Leah

I am not understanding "I had to verbally attack him back". If he was doing something inappropriate or abusive, why is it appropriate or helpful for you to do the same? Why exactly did you threaten to call the police? Because of his "verbal attack"? You readily admit to engaging in the same behavior. Would it have been okay for him to threaten the same?

And I (and others) have been to Catholic weddings where it IS all about showing off and showing wealth. And, yes, this included Catholic weddings in which a Mass was included. Your experience (and much of it may have been in the Phillipines) is YOUR experience. Once again, your experiences are not universal to everyone and simply because it is not something you would do or have experienced, does not in any way mean others (many others) have not had a different experience.

If you believe that a fashion show or a party are important to marriage..... And especially if you are putting that imagined importance on the same level as an ordinance......then you really haven't the slightest clue what marriage - especially eternal marriage - is about. It's time to put aside the Hollywood fantasies and the romance novels (and the focus on self) and focus on the scriptures.

Just because that is your personal experience or opinion, doesn't make it fact. There are several of us here, I am sure, who have personal experience of just the opposite, myself included. Whether you believe it or not, there are those who have the good fortune to get their figure back without any dieting or exercise involved. My mother experienced it five times, I experienced it, other friends and relatives....I even knew a couple who ended up smaller after childbirth. So...yes, it does happen.

Definitely speak to the temple matron. Also, on the day of your endowment, be sure to ask the escort that the temple provides any questions you have. There are at least a couple of opportunities to address concerns that day (the ladies at the distribution center will be very helpful sorting out size issues for you when you buy your garments) and that is the best way to get the answers to your questions. I had very specific questions/concerns that related to some medical issues I have. The dear sister who attended me in the temple that day was very helpful and reassuring, and all of my concerns were addressed, either by her or through the other opportunities presented that day. I had the usual trial and error in figuring out the right sizes/materials (and your needs and likes may change over time...with weather changes...with whether you're wearing slacks or skirts, etc.), but all of my worries about other issues were well addressed and I have had no problems with wearing the garments. PM me if you like.

I think the poster I am addressing is perfectly capable of responding to my post and do not need others speaking on their behalf. What you do or do not think is not relevant, as my comments were not addressed to you. Besides, you completely missed my point.

Again, no concept of what the purpose of a sealing is. And given your dislike of the church, it is actually understandable that you would want things changed to fit your own desires.

I just found and read the lesson to which you are referring. Would you please tell us what exactly was "wrong" with what was said in that lesson?

You clearly don't understand what a sealing is. You apparently think it is nothing more than another variation on current culture's concept of what a wedding should be. Just because you want a certain kind of wedding doesn't mean there is any reason for church policy to change. What is more important...having a fashion show/party (which is what many weddings amount to these days) or receiving a sacred ordinance? I think the church has it exactly right when it comes to marriage. Just as Heavenly Father ordained it.

But you were comparing a temple to a McDonald's, not to lumber in a lumber yard. While it is still lumber in a lumber yard, it is not a McDonald's either.

Right. Because we wouldn't want anyone reading this forum to get the impression that we're not a "if it feels good, do it" kind of church.

A party selling sex toys is vastly different than a Tupperware party. But according to your post, it would be a-okay for someone to bring their ten year old to such a party. And, hey, let's have one of those parties as a fundraiser for the ward. After all, it's no more inappropriate than Tupperware, right? Parties that sell "adult items" are usually selling sex toys, as well.Of every kind you can imagine. And some you probably can't. Their popularity seems to surge again every few years. And the lingerie the usually sell.....I can't even think of a delicate way to describe it. I am sure if you consulted any member of the First Presidency, they'd tell you to go for it!

The bishop said the lesson he learned was to not judge people, yet that is exactly what everyone does when they make a decision to give money to a panhandler or not. They are being judged on whether or not they meet the (potential) giver's arbitrary standards. They then either are deemed "deserving" or not. Sure, you can make the argument that it is "better" to do x or y rather than to simply give a handout, but still, you are making a judgment on your perception of worthiness. Maybe someone will buy alcohol or cigarettes with the money I give them, but is it right for me to make that assumption and then deem them unworthy? What if they do buy the booze, but there is something about that act of charity that impacts them in such a way that it sets them on a path that changes and improves their life? It does happen.

