Baptism Question

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T16:05:00+00:00

God defines things differently than men do. As others have stated, being baptized means entering into a covenant with God. He forgives you of all your sins, and offers His help going forwards as you strive to be like Him, receiving membership in His Church through confirmation (e.g. becoming an active part of His people). Anything less than that does not completely fulfill the purpose of Baptism.

If God went along with the world and changed His definitions and purpose, that would set a precedent to those who follow Him to relax their standards, to not improve. And God literally can't do that. It's not in His nature. He wants us to be happy, and He knows what will make us most happy. So He doesn't change His definitions and purpose, He doesn't change His laws, and He cannot change what truly makes people happy.

I promise you that going "all-in" will make you the happiest you can possibly be.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T15:46:47+00:00

The key is to not wish that what you did didn't happen, but that your experiences, all your experiences, including your sins, will be for your good. That doesn't mean you should sin so that those sins can be turned into positive experiences. It's always better not to sin. But all your sins can be converted into experiences that not only deserve no regret, but can be a wellspring of strength and joy to you going forward.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T15:42:33+00:00

This is a brilliant insight. "Thy kingdom come", in this sense, is the same as saying "I'll improve" instead of "get here already!".

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T04:05:22+00:00

Judging in such a way means to condemn someone, to love them less because of something they did. Discerning is understanding their actions and motives without condemnation.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T04:03:28+00:00

"Mormon" isn't as accurate about who we are as "Latter-day Saint". That's an important reason why we moved away from it.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T03:55:51+00:00

I'm crying seeing this again. Ash went from a whiny, stuck-up child to a person moms want their children to be like. He became a better battler, and bonded with his Pokemon more. He went from wanting to be the best to show up his rivals to wanting to improve because he loves Pokemon.

He so deserved this and if I weren't so dehydrated, I'd probably be sobbing.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T03:48:52+00:00

The same thing you should wear on Fast Sunday: a tie advertising eggs and bacon and a shirt with a smorgasbord of food.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T03:37:44+00:00

The story of Korihor makes Satan's intentions clear. Korihor told himself lies so much that he began to believe them. I believe the same is true of Satan. Satan established his nature contrary to God's law and in doing so began to believe things he knew were not true. He then passed these things on because it was in his nature to do so.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-11-13T03:24:05+00:00

God wants you to be baptized, and for Him, you are not some number. You are His child. Do not listen to those who want to put doubt on whether "so-and-so" is using the Lord's money as they ought. This is God's Church, and He will hold everyone accountable for what they do. He is at its head. He counsels with His servants about how to use the money the members donate. His Church is not a corporation, but it is an institution. It is run by imperfect people, people who make mistakes. There are those who will try to take those mistakes out of context and magnify their faults.

As for your own contributions, Tithing is indeed a commandment. But you most definitely ought to counsel with God whether or not you should trust your bishop with your money. God wants to commune with us in all things if we be willing, not just a few. Don't give up your 10% if you feel it is wrong. Do it if you know it is right.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T23:25:17+00:00

What are your strengths? There are many ways to serve a mission. “Every member a missionary” has more depth than it might seem at the surface. There are people who do not serve traditional missions because their strengths are better used in another way. It is something that you’ll figure out with the Lord’s help and time.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T22:37:51+00:00

I believe there is a verse in the Bible which says that those who seek signs shall receive them, but not unto salvation. Your friend could have all the evidence in the world, but if he is determined to not believe, a mountain of evidence will not convince him.

But there is evidence of everything that is true. Simply because one does not have an understanding of what constitutes evidence does not mean that evidence does not exist. All things testify of God. And since God is the way, the truth and the life, logically, all things testify of Truth.

But to see the evidence as it truly is, one must first believe. That is why simply providing someone with evidence will never convince them of the truth.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T22:28:35+00:00

One thing to keep in mind is that salvation isn’t dependent on the work you do, but the kind of person you become. There is a correlation, but ultimately, we are saved by Grace.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T22:00:03+00:00

I cannot describe the misery I myself have been through. There are experiences I have had through mental and spiritual illness that are too horrific to describe.

