Olivesmom

The reason "God said no" isn't enough is because often it seems like that prophecy or revelation was used to support a self serving idea or principle. I have a hard time believing when logic tells me that perhaps this person decided a testimony from God was an easy way to justify their desires.

I have not prayed about it. I have given it lots of thought in an attempt to figure it all out. I feel this unexplainable urge in my heart that the LDS Church is where we need to be. This feeling is new to me, I've don't know that I've ever felt it before. It almost brings me to tears, not in an upset way. It is hard for me to explain. I will pray, BUT I think I still need an explanation. My heart is ready to accept all of this, but my head isn't.

I'm considering joining the LDS Church and have been reading about the Church on and off for the past few weeks, so it is all still new to me. One of the ideas that sound strange to me is the whole prophecy thing, specifically in the WoW. I won't lie, I love my coffee drinks so I'm sure that's part of my motivation here's but Im having a hard time with the "no hot drinks" thing. First if all I fail to see that rationalization behind it. More importantly though, i struggle with accepting it (and the Wow as a whole) because it seems to me that it was one guy's idea of things and then he decided to make it law by saying it was a prophecy from the Lord. When reading I came across something that stated Joseph Smith amd Emma were tired of having to clean up after the men who would chew and smoke tobacco so Joseph decided to have a rule against it. And later Joesph has a prophecy that upheld that decree. Well gosh, how convenient. Now the Lord bans it too. I don't know, it just seems all too self serving- which is how I feel about much of what Joseph Smith did. Before anyone jumps all over me I will admit, I have been reading on anti sites. I also have been reading here and on other pro-Mormon sites. I can accept that Joseph Smith was a man, thus flawed at times. However, I just don't know if I can believe much or anything really, because it seems like Joseph Smith (and other church leaders) would use a testimony from God as a way to get what they wanted. The WoW, Kirtland bank scandal, polygamy?, maybe even Joseph's testimony in the first place? I'm just not sure. It seems all too easy to say that "God told me so". The thing is though, I want to believe. I want to find a way for all of this to be explained. I feel very strongly that the LDS Church will save my family. I feel this so strongly that I'm almost at the point of saying none of this details matter because; the Church does good, will being me closer to God, cause us to act more Christ like, will save my husband and our marriage, and will strengthen our family. Those things mean more to me than the specifics of what Joseph Smith did, or how he did them. But then I get this nagging feeling. I want answers. I want this to all be explained so that I can wrap it all up neatly not only to appease myself, but the countless friends and family whom i expect we will take heavy criticism from. Thanks in advance for your advice, I really appreciate it!

Hi, I've been interested in the LDS Church for sometime now and I'm considering attending and learning more. I have a lot of questions, some more theoligical, but for now I'll start with some of the more logistical ones I have. I'm married with two young kids and this journey is just mine right now. It is possible that my husband might join me at a later date, but for now it would be the kids amd I attending church. My husband also tends to work weekends, so even if he wanted to go with us he could only attend maybe once or twice a month at best. I watched the little YouTube video explaining the church service, so I see that my kids would be with me during the first part. My concern is managing them. My kids are pretty well behaved, but I have a 3 year old daughter and an 18 month old son. My daughter might sit fairly quietly, but my son is a different story. Like most 18 month olds he wants to run around and won't understand that he needs to sit quietly. I'm worried about being new and causing a scene. Do other people bring small toys and books to keep their young kids entertained, or is this frowned upon? Even with toys I don't think my son will be too quiet. I struggle to keep him entertained during my daughters hour long ballet class, in which he has lots of toys and snacks to keep him occupied. Not to mention he is able to run around the waiting area. Also, after the first service would my kids go to sunday school, or would they go with me to to the next meeting? And lastly, attire. I have plenty of appropriate skirts and dresses for my daughter and myself, but not a lot of dressier things for my son. Besides jeans and sweats I think he has maybe one pair of corduroy slacks. Would it be okay for him to wear the cords and a sweater? I just don't have dressier things for him, he is a big boy and needs elastic waistbands and such- dress slacks don't seem to fit him right now. Thanks is advance for your help!