wenglund

Now you have. 

For me it was when the Missionaries identified the Holy Ghost.  They were teaching me and told me that what I was feeling right then was the Holy Ghost testifying to me that what they were telling me was true.  At that point it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I actually was able to recognize the spirit for the first time in my life and was able to recognize what it was telling me.
From then on out I could also recognize when the spirit was around and realized that when I read the Book of Mormon especially (though I could also recognize it when I read the New Testament for example), or when I was at the LDS services that I also felt this. 
That I could also recognize when it was not present or having a source from other sources and places made me recognize when it was testifying of truth.
Other things have caused me to have a stronger testimony over the years, but that was the initial point of my testimony solidifying.

Sometimes even a snapshot can have a lot of information.  I am a 5th generation member.  I was borne of very good parents.  Yet, just as is most often the case - I am different.  I grew up to become an engineer and scientist working the the field of industrial automation, robotics and artificial intelligence.   I am very connected to logic and science as well as religion and I believe in truth as both a scientific and religious passion.  I believe in evolution and I believe in G-d and I believe that the truth of both is completely compatible.  
My first moving spiritual experience happened when I was eight years old.  I learned that the Book of Mormon is divinely inspired of G-d when I was 13.  I joined the army when I was 17 (during the Vietnam conflict) and finished high school while in the army.  At age 19 I transfered to the inactive army reserve to serve 2 years as missionary for the church.  I have endeavored to be of service to both G-d and country.   
I have never doubted that there is a G-d, nor have I ever found reason to disbelieve the covenants, ordinances and laws (especially concerning the priesthood) taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am convinced that the kingdom of G-d cannot continue on this earth without divinely appointed living prophets to guide and direct the citizens of such a kingdom and its society of saints.  I have traveled the world in my work and have met many great and wonderful people of just about all major religions and a lot of minor religions as well.  I am well versed in the doctrines of many religions and have incorporated much of what I have learned into my own understanding of religious things.  I have a very high respect for Buddhism and Islam (mostly Shia) and most devout individuals of any religion.
As much as I do believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - I would embrace in an instant a greater path to things divine and eternal should I ever encounter such truth but to be honest - I have never encountered anything even close and so sacredly witnessed by G-d to be true.  Not that there are not some members that are a little strange to me but that we are not only taught as Saints but given every opportunity to act and serve as Saints through teachings and callings.
 
The Traveler

My reason is answered by a chain of events and beliefs.  first off, I took consideration of the "lilies of the field" which led me to believe there was a god and that led me to believe there was a son for the sins who formed a church and its that same church. My very short answer.

I was born and raised a member of the Church.  I soon turned into a church nerd and became interested in learning about everything church related.  I read all the scriptures, Jesus the Christ, Mormon Doctrine, Answers to Gospel Questions, and whatever else I could get my hands on.  Then I took an interest in “anti-Mormon” material.  I had to balance that out with the apologetic material.  Now because of my nerdy interest, I know about most of the Church’s baggage.  
So why do I remain a member?  My faith is rooted in Christ.  After knowing about all the bizarre details of Nauvoo polygamy, the mess that is the Book of Abraham, treasure digging, Adam-God, etc., I still feel drawn to Christ for some reason.  And I find Chirst in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I wound consider myself Christian first and a Latter-day Saint second.  I guess you can say that I have been following the advice given in Helaman 5:12.   
I also can say that my experience in the day-to-day life of church membership has been mostly positive.  It helps that I like my ward now as well.

As I’ve communed with God, I’ve felt clear direction that the Church provides the best combination of environment and understanding/doctrine to maximize my devotion and discipleship.  
It also gives me a wonderful forum and structure within which I can serve God’s children and my brothers and sisters of all faiths.

I’ve known tragedy from a very young age. And, when I’ve experienced such profound grief the gospel gives me the hope to soldier on. I can’t imagine my life without the gospel. It is the foundation that I lean on. It gives my life purpose and meaning. Not only that, but I’ve had profound witnesses from the Spirit that has testified to me the truthfulness of the gospel.  I can not deny the witness I’ve received.

An answer to prayer that, over 5 decades, cannot be explained as anything other than the will of a Living God and which has only expanded in significance and personal motivation as time has gone on.

Ugh.  I'm actually writing a book on this topic.  The short and easy answer is:  When looking at the journey that was my conversion and taking in the mountains heavenly father moved to put the right people in my path, there is absolutely zero possibility that this isn't His will for me or that He doesn't exist.  It doesn't matter that there are many things I don't have a testimony of.  It doesn't matter that there are many things I don't understand.  It doesn't matter that I very much struggle with some things relating to being a member of this church.  What matters is there isn't the slightest doubt in my mind that in spite of all those things, I can't deny that He brought me to this place and went above and beyond to get me here.

I wrote this a while back.  Might be relevant to the topic.
 

It really isn't more complicated than that.  You just explained the emotional hardships some have while following Christ. 

