priesthoodpower

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Im not disagreeing with anyone, im open minded and am just enjoying the entertainment of this thread.

Cant wait for another Dillon post to see if NightSG continues his streak of liking every single one of them.

from a commentor that posted in the comment section of DN "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"

We were at a ward BBQ in the churchs parking lot a few years back and a water ballon fight broke out. Our EQ president was hunched over helping his 5yr old daughter tie a water balloon. A couple of youth boys (14yr olds) came running out of nowhere with a bucket of water to douse him, at the very last second our EQ pres. grabbed his daughter and used her as a shield. Courageos? hardly. Smart? maybe

When my wife left the church 6 yrs ago I wanted to share with everyone (family and ward members) how and why it happened. Why? so that we as a faith community can learn the tricks that satan uses on each and every one of us. I also wanted others to know that we all go through trials and Its ok to have trials, you are not being punished by the lord etc. It wasnt long till I realized that the people that wanted to know why my wife was no longer attending church didnt really need to know, and the ones that do need to know are to afraid to ask. So I decided to join this forum and share my stories (anonymously) because chances are the ones that do need to know are actively searching for help and could find solace here. Although we as the common members may never know the reasons behind disciplinary actions within our church, I do find comfort in knowing that our leaders are aware of the trials we face and are pleading with the Lord for solutions.

With this same reasoning is why we shouldnt be so close minded when we hear about a lady that says she talks to rocks. When she told me this I didnt literally picture her having a two way conversation with a rock, I understood that she probably feels its energy and receives inspiration when being around rocks, similar to when my bishop told me he likes to climb to the top of mountains and feel nature speak to him.

If the resurrected Jesus was face to face with the ancient prophets in the Book of Mormon and the resurrected Jesus along with God was face to face with a modern day prophet (Joseph Smith) why cant any other modern day prophet have the same? Granted its not on a regular weekly meeting type face-to-face but if you ask me have our modern day prophets ever met God face to face I wouldnt say no.

Or turn it into bread and eat it.

Thanks for providing the link, I should have known better to search myself before posting. I think the historical teachings of reincarnation (as found in Hindu/Buddhist religions) do indeed go against LDS doctrine but I think reincarnation can very well fit into the gospel of Jesus Christ in one-way/shape or form. I dont want to go off topic and it would be to much to type in order to explain myself but my own personal info is probably best for my own personal self. I wouldnt be so close minded, after all, many critics of our church say we are delusional to believe that our prophet speaks face to face with God.

food for thought: I met a woman in her 60's that recently moved into my area after living in Washington state most her life. She all of a sudden felt a connection with the rocks and boulders all around us in the mountains and rivers etc.. She started studying more about rocks and has this ability to communitcate with the rocks, she feels that in a previous lifetime she was a rock. As I hear more stories like this Im curious to learn more about other truths that exist outside of mormonism. As far as im aware our church doesnt address the topic of reincarnation and so I think its totally possible that the veil is thinner for some of us that maybe the feelings/experiences of a past life are felt while living in our current one. Maybe some of these people born into a male body also inhabited a female body in a previous life.

We send missionaries out to penetrate these cultures and convert them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You mentioned that you would discourage your child to marry interracially, but what If you had a son that served in Brazil and then wanted to marry a Brazilian LDS girl? There are thousands of missionaries that have served in foreign countries and ended up marrying men/women of those countries, these familys are planting the seeds for further growth of the Gospel in these foreign cultures/countries. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ there is only one race, the human race. That ONE TRUE culture is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Im sure everyone here will agree with me that you can walk into any LDS chapel in this world and feel right at home. I guess I come from a very diverse little LDS community because when I was growing up- the word in the streets (among LDS) was not about "becareful what race you marry", but rather "becareful what religion you marry".

Playing devils advocate here - There is only one race, human race. Love and unity cannot be taught it needs to be experienced. The more inter-culture, inter-religion, inter-everything happens the closer this world becomes to being what the Lord wants it to be.