I've never actually seen a guard in that booth in the many times I have been to the temple. With two entrances to the temple grounds, I don't see what the point is of having a guard in a booth on one side is. I do see security making frequent rounds of the grounds.

If you go during nice weather, you see lots of people on the grounds. A lot of people like to walk the grounds or sit awhile after they do a session. There are almost always weddings on Saturdays. I spent the year between my baptism and my endowment going weekly to sit on the grounds or in the atrium. If you sit on the grounds for any length of time, you're bound to see one of the security guys making their rounds. They're always helpful. As far as I know, they are still giving tours of the grounds Sunday afternoons. The Visitor's Center and the grounds are open Sunday afternoons.

Park by the Visitor's Center, cross the roadway, and go right on the sidewalk. You will take a sort of reverse walk around the temple. You can access both sides, and the back area (where the reflecting pool is). If you want to go around to the front, there is an opening in the fence near the reflecting pool, which will take you to an outer sidewalk (go left after you go thru the fence) that encircles the temple. The bookstore is nearby but not next to the temple. I stink at directions, but if you Google the address and then Map quest it, I am sure you will find it.

Even if you were to take the affair and the baby out of the picture, I cannot see being married to a man who checks my phone and debit card activity daily. Huge red flag. Can you handle a lifetime of such behavior? It doesn't sound like your husband's heart is in the marriage, nor is he committed to it, especially if he can imagine himself happily married to the other woman.

I am surprised at your description of the Sister's behavior. I've never encountered that there. It is entirely possible to tour all of the grounds without ever having to use the stairs. I do it all the time as stairs are difficult for me. There is almost always someone on the grounds who can point the way.

One more thought..... Did anything happen three weeks ago that might have triggered an emotional crisis for her?

Two things I want to comment on. Being "too exhausted" to go to church. I understand that that feels like as I have a serious medical condition that leaves me feeling the same way at the end of the week. My advice for you? Go to church anyway. Why did your wife have access to your debit card? Especially given her spending history? Why was that not tucked safely away in your wallet? Why did she have online access? Did no one advise you to make sure she had no access to money in these ways? I would think that would have been a very basic step. If you stay married (which it sounds like you have no interest in doing), these are steps you need to take immediately. You say she had been doing well for a while. Did you expect her to not have any slip-ups? What do the professionals have to say about that? Have you set a time limit for her to "get over" this behavior? Divorce is brutal on children. Counsel with the professionals and your bishop. There may still be hope. And please do not "cancel" Christmas! That is punishing your children for your wife's behavior. You can give them a loving Christmas without spending a lot of money.

Eh...what do I know? I was an Orthodox Jew until two years ago!

But....but....how can you open presents Christmas Eve? Santa hasn't come yet!

Christmas day. On Christmas Eve we drive around and look at Christmas lights, then go home and have a frozen pizza. It works for us.

When I took the lessons in 2011, there was something like this and an illustration that may have been the chart referenced in the OP. The figure my missionaries used looked suspiciously like Calvan from Calvin and Hobbes. I found the visuals helpful. I am sure a lot of people do.

"This is quite a difficult subject to tackle considering that both Latter-day Saints and Christians have both declared each other as false teachers in one sense or another. Christians typically say that LDS are not Christian and by implication "unsaved". LDS on the other hand emphasize that they are the only way implying that all other denominations are from Satan." 1) Latter Day Saints ARE Christians. 2) LDS do NOT in any way impy that "all other denominations are from Satan". You should already know that, if you have done the amount of studying the church that you claim to have done. You should also know by this time that LDS church firmly teaches that we are not the only religion that contains truth. Do you really not know that or does it just serve your purposes more to make these claims? Either way, they are wrong.