TheActualLiz

Could not agree more! I think this is at least a big part of the foundation for developing a life that reminds others of Christ (my definition of Christian). Each of us and the world as a whole becomes much better every time this precept is applied. Thank you for the reminder of it's importance.

I am very sorry but I find this statement offensive on a number of levels. 1. Using "African" in a pejorative way is not cool and not within the spirit. 2. There are many forms of electronica with many interpretations and intentions. 3. It's totally OK to disagree with pagan beliefs, philosophies, and practices. It is not OK to lump an entire group of religions together that are only joined by the idea of a polytheistic godhead. It is also not OK to use a group of religions you disagree with as a synonym for evil. There are a wide range of strongly held beliefs and ethical precepts held within the various pagan communities and it is better to create on open and positive dialogue than to just cast that whole group aside as rubbish. 4. Voodoo is also a set of beliefs and practices that I disagree with but think should be respected in an open dialogue. There is a very complex system of beliefs, rituals, and ethical precepts is voodoo and it is better not to deride an entire belief system as a nonsense word. Sorry again for being all harsh and serious but the casual demonetization of those who are different is a large factor in pushing many away from listening to the word of God with an open mind.

It could be taken either way, but since it was debatable I bleeped it out. The first usage was clearly a prayerful one while the second could be seen as either a prayer form a dark place or an expletive.

Sorry you had to face such a test Very glad to hear you found a way out that worked for you :) Compassionate service can work some amazing miracles. It is also helpful to know that someone else is relying on you! Being responsible for another living being is a wonderful distraction and I highly recommend it as well. There have been days in my life as well when the darkness briefly parted with the thought "but who would feed the cat!" It is a painful test though and I wish that nobody had to take it. I firmly believe that it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters to learn to recognize the warning signs that someone is suffering and do what we can to lift each other up. Each of us has been blessed with a unique perspective that can help at least one other person. It is my hope that by gathering all these life experiences an effective plan of action can be developed to help those who are suffering. :)

By this do you mean "happy hardcore" and "techno classica"? I love those forms of music too but I still find them profound in a very different way. Even with few or no lyrics the work conveys tremendous emotion and I find it deeply moving. As far as the 5 words I censored out of that song... actually 2 words but one was used 4 times.... please understand that I went extra heavy on the censor button given the nature of this forum. If some radio station had the guts to play rap that was written by highly gifted artists that lifted people up rather than pushing stereotypes then the song would play uncensored. Here is another one: First in Flight by Blackalicious [CHORUS:] First in flight [repeated 4X] [Gil Scott-Heron:] (Cause all we got is rhythm and timin' We go beyond the edge of the sky) [Gift of Gab] FREE! Like a bird out in the wind in the night Like a 747 to LA that's in flight FREE! Like a garden flourishing in the wind Like a student bout to do it when he's graduatin FREE! From any of the energy perception Can never be defined create the definition within FREE! Just lovin life itself and never pretend to be Anything other than the man I was meant to be Travel through time and get a glimpse of the centuries To come a better day is promised remember FREE! Like my nephew in a few months about to be out the penitentiary Meditation [repeated 9X] [Chorus] [Gift of Gab] UH! I never hesitate about a reluctant mind Just put the peddle to the metal see what ya find You back there slouchin over won't you pick up your spine? Let's make it really really happen live up this time Cause you can choose to say "Good morning God" or "Good ***, morning" With black clouds storming I walk without umbrellas into these woods Don't need em cause the mighty trees will shelter me good I'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good From the ?stakes/steaks? the power came to us whenever we stood Reverberatin out we're reachin each and every hood Whenver we could the spiritual anatomy fool But never take the credit for it B cause that'd be rude It's just the way in life we searchin for that had to be new You gotta work it though cause everyday ain't Saturday fool Evolve into a better life and be happy with you and me [Chorus] [Gil Scott-Heron] The first to fly The first to strive The first to fight to stay alive The first to win The first to strike The first to live The first in flight [Gift of Gab] RISE! Like the sun up at the crack of the dawn Like a wakin child in the morning stretchin and yawnin RISE! Like an infant being held in the light Like the smoke from an incense when it's ignited RISE! If you're sleepin won't you open your eyes again The greatest high be that natural high within No need to force the progression just ride the wind You'll know the answer to the where and why and when If you keep workin for your search you will find the end Though at the end you find it only begins again See at the end you'll see it only begins again And everything you learn you're only rememberin Cause you're [Chorus (repeat 4X)] [Gift of Gab: repeat 2X] It's me Let your mind and your soul be free Work to shine meet your goal believe Spread that kind of L-O-V-E Take some time off the lonely [Gil Scott-Heron: repeat to end] Cause all we got is rhythm and timin' We go beyond the edge of the sky Only one potential bleep.... even in this forum.

