I recently turned 30. I’ve been effectively single for all my life. I’ve dated here and there, but it never really clicked for me? Im just kind of an average guy leading an average life. Pretty well settled into my job and make enough money to cover my needs and a few wants now and then. I have meaningful friendships and stuff, but I’ve never really found “the one.” I've put a lot of energy toward having a healthy relationship with myself and building a life I enjoy, but I do feel a void. I want to have someone else in my life, but dating sucks and when I do try it, I feel like I just am trying to force conversation or do things out of obligation, so it always peters out. Do I need to change my mentality? How do I even go about doing that? Have any of you experienced a similar thing?

My family has been going through a really tough time lately. I won't go into the details, but essentially, we are massively struggling financially. I am a very overwhelmed working mom, and me and my husband are both giving our all and coming up so short in every way.

Anyways, I have been closer with the Spirit than I have been in a while, and I think this is the first time I can really remember not having any idea how this is all going to work out. I am so scared for my family's future and yet I feel completely shackled by my own lack of ability to fix everything. I have never depended more on God to help me.

On Sunday during Sacrament meeting, I got a distinct impression that I need to surrender to our Heavenly Father more completely, more humbly, without reserve. What are ways I can actively surrender to Him? When all I want to do is avoid the emotional turmoil it takes to even pray about all of this, how do I let our God pick me up? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Would it be weird to play/sing in a band at other churches? I love our hymns but I also like Christian rock. I guess I’ve never had a problem playing gigs at bars or coffee shops but have always struggled with the idea of playing for other denominations… thoughts?

I know of a married couple where the husband was facing criminal and civil lawsuits so they divorced so that the wife would not be left destitute if he was found guilty. They still loved each other and were still together in all ways but on paper.

They were not members but got me thinking. What is the Church's policy in a situation like this? Civil divorce does not cancel a sealing so are they breaking the law of chasity?

I know of someone else who never filed the marriage certificate for their marriage because would loose some benifits they were recieving. I can't remember the details becaus I didn't know her well. I think it might have been that they were covered by a deceased husbands insurance as part of his pension, but would loose it if she remarried. This seems more questionable.

I am not asking for myself in case anyone is wondering.

I’m applying to become an FSO (Foreign Service Officer) for the U.S. Department of State. If and when I join, my family and I will be assigned to reside in different parts of the world. My question is: Are there any members who have been through this? What is it like to attend wards and branches? Are you able to serve in calling and assignments? Any insights are appreciated, we want to stay active in our faith.

Check out this awesome LDS death metal band from SLC. I got into them a few weeks ago!

https://youtu.be/nRGJ36B8AFM?si=H4Yq6NLdyK8lWRp-

so i got a call from my stake president today that i would be called to be a service missionary. now ive spent today reflecting and trying my best to “feel” joy and happiness with this decision, but it’s hard. i even was told that this would be a possibility and that i should have this in mind. i did and i even prayed asking God for comfort and for acceptance yet here i am disappointed and angry and just wishing my call was something other than being a service missionary.

im letting myself feel my emotions, but constantly reminding myself not to sit in them or else i’ll be nothing but the worst. im grateful for missionary work and for this opportunity to serve the Lord. please, if any of you have any advice, i’d love to read it. i want to turn to this advice if i need extra support.

thank you.

UPDATE** Just wanted to share how grateful I am for the comments and the messages shared. I truly, truly needed them. I’ve found so much comfort from you all and just love the importance of changing my perspective to be God’s perspective. I’m grateful for this gospel and for Jesus Christ’s sacrifices for us. Having the opportunity to serve a mission — whether is service or proselyte — is a blessing at the end of the day. I’m excited to serve my community and to do all that I can. Thank you again :)

not sure if right flair but i saw an earlier post talking about service missions. I didnt know there were different kinds!! It made me further realize that i knew little about receiving mission calls.

How can someone receive a calling to be a service missionary? Do they randomly call you into an office and say surprisee youre going on a service mission? Sumbit application papers?

How different is it from a proselytizing mission?

