Uncle_Sam

I've read all the Ender's series and loved it. The Alvin Maker series was very good as well. I've read Lost Boys and liked it, and yes, it was kinda sad. I'm hoping to read the Homecoming series sometime in the near future, if I can ever get find the time:D

Joining the church for anyone else besides yourself is the wrong reason to join. When you decide to be baptized you're taking upon yourself the name of Christ. It's really important that you join only if you feel that it's right to do so.

I'm sure this was his time to go, and there definitely was a reason for this. But I doubt we will hear of anything good that came out of this. God works in mysterious ways. I'm sure that it is and will be a huge trial for the man's family. At first the effects for the family are terrible, but as time goes on and they begin to heal they will probably have a greater understanding of death, returning to our Father in Heaven, and eternal life. Now I don't know what God had planned for this man's family, but I definitely think those are some of the things that this is meant to help them grow somehow......

I know from personal experience that meditation can be extremely helpful in bringing feelings of peace, joy, and satisfaction with where you're at in the world. When I meditate I try my best to imagine the most beautiful place I can and that I'm moving through the air looking down at it from a 1st person point of view. Also thanking God for everything that he has given us to see and experience here on this planet. It's a great thing to do to feel more in tune with the spirit, for sure.

It's very important to know when you're being tempted by Satan so that you can end it. But I don't think we see too many manifestations of it though because it is everywhere all the time, but I do think many people tend to put far too much focus on Satan and not nearly enough on our Father in Heaven. Sorry if that didn't relate to what you were saying, that's just what came to mind......

Thank you all for your thoughts. I'm still sorting all this out and I have to say, I have really noticed some changes in how I feel the spirit lately, and it's good:D I know it's not easy so I'm constantly asking for strength beyond my own to deal with everything. But things are going much better than they were before:)

It's all about progression and growing up, not physically, but spiritually. The closer our relationships with our Father in Heaven get the more we can understand his gospel. If you're having trouble understanding it, try praying about it with a sincere intent to know the truth and faith that God. Like the scriptures say: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.";)

So I'm really trying to get myself ready to go on a mission right now, but I'm far from ready yet. I know there's many things that I must repent and ask forgiveness for. And I've been trying my best to keep my mind and soul clean now, and I truly want to repent of everything that I've ever done. So here's a question I don't know the exact answer to: While in the repentance process we must confess our sins, but should we confess them to our family as well as our Father in Heaven? I've heard that it's just between us and The Father, unless it involves another person that we've wronged. But it feels like I'm still trying to cover them up when I'm around my family, and I'm sick of that feeling. Even after I repent, certain family members may find out about my past sins and it would be like it's all starting over again. So should I just tell them about all my sins so that I won't have to feel guilty about keeping them secret and always hiding them? Please, any help is appreciated. This has become such a burden in my life now that it's stalling my repentance process and I want to go on a mission as soon as I can. I'm trying to build my relationship with God every day, but I know I need to get this out of the way to progress. Thank you so much for taking your time to read all this!!!!

Wow, thanks for the D&C 138 suggestion! I never knew that was there. As you can probably tell, I haven't read too many scriptures on my own:( Maybe it's time to start though:idea: lol. But anyways, that answered my question pretty well right there. And it makes perfect sense to me too. Right after the atonement was finished, he would have wanted to start the saving of souls as soon as possible, thus creating a dream-team of missionaries to preach repentance unto the dead:D Thanks for the help ladies and gents.

I'm not sure what exactly Jesus was doing after he died during those 3 days he was gone. I've heard many different stories like "He was just resting" and "He was preaching in paradise and spirit prison" or "He was taking the keys of death away from Satan", and every person is convinced that they're version right. I would just like to know if anyone here knows the truth. Thanks for your help.

The biggest reason ouija boards are considered bad by a lot of people is that the purpose of it is to speak to spirits directly. While using it you are literally inviting evil spirits where ever you are and to communicate with you. And evil spirits are more than willing to go where they're invited by humans. The fact is that when you use an ouija board, you're driving away the Holy Ghost and inviting in evil spirits. Even if it seems fun at the time, don't forget about the purpose of ouija boards.

