[What is the purpose of Earthly life if you are not a churchmember?]

This may seem like a dumb random question but it is something that astounds me from time to time...Of all the billions and billions of people past and present that have lived on the earth, maybe 00.01% (rounding up here) have ever been church members and had the opportunity to "know" why we are here and what our purpose is. As for everyone else, what is the purpose of earthly life for someone who is and will never have the chance to hear the gospel? Are they judged of their deeds after death? Or do they just get a "free-pass" while here and get to repent later after they die? (which I gotta say sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me......) Maybe someone can help me understand this a little better.........

There is a very obscure doctrine (something that is not taught in the LDS Church) of historic Christianity that the Apostle Paul himself alluded to in the Book of Romans.

This doctrine is called "Natural Theology" and the premise is that because mankind has an innate desire to worship the divine, those who may never hear of Christ, or of the Bible and Book of Mormon, yet worship God through how they observe nature and give thanks to God, and base their lives on how they understand and view God, they are much better off than those who know of God and yet live a life of rebellion.

According to Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister E. McGrath, we find the following:

This concept of natural theology received a particularly significant development within the confessional element of the Reformed tradition. The Gallic Confession of Faith (1559) argues that God reveals himself to humanity in two ways:

First, in God's works, both in their creation and their preservation and control. Second, and more clearly, in God's Word, which was revealed through oracles in the beginning, and which was subsequently committed to writing in the books which we call the Holy Scriptures.

A related idea was set out in the Belgic Confession (1561), which expanded the brief statement on natural theology found in the Gallic Confession. Once more, knowledge of God is affirmed to come about by two means:

First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, which is before our eyes as a most beautiful book, in which all creatures, great and small, are like so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely, his eternal power and Godhead, as the Apostle Paul declares (Romans 1:20). All of these things are sufficient to convince humanity, and leave them without excuse.

Now, for my own speculative opinion here.

The LDS Church believes that every person who has been born into this world, who ever will be born, will have an opportunity to hear about the Gospel of Christ, to some extent. We know that the coming of Christ will not happen until the world is flooded with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, at one time, this would have been considered a very unlikely possibility because in order to reach the entire world with the Gospel of Christ, every person would hear the gospel, which lies the impossibility because when one person has been reached that has not heard, many children are already born into the world that have not heard yet. However, that has diminished with the advancement of the Internet and how it has brought the global community together. The Gospel of Christ is reaching more people than ever thought possible just by someone being able to perform a keyword search and read about something on the Gospel of Christ.

And, because as the Church teaches, our Heavenly Father is a loving, kind, gracious father who wants all of his children the opportunity to hear and partake of the Tree of Life. He is not wanting to condemn children because they did not accept Jesus Christ (as mainstream Christianity dangerously teaches). And, since we believe and accept this doctrine, our Father is not going to hold one individual accountable on the same level as another person. His judgments are going to be just and merciful.

So, for instance, two people die. One person is a faithful latter-day saint who has obeyed the commandments, fulfilled his callings, and has done all that he could do in his life to the best of his abilities. The second person never heard of Christ, never heard of the Crucifixion, has no idea who the nation of Israel is or even what a Bible is. Yet, they worshiped God according to their own dictates of their mind. This individual may even have a different name, made an idol as a representation of him, and lived his life doing the best he can to remain faithful to how he viewed and worshiped God.

The modern mainstream Christian believes that the second man will die and be condemned to eternal torment. The Latter-day Saint believes that our Heavenly Father will allow him into either paradise or prison and allow him the opportunity to hear the true gospel of Christ, and accept it.

In fact, the Latter day Saint believes that the millenial reign of Christ will be where all those who had passed on without receiving the Restored Gospel will have an opportunity to do so. Temple work will be done completely and wholly without any interference.

[1st Amendment protects military funeral protesters]

Ummmmm think you might want to double check with the Mathew Shepard thing. One of the killers said it had nothing to do with him being gay, after they tried the "he hit on me so i beat him up" defense. Their girlfriends said that both men had set out to rob a homosexual. The "drugs and money" thing came up after hate crime was mentioned after they had indicated his sexuality played a part in the attack which lead to his death. Also one fun fact, one of the killers was LDS and had just received one of the church's pamphlets that said something that was taken by many that it's ok to beat up gays for "self protection"

1) I have researched it and the evidence supports that the attack was due to drug dealing.

2) How do you know that one of the attackers were "LDS" and had "received a pamphlet" as you suggest?

Regarding the latter- I have been in some instances where some gay men are very aggressive in their approach and in one instance, I had to actually use self-defense in the presence of a couple fellow co-workers who are gay and came to my defense rather than the guys defense.

Gay men (I am not sure about gay women) are very prevalent in bathrooms. I can't tell you how many times I have been propositioned in a men's restroom in a grocery store, a public park, or even at rest stops. There is a growing real problem of such things happening in our parks and public places.

However, let us get back to the point of the OP, the WBC has the right to speak their mind, assemble, and protest. We do not have to agree with it, we do not have to like it.

Are they wasting their time? Depends on how you look at it. Are they demeaning, crude, and disrespectful? You bet. Are they trying to get the message out of what is happening? Yes they are.

