mtman318

I second what Mahone said. Also, have you heard of Temple Grandin? She's a great inspiration on how to find your strengths and use them, particularly with someone diagnosed with any form of autism.

Perhaps that would be true, if the scriptures and prophets didn't constantly say that we need to pray and ask God for our own testimony. So when we do pray genuinely, many times, but receive no discernible answer, wouldn't that be a good reason to believe that God doesn't exist? And if He does exist, but does not answer our prayers, then does He just not keep His promises? And if that is the case with prayer, why not with any of His other promises? Now, I do believe in God, and I know He's answered my prayers directly and indirectly, but it annoys me when people take such concerns--and the people who have them--lightly. But on the other hand, it is important to remember to, if we struggle with prayer, keep in mind that we might be missing something. Perhaps we are not recognizing answers for what they are. Maybe we are misunderstanding God's promises (or covenants, rather) and are not fulfilling their conditions in order to receive the promised blessings. In any case, it's always good not to jump to conclusions too quickly. As for why I stay, like others have said, I know it's true. I first gained (or perhaps discovered) my testimony after the first time I repented of my sins, when I was forgiven of them. I'm more "semi-active" right now, though, but I am repenting. In spite of my sins, though, I at least have enough integrity to not forsake what I know to be true, no matter what anyone else does (including myself).

I suspect that the "theme" for conference is different for each person; likely it is whatever is most needed for the listener. For me, the theme was Peter, his overcoming the natural man and becoming the great Apostle that we know him as now. Of course this is one of those themes that we need to "liken unto ourselves," and it goes along with repentance, forgiveness, and conversion.

I was in a similar situation; to be honest, I still struggle with these at times (and I'm 24 now). There's a good chance you will continue to be tempted with this throughout the years, more or less, but if you do things right, you won't need to worry either way. First, confess to your Bishop, and follow his counsel. I truly understand the fear you feel, but trust me, you'll feel better once you do it. Also, if you haven't done so already, confess to Heavenly Father through prayer. He already knows your sins, but doing this is an act of faith, for which you will be blessed. Your Bishop won't punish you, meaning he won't hold a Church Disciplinary Council with you, but he might ask that you refrain from blessing and/or taking the Sacrament for a while. Also, if you have a very strong, close relationship with your parents, you may consider sharing your problem with them. They will help you. If not, or if you're uncertain, just stick with confessing to your Bishop. One more thing that I suggest you do (and everyone should be doing this) is to read from The Book of Mormon daily, at least 30 minutes or so, or by chapter. Do this no matter what else you do that day/night. Temptations will no longer seem so tempting after a while, and you will learn true doctrine on how to repent, as well as other gospel principles. You will naturally come closer to God in thought, word, and deed. There are many other specific resources for help with these problems, both Church official and otherwise, though I admit I'm not too familiar with them. Good luck!

VERY true! Whenever I get the occasional twinge of doubt, I just remember everything that I've experienced, and the doubts soon evaporate.

"Some people think we have Starbucks on every corner." That sounds more like the US, or at least So Cal.

Midnight was insane. I was in the Quezon City Mission from 06 to 08, but since I spent the first Christmas in the MTC (Thanksgiving, Christmas, AND New Years!), I was only able to experience Filipino Christmas once. Sayang! The other holidays I particularly remember were New Years, Holy Week, and All Saints Day (on my first All Saints Day I lived next to the Paraiso Cemetary in Montalban, so that was especially memorable). Not to mention all the random Fiestas. I miss the Philippines... It'd be nice going back as a non-missionary, since I wouldn't be constantly stressed!

I say, next time anyone here's in a similar position (but before they ask anything), he/she should look the other person in the eye and ask as intimidatingly as possible, "Are you a Mormon?" So for a few seconds, people can see typical interfaith interactions from our perspective. Give 'em a taste of their own medicine! And if they do happen to be Mormon, you can share a good laugh.

