EarlJibbs

Welcome Alen. Nice Mustache... assuming that is you in your profile pic :)

He is one of my favorite writers. I am almost finished with the Wheel of Time series (which he helped finish) and the Mistborn series is my favorite of all time. I will have to check out SteelHeart. Thanks for sharing!

I have often thought about wealth and if it would change me. I wonder how many of us would be able to stay spiritually strong and not become complacent or conceded upon receiving " riches, honor, glory and power" poured out on us. I dare say that I would rather take my chances at being in humble circumstances than the burden of the promise. But that's me taking the easy route. Be rich enough, be good enough... I knew a person that wanted to become rich and promised the Lord that if he would bless him with this, he would help as many people as he could. He was an honest man and already helped the poor and needy as much as he could. He would donate his time freely. He wondered why he would not be blessed with his desires if it was righteous and pure. He has asked this for many many years and is still in the same circumstances. He has worked hard in his self employment and tried even to start up more business ventures. I think about him and wonder the same thing. Maybe the Lord is watching out for his soul. That he would change for worse if he were to receive his desires.

Ask the missionaries! The ones that are now in your ward currently that is.

Often times I think the things we pray for have neutral ground for Heavenly Father and our Salvation. Sometimes we are provided with what we ask for, and take it or leave it do not matter in the grand scheme of things. That said, I would make sure that I am super appreciative of God's blessings. For example, I am waiting for my offer letter to move up at work. It is a huge leap. I always pray that I can take care of my family and part of that is financial. I have asked specifically for this before moving to TX. Now, it looks like I may have an opportunity. Now that it is here, I don't think I want it. If I reject it, I think it is one of those things that will not derail the train. But is simply another okay course to take in life. I feel okay about the position, just that I am scared.

Death, since it is necessary for the plan of salvation is not harmful. Rather the opposite in the grand scheme. The more difficult trial could be if there was no fear of death, nothing to hurt us but sin and age itself. If we all worried as much about the spiritual food we eat, the harmful smut we allow into our homes and lives as much as we do physical harm... how much better off would the world be. What if we had the same outrage and concern from the United States concerning pornography (plug in any issue there) as much as we have seen from the two people who have contracted Ebola?

Interesting. I thought anything can end up on NetFlix. That's what it looks like with 80% of it being garbage in my opinion. .

, and tulips, and

I can't believe this, but this is probably one of the only times that I have disagreed with you Eowyn. Although, only partially :) I see this as being completely separate from Ordain Women and not comparable. A beard at worst at BYU will get you kicked out right? Not excommunicated. This is not protesting the church, even if it is owned and ran by the church. Hopefully the few that participate will understand that when BYU sticks with the code. I agree with you that if you don't like the code, don't go to BYU. There would be plenty clambering to take your spot if you decide to leave or get kicked out over this. I am a bearded fellow most of the time and I support bearded people. But I see this as a non-issue for the school. They won't lose bright and talented students over this either way they go. These kids just need to suck it up and live up to fair agreement they already made.

I am used to it. It's not hard to me because of that and how it makes me feel overall. Satisfied with life. Now when you break it down to worldly standards, yep it's hard. Those things worth while normally are.

Because you think Star Trek is lame? Yeah, I get it. :)

The guidelines are set up to protect all involved. When we think of "The Church" it can be pictured as just a list of rules to follow. A blob without a face. But when you think of the Church, with the guidelines, the commandments, the rules, the covenants... this comes from Heavenly Father. The rules and guidelines are not of men, but are inspired by our creator. If we think of it in this way, then, what we have been asked is no longer faceless. What God asks us to do has meaning, with often eternal consequences. I am sure there are plenty here that wish that they would have followed the rule that you have to this point, including myself. Your happiness is not tied to this one decision in life, although it may feel that way. When our human will and minds seem to point opposite of the teachings we have, it is at these times that we must hold on to those teachings the most. Otherwise heartache often follows. I also fully agree with MOE. Best wishes.

Welcome Rob!