[1st Amendment protects military funeral protesters]

What people need to understand about the Westboro Baptist Church - the founder complained about Homosexual activity going on in public parks where his children played. Nothing was done, despite it being against the laws of the land.

Because of this instance, they now have taken upon themselves to pronounce judgment on America. Their delusion has some relevance of truth.

Yes, they have the right to protest. Is it ethical? Is it respectful? No it is not and I disagree with them 100%. What they are doing is morally and ethically wrong. Even still, what they are attempting to do is to get the message out that America is doomed because we have allowed such things to come into our culture. We are seeing the sins of the fathers being visited upon the children. We have fallen asleep at the wheel. While Latter-day Saints, we continue to present the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, things will get a whole lot worse. We will start seeing our rights slowly strip away - in fact, it is already underway. It is now called hate speech to say that Homosexuality is sinful and wrong in the sight of God. It is now called a hate crime if a homosexual is assaulted - despite the reason surrounding the assault (which is exactly why we have the Matthew Shephard law that is now on the books and started the whole Hate Speech, Hate Crime movement, when his brutal death was not due to him being homosexual, but a drug addict/dealer who was beaten and robbed - his death was a political machination to bring about the new laws of the land to protect the minority that now act out in violence and protests that are not protected but allowed).

Yes, they have the privilege to preach their hate and condemnation, but they do not have the ethical and moral right to do so.

[Church pet peeves!!!]

Wow. When I first came back, all I had were tennis shoes, jeans and a collard shirt. Then I was able to upgrade to Dickies pants and button work shirts. And now, I've upgraded to a blue dress shirt and tie, but still with the Dickies work pants and tennis shoes. I'd like to think that a person can come into church with holes in their clothing but still be welcome. From my experience and financial bracket, I'd overlook it.

I can understand and accept someone who is new to the Church or just coming back.

What I am talking about are those members who you see during the week dressed in business and professional attire and then all of a sudden, they are in a more casual dress, or in their Saturday clothing when they should be in their best dress for Sunday, you know, the guy looking like he just got done working in the garden.

The latter reminded me of growing up. There was a guy that always came to church in a shirt and tie, but always wore his faded, well-worn coveralls as well.

[Church pet peeves!!!]

Anyone ever get annoyed when someone comes to church dressed immodestly, or not dressed appropriately at all.

[Church pet peeves!!!]

My biggest pet peeve, someone not prepared and they are up at the pulpit giving their talk. There is a 3 minute pause while they are looking for something and you hear them under their breath (cause the mic is right there) saying "I had it here a moment ago, where did it go".

[Church pet peeves!!!]

When people can't come up with stories for their talks or lessons that don't begin with "when I was on my mission..." or "when my husband was on his mission..."

Well, you be sure to note that I would not be doing that with my talk. Never served a mission here - regrettably speaking

[Church pet peeves!!!]

Would Rapping your talk with beat boxing and vocal mixing be a pet peeve?

[Jesus Paying for Our Sins]

I read somewhere that mormons believe Jesus paid for our sins at the Garden of Gethesemane as opposed to his death on the cross. Is this true?

You have read this amongst various Anti-Mormon literature and postings. There is nothing in Mormon teaching that we believe Christ paid for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane. What Anti-Mormon's and Counter Cult Ministries have taken and misinterpreted are statements that when Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying to the father, he sweat what it appeared to be great drops of blood. This account is recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22.

When you carefully read these three passages, you will find that Christ was under extreme duress and agony. He prayed that the cup pass from his lips. He called this cup, bitter. Here, we see a very real human quality of Christ. To the point that this human quality is fear. He, being the Son of God, feared what was about to happen to him. Yet, he remained strong and steadfast. He prayed to his Father in Heaven. Christians really do not like this part of the passion. They view Christ as a hero, a redeemer who went quietly, peacefully and did not suffer until he was nailed to the Cross. They have this false sense of ideal that Christ shed blood only at the cross and it was this blood that he shed saving us from our sins and washing us.

However, they negate the whole panoramic view of the road from Gethsemane to the Resurrection.

While in the Garden of Gethsemane, the reality of his impending death came upon him. The reality that he is about to be tortured, spat upon, ridiculed, and eventually put to death weighed heavily upon him.

Think about it. If you knew exactly how you would die in the most gruesome manner and way, would that not cause some serious agony and pain?

THE TOUGHEST TEMPTATION

This temptation in Gethsemane was the hardest one. It is the only one where the Bible accounts that he sweat drops of blood. Sweating drops of blood is extremely rare, but it is biologically and medically possible, for a person can become so upset that actual drops of blood will form at the surface of the skin as the different capillaries and vessels break. The Bible indicates that Jesus had no problem what so ever with the first three temptations; or, if he had any real difficulties, it is certainly not accounted for us.

However, this fourth temptation brought him to immense distress. The temptation here is two-fold: what you are running away from and what you are running toward. Jesus at this point was running away from a very bitter, a very unpleasant death. No one enjoys being crucified; it is not a pleasant experience. However, there was the flipside. Jesus could have run toward a normal life, he could have left ministry, he could have left the disciples, he could have found himself a lovely home somewhere, settled down and had children. He had seen many other people lead normal lives. Certainly there was a great temptation to leave this bitter cup behind, and not have to partake of it's pain, and move from this tragic world of ministry into a simple, calm homelife. The contradictory desires between the calling of God and his human desires created such a tension, such a pain that he, as the record states, sweat drops of blood.

