On Dec 26, 8:52 am, "Von Fourche"
hotmail.com> wrote:> "Diana"
noyoudont.com> wrote in message
>
> news:13mvrl9igdfp2ce@news.supernews.com...
>
>>> "Von Fourche"
hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:13mqnna18f9ot0e@news.supernews.com...
Some snipped
>>> I have never read the Bible and have not gone to church
>>> since I was a child and I'm in my early 30's now.
I think it would be very valuable for you to start reading the Bible.
I suggest that since you are interested in learning about Jesus Christ
and His life and teaching, (and the religion that came from those
teachings) you should read the New Testament. The Book of Mormon does
not tell you a lot about what Jesus did when He lived as a "mortal"
man. But the story does not, of course, end with what is recorded in
the Bible, or even in the Book of Mormon. And certainly you should not
delay getting acquainted with the people in your local congregation. I
certainly understand your reluctance to "step into the unknown" but
discussions on these news groups will not show you at all what your
own experiences will be.
>>> Anyway, the people on the LDS forum told me to read the Book of Mormo=
n.
>>> I have been reading it. I'm on second Nephi. I have also been reading=
>>> LDS Gospel Principles. I really love the principles.
>
I am not fond of the book, "Gospel Principles". I have taught from it
and really believe it requires discussion and a discussion leader to
avoid going off in false understanding of some of the points that
necessarily are over-simplified materials.
>>> I have accepted the Heavenly Father as my father and Jesus as my Lord
>>> and Savior.
Our Father has been your Father and would continue to be whether or
not you accepted Him. He would be able to show His love much better
once you had accepted Him than before, but He loved you no less
before. Jesus Christ died for us (including you) before you every
accepted Him as your savior. But without faith and obedience His work
is not "efficacious".
Here is something from the New Testament which is a teaching of the
Apostle Paul about the mission of Jesus the Messiah.. You might want
to read the whole chapter or even the entire book.
Romans 5: 6 =B6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time
Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for
a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the
death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by
his life.
11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
>> Von, come on in, the water's fine. Look, meet, study, pray, get a couple=
>> of
>> missionaries attached to you (once you enter the church on a Sunday
>> morning,
>> find the two young people with the little black nametags, introduce
>> yourself, and make their entire month!) Get some serious spiritual seeki=
ng
>> going, and welcome.
Most, but not all, units of the Church have missionaries assigned, so
while this is good advice, it may not appl. Missionaries are not,
however, the only people in most units of the Church who will befriend
you.
> Thank you. I'm just scared that I will like it but they will not like m=
e
> because
Try to put that fear aside. It is highly likely that some members of
the unit will not like you. It is also likely that some will. What is
more important is that God, our Eternal Father and His Son, our
Savior, love you.
> I'm shy, I not good at talking to new people, and I'm not good looking. I=
'm 35 years,
> no job, no wife or girlfriend and never been married, never had a serous
> girlfriend in my life.
The Church was not designed by our savior for those who are already
perfect. Here are reports from tree books of the New Testament of what
Jesus said about that:
Matt 9:13
13 But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and
not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.
Mark 2:17
17 When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole
have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:32
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
> I want to change for the better. In January I want to join the LDS chur=
ch (if I like it).
Well, that is good as far as it goes, but the reason you should join
the Church is if you come to believe that it is truly the restoration
that Jesus Christ gave us of His Church and that it is the only true
and living church on the face of the earth. Membership in the Church
requires too much of us to become a member for a lesser reason.
> I will then go to the local university and see what I need to do to finish=
my
> degree I left back in
> the late 1990's (I was a senior and only needed a few classes to finish).
Sounds like an excellent plan.
Snip
> But the first step I want to take is committing myself to my Heavenly Fath=
er
> and Jesus.
Of course you can do that right this instant, and then follow that
commitment by obeying what He asks you to do.
> So far what ha led me are the Gospel Principles that I am falling in love
> with as each day go's by,
The principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are true, perfect and for
our good. The book "Gospel Principles" is good but not perfect. Please
don't confuse the two.
Snip
> I worry they will not allow me in the one classroom that my soul and hea=
rt
He came to call you to Him. "They" cannot keep you from Him, and I
cannot conceive that "they" would not want to welcome you to come into
the Church after receiving the missonary discussions, and showing your
faith and willingness to follow our Savior.
> The last few days - I've really wished that I had it in me to help peopl=
e
> who need help -
> the poor, the old, those in trouble, those abused, etc... But that is wa=
y
> off.
Perhaps, but you can help all those people simply with a smile or a
kind word. You need not wait until you can do something spectacular.
> I can only worry about me right now. But I've said this all before a mill=
ion times now
> and the replies are always the same from you good people - Stop worrying -=
You'll be
> fine - Highly likely they will
> take you in - the Missionaries will love to help you.
"Worry" is totally ineffective. I think Jesus talked about that as
recorded in Matthew 6 and again in Luke 12.
> I apologize for crying the same lines over and over.
Well, we accept but repentsnce means to discontinue the actions for
which you are sorry. (Grin)
Please keep us advised concerning your progress.