I strongly encouraged a woman who was addicted to cocaine and alcohol (and probably other stuff as well) to get an abortion. I put it on a near zero chance she would quit using and the thought of a newborn coming into life with all that pain and withdraw... too much.... my intention was compassion but still. I have also argued and voted pro choice from a political standpoint. I am curious about that being OK now.... but if we criminalize or require parent's approval (dumbest of the anti abortion laws IMO) then we are effectively drafting the bodies of pre-teen girls to carry children created by rape or incest to term. Since rape is so hard to prove then any legal restrictions would be worthless. I also have never discouraged or condemned anybody who was considering abortion. I have tried to explain the risks and the possible procedures and encouraged people to get the info for themselves since many knew little more than "it costs 50 bucks and saves your life". The question of having my own biological children is hard too. When I was younger and much less responsible and deeply caught in sin I made the best choice I could. My choice was to not decide and get the best birth control I could. When asked what I would do if birth control failed I would kinda blank out and shrug.... but one time I said I would go through with an abortion if necessary and I felt like I had just committed murder. If that is how bad I felt after just considering it as a remote possibility then I cannot imagine how hard this is for women who have had abortions. I am still on the fence about having biological children. I want to have a baby with my husband so badly but I know I have a birth defect that the child would likely inherit. It would also be a high risk pregnancy since the medication I have to take is addictive and dangerous but going off it for 9 months is also dangerous and could put my life at risk. I think I could survive it... I hope I will have a chance to find out and will be able to survive it... but still. I'm sorry... this is about as far as I can go on the topic.... at least in public.

Agreed. This is one of my favorites from Blackalicious... of course you will never hear it on the radio. Rain and thunder and lightning Crumbling buildings Falling hurricanes Earth shattering membranes Scattering insane Happening Souls keeps burning And the sky keeps plummeting Now-- The sky is falling, life is appalling And death is lurking, ***** killing each other Leaving bodies nobodies searching for And youth announced ..., catching a bit of murder one And mothers is drinking and drugging, hoe-in; searching for their son And liquor stores upon every corner And younger people done accepted defeating The melting pot of lavas seeping And the hood is all the mic can conceive when your foes bleeding to their death And you picking their pocket Wanna just get even ***** is banging and coppers is banging punk snuggin Highly intelligent Africans lowered to punk smuggin And capitals of the planet, planets run by the government And genocide 's overwhelming, devil is loving it And children in highschool go 'n smokin their classes up And people thats rich don't be checking for what is happening Degrading all women, knock em up, leave em, now smack em up And ain't no way to reach us we're sleeping like **** castle Sky is falling Rain and thunder and lightning Crumbling buildings Falling hurricanes Earth shattering membranes Scattering insane Happening Souls keeps burning And the sky keeps plummeting Now-- Rain and thunder and lightning Crumbling buildings Falling hurricanes Earth shattering membranes Scattering insane Happening Souls keeps burning And the sky keeps plummeting Now-- Rain and thunder and lightning Crumbling buildings Falling hurricanes Earth shattering membranes Scattering insane Happening Souls keeps burning And the sky keeps plummeting Now-- The sky is falling, no one is watching Tornadoes twisting wheres nobody is listening And fires no one pays attention Energies are erupting Blurring the intentional vision Doctors and lawyers and scientists all are locked in the prison of the mind And all the youth are unreachable but they teachable But emcees don't be teaching them too Down deep down in their soul Amongst the prostitution and pimping, robbing and stealing We give a name sab-a truth This is *****-land Glad to knew ya But give a **** For the future Religions is institutionalized Hittin truths, even youths...alized You got two pistols at the head of your own people Its lethal but its living proof Instead of leaving smiles leaven death inside of our living room And instead of college they got us slangin after highschool For the love of the money and everything that it will buy you Everybody out for that And they kill you if you a rival 20 lines and 1 stake on the table Its about survival The sky is falling Rain and thunder and lightning Crumbling buildings Falling hurricanes Earth shattering membranes Scattering insane Happening Souls keeps burning And the sky keeps plummeting Now-- Revelation From the Now ... To the Temptation Calm ... the Fury All .... ..... Drown the confusion Through the devastation Live in the trees of elimination Truth is absolute Prophets Cant wait long ...... .... Cant take long Revelation Devastation Better stay strong

