JodyTJ

I am getting mine with the thumb tabs. I have trouble finding certain books in a normal Bible. Imagine having to find a specific book or verse in the Quad.. I'm not to sure if the quality is different between stimulated or genuine leather, I'd like to know as well. Are you getting the new August edition, or are you getting the 1981 edition of the scriptures?

Ontario comes in at a close second. xD I think Thomas S. Monson worked in Canada for some time.

I've been reading the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. Currently I am reading A Storm of Swords.

I can say without a doubt in my mind, that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is true. I've prayed about it, read the Book of Mormon (not all, only about 1/5 through), and I have come to the conclusion this church is the restored church. I've said this a lot in my posts on the board, but I think I should explain myself more. I don't understand some critics who say the church is false and that Joseph Smith's a fraud. He wasn't. How could a young man, with minimal education, organize a church like this, and also translate the Book of Mormon? There's no way anyone could write the Book of Mormon so beautifully, unless they were a prophet of God. The Bible is another perfect example of that. Also, I don't think one man could organize such a great church like this, unless they were a prophet, which is what Joseph Smith was. The critics can keep on saying there's no proof for the Book of Mormon (there is, but our Heavenly Father hasn't revealed it yet) and Joseph Smith made it all up. They have no proof, and we Latter-day Saints do. I respect their opinions, but they have no basis, imo. I truly believe that God directed Joseph Smith to restore His church. No one can deny that this church has done a lot for the world and is doing more and more each and everyday. Also, God has given us a great gift: living prophets. I think Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, and he is a huge inspiration in my life. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.

I think the 65,000 companies are church owned companies around the world, I don't believe they are used for meetings. Not 100% sure on that. And yes, that's correct.

I feel like an idiot now. Thank you for clarifying that for me. I'm not sure how many wards are in the meetinghouse I am going to attend.

More like 15 million listed members. I would actually say 7-8 million active, another 1-3 million who consider themselves Mormon. But you're probably right about the 3 million with a steady income. And not to mention some millionaire members (such as Mitt Romney, Marriott, etc). Personally, I am fine with how the church uses its money. It does what it thinks is right. I'm not going to question their choices.

You're right on the money. And, I think Toronto thinks it's the epicentre of the universe. I like Ontario, lots of Mormons live here, roughly 51,000 (and growing!). xD I went on the meetinghouse locator on LDS.org, and there's three close meetinghouses. One is a ward, the others are branches (I am going to the ward, since it's closer).

So, what you're saying is the amount of congregations the church has is much larger than the reported meetinghouses? If that's the case, that's welcome news. :)

My parents are, I guess, agnostic? They do believe God exists, they just don't like the concept of going to church and living a Christian lifestyle. Personally, I have studied with Jehovah's Witnesses, and talked to Pentecostals. So, like yourself, I've looked around. But I think the LDS Church is where I should be. I truly believe the Holy Ghost is guiding me towards this church.

It is building more, roughly 300 a year, which is great. It just seems odd to me that the other churches have more congregations then us. I just thought, since we're a large church, we'd have more churches around the world.

Yeah I know. But I mean, some people have to drive a long way to get to church. I would think having more meetinghouses would be better, at least for people in Africa, Latin America and Asia. But wouldn't you agree that the church needs more meetinghouses? Especially in areas that need it.

