excommunicated member

[dazzwater]

I found this website while googling whether speculating in financial instruments (forex, options, futures, etc) is considered gambling from a Latter-Day Saint's point of view. After reading a couple of threads, I was struck by how civil the LDS online forums are, compared to all the other ones out there. It made me realize how much I miss interacting with Mormons, so I signed up for an account, found this Introductions forum, and here I am.

I was baptized about a decade ago, having actively participated in church meetings and (mostly YSA) activities and speaking with missionaries for about a year before that. I wasn't able to get baptized earlier due to parental objection, as I needed their written consent then. I was raised to the Melchezidek priesthood not long after, and was an active churchgoer for a couple of years.

The stresses of life got to me, and I gradually stopped doing the little things to nourish my faith. Then, due to transgressions unbecoming of a priesthood holder, I was dis-fellowshipped, and then excommunicated. I tried to right my ways, attending church every week and meeting with the bishop regularly. But when it became apparent that re-entry into the church was going to take a lot more work, I gave up, and have been inactive for the past couple of years.

I had since married my wife, a girl whom I brought into the church while I was dis-fellowshipped. Sadly, we became inactive together, except for the occasional social visit at sacrament meeting (about once a year). Last year, we moved from Singapore to the US in New Jersey, renting a house in the suburbs, and this year we had a beautiful little baby boy. We're both working full-time, while I'm also taking a part-time graduate program in financial engineering. I'm presently in the middle of a six-week break from work to look after my baby boy, hence the time to think about the future. I'm hoping to write a software to automatically trade in financial markets on my behalf. I remember how President Hinchkley spoke about the perils of gambling, mentioning poker and lotteries but never touched on the stock market. I suppose with financial markets it depends on the spirit of one's actions (investing versus speculating without adding value), but am hoping for specifics as to whether my automated program will add value, and hence whether my career path will take me even further away from the church. Which led to my Google search, and my post here.

I don't really have a testimony to share. I probably still believe that the Book of Mormon is true, but haven't really thought about it for a while. I hope to go back to church, for my family's sake, but don't want to be in a situation where we appear for a couple of weeks and then just fade away, especially on account of the fact that I'm an excommunicated member. I want to prepare myself and be ready first. I hope I can be.

[pam]

Welcome to the site.

[angie1]

Hello! All I can say is that I married a non-member being active in the church. I t made me realize how much I needed the Gospel in my life. Everyone does. My testimony has grown so much since. Please return to the church. People may think we "pull" people to the church to gain membership or popularity, but in reality, we know the Gospel is soooo grand. and we truly believe it to be the key of happiness. You baby boy will be raise in the church and will have a much easier life with the Gospel. I truly believe that if I did not have the Gospel in my life during my teen years, I would have gotten pregnant, have a drinking problem and probably have a lot more issues. Being a member of the church helped me over come my temptations and yes, it was hard. I was tempted everyday. But having the knowledge and faith. It made is easier to say NO!

I hope you return to the Gospel and hope your family can one day be sealed in the temple. That your boy will grow up with the Spirit and love life, the Gospel and have the Spirit in your home. Good luck!

[teacherjack]

I found this website while googling whether speculating in financial instruments (forex, options, futures, etc) is considered gambling from a Latter-Day Saint's point of view. After reading a couple of threads, I was struck by how civil the LDS online forums are, compared to all the other ones out there. It made me realize how much I miss interacting with Mormons, so I signed up for an account, found this Introductions forum, and here I am.

I was baptized about a decade ago, having actively participated in church meetings and (mostly YSA) activities and speaking with missionaries for about a year before that. I wasn't able to get baptized earlier due to parental objection, as I needed their written consent then. I was raised to the Melchezidek priesthood not long after, and was an active churchgoer for a couple of years.

The stresses of life got to me, and I gradually stopped doing the little things to nourish my faith. Then, due to transgressions unbecoming of a priesthood holder, I was dis-fellowshipped, and then excommunicated. I tried to right my ways, attending church every week and meeting with the bishop regularly. But when it became apparent that re-entry into the church was going to take a lot more work, I gave up, and have been inactive for the past couple of years.

