Anddenex

Well, everyone has a chance at godhood, so I'd say none of us is any better than any other in that respect.  Look who Christ associated with and who he called hypocrites - that ought to tell you something.
Live long enough, and you will probably see or hear of someone you thought of as "rock solid" fall from a great height - so how far you've already gotten seems irrelevant.
Try this: http://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1114&index=6 and pay attention when you get to this line: "We are all beggars equally—100 percent is as far as you can go."  The preceding paragraphs ought to do the job.  Or how about this from Chapter 3:
That's enough to make me feel desperately in need of a Savior.
Alternately, there's that place where King Benjamin says we're no better than dirt:
That's kinda humbling.  When was the last time you saw dust doing anything other than fulfilling the measure of its creation?  And when was the last time you (or I) did something less than filling the measure of our creation?

This appears to be a statement of truth. We indeed do miss out on blessings because we limit what God can do, and when he is willing to do it. This reminds me of two examples from General Conference. The first example highlights the principle shared, a missed opportunity if God's power was limited. The second, there are limits and I think the hard part is knowing where they are, or should we even be concerned? I do not know.
Example #1: The farmer, his son, and a calf. I don't remember the whole story, in a nutshell, the calf was born dead. The son prayed the calf would survive. The farmer (Dad) thought this would be one of those teaching lessons about how not every prayer is answered. The calf survived and the father who thought he was going to teach his son, was actually taught by his son.
Example #2: A father and his son. The GA shared how he heard his son tell a friend, "My dad holds the priesthood and can move mountains. Dad, show my friend, see that mountain, move it." I don't think any amount of prayer, per circumstance would have granted the father a similar experience as the Brother of Jared, but we do know these things have occurred.
I have often wondered how many times I have missed a spiritual reservoir for my children because I have simply not asked. This is one truth, I wish I knew the limits and when to ask, but that would then remove my faith...dang it. These catch 22s are no fun at times.

I have finally come up with a scripture reading system that works for me. Read Book of Mormon morning and evening for about 15 minutes. Read the 24 hour Book of Mormon first so I know what is going on. If I am really tired read the same chapters over again morning and evening. Progress is slow but at least I am reading scriptures. I listen to podcasts on the lesson by the interpreter foundation on Sunday's. If I find the material boring or confusing, I go to the website'step by step through the book of Mormon'. I bought a timeline for the Book of Mormon on Amazon. Very helpful! Lots of people have the same name and there are flashbacks! If I don't know who someone is, wikipedia! My solution! And if I am really tired there is an app, gospel library that has an audio function. Wish I had figured this out years ago!

As you discuss tithing with your husband keep in mind that harmony in the home is of the utmost importance.  If he is against the idea I would not push it or pressure him. 

Here's some 2 cents from me - a former Catholic who has a giant devout Catholic family whose friends are mostly Catholic and who comes from a predominantly Catholic country.
First on tithing - in a part-member household, if you can't convince your spouse to pay tithing on your own income and you yourself have faith in the law of tithes, you just need to tell this to the bishop during settlement and hand him zero dollars.  The decision to give you a temple recommend anyway lies with the bishop and stake presidency but I am fairly confident that this will not cause you to lose any blessings from your covenant to tithe.
So, the only issue here would be if you have faith in the law of tithe.  So, I'm going to be very blunt here (I don't have any intention to offend - just give you a different way to look at it).  When you learned that you're going to be making $50,000 but that your take home pay is only $45,000 after taxes, did it ever come to your mind to say, Yikes!  That's is a car payment on a "nice" car and then have angst over whether you should pay your taxes or not?  If not, then why not?  I'm going to guess that you think that money doesn't belong to you but rather to the government and you're afraid to go to jail so you didn't even think twice about it....
Now think of how easily giving up your money to pay taxes is compared to your angst of paying tithes.  The main difference here is that you have historically SEEN the benefits of paying taxes and and you have SEEN people go to jail for not paying it.  Everybody does it so you do it.  Whereas, you have NOT SEEN the spiritual benefits of paying tithes and you have NOT SEEN what spiritual suffering people have for not paying it so you still feel that it is your money to decide what to do with instead of Christ's money that He decides what to do with.  This is where FAITH comes in.  A lot of times you get faith promoting stories like - I started paying tithes and I got a promotion at work... or I closed my eyes and paid tithes knowing that we won't have enough to pay our bills and the next day I found lost money... or something like that.  Those are okay but it is not enough.  FAITH should be built on what you can GIVE to CHRIST and not what you receive from Him.  Faith is about not knowing what will come next but you're going to obey the covenant anyway because you LOVE Him.
 
