I've been studying about why members of the Church apostatize. As I've thought about the reasons I feel it boils down to a formula I was taught by my mission president: Study the scriptures Say personal prayers Keep the commandments Serve others This is the Formula for Happiness. This is also the formula for not leaving the Church, or, in other words … [Read more...]
Why Do LDS Members Apostatize?
March 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I've had experiences lately that have caused me to really question how members of the Church fall away and are lost. My little sister-in-law Mandy is one of those people - she's falling away, ready to take her name off the records of the Church, and insistent that we are all deceived and just haven't heard all the history that we should hear. She's making … [Read more...]
What’s the Atonement of Jesus Christ & How Can I Use It?
February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The title of this post is an important question I feel I should ask myself every day. I've been thinking a lot lately about success: in business, in family, in life, and the quote continues to emerge: No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” - David O McKay So what does that have to do with the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how I use it in … [Read more...]
What is Relapse & Why Does it Happen
February 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Yes, unfortunately, I had a relapse last week (actually a week ago today - and the next day too). I'm not sure why it happened. I haven't been to the meeting for a while due to C's basketball schedule. What I'd like to do is find a meeting I could go to in the middle of the day or at least a back up meeting for when I can't go on Thursday nights. I feel … [Read more...]
Of Regrets and Resolutions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, another four years starts today. President Barrack Obama was re-elected and Mitt Romney was defeated last night. Yes, I feel disappointed but I don't feel the world is going to end. That's about all I'm going to say about the presidential stuff... My days lately haven't been as great as I'd like: I have some pent up resentment towards B, I've been … [Read more...]
The Relapse Process
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I saw images today on Facebook that I would say were not ok... At times like those I feel I sometimes try to justify and say, "Well, it wasn't pornograhic really..." However, I did a bit of research and found this: Some seek to justify their indulgence by arguing that they are only viewing “soft,” not “hard,” porn. A wise bishop called this refusing … [Read more...]
Can Ye Feel So Now? by Elder Cook
October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This is day two of my 6 month LDS Conference challenge. I'm going to be realistic - I may not be able to study a talk a day, but the goal is to study consistently so that I will have reviewed and studied EVERY talk at least once by the next conference. Today I want to study the talk by Elder Cook titled Can Ye Feel So Now? My Initial Thoughts As I read this … [Read more...]
Welcome to Conference by President Monson
October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I just posted my personal challenge about studying the conference talks for the next 6 months. Here's to taking the first step. Some of the highlights from President Monson's talk: ...we are pleased to have 139 temples in operation throughout the world, with 27 more announced or under construction. The Historic Announcement about Missionary Work Brothers … [Read more...]
Preparing for LDS General Conference with Kids
October 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
General Conference is coming up again. B and I have been thinking about how we can best help the kids get the most out of conference, be reverent, and not have to micro-manage them the whole time. In the past we've created a big board and given them each stickers to run up and put on an image we've cut out of a Friend, Ensign, or New Era magazine. Although … [Read more...]
How Honesty & Agency Work Together
October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Obviously I've been thinking a lot about agency and honesty lately due to the experiences we've been having with Mandy. I decided to start my study today by looking up Agency in the Topical Guide. Here are some of the scriptures (from the Bible) that stood out to me. Scriptures about Agency Gen. 4:7 Josh. 24:15 Matt. 26:39 John 5:30 Here … [Read more...]
