#lds convert

let’s relax.

when i was first investigating the church i would read all the anti information as well as watch videos about what goes on in the temple. hidden cameras sneaked inside and what not. so i knew exactly what it was going to look like. that being said, i was still so nervous.

i was shaking the whole time. my partner told me that when i got into the celestial room i had a look on my face that said “oh fuck i’m in a cult.” and it’s like! yes! im scared! what the hell was that! as a convert, i now see why people think that of us!

but now that it’s been well over a month, i feel a bit more as ease with what happened at the temple. i’m glad i went through. i have a lot of questions but i know that being someone of faith MEANS that i have to be okay with not having all the answers. it’s fine. it’s not for me to try and make sense of.

i know that this is a holy place. whether these rituals are down to the T or whether they’re just what we made sense of based on the scriptures we have — i feel close to God. isn’t that all that matters?

being told that this isn’t how it’s meant to be. that the symbolisms and ordinances are read incorrectly — doesn’t matter to me. i know they’re made from the mind of men. the imperfect minds that God has blessed them with. it’s the interpretation (or revelation?) that they have received. it will look different to all of us!

still, His way is perfect and this is how i feel close to him.

the temple is such a holy place to me. after i got dressed and was getting ready to leave, i had this feeling of “things will be okay” and they were. there was some sense of peace there — and i was too nervous to see that it had been there the whole time. even when i was shaking in the initiatory room. even when the temple worker, towards the end of the ordinance, put his hand on my head TWICE and accidentally slapped me while trying to get me through.

it’s a nice reminder that HEY! we are just humans trying to figure out the one thing that’s bigger than us! this is what we got!

i get sealed next saturday on the 6th. everyone pray for me.

Morning

Jeffrey R. Holland

Anonymous women and men identify Christ as reason for clamor

Find Jesus at center of it all

Our faith can be overwhelming

Love of heavenly PARENTS

Recieve your sight, your faith has healed you

Skeptics and faithful still contend

Faith and service

Terrence M. Vinsen

Build the lord's temple instead of staying in our safe houses

Earneth wages to put in a bag with holes (oooo graphics)

Less wifi and more Nephi

We shouldn't let the gospel be an added extra or just go to church 2 hours on Sundays. Church is extended 6 more days a week

Fair Dinkum->being commited

If we think things will be easy we will lose

Parable of the Fat Lip and Broken Jaw -> resulted in giving our all

Giving our all =/= blessings and success, Giving our all=Happiness

When he falls he shall rise again

Never waivered in faith and goodness, but deeply hirt for a long time

Wound expanding over our hearts

Pain in heart = Pain in soul, If we go to God it can be taken away

What should I do ghat I may have eternal life, that I shall return to God?

Prepare to give up all we have

Consider your ways

I hope this guy becomes an apostle 😍😍😍

Stephen W. Owen

Cellphone intentions quickly become distractions

Missed scripture study and subsequently the blessing and spiritual healing that comes with it

24 gour news cycle = bad

We must learn to recieve revelation

Herd of deer trapped outside of habitat-could starve. Deer can't eat well meaning hay -> starve to death with stomachs full

Spiritual nourishment is not trending on social media

Pride of world causes us to abandon church

Motions of spirituality do not mean true conversion

We need to be faithful, not faithless

Home centered church helps us thrive in days of spiritual malnutrition

Master of distraction, author of procrastination = Satan

Children need more of your time, not less

Curriculum for meetings is being adjusted

Moved to new neighborhood at age 14-> feels like tragedy

Parents, let youth know they are not alone as they walk

Your influence might be the church support that that young person needs.

D. Todd Christoffersen

We can feel joy regardless of what is happening or what's not happening in our lives

Those who serve God and are chaste are more joyful than those who are only obedient

Recieving the gospel makes us feel like a free bird

Be of good cheer

Joy of returning to geaven

Bring light, relief, and happiness ro our brothers and sisters

Michelle Craig

How can I tell when God is trying to tell me something?

Be intentional about creating time and space to hear God's voice

Imagine what would happen if we were as intent in staying connected to heaven as we were to staying connected to wifi

Lord can use your ordinary skills to accomplish his extraordinary work

Dale G. Renlund

New but unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ

Unchanging fidelity to God

MY ARCHAEOLOGIST BRAIN ISNT HAPPY WITH THE IDEA OF THROWING THE ITEMS RELATED TO OUR OLD IDENTITIES AWAY AND COMPLETELY DESTROYING IT

Begin new life in Christ

Spiritual sneeze, faithful flu- doesnt work

Recieve Christ's image more fully.

