Grunt

That was my understanding until I was interviewed for baptism. It's entirely possible that I'm misremembering the interview as I don't see this listed anywhere officially, but I could have sworn part of the questioning was my willingness to follow the law of tithing and contribute fast offerings. That's why I understood it to be a covenant. I'll ask my interviewer if he remembers. I'm not attempting to be stirring things up, just sorting them out in my own mind.

Particularly when fasting by Mormon definition seems to include skipping water, when most will agree that dehydration can significantly exacerbate kidney stones.

I suppose I need to research this more to see if fasting and fast offerings are something we're TOLD to do (I believe we were asked to covenant these in the baptism interview?) or whether it's a "suggestion". If it's the former, I was unaware that "our brains" could override compulsions from God. If it's the latter, then I should see what else is merely cultural or a suggestion that I previously believed to be a commandment.

Wow. I’ll have to ponder this. However, where does it say “health comes first”. Isn’t dehydration in general unhealthy?

Nope. Mo’ money Mo’ money Mo’ money

God calls who he calls.

Wait, fasting has nothing to do with water, does it? My understanding of fasting is no food intake. Drink all the water you want.

I’m receiving a tax cut.

I believe you can get a limited recommend immediately.

I would agree with your assessment, yet disagree with your last line. I'd also ask if you're both LDS? If so, are both following the Law of Chastity?

First, my opinion is likely worth less than the dirt under your fingernails, so take it at its value. That said, here you go: First, what you tithe is between you, your Bishop, and God. I would suggest you pray deeply on it, gain a testimony of what you think tithing really means, then pay what you think you SHOULD pay. Next, I would suggest you step back and humble yourself. Do you think all these people are trying to hurt you or help you? Do you think they are being mean or trying to serve you with advice? I'd also look at WHY they are spending so much time talking about tithing. To my knowledge, the number of people who know what, or if, you tithe is very small. I don't know a single person in my Ward, except those who have shared info with me when I was searching for answers, that tithes. I assume they all do, but I don't have a clue. I also know outside of scheduled lessons, nobody has EVER mentioned tithing to me unless I've asked. Why are they asking you? Is it common knowledge that you're struggling with the concept of tithing? Are you asking them about tithing? Lastly, by the tone and content of your post seems to be on what everyone else is doing and how it relates to you. I did this as an investigator. I URGE you to stop. Don't worry about where you tithing or fast offerings go. There are people in place who watch the watchers. The commandment is yours to follow. If the Bishop took your money and burned it in a bowl in front of you it doesn't release you from God's command. That said, you know it that doesn't happen. I urge you to focus on your relationship with God, your path to the spirit world, and your adherence to God's commands. You won't be judged by how well you did in comparison to others. You'll be judged by how well you did, period. I wish you well on your journey. I'm sorry you have so many hardships to deal with. I know you made the right choice in your life, but I ALSO have a personal testimony that God blesses effort, even when we don't know why we are putting it forth at the time. Ask Christ for the answer. He'll give it to you.

I'm not the most humble person in the world, but I have always wanted to be more knowledgeable. Probably because I'm not as humble as I should be. To be knowledgeable, you must ask questions and truly listen. That's the hard part, TRULY listening. Then anything that I don't understand I research, which raises more questions. Then the answers to THOSE questions require more research. I guess the answer is talking with people, being forthright with my questioning, attending church, and prayer. Even then, for most of my testimony I didn't have a flash/bang moment. It's like my relationship with my wife. I always knew I loved her, but one day I realized I LOVED her. There was no flash/bang moment. However, I believe God rewards effort. You need to put in the time. You need to earn it. If he just ran around handing out testimonies, it wouldn't be much of a test. I didn't have a conviction to the church until I listened to all the advice people on this forum had been giving me for months. Live the WoW. Pray. Live the Law of Chastity. Study. BE what He wants you to be and you'll know it is true.

Hatred? Ha! Want me to write my sin list for you? How much time do you have? Go to church. Read the word of God. Pray. Talk to those who can help you. Stay on the path that you know to be true. There. Now you're just like the rest of us sinners. You know what's right. Stick with it.

Welcome! I love introverts, but they HATE me. Sorry in advance.

Well, I've added 2 more Safaris (for gifts), a Levenger L-tech 3.0, a Cross, and a Pilot White Tiger with J. Herbin 1670 Green

It was genius in its simplicity.

Agreed. Man is imperfect, and they help us understand them.

When my chickens get hurt I eat them.

You should be. He’s a pretty awesome guy.

Great meeting you today. Thanks!

I went to a local 4th of July parade. The mission entered a float in the parade that allowed them to dress as missionaries to meet the theme. At the fair immediately after the parade, they had bouncy houses and other children's games and had the missionaries collecting the money for them. While your children were in the bouncy house, you had no option but to stand there with missionaries. We spoke briefly, unknowingly answering their questions. Because we were friendly, they immediately called our ward missionaries and described us to them. We were eating lunch and they walked by. My wife made eye contact, which opened the door to conversation. The rest is history. Interestingly, the current missionaries are obviously not the same missionaries from that day as many have passed through since then. However, they showed me the notes the missionaries pass on to their replacements. Big and bold at the top of the notes about me is "DO NOT EVER BE LATE TO A MEETING WITH HIM, HE WILL TELL YOU TO LEAVE". I'll bet you guys are regretting that now.

I thought you had to wait a year for temple?

Sure. Right now I’m flying out in the afternoon. I may try to change it earlier.

FT Knox. I’m staying in Elizabethtown. I’m looking at visiting the Louisville Temple tomorrow before my flight out, maybe.

I'm currently in Kentucky. I wanted to make sure the folks back home saw it.