MorningStar

Does anyone here know how to cook the ultimate steak? We don't have a grill, but I want to know the best way to cook it in a pan/oven. Thanks!

Ooh! Smoothies! That's another thing I like making! That would've been a great one for summer.

Me too! Every time I would reply to correct something, she would ask, "Are you mad at me?" Ugh!

MS, I just posted to you on the other forum. Very interesting that you post this. I'm thankful you found it. The Lord is so wonderful. I love you dear sister Simply I love you too. :) I think everyone can benefit from the teachings in it.

Thanks, Jane! I think nothing gives us more opportunities to forgive than marriage.

Our women were very talkative today. I wasn't sure if anyone would want to comment much, so I had them answer a couple questions anonymously, fold their papers, and hand them in. I only had time to read a few of them, but they were very good and I was asked to type them all out and e-mail them to the secretary. I was not shy today about saying masturbation. Once that quote passed by, I said, "I didn't really want to talk about this, but I feel like I have to. People are telling our kids that masturbation is normal, and natural, and healthy." One sister asked, "Who is?" Another sister chimed in, "The schools are. That's what they do." I said, "Yeah, when I was in junior high and high school, they were already encouraging us to masturbate and now it is even taught that it might help kids to not have sex as early." Well, I'm glad this sister knows this now because she has a son who is a deacon and he will be getting messages like this. Lately I have heard the opinion that women should do it because then they will know how their bodies work. We also talked about how the world justifies immorality - you have to try each other out to see if you're "sexually compatible". I was a little nervous today because we had an investigator and I think this was the first Relief Society lesson she's had. I hope it wasn't too much of a shocker for her. Our lessons are usually about much more pleasant subjects. My husband said in Elder's Quorum the whole lesson turned to Pornography and they were pretty quiet until the teenage investigator in the room said, "Sometimes I have a problem with it." Then everyone got talking. I wish everyone could talk openly about this stuff without fear of judgement because secrecy makes it worse and the spouses feel isolated because they're keeping their spouses' secret for them, yet they are so upset and withdraw because it's hard to hide the fact that something is wrong. We had a pornography fireside recently put on by Family Services and the sister who spoke said that if we could be open and non-judgemental in our quorums, 12 step groups probably wouldn't be necessary anymore, but for right now they are really needed. At the fireside (it was a regional one), this sister raised her hand and asked, "How long should a person wait for their spouse to stop looking at pornography?" The teacher said that it is up to that person to decide if it is something they can put up with. When it was over, the sister left crying. I felt so bad for her. My husband said in EQ today, the teacher said how when he was a bachelor, he could spot a beautiful woman from a mile away and when he was newlywed, they went to the movies and as this beautiful woman walked by, his head turned and he watched her. He said, "Brethren, I paid for that for a long time." He's very open about his marital spats, the most known one being the time he bought his wife an Xbox for Mother's Day. That didn't go over too well ...

Yes, it should be easy, but unfortunately many people beat themselves up for years over past sins. I call Cosmo a disgusting magazine. It always features multiples headlines about sex and a woman showing off her cleavage on the cover. My son is seven and a very good reader. I don't want him reading things like, "10 naughty sex tricks", but they're right there in front of his face. Every single cover I have seen of theirs has had something about pleasing your man. "10 things guys wish you knew about sex". I don't like some stupid gossip magazines either. They should just get rid of all that crap! I don't want my kids learning that other people's suffering is entertainment or that the most important thing in life is sex or that they have to be sexy in order to be liked or valued. I think it went pretty well! Thank you. I was stressing because there was so much material to cover and so little time, and I really wanted to make sure that the most important things were addressed. The women cracked up when I told them how I asked at Fred Meyer if they had considered putting up another Family Friendly check-out and the guy said I should fill out a comment card. I told the women, "So I got a bunch of them!" They seemed delighted by that idea and about my plans to form a huge line in the Family Friendly check-out and tell them we will only use that line when they offer to help us in another one." I told them I declare war on this stuff.