I had since married my wife, a girl whom I brought into the church while I was dis-fellowshipped. Sadly, we became inactive together, except for the occasional social visit at sacrament meeting (about once a year). Last year, we moved from Singapore to the US in New Jersey, renting a house in the suburbs, and this year we had a beautiful little baby boy. We're both working full-time, while I'm also taking a part-time graduate program in financial engineering. I'm presently in the middle of a six-week break from work to look after my baby boy, hence the time to think about the future. I'm hoping to write a software to automatically trade in financial markets on my behalf. I remember how President Hinchkley spoke about the perils of gambling, mentioning poker and lotteries but never touched on the stock market. I suppose with financial markets it depends on the spirit of one's actions (investing versus speculating without adding value), but am hoping for specifics as to whether my automated program will add value, and hence whether my career path will take me even further away from the church. Which led to my Google search, and my post here.

I don't really have a testimony to share. I probably still believe that the Book of Mormon is true, but haven't really thought about it for a while. I hope to go back to church, for my family's sake, but don't want to be in a situation where we appear for a couple of weeks and then just fade away, especially on account of the fact that I'm an excommunicated member. I want to prepare myself and be ready first. I hope I can be.

1) Get back into church. I went inactive and now I am back. I was so afraid how people would treat me but they have been great. I wish I would have gone back sooner.

2) I don't know about the forex trading thing, but I did know a good Mormon man who is doing forex trading and helping people with a trading system. He's the son-in-law of a General Authority so I'm assuming it not something looked down upon.

[missionary0204]

I consider trading to be very different than gambling. Who wants to invest in anything when the odds are completely stacked against you (casino). Playing the market is like buying 20 acres, planting it with timber, and assuming that a tornado will probably not destroy it. The market overall increases over the years and the better understanding you have in analyzing securities, the odds should stack even more in your favor. I like to put it this way, "moderation is all things." If I was to put all of my families savings into a risky penny stock and lose it all in one day, then I'm probably crossing the line of gambling just a little. I hope everyone gets my point.

As far as the gospel goes, you may go to church and feel excluded by some. It is natural to have fears about this type of things. In fact, you have probably experienced it before. All people are on different levels of spirituality. One may embrace you as you come in the door and weap on your shoulder another gives you the cold shoulder. Church is where all of us imperfect sinners go to covenant with father. When I hear about strong leaders who criticise our church and how it is run, all I can think about is how we need people like them to join and make it better.

Return to church when you feel compelled to change. If you have children, they need to see their father be a strong man so that they have the best chance possible to work out their own salvation with fear and trembeling. When my daughter was born last year, I have experienced changed that I never thought possible. I cannot believe the habits that I have left behind and the desire that swells within me to save her soul. Bod bless you brother!

[mnn727]

My personal opinion which is certainly not shared by all others in the Church, is that investing in a company for the long term is fine, you're adding capital to a company that you've (hopefully) researched and allowing them to grow.

Day traders however, to me are parasites that are trying only to profit from fleeting movements in the market and not adding anything to the corporation and its future, they gamble on the corporations stock to go up and then quickly pull those profits -- no different to me from gambling in a casino. Were I king of the world I would outlaw the practice.

Just my PERSONAL beliefs and I know at least one person in my Ward that does day trade so obviously he thinks differently than I do. You will have to let your conscience be your guide.

* * *

Welcome to the board, may I suggest that you as a family start reading the scriptures and praying together, etc even if you are not quite ready to go back to Church yet.

My personal opinion - I wouldn't want to raise children outside the Church.

Edited August 30, 2012 by mnn727

[applepansy]

Welcome. It sounds like you know that raising you son in the gospel is the best thing to do but you're unsure if you can do it. You can. Excommunication can be a blessing on the road of repentance. I wish you all the best.

[BrendaM]

Welcome. It sounds like you know that raising you son in the gospel is the best thing to do but you're unsure if you can do it. You can. Excommunication can be a blessing on the road of repentance. I wish you all the best.

I too, would like to welcome you to this site. Once my daughter was born, I knew it was my responsibility to teach her the Gospel. I think you feel the same.

Repentance is not easy, but you first have to make the decision that you want to.

Remember, the Lord is on your side, no matter what.

As for working the market....I'm no expert...but I don't consider that gambling (in the sense that the brethren have counselled). But that's just my opinion. Individual and family prayer will help clarify this for you.

Good Luck!