Constant flow of Faith

"Isn't this the truth that we have heard"

Anchor yourself to the Savior

Oaks

No.

Afternoon

David A. Bednar

Yesss its my boy

Camoflauged cro odiles -> Satan vs. Youth (Packer)

Cheetahs, fastest accelerating mammals on earth

Cheetahs stalk Topies while working in tandem to hunt them.

Alternating pattern to dostract and decieve the Topies and keep them from knowing there was any danger

Older Topies watching give warning and Topies escape.

Cheetahs still pursue, restless.

Beware of evil's beguiling disguises

Restored Gospel light in our lives

Stay awake and be alert

Don't be complacent or careless

A cheetah is a predator, Satan is the enemy of Righteousness

PLAN OF HAPPINESS Provides direction and enduring joy to God's Children

Lucifer seeks to frustrate our progression via misusing our bodies

Powerful parables are obtained from our daily lives

Ruben V. Alliad

Jesus is the Lord of Lost Things, he loves Lost Things

200 copies of the book of mormon in one room

"And when ye shall recieve these things..."

Pray about book of mormon and you WILL know that its true

Found directly through power of BOM

Think hard and answer honestly, follow up on baptism promises

Diligently seek the BOM

Holy Ghost confirms our knowlege

Russell M. Nelson

Youth Battalion

(If any of you saw my previous post this talk is what tipped my Grandmother off about Hitler's Youth)

Quentin L. Cook

Smartphones = bad

Youth must be the focus of Bishops and other leaders

Youth have more personal responsibility at you bf er and younger ages now

Announcements do not limit bishoos responsibility over Young Women

Young Women leader is besf for meeting the needs of Young Women

YOUNG MEN PRESIDENCIES NO MORE

Ward youth council, mutual is retired

Mark L. Pace

God loves us

70 steel piles provide firm foundation

Increase faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement

Adversaries increasing attacks on our faith

Come follow me a chance to bear testimony and learn differently

Consistent Effort throughout the week

Remodel home into center of Gospel Learning

Come follow me helpsnus establish foundation

L. Todd Budge

Peace and Joy when we surrender ourselves to God

Afflictions and Sorrow prepare us for joy -13th century poet

Afflictions are small

Life full of purpose and meaning

The lord will not allow us to suffer in darkness

How can we make it through the day without the Lord?

Questions and concerns -> Faith and Love

"I don't feel safe, but I am"

Wind never ceases to blow us towards the promised land

Didn't cease to praise the Lord

I really like this guy. He gives me peace and brings me joy

Jorge M. Aluardo

Some blessings come soon, late, or not until heaven, but they will come

Temple

Works at temple bless you with increased revelation and peace

Example of righteous parents

Strong familial chain link

Follow your own council (kid eating too much candy)

This man brings me joy

"Amazing Papa!"

Ronald A. Rasband

Grateful for the Lord's eternal companionship

Promises to improve

Promises to eachother increase promise to the Lord

Partnership with the Lord

The lord will be with you

Women's Session

Reyna J. Alberto

Black clouds which blind us and cause us to question God

When our minds are suffering, it is appropriate to seek help

Together we realize there is hope, and we do not have to suffer alone. Find resources about emotional illnesses!

Isolation thrives in secrecy and shrinks in empathy

When it comes to healing, we all need Him desperately

Nothing you have experienced will change the fact that you are God's child

Lisa L. Harkness

Living under Christ's name

Jesus is here for us

Do we honor the name of Christ

Bonnie H. Cordon

Sure knowlege of divine purpose and identity

NEW YW THEME ( I DIDNT CATCH THE WHOLE THING BUT): I am a beloved daughter of HEAVENLY PARENTS

Shift from we to I

Peace and Guidance will be yours

We need to have shelters and sanctuaries from life's storms

Be a light to those around you.

All classes are now unified under one name: Young Women

Every class should have a class presidency

Make the calling of leading class presidencies a priority

Revelation is real

We need the Wisdom, Council, and Energy in youth council

Henry B Eyring

Divine mission is to help lift the souls of others

We do not know the time or duration of our assignments

Preparation of a powerful loving heart

Minister to every stranger as a neighbor and a friend

We must be a mother in some way

Mold living clay to your hopes in tandem with God

God loves you

Oaks

NO!!! (Homophobic version)

Russell M. Nelson

He is now the church grandpa

Access to all spiritual treasures for Lord's children

How do we draw the savior's power in our life? Holy Ghost will prompt you

Bad men are not allowed- men must drink respect women juice

RESPECT WOMEN JUICE!!

