MissouriBoiler

Your testimony will be your strongest teaching tool. Sounds like fun!

It is never too late to make a change in your life. :) What a great blessing. I hope your family can enjoy these changes with you. While I served as a Missionary I helped a couple who was 82 and had been married for nearly 60 years be baptized. They said they had never been happier. This past year, I got to know a retired couple who joined the church. They said they felt like they were just sitting waiting for life to end as it had no more purpose. Now they state they feel young again as they fully embraced the faith. Hope the best for you on your special day!

Seems like a lot of them just get us mixed up with other religons. I can't remember the funny ones at the moment, but I think it is great when they try to convince you that you dont' know your own religon when you don't do what they say you do. :)

Something i have noticed is that people want to feel individualistic. They are special because they are one of a kind. This seems to be a larger trend with younger generations. I don't know if it is how they are being raised today or if it just something that happens to all younger individuals. Now I understand the frustration of thinking it was just for you and then seeing verbatim on another PB. If mine was verbatim all the way through, I'd be a bit shocked and maybe frustrated. I know and expect things to have some wording the same as the lord has more children than I can really picture. Just part of it. sorry to see you sad and guessing your faith. Hopefully since this was a faith tester for you that you had a resevoir of faith built up for such a time.

Tithing is more than just money in my eyes. Yes we need to tithe against our income but I've always felt Tithing is a principal of life. I've always felt is was a measure of what the Lord would ask of us in time as well. Tithe our time. 16.8 hours a week. That is what I shoot for anways. Am I out going to chruch or spreading the gospel in those 16.8 hours. Some but not all. Praying, reading scriptures, family home evening, callings, meetings, etc are also part of that time. There were many times when my wife and I in the early years wondered how we would make it. It was amazing the blessings we would get. For example our rent would go up and we would think. Now what do we do to slide things in. Then I would get a raise at work or a grant for my college education that would offset some costs. One thing my wife and I have always felt is that we have always had success with our vehicles not having bad mechanical problems. We consider that a blessing of the Lord because if we were having car issues all the time the old budget just wouldn't balance.

I remember having training on the subject by the Stake leadership. It wasn't how to do you resolve this marital problem or this family problem, but what are policies you should be aware about. We had a member who was professional psychologist and worked in counseling services. He spoke to us as to what the law is on certain subjects such as abuse and situations dealing with children. It was very beneficial and I'd recommend your local units do the same. Not for answers on how to resolve family problems but what the law is and what you should do some of the most extreme situations, such as spousal and child abuse. I can testify to the mantle of callings. I am grateful for Bishops and Branch Presidents listening to the inspiration given to them.

Just to add something, This is from our last prophet who recently passed away, Gordon B Hinckley. LDS.org - Liahona Article - War and Peace I also think from a historical standpoint you might find the Mormon Battalion story interesting. Here are just a few simple links. YOu can find plenty more about them on the web. U.S. Mormon Battalion, Inc. - Brief History of the U.S. Mormon Battalion Mormon Battalion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia You can also find where there are many well known leaders of the the US Military Past and Present that are Members of the LDS faith all over the internet.

I'll split my response up into 3 parts. Blacks and the Priesthood. I think most people in generation x & Generation y would agree with you that inequality based on race is rather disgusting. Thought it has we have been taught in the later days, I think it is beautiful that we don't have hesitations toward race. With that said, there are many reasons why people say Blacks didn't have the priesthood. I also remember reading through church history that there were a few exceptions to this rule. I think those that have stated that the world wasn't ready were probably the closest. I don't 2nd guess heavenly father in when he gives us revelation but take it from this perspective; Why didn't Christ restore his church right after the deaths of his disciples and apostles the first time? Why did he let the great apostasy happen? I doubt he would want any of his children to live in darkness. Funny those were called the dark ages. Why did he choose the United States? All because it was a perfect scenario for him to restore the church. Now that is similistic view of things, but it makes sense. He wants to give the true church every chance without removing the worlds free agency. I think personally that it was wise to wait with the Blacks and priesthood. Can you imagine the increased hatred for the church as it grew if the leaders were african americans so shortly after the civil war or during the civil war? Now is that the church or christ playing favorites? No not to me. He was thinking of all his chidren. I think it is wonderful today when the ensign puts in articles of how much the church is grown in Africa and how strong the members are there. I live in the mid-western portions of the United States and in the community where the branch I attend resides, there are very very few african americans. One of the few men is a Elder in our church and preparing to go to the temple with his wife. I love having him with us. He has such a different life perspective. I'm a convert to the church and I read mornoi as well. I was 14-years-old when I prayed about the truth of the church. When I got that answer it wasn't a burning inside overwhelming that I couldn't deny it though, I have had that kind of answer. I've learned over the years the spirit can speak to us in different methods. I prayed very sincerely. When I recieved my answer,I knew in my heart that God was going to answer me. I sat for a few minutes in complete silence on the side of my bed after the prayer. Not thinking of anything and just trying to be patient. It was kind of amazing the peaceful joy that swept over me, I had never had that answer before. It was so warming and overwhelming a 14-year old boy couldn't keep from tearing up and commiting to be baptized. Glad I did. The spirit has fileld those holes and questions I had even as a teen over the years to the point I can say that this is the Church of our Heavenly Father and his son Christ. The last section I thought I would mention is that I've ironically actually have had multiple men come to me asking for advice in person about what they should do. They were dating LDS women. I've always told them the same thing. First, your girlfriend not only believes in Heavenly Father but that Marriage is sacred to him and is not to be taken lightly. She knows it takes 3 to make a marriage work. Though all that is important don't let it taint your decision to join the Church and be baptized. Bapitism is a sign of taking covenants with Heavenly Father. That is a 2 way street between you and him. A relationship to be built. I can't tell you the answer is yes to joining the church, because it won't mean anything if things get rough down the road. Only Heavenly father can tell you what you should do. So I'm not going to tell you yes,this is the true church. I'm going to tell you that yes, God is real! He is your father and would love to give you advice if you will come to him and ask. The funny thing that is the last time I spoke to each of those men prior to there baptisms. I've spoken to all of them after and we have never spoken about the conversation either. I think they understood that the Lord was there for them and what better advice giver than he? Sorry very long but covers 3 topics to me.