Lee Strobel even stated this, during his investigation into the Christian Faith and reality of Jesus Christ:

Sweating Blood

Luke wrote that when Jesus was praying before he was arrested, "his sweat was like drops of blood" (see Luke 22:44). That sounds like exaggeration at the very least - not the kind of medical accuracy you would hope for from a doctor, which is what Luke was.

But it turns out that doctors today recognize a rare medical condition (it's called hematidrosis) that looks like what Luke described. What happens is that high anxiety causes certain chemicals to release into the capillaries in the sweat glands. These chemicals break down the capillaries (very tiny blood vessels) so that there's a small amount of bleeding right in the sweat glands. When the sweat comes out, it's tinged with blood."

When we take in the whole scene, Christ shed blood through sweat (which is rare, but medically possible) because of the immense agony and anxiety he faced in the impending death that would come upon him. He was arrested and tried. He then was flogged by Roman soldiers. Flogging is where it is a whip that has metal shards, broken glass, or any other object that is jagged, and sharp to cut the skin. Again, in the Case for Christ, Lee Strobel relates this:

...flogging in the Roman empire followed a predictable and consistent pattern. The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them. When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises, which would break open with further blows. And the whip had pieces of sharp bone as well, which would cut into the flesh.

The back of the person being flogged would be so shredded that part of the spine was sometimes exposed by the deep cuts. The lash of the whip would go all the way from the shoulders down to the back, the buttocks, and the back of the legs. The whip would tear into underlying muscles to produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh, and sometimes even expose internal organs.

Usually flogging consisted of 39 lashes, although a soldier might inflect more, depending on his mood. Many people died from flogging even before they could be crucified. Those who didn't die often went into shock.

By the time the soldiers were done flogging Jesus, he would have been in serious condition-even before the first nail was driven in to hang him on the cross.

Christ would have lost significant amount of blood just by flogging alone.

The nailing to the cross was only the final act in the Roman torture. This produced even more pain and suffering upon the person and their body (if they survive the flogging). The reason for this is because it would constrict the person's breathing. Imagine your back severely exposed to where when you grated it against the wooden beam, you would cry out in pain. A very effective, grotesque form of torture.

Did Christ shed his blood on the cross? In a sense yes, but majority of his blood loss was during the flogging, and the journey up to Golgotha where he hung on the Cross to die.

He was then buried and upon the third day, he rose the third day with a resurrected body.

So, when it comes to the Latter-day Saint understanding of the atonement, we do not put our faith and idea on just the Cross as the end all be all of our faith. We understand the reality and severity that Christ did not just hang on the cross and suffered and died for our sins and that his shed blood covers our sin's, but that the process of the atonement began in the Garden of Gethsemane and became fulfilled with his bodily resurrection.

What did Christ come to save mankind from? Sin and Death. Christians place emphasis on the fact he came to die for our sins and that is it. There is much more to the passion of Christ in that he came to save us from our Sins, and to conquer Death.

This is why Baptism is so important because we die unto Christ, are buried unto Christ, and we rise with newness of life in Christ for the remission of our sins.

Here are some good links for you to truly pray about, ponder, and read:

The Purefying Power of Gethsemane by Bruce R. McKonkie

From the Garden to the Empty Tomb

Gethsemane - The Place of Atonement

These are just a few articles that deal with this from a Latter-day Perspective.

Now, what is interesting, Gethsemane actually is referenced to that of the common industry - Oil Press. This industry produced Olive Oil that was used as an ignition source for candles, and lights. It is the oil Christ referenced in his parable of the Ten Virgins. The Garden of Gethsemane means Oil Press.

The process in which Olive Oil was extracted involved pressing it to the point that the oil would flow out.

The common method of harvesting olives from the time of the

Patriarchs was to hit the tree with sticks. As the olives fell and

broke some oil came from the olive on the gathering sheets. This oil

was the 'beaten oil' and was used for the menorah in the Temple of the

Lord.

The olive was then crushed with a stone and the crushed olive pulp

gathered into rope bags and brought to the olive press. A stone or

wooden weight was put directly on the bags and then a beam lowered onto

the weight. This was left for 20 minutes and was the first pressing.

This oil was given to the Cohanim, the priests. One hanging stone was

then placed on the beam to create more weight and was left for 2

hours. This second pressing was used for food and cooking...

nourishment. A second hanging stone was then added to the beam and was

left for 4 hours. This third pressing was used for lamps to provide

light to the people. A third and final hanging stone was added and

left for 8 hours. This fourth pressing was used for making soap and

medicinal ointments.

So, when Christ was in the Garden praying he was pressed down with such severity of taken upon him the sins of the world - to the point that his sweat was that of great drops of blood. In a sense, yes, this is where Christ took upon himself the sins of the world because it is here that he realized the mission he must fulfill - Not my will, but thine is what Christ cried out to his Father in Heaven.

[Why would God want Adam and Eve to disobey Him?]

