C_T_R

Members
  • Posts

    122
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

C_T_R's Achievements

  1. The best woman you can possibly attract? What does that mean? It sounds like you're looking for a woman that fits some sort of resume that you think is on your "level." Look for love. I mean love. Who cares if she's "above" you or "below" you if you buy into that jargon. I would say options, anywhere, are limited when you're looking for someone you're attracted to and compatible with on such a deep level. But then, I'm an idealist. It just sounds like, from your statement, you'd still be somehow settling because she would just be on your level.. and that there would be "better" women out there, but this is as good as you can get. I dunno, maybe you didn't mean that? Maybe you did. Just rubbed me wrong. Think about it.
  2. I don't know if you're doing this, but hear me out. Just from this post it sounds like you're going through the motions but it isn't affecting you like you're looking for. Truth be told I've heard of people going to every single meeting and every activity and just not getting into it spiritually. Maybe it's overload? Maybe you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself? It shouldn't be like that. Like this shouldn't be a stressful thing for you.. or anybody. God loves you.. He knows you.. and He's all about you taking your time to find out what works for you. That lapse into formalism (again, I'm not saying you're doing this) is so opposite of what it's about. Other than that, in all seriousness, (and you don't have to answer this, just think about it if it applies) how was/is your relationship with your earthly parents? That can have a _profound_ effect on how you feel about God, how you feel about talking to Him, and how you're able to understand answers. I know this one from personal experience. All I can say with that one is to, like one poster said, separate the church from the Gospel, go inside yourself and talk to God like He's your best friend. Tell Him your anxieties! Tell Him what parts of the church don't resonate or make sense to you. Talk to Him and don't worry about being formal!!!! Get real with Him, because He is real and He isn't snooty :) and that sounds like in jest or something but it's so not. If nothing else, find out that there is a God and that He *loves* you and *wants* with everything that He is to help you and to bless you and to make things easier. That doesn't always mean sunshine and rainbows.. but it can mean sunshine and rainbows even during tornados and hurricanes so to speak. If you're not ready to talk to the missionaries, don't! I'm sorry if that seems wrong to people here. But this should be comfortable for you! Yeah, we have to push ourselves but it sounds to me like you're trying to force it when it doesn't need to be and really it doesn't even work that way. Satan comes at both angles. He's black and white; he's all or nothing and he's been successful in driving people away by loading on the things they feel they *must* do to gain a testimony or to do God's will or what have you. Yuck! That scripture that's been quoted about God doesn't give us the spirit of fear? That is so good.. and so TRUE! I'm not sure what you mean by you don't think it's true but you feel it's true. But the fact is God speaks to our mind and our hearts. His Gospel is logical, and it's also spiritual. But it isn't logical to the world necessarily.. I mean I don't see how it isn't actually but whatev. It makes sense. Having said that, you need to worship God the way you feel right. Find what feels comfortable and right to you. Do I believe in the ordinances of the temple and of going to church? Yes I do. But I also feel like if you can't know and feel in your heart that this is real.. then those things are of little benefit. Just take it easy on yourself and study it out.. I mean really study it out. Don't just go through the motions. Oh, last thing I can think of -- are you doing anything that would block your mind from receiving light and truth? Or deaden your senses spiritually in any way? (Again not one you have to answer, just think about it) ((hugs))
  3. If you have a chemical imbalance and/or a personality disorder, get help. :)
  4. Why Mormon? I had a friend I met online when I was first diagnosed with a chronic illness I've suffered from the majority of my life. This person was a God-send at the time. I would wake up in the morning, roll over in bed, and find an email from her talking about her fight with the same illness, and telling me about her family. We discussed different ideas, and unorthodox methods of treating the symptoms that plagued us. She was the first to recommend a treatment I knew nothing about. But I went and got the pharmaceutical and started. It was pretty miraculous in its own right.. because it was like fitting pieces of the puzzle of my history together. It was almost like my brain was a camera lens brought into focus. But I was scared that I was taking this treatment that was for an entirely different issue, and one that can backfire for some. At that time I met another friend :) who said to me, "If it helps you, who cares if you have [the issue it mainly addresses]." So here's the thing.. I believe and really have come to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' teachings make my life better. They've taught me to treat people better, they've taught me to look at people differently. They've taught me how to find God, and have a personal relationship with Him. They've taught me how to treat my body so that I have the greatest chances of feeling well and avoiding health issues that I don't have to deal with through my choices. They've taught me how to love -- and I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I am motivated to become perfect someday through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. It's taught me the sweetness of putting off the natural man and how truly, "there's beauty in the breakdown." It's given me hope, compassion, love of my fellow man, and of myself. So, what I would say to anybody who questions whether it's real or is concerned that they'd become an example to others and teach them that this is the way to happiness, only to find out it's all bunk.. What if it is? If it makes your life better, if it makes you a better person, a calmer, happier person who lifts others in the process.. so what if it's not true? The thing about this is, I later came to find that I did in fact have the problem the drug was intended to address! And had I not taken that leap of faith, and listened to that wise, but simple counsel of my friend, I'd have never known what I was lacking. It has benefited my life in ways I never thought possible. I'm able to do things that I would have never been able to do and that's the truth. Just some thoughts that came to me earlier.
