happiness. I guess I feel the reason I'm afraid to ask her to do anything or even to start talking to her is because I'm afraid she won't be happy to do anything involving me. (She's invited me and another friend to play video games before though. It's really confusing actually.) I might just be being paranoid, but I don't know. I didn't want to have to ask for advice about this, but it worries me that she may not want to be my friend if I don't talk to her. (I have no problem when she starts talking to me, and she does it kind of frequently now that I think of it.) Please don't perceive me as some typical love-struck teen. My main concern is that I'm afraid of losing a friend. My friendship with her means a lot to me. My question: Am I just being paranoid, or should I stay quiet?

Yeah, the main reason I want to know is mainly so I don't come off as offensive to Japanese speakers. One of the main reasons we don't use profanity is because it's just offensive and rude. It really just shows who you are if you can't control what comes out of your mouth. Oh, and same thing for me. I've been kind of studying it off and on for the last 4 or so years. My grandmothers is from Japan., but I don't get the chance to speak to her very often. I just love studying foreign languages though.

Just a quick question. What would you suggest I do for my family for Christmas? I'd like to buy them some gifts, but I wonder if there's something that I could make, something more meaningful. Any suggestions?

I was reading through Ezekiel 37 when I noticed that it says something about David being king during the millennium, or I am mistaken. Anyway, I'm curious about what it means and his role in all this. He is mentioned specifically in Ezekiel 37:24, "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them." Any insight on this would greatly appreciated. I am aware though, about the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph since my teacher in Sunday school taught us, so I don't need that explained. Thank you!

Yeah, and that can always help me the next time I give a talk. Thank you very much anyway!

Well, I gave my talk today and it went much better than I thought it would. I'm so glad that my prayers were answered. Anyway, thank you all!

I think I've got now. Anyway, thank you very much!

Hm, well, it's a bit strange, we don't normally get topics. Well, as far as I know, but I think I'm ok for now.

Well, I'm only a youth and they expect only a few minutes worth, usually over 5 minutes. I'm not sure if it's different in other wards, but my ward has always had the program like this. Hymn > Prayer > Opening > Hymn > Sacrament > two youth speakers (usually very short) > maybe a music piece > two speakers > Ending > Hymn > Prayer. Actually, since I'd been so busy lately, my dad forgot to tell me at the last minute, I nearly forgot, and it took longer than I needed to to be answered, I only have tonight. :\

Well, here's the thing. I haven't actually given a talk in Sacrament Meeting in years, probably since I was in primary. I've always been very shy and it's hard for me to get out of my shell, so now I'm finally giving a talk. I was wondering if anyone could help with where to start and such. Maybe a list of possible topics? And also where to start. I don't know if this is actually hard or anything, but I actually don't remember how I prepared a talk the last one I gave one. Any help is greatly appreciated, but I need it pretty fast actually. Thank you!

Oh, thank you! ^^

Actually, I already also study Spanish and French along with my native language English. I have no problem with Japanese pronunciation though.

Yeah, I tried asking the poster, but they haven't replied. It's been a few weeks now though. I can only make out a few things with my limited 2 and a half years study of Japanese.

I'd really like to find the lyrics to the Japanese version of the song "We'll Bring the World His Truth" (also known as "We are as the army of Heleman"). It's called ニーファイのように. It'd also be good to see the lyrics of the Japanese version of "Sisters in Zion" too. Here's a video of them. YouTube - As Sisters in Zion / We'll Bring the World His Truth If someone can help, that would be great. ^^ Also, I was wondering if someone knew of a way I could buy a Japanese Hymn Book.

Well, of course I talked to my parents. They always try to help. Oh, by the way, I'm a boy. Anyway, it's not about whether I'm too young for it. I'm always upset about how people think that being older means things have to be bad, morally wrong, use bad language, etc... It angers me so much on how everything is corrupted nowadays. From what I've heard from my group, it has some eh, inappropriate scenes, is about a, you know, kind of guy, and probably some other things. Also, you really don't need to know the show, you just need to know that I don't feel comfortable watching it, anyway, I have no choice right now.

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Well, it's not as bad as a rated R movie, but I'm just so upset as to why society is so corrupted nowadays. All these teens like to watch are shows that are more "mature", but I think the definition of "mature" has been horribly altered over a long period of time. I couldn't really suggest a show I liked because I don't really watch TV series, I just like to watch younger more appropriate shows. Anyway, I'll see if I can make it through this project a live. Thanks again though!

I just got a project for school where I and 4 other people have to watch an episode of a TV series of our choice. Well, I don't have many friends, so I got stuck with whoever was left. These s are nice and all, but they want to do a show I'm not comfortable with. I basically HAVE to do watch it and do my part of project on it. Even my teacher said so, because otherwise I get a back grade. I don't know what I should do. Please help me! I need an answer before tomorrow... Thank you!

Yes, I know... But what I've been trying to ask about does not deal with actual conversation, but like in songs.

Oh yes, sure, of course. It's not like I'd be really using it or anything for that sense. Also, sixpacktr, I know all about the grammar vocab and such because I've been studying it on my own for the past 2 years, but for quite a while I've been worried about what the church's standards are on Japanese since it's very different from English. Though, something has really bothered me. Mainly, the music I like and such. The songs don't have bad messages or anything but it's mainly like usage of pronouns such as 君, etc, and regular verb forms. (Like maybe 聞く rather than 聞きます). I know I wouldn't really speak like that in actual conversations, but I just want to know if it's ok? I feel as if the lyrics aren't exactly bad, but maybe the use pronouns or so that are considered not polite. I just fear that I'll have to stop listening to them because it's like the only type of music I like.

Ah, I see. It's like using the word "stupid" as a direct insult, rather than using it in a less direct way. So, I was asking earlier, I'm curious, is 四月のばか appropriate? I was told that's what April Fool is in Japanese. By the way, you can use kana and kanji, actually I'd like it better if you did.

Wow, I'm really confused about "baka", I hear it all the time in normal use, even when not being used as an insult. It can mean "fool". Like in April Fool's Day, Shigatsu no Baka. I guess I would like to speak to a native then. I think I need a lot of clarifying, but thanks for your explanation though. I talk politely in Japanese anyway.

Sorry if I was unclear. I meant, in real life, not the Book of Mormon of course. I want to avoid bad language in Japanese. I don't know what the standards for the church are in the Japanese language.

I've studied Japanese on my own for that past two years, and I've also taken a look at a Japanese version of the Book of Mormon that I have. I'd like to know if anyone knows what kind of language I should avoid in Japanese. It is quite different than English in that they don't exactly have curse words, but some words or phrases that can range from being very polite to very rude, and well, that's basically what curse words are in English, very rude words. If it's not too much, can someone who is a native or maybe even gone to Japan on his/her mission tell me what kind of language I should avoid? You don't have to say exact words, but maybe what kinds. Thank you! :)