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Religion

  1. I work 3rd shift at a gas station and a few nights ago this guy comes in. It is obvious he is drunk, he even mentioned he was. So he goes outside and his car won't crank. The battery is dead. So he comes inside to ask if I have jumper cables. I'm left with three options. 1. Jump off his car 2. Tell him I don't have any 3. Tell him yes I have them but that he is too drunk to drive, And put myself in the position of arguing with a drunk while all alone at 3 am. Without much thought, I chose to tell him I didn't have any. We teach our kids it's never okay to lie. But is it sometimes necessary?
  2. I have a strong testimony that the gospel can be shared in all we do and in all we say. Over the last 15 years our family has gone through trial after trial, mostly with health and job loss only to see time and time again the hand of God in our lives helping us and supporting us each and every time. I have seen first had the answers to fervent prayers, the power that daily scripture study has in our lives. I have seen lives touched and service rendered out of love and the desire to improve the lives of others to help them come to know they are children of God, that he loves them, that Jesus Christ is their redeemer and that we have the responsibility to serve and teach at home, at church, at work and at play. Thank you again for reminding me that I can influence others for good by writing the spiritual experiences I have had and sharing them with others. Bless you for all you do.
  3. hello!! im new to these forums, im not a Christian but would like to learn more about Mormon beliefs as it sounds really interesting :) I am also going to college soon, and I am a naturist. Naturism is not so well known where I live and I still have to tell my parents that I am a naturist!! I like playing the sport of cricket, i believe in GOD, i am a Jain ( a small religion) and I like to learn about different cultures, languages, countries, religions and faiths. I also LOVE travelling, and my whole family is bitten by the travel bug Cheers :)
  4. I was looking for some inspirational videos and came across this one. It really touched me so I thought I would share it. YouTube - HD 2010: May You Have Enough...Faith, Hope, Light
  5. I need to talk to someone about this in a more neutral environment. I am a life long member. My family is a good family. We had FHE weekly. My parents went to the temple weekly. I graduated from Seminary only missing maybe 5 days in four years of seminary. I went to church college. I served a mission. I got married in the temple to a woman I love. I have children. Served in stake positions such as High Council. I attend church weekly even when on vacation (usually but not always). I love the church. I love the members. I love the gospel. I am temple worthy (more on this in a moment). (the above is not to toot my horn but to provide background) In all this (with the exception of one time which I will explain in a moment) I thought or I do (dilemma) have a testimony. Over the past years, my logical mind (I will call it that because I'm not sure how else to define it) has come to the conclusion that there is no god and thus by extension do not believe the church is true. This scares me. I don't not want to believe in God. I don't not want to believe in the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. I don't not want to believe that President Monson is a prophet of God. Over the past few years though these feelings come into my head and I don't know what to do. After years of struggling I made a mistake and hurt my wife. I started trying caffeinated (i know that isn't necessariy a big deal but I've grown up with out such things) drinks, R Rated movies, and coffee. One day when out with my wife I talked her into taking a drink (this was insanely dumb-I'm not sure why she did it accept she trusts/ed me). Of course after the fact I needed to tell her why. If anything I should have told her first. So I told my wife that I no longer believed in God (this may have been a mistake). At first she was extreamly angry (I don't blame her) and for a night or two there wan't much sleeping and lots of (lets say) discussion. It seemed I may loose her and if her I would lose my family. Finally I told her that I did not want to loser her and that there is a testimony left, that I do believe. With her help I had myself released from my (not to put it in a worldly terms) substantial calling with the Bishop's full knowledge of the above. At times she still will suddenly get upset and teary eyed and talk about her desire for an eternal marriage (which I want as well). I tell her that I still believe but the doubts are still there. Soon my Temple Recommend will expire and I don't know how to proceed. Like I said, I don't not want to be a member. I don't not want to have a temple recommend. I want an eternal marriage. But these doubts keep entering my head. I pray here and there but I don't feel anything there, like I'm talking to myself. This has been one of the biggest parts of my doubts. I "feel the spirit" when at church when talking about people's stories of faith. When at church or talking to people I think how can I deny this when I feel these things. But these feelings of "logical" thought and my doubts continue to return--strongly. I really don't know what to do. I felt like I needed to talk with people in a place like this. Any thought, comments, questions would be appreciated. Thank you.
