Does anyone know any good wine substitutes? I miss the taste of wine, and I miss having something relaxing to drink while I study scripture or spend time with friends. Maybe some mock tail recipes or brand recommendations? I heard magnesium and grape juice is similar, has anyone tried that?

I apologize in advance if this isn’t the right place for this kind of question. However, as my husband/kids and I approach picking a place to raise our family I’d love to hear other perspectives as far as where you’ve decided to raise a family and why. Specifically, how much value have you put on being near family? How have experiences been raising kids either in Utah or outside of it? Has it been positive or negative to be surrounded by others with similar standards (or to not be?) Would love any insight. As someone originally from Utah, I’ve loved being away from it for the last several years living on the east coast. I feel like it’s been great to be around others with different attitudes, beliefs and backgrounds. I’ve dealt with less insecurity and comparison, and strengthened my testimony. However I can’t decide if it’s in my kids best interest to be raised away from their grandparents and cousins and so many faithful members of the church that they would be around in Utah.

Would appreciate any insight anyone might have here.

I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out if I’m a trans woman, or just a cis man. It’s been pretty stressful for me, and I’d like to know what that would mean for me with church. For example, if I turn out to be trans could I still go to the temple? Would transitioning be an option? If anyone has any advice or similar experiences, I’d really appreciate it.

Hi everyone, I’m going through a tough time and would love to hear some advice or similar experiences.

My boyfriend and I recently broke up because he’s preparing to leave on a mission. At first, I struggled a lot because I couldn’t understand why he didn’t want to stay together, but now I’ve come to terms with the fact that we don’t know what the future holds. I also know many couples make the same decision in similar situations.

Even though we’ve broken up, we’ve decided to stay in touch as friends. We’re both open to whatever may happen in the future when he returns, but for now, I want to support him as much as I can during his mission. He’s genuinely excited about this opportunity, and I know how important it is to him. However, I also know there will be moments when he might feel down, especially since he doesn’t have much support from his immediate family.

That’s why I’ve decided to write him letters from time to time—to motivate him and remind him that he’s not alone. I want to be a source of encouragement for him while also focusing on moving forward with my own life.

Recently, I’ve also made the decision to learn more about the church and join it myself. It’s something that has been on my heart, and I feel this is a good time to deepen my understanding and faith.

Have any of you been in a similar situation? How did you handle your emotions and find a balance between moving on and supporting someone you care about?

I’d really appreciate any advice or stories you can share. Thank you so much for reading. ❤️

Hello! I am going on a mission and it'll have hot and cold weather. I have six pairs of shoes so far, and was looking for more recommendations? also skirts/dresses too!

Im a senior in high school filling out mission papers. The last part of mission papers is a photo and it should be complaint with grooming standards and stuff. Im wondering what haircuts are allowed. I have long ish hair right now and im just wondering how short or long it can be. Im thinking about just getting a buzzcut but ive heard conflicting info on if its allowed or not. And if I can’t get a buzz what hairstyles are allowed besides just a side part or something. Thanks

Reading through this years come follow me I am really digging the new supplemental sections they added called "voices of the restoration" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-doctrine-and-covenants-2025/03a-voices-of-the-restoration-joseph-smiths-family?lang=eng

They are just that quotes and documents coming out of the Joseph smith papers projects that relate to some of the D&C sections that are being studied for that month.

I think this is a really smart add.

I also really like this companion manual "Historical resources" that follows each weeks come follow me.

Also to note at the end of the year there is a lesson on the Family proclamation. One step closer to us canonizing it I wonder ;)

Is this a normal practice? A friend is getting help from the church but the bishop uses his own credit card to pay her rent and then gets reimbursed by the church..I know that the church writes checks to pay bills and such of those who need financial assistance but now that checks are kind of a thing of the past what does the church advise? Something just seems a bit off if he's using his own credit card potentially receiving perks for that and then getting reimbursed.

Hi family, I am feeling really frustrated and I would love some wisdom and understanding.

I have been a member for 2 years nearly. I come from a city in Canada where the mission has just been on fire with baptisms in the last 12 months. However, it has been exhausting as a ward. In our ward alone we have has over 65 baptisms this calendar year. With the exception of 2 or 3 weeks, every Sunday after second hour there has been a baptism. The ward missionaries (which really is relief society with a different name) are required to provide refreshments with a minimal budget (I think $20 only- in this economy!)

Because of the weekly baptisms we have had no choir (a rushed single practice before the Christmas service only) no linger longers or ward activities outside of the big ones like the Christmas party. It's hard for our presidencies to assign ministering assignments and retention is not good at all.

It seems friends are just being pushed into baptism- If they turn up 1 minute before the end of church they are counted as their required attendances. Many newly baptised members are not informed before the ordinance what to expect or what to do. Sometimes the records don't even have their full information.

As a member of the ward, it's so overwhelming. We have asked the mission to consider doing baptisms every other week to help with fatigue, funding, and to be able to do other ward activities. The mission told us no.

I love that people are finding the gospel, but many people are coming and then leaving right away. Or are coming, getting baptised because they think they can receive some assistance, get the help, then leave.

