Manners Matter

Sorry you're faced with this. My thoughts in no particular order:
- the odds are slim
- obedience brings blessings (study scriptures, talks that reiterate this)
- get a copy of "The Cokeville Miracle" and watch it
- if Samuel the Lamanite can be protected from arrows aimed right at him, your family can be protected, too
- read Holland's talk about angels (Oct 08 conference)
- "let your faith be bigger than your fear" (post this in your home)
- maybe this is just another way leaders are asking the members to increase their faith
- for all we know, leaders will quietly ask certain (trained) individuals to carry but this is a more organized approach of handling things in these last days
- if a person's mission in life isn't done yet, you'll be spared
- if something does happen and your family is affected, there's important work being done on the other side of the veil
- stop watching/reading the news (having faith and peace is easier this way)
- if the above doesn't help, I'd rather ignore policy than commandments (take sacrament regularly)
{hugs}

Remember the point is for it to be 'home-centered, church supported'. So - parents sit down with their kid/s and come up with goals in the various categories. You then ask the parents what those goals are and come up with activities and then inform them what you're doing when so they can see how you (the church) is supporting their family/kids objectives. A leader designing things with the kids sounds like the parents are getting bypassed when they should be front and center.
For example - Sam sits down with mom and dad and decides he'd like to run a 5k. Great! So mom & dad let you know that and you tell them you'll plan an activity that will help increase his fitness/stamina. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, mom & dad are encouraging their son to put down the video games and run some laps because the race is coming up. They're still the ones to make sure he's ready and shows up but you planned and did something to be supportive and help Sam reach his worthy goal. 

You/your wife:
~ Make sure you're planning activities with variety in mind (out of their seats part of the time; games, etc)
~ Have wiggle activities before starting (ie hokey pokey, dance routine things on youtube, etc)
~ If you have treats, only have them at the end and for those who acted appropriately
~ Work with their different natures and needs as best you can (ie some are social, some need connection, some need physical outlets, some need intellectual stimulation)
The kids:
~ If there's a ring leader, take them aside and get them to be part of your team. If they have a 'special assignment' it might do the trick to turn things around.
~ You might need to have a chat with all of them. Reminding them that:
      - they wouldn't get away with this behavior at school so why doesn't church/the Lord's house get the same (or better) respect
      - these activities are a privilege, not a right
      - they are wanted here but if they can't behave/disrupt things for the others/choose not to participate, they will be given chores (ie scrub the crayon marks off tables and chairs - have a stack in the room and some cleaner and towels so they know you're serious)
The leaders/parents:
~ Need to be aware of what's going on
~ May need to take turns attending
~ Need to be told to make sure their kids are climbing trees/running around *outside* for at least 30 minutes every day, especially before activities
~ Need to be told to limit sugar and screen time
~ Need to be reminded that you/your wife are volunteers!
Hope some of this helps and that things improve soon.

Leave Santa at the mall.

Didn't read all the comments so this may have been mentioned.
I see this as an age issue, not a religious one. To me, once a child is married (or of age to have graduated college), they're on their own* so I wouldn't feel guilty about helping the 18 year old and not the older set. You can still support your daughter … with letters and watching over the house (if that's feasible). Regarding concern over treating them differently, you can solve that by having things even with an inheritance. 
*in case anyone thinks this is cold/harsh:
- you have to cut the apron strings at some point and as long as everyone understands when that will be, there shouldn't be an issue
- I know someone that still pays for some things for her adult and married daughter as if it's a way to have some control/say in her life - not healthy for any of them

Leave Santa at the mall.

I'm sorry for your struggles.
- Try online dating (but ask lots of questions). 
- Stop … oh what's the word … creating scenarios in your head that may not even be true or happen. 
- Put your thoughts and energy toward what you WANT not what you don't ('what you feed, grows'). Find some positive affirmations to repeat if that helps.
- Make sure you're in the right frame of mind and the type of person you want to meet before getting serious with anyone. 
- Check your library for 'It's Just My Nature' by Carol Tuttle. Trust me on this one.
I'll pop back in if anything else comes to mind but hope this helps. {hugs}

First, welcome to the forum.
You need to come clean about everything. The sooner, the better. It's the right thing to do. 
Oh, and find a way to get yourself and your son to church and make it a habit.

