NateHowe

Brenton, Congratulations on beginning this search. The Lord will tell you what is true as you ask in faith. I recommend you go to Church, whether the missionaries contact you or not. If you have trouble locating a Church building in your area, post your approximate location (city and suburb), and I'll do some searching for you. Or send me a PM if you don't feel comfortable posting your suburb for some reason. Just to tell you what to expect, most of the men will be wearing nice pants, collared shirts, and ties. You don't have to dress up (it's better to go in rags than not to go at all), but you may be more comfortable in that setting if you do. The first meeting, Sacrament Meeting, is the main group meeting. The congregation will sing hymns (hymnals are provided), and the Sacrament (equivalent to communion in other churches) will be blessed and distributed to the congregation. Since we have no paid clergy, the speakers will be regular members of the Church. This meeting usually lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes. Sunday School is the next meeting, and we study from the scriptures. You will likely attend a class called Gospel Principles or Gospel Essentials, which is designed to teach the basic principles and doctrines of the Church. The final meeting is Priesthood Meeting. The men gather to discuss their responsibilities as men in the Church and holders of the Priesthood authority. Two weeks out of the month, lessons are taken from the teachings of the presidents of the Church, and the course of study this year is Joseph Smith. Lessons for the other weeks are taken from words of living prophets and apostles, or other instruction as determined by the local leadership. You are welcome to attend all three meetings. The block of meetings lasts three hours. Come a few minutes early and catch the missionaries, and then you won't have to wait for your request to be processed - you can set up an appointment there and then. All the best in your search, and let us know how you're going with it. BTW, I served a mission in Australia, in the Sydney South Mission.

Pam, I can't tell if you're being sarcastic in your last post. Your avatar makes everything you say seem so sincere...

Joseph Smith - Home has many of the historical and biographical basics. On a personal note, I have a great respect and love for this Prophet of God. The Spirit has testified to my soul powerfully regarding his divine calling.

Name-calling has been around much longer than the restored Church, but we seem to attract it well. My advice is to get over the labels and look at the doctrine, beginning with the Book of Mormon, which is the fruit of the Prophet Joseph Smith. You say you have a hard time swallowing the idea of the Joseph Smith story. That's okay. Read the book, apply its precepts, pray about it earnestly, and see what God tells you about it.

Well, some of us. Oops.

Many things are best not to use. And we generally use them.

My sarcasm works much better in person, because I can watch for that first questioning expression and then either laugh with the other person or patch things up. It's a great art for real-time conversation. When I use it online, I get in trouble.

Hemidakota, The answer is, of course, Yes. But that has not yet been asked. We are asked to tithe and to give our other offerings. We are not asked to give everything to the Church, which is the Kingdom of God on Earth. We accept and agree with the Law of Consecration, but it is not currently required of us. Vort and others, I am not now, nor will I ever be, in the mood to nitpick in public over the specific words of the Temple ceremonies. They are too sacred for this argument.

HiJolly, I appreciate the question. Our faith in the mortal realm is not perfect knowledge, and cannot be while we are mortal. But the faith which we now have is a preparatory kind of faith - a kind we can only have while the veil is upon our minds. Once it is removed and we understand all things, our belief in the unseen will lie dormant. This is not the end of the power of faith for us, but it is the end of our ability to have blind faith. Faith, then, as a creative and motivating power in the universe, is more than simple belief. Faith is complete, consuming, all-powerful trust. When, after this life, we know all things, we will still have complete and saving trust in our Father, His Son, and His plan. We will further trust that by the power of Priesthood, all things in the universe may be controlled, organized, and unified for the benefit of the posterity of God. We read that by faith the Brother of Jared moved the mountain Zerin. I propose that the faith he exercised was not just a belief that God lives and that Jesus is the Savior. Remember that the Lord revealed himself to him, effectually lifting the veil. He already knew those basics beyond doubt, so his faith (in that sense) was dormant. Instead, by virtue of his complete, confident trust in both his own righteousness and the Father's Priesthood power, he was able to command the elements, and they obeyed. I believe his trust that the elements would obey may also have aided in the process. Thus, this type of faith with the benefit of knowledge can be exercised according to the will of God. I mentioned trust in one's own righteousness. Joseph Smith taught that in order to have faith, a rational being must have an actual knowledge that the course of life he is pursuing is according to the will of God (paraphrasing). In order to move the mountain, the Brother of Jared had to have that confidence in his own righteousness, coupled with a revelatory confidence that the act was according to the will of God. The will of God is governed by eternal law. Thus, when God exercises the power of His faith, he also has the same assurances, namely, that He is completely righteous, and that He is working in accordance with eternal law. If both of these conditions are met, He can have complete trust that His will is absolutely correct, and that the elements will obey. His goal is to bring us to a point where we can exercise the same faith, because we also will be completely righteous and knowledgeable. Thus we see that faith in its fulness cannot come without a fulness of knowledge. Now, I have not seen this type of explanation spelled out in published Church materials, but I believe these are logical conclusions based on the Lectures on Faith and the Scriptures. These opinions, however, remain my own unless corroborated by Church materials.

Whether they were written by Joseph Smith or Sydney Rigdon, they were prepared for and used by the Prophet Joseph. The doctrine contained in them is sound, although they are not scripture. The idea that the Lord has faith is completely rational - can he set as a requirement for salvation something which He himself does not possess? No, He is our exemplar in all things. In every attribute of Godliness, including faith, He is the epitome of strength and perfection.

