classylady

An eternal marriage (sealed together) is the greatest blessing/gift that we can receive. I am so grateful that my husband and I have an eternal marriage. I’m so grateful that my daughter who died in a car accident at the age of 19 was born in the covenant. Not only do I know that I will see her again, but I cherish and hold to the promise that we are an eternal family. There is no other blessing in my life that is greater than this. Please do not think lightly of eternal marriage.
One of the greatest comforts I had as a child was knowing my parents were sealed together as husband and wife. My father died when I was six years old. I am so thankful for that comfort of knowing we were an eternal family. Even though my father was not with us in this life, I knew we were still a family. There is no other blessing more comforting than this knowledge.
I strive to live my life worthily, even though I often fall short, so I can be with my daughter and other loved ones again. I don’t want anything less than this. For me, nothing else comes close to this blessing and comfort. When you truly love someone you want an eternal union.

I have seen many people who love their pets as much as a family member. When we had to put our aged dog down, it was sad. But, the amount of sympathy and support we received from co-workers, extended family, friends, and neighbors was surprising to me. I grew up on a dairy farm and many of my “pet” chickens, calves, piglets, and lambs grew up and became our dinner. I guess I don’t understand the “pets are family” mentality.

I have seen many people who love their pets as much as a family member. When we had to put our aged dog down, it was sad. But, the amount of sympathy and support we received from co-workers, extended family, friends, and neighbors was surprising to me. I grew up on a dairy farm and many of my “pet” chickens, calves, piglets, and lambs grew up and became our dinner. I guess I don’t understand the “pets are family” mentality.

So, some of you on this forum are crazy chicken people like my wife.  It's a growing community.  For the last 20 years, people have been looking through their neighborhood zoning laws (laid down 50-100 years ago in many cases), and discovering that chickens are allowed.  (Think of the WWII war production effort mentalities, with it's meatless Tuesdays and victory gardens and whatnot.)  Every day there's another crazy chicken person born.  And they congregate in Facebook groups where they argue the finer points of breed desirability, carnivorism vs. vegetarianism, etc.
Anyway, my wife's beloved special needs chicken died this last week.  She was a "crossbeak", which usually die within a few days of being born.  But my wife tube-fed her by hand, twice daily sometimes, for over two years. (Longer than a lot of people breastfeed their kiddos.)  Apparently this chicken was quite well known.  My wife has received sympathy from people in four countries. There's genuine grieving going on.  I shouldn't be surprised (although I continually am), to find an outpouring of love showing up in our mailbox.  Here's the latest:  Someone drew a portrait of Tempest and sent it to my wife along with a sympathy card.

(This is actually the second hand-drawn portrait she has received from adoring Facebook fans.)
I heard from the crematorium, the pendant we special ordered finally came, and her ashes are ready to come back to my wife. 
I've never seen people so zealous about things, than the crazy chicken people.  They even give some of our zealous folks on this board a run for their money. 
Anyway, happy slice-of-life Thursday.

When talking about marriage, I completely disagree.
What if her past resulted in her having an incurable STD like AIDS? What if her past made her really physically ugly and missing all of her teeth? What if her past gave her really strong BO and repulsive breath? What if her past made her brain-damaged so that she couldn't really hold a job or run a household? What if her past left her perfectly pure in spirit, yet totally unaccountable for her violent actions? I believe that people are justified in refusing to marry whomever they don't want to marry, regardless of the reason. The reason may be stupid. They themselves may be stupid for choosing as they do. But they are justified in doing so, because you get to decide whom you don't want to marry, for any old reason that you consider sufficient.
If blond hair, acne, weight, financial status, and body odor are sufficient reasons not to marry someone, then certainly so is past sexual history, past failures at marriage, or other (frankly much more relevant) problems a person might have had in the past, whether or not you think she might have repented of them.

Somehow, that never made it into his autobiography.

“The hub formerly known as Mormon”, expressed in written form by some character from the Deseret Alphabet?
 

@Sunday21 If my suspicion is correct--that scripture calls upon us to marry within the faith--then it is not only ethical, but mandatory, to call upon our older single members to remain celibate, rather than be unequally yoked. It may be the church will need to funnel more resources to care for those who's obedience has left them dependent. My own church faces a similar dilemma. In our early years ministers truly believed Jesus would return very very soon. The served faithfully, and chose not participate in our country's Social Security scheme--again, believing the church's heavy emphasis on the soon coming return of Jesus. So, now we are called upon to support the Aged Ministers Fund. Even though hindsight shows us their decisions were hasty, the results were wonderful (many churches built, many souls converted). Likewise, if women are finding themselves destitute in their older years because they remained faithful to the admonition not to be unequally yoked, members will find great blessing in caring for them now.

