Right? I don't give a flying fuck what this guy has to say... about anything.

This is the same schmuck who, less than a year ago, WROTE A FUCKING BOOK about how fucking wonderful Trump is.

The dude is a shameless hack who's just out to make a quick buck on his 15 minutes of fame.

A local independent LDS Bookstore that deals in rare books actually had this book on the shelf a few years ago:

Prostitution, Polygamy, and Power: Salt Lake City, 1847-1918

1. NFP doesn't have to be complicated (although certainly there are women who have irregular cycles and do struggle with it) - check out marquette university's nfp protocol. All I have to do is pee on stick and I only "chart" when my period starts and when I peak. Honestly I've experienced more women who struggle with infertility than with fertility - most Catholic women adapt to using NFP and I've met many using different methods who rely on their husbands to do the majority of the charting
   
2. "Only moral sex acts are ones that come at risk to women" --> to understand and love the church's teaching on sex you need to read Theology of the Body. I can't explain it in a simple post, but there's a reason the church teaches what it teaches and personally I find it beautiful and life-fulfilling not defeating. Does it suck sometimes? Hell YA sista. But knowing there is meaning in the choice and that practicing self-denial has eternal value changes everything.
   
3. "Women can't be priests" - again if you research and read the answers for why this is, it's logical and reasonable not just men dictating the rules.
   
4. There's a lot of theology about women written by women - in fact you might like Alice von Hildebrand's The privilege of being a woman
   
5. In regards to St. Aquinas, it's a little unfair to take him out of his historical context. Yes he said some unfortunate things about women, but he also said some amazing things about God. Most of the things about women were typical for his time-period.
   
6. If you want better modesty discussions I'd again recommended theology of the body based books - Dawn Eden's Thrill of the Chaste is a good one.
   
   Hoping that didn't feel like an attack because that's not how it was meant. I can understand why you would feel this way, but I truly believe the church has logical and reasonable answers for all your frustrations. Best of luck with coping with these struggles and hope some of this may be helpful to you.

Some resources for you:

• In terms of a succinct summary of a Reformed viewpoint, I know of no better resource than the Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality which was created by one of the Regional Synods of the Reformed Church in America and was commended to all RCA churches and classes as a means of understanding of the biblical teaching on human sexuality
  
• I think [Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality] by Wesley Hill is an absolute must-read. Wes and I were friends in college and while he's not exactly a big-R Reformed person (he's an Episcopal priest that teaches at an Anglican seminary), I think he would reasonably be described as reformed "in a broader understanding of the term." He's described himself as coming from a reformed perspective, he was one of the first people to attend John Piper's seminary and speaks at RTS on a somewhat regular basis.
  
• Wes was also one of the keynote speakers at the Revoice conference last summer, that was held at Memorial PCA in St. Louis last summer. The mission of Revoice is "To support and encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other same-sex attracted Christians—as well as those who love them—so that all in the Church might be empowered to live in gospel unity while observing the historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality." It's not a Reformed specific conference - many of the speakers are Roman Catholic - but there are a lot of good resources, and some have a very distinctive Reformed flavor. Many of the talks from last years conference are available on their youtube channel.
  
• Jeffrey Weima is a Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary and has given a number of talks on what the Bible teaches about same-sex activity. One of them was recorded and posted to youtube: [Part One](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFA_r7qU_4A&t=2065s} and Part Two. If you prefer to read, he wrote a brief, but a still good overview of the issues for the Calvin Theological Seminary Magazine: "Same-Sex Activity: What Does the New Testament Say?"
  The Forum 22.3 (Fall 2105): 9-12
  
• If you want to engage with the affirming side, the best option is probably Jim Brownson's book Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships. Brownson teaches at Western Theological Seminary (RCA). While I ultimately disagree with him, he's a good example of how someone can respect the authority of scripture and come away with a different perspective on this issue.

When my wife and I were both still TBM this booked helped a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Between-Husband-Wife-Perspectives-Intimacy/dp/1680476548/ref=nodl_

It’s written by a TBM sex therapist. She talks (positively) about toys and oral sex. Also discusses making sure each other’s needs are met and how few women are able to have their needs met through intercourse alone.

Gary Noesner is THE negotiator for the FBI, helping found their negotiators training program and spreading the techniques to almost every allied country of the United States. He notes in his biography that after SWAT has used forceful tactics or gone back on their word that it becomes almost impossible for him to negotiate with the subjects. This is the best negotiator in the world, and all modern negotiation techniques are based on his seminars. If he has trouble with people after SWAT acts like jerks, imagine how much harder it is for CIA Charlie to get info out of someone who has been beaten and tortured.