"In D&C 49:18, a revelation is given directed to the Shakers saying that he who forbids to ABSTAIN from meat is not called of God. Which means that vegetarianism is not something you can say is bad. However, study aids were added in 1979 that uses a couple of random references to make it seem like there is reason to believe that the word 'forbid' is actually meant to mean the opposite, to bid. That's not how English works, and it is not how the Shakers heard it (who only forbade swine meat, though all other kinds were okay, though many did choose to live as vegetarians)." The problem with this interpretation is that it contradicts the subsequent verse, which states as an explanation to verse 18 that meat is ordained by God for the use of man, in addition to other scriptures. Still, I agree that it doesn't say that vegetarianism is bad, just that it isn't ordained of God (i.e., nobody can say God commands it). I admit that this is an oddly worded, perhaps archaically worded, verse. It would make more sense if "forbiddeth" was changed to "constraineth," or something similar. "I don't know what the Word of Wisdom is, but in the gospels, Jesus eats fish and lamb. "So, WWJD? (What would Jesus Digest?)" Fish isn't even mentioned in the Word of Wisdom, but both science and Church authorities say "Go fish!" I'm just glad that I love seafood. As for the lamb, again, meat isn't completely forbidden in the Word of Wisdom (plus the lamb was from the Passover, a God-ordained ordinance). I'm surprised you didn't mention wine (and no, I don't believe it was "grape juice" like some people claim). While prophets have always preached against drunkenness, and about other health related topics, the Word of Wisdom is specifically for our day, as stated in v. 2 of D&C 89--the revelation on the Word of Wisdom. "And for the record, most vegans and vegetarians do what they do because they're opposed to the abuse that goes on in factory farms, not because they have something against using animal products." For a good summary on this issue, among other things, I recommend Fast Food Nation. There are other books more specifically about this, but I haven't read them yet.

Personally, I'm convinced that Shem and Melchizedek are one and the same. And I agree with the following Ensign explanation of D&C 84 posted earlier, especially if the verse in question is read with the two following it: "On the other hand, there is a case for their being two distinct personalities. Many persons believe D&C 84:14 is proof that there are perhaps several generations between Melchizedek and Noah. The scripture says, 'Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah.' "If it does turn out that Shem and Melchizedek are the same person, this scripture should prove no stumbling block, because it could be interpreted to mean that priesthood authority commenced with Adam and came through the fathers, even till Noah, and then to Shem." Also, one of the more obscure definitions of "even" is "or more exactly" (taken from the Encarta Dictionary via Microsoft Word). Hence, the passages could possibly be reworded as "Melchizedek received it through the lineage of his fathers, or more exactly, from Noah to his fathers, including Enoch, Abel, etc," or maybe, "through the lineage of his fathers, starting at Noah..." These interpretations seem more plausible also when you compare verses 14-16 with the more precisely worded verses 6-12.

You sound a lot like me. Too bad we're both guys!

With this particular event, it's noteworthy that had God simply answered their requests in v. 7, those who had been bit would still die. However, with His answer/way provided, everyone could be saved.

Cool! I'll put these on my "To-read list." Regardless of my profile pic, I've had many doubts as to how "right" the US now is.

"...98,...99,...100!"

Allow me to thank you for this story, as I drink my Wild Cherry Pepsi!! I'm having way too much fun with these smilies!

And if you know everything, and are thus omniscient, then you are God. So from an intellectual or logical point of view, it is impossible to disprove the existence of God.

I'll separate these into specific events or time periods, and patterns/topics in history. Each group will be presented in no particular order of importance. Also, these are my interests, not necessarily areas of expertise: Time periods and places: -Anything after the Joseph Smith period. Now, I like that first period, but it's simply been done (and being done, with the Joseph Smith Papers), and in my opinion it has been covered disproportionately with the rest of Church History. If you don't believe me, look at the institute manual (or any Church History manual/booklet). -Regional studies, particularly after the 19th century. Especially the Philippines, since I served my mission there. -Brigham Young's presidency. I know it falls under the first one, but it holds particular interest to me. -The Apostolic Fathers. I know this isn't part of our dispensation (or probably any dispensation), but I think it serves as an important link between us and the New Testament times/teachings. Patterns/topics: -Scriptural history, including apocryphal and pseudopigraphical writings, versions and editions of scriptures, etc. Also, important works of the latter-days that aren't necessarily scriptural (Lectures on Faith--though that technically used to be scripture--, Voice of Warning, etc). -Biography of prophets and apostles, and perhaps important scholars. -Missionary work/programs.

I have certainly found a positive correlation between joy and caring for others, which I suppose is our ultimate duty. Boy, wasn't that an emotional way of putting it, ha! I think the times I have cared more for/about others (either God, people, animals, etc; especially God) than for myself have been the most joyful times for me.

