Garden Girl

Dr. T... I posted in LDSForum, and it is now changed to this LDS.Net with a new format, etc. So I'm new... "again" Doc Steuss... Hi... glad you're here... GG

Hello, it's me... The Garden Girl from the beautiful central Oregon coast. I was on the original LDSForums, and now here's this new format which I'm trying to figure out... You know me... Widowed, TBM, Oldie but Goodie , Artist (Oils/Pastels) Interests: Gardening, beachcombing, hiking... GG

Hello again...Kona Glad you're back in full participation here... if you have questions, we'll do our best to answer... but I also agree with ~Sarah~ that it is valuable to talk personally with members vs the Internet... but this site is specifically for people to be able to ask questions and be confident the responses will be the LDS viewpoint, and not someone else's opinion of our doctrines or practices... Happy New Year... The Garden Girl

Hello Terry... The reason you can't PM is that you don't have enough posts yet... I think you have to post 20 times before you are allowed to PM people. That gives everyone a chance to see what your posts are like... About the attitude adjustment: I only meant that you seemed so adamant and harsh in regard to never wearing garments... my point is, you don't know that you will always feel that way... in fact if you continue studying about the Church with a prayerful attitude and open your heart to the Spirit, and then decide you will join the Church... as you progress and learn more about the temple and decide to go, my guess is that you will want to wear your garments because you will have an understanding of their meaning and the sacred feeling they bring us as they represent a reminder of the covenants we make with our Heavenly Father. I am thankful everyday when I put on my fresh garments. For you to keep insisting that you would never wear garments when you don't understand is IMO an unreasonable attitude. Particularly when using terms such as "cult" and "controlling." Well, I won't continue to beat this dead horse... but you asked why you needed an attitude adjustment. For me, Terry, I really do hope you will continue to read, study and pray, and by all means ask questions here... but your tone and terminology has a good deal to do with the response. The Garden Girl edit to add: In your post #29 on the other thread about "not attending services any longer," the last thing you said was that the Church expected too much of its people and that is one reason you have decided not to join, and will probably go to another Church. Is that still your feeling?

Thanks Dale... it does appear that "Kona" and "Terry" are the same person... he says he was just trying to find more answers about the religion before "finally deciding to join the church." I find that questionable... and even if it is true, he really needs an attitude adjustment, let alone to seek the Spirit... Garden Girl

Hello cheri... About garments... garments are sacred reminders of covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father in the temple...to us they represent part of our "spiritual armor"... they are not to control varicose veins, or any other purpose. Most women prefer the 2-piece type, featuring a top with a small cap sleeve... and a bottom that can be just above the knee or mid calf. Garments come in several different materials, including one for servicemen. The Church has put out a beautiful booklet titled "Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." It is full color with pictures of exterior and interior of many of our temples, including my Portland OR temple. The booklet provides articles on the history, purpose, doctrines surrounding our temples, and on the temple garment. Copies of this lovely and helpful booklet, which includes "Commonly Asked Questions" is available from any Deseret Bookstore or Church Distribution Center, and can be ordered online I'm sure. It is inexpensive. They may even have a copy available online. I would suggest you get a copy. (Note: I was just scrolling down and noticed that QuorumPrez gave a link to Deseret Book... I'll have to check and see what he is linking). The Garden Girl

Welcome lov'in... Hobbies? work? Whatever you feel comfortable sharing... Me...I'm an old woman, retired, widowed, no children, live with a pushy cat named Charlie... love to paint in oils, draw in pastels, garden, walk on the beach, beachcombing... from the beautiful central Oregon USA coast... The Garden Girl

cherisalorraine... welcome... now we really are "sisters" in the gospel. I'm very happy for you... The Garden Girl

Well, I'm sorry to hear that... disappointed... but thank you for letting us know. My hope is you will continue to seek a solution... Didn't any of the suggestions in my post make sense to you? Or from others? Garden Girl