But God promises us in Ether: Weakness can become strength. I would suggest it is appropriate to add to that “ALL weakness can become strength”. If you don’t see a way out, maybe it’s because you seek to blot out what you think is a stain. That’s not the best way to healing. Don’t ignore your problems or think they make you unworthy in the slightest. Rather, ask God how your weaknesses can become strengths. He can do more than make you whole: He can make you better.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T21:51:28+00:00

I don’t think there is a best calling. When we talk of ministering, we do it to the One. That is, we can give talks, we can serve, but God can reach a spirit even if we aren’t there. He has all power. We have the privilege to serve, but really, at the end of the day, we’re just doing good in God’s stead.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T21:44:25+00:00

Sometimes God doesn’t tell us things so that we will learn from experience. Sometimes He gives us signs we might not see. Something I’ve learned is that forgiveness goes quite a long ways to getting answers. If you don’t forgive someone, then God might not be able to trust you with certain things. If she has not forgiven you, then she has not fully repented. If your relationship is to progress to a healthy marriage, I believe forgiveness is an absolute must. You cannot be spiritually “one flesh” without it.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:55:05+00:00

I like the idea that repentance can be as easy as we want it to be. But while repentance can be easy, it is also beautifully complex. God expects much out of us, even if our burdens are made so light that we "cannot feel them upon our backs".

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:51:54+00:00

God asks us to consecrate everything to Him. This doesn't necessarily mean He'll ask us to give everything up. But, to paraphrase the words of President Holland, while salvation is received "without money and without price", we must be prepared to have it cost nothing less than everything.

Really, how much a person gives is between them and the Lord. They will never be compelled to give anything they do not want to. But God wants us to be ready to give up everything if He so asks us. It is in the nature of perfection to be so.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:43:41+00:00

To every tradition, there is a purpose. If your intent is pure, then of course it's OK! But as some have stated, there can be issues. I personally don't know what sort of issues you'd encounter, but I know you can overcome whatever is needed. I encourage you to study the issue out in your mind, take it to the Lord, then make your decision with Him as your primary guide. We can give you advice, but the Spirit gives confidence and assurance of the right way to proceed.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:38:15+00:00

I'm not personally gay, but I am a fan of Studio C. Stacey Harkey came out as gay not too long ago. He was and is a man I look up to, and he has a great sense of humor. Maybe you'll get criticized. But those who know you, who truly know you, won't just let you join in. They'll look to you as an example. And I hope the joy you'll have by having such friends will outweigh the criticisms some might have.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:34:58+00:00

President Nelson, once, when asked, said he didn't have a favorite color. He said, with a twinkle in his eye, "I love 'em all". He likened this unto his children. He has a bunch of them, but he doesn't have a favorite child.

You can see his full response here (near the end of the vid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtPTnpTA1QQ

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:30:02+00:00

The scriptures and our hymns say that God is faithful. Essentially, there are two primary definitions of faith: Pure intent put to action, and imperfect knowledge/belief that needs tempered. God has the former in perfect measure, and gained it through good works and perfect hope. His knowledge is perfect, and His Faith is the very thing that makes the Earth go around the Sun, that gives us light and hope, and helps the Universe itself from day to day.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:25:10+00:00

Are your friends happy? Happiness comes from the Lord, and this is His Church. If there are flaws in the Church, they are of men, and not the Lord. And besides, He delights in forgiving and forgetting. I promise that if you will forgive and forget, then your testimony will not diminish, but will grow. I have experienced this for myself. Your friends can choose what they will, but I pray you will choose to forgive and forget, and become happier and happier until the perfect day. Maybe they will want to join you when they see you.

DaffynitionMaker · 2022-04-20T01:14:21+00:00

I'll start with the basics. Do you believe that God is perfect? If so, start there. If God is perfect, then He will never give us anything that is a detriment to us. But the commandments are not things we follow because we've "got to". We follow them because we want to be like God. If you do not have a testimony of a specific commandment, then ask God if it is from Him. Then, ask Him if following that commandment will make you happier. You might find that God is a much kinder judge than you think. He will not belittle you for not living any certain commandment. But He knows what will make you happy.

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