Misogyny bad

Women are society's guardians, wonderful, magnificent

Covenants = Priesthood power for women

I LOVE MY NEW GRANDPA

Encouraged to participate in ward councils

166 temples and more to come (TEMPLES ANNOUNCED IN WOMEN'S SESS? THIS IS A FIRST)

8 new temples -> sierra leone, utah x2 , arkansas, philippines, texas, guatemala, utah

accept them as they are. not accept them...and then ask if you can read them a scripture. not accept them and then invite them to church. love them as a child of God before you love them as a member in this church.

as members of the church we are used to being ignored and judged for our faith but there comes a point where we have to acknowledge our own silent judgements when it comes to other people no — matter how minor they are.

in her case it wasn’t minor. if this was an year ago i would’ve stayed quiet and let her continue to spill the same hate, but fortunately i am no longer that 17 year old girl hiding a book of mormon from her parents and i know that my opinions are just as important as someone who has been here longer than i have.

i raised my hand and told her that there are millions of people who do the same to us — and if they were to keep the same attitude as her, to tune out due to difference, then bringing people to christ would be impossible.

i wouldn’t be in that room.

i refuse to believe that my parents are damned just because they worship differently. i refuse to believe that this is the only way and i was just “extremely lucky” because i was able to find it. my mothers prayers sound different when she hums them over me, but they still feel all the same. on easter, i go to church twice because there’s a girl inside me that still does the sign of the cross and hangs a rosary over rear view mirror. religion is so confusing at times, but it only has to make sense to you.

i just wanted to come up and ask on here if anyone has gone through the process of getting their own custom garments (“Special-Order garments per the handbook)?

the church mentions that special requirements can be made for “members who, due to their unique stature, require garments in a size that is not offered” and with me being very very very short — the majority of the garments go down to like two inches below below my knee with the waistline digging into my hip bones. i’ve TRIED almost all the sizes, petite, low waist, and EVERYTHING that has been recommended online but even still! i’m having trouble! the elastic waistbands dig into my hip bone and i keep waking up with purple marks. its become such a mental toll trying to wear these without just being overall uncomfortable.

i know it’s a big “hack” for members to get the smallest sizes in petite etc etc in order to be able to wear shorter shorts (not dissing! personally! i feel like it’s not anyone’s business what someone else chooses to do with their body) but that just leaves me with so little options as to what i can wear as those sizes are almost always sold out.

it’s just very frustrating seeing other members be able to wear shorts that aren’t adam sandler esque! i’ve tried finding clothing that can work with them but ultimately i left having to wear jeans in this HEAT. i dunno. i think i might talk to my bishop about it as i may just stop wearing the bottoms until i acquire a special made pair.

that being said — if anyone has gone through the process can you PLEASE let me know how it went! i’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s extremely difficult trying to get a special made order and i just don’t know if it’s worth it for me to even go through that or if i should just suck it up (but also it’s like! i’m going to have to suck this up for the rest of my life! ugh!).

That’s… not what culture means. Mormon culture…? As in a culture that is predominantly white-American?

I go to church every Sunday. Take sacrament and sing from the green hymn book. I watch conference and still don’t drink tea. I “thank God for the moisture outside.”

Is that not me acknowledging the “culture” I have as a Mormon?

Catholicism is so deeply rooted in Mexico’s history that when I talk about Catholicism I am not JUST talking about faith — I am also talking about my identity as Mexican. I do not see the rosary hanging over my mirror as a sign of “I am Catholic. The LDS church is false and Joseph Smith was a liar” but rather that I am protected, and have always been protected, by the same God who was there in my First Communion Sunday classes. When I repeated prayers that I didn’t understand yet.

i actually went up to give my testimony today (for the first time ever) and it was SO similar to this.

since its lent, i’ve been thinking about my family and why it is that i was led to find God here.

i know that God shows himself to us in the way that WE need it. i needed it here. for whatever reason, my family needed it in catholicism. my friend in islam. and that is okay. it’s not for me to try to make sense of it. it’s not for me to try to understand.

this is my truth. just mine.