Sunday21

The snow is finally beginning to melt. My neighbour dug out my driveway. A relative who is in an abusive marriage is making plans to escape. A friend who is unemployed had a positive job interview. My doctor phoned me today - gasp- that never happens here.

Why?

Having primary children attend a catholic school is quite common here. It seems not to cause a problem. Bear in mind that a public school is likely to teach beliefs that you may not share eg masterbation is good for you, divorce & homosexuality is normal, transgenderism occurs, moral relativism etc.

I think one of our greatest strengths is the kindness of mormon women. My ward has a bunch of very kind sisters. My, non mormon, sister was really impressed by the kindness of sisters that she met while helping us out. Perhaps your sister could sit in when your visiting teachers come around? My sister is very impressed with the concept of the vt program. I have had some bad experiences with bishops myself and it can take awhile to get over. If you have sensible bishop now, meeting him may help. I have offered up my bishop as a free counsellor with some success. Perhaps your sister needs a favor - being taught a craft, help with gardening? Sometimes meeting Mormons outside of church, is the way to go.

What my friends did to encourage me into activity was tell me that I was needed at an event, to look after kids, put make-up on participants, fetch and carry. It worked. I could not resist a call for help. I am currently using the same strategy on my sister.

Thank you. You are both wise and kind!

Thank you. This talk is very helpful. I will read it many times. Bless you.

Dear Bros & Sis's, It seems that I have developed a serious health problem. I am in the midst of medical test hell. Please does anyone know of an article on how to strengthen or develop faith? Something with a list of steps would be ideal. I have looked on lds.org but all I can find are general talks on the importance of faith. I know that faith is important but how do I develop faith? Please help!

I have seen it. I think it is amazing. There are no changes to the script but the actors are very impressive. A must see!

This man sounds dangerous. I suggest keeping your children away from him. Lds family services give great counselling and they have heard it all. Good luck. Talk to your bishop if he is supportive. Call your visiting teachers if they are cool. Call your mother. Get a blessing. Put your name on the prayer roll at the temple. Go to the temple. Walk a friend.s dog. Good luck!

The strength for youth pamphlet has great ideas on how to avoid risky situations. E.g. Don,t be alone with someone that you feel that way about. It,s a bit like dieting. Don,t park outside of Dairy Queen when you are hungry. You are trying to break a habit. Planning ahead, what will I do when I see that person works better than willpower. Try to analyse your behaviour and work out why you messed up as if you were dieting. Good luck!

Have been to Isle of Wight. Bonchurch, Ventnor! Congrats!

I know how you feel. I have been there. God loves you. From past experience, I suspect that only you and God know what is going on. Your Bishop may never get it. If you can spend a lot of time in the temple. God bless.

I am also single, only member in militant atheist family who think I am nuts to be a Mormon. I have moved around the country a lot so I am often breaking into a new ward. I think that making friends within your demographic group limits your possibilities so I make friends with the married ladies who are often very lonely and love someone to talk to. Perhaps you have already tried this? Some ideas: 1) Go to a dinner/activity about half an hour before the stated time. The situation is usually madness. Help out. They will love you. 2) Stay after the dinner and help clean up. 3) Is there a church cleaning committee? Offer to help. 4) Is there a family history center? Drop in and ask for help even if you know everything. 5) Is there a temple within driving distance? Offer to drive someone. 6) Are there any widows that you could sit with in church? Research indicates that women do not get much emotional support from their husbands. I realise that this is not true of every woman but...the general rule is that women obtain emotional support from their jobs while men obtain emotional support from their wives. Stay at home moms are frequently unbearably lonely. Even more lonely than working single women. Perhaps you have noticed a woman coping with many children at church who might appreciate another adult to lend a hand? This might be an opportunity. Now the next bit is sad so hold on while I say this...the most recent research says that people avoid those who appear to be lonely...yeah sad but true...so I know that this is hard but smile, smile, smile "even though your heart is breaking". Yeah I know but these things helped for me especially the smiling!