I have a 3.5 year old son. Her are a few that got my wife and I laughing. 1. about 10 months ago he started saying our prayers at dinner and at bedtime. Of course with the help of his mother whispering in his ear what to say. over a few weeks of doing this, my wife tried to entice him to add what he wanted to say and he would extend her phrases. Such as Thank you for this meal and he would change it into "Thank you for this really really big meal." One night when saying family prayer, my wife told him "thank you for my daddy"... He repeats "Thank you for my daddy" She then proceeds "Thank you for my Mommy" and he says: "Thank you for my really really big mommy.".... We couldn't help but stop and smirk for a few seconds. 2. A few months later as he his ability to say the prayer has increase he now says his own phrases. My wife reminded him to bless the dinner and he did and he did a few other things she whispered to him. He was being his normal serious self and he started to do it on his own thanking for his sister and parents and for church and his friends. Then he changed his tone to more of a playful voice and said "Thank you for my pillow, I love it so much. I don't want mommy or daddy to get me a new one as this one helps me sleeps so well." He then closed his prayer properly and without looking up began to eat dinner. 3. My son also has a hard time sitting still in church and we just recently moved to a small branch. I was quickly called into the branch presidency and my wife now sat with our 3 year old and 1 year old daughter by herself. The other families help out from time to time if things got out of hand and of course I would step down and help as well. :) My son was sitting near the front with the Branch Presdient's family. He was sitting between the 8 year old daught and the 14 year old daughter very reverently listening to the speaker (A miracle!). The 8 year old girl was not a type of girl that like to play with dolls, be hugged or go out of her way to socialize. My son looked at her, scooted closer to her and put his arm around her and leaned forward as if he meant to kiss her. She was of course petrified and jerked her head back. He just smiled at her and kept his arm around her for as long as she would let him. The people around them and the branch presidency couldn't help but laugh at this scene. 4. This one is not my son but my niece. My sister-in-law was babysitting for her older sister. My sister-in-law took them to the mall for some reason that I can't remember but in the middle of the mall is a large carousel. Our niece(3) and our nephew(5) of course would love to ride the carousel but what they don't know is there Aunt is a poor college student and doesn't have any money on her for such a thing. She tried to explain to our niece that if they had some money she would be more than willing to let them ride. My niece then stands up and begins to shout with a projecting voice and turn to all present and walking by that "IF we had money we could ride the Carousel". She repeated this some before my Sister-in-law could blushfully get the begging 3 year old to stop.

Congrats to the new converts and the soon to be baptized on the thread. I wrote down everything I could think of. Tried to do it in a bit of a sequenctial order. You can involve yourself as much as you want. 1. Recieve the Gift of the Holy Ghost/confirmation as a member happens the sunday after your baptism in Sacrament meeting by a Priesthood holder. (Very special as you will see great blessings from this as I am sure the Missionaries have explained) 2. Continue to Read your Scriptures & Pray to your Heavenly Father. 3. Take the New Member Discussions from Ward Missionaries(Review of what the missionaries taught you as well as more informations) 4. Share your blessiongs you have recieved with your Family and Friends so that can benefit from the same. 5. If male, be interviewed by the Bishop/Branch President for holding the Aaronic Priesthood. 6. Attend Sacrament Meeting and partake of the sacrament weekly. Attend the Gospel Principles Class & your proper Auxilliary class third hour on sundays. 7. Introduce yourself to people you don't know at Chruch. It never hurts having more Friends. 8. Become a Visiting Teacher (Women) or a Home Teacher (Men) with your New Companion. 9. Recieve a Calling in the church from a member of the Bishopric. (The callings vary in responsibilities.) and Serve Dilligently. 10. Continue to follow your baptismal Covenants, such as tithing, chastity and Word of Wisdom. 11. Attend church functions other than Sunday Services. Social activities, special devotionals, Stake level activities. Volunteer to help with the previously mentioned activities if you wish to be more involved. 12. Talk to Bishop about seeing the Partriarch for his P. Blessing. 14. Go to the Temple to be a proxy in the baptisms for the dead. 15 Family Genology and Family History Centers. 16 If man Recieve Melchizadek Priesthood. 17 Temple Endowments possible after Year of membership. 18 Get Sealed to your Spouse and Children if the situation applies to you. 19 Endure to the End! :) As mentioned previously Satan tries to detour you especially at big points in life, before & after baptism, before & after priesthood, before & after enowments and sealing. As you can see you can get as involved as you want or feel you should . :)