Okay... on being homesick - it's inevitable.  There will be things that will separate you from your Catholic friends and family.  But, it doesn't have to be a full separation.  For example - I was the cantor for the Catholic Church when I got baptized LDS.  My baptism was a spur of the moment thing - it was not planned at all.  So, there were a few Sundays where I continued to cantor for the Catholic Church until they could find a replacement.  Several members of the choir noticed that I didn't line up for the Eucharist so I felt very self-conscious but it was fine.  Then, of course, there were the Catholic baptisms, first communions, confirmations, etc. etc. of my nieces and nephews that are always big party events... I attended them all.  Then there's Lent and Christmas - very big productions in the Catholic Church.  I attended them with my family too.  I don't line up for the Eucharist or to kiss the foot of Jesus.. I use that time to pray and ponder.  I go through the Stations of the Cross but I do my own reflections not necessarily following the Catholic reflections.  It took about 3 years or so before I quit going to the Lent and Christmas events at the Catholic Church.  Yes, when I attend mass for those special events (the most recent one was my dad's wake and funeral where they had mass every single day for 9 days and nightly prayers for 31 more days), I still feel that poignant feeling of that grand tradition - that same feeling I get when I visit my home country, some kind of homesickness... it's okay to feel that way but it doesn't detract from my testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church.
 

Congratulations on getting this far. I was born a Mormon, but I imagine it must be a major decision to join the church.
First, I would say keep in remembrance what you have felt from the Holy Ghost. I assume you have felt that in your discussions with missionaries, in church meetings, etc. If not, then seek to have that experience. When you feel that, you know it's true. It might be necessary to just take the leap of faith at this point, trusting in God and the witness you've had from the Spirit that it's true.
Regarding tithing, I'm not sure I completely understand the situation with a single-member family. But it sounds like, regardless, you are feeling like you should pay tithing. One thing that might help is not focus on the amount, but that it's only 10% of your income. Personally, I love paying tithing. It's proof to myself that I trust the Lord, that I love him more than money. It's a way of showing gratitude for the other 90% he has blessed me with. I enjoy too the knowledge that it's going to help build up God's kingdom and help other people.
Regarding your previous church, I love the following quote by the prophet Gordon Hinckley:
If you think of Mormonism as adding more to supplement what truths you have learned in the past, perhaps that will help. Also, I don't know if I'm off base, but I don't know why you couldn't visit your old church when you wanted to, if you miss the experience. It might help to go "cold turkey" at first, until you adjust to being your new Mormon church. Also, I am going to assume that once you feel at home in the Mormon church, you will see a lot of new and good things there, and not miss your old faith so much.
I hope my thoughts might help. Best wishes, and God bless you.

Hi all,
Well, two years of investigating and I'm still stuck and undecided. Thank you all for bearing with me. I've worked through many of the roadblocks I've had over baptism, yet there are still a couple of issues that I'm struggling with.
The first is tithing in a single-member family. The missionaries told me that since my husband will not be joining the church and I am a stay at home mom, my tithing responsibility would be zero. However, I am in the job market and will likely be back at work in the next year or so. It is my understanding that once I'm working, I would be tithing based on my own income. I've done the math, and I would be tithed about $350-400 a month based on a $50,000 a year salary. Yikes! That is a car payment--on a *nice* car, and would basically be what I would be paying in after school child care. It wouldn't even make working worth it at that point, and I love my field of work (librarianship) and would not want to lose it. For full-member families, tithing is a given, but for me, it is quite a daunting thought. (Not that I'm planning on buying a car, but I'm just using that to quantify just how much of our budget that would constitute.)
My second question is more emotional in nature. Although at this point I am in opposition to Catholic doctrine, I've only ever been Catholic and I'm afraid I would get "homesick." While I am ideologically in line with LDS beliefs, I worry that once I'm a church member I would miss my parish, the music, my old church community, etc. Have any of you converted and had to deal with the emotional aspect of leaving behind a faith tradition? How did you cope?
These are such strange, random issues to be blocked by, I know! I'm trying my best to resolve these issues so I can go into a possible baptism with no regrets or second thoughts.

