jsb

Thanks Iggy, I understand what you mean, and that is probably the only thing that has kept me going to church for the last while. And, as if on cue, I got a call from the BP to meet him before Sacrament meeting this morning!!! I know this is in connection with another calling as we have just had another reshuffle this past week. I know because it involves both of my daughters. My 22 year old YSA daughter has justbeen released as RS pres. She has had to deal with angry separations, child abuse and so many other things that she could have probably done without at her age!!!

I have been a member of the church all my life (48years). All of those years have been spent in small branches (outside the US). At present the branch I am in comprises of almost 30% family and extended family members. We have always been considered a "strong" LDS family. We have faced many trials in our present branch because of this fact. Not because we have aspired to them, but most of the leadership callings have been or are at present held by family/extended family members. My problem is this. It is becoming more and more appealing to just stop going to church because of the attitude of some people towards me/us. These are people who WILL NOT accept callings of responsibility, but spend there time and efforts tearing down those of us who will. Critisizing our close bond as family members, (we have never been exclusive in our dealings with people, but we are a close-knit family). The remaining 60% of active members aren't friends with each other, but we get heavy flack because we're not bosom buddies with everyone. I know this is a long rant but it has been 11 years in the making!!! At times causing me to distance my self from siblings and other family members to try and appease other people. I am not a very outgoing person, so this was a painful thing for me to do because my family ARE my friends. I shouldn't have to feel guilty about that. I am at the point where I just don't want to be amongst the people that cause me such irritation:mad: I know the Gospel is true, but can't help feeling I'd be better off not going to Sunday meetings to just come home hurt and frustrated because someone else in my family has been attacked. Yes, it happens regularly that one or the other has some smart remark thrown out at them. I'm nearing the end of my rope. Please give me some objective help.

In countries where it is required, by law, to have a civil marriage, couples who wish to go to the Temple to be sealed are requied to get to the Temple at the earliest opportunity eg. our closest Temple would be a day's trip. If a couple were to marry on a Saturday, they would have to travel to the Temple to be sealed on the following Tuesday as that would be the earliest opportunity because the Temple is closed on Mondays. If they do not go at the earliest possible opportunity, the one year waiting period becomes applicable.

This is the first (and probably last) time that I have posted here. This is not the spirit that we should have when we are having a doctrinal discussion. If Sarah has a genuine question she should be afforded the courtesy of a polite answer. If she is looking for an argument, " Contention is of the devil" and this kind of response promotes feelings of contention. This is not what the gospel of Christ is about.