Hi everyone. I am just curious. But why would God want Adam and Eve to disobey Him just so that way they could have free agency? It makes no sense to me why God would want His children to disobey Him. Please help!

I do not recall where I read this story, but it was a recent reading from Church related material. This story is actually one about Moses and is told in Muslim circles.

Moses asked an angel if he could go with him. The angel had replied that Moses would not be able to handle the sights he would see. Moses pleaded with the Angel, and the Angel put down a condition that Moses not ask any questions pertaining to what he saw.

They came upon a fisherman who was fishing. The Angel caused the ship to drown, killing the fisherman. Moses began to respond to the sight, but the Angel reminded Moses that he was to remain silent through their journey.

They came upon a young boy and the Angel killed the young man. Again, Moses protested the act and the Angel reminded Moses not to ask questions or condemn the mission of the Angel.

They came upon a village where there was a widow who suffered poverty, and she had two sons. The Angel caused the wall to collapse.

Moses complained a third time, and the Angel stated that this was where Moses and the Angel had to part. But, before they parted, the Angel revealed the purpose and reasons behind why he did what he did.

Moses was told that the reason why the fisherman was drowned was to save him from capture of the King's ships and suffered bondage and captivity. His death freed him from slavery. The slain young boy would have rebelled and killed another innocent person which would have brought shame upon his parents, thereby, the young boys death saved the other innocent boy and the shame that his (the dead young man's) parents would have endured had he lived to rebel. And, the final was the collapse of the wall where, if the Angel had not caused this to occur, the two young boys would not find their inheritance that their father had hidden prior to his death so that the widow and her sons would be able to overcome their poverty.

We are like Moses, we do not understand the reasons why things happen in our lives. We do know of a surety that there is nothing out of God's plan and design that is not without reason. So also was the fall an event that has provided the reason for our hope and testimony.

If Adam and Eve had not partaken of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and remained in the Garden of Eden we would not have need of a redeemer and savior.

There would be no need for Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.

There would be no need for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There would be no need to believe and obey God.

There would be no need to have faith.

There would be no need to have hope.

There would be no need to grow from Grace to Grace and from Faith to Faith.

There would be no need for our faith to be challenged.

Essentially, we would have no need to understand and know the purpose of our life.

We are like that fisherman on that boat, the young man who was slain to prevent him from rebelling and committing a crime, and we are like the widow and her two sons who would eventually find the inheritance our Father has left us to find and enrich our lives. These things were done so that the purpose of God is right, just and true. What is that purpose? To bring to pass the eternal life and immortality of mankind. That is why Adam and Eve needed to transgress. We may not fully comprehend it, we may not even agree with it, but we are much like Moses who traveled with the Angel and could not understand why the Angel sunk the boat, caused the death of a young man, and collapse the wall. We are like Moses and protest along the way when we should keep quiet and have faith in knowing that some things may be beyond our comprehension and understanding.

[Church pet peeves!!!]

My biggest pet peeve - children fussing, crying, or even acting up and the parents are allowing it or weakly protesting their behavior in church. One Sunday, this happened and I politely turned to the mother who was oblivious to her son running up and down the aisle with his car and causing such a distraction and asked "would you mind if I took your son out or would you like to take him out so that others can hear the speaker?" She got offended and walked out, dragging dear old son in tow. Didn't see her back at church after that.

[Church pet peeves!!!]

What are my church pet peeves....wow...here we go

6. When husband and wife at church and children to go outside due to crying etc....Mother takes them out...why not the Dad!!!!

Actually, I have offered several times to take our now 15 month old out so that my wife can benefit from the talks/testimonies. She always gets up and goes outside anyway. I always ask her if I could take our daughter out so that she can finish the lesson, but she walks out of the room anyway. I have offered to take our daughter to priesthood, but my wife takes her with her and says she will be fine, only after church complain about how she had to get up and leave R.S and not hear anything.

Then, the other day, when I asked my wife why she does not feel like going to church, she replied with something to the effect that she is tired of missing out on all of the lessons and talks and have to go out with our daughter. I politely said to her, "will you once let me take her out so that you can receive the blessings that you are missing?" and that is where the conversation ended.

Today, Church was cancelled due to snow and ice, next Sunday is stake conference.

[What to do if I'm questioning my place in the Church?]

I need your guys' help.

Lately I have felt like I am questioning where I stand within the church. I was recently baptized on September 25th and I am the only member in my family. This has led me to a lot of problems recently particularly because a lot of relationships are breaking my family because they tell me I'm just not the same anymore.

I am a twin and me and my sister are really close. She is completely opposite of me in all means, especially in church teachings. She drinks and wears strappy dresses and shorts, things that I used to do in moderation before I found the church.

Now though, I don't seem to find the same happiness that I had first coming into the church. All my friends that I made seemed to be there only because I was getting baptized and now they have moved on with their lives and seem to find better things and only call or text me when they need something, like a ride or to borrow some money.

The way that I was brought up was very liberal and so my knowledge and beliefs about evolution and gay marriage (I have several gay relatives) are at complete conflict with one another. I am not sure what to do. I see my family members and they are so happy living the lives that they want and I am feeling so restricted right now. I can't even go to the beach and wear a regular bathing suit because of fear I will be judged by other members.