  6. Creators of a new faith-based television drama plan to begin filming in Heber City in late summer, and market the show worldwide to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The show, "This Is the Place," will center on a heavily LDS neighborhood in Colorado, and the challenges they face in meeting the demands of their faith, families, workplaces and communities. The action will be viewed through the eyes of a non-LDS character, a newly divorced chain smoker who is trying to understand the people in his new neighborhood. "We got tired of seeing how the LDS were portrayed in shows like 'Big Love,' 'House' and 'Boston Legal,' " said Todd Bay, executive producer, Heber City resident and owner of Park City's Bay Entertainment & Media. "We were tired of non-LDS telling LDS stories. We have taken the position that if we don't tell our stories, someone else will, and they're not going to get it right." You can read the rest of the story by going to: LDS TV Series in the Works
  7. Hello. Tonight I had a conversation with a fellow lds.net user. I will not give the name. I wish to post the emails we exhanged. I expressed my opinions on the questions this person brought up. It lead to an interesting conclusion on my view of the church and religion all together. I still want to be a member of the church and follow most of the teachings. My true feelings came out and it may be upsetting to other members. I apologize if that is the case. I'd be interested on other peoples take on what transpired. Thanks. :) --------------------------- lds.net user: Do you believe everything Joseph Smith taught about God the father? me: Hello, No, I don't believe everything that Joseph Smith taught. lds.net user: so why do you call him a prophet of God if you don't believe everything he taught in his sermons? me: The LDS church calls him a prophet of God. I've never personally called him a prophet. He may be correct in some teachings and wrong in others. He makes mistakes like everyone else who has ever lived with the exception of Jesus Christ. lds.net user: Sir how could you not agree with all of his teachings, the LDS church calls him a true prophet of God right? What prophet of God ever made mistakes because they aren't like you and me me: I can answer your question with a broader answer. The LDS church claims to be the only true restored church on Earth today. I don't think there is a church that has 100% of all the facts correct. As long as I accept Jesus Christ into my Heart and try to live a good life, I should probably be granted everlasting life in heaven. I'm a member of the LDS church because I've found it to be the one I'm most comfortable with. lds.net user:How do we know if someone is truly a prophet of God? and also are there Biblical guidelines for testing someone claiming to be a prophet? me: I recently listened to an evangelical talk about how one can tell if a person is truly a prophet of God. They stated a question. "What is the prophet's track record in foretelling the future?" Hopfully the prophet should be correct all the time. Joseph Smith was not right all the time. I'm not well versed in the Bible, so I'll unable to give you any biblical references about prophets. My advice is to continue to do research and pray about what is pondering in your heart. You will recieve an answer. lds.net user: So sir you've just stated yourself that Joseph Smith wasn't always right yourself. And I'll give you one example of a Biblical text that clearly states what a true Prophet of God is. Deut 13, verses 1-3, Israel was warned about false prophets who would try to lead them after strange gods. If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut. 13:1-3) So sir by biblical standards Joseph Smith was a false Prophet. I'd also like to pose the question to you have you ever asked yourself what the Bible says about seeing what is true and how to do that? and also what does the Bible say about trusting in your own heart? These are serious things to ask yourself because by what you've said and by what the Bible says you are believing in a False God by what Joseph Smith is teaching and you as a Mormon will be judged according the the standards of the Bible. So this subject should dearly matter to you sir. all paths don't lead to heaven. I'm only trying to ask questions and reavel what the Bible teaches and what truths aren't taught to you in the Mormon Church. I pray that you would be willing to ask some quesitons yourself for Joseph Smith is clearly teaching against what God explicitly taught in the Bible and there are sever consequences to pay for following another God me: You have a good point there. I did mention earlier that I did accept Jesus Christ into my Heart. I know the bible warns us that there will be false prophets. They will decieve the elect. I can trust in those teachings. Other things in the Bible I don't believe in. One example is the great flood. I believe there was a massive flood. I don't believe it covered the entire earth and all of God's Animals and plants were on an Ark. To be totally honest with you, I have thoughts on several religions being