Hello Simon...(by the way, what does cya mean?) I've read all your posts... and between the lines as well... you seem to know a lot of the LDS "terminology" and concepts... how many discussions with the missionaries did you have? And I can't remember seeing if you were actually attending Church... Are you? If not, I encourage you to do so. Starting in January, our scripture study in Gospel Doctrine class will be the Book of Mormon. Of course, someone might suggest you attend the Gospel Principles class, which is geared toward new members and investigators. I'd like to suggest that you go through the missionary discussions again and ask your questions. I encourage you to start attending your local ward, meeting with missionaries, studying, asking questions, fasting and praying. If you're really serious in finding an answer that is... If you have the missionary discussions, I'd encourage you to not take any action toward joining the Church until you've had time to really study. If someone presses for a commitment, you'll have to decide when you're ready... and study all the more diligently. And pray seriously and faithfully...for the answers you seek. As I read your posts you kept going back to "what if the BoM is inspired by the devil?" When you actually study the BoM, can you say that it does not lead you to Christ? How can a book that testifies so completely of Christ be of the devil? Or "pretend" to lead to Christ but go in the opposite direction? I can't even grasp that thinking... I hope you'll find the answers you are looking for... I did. The Garden Girl

Hello ex19k... Just a note of encouragement... today is "His Son's" birthday, and my thoughts turned to you and your hope to be finished smoking by today... I hope you were able to do so, but don't beat yourself up if it's going to take a little longer... just keep plodding forward and you'll be fine. Did you attend church again? Not pushing...just interested. Saying prayers for you. All good wishes... The Garden Girl

I agree... in the words of one of my favorite apostles, now deceased, Neil A. Maxwell: Bring all that you have that is good, and let us see if we can add to it." Scripture tells us we learn line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:9-10). There is no reason to deny the things you have learned, but bring them and see if they can't be completed and clarified within the teachings we offer... pray and seek the Spirit as you study... all good wishes... The Garden Girl

Don't know... all I know is that Christ set the example for us in numerous things... baptism by immersion being one (how to pray, the sacrament, charity, etc) Somehow, the members in Africa and similar countries seem to be able to follow Christ's example... The Garden Girl

Welcome Laura... I know it must be difficult to have someone you thought would be active turn away... it must put a strain on your marriage... this is exactly the right place to be... as f4k said, you can go into "Chat" and let us know more about your situation... whatever you feel comfortable sharing... and maybe we can help with some insights, etc. There are other threads on "Doctrine" where you can ask some of your doctrinal questions, and you'll get answers here from the LDS perspective only. All good wishes... from the beautiful central Oregon coast... The Garden Girl

Hello homeofmew... I noticed you are on the MADB also... this board is different in that there is no "debate." You are welcome to ask questions, and discuss, but this board is for people to get the LDS perspective without the harrangue... I think you'll like it for learning more about the LDS... Welcome... The Garden Girl

Hello Jen and welcome... I returned to Church after a 30-year inactivity (in my heart I always knew what was right and true). My non-LDS hubby, wonderful man that he was, would not join me in my faith... it was difficult, but I was fortunate because he supported me and honored my faith. When I say "difficult" I mean emotionally because I wanted so much for him to be at my side in Church, in the temple, etc. Never happened... now I've been widowed nine years... but my testimony is stronger than ever... when I first started attending at first, it as the music that made me weep. Certain songs like "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd" was a two-hankie for me... Good luck. Hope you'll like it here... The Garden Girl

Great name, "Breezy." Yes, welcome. I think you'll like it here, and we'll do our best to answer your questions. Another thing you can do online is go into FAIR and visit the Topical Guide and select topics you want to read about. The same with FARMS. Note: Will someone give Breezy the proper "links" so she can go directly to those sites also? Thanks. You can also read the Book of Mormon online... and the Ensign magazine, which is the official Church magazine with all sorts of articles, etc., from our leaders. Note #2: Can someone please give link for online BoM? Is it lds.org? Anyway Breezy... welcome and good luck... from the beautiful central Oregon coast... The Garden Girl

