NeuroTypical

I didn't realize anyone was blaming him for this, but now that you mention it...RWB's story does make an excellent reminder for all parents out there, to read up on the warning signs that a child has been abused. It's true, we're not born knowing this stuff, and much of this stuff is surprising if you've never thought about it. I can suggest an excellent book: Miss America By Day. It has a ton of resources for parents on how to spot and avoid potential abusive situations, as well as how to help your kid if you find out too late. LM

It happens. I don't have much more to say, other than certainly not the only person who is trying not to become jaded at the things others do. Change is part of life. You do have some control over what you change into. One random suggestion - give this old classic a read. It's not that long. People can choose to rise above who they've become.

Here's a funny video from a non-LDS guy, impressed with the Twilight movie and it's positive message on sexual self-restraint: LM

The last time I searched Deseretbook.com, they were selling something from Pullman (the guy who wrote the Golden Compass books). Those books are gone too. Good thing we got amazon.com! LM

Hi williamgeorge from the UK! You part of the friendly folks at Reachout Trust? I used to spar with them quite often. I sort of lost interest after I got most of them to admit the possibility that I might be saved.LM

Dangit. One by one, today's issue is losing evidence that 'it isn't as bad as the great depression'. Now we've got the modern equivalent of stockbrokers jumping off rooftops again. We still don't have hoardes of migrant laborers or the dustbowl yet.

So, Rich, here is your thread from 6/22/08, and here are a selection of your responses: "Thanks for the input and suggestions. I really appreciate it." "I appreciate the talks to read over and ponder on." "Thanks so much for all the input. I can't tell you how much better I feel. I am going to pray over the suggestions and make some decisions and take action." So before Elphaba does her indignant steamroller impersonation again, let me suggest something. I'll assume you are not just a sick troll who just enjoys provoking a response from people on this issue. If you find you're having a hard time finding place for this issue, thinking about it, remembering details about it, consider this: You are not alone. You are not the only parent who has found themselves more worried about a sexual preadator's soul than your daughter's. You won't be the first parent who, when faced with news about an offspring's molestation, was more pained about your own situation than your offspring's. (Your quote: "I think what hurts the most is being blamed for his and their pain when it was his choices, not ours.") I don't get it, I don't think anyone on this thread will get it, but you are not the only parent who does this. A social worker who works for our local LDS Social Services tells me they occasionally organize "parents of abuse victims" groups - where they help parents come to grip with their own contributions to the situation. I'd strongly suggest you look into this specific sort of targeted therapy. One other thing to think about - your daughter won't be the first abuse victim with parents who have broken priorities. Be aware - you are going about attempting to rid yourself of anger and forgive. You are loudly and repetetively pained and full of regret about how the issue is negatively impacting your relationship with neighbors. Be aware - a lot of dependent children will see this behavior, and understand you are putting a higher value on these things than you do on the child. Wether they're right or wrong in doing so, be aware that this is one big factor that keeps the cycle of abuse going. Your daughter is more likely to marry an abuser, or even become one herself, if she sees her parents falling all over themselves to forgive the perpetrator, and failing to understand how much she hurts. In other words, I'm betting she didn't go goth because she got raped for 7 years, she went goth because all the LDS role models in her life have failed her in a terrible way. I see from your prior threads, stories of divorce and shared custody. That ain't helping matters any. Get help. Fix your issues, then be the father your daughter needs. Again, God bless. LM

These are hard issues. Life-impacting issues. Issues that change and alter relationships and lives. You've been in posession of this knowledge since 2005. You should expect this to remain an issue for quite some time. Venting is good. Writing it down can help. Are you looking to help yourself by posting here, or help your daughter? Which is first on your list? I have some advice to give if you're looking for advice, and it's different depending on what you're looking for.

Welcome NRA! I've appreciated your Got Lamp Oil forums for a long time now. It's a great resource for people interested in increasing their personal preparadness efforts. LM

Frivolous stuff is fine. It's the weighty important stuff that might distract him. What kind of waffles you had for breakfast is a wonderful thing to put in a letter to a missionary.

As you can tell from my avatar, I've obviously never had a problem with either. Back off ladies, I'm already taken. LM

I still think you should be able to thank and laugh in the same post. Very well put. From what I've heard, this is what Israel finds themselves stuck with. You can't get anything done without pandering to half a dozen fringe goofy parties.I dunno. From where I'm standing, every election I see starts looking more and more like this: LM

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Good to hear the applause as she was giving her answer. I would have expected booing from such a crowd. Perhaps the 'silent majority' is still out there.

Hi Soul-Searcher, So, this might sound like a flippant question, but it really isn't. If you were God, how would you do it better? I see your list of issues, would there not be a similar or greater list of issues with any alternative plan? I'd like to hear it, if you've got one better. From what I can tell, this church is the only Christian church out there with anything to say on the subject. The rest of Christianity is scattered about, some saying "we don't know any details - it'll all work out", other saying "at death, we stop caring about earthly relationships and focus solely on praising God", others saying "y'all oughta be more concerned about burning in hell than in living with your spouse and family in heaven". Thoughts?

Perfect movie for little girls. Derek was a jerk, and there are ways to recognize a jerk before marrying them (ways that don't involve getting hit by a meteor and growing to be 50' tall). LM

Not bad, Mahdi. Very similar to Jesus Christ's call to repentance.

You can tell her that you know a guy who didn't date until he was 26 years old. LM (Now married 12 years, 2 kids)

My wife has this one - $170, and it will last for years.Here's a smaller LED one, might have to put it closer to your face - $60. Here are tons of valid results from the Google search "build your own SAD light box" You just have to make sure you're getting full-spectrum light, so the bulbs or LED's are more expensive than regular ones. LM

For the record, when I was 14 and asked my parents what they'd do if I thought I was gay, I was just testing them to see how they'd react. I'm not sure I even knew what the term meant at the time.

I'd ask those within my stewardship to resell the candy bars. If the scouts were outside of my stewardship, I'd keep my mouth closed. (Hard to do for someone with my screen name, but it's the right thing to do) LM

Gee, I wonder if these two things are ever related?I'd talk to the parents - armed with church resources. Maybe she's a young teen with all the hormones flowing looking around her at popular culture and wondering if she shouldn't join in, and maybe she's facing some serious biochemical factors or environmental traumas that are presenting her with a real problem. If the former, her parent's response might have been the appropriate one. If the latter, they need a wakeup call because yeah, a lot of responses like suicide and leaving home are on the table. LM

Whaddaya mean Keyop from Battle of the Planets isn't a choice! LM

Yeah, breaking the rules is a biggie. Right now, our kids just automatically say "hey mamma can I click [cute cat video title] please?" What will they do in 5 years? We'll cross that bridge when they come to it. LM

I've considered installing a small home windmill for a while. There is a company (not offering service in my state) which will provide a free windmill, in exchange for the energy credits paid by the electric company for 7 years. There is no single alternative energy source that is "the answer" right now - and maybe not ever. But every decade that rolls by, they get a bit better. Everything got renewed interest when gas was pushing $5/gal. Perhaps that interest will carry us into a few good reliable cheap viable alternatives. LM