Athena9

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Everything posted by Athena9

  1. You and your husband need to scale WAY BACK on the callings and church stuff, Sweetie. You SOUND ALL BURNED OUT, possibly even DEPRESSED, which by the way, is NOT an uncommon ailment for WOMEN in this CHURCH and the PSYCH wards of Utah hospitals are running over with them. In MY OWN WARD HALF of the SISTERS in Relief Society are on PROZAC or a similar anti-depressant. This Church has NEVER SAID that the LDS Church should come before the family. If you and your family have so many Church commitments that it is infringing on quality , you have TOO MANY commitments and desperately need for the sake of YOUR HEALTH and young FAMILY to say NO. Have your HUSBAND go to the BISHOP and TELL HIM that you, my Dear, are having significant HEALTH ISSUES and that the both of you must SCALE BACK on all of your Church callings, Church obligations, etc indefinitely God Bless You!.
  2. Hey Girlfriend . Bless you! I can hear you are just going into fits.... Ok, I am married to a darling of a man who is a hoarder and pack rat of the first order. He brings things home that are the third and fourth copy of THINGS WE ALREADY HAVE. If you can get yourself a copy of "Fascinating Womanhood," by Helen B. Andelin , it might be a real eye opener for you and provide some relief. It is a little old fashioned, but through it you will be able to discharge yourself of the obligation of taking the responsibility (not yours to begin with) of trying to figure out and clear out all of the electronic garbage you are speaking of. (I assume you are married. If not, I apologize and will pray for you!) I am old enough to have grandchildren, and I can virtually tell you, Honey, that making this wire encrusted area into a wire encrusted battle field is a BAD, BAD idea and will bring you grief in the future. We're ladies --- sure we like cleanliness and order! And most men have NO IDEA of how to properly sort things, BUT if this IS your spouse's area, leave it ALONE and tell him it's HIS own personal junk yard to do as he wishes (just don't let it encroach out of it's circumscribed BOUNDARIES). Best if luck, Sweetheart, now go take that nap with your daughter!
  3. Sportbilly, hey! Just wanted to check in with you , Man, and see how you are doing .... I don't know if I told you but both my husband and I were converts from the Catholic Church as young people. We hadn't met each other yet. I will be honest and say I LOVED many aspects of the LDS Church (I felt GENUINE Christian love here, and caring; I got all involved in the Church music program, I had never had a Church experience like this before, I felt that LDS people were my FAMILY) but, yes, many parts of the LDS faith seemed almost "weird" to us . (But you have to remember, I had NEVER known a Mormon , even casually, until I met the Missionaries.) My husband just reminded me of Saint Paul in the New Testament of the Bible. Paul was so far away from God, that Paul was going into believers' houses turning them to be killed; that was how far from God his was, and he became one of the GREATEST writers of the Bible. I also I like Moses in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. He escaped from Egypt and didn't know the Lord God Almighty; he sees this burning bush with God in it that talks to him and he asks who he should say God is ; and God answers. " Tell them I AM THAT I AM SENT YOU., " meaning GOD for YOU WHATEVER YOU NEED HIM TO BE ." And here Moses led the entire people of Israel into the promised land. Billy, you shouldn't have to worry about this...Heavenly Father has A HOLD of YOUR HAND or you wouldn't even have been interested in this Church, so it's NOT up to you to try to find God. For me, it was like my marriage. When my dear spouse proposed to me, we had only known each other for 4 months and we had only dated 4 or 5 times. I was fairly sure I loved him and that it was God's will we marry immediately (other older people told us they believed we should as well) but I was ONLY about 80 % sure. After our first anniversary, I was 90% sure, after the second, 95% sure, and so on. At on anniversary on Thanksgiving, I can say for absolute certainty, after looking back to several "signs" I did NOT see at the time, that it WAS GOD'S TOTAL WILL for My Dear Husband and I to MARRY for TIME and ALL ETERNITY. Good luck, find peace, and God bless you!
