Tyler90AZ

Anybody here live in either Seattle or Houston? How is it?

I know I am a little off from most LDS people. To be honest, I don't care what religion my children choose when they are older. If they want to be muslim or a scientoligist that is alright with me... Burn me at the stake!

Interesting, great insight! As far not being seen as a gospel nazi and following the spirit rather then the letter. An example would be an r-rated movie that is not too bad. It is not worth creating ww3 in my house over a movie that is not even that bad. If ww3 is created it would also be negative feelings associated with the gospel. My whole goal in life and I believe it is vital to getting our kids to stay members in adult hood, is to associate as few bad experiences with the gospel as possible. A gospel nazi in my mind is someone who doesn't have "fun" with the gospel, follows the letter rather then the spirit.

Too funny....Best of luck with your situation!

I know I could never let science be my God. Science is always changing.... What is believed today will change tomorrow. On the other hand, the God we worship, is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I think it is important that we teach children how to be independent. There was actually a good article in the ensign about not being a helicopter parent. I was very happy to see that after I read in Miracle of Forgiveness a year ago, paraphrasing, "heaven forbid our children become independent." If we don't teach our children how to make choices they will be in deep trouble when the time comes. As far as being too strict with kids I like the saying, "spirit of the law not letter of the law." It is important that we invite the spirit into our home as much as possible. If it takes breaking the strict rules of the gospel once in awhile that is fine. I don't want to be seen as a gospel nazi by my children. I want them to know the gospel enhanced life and made it happier. Now from my observation, hate to say it, is that strong gospel families have their children go one of two ways. They are either very strong in the church or they go way off(drug addict level). I have struggled with that mightily. Thinking a lot about what could I do to ensure my kids don't go off the deep end. And no it is not just read the scriptures everyday, go to church, pray often etc. Although it is important to do that so we can show our children we love the gospel. It is also the tact with which we do things, how we teach and always inviting the spirit. To me it is about always letting them feel the spirit; which is joy, peace, love etc. I like the talk last conference about needing to be converted to the gospel and not just the church. We need to convert our kids to the gospel first, then the church falls into place.

I had to lose around 80 pounds before and am trying to re-lose around 50. Things I have learned, weight loss is about persistence. Remember that, persistence, persistence, persistence. Another thing that has helped me is realizing that diet is for weight loss and exercise is for fitness. Although you should do both for optimal weight loss. Just exercise in the morning, drink water frequently and eat less calories throughout the day. Then lastly, what Bytor said, eat good foods. That is what has worked for me and I have lost 15 pounds so far. Persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist, persist

I wonder if it would have been wise to mention something about your religion and also both of your physical abilities. The reason I say physical abilities is because it is a physical show(a lot of running etc.) Also is he gay? If so, that would have been something you would want to put in.

You are no different then the first members of The Church. They were members in a land that the gospel was just unfolding in. Similarly, you are in a land that the gospel is just unfolding. That is something to be proud of and treasure in your heart. You are a true pioneer! Now I would be interested in hearing about your Latter-day Saint experience in Russia. You can even send me a private message. If you don't want to share that is fine.

Now thinking about it a little bit further I came up with something interesting. If those who reside in the Celestial Kingdom until the millennium are part of the first resurrection. Then that would mean the remainder of the kingdoms would be part of the second resurrection. If that is the case, then everybody would eventually enter the Celestial Kingdom.

My understanding is and correct me if I am wrong. We are all saved by grace, in other words, we all receive immortality. That also mean we reside in our appropriate kingdom until the millennium. The first resurrection is those who return to earth when Christ does during the Millennium. The second resurrection, I think, occurs after Christ is done and makes the earth the celestial kingdom.

Marriage can be either hell or bliss, the choice is yours.

Your inheritance is a gift. If you believe in tithing on inheritance then you need to tithe on every gift you receive. That is why I would say you don't have to. However, it never hurts to donate, maybe to the Perpetual Education Fund or Temple Patron Fund. I believe if I am liberal with what I have, the Lord will be liberal with giving m blessings.

Alcohol is far worse then marijuana. The government could make money off marijuana if they would legalize it.

The thing is that Prophets are only revered by their followers. None of the prophets in this dispensation or any for that matter, have been revered by the general population. They have only been revered by their followers. Even then in situations similar to the exodus they have not been revered by their followers. The followers second guessed Joseph Smith moving all the time and polygamy. Even more so the followers second guess Brigham Young when he led his own exodus. I understand you are thinking why is Thomas S. Monson revered. Is he really? Like other prophets he is only revered by his followers. There are many sites that say outright lies about all Prophets. Furthermore, if Thomas S. Monson said all Latter-day Saints had to move to a random Island many followers would question him. If Thomas S. Monson decided to institute the original Law of Consecration many followers would question him. With that in mind are the modern day Prophets any different then the ancient prophets?

The thing is his father must not have been set against the local clergy because he was a member of a local church. In addition, one of the first things Joseph Smith Jr. did after his glorious vision was tell a Methodist preacher. Those two things lead me to believe that he nor his father was set against the local clergy. Also his object was to know which sect was right and didn't go out with a mindset that they were all wrong. 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. 21 Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as avisions or brevelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.

I read a quote by Brigham Young that rings true. Something along the line of, everything about Joseph Smith Jr. was spiritual, everything he did resonated spirituality. Everything Joseph Smith Jr. did for his friends, members of the church, was spiritual. From restoring the Gospel to the last doctrine he set forth. I can't think of one doctrine he set forth that doesn't enhance spirituality.

I have read Moroni 7:45 many times, but never interpreted how I am now. Prior to reading it now, I thought charity was just actions. In the sense of perform charity and be charitable. But now it has become clear it is a state of mind. It is not just when you are doing something nice for Mrs. sweet elderly lady it is who you are. Sorry to derail the thread again, carry on.

When I go to a church site I want it to be spiritually uplifting. It doesn't make sense for the church or members to have a church sponsored site question itself. The sites already provided do a good job answering tough questions.

Is having that sense of community not a huge part of being unified?

Thanks for sharing your personal revelation. I did not know that...

Ward unity is being able to help our ward brothers and sisters out. The fact that my wife might have to go to hospital and I can count on somebody being willing to watch my children shows unity. The fact that my partner doesn't go home teaching, but I can always get a brother to go with me shows unity. The fact that when I left church and came back everybody in the ward welcomed me back with open arms shows ward unity. The fact that me and my wife are the only ones around our age and we still feel like we belong shows ward unity. The moment we lose sight of the one, the weakest link, is when ward unity starts to collapse. One will turn into two and so on. I know it is cliche, but a ward is only as strong as its weakest member. I also think if all members are trying to serve Christ to the best of their ability it creates ward unity. If we all serve Christ the stuff I listed above all falls into place.

It is a good thing you corrected him on the fact he thought you needed a film crew. You probably saved at least ten profiles from not going up. You helped contribute to the missionary efforts of the kingdom. I count you as blessed for having the courage to correct him, participating in missionary work, for teaching him and helping other people participate. As far as him, count it as an honest mistake.

Come on now, stop putting Fox New down. Everybody knows they are fair and balanced. They brought us the news that politicians are linked to terrorists.

The thing is most people think of races as being very different. Which overtime, in some sense, they have become very different. Although races have developed different attributes overtime; it is false to say one is better then the other. In the beginning all was the same and slowly overtime changed. That includes skin color and physical features. I think that is what Anne is getting at and I agree.