See "The Bible, Gender, and Sexuality" for theological arguments for and against LGBT marraige. It's written by a Professor at Western Theological Seminary who provides a theological breakdown of all the arguments for and against.
Basically it boils down to how you read the Bible. If you read it word for word and meaning for meaning in present day language, you're going to get a different interpretation than someone who is trying to understand the culture and understanding of the people who wrote it. Someone who reads it as the "Indisputable Word of God" is going to get a different message than someone who reads it as "The Inspired Word of God Written by Man."
Many historians and some theologians have concluded that the lgbt community as we see it today was not present in the time of the biblical authors, thus they didn't have enough understanding to comment on (everything) faced by today's lgbt community.

First off, good for you for trying to overcome your own childhood trauma (and yes, emotional neglect is a trauma) and do things right for your family. I am on the same path.

This might sound really silly, but are you familiar with the kids tv show Daniel Tiger? It's a cartoon based off the old Mister Rogers show. The relationships and scenarios are a little more tidy than what you'd see in real life, but I honestly have improved my parenting by using the helpful tips and emulating the adult figures in that show.

There are several books I can think of that have helped me. I would suggest reading more than just parenting books... it's important to heal YOU. (I don't know the details of your childhood or any of the issues that affect you now, besides what you've mentioned, so some of these may not be applicable to your situation.)


http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Our-Children-Ourselves-relationships/dp/1887542329/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414023157&sr=1-1&keywords=raising+our+children+raising+ourselves


http://www.amazon.com/Codependent-No-More-Controlling-Yourself/dp/0894864025/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414023193&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=coependent+no+more


http://www.amazon.com/Complex-PTSD-Surviving-RECOVERING-CHILDHOOD/dp/1492871842/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414023212&sr=1-1&keywords=complex+ptsd+from+surviving+to+thriving+by+pete+walker


http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/1451663889/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414023231&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+talk+so+kids+will+listen+%26+listen+so+kids+will+talk


http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Children-Control-Their/dp/0310243157/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414023293&sr=1-1&keywords=boundaries+with+kids

that last one is a little heavy with the religious quotes, HOWEVER, even I as an atheist found the book excellent and applicable, and the message very very different from most Christian parenting books. So if you're religious, great, if not, this is still an extremely helpful book. They have an original version written for adults too, which I have not read.


edit: I see you've already posted at the sub I suggested.

>It was explained by the fact that God, through polygamy, made it possible, when there were more female than male converts, for every female wishing to be married in the covenant to have a husband and children.

I don't want to be prickly, but in a thread about knowing church history and stuff, I feel that I need to point out that this is a common misconception. There were always roughly equal men and women in the early church, and polygamy actually caused a rather severe shortage of marriageable women (which is why some women in Utah ended up marrying so creepily young because men had already married the women their own age and were forced to look to younger and younger women to find anyone available to marry as a second or third wife).

Polygamy, just by the numbers, was utterly unsustainable over more than a generation or two, and in my opinion, if it wasn't for the manifesto, the practice would've died out naturally anyway.

I always recommend Kathryn Daynes, More Wives Than One: Transformation of the Mormon Marriage System, 1840-1910 (University of Illinois Press, 2001) when this issue pops up. It's a statistical study of Utah-era polygamy (so a bit numbers heavy in some chapters), but because it's a statistical study, it gives a much more accurate view of the practice of polygamy than other books that rely on anecdotal sources. (Not that those other books are bad--it's just a different approach and different approaches are more suitable for exploring other facets. For trying to answer questions about numbers--i.e. were there more women than men in the church?--a statistical study is best.)

He's not tho, he's only back in the media to basically get publicity after his Trump ass kissing book got no sales and didn't help Trump in the midterms.

I think this might be helpful. Boundaries with Kids: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, to Help Your Children Gain Control of Their Lives https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310243157/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SGiRBbX91BJ1X

I'm technically a Methodist who is also exploring Anglicanism, so the actual Anglicans here can correct me where I miss the mark, but I'll give it a shot.

1. SSM is an issue that can't really be summed up quickly. In short, it boils down to interpreting Scripture and the Church Fathers in light of their culture vs. ours, other Scripture and writings, and Scripture/Christianity's vision of God's Kingdom. I am currently trying to make up my mind on this issue, and I highly recommend Bible, Geder, Sexuality. It's geared heavily toward traditional thought on the issue and breaking it way down from a scholarly standpoint.
   As far as contraception goes, long story short is that Protestants see throughout Scripture a vision of sex that is about much more than procreation - rather, its purpose in addition to procreation is to unite a couple in intimacy and love. My personal answer would be that sex is a foretaste of the ultimate love between Christ and the Church - limiting it to procreation reduces its value and turns it into a "species propagation" thing as opposed to a "unitive, intimate, sacrificial love" thing.
   
