Welcome a new internet troll :D

[gaspah]

GAH.. I just posted this at test.lds.net.... *facepalm*.. i'm like why has nobody replied hahahha

Hi there, my name is Jeremy.

I've recently become a member of the LDS church. I was baptized on the 27th of December 2008. I live in Perth, Western Australia where I'm a member of the Doubleview ward. As I'm a recent convert (previously Presbyterian Christian), I was googling away on various questions I had on my new faith and stumbled across this site. As I generally spend a lot of time on forums trolling around expressing my beliefs, I could not resist but to sign up here. I'm looking forward to listening/sharing beliefs from/to other members of the LDS church. Though I suspect my reputation as a 'bible-basher' (despite the fact I don't tend to involve religion on various moral/intellectual discussion in public forums) on various other forums may be replaced by 'hedonist' on this forum (no not quite, im sure I'll get along well here, much as I do with my new found brothers and sisters at church).

I'm looking forward to talking with all of you and I think I'll start my first thread by kindof asking for help. This Sunday I've been asked to give my first talk at the church, and I'm very nervous about it, so I thought I'd post it here in hope that some people could read over it, and give suggestions or point out any grammatical errors etc etc. I'm a terrible public speaker and when I give my testimony at my baptism I almost wet myself

so this is a first talk and I was advised to make it 5-8 minutes long. So very nervous

Good afternoon brothers and sisters.

As many of you know, I got baptized on Saturday just two weeks ago. Then, less than three hours after I received the Holy Ghost and was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that following Sunday, I was called upon to give a talk on the Word of Wisdom. Now one thing about me, I'm petrified of public speaking, and despite reassurances from everyone I spoke to after bearing my testimony on the day of my baptism, I know I looked like a rabbit staring at oncoming headlights. But, I've prepared this speech in faith that the Lord will give me the strength to speak with the conviction and surety that dwells within me.

Why I've been asked to talk about the Word of Wisdom I'm not sure. But, at least it's a subject I have an opinion on and perhaps a little story. When Sister Robati and Sister McDowall first went over the Word of Wisdom, I loved it immediately. This is probably because for as long as I can remember, I've just hated alcohol, and for many years now refused to even touch a drop of it. I hate the way it made me feel when I drank it, even in small amounts I get ill from it, and most of all the person I become is not someone I can look at in the mirror. But for a number of my younger years, I would occasionally force it upon myself under the weight of peer pressure. I would regret it each and every time, and something began to dawn on me "hey, maybe God doesn't want me to do this".

and this was confirmed to me as the Sisters encouraged me to read out aloud.

7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

Now, I can bear my own testimony on these passages, as when I read them I can feel the spirit and the love of God. He is watching over me, protecting me and has given me these words to live by. Today, I am so thankful for this gift the Lord hath given me, and all the hard work that the missionaries and members have put in for my benefit.

Now, as being a non-member until very recently, I had not this knowledge bestowed upon myself until now. So as I continue to speak of how I had broken these sacred guidelines in my youth please bear with me. But for, it's the only way I can think of to express exactly how strongly I feel about them today.

From the ages of 17-23, which was over 3 years ago now, I was a smoker. I would smoke cigarettes all the time, it varied, some days i wouldn't smoke any, some days 3 or 4 and others 20 or 30. I never really liked them, and towards when I quit I absolutely despised them. They're foul tasting, they make you smell terrible, stain your fingers and cleaning up a spilled ashtray is absolutely disgusting. But oh how I would crave them, the feeling that you get, it's like Satan grabbing your shoulder. You just know you're under his wicked spell. But, despite how much I loathed them I couldn't give them up. I had so many so-called reasons why I still smoked cigarettes, but over time they dwindled one by one. "I enjoy it", well I certainly did not enjoy it. "It tastes good", no really I can't believe I ever said that. "it relaxes me", sure but my only stress was that I was craving cigarettes, and the final one I overcame "I'd rather shorten my life by 30 minutes than spend 30 minutes craving a cigarette" I only realise how ridiculous that sounds now I have just written it down preparing this speech. None of those words I uttered were my words, they were the words of the Devil. They were Satan trying to keep me from God. But there was one more obstacle to overcome, coffee. So I stopped drinking coffee, and I was able to quit cigarettes. So when I read further about the Word of Wisdom, these things did not come as a surprise.

8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

It was all related, coffee was the thing that bound me to the cigarettes, much as I've heard people say "I smoke when I drink". Once that hand is on your shoulder, so you are walked down the wrong path whereby you are tempted to be led further and further away from our father up in heaven.

This, the Words of Wisdom, is even helping me today. Now you may ask, if you've come to realize all of these things before reading the Word of Wisdom, how can you say it's given you strength?

Well as the missionaries continued the lesson after reading through the scriptures, and a few things were defined to me. As how hot drinks meant coffee and tea. I inquired, "why tea?" and Sister McDowall explained to me that because like coffee, it was caffeinated. This was something I was not aware of believe it or not. But, something that we had discussed earlier came to my mind.

3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.

This was taught to me to mean, whereas some people may be able to control themselves with alcohol or other items covered in the Word of Wisdom, there were those that would be weak and fall because of these things. Therefore, everyone abstains from these things, for the benefit of those who have not the strength to resist when they are around.