Carl, I hope and pray you never have to put this theory to the test.

LMM, Thank you for using restraint and careful speech. I will try to do the same. I agree there is a difference between suicidal idealization, suicidal actions, cry for help attempts, actual attempts, and successful attempts. I am happy that you and your wife are trying to help kids who are suffering from drug abuse, addiction, illegal self medication, etc. It might be worth noting that sometimes there is overlap with drug use and other issues. In Alma 36: 12 to 16 you can find a pretty accurate description of it feels like when starting to consider suicide. Some people give in and die, others give in and get lucky, others cry for help and find it, others cry for help and fall into the abyss. There is a spiderweb thin line that we have to be careful not to break. Namaste

That fourth condition is an interesting addition. It would be horribly difficult to continue to carry a child that your doctor says will not live long enough to survive birth. I think I will have to meditate on the applications and impact that will have. Thank you for the source material. It is good to see how this reads out in context. I find this part rather interesting as well: I am sad to say that this part pricks my conscience quite a bit. Thank you for pointing out something I need to seek higher counsel on.

Agreed, and I think it is good for the Church to be careful when it is making official decisions one way or another on the minutia of earthly matters. My husband and I discussed contraception at length, gathered all the data we could, and spoke with professionals about it. The reason I posted all that info is that while the methods of different hormonal contraceptives are similar they are not the same in terms of probability of different outcomes. I also think it is good to talk about this type of stuff openly so we can pool our collective perspectives in an attempt to make the best decisions possible. The abortion issue is definitely an interesting hornets nest to stir up. I seem to remember hearing that the rule of thumb is rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is in danger. Please correct me if I am wrong as I do not have a reference on this. I also find it interesting that the most compelling argument against abortion that I have heard came from an agnostic professional poker player. First he defined the "life" as being individual at the point where the group of developing cells could no longer be divided to create identical twins since this is the first point at which some sort of independent identity can be given to the growing fetus. This would put even such measures as the morning after pill (standard to give a rape victim at a hospital) within the category of "birth control" rather than "abortion". The second premise was that self defense was the only just reason to take a life therefore an actual abortion would be unethical even in cases of rape. The argument is that just because "A" hurts "B" does not mean that "B" has the right to harm "C". Somewhat along the lines of being assaulted on the way home from work does not give you the right to hit your child. This is clearly a bit extreme but an interesting argument that I have not heard elsewhere in the general debate. The counter argument would be that even though "B" does not have the right to harm "C", "B" cannot be compelled to support and shelter "C" even if the survival of "C" depends on support from "B". To put it another way, it's noble to volunteer but unacceptable to start a draft. Sorry for the extended tangent, but its an ethical debate that I find interesting. True, and I will not be holding my breath waiting for an answer... but that does not mean I am going to stop asking.