   
2. Long story short, Paul's (and other writers) prohibitions against women teaching/speaking/etc. are not a general statement of some divine order, but rooted in particular issues of the day. The book I recommended speaks on this very well in one of the chapters. Essentially, in Paul's day, many women in the Corinthian church were trying to teach/speak over the men to selfishly try and claim superiority (the Greek here indicates this theme, and the book expands on this heavily). Additionally, just like Paul writes under the assumption that slavery exists and how to deal with that, NT writings on women assume gender hierarchy that, when upset, could cause some social problems between people that weren't worth it to risk the Gospel message.
   
   
3. There really isn't a defined doctrine. What I learned from an Episcopal priest is that it's generally "Christ is present in the celebration of the Eucharist, but it's pointless to worry about how and risk division."
   
   
4. The first suggestion I would make is to read the Psalms and reflect on them. Not only are they beautiful poems, they are, at their core, prayers and praises. Personally, I also found it very helpful to think about the things I most often pray for (wisdom, discernment, to be gentler/kinder, etc.) and I searched Scripture and Christian history (including the Book of Common Prayer and prayers from the Methodist church) for Psalms / prayers that reflected those thoughts. I wrote those down in a notebook and started praying those prayers regularly. The difficult thing is that prayer life is a very personal thing. Christ tells us in Matthew 6:6 to go "into your inner room and pray." I took this very literally and made a small "prayer corner" in a little nook in my closet that has candles, a cross, other things that remind me of Jesus. Above all, it often just relies on you making a habit of it. When you build prayer into your schedule, it's easier to keep praying.
   
   
5. No. Basically anyone who isn't Evangelical trusts Scripture and tradition when they say "one baptism for the forgiveness of sins." If you were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you're good. Also, depending on the person/parish, Patron Saints aren't really a thing. The more ultra-trad "Anglo-Catholics" are usually friendly to Saints/Mary in a similar way to Catholics, but the typical Episcopal/Anglican parish won't really pay any mind to Saint prayer, patronage, or veneration. The 39 Articles originally called it all "a vain thing," but in practice, it's one of those "non-essentials" that the Anglican church just doesn't really make a definite statement about as good or bad.
   
   
6. A universal church. Unlike Catholics/Orthodox, Anglicans don't say that Anglicanism is the "one true Church" and that any tradition outside it is flawed. My understanding is that Anglicans follow St. Vincent of Lerins when he says the true faith lies in what has been believed "always, everywhere, by everyone." Anglicans generally draw this line at the traditional Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and I believe Athanasian) / the first few Councils. Anything beyond that is non-essential and up for discussion/interpretation.
   
   
7. This discussion is always loaded with touchy semantics. I take it what you're asking is if Anglicans treat the Bible like, say, a Southern Baptist would (totally literal "God's word," creation was literally 6 days, etc.), and the answer is no. Anglicans, like other mainline denominations, are totally kosher with historical criticism and things like evolution. Scripture is not a science or history textbook.

> Gary Noesner

His book is wonderful too.

The first moment, I remember was like my third day of greek class when my professor mentioned how the greek word translated homosexuality doesn't necessarily represent the concept writers, such as Paul, would have been conveying. He talked about a couple of the passages.

I read a book some time later by Mark Achtemeier called The Bible's Yes to Same Sex Marriage. He was a conservative theologian who used to travel around speaking against homosexuality. He had a pretty big change of heart, which gives me hope, and now he goes around speaking against what he used to do and advocating for those in same sex relationships and their full inclusion in the church. Another book, titled What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality is another book I recommend. It's pretty similar to the other book.

There is another book, I can't remember the name right now. But, it is a history of the concept of sexuality. It was based of Foucault's book on the subject. In short, they do a more expansive survey of the development of sexuality. Saying that homosexuality, as we understand it, is an 18th century development. So it would be difficult to maintain truly, that biblical writers would have been disapproving of same sex relationships as they exist today.

Lastly, there is a book called Struggling with Scripture. They write a book about wrestling with interpretation of scripture and use homosexuality as an application point. They kind of, in my mind, synthesize the material between the first three books I mentioned to think about how do we understand biblical texts in light of a changing culture. And give a good balance about how to see the scripture as authoritative texts but also how to think of them in our cultural context.

So, that's a small bit of what I have read. I've shown and told these arguments to many who have asked me. I know a number of people, mostly younger, who have had a similar change as I have. I've had many conversations where we are just talking past each other or who think I'm twisting the Bible. Those are always unfortunate.

Well, I think On Marriage and Family Life, which is a set of four homilies by St. John Chrysostom is a good source for teaching on marriage. You can also find the homilies (which are in the description in the link) on CCEL, as well. New Advent also hosts them, and many other writings, in quite readable translations, but they're a traditionalist Catholic website otherwise.