Immediately my biggest weakness came to mind, and how it has severely affected my health, it has caused me to gain weight, and most horribly, until I had some expensive dental work done, I was even ashamed to be seen. It was Coca-Cola, and until we had this discussion. I drank it every single day without fail, and I knew then I had to stop. Now, from what I've seen amongst members so far is that some people are pretty relaxed or even divided on this issue, maybe because you see it as just another soft-drink. But to me, it's the hardest thing I've ever had to quit. I have tried so many times to stop drinking it, and failed time and time again.

I wish I could tell you that since that day I never drank it again, but I can't. I'm doing better than I ever have before, I've not bought a single bottle of coke since that day. But one day just before Christmas, somebody bought me Hungry Jacks (burger king for you Americans), and without realising, I had started drinking the Coke they had given me, and even after I realised, despite all the effort I had put in to avoid it, I continued to drink it. But, I'm glad to say that was the last time.

So, now, I only have one more thing left to work on. A healthy eating habit, so I'd like to conclude my talk by reading some more of the Word of Wisdom, that we may reflect on how we can improve our lives, by avoiding those fatty/sugary foods that make us feel bad, and by eating more of the things that keep us healthy like fruits and grains, and remembering not to eat too many of God's creatures needlessly, and more importantly to give thanks for that which the Lord hath blessed us.

10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

I am very grateful for this that our father up in heaven hath given us. And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

please excuse me if I don't reply right away. It's way past my bedtime

[Hemidakota]

I love new converts with zeal....thanks for sharing your experience. Anyway we can support and help, the forum is open to you.

[Dr T]

Welcome to this site :)

[StrawberryFields]

Welcome Troll

[gaspah]

I love new converts with zeal....thanks for sharing your experience. Anyway we can support and help, the forum is open to you.

gah! you read that a bit too quick

thanks for the kinds words :)

[Hemidakota]

Bad habit from my old days of speed reading. Then at times I would have to go back and reread it when the brain has a discount.

[gaspah]

Welcome Troll

Welcome to this site :)

thanks and hi!!

[BenRaines]

Welcome

Ben Raines

[Maureen]

Welcome Troll

I second that!

[gaspah]

I second that!

Welcome

thankyou :)

well i gotta get back to working, i'm sure you'll see me 'trolling' about in the near future.

[Palerider]

Hello and welcome to the site....:)

[georgia2]

WElcome to the site and most of all CoNGRATULATIONS on your baptism!

Been a member for over 30 years & it was the BEST decision I ever made~!

[gaspah]

Hello and welcome to the site....:)

Thankyou :)

WElcome to the site and most of all CoNGRATULATIONS on your baptism!

Been a member for over 30 years & it was the BEST decision I ever made~!

It definately feels that way! Its really changing my life and I thought I was already living a reasonably good life. But, it's given me the strength to do things that I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm so thrilled and thankful God sent missionaries to knock at my door.

[pam]

Welcome to the site. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

[gaspah]

Welcome to the site. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

yeah, i'm sure there'll be many more, but i think i may restrict myself to some of the lighter topics, after scrolling through a few threads, some of the topics are pretty hardcore. so i think i'm going to have to lurk for a while to get a feel for the place.

thanks :)

[Lyle]

welcome to this place its quite entertaining and seems worthy to me. thank you for sharing your testimony with me.

[gaspah]

welcome to this place its quite entertaining and seems worthy to me. thank you for sharing your testimony with me.

thanks and thanks for reading it, after having a number of people read it now, i'm slightly more confident of actually saying out loud in 2 days in front of the rest of my ward at weekly sacrament meeting.

[akindheart]

Great talk.. I remember when i joined the church, coffee was the hardest thing for me to give up because i felt so tired all the time. In fact it was harder than giving up the alcohol .But after a month of obeying the word of wisdom i had more energy than any cup of coffee could give.

Welcome to the stie!

[gaspah]

Great talk.. I remember when i joined the church, coffee was the hardest thing for me to give up because i felt so tired all the time. In fact it was harder than giving up the alcohol .But after a month of obeying the word of wisdom i had more energy than any cup of coffee could give.

Welcome to the stie!

you're telling me!! I've given up coke for nearly a month (with one slip up), and i haven't been able to sleep lately... I'm buzzing around all day and I can't believe I ever used it as a crutch. I've even found that now that I drink water instead, it seems to help me avoid fatty foods and I get even more of a health/energy boost. Its amazing how adhering to the Word of Wisdom gives you blessings you wouldn't even expect. Instead of getting like a Coke and chips i get, a water and some fruit. Also until most recently, I had real trouble getting out of bed, to the point where I would set my alarm clock an hour before I had to wake up, just so I could set my alarm again in the morning an hour later. Now that it (my alarm) is still set an hour earlier, I spend some time in the morning cleaning my house or other productive things before I go to work, so now I'm blessed with a clean house (being a single male it's something I've struggled with for most of my life, though struggle may be the wrong word as I had no intention on improving it hahaha).

Thankyou

[MormonMen]

Welcome