teacherdani
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Posts posted by teacherdani
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Well, here is my issue.
Since December my husband and I have found the church and I personally have been so very excited about the changes it has made in my life. I know that the church is true, I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know the Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. My husband attended all of the missionary discussions with me and HE set a date to be baptized on March 22 which is the day after my daughter's birthday, near spring beginning, and also near easter. We were doing family home evenings, praying as a family every night and every morning, attending church together, communicating with other people in the church and we grew more and more excited about the church together and the betterment in our family.
Our last missionary discussion to prepare us for baptism was on Monday night of last week. My husband had the entire week off to stay at home as it was his spring break and he is a college professor. During this time at home he really didn't do much of anything besides stay at home, clean up a little, then play on a computer game. Monday night came and we learned that we would have to answer yes to certain questions before we were baptized. I thought Monday before we went to the discussion my husband was acting very weird- that something negative had happened to him.
The entire week was awful, he really didn't speak much to me, he was rude, he just wasn't who he was before. Then on Friday after I shared with him how excited I was about the Relief Society and how wonderful it was to have all these sisters, he let me know that he didn't feel welcomed into the priesthood at all. In fact, he didn't believe in the church and he felt that I was too wrapped up in the church.
He said that he never believed any of it and he doesn't believe that Jesus was the son of God- he said that the only thing he believed was that God spoke directly to him and that he had a personal relationship with God. My world has been destroyed or I feel as though it has because I feel like he has lied to me. When I asked him why he lied to me, he said because he saw the positives in our family and so he thought he could believe in the church by that time and that he just doesn't believe. He doesn't believe in ANY of it. I'm really feeling hurt right now and confused
We have been married for seven years and there are issues with him hiding things and not telling me the truth- I guess this is why this latest thing hurts so much. The thing is I REFUSE to let anything hold me back from being baptized. I KNOW that this is the true church, I KNOW my heavenly father loves me, and I KNOW the Book of Mormon is from God. My life has changed in SO many beautiful ways- Im' frustrated about this whole situation and I don't know what to do. I thought that maybe satan had gotten to my husband this week- but he said that he has felt this way all along. I've talked to him about it, prayed about it more times than I can number, and I feel differently about my husband now. I feel that I cannot trust him, I feel raw, I feel sick honestly about this whole thing. He has made me feel that way.
I want to raise my almost 2 year old daughter in the church and then let her decide for herself if the church is for her or not. I HAVE to raise her to love Jesus and know him at the very least- this is my truest belief. My husband has told me that he will think about what she can learn about. He wants her to freely explore and learn for herself what is right and wrong- and as a high school teacher I KNOW what happens to kids that are raised that way!!! Children cannot reason by themselves before they are age 21- their brains are not fully developed in the pre-frontal cortex....
I'm rambling, but I'm hurt, I'm disgusted, I'm angry, I feel lied to and not only that but he said that he refuses to go to church anymore, that when the missionaries come back over that he will leave with my daughter just so that I cannot be in the same house as the missionaries (I don't think they can be alone with women?) He doesn't want to be in family home evenings, he doesn't want to be in family prayers, and he wants out of the church and religion ENTIRELY. What can and should I do besides cry and pray? I'm really lost and out of ideas... PLEASE HELP!!!!
Thanks,
Danielle -
My entire family is protestant and it is very hard for them to accept my soon to be baptism. I'm glad I don't live with them still though because then it would be really hard. When you find this church it is beautiful, don't let anyone tear you away from it.
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Personally, I don't care for Brigham Young or some of the racist ideology in the church's past- however I know what is true NOW which means the world to me. I am glad to be a mixed race soon to be LDS woman.
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PS- I was taught that motherhood was an unsuccessful life choice and that it ruins your life. I kept my mother from earning her degree since she was pregnant with me. Therefore, I viewed children and hassles and never as blessings growing up.