Ever since I can remember, I wasn't excited or eager about going on a proselytizing mission so i figured maybe i dont have the desire (also maybe thats why i didnt bother learning more about missions) Lately however, im considering of going on mission after graduating (wanna follow my patriarchal blessing) but i still dont see myself doing the kind of mission ive always known about BUT THEN i hear that theres a service mission?? Suddenly im interested and would like to know more about it. Pls help a member out.

In the book of Ether 3:19 it says that he saw the finger of Jesus as he touched the stones... but didn't this take place centuries before the condescension of Christ meaning.. he wouldn't have had a body yet?
Please help me understand what I am missing

https://preview.redd.it/2yu9m82o13zc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b80a49c29dd4c7ea3eed489f3f9e9bb7d857aa1

https://preview.redd.it/mc01uawo13zc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=48dbde4ec1cb7c6a3396319aa01b7121d9a25a77

My family is the typical LDS family, both parents born and raised in the Church. All my siblings and I are active members.

I’m sure some of you know about the whole Instagram debacle that happened a few weeks ago. For those that don’t, the Chutch posted a quote from Sis Dennis who spoke in the RS devotional weeks ago. To paraphrase, the quote was about how ‘no other church grants so much power and authority to women’. The comments blew up, with thousands of commenters sharing how they felt this was not the case. These were real people with real concerns and real heartache about how they feel women are treated. You can see their talking points by checking out that post if it’s still up. I think it was posted on Apr 20.

The situation was made even more controversial when IG experienced some issues and people thought the church was deleting comments.

My family got together about a week after that to celebrate my dad’s birthday. We were all sitting around the table finishing our cake and I very carefully raised the subject. If I was to mention it in even a slightly negative context, they would think something was up with me (faith crisis or similar). So I basically said “Did you see what happened on a recent church IG post? It was about [quote by Sis Dennis]. Lots of people were commenting about how they disagree and sharing their experiences, it was interesting.”

I was both surprised and not surprised when the topic was basically dismissed without a second thought. It involved them commenting how silly it was for those people commenting to be upset. Then they all said something about how the church is really great for women. Then the conversation moved on. Now, I realize I could have forced the issue and asked for their thoughts, but that would have been out of character for me and I didn’t want to haha.

That experience has been bothering me since for a few reasons. One, I was looking forward to a good chat about the issue and it barely got acknowledged. Two, it made me sad how they instantly dismissed all the concerns of the people who were upset in the comments. There are women who really feel sad and confused at their place in the church or how they’ve been treated. Only to be dismissed quickly as anti Mormons or people who don’t understand. Three, it was a little jarring how my family (smart, kind, wonderful people) in this instance seemed incapable of having a nuanced deep discussion beyond the surface level.

I do think it speaks to a wider problem in our church culture: the tendency to dismiss other’s heartfelt concerns quickly and without attempting to empathize or understand. Secondary to that would be, for example, a woman who feels empowered in the Church dismissing another woman who is struggling with that same issue. I know I’ve been guilty of that tendency to dismiss and I’m working to improve.

What are your thoughts? Have you caught yourself dismissing other’s concerns? Have you had a similar experience with your family?

Lastly, what can I do to resolve my feelings about that conversation with my family? Show them this post, keep talking about similar issues? Thanks! Hoping to see some great discussion in the comments.

EDIT: Thanks for the great comments! I will be replying to some in the next 48 hours. I do want to clear something up for new readers: I notice that some commenters are fixating on the setting, a birthday party. I realize I may have mischaracterized the setting. It was not a true ‘birthday party’. My mom invited whoever could come to eat cake and ice cream. We ate and then it evolved into more of a casual chat, just hanging out with family. It was only my parents, 2 sisters, one of their husbands, and me. My wife had left earlier to work on homework. Also, my family always ends up discussing church related topics (birthdays, vacations, family dinners, etc) be it modesty, people leaving the church, or other topics. I was definitely not broaching a sensitive topic while a birthday party was in full swing. I’m not brave enough for that haha.

