jennvan

So I've heard a couple of times now the importance of the resurrection to being perfect, which I take to mean the body and spirit together becoming a glorified being. So the bottom line is, no, we will never be perfect in this life? It is only something that comes after this life is over?

I do like some of your ideas. Like the idea that we could have been sinless. There is the possibility that we could have always chosen right. I'm not sure I understand your question about half the world being sinless and half the world being defiled. If every decision we make we have a 50/50 chance of right/wrong then are you saying that we are only ever perfect or utterly corrupt? I'm not sure I can buy into that given the talk Good, Better, Best. There are shades of gray throughout the gospel and the choices that we make.

Interesting. Not much written about this is there? It sounds like it probably is too sacred to talk about too much. It sounds like we must have the Second Anointing/Comforter in order to be perfect because we know we must be perfect to be with God. Maybe the Second Anointing is the measure of perfection? Although some of the reading I did on it said that people who were still on the earth and still "sinning" had had their second anointing. IE: Joseph Smith had received the second anointing but still made mistakes. So again it seems like there is a difference between a "calling and election made sure" and being perfect. Any thoughts?

Tell me more about the "Second Anointing". I also like your distinction between perfect and whole.

I wonder still, does this perfection come during our life with the use of the atonement or at the end of a life using the atonement (like I stated to slamjet)?

Oh I totally love that distinction. I hadn't thought about that before.

So what you are saying is that perfection is dependent on the atonement and that we can be perfect in one moment and then imperfect the next from some random thought and then pray for forgiveness and be perfect again? Or are you saying that perfection comes at the end of a life lived using the atonement?

I had a friend tell me that they believed that because we are commanded to "be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt 5:48) that it is possible for us to become perfect in this life. I'd like a little feedback from others on this forum for comments on either side of this topic (Yes, we can be perfect in this life or No, we can't be perfect in this life). Feel free to quote scripture, talks, sermons, books and such in your argument for either side but please stick with "generally recognized as good" references. I'm probably not going to argue either side but I might ask clarifying questions to things I don't understand. And if we get the kinds of responses one of the other threads got earlier, I'm excited to see what people have to say on either side. :)

I really like this thread, probably one of the best I've read in a while. Let's keep it above board guys.

I will second that suggestion. Its helpful even if you are in that almost engaged time period to make sure you've talked about (before you make the commitment) all the important issues that might come up.

Make sure you ask if you get copyright permissions or the original files on a CD. Some photographers want to protect their "intellectual property" and won't give the original files on a CD. You have to order any copies from them, therefore your cost goes up. I would also ask if they do any photoshop touch ups or if its just the raw pic that you get. Photoshop touch ups are highly recommended! :) Also, I wouldn't recommend the disposable camera on tables thing. We did that with my sisters wedding and ended up with lots of really awful pics and a number of cameras with just 1 or 2 pics on them. It wasn't worth the money to me.

What we forget about is the period of time after the earth passes into its Terrestrial state and before the final judgment. During that time Satan will be bound, people will know truth of things and many things will happen, including creation of new families. It is my belief that those who have been true to their covenants will be able to connect with others who have as well.

Depending on where you are in TX, I can get you hooked up with the mid-singles in your area. They have some great groups going there. That is probably where you will find more people who are like you and willing to engage you in the manner you feel fits for you. Generally mid-singles is for single members of the church 30-45 (age range is different in different areas) and you will find quite a few divorced members there as well. Many of the mid-singles have a similar experience to what you are having in your ward. I would highly encourage you to seek them out. You can PM for more info if you would like.

Yep it did that to mine last night as well. Good thing I had a repair DVD made and it didn't take too long to restore my computer.

One of the things that people forget about sometimes when they want to do things like social work or like types of work is that along with seeing people change, there is a LOT of crap you have to deal with. Yes, you get to see change happen but are you at a place to be able to deal with the really awful things that happen in some of those situations, whether it be the people who you are serving or the agency you are working with. I know first hand, I'm a marriage and family therapist. It SUCKS sometimes. Its GROSS sometimes. Its completely overwhelming sometimes. You really do have to be able to deal with stuff. Make sure you are as stable as you can be as you are looking into this field of work. If you feel stable, there can be some good jobs in educational type positions with a bachelor's degree. Psychology is generic enough that its hard to find a job that is looking for that type of degree. But if you market yourself well, you can find something that is a decent fit for you. I might suggest looking at jobs you might want to have that are related to the things you want to do. Like relationship education, foster care, adoption, and so on. Some of those require social work degrees, some don't depending on the state/local regulations. I like Piper's idea of Voc Rehab, its a good way to do some work with people. You might also consider that you could work with a non-profit agency in an administrative position, like grant writing or advocacy work. Its not necessarily working with people up close and personal but it helps people get the help they need. Hope this is helpful.