Hello ex19k... Just checking in to see how you are doing... it's been several days... better? How's the efforts going as far as stopping smoking? I'm still cheering you on. When I was ready to quit smoking, I was at a point where I had "smoker's cough," particularly in the early mornings when I'd first get up... I'd cough and hack as I lit up my first cig... it sounded terrible, and felt terrible. But I couldn't wait for that first drag of nicotine... yuk!! That's all I can think of now is, YUK! Anyway, as the weeks went by and I didn't smoke I noticed a very definite improvement as I quit with the coughing... until finally, about 3 months after my last cig I realized I was free of the coughing. It was wonderful. I had more energy. Food tasted better. I smelled better... So, how are things going? All good wishes... The Garden Girl

Del Taco?? Oh, no no no... it's gotta be Taco Bell all the way Sounds like you have a good approach... Garden Girl

Hijolly... My hubby had colon cancer which they removed and resectoned his colon and he survived six years without recurrence (a year's chemo)... passed away of unrelated causes... Now, about global warming... my opinion is that the earth naturally goes through cycles, including warming... but, that said, I also think that man could be contributing to that problem but certainly not to the extent Mr. Gore and others proclaim... Did I hear/read not long ago that the icecap at Antartica is expanding? Also my sis in Missouri just went through the most horrific ice storm that is now affecting the east coast... The Garden Girl

Hello Proud2Serve... You indicate that your girlfriend isn't too concerned about marrying LDS or non-LDS... and that you had wondered about how committed she was to her faith because of some of her actions... One thing to keep in mind, however, is that she may deepen in her faith as she matures and perhaps view her faith a little more seriously. If you two married and this happened, it might reach a point where she would desire to go to the temple and receive her endowment... how would you feel about that? That's a very sacred thing with eternal implications to a faithful LDS... I married a wonderful non-LDS man and slipped into inactivity... but through the years I felt the tugging of the Spirit at my heart and finally I told my husband I really felt the need to return to Church. He was very supportive of my reactivation, although he would never join me in my faith. I did go to the temple and he honored that also... but it was an ache in my heart that he would not participate or learn of my faith... and when I'd attend the temple alone and see the married couples holding hands as we walked to the room to attend a session, I just felt so alone. One time he did tell me after I reactivated that I wasn't as much "fun" anymore... well, of course not. I no longer enjoyed Las Vegas in the same way... no longer sipped mai tais, or wine, and changed the way I entertained, etc... but I never looked down on him or our friends because they did, perhaps he thought I did. My point is, there may be a day, if you do not convert, that your wife will become more serious and that is not always easy in a single member marriage. You have to be prepared for that... The Garden Girl

Iggy... Does dh know you know about the computer.... if not, don't ruin it for him... act surprised because in reality you are. Just wait 10 days to let it all out.... wooo-hooo! Garden Girl

Welcome... I think you'll like it here... from the beautiful central Oregon coast...The Garden Girl

Hello ex19k... Just want to send you a hello from the beautiful central Oregon coast on a sunny, crisp winter day. You are in my prayers because I've "been there, done that" also, so I know it can have ups and downs. But it is so worth it... I quit smoking in 1995 so my lungs are hopefully pink again. On Oprah one day, Dr. Oz had a bunch of organs, including a lung of a smoker. It was enough to make anyone quit smoking when we could actually see the affects of smoking on the lungs... Just continue to ask Heavenly Father for strength as often during the day as necessary... Picture me... cheering you on... All good wishes... The Garden Girl

Hello Proud2Serve... You can also ask questions here and will receive the LDS view vs. on other sites where there is debate, etc. One thing I want to tell you... Mormonism is a way of life... not just going to Church on Sunday and then tra-la-la the rest of the week. We have doctrines about marriage and family that are far reaching (like for eternity). We have a high standard of morals and ethics (not all live up to that standard but strive to do so). Some of our doctrines are quite different than other Christian faiths as you've probably figured out. Just be sure that you keep listening ears and a hearkening heart, and your eyes wide open. Study and pray... Good luck... you sound like a fine young man. The Garden Girl