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The admission that there were cultural roots to this policy, or the doctrinal aspect. It is hard for me to post link, via using IPAD and not able or not tech savvy to do so from my bed...tough to do it from laptop. Could you post the statement from the Church concerning the issue. It would be greatly appreciated. :)

Different people are converted at different times to the Gospel...even the lifelong members. Some have argued (even here) that when they were converted that (one example) they did not know Joseph had so many wives. Even though most were sealings, if not most as he never had any offspring from anyone but Emma. Also the Church has admitted that much (if not all) of the Priesthood ban for Black members was cultural and not all doctrinal. All of these things have not affected my testimony, because I know that when converted (long ago) that God knew all these things before the Holy Spirit witnessed to me that Joseph was a Prophet, that the BoM was the word of God, as well as all of our other canonized is scripture. My question (and I soooo hope I am expressing myself better this time); why do many (on many sites) post threads they have lost their testimonies and have left the Church? Any "truths" they feel they have found out may be news to them, but not news to God, who knew all when they were converted, or the "hour they first believed". I have not wavered...too many powerful Spiritual experiences, I had. Is it because some are converted and others just convinced, and I do not say that to be critical. The Church is a perfect organization run by flawed me, as all men are flawed...so I do not fear any admitted mistakes, only a desire to set things right. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith, I am awe with the all that he accomplished despite his flaws, being jailed for trumped up charges and on the run for so much of his life. All of these conditions strengthens my testimony. Please forgive any errors, I have a broken back and most threads and,posts are done on IPAD in bed or on couch...it is hard to sit in chair at table with desktop, so I can do in "Office Word" and do spell check and sentence structure review. Comments? God bless... Bill Lee Atlanta, GA P.S. Not to mention everything is written in "Southern" :)

I do not doubt...I'll try again later. I am speaking of those who lose faith after,learning something that shocks them. My "point" is God knew all when he gave them a testimony. So if Joseph, the BoM and the Church were true before they learned something new, it is new now.

I am speaking of receiving a testimony from God that the BoM was the word of God and Joseph Smith is and was a Prophet. Many have left the Church who claimed to have had a testimony until they found out A or B or C. The point being what they have found out was nothing "new" to God, when he reveled that the Church is true. If this does not clear up what I am say...I will go back and see where my error was or delete my comments. Most of the time I type on and IPAD, due to serious injury to my back. I apologize my errors.

Whatever we find that is puzzling, we need not be shaken, because at the time we were converted. The puzzling or difficult news, God already knew everything and if there are things about his flaws, he knowing knew still gave us our testimony. Maybe you cloud show mw what I messed up...I would welcome the help.

Taking the wife on a cruise in a week...she has always wanted to go on one. We will get back just a few days before our 39th anniversary. Wish us luck!

I really messed this post up...so I will try another approach. :)

My advice (I have not experienced this) rejoice at they home coming! Wonderful to count you as a brother again...so come on in the water is warm. :)

If she nor you turn the rapist in, he will do it again and again.

You seem to have a lot of irons pulling you into the fire. Start with the most difficult and then each time one is overcome you will find the confidence that the next. It will be a difficult journey, but will lead to the "straight and narrow"...it will lead you home. None of us a helpless victims of our weaknesses.

He wept because he felt empathy for their loss. Even though he knew that in moments they would rejoice, it still caused him pain.

It is not because she is from the South. The South has changed in a big way, in most ways we get along better with difference races than any other place. The person you speak of may be a racist, but not because she is from the South...to often people like to use the stereotypical view of a South that is no more racist. I live in Georgia, and it is filled with good, God fearing people, who love their neighbors as themselves. I love my State and "all" the people who live in it.

Even in the heavens we will learn, progress...the earth will become a great U&T, and we will see all things past, present and future. I just hope we will still use the scriptures which is one of my greatest loves.

Some stressed that but most taught that "no Mormon" could possess any of the traits, as they are none Christian.

Some stressed that but most taught that "no Mormon" could possess any of the traits, as they are none Christian.

It was a thread bout the Trinity, which cause me to start one about what I dubbed "the other Trinity", as in the Trinity of love and hope Christ and Paul spoke of...

It was a thread bout the Trinity, which cause me to start one about what I dubbed "the other Trinity", as in the Trinity of love and hope Christ and Paul spoke of...

I do the same, I am well know in anti-Mormon circles. Maybe it comes from my eight years in the Army and 23 as a police officer...find it hard to back down from a fight. Even when I stay away, I get stalked to a pro-Mormon site and get PM's from people as to why I did not respond or why I left. I just recently went back...as when I broke my back I found it just made me feel worse. So I stayed away for almost two years. But I must say, it does improve your debate skills. :)

It is not secret that many claim we are not, nor ever will be Christian due to our rejection to the Nicene Creed and hard line views of the Trinity as believed by many. So I spoke of and called it "the other Trinity". Faith, Hope and Charity (Love), more importantly the defining aspect of Charity, "the pure Love of Christ". The hurtful comments came from the fact that we believe that the "Trinity", is defined as the "one God", as being "one" in the context of one purpose of God (or the Godhead) is clearly defined by The Lord's Intercessory prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayer, "Father, I pray that they be one as you and I are one". A phrase repeated more than one. Anyway, because they believe we are not Christian that we cannot (ever) exercise, Faith, Hope, Charity, no matter what. Is this typical of anti-Mormons, or a lack of and least two of the "other Trinity" (metaphorically speaking) of a lack of "Charity", at least? Comments?

God bless you. I know how hard this was...

Based on your comments you are young...not sure if you are an Elder? The Church is not in the business of excommunicating young people. However continued violation of serious sins will keep some from missions and Church Schools. Your concern needs to be repentance and not worry "what"? But how?

I am not trying to be "black and white"...but for faith to grow it must be tested. I have been an active member since I joined 36 years ago. My faith has been tested many times, sometimes shaken to it's core, it has grown stronger with each test. Although each one was difficult, even painful, I would not wish them away. Mike Ash wrote a book about this...not sure if the term comes from his book, or his book from the term?

Just finished "Driving Miss Daisy" for the 3rd time. Love the movie and the performers.

The Gospel and the Church are where we learn what is right, and are given opportunities to do with. As a collective we are there to aid one another with are own efforts and in concert with others.. Self Righteous people are the ones who are lost and lagging behind, as Righteousness is given to us by Christ, for his is righteousness. Those who thing that can do it on their own, have only the appearance of good works, and yet make fun or try to convince all of their worth. Those who are doing the works of righteousness through Christ, never point fingers and mock.

If you are asking about shaken faith in the Church and Gospel...no sure you can avoid ever having your faith shaken. If you are talking about faith in man...unavoidable. :)