I have a foodsaver and have had great experiences with it. I have a friend who bought a seal-a-meal and had lots of problems with the seal on the bags. They would leak air into the bag so they weren't vacuum sealed anymore. I also use the jar sealer quite a bit and its great to use with dried things you want to open and use and then reseal. Or if you are worried about consumables in the bags. There are also a number of versions of each so you need to be aware of that as well. I have a middle of the line foodsaver and it fits well for me. I use it a lot for freezer storage. One tip, freeze the food first and then seal in the bag. You can seal while the food is moist but I have found I worry a lot more about the moisture. I've literally sealed almost everything, from donuts to soup to fruit to chicken stock to bread. Everything comes out great, even a year or more later. Even the donuts that I sealed while still fresh (before I learned to freeze then seal) and were squished flat came out just like the same day. I also use plastic containers for serving sizes and then seal in individual bags. The plastic containers make it easy to pop out the food and then put in the bags to vacuum seal. You can buy foodsaver many places. I got mine online with an incredible deal. I got 3 rolls of foodsaver bags and 2 canisters and the jar sealer with the deal. My mom got hers from Sam's Club with a lot of rolls included but no canisters. I'd look around and see what kind of deals you can find these days. If you have other questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Sometimes we forget that parents have thoughts and dreams for how their own life is going to turn out, which includes their children being part of their life, being close to them and possibly being an actively involved grandparent. When they aren't able to have that, its just as hard for them. They are having to let go of their own dreams and hopes all while they want their children to succeed and be happy. Its hard and we need to give parents grace and continued connection during those hard times. Not saying that you shouldn't do what you need to for your life, just be kind and allow her to adjust and grieve.

I guess it depends on how you determine what facts are and what opinions are. I would say that what you stated is opinion. Fact to me has something that backs it up, and even then many things are subject to interpretation. Can you show me where it says that the prophets words and the commandments of God apply only to members of the church?

Anatess, I still disagree with you. But that is ok you can have your ideas and I can have mine.

I totally disagree that the prophet speaks only to us as a church sometimes and other times to the world. The whole principle of the prophet is that he is a voice of warning to the world and prophet, seer and revelator for the world in this dispensation. Just because some people choose not to heed his words and his message doesn't mean that they aren't under the same rules and obligations and will be judged according to those after this life is over. The word of wisdom applies to everyone in mortality. You don't get to chose consequences from not obeying the word of wisdom whether you are inside the church or outside the church. Along the same lines, those who obey the word of wisdom are given the blessings of such even if they aren't members of the church. Eternal principles are eternal principles regardless of membership in the church. We would just like people to become baptized members of the church in order for them to have ordinances done and to fellowship with each other. And we know from revelation that the Prophet in his role is infallible, he is a man who is imperfect but the role of Prophet will never be led astray in this dispensation, therefore making him infallible.

NO, you want to be able to eat to your hearts content if there is lots of good food. Less form fitting is better. :)

Sounds like they do want to have people model themselves after lesbian couples. And it only looked a abuse by a parent or caregiver.

I really love that statement, can I use it? So many people do come to therapy wanting to fix the other person. It's nice to see someone who knows we all have stuff to work on..

It takes time and you have to replace the images with other good images. I wonder if it might help if you took time to look at the church's Gospel Art Book. Gospel Art Book - LDS Online Store I did this with a client one time who had the same problem and it was helpful for him.

My 2cents, not all counselors/therapists are the same. I have seen some counselors take sides and have heard of couples going to therapy and one person was told they were the problem, even in LDS Family Services. I would HIGHLY suggest that you find a therapist who is a marriage and family therapist. They have specialized training in working with marriage problems. There are MFTs in LDS Family Services or you can find one in your area by going to aamft.org and clicking on TherapistLocator. There are many LDS therapists who are not associated with LDS Family Services. Also, since you are in UT county, BYU has low cost marriage and family therapy at their Comprehensive Clinic. Home