The books and resources in the sidebar are also good. (I would append Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology by Fr. Andrew Louth to them.)

And the best source is probably your local parish.

I came from that background. In fact I think many who are conservative and gay have grown up in Christian / Catholic / Mormon households and it is familiar to us. We were rejected for being gay, christian, and conservative a triple whammy.

I'd suggest listening to youtube Gay Christian Network. Watch This Documentary. Tons of videos like this. There are several who do support the LGBT community and have their own churches. They just had a conference that was huge (once a year). I have backed away from it as they have become much to political for me with a liberal tint and Trump hate. But there is definitely Republicans and Democrats there. Checkout the other videos as well the full conference is online. IF you want a explanation of the bible and homosexuality Matthew Vine has a book. But Dr. Brownson is much deeper.

Many are wounded by their faith and the hatred they received the totally reject religion and become almost rebellious liberal SJWs. Some like myself become private about our faith (hell it's hard enough to find a conservative) and personal, often not the ultra religious types (It was another part of yourself that became closeted as some gays hate religion and conservative viewpoints). Some are super religious and from liberal accepting backgrounds (families) so I think it's easier for them in a way. I think there are many more liberal christian gays than conservatives. Because of separation of church and state some are closeted trump supporters. Peter Theil is conservative and Christian. Tony Campolo Pastor, Rob Bell mega church pastor famous for his Nooma videos, Jay baker son of Jim and Tammy (hes quite alternative), Hillsong Christian Singer Vicky Beeching, Singer Jennifer Knapp.

They say as generations go by, the younger generation grew up with Gay is ok and are much more accepting, many leave the church when they grow older.


{Documentary}_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QImNx1JA3BI - Documentary on Being Gay and Christian (experiences)

{Deep Dive into Bible Verses - Theology}__

Matthew Vine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8ZgSHK6tdA

Dr. James Brownson (Deep Dive Theology)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1f0KD-B0Z8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKOTNneoOpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kONByDAXko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt-a0BiAEVs

{Videos}___

https://www.youtube.com/user/GayChristianNetwork - Videos why its ok to be gay and christian, Speakers Keynotes from Gay Christian Network Conference 1,500 Attendees

{Books}_

http://www.amazon.com/Torn-Rescuing-Gospel-Gays-vs-Christians-Debate/dp/1455514306 - Justin Lee (biography about being gay and christian)

http://www.amazon.com/God-Gay-Christian-Biblical-Relationships-ebook/dp/B00F1W0RD2 - Matthew Vines

http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Gender-Sexuality-Reframing-Relationships/dp/0802868630 - Dr. James Brownson (deep dive theology)

{Forum / Gay Christian Message Board}

http://www.gaychristian.net

{Find a Gay Affirming Church}____

http://www.gaychurch.org

"Between Husband And Wife" is also a great book on sexual intimacy within the gospel context.

https://www.amazon.com/Between-Husband-Wife-Perspectives-Intimacy/dp/1680476548

I think that this will give you a basic overview better than I ever could

For further reading (if your honestly interested) I'd suggest:

• Bible, Gender, Sexuality
  
• God and the Gay Christian (This one is written by a man who self-identifies as 'conservative' if that seems more up your alley)

Sure. My top three would be these:

Sexual Wholeness in Marriage https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981957641/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B8SDCbSKZGE3Z

What Your Parents Didn't Tell You about Sex: An LDS Guide to Sexual Intimacy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508608873/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RZSDCbSS6V2V4

And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587830345/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_R1SDCbHVJAKXZ

But the best known book on the subject is this:
Between Husband and Wife: Gospel Perspectives on Marital Intimacy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1680476548/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_h7SDCbRA5JWKB

Find Solutions. Get the tools to experience restoration for infidelity

Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PKH267L

Paperback:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1799047865

> Demonstrate it.

No.

> It's so obvious just reading Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, etc. that homosexuality is a wicked sin in of itself.

To say that a story about a city of men who try to gang rape three angels visiting them somehow obviously means that God condemns monogamous, same-sex relationships is intellectually lazy at best. Hearing this as one of your scriptural evidences tells me you haven't yet done any sort of serious study on this subject.

Romans 1 is one of the verses that requires careful study and a nuanced hermeneutic. I'm not going to try to debate its meaning here. If you're honestly interested in some careful Biblical study of this subject that arrives at a different conclusion than your own I would recommend reading The Bible, Gender, and Sexuality.

