pkstpaul

I gave up on Hollywood long ago. I liked what President Hinckley said when Titanic came out. he commented on it at conference because the movie was a big hit right at that moment. I'm not going to look up the quote but the lesson for me was that it wasn't necessary to watch the movie to learn the lesson. Same with Shindlers list or Private Ryan (only using those because they were mentioned. I'm not picking on you Gator). I've learned to find my entertainment elsewhere. Consider what TV has to offer. Most of what is on prime-time TV was R rated years ago. I made a rule that I would change the channel if something was offensive to the Spirit. I turn the TV off if I make the general round through the standard channels. Guess how long the TV stays on in my house. Generally less than 1/2 an hour. There is so much more to do in life. Watching TV or streamed movies is like being on drugs. For me, I quit the addiction.

I disagree on this point. I thing his behavior is abusive and he has an addiction. To the OP: what does the picture look like with a divorce? It can't be pretty. You best find some happiness in doing things for yourself and wait for husband to catch up.

I clearly fall under Heterodox. Should that matter to anybody here? Or does it need to be added to the terms and conditions of the forum.

Look for a contrast between living righteous and living against any principles you are being taught. If you have been living a righteous life, you may not recognize that there is a difference in what is being taught. If you were a bad person, I would think the contrast would be stark and easier to recognize the Spirit. It sounds to me you have always been a good person. I would bet you live in Asia, or raised as such, and in an environment influenced by Buddhism. As for other people's prayers...I don't think it typical that they be so emotional. Sometimes public prayer is very mechanical. I closed two meetings with prayer yesterday, Sunday. Although I felt them meaningful and sought the Spirit, I still felt I had to construct them in form. What is important about your praying is how you pray privately. I encourage you to kneel in a quite place, once or twice a day. If that is too much, then as much as you can "afford". Overall, I would say be patient. Things will come to you. The missionaries will continue to challenge you for baptism, but you should only do what you know to be right. Until you have a testimony, you shouldn't be baptized. That doesn't mean you need to know everything in order to be baptized; quite the opposite. However you should feel good about the LDS church just as you know feel about Jesus as Christ. Best wishes

Lehi didn't have an issue interpreting his dream.

That's what they do. Consider it their job. You should only do what is comfortable to you and not feel pressured. Pray privately in the manner in which you are comfortable. The Spirit will speak the truth to you and at the point you have a testimony, the other things will come. Best wishes.

The fact she is Indonesian and not from Qatar does matter, but I would approach things cautiously. Qatar is far more harsh in the punishment of the disobedient and I would be concerned that public pressure on her family would override the more tolerant background of coming from Indonesia. You can tell she has concerns. You should honor that.

Providing infrastructure is a program? Cleaning up the environment is a program? Ensuring safe housing is a program? Is the "non-communist" take that we shouldn't be compelled to pay taxes?

Where is there 'force' in this? There is a place for government to close gaps where private initiatives fall short. Do you think Uber is going to pay for bridges so it can stay in business? No. Should General Mills go to a 'company store' to provide minimal housing for its low end workers?

In no way should what I say be considered condoning your actions, however, we are human beigns and subject to fault. You are being too hard on yourself. You have recognized your sin. You have turned away (I assume). You confessed, to a resonable degree, to your husband, which I believe is as far as it needs to go. My recommendation is you continue on the repentance process you started and that means turning away from and not repeating the sin. Then forgive yourself. You are tearing yourself apart and the repentance process is meant to free you, not bind you. I'm not saying it is easy or short, but there is a path and I think you are well on your way. I disagree with those that say go to the bishop or confess further, at least I don't agree with it being the first step in repentance. I think more reflection and perspective is needed. You are in the heat of it right now. Step back a bit and let time heal a little. Only you know the degree of your sin. Not every sin needs to go to the bishop. And not every lie needs to be uncovered in a marriage.

No, fasting has a benefical purpose. But you plan a fast and shouldn't be doing it more than once a month, unless you have a purpose. I'm stating that poor nutrition can lead to feeling bad. Being at church for three hours can be draining. I've had days where I am at church six hours (due to meetings and duties). I was/am suggesting it as a possible cause that can easily be valdiated. I look at what can be checked off quickly. You already know the standard answers of pray, obey commandments, find the Spirit, etc.

Now, you got me believing you could be abusive. What the heck? If you have no intentions of marrying this woman then break it off. You don't need to rub a bunch of stuff in her face first. For crying out loud!

There are sisters who want to help you. Please reach out to the service leader. Great comments on creating a welcoming setting at home.

It is more likely something physiological. Watch your diet. Eat well before you go, maybe even take a snack (granola bar).Take time to drink lots of water while at church. Plan a decent lunch and go for a walk afterward.

Gaining credibility is not the same as validating. The point of my first paragraph is that the article isn't about health care. It is that this one person wants to lead a movement against Mormon culture of which one manifestation is demonstrated in how missionaries are treated when asking for health care.