accepted by God. Christianity, budism, new-agers, muslims, all worship the "one source" of God. It depends on what you believe. I have chosen Christianity even though it may not be perfect. lds.net user:Sir let me ask you this. Why did God give us the Bible? me: God has given man teachings to help us understand Him and what he expects of us. The Bible is one example. The Quran is another example. Many teachings were givien to man thousands of years ago. Through out time, these teachings have been translated. I'm sure many are out of context of the original teaching. This was done by man by his own failings or gain. Diferent cultures wanted to have the teachings to meet what they expected. That is why there is such diversity in religion. Unfortunatly, these different belief systems have caused wars and will continue to. I think we should respect any persons belief system and not judge them. lds.net user: So your going to say that God gave us the quran? on what basis do you have to say such a blasphemous thing? And with your other comment your willing to doubt the sufficeny of God in the ways that he gave us his word in the Bible? me: God gave us teachings. Man compiled the Bible, Quran, and other written works that other religions read. That's my belief simply stated. If you feel I'm going to Hell for what i believe in that's okay with me. End on conversation. lds.net user: Sir I'm only asking questions please don't assume judgment. I am being sincere and care about you. Don't feel I'm trying to tear you down or anything by no means is that the case sir. I'll let you be and pray about words of encouragment for you. Have a wonderful evening and I look forward to talking more me: With your permission, i'd like to post our entire conversation in the forum section. I will not use your name. I'm sure many members would be surprised in what my take on religion is. thanks the user did not respond about permission. Since I did not use the name, I felt it would be ok to post this.
  8. So I'm sitting in church today... after a rough Saturday....well Ok weekend.... and I just settle into my tiny portion of a pew, tiny because we cram in like sardines and of course my girls need their coats, diaper bag, "primary bag", RS bag, scriptures, drinks, emergency snack, ... (you get the point).... I've been a member of this ward for almost 5 yrs and had somehow avoided ever being asked to give an opening or closing prayer for sacrament. When I'm asked to give the closing prayer. UGHHHHHHH. Another thing! I say yes, but if looks could kill, Man Br. Hansen would have been like drop dead fred. So as Im grumbling inside... the talks begin. Oddly, my girls sat down with a little toy in hand... and did I say... SAT DOWN... still, quiet. Instantly, I knew this was my Heavenly Father telling me that I needed to quit fuming about the prayer and to focus. So, if I may... I wanna sum up what was said... or, what hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew that trials came from our Heavenly Father out of a desire to make us more faithful. Afterall, when do people turn to prayer the most? When their life is the most messed up. I have always kept a good attitude when bearing my burdens, and have not said... Why me. I am not foolish enough to believe though, that my testimony can not be shaken - Im not that prideful - instead, I work each day like Im loosing it. So, Im not the one that sits in the corner and complains. (despite my reservation about saying the prayer hehahha) 1. Trials are a blessing. They happen so that our Heavenly Father can help us grow in the areas in which we are weakest. He is building our spiritual fortitude so that we will be able to endure to the end, but more than just that.... to prosper to the end. And He can bless us freely when we resist the verge of despair and lean upon him and exercise our faith. So, when we are given trials, we must think of them as a tool by which our loving Father can bless us in the end. And once the trial is over, we are able to understand where we were lacking. 2. Those who are loved by Heavenly Father are tested too keep them close. Our Father knows that we are more diligent to the gospel when things are not peachy in our lives. So He Draws us unto him - to keep us close and to guide us in the directions He knows we must go to find eternal happiness. 3. (This theme spilled over into SS and RS and this came in RS)... A sister said (paraphrasing)... You know... trials and test do make us stronger... spiritually stronger. And we know what happens to our bodies if we do not exercise... it gets limp and wiggly. By giving us trials, we are given the chance to exercise our faith. When you go to the gym you dont use the light weights (1-2lbs) you lift the heavy weights. So Heavenly Father has to give us mighty trials so that we can build up mighty spiritual muscles. My entire attitude changed today. And all I can say is that my Heavenly Father must love me enough to want me to be a spiritual body builder! Go Job... he must be like ... the incredible hulk! I didnt do this justice... so I hope you still can feel the spirit like I did.