Not a problem since his cardinals can only move diagonally on the "tug-of-war" board, whereas the apostles can move in all directions.  
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Not a problem since his cardinals can only move diagonally on the "tug-of-war" board, whereas the apostles can move in all directions.  
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Again, I think this is the upside down thinking of the world in at least two respects.
First,  contrary to what is suggested, it is actually fair to homosexuals in the sense that life is unfair in its own ways for everyone, individually and collectively. The illusion that life is particularly unfair for certain groups is created by the media and identity politics using focused attention on select woes, and this for manipulative purposes. Ironically, what is unfair is the "judges" have rigged the Oppression Olympics to favor useful identities .
Second, the thinking is inverted because it prioritizes and promotes the woes over the potential redemption, the weaknesses over the potential strengths, and this on a group rather than on an individual basis.  This, too, is by worldly design.  It is much easier to subjugate populations by getting them to obsess about their group problems and injustices and inequality,  since individuals cant personally solve such things for the groups on their own, thus leaving the false perception that secular governments are the only source of resolution.  Not only is misery and the like made dominate, but power is shifted thereby from the individual to the collective--i.e. to the elites who rule the collective.
Whereas,  the Restored Gospel  does the opposite by way of the atoning sacrifice  and elevating example of Christ.  Salvation and exaltation is made paramount, first on an individual bases, and then on a family basis. Weaknesses are viewed as a means for gaining strength, and unfairness and injustice as a means of building divine character. Challenges, then, become opportunities for progression rather than the cause of damnation and failure.  At the very least, the sorrows of the night can be endured and even overcome through faith and hope in the joy that cometh in the morning.
In short, beware of the diametrical opposing thinking of the world, and Come Follow Christ..  It can make the difference between real progress or digression, true freedom and enslavement,  regardless of race, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Not a problem since his cardinals can only move diagonally on the "tug-of-war" board, whereas the apostles can move in all directions.  
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Not a problem since his cardinals can only move diagonally on the "tug-of-war" board, whereas the apostles can move in all directions.  
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

A friend of mine mentioned she would love to see a picture of the 12 Apostles next to the statues of the 12 apostles.

I volunteer as tribute!

This is just amazing. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900059369/entire-first-presidency-quorum-of-the-twelve-to-attend-rome-temple-dedication-mormon.html
The last time this occured was at the Nauvoo Dedication in 2002 and before that at the LA Temple Dedication in 1956. Very historic times for the Church.

It seems to be that we choose in life between dying as a product of our circumstance or a product of what we determine by our will.  But to say something is unfair would be a claim to know something beyond death - that I am not sure we can know to a certainty.   I do not "know" but I doubt that anything will conclude unfairly. 
But I intend to bring to light something of importance.  It is the difference between free and liberated or capacitive and in bondage.  I believe that in this life - if we submit our will to circumstance that we become bonded and captive of Satan and that which is evil - because we are fallen and our circumstances are somewhat influenced (enough and sufficient to cause) by that which would deprive us of liberty and freedom.
What concerns me most about LGBTQ movement is the intent to surrender one's self and will to circumstance.   The insistence that it is somehow not good (or evil) to determine by one's intelligent will - what is of value and worthwhile to live for.
 
The Traveler

Evidently, there is no board rule against you saying things that are demonstrably false.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

We show the same compassion as we would with anyone who has become overwhelmed by the passions of the body.  There was only one who overcame the passions of the body, that was Christ.  All of us fall short of not letting the passions of the body drive our lives to some degree.  The topic is a little easier to discuss when it comes to things like fame, love of money, pornography or alcohol or drug addiction but these are all passions of the body still the same, that can be contradictory to the spirit's influence.  The problem is when the person receiving the "love and compassion" is in a state of despair over the idea that we should try to resist or bridle the passions of the body. This is the test of this life, to show what we desire the most, carnal things or spiritual things. The test is not easy and nobody passes on their own effort alone, except Christ.  There is a point where one can be totally closed off from the influences of the spirit, that is a state of despair, a lack of hope. To be the recipient of love and compassion requires a small amount of hope or faith. 
You would have to be more specific about what the stumbling block is for those members. I don't see it as a major stumbling block for any faithful members I know.   

I don't see how this answers my question?
Nevertheless, I am not sure you are understanding Mormon correctly.  The fact that Mormon leaves the ultimate condemnation (judgement) to God, doesn't take away from the fact that the preceding verses, if not also chapters and books, were filled with his recognition (judgement) that the "fair ones" had "departed from the ways of the Lord."
In other words, being able to discern (judge)  what constitutes sin or not, and whether people, including ourselves, are sinning, is quite different than condemning (judging) people to hell . The former is requisite to grasping and properly operating within the gospel (how can people have faith unto repentance and be cleansed. justified, and sanctified, if they are unable to say what is sin or no?). Whereas, the later is the domain of the Father through the  intercession of the Son.
The Savior came into the world not to condemn (judge) but to redeem the world. He wishes all men to become their very best selves, even as he is.
But, to redeem the world necessitates recognizing (judging) right from wrong, sin from righteousness, good from evil., etc. One cannot activate the redemptive powers in their lives except they recognize and acknowledge those things from which they need redeeming.
Sadly, some of us have foolishly bought into the world's nefarious  illusion that not considering certain sins as sins is the merciful and tolerant thing to do.  
However, this ignores the physical and spiritual consequences of those sins (I mentioned earlier in the thread how disease and mental illness and death have skyrocketed among homosexuals since their movement began. I can provide ample documentation. The same is manifesting itself among transgenders and the like.)
Whereas, in truth, it is the gospel that is merciful, not only in helping people to avoid the ravages of sin (after first acknowledging their sins), but also to overcome them.
But, we live in an upside-down world.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Yes. Very much so. To get a sense for how bad the harm has been not only to homosexuals but to others in society, see my articles on Spike in Social Ills,  Destructive Compassion,  Degraded Traditional Marriage,  Marriage in Crises,  and especially Hurting the Children. Granted, these articles were written in the context of the Same Sex "Marriage" debate, but they also relate to harm stemming from the movement as a whole.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

A Jewish day is 12 hours long.
He died 12pm Friday.
Dead for 1 day = Friday afternoon
Dead 1 night = Friday night
2 day = Saturday
2 night = Saturday 
3 day =Sunday morning.
3 night = Sunday night,
He didnt appear to the apostles until the night time. So all, except the apostles thought that his body was in the tomb for the 3 days and nights. It definately was for 3 days.