As an apostle, President Howard W. Hunter, remarried in 1990 about 7 years after his first wife had died.  He married a divorced woman, Inis Egan. Inis had been divorced since 1966 and had three children from her previous relationship.  From what President Hunter wrote in his journal, they were very happy together.

An eternal marriage (sealed together) is the greatest blessing/gift that we can receive. I am so grateful that my husband and I have an eternal marriage. I’m so grateful that my daughter who died in a car accident at the age of 19 was born in the covenant. Not only do I know that I will see her again, but I cherish and hold to the promise that we are an eternal family. There is no other blessing in my life that is greater than this. Please do not think lightly of eternal marriage.
One of the greatest comforts I had as a child was knowing my parents were sealed together as husband and wife. My father died when I was six years old. I am so thankful for that comfort of knowing we were an eternal family. Even though my father was not with us in this life, I knew we were still a family. There is no other blessing more comforting than this knowledge.
I strive to live my life worthily, even though I often fall short, so I can be with my daughter and other loved ones again. I don’t want anything less than this. For me, nothing else comes close to this blessing and comfort. When you truly love someone you want an eternal union.

I agree, and yet struggle with this. Quite frankly, an atheist often has a better chance of conversion than a nominal Christian. The atheist is under no delusion. They know they are apart from, opposed to, or simply out of God's realm. Sadly, the spiritual person, the believer in a Higher Power, the "I believe in Jesus, but don't stress about it" person, the inactive member, the Christmas Easter Only (CEO) Christian, etc. etc. actually believes they are good enough--that God will take them in. If the church's teaching about 3 heavens is true, that may be right. However, from my binary perspective (heaven vs. hell), the half-hearted soul is the primary candidate to hear, on the day of judgment, "Depart from me, for I never knew you."
So...especially to young people,...my counsel would be run, do not walk, away from romantic relationship with those that are under-devoted. You cannot woo them, nurse them, even love them into the Kingdom. Let Heavenly Father do His work in their lives. Romantic love must never overwhelm the love and devotion we have for the one true and living God.
-- Okay, PC is done preaching.

As an apostle, President Howard W. Hunter, remarried in 1990 about 7 years after his first wife had died.  He married a divorced woman, Inis Egan. Inis had been divorced since 1966 and had three children from her previous relationship.  From what President Hunter wrote in his journal, they were very happy together.

As an apostle, President Howard W. Hunter, remarried in 1990 about 7 years after his first wife had died.  He married a divorced woman, Inis Egan. Inis had been divorced since 1966 and had three children from her previous relationship.  From what President Hunter wrote in his journal, they were very happy together.

As FYI, I know of couples who married, despite religious differences. It often works out, sometimes beautifully. Some of those post at this site. The same holds true in my faith. There are folk that married non-believers. Eventually the unbeliever came around. On the other hand, I'm sure many here know of those who got into such relationships and ended leaving up the faith. My church takes a stronger stance against these relationships, nearly universally urging our young people not to do so--"Don't be unequally yoked!" Further, if one of our clergy knowingly officiates a marriage between a believer and a non-believer his/her credentials would be revoked. So, yes, I understand the impulse to be empathetic, compassionate, and to share stories where such relationships ended well. That's grace, and grace testimonies are powerful. Nevertheless, to step back from such a relationship in the earlier stages shows tremendous obedience, holiness, faith and spiritual discipline. When these decisions end well, it's actually rewards. However, those who walk this way seldom testify of its blessings, because it might seem like bragging.  BOTTOM LINE: Interfaith relationships can result in grace-filled blessings. They are not God's first or best option, generally speaking. Choosing to hold out for a partner "of like precious faith" is obedience--the type God rewards in ways we may not fully realize this side of glory.

I had a better seat than @Vort did, I had a better seat than @Vort did!
Apparently a better listening position, too. :-)

Some great ideas have been posted. I can’t think of anything that would be better.  I thought of Israel’sArmy, but that would have political connections. Maybe something like ReasonTogether,  or MustardSeed.

Getting in was amateur hour in action, requiring us to wait in a half-mile line for an hour beforehand. Either the Safeco Field system is unbelievably inefficient and stupid, or whoever in the Church was in charge of admissions really dropped the ball. Looking down from my lofty perch in the top tier (behind the podium), I could see dozens of empty seats right in the best seating areas in the stands nearest the field, just behind where my daughter and the other Laurels and priests were seated on the field itself. (It's off to the left of the pic above, where you can't really see it.) The inefficiency and perceived favoritism were frustrating.
When the meeting began, the spirit of frustration melted away. It was a beautiful meeting. The sound system was one step above awful; I missed most of President Eyring's remarks, and caught something over half of what Sister Nelson had to say. But President Nelson's remarks were mostly understandable. Whether it was the pitch of his voice or some sort of divine miracle, I understood most of his talk. He repeated a story he told a couple of eight years ago in General Conference about lending a Book of Mormon to a couple (doctor and wife) who returned it unread. He sternly told them that they needed to read it first, then he would accept his book back. Nothing particularly new, but I found it very inspirational. I am hoping my daughter did, as well. My oldest son texted me right after it started; I had invited him and his wife to come with us, but they turned us down. They were actually there, front and center, five rows from the field. So that was a wonderful thing. I was very happy to be sitting in back in the nosebleeds if some of my children were able to sit close and listen well.