I am at my wits end. I'm resentful. I don't want to go to church on Sundays. The ward is so full of people who don't know each other (especially since we recently had a merger too) that it's hard to get to know people. And apparently missionaries are wanting ministering assignments to help teach these new members lessons after baptism. Some new members feel kinda dropped by the missionaries because they are so focused on numbers.

How can I get over this? I've had a lot of things going on in my life lately that church was my only safe place and my only constant and I don't feel like I have it anymore. I want to be excited for the new members finding the gospel but it is so hard for me when I feel like it's getting diluted because people aren't being taught or integrated.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

Howdy everyone! A few weeks ago I posted about how I was nervous to tell my friends I was getting baptized into the church. Long story short, I spent many years as an atheist bad-mouthing the church, and my friends all no doubt remembered this, so I was worried I would be seen as weird and as a hypocrite.

They didn’t react that way at all. They were somewhat confused at first and did ask me about it, even inquiring into my previous statements about the church. However, after talking to them they were very supportive that I found something that brings me so much joy. I explained that while I didn’t expect them to understand entirely, I value their friendship and I want to be honest with them and invite them.

I didn’t expect many people at my baptism as I don’t have a ton of friends and don’t know everyone at the church yet, but I was so happy to see so many church members showing up to support me and so many missionaries there as well!

I am so blessed with the restored gospel, the true church, and an ever-stronger faith with Christ. I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of the Lord’s church.

TLDR; people love you, even if you don’t see it — including Jesus. Don’t be scared to proclaim what you believe, even if not everyone understands.

A month and a half ago, I knew these two missionaries. At that time, I was searching about some different religions, because I'm trying to find my faith. I'm agnostic; not by choice, I'm just not sure about anything.

I'm interested about their religion and I truly in some values that this church has. I love the way you are lovely, the way you believe with your heart in God, the way you treat the family as a priority. I do like this church.

Anyway, I can't believe 100% it even though I want. I also can't deny. And I told that to the elders. They said I should get baptized, because I identify with them, but I would feel fake doing this. Like, I would basically doing it to me, not for God. This isn't right.

The missionaries said me that these thoughts isn't from God, but from the devil, cause God want it to me. I still think I'm being selfish.

I do a lot of questions to them and they don't know how to answer me some. They say I need stop overthinking and just follow God. But I'm like that, I'm always with some doubt.

What should I do? Are they right about it? How could I get baptized if I'm not sure about my beliefs?

I'm confused😕

Sorry my English, anyway.

We’ve paid tithing on gross income since we’ve been married (20 years).

This includes tithing on the money we put into 401k.

I started thinking, how do people tithe in retirement if they already paid on what was put in? We’ve also technically paid on social security. We just haven’t paid on 401k interest earnings, because we won’t know that until we retire.

I ask because now we’re short on money. Kids going to college and we haven’t saved anything for them. In retrospect we shouldn’t have tithed on gross I think. We could have used that extra money to save for kids college.

We’ve faithfully done all the church things. I (mom) sacrificed a career for kids. Now the only jobs I can get are very low paying. I have a job now, full time, which helps a little.

We’ve fulfilled all of our callings, faithfully, cleaned the church regularly, etc

I guess I thought we’d see more blessings from tithing paying.

What do others do if anyone is in a similar situation?

I want to bless the stake and assigned ward. What about things other high councilors have done to bless your life and enrich your church experience?

Edit: bonus question - for those of you who have served in bishoprics and elders quorum presidencies, how were high councilors most helpful or not helpful?

This week in Come, Follow Me we are studying the Restoration Proclamation. I confess that this is the first time I have read it, even though it came out in 2020. The following sentence caught my eye, discussing the first vision:

In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth.

I have two problems with this:

1. None of the first vision accounts seem to mention anything about the original Apostles.

2. Didn’t John the Beloved, (also known as John the Apostle) never die?

As far as I can tell, this sentence is flat out wrong. What am I missing?

So excited to soon receive my patriarchal blessing! Would really appreciate thoughts and comments on how I can prepare for it

My dad finally got his living ordinance recommend and will be endowed in 2025 which means he can finally be sealed to my mother. When such happens I will be getting sealed to them both the same day. Do i need to wear my Ceremonial clothing or just my temple dress? I am very curious.

My husband and I were just called to be gospel doctrine teachers, we both love teaching so we’re excited. It’s been a long time since I really studied the Doctrine and Covenants (probably 15 years ago in seminary) but I want to do my best to make the class engaging and meaningful.

For all you other Sunday school teachers, what resources are you using to help prep your lessons? Books, podcasts, websites, etc. We already listen to the Follow Him podcast and really love it, but also looking for other sources that teachers have found helpful.

TIA!

Moroni 10

This chapter is packed full.   We have a promise that many have tried and many have received an answer that the Book of Mormon is true.   We have a discussion about spiritual gifts.   We have the hiss I have talked about many times and we have the words of many prophets added into an ending.

Its 400 years after the coming of Christ and Moroni is writing his last chapter in his book.  He leaves us with a promise.   It’s a promise that I have tested and am a witness that many others have tested it.

Here is the promise, first his promise presupposes a knowledge of the bible.   It says that we need to remember the mercy of the Lord to the children of men from Adam down until our time.  If