And before writing any nuanced scriptural argument off as hermeneutical gymnastics, consider any of the things in scripture you yourself would not likely claim to follow. Why do we not require women to have their head covered while praying? Because of careful study and a nuanced hermeneutic. Why do we not require women to be silent while in church? Because of careful study and a nuanced hermeneutic. Why do we now condemn slavery despite Paul's command to slaves to obey their masters, and the general lack of condemnation of the practice throughout scripture? Because of careful study and a nuanced hermeneutic. Why do we not stone to death any rebellious sons? Because of careful study and a nuanced hermeneutic.

Keep in mind that what we're debating here in my comment is not even whether or not gay marriages are sinful, but only whether or not it's a reasonable position to hold as a Bible-believing Christian. That's such a low bar. It's honestly about acknowledging that there's a non-zero chance your interpretation of the Bible is wrong on this subject.

To flip it around, it's similar to when an affirming Christian hears your non-affirming stance and immediately calls you a bigot, assumes you don't have the love of Christ in you, and writes you off as a fundamentalist who misses the actual message of the Gospel. I'm sure you're not a fan of that. It's frustrating. It's condescending. It lacks even an ounce of humility in their own position. It's not assuming the best of you.

> but it wasn't culturally condemned to hate or revile them

Even if you hold a non-affirming stance we should be happy that less people 'hate and revile' gay individuals. Even when we condemn a sin we should always be looking for ways to humanize those who are different from us in order to love them in the best way possible.

I've read this and "Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator." They are both very good companion pieces.

https://www.amazon.com/Stalling-Time-Life-Hostage-Negotiator/dp/1400067251

What I enjoyed most was how it changed my perspective on negotiating. Especially hearing stories where someone gives a hard deadline that is essentially meaningless, it's hard to create a mental model to map the Stalling for Time into real life scenarios, but Never Split the Difference does create these models and they are very useful.

I’m so sorry you’re in that position. If you’re interested in something that you can do while you wait for your spouse, The Love Dare is a book that tries to teach you how to love your spouse unconditionally, and one that I think could be helpful.

There are many books like this that aren't even fiction. Most notably the one I've linked to below.

I am part of a whole group of people who are living what eddie is experiencing with his family.There's a subreddit for people like us. It's called r/exmormon.

The mormons are more normal in some ways and more strange in others when you compare them to meyerists. But watching this show and how eddie's departure has impacted the family dynamics is absolutely chilling with how similar it is.

When eddie asked "you don't really believe that" and sarah said "you don't even know me" or something I had such a physical reaction. because I know someone whose ex-wife said the exact same thing to him when he decided he was leaving the mormon church.


https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Carolyn-Jessop/dp/0767927575/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491416889&sr=1-1&keywords=escape

Edited to Add: one of the best books I've ever read on the FLDS cult.

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Wives-Hidden-Mormon-Polygamy/dp/1593764081/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1491417309&sr=1-1&keywords=Secrets+and+Wives

This is the book I used to write my ceremony for our wedding last year: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wedding-Ceremony-Planner-Essential/dp/1402203438
I borrowed it from the public library. It helped to set up what parts of a wedding ceremony I wanted to include, and then gave several examples of each.

We did the outline ourselves and met with our officiant to go over it. You might want to get this book. It was very helpful in creating our outline and we may pull some readings from it.


Also I found this very helpful.

Hi Friend!

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

https://drrobertepstein.com/downloads/Epstein-HOW_SCIENCE_CAN_HELP_YOU_FALL_IN_LOVE-Sci_Am_Mind-JanFeb2010.pdf

https://www.buildhappytogether.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180223175850991.pdf

Now I know that you probably aren’t Christian, but if you can wade through the religious bits, the basic premise and dares/challenges might be something you find useful too:

http://www.shenzhoufellowship.org/main2/files/old/SpecialTopics/TheLoveDare.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Dare-Stephen-Kendrick/dp/0805448853

I’m a hands on person and I need literal to dos. I thought you might benefit from the same. Cheers and good luck!

Sex au Naturel: What It Is and Why It's Good for Your Marriage, by Patrick Coffin

http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Naturel-What-Good-Marriage/dp/1931018588

I recently read a book by Sanjiv Battacharya called "Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy." In it, he has a chapter all about Namelka and his claims along with several interviews he did with the author. He is an absolutely fascinating and delusional human being.

By the way, the book is written from such an interesting perspective; an atheist's point of view who is trying to figure out what Polygamy and fundamentalism is all about. Worth a read!

Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1593764081/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kXsNzbVBF62KF

I've read so many books about the FLDS. This was one of the first I read and loved it. I was gifted this book last week and I can't wait to get started! If you need any FLDS recommendations, let me know!

Never forget that Mooch wrote a book not even that long ago praising Trump. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546075925/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

The method of achieving any purpose matters. Your problem is that Couple A wants to delay children, and they use method 1, while Couple B wants to delay children, and they use method 2. The methods matter.

