Gabelma

I was wondering when you were on your mission what you would liked most when you went to a family for dinner - I like the missionaries to feel comfortable in my home, I always ask what they do and do not like for food and let them know they can just take their coat of etc. We have them once a week so wondered what else I can do? Charley

Maybe its false humility but I always see it as Christ's decision to make he is my judge, I cannot be a judge of myself I am either too harsh or not harsh enough- all I can do is have faith in him, trust him to help me make decsions in my life, and repent when I do wrong or pull away from him. But I am not LDS because I want to be saved, I am a Latter Day Saint because its where God wants me, and I adore him he has been such a huge part of my life since I was small . I can't help but think sometimes people become so obsessed with being saved, they forget the lifetime challenge to be close to the Saviour. I don't remember a moment of conversion - I am constantly being converted.. In the Chronicles of Narnia Aslan appears to get bigger and more glorious everytime the children meet him - but Aslan says he isn;t bigger the children are. As I go through my life my God becomes so much more, he does seem bigger and more glorious - that to me is Faith and Enduring to the End a continual growth. I remember a priesthood blessing at the height of my illness (I have fibromyalgia), I wasn't praying, I wasn't reading my scriptures, I was having thoughts I didn't like and couldn't attend church, I was getting very angry with the people around me - basically I was sure I was never going to be close to my Saviour again - I was fully expecting the blessing to tell me off - what it actually said was that Heavenly Father was proud of me I was doing the best I could with the situation he had given me. I am not in a position to be my own judge. Maybe one day I will be able to but I am not at that stage in my conversion - there are times after a prayer though when I know I can hold my head up high - but other times I beat myself up about the things I don't do instead of remembering what I can do and what my Lord has done for me. I guess the question of Grace vs Works (although I don't see it as a vs more Grace is as a result of Faith which is as a result of works and vice versa just see them as all part of one thing as without works faith isn't present and without faith works are nothing) is individual because ultimately its our relationship with the Saviour its what each of us is capable of. Charley

Just a suggestion but I wouldn't tell them if you get sealed - you are already LDS and have had a civil ceremony. Just go to the temple with your dh and have a lovely meal afterwards They already know about your endownments but again there was no need to tell them Charley

What Emma said. Except I'm not an apostate. Emma, I have a cat you can come kick ANYTIME you want! I'm not home for 8 hours a day, and I don't want him to get any rest! don't cats like getting kicked? mine sits on my face at 4am then winds herself round my feet miaowing desperatly to be kicked Charley

I don't know if its just our mission and it might even be different now we have a new mission president but our missionaries were counselled not to teach a spouse if the other spouse was unhappy with the situation. The counsel was the most important thing was that the family was kept together. Charley

My daughter is nearly 4 and have discovered she has an odd perception of the Holy Ghost part of me wonders whether to do a direct lesson and not sure how to explain it to her. On Sunday they were doing animals and had a picture of the Horse, kept mentioning the Spirit - she thought they were talking about She-Ra's (female He-Man) horse (When Adora turns in She-Ra, Spirit becomes Swift Wind) And tonight at FHE we were discussing the Holy Ghost - she belives he is a funny man who lives in a broken down shed or chilli bean soup (makes her feel warm) Any ideas to teach her? Charley

I was going to ask if they had Scots Presbyterian in their background the exact phrase is used in a lot of prayers in my area - I grew up with it so to me its normal and kind of see it like pp have said as a version of the line in the Lords Prayer another phrase is help us so we may more pefectly love thee, Charley

I agree I would just walk away - it might not be what think but you are being warned Charley

The naming site that is generally accepted to be the most accurate has them as (behindthename.com) Adam: Man/to be Red/to Make Seth: Placed or Appointed Enos: Human Being Cainan: Posession Mahaleleel ---- Lamech: To make Low Noah: Rest and Comfort (boy), Motion (girl) Although a number of Jewish/Hebrew groups belive a baby's name is 60% revelation - I know it was with mine we have a Jewish name for my daughter Elana which means tree. And my son is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Gabriel (did contemplate Gavriel but prefer shortened version Gabe) - because when I saw him I knew he was strong and beautiful. So an angels name that ment Strong Man/Hero of God worked Charley

