need4peace

It would be best for the couple going through their personal pain to talk with their Bishop so they can be helped through the Godly Sorrow stage of repentance. They need love and support through this and maybe the following articles might help you to help them too. In the New Testament Presentation Video there is a lesson titled "GODLY SORROW" about a woman who had to experience Godly Sorrow before being ready to be married in the Temple. YouTube - Godly Sorrow LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Gospel of Repentance Remember this, that forgiveness can never come without repentance. And repentance can never come until one has bared his soul and admitted his actions without excuses or rationalizations. President Romney said “And so I comforted and encouraged those who confided in me, and I encouraged all sorrowing, repentant men to be comforted - For today, as well as in days of old, there is hope, there is peace, there is rest in Christ for all whose Godly sorrow brings them to that repentance which worketh salvation. Forgiveness is as wide as repentance. Every person will be forgiven for all the transgressions of which he truly repents. If he repents of all his sins, he shall stand spotless before God because of the atonement of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1955, pp. 123–24.) Elder Romney’s message is comforting to all who truly repent and return to the arms of a loving and merciful Savior. It is a lie propounded by the adversary that our sins can run too deep, that any one of us has sunk below the reach of the Savior and his atonement. The scriptures give us only one exception: those who have sinned against the Holy Ghost, “having crucified [the Savior] unto themselves and put him to an open shame” after having known the Lord’s power and partaken of it. (See D&C 76:31–37.) If we do not fall into this category (and those who do are few), we can, with the help of the Lord, come back onto the path and become clean and pure again, worthy to receive our Father’s greatest blessings. Once a repentant member qualifies for these blessings, none will be withheld, including the blessings of the priesthood and the temple. President Spencer W. Kimball expressed this glorious principle in a beautiful way, and I add my testimony to his: “When soiled clothes have been through the laundry and washed, starched and pressed, they are no longer filthy. When the smallpox victim has been healed and cleansed, he is no longer contaminated. … When one is washed and purged and cleansed, he is no longer an adulterer. … “The effect of the cleansing is beautiful. These troubled souls have found peace. These soiled robes have been cleansed to spotlessness. These people formerly defiled, having been cleansed through their repentance—their washing, their purging, their whitening—are made worthy for constant temple service and to be found before the throne of God associating with divine royalty.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 352–53.) LDS.org - Ensign Article - A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings Sorrow for Sin Sorrow always follows the recognition of sin. The destructive form of this sorrow, which often manifests itself as self-condemnation, is related to what the Apostle Paul called “sorrow of the world,” which “worketh death.” In contrast, he described a positive form of sorrow, “godly sorrow,” which “worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10.). The main difference between these two forms of sorrow is their source. Worldly sorrow is promoted by Satan. It is the sorrow of being caught, of not being able to continue sinning, or of turning against oneself with self-loathing or disdain. Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is sorrow given as a gift from God to those who are willing to receive it. Godly sorrow leads us to a full recognition of the magnitude of our sins but with the knowledge that we can become free of them. It leads us to fully recognize the wrongs we have committed without giving in to the temptation to see ourselves as worthless or beyond God’s love. There is no room in godly sorrow for self-contempt. Those who refuse to forgive themselves thus bear a double burden of sin, for not only do they carry the sin itself, but they also add to it the sin of self-condemnation and refusing to forgive. Indeed, refusal to forgive is cited in the scriptures as “the greater sin” (D&C 64:9). LDS.org - Ensign Article - Forgiving Oneself

LOL It is fun noticing the difference in spelling between Australia & America and I enjoyed reading how pam and johndoe picked up on the U difference in my post with favourite instead of favorite and colour instead of color Here's some (? useless) trivia for you on the history of spelling where Americans, for example dropped the U from much of the English language. The two varieties of English are in fact one and the same language with some interesting, sometimes amusing, sometimes challenging differences. Although the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have English as an official language, the United States does not have an official language. Webster's 1828 dictionary featured only -or and is generally given much of the credit for the adoption of this form in the United States. By contrast, Dr Johnson's 1755 dictionary used the -our spelling for all words still so spelled in Britain, where the u has since been dropped. H L Mencken makes the point that, "honor appears in the Declaration of Independence, but it seems to have got there rather by accident than by design. In Jefferson’s original draft it is spelled honour." While Noah Webster, just a few years after producing his famous Dictionary of the English Language, would produce his own modern translation of the English Bible in 1833; the public remained too loyal to the King James Version for Webster’s version to have much impact.

