curiousheathen

I don't post very often, but I thought I'd let you know I feel the same way most of the time. People here, and I imagine on most online religious discussion forums, tend to be very defensive or dismissive. Most of the time I feel like no one wants to take questions seriously, and just wants to assume the person is a troll, because jerks like that come to places like this all the time. The best thing I've found is to be respectful and polite so they know you aren't a troll, and eventually people start to come around. Just my two cents.

Thanks for explaining that guys. *takes her pagan self back to lurking*

Is/was "Mormon" considered an offensive term? Some of my friends often seemed uncomfortable with the term, and so as a matter of habit I just always say LDS.

Thanks for sharing guys, I will read the article. Also, I do not consider the term "psychic" nor soothsayer or anything like that to be offensive (nor evil, but that is my own religion speaking so I'll just leave that one alone), so no offense was intended at the use of the term. Also, I have my mother's blessing (her written transcription) because of family circumstances and she entrusted it to me. I ask for her permission to share, ; I only share the details with those she has given her express permission, and has discussed with them herself (like my friend). I have had many spiritual discussions with my friend, so this wasn't brought up in casual circumstances. I have more tact and respect for religions than that. I was simply curious about the mechanics, if you will, behind it all. Thanks again for sharing; it's really helped me understand.

I have a question about patriarchal blessings. My mother was LDS for many years until she married my step-father (though it's irrelevant I consider him my real father). She left the church on pleasant terms and has no hard feelings and a lot of love for the church still, so keep in mind she's not a cranky ex-Mormon. When she was pregnant with me (I was not conceived out of wedlock) she received her patriarchal blessing. She shared all the details with me and my siblings, and I have the written version of it. I wanted to discuss with an LDS friend of mine, to ask him some questions and to see how the experience felt to him, who refused to discuss it. 1. Are church members asked to keep their patriarchal blessings secret? How much are they "allowed" to share? (I say allowed because I know the importance of keeping certain things sacred and secret.) 2. What exactly is a patriarch? How do they get their gifts? Are they like psychics of a sort? Thanks in advance for all you're willing to share. CH

I would never convert to the Mormon church also. I have my own beliefs and they are not the same as LDS. I've read my share of pro-Mormon literature and anti-Mormon literature. I suggest you read some of both. Read their holy books--I did so I could understand what my fiance believed. I also ASKED him what he believed, but I made it clear that while I respected his beliefs, they were not mine and for that I would never convert. There is nothing wrong with you not wanting to convert and not wanting to be preached at, but you can still learn about the church. They have really interesting ideas, and you can never learn too much. Other than that, I agree with Gwen and CCCC. They've got it right. Also, you cannot allow your own fears and biases to get in the way either. It's not just your fiance and his religious beliefs that can cause a rift. It's also yours too.

Again, normally I"m a lurker but this is a personal issue for me. When I moved in with my fiance 3 yrs ago, he considered himself LDS, albeit an inactive one (he had many issues and concerns with the church at the time, which an entirely different story). I am not Mormon. His entire family on his mother's side is Catholic (though she was baptized LDS a few months ago) and his dad's side is entirely LDS. My family is Catholic. Our families addressed their concerns and advice for us, but knew that ultimately we needed to make the decision for ourselves. I told him many times that if he wanted to go back to church or become active again I would be completely supportive of him, but that I myself would not go to church with him. We were always understanding and open. Openness is the most important thing in interfaith relationships. However, three years later my fiance no longer considers himself LDS and does not associate with the church at all. I love him and would have stayed with him whether he were LDS or not. You will have to decide how you will react if your fiance decides to become active again. Can you deal with the differences? Can you talk about the issues that come up? Can you handle church and familial pressures? These kinds of relationships can and do work. Afterall, my mother was LDS when she married my father (Catholic), my fiance's mother was Catholic when she married his father (LDS). Understanding, openness, and willingness to learn and understand is what it takes. Just my two cents. *goes back to lurking*

As I've mentioned before, I'm principally a lurker. I'm also not LDS. I am a professional tarot reader, and I have been reading cards for over a decade now. I always caution my clients: take everything with a grain of salt. This means, realize that nothing is set in stone. Cards do not determine your future, but they can help you understand where your actions may take you. I come from a family of tarot readers. My great something grandmother read playing cards to tell fortunes, and she converted to Mormonism when she was still in Sweden. Also, tarot began as a game called tarrochi and later became used for divination. In modern thought, particularly new age thought, they are now seen as tools for understanding the self, as a sort of guide. They are first and foremost, tools for divination. All of my family members who have read over the years have seen their gift as a gift from God.

I prefer to lurk, but I felt I ought to comment since I never post. I am a Pagan, drawn to this site because of its warm, calming atmosphere. I feel I can learn about Mormonism in a much less stressful way than trying to talk with LDS friends and family members or on other forums. I have no desire to become LDS, but I do want a better understanding, as I live in Idaho in an area that is predominately LDS. Just some thoughts. *goes back to the shadows*