  5. Why am I a member of the church? I have no other answer to give you than: it's actually true. You get to find out when you make the decision to live by its high standards or not. You get to find out when you find out who God really is, and how He is there for you. Personal revelation is something we believe, but I also believe people who aren't members of the church receive some too. After baptism you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost who will be your constant companion if you live worthily. The church standards are a philosophy of living that isn't smiled upon in this world. The "stigma" is alive and well, and why is it? When people actually get to know what it is we're about.. it's all dispelled. But yeah, make no mistake that you're going to get heat for it. It's because it's true.. mixed with people not knowing or misunderstanding what it is we teach. The strict standards are for OUR happiness. They're called "commandments," yes. But all they are are ways to live to ensure real happiness, peace, revelation, seeing beyond this temporary mortal existence. I would advise you not to judge any religion, including Catholicism, by how some of its members behave. You said you suppose crap happens in every group, and I would say it happens everywhere period. You'll find Human Nature -- or the natural man -- everywhere you go. This church is no exception. What IS the exception is the *actual* Gospel of Jesus Christ. The feeling of the Holy Ghost, and of receiving personal revelation is clouded entirely by any substances you shouldn't be taking into your body. That isn't to say people that do them are bad. It's simply saying you won't be able to feel reality.. which, usually is the point of using them and I can appreciate that. But if people understood how much hope, and peace, I mean real peace you get from the truth.. there's no drug that can even compare. That isn't to say you're not going to have problems at all. It's hard to describe. It's like trying to describe the way salt tastes to someone who has never tasted it. If you're looking for evidence through our finite scientific methods, you won't find it on either side. But think about the Mormons you have met who seem different.. they have something that is rare in this day and age especially.. it's no secret what it is! You can find out why they choose to wait until marriage to have sex, why they abstain from other worldly things, and why they're happy even in the face of some pretty overwhelming circumstances. It's *real*. That isn't to get you to join, it isn't to say anything except that it's real. Having said that, God loves all His children. Personal revelation can be yours on your own.. though not the same without that gift.. it's still there. The beauty of the Church is that we embrace all truth no matter where it's found. Many religions have some excellent truths and they bring people closer to God and I embrace that. Research our beliefs, read the Book of Mormon, talk about it with missionaries and/or other church leaders. But most of all, talk to God about it. O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee. [Alma 22:15–18] Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. [D&C 88:63] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [James 1:5]
  6. If you think no woman will ever want you, then change that. Make yourself desirable. Make the necessary changes in your life so that you can love and respect yourself. You can't ask for anything from anyone that you can't offer in return.
  7. If eating meat is wrong, then I don't wanna be right. Totally kidding. I know it says to eat it sparingly. I think there's a reason we don't hear a lot about it.. It's an issue of moderation with everything. But eating meat (with skin) isn't bad. I think the goal of the WoW is to give guidelines for respecting your body. I would actually choose to be a vegetarian if my body would let me. I've often said if I was a dinosaur I'd be an herbavore. But the fact is I literally need it. My body has crazy allergies and there's only a few things I can actually eat. I think God is much more interested in how we treat others and how we work to overcome the natural man than anything else.
  8. I remember this clearly. It was attributed to authorities (Neal Maxwell? I was told it was Gordon Hinkley! lol), and from what I understood it was made by some random guest speaker at an Especially For Youth Summer program held at BYU. But that could be totally false too. In any case, I felt it was a bad quote personally. I can't recall the specific words to Google it but I would strongly advise you not to use it. We do have many real ones talking about how this generation is or will have to be the strongest yet or something to that effect. Good luck!
  9. I don't think it's an idiotic reason for people who have trust issues, and maybe even people who trust their spouses but look at the divorce rate and all the different forms infidelity takes in our day and age. The thought of my husband accepting gifts from another woman would be heart breaking for me. And P.S.? Looks don't have to be the determining factor. Maybe for men. Maybe I'm generalizing way too much. All I know is that if my husband had _thee_ raddest personality ever I'd be fah-reaked out he'd get all kinds of women after him (although I haven't met anyone like this so far :) ). And that song is a joke. Anyone who takes it seriously needs a vacation.
