kona0197

Well everyone's suggestions just lead me to the same conclusion: The Church asks too much of it's members. As such it's one of the many reasons I do not wish to join the Church but instead will probably go to another Church.

Well I haven't gone back since. We have decided for the most part to leave things as they are. No marriage. Still living together. Sometimes health care is a bit more important at this stage...

My friend said that the general authorities go through some very strange ordinances.

Wishing all here a safe and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I think I'm going to go spend some time reading my scriptures as someone suggested I do. Thank you guys.

I understand it I just don't understand why people actually do it. i guess in time I too could wear the garment. I was talking to a friend and he knew a fair amount about the Mormon religion. Something he said disturbed me even greater than the wearing of garments. He said if you get high up in the Church - that is to say if you become a General Authority or such - that you have oil rubbed on your body while your naked from head to foot. I find this hard to understand as well. Anyhow it seems I owe everyone an apology.

I went to Service this last Sunday. I feel a bit better. I will try to find a solution to this problem we are having.

I guess I just don't understand. And even if I did I doubt that my nature - even if I was filled with the spirit - would allow me to wear the garment. I couldn't do it.

I haven't fasted nor prayed in a while it seems. I probably will not act on this for some time. I'm still investigating the Church as there are some teaching I really do not agree with at all. There is some Church history I don't agree with. There are some scriptures I don't understand and there are some I find disturbing. So I'll let you all know what happens next. As I understand Mormon teachings if we continue to live like this we will end up in the middle kingdom in the end and not what you guys call Hell. That's not so bad since I don't have a goal set to reach the highest kingdom as I don't know what the highest kingdom is like so why try attaining it? Second best is good enough. Anything but outer darkness. I will keep you guys posted.

Well I thought I was happy before I got into the Church. I don't think I have prayed about it but I know it's true somehow because I fit in better at LDS Churches than I do elsewhere. Our Bishop is waiting for a date to marry us. That's up to her. I'm pretty sure we can make it off my income alone as Walmart is a great place to work. Kate - I'm sorry if I sound antagnostic to you. I'm just trying to understand some things in my life.

Hey I wanted to get married but she has said she does not want to because of the money situation. So we are stuck in a hard place.

Sorry - I forgot to add that I work at Walmart and make the "bulk" of our income. I by no means use her. It's usually all split down the middle. There have been times that she supported me while I was out of work. Those times didn't last long. Right now I'm paying the bills.

If I understand Mormon teachings correctly then there are three levels of heaven. My question is this: If I don't know what it feels like to be in the highest kingdom why bother trying to get there? I would settle with the lowest kingdom as long as I don't end up in whatever hell Mormons believe in. Coming in second place is better than nothing. While on the subject of hell why don't Mormons believe in an actuall lake of hellfire? The NT talks about it all the time...

Well I know I would never wear the garment to sleep in. I wouldn't wear it in the Summer time when I wear shorts all day. I can't wear one garment all day. I really don't think we need to wear a garment to understand or keep the promises we made in the Temple. Sounds like a cult tactic to me. The Church asks too much of us. Drop the mockery and antagonism Kona, or find another playground. Honos

I've been an investigator for most of this year. I've even quit smoking with help from the Church. I've even gone as far as buying a few quad sets of scriptures and other books and have many LDS pictures on the wall including one of the Portland Temple. So what would make me quit attending Service on Sunday? Well the simple fact that I can never become a Member. You see I live with my Girlfriend of 8 years. She used to be a Member but was excommunicated because I started living with her back in '99. She is on Social Security. Should we get married she would lose that income. We rely on that income to live. So as you can see we can't get married. The Church would be asking us to live off of a little over 600 dollars a month before tithing for bills and food that equal well over a 1000 dollars a month. Yes I know we are supposed to obey the Church but at this point I question the Church's teachings and wonder why they ask so much from Members. Are you sure you all are not following in blind faith?

You guys know that the statue of Moroni faces west on the temple in Hawaii right? I've always wondered why...

So I've heard that after you get your endowments in the Temple you are given special clothes and a special name. The name I can live with but do you really need to wear the garments all the time? I find this practice - if true - something I will not be able to live with.