I just don't know what to do and where I belong. I still know that the Church is true and that I have a testimony of that, but I am not sure that I want that right now. I feel unworthy to go to Church and to take Sacrament when I have all these thoughts inside my mind.

My one thing is that all my standards match with those of the Church. Here I don't have to worry about drinking, drugs, sex, or adultery for those who are honest members. But at the same sense, people seem so judgmental and clique-y. I attended my home ward for the first time since I have been baptized as I am away at college and have been going to Church there and it felt so different. People didn't reach out to me other than acknowledge that I was new. I felt like I was just another member, just another person in the huge culture that was them. There was no inviting like I had received when I was so eagerly sought after when investigating the Church.

I may sound a little bitter because I have been going through many trials lately. I had a best friend who was the one who introduced me to the Church and we dated for 2 months before he decided to end it and now isn't talking to me. He was my anchor and the one who was helping me keep me afloat in the struggles I face daily with my family. I have an eating disorder and was fighting it for years and then I came to Church and it left me for months. Now it is back, when he is gone and my friends are gone. And I just feel like perhaps this is not where I am supposed to be. Maybe this Church isn't where God really wants me.

I don't know. As you can see I am very conflicted. Just so much has happened recently that the depression that I had before is creeping back. But I know that so many people will say that it is Satan, but in the same sense I honestly don't know if I am happy living this life where I don't feel like I belong.

I have talked to my Bishop and he said I should talk to a counselor, but that was 2 weeks ago and I have not heard from him or from the people who say they're my friends. I feel like this has happened far too often. I find myself some place that makes me happy, but it is temporary until I find out that people take advantage of me because I am too trusting, too nice and reliable. I am unshakably loyal and somehow people seem to see that no matter if they are members or not.

I haven't broken any standards and I don't think I will because that has never been in my mindset before joining the Church, but I feel lost. I am not sure what to do. Everything seems to be caving in at once and it makes me wonder if perhaps right now isn't the time for me to be in the Church. Maybe I wasn't ready yet and I need to find myself first because somehow I lost her along the way. Some may call it rebellion, but I'm not breaking rules, just rethinking my life and my place in this world as a whole.

Have any of you been in this situation before or have advice for me? I am fighting this so hard, but those closest to me, my family, seem to be telling me that I would happier if I was just myself and stopped pretending and shaping myself to fit the "mold" particularly that brought on by Mormonism. I agree, but how is it possible to still find peace if there is guilt about not molding myself to that perfection that God has said?

Any experiences or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. And no bashing, please. I am afraid that I am spiritually dying and I don't know quite what to do or where to go. Please help me.

There is one experience that I would like you to spend some time prayerfully reading, contemplate, and pray.

The Book of Mormon does not just tell us wonderful stories of faith, but they tell us stories about real people, with real problems, in real situations.

This is the one about Nephi, his challenges he faced when standing for truth and righteousness. Even sometimes from his parents.

His brothers bound him, constantly ridiculed him - despite having seen an angel. They even beat him.

While on the ship, Nephi was bound, ridiculed for his faith by his family (and some of them even believed).

When we place our faith in what other people think about us, or how they help us out or not, we are building up a false sense of security. Many people make this mistake to their own peril. The Church is perfect, but the people are not. We are to magnify our calling in the Church. We are to study, pray, and seek after Christ, and come unto him in our daily lives.

We develop a daily habit of praying, of reading our scriptures, and coming to our Heavenly Father who knows our hearts, and we serve him according to our talents and abilities.

Do not bank your testimony on what other people do or don't do. Base your testimony on the reality of what our Heavenly Father reveals to you as his precious daughter.

Sometimes, you will find yourself alone - but are you really alone when you have a Father in Heaven that loves and cherishes you? He will give you the strength to stand and bear your testimony to your family.

You will never know how our Heavenly Father will use you to bring your family into the truth of the Restored Gospel. We are to put our faith and trust in God, and we are to walk in obedience.

Nephi says it very plainly and simple - I will go and do the things that the Lord commands, for I know that the Lord gives no commandment that he is not able to allow us to fulfill and obey (see 1 Nephi 3:7) We may look at the challenge as being difficult, but with God on our side, he will help us find a way through it.

In fact, coming home from the store one day, a local Methodist church has this on their reader board, and it has caused me to think about why it impressed me so much - love how the Holy Spirit works - and it said: "If he is able to bring you to it, he is able to bring you through it".

Here are some articles for you to read and ponder as well:

Should I stay or Should I go - a story of a young man who is the only member of His family to have joined the Church. Both parents are hospitalized, and he has to face the difficult decision of either staying to care for them, or go on his mission.

The Path of the Chosen

I hope that your faith and testimony increases and grow as you begin to seek out the Holy Spirit and the love our Heavenly Father has for you.

[What do you think of this dating experience I had?]

Here is one for you!

I met this lady online at one of those LDS Dating sites. We talked on IM and then phone. One night, we were talking on the phone and I asked her to send me a picture. She did, and it was one of those group pictures. Well, I proceeded to ask which one of the gal's she was in the picture. She told me.