I had a seminary teacher who taught us that there would still be sex in the eternities and believed that that's how spirit children will be made, and that sex will be better than it was on earth. She seemed pretty happy about it. Once when we were at her house for a seminary party, her husband came home from a business trip and she shouted, "LARRY!!!!!!" Then she bolted out the door to jump into his arms and kiss him. It was very sweet, but I have no idea if she was correct about the type of relations we will have in the eternities. I agree with her, but it's not doctrine. If we are "pregnant", I don't think it will be a burden at all. We'll get all the wonderful parts without the barfing and the aches and pains. No labor either.

Welcome to the board, Lynn. I've read your posts a little on MADB before and I wondered why you aren't LDS considering your love of The Book of Mormon. Were you ever Mormon to begin with or did you discover The Book of Mormon while being a Baptist minister? What's stopping you from being baptized? It's not often I meet a Baptist who is pro-Book of Mormon. Actually, I don't know anyone besides you. Most people like that are now LDS.

I don't know you or your family, so this is hard to answer, but my dad left the church when I was little and I grew up wondering if he thought I was an idiot for believing. I think your family probably has some fears right now, like if you're going to try to persuade them to leave, which you're probably not. Just give them some time and be your usual wonderful self with them. You probably had a long time to adjust to the idea of leaving and most likely it is a shock for your family and very upsetting to them. I know it was a long adjustment for my mom. We've actually had many relatives leave, but we love them just the same. I must admit though that when certain subjects are brought up, there is some cautiousness and you wonder if they'll try to sneak something in to plant a seed of doubt. My dad was pretty good, but if he got the opportunity, he would chime in. Such as, once I complained about this YW activity where they had us go feed the Young Men lunch while they were chopping wood. I thought it was lame and that we could've done something much more useful - why couldn't they bring their own lunch? I felt it was demeaning to go be their servant girls, but I blamed this on the lady who planned the activity. My dad made some comment like, "Oh yeah, the church really does teach women to be subserviant to men ..." Blah blah blah. This was a really lame comment coming from the man who does practically nothing around the house, never makes dinner, and can't even keep track of when he's running out of clean underwear! And he expected my mom to work full time. Anyway, I'm sad to hear that you're leaving and I hope your family will love you unconditionally. :) MorningStar

Try this one. You ask, "What's the difference between toilet paper and a shower curtain?" If the person says, "I don't know", you say, "So you're the one!"

Hi! Welcome to the board! I'm glad you came here and I hope I will be able to answer some of the questions you have. If not, I could at least give you good recipes, jokes, links to good music, and support. :) I was born and raised in the church and I love it. As you have questions, you'll be encouraged to start separate topics on each one. I know people often have many questions, but it's easier to address one at a time. What are some of your hobbies? :) MorningStar

Have you seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"?

