tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22877324.post7780733110725808179..comments2023-05-13T04:50:48.956-05:00Comments on Keep Changing- A Gay Mormon Journey: Testimony Sunday-L-http://www.blogger.com/profile/02854867259876731599noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22877324.post-63391929799071535232006-11-07T09:08:00.000-05:002006-11-07T09:08:00.000-05:00MF, I kind of hate this post. I mean, I like the ...MF, I kind of hate this post. I mean, I like the ideas, but it is really poorly written. Oh well, I go with my typical M.O., which is to publish often, if not well. ;-)<br /><br />JG, I love you too. I wanted to write more about some of the things you discussed, but decided to keep it for another post. I have had experiences of undeniable clarity in which I know the church is true, the BOM is true, the plan of salvation is true. The most powerful ones were on my mission, not surprisingly (as that was the time in my life I was most in tune with the spirit and the most worthy).<br /><br />Sam, thanks for your support. This almost makes up for calling me -L-azy.-L-https://www.blogger.com/profile/02854867259876731599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22877324.post-57606477075572850072006-11-06T22:32:00.000-05:002006-11-06T22:32:00.000-05:00I'm with MF on this--that's all I have to say.
E...I'm with MF on this--that's all I have to say. <br /><br />Except, I agree with JG, on that last thing--I love you, too.Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02216416424593449924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22877324.post-17961658043679832252006-11-06T12:03:00.000-05:002006-11-06T12:03:00.000-05:00Thoughts: 1. I agree the "feeling" can be nebulous...Thoughts: 1. I agree the "feeling" can be nebulous and questionable. I find though that while I'm actually in the moment of feeling it, it's unquestionable. I think to myself "how could I ever deny this?" But only later, when the brightness has faded, do I allow myself to wonder and wander. For me, the Spirit almost always feels the same, so it has been easier to identify, almost like a science project. When I do A, I feel B. There is an exactitude there that cannot be forged. That is a witness. I actually wrote a post on this last night so I won't waste your space here but to me the action-reaction relationship between my actions & this warm fuzzy feeling is almost exact to a science. When I'm in the temple (it has been a long time), when I read the scriptures, after I go hometeaching, when I meet a General Authority. None of those situations are seeking for a sign... they are simply a natural beautiful physical reaction to the presence of the Spirit. I think it is more obvious for me now because I've been to the darkside and back, therefore the light feels brighter now... like walking into the glaring daylight after too long in a dark room. 2. One of the gifts of the Spirit is the "discerning of Spirits," the ability to KNOW when what you're feeling IS the Spirit. Another gift is to KNOW that Jesus is Christ, through the Holy Ghost. Some are only given the gift to "believe on their words" without knowing themselves. "For all have not every gift. To some is given one and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." That's why it's so nebulous. Because we're not all playing with a full set of cards. Each hand is different. And for some reason our deck is stacked for our own reasons, to ultimately shape us into the Gods that we are foreordained to become. Having said that, I do believe that we can pray for certain gifts of the Spirit, specifically. We're entitled to them through the Gift of the Holy Ghost which we have. For myself, believing has not been a question. I've never had to ask. It has always been there. For me, DOING it is where the test has become bitterly rough. I know others who once they found and accepted the gospel, doing it was almost natural and easy for them. They only needed to find it... believing it was their struggle. 3. I feel the same about the general authorities. When I was lost, Elder Holland came to the city and I met him and it was the most powerful remembrence of my own soul, my duty and my sin. I think it truly shocked me into working my way back. These men are marvelous works of God.<br /><br />Thanks for making me think today. This week is important for me. I'm determined to change things. I love you.John Galthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00124817129625891195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22877324.post-7583657811126951672006-11-06T02:03:00.000-05:002006-11-06T02:03:00.000-05:00I like this post. That's all I have to say.I like this post. That's all I have to say.B.G. Christensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604354633985676126noreply@blogger.com