I do not know nearly as much as I would like to. All I have to go by is the internet, the pharmacy's explanation, my doctors, and the customer service reps from the manufacturers. That's still light years away from even the minimum knowledge required to get a decent score on the MCAT... much less have an accurate and detailed understanding of all the biological and chemical possibilities and the %chance of each outcome. Depo: (between 3% and 0.3% chance of failure) IUD: (about 0.2% chance of failure) The Pill: (between 8% and 0.3% chance of failure) Any remaining ethical or health concerns could be even further reduced by using these as a backup to a traditional latex condom which has between a 2% and 15% chance of failure. For example if you were using the pill and condoms and you counted in the chance of human error (which is the difference in the failure rates given) then you would have to hit a 15% and and 8% at the same time... so 0.15*0.08=0.012... you would wind up with a 1.2% chance of having to make a difficult decision. This can be a very big deal if you are taking a medicine that is extremely likely to cause serious irreversible harm to a developing fetus or is pregnancy is unusually physically dangerous for you. Then again I am not a doctor or a pharmacist so I cannot be completely sure, you might want to check with them. I am also not Heavenly Father and I have not received specific revelation on exactly what point after fertilization the soul enters the developing body so you might want to check with your church leaders and pray about it. **My source on this was a quick look at wikipedia to refresh my memory but I am pretty sure last time I got paranoid and double checked the data it was at least very close to accurate** Comparison of birth control methods - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks! This actually makes a lot of sense to me and enplanes a few things. I guess I did not understand what was meant by "strongly discouraged" by the church. :)

I guess I need to add this to the ever growing list of things I do not understand. I could possibly see putting some sort of "warning this situation may be more complicated than you anticipate" label on it but "strongly discouraged" seems a little harsh. I guess the motivation would be the distinguishing factor between these two responses? If done for reasons of compassion then good, if done for reason of money then bad? That would make sense. I guess "let your conscience be your guide" would be a good answer to surrogacy. The spin off topics mentioned in the linked thread also leave me with lots of stuff to investigate and pray about.... but maybe you guys can help me a little on these.... 1. IV fertilization and all those unused eggs good or bad? 2. Birth control and the potential for a fertilized egg to be lost... umm.... I had actually considered this one for a while and learned that Depo prevents the eggs from ever being released so there would be lower risk of an accidental fertilization. There are some downsides like dramatically increased risk of osteoporosis but at least then I am only harming me. 3. The whole "who gets sealed to who" question.... umm.... yeah.... God made this plan, God has the answers, God knows more than me. 4. Egg and sperm donation and use... I don't see how this can possibly be wrong... but that does not necessarily make it right. Still.... I don't get it... if Heavenly Father can direct which souls are born inside or outside the covenant then can't he also make any necessary adjustments to that soul's destination regardless of who's DNA is used? This whole thing is so complicated I feel like my head is going to explode.

Just A Guy, In some cultures and sub-cultures the concept of chastity becomes something entirely different than what I believe it was intended to be. As far as examples.... this is difficult to explain within the rules of the forum but I can try. 1. In some countries a woman is forced by law to remain a virgin until marriage regardless of extenuating circumstances. This is presented as the women in the area being "chaste" and while refraining from premarital sexual activity is a physical act of chastity when that action is undertaken at gunpoint then the spiritual benefits are lost. This has very negative effects. 2. There are some parts in the world where surgical methods are used. 3. There are some sub-groups (even here in the first world) where the 5 steps of brainwashing are used to alter the mind of the subject which results in any number of actions or inaction depending on the wishes of the controlling group. 4. In most places some form of dress code is required (especially of women) to insure "modesty". Telling a student on the beaches of Florida that there are minimum standards to what swimsuits are worn in public might not seem like a big deal... it might even sound like a good idea. Unfortunately this is the exact same logic that is used to pass laws in other parts of the world where a woman must be fully veiled from head to tow at all times. These are two extremes of the same line of thinking attempting to use government force to achieve a moral objective. Does this help clarify what I was trying to say about the devil's counterfeit?