A couple years ago, I collected some quotes I liked and put them in my profile on a message board. One woman read it and e-mailed me to say it was the most beautiful thing she had ever read. She was also telling everyone that they should all read my profile because it was so wonderful. I noticed by her e-mail address that she must be Evangelical and I was a little surprised she was so positive about my quotes and wondered if she missed the section that stated my religion. Yes, she did. A while later, she wrote back and said, "I just noticed you're LDS. I still love you even though you're Mormon." She seemed surprised that those quotes contained things we had in common and she was even more surprised that they were all from church leaders. Still, we had some somewhat frustrating conversations about misunderstandings she had about our beliefs - Did we believe all other churches were the church of the devil, why did the bishop insist on seeing our W2's (he didn't), and the usual questions I get like that. I said, "It's better if you don't get your information from anti-Mormon websites because they'll just confuse you about what we really believe in and I'll just have to keep clearing up confusion." She said, "Oh, I didn't get it from an anti-Mormon website, I got it from CARM." Then she sent me a DVD of a sermon her preacher gave about our church that had a little skit at the beginning that was kind of cute, yet inaccurate. I can't believe I sat through the whole thing. Anyway, these are the quotes I had in my profile. I would put up the authors too, but that's on my old computer. I didn't put the authors in my profile because I was curious as to how people would react to them without already deciding that what I had to say was bad because I'm LDS. "The greatest work you will ever do, will be done within the walls of your own home." “The home is what needs reforming. Try today, and tomorrow, to make a change in your home by praying twice a day with your family. … Ask a blessing upon every meal you eat. Spend ten minutes … reading a chapter from the words of the Lord in the [scriptures]. … Let love, peace, and the Spirit of the Lord, kindness, charity, sacrifice for others, abound in your families. Banish harsh words, … and let the Spirit of God take possession of your hearts. Teach to your children these things, in spirit and power. … Not one child in a hundred would go astray, if the home environment, example and training, were in harmony with … the gospel of Christ.” "How grateful I am to know that God loves us. The incomprehensible depth of that love found expression in the gift of His Only Begotten Son." "Regardless of other circumstances, you have spiritual freedom. Use it to choose your attitude. Use it to reach out and serve others in love." "Christ's example taught that service should be given because there is love, not because there is obligation." "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." "The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth." "The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words—these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home." "The scriptures are like loving messages from Heavenly Father. They can bring peace to your heart, and help you feel the Lord's tender nearness." "Thank God for the joys of family life. I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home. The sweetest influences and associations of life are there." "You should express regularly to your wife and children your reverence and respect for her. Indeed, one of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother." "Nothing penetrates the human heart as does a personal, fervent prayer and its heaven-sent response." "If we become casual in our study of the scriptures, we will become casual in our prayers." "You reach the greatest heights while on your knees." "The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father." "Total unselfishness is sure to accomplish another factor in successful marriage. If one is forever seeking the interests, comforts, and happiness of the other, the love found in courtship and cemented in marriage will grow into mighty proportions. Many couples permit their marriages to become stale and their love to grow cold like old bread or worn-out jokes or cold gravy. Certainly the foods most vital for love are consideration, kindness, thoughtfulness, concern, expressions of affection, embraces of appreciation, admiration, pride, companionship, confidence, faith, partnership, equality, and interdependence." "Seeing life from an eternal perspective helps us focus our limited mortal energies on the things that matter most." "Enrich your life with the beauty around you. There is such an abundance of it." "In this divided and imperiled world of chaos and confusion it is incumbent upon the various and differing churches to seek a better understanding of one another. Frank and friendly discussion should increase our sympathetic appreciation of the religious beliefs and practices of our neighbors and cause us to review and clarify our own. We might perchance find kernels of truth in what we considered to be nothing but chaff. The world needs understanding and friendship." "Let us not think because we feel and know that we have the truth that we have all the truth for there is truth yet to be revealed. Let not our knowledge that we have the truth stifle our search for more truth. Let us build into our characters the kind of faith that will accept the truth when it comes and by its coming perhaps modify some of our ideas about the truth." "What does it mean to be true to the faith? That word true implies commitment, integrity, endurance, and courage." "I pray that there will enter our hearts the peace that comes from knowing by a power beyond all human ability to transmit that God is aware of us and has raised up servants in our day to lead us under the power and inspiration of his close attention." "Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes." "Life's most important choice is not between wealth and poverty, or fame and obscurity. It is between good and evil. When we finally understand that, our happiness will not be determined by material things." "A house does not have to be perfect to be a home of joy, a child does not have to behave perfectly to love and be loved, and every moment of life does not have to be perfect to be of value. Too often, I realize, we fail to see the glorious reality of the simple joy that abounds in the seemingly mundane routine of day-to-day living. Instead, we tend to idolize the past, idealize the future, and devalue the present.... What better way to show our appreciation to Heavenly Father for what we have than to embrace our lives, albeit 'ordinary' and 'unexciting,' with joy?" "It is exciting to realize that even though the Lord has all things at his disposition...His greatest interest is still the happiness of each of us." "We all get assignments, jobs, things we must do. The temptation is to just get them over with. Yet real joy and satisfaction--and greatness--come from going beyond the mere requirements." "We may one day have both fame and fortune, and learn that neither is basic for true success and complete happiness." "Needed are...[souls] filled with compassion, that we might communicate not only eye to eye, or voice to ear, but in the majestic style of the Savior, even heart to heart." "Christ was sent not only to help us heal the wounds of transgression and iniquity, but also to bear our grief and sorrow and guilt." "[Jesus Christ] concluded His mortal ministry with the single most compassionate and significant service in the history of the world: the Atonement." "The Savior's loving warmth and healing touch lift us and give us strength to endure." "Even though the tasks of life become heavy, and although sorrow thrusts a drooping burden upon us, the light that emanates from our Savior beckons us on, undismayed." "If there were more reverence in human hearts, there would be less room for sin and sorrow and more increased capacity for joy and gladness."

