wltpc

Hi, thank you! I know about that stuff. These were not students. These were my favorite ward members when I was a bishop who came once or twice a year (christmas and easter) and when I would greet them and ask how they were doing, always asked me this stuff. When I said "its not our job to worry about minor details like that", its our job to follow the commandments and as the D&C says "be valient in our testimony of Christ", of course they wanted "answers". Thats no "answer". I finally just said "its good to see you, I have to get ready for he meeting". I'm not going to argue debate or get suckered into their little game or whatever it is, so I didn't. I was just curious if anyone knew some things that I didn't. THanks for the info. Have a great day.

not being an "anti", because I'm not. I'm a former bishop and this was asked many many times to me. "If the BOM contains the fullness of the gospel, why is not the priesthood, temple marriage, temples, and so forth." I lived in a university area and had doctoral students studying things like greek, and showed me how the BOM had greek word for word from KJ bible, inc errors, and I was speechless. I couldn't discuss this with these folks. I just told them that there are lots of things I dont know, that I dont need to know, and if I did know it wouldn't make any difference to me in how I felt/believed. They said "thats the standard mormon answer". I of course told them that they could entertain themselves, but if this was something that got out and was preached, they would be asked to leave or forced, and that put an end to it. Its always made me wonder though. They make some very compelling arguments. Then we get into the whole mess of the pearl of gp, and I dont want to even go there. Again, I dont need to know it all, and if I was intended to, I would. So, I dont lose sleep over it. But I wonder why that info is not in the BOM. Anyone? I do not want to have a heated nasty discussion. Just a curious one based on many questions asked me when I served in the capacity I did. Thank you!

Thank you Carl for showing me the error of my ways.

As they say, the great cleansing will come from within. Apostosy is 3 weeks away. I remeber when a call came to me from a sister that her husband had died. I went to see her right away. She said he was a member and they had been married 50 some odd years. I said (being brand new) that I didn't even realize she was married let alone to a member. As I visited with her, I said was he ever active. She said "oh yes, very much so, he was endowed, he had many callings and so forth". I asked her what happened. The answer was so simple it blew me away. She said, "well one Sunday he was sick, then the next Sunday he had to work, and then the next one they had car problems, and he never came back." We planned and I conducted his funeral with the thought that any of us are only 3 weeks away from complete inactivity and even apostasy. Very sobering. So these billboards are going to attract those who are on the fence, whose marriages are sufferring, whose own testimonies are wavering, and who feel overwhelmed from life. We need to reach out as home and visiting teachers to these people before they call the # on the billboard. If they do, we need to especially redouble our efforts because they will be gone in a few days. What a scary thought. Just my .02 worth.

The LDS(MORMON) church has a very pro marriage stand. The marriage/family is of utmost importance. Divorce is not something to take lightly and "just because we argue" or "we fell out of love" or things like that are not reasons to get a divorce. Things like infidelity, abuse---physical, sexual, emotional usually are. Naturally the woman and childrens safety is of first importance, but assuming they are not in danger, then the couple should try counseling. If they need, they can get it for free by PHD psychologists or social workers at the LDS social services where they are specifically trained in marriage and family issues. Marriage can be hard under the best of circumstances. I just read in the paper today where the Catholic church is thinking of requiring more premarital classes, counseling, etc before the marriage will be sanctioned by the church. This is to cut down on the growing epidemic of divorce. To all of you suffering in a difficult situation, my prayers are with you. I am often shocked at some of the things that I hear that go on in what appears to be on the surface, a perfect marraige.

ironically its usually the husband who is the problem. Not always but I'm sure statistically its probably over 80% of the time. That is, they are abusive in some way, infidelity, what ever. Its a huge problem in the church. Finding a single man, late 20's and up who is temple worthy is as rare as hens teeth. That is a fact. There are, however plenty of women in this situation.

I had a neighbor who was a psychiatrist. We discussed the "staying in it for the kids" and he said that a large study was done and the results were that to a man/woman, all regretted staying in it for the kids, and also the kids did not fare as well as parents who were either single or remarried to someone who provided a loving stable situation. They are very perceptive, and while we think as parents we are so smart, they know whats going on. Just my .02 worth to what I know must be a very difficult and painful situation. I'm sorry you have to deal with it.