prophetofdoom

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Everything posted by prophetofdoom

  1. Please seek help immediately!
  2. I thought I read somewhere that Joseph Smith had a beer at Moissers.
  3. I have actually been thinking that I might have mild depression. I have noticed it for the last 6 months. I think I may also be dealing with issues of scrupulosity. I think I might go see the doctor and see what he/she thinks.
  4. I have been in a constant cycle of activity/ inactivity for over 10 years now. I am currently active but feel that I am approaching a precipice again. Anyways, this last summer I am fellowshipped back into the church. I feel alright but still have constant feeling of unworthiness. I went to the Bishop's office constantly to confess this sin or that sin. I was always feeling like I never got enough out on the table. Anyways, here I am. I feel like I am weary of it all. I feel like I have been through the ringer and I feel like God hasn't answered my prayers. My faith is beginning to wane already. I thought that I would be better off after my repentance, but I am not. Now, I have “slipped” again with masturbation issues and feel unworthy again. I feel like this cycle is ruining my life! And I am tired of going to the Bishop. I don't know what to do and I am getting tired of the cycle of guilt. Why do I feel like God is not answering my prayers or blessing my life?
  5. I think it is awesome that you have those experiences. I haven't ever experienced anything otherworldly. My testimony is simply based on the Spirit I feel.
  6. "Confession to the Bishop for certain sins is required because some sins can place in jeopardy your church membership." I have heard that those are the sins we need to confess to the Bishop. Anything that could put our membership in the church in jeopardy. However, I have NEVER heard any circumstance where anyone has been excommunicated or disfellowshipped for masturbation...
  7. I am pretty sure you will have to be rebaptized. That is the reason the church put up some "hoops" to jump through before having your name removed. Usually the church will request you meet with the Bishop before he pushes through the name removal to inform you of the seriousness of your decision... that all covenants and the accompanying blessings are removed.
  8. I know the church doesn't encourage divorce but... maybe you should just cut your losses. Obviously, mistakes have been made in the marriage. There are some learning experiences you can take from this whole ordeal. It looks like (based on your story) a combination of factors led to the demise of your relationship. First, you cheated on your wife and withheld that knowledge from her until she said she was wanting to end the relationship.... did you let her know that because your were remorseful or were you trying to one up your wife with her facebook friend? Second, your extensive traveling probably was another nail in the coffin. A marriage has to be nourished and cultivated... long periods of time apart can be like a plant not receiving sunshine. Lessons learned. Don't cheat. Change jobs so you can be at home more and nourish your relationship.
  9. No matter what action the church takes... no one can take away your relationship with Heavenly Father. There is no worthiness requirement to pray and pour your heart out to God. Once you realize that, the disciplinary process isn't so bad.
  10. I believe you did an excellent job. A hardline stance won't work well with someone like him. We have to remember that our membership in the church is a voluntary action in a free society. He has his free agency to decide if he wants to come back or not. Until then, show love and do your best to address his concerns.
  11. Just show up to church. The Bishop may want to get to know you as you start regularly attending. Then, you can let the Bishop know your particular situation. Things may not happen quickly though. There may be a waiting period and some interviews to explore your original decision to have your name removed. Then, you will be re-baptized. Your heart is in the right place now... so it is now a matter of just showing up to church.
  12. I am surprised the AIG executives weren't there either. They got some nice bonuses after the taxpayers bailed out their failing company.
  13. I would recommend alternative news sites that have no allegiance to corporate ownership. 1. Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind! 2. DRUDGE REPORT 2012®
  14. I think the Wallstreet protestors have some legitimate grievances. Their tendency towards socialism is because of their college indoctrination. However, conservatives saying our current capitalist system is great are ignorant too. We do not have true free market capitalism. We have monopoly-crony-capitalism. Yes, most Republicans will denounce socialism for the masses... but they love socialism for the corporations. "Privatize the profits and socialize the losses" is their motto.
  15. Since you are asking for opinions, I will offer mine. I think you should break it off with this woman. It is not a good idea to go on a mission with a girlfriend. I thought I was "in love" when I left on my mission. I could hardly focus on my mission for the first 3 months of my mission. Then, I broke it off with her because I realized it wasn't right. Trust me... there will be time for love and romance after your mission. Your family, friends, and ward can provide you with all the letters you need.
  16. I don't know if I agree with this. There are many instances when Priesthood Ordinances are performed by someone who is later discovered to be unworthy. They don't redo the ordinance... so why would the sealing not count anymore? If the couple repented, does that mean they are not sealed? It doesn't make sense to me.