I've been looking over the statistics for 2012 and I've noticed something that bugs me. With nearly 15 million members, we only have 29,014 wards and branches. If that is the case, then each meetinghouse has around 300-500 members. That is huge. I took a look at two other churches that are growing fast: the Seventh-day Adventists and the Jehovah's Witnesses. Here's what I've noticed: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Members: 14,782,473 (as of 2012) Meetinghouses: 29,014 (average 500 members) Baptisms per year: 341,127 The Seventh-day Adventist Church: Members: 17,214,683 (as of 2011) Churches: 71,048 (average 300-400 members) Baptisms/Professions of Faith per year: 1,050,785 Jehovah's Witnesses Members: 7,782,346 (peak) / 7,538,994 (average) (as of 2012) Kingdom Halls: 111,719 (average 75-120 members) Baptisms per year: 268,777 As you can see, both the Seventh-day Adventists and the Jehovah's Witnesses have more churches then we do, and the Jehovah's Witnesses have less members. Realistically, to have a comfortable amount of members in each meetinghouse, we would need close to what the Adventists have. Maybe 60,000 meetinghouses? A lot of people in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America have no access to the internet. They would know nothing about the LDS Church. If, however, there were more meetinghouses, people would notice and say "hey, that looks interesting, I want a tour" or something like that. I also think activity rates would skyrocket, as well as baptisms. Many Mormons have to drive many miles to get to church and some just give up. If we had more meetinghouses, more people would come since it would be closer. Our church is continuing to grow (very fast), so wouldn't it be wise to have a lot more meetinghouses? Sources: LDS Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership Adventist.org: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church About Jehovah’s Witnesses

I was just about to write the same thing as this. This explains me as well (except mental issues, I did suffer from depression though). Maybe you could try to read the scriptures more with your daughter? I know after reading the Bible or the Book of Mormon, I feel a sense of peace. I feel better about everything.

You're probably right. I'm basically going to let it be known to them that I am 19, and it's ultimately my choice. They don't have to come to my baptism if they don't want to (it would be nice if they did), or join the church. I think their biggest fear is that I will also try to convert them and become a "religious nut," or something like that. And none of that will happen. I'll make it clear to the missionaries and other members that my parents want nothing to do with the Church. Obviously if my parents have a change of heart, I will gladly help them join, but if they don't want to, that doesn't bug me. I am aware that I am an adult, and I strongly believe I can make my own decisions (please don't get the idea I'm one of those young adults who's still stuck in a 15 year old mentality), but I do respect my parents. I just really love this church, and don't want anyone to stop me joining it.

Really? Well, I guess Ontario really is the centre of the universe, I really thought all of Canada did that.

I'm not doing it to stick it to them or use the church to gain independence, far from it. It's just my parents tend to overreact, and that's what I am nervous about.

You're 100% right. I think I will tell my mother, since she'd take the news lighter. My step father is the biggest obstacle... he's loud and doesn't let anyone's opinion be heard. He's also Dutch, so he's pretty stubborn. I expect my mother to argue a little bit with me, but soon as I tell her I'm an adult, and it's my decision, I think she may open up to it. Maybe.

I don't think they'll kick me out of the house... they don't hate the LDS Church that much.

That's exactly how I feel, and since I am 19, I can make the decision to get baptized.

I think the main reasons for them not liking the church is: 1) the door knocking, 2) they don't believe in the Book of Mormon, and think it's a joke and, 3) they say because I was born Catholic, I should stay Catholic.

haha I'm buying it off of Deseret Book because I am also buying the biography of Thomas S. Monson. Not sure if the LDS Store has that though.

I'm 19 years old, and live with my parents (like very 19 year old), and my parents are, to say the least, are not fans of the LDS Church. My parents often confuse Mormons with Jehovah's Witnesses, and are annoyed when a missionary or a Witness comes to the door. I obviously know the differences (they are huge), but never argued with them. When I first ordered a copy of the Book of Mormon, they didn't know. However, when the missionaries came, they were mad. My parents told me to tell the missionaries to never come back, and I did, grudgingly. Anyways, after close to a year of secretly learning more about the Church, I've finally taken the step to meet the missionaries..... secretly. I don't want them to find out, because they will put a stop to me being converted. Should I just tell them, or should I tell them after the fact? Or should I not tell them at all, or sometime later in the future, when I'm out of the house?

I'm buying my Quad this Saturday from Deseret Book (via its website), and I'll most likely buy the regular. Don't worry about the thickness, I think you'll get used to it. I know I will.

The Book of Mormon has answered a lot of questions I've had thus far. I'm almost half through 1 Nephi, and it's really just a phenomenal story. I am ordering my Quad from Deseret Book this Saturday (gotta get a gift card, since I have no credit card), and I'll have all of the LDS canon of scripture. xD I think the missionaries are going to be a bit surprised at how ready I am. :)