Brenton

I'm willing to bet Mormons never say the Hail Mary ... right? ;\

And the central banks.

Often true. People will also rise to the level they expect of themselves.

I don't think there's any rush whatever to get married. It doesn't mean that a person does not want to get married, but, really I see no rush. I would also assume that in the 1900's college attendance per capita was a lot less than it is today.

Not sure.

Sometimes I have inclinations that I'm really not gay. I really do.Through my life, I've had it sort of "bred" into me by my peers... who would use the insult "you're gay" [etc] against me from a very young age... But anyway, I'll just see where this leads me.

The challenge just re-began today. Read the BofM in 97 days. :) At Hinckley Challenge | Read the Book of Mormon in 97 days Taken from the main page; President Hinckley often stressed our making the Book of Mormon part of our lives. He was 97 when he passed away, and we would like to celebrate his life and teachings by reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days. President Gordon B. Hinckley on the Book of Mormon "I take in my hand the Book of Mormon. I read its words. I have read Joseph Smith's explanation of how it came to be. To the unbelieving it is a story difficult to accept, and critics for generations have worn out their lives writing books intended to refute that story and to offer other explanations than the one given by Joseph the Prophet. But to the open-minded, this critical writing has only stimulated them to dig deeper; and the more deeply they dig, the greater the accumulation of evidence for the validity of Joseph Smith's story. Still, as has been demonstrated for a hundred and fifty years, the truth of the Book of Mormon will not be determined by literary analysis or by scientific research, although these continue to be reassuring. The truth about the origins of the Book of Mormon will be determined today and tomorrow, as it has been throughout the yesterdays, by reading the book in a spirit of reverence and respect and prayer." (Praise to the Man, Ensigh, 1983. aug., 4) ----- I apologise if this has already been posted.

That's okay. :)I've been in tears a lot recently. I understand perfectly. I'm actually kinda surprised you didnt recite the "mantra" of "perfect church, imperfect people". In my area (Warrnambool, for those interested) the only close LDS church is the one in this town [few blocks away actually] and ... I just wouldn't want to leave a bad lasting impression, because I'd have nowhere else to go.But I'm sure you're all right in that they'll be great people. Other things is ... I just hope there's other people there that are around my age. hahaha!

I've been chatting over mormon.org with two missionaries from London. I was lucky to be talking to a person named Phillip from London, and also his friend Katie. It's good because I'm able to keep contact with the same people who know where I'm at, what I'm thinking, what's going on in my life, etc etc. Thought I'd share some of our conversation with you all; Conversation with Katie, Member of LDS Church, on Tuesday 30 September 8.30-9.30pm and Continued conversation with Katie (those links are just to my blog) They've been a great help, and I urge anyone reading this who hasn't yet talked with Missionaries (either in their area or online) to do so. It's well worth it. :) It's wonderful to feel there's someone thousands of miles way who actually cares about you, and wants to help you out, and so forth.

Have any of you ever been to a temple dedication?

You can order different language copies of the BofM, and so forth, from provident living ... as far as I'm aware. You can even get Icelandic. ;p

I have terrible time sleeping. Sometimes I've been so tired, that in the middle of the day, I'll have been sitting here typing like I am now, and wake up with my face on the screen.. but that hasnt happened for years, thank God. Lately I've been trying herbal supplements (Valerian), and using a "sleep tea" as well. Being comfortable is really important. And, you -generally- shouldnt eat after about 6.30pm (well, at least not meals) if you want earlier nights (9.30-10pm). And ofcourse studying scripture (or any reading material) just before going to sleep can always help. No, I'm not saying scripture is boring and that it will send you to sleep ... but reading is an easy task for the body, and "calms" you down ready for sleep, I often find.

I'm in a gay relationship, openly and outly gay to my friends ... who are -all- atheists. My mother is a catholic, my father warned me against "going near mormons" (which is the reason why i became an investigator, because he was saying that based off false knowledge and stereotype) ... however he knows perfectly well that I read the BofM. My relationship isn't just some ... "teen crush" type thing either. He think's we'll be moving in with e/a in a few years after I finish high school (final yr is next yr). I'm really very afraid. For everyone to "know" that I'm a gay person, and then for me to turn around and say "oh no I'm not". I just cannot wrap my mind around all of this.

I'm just really not sure what to think, though. I don't actually attend church as of yet, I swore that I would read the BofM cover to cover at least once before "taking the plunge". I'm currently up to Mosiah. I'm absolutely terrified of what's going to happen if this is true.

Hey everyone. (I hope this is the correct board to be posting this on, if not, please move it :) ) Yesterday I was sitting in my car, (well, my mothers car, but I was in the driver seat because I'm learning to drive). She was in at her chiropractor, and I was just sitting reading the Book of Mormon. I usually carry it with me all the time so I can read it at any opportune time. In the car, on the train, waiting for a beverage [usually a decaf coffee] etc. For some reason, I happened to look at myself in one of the mirrors, and suddenly think "I am a child of God?" and I actually felt quite emotional, even tearful. Later in the evening I was chatting to a missionary by the name of Phillip from London on Mormon.org. I was asking him about whether God personally hears my prayers, and so forth (I have not prayed for months, not really ready to discuss why here yet). He told me ofcourse He does. I told him about my experience in the car, and he told me that it was God telling me the Church is true, and showed me a scripture which detailed the "fruits of the spirit". If anyone needs more detail, I will provide. But what do you think, is God telling me this is true? I mean ... I almost want to say "thats it?!?!!?" ... I just imagined the testimony and experience would be stronger/ will be stronger than that... God Bless, ~Brenton.

"While nowhere says the Lord was born on April 6th, this is what some have argued is the Lord's real birthday based of this reference. Christmas is the celebration / recognition date." The nativity accounts in the New Testament gospels of Matthew and Luke do not mention a date or time of year for the birth of Jesus. In Western Christianity, it has been traditionally celebrated on December 25 as Christmas (in the liturgical season of Christmastide), a date that can be traced as early as 330 among Roman Christians. Before then, and still today in Eastern Christianity, Jesus' birth was generally celebrated on January 6/7 (late at night on January 6th) as part of the feast of Theophany,[28] also known as Epiphany, which commemorated not only Jesus' birth but also his baptism by John in the Jordan River and possibly additional events in Jesus' life. Some scholars have speculated that the date of the celebration was moved in an attempt to replace the Roman festival of Saturnalia.[29] Some scholars note that Luke's descriptions of shepherds' activities at the time of Jesus' birth suggest a spring or summer date.[30] The theory that December 25 was the birthdate of Jesus was popularized by Sextus Julius Africanus in Chronographiai (AD 221). However, I always thought it was around April.

I think it's probably the Bible that Joseph knew, and through translating by the gift and power of God, he was doing so in the grammar that made the most sense to him.

New temple?

I forgot all about this!! So, "original" sin actually doesn't exist?

"1984 - The Manila Philippines Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency" Is it always the living prophet that dedicates the temple? I don't seem to remember Hinckley being out in Australia to dedicate the Melbourne temple which I'm near ... maybe it's just that I was too young to notice, I would've expected it would have been a bit of a media event.

Nope. We're responsible for our own transgression as far as'm aware.

How do you do that?

So ... by what youre saying JenaMarie... this means that as long as we believe in Christ we can do whatever we like? This means that any action is ok? Wow.

Would it be speculating to see he would only be eternal to our perspective?If he is a spirit child also, then his eternity begins somewhere, like ours?

I simply cannot stand the rubbish peddled for truth in that film. Needs to be renamed "'Deckers' angst" or something. ugh.