Thank you Vanhin:) for a great example of how to use ones own experiences when teaching without going into the 'nitty gritty' of their personal details. No one really wants to hear them anyway - oh well except the gossips I suppose LOL I found this quote (below) very interesting considering some comments have touched on the topic. I started researching the topic of teaching after reading the various comments in this thread and as a result I have learnt a lot from it, thank you. :) Please know that putting the following quote here is not intended to be directed at anyone or their point of view - Elder Spencer W. Kimball stated: “There are those today who seem to take pride in disagreeing with the orthodox teachings of the Church and who present their own opinions which are at variance with the revealed truth. Some may be partially innocent in the matter; others are feeding their own egotism; and some seem to be deliberate. Men may think as they please, but they have no right to impose upon others their unorthodox views. Such persons should realize that their own souls are in jeopardy” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1948, 109)

I couldn't resist this

I must say thank you to Traveler for your posts because it got me pondering and researching further about animals and what our Prophets & leaders say about them. It is good to learn and re-learn the words of our leaders etc. I found some great quotes that I couldn't resist sharing with you all. The words of our leaders have struck cords with non members too who are interested in protecting animals and the environment.See below Joseph Fielding Smith said: "the plan of salvation was presented to the spirits, or "intelligences." This being true, then man, animal and plants were not created in the spirit at the time of the creations of the earth, but long before." I believe that the spirits of the plants and animals rejoiced along with the spirits of men at hearing the great plan of our Heavenly Father. In my mind I see myself rejoicing along with the multitude of animals - I would have been one of those who were surrounded by animals especially the cats. LOL:lol: Check this link http://www.et.byu.edu/groups/ce351/Earth%20Papers%203.pdf The humane society of the United States have on their website a section titled "Religious Statements on Animals" where under the title "Christian Churches" they have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints listed. Good to see! "Official Statements on Animals" Joseph Smith's divine revelations listed below assert that animals were provided by God for people's use (including for use as food), but they also explain that animals are only to be used in time of true need and are never to be wasted. Animals, they say, also have souls and will enjoy eternal life. "According to present appearances, next year [1868] we may expect grasshoppers to eat up nearly all our crops. But if we have provisions enough to last us another year, we can say to the grasshoppers—these creatures of God—you are welcome. I have never had a feeling to drive them from one plant in my garden; but I look upon them as the armies of the Lord." (Journal of Discourses 12:121) "Let the people be holy, and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy, and filled with the spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing will be filled with peace ... The more purity that exists, the less is the strife; the more kind we are to animals, the more will peace increase, and the savage nature of the brute creation will vanish away." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 203) President David O. McKay on kindness to animals:"A true Latter-day Saint is kind to animals, is kind to every created thing, for God created all." (October 1951; quoted in Gerald E. Jones, "The Gospel and Animals," p. 65)http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/facts/statements/church_of_jesus_christ_of.html Elder Marlin K. Jensen on living with animals and animals in heaven: "Given affection and care, they return affection and care generously and consistently. People whose lives include relationships with animals are usually happier. For me at least, heaven will not be heaven unless the animal kingdom is part of God's kingdom." (Living After the Manner of Happiness, The Ensign, December 2002) http://www.et.byu.edu/groups/ce351/Earth%20Papers%203.pdfSTUDY GUIDE: LDS PERSPECTIVES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Animals will be resurrected. Joseph Fielding Smith: ―The animals, the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, as well as man, are to be recreated, or renewed, through the resurrection, for they too are living souls. Animals do have spirits and that through the redemption made by our Savior they will come forth in the resurrection to enjoy the blessing of immortal life. When we reach the next world we will find there, our friends the animals. . . . Man would not be contented to live in a world where no animals, plants or vegetation were found. They too live and pass through mortality according to the plan of the Great Designer, and not one mote shall be lost. Christ’s atonement automatically saves all nature, but not humankind. Brigham Young: ―Always keep in view that the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms – the earth and its fullness – will all, except the children of man, abide their creation – the law by which they were made, and will receive their exaltation.‖61 1909 First Presidency Message: ―The whole animal creation will be perfected and perpetuated in the Hereafter, each class in its ‗distinct order or sphere,‘ and will enjoy eternal felicity.‘ That fact has been made plain in this dispensation. The more kind we are to our animals, the more peace will increase Brigham Young According to George Q. Cannon (1827-1901): "These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God who created them knows their sufferings, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it. It is a sin against their Creator. "Children who are trained to respect the rights of the lower animals," taught Cannon, "will be more inclined to respect human rights and become good citizens. It has been observed that in places where special attention has been given in the public schools to the subject of kindness to animals, the percentage of crime has been lessened." Kindness to animals and to all living things is one good way of expressing true religion. -Joseph F. Smith http://www.jrcls.org/publications/perspectives/Lesson%20on%20EnvironmentalStewardship%20by%20Craig%20Galli%20November%202009.pdf