Couple A wants to satisfy their kids' hunger, so they work hard and buy healthy food. Couple B undernourishes their kids with cheap, unhealthy food and work less hard. Couple C steals the money to buy the healthy food. Couple D abandons their kids with grandma and grandpa. Even though they have the same intention, method matters.

There's no sin in the intent to delay children. There is sin in the permanent, irrevocable intent to not have children any more.

There's no sin in abstaining from sex to avoid conception (which is how NFP works). There is sin in altering sex acts to divorce them from their God-given nature.

I recommend Sex Au Natural or Contraception Why Not.

You might come to the conclusion that contraception is fine, but the methods do make a difference. They might both be fine, they might both be sins, or they might be one and one. But they make a difference.

Here is one book I've read on it
https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Remarriage-Church-Solutions-Realities/dp/0830833749

If you want to be sassy: https://i.imgur.com/bHp6k.jpg

If you want to point toward liberal Christianity:
https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Gender-Sexuality-Reframing-Relationships/dp/0802868630

tldr Loving committed consensual relationships are good and blameless.

I'll edit an email I sent to a pastor as I was on my last leg of liberal Christianity:

>'The following come from Christians who have put a lot of effort into understanding the world and the Bible:

>I believe the Earth is old http://ageofrocks.org/100-reasons-the-earth-is-old/

>I believe humans and apes have a common ancestor http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/section4.html

>I believe there was not a cosmic fall. some special humans starting with Adam and Eve gained souls and then changed the spiritual relationship with God and humans: https://www.scienceandchristianbelief.org/serve_pdf_free.php?filename=SCB+18-1+Bimson.pdf

>Thus I believe homosexual actions in nature and even humanity occurred even before Adam and Eve. I believe the pattern of one man and one wife might be optimal, but not the exclusive way to have a family or love another romantically. I think the Old Testament rules no longer apply and the New testament likely describes abusive, cultist and/or pedophilic relationships without mentioning monogamous committed consensual homosexual relationships.

>The ability to reproduce is not a valid reason to prevent marriage. Many people are infertile in heterosexual relationships. Nature does not demonstrate heterosexual behavior as the only means of coupling. Human sex organs clearly physiologically are not perfectly meant for each other regarding reproduction or pleasure and one cannot rely on those sentiment to limit sexual expression.

>I would also say my and many others' primary source is scripture and that the context of the verses regarding homosexuality and what is described as sin in the Bible are not easily interpreted.

>I don't know if I agree with everything in the following post but it addresses interpreting many passages in the Bible associated with homosexuality.

>http://www.gaychurch.org/homosexuality-and-the-bible/the-bible-christianity-and-homosexuality/

>From the [their position paper] linked pdf:
'homosexuality as “contrary to nature.”' It isn't and I think this is misinterpreting the passage. Nature has plenty of homosexuality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals

>"Although homosexual behavior came about as a result of the fall" This is not logical if there is an old evolving earth and no cosmic fall.

>There has been no real success at suppressing homosexual desires even in Christian movements. Sexuality is not entirely fixed but not entirely malleable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-ex-gay

>If one does not believe is strict gender roles, which also are more socially constructed than innate, there is no inherent negative consequence to a committed, homosexual relationship. Single parenthood may not be ideal but we don't tell those people they are terrible immoral parents. How does someone born with ambiguous genitals or brain conform to a mold they cannot fit in? Note: There is a significant difference between homosexual urges and other socially destructive urges of infidelity or pedophilia.

>"Because God said so" is not moral reasoning, it is legalism which in other areas we strive to avoid. What other parts of the Bible are to be followed irrationally? Other moral commands have a rational explanation for being unacceptable.

>Where are the pastors using passages of Proverbs and other places condemning obesity of people in and out of church? The Bible talks about it more than verses used against homosexuals. There is more financial and health burdens on individuals and society from the over a third of Americans who are massively overweight.

>I appreciate the discussion, and frankly, REDACTED church is actually much more rational compared to many of the other churches I have been visiting. I am available this evening and tomorrow if you want to meet in person.

>Thank you for your time.'

This guy really puts his finger on the essence of sexual intimacy in marriage.

There are two books you should buy and read with her. God Loves Sex and Love & War. (Buying a cheap library copy for $1 with $4 shipping is okay, still readable.) What you want advice on is very complicated and involves her as well. I think starting with the books will be the best thing.

Women are turned on by emotional connection and attention. Men struggle with making emotional connection and it takes sacrifice in order to provide this. I can't explain the joy of not seeking gratification and truly seeking to provide for someone else. I wish I could explain it better but that is the best I got. If you want the full run down Love & War is one of the best books I have seen on the subject. Check it out.

