Grunt

There are lots of people involved with this forum who aren't as faithful as they'd like us to believe they are. I don't pay much heed to anonymous gossip.

There is a push in many areas of society to indoctrinate youth in the LGBT culture. It's mostly working, and if you aren't active in your schools you're allowing. Most parents aren't even aware of the extent it's happening. The Church is struggling to create a culture of love and acceptance while remaining doctrinally sound. What this means varies depending on a member's views. Organizations, such as the Joseph Smith Foundation, are popping up to oppose the cultural push.

I think the exact same thing and have the same questions about liberals. That said, I try to teach my children tolerance and good behavior.

Maybe? As someone who spent all but the last 4 years of his life NOT as a Saint, I don't know (from a mortal perspective). I will certainly say life is better and more fulfilling. Edited to add: I suppose, as I ponder this, I liken it to going to the gym. I'm in the gym every morning. It's certainly harder than sleeping in or watching television. However, it improves my quality of life. I can do more physically. I'm happier. I'm healthier. The rest of my life is better because of the effort I put into my physical health. I think my life is better because of the effort I put into my spiritual life. That doesn't mean there aren't days when it's time to get up and it takes every ounce of motivation to not roll over and go back to sleep. For me, some days being a Saint is like that. There are aspects of the Church, my faith, and my covenants that I struggle with. But I get up, exercise my testimony and fulfill my calling, and everything falls into place.

Most of them.

First, I think we as Saints are way too hard on ourselves. We all put our best foot forward and seem to live perfect lives, but when you peek behind the curtain you'll see we're all as messed up as the next family. After one of my Church meetings the other day, a few members pulled me aside and thanked me for sharing both sides. I'm still not sure what they meant, but I suppose it's because I acknowledge the difficulty as well as the blessings. That doesn't mean I don't knuckle down and follow in faith, but it's not always easy. Second, I think there isn't a secret answer to changing perspective. A talk, verse, or Hymn can start the journey, but it's a journey. I loved President Nelson's talk yesterday about Spiritual Momentum. If you didn't catch it, please do. In my most humble opinion, attitudes and perspectives are changed through environment and habit. Build a home that is faithful and without sinful distractions. If television, movies, books, or even sometimes people darken your perspective or create doubts, then swap them out for things that bolster your faith. Set a routine of study and prayer. Prayer is incredible, but didn't come easy to me. Study doesn't always have to be sitting and ready scriptures or Come Follow Me, though that is important. It could be listening to talks or reading other faith-building material. Form a routine so that it becomes habit. Third, sometimes we carry guilt and don't even realize it. Things we need to repent for and/or resolve. They don't have to be sins, but could just be things that weigh heavy on our hearts. Maybe none of these apply to you, but from time to time they do apply to me so I thought it important enough to share.

That's one of the things nobody tells you when you're investigating. Being a Saint can be HARD.

What about his talk bothered you? I thought his talk was full of love and the testified of Christ.

I don't know. I leave myself open to the possibility of either, and focus on what I believe really matters like covenants.

There is a lot to unpack here and a lot I don't understand. You're inactive and don't want to be inactive, right? You're upset that your Latter-day Saint friend pressures you into going back to church? Tell her the topic is off limits. The bigger issue, for me, is what I view as an inconsistency. You don't participate in Church anymore, correct? Do you wear your garments? Keep the Word of Wisdom? Tithe? If not, then I'm really not sure why you're upset that your husband is doing the same thing? It sounds like a great time for you both to start attending again. There is strength in numbers. The best way to get back on track is take the first step.

I agree 100% regarding a diagnosis, but you don't need to be a doctor to watch Biden and see something is wrong. I saw the same thing with my grandparents and great-grandparents. I couldn't render a diagnosis then, but we knew grandma was going to ask the same question 37 times and forget we answered it earlier. We knew she was going to lose her train of thought regularly and not finish sentences. We knew her mental acuity had declined. While I couldn't say "she has dementia" and don't know if she did, but we DID know she wasn't fit for many things.

Lynching is generally associated by hanging because that was the typical action. It more aptly refers to mob justice, but in recent years has been used to refer to any unjust action by a group, particularly towards a protected class. They pretend the word is derived only from racist roots.

I'm only here for this week.

Anyone there? Traveling again. I e met some awesome forum members in my travels.

I'd never heard about this before. I'll have to do more research. Here's more data on WSPRnet and the GDTA project

Because he's the Prophet, chosen to speak for God. If an angel appeared to you would you assume your view trumped God's mouthpiece? It's not just one Prophet, either. It's numerous Prophets and Apostles. In my humble opinion, you can't use "faithful member" in the same sentence as not sustaining the Prophet. My heart aches for the position your in, but I think you summed up your foxhole perfectly with "conflating emotional or intellectual preference". Every talk ever given on the topic suggests you're on shaky ground with this line of thinking.

The only Latter-day Saint group I've seen there isn't very faithful. I'll have to poke around more.

"You have to join the world and its culture to be relevant". Nah. I'll continue to follow Christ's truth, regardless where the world goes. That said, I'm not saying it's mental illness or not.

So much this. I can't imagine the struggle of this. Sadly as a society we've set the baseline at "nah, you're good, everyone else is messed up"

I'll certainly add you to my prayer list.

No worries. I'll mind my own business. Thought it was a mistake.

Might want to edit Jason's name If he doesn't care I'll delete.

Which do you think is more accurate? How it's defined by a fallen world, or how it's defined by Christ?

Sure. Me too, and I'm in the gym every day. However, a male the same age, health, shape, and training would likely mop the floor with her.