jaguarangel

We had one growing up as a teen. It was such fun! We got another 5-screener, and then they both went away. Now many years later, we have another drive-in! Really wanted to go tonight, too, but don't think they're very good shows--rated bad. I remember going with my parents when I little and playing on the swings up front. Ahhh...

Hi CG, I'm so sorry for your struggles, and what struggles they are! You seem to be very steadfast, and the Lord will indeed bless you for being found trying at the last day. I don't know the answers to why you have these issues, other than these are your trials versus some that others may have but you don't have at all. Maybe the Lord is waiting, as he often does, in giving His answers. He allows us to grow--sometimes REALLY grow--before he blesses us in our trials. Keep going, keep praying. You're doing everything right. I too have questioned things, but feel better when I rely on the Spirit to tell me the truth versus "facts" that I may have read/heard along the way. A. Joseph Smith/Prophets -- Why Did his story of the first vision so dramatically change over his time ? Why would he translate Plates that were faked ( Kinderhook or whatever those plates were called ) ? Many reports of his being a con Artist in youth as a Treasure seeker ? Joseph Smith having a fondness for Wine even said to of drank wine the day he died , JS Running for president , becoming a Free Mason , Salamander letter ? and a few more. -- One thing I could over look , 2 things likley but all these things unless they really do have simple explanations - just don't add up to Credibility. Some things are just because of the time that he lived in. For all of us, it's milk before honey, line upon line. It was common to drink and smoke then. The Lord doesn't expect us to change everything all at once. JS was in charge of starting up the Lord's Church again and had many responsibilities. Heavenly Father probably purposefully didn't dump everything on him at once, ie. WOW. As far as drinking on the day he died, I doubt it, but who knows. That's between he and HF. I've read, though I can't remember the source, how the bad rumours got started on him being a treasure seaker due to his digging for a man for hire. Satan loves to take the Truth and twist it and also cause us to wonder. I don't know about the Mason thing or the others and have questioned some of them too, but the Spirit always witnesses to me in different areas of my life and that's all I need to be concerned about--that I feel the Spirit--that I seek the Spirit. Then I know that I'm doing right. The whole everyone gets the same Temple name for a certain day ? When I heard that it really effected me as it made when i got my endowment feel like a went through a factory and got my stamp rather then something special happened - It still was a great experience but it was cheapened by that at least with me. I don't understand this either and can relate to your feelings. We'll find out so many things in the hereafter. C. POGP - Okay this is something I just cannot get my head around. The facsimiles have been translated by several egyptologists and never has the translation ever been anything near what JS translated them as. I mean nothing was even close. I mean I can even look at and tell something was up with the JS translation there. It was translated many time and every time was found to be just some Egyptian fella's Burial rite. I don't know, but I do know that JS translated these by the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and the Lord probably wouldn't allow anyone else to translate them. To the other translators, they didn't see the whole picture or even the correct one. Just like the Bible, the Lord hid some of the plain and precious truths due to the iniquity of the people. I'll pray for you CG. Our Heavenly Father is so very keenly aware of our struggles and needs, and He WILL help us in His time. I've been able to look back at something I struggled with for years and saw why he made me wait. "All things come together for the good of those who love the Lord" (paraphrased)

If wild, I'd be a jaguar. They're fast, sleek, and in the top echelon of the hierarchy. If I were domesticated, I'd be a well-taken-care-of cat. Ahhhhhhhh...

Depends, are you derogatory towards the church? Do you encourage those questioning their faith to leave rather than read and pray? Do you encourage behaviour among mormons unbecoming of a Latter-Day Saint? If you were a minister, would you support someone who wishes to join the LDS Church even if they were leaving your own congregation? What if it was an entire family or even half of your flock? It is possible to be critical without being anti-mormon, but I have met few who are able to do so. Great question topic and great answer here! Well said, sixpack. It's the old mote and beam thing. Wonderful answers chaplain! I love to respect others' beliefs and learn from them, too. We are all children of God.

My thoughts were just like Elphie's. Thought that it had to be an accident. Those things just don't happen in the US! Mom had called and said to turn on the news. I watched all day, riveted to the set, having a hard time believing that this was real. Was studying medical terminology at the time, during the newscasts.