  9. I just wanted to post here because I'm feeling pretty down right now. I have (what I thought was) a very good friend and whilst we catch up every now and then, we mostly keep in touch via Facebook. Well today he had something in his status about 'the dark side' etc and how he was heading there... so I said "but light is knowledge, my friend"... I think it was pretty light hearted, I wasn't getting all religious and heavy on him... I'm not into pushing my faith onto anyone else. But then he replied back implying that the light side is for goody goody boring people and he'd "rather be on the dark side as there's people he wants to meet there and what is the point of knowledge when you're dead anyway". So I kinda took offence to that and told him so - and consequently he deleted me!! I'm just shocked - mainly at his lack of respect for my thoughts and feelings. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion ... and shouldn't be judged for it. But, gosh i just feel totally belittled and made fun of and considered "boring" and "a goody goody" because of what I am!! I'm sorry to go on... I just feel really sad right now. I try not to judge people and I don't like to be judged - I get enough of that from my family (who are anti-mormon!), but my husband and I are doing really well in the church now... I'm finally where I want to be... and striving hard to be better.... but I'm happy, we are happy. It's just hard now that it seems I have lost a friendship because of my faith. I wish I could show people like that what the truth is. I wish they could just understand a little of the truth. I wish I could show them that there is life after death.... that by doing good and striving to be like Jesus Christ will make you a whole lot happier and be much more fulfilling than striving for worldly things......
  10. I have been an active member of the church all of my life and served a mission in Europe. I had a lot of success during my mission years and was unshakeable in my faith in Christ as my Savior. During this time I was in a severe bike injury (broken back). I refused to leave the mission and recovered and completed the work there. During this time, however, I fell into a state of deep depression (something that has plagued me sporadicaly most of my life). I held on,despite feelings of suicide, to my knowledge that Jesus Christ was my Savior and Redeemer. The 20 years since that period has been one of intense struggle with depression and suicidal ideation. I have sought medical, psychological from professionals and spiritual guidance from priesthood leaders. I have faithfully kept up the mechanics of obedience (personal prayer, prayer with my wife and children, FHE, sunday meeting attendance, temple attendance, accepting and fulfilling callings, I was ordained a high-priest when I was , but have progressively felt less and less as my depressions have become more frequent, longer and profound. I feel no antipathy towards the gospel, I still believe in the existence of God and Christ. I simply do not feel apart of it. I feel forsaken by Him whom I have tried to serve. I understand that some of the medications that I take can lead to a flat affect, a general disinterest in things, apathy. But if I stop them for any amount of time, thoughts of suicide return (lease not that I do not feel suicidal presently, nor have for a few years So please don't feel that I am in danger of ending my life) I have been inarguably been blessed in the intervening years. I was able to complete complete my PhD in molecular and cellular biology and have been working at a top ranked cancer hospital in the country for several years. That said, I have also nearly died of a prolonged bout with cancer and bacterial meningitis, the latter of which required me to learn how to talk and walk again. I've been told that the lord is just testing me. If this i With this background out of the way, I feel a rapidly diminishing affinity for God or Christ. My feelings of spiritual abondonment are beginning to escalate to resentment and questioning the existence of God. I am not certain what more I can do or sacrifice for Him to merit, not temporal blessings, but some semblance of spiritual well-being, faith. I have been councilled by a bishop that I need to learn to accept the atonement and let the savior make up the difference. I asked him how to do this beyond what I am already trying and he had no answer for me. Another bishop simply told me that its something I will just have to live with and that I my never have any resolution. I've also been told that the lord is just testing me. If so, then I am clearly failing. These experiences have mostly decimated my faith. Over the past few years I have felt increasing resntment but now I mostly don't care one way or the other if god exists or not, with one exception. I need to stay active and do whatever I can to help my children in their relationship with the lord. The bottom line is that I feel apart from the plan of god but still belive that those around me are deeply loved by Him. I'm sorry to ramble and thank you for listening.