Depending on what your issues are, you might find this book helpful:

https://www.amazon.com/They-Were-Not-Ashamed-Strengthening/dp/1587830345

This is another good one:

https://www.amazon.com/Between-Husband-Wife-Perspectives-Intimacy/dp/1680476548/

I haven't read this one, but it was written by the prophet's wife:

https://www.amazon.com/Purity-Passion-Spiritual-Intimacy-Strengthen/dp/1590384105/

Trump, the Blue-Collar President Hardcover – October 23, 2018

What if Scaramucci wasn't fired from being Press Secretary, wouldn't he still been in Trump's camp?

https://www.amazon.com/Bibles-Yes-Same-Sex-Marriage-Evangelicals/dp/0664239900

TC, read this book. I can't explain it nearly as well as the author, but trust me. It will clarify many outlooks if you choose to have an open mind. I believe that many people refuse to have an open mind, and that causes them to misinterpret God's will. This book helped me find peace on the homosexuality/bisexuality look. Good luck in your spiritual journey! God most certainly does not hate you!

If you are writing your own ceremony/vows, I'd highly recommend getting a copy of the book "The Wedding Ceremony Planner" by Judith Johnson. It was indispensable as a source of ideas for my husband and I when we were trying to write a non-religious, personalized ceremony (in combination with Offbeat Bride and the rest of teh internets). We got lots of compliments about how beautiful and unique our ceremony was.

I'm sorry that you're having such trouble with your son. Mine is only 2 and I am not looking forward to having days/years like these, though I know they may come.

So being a newish dad and having no experience with children that age, but who has also been trying to read a lot so I can be the best dad possible, my primary thought is that maybe there is something going on besides him just being a brat, and saying things like "you cry like your little sister" is probably not going to do much for his self-esteem. He probably doesn't have any idea what the problem is any more than you do, so just demanding that he change is unlikely to do anything but frustrate you both further.

I am no psychologist but I can recommend a book by psychologists that I think may be good for you to read rather than send this letter:

http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Healthy-Choices-Children/dp/0310243157

Let me "warn" you that this is written by two very highly respected psychologists who also happen to be Christians and will reference the Bible throughout the book. Please don't let that put you off of the wise and experienced professional advice contained within its pages. I honestly wish they'd publish secular editions of their books just because there are so many non-Christians who need to read them but will ignore them because the Bible gets quoted. It's a child psychology book first and should be appreciated that way.

The gist of the book (and the original book, simply called Boundaries), is that there are certain things that parents do with their kids that cause their needs not to get met in various ways. The reason these problems tend to repeat from generation to generation within the same family is that if we don't learn how to break that cycle we are just going to live out the same kind of parenting that we learned from our parents, and never realize that some of the things that seem normal are actually unhealthy.

Please check out that book. There is a lot of practical advice about discipline and how to make sure that your son is getting the kind of parenting and environment that he needs in order to function properly.

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0830832742/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/191-0651666-5677865?fp=1&pc_redir=1427267489

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

I would probably have been willing to embrace him (cautiously) if he'd gone directly from hilarious Steve-Bannon-cocksucking quips to calling Trump a fascist. At the time he was fired, he was barely even compromised - he hadn't officially started yet, and his 'service' mostly consisted of praising Trump on TV a few times. Before that, he'd been a mostly clean and unremarkable rich asshole.

But no, he instead tried to get back in Trump's good graces by writing that absurd book.

I don't believe for a second that he thinks Trump's fascism is bad or wrong. He was more than happy to defend it as long as he thought he could be one of the elite, and he was willing to stay silent as long as it wasn't damaging his personal financial interests. Only now, a year after publishing his bootlicking memoir, confronted by the threat of a recession caused by Trump's trade policies, is he finally changing his tune. It's cynical bullshit.

I have three books on my shelves at the moment that I'd gladly recommend:

Torn by Justin Lee. Outside of the US the book is called Unconditional.

Bible Gender Sexuality by James V. Brownson.

God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines.

Jesus was not unambiguously opposed to divorce.

I imagine you may be referring to Matthew 19, where he is asked if divorce is acceptable for any reason, and he says that adultery is the acceptable reason. But that situation has a lot of context. In that era, there were two main views: that people could get divorced for any reason (including the famous "you burned my dinner" example) and that it required some violation of the marriage covenant (frequently shorthanded as "adultery," but also including abandonment, neglect, etc.). At that time people could choose between the two (e.g., Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly when he found out she was pregnant when they were betrothed but not married and decided to use the "any reason" option so he wouldn't have to demonstrate unfaithfulness and her reputation wouldn't be as damaged)

So when the pharisees asked him that, the best available interpretation is asking Him, "Is it acceptable for someone to use the 'any reason' rule to divorce someone?" And his response being "No, the violation of covenant rule is the correct one."