Blah. Wrong answer. This is America. If we're interested, then it's our business. No, it's not. Thank you for that feedback. What do you mean by “broad“? Oh, please. Who doesn’t have agendas? If someone were to map human brains in an MRI to determine their agendas, you’d blow up the machine! Obviously I meant “have her beliefs and let me have mine.” I didn’t literally mean “live” her life. It’s a common expression, and you’re being coy by being so literal. Having said that, you’re right. The majority of people on the board are very respectful of my atheism. Conversely, I am very respectful of their religiosity. Not once have I ever said to anyone they were wrong to believe in Mormonism, or what other religious belief they may have. I have never called anyone evil, misguided, duped, delusional, superstitious, or stupid. That is because I do not believe that. Just because I am an atheist does not mean I presume to know what a religious person’s experiences are. I acknowledge they have them and I acknowledge I do not understand them. I believe they are as real to the person as my lack of them is to me. I treat every board members’ belief with respect, even though there is a faction of them who do not believe that; unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about them This "hypocrisy meter" resides in your own consciousness" and is not reality. I know there are people who believe that, but that is because they assume a non-member cannot possibly love the Church and not be a member. I've explained my feelings about the Church before, even to you. I love this Church, especially its history. It is my legacy and I am humbled by the courage and survival that has made it was it is today. The difference of course, is that I don't believe in its divinity, and therefore I choose not to join the Church as that would be hypocrisy. Nevertheless, that is why I come here daily. I love this board because I feel comfortable talking about the things that interest me, and feel a great deal of acceptance even though I am an atheist. Of course there are those suspicious members who cannot imagine someone like me exists. And for you and those who don't believe me, I say tough. I know what I believe, not you. You see, I would believe what you would tell me you believe, because I assume you are a truthful man, and because I believe people usually tell the truth. Conversely, I would expect you to believe me, as I also tell the truth. Of course, Snow, based on your Psych 101-level evaluations of my psyche, you will never understand the real me; instead you will continue to demonstrate your poor diagnostic skills that insist everyone fit into little pigeonholes, and if someone doesn’t, she is flawed somehow, and not to be believed. I admit I am a challenging poster and that irritates people, who believe, wrongly, that I disapprove of the Church itself. I believe this misunderstanding occurs because 1) I am very blunt about presenting my points; 2) I present some difficult historical issues; 3) I write certain things so that it is easy for them to be taken the wrong way, and most importantly 4) I am both an ex-member and an atheist, so board members, like you, believe my intentions are to belittle the Church. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not criticize the Church; however, I do criticize actions certain members take that I feel are wrong. There is a difference. And that is my right. But I am under no illusion that what I think matters a whit to the Church or any of you. But I like being able to write about it and bring some perspective. And believe it or not, while I seem to upset some of the people about what I write, I also get a lot of positive feedback. Many of the members here enjoy my posts, and when they see you’re “commentary” on my posts, they feel you are ridiculous and self-obsessed. I even end up sticking up for you! And yes, I understand you don’t need me to stick up for you. The bottom line, the reasons I come here are 1) I am bed bound and go online to connect with other people; 2) my passion is Church history and I like to go to Church message boards; 3) I discovered this board and fell in love with it as it has the right mixture of interests; 4) I was able to write about Church history and the feedback I received showed many people were interested, though unfortunately too many were offended; 5) I’ve learned a lot from many members of the board, including historical facts about the Church, 6) I feel like I’ve been able to bring, and gain perspective from all the board members; and finally 7) I have made some very dear friends whom I talk to from all over the country. I am actually a person of integrity, and you’re condemnation keeps you from getting to know a pretty wonderful person. Also, I’ve explained my love for the Church to you before, and the fact is if I say I love the Church, then I love the Church. Just as you couldn’t care less if someone doesn’t believe your testimony, I couldn’t care less whether you, or anyone else, believe mine. Elphaba Elphie, wonderful post! You are a very genuine person. The world needs more of you! So sorry to hear you're bedbound. Bless you. Jaguarangel :)