Magen_Avot

... No, not normally in the US. If the service is exceptional in some way, I have tipped. Here in Qatar though, I always tip and often 30% or more everywhere. The wages are pretty low by our standards.

Um,... sorry, it didn't "CAPTCHA" my attention at the time, but I did see my breath just now!

Agreed. But New Jerusalem will not be in Qatar. I will have to petition the Lord to hold off the Zombie Apocalypse till I get back home at any rate.

Soooooo... you just leave us hangin'? Just like that? I see how you are.... C'mon,... tell us what it said! Tell us, Tell us,... TELL US!!!!! Seriously though, I'm with Pam. I need to share my testimony more, and judge the testimony of others less, especially when the gifts of patience, tolerance and forbearance are surley tested. The problem isn't their testimony or method of teaching their children to do the same; its my reletive postion to becoming more like Christ. :)

Well,... if I was not to fail I'd wish for.... Superpowers My childhood ambition.

Now! Now!, don't have a meltdown. And really! Did you ever stop to think how that clucking bunny felt laying rectangular shaped Dairy Milk Chocolate bars?

...actually, I was just hopin' for beam out via the rapture. The ground in Qatar is impervious to picks, shovels and rain, unless you have all the time of the millennium.

Funny! If we knew we would not fail, it wouldn't be an attempt!

Say it ain't so!!

I loved your comment! Especially because of the connection with your profile picture. I had never heard it before though.

Sauron's tower is in Qatar... It's my number one landmark!

I like your view about this. I've never heard of such a focus but I doubt the church would require this of missionaries, but I believe a mission president could... regardless, the important thing is your attitude of Christ and the Gospel,... recognizing the spirits message for you no matter how it's delivered, tho this one seems like a "brick with a message" from where I sit. May you be blessed in your path to Christ.

Zombie Apocalypse right?... I'd be stuck in the Middle East! I'm hatin' it already.

I have learned that we may come to know a small portion of the will of God for us, including a calling, but we never understand His full will concerning things. In part I would add that a BP or whoever can still impact what will happen. Case 1: I was prompted that I'd be called into the BR. Never happened. 6 months later I was passenger in a car with the new SP counselor. We were discussing this topic and I shared this case. He began to shed tears which confused me. He said he had been called to be the BP and had selected me as one of his counselors, but the SP had decided to call him as his counselor instead. Case 2: I was promted that I'd be called into the BR (different ward). A couple of hours before going in to meet with the BP the spirit said to "do whatsoever the BP asked of me, because he would not ask contrary to the will of the Lord". The BP said he wanted to call me into the BPric but with the WML empty for so long he needed me there. My DW was very upset so I let her leave. I told the BP what I was given by the spirit and he just broke down in tears. I truly love this man, my BP, because I know he loves the Lord,... and me. Case 3: A bishop, via his counselor, called me to the scouts. I was allowed to pray about it. To my shock, the spirit said NO!. Three times. I reported that back and the BP said that's fine. Later my wife heard BPs wife tell someone I had turned down a calling. I fasted and prayed what to do. The answer was to go to the BP and tell him the answer I had gotten earlier but if he wanted me to serve with the scouts I would accept it. He told me, "no, thats fine, I hadn't prayed about it anyway". He further said he had never received an answer to prayer in his life. Case 4: At a BPric meeting a brother was called to be EQP. I knew I was supposed to have that calling. Three years later I did. It was very humbling,... and difficult. But one of the most important blessings I ever had. Case 5: I shook a brothers hand and the spirit said "he will be the next BP". It kind of shook me because the LDS box says we don't receive answers for others/church without reason. Three years later, speaking to a member of the SP about who would be the new BP. I shared the prompting I had 3 years previous and he said that was interesting because he had been considered for that position then but things had changed. It's easy, IMO, to take things at face value and without all the facts, to race ahead having misinterpreted the intended message. As in case 3, someone was given a priceless example that God does indeed answer prayers. I missed that for a long time. I don't believe we always know what comes of things that other wise makes no sense at all. One seemingly random event or prompting we respond to just might make a difference to someone. Who says it should be me? But sometimes we are indeed blessed to see an outcome that is faith promoting. I'd say,... be patient and look for Gods hand in it.

