pkstpaul

I nodded off after it said "basketball".

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.

A friend of  mine taught me that childern are unable to separate a parent from themselves. In other words, they are defined by their parents. To criticize the mother, or father, is to criticize the child. It was an important lesson for me.

1) Give the mouring process about two years. Don't make large, or rash, decisions before then. 2) Don't be lienent in giving her more than her legal share. You need to protect yourself. Once the divorce is final, it is final. You can't go back and ask for more. 3) Based on your comment about her being with the the other guy...you are going to have to let that go. Divorce is divorce. She has her life and you can't be concerned with it. Kids or no. Letting go is going to take that two years.
 
It is hard. It is all hard.

I know my family and guests just walked in and took the next session. It was a big group, but the temple is made for that.

I don't like forums where mods make changes to my thread without my permission.
 
I will continue to update my youtube thread, but otherwise I wish all of you adieu.

You've been talking divorce (at least she has) for a year. You have come to agreements on a settlement of divorce. Her wishes were to be out of the relationship six months ago. You postponed it. Did you think her world would stop spinning for you?  You need to cut the cord and leave. You have no say over the boyfriend.
 
That isn't what you wanted to hear. You wanted someone to validate you. Fact is you are trying to control something you lost a long time ago. You conceded the loss but still hang on.
 
Move on.
 
As for the wait until you leave to tell the kids...my parents did that. It had a bandaid rip effect. It was done and over and everyone moved on. I think it was best. You don't need to torture your kids or end up with them being manipulated in the wheel and deal you seem content on carrying on.

Long post, here is my perspective. Like most individuals that I see meeting with the bishop they have problems. Never insurmountable problems but problems. 
 
Most people and I suspect you fall into this category fail to get out of their own way. Let me explain, In the garden of Gethsemane Our savior subjugated himself to the will of the father and suffered for all of your sins. A perfect atonement for all of us. You have already been forgiven!!!  “For behold, I... have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer... even as I.” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-17)
 
Have faith, repent, keep the commandments.
 
God loves you and he has already forgiven you, now forgive yourself.

I think of it as missionary work.

When being judged for being judgmental it is really someone telling you to filter your speech. You can't help but want to judge what is different than your understanding. But you can help not speaking up about it.

My suggestion...read The Book of Mormon; even just the first part. It is wholly unique and spiritual. It isn't beyond reason that someone could have had the concept for a similar story plot line, but the words and meaning - especially the deep meanings - are not replicated anywhere.

To me, this would invalidate the entire book.  We are taught to be responsible citizens and employees. To violate corporate rules is grounds for termination. Any member telling you to violate rules and risk your family's livelihood is telling you to be dishonest with your fellow man.
 
Be yourself in all environments. If you are a faithful and active member, you will have spiritual experiences that will cross over to all aspects of your life, including work. You will bring up events related to your calling or talks given etc. That is different than preaching at work. Talking about your personal life is not a violation of work ethics.  Asking people to take a Book of Mormon or missionary discussions is.

I have read the book, I call it the "How to not ever have friends never" manual .

I believe The Folk Prophet gave the most accurate perspective. Personally, I avoid bullets and knives by staying away from bad people.

I agree with Jane Doe. If your work expressly forbids talking religion, you should not talk religion. I generally don't go out of my way to talk religion at work. But if someone asks me about what I did Sunday, I'll tell them that I went to Church, heard a couple of great sermons, and had some wonderful conversations about scripture topics with my friends.

There are anecdotal stories of people being protected physically, but I suspect that, for the most part, they are either false rumors or interpretations based on lucky coincidences.
 
Mormons do believe that the garment will protect them from spiritual harm -- mostly as a reminder of the promises (covenants) they have made to God.
 
That's not to deny that in some cases there may be physical protection to the faithful. But also, without question, many faithful have been harmed and killed while wearing the garment. There is no "magic" there.
 
See http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/temple-garments for more detail.

I don't watch R rated movies. I am sure there are ones that are amazing and I admit that when I see an awesome trailer I often think "please don't be R, please don't be R!" But it is something that my wife and I decided on when we first got married is that we would at least make a standard we wouldn't cross, for us only and wouldn't judge anyone else. We often pass up most, if not all PG 13 movies. I will stick with fantasy or science fiction. I almost completely stay away from comedies as they seem to get away with a lot more crude behavior than a violent film gets away with gore. Same for TV. 

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'd have to ask why have grades come up in your discussion with him? Obviously this has to have been a previous discussion if he's bringing it up. I do think it's a little weird, but I don't know the whole context of the scenario. 

Is the Bishop you Dad?

If we are going down this rabbit hole, is there a difference between cultural heterodoxy, and doctrinal heterodoxy? Because sometimes it seems like there is a little bit of both when talking about Latter Day Saints, especially the certain groups that claim to be LDS online, but don't seem to align with the majority in various different aspects.

Some align better culturally, some doctrinally, some a little of either or depending on issue.

I'm so heterodox that I've got my own personal "Skippy's List" going.
Yet nobody IRL questions my faith or my knowledge of the gospel.

We had a great RS lesson yesterday on Pres Nelson's conference talk, "A Plea To My Sisters"   Such an inspiration! I loved that talk. 
 
The RS teacher started out with this video;  http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/you-never-know
 
When I saw which video it was I thought "Uh oh" because it's my least favorite of all. It misses some very important points IMO.  Anyway I committed to be nice and not comment on it.  But come to find out, I wasn't the only one who doesn't like it. Someone else started the brawl that would follow. ( brawl- I say in jest. It wasn't really but as close to it as I've seen in RS.) At one point in the lesson when the teacher was referring to the video, one bold woman spoke up about the very issue I have with it. (The problem with this video is that it portrays the mother as a door mat. Sometimes you just have to say no to requests to serve. Taking care of yourself is important, too. )  Well, then another RS sister chimed in with similar sentiments and another and another.  AWKWARD! The teacher apologized for sharing such a controversial Mormon Message.   Oxymoron?   It was just so interesting. I have never been in any RS lesson where someone has spoken up so boldly.  Finally at the end of the lesson the bold sister apologized for bringing a negative spirit into the lesson and that's when I added my own thoughts that were light hearted -( perhaps this put upon mom in the video could have made the casserole and let the new parents she was feeding bake it in their own oven, saving her at least 1/2 hr. to go visit her cousin at the airport. ) I had two older women come up to me after and thank me for my comment. Whew! 
 
Well anyway, it was definitely a stimulating hour with all those opinions flying around. Lately I've heard the phrase from several  woman on the internet including some of my younger family members that they think women just disappear behind the men in the LDS church. Not in my ward! They speak their minds quite freely. I've seen this even in Primary. Makes me smile. 

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'd be interested to know who doesn't have a problem.