I was instantly attracted to her and said "I can work with that,"

We set the date and I showed up. While sitting at an Ihop, her phone rang and she answered saying something to the effect that everything was okay.

Later on, I found out it was a "courtesy date" because I had tweaked her nose by saying "I can work with that" and she had had a friend call her to pretend that she was going into labor and the gal would bail on me.

This was back in 2006. It is now 2011 and we are married, serving as Sunday School teachers and we have a 15 month old.

Our joke, the courtesy date turned into a courtesy relationship, then a courtesy marriage lol.

[Anti-religion literature?]

I was always taught growing up, both by my parents and the church, that you shouldn't read books such as "The God Delusion", by Richard Dawkins, or "God is Not Great", by Christopher Hitchens. After leaving the church for personal reasons, I read both of these books. The God Delusion didn't even mention the LDS church, and God is Not Great briefly covered it, only giving a short history of it, then moved on to religion itself. Now I ask myself, why is it considered bad to read these books? It's just reading the other side of the story. Being told not to read these is like someone from a political party saying that they are right, but not to research the other party and saying that they are the wrong way to vote.

I was just a little confused by this and wanted your guy's opinion. Thanks!

Think about it this way: Anti-Mormon Literature can have the same effects on a person as that of Pornography. It destroys, rather than uplifts. It is not worthwhile, it is demeaning, it is morally incompatible with the truth and the realization as to the nature and being of God.

Also, if you are having problems in your marriage, would you seek out the advice of your friends who have been divorced, or would you go to someone who has had experience and knowledge in restoring one's marriage, or a marriage councilor?

Certainly, you would not go to a dentist to find out why your child is sick with the flu for three weeks now would you?

[For those constantly calling me old]

Okay I have to tell a story about the cooking spray Pam. You probably would have had to have been there to find the humor in it. I was at work, in our closet looking for some plastic forks. In there was a can of Pam. So I walked out of the closet with the can in my hand and said I was coming out of the closet.

Okay well...it was funny when it happened.

Never walk into a gay bar where your friend is having a birthday party and you are invited because he is your co-worker and friend, only to meet up with another group of people you have not seen and they ask you why you are hear: "Oh, I just thought I would finally come out."

[Missionaries public behavior]

The way I see it, not everyone who is LDS is able to serve a mission at 19 or 21. As far as those individuals with that laptop, if they didn't have nametags, chances are they weren't LDS missionaries. I sincerely doubt some "anti" would dress like a missionary in an attempt to discredit missionaries, as I've posted in another thread, most who leave the LDS church do leave it alone, but they often resign or have their names removed so the church would leave THEM alone. I've met people who I had no idea were LDS because they never once said anything remotely negative about the church.

I have actually seen some anti's in play here. Prior to me coming back to church, I would see missionaries everywhere I went. Morning, Noon, night. I started getting paranoid a bit because I thought they were out secretly to find me.

Anyway, here are a couple of instances where I have seen anti's at work:

1) Waiting for the bus. It was cold, wet, and windy, and it was about 8 in the morning. A couple of missionaries pulled up on their bikes to catch the bus (I used to live in Seattle so you would see several sets of missionaries on the bus, bikes, walking, et all).

These two young boys started talking with people waiting at the bus stop. I listened but kept to myself (at that time I was smoking so I had to stand out in the cold lol). As they were getting ready to hand a Book of Mormon out, a couple approached and took the Book of Mormon, then, proceeded to "witness" to the person the Missionaries were just talking to and the Missionaries. Catching the young men off guard with the typical "shot gun" questioning. Flipping through their bibles, and such. The bus came and we all got on the bus except for the one couple who prevented the gentleman the missionaries were just talking with, from getting on the bus.

2) I was sitting down some place and having something to eat. Missionaries walked in and sat down a couple tables from where I was sitting. Within about 5 minutes a group of young men and women, with an older gentleman came into the place and they were carrying some Book of Mormon's. They dropped them off at the table where the Missionaries were sitting and began to preach to the Missionaries about how the Book of Mormon is the product of Satan and Occultic means. They left, leaving the missionaries bewildered.

3) (and the most appalling I have ever seen) where a group of people actually had made up their own "Elder" and "Sister" placard name tags. They looked like the real deal and walked around handing out tracts that were anti-mormon, asking people if they had ever been approached by LDS missionaries?

4) evangelical Christians tracting behind the Missionaries, knocking on every door that missionaries knocked on.

[For those constantly calling me old]

Since we're in the mood to reveal our true selves, here's my picture:

So, are you calling yourself a Chicken??? :roflmbo::roflmbo::roflmbo:

[I (The Cheater) Have a Dillemma...]

I read your post and have noticed two major red flags:

1) Lack of intimacy in your marriage with your wife

2) Getting involved with a married woman

The first one will take counseling, prayer, and some creative and an active imagination. Sounds like the spark of romance has left you. Another thing (and is actually a common thing that I have discovered among women), you say she is thirty years of age (or thereabouts). It could be that you guys have been married seven years and she has yet to conceive. Have you ever stopped to think about how she might be feeling? Women who hear about other women (at work, church, social ventures) getting pregnant, having babies, and becoming mom's have an impact on those women who could not have children.

