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President Monson drank the stuff regularly. BYU sells it yet, I have been asked often or or it is mentioned by non members that we are not allowed to drink it. May just be more of a localized misconception possibly. Yes I do agree there are many Mormons who avoid it but not because it's against our morals it's just unhealthy like, eating junk food or the many other foods that make one unhealthy.

I was somewhat younger when I was made a high priest in my earlier 30's and now that I am pushing 40 I have had many thoughts of how I miss the Elders Quorum and being with younger guys where I can mingle and mentor and learn. When I talk to older Elder Quorum members I always let them know that there is no rush to be a high priest as those young guys need someone with experience and it's a great opportunity to be a bit older and in Elders quorum.

In Arizona it is. I hear it all the time where people think Mormons don’t drink caffeine. Don’t get me wrong, we should all be healthy but caffeineted drinks is on this list for misconceptions.

Or one more word: Monson. If if you are wise you would stay away from so many foods it would make your head spin.

For leaders in the church I would suggest listing to the podcasts of leadinglds - I found it very beneficial listening to different opinions on how to lead, as leaders are interviewed on different topics throughout the world. You can also check out the website - https://leadinglds.org/ Good luck in your new calling!

Mormons eat green jello - seriously when was the last time you had green jello Bishops kids are always the wildest Don't drink caffeine Don't dance

I taught this lesson to some young men last week. I took the word adversity at the beginning of the lesson and turned it to opportunity. I would suggest when going through hard trials pray for the why. One step better would be to read this lesson and study it enough so you could teach it - https://www.lds.org/youth/learn/ap/plan-of-salvation/adversity?lang=eng

When I came home I went back to work the next day - probably the best decision I could make. One problem return missionaries have is that they have been working and feeling the spirit for 2 years and often they come home to vacations and hanging out. Come home, go to school or get a job and keep busy.

2nd and 3rd hour hall monitor. Blessing for sitting in the hall... count me in.

I have heard of it but it is rare - I have heard of people getting turned down. I knew of a person who felt that there should haven been more that something was missing. - They received permission and did get a 2nd. In the blessing of the 2nd they were told that there were parts left out of the first blessing because they were not ready to hear them yet and received the confirmation that them obtaining the 2nd part was necessary. I am like probably most people who would love to hear more but mine is pretty full and takes me all the way through my life. I would think in some rare ocassions the spirit may prompt for a 2nd but my guess is this is like one in 10,000 type number we are talking about, (very rare).

I could see the good and bad in such a gathering of men. I think if you could mix it with those who were excommunicated and now members again and those who are excommunicated you may have some success. Typically in "male" group settings if you want to move to higher highs you need some good examples of people who will lift others which could be very beneficial with the right groups. I have spoken to people who attended the different addiction programs and they said in some cases it just made it worse hearing other peoples same problems because it sucked them back into what they were trying to leave behind. Best of wishes on this one as there could be some good work done.

There is something to where and when we were born. You can glean this from this statement alone: Marvin J Ashton: I share with you a statement of President Benson made to a gathering of youth in Southern California after he became President of the Church: “For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. … God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God. … Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us. … Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain—the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight—and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?” I believe the opportunities that we have in this life in hearing and learning the gospel, came from what we did in the prior life. I think the pattern holds true here too. How we live our life here will benefit us more in the life after if we are true and faithful. This life is the time to prepare and meet God and I think this life also includes living and dead up unto the final judgment, and although I don't know how it works I know God is just.

The unrepentant will have to suffer for those sins before the atonement plays a part in their glory and will be part of the 2nd resurrection. Those who are part of the first resurrection will be those who inherit celestial glory and those of the 2nd resurrection will receive the lessor kingdoms/damnation.

Good question. I think God's love gives us agency but clearly the reason for us coming here was because being in his presence was a huge spiritual crutch that although needed it's hard to fully prove ourselves in his presence. However, many who interacted with Christ rejected him here on earth as well - that's hard to imagine but it happened. I also wonder how often we were in God's presence or how close to him were we during the pre-mortal life ?

I don't think there is one way to know the Book of Mormon is true - here are a couple examples: First my own. When I was in high school I really was not that engaged in the gospel although I at least tried to make it to sacrament meeting before I went home and watched sports. In seminary I would often sleep every day during class my senior year but we were studying the Book of Mormon and despite my apathy I read the book throughout the school year each day before I went to bed and upon coming to the very end and the promise I decided to give it a try and ask God if it was true. I knelt at my bed said a sincere prayer and then had the most amazing experience. The flood of peace came from the top down throughout all my body, it was a burning, it was love, it was truth and I knew I had an answer. I remember getting up off the floor and thinking to myself - well, I guess the Book of Mormon is true. Experience of one of my past bishops. I remember him doing much like I did reading and praying but his answer was different than mine or at least the way the spirit bore truth. When he asked the answer was... You already know it's true, you have known for a long time. He said he indeed already did know the Book of Mormon was true and he didn't need to keep praying about it. Another bishop of mine who was a convert also had a different experience. He was waiting to for an experience like either of the two mentioned above and he went years without getting baptized until a member stopped him one day in the hall and asked him what he was waiting for. My bishop said he was waiting for an answer to know it was true. The member told him he had it all wrong that he needed to study it out and decide if it was true or not and then go to the Lord. He did this and through study and meditation he came to the conclusion that it indeed was a true book and when he went to the Lord to share his answer he then received his confirmation. 3 examples all different. I don't know why I had such an amazing experience as a youth to know but my guess is that I needed it. I am guessing there are many ways you can know but it's individual and personal and some work harder for it than others. As for Joseph Smith - I have grown to love that man the more I have learned of his experiences for the person he was. I have had some many times where I have felt a burning truth that he was a prophet of God. A few years back my mother told me she named me after the prophet because she had such a love for him and ever since I found out I have gained a greater appreciation for what he did in all his many weaknesses to fulfill his calling on earth.