Good for you Pam - Here's some good advice for you I have cow and pig slippers :) HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

WHAT ABOUT ME - 1. What is your favoUrite coloUr? ALL THE SHADES OF PURPLE 2. Where were you born? QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA 3. Did you serve a mission and if so where? NO - I WAS PAST IT WHEN I GOT BAPTISED 4. Married or single? MARRIED [AT PRESENT TILL DEATH DO US PART] 5. What is your favoUrite food? FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD - ITALIAN 6. What is your favoUrite movie? "RETURN TO ME" - MY DAD HAD A HEART TRANSPLANT - PLUS HE'S ITALIAN AND LIKES DEAN MARTIN 7. Who is your favorite band/SINGER? WHEN I WAS 13 I WANTED TO MARRY DONNY OSMOND - IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT I HEARD ABOUT "MORMON'S" 8. Do you have children? 2 GROWN SONS 9. Who is your favoUrite author? DON'T HAVE ONE BUT I LOVE AUSTRALIAN HISTORY BASED NOVELS 10. What is your hobby? FAMILY HISTORY AND ANIMALS 11. What is your idea of the perfect vacation? TO BE ABLE TO VISIT THE HOMELAND OF MY FIRST ANCESTORS TO AUSTRALIA - ITALY, GERMANY & ENGLAND 12. What is your favoUrite city? BETTER SAY SYDNEY AFTER ALL I AM AN AUSSIE LOL 13. What is your favoUrite sports team? PARRAMATTA EELS (NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM HERE IN AUSSIELAND) - MY HUBBY WOULD 'KILL' ME IF I SAID ANYTHING ELSE!!! LOL 14. What kind of car do you drive? MAZDA HATCH 15. What was the first car you owned? MORRIS MAJOR 16. What calling do you hold in church? 2ND COUNSELLOR RELIEF SOCIETY 17. If you could travel anywhere in the world that you have not been to before, where would it be? MONTANA, SALT LAKE CITY TEMPLE 18. What is/WAS your favoUrite tv show? THE WALTONS 19. What is your current favoUrite restaurant? THAI 20. What event in your life gave you the biggest rush? SEEING MY MUM AND DAD THOROUGHLY ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND GETTING THE SURPRISE OF THEIR LIVES AT THEIR "THIS IS YOUR LIFE PARTY PRESENTATIONS"

20. What event in your life gave you the biggest rush? Being in the Celestial room with the Prophet for the dedication of a temple. The Traveler Wow being in the Celestial Room with our Prophet would give me a fantastic 'rush' too because I always get a great rush when I enter the Celestial Room anyway - thanks for sharing :)

I jumped on a snowman in line at the bank because I'm NOT crazy.