  4. Billy, don't be concerned; just be yourself. My husband and I aren't "criers." We have NEVER had that "burning in the bosom." If Heavenly Father gives us an answer, he will stop us from doing something . TEARS AND EMOTIONS are NOT official DOCTRINES in this CHURCH. Everyone is different. If you believe in GOD, you're there already. There are many blessings in this Church that NO OTHER Church can offer you. But the choice is all yours. Bless you and best of luck. Tell people you HAVE a TESTIMONY and to LEAVE YOU ALONE. Smile Cath
  5. Dear Stumbling, Doing some heavy thinking about your post. Both my spouse and I are adult converts. It's good you aren't letting yourself get pushed into anything (the Church may disagree.) The person who is baptized needs to make it a life-time commitment. Did you know that the JW faith was founded by an apostate Mormon? Interesting, huh? You could get many immediate benefits by joining the Church NOW , so many that it would be almost silly not to do it ----BUT--- if you don't hear the Lord's voice , it's all for naught. The whole process of coming to Christ is extremely individual and personal, sort of like meeting a girl, dating, falling in love, getting engaged, and then marrying her..... no one situation is the same, which is nice, actually. My story is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from my HUSBAND'S or my BEST FRIEND'S . So, who am I TO TELL YOU the HOLY SPIRIT IS or ISN'T SPEAKING to YOU or that you SHOULD OR SHOULDN"t be baptized RIGHT NOW. May be you need a lot more time to work this out., I don't know.. In any event, I was you the best of luck and God Speed. You would be a great asset to any Church. Catherine
  6. Sweetie, nice to read the post you shared. Take it from an 'ole mare who's been around here for awhile: you and your dear spouse have now HIT THE WALL and ARE NOW ALL BURNED OUT. DON"T, whatever you do, DON"T FEEL GUILTY. DON"T take on anymore RESPONSIBILITIES. I would be seriously surprised if you're not CLINICALLY DEPRESSED (fairly common in Mormon Women, unfortunately) to whatever degree and just cruis'n for some sort of related HEALTH PROBLEM (ulcers, migraines, irritable bowl syndrome, etc.) For Heaven sake... DO NOT LET PEOPLE GUILD TRIP YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND. What has happened is that you and your husband are young and fairly rare members in a very small LDS branch of old/elderly people ..... and ..... your're being WAY OVER USED. AND IT WILL CONTINUE UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO HELP YOURSELVES. (I KNOW what I am talking about, as I personally have intimately witnessed this very situation.) The CHURCH ITSELF SAYS that NOTHING is MORE IMPORTANT than :THE FAMILY. You have the GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO ATTEND TO YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN FIRST. Especially at this age and phase of their growth. HERE'S WHAT YOU DO: Have your husband go to your bishop/branch president and TELL HIM YOU are having issues that REQUIRE CLOSER COMPANIONSHIP FROM HIM, rest, and a cutting way down on your church duties. (He has PROBABLY heard this before.) Then go out and do leisurely family time, having THAT ALWAYS as your FIRST PRIORITY. This is NOT a lie, because the NEXT THING I AM GOING TO SAY IS ---- GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR and ---TELL HIM ABOUT ALL OF THIS...... it's ENTIRELY POSSIBLE YOU are CLINICALLY DEPRESSED and NEED blood tests, counseling, vitamins, psychoactive medication, etc. A large portion of LDS SISTERS take serotonin uptake (anti-depression) meds and they can be a life saver. I wouldn't be surprised if your poor body/mind aren't completely wrung out. Go with God, Girl. God bless you, your Husband and little family!
  7. Greetings, Mark! Hi, Babe. When reading this please realize that I am a 66 yr old convert to the Church as is my HUSBAND. (We weren't baptized together but 20 yrs. apart.) My spouse served 2 honorable terms in the US Coast Guard after he was baptized. Soooooo, you are getting advice from people who have lived a long time and have pretty much seen it all, which is incorporated into their testimonies. FIRST OF ALL ---- AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, go see a DOCTOR and tell them how YOU ARE FEELING REGARDING THE SUICIDE THING!!!! (VERY IMPORTANT.) We went "this route" with a couple of people in our family. A medical doctor may give you a couple of tests to determine what your matter is, and then he/she will prescribe medication to correct your brain's chemistry. (I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice.) If you have a deficiency in something, you're in NO POSITION to be thinking about your future or making decisions. Go to your phone book and get NUMBERS for crisis hotlines and CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY when you start TO THINK ABOUT HARMING YOURSELF. REALLY.... It may not be a sin, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YA----- HEAVENLY FATHER : DOESN'T WANT YOU HARMING OR KILLING YOURSELF!!!!! Even THOSE FEELINGS are FROM THE ENEMY, NOT FROM GOD!!~ NO... there are NO SINS the LORD does NOT FORGIVE. Some BIBLE VERSES: (NT) "John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes upon his name shall not perish , but shall have everlasting life." "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life." " God came not into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved." "NO SIN overtaketh man, but not be covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ." "Though our sins are as red as scarlet, He shall wash them whiter than snow." There is only one sin that is unpardonable and that is the is "The Sin Against the Holy Spirit," which MEANS: NOT LETTING THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO YOUR HEART, which ISN"T YOUR PROBLEM. HEY, FORGET about all YOUR THEOLOGY and GUILT. IN FACT SCREW THE GUILT. (sorry to be blunt.) but you are going THROUGH PUBERTY, for gosh sakes. Your brain and your body are all over the place. Please STOP WORRYING. YOU HAVE to : TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!~ At 18 yrs, you are JUST STARTING YOUR LIFE.... and you have some DIRE ISSUES you NEED to HAVE TREATED BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR and non-CHURCH THERAPIST. You can go see your Bishop or not, he's not trained in dispensing the help that you desperately NEED. BUT YOU DESPERATELY NEED TO GO TO A MEDICAL DOCTOR NOW. He is the ONE who can get things STRAIGHTENED OUT THE FASTEST. God bless and best of luck!!
