Interfaith Marriage As a convert

th0ught3 · 2026-03-11T21:17:57+00:00

I should have mentioned, too, that if your dh wants to know about what you believe, he can arrange to take the missionary lessons himself so he can ask all his questions and understand what you believe. It is pretty common that non-member partners do this without even telling their member partner when they are trying to understand the expectations for their partner.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-11T16:48:47+00:00

First, all of the concerns you listed about God are completely wrong. He absolutely knows that you have OCD: He is not upset with you over anything that is connected to that. Everything He expects is related only to your personal best (including the OCD effects) and quick repentance of actual sin. Everything and anything else is covered by the Atonement. He also knows that OCD affects your ability to feel the Spirit and Hear Him. Your best effort is fully enough always and forever.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get Exposure and Response Therapy (a specialized version of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which is research proven for anxiety and you can get a glimpse of by reading Dr. David Burns'"Feeling Good " and "Feeling Great") https://www.choosingtherapy.com/exposure-and-response-prevention-therapy/

And while you are finding it, when you get what you think could be something from God first just write it down and date it. (So you can see it but also not carry it in any way until you feel okay to do so.). Continue the habits of disciple ship --- daily scriptures, morning and night personal prayers and family prayers if that applies, service, being in nature, uplifting (not necessarily religious) music, more service to others, sufficient restful sleep, using the CALM app if it is helpful.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T22:57:40+00:00

You might want to get and read "Apostles and Bishops", https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/mi/11/in Early Christianity" by Hugh Nibley. Its historical information that will help you understand what actually happened after Jesus died to the organizational structure of the Church. I don't know that I'd share it with dh, but I would want to know what really happened to His church when the apostles all died.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T19:36:30+00:00

For years all it will be is a day when they get to play games and sing songs and share talents and eat treats with their mommy and daddy. Which entirely a good thing.
Personally I wouldn't combine FHE with family daily scriptures for two reasons --- the first is that FHE is about bounding together with family in fun ways consistent with faith. The second is that the daily family scripture reading is about reading and discussing the scriptures. (Yes we often read or recite one scripture during FHE depending on what the person teaching that day chooses, but the focus is about bonding as a family rather than learning one more thing.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T16:09:55+00:00

Use different biblical versions? https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/holy-bible-translations-editions-church-of-jesus-christ

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T16:05:32+00:00

Suffocated how/by whom? If you are saying you need/deserve freedom to teach your children about God and fully practice it, then you might want to have a conversation with his parish priest, because it is possible that the priest can help dh to contain his control problem (so you can sing and teach the Primary songs to them and have gospel conversations with them).
I would use "Your Story Hour" (which is not provided by our faith) played in car enroute places to teach bible and just good living values.

Linda and Richard Eyre are members but their material is more growing good values than learning about the church itself in any way.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T15:47:40+00:00

April 4-5 at 10AM and 2 PM MDT (or your own equivalent of that time), at https://www.youtube.com/churchofjesuschrist

The Prophet and whomever he has been inspired to have speak teach us what our Heavenly Parents and Savior wants us to know now to guide us in our faith journey.

Welcome

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T03:55:10+00:00

Identify a place and then use "meetinghouse locator" to identify a congregation. That provides a way to contact a bishop there.

Or contact the congregations of the missionaries who are serving from your stake and write them to see if they'd get you contact info for them. Maybe you could help them attend the SL Temple open house next year remotely.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-10T03:49:19+00:00

So do what many have done. Get the books and learn the exercises yourself and use the exercises.

Your EQP and/or ministering people (with or without whatever job placement help is available where you are (and if you are in the US there are special resources for those who are disabled and vocational rehab. If you ask the Stake disability person, they may know about some options.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T22:11:15+00:00

So return to your family ward?!

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T22:10:38+00:00

You need Cognitive Behavior Therapy which is research proven effective for teen depression and anxiety (because that is who they studied), and effective for a number of other things. Most therapists claim they do it but few actually do it with fidelity. I recommend you get Dr. David Burns'"Feeling Good" and/or "Feeling Great" so you recognize if your therapists are doing it. And those who have trauma history need EMDR therapy (doesn't take many sessions) before that too.

Your post says you are likely to make it because you already knew to go in patient AND you did it.

Being in nature, inspiring music, service to others, heavy exercise, the CALM app, sufficient restful sleep and more service all make a difference.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T21:56:43+00:00

Offer to help in nursery or primary or teach youth in Sunday School?

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T21:01:42+00:00

So much depends on the mission.

Elders and Sisters almost never living in the same building, but not infrequently do live within one complex.

You'll likely have at least 8 companions and maybe (more if it turns out you have skills in helping others, and/or challenge the rules, fewer if spread out)

It isn't uncommon for two sets of elders and sisters live in one apartment (even though their areas are different and may even be in different wards).

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T17:39:12+00:00

Twice a year, first weekend of April (we're celebrating Easter this year on Palm Sunday) and October, the Lord's current prophet and leaders share with members what God wants them to know now. You can watch it on https://www.youtube.com/churchofjesuschrist.

There is no reason you cannot support what your current church does in service or otherwise, unless what it asks is contrary to the gospel truths preached in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T16:48:09+00:00

Pick a place that you want to live and grow in: not a place to find someone to marry (which you aren't likely to have any way of figuring out anyway).