I believe all living things have a purpose in life(I include the earth as whole as a living thing... I know that sounds funny but I have my reasons.) In my eyes if a dog fulfilles its purpose in life it will have a state of glory or purpose in the next life just like us. (Just they are not the same glory or purposes.) :) I look forward to reading the article mentioned.

My parents, Sister and I converted to the chruch. My Step-dad was a baptist and my mother, sister and I were catholics. We all attended our chruchs every sunday. I was an alter boy growing up and I went to a private catholic school for 8 years. Our answers of prayers were too strong and real to ignore. We were all baptized and it was the best thing we ever did. It brought my parents together. Gave my sister and I better moral compasses and me the answer to those question I was looking as well as a way to serve Heavenly Father and have a family. My Parents took a lot of heat from our family. My Grandparents wanted to at first in the heat of the moment disown my mother, but they knew they loved her deep down and could never do that. My step-father took the same heat. Over the years many of them have listened to the missionaries, attended temple open houses, and attended chruch. I enterviewed my grandparents for family history so my children would know them. Ask my Grandmother what was her biggest disappointment in life. I figured the answer would be some of my cousins who are abusive to there children or live without taking care of there children but no she said it was that "I and my mother left the Catholic faith." She said you guys were always the ones who were strong in beliving in god and you left our faith. I was shocked at first but when I was done she gave me a huge hug and told me thankyou for letting future generations of your children know about me." ONe last story to explain why my family is over the conversion. My Grandfather was on his death bed a few years ago and my Grandmother and the 6 children where at his bedside. My grandmother asked her children to get a priest for last rights. None of the 5 who where catholic wanted to talk to the priest directly has many of them had fallen inactive or were scared of there own transgressions to be standing or talking witha priest. All 5 didn't want too so my mother said she would and immediately left the room with no other questions. She went over the to the catholic rectory and asked the priest to come. He agreed and came. My grandparents were so appreciative that they have never mentioned the changing of faiths again and are closer to my mother and our family more than ever. Sorry long but being a former catholic I felt like sharing all this.

I have attended gospel doctrine classes in more states than I can count as well as in multiple cultures and languages. They all have a diffeent feel to them. The older I get the less I think the class feel is based on the structure and more upon the individuals attending it. Gospel Doctrine teachers can be called from any experience and background which really can affect the class though. I've had teachers that would make you read some scriptures ask a question, if no one answered they would just continue on. They didn't even want a bit of explanation or rhetoric. I have also been in the class with a CES Director,PHD, former byu religon prof. He was amazing. Why? Not because he had so much knowledge, but because he knew how to teach. He knew how to inspire people to read ahead and to participate which made the class the highlight of your sabbath days. He was able to teach to the so called All-knowing High Priest, to the return missionary, to the new 18 year old young women. And everyone came out realizing that they had just been in the best class ever. I am currently in a Branch Presidency and substitute in when our Gospel doctrine teacher can't make it.(He travels a great deal for work.) He rarely tells me when he will be there and when he is not so I am left to organize my thoughts in sometimes as little as 5 minutes. I'm just glad I've had so many other experiences to teach over the years to help me through those rough days and that the manuals are so good. I am grateful to the Lord for his spirit and guidance in those days. All I can say is make the most of it. Read the lessons prior to class as a member of the class. As a teacher: Follow the lesson, don't let the conversations stray to far away from the outline in the manual, allow others to share, prepare your lessons, and pray to heavenly father for guidance when preparing your lesson in class. REad as much from the scriptures, ensigns and church leaders as possible to give you that extra information that so so dearly look for when attending that class.

I have always taken Polygamy throughout the history of man to being the exception and not the rule. I've always felt that in heaven and on earth marriage was meant to be between one man and one women and that anything else was an exception but not the rule. So many lds consider it the other way around. I do believe that jacob the son of isaac and early lds days and other bilblical time were obeying God's commandment/spiritual guidance to have more than 1 wife but I've never looked at that is what we will all need to do.