  11. This was a question our instructor in Gospel Doctorine class asked yesterday. Its made me think about what I truly do "hold on to" in the rough times in life. After sleeping on it. . . Trust me to make things more complicated than they are meant to be . . . I boiled it down to one statement. I hold on to my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is truly my Savior. now its your turn. applepansy
  12. "Why do you believe what you believe?" is a question I like to ask those who profess faith or belief in anything. This is not just a question I pose to those of religious faith, but to those who believe pretty much anything. After all, how do we really know anything? While this question of whether or not we really "know" something could have volumes written about it alone, I tend to direct my question more specifically to how an individual (specifically the individual to whom I am asking the question) knows what they know or believes what they believe. I'm not looking for the "right" or "perfect" answer, merely if there is an answer at all. I'm often surprised how many never really think this through because I consider it to be an essential element to my believing anything. So why is this important to me? It is everything to me. I feel to properly confess belief in anything I must understand why I believe it. For instance, if you were to ask me why I believe the earth is round, I wouldn't tell you it was from personal experience - rather it is that I believe my textbooks and those professors of knowledge who have told me so. I believe the images I have seen of the earth from space and that they are not forgeries nor misconstrued. If you asked me if I could prove the earth was round, I would not be able to do so - merely refer you to a perceived authority on the subject and let you make the decision of whether or not you believed them yourself. So you might say that I don't really "know" the earth is round and in a sense, you are absolutely correct. I don't "know" it at all. So would you say that I believe it blindly? No, that would not be correct, because my belief is based in reason - I believe that those who believe that the earth is round are telling the truth - you could say, I have "faith" in them. Wait, how can I be talking about faith on a purely scientific subject, isn't it reserved only for religious people? Absolutely not. I have faith that the people who tell me the earth is round are telling me the truth even though I don't have the evidence myself. I have faith because I do not know of myself - I have faith because I do know with complete certainty that they are not lying to me. So with this definition of faith, I could say that I have faith in pretty much everything. I have faith that when I rise from my chair and go to my bedroom tonight, that my bed will be as I left it. Do I have proof of this? Not from my current vantage point. My bed could indeed be missing and I would have no idea. I believe my bed is still there though I cannot say with certainty. Of course the question of the bed's existence is easy (without getting too metaphysical) as I could merely stand up and check if it is still there. The point is though, when I act on knowledge I don't immediately possess, I act with faith that what I believe is true. Sometimes we can be deceived by our faith. Our faith in people, for instance, can be misplaced. Our faith in our bodies can also let us down. When your faith is proven wrong - in other words, when you found out that what you believed and were acting upon was not indeed true, what do you do about it? I find it important to reevaluate why it was that I believed what I did, that way I can potentially prevent a similar error in judgment. This is why it is so very important to know why you believe what you believe. If you do not understand a belief's origins it essentially becomes tautological - an argument that by its very nature cannot have its inverse proven (basically a belief that is unprovable and impossible to disprove). While tautological arguments are not inherently bad nor immediately untrue, they can be difficult to combat when really trying to get at the basis for a belief to determine if that belief is valid or worth having. Some base their beliefs completely upon the results of their belief. This is effective and pragmatic, but doesn't necessary make for sound arguments. For instance, "I believe that drinking is wrong, therefore I don't drink. Because I don't drink, I avoid the ills associated with drinking, therefore it validates my belief that drinking is wrong." This is pragmatic, but not necessarily true (or logical). I find that often this is enough for a person's basis in belief and many are content to leave it at that. I personally feel that I must have more