Sali

You would be the Pianist, right? My daughter is a pianist, and would freak in this situation too lol. I feel for you. The Program sounds lovely, and we did ask last year but received a definite no. Such a shame, as Christmas Programs can really bring the Spirit of Christmas in.

Something just came to my mind. Have you ever done the 'Color Code Test', Carlimac? This lady sounds to me like she could be a red and I wonder if you are a blue? Reds don't get blues and blues tend not to get reds very easily. I am a blue and reds are my irritants lol. I think there is a thread on here somewhere regarding the Color Code. Give it a try, it may help you understand why she grates on you so much.

I think everybody has one of these people in their ward. We have one or two and yes it grates. But I've learned to just gloss over it all. Other people see it for what it is. Try to maybe understand why she feels the need to be perfect. Maybe she needs to feel secure and worthwhile and that is how she is able to achieve that. Maybe she just needs to be the center of attention. Most others will also see through her. If she is taking over meetings, or volunteering too much, then I don't really see how she can be blamed. I would probably put the onus on others who give her that power to do so. It's so easy to stay in a comfort zone, when you know that another will take care of it. Take the power back and find a voice. Encourage others to do that too. Why not just look at her, admire what she is good at, ignore the stuff that grates, and then look at what goodness you possess. We are all different and we all bring different things. Look for the differences you bring. And maybe figure out why she pushes your buttons so much. Ask yourself what she is touching in you that makes you feel this way. I do understand. It took me a long while to overcome my feelings about people like this too. And even now if I let myself, it can get the better of me. :) Also, is there anything you can maybe learn from her?

*Sigh* We're not allowed to do a Christmas Program . Our Bishop only allows songs by the Choir from the Hymn Book, not even allowing Hymn arrangements. Is it a common thing to have a Christmas Program? Do you have speakers also? I'm so excited for you, although I would be stressed too if nothing seemed to be getting done about it.

Not quite correct. Most countries in Europe recognize marriages in Churches as legally binding. The only reason that Temple Marriage is not recognized in the UK is because by law, a marriage needs to take place where anybody has the ability to oppose the marriage if necessary (such as one of the marriage participants already being legally wed or other reasons). And public places include Church marriages too. The reason they don't have a Temple in France is because Police have to access to any building at any time.

It sounds like at the start these thoughts spiraled you down into a depression. The trouble with that is once that depression hits, those thoughts become obsessive. (Think of a needle stuck in a groove on a record). A depressed mind finds it really difficult, if not impossible, to throw these type of thoughts out. Loudmouth Mormon is correct. The issue is no longer your wife's past, it is your depression. So continue seeing the Counselor, maybe look at some medication? I know this because I have been stuck in these same cycles so many times during my years of on and off depression. That needle is so hard to throw out of the groove. Awareness of what is going on is the first step! Good luck on your journey and I will keep you in my prayers. I wish all the best for you.

How can you feel you have screwed up when you are not even a spouse yet? It seems like you are reading into the future, which is impossible. Have you got someone to talk to? Can you see a professional? You really need to speak to someone as soon as you can. Please do. I will keep you in my prayers.

Thinking and praying for you. Tie that knot on the end of the rope and just hang in there. Life gets so hard sometimes and it just feels that we just can't go on and feel so left alone. There are people here who care about you and will be sending prayers your way. Hope it all goes well. Sending you big hugs.

This! Maybe God not answering your prayer is leading you to ask some different questions.

Brilliant article on this subject in this month's Ensign titled 'His Grace is Sufficient'. This is the link: His Grace Is Sufficient - Ensign Sept. 2013 - ensign

I just went through this myself just the other week. Our family has made a huge decision after praying, counseling with our Bishop etc. We all got the same answer that it was the right thing to do, but it did send my anxiety haywire as it's a big step and very stressful. God didn't cause the anxiety, but the way I reacted to the answer did.

Jody, you feel this way because the Holy Spirit is testifying it to you as a Investigator. It did the same for me. :) Hold on to that feeling and remember it always. It is a source of strength when Satan tries to whisper to you otherwise. He will, and that's why I say to hold on to the Spirit and stay close....always. It's so lovely to hear of you being so filled with the Spirit. Isn't it a wonderful feeling? I remember first experiencing it and just wanting to burst with knowledge, truth, peace, joy and so forth. It truly changed who I was as a person.

I think it all depends on what is in the intent of the activity. If you were riding the bike to get a kick, so to speak, then that would be breaking the Sabbath, but a leisurely ride with your daughter to enjoy your property, I don't think that is. My family will sometimes go to the beach on a Sunday evening to enjoy the calming nature of the ocean. We don't consider that breaking the Sabbath. We are enjoying nature, not swimming or boating. It's all about the intents of your heart. Spirit versus Letter and all that. :)

Although I have great admiration for FAIR and think they do a wonderful job, I too was disappointed in the review that was posted on FAIR. I have read this book two times now and the change it has made to my life is amazing. I have to agree with everything you have said here.

I was watching a debate on this on CNN this morning. There was an African American who said along the lines of: "Just because we as a race use this word with each other, it does not mean that those of a different race get to use it".

My mum was in a similar position to you years ago. She joined the Church and my dad hated it at first. Now he likes the Church. He has not been baptized but I am not ruling it out. I joined the Church about five years after my mum. Heavenly Father does work in mysterious ways. Keep praying and studying. Have you spoken with your husband about it? Would he be against listening to the Missionaries?

I used to be caught up in thinking these same things, until I realized that what I am focusing on in my life is what I will focus on in Church. I have moved to a different place where I try to focus on the Saviour and his teachings throughout the week, and I am more able to see Jesus in a lot more things that are said and done in Church. We all are different, but this is what works for me.

My daughter is going to be singing in the MTC Choir for that. I do so hope I can catch a glimpse of her. She is so stoked. It's the day before she flies out to the Mission Field she is serving in. What an end to 9 weeks in the MTC. What a time to be a Missionary! :)

Have you prayed about it? Ask Heavenly Father to help clear your mind so you can listen to what He has to say on the matter. I hope you feel better soon. Depression is horrible and can really numb your feelings and spiritual promptings. I would just advise you to be very careful about making a big decision like this when you are in the middle of a depression. Listen to your Heavenly Father. :)

My Sister In Law gets Penicillin shots for her Strep as she gets really sick when she comes down with it.

My daughter is in the MTC at the moment. It was touch and go regarding her Wisdom teeth. They are a little impacted but give her no problems so her Dentist signed the form and said to worry about it when she got home from her Mission.

I am a convert and my life before joining the Church was far from perfect. I am actually grateful to be a convert. I know what it is like to be without the Church and I think for me, it makes me value having the Gospel so much more. I look back now at those days and I don't feel shame, I just rejoice in what I have now, and not the emptiness that was then. I'm a believer that when we make mistakes, learn the lesson. That's how we grow. So instead of feeling guilt, look at the lessons and what kind of person you are now because of them.

My daughter leaves for the MTC in two weeks and she is going to Japan. We haven't heard anything different.

I am neither rich and I am English. I am a female, but would feel the same if she were male. I loved her. She turned our country around when it was going through some of it's darkest stages in the modern world. I remember the strikes, the rubbish not being collected, power cuts, bodies not being buried in the 70s etc etc. She changed that and brought accountability and responsibility. The communities and industries that were destroyed would have done so anyway through time. Industry evolves. She allowed people to become part of the free market. Basically, told people they need to learn to stand on their own two feet instead of relying on the Government to provide for them. My dad lost his job during this time and was then able to move on and start his own business after learning new skills. It provided a better living for him than what he was doing previously.

Eternal.