Traveler, Thank you for your response. I can appreciate the way you have divided people who have taken an oath into those who just get by and those who go above and beyond. This is definitely not a point that I had adequately factored in with my original thinking.... although it was somewhat considered. My concern here is that someone who is attempting to go above and beyond can become overly zealous when sharing the benefits of the precept with others. The way things were explained to me growing up was that it was not enough to just fly above the trees because there was too much danger of crashing into them, so it is better to fly way above the trees to be safe. While I do agree with this to a very large extent I am extremely worried about this concept being taken too far. It would be the equivalent of telling every pilot that they must enter outer space to avoid hitting the trees on the ground. I do not believe that this is a safe approach, in fact I think this is an even more dangerous approach because it leaves the dead floating in outer space deprived of any hope of escape. Does this make sense or have I taken the analogy too far? In my OP the 3 groups can be more accurately thought of as three schools of thought and the people in them are the products of those methods of teaching and motivation. The critical differences between the intentions and the results of the first and third school of thought are somewhat difficult as there is a fine line between stating the truth with righteous conviction and abusive authoritarian control. Group One: voluntary action chosen by someone who is trying to develop spiritual growth. Group Three: involuntary compliance to an authority who wishes to manipulate others.

This is an extremely difficult topic for me and while I think I am getting closer to understanding this important concept I would like any clarification or correction that can be offered. First I think it is important to break the law of chastity down into three sub-groups: the real thing (what we are all going for), the far enemy (rebellion, promiscuity), and the near enemy (coerced appearance or devil's counterfeit). To the best of my understanding the real thing is an important part of a voluntary effort to (1) reduce or eliminate wrongful desires and attachments of the body and mind and (2) live in a way that reduces or eliminates the harm done to any creature of God. In my mind this is a very good practice when done correctly. Unfortunately it is also a somewhat difficult practice to exercise and an even more difficult practice to teach. The far enemy of open rebellion and promiscuity seems to be rather pervasive in America but at least it is easy to identify. We know that irresponsible sexual activity has many harmful effects including disease, unwanted pregnancy, and division between people. This is clearly a large problem in itself and something that those on a spiritual path have good reason to fear and avoid. Fortunately we have been blessed with the atonement and a path to repentance so those who live long enough to see the error of their ways or start to experience the negative consequences of their actions can turn their lives around. The devil's counterfeit of chastity (what I call the near enemy) is something that troubles me deeply. I am referring in this case to acts of physical chastity that are coerced or physically forced upon an individual for any number of reasons. With this the physical actions are altered but the spiritual development that is intended to happen with the real thing is completely destroyed. I fear the devil's counterfeit even more than I fear open rebellion because the counterfeit is much less likely to be identified and corrected. This can lead to any number of problems including failure to benefit from the true law, self hatred, abuse, perversion, and even suicide. So, with this being my (limited) understanding... here are my questions: 1. Is my understanding even close to accurate and what flaws, if any, do you see in my understanding of this important precept? 2. What steps would you recommend to avoid confusing the genuine law and the devil's counterfeit in my own practice? 3. What can be done to avoid accidentally teaching the devil's counterfeit to others... especially when and if I am ever in the position to try to explain the benefit of chastity to the children I hope to have in the future? 4. What can be done to help those who have been ensnared by the devil's counterfeit and how can the transition to the true teaching be assisted while avoiding open rebellion? Any and all thoughts or comments are welcome.

Totally agree with air freshener and crayons! :) Also agree with more affordable electronics.... life would be hard without my PC! Its amazing how storms can remind us of how awesome it is to have hot running water, ice cubes, bathrooms that work, lights (even though candles are great too). I also just like storms in general... the way they make the earth smell, the sound of raindrops, and the reduced pollen count after. :)

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." It can be easy to remember to thank our Heavenly Father for the large and obvious blessings but sometimes we (and by this I mean me) can overlook the little things that God has blessed us with that improve life in small ways. So what are five small things that you can be grateful for today? 1. Farm Town on face book. It helps me make that difficult transition between asleep and awake every day. 2. Starburst tropical candy. It makes me smile and curbs my desire to snack on even less healthy things. 3. Ice cubes. I really like being able to just reach in my freezer and pull out ice cubes to make my drink cold. Many people in the world do not have that luxury. 4. Funny pictures of cats. These simple little pieces of creative art are great for cheering me up and reminding me to take things a little less seriously. 5. Wikipedia. I love that I can look up almost any topic and that I can click on all the words I do not understand. Its a great way to sate my endless curiosity.