I tend to agree with some of your comments eg I eat meat and swat flies too - and I do avoid hurting animals when driving - even snakes (if I can with safety of course). However many people will run over an animal without any concern for its wellbeing. “Kindness to the whole animal creation and especially to all domestic animals is not only a virtue that should be developed, but is the absolute duty of mankind." It is an unrighteous thing to treat any creature cruelly. … It will be a blessed day when mankind shall accept and abide by the Christ-like sentiment expressed by one of the poets in the following words: ‘Take not away the life you cannot give, For all things have an equal right to live.’ ” President Joseph F. SmithShould we unavoidably hurt an animal I believe as their stewards we must take care to tend to the animal Recently I was travelling to church on a Sunday and noticed as I rounded a bend a poor kangaroo with severely fractured rear legs laying beside the road unable to move but still quite alert. It was a horrible sight to witness because the roo's rear legs were of no use to him as he took fright and tried to escape with the passing of every vehicle. I knew I had a responsiblity to do something but was unable to "put him down" by myself and I knew he needed to go to the vet for that. I had a tarp in the car (thankfully I had felt prompted to put it in before I left home) After a heartfelt prayer I was able to slide the roo onto the tarp without too much stress for him. He seemed to understand as I told him I was only wanting to help him. He looked me in the eyes and let me stroke his head it was amazing how he responded to my soothing words. My heart broke for him. I prayed again after I realised I needed more help to lift him into my car, although he wasn't fully grown he was too heavy for me to lift. I knew Heavenly Father would answer my prayer and before I knew it I had him safely in the rear of the car. I took him into the vet and helped her send him to the Spirit World without anymore suffering. The vet expressed gratitude that I helped the roo because he would have been in fear & agony for maybe a day. I was amazed that with the amount of vehicles that passed by that day no-one stopped to help me. How sad. Animals are resurrected from the dead, and there are animals in heaven, redeemed by the blood of Christ (Rev. 5: 11-14; D&C 77: 3, HC 5: 343). BIBLE DICTIONARY Revelation of John Animals are ordained for our use, but we will be held accountable for how we treat them. “For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures” (D&C 104:13). When Heavenly Father created the world, He gave Adam dominion over all the animals. This means that we are supposed to take care of animals, especially when we make them a part of our families. It’s easy to keep your pet healthy and happy. The most important thing to give it is love. All dogs and cats love to be loved. If you give your pet the care it needs, and love it, it will return all your love and more. Jill Johnson Hymas, “Happy and Healthy Dogs and Cats,” Friend, Nov 1992, 48 Truly love is the greatest virtue of all. God’s creatures all long for love and affection. We have seen this manifested in the animal creation—the horse, the dog, the cow, the cat, even wild animals seem to long for and recognize love when it is extended to them. by Elder Joseph Anderson Assistant to the Council of the Twelve “Love,” New Era, Oct 1974, 4 God’s creatures all long for love and affection. The first known example of blessing a sick animal took place at Indian Creek in Van Buren County, an act occasionally done in pioneer days. Stanley B. Kimball, “The Mormon Pioneer Trail, 1846–47,” Ensign, Sep 1979, 72–76 With regards cats or any animal that become a problem to humans and other animals - I personally believe we need to look beyond the animals behaviour and we will see the influence of humans upon them either in the past or in the present, directly or indirectly. Humans have caused severe hardship for animals and we become annoyed when an animal becomes agressive, when feral cats, foxes etc in the wild eat the pretty birds or our chicken dinner, when animals or birds raid rubbish bins, when we learn of another extinct animal or when dogs gather in packs and attack our livestock. I don't 'blame' animals at all and I believe as their stewards we need to take responsiblity for our treatment of them over time. It does not mean caring more about them than humans it simply means we need to protect them as God commanded and help them live the measure of their cration In Moses 3:19 we read of the relationship that Adam had with the animals in the Garden of Eden.“And out of the ground I, the Lord God, formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and commanded that they should come unto Adam, to see what he would call them.”As Adam was given dominion over the animal world, we must realize that, to a large extent, our own choices affect their obedience to the commandment given to multiply, replenish the earth and fulfill the measure of their creation. Kristen Kinjo-Bushman Joseph Fielding Smith elaborated upon the existential implications of this doctrine. “Latter-day Saints, at least, do not take the view that animals have no reason, and cannot think.We have the divine knowledge that each possesses a spirit in the likeness of its body, and that each was created spiritually before it was naturally, or given a body on the earth.Naturally, then, there is some measure of intelligence in members of the animal kingdom.” The Spirit of Christ given to every man-was not given to the animal world! The Lord does not require of them repentance from sin, for they do not sin. Therefore cats aren't sinful.