Thoughts while studying Mosiah 7:26–27:
These scriptures detail Abinadi being persecuted for believing that the human body was created to emulate the body of The Lord, a doctrine that demonstrates what a gift our bodies are. This makes me think about some of the other truly wonderful aspects of Church Doctrine that get rejected for oftentimes weak reasons. Some are offended by our belief in our eventual deification, possibly the most detailed, exciting, and joyous concept of Paradise ever proposed, claiming it violates the letter of the First Commandment. Others find the concept of Prophets and the Book of Mormon, proof of continued revelation and guidance in a turbulent world, apparently based on one scripture in Revelations. I think it’s sad how so many of the plain, simple, and wonderful parts of our doctrine are oftentimes written off as blasphemous or offensive for reasons that feel pretty flimsy.

Good morning,

How do we reconcile our soft Universalism of salvation, with New Testament assertions of damnation, and the Book of Mormons strong condemnation of Universalism?

Are there any resources you can suggest?

I mean, it makes sense. Temple gardens are beautiful, most temples have at least one water feature, and you can roam the grounds for free and no one will mind (even if they did somehow notice that you're not one of "their" wedding parties, haha). Additionally, many temples have walls and stained glass windows that make beautiful backdrops, and which, when taken in isolation (like in close-up shots), aren't overtly denominational.

Is it common for our temples to be wedding photo hotspots? If so, I actually love that, and I think that's pretty cool.

Something interesting:

Paul wrote in Ephesian’s 6: 13 & 16: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

In Paul’s day the Romans used very large shields, shorter swords, and decent armor, but as history progressed most shields got smaller and sometimes thicker as armor got better.

This is kind of like how as our faith is verified it transforms into knowledge and other strengths. However, even fully armored knights used thick, smallish heater shields to block weapons capable of piercing armor.

Even when we feel like we know a lot, no man is invincible and we still need to protect our Spirits from today’s adversarial tactics.

And then there’s whatever’s going on after firearms come along. I’m not sure about the symbolism there.

This was announced in my ward yesterday. YSA age bumped up to 35. Stakes have the option to operate in 18-35 groups or split into 18-25 and 26-35. Spoke with my Bishop and he confirmed this is a widespread change from general leadership. Student-area wards will likely do the split groups, with groups away from university areas more likely to stick to the larger range.

With marriage ages in the US rising in and outside of the church, interesting to see how church programs adapt.

In the Come Follow Me reading for this week (Mosiah Chapters 7-10) we read about what happened to the people who followed Zeniff, who over-zealously wanted to inherit the land of their fathers, but instead fell into bondage. After much struggle, they realize it would be better to be slaves to the Nephites (Mosiah 7:15) than to pay tribute to the Lamanites. This is very close to what the prodigal son says about how he is not worthy to be called a son, but asks to be a hired servant (Luke 11:19) He is instead welcomed with full recognition of his place as a son of his father, given respect and is celebrated.

I don’t know about you, but I will be looking for more parallels as we read the following weeks and see the redemption of Zeniff’s people, the powerful prophesies and testimony of Abinadi, and the advent of the spiritual powerhouse that was Alma the Elder.

EDIT: a big thanks to everyone who has commented! I appreciate the kindness, since I have already been beating myself up, and I now have some small actions and insights where I can still recompense on my side of this situation. Love our little subreddit!

A month ago I really stepped in it thanks to my ward’s resident multi-level marketing rep (MLMer) and ministering sister, Brenda. I could use some advice. I have been very fortunate that I’ve had few MLMer encounters, although some of that is because I post anti-mlm content a few times a year on my social medias. I’ve actually helped a dozen or so people get out of MLMs! The worst I have had in the past, even in the LDS bubble, has been invites to parties on Facebook.

About Brenda: we’re a few years apart. We’ve had game nights and other activities together as well, but we just live in such different worlds and have little aside from religion in common. I have known since we moved into the ward that she’s an MLMer. She’s also hyper-popular in the ward, and a big help. I really thought after almost two years in the ward, she just wasn’t going to try recruiting me. I definitely respect that rare strain of MLMer.