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Hello my sisters:
I am going to be baptized March 22, and I am SO excited. I just wanted to share that until I found this church even though I had been married for almost 7 years I never cooked, cleaned, or did laundry simply because I didn't know how to do it. I never knew how to sew, or do crafty things. Now that I have found the church I am cooking every night, cleaning, taking EXCELLENT care of my family, and putting myself after them. Previously I put myself first. I have a 2 year old daughter and a wonderful husband who has put up with my ineptness. I still don't know how to do many things- I am not a good mom as far as being able to entertain my daughter in church or elsewhere. I never know what I need to keep her entertained, I still don't know how to do laundry, and I still need help with learning to cook. I need more help with sewing and knitting and other household skills. Some of you may be wondering why I never learned these things- to keep in short and simple I lived in a family where I was expected to do everything- I was seriously neglected and expected to raise my brother who was 5 years younger than me. My mother didn't teach me anything about household things, except not to do them and that they aren't important. She also didn't teach me how to be a good mother because she wasn't. I won't go too far into all of that as I love her and I am grateful for her bringing me to Jesus (even though she is anti-mormon). I saw myself in the window reflection about a week ago cooking and cleaning for my family- it felt really weird to see myself doing it. My family is SO grateful though, and I know there are blessings in doing it. I feel like I still have so much more to learn and that in some ways I am a hopeless cause. What would you suggest? Am I a hopeless cause?
Thank you and I love you sisters so much!!!!
God Bless,
Dani
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As a woman who has not yet joined the church, I must admit that I was VERY intimidated by that talk and I constantly find myself wondering if I can be that woman who knows. I find myself striving for that now- which has really blessed our lives. When I was younger I would have called her an anti-feminist, but now I see the importance in her comments. I was and continue to be blessed by women who share the beauty and responsibility of motherhood. I'm tired of the world seeing motherhood as your "second job" and not successful. Even though I'm not a stay at home mom I KNOW that family comes first.
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Ok all, there are some questions that I have. I am constantly pulling my hair out over this and I don't know what you all think so PLEASE offer advice.
1) At my work during lunch a lot of people in the teacher's lounge talk about filthy things- prior to learning about the church (I will be baptized March 22) it didn't bother me, but it TRULY does now. Is it rude to leave and have lunch elsewhere? I'm feeling convicted about this. Some of them know from my students excitement who are LDS that I am coverting- I don't want to show a bad side of LDS, I don't want to disown them, but I don't like the inappropriate talk. What should I do?
2) There is a party that a lot of people are planning to go to that is going to happen after school hours at the house of one of the teachers. There is a TON of alcohol that is going to be there and I have an issue with taking my family to a party like that. It's not going to be a drunken mess, however the fact that they are going to have like 10 bottles of wine and beer for maybe 20 people makes me feel sort of sick. Should I go or not, and again if I don't is this rude and reflect badly on the church?
I'm SO confused- help!!!
Thanks and God Bless You-
Dani
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This is one reason that I love the LDS church. There is no prescribed political party that you have to be. I was tired in the churches I grew up in being encouraged to vote one way or hell awaits thee. I'm really glad that I have the ability and opportunity to vote who I feel is the most qualified. I'm not a party gal, I'm a use my brain and think things out girl. Truthfully, I think both Republicans and Democrats are immoral and that we need honesty in our country- so therefore being a "party gal" would tie me down to one of those parties. We need honesty, loyalty, and love in our political system again. So, I don't know if you are old school or not, I just totally disagree with your stance. Let's agree to disagree.
The days of churches telling parishioners how to vote is long gone. In fact, churches run into IRS issues if they endorse candidates.
That said, both of the U.S. major parties should be held accountable by their supporters. I would not be a party guy if my party did not cast a vision I supported. I may disagree with certain details, but so long as my party moves in a direction on most issues that I agree with, I'd rather support the big ship, then pick and choose which life boat suits my fancy today.
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I completely feel for you and where you are at in life!!! My husband and I also have a beautiful two year old little girl and I am very VERY much wanting to have another baby right now. Unfortunately we are preparing to move across the country, we have to put our house up for sale, and find new jobs. It is a very stressful time in our lives- I know that when I see a little baby that I want to have one SO badly. I try to just enjoy my little girl for now until we are able to afford me getting pregnant. I KNOW that my family is worth the wait, it is much better to wait until we can fully support and not have to struggle to take care of another little one. Especially because I keep having dreams that I have twins. I would love to chat with you sometime, I'm also looking for a friend.
Hugs,
Dani
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Thank you so much for clearing this up for me. I really REALLY appreciate your insight and help. I know that it may have seemed a lost cause, but it was not. Thank you!!!!
I'll make some attempt:
Joseph Smith was called a Prophet. True
He started the Mormon religion. True, in a sense. However, Mormons believe he restored an ancient religion.
He claims he spoke with God and Jesus. True.
