Thoughts of an Every Day Christian

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have been given a commandment from God to give 10% of our income back to the church as tithing. " Tithing funds are used to build churches and temples, to sustain missionary work, and to build the kingdom of God on earth." -LDS.org  So lately, I have been pretty behind on my financial obligations....BUT I have also been pretty behind on my tithing as well...So, I had to make a decision today, do I pay my tithing or do I pay my rent?... I chose to pay my tithing.  Let me tell you why. I hear a lot from people, "Well I pay my tithing because I want the blessings." This is true as we find in the scriptures. 3 Nephi 24:10  (also found in Malachi 3:10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be  room   enough   t...

General Conference is an event held every 6 months at the Conference Center in SLC. It is broadcast live and published in the Ensign magazine the following month. It is where Latter-Day Saints gather to hear the words of our Prophet, his apostles and certain leaders in our church. Such an inspiring weekend!! From our Prophet Thomas S. Monson : "As I make Christ the center of my life, I need not fear!" He gave us 6 Attributes to live by. 1. Be an example in word 2. Have Charity 3. Be an example in Spirit (kindness, forgiveness, good will) 4. Be an example in Faith 5. Read and Study, Pray 6. We must be pure, our body is a Temple 1st Counselor Henry B. Eyring : "When we accept the Spirit to always be with us, The Savior can teach us eternal truths." -He emphasized that we must keep strong our knowledge and hope in the Savior and Resurrection when death comes. It will give comfort to our grieving souls. 2nd Counselor Dieter F. Utchdorf: "Living the G...

Depression, Anxiety, Suicide...There are so many ideas and words attached to them. I am not going to claim I know what it is like to want to kill yourself...but..I would like to share some thoughts and ideas that have been accumulating in my head since the suicide of a very close friend just a month ago yesterday... Sigh....The day before he went through with it, he spent that evening with a group of friends (I wasn't with them that day) and from their accounts, they said he was happy. Totally fine...they had no clue. -I heard from one person, "They are happiest right before they carry through because they know the pain is about to end.." I don't know if that is true or not. So, Many people don't know this, but I was very much involved this last year of his life trying my best to be his friend and help him get through the darkness he felt. -Some days I would get a text or call from him telling me he wasn't safe. I would then proceed to call him...