This appears to be a statement of truth. We indeed do miss out on blessings because we limit what God can do, and when he is willing to do it. This reminds me of two examples from General Conference. The first example highlights the principle shared, a missed opportunity if God's power was limited. The second, there are limits and I think the hard part is knowing where they are, or should we even be concerned? I do not know.
Example #1: The farmer, his son, and a calf. I don't remember the whole story, in a nutshell, the calf was born dead. The son prayed the calf would survive. The farmer (Dad) thought this would be one of those teaching lessons about how not every prayer is answered. The calf survived and the father who thought he was going to teach his son, was actually taught by his son.
Example #2: A father and his son. The GA shared how he heard his son tell a friend, "My dad holds the priesthood and can move mountains. Dad, show my friend, see that mountain, move it." I don't think any amount of prayer, per circumstance would have granted the father a similar experience as the Brother of Jared, but we do know these things have occurred.
I have often wondered how many times I have missed a spiritual reservoir for my children because I have simply not asked. This is one truth, I wish I knew the limits and when to ask, but that would then remove my faith...dang it. These catch 22s are no fun at times.

This appears to be a statement of truth. We indeed do miss out on blessings because we limit what God can do, and when he is willing to do it. This reminds me of two examples from General Conference. The first example highlights the principle shared, a missed opportunity if God's power was limited. The second, there are limits and I think the hard part is knowing where they are, or should we even be concerned? I do not know.
Example #1: The farmer, his son, and a calf. I don't remember the whole story, in a nutshell, the calf was born dead. The son prayed the calf would survive. The farmer (Dad) thought this would be one of those teaching lessons about how not every prayer is answered. The calf survived and the father who thought he was going to teach his son, was actually taught by his son.
Example #2: A father and his son. The GA shared how he heard his son tell a friend, "My dad holds the priesthood and can move mountains. Dad, show my friend, see that mountain, move it." I don't think any amount of prayer, per circumstance would have granted the father a similar experience as the Brother of Jared, but we do know these things have occurred.
I have often wondered how many times I have missed a spiritual reservoir for my children because I have simply not asked. This is one truth, I wish I knew the limits and when to ask, but that would then remove my faith...dang it. These catch 22s are no fun at times.

You can find the quote in the Joseph Smith manual in the chapter on (heh) Redemption for the Dead.
 

I know this guy with a machete, chews banana leaves, on the seaside...

Well now that I feel like I've been told I sinned in ignorance regarding this...I'm done with this conversation.  Again....I'm at peace with my decision.  If others feel that it's best not to have this done...that's fine.  I get that.  But please don't call me ignorant (which was mentioned twice now).

Ok, let's put aside the sparring for a second and go realtalk mode, @Vort, because I'm inclined to think you don't really mean to be as inflammatory as you're coming across but that's what happened.  So here's the thing, and I'm sincerely looking to lay this one to rest peacefully here so work with me:  You obviously have strong feelings on the subject and that's fine.  The problem here is that you're using some strong terms which are very inflammatory and insulting to people who see things differently hand have made choices along those lines.  Is it your intention to cause that response?  Again, I think it probably wasn't, but I think you're smart enough to see why it's a problem.  You aren't showing any respect whatsoever to your brethren who see it differently and decide differently, and you have no moral basis for that.
You don't get to make up your own sins, dude.  The Church isn't saying circumcision is a sin, you are.  I think that you're trying to be generous by separating the people who make the choice to circumcise their sons from the decision itself, but it isn't coming across that way at all.  This isn't a matter of "love the sin, hate the sinner" because this is not a sinful thing.  If you want to call it sinful then you need to cite some scripture or statement by the General Authorities to back that up, otherwise you're coming uncomfortably close to preaching false doctrine.

I made the decision to have my boys circumcised and I'm at peace with that decision.  It's a personal decision.  There is no right or wrong answer in my opinion.  I feel like those that chose to have it done are being condemned for it on this thread and that's just not right.

The first time I heard the term "elective mutilation" or "genital mutilation" was from Christopher Hitchens (a notorious Atheist), and in similar reference to the morality thread from a former member regarding the morality of God. Hitchens concludes that circumcision is evidence of an immoral God.
Personally, these hot words are pathetic attempts to make a medical procedure more than what it is. My father having been one who was circumcised as a young boy, due to complications, he made sure each of his boys were circumcised to prevent the possibility of us experiencing the same issues. I could care less that I am circumcised and think it is more laughable when people term circumcision with a phrase that includes "mutilation." I have seen the scars of young men and women who mutilate their bodies (for whatever reason in their hearts) and this doesn't come close to circumcision. I have lost my penis foreskin -- big deal...move along. My wife is still happy with her circumcised husband. We have children. If a person believes the silly term "genital mutilation" supports their ideology. OK, your choice.
Mutilate -- "to cause severe damage" nothing severe was done to my body
Mutilate -- "to ruin the beauty of (something) : to severely damage or spoil (something)" nothing on my body lost its beauty, nor was it spoiled (still works properly)
 

while there have been the occasional bit that has been really interesting caught on film that so far as i've been able to determine wasn't forged as far as i can tell... that's pretty rare. On the other hand the ability to edit a photo combined with how much our brains likes to find faces and figures in things gives it much bigger chance of being false... and that's where i'd put my money.