Hey Mon! What about Or-Cali-Mon ...you know,... ol' Joe Pokemon? Oh.... c'mon mon!

I may have been burned more while taking a cold shower in the Middle East than the number of times I've successfully negotiated the thanks button.... No button?

I think the term Jesus used, as translated in the KJV, was "luke warm". No offense meant, IMO I think that is where a lot of members are, and where I have been until a year ago. And that leads to the op... I "believed" it from my youth,... I came to undeniably "know" it a year ago. My experience,... and testimony is that this church really is His blessing to all mankind, and our best help in their, um,... our journey to become like Christ and return,... not triumphant, proud and boisterous,... but humble, meek and more like our God and Jesus Christ. Do I mean "true" church? I'd ask just what others mean when they say it. I know what I mean. But to be short: True church (the organization): Legitimate; rightful ... established by God True church (the people): Sincere; not deceitful Ok, so "we" members have lots of work to do. So then, yes,... His church, His organization equals "true" church IMO. I would suggest that when we, imperfect human children of God, receive answers to prayer,... do we not filter His messages with our own biases, imperfections and good intentions? Does that negate His message? Or do we run with it, even wildly out of control at times to the injury of others? In the name of God, self-righteously call others out for their sin? and quietly dismiss our own weeknesses? Or do we go the other way and rage against that which is good? The center of focus is, and should be Jesus Christ. He is true to us and we should be true to Him. This church is HIS organization, His blessing to lead us to immortality and eternal life, if we repent and come to Him.

I've seen this in many places. One Sunday my family and I sat on the back row and a ruffled old woman called me out about it immediately after sacrement. She said "that" row was for the elderly and infirm and refused my attempts to justify using my priesthood office and rather soft around-the-middle qualities.

Skadoosh? Urban Dictionary: skadoosh Oh, you mean (lol) this?... SKADOOSH! I think you're biased

Actually,... Think "law of consecration" over mere tithing... Covenants over casual commitment... In other words... This is not a discount purchase! Capiche?

I respect your position KH. I am interested in understanding your own religeous beliefs, such as your belief in deity, ect? I ask because a premise to seeking Christ is to humble oneself and bend our will to His and obey His commandments ect. It should go without saying that one would make changes in their life when encouraged by His spirit. Obviously that didn't happen for you as it has happened for others, but what was your experience in context to this? Sorry, no time to edit now cuz the day is done and my ride is hollerin'.

I think a good question has come from this op, while it may be, somewhat, a dirversion of sorts. Do we worship God the Father? or His son Jesus Christ? Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith? | Mormon.org To quote one statement on the preceding link: "We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ" Gordon B. Hinkley Note to PC: I never walk away from one of your posts that I do not feel edified, instructed and humbled in my journey on the path to Christ. Thank you. To the op, what more can I say than what has already been said? We are all in different places and need our entire lives to repent and come to Christ. All we can do more than this is love, forgive and serve.

I do understand a little about the Eucharist and it's greater meaning... um, I'll just leave it at that and keep my nose above water . My DW was Catholic (pre Vatican II) so we've talked a bit about it. I'll be honest though, it's a bit confusing but I do see where you are coming from better. Thanks

"code word" sounds so cryptic. As you link that to "personally engage with discipleship of Jesus" I wonder what you are really saying there. My interest is peaked so could you expound a little more?

tvgirl81, From my expericence in giving blessings, it is helpful to focus ones mind on the need as Gods will is sought, "on the fly" if you will. Consider the importance of the faith on the part of the blessing giver and receiver, not in the blessing per say, but in God, that He can and will let His will be known and cause His blessings to distill upon you. Our Father knows our human condition and makes up for what we lack when our faith is in Him, and as we, ourselves, are ready for it. More to your question, in this life we walk by faith and it starts with a small seed. Like you said, "I did feel a bit of comfort". You seem to be in a place where you are ready to go to the Father in prayer and ask Him. It doesn't get better than getting an answer from Him. So go ahead, test your faith in prayer like was suggested; however, it is your choice.