M_T_E

When it comes to heavy drinkers, just as Star_ said. They have to want to change, whether it be through hitting rock bottom, having a major change in life, or on the rare occasion of simply opening their own eyes and coming to the realization of their self destructive habits. I had a period of time where I was a heavy drinker, but I wouldn't of considered myself an alcoholic. Then that one special person came back into my life and saved me from myself so to speak. That was my life altering event. Now its rare I touch an alcoholic drink beyond a birthday or family get together. AA has worked wonders on one of my friends, but he had the desire to change and better himself. He also got involved with his old church again (Baptist) which gave him a great deal of spiritual support too. Wanting to return to church is a good first step.

I couldn't imagine you brushing the dust off that button very often.

Thinker I saw was banned after asking why I felt I was Agnostic. Not sure the real reasons behind his departure were. Is there such a thing as an 'unban' button?

Thank you! Not sure how I ended up posting this under the advice board.

This is a touchy subject to many I assume, I apologize but I haven't taken the time to read all 11 pages worth of replies before giving my own insight. I had a friend who was convicted in his early teen years, he was a victim himself. He was fortunate enough to have been caught at a young age though and he entered a local treatment program that lasted two years for him. At first I judged him and so did my family, however as I watched him progress over those two years I eventually forgave him for what he did to his victim I learned a great deal from him about his mindset and what not. He has since been rehabilitated and been a productive member of society. He attended college, received a Bachelors and is now working at a marketing firm. He is an example of someone misguided and led astray at a young age because he was a victim himself. However... I knew one kid in high school that was a literal predator. When he got caught, word spread fast. I had known him, while we never talked much he was always a bit of an odd ball and just gave me weird vibes. Turns out he had 26 victims. He served time and when I was attending a community college his photograph popped up on the boards and a warning to not leave children unattended around him, The way I see it when it comes to people who have taken this path in life, some can be shown the error of their ways and learn, ask for forgiveness and try to make things right. Others, will never change.

I have yet to physically sit down with missionaries in my area. I met two sisters at the Portland Temple on my first visit who provided me with a copy of the Book of Mormon, and I have spent time reading through 1 Nephi. Beyond this forum I have also sought out information through missionaries online, via chat and Facebook. I hope when the time comes that I do meet in real life, that it is as insightful as your visit was. =]

Truth be told I never went out looking for the one, rather I went about my life normally and waited for her to show up. God works wonders, because eventually one day the one did show up for me. It was a rocky road at first I must say, but couple years down the road we are officially a couple and deeply love each other. Many of my friends ended up seeking relationships or the one, which I never did. They found often rebounds and heartbreak. I say go about your life normally, and wait for the one to cross your path because when you finally do, in your heart you'll just know. My girlfriend saved me from myself, she is my support. I stopped my drinking when she came back into my life after our rocky road and she is my motivation to always be a better person. And she showed me I can actually truley love. That's my two cents.

I invite all to share their testimonies on this post. I have heard and had several shared with me, and would like to hear more. Thanks!

Regardless of how good you are as a snow driver it is better to be safe than sorry. I have a 4WD Full Time Jeep GC, in the random event my area gets peppered I have no problem driving in deep snow, or well... any kind of snow really. FWD may handle better than RWD in snow, but I'd rather not take chances and be the one in the ditch. Eventually it gets to the point where you need that AWD and you kinda kick yourself over it.

Two Sister Missionaries who spoke their testimonies to me were both brought to tears during such. I haven't received many testimonies, but I can imagine it is a feeling of great joy to those who give their own, so alas, tears of joy.

I know that Mountain View High School in Vancouver, WA does a Release Seminary. One of my best friends while growing up was very active in the church and did do this. And it is nearly next to the actual school as well. I am not sure about the other schools in the area though.