My husband included his mission on his resume - at the end along with Eagle Scout. It shows commitment (among other things) and indicates a clean lifestyle (which is a plus for government jobs or so I've heard).
Oh - and he was applying outside the 'Mormon Corridor'

A little story - I am a known cyclist (with a few others) in my area.  I was invited to come to our ward YM to talk about a cycling activity.  I came - with my bicycle and talked the YM into a 500 mile cycling activity.  I will not go into all the details (including  all the parent opposition) but the bottom line was that I sold them the activity.  The activity included several weeks and months of preparation to be fit and ready for the 500 miles in one week.  I promised them that they would forever see the world differently than what they were used to seeing from the window of a car as they traveled.
On our first 25 mile ride - I lost control of a few boys that took off on their own and ran a red light.  I ran them down and knocked them over which upset some parents.  My response was that I did not know how else to get them home without them getting themselves in danger and killed.  I also reminded them that learning cycling (including in traffic) for the YM was initiated by the YM.
We ended up with more YM going that initially planned - several from outside the ward and inactive.   They learned to work together and draft one another - they learned to eat correctly to have enough fuels to last day after day for an extended ride.  Not one boy has ever said they regretted going on the ride.  To this day a large number have told me it is the most outstanding accomplishment of their life - including one kid that is now 100% inactive (they are adults now).  Every one of them remembers the ride and thinks I am among their best friends - including the few I knocked down and to which I have remained closer than most.
Sometimes people (not always youth) need to learn what they want to accomplish.
 
The Traveler

Sorry you're faced with this. My thoughts in no particular order:
- the odds are slim
- obedience brings blessings (study scriptures, talks that reiterate this)
- get a copy of "The Cokeville Miracle" and watch it
- if Samuel the Lamanite can be protected from arrows aimed right at him, your family can be protected, too
- read Holland's talk about angels (Oct 08 conference)
- "let your faith be bigger than your fear" (post this in your home)
- maybe this is just another way leaders are asking the members to increase their faith
- for all we know, leaders will quietly ask certain (trained) individuals to carry but this is a more organized approach of handling things in these last days
- if a person's mission in life isn't done yet, you'll be spared
- if something does happen and your family is affected, there's important work being done on the other side of the veil
- stop watching/reading the news (having faith and peace is easier this way)
- if the above doesn't help, I'd rather ignore policy than commandments (take sacrament regularly)
{hugs}

Sorry you're faced with this. My thoughts in no particular order:
- the odds are slim
- obedience brings blessings (study scriptures, talks that reiterate this)
- get a copy of "The Cokeville Miracle" and watch it
- if Samuel the Lamanite can be protected from arrows aimed right at him, your family can be protected, too
- read Holland's talk about angels (Oct 08 conference)
- "let your faith be bigger than your fear" (post this in your home)
- maybe this is just another way leaders are asking the members to increase their faith
- for all we know, leaders will quietly ask certain (trained) individuals to carry but this is a more organized approach of handling things in these last days
- if a person's mission in life isn't done yet, you'll be spared
- if something does happen and your family is affected, there's important work being done on the other side of the veil
- stop watching/reading the news (having faith and peace is easier this way)
- if the above doesn't help, I'd rather ignore policy than commandments (take sacrament regularly)
{hugs}

Sorry you're faced with this. My thoughts in no particular order:
- the odds are slim
- obedience brings blessings (study scriptures, talks that reiterate this)
- get a copy of "The Cokeville Miracle" and watch it
- if Samuel the Lamanite can be protected from arrows aimed right at him, your family can be protected, too
- read Holland's talk about angels (Oct 08 conference)
- "let your faith be bigger than your fear" (post this in your home)
- maybe this is just another way leaders are asking the members to increase their faith
- for all we know, leaders will quietly ask certain (trained) individuals to carry but this is a more organized approach of handling things in these last days
- if a person's mission in life isn't done yet, you'll be spared
- if something does happen and your family is affected, there's important work being done on the other side of the veil
- stop watching/reading the news (having faith and peace is easier this way)
- if the above doesn't help, I'd rather ignore policy than commandments (take sacrament regularly)
{hugs}

The Come Follow Me curriculum has made this easier.  I pick out one of the sacrament meeting talks that impressed me the most and write about my impressions of it.  The talks usually relate to the Come Follow Me topic for the week so I insert a photo copy of the CFM page discussing it.  So, I never run out of things to talk about.  I can't tell you if it is effective because I've never heard back (nor met) these sisters. 
 