  8. Bless you...! I can hear that you are just dying inside. You have been through trials and tribulations that a very few people in our Church know about. Take all of what I say with a grain of salt, ok. I am an adult convert (former Catholic.) My husband is an adult convert (former Catholic.) Ha! We did NOT know each other when we converted , HOWEVER, while we are TEMPLE MORMONS, we have a VERY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE as members of the Church. In fact, my spouse was a single SAILOR for several years when he came into the Church. The LAST THING , I feel, YOU NEED is to BEAT YOURSELF UP MORE. (READ that again, please.) The enemy is having a field day with you, Babe..... My very dearest former bishop, now a TEMPLE RECOMMEND HOLDER and STAKE MISSION PRESIDENT, had an affair on his wife (they had 4 children) which produced a child. He left his first family and married this mistress. ALL of this was in the CHURCH. (I hate to be honest, but I worked with his FIRST WIFE in my calling and I WAS TERRIFIED OF HER. I can't IMAGINE that any Brother would want to have a Temple marriage, or ANY KIND of MARRIAGE, with someone like THAT! The CHURCH would censure me on that certainly, but you SEE my POINT.) He is the WISEST BROTHER I KNOW IN THE CHURCH. I feel HE would tell you to GO to YOUR BISHOP ----- TELL HIM 1) You are VERY SORRY, and 2) That YOU ARE SO GLAD you have the CHANCE TO REPENT. (I have a little insider information on this.) DON"T JUST STOP THERE, BUT --- POUR YOUR HEART OUT TO HIM ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE. Sure, It's SIN, BUT MY WORD, LOOK AT THE HORRIBLE UNTENABLE SITUATION you and YOUR SPOUSE are IN. I DON"T SEE the SAVIOR damning YOU; in fact, I see him saying, " My Child, go and sin no more." and then hugging you and wiping away your tears and HELPING YOU. (IF you're wondering what others might think, just remember about the part in the Bible where Jesus confronts the hypocrites about to stone the woman taken in adultrey. He writes ALL THEIR SINS in the DUST and lets her go with ..." Where are they that would condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more." Most probably, you may not have to go to a Bishop's Court, which is NOT anything frightening, in fact you can have one of your girlfriends from Church go with you. Then you'll get something like a month of Church Probation where you won't be able to take communion and will meet with the Bishop once a week so he can see how you are doing, how you feel about the books he's given you to read, etc/ Even IF you get a Court, called a "Court of Love," you HAVEN'T , as I understand it, actual 100% conventional sex, so that will be in your FAVOR. I VERY SINCERELY THINK you would be excommunicated. NO. You wouldn't be. People even MISUNDERSTAND THAT. This mousy little middle aged ward organist I once knew committed adultery...and she kept it up FOR SEVERAL YEARS, as a Temple Mormon. I think she was excommunicated for 6 months or something. The WHOLE POINT is to RESTORE the PERSON BACK TO FULL FELLOWSHIP. They see the Bishop regularly and are given different scripture and books to read. The WHOLE TIME they are WELCOMED IN CHURCH. Afterwards they get RE-Baptized. And in a YEAR you can have a TEMPLE RECOMMEND INTERVIEW. One of the MAIN THINGS HERE is: ARE YOU ENDOWED? That may have some bearing. Anyway, GOD BLESS YOU, SWEETIE! Go see your BISHOP SOON!