Indeed...  The scripture that we have both quoted before in the past talks about seeking people of good character... and that is a judgment we are required to make... usually on very little hard data.
It seems to me we are to the point where we (as a society) define the character of a person as them on their worse day of their life (no matter how far in the past that is).  I understand reasoning behind this, and I even accept it more or less.  The problem I see with it is that it does not allow for change/growth/repentance.  I would not want someone looking at the high school me (from 30+ years ago) and use it to judge the current me. (and I do not have any major issues in my past)
And when we look at the scriptures we see people like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis...  They are given as repentant sinners of good character but they were also guilty of multiple murders.  Would an Anti-Nephi-Lehi type person pass the Character Test for our President or as a Supreme Court Judge?

FWIW, I’m taking about a Senate hearing; not a criminal court hearing.  I agree, the criminal system can’t touch him (and even if it could, it apparently was a juvenile offense).  
While I fully endorse “innocent until proven guilty” as a precept of criminal law; when it comes to evaluating candidates for public office (whether elected or appointed)—especially when that candidate seeks a lifetime appointment—I’m not sure I can afford to go into the game with any such presumptions.  
The more interesting question to me is, assuming the accusation is true but that Kavanaugh has lived a life of probity and rectitude since achieving adulthood: is there any coming back from such a past deed?

I wish I could have been there.  Thank you for sharing.

Wow! The best history lesson I’ve ever read!  Lol

So, first I will say I made a wise choice going with the staff member and his family. It was pretty easy to blend in, and being part of a family going made it feel much more natural. There were 49K plus in attendance, and a repeated theme, even by a couple of the speakers, was the unique privilege of being able to see and hear God's prophet in person. Other common themes were the privilege of the restored gospel, the powerful witness the Book of Mormon offers (with reference to the Moroni promise, as well as James admonition to ask the Lord for wisdom), and the power and blessing of temples (with their covenants and sealings, etc.). As for styling, the feel was that of the old church--dress up, piano and organ, and order of worship clearly laid out. President Russell was impressive in his energy, his conviction, and the clarity of his message. There was a good blend of classy, yet comfortable. I may not have a testimony of several of the unique doctrines and claims of the church, but it is now much easier for me to understand why so many find strength and comfort in the church, the community, and from its teachings.

He is in Seattle for a stadium-sized meeting, and a staff member invited me to join his family. I figured that, as a chaplain and Mormonhub moderator, I should accept. So, tonight I will join 10s of thousands. Has anyone been to this kind of event? Any thoughts to offer? I'll certainly give my impressions within the next day or two.

Unfortunately you are not alone.  My spouse does not attend church either and has turned to new age spirituality garbage.  She believes she is one half of a split soul and the other half is some guy she works with.  I felt sick and wanted to die when I learned about that.  Our relationship wasn't great at the time anyway, but still what do you do?
I love my wife, but I lost my way in loving her.  I have made a commitment to change myself to love her no matter what.  Some days are easy and fun.  Some days part of me wishes it were over.  But I have learned a lot about myself through this process of learning how to love her again.  I learned that I am a lot stronger than I thought.   
I don't know what the future holds for us, but I would like to think I did all that I can to love my wife and help her feel the love of Christ.  And hope that she comes back to the fold.
A couple of things...  as long as he is not abusive to you are actively tries to undermine your faith...
Love him.  He is still a son of Heavenly Father and Heavenly father still loves him.  Don't nag him and complain..   Just love.  That is what our Savior would do.
Be gentle with him and don't try to convert him back to the faith.  You can't convert him.  Only the spirit can.
Be patient.  This is not going to be resolved quickly.
keep the faith.  Don't act superior or weird about keeping the faith.  Just do it humbly.
Know that our Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to be happy.  So if he wants this, then why is he putting you through this trial??  I don't know.  Sometimes it take a long time for us to understand.  And it is a hard trial of faith.  Pray for strength that you will be able to handle your burdens.
I don't expect my wife to return to church any time soon.  It certainly is hard at times, but that is not going to deter me from trying to be the person our Father in Heaven would want me to be.
I wish you the best.

The petrifying fear of posting something else stupid on MormonHub. (Gator told me about that one.)