mirkwood

You've been offered some really good advice. I'm not going to add to the advice, I'm going to give you another perspective. I am a police officer. I have lost track of the number of suicides I have responded to (dozens). The devastation to families and friends is beyond words to describe. Suicide has destroyed many families, marriages and other people's lives. It may be the end for the "victim", it is the beginning of lifelong trauma for everyone else. Some food for thought to go with the advice given.

You just never know what may happen in your family. I come from a part member family. My grandparents were members, but fell away in thier early 20's. 60+ years later after my grandfather died, my grandmother decided she needed to return to church. She has been faithfully active for the last several years now. She said that my mom and I were part of the reason (being active). You will find a way to preserve your marriage and live your returning faith.

"our" song? Forget that and get matching Glocks. A much better way to celebrate.

Was this while still suffering from the schizophrenia? Mental health issues will be a factor in how you choose to deal with what has happened. While it should not be an excuse, it can't be discounted completely either. Talk to your bishop for guidance.

Porter Rockwell with a pair of crossed pistols underneath.

Not at work, but I did for the evening.

Me too. I didn't ask, it wasn't his choice to make. (21 years and 2 sons)

Prophets and apostles telling you to do it isn't enough?

From an article I wrote on self defense: Several years ago there was a program on KATU TV in Portland, Oregon. The show was called Town Hall. The host was a man named Jack Faust. He did a show covering the topic of Emergency Preparedness. He had guests on who spoke about what kinds of preparations they had made. One of his guests made a chilling statement, "I don't have to have supplies, but I know where he lives (pointing to the previous man). I have plenty of guns and ammunition. I plan to go take his stuff to support my family". He was not joking, but was dead serious about using force to take what he needed from someone else to take of his family. Let me reiterate, there are people out there who will hurt you and take what you have because they can. There are lots of them who live in Salt Lake County. I know, I have talked with and arrested many of them. What if you had to deal with someone like that on your own? Are you prepared? Here is another thought. I have spoken with people who have seen the next item happening at gun shows they have attended. Not too long ago, just prior to the Y2K scare, there was a group of individuals that were selling lists of "known" Mormons. They were selling Stake and Ward congregation directories. The idea behind this was, Don't worry about preparing yourselves, just use your guns to take what someone else has already prepared.

I've lived in and out of Utah, both as a youth and adult. The culture was the same. I take that back, those outside of Utah like to talk about "Utah Mormons", otherwise it has been the same.

It is a great place to live and raise a family. This is absurd. LDS culture is the same everywhere.

The police are not going to seize your food. That is not their role in society...not even a post apocalyptic society. Not gonna happen. They are not going to seize your guns either. I see the fast offering program changing under these types of circumstances. Instead of donating a genrous cash offering, it will be donating a generous _________ (fill in the blank.) Self defense is a part of preparedness. Preparedness is a part of self reliance. Self reliance is a part of the gospel. It all blends harmoniously.

Our 3 month supply consists of canned goods, everyday pantry items, fridge and freezer stored items. I probably have more then 3 months of regular foods. With power to cook nothing much would really change for us. Without utilities we can cook with several other methods: bbq grill, dutch oven, camp stoves etc. One of my favorite canned goods is the tamales in a can. We also have lots of Chunky soups, canned chicken, Compleats, Ramen, etc.

Luke 6:46-49 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. The Church cannot be expected to provide for every one of its millions of members in case of public or personal disaster. It is therefore necessary that each home and family do what they can to assume the responsibility for their own hour of need. --James Faust The whole talk: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Responsibility for Welfare Rests with Me and My Family

If it is what I think it is related to, it is a false doctrine that some misguided people have bought into. Go here: Family Home Storage That is the church's official site on the topic. It is still a year supply, but we are counseled to start with a 3 month supply of foods we would normally eat. I have taught preparedness for many years. This is the lesson plan I used in our ward and our stake where I was asked to teach: Rogmo's Corner :: View topic - Why Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness? If you want a forum geared towards preparedness from an LDS perspective try this site: Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage Forums - Powered by vBulletin You will find several of us there as well.

Yep, you need to speak with your bishop.

There is a lot of sports apparel and colors that better be banned too, based on that mentality.

There are lots of places you can put food storage. Remember when storing long term foods, heat affects the shelf life. I know of people who put thier long term food storage in one of the closests. It was their designated storage space. Another one was able to put some behind an entertainment center that was put on an angle, creating a triangular space behind it. Under your bed will also work. All your food does not have to be kept in the same spot, use whatever space is available to you.

Your experience will be whatever you make of it. Personally I'd choose Utah...but then I already admitted to my bias to this area. :)

I've lived in Indiana, Utah, Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware/New Jersey, California, and spent a great deal of time in Nevada and Arizona. I've seen the best and worst in Mormons in each of those states. I see the exact same behavior everywhere I've gone. Every once in a while when I'm in Arizona I get introduced, including that I'm from Utah. When I get the "oh you're a Utah Mormon" I immediately say, "yep, no different then an Arizona Mormon." Utah is a wonderful state. I am happy I live here. I am happy that I moved back here and am raising my kids here. If life had put me in a different state, I would be happy that I lived there and was raising my kids there. Well, except one of those states, but that has nothing to do with Mormons and everything to do with the state political climate. Mormons are Mormons anywhere you go. I encourage the "oh you are a Utah Mormon" naysayers to grow up.

If you desire to be obedient to the food storage commandment, you will find a way to purchase and store it. It is about priorities. Even a modest income or house can obey this gospel principle.

Great game. A superior team beat an inferior team. 'nuff said.

Apples to oranges vort. Certain rules are standard in all church missions. Some are guidelines of whatever the MP wants them to be (or at least were when I was out there). If the MP wants to change things in that area he can. If God wants to make an exception he can too.

In matters of doctrine. Music rules for missionaires are not doctrine.

Hi my name is mirkwood, I am a musicaholic. We had an approved list of music. I thought the list sucked with the exception of one movie soundtrack. I made my music selection on my mission a matter of prayer. HF and I came to an agreement on what was right for me. My mission president and I had a discussion about it one zone conference. His question in an effort to dissuade me from my music choice was to ask, "Elder, do you have any uplifting music?" I asked him uplifting to who? We discussed music some more and he finally came to the same conclusion that I had. Because my choices were not on the "approved" list, he asked that I use headphones so my companions did not have to listen. I told him that I already did for that same reason. What I chose to listen to had been approved for me, nobody else, and I left my companions their agency to choose what they would, without imposing my choice on them. I made this choice a matter of prayer and made an agreement with HF about some things. I offered dedicated service in exchange for his okay for a broader musical selection (I am a musicaholic). I received personal revelation that this was accepted. I also quickly learned that some of the music I like was not fitting for a mission. I eliminated a number of my favorite bands for two years. I am not sure how I would have made it that long without music. BUT THAT WAS MY EXPERIENCE. Each individual must make their own choices, seek confirmation of the spirit, and then follow it. Had I received a "no" response to my prayers, I would have somehow gotten through those 2 years, but been miserable. With judgementalism being what it is, I will conclude with this. I worked my butt off, had great success in sharing the gospel and frequently felt the spirit as I worked. I was blessed to be used as a tool by HF and see a number of people grow in the gospel. Your mission will be what you make of it. Please Heavenly Father, please yourself and be happy.