Thanks, funkymonkey. It's not our job to speculate where God hasn't seen fit to reveal.

Making our houses beautiful is a need which we fulfill with some of our modest wants. I'm glad you got your doormat.

Nealy any issue that would require a lawsuit would likely be a dispute between people in the Church, not between Church organization and an individual.

As a Church, we are living the lower law of tithing in lieu of consecration. We as a people failed to live consecration. Although we accept the Law of Consecration, we do not currently live it.

We also need to understand that our Church is not set up like most other churches. The Church has high assets on paper, but almost every asset the Church owns is depreciating and cost-incurring. Consider the great number of Temples and meetinghouses. They bring in no profit, but the buildings must be lit, heated, maintained, etc. Most other churches rent out their space when possible during times they are not in use. Any functions held in our buildings are rent-free. Other churches have raffles, bake sales, etc. to raise money for specific groups within the church community. Our Church gives each sanctioned sub-organization a sufficient budget from tithing funds. Additionally, the Church as an organization follows the prophetic counsel to keep a year's supply of finances at hand. The Church diversifies its investments in order to keep itself stable in case tithing contributions suddenly stop for any reason. The finances of the Church show the wisdom of its leaders.

You may see if you can pay for an additional month of your old coverage. You may be able to arrange this with your old insurance company through your husband's employer. It doesn't hurt to ask.

For us, two cell phones with a modest plan are cheaper than a land line with long distance charges. Needs are, in a basic sense, those things which sustain life. Food, shelter, clothing, etc. I would add to those the following (not in any specific order): 1. Communication. Whether it is telephone service, internet, postage, or another form, communication with others (especially family) is vital. 2. Education. This includes books, tuition, and materials required to constantly improve one's mind. 3. Expression. Every person needs a way to release creative energy. This could be an art or craft hobby, musical practice, writing, or any number of other outlets. I would classify the materials required for these pursuits as necessities in moderation. 4. Substance to share. If we acquire and use only that which we need for ourselves, we will not be in a position to help anybody else. Giving to those in need (or those who would benefit, even if the need is not pressing) requires that we obtain extra to share. 5. Materials required to follow the counsel of the Prophet. For example, a computer is usually a requirement to do effective family history work. We may need shelving to store our year's supply of food. Obeying the commandment to serve as full-time missionaries requires money and specific items. Add to these a few of our modest wants.

A good suggestion, Rameumptom. I would add that a series of frank conversations with your son about the matter may help both him and you. Explain that you still love your husband, but that you love and want to protect your son. Ask him what he thinks you should do - not once, but repeatedly over time. As you rebuild the trust between you and your son, he will tell you honestly when he is ready for certain steps. Likewise, if the abuse returns, your son will feel that he can approach you because he trusts you to take action. He needs to know that you are on his side when it comes to preventing abuse. It is not mine to ask or interfere on this subject, but I will say that if your husband expresses the same abusive behaviors toward you, he is not worthy of you. If he is repentant and sincerely wants to change, he should have to take significant steps to earn your trust again.

Abuse is as psychologically addictive as some drugs are physically addictive. You can choose to stay with him or not, but you have to realize that inviting him back into the house while giving him a few "rules" will not solve the problems between him and your son overnight. Using your son as a test subject to see whether hubby is over his problem yet is cruel. Your first responsibility is to your child.

I'll bet you may also know one or two people who are LDS. Talking to a regular member of the Church is a good, low-pressure way to get a few questions answered. It also helps social anxiety if you have an acquaintance to take you to Church. Think about those with whom you work, those in organizations you attend, etc., and see if you can remember a Mormon you could look up. Don't be afraid to call missionaries. You can also look up your local meetinghouse on mormon.org and go to Church on your own. Introduce yourself, and you will undoubtedly make some fast friends who can help you feel more comfortable.

David and Solomon both took the command in the wrong direction, against the will of God. The Book of Mormon in no way condemns Abraham or Jacob, who participated in plural marriage as well.

We have definitely cut back on our meat intake and increased whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. Economically and healthwise, it makes sense. The promise of Section 89 is true - my energy level has changed dramatically. Do I advocate vegetarianism? No. Moderation is the key to health, and it seems to be what the Lord advises overall.

Doing the dishes, laundry, etc. without being asked. A call or text message in the middle of a busy day to let her know I'm thinking of her. An unexpected little note on the fridge. Things don't have to be complicated. In fact, they shouldn't be most of the time.

Your husband is still your husband, but he is also an abuser. Until he ceases to be an abuser, it is unfair for him to live in the same house with your son, who is a minor and therefore reliant on you for housing. If you want to reconcile with your husband, it may be best for him to live in a separate dwelling where your son does not have to live. He is obviously living somewhere else right now - you could continue that arrangement for the two and a half years your son is still a minor at home. You could visit your husband frequently and continue your marriage relationship, but your son would not be in danger. Once he is no longer a minor, you and your husband can make your decision. If he wants to move back into your home, your son can either deal with him or choose to move out. At age 18, he is a legal adult, capable of making the decision and being responsible for the choice. Good luck - this is a hard situation, but the right result will come if you counsel with the Lord throughout.

COULD I kill if God commanded it? The answer is logically yes, because the Lord has promised that He will not give any commandment unless He also provides a way for us to fulfill it. WOULD I? If I knew without doubt that it was a commandment of God (and that would take a significant manifestation), I hope that I would have the strength and obedience to do so. I cannot say without doubt that I would, because I have not yet been tested in that way.