Dear Friends, When paying tithing in retirement, do you pay tithing on money that you withdraw from savings? Do you pay money on pension income?

With respect to "16 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone [The Savior] shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build. 17 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?" I suppose that those "of the Jews" such as the apostizing Nephites and Laminites could be said to have rejected the Savior when they apostize. Therefore, I guess that references to the Nephites and Laminites do fit in with verses 16 & 17. Also I found a number of references with respect to Jews accepting the Savior when they are gathered to Jerusalem before the last days. Consequently, it does seem that Jacob does fulfil his promise in verses 16 & 17.

I sometimes wish that the church would be supportive of single women adopting but I can understand why the church is not for this. I discussed this with my bishop once and the poor man almost had a heart attack - very funny he,he (sorry!). I can see that my poor ward would not be able to handle the number of single women who would like to adopt. Of course, it is best for children to have both parents. Do any other single people long to adopt?

Hi! In my area inactive members have priority over active members for VT'ing

Dear Bros/Sis's Are you working on Jacob 5-6? I find these scriptures quite confusing. In particular in Jacob 4, Jacob sets up the allegory by saying "16 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone [The Savior] shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build. 17 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?" I am not sure that Jacob 5-6 answers this question. As far as I can tell some of the Jews do accept the Savior, namely 1. Some of the Jews who travel to North America and become Nephites/Lamonites 2. Some of the Jews who are scattered become Christians. As a percentage of the Jews, groups 1 and 2, seem rather small. Do other Jews accept the Savior after they regroup in Jerusalem when the Jews are gathered just before the Millenium? During the Millenium? Does anyone have any scriptural or doctrinal references that might shed some light on this? Thanks!

Dear Flyaway, I had this problem and I really stewed about it and ...Heavenly Father made the problem go away. When I had been a member for awhile my family came to visit. I had not mentioned my joining to them. I had a lot of Mormon artwork on the walls. My family stared at the pictures in horror and then ... shrugged and that was that! My family are militant athesists. Sometimes, if you walk forward and just focus on being obediant to the Lord, Heavenly Father reaches down and solves the problem for you! Best of luck!

Know just how U feel!

Thanks so much! I lost this posting and wanted so much to thank you for all your great advice! I have searched and searched to find you! Thanks again!

Dear Bros and Sisters, Any advice on getting more organized? Could we exchange our top 3-4 ways of getting organized? My favorites: 1) I have not found that electronic to-do lists work for me. I use pads of paper. I put a pad of paper with my to-do list in each project folder. Hard to lose! 2) I carry a small notebook that has a ribbon to keep my place, in my purse. I use it for shopping lists, messages to myself etc. 3) I put things in different dollar store plastic baskets. 1 basket for make-up, stored under the counter, another basket for electronics (cords etc.) stored on a bookshelf; 4) I have a tape gun for boxes that I use it plug up the holes in plastic shopping bags so that I can use them for garbage. Your suggestions gratefully received!

Dear Bros and Sisters, Here's an easy problem for a change. I need to create pin number for my ATM. In Canada, pin numbers are usually 4 digits but one can request more digits. I would like to use my ATM card in the US and in Europe. Can you tell me how many digits US Atm pin numbers have? Can you tell me how many digits European Atm pin numbers have? Thanks!

I found it helpful to do volunteer work with abused women - just a thought. One day in a support group, the counselor went aroung the room asking each woman if her husband had performed the following behaviors, e.g. cried to get his way, hide things, lied about things that didn't matter. It was really healing to find that EVERY woman had experienced the same behaviors as if the men were reading off the same script! What was amazing was the wide range of personalities and ethnic backgrounds in the group. We had everything from very agressive to very agreeable women, everything from nurses, professors, consultants, and those on social assistance. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the victim's personality or life circumstances.