I don't know of any link, but I think it says that in the priesthood manuals. But I've been told that by other church leaders all my life, so I've never tried using them.

What I'm wondering is does the church have a stand on these kinds of things? I know that we've been told to not use ouiji boards and such because it invites evil spirits into our lives while driving away the Holy Ghost. So is it the same thing for horror movies? Also my little brother loves watching those ghost hunting shows on tv. Is there anything that advises us to not watch those sorts of things?

There was a lady who had a near-death-experience and she met Jesus and many angels. She was shown many things about the past, present, and future. She was actually shown Adam and Eve in the Garden before the fall and she said they knew perfectly well about the plan. Not only did they know, but all the other angels in heaven knew. She said they knew that they had to make the hard choice of keeping one commandment while breaking the other. And while Eve thought they should take the fruit, Adam was reluctant to take it because that would be a direct act against God's commandment. Not only was Eve urging him to take the fruit, but all the other angels were starting to get anxious about it because they knew that was the only way for them to come to Earth and receive bodies. Who knows, maybe we were all there urging him too? Finally, after Satan was allowed to tempt Eve, she basically decided that she was going to take the fruit no matter what, because she knew something had to be done. And with that Adam kind of felt he was forced to agree because they were eternal companions. The woman's name who had this experience (along with many more) is Betty Eadie. Perhaps you've read her book called 'Embraced by the Light'. I've actually met her a few times as a child because my dad helped her with the book and other things. Now you don't have to believe this if you don't want to, seeing as how I'm not a prophet, and neither is she. I can understand how this may completely go against what some of you may believe. But I for one know that it's true. I've met her and she really is a truly sincere person that only wants God's will to be done. After her experience she's been spreading the message "Above all, love one another", and hasn't stopped since. If you haven't read the book yet then I strongly recommend it. It's a very uplifting book and gives you a sense of hope and love. Also the things she shares about the next life are extraordinary. But anyways, the answer is yes. I do believe that Adam and Eve knew about the plan^_^

I feel so sad for those kids. I'm surprised that they were able to stay sane with a mother like that. And I can't believe how little the father did about that whole thing. What a sad sight:(......

I think Brigham Young once said that our most difficult trial is that of self-mastery. I think that's true for everybody. Whatever sins we keep committing or temptation we give in to, it's only because we failed to master ourselves at that moment.

Thanks all for your responses. I'll be sure to keep all that in mind.

So what genres do you usually work in? I also took a few years in drums and guitar, but I'm much better at piano. Still can't read sheet music very well though. Reading sheet music bores me to death lol. But I'm great at picking things up by ear. I also like producing MIDI instrumentals when I can.

Welcome. What music/instruments do you play?

With this discovery they may even try to get breast implants in every school across America to increase students' ambitions and self-esteem:o

From my experience with these things in my good ole' hometown of Modesto, CA it's almost always meant to show at least some disrespect to the other ethnic groups. There's always the wars of Mexican v.s. U.S. flag waiving on the 4th of July and Cinco de Mayo. I don't know anything about your neighbors, but that's how it is in Modesto.

Isn't that the truth lol. Thanks^_^

I recently saw a video of some people who went through the temples and then revealed everything that had happened like all the rituals and sacred ordinances to the public and denounced it all. Their futures don't look to good from over here:(

I know exactly what you mean. I have had another experience a while ago which also got me thinking about life and the importance of choices, but not too long after I just slipped back into my old habits and it got even worse. But this time is really different. It wasn't like a slap in the face like the last time, it was far greater than that. Let's just say that I've had a realization of Heaven and Hell. I've come to know how real both of them are and how serious it is. After coming to grips with this reality I don't care how hard my life is or how tough the temptations may be to resist because none of it's worth being separated from God for eternity. I've learned that if you're not actively working for God, then you're automatically against him. There is no neutral line or gray area when it comes to that, and I will make sure to be on His side from now on, no matter what.

Oh and sorry if I put this in the wrong section......