These are good ideas. I'm gonna admit that my first thoughts are not about the Scriptures, but about how the Church as a whole is a positive influence in my life. To the OP, if you find some applicable Scripture for everything else you're saying, fine, but sometimes people, especially less actives, just want you to talk to them, as individuals,  and don't want Scripture thrown at them. Back when we had home & visiting teachers, I enjoyed talking to them about adult things and adult living, work, local happenings, maybe Conference, etc. I'm so glad we got away from telling the same lesson to each other all around the ward.  That said, some people just don't want to be bothered any more. I gather from Sunday School that can be difficult for some LDS to believe.

First, welcome to the forum.
You need to come clean about everything. The sooner, the better. It's the right thing to do. 
Oh, and find a way to get yourself and your son to church and make it a habit.

First, welcome to the forum.
You need to come clean about everything. The sooner, the better. It's the right thing to do. 
Oh, and find a way to get yourself and your son to church and make it a habit.

First, welcome to the forum.
You need to come clean about everything. The sooner, the better. It's the right thing to do. 
Oh, and find a way to get yourself and your son to church and make it a habit.

Something that might help with letters sent out or topics thereof is similar to what is done for subjects occasionally with Priesthood.
Go to the Conference Ensign talks and choose one.  Use that as the subject for one letter.  Next time use another talk.  Unless you write a LOT of letters, you'll probably have a new Conference Ensign come out before you get through all of the talks.

Scroll down to 'family life' - https://is.byu.edu/catalog/free-courses
As an aside - check your library for "The Child Whisperer" by Carol Tuttle. There's also a blog and podcasts (https://cw.liveyourtruth.com/podcast/).

Scroll down to 'family life' - https://is.byu.edu/catalog/free-courses
As an aside - check your library for "The Child Whisperer" by Carol Tuttle. There's also a blog and podcasts (https://cw.liveyourtruth.com/podcast/).

In a sacrament talk last week the EQ presidents wife said home is the primary learning place of the gospel, sunday school, primary and RS/EQ is secondary. 
Invite these inactives to sacrament only. They might like that idea.

1. Not a letter but rather: a personal invitation to: Ward Activity, Book Club, Sister get together outside of church, etc.
2. Not a letter, but rather did: Did you know the Church has wonderful videos you can watch online, Bible videos, Mormon Messages, quick pick me up videos. Provide some links.
3. Simply share a story about 'you' personally. Something special in your life. Send a picture of you. Maybe one of you and your family. Hi 'this is me'.

Just a couple of thoughts. Good luck and thanks for serving.

If someone leaves the Church because you stood for what's right, that's totally on them so I'd call out every single one of 'em. It could be that other women are thinking the same thing but not speaking up but will once someone else does. If this happens enough, maybe these guys creeps will get the message. Furthermore, other decent guys might appreciate your guts/candor and might be interested because of it.
With that said - some options for responses:
- Let Church leaders do the talking for you. Find some quotes about dating before things are final and post them as needed.
- You could say something along the lines of: Not only am I not interested in being a rebound girl, we obviously have very different standards as I don't believe in cheating. If you want a decent woman, you need to be a decent man so I suggest you delete your profile asap and come back here only after the ink has been dry for at least 6 months AND you've made a comprehensive list of what *you* did/didn't do that led to your failed marriage AND have started making changes to prevent it from happening again. Bye!

To me, every talk should reference Christ so I would start with unity in the Godhead and then touch on unity in the ward family (support ea other in trials, callings, etc) and then end with unity in our own families. And no, it's not 'too late' for them - they can start to encourage forgiveness, family get-togethers, traditions, common interests, regular phone calls, etc. Maybe also bring up how our family members on the other side of the veil are united in helping us come unto Christ (this would circle back to the beginning of the talk and wrap it up nicely). Hope this helps and that your talk goes well.