Case in point, when my wife and I found out she was pregnant a month and a half after we got married, she was posting and chatting about being pregnant on her social networking for moms. One lady was having difficulty getting pregnant and my wife shared with me how she felt bad that she was 41 when she got pregnant and yet other women are having a hard time with getting pregnant.

Concerning the second one. You are going to have to man up and confess to your wife. No excuse making, no blaming, no nothing. Maybe she suspects that you are cheating on her and so she has withdrawn more so than she has before.

You are going to have to be honest with your wife, expect the consequences of what will happen, and work on getting your life back on track.

The issue you are going to face is this: you are also involved with a married woman. at one time I was involved with a married woman (single at the time), the relationship ended and I was devastatedly heartbroke, more so than any other heartbreak. It almost killed me (literally). It took me two years to fight out of that dark web.

Ask any man who has dated a married woman, majority of them will say the woman will end up staying with their husband while your life is left in ruins. It sounds heartless, but it is the truth.

My advice, leave the tantalizing forbidden skirt, confess to your wife and have your bags packed and a place lined up.

[Safety first - have we forgotten the principles of morality?]

The discussion is turning more to a political slant than what is originally intended. The issue here is the evidence of moral decay in our society today and the impact we as parents, teachers, leaders, and community participants have that play a key role in providing a paradigm shift back to a place of a higher moral ground and understanding.

[Safety first - have we forgotten the principles of morality?]

I have a new article up on my blog and invite all persons to come over and share their thoughts on this particular subject matter. Also, you can share this article through Facebook, Twitter, and other sharing options by clicking the specific option below the article.

Look forward to hearing what people have to say regarding this subject.

Despite all these warning labels, constant education of being safety minded, our society has forgotten the principles of Morality and how they keep us safe from harm. These principles of morality give us the boundaries in which we conduct ourselves in private and public areas of our lives. They help us in building healthy communities and a strong society. These moral principles are the very safety rules, regulations, and behaviors that are being stripped away and neglected by a society whose views are that such notions have no place in modern society. Along with the decay of moral principles, there is also the decay of personal accountability. Much of this is evident in the more younger generation that have grown up with the philosophical concept that if it feels good, just do it and let no one say you are wrong for such actions.

Reasoning with the Critics | Safety First Article

Associated Content | Safety First

Mormon Apologetics Research Studies | Safety First

[Girlfriend and [her] family don't want to me to go to BYU-I...]

We've begun to seriously think about marriage, and if it were something that we would do. Let me set up what is going on for a better understanding of our relationship.

I've gotten to know her family extremely well, but she knows almost nil about my own (extended and immediate). That is in great part because I am scared to show people my family (they tend to bite your heads off sometimes).

When we started to date, we saw each other every single day. Often on average of 6 hours, per day. She was recently promoted to a new branch 45 minutes away, so the time we spend together is lessened.

We had a bumpy road, crashed a few times on the emotional highway, and overall this relationship has been a wonderful treasure from Father. However. The main question is at hand. She fell in love with me, and I don't necessarily feel the same way. (We promised each other that we wouldn't fall in love because I was leaving to BYU-I in April 2011) (We met in November 2010).

She fell in love, she broke her promise- fine, that's okay. I'm not worried about it, people fall in love. It comes. But I've not fallen in love. Her family, friends, and herself have stated in texts and in voice for me NOT to go to BYU-I. To stay home and attend the local universities and to eventually marry her.

(On a side attached note, I don't feel that 2 months of dating is enough time for me [personally] to know someone well, to marry. 4 months? maybe. At least 6-8 months, to really know someone... but I don't have that kind of time).

I have been accepted as a student for BYU-I in the spring of 2011. I've been preparing for this for 9 months. It's something I want to do (and the additions of having the support of my sister and cousin who are coming up with me).

Do I go to BYU-I and get a full education to serve a future family and provide...

or

Do I stay, forgoing BYU-I, my sister and cousin, the full education there, and go to a local university (!maybe!) getting married to my Girlfriend?

Please let me know your ideas, advice, knowledge, experience, help, emotions, gospel spirit related good things... anything helps.

Apoc

Picture yourself getting in the car. You are in the drivers seat. You already know where you want to go, how you want to get there, and the best possible route. Now, you let someone in on the passenger side. They want you to go in a different direction.

Who is behind the wheel and who is in the passenger seat?

The answer is obvious.

Allow someone else to dictate your plans for the future, then you have given them full permission to decide for you what is good and what is not good.

The only people that you need to heed counsel and advice from are: 1) Heavenly Father, 2) Parents, 3) Church Leaders (Local leaders, ie Bishop, young men's presidency, et all), and possible close friends who you trust and hold in confidence with.

I agree, if you are not in love with this girl, then why stay at a local college.

My concern and question is this: Have you addressed the issue that you do not care for her in the way that she cares for you? This is a time for you to be open and honest with her and her family. I am presuming you may have to some extent, if not, it needs to be considered.

There is a polite way to go about this and there is a not so polite way of going about this. The polite way is to thank them for their advice, for their concern. At the same time, impress upon them that the decision is ultimately up to you and that your desire is to go to BYU-I. Maybe there is a program that is being offered there that is not being offered anywhere else. Express your reasons for your decision.