and in that am generally an incredibly skeptical person. That being said, I am also an incredibly religious person. Can a skeptic be religious? I say of course. A skeptic is someone who questions something, but even a skeptic who finds enough evidence to believe something can exercise faith in it. As such, I have enough evidence to convince me that my religious beliefs are worthwhile. So to come full circle - why do I believe what I believe? Using the reasoning I described above, it can be safely assumed that anything I believe in I have a reason for that is generally faith based. Even when I experience something myself, I must still exercise some faith that what I perceived to be real was indeed as I perceived it to be. This goes for everything: from faith that my bed is where I left it, faith that my car will take me all the way to school, faith that some great discovery will not turn modern neuroscience on its head and force me to change my major, and finally even faith that my religious beliefs are valid. Because so many of the other elements of faith are very intuitive to those reading this blog, I will focus the rest of this discussion on why I believe what I believe religiously and why am I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that the man Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, that he saw God and Jesus Christ, that they revealed to him that he should reform God's true and original church in these latter days. As such, I believe that what Joseph Smith said God told him to do, God did indeed tell him to do and it was for a wise purpose even if I do not fully understand it. I believe that the church he formed is God's true and living church upon the earth today and it will endure until Jesus Christ returns again. I believe that He, Jesus Christ is the head of this church and is guiding and directing its leaders today. I believe therefore that what the leaders of my church advise us to do is true, that it is from God directly for me to hear and that I will obey as if commanded by God Himself. But why do I believe these things? While I have had many positive experiences since having joined the church, it is my initial experiences in the end that have convinced me. I believe that after opening my heart to the idea that it could be true, and exercising faith to find out for myself if it was indeed true, that God Himself revealed to me that the church is true and that Joseph Smith was his prophet. He revealed it to me by a power I cannot completely describe, but one of such force that I am convinced totally that it was God who spoke to me, and that if I were to deny it, it would be as if denying that I am alive I am so convinced of it. I am convinced with such awesome force that this belief kept me from making many tempting mistakes and even lead me back from the brink of my own destruction despite every knowledgeable voice in the world telling me I was doomed. I will not describe the entirety of these events here in this post so as not to derail it. Suffice it to say, the experience further impressed upon me how complete my conversion was. I believe these things because I was humble, asked God, and was convinced with awesome power. Can I prove it to you? No. I know of myself, but my experiences were personal and very much my own, however I do believe that God is consistent and that He can reveal to you that which he has revealed to me should you seek it. So what is your basis of belief?
  13. Faith and Historicity of the Bible and Book of Mormon Grace for Grace
  14. Hi, My name's Ashley. I'll be a freshman in college this upcoming year, and looking forward to some of the independence this will bring. I come from a Catholic family, but they're 'Easter and Christmas' Christians. I myself have been through a *lot* of spiritual upheaval, bouncing around from Catholic, to LDS, to Pagan, to agnostic...I've had various crises that dealt serious blows to any belief I had in God. I've been doing some soul searching, and I feel like LDS is the right path for me to follow. I just...need some support here, and reconciliation (I'm not connected to an LDS network right now, but it'll be in my capacity to be once I get to school). And on reconciliation...what I mean is this. I'm a bit of a wild child. I want the nose piercing, I want the tattoo to commemorate my friend that joined the Marines, I want to be able to have a career (teaching) after I get married, I want to be able to keep on writing my probably-isn't-appropriate-by-LDS standards novel. Also, I'm going to one of the most notorious party schools in the nation this fall, and it's going to be really hard to keep from drinking. If someone can provide me with advice, or just message me from time to time on the site, I'd greatly appreciate it.