If its a software problem you can always use a Linux operating system we have used it almost exclusively foabout 5 years no major problems unless you count me dropping the laptop, kids banging on the keyboard anod dogs sitting on it Charley

I think I like this answer the best. It makes the most sense to me. Plus revelation didn't end with the apostasy just the removal of the keys to the callings. Charley

I find learning to respect a person helps - I am lucky right now I adore my branch president and get on very well with him. However the Stake President is a man who I will always have an interesting relationship with - however I do know the Lord called him, he is really good at being Stake President in fact I have to say he is the best I have ever met. And I find except when it comes to me lol I trust his judgement in many things. Same with my Relief Society President she is not the person I would have chose lol but I can see why the Lord did she is a very good Relief Society President. The inability to pray, read scriptures and attend church through illness can have a devastating affect on your ability to worship and feel the spirit I tend to ask for pretty constant blessing when my illness has me right down Charley

LOL How old if your baby? I am going to be very unhelpful intially but I would start a baby on solids when they are ready, when you feel they need more than just formula or breastmilk and when they are ready to take it. I started my daughter at just over 3 months my son only just started solids when he was 6-7 months, every baby is ready at different times whatever the books say. Both of mine have been ready for mash rather than puree straight away and then moved onto family food cut. My son had a lovely time with a pizza a couple of minutes ago. The World Health Organisation recommend waiting until 6 months our local health authority says 4-6 months. If you have a history of allergies in your family then probably waiting until 6 months is a good idea. You can start on what in UK we call baby rice but with both of mine I started both mine with mashed fruit and veg. I never made anything special for my babies just don't cook with salt and mostly from scratch. I then look at the meal and adapt it for example - Egg, beans and chips I would scramble Gabey's egg then mash the beans and mash together. You could just use a hand blender and whiz stuff up. Some babies only take a few mouthfuls mine both skipped the ice cube stage Charley

Why should we give in to terrorists, our country has a history of standing up to bullies (and some history of bullying ourselves) - yes we maybe insane and personally I don't think Rushdie should be given a knighthood largely because his books are lousy. However it imo spells out we live in a country where freedom of speech is cherished. And that is what hundreds of thousands of our countrymen - my ancestors included fought for. And unlike Bush the Queen has had people she cares about on the front line in battles including a son, a husband and cousins - heck she lived on the front line she is one of the most amazing courageous ladies, you wouldnt see her running if our country was attacked, except maybe to the place affected. To quote from her Mother when Buckingham Palace was bombed she could finally look the East End of London in the face again. Rather than run to safety our Royal Family placed themselves in the firing line and set an example. It is possible she may have a grandson involved in this conflict at a later date. She served and did her bit in WW2 and is talented auto mechanic as a result. I was brought up to value my freedom over my safety and still do - and if Bush does come out with that statement it would confirm my poor opinion of him in that he does not value freedom or democracy in Europe. As much as I find his books boring they have one awards and been best sellers the people have voted in buying the book Charley

I personally believe in taking care of the planet and doing my bit to reduce waste not because of global warming but because I want my children to know I love my Heavenly Father and want to do as much as I can to care for the creation he gave us. For me doing my best includes things like not picking a flower unless it encourages the bush to grow, being careful not to harm an animal It makes common sense to conserve water doesn't take much to share a bath, spend less time in the shower, turn the tap off whilst you clean your teeth, use the water in the bath to wash the car or water a garden. Lemon juice and vinegar make better cleaners than most chemicals we use anyway - kill as many bugs and much less scrubbing involved. We can reduce waste by using cloth nappies (modern cloth nappies are very easy) or infant potty training. Eco-balls are better in your washing machine and get your clothes cleaner at lower temperatures than detergent anyway - you can hang your clothes out to dry or using dryer balls can cut down the time we need. Where possible buying local products or second hand furniture and clothes cuts down on waste and airmiles etc For me its a crucial part of worshipping my Heavenly Father and loving and appreciating what he has given us Charley