  9. I just saw this because as of yesterday I just joined this community. Sweetheart, I can't say how SORRY I am for you; such a situation! In NO WAY are you responsible for this, OK? (Repeat that a couple of times) . Your BISHOP is there to HELP and SUPPORT you is situations JUST LIKE THIS. WHY should he feel ANYTHING other than COMPASSION and SORROW --- for YOU? If your so-called husband were having a Heterosexual AFFAIR, it WOULD NOT be ANY DIFFERENT. He is being GROSSLY UNFAITHFUL to YOU and YOUR FAMILY. Hey, I am an adult convert. I didn't grown up in the Church, so I feel I have the benefit of BOTH perspectives. FORGET THINKING about your seriously "ill" husband; Honey, you NEED to start thinking about YOU and your KIDS. This GUY has ALL the SIGNS of a man becoming DOMESTICALLY VIOLENT and I am very sorry, but you are going to HAVE TO START CONSIDERING THAT, TOO. You NEED a PLAN for WHAT TO DO THERE --- your BISHOP can help with THAT, also. Bishops in the LDS CHURCH are TRAINED to do things just like THIS, and do IT ALL of the TIME. I so regret to tell you that your mate has gone over to the "other side," for who knows what reasons, WHICH DO NOT MATTER. AND ARE NOT YOUR FAULT. YOU CAN"T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM EITHER. We shall PRAY he DOES REPENT and that he AVAILS himself of the Church provision of a "COURT OF LOVE," so that he can GET HELP FOR HIMSELF, and be HEALED of what has lately been plaguing him. This is something that IS NOT NEW to the LDS CHURCH, believe it or NOT. YOU can also ASK to go to the COUNSELOR (which is CONFIDENTIAL) at LDS SOCIAL SERVICES. UNFORTUNATELY, NONE of this can happen unless you GO TO YOUR BISHOP and RIGHT AWAY. God be with you, Luv.... Here's my beloved husband: If HE WON'T give up the Transgender Stuff, he HAS TO GO. I hate to be THAT COLD, but we're DEALING with PORNOGRAPHY around your CHILDREN and the possibility that you could get AIDES. My Dear Husband was an ADULT CONVERT TO the Church, like me. In the military, he was all over the World , so HE IS a very knowledgeable man besides a priesthood holder. He' going to share HIS PERSPECTIVE with you, also, as he SHARES my CONCERN. Hi! I was in New York with the USCG and one day while visiting a friend or so I thought, that evening after getting back from a party, we were just about to nodd off, I being on the floor in a sleeping bag..!hen he said..."Jim...What would you do if I jumped out of bed and raped you?" Shocked,I told him "it wouldn't be a wise thing to do!" and being bigger than myself, I just told him...Jerry! "If you did, you would have to kill me, and if you didn't, I would get up and kick your brains in!" At that point, I realized that these perverts are not hand holding, cheek kissing friends! They are predators, and need to be eradicated! Now about your perverted husband...Go see your home teachers, and tell them your plight, and next Sunday, corner your Bishop and tell your story to him! Your husband in not just sick, he is dangerous to you and possibly children and others he comes in contact with! Take it to your Stake President as soon as possible! Tonight would be just fine! He needs to be stopped! YESTERDAY! I wish you the best, or at least a better husband!....James Humberg, USCG DIsabled Veteran 1969-1978...Honorable Dischanged!
  10. Byron, I have read your deeply moving and thought and thought provoking post a couple of times. I was Catholic/Lutheran before a converted to Mormonism as a mature adult. As a Roman Catholic woman, I once, for a period of time, explored the idea of whether or not I had a vocational calling to be a nun. I am married and my dear spouse is also a former Catholic. We are both Temple Mormons; actually WERE, as our recommends have lapsed as we have not kept up our tithes. I have compassion for you, as I have allowed myself a couple of times, to become inactive. The reasons for this were , at the time I thought, genuine. I was "working on my testimony," which I HAVE today. Brigham Young the GREAT CO-FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH once said that "The LDS Church is True. If not, the people would have ruined it YEARS AGO." Unfortunately, it sounds as if you, Byron, may have run afoul of a crack pot or two in this Church and I am sincerely SORRY. Your letter just radiates with the Holy Spirit. When Moses was on the Mountain, God said to him, "Tell the people that , 'I AM that I AM' has sent you. " What THIS MEANS to ME , and other people whom I've heard teach is : We have been given quick intellects with the ability to reason and chose. Everyone has the privilege and charge of working out his/her own religious beliefs and choices. The Holy Spirit /Heavenly Father/Jesus Christ will reveal THEMSELVES, INDIVIDUALLY to each person who SEEKS them.....AND it is WRONG for ANYONE to OFFEND another person's RIGHT in this regard, or spiritually injure them. (WHY did the Pilgrims come to America? Jesus also seriously discusses this .) I BELIEVE that the LDS CHURCH will NOT DISAGREE with this. In fact I can see teen aged JOSEPH SMITH kneeling in that little grove praying to God to show JOSEPH the WAY. NO ONE forced their religion on him. I'm praying for your peace, protection, and whatever else of which you want and stand in need. You're quite inspirational, Byron.