As I read this book more and more a part of me feels deep down that I have already read all of this scripture in the past, despite the fact that I have never laid eyes upon the contents of this book until I first received it in late December. It's a bit odd of a feeling, not sure where itll lead me. Seems as though there are many lessons to learn from this book.

What's everyone's opinions on Thomas S. Monson? I don't know a whole lot about him, but seems like a very able bodied prophet in good health. Watched a couple clips at the Portland Temple Visitors Center when I had my first visit down there.

At this point I have read 1 Nephi 1 - 1 Nephi 10 several times over, going to likely continue forward several chapters tonight since I have a few hours to myself at my place. But I can see that in every chapter so far there seems to be one or two lessons involved.

I looked more into the former Prophets and for some reason I had believed they all had taken on long terms before passing on, but I was wrong. Howard W. Hunter was among the shorter termed ones.

Comparative religion class? Sounds like a very interesting course. I was mostly driven to learn about religions because I found the vast differences in beliefs to be very interesting. Especially someone is very dedicated and firmly believes. Alot of my friends in my high school years were the typical "I am a Christian" for a month then right back to smoking weed and being low life's, so I didn't have alot of dedication around me. When they would get on their kicks I would often quiz them on things and well they were usually dumbfounded and had no answers... Apparently the at peace feeling I have experienced now twice while on Temple grounds is the Holy Spirit. I took my girlfriend out to see the Portland Temple yesterday, we also visited a Catholic Garden and Buddhist "Shrine". This time though that feeling lasted for a bit after leaving Temple grounds. Got better photographs this time though.

Another question for those of you who served missions. What was your overall experience like? What were the difficulties that you had? The good experiences? And how many people did you help convert? Beyond going around and preaching the gospel, what other activities did you do? I have seen Missionaries often help with humanitarian work as well?

A little bit of jealously shows that you care, but I always think of jealousy more like a weed in a garden of roses. You let it fester and grow, it will consume you and eventually kill everything in the beautiful garden. If you quickly pull it at the roots though things will be fine.

Family comes first to me, even if this was someone I did not see very often I would still make the effort to attend because despite not being active in any religion, I know that ones baptism is a big special event.

We took our tree down shortly after New Years. The tree at my parents, which is much bigger and nicer looking... Is still up. Always a shame when you put all that work into the tree and take it down quickly. In my complex in the early morning hours of Dec 26th the dumpster was already full of trees... Crazy.

I apologize for the lack activity, life tends to keep me on awkward and random schedules that change on a dime these days! When I am not on my phone I usually use public wifi, though at this point I am considering using internet from home again because of my studies. Another question, what if supposedly the President was to pass away unexpectedly, and the next in line to fill in at that point was a bit frail and ones ability to take over was in question. How would that effect the process? And also, from what I drew from 1 Nephi 1 and 1 Nephi 2 was two underlying messages. One, that you are in fact blessed in this life, regardless of what trials and hardships you face throughout your life. After all, I have always believed you have the downs in life so you can always truly enjoy the ups. And Two, to be courageous and represent God regardless of whatever persecution and ridicule you receive from others. I can imagine it also serves as a very motivational message for Mormons, given your history of basically being shunned by society long ago, and in a way still to this day. Any thoughts on what I concluded?

Go with your heart, thats what I say. I understand enough about the church at this point to know that serving a mission is a very big thing, if it is something that you will look back on and regret not doing when you are older then you should seriously consider pursuing that path. Especially if you have no issues with resuming where you left off with your work, college, ect after your mission is complete.

As a guy, I would admit that has to be a pretty awesome way to get baptized.

I can imagine it just like the polar bear plunge we did in Boy Scouts when we did our winter camping trips, jumping into near frozen water for a merit badge was quite the challenge... And kind of horrific too haha

Officially finished with 1 Nephi 1 after reading it several times. Onward to Chapter 2 tomorrow. And another question, when we are born they say two things are inevitable. Death and Taxes, when an Apostle or the Prophet passes on, what is the process to find a successor like?