Need4peace: "Who are you?" Lostsheep aka Rambo: "Your worst nightmare". Arrested for acting like Rambo and ram-raiding need4peace's post. Sorry I mistook EWE

LostSheep For taking over EWE TUBE

The pants were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

I couldn't resist LOL

I was baptised in the middle of winter here in Aussieland in 1998 - It was wonderful and a friend of mine who attended was baptised 5 years later.

I love animals - I especially love cats they are wonderful companions, - but I love my Father in Heaven and my Saviour Jesus Christ more than I can say - I love my husband with all my heart, plus my grown sons, my parents, my siblings and my many friends and relatives of whom I love too. Sometimes animal lovers are mistaken as loving their pets more than they do their spouse etc but I think that it appears that way simply because animals are quite dependant on their owners. If we cannot look after our animals properly we shouldn't have them. Maybe people love animals because the animals love them back - maybe there is something lacking. My cats provide things my husband cannot for example they keep me company and are of great comfort when he is at work and I am alone & in pain but they are not his substitute. I even have a cat here with me as I type this - I must say that animals show us humans how to love no matter what - unconditionally. We can learn a lot about loving others from their example. I would hope that humans would act with the same love and compassion the animals shows us. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Ghandi

Well I think you are all the best crawl crawl I just wanna keep the peace LOL

If God didn't want us to eat animals why did he make them out of meat? LOL

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17." The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."

Houston, we have pants.

Ozzy Taken into custody for impersonating an Aussie

It's interesting to read everyone's opinions/comments in this thread. Thanks While we are on one of my favourite topics - ANIMALS I have another article that I love which I wish to share with you from lds.org about - animals. LOL I forgot to mention it when I posted another article titled "The Gospel and Animals" earlier in this thread. It's titled "Where do animals fit in the eternal plan of things?" I especially love this paragraph with the question - Just what is the relationship between men and animals? Men are children of God. Animals are for the benefit of man. This does not mean, however, that man is not to have a concern for this part of his stewardship. The prophets in all ages have indicated that man will be accountable for his treatment of animals and that justice and mercy should be exercised concerning them. Alma encourages us to pray over our flocks. (Alma 34:20, 25.) There are numerous examples in Church history of animals being administered to by the anointing of oil and their resultant healing. In the best-known incident, Mary Fielding Smith’s oxen were spared to bring her pioneer family, including a future President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, to Utah. (Preston Nibley, Presidents of the Church, Deseret Book Co., 1959, pp. 234–34.) link LDS.org - Liahona Article - I Have a Question Who couldn't love these guys?

Lost sheep was arrested on the freeway for doing an illegal ewe-turn.

G'day everyone, I live about 100kms from my chapel so it takes me about an hour and a half to get to church on Sundays. On the way I listen to uplifting an inspiring talks on CD. I have some purchased ones eg The Peacegiver, one by John By The Way etc. I really need to have a change from listening to the same ones over and over. Unfortunately I cannot afford to purchase any more so I decided to download to CD talks that are FREE (not copyrighted) But I am finding that most talks cannot be downloaded to computer/CD but just listened to online. Does anyone have any ideas where to find talks etc that are free to download to computer/CD please? Thanks from downunder

EternalPromise May God's special blessing touch your heart in every way Not only on your birthday but every single day Happy Birthday from downunder