The one common factor I've noticed about anti-Mormons (not necessarily former members) is that they all deny the Holy Ghost in some way or another. I can't say that they all commit the unforgivable sin, but they all try to cast doubt on the workings of the Holy Ghost. I guess it's their last offense, seeing as how our testimonies are our last or ultimate defense.

:deadhorse: If I understand correctly, society in general used to view sexuality more in terms of behavior and action, rather than feelings and attraction (at least this was according to my sociology textbook). Eventually this changed, probably around the 60's. For some people however, including me, the old definition is still being used when talking about sin; hence the many misunderstandings that come up. I'm sure some people still think the attraction itself is the sin, but I believe people are becoming more informed in this regard.

jb789... I think you have the right ideas, personally, but I will add a little more. Like Traveler said, any resistance we have to temptation will be through the grace of God (the Atonement). So the Atonement and the gospel (faith) are definitely the "escapes" mentioned by Paul. Like Paul said, God provides the means (if we have faith in Him). This can be considered the "enabling" power of the Atonement, so we never have to fail or give in. But if we do fail at times, we need not give up (though that itself is certainly a powerful temptation). Also, when you examine those two scriptures together, we can also consider prayer, humility, vigilance, etc, (all acts of faith) as the escape which happens to come before the temptation occurs. Remember also this scripture: "And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." --1 Nephi 15: 23-24. Hence, if we aren't committing sins of omission, then we will constantly be receiving grace day by day, and when the temptations come, we might not even consider them to be tempting anymore. I believe we will always need the power of the Atonement in this life, and we ought not even worry about if we are "strong" enough of our own accord. We will never be truly "independent," like the Lectures on Faith describes, until we become like God Himself, and that certainly won't be in this life.

In reply to the OP... I understand the distinctions you are making, and I will respond according to my understanding. First, God is certainly infinite as far as His existence is concerned, and so are we, as others have pointed out. Second, I'm not sure if "immortal" is the right word to use for what you are describing (actually I'm not sure if any such word exists, in English at least). Whatever the word is, I think it accurately describes God's position as God, as well as His attributes, power, etc. In other words, as Joseph Smith taught, God was not always as He is now, but He went through the experience of mortality on another world (probably in another universe entirely), resurrection, etc. So His Godhood had a beginning, but it will not end. I suspect there's far more that we don't know about these things than what we do know, like Arnolt pointed out.

I know this was a year ago, but I'll reply anyway. "The priesthood is there for us to do god's work, I doubt that if Moses wanted to part the red sea just to part the red sea, the red sea would obey him." Doesn't the same hold true for all of Christ's miracles and prayers? Surely He never did anything contrary to the will of the Father. The same rule applies to both Christ and ourselves, so it cannot be an adequate argument that Christ was not fully human. And honestly, I think finding any distinction between us and Christ is ultimately moot. God, mankind, angels, in our belief system are these not the same species? The differences lie in quality of attributes, rather than type of being. Also, the Roman soldier pierced the Savior through the heart after He was already dead.

I definitely agree about the East Germany chapters. I read the book a while ago, so I don't remember many of the details, only that I enjoyed it. It sounded like (if I remember correctly) most of his family, growing up, was less active, and some might have been nonmembers; fortunately, they also sounded like good, genuine people, much to his (and our) benefit. My favorite thing about him is that he has his head on straight. In other words, he knows what the most important things are in life, and we could definitely use an example from someone like that. How many of the worlds problems could be solved if more people had the same priorities!

Actually, there are two resources. The first is Cumorah.com - International Resources for Latter-day Saints., a great site for international info on missionary work. If you're familiar with some countries, though, you can see that some of the data are several years out of date, and I'm not sure how often things are updated; I guess it depends on feedback demand or something. Still, the site is worth it. Included on the site is the book "Law of the Harvest: Practical Principles of Effective Missionary Work," available in both html and pdf. I ended up buying a hard copy via Amazon, since I prefer reading an actual book (and ironically it smells like cigarette smoke ). It's 400+ pages long. The two main drawbacks are that it can be repetitive, and there's no index:mad:; still, the content more than makes up for this. The most interesting, sometimes revolutionary, parts are the ideas on how to use the Book of Mormon, and the entire 3rd section of the book on leadership. I'm about 75 percent done with the book, so if I find anything else noteworthy enough, I will add it later. In conclusion, I think the book should be mandatory reading for leaders, or at least mission presidents. Any other members would certainly benefit from it. Enjoy!