  17. zuko, You don't necessarily have to call ahead to see the Bishop. You can approach the Bishop and ask him directly if you can see him. You can do it either way. Sometimes, people have the secretary set an appointment and other times people go to the Bishop directly. The Bishop is there to help you. Remember that repentance is a process. Sometimes, it isn't a confess and your done thing. BUT, you never know what the Spirit will tell the Bishop. I have seen some miracles in my time.
  18. Their worthiness is between them and the Lord. When someone goes to their Bishop and Stake President to obtain a temple recommend... they are declaring themselves worthy to enter the Lord's house. People can and do lie at times... sometimes the BP or SP catch them in their lies... sometimes not. BUT ultimately we declare ourselves worthy to enter the temple... For example, are you a full tithe payer? Only you can answer that. The BP and SP are not going to go through your payroll stubs to determine if you are a full tithe payer.
  19. Tell the bishop everything you just mentioned in your post. He is there to help you on your road to repentance... not punish you. Start praying to our Heavenly Father and let him know of your desire to repent. He is so willing to forgive his errant children that come to him. Call the executive secretary of the ward you live in and ask if you can make an appointment to see the Bishop. The Bishop will surely welcome you with open arms. You will likely feel the calm reassurance of the Spirit as you enter the Bishop's office and confess your sins. Once you start the confession... you will feel the burden beginning to be lifted off your shoulders. You will also feel more comfortable with telling the Bishop more details. The key is breaking through that ice of embarrassment and fear. Don't feel that you have to get everything out all at once. The Bishop will likely want to meet with you more and work with you on the road to repentance and forgiveness from the Lord. Grab on to those rays of hope entering your life right now. The Lord is prompting you through his Spirit to do the right thing. He wants you to come to him.
  20. There are a lot of unanswered questions to this story... 1) How old was this young woman? Was she 18 or older? If so, can't she make her own decisions on who she hangs out with? Why would she tell this guy this if she is an adult? 2) How was it said? Did she say it in a rude manner or was it in the middle of some conversation with no ill will intended?
  21. What does it mean to "leave" the church? If your grandfather considers being inactive "leaving the church"... then he must account for the millions of less active members that still are living, have their property, and have their families intact. There are also members who request to have their names removed from the records of the church. There are most likely thousands of individuals who have done so. Many of these people still have their lives, property, and families. The Danites DO NOT exist. There is not some hit team waiting around to whack people who leave or even apostatize from the church.
  22. The young woman did do the wrong thing by telling the young man about what she was told. She didn't commit some grave sin but she did do something wrong. God also looks at our intentions and the thoughts in our hearts. When we tell someone something truthful... are we sensitive to their feelings? Do we show an increase of love towards that person when we tell them the cold truth. The Lord always lets us know that he loves us first before he reveals our weaknesses to us. Are we trying to tear someone down or build them up? This young man ultimately responsible for his activity... and we are not aware of ALL factors that led to this man's decision to become less active.
  23. Simply attending another church does not constitute apostasy. However, if you join and become a member of another church, it is possible that church action might be taken. There are many factors to consider when any type of church discipline takes place.. it isn't cut and dry in many circumstances. If you decide to come back to the LDS Church... most likely you will be received with open arms. There is no tribunal with an axe to grind waiting to excommunicate people. From my limited understanding, people are excommunicated for apostasy when they are deliberately, publicly working against the church.
  24. I think I kind of understand where DKM88 is at. There was a period of time in my life when I visited exmormon almost everyday, I watched the Book of Abraham video put out by IRR, read Grant Palmer's Book, and researched every criticism of the church. My testimony became so dimmed, I thought it would never come back. I was never satisfied though. I became obsessed with trying to prove that the church wasn't true and I studied everything ferociously. DKM88, I tend to believe that perception plays an important role. If your mindset it set on proving the church to be "not true" then that is what you will find. Something that helped me through my doubts was praying to God and asking him to lead me where HE wants me to be. I wanted the Lord to lead me where he wanted me to be regardless of my own personal bias.
  25. Strengthening faith is a lifelong process. Daily scripture reading, daily prayer, regular church attendance, will all aid in your journey. Living the commandments and repentance will also help you in strengthening your faith. I know God lives because I have felt his Spirit. The Holy Ghost has allowed me to feel God's presence. You will know when you feel the Holy Ghost. It is a feeling of goodness, love, joy, peace etc.