Rain

My husband can attest to how painful this is as we have 2 fig trees that he has to trim. Even with long sleeves, pants etc he always manages to have a problem with it.

Thank you! As I was writing that post I was thinking about medical providers and how so many people find them through their insurance, but since insurance often doesn't cover therapy you can't always find even a list of therapists let alone anything really about them.

I get your rant! I recently read a book in book club that would have been very sweet, but at the end got a preachy version of that exposition. I was thinking, "do this man's actions not show what you are saying enough?"

Would you please share how to find one with a good fit? I suspect your knowledge would be just for the US, but maybe you have knowledge outside.

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It may just be where you lived? I've heard a few members speak against it because of their idea, paraphrased, "if you empty your mind Satan can get in" and other things like that. I also heard negativity towards yoga for many years till long after it was becoming widely available as an exercise practice and not just religious.

Start learning mindfulness. There are a lot of apps and youtube channels that can help you get started. I like the app called Smiling Mind. It is free, but you can donate to it if you want. Mindfulness helps you be present. But it's not just being mindful with sounds, sights, things you touch etc., but also with your thoughts.

Recently, I was with someone who was going through a tough time. I no longer believe in the church and am unsure of my feelings about Jesus, but I understand the doctrine. Your son sounds like he may have feelings similar to this person. My active, believing husband was in the room. I feel very stongly that God loves each of us. I asked this person if they would like a blessing because it might bring them comfort. I expected they would say no and they did, but I can't imagine Heavenly Father saying no to a blessing like that when it might bring them comfort or understanding. Sometimes I think people are too worried about the correct thing instead of the right thing. More important than asking if it is appropriate though I think that it is more important to ask if you are offering out of love or out of changing him. They are not the same thing. You can want to change him because you love him, but change has to be his choice and if he feels your desire for change rather than your desire for love it will put a wedge between you.

I think the biggest problem might be how many might think the church approved of their match and therefore God approved of them getting married. In a non-affiliated place people may at least think that the system doesn't work or the right person may not have joined, but in a church owned one far too many would think it is God's way and they should be together despite any signals they see that they should not.

I hope it goes well and gives you many good memories.

This is oddly so very comforting. I say oddly, not because you said something odd, but because what I am dealing with currently is so totally unrelated and yet your post has brought comfort to me because you took the time to truly understand. Today, apparently, I just needed someone to focus on my needs without focussing on my most difficult things going on. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

Doing the happy dance!

Nope. Our plan was for my husband to sit next to my daughter since I was a witness. But they had both me and the other mom sit next to the couple and both of the dad's, (other dad was the other witness) sit in the regular attendee's chairs.

Odd. The only complaint I had was when my daughter asked me to be a witness to her sealing, the temple told us that they don't have witnesses sit in the witness chairs anymore. I didn't care about being in the chair. It just bothered me that the chairs were important till women could sit in them. Especially since the chairs were still there, but now were empty.

Rest assured, I'm sure that Bluebell's post is not so much about bending or breaking rules of this bishop, but more about whether policies have changed and if the church is ok with these experiences being open to others.

Shouldn't need to. The requirements: "The person who gives the blessing: Addresses Heavenly Father. States that the blessing is given by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Gives the child a name. Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ." My husband says the only wording that would need to be changed may be typical, cultural wording. However, @bluebell I found this on the same page: "In conformity with this revelation, only worthy men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may participate in naming and blessing children." https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/family-guidebook/priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng

Welcome to the board! Thanks for the review.

That's good to know!

You've got that right.

Thanks. I have like it a lot better as it just gives 1 picture I can actually see rather than a dozen tiny ones.

It's not a matter of seeing you as a potential friend, rather than a threat. It's not like women are usually choosing between the two and you are a threat. It's about seeing you as BOTH a potential friend and a potential threat.

And also recognize that Choosing ye this day and choosing/serving the Lord may look different for me than it does for you. Just because my answer is different than someone else's doesn't mean I was not serving the Lord. Yes, or sometimes that if my answer was different I could have been sincere, but not in tune enough or deceived.

I have a family member in the hospital. Obviously, this is hard on my mental health. I'm grateful that instead of the hospital staff saying, "it's not healthy to worry" they are saying, "we know you are worried. Go home and get a good night's rest. We'll take care of them while you sleep. We've got this." It's a given that it is not healthy for women to be worried about the men around her. I'm really frustrated that now the extra burden of stop being mentally unhealthy is being put on us. I would love it if men said instead, "we know this worries you. We're ready to help make things safe for you so you can rest. We've got this." Because as long as women are not safe and cannot tell who is safe they are in a mentally unhealthy situation. I know the harder thing is to fix the safety situation and I in no way claim to have the answers, but it would be good to question what can be done about the patient/safety issue instead of telling women/family members to quit worrying because it is unhealthy.

I really appreciate this. I do not have knowledge of the people and theories you talked about but so much went along with my experience. I truly tried to seek God's will and follow what He said in my whole process. I started with the very basics of the doctrine and talked with my husband and other active, believing members. I just didn't get the same answer even though I was willing and ready to do what God wanted me to do, whatever that was. This subject is hard for me to talk about here as board rules don't allow for me to share my story, but it really goes into the heart of what is being asked for in this topic. I'm ok with that, but if people want to get a full understanding of the subject they may need to go off board to do so. NOT saying I am the answer as sometimes I feel like I'm one of the few that went through it like I did or at least that most are not sharing similar experiences in the places I am.

Thanks for all you do!