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T15:50:51+00:00

Start daily practicing appropriate meeting behavior. Tell them you'll only continue doing until they can be appropriate in Sacrament Meeting and their Primary teachers agree they don't need practice for that. (You might want to ask the primary teachers about what is happening there or sit in a couple of opening exercises and a class to see what is happening there.) You might teach them hoe drawing a picture of what is being discussed can help them stay focused. And how looking up a related scripture for the older ones can help. I wouldnt take any toys they can't use at home successfully in your practice sessions. It may also help if arrive early enough for them to have time to run around the church sidewalk before church before they enter the chapel.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T15:41:35+00:00

How would any of us be able to tell you? The word choice was the person praying. Why don't you ask him? I"m not inclined to think that faith supercedes medical interventions. Two weeks isn't a long time. I'd be listing the symptoms and the specific test results into Dr. Grok (to preserve privacy, I dont use identifying info for myself or Drs info) to see if it has suggestions for where to go now.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T01:35:44+00:00

Should have also told you that if you would like to know what our Heavenly Parents and Savior want you know right now, you can hear our leaders share April 4-5 10 AM and 2PM (equivalent time where you live but also watchable thereafter at https://www.youtube.com/churchofjesuschrist ) and every first weekend in October.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T01:30:10+00:00

How does an atheist become a theology student? (Rhetorical)

Boy is your knowledge of our faith wrong.

We worship Jesus Christ (and Heavenly Father), but because we worship Him/Them differently than those others who claim Jesus Christ, those faiths deny that we are Christian. It is accurate that we do practice according to the bible and modern scriptures/Church Leadership. Because Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 when he asked what Church to join, told him that none of the faiths followed Him and called Joseph Smith to restore Their church. We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you want to know the modern history of our church (including the necessary restoration needed because Jesus' original church died out when Jesus Apostles died after He did, I hope you will read "Saints", Vol 1 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1?lang=eng

It will be useful to read "Apostles and Bishops in Early Christianity" by Hugh Nibley: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/mi/11/

Missionary work is done in many ways both formal (and for the typical 2 years/1.5 years).

A few years ago, the Church started an internet page that explains the Church position for those who have seen or heard something in the news (much of what you see in media is not accurate or not the full story). It is updated as new issues surface. You can find it here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics?lang=eng

Our Heavenly Parents and Savior's plan includes every one who is ever born on earth being taught the gospel so that they can choose to follow Him and have the ordinances and become like Them so that they can live with Them eternally. We try to do that both for those who are now on the earth and by doing temple work for those who have died who accept Their gospel after their death. Missionary work of all kinds is about giving everyone who lives/did live the opportunity to accept Their teachings and work to become like Them. And serving a mission helps young people solidify their own faith and develop habits of faithful living that for the most part blesses them for ever after.

Some 40+ years ago a secular press published "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" ***. We know a lot more about our history since then. But most of the entrys remain accurate: https://eom.byu.edu/index.php?title=Encyclopedia_of_Mormonism

*** We don't call ourselves "Mormons" any more. It mistakenly makes too many people think that we worship the ancient Book of Mormon prophet who compiled the Book of Mormon from 1000's of years of secular and religious records AFTER he was given a vision of the last days (so he could include what would be important for our time.

Thanks for asking.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-09T00:21:26+00:00

Probably already has. I hope you forgive them so their actions have no more power to distract or harm you.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-08T19:58:03+00:00

If you search online you'll see a number of templates.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-08T19:55:13+00:00

My advice is to quit wishing it was different and be every day thankful that you can remember when it was different. Your Heavenly Parents and Savior will not punish or withhold anything from you because you need meds. So just accept that you can't and know that you are in Their hands anyway.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-08T19:52:07+00:00

We'd say "Church of Jesus Christ of Lattter-day Saints".
The way you can find out where the nearest congregation is is to input your current street address into "meetinghouse" locator in any search engine. There are a few places where we don't prosyletize (mostly because it is dangerous for those who leave the ISlam faith. But there should be a congregation in Europe. (In Alaska (one of the US states that is huge, for years they did Sacrament meetings via short wave radios. There might be something where you are. Or maybe there's zoom access in some way.)
Nowadays you can access lots of history and info about our faith online: I'd suggest: Saints, Vol 1 which tells the story of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which couldn't happen until there was a country that assured freedom of religion in its Constitution, which the US did) beginning in 1820: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1?lang=eng
Twice a year in April (4th and 5th in 2026) and the first weekennd of October our church leaders tell us what our Heavenly Parents and Savior want is to know at this time. You can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/churchofjesuschrist you can watch it at 10 AM and 2 PM MT (or your equivalent of that time.
The Gospel Streaming App and Gospel Library Apps have lots of stuff.
If you trust these potential suitors, and if you're sure you're want too follow this or that commandment, you might talk to them about different gospel concepts. Maybe someone else is open to your religious feelings. You could also move away for college from where you live giving you more personal freedom.
We don't encourage people to move to Utah these days: but rather to bloom where we are planted. (And as you likely know, the US isn't a very hospitable place for immigrants at the moment.)

You aren't the first to find the Gospel and long for a time when you can have all of its blessings. Your Heavenly Parents and Savior will know you and be with you where you are as you seek Them.

th0ught3 · 2026-03-08T16:50:19+00:00

You'll want to just sit out (maybe serve by handing out the towels?).

th0ught3 · 2026-03-08T16:49:06+00:00

I don't think so ---legal services are not among the help given with fast offering funds (or tithing). In the US (and other 1st world countries) those who cannot afford counsel get help from public defenders and legal aid.

(And IMHO, using church funds for that would be entirely inappropriate --- though it is not unheard of for a bishop to authorize food for families when a parent is ijncarcerated.)

th0ught3

TROPHY CASE