He was out in the woods praying. True
He was asking God if He should be a Protestant or a Catholic or what. True
God and Jesus appeared before him... True
...and said he should start his own church... We are not aware that he was told that in that first vision, however he WAS ultimately commanded to organize the Church of Jesus Christ, NOT his own church.
...because none of the others had it right. True, but this is not the whole of the matter.
Many people believed Joseph. That's relative of course, today's current figure of living members is over 13 million, the highest it has ever been to date.
And that night he saw an angel. Moroni appeared to him on Sept. 21, 1823. The dialogue in the video between Joseph and Moroni is complete speculation and contains many errors.
Moroni is a native American. True, he was during his lifetime.
Joseph wondered why Moroni's skin was white. Ridiculous. I can neither answer true nor false. Moroni's skin wasn't white like my Irish skin. 'Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. (Testimony of Joseph) There is no indication whatsoever that Joseph even wondered this, much less asked Moroni about it.
Long ago all native American's were white... We have no affirmation of that from Moroni, Joseph Smith, or the Book of Mormon.
...and they all came to America from Jerusalem... False. The Book of Mormon teaches otherwise.
...and while they were here they were visited by Christ. True. Jesus did visit the Americas after His ascension.
Jesus lived here in America. True, in a sense I guess. He did not take up residence in America, but He was alive when he visited.
Moroni's people were all killed by the other tribe of Israel... Those called Lamanites and Nephites who actually descended from Laman and Nephi were of the same tribe of Israel. It is difficult to even address the statement it is so nonsensical.
...and as punishment, God turned their skin red... False. However, God did 'darken' the skin of the Lamanites, but long before the wars that resulted in the destruction of the Nephites. We do not know how extensive this occured among the people or what exactly it looked like.
...these are the Native Americans you know today. The war spoken of between the Nephites and Lamanites occured around 1400 years before Joseph Smith. We do not know if our how much immigration to America and subsequent changes to the gene pool could have occured in that time. We do not know to what extent the modern Native Americans resemble the Lamanites of the fifth century.
There was an ancient book buried near Joseph Smith's home written upon golden plates... True.
that accounts Moroni's people's lives. The purpose of the book is to give an account of the spiritual history of the people, it is not to be a detailed history of the secular aspects of those people's lives.
Also buried with the book were two seer stones, the Urim and Thummim which allowed Joseph to translate the writings. True.
Moroni told Joseph to find the book and fulfill his destiny. False. Moroni told Joseph precisely the location of the plates.
Joseph Smith found another new testament of Jesus Christ. False. Joseph was given the Book of Mormon, he didn't just happen upon it. Also, it is not another New Testament, but it is a testament of Jesus Christ altogether seperate from the New Testament.
Joseph publicly announced that he had found the plates the day of after Moroni's first visit. False.
Joseph went out to the woods and dug around all morning in search of the plates. We are unaware that he needed to make multiple attempts to locate the plates.
Joseph wondered if their was actually anything buried there. False.
There was a cross on the box containing the plates. Speculation. We have no indication of that.
Inside the stone box, Joseph found the magical seer stones, loose. False. 'There were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim.' (Testimony of Joseph)
Under the stones were four gold plates written in strange writing. False. We don not know if the Urim and Thummim was on top of the plates or otherwise. There were far more than four plates, but we do not know the actual number. The writings were described by some of the witnesses as having the 'appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship'. (8 Witnesses)
The plates were the Gospel Jesus gave the Nephites. The Book of Mormon does contain the Gospel Message, meaning the message of Salvation. However it does NOT contain an account of the life of Jesus as do the Gospels of the New Testament.
The plates and the Urim & Thummim were the most amazing things Joseph ever gazed upon. False. Joseph never said this and he had seen God before he saw those plates of metal.
Upon locating the plates, Moroni appeared to Joseph again and said the he was not allowed to show the plates or the seer stones to anybody... Moroni did appear to Joseph at the site. Joseph was not allowed to show the plates to anyone other than certain witnesses chosen by the LORD. There were many that saw the plates and the Urim and Thummim. There were also others that saw the angel.
...because, first, he was to translate what was written on the plates into English so the public could all read it. False. The other witnesses of the plates saw them long before the translation and publication was complete.
Joseph found the stones and golden plates even though nobody else ever saw them. False, as stated.