  11. Hey! My name is "Athena9" and good on you for being baptized . Both my dear spouse and I (at different times when we didn't know each other) were converts with no other Mormons in our family! As a single woman in what seemed like the only one in this sea of married families with several kids, I WENT to the ACTIVITIES--- Thanksgiving stuff, Christmas, New Years party, Valentines , Easter ..... you get the IDEA. These people don't drink or hang around Starbucks so they REALLY know how to put on a PRODUCTION (hint: GO to their POT LUCK's) and do FUN THINGS for EVERYBODY. Oh, and find out about their young adult/adult dances. After a while, SOME COUPLE will come to "adopt' you. So , if you see that happening. if you want to, GO FOR IT, Now REMEMBER the LDS BELIEVE that we were ALL SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN HEAVEN. I DON"T know if you're interested in a member of the "other gender persuasion" , but the Church is good about that too. If you want to date or seriously start thinking about a life time partner, this is the place. Other than that, you sound very intelligent and intellectual, so SURE, this Church is famous for BOOK CLUBS, Monday Home Evenings (a regular thing, get yourself invited to one of those; every family has those.) which are scripture study. God bless and keep you. You're in for a fantastic journey...
  12. Grace and Peace! Nice to get to know you a little. I was born Roman Catholic, and I mean I practiced the REAL OLD PRE-VATICAN II Catholicism. Yes, at one point in my adult life, I seriously considered becoming a nun. I converted to being a Mormon NOT to please a boyfriend or any other friends. I will be honest with you , at times, I still struggle and I still sometimes doubt. It's like my (LDS marriage): I made a PACT with Heavenly Father that IF HE DID NOT WANT ME to be in this MARRIAGE, he would CLEARLY LET ME KNOW, otherwise I was STEPPING OUT ON FAITH. OK, and many wonderful years later (occasionally, my eternal companion and I still have our differences) I CAN CLEARLY SEE GOD'S will. OK, I am the ONLY MORMON EVER in my family tree. Same as for my darling , former CATHOLIC , husband. When I was about to be BAPTISED, I made the same pact with Heavenly Father, because all of my very dear Catholic friends were freaking out. God did NOT give me any indication that I SHOULD NOT join the CHURCH. That , obviously, was one of the best decisions I ever made. Once, I broke up with my LDS fiance and became real upset not just with HIM, and he was "bad news," but with the LDS Church because he was a priesthood holder and the Stake (area) President's first cousin. This was just unreal: I needed a new job in a hurry because of a forced move where I could no longer serve in my regular profession. The job I was assigned: had ALL LDS employees, and my BOSS was LDS and a Ward Bishop. (No, and this was a security job that had NOTHING to do with the Church, so my co-workers understood that they could get in trouble discussion religion.) Needless to say, I re-activated myself and was sorry for the time I lost. If you can get a copy, try to read the old book, " Apostasy to Restoration," by Edgar Lyons. It was used in adult Sunday School class in the early 60's. I tell you, it is fascinating reading, very professionally done, and a true EYE OPENER--- NOT the STUFF THEY TAUGHT US IN PAROCHIAL SCHOOL. There are many things the LDS Church shares with the old Roman Catholic Church ---- such as baptism for the dead . (That is in the New Testament , and your missionary buddies will be able to show it to you.) Best of luck to you and I hope you find happiness. It is good that you are the way you are. Instant conversions are rather suspect in my book as they do not sometimes last very long. Heavenly Father has a plan for you and your life. Everything takes place on HIS TIME. Love in the Savior, Athena9
  13. My Dear Soon-to-Be-Friends! I am ATHENA, a peppy nanna with long (real) blonde hair, an artistic bent, lover of history of all sorts, former Church musician, wife a darling disabled Vietnam era Veteran, owner of a wonderful golden Yorkie dog named "Maddie." I USED to be very ATHLETIC until about 4 hrs. ago. when I started having seizures. I WAS a Temple Mormon but have been inactive for about 5 years. Ah, and I was Catholic before I converted. Truly looking forward to meeting all of you, hearing your stories, sharing "time," with you. Prayers and Blessings!