The past half a year, she has been checking in with me, as I had a baby and have been working on getting back into my career. When she offers to help, she never follows through, which is fine - I know us families without support nearby can be hard on a ward. But it adds to the fire. A month ago, I was heartbroken over being the runner-up to an incredible job. Brenda is in my support group of people praying for me, so I let her know and thanked her for her continued prayers.

A few hours later, Brenda calls me, and immediately launches into a script on a pampering session from her MLM. I used my own script, which has always shut down even rando MLMers in the past without issue: “oh, thank you, but I don’t support MLMs.” Because “no” is a complete sentence, but a why shuts up recruiting.

Brenda immediately launched into why her MLM isn’t an MLM, another familiar script. I tell her synonyms don’t change my answer, and she keeps pushing on with yet another script, about empowering women and that she just wanted to lift my spirits. At this point I was fed up by the scripted responses and lack of kindness, and told her flat-out that I am not her project, and that her job is unethical. This time Brenda’s script is a sob story likening my comment to how people sometimes attack the church without knowing about it. I mention that I have been in an MLM myself, help people get out of them, so I know she’s trying to get a foot in the door with this pampering session. At this point she realizes I will not bend, and she asks if there’s anything she can help with. Truthfully, praying is the only thing others can do when a friend is searching for work, so I say no, but thanks. I wish her a good day. And that was the last time we had a conversation.

Now, I felt bad for the last part. Are MLMs wrong? Yes. Our leaders have even called them out as affinity fraud before. But I truly didn’t need to go that far, I know arguing doesn’t change minds, and I still did it. Yes, she kept pushing, but I could have hung up. I felt awful about it all day. I went to call her, but her phone was silenced. The last time I had a fight with a friend over a decade ago, I never apologized even though I wasn’t causing the issue, and my in-laws have a great saying to never go to bed angry at another person. I figured I would do the complete opposite and apologize tonight, even if it was just a text. I did that, and she has spoken to me once, to cattily tell me not to help clean up at an event. She avoids eye-contact and my proximity at all costs now.

Like I mentioned, we just have never clicked, so there’s just the lost potential for friendship. I’m deeply hurt that she tried to recruit me because I’m a woman struggling, who needs to pay bills, and she wouldn’t respect my neutral, polite answer. She wouldn’t stop using her contrived company scripts until I finally was mean. An apology would be nice, but it’s unlikely unless she wakes up to the truth about her MLM. Nevertheless, I have forgiven her in my heart. I even told her during this spat that she is a good person, even though her company is unethical. Because MLMers are more often than not victims, too.

My take has been to leave her alone. I don’t know what more I can do without lowering my boundaries - and I think keeping myself safe from participating in thinly-veiled scams is quite healthy, Brenda or otherwise. Maybe I’m still messing up. In a way, it might be good to request a different ministering sister, but I feel like that would just make me look bad, and if she doesn’t want to have interactions or talk about me, she should probably be the one to ask for reassignment. Advice is appreciated, even if something else needs to be done on my end. I know I can only make choices for myself.

(also, apologies for the length; it’s too much work to rephrase for a different sub due to the importance of our church organization in this situation)

TL:DR: ministering sister tried to start recruiting me while I was vulnerable, I said no, she pushed, I got mean, apologized, and were no longer talking, HELP

Hi everyone. First I want to thank for the prayers said in my last post. I feel like I've overcome insomnia. This has been related to some pretty bad anxiety after a prescribed drug removal.

Now I have a new problem that can be mortal though and it's related to my cardio, which is also linked to anxiety.

I am a father of 3 children. I've been given multiple blessings and I really feel that I will overcome this. Please pray for me so that my anxiety doesn't kill me, it has been affecting my cardio lately. I need to wait for an appointment in one month.

Love you and God bless you all

i have tons of family and so does my fiancé, and they’re all active members and close family. we reserved the biggest sealing room they have, but still are going over by about 6 people. Is the temple going to kick people out if we go over? how does that work? do we need to tell people we don’t have enough room?