Joseph told Martin Harris he possessed an ancient book written on gold plates that tells of Jesus Christ's Second Coming here in America. False. The appearance of Jesus to the Nephites was NOT the Second Coming, Joseph never claimed that.
Joseph told Martin Harris that he intended to publish the Book of Mormon. True.
Joseph knew Martin Harris had a lot of money and asked him for a little bit to pay for the publishing costs of the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris willfully mortgaged his farm against the publishing costs should the sale of the book not pay for them, he didn't actually front any cash. The publisher, having the assurance from a bank that the Harris farm would be sold and payment made if within 18 months Joseph had failed to so pay, commenced the work at the expense of his business. The sale of the Book of Mormon was poor and Martin did ultimately sell a portion of land to pay the printer his final payments.
Martin Harris hand wrote the Book of Mormon as Joseph dictated it. True, at least a portion of it.
Joseph placed the plates in the darkness of a hat so he could read their spiritual light. False. We have no indication that Joseph read the plates while they sat in a hat.
When Joseph placed the seer stones into the hat with the plates, the ancient letters lit up and changed into English enabling him to read the words to Harris. False. We have no indication from Joseph or the witnesses that this was the method whereby the Urim and Thummim operated.
Martin Harris took manuscripts of the Book of Mormon home to his wife. True. This was after many requests from Harris's wife to see the manuscripts.
Harris's wife doubted the story of the Book of Mormon. True. This is why she had requested to see the manuscripts.
Harris's wife convinced him to kept and hide the manuscript in order to prompt Joseph Smith to re-translate the selection and to thereby test Joseph's abilities. The manuscript pages taken by Harris to his wife were lost, however we do not know who exactly was behind it. Joseph never retranslated the section lost, he was forbidden to do so. The lost manuscript remains lost to this day.
Joseph prayed about what to do upon finding that the manuscript was lost. True.
The LORD was angry that Joseph had allowed Harris to take the manuscript. True. Joseph was actually told NOT to do so before he did. It was after multiple pleas that Joseph was allowed to give the manuscript to Harris. It is understood that the final authorization to loan the manuscript out was not the will of the LORD, but Joseph was only allowed to do so to teach him to accept the will of God when it was given, not to attempt to change it.
The LORD was so mad that he never allowed Joseph to translate from the plate of Lehi again... The content of the lost manuscript has come to be known as the Book of Lehi because it contains a history of Lehi. However, it was not written by Lehi and it was not written on a plate known as the plate of Lehi. It was written by Mormon upon his own plates.
The LORD told Joseph to translate from the plate of Nephi which is the same basic story as the lost manuscript but written a little bit differently. Joseph did ultimately translate the plates of Nephi which presumably did cover much of the same time period as did the lost manuscript. However, there can be no real comparison made and any assertion that Nephi covered the same basic story is total speculation.
Mormons believe the story of Joseph Smith proves itself. False.
Mormons believe the first man and woman came from Missouri and this has been proven false. Mormons do believe that Adam and Eve resided in what is modern-day Missouri after leaving the Garden of Eden. I am not aware that there has been any 'proof' that Adam and Even lived in any particular location much less some location other than what is modern-day Missouri.
Mormons believe that the Native Americans came from Jerusalem and that has been proven false. False. Mormon's believe that a small group of people came from Jerusalem to America around 600 B.C. At least some of the modern Native Americans have ancestory in them, but we do not know what groups do or do not have such ancestory. Further, the extent of the inclusion of other non-Jewish ancestory is unknown entirely. Plus, it has not been proven that this group did not come to America as told by the Book of Mormon.
Hopefully that answers some of the questions raised by that video. I understand the makers of South Park include some ex-LDS people.
-a-train
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Hey all,
Not trying to be sacreligious here, I just want to know what is true or untrue about this video on youtube as it pertains to the Mormon faith and religion. Please let me know what you see that is wrong with it, inaccurate, or places where they tried to misrepresent the faith. I appreciate it.
Thanks,
Danielle
My husband's conversion or not?
in Advice Board
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Another thing he said is that he doesn't like the people, that the people really bother him because they all tend to hang out together and he doesn't like people all hanging out together because then they are removed from others. I tried to explain to him why I prefered to hang out with people with my same values and he said that was HORRIBLE. That I SHOULD be around people who cuss and just grin and bear it. I feel as though if we keep this up- I'm not sure how we are going to stay married. It is SO frustrating! I don't want to live like this....