I think I need to break this down into categories since they make me happy for different reasons but here we go: Funny: (PG) (PG) (PG) evolution of dance Good Rap (PG)YouTube - Blackalicious - First in Flight (PG)Electronic YouTube - Awesome God (Techno Remix) Mormon Tabernacle Choir: YouTube - Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" YouTube - Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings "The Morning Breaks" YouTube - Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings "The Morning Breaks"

The Church has made official statements. They have been linked in this forum over and over. The idea that most people have a choice regarding their gender attraction is something I can agree with. There was a point in my life when I thought all people were born bisexual (like me) and that everybody had a choice. I have since met a couple of people who were actually born 100% straight. It took me a while to believe that these heterosexual people were actually born that way and not just 99% straight. The cases that convinced me were ones where all variables had been taken out: no social pressure, no religion, no inhibition, much more convenient to be gay, more options in partners if gay but still straight in every way. My theory is that there is some kind of bell curve here. On each end there is a small minority who are born 100% gay or straight. As you approach the middle where it is a 50/50 split you have an increasing number of people who fall into categories of 90%, 80%, 70%, etc. Since the words of the prophet are meant to address the majority rather than a few extreme cases I can agree with the Church's strong stand against homosexuality. Again I agree from a theological standpoint. I was blessed with a choice and eventually I made the right choice where I am happily married to a wonderful man and embrace monogamy within our marriage. I strongly believe that in cases such as mine self control can be learned and compassionate council with Church leaders and LDS Family Services can be useful. Those who were not born with a choice over which gender they are attracted to is a fairly complicated issue and I am not sure what the best way to handle this is. I do know that many people throughout history have tried to force truly gay people to live a straight lifestyle and that has been an epic failure. These are a few examples from the Wikipedia article Timeline of LGBT history - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I think that from these examples we can learn quite a bit about how to handle homosexuality both from the theological and the legal standpoint. 1. It is imperative to love all God's children, including those who's behavior we cannot condone. Remember that Christ said that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord thy God and the second is to love thy neighbor as thyself. Since the analogy has been drawn between homosexual behavior and other sexual sins such as fornication and adultery (best comparison so far IMO) then perhaps it is best to treat all three of these sins as equals , judge not lest we be judged, and let he who is perfect among us cast the first stone. 2. Secular laws against homosexuality are not going to stop gay people from being gay. Even when the extremes of Roman persecution, the Inquisition, and many other cases that included torture and/or the death penalty homosexuality continued to exist.. The LDS church has every right to deny recognition of gay marriage as a religious ritual, just as the Catholic church has the right to refuse to recognize divorces and re-marriages that frequently happen in modern society. Christ had a very good point when he told us to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's. 3. I strongly believe in the separation of church and state and think about a few New Testament references about mixing the two. My greatest concern with this is the potential for the political world to corrupt the Church and it's members. 4. A few verses from the New Testament come to mind, but I could be misinterpreting them so please feel free to correct me. Matthew 22 verses 14 to 21; John 18:36; Matthew 6 verses 12 to 15; Matthew 18 verses 21 to 35;

I was wondering about this as well. I seriously doubt that in extreme circumstances, such as helping slaves escape before the civil war or hiding Jews during the Holocaust, would have been acting against church teachings. There are many smaller examples that come to mind and Thurough's Treaties on Civil Disobedience (sp?) seems to make a solid argument for non-violent protest while accepting the consequences. He says that when the state imprisons it's citizens unjustly then the only apartment for the just is in prison. If you are told by the police or the courts that you have the option of (insert action you believe to be immoral here) or go to jail, then you are still obeying the law of the land by accepting jail without complaint. Some of the examples of how saints dealt with the laws against existing polygamous marriages right before the church stopped the practice come to mind.