Dreams are just dreams. It is wise not to read too much into one unless you've in fact felt taught a lesson you can apply elsewhere. If I tried to interpret my dreams, I'd be totally whack (no comments from the peanut gallery). I've spent some time in the Middle East. I'm sure you are aware of what conversion would do to her and her family relationships. She would have to give up everything to join the Church or to marry you. Depending on the country, you can go to jail for discussing religion. The Church told me, in no uncertain terms, to NEVER offer out a Book of Mormon. Yes, you can convert, but it will be by example. The best example you can give is to be faithful. Serving your mission will do that. My advice. Love her for who she is. Love and respect her faith. Love and respect your faith. She will draw closer to you and will join you in your faith, so long as you are honorable. Attempts at open conversion will cause her, and you, a lot of pain. I love the tenets of Islam and being where the people live so faithfully. I feel the same when in Asia and surrounded by Buddist. They are peaceful loving religions and we can grow closer to Heavenly Father when respecting them.

I think the primary objective of the article is being overlooked. There is an individual (not the "journalist") with an ax to grind and he trying to start a movement to change the culture of the Church. The healthcare of missionaries was seen as a weak point with amunition to back up the claim (i.e. more than one person complaining about the same issue). There were plenty of "facts" about the Church and missions but the cultural claims of the article are based on exagerations of things I'm sure we've all heard before. I think there was only one item I hadn't heard before. It is those other things that the ex-member wants to fight. I'll tell you, it did clear up one thing for me. Years ago, I vistied the Provo MTC as a guest of a friend. I attended a class taught to senior missionaries and had lunch in the cafeteria. However, during my visit, the instructor pulled me to a room and gave me a five minute lecture about masturbation. It was the weirdest momement of my life. A complete stranger, completely out of context, lecturing me about something so private. The coversation ended and we went to lunch. It creeped me out and to tell you the truth it tarnished my entire perspecitve of the visit. The fact that happened to me tells me just how extreme the practice must be in the MTC and suddenly the article gained credibility in the other outlandish claims.

My argument is that you are about as likely to use your gun as I am to use a grout tool, when out in public.

I own hundreds of tools. I wouldn't think to carry my grout float around because I know I don't need a grout float when I go to the grocery store. And no, I do not advocate for gun laws. I am pro second amendment.

I've always been around guns; have owned guns and hunted with guns. I don't currently own one because I simply didn't want one in the house when I am no longer interested in target shooting or hunting. I came to a realizaiton that if a person gets shot they are shot with a gun. No gun in my house and I am reducing the chance of someone I know getting shot.

I don't live in fear. Incidents of violence are rare and extreme violence extremely rare. It bothered me, in another thread, that a brother would take a gun into a Sealing room in the temple because he won't take the few minutes to check it into a locker (police officer or not). Do we not live our lives in faith? Especially in the temple? I would rather die with a hole in my head than to live every waking moment wondering how fast I can get to a gun. Having a gun strapped to me would have me thinking about guns all day long. I love one comedian's bit when talking about what he thought adulthood would be. He says "I really thought quicksand would be a bigger issue." I think the same with gun violence. I'm grown up now and I don't see the need for a gun the way I did whan I watched Clint Eastwood movies on Saturdays. I'm not calling the idea of self defense childish. Don't take my opinion to extremes. I am saying that for 99% of us 99% of the time, this isn't really an issue.

I'm not sure what it is about online discussions that make people think in the extreme. They talk in the extreme and they listen in the extreme. We are constantly being asked for "proof" as if we are declaring ourselves professors of a topic rather than an observer with an opinion. Here we are as a community sharing ideas every day and yet we are accused of being irrational on specific statements.

Strenghtening the families creates a bond that makes people responsible for each other. A good parent knows when a child is sick - regardless of age. They know what's going on in their lives even if they don't like it. They are involved. Same with siblings. If we cared for each other we would see the warning signs of trouble and we would help each other. As a parent, I have had to assist my children as they struggled with young adulthood. I saw specific times when I wasn't as involved and they acted irresponsibly. If I had been closer, I would have prevented some issues. I have spent far more money than anybody would think rational to assist "adult" children so as to keep them on a narrow path. We can say there is personal accountability, yes, of course. But we can't talk about how the eternal plan is for families and then step away from our children as they become adults. It is easy to see how a parent being more involved might have helped the theater shooter and the Oregon school shooter. The parents were helping, but they weren't close enough to take the corrective action that would have prevented what happened.

I don't doubt you and feel there is truth in what you have experienced. It would have been nice to start the thread off with this topic instead of what created controversy. I think you would recognize that your exeriences, although not unique, are rare. It would be wrong to expect the average LDS, or even LDS leader to relate. Given that what you are experiencing is real and given that you have found evidence of Christ's and other's healing, you should continue in faith to fight this and find your answers. But don't be frustrated with the average Mormon not relating. At the same time, I think a balance is needed. You should treat medically what can be treated. Look at alternative medicines. I think it very possible that focusing on the spirits feeds them (feeds your fear). You may just have to learn to live with them. I don't subscribe to the mentality that we have "trials" we have to bear, which so many LDS practically live by. I just don't perceive life that way. The purpose of life is not to suffer trials. The purpose of life is joy. Find joy. Push out evil with good. Seek - really seek - happiness. Paint your rooms yellow. Buy a new house. Take down the dark 1970's panelling. Get a pink car. Whatever it takes to fill your life with pleasant thoughts. Do happy things.

That says everything.