I think when you talk about the darkness and the humour in the books its important to remember JK Rowlling, CS Lewis and Tolkein are British and not American - a lot of our culture is involved in those books. I happen to like the way the books are going because it is based so clearly on issues from the Second World War - something that is becoming more distant in the minds of people in my country anyway. Coming from a city that was still clearing up the devastation caused in the 1980s - I remember walking past a pile of rubble with my Great Aunt who was able to tell me about the family that died when the bomb fell, I like the fact she is introducing the very dark issues that European children of my Aunties generation experienced first hand not just in a book. The movies are a different issue CS Lewis made Bachuss the God of Wine a good guy in I think it was Prince Caspian and introduced some very deep issues in the Chronicles of Narnia. The idea is a child will pick up what they are ready to pick up I guess - I grew up with Pantomime where the lead boy was played by a girl, the old woman was played by a man and it was full of dirty jokes - as a child I didn't follow the dirty joke but laughed at the people falling over and the obvious silliness I have to say for me its fairytale witchcraft which is far removed from real life Charley

I have dark hair and eyes and olive type skin and my children are Elana and Gabriel I get the same comments often asked am I jewish - but then I get mistaken for an Arab at airports if I have been in the sun which can be less fun my husband didn;t help with his long hair and bushy beard he looked like a muslim cleric he got quizzed for half an hour on his visit to Amsterdam (didn't believe it consisted of 3 hours in an airport lol) Charley

Check out Acts chapter 19:11-16 ... These vagabond Jews tried to cast out demons, and the demons said," Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The demons don't waist their time with "so-so" christians, they attack the ones that are a threat to them! If you are being attacked...the devils know you and feel that you are a threat...They knew Jesus and Paul, you are in good company!!! Reminds me of the legend of the man who saw the city with the small devil and it was all that was required to keep that city evil -whereas the best man in the world had 7 huge devils that couldn't detract him from his path - its often quoted in church things but I am sure its originally a Buddhist Legend. Charley

they are going to give her brain surgery where by she will smilingly eat chairs, sacrfice babies and only ever wear a purple hat on her head:) Charley Soooo you're saying I should worry? no not at all its all done with a lot of white smiles and in a very friendly manner she won't feel a thing lol:) Seriously as much as I loved seminary it was a lot of fun I think Institute was much better for me helped me more with my faith and understanding of why I was LDS. Do they have a grown up Institute meeting? some wards in the UK have people who get together Charley

they are going to give her brain surgery where by she will smilingly eat chairs, sacrfice babies and only ever wear a purple hat on her head:) Charley

ESP. Go sit in with the Young Men or Young Women's classes. You didn't miss much. I've been told that I'm not allowed to do that. I know I am odd but I am glad I didn't grow up LDS - I have so much admiration for people like my husband who find their testimony early and stick with it. Whilst I found my testimony early I always knew it was my choice, and I wasn't in it because of my parents - I do worry a lot about how to make sure I don't force my children to be LDS and how to help them make it their choice Charley

[url= ] Health warning whilst its fairly church standard does involve a drag act Charley

I certainly wouldn't ignore my neighbours on a Sunday - and I let my daughter play out if she wants, but wouldn't attend a birthday party myself. I don't know it sounds weird it doesn't take much to say hi to someone. Charley

Hi Pushka! Somebody read this! I'm so happy! I wrote it so long ago, and it's so long, and probably boring, I didn't think anyone was interested. Now, it was worth it. :) Do you feel you better understand the climate the people who committed the murders of the MMM lived in? Emma Just read it too - I was lucky the BBC did a documentary on the American West when I was newly baptised, and it did a piece on the Mormons, it covered this period in LDS history in almost the same way you have. I think its good to see information on the LDS church presented in a balanced light too often its either sugar coated or sensational - going immediatly from one version to the other must be very difficult to take Charley

I'm LDS never really called myself Christian, not sure I want to be Christian, since I was a small child it has always felt like a big title one only the Lord himself can bestow after a life lived for him. I'm not Jewish but we do something similar start our Sabbath Saturday evening with a candlelit special meal and say a blessing on the family, we end it on Sunday before we go to bed again with an extra special family prayer, a scripture story and tuna crackers lol - I think its good to have something for the kids that says the sabbath starts here. I use a lot of stuff from other traditions for example we have a prayer space in the home, I use a wonderful meditation I was taught by a druid to enrich my temple experience, if I am struggling to pray I cover my head helps me concerntrate. Charley Just think other religions can teach us ways to enrich our experience as a Latter Day Saint