Plus the KJV is just more enjoyable to read (in my opinion at least). One thing about the missionaries bringing along a third companion from the ward is that the rule is not as strict as it used to be. I think this is because the world is changing and there is a tremendous need to reach out to the widowed and the fatherless... and the divorced. I remember that there were issues with this when I was growing up and my mother would have the missionaries over. Sometimes there would be logistical problems because even though she was older and had two children she was still technically a single woman. Usually there was a way around this such as allowing the missionaries to do service work in the front yard but not allowing them into the house. Still it was a little annoying but I am very thankful to all the brother and sister missionaries who helped my family during that time. I had concerns about this when I first started talking to the missionaries again as an adult. I was not always sure if there would be a man in the house when they came over so I was a little worried about scheduling things. Fortunately the rules have become a little more flexible and the missionaries are told to put the spirit first. If I had been a 19 year old college student investigating the church then yes it might look shady to have them alone in my apartment. As a 30 year old married woman who is starting to get my first gray hairs the situation looks and feels much different... so if they drop by and my husband is not home I do not have to turn them away at the door. Does this make sense and am I correct in understanding this? I am still just a prodigal child of God trying to return so my understanding is limited and I would appreciate any corrections or clarifications that the more faithful members could give me.

Awesome answers everybody! Thanks for the replies, poems, and links! Here is a revised version of my list with links and interpretations: A lot of people interpret this as being about a high school crush. I disagree, I think it is a mourning song about the death of faith and hope. OOPS! Got to go... TTYL

Diorvivi, If you are driving a car that is going down the road at 90 miles an hour and you started to realize that you were headed in the wrong direction what would you do? Odds are you would slow down, maybe ask for directions and start turning the car around safely. Yes there is a chance that a tornado will come along, pick up the car, and set it down in the right direction... but those instances are not the norm. I do know that having your name on the temple prayer list can definitely help in ways I don't fully understand yet. I just said a short prayer for you as I am sure many who posted did. Ultimately, however, you have your free agency and you are going to have to do some hard work to get your actions to line up with God's will. Don't try to "act" like a lady but rather consider what type of lady you want to be. Try to make friends with women who seem to have the ladylike qualities that you want to develop. Relief society is full of wonderful women who are usually very friendly once you work up the guts to go up and introduce yourself. If you went to church with your LDS boyfriend every week for the next year and got just ONE new phone number each time then by the end of the year you will have 52 awesome friends to call and hang out with when you get lonely. This can be a very big help. Its awesome to have at least one person to call and do something wholesome with when you feel tempted and its fabulous to see your cell phone fill up with people who want to be around you for who you are. Trust me it feels really good. I would also advise you to learn to procrastinate (at least when it comes to unwanted behavior). For me the thought of forever giving up (insert sin here) was too intimidating. When I learned to break things down into smaller chunks of time then things seemed much easier. Try to put off sin just for today and see how you feel. I have lost count of the number of times that I have told myself "yep, I am definitely going to go out and (insert sin here) but today I am going to take a day off and do something else... maybe I will do it as soon as tomorrow... but NOT TODAY!" It's amazing how quickly the days off can pile up when you think of things from that perspective. One silly thing I did was wright "NOT TODAY' in big letters on a piece of paper and stuck it on my fridge. At the end of the day if I had been successful I would put down a tally mark and smile. If I slipped up one day then I would draw a line directly underneath all the tally marks I had put up then start over with my procrastination goal the next day by drawing tally marks under that line. It started to become a game I was playing against myself and I kept playing that game as long as I needed to. The fact that you would pray for your boyfriend to meet the right person who would lift him up and make him happy even it it wasn't you shows that you have a good heart. I have faith in you Diorvivi and I am pretty sure Heavenly Father has faith in you too. You already have the light of Christ inside you and if you continue to nurture that light it will grow larger than you have ever dreamed or hoped for yourself. Best wishes, Liz