CiVi

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  1. The Atonement doesn't have a deadline. Yeah, it's terrifying to talk to your bishop about something you did wrong, but you have to realize that things can only get better from there. The longer you wait, the worse you will feel; but once you talk to him and truly commit to the repentance process, then it is ALL behind you. Repentance isn't about just admitting guilt, it's about healing and getting closer to humility and perfection!!! And if there is any Church where you will NOT be condemned for making mistakes by your leaders, it is THIS ONE. As a convert, I'm continuously astounded by how readily members admit to past sin and how many have turned to the bishop at one point or another with blatant honesty about what they did wrong. But that's because they don't have to be ashamed any longer. Because the Atonement and your participation in it makes any weakness or mistake into a future advantage. Moreover, out of all of the experiences I've ever heard shared- anonymously or not- I have never heard of anyone ever feeling shame or regret about going to their bishop. It is always portrayed by the Church and by the people who have gone through it as a spiritual victory, which it is. So start honoring your status as an irrevocable child of God and priesthood holder and work up the courage to open up to your bishop. This is a matter of your soul, and there is only one way to win. Future you will love you for it.
  2. As a convert who had missionary discussions for months, I think telling the missionaries about any problem you're having is a good idea. Honestly, the missionaries are young, but they have God on their side. Every single time I had an issue, I would convince myself that they shouldn't know or didn't need to know, be bothered by it, then let it slip to them. And every single time, the answers and help they provided made me wish I would have had the bravery to talk to them sooner. It isn't because they had all the life experience to help me with infinite wisdom; it was because they were in touch with the Holy Spirit and ready to do God's work. I think they can help you a lot. I go to them for help with big problems even now (after, of course, foolishly deliberating for too long), and I am never disappointed in what they have to offer.
  3. I had this problem too, and I noticed that it was really helpful if I look for and list all the things that make me happy or that I should be grateful for at each possible moment. I treated it like a game of Where's Waldo? and eventually it just became a habit, when something good was happening, to immediately and consciously note it, no matter how small the blessing would seem to the outside world. I think music is a great mood-changer as well. Church music always seems to turn my heart around.
  4. I have a friend who is really eager to make steps toward finding the truth, but his main obstacle is that he can't seem to pray with (in his words) "an open heart" which I've guaranteed him will provide an answer. He wants to learn how to be more open to the possibility of God and the opportunity to communicate with Him, and I can't seem to find many resources on the subject. Does anybody know any good Church sources (videos, articles, etc.) to share with him? Thanks!
  5. I've only been in the Church for a few months, and I have logistics questions that I'm just too embarrassed not knowing to ask anyone in my ward. I'm in college in another state now, and this is where I got baptized, but I'm going home for the summer for about three months. Am I supposed to move my records and become an official part of the singles ward there for that period of time, or do I just leave everything as is? Also, somebody mentioned that I should get my temple recommend from the bishop here before I go, because, even though I have been a member for less than a year, I am still eligible to do baptisms for the dead. Is this valid? And should I do this? Obviously, I want to enter the temple ASAP , but I don't even know how to prepare or what I need to do or have to actually perform ordinances there. I hear people talking like they go not prepared with their own names, but all I ever read is that we can only do direct-line ancestors. I don't even know where to begin on how to plan to go to the temple. Any help you guys could give would be greatly appreciated!
  6. I happen to know for a fact that there are transgendered people in the Church. Their uniqueness of their situations are handled with the care they deserve by Church leaders, through love and the influence of the Spirit just like everything else. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is for absolutely everyone with a willing heart. If you believe, don't let fear stand in your way. Talk to the missionaries and Church leaders, and, if other members don't accept you as readily as they should, don't ever let that discourage you on this pursuit of His Truth. You're on the right track, I guarantee it.
  7. I'm a recent young convert, and my dad is already a little cynical of organized religion, but is definitely more worried about what is going to happen to me now that I'm LDS. (Though he is really nice about it, his views worry that it is cultish, secretive, and will demand a lot from me.) On the bright side, he wants to educate himself about it!!!! He said he will look at/read any resources that I send him. (I believe, however, that the line is drawn at Book of Mormon.) So this is my one chance- or, rather, my couple of chances- to not only relieve his fears, but also to convince him of the validity of my Church (all the reasons sane people would join it). So if you have any scholarly or religious book recommendations, general conference or other talks, or really any resource I can refer him too that would be considered a valid and reasonable source, I'd really appreciate it! In particular, I'm looking for things that don't necessarily go into deeper doctrine (because unless you have the basics down, those can seem pretty outlandish; and why wouldn't they when they are so much greater than us now?), things that humanize the Church, outside (and educated) perspectives that speak positively of the organization of the Church and/or it's members, and things that provide arguments about how this Church is truer/better without going into unique revelation. Thanks so much!
  8. I normally wouldn't ask this at all, but a friend who has been a member all her life suggested it, so I would really like to know if this is a legitimate possibility. I know that photographs are not allowed during the baptism. I assumed it was solely for reverence or protection purposes, but my member friend believes (I think) that it is mainly concerning the recording aspect. So, she wants me to ask if she can be "at" my baptism through Skype. I feel really awkward asking about it if it is an obvious no, so I wanted to see if anyone knew anything about it on here before I brought it up with the missionaries. If there is any possibility that she can be part of it in any way, it would mean the world to me. I just moved to go to college 2000 miles away a few months ago, so the people in my ward, though friendly and good, aren't the friends who brought me to this point. For years, my friend and I have been building a friendship of an eternal nature (Doctrine & Covenants 18:15), and this is a huge leap that I would love for her to directly witness or be a part of. Any ideas/answers/input would be wonderful! Thanks!
  9. So, I am technically an investigator with a baptism date set for a few weeks in the future. I just turned 18 a couple of months ago, and, though I have been living by church standards for years, I wasn't allowed to formally pursue it until I left home for college. Now, of course, I am having to talk to my Catholic mom about this; I don't expect enthusiasm or whole-hearted support, but I just don't want her to be scared or to feel pushed away. My mom and I have a wonderful and loving relationship, and this hasn't estranged us at all. Unfortunately, she is content to accept whatever people who dislike the church tell her, she is suspicious about because she "doesn't know anything about it" and doesn't want to look into herself more, and, though she is a strong Catholic and actively practices her faith, she doesn't prioritize organized religion the same way I and other members of my family do (i.e. she thinks family comes first- more practically than spiritually- and that it takes precedence over certain supposed obligations). I know all the explanations, placations, and arguments I can offer her. What I am looking for are concrete sources that I can look at and/or send her in regards to her doubts: -examples of nonmember families (especially moms) accepting temple marriage and not feeling excluded -reasons and explanations as to why Mormons are Christians (and really good ones at that) -testimonies from nonmormons about how mormons are Christians/ good people/ a quality culture/ a good church (this would be even better from Catholics) -articles, etc. (especially from nonmormons) that dispel common misconceptions about the mormon church or note why the temple is a normal and good thing -reasons why it's important to get baptized (from individuals that seem authentic and relatable for her) Any help or things you can think of would be much appreciated!!!