Search Results for: blog gospel questions what if i want to leave the church

A Mistake in my Youth

In Sunday school this past week, I shared a story that was a little embarrassing, but did pertain to the lesson. The teacher asked if any of us had ever had a time when we wished that we were not who we were, or if there was a time when we didn’t want to make it known that we were LDS. I immediately thought of a story from my teenage years. As a teenager, living in Texas, I was usually very proud of who I was. All of my friends were non-mormon, and frequently asked me questions about my religion. … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Janet Kay Jensen

Today we are joined by Janet Kay Jensen, author of “The Booklover’s Cookbook” and “Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys.” Janet, your new book “Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys” came out at a time that was very significant in our current affairs. Warren Jeffs was on the front of every newspaper. Did his story inspire you to write the book at that time, or was the book already in the works and came out coincidentally at the same time the Jeffs story broke? I actually started the book in 2000, when Warren Jeffs was not on the FBI’s Most … Continue reading →

One Lost Boy: His Escape from Polygamy – David Beagley

This nonfiction memoir by author David Beagley was a fascinating account, but I have to say upfront, I found the title misleading. He did escape from polygamy, but that only encompasses part of the story, rather than making up the entirety of the plot. We go with David not only as he leaves his polygamist family, but as he later serves a mission and marries. When David was six years old, his father, tired of the whole “marriage” thing and looking for a way to justify stepping out on his wife, fell in with a group who had all the … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What about Those Latte-Drinking Mormons?

A non-member friend recently asked me: Is it true I can’t drink tea, coffee, alcohol and be a Mormon? And why did the missionaries tell me I couldn’t drink coffee, but my Mormon friend goes to Starbucks every day for a latte? As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have what is called “The Word of Wisdom.” This is a revelation that was given to Joseph Smith which gives us guidelines about the care and nourishment of our bodies. In this revelation, we are counseled to stay away from coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco. There … Continue reading →

When Loved Ones Apostatize

As members of the Church, we are asked not to sympathize with apostate groups. But what do we do when someone close to us, perhaps even a member of our own family or a spouse, chooses to apostatize? This question has caused a great deal of concern amongst members of the Church. They feel that they are being asked to turn their backs on their loved ones, to stop associating with those who have left the Church, and to cut off familial ties. How can this be, when the Church is centered around families? The answer to this is quite … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: “Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life”

Our Gospel Doctrine lesson this last Sunday was entitled “Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life,” as found in 2 Nephi 1-2. Another recommended reading source for this lesson is Moses 5:10-12. 2 Nephi chapter one contains advice from Father Lehi given to his sons shortly before his death. He makes promises to them, predicated on their righteous obedience. However, the Lord does not force us to do anything – we may choose for ourselves to accept those conditions and receive those blessings, or to disregard the conditions and see what happens instead. In chapter two, look for the words … Continue reading →

LDS Week in Review: October 22-28

Tristi offers more insight to the basics of the gospel in Gospel Questions: What If I Want to Leave the Church? She also continues her study of the scriptures in 1 Nephi 11:1-11, 1 Nephi 11:12-23, and 1 Nephi 11:24-36. Miriam offers five suggestions to help bring your family closer together in Protecting Families. She also gives suggestions to cover around the dinner table in Dinner Discussions 2007 Week 39. Miriam reports on her preparedness and issues a new set of challenges in November Preparedness Goals. Family Home Evening: Five Ideas to Help You Spend Time Together focuses on family … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What If I Want to Leave the Church?

Of course it saddens us greatly when a member of the Church decides they don’t want to be a member any more. We believe that the source of true happiness is from having a close relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We believe that our religion most closely mirrors the Church as originally set up by Jesus Christ Himself while He was on the earth. When someone decides to separate themselves from the Church, we sorrow at all they might be missing. However, we do not force them to remain a member. I have heard stories … Continue reading →

LDS Week in Review August 27-September 1

I want to start the week in review by saying good bye to Nola. She explains her decision to leave in Farewell. I have really enjoyed reading her insights and having her as a coblogger. I wish her the very best. I also want to welcome Tristi aboard as an LDS blogger. She has been blogging here for some time in both Media and Movie reviews. She has also completed some guest LDS blogs. I know that she will have a lot to share as well. In Chronology of the Old Testament Nola explains how the events in the Old … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Inspirational Thoughts from President Hinckley

This month’s First Presidency message was available online yesterday, February first. I encourage you to head over and look at it. And if looking is too difficult, the church has allowed us the option of listening to both the home and visiting teaching message. Since the layout of the website has changed, I’ll let you know that both messages are in the upper lefthand corner, under the picture of President Hinckley. President Hinckley, by the way, prepared the home teaching message for the month. Rather than a full-length article, it is a combination of inspirational thoughts taken from various addresses … Continue reading →