I suggest a book. Actually even better, the author of that book has videos on youtube. Her name is Nanci Danison look her up, she had one of the most interesting near death experiences back in 1994 where she learned about source (GOD) and saw a documentary of the earth. She was raised catholic but after her experience she dismisses all religions as man made however she does not know LDS doctrine and some of her knowledge could fit very well into our limited understanding of the eternities. I agree with Vort in that the most important thing for us to worry about is the here and now and the tools we have with us on earth is exactly what we need at this time, nothing more nothing less. A week after my grandfather passed away back in 2004 I had a dream of him. I was sitting in a huge stadium with many tables, I was at a table with my family as he was walking from table to table giving advice to what seemed to be other familys he was related to. I was so excited to hear the "mind blowing" advice he would give me as we were all sitting on the other side of the veil. He came to me looked me in the eyes and uttered five words and then continued to the next table, "You know what to do!"

Amen! There is truth everywhere in this world, as President Hinkley said "Bring your truths and lets see if we (LDS) can add to it". Same-sex is a sin but other cultural shifts are happening faster in the world due to easily accessible information spread through the internet. I dont subscribe to the notion of living in "perilous times" rather we live in a time where truth is being uncovered. Current and future generations of LDS are growing up in a social environment surrounded by influences that are allowing them to broaden their understanding of all the spiritual truths that exist on earth. Add that to the solid foundation of the true gospel as found in the LDS church and many many lives will be blessed.

Culture and environment

You have an US vs. THEM mentality. If thats what you get out of the Gospel then more power to you. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you should serve with love and not because its a calling, im sure once you got released from your calling you stopped doing what ever it was that you were assigned to do. Try watching this mormon video for tips about how a sense of community and REALLY caring for others is developed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBRqoJEXMhU

Apply the same to her parents, what parent would allow this to happen in a ward full of friends and family they enjoy being around? They both (parent and/or kid) probably have hostile feelings toward the church and it stems from within as a direct result of that lack of love and acceptance by their ward members. imho

This 12yr girl would not have done what she did if she had felt love and acceptance by the members in her ward, im not blaming the members but rather the culture and environment that we find ourselves in. Sometimes we are too busy with our own lives that Church becomes a once a week event, we live our normal lives during the week then we go to church on Sundays. Members bare testimony saying they Love you which is true but more of in a friendly way, not in a family way like how siblings and parents say "I love you" and are always there to support you. When we as members in a ward can associate with and love each other at a FAMILY level, it will be easier to look past all our imperfections and embarrassments and learn to exist in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I grew up in a small community founded by mormon settlers so everyone is mormon, over the years there have been many people, some friends and some family, that have committed and/or are living in sin, but they still go to church because they know its the right thing to do and they know the members are supportive. These people understand their position and they understand the church's position but because of the love and acceptance by the members they continue to try- they love being part of the "community", humans have an innate desire to be accepted and loved by others isnt that what the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers? The confusion in the world today is that mormons only love you if you follow their rules. My mission president told me once, "God could come down and do missionary work himself and be a lot more effective, but he wont because he wants us to learn and grow by doing it ourselves." I think the same could be said for the concept of LOVE, God can come down and give each of us hugs but he wants us to learn and grow by doing it to each other.

I am in your corner 100% but may I offer my perspective about having a child? 1) Growth. Whether you adopt or have one of your own, you may never experience what a mother/father experiences. You may never get the full picture in understanding what your mom and dad went through to raise you. When I got married I had some resentment toward my parents that stemmed from my childhood, I said to myself I will never be the bum that my father was, every year that passed in my marriage and having our own kids I realized that my dad was not that bad of a guy after all. Now 15yrs into my marriage and I love that guy with all my heart, no more resentments or judgements toward him. Why? because all the crap that me and my siblings put him through, my kids and wife are doing the same to me. lol 2) There is power in numbers. We are blessed in the LDS church to be organized into local wards where as a small community we can vibrate spiritually together on heavenly frequency's during our prayer and worship, the ward is our family. However, in a more intimate setting, the walls within your own home there is opportunity to share spiritual energy with those you are biologically/emotionally/intimately attached to, this becomes even more powerful. I can relate two experiences in the past 2 years where I should have been seriously hurt or even dead in an accident. What saved me and prevented me from even getting a scratch in both situations was specifically the prayers of my 3 little children and wife, it would be too long to explain but trust me on that. My life journey may not be the same as yours or anyone else. Just thought Id share.

In my ward I am noticing more people with different personal point of views on life being more outspoken on the pulpit during fast and testimony meeting and/or assigned talks. Its so refreshing to know that we do not all fit in one box.

Delete those sub-conscious beliefs that cause the anxiety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRa8K4f4PHc