I do not doubt or question your experience. But would we say the same about wanting to be a primary teacher? Or Nursery leader? I think anyone that would want a calling being good or bad would be based on that individuals heart and intentions. Although I understand those two examples are not the authority callings that were discussed, but they can be aspired to the same. A definition of aspire is to "direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something." and is not always inherently bad. My wife aspired to be a RS teacher. I saw nothing wrong with that. She loves to teach and when she received the calling she aspired to be the best she could. Now she didn't do so to show all of the other sisters how great she was. She was never upset when someone else prior to her go the calling and didn't campaign for it. She had a righteous heart in wanting that calling. She let people know she would love to do it also. Do I understand anyone wanting to be a bishop? Not really, but that is because I don't like the work that comes with leadership callings due to my selfishness.

Now you need to watch the "How it should have ended" version on Youtube. Hilarious. I enjoyed the movie.

This looks really good. I am going to invite my neighbors to join me if it is playing nearby.

Although I wouldn't personally worry about these two things that much. I wouldn't suggest that the OP brush off the concern because there are bigger problems to worry about. I see these as valid concerns for someone that is trying their best to conform to the gospel. Who knows, this may be their "bigger fish". I wish it were mine. :) To the OP, there have been some very good suggestions on how you can work these two concerns out. I agree with omegaseamaster75 feeling of not letting this bring you down. There is always something we are working on.

You may feel better when you are with your guy friend. You may feel better while you are out on a date or hanging out with other friends, but how long does this last? I'm not saying that they aren't good for you, but they are Band-Aids on a larger wound. One that isn't going to simply heal itself I fear. I am sorry for what you are going through. But to get help medically, you would need to go through your Mother and Step Father at this point. Be brave, be plain with who you tell, and worry about you. Your mother is a grown woman and you cannot ruin her life. One chooses to let themselves be ruined. With my daughter and her anxiety breakdowns I find her yelling at me and telling me things that deep down I hope are not true, and it brings up emotions in me that I know are not true about how I feel (in anger). But I recognize when she is herself and when her anxiety is taking over. I choose the way I react. Perhaps you and your mother both need to see someone together and separate. Every time I feel that I have perhaps been abandoned by my Father in Heaven, at my wits end when I think I have no hope. I am comforted with some sunshine. Stay strong, keep your testimony strong and take care of yourself.

*EarlJibbs laughed at this

This problem still exists. Switching to Chrome.

Oooh. I have one. I want to be a hallway instructor. I would start lesson topics discussions with those that do not go to class and hang out in the halls. This way I could be in the halls, and get something out of it also.

I am a parent to a young daughter that struggles with severe anxiety. It scares me to death when she is overloaded. I cannot imagine if she were also abused to that situation. I am sorry to hear about your struggles. If this is as serious as you say, then you must take serious steps immediately. Talk to your mother about the abuse. I am not sure this boy or his father for that matter is at the heart of all of your struggles. Neither are they the solution to them. You have said a lot in your post, but there is definitely a ton that is not shared. I cannot make suggestions on everything you have said, but here are a few. You said that your mother doesn't know that you were abused? Talk to your mother about your abuse is the first thing I would do. After that, your mother should look into getting you in to see a therapist to help cope with what you have been through. From experiences in my own family growing up, holding that in without dealing with it properly can do serious harm to you. You feel unclean? From what I know this may be a standard thought, but it definitely is not a valid thought if you have been abused. I guess I only have one piece of advice. And that is to talk to your mother and seek proper help. Best Wishes.

All three Jurassic Park movies. Oh and Flight of the Navigator! Loved that movie growing up.

I like my calling, but I wouldn't mind being released and asked to attend the EQ again. Alas, it will not happen. I was in a Bishopric a few years back and at age 34 High priests doesn't feel like I belong. Most of those guys could be my father. Don't get me wrong they are great guys, I just want to be around some people my age. I crash EQ activities all the time though! Luckily I guess, I am with the Priests which makes it so I do not attend High Priests at this time anyway.

I already dose off fairly quickly during conference. This will only make it worse :) I actually do think it's fine as long there are not sub titles. Think of the children!