BUT

if it gets them to repent and come unto christ... who's to say that God didn't have a hand in it?

or the jaredites.............

clearly there have been scriptural accounts of individuals seeing angels.  I suspect these visitations are extremely rare because they weaken the eternal principle of faith needed to work our way back to our father's presence..  It seems to me that someone who has seen an angel would have an inherent unfair advantage enduring to the end versus someone who hadn't had that experience.  I would also assume that such an experience would be so spiritual that you wouldn't share it openly but hold it sacred and only reveal it to those closest around you.
 

Gee, and here I was thinking we finally had photographic proof that there was hope for Goliath's eternal salvation . . .

Here is an article that was posted on my wall from the following URL. The title click baits with the following statement, "LDS Family's Viral Photo Shows "Angelic" Figure in a Fire Near Their Cabin" Are these post harmful, helpful, or a mixture of both.
Perspective. I remember when I was first home from my mission, and my desire to increase in knowledge induced incorrect experiences. One day I served in the temple, endowment sessions, within the stars I saw animals. My heart at first jumped and I thought the Lord was giving me a special vision. The next time I went to the temple, an abashed and silly mind realized, "Well, darn it, it was just part of the temple video." (LOL) The lesson I learned is what has already been taught by prophets, that spiritual experiences (which aren't spiritual in the least) can be forced and we open ourselves to possible deceptions. I have been far more cautious in my spiritual learning since then. 
In light of that experience, I believe this type of show isn't helpful, but harmful. The helpful part would be simply to state a prayer was said, and our cabin was spared. Telling everyone an angel spared our cabin and I have proof with a photo that is obscure appears to be more harmful rather than helpful (e.g. Nessie the Lockness monster). The picture shows a fireman to the right of the picture. The supposed angel is even farther than the fireman, which means according to perspective, that the angel should be even smaller than the fireman, not double his size. We know that resurrected beings are individuals who have lived upon this earth, and according to revealed doctrine that angels who serve this earth have either lived or will live upon this earth. The supposed angel, a human, is double the size of the fireman, meaning that is what heck of a tall angle (human, either resurrected or a spirit of the just). 
Wouldn't it be better that we stick with the simple, God answered a prayer rather than subjective image that is probably a tree in the background?

The first time I heard the term "elective mutilation" or "genital mutilation" was from Christopher Hitchens (a notorious Atheist), and in similar reference to the morality thread from a former member regarding the morality of God. Hitchens concludes that circumcision is evidence of an immoral God.
Personally, these hot words are pathetic attempts to make a medical procedure more than what it is. My father having been one who was circumcised as a young boy, due to complications, he made sure each of his boys were circumcised to prevent the possibility of us experiencing the same issues. I could care less that I am circumcised and think it is more laughable when people term circumcision with a phrase that includes "mutilation." I have seen the scars of young men and women who mutilate their bodies (for whatever reason in their hearts) and this doesn't come close to circumcision. I have lost my penis foreskin -- big deal...move along. My wife is still happy with her circumcised husband. We have children. If a person believes the silly term "genital mutilation" supports their ideology. OK, your choice.
Mutilate -- "to cause severe damage" nothing severe was done to my body
Mutilate -- "to ruin the beauty of (something) : to severely damage or spoil (something)" nothing on my body lost its beauty, nor was it spoiled (still works properly)
 

Nevertheless, God commanded an awful lot of things during Old Testament times that modern readers could--and do--find deeply disturbing.
Just_A_Girl and I did choose to have the procedure done for our son, because we have extended family members who reported the same sorts of issues @Carborendum alluded to.  But thanks to information from folks like @Vort, it was something we took very seriously.

Circumcision of boys has been an emotional and hot topic for years. Parents should educate themselves on the matter, make a decision about it and then be at peace with their decision. I had 3 boys (4 when I count my stepson). My husband and I educated ourselves, made a decision about it, and now neither of us is agonizing about our decision. Sure, there's more information out there than years ago, but, I'm not going to worry about it. None of our sons have complained about our choice. There's no need to make this such a difficult choice. Do what you feel is best, and be at peace with it-- no matter what your decision is. You may even make a different decision with your older boys than with your younger ones. That's okay too. Don't overly worry about it!

So much so that in many cases, we would rather be wrong in our beliefs than change them because they are ours, no matter the evidence against it.

There often (usually) is a big difference in what we think (want to think) and what is.  Sadly, for many individuals, what they imagine is more real to them than what actually is real – especially in politics and religion.
 
The Traveler