In the end, the ultimate decision is up to you. Decide to give in and do what they want you to do will only build resentment, frustrations, and wish I should I could I if only I had the chance to do it all over again mentality.

In fact, this might be a sign that this relationship is not what Heavenly Father has in store for you.

[Can I still go to church?]

I have some newsflash for you, Emily, regarding the above bolded lines. You are deluding yourself, girl!

Bottom line is - you are not ready to repent. There's no - oh, I will repent later. Not happening.

So yeah, of course you can continue to go to church. And that's what you should do. But, I'm just going to warn you right now - the giant discepancy between the lessons you will receive at Church will become drastically juxtaposed with the life you are leading and will cause you great conflict and guilt.

This is what we want. So that it will be an impetus for you to change. And if you embrace Christ, you will change.

The warning is - if you wait until that time to change, you are in for a lot of hurt.

If you change now - it will not be as bad - especially with him 2 states over.

I know it is difficult. It is insanely difficult to stop. But take it from the ones who have been there, done that - if you think it is difficult now, just wait until you see how difficult it can still get. It can be a decision that will prepare you for bigger decisions to come. Once you are married, with children, and all that stuff - the decisions are just going to get much harder and if you can't take a stand now you'll have to walk the refiners fire to take a bigger stand later.

You can make it easy. Just say NO! Really! See what your boyfriend says... I'm interested to know...

It is good to know that I am not the only that finds this recent revelation somewhat troubling. We know she is not going to stop so my question is why bother asking this here and then insist that they are being sincere. These types of things set up red flags that we catch and call people on.

[Can I still go to church?]

The entire point of my original post was to say that I am "honestly not that concerned about living according to Gospel Standards".....but is it wrong to go to church if I honestly don't want to follow that part of it. That was my question...you are pointing out things that I've already openly admitted and am fully aware of.

I am "honestly" saying that my situation is that I am having sex and I do not want to stop/will not stop for right now but I would possible like to start attending church again. Thats is about as open as it gets.

I did read that and had forgotten you said that. You are correct. However, I still believe and will say this:

a) you can, and should, attend Church.

b) you can, and should, read your scriptures.

c) You can't expect the ward, leaders, and Bishop accept your lifestyle and what you have chosen.

d) You can't blame the ward, leaders, and Bishop for their counsel and advisement against how you are living your life.

e) You can expect that a decision will eventually need to be made where you have to choose between the Church and living the Gospel as opposed to living your life as you currently are, or vice versa.

f) You can expect that when you decide to become more serious about Church and participating in the repentance process and to be fully restored as a Member of the Restored Gospel that your relationship with your boyfriend will become more difficult and strained and will cause you more problems.

g) You can expect that as you become more involved with the Church and participate in the Church that temptation to revert back to your old habits will become more difficult and challenging for you to overcome.

h) You can expect that things will be difficult for a while and that heartbreak maybe on the horizon.

Those are the realities. Those are the things that have to be understood.

Choosing the Church and working on restoring your testimony, faith in Jesus Christ, and living more appropriately according to the Gospel Standards are going to offer you more blessings in your life than 15 minutes of passion and satisfaction.

[Can I still go to church?]

He lives 2 states away, so when we see eachother we stay at eachother's apartment. Finances don't allow us to get a hotel....not that that would make it much better or easier to keep from doing things. In a few months he is moving here, will have his own place, and when it gets late, or things start getting shady or hard I can easily just take the 3 minute drive home. We can be together without "living" together in a few months= infinitely easier to stay clean.

I actually am very skeptical of this. The reality is that it will be much more easier for you than it will be harder. He will most likely not want to leave. Days will turn to weeks. Et all. And, I will have to disagree, it will be much more difficult to "stay clean" because where there is a will, there is a way.

What this actually tells me is that if you are not able to stop having sexual relations with your boyfriend while you guys are having a long distance relationship, then you honestly are not that concerned about living according to the Gospel Standards.

Granted, yes, my wife and I were living in sin before we were married -(and not to make excuses here), our decision to live together was more economical because I could not afford a place on my own, and she could not afford a place on her own. We decided to pool our resources together and move in.

The reality is that you have to come to the decision as to how important it is for you to return back to Church.

For my wife, she finally drew the line and I supported her in it. If your boyfriend truly does love you and respect you, and you are sincere in your desire to return to Church, then it should not wait 2 months down the road when he lives 3 minutes away from you, but it should be starting right now today. Little steps at a time. And, when you go and visit, or he goes and visits, you remove the temptation of being alone. What this will do is help you and your boyfriend out in remaining abstinent while courting one another.

The question I must ask here is if he is a member. If he is, then it would be good that he also works on his return back to the church. If he is not, then it will make it more difficult for you in your relationship - and sadly, speaking as a guy, he is going to use every word of persuasion to enable you to continue to participate in that which is not according to Gospel Standards.

The problem I have is that most people are not speaking openly and honestly. While we are not here to condemn, we ought to speak thoughtfully, honestly, and openly about what your situation is and what is more important.

All in all, it won't be much easier for you to stop the sexual relationship, contrary, it will enable you to become more active in your sexual relationship.