AnnieCarvalho

When you say "we" you are not including "me" - I've been a member for probably longer than you've been alive. At least from your photo, you look young :) I know what "we" want to avoid. I would like to leave the conversation between JAG and I to that: between JAG and I. I've explained my question already - no need to do it again.

I'm sorry you are feeling angry. It was not my intention. I don't agree with your accusations, because you are telling me what I want and how I"m feeling, and you're incorrect. Peace.

It's possible the people you are tagging as "anti-Mormon" are truly seeking the truth. Here I go with another personal story. A little scary after my first experience. Hopefully it will be taken in the spirit offered. I was brought to the Church by an anti-LDS crusader. She was the wife of my husband's co-worker. She was very friendly to me, and called one day and asked if I would host a meeting with some missionaries. I said sure, sounded like fun, having no idea what she had planned. I just thought some missionaries were coming to visit. When the LDS missionaries showed up, I thought their talk was interesting. And then she began attacking them. I was mortified! When they finally left, I told her I did not appreciate being used that way, and I asked the missionaries back - to talk to ME. I DID ask them a lot of these questions, because they were in the anti-LDS literature she had left, and I wanted to know the answers. Some of these feel like serious questions when you're seeking. It's scary to think you might be getting into what others are telling you is "a cult." So just know, not all people who come here are looking for trouble. Some really ARE looking for answers. That's why I asked Byron if he wanted the missionaries to visit. He didn't respond - but that doesn't mean anything either. Just the mean spiritedness of some of the responses turned him away, according to his goodbye. This does not feel like friendly group. It feels more like a social clique with a few core members and I quickly learned that you must not disagree with that core. My feeling now is that I'll never be accepted on this forum. I'll keep poking around for a while, though. Some of the posts are interesting. Maybe I'll find some kindred spirits here. I do like Pam's advice about being kinder to new-comers. I hope people read it and consider the message.

I didn't consider having a different opinion to be "shooting down" anyone. I just disagreed. I didn't tongue in cheek anything. It was a serious question. It was not meant to be cavalier - it was a serious question. What is the difference between having grown gay men in charge of 17 year old boys, or grown gay women in charge of 17 year old girls? Is one ok and the other is not? And if so, why? And I've already said you're right, estradling75, about not giving out personal experiences. It's dangerous, in this company. People don't like it. My goodness, this is not a very discussion friendly environment, is it... Feels like I'm in a chicken coop and I'm the one with a red spot between my eyes. I'm not the enemy, at least I didn't think I was. I thought I was having a discussion, not a war. I know that a lot gets lost when you're posting online. You can't see facial expressions, body language, etc. But wow... I'm gobsmacked by the anger here.

I said that? I guess I'm confused about who said what. I'll go back and read the thread again. Re: your question, I prefer separate restrooms, locker rooms, tents, etc. Not sure why you're asking.

This.

I'm not sure I understand your post, but that's ok. I'm not sure how I could have made my experience less horrible - it was what it was. I don't remember shutting JAG down based on his personal experience. I did address the fact that he was extremely rude and vicious. I have pretty much said what I feel I need to say on the topic. I feel we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I didn't ask for help and comfort. Vort asked how I knew a thing to be true - I answered by giving personal experience. You may the best defense is a good offense. I prefer John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Or if you prefer, as the children sing in Primary: As I have loved you,Love one another.This new commandment:Love one another.By this shall men knowYe are my disciples,If ye have loveOne to another. "If we would keep the commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness and respect." President Thomas Monson

Oh man, I miss coffee like crazy! That's my Achilles Heel. What do you drink for breakfast now?

Well, for me, if the symbols OR my nipples were showing through, I'd figure my top was too thin or too tight? I've never had that problem... Maybe on the days you're menstruating, you could just wear panties or as someone suggested, wear panties under the garment. There is at least one style that is very loose with wide non-fitting legs. It would be more like a slip. Perhaps on those days you could wear a skirt so your clothes weren't so binding? I always used tampons, so it wasn't an issue.

I believe it is a real being, a son of God, who fell.

Yes, I like this part: In a conference address, President Hinckley provided further counsel on what our attitude should be toward those who experience homosexual attraction: “We love them as sons and daughters of God. … “We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.” This is the type of "help" I was referring to in my post when I said I expected better of Church members. Nobody is saying we have to agree with any person's lifestyle if they choose to live contrary to the Church's teachings, but we must still love and support them, as we would anybody struggling with any other problem.

So I've learned a really good lesson here in this forum. Opening up and giving total strangers intimate details about my life can make me a target for troll-like behavior and it riles me which is not a good thing. I should have known better, it's true. Doh! ::smacks herself on the forehead::: I guess I felt safe because this was an LDS forum. It has been a good reminder to be more careful.

Yes, I agree, a family member or someone close to the family. i disagree that childhood sexual abuse is fallout from the sexual revolution. It's been pretty well documented since long before that. When are you saying the "sexual revolution" began? We had a girl in our church in 1955 who was pregant by her father and was sent away. I think if you research you'll find it's been around for a long, long time.

I don't know, but if we still have free agency, I imagine we will. He is, after all, our Father. And once we are grown, we continue to love and honor our earthly parents, so why not our Heavenly Father? I'm hoping I won't have to "pray" but can just sit down and talk face to face...

Wow... Ok... let me try to respond... What a nice person you are :)

It's late, after Halloween, but I thought I'd respond to this since I just saw it. In our family, Halloween is a cultural holiday where we remember our ancestors. My family is Azorean Portuguese and most were originally Catholic. My grandmother always put up a special place in the house with photos of everyone who had passed, flowers, and pretty "things" reminding her of them. My children and I have followed this custom. We invite friends and family over for a "remembrance" celebration. We invite our friends to put their loved ones' photos on the table also We go around the room, and give everyone the opportunity to say a few words about the person they've lost or they're remembering, and to light a candle in their honor. Then the whole room repeats their name, "Aunt Alice, we remember you." It is a sweet, tearful, and precious time. We also let the children dress up and go trick or treating, and we hand out candy. The reality is most of the major Christian festivals have evolved in one way or another from pagan ones, because people were pagan before they were Christian. The keyword here is "evolved" and I think what is most important is what YOU are thinking during the holiday. At Yule/Christmas, are you thinking about Krampus and his black devil helper? Or are you thinking about the birth of Christ? Culture is important in our church. I like that.

He lives in my heart and I live in His.

No.

I had to wait a year. I think most people do. Is there a reason you need to do it before the year is finished?

I got the opportunity to tell a lady in water-aerobics today that I was LDS. She asked which church I went to, and I answered. She didn't say anything else, but was friendly. We'll see where it goes...

YOU FIXED IT! Thanks! I now have a "like" button - that is one magical cat!

I rarely watch R-rated movies, but like others, will watch something like "Saving Private Ryan." I prefer to watch uplifting shows. I find a lot of good movies on my Yoga website, gaiamtv.com If I start a movie, and it ends up with bad language or too much skin, I'll turn it off. I very rarely watch television.