  10. I attended a high school with the high majority of students being LDS and I saw and experienced all kinds of crap. It's important to separate the gospel of Jesus Christ from a person who carries around the "label" of a Mormon. That doesn't necessarily mean anything.
  11. I can't offer advice without knowing any of the particulars.
  12. Unless the masseuse was doing something inappropriate, or you were thinking of inappropriate things, then there's no problem with it at all. Sexuality isn't something to be afraid of. It isn't a sin for your body to react to feeling good by ejaculating. Just let it pass through you, and know that sexuality is a gift from God, and when used appropriately is unlike anything the world has to say about it. Heh Satan's cheap knock-offs (eyerolls). K Tangent! Yeah, nothing wrong with getting aroused when nothing wrong is going on. :) Dare I say, enjoy it and then, let it go. If you continue to find that just massage, with no inappropriate behavior on your part or the part of the masseuse, is consistently causing that, I'd pray about it. If you feel comfortable, talk to your parents or bishop if you're unsure of what you feel in your prayers.
  13. Interesting. But I think it's a big supporter of my testimony, not only of God, but of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. huge, in fact. Like the above comment, God is committed to our freedom to choose. People's choices not only reflect their lives and happiness, but can affect whole countries of people. Look at Nicaragua, and how socialism *never* works for the people. All the money goes right to the top, and that is it. I feel overwhelmed at the conditions of our brothers and sisters in these impoverished countries. However, look at what they have that we don't. You can't see most of it, because God does His best work, and is able to work the most incredible "miracles" in extremity. Those people, at least some, don't have to deal with the issues we face with the internet and all the things that fill up our time, our valuable time, that could be spent on better things. Also? Think of these countries.. these cultures.. one thing I really admire, and wish that I had is a culture. Traditions, parties and that closeness with their community and families. That's not small, you know? I mean when you look at it, in a lot of ways they live a far richer life. In MANY ways, we do. But what keeps those people going in the midst of all the negative we can see? Why, when I went down to Central America and saw with my own eyes this unbelievable poverty, did I see genuinely happy people.. they weren't "clean" and they worked hard just to eat, but they had a purity about them that I wish I had myself. Why the devastations and the natural disasters that rip families apart, and communities and claim the lives of so many? Helaman 12:3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. And why would He want us to remember him? Why the commandments? God is consistent; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He sent His only begotten Son.. His only child to pay the ransom for us all.. and why did that need to take place? Because of his commitment to our free agency. That we can choose for ourselves what it is we want. The commandments are not there for us like perhaps your parents in this live laid down rules. He has no ulterior motives but for your freedom, and your happiness. That's -it.- We all face trials in this life that are so intense.. they can make or break us.. and with the Lord's help they can be turned for our good. This life is so short. It's an illusion. Satan is the god of this world and he *wants* everyone to suffer, to starve, or to overindulge. He knows that his sadistic work will never bring him happiness, but if he can take away other's, that's what he wants. God allows this to happen because this is a time of testing, a time of learning to discern between good and evil and choose which one we truly want. I am grateful for the hell I've been through in my life, and what I face even now, and I'll tell you why: Because I've come to know my Savior through them. It *seems* like a paradox that having sore trials could make someone HAPPY and STRONG, but truly, the trial of no trials is worse. I know that if I keep the commandments nothing will overtake me: 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I believe you can substitute trial for temptation in this as well. Through God's grace, we are able to "reach breaking points without breaking."(Neal Maxwell) I'm grateful that He has given me the opportunity for pain, for suffering to the point that I have felt I cannot go on, because that is when I have seen with my own eyes that there is a God, and not just that, but one that loves every single one of us so deeply. He is in the details of our lives, each and every one of our lives. I will never understand that "excuse" for people being disbelieving. It seems like Lucifer's logic.. If we didn't have suffering, and everyone was doing well, there would be no need for faith, for individuality, for a test, just a body. But if you believe that this life is it; That here isn't any more, then it would be sad for us all in our individual circumstances. Every single one of us. I'd've thrown in the towel YEARS ago lol. It's lazy thinking to believe in that kind of rhetoric. No, God is there. He gives us, and allows certain things to happen to us FOR us, and while He is there every step of the way, giving us support, indeed every breath, he wants us to pick up our crosses, and to have faith in Him. Hebrews 12: 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. So in summation, I'd use Nephi's words in 1 Nephi 11:17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. But knowing that God *loves* his children lets me know that whatever the circumstance, it'll be made right, and will also be used for their good, IF they allow it to be.
  14. It IS going to be a relief. I mean if you believe it, if you love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, if you want to get back to enjoying life... that is what fun is! :)
  15. To the first paragraph -- are you suggesting that what you've been going through for 8 years is worse than what the Savior went through? To the second -- But If Not ? - general-conference