I had a friend who was a bishop in an area that was poor. The missionaries would often find people and promise them help from the ward when they got baptized. The bishop had to ask them to stop doing this as people would get baptized just to get help. It sounds like your missionaries and bishop are going about it the right way in what they have taught you through the process. The blessings you need are the ones that come from sacrificing to pay your tithing. I will tell you - The Lord does not need your tithing - but you need the blessings that come from paying it. Some wards have so many needs they limit what they can do to help others beause the resources are not there. Some wards there is so much available that assistance is given at a drop of the hat. It's hard to compare apples to apples. You have the option of going to your stake president and asking him for advice as well. He will then go back to the bishop and discuss. You could ask to go to a ward that is closer. The assistance that does come from the ward is to be temporary until you get back on your feet. If this is a 3 year plan you may need to see what you can do to make changes to the situation as it sounds like you need more help than the amount your paying in tithing. Your wife may have to get a part time job while going to school, if you are able to work at the store house are you also able to get a part time job instead?

Sometimes it's hard to look at repentance as the blessing it is. It's harder to repent for sins that are a higher magnitude but I would also say that the peace is greater when we do. I would surmise the reason you came here is because you want to repent but have not found the strength to meet with your bishop. You may also be concerned about the consequences involved with your church membership. My opinion "only my opinion" is that the church/Lord really works with people who have the desire to repent. There are less excommunications, dis-fellowships etc. - only your bishop and potentially stake president will receive the revelation on what steps you need to take but you have to get there on your own first and once you are done I will tell you that there will be great peace. Your sin can be forgotten you will be clean and available for all blessings. Good luck brother!

The spirit world is right here on earth - all around us. Those who did not have a chance to hear the gospel are still being influenced by good and bad spirits and have decisions to make on what spirit they will follow and accept. Life after this life is much the same as it is now and exists on this earth. Appetites for power, greed and pride abound as well as love, service and meekness.

HaHa - Those January 1st's will get you sometimes! My wife is the Relief Society President and she said her meeting went well. The circle they had was huge so they are trying to figure out how to handle that. I have heard some of these meetings have gone well and others not. I think some leaders being a little more old school have a hard time not teaching a lesson and just sitting back and allowing people to counsel. I think the teacher's counsels was a good preparation on how to counsel in church as adults - if those went well, you probably had more success. It will be a process though and new new learned culture for some.

Elder Nelson and Elder Oaks were set apart as apostles the same day with Elder Nelson being set apart ahead of Elder Oaks. Elder Nelson still has a lot of energy left so he may have a handful of good years left in him however, he could also go quickly if the Lord called him home. I noticed a change in Elder Nelson when he took Elder Packers place in the Quorum of the 12 apostles, and you could almost see his mantle and stature increase. As for the two new apostles that will be interesting to see. There will be a lot of young/er blood in the quorum with most likely 7 members under 70.

There is a special spirit found with the story of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Some of my most profound spiritual moments have come from hearing or sharing his story. To me it's as though its a special spirit reserved just for those with open hearts to know the truth exists in it's fullness, and nobody can claim it other than those who have partaken of the message of the restoration. I think I find it understandable how those not of our faith think we put our faith in Joseph Smith but as a member I think I relate so much to him 1 because of the spirit that is felt when hearing the message and 2. because of his ability to do so much for the Lord despite his many weaknesses. In the end I think we get a glimpse of God's love through the restoration but can promise you that you will have many more opportunities for these experiences as you move forward in the kingdom. What great experiences you have ahead of you!

He obviously has a problem and no it's not okay to occasionally drink for any reason. The good news is that it sounds like it's very limited but the bad news is it could become so much worse. It's interesting because we as latter day saints look at word of wisdom as almost the black death - most active members don't have this issue. However, porn seems to get a pass. I would say pornography is far more damaging. One difference is that to break the word of wisdom one has to go to pretty great lengths - it's pretty rare to accidentally drink alcohol and you never find it in your pocket, in your bedroom or living room by accident either. He is going to have to realize that he first of all has a problem. If he has been bringing it into the home then it probably goes further than just ocassional drinking when he can't sleep or is stressed - it's probably more serious if he has gone this far (that's my guess). He should see his bishop - but you can't force him. I would suggest that you keep on loving him and seek the Lord in prayer on what to do. Also, never be okay with what he is doing as it will just enable him but also don't let this become the wedge that ruins your marriage. I wish you the best in this.

HAHA! Seriously though. I always liked the original where they were teaching the investigator and they did the slide show projection on the guys belly. Good times!

Back on topic and a couple experiences I have had. When I went to the MTC we had a district of 12 Elders and were together for about 9 weeks. Our district leader said that when his stake president set him apart as a missionary he would be with his best friends from the pre-existence in the MTC and he was to be the leader of all of us to help prepare us to go out and serve in the field. Another experience I had was with my calling. Serving in the bishopric I at times was kind of annoyed by the other counselor. I really had done a poor job of allowing a friendship because our ideas and personalities were a little different. I then had the prompting that we were good friends in the pre-existence. Since then I have completely changed my attitude and feel as though we have become good friends. President Monson has said there are no such things as coincidences. I believe many of the people we serve with, know and become friends with are for a reason. I would guess we knew everyone to some degree in Heaven and many were our close friends. I think of it like this - If I were to be planning a big trip, wouldn't I want to discuss things and get to know people I was going with?

What an awesome experience you will have studying with the missionaries. This is a pretty good place to ask questions as well. There are anti mormon websites around so you do have to be careful on where you go. I would read the parts the missionaries asked you to read. Write down some questions that you might have and also somethings you learned, and discuss it with them. Good luck!