Source: Divorce and Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities. Great book.

A Catholic mom group I was apart of, one of the books that we did was The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman. I would also recommend Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grows Healthy Children by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

I highly recommend the book Bible, Gender, and Sexuality by James Brownson (link: https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Gender-Sexuality-Reframing-Relationships/dp/0802868630/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517791982&sr=8-1&keywords=bible+gender+and+sexuality). It helped me come to terms with both my faith and my sexuality (I'm 23 and gay). There are components of the Bible which, while divinely inspired, are nonetheless >2,000 years old. I don't hesitate to suggest that the Bible is not the healthiest source of understanding relationships that pertain to 2018.

You're gay, and God made each of us wonderfully and fearfully created. Congratulations on admitting it to yourself and being out about it here. I can't help but believe that God would want you to be in a loving, caring, relationship filled with joy and thanksgiving.

Edit: I also don't think the authors of the Bible had the clearest understanding of Biology. Human sexuality is not something chosen, but simply a component of an individual's identity. And while its very easy to say "the Bible prohibits homosexual relationships", it, to me, fails to resonate with the deep human need that most of us have - to be with in a loving relationship with another. I tend to think that, as we uncover more and more of the nature of reality and of Creation, God's Creation, we must revisit scripture in light of the nature of Creation as it is (IE Genesis is not, cannot, be literal, the Earth is not 6,000 years old). Along the same line, sexuality is not a choice, we are born more or less some kind of something (may be gay, maybe straight, maybe asexual, or anything in between). And as that's the reality of the world, perhaps the prohibitions of homosexuality need to be revisited, and reunderstood, not as literal prohibitions but rather as components of a complicated text that is heavily influenced by the culture(s) it was written in.

I thought this might be it, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKZRKJD/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 "The Vow", but I don't remember a doctor or a gala. It's been a while, and I only saw the movie, so I don't know how far off it was. Hope it helps (or at least eliminates a wrong answer).

We talked about this in a negotiation class that I was in this past semester. There's an interesting behind the scenes balance between using force and buying more time for negotiation, with people on the same side disagreeing more often than not about what should happen next. In the case that I remember reading about, the perpetrator was promised to be let go if he let the hostages go. An FBI helicopter was flown in to take the guy away to fulfill the 'promise', but they actually took him down en route between the building and helicopter.

I highly recommend Stalling for Time, as it's a book written by a hostage negotiator answering these specific kinds of questions.

I would highly recommend reading Dawn Eden's books.

My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints

She also has this book:

The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On

But if I had to choose between the two, definitely read My Peace I Give You first.

She also has a blog called The Dawn Patrol where she has some audio recordings you can listen too as well.

I'm not well equipped to provide many accessible sources on this, But the church's history in Utah is rife with blackmail and using prostitution etc.... as a means to this end. Smith seems to have done it, As did Young and his predecessors.

Right now I can only offer one credible online source as well as a few books, I've never really kept sources on this issue. EmmaHS, curious_mormon, AnotherClosetAtheist or Mythryn are typically better at providing sources, I'm just a local idiot. You can try bothering them to get something more useful, Mythryn keeps some information on his website, but it's not easy to search.

Here is a link to a Report by C. S. Varian, who was Assistant US Attorney in Utah territory during the 1880

The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, has information that falls into this area. It's also a very good book for looking at the reality of the LDS leadership and their skeleton filled closets.

Prostitution, Polygamy, and Power: Salt Lake City, 1847-1918 by Jeffrey D. Nichols is another useful read.

That's the best I can do right now, I can't locate better/more available sources. But the Mods/power users I named above have also done posts and stuff about it in the past.

Regarding question 1, I recommend this book

Hello friend, I just stumbled upon this subreddit.

Dr. David Instone-Brewer looked at this and other passages in Deuteronomy and came up with some interesting conclusions about divorce in the Bible. He looked at all of the assumptions that everyone in Jesus' time knew about, and that the gospel writers didn't bother writing down. His book:

Divorce and Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities

You might find it interesting. He argues that divorce is also permitted for adultery, abuse, and neglect.

https://www.amazon.com/More-Wives-Than-One-Transformation/dp/0252075609

On Marriage and Family Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF0S3JO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zIPKBbRW8W9BG

Lol I asked you, which book exactly. I suggest this book for you:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0830832742/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/191-0651666-5677865?fp=1&pc_redir=1427267489

> Marriage on Trial: The Case Against Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting

Hey bdw, its written by a white person, so perhaps that carries more value. Also the authors are Americans which is what you want India to be I think. Was this gold diamond platinum worthy source?

Check the reviews too. I was a brain washed liberal too, until I grew up and actually read some philosophy and importance of society and it's nature.