I'm glad you guys liked it! :)

I just found this among my many stacks of paper. :) "Helping Family Members Live the Gospel", Family Home Evening Resource Book, 236 Sometimes we think that some five-second formula or recipe will effectively change a family member's behavior. Long-term change, however, comes only from living correct principles. The Lord told priesthood bearers how the power and influence of the priesthood should be used (see D&C 121:41-46). We can use some of the things he mentioned, such as persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned to teach and guide our children and others. In contrast, using sarcasm, intimidation, force, impatience, irritability or anger, harshness, and pride will neither teach children proper values nor help them change their behavior. In fact, we know that it is Satan, not Heavenly Father, who wants us to use force and hostility. We can learn to be better parents by studying the scriptures to see how Heavenly Father deals with his children. We can also learn how not to act by observing Satan's methods. What can you learn from the following chart to help you be a better parent and spouse? The Lord's Way Love unfeigned - charity, caring for others' welfare despite any wrongdoing. Satan's Way Physical force - being hostile and unfairly using physical strength. The Lord's Way Acceptance - seeing others in eternal perspective, judging with compassion Satan's Way Blame - condemning others' faults without compassion. The Lord's Way Integrity - being honest, a personal commitment to righteousness Satan's Way Accusation - provoking guilt, reminding people of their mistakes to punish them and jusitfy oneself. The Lord's Way Persuasion - teaching with compassion, kindly pointing out advantages and disadvantages of situations. Satan's Way Intimidation - ruling by fear because others are afraid of one's power. The Lord's Way Gentleness - soft, not treating others harshly. Satan's Way Threat - expressing an intent to physically or emotionally harm someone. The Lord's Way Trust - lovingly allowing others to exercise their agency to choose right or wrong and to accept the consequences. Satan's Way Pride - self-righteously preaching moral truths and condemning others. The Lord's Way Responsibility - acknowledging and assuming your role in any situation including repenting for past wrongdoing. Satan's Way Self-centeredness - refusing to accept responsibility for your actions. The Lord's Way Meekness - humility, uncomplaining, and teachable Satan's Way Haughtiness - being unteachable, proud, and pessimistic. "And charity sufferth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareht all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth." Moroni 7:45-46 I hope some of you will find this helpful! It's a good reminder for me.

swelling

This would make a great topic for a separate thread. :)

From lds.org under Gospel Topics: Eternal Life

That's an interesting question. Jesus Christ was also part of the Godhead before He came to earth. But was He exalted before He came here or was it afterwards? Is exaltation a prerequisite to being in the Godhead? What is exaltation? :)

I find discussions about the nature of Heavenly Father interesting. People reject the idea that He has a body, but it makes sense to me that if The Son has a body, The Father has a body. The scripture is frequently brought up that God is a spirit. Yes, and we are spirits too. The Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead and is a spirit and I don't see how this scripture points to Heavenly Father not having a body. If Heavenly Father is just a spirit, then what is the purpose of the Holy Ghost? It seems the Holy Ghost would not be necessary if Heavenly Father had no body. They are one in purpose, but have different functions. We have God The Father who has a body of flesh and bone and is the Father of our spirits. The Son had a body of flesh and blood and was needed to Atone for our sins, and The Holy Ghost is needed to testify of both of them and enable us to feel God's influence everywhere. They work rather nicely together. :)

Thank you! More on the way. I think I'll post Tortellini Salad and my sister's BBQ Chicken Salad.

I'm sorry to hear that. The last I remember, he had stopped doing that.

This salad makes people extremely happy at potlucks. :) SPINACH SALAD 2 bunches spinach, torn or shredded 1 head red lettuce, torn 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 red onion, slivered 3/4 lb. swiss cheese, grated 1 pt. cottage cheese, rinsed and drained 3/4 lb. mushrooms, sliced For the poppy seed dressing: Combine the following in a blender and blend well. 1/3 cup vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup oil (I use canola oil) 1/4 onion (white or yellow) 1 tablespoon mustard 3/4 tsp. salt 1 tablespoon poppy seeds Toss the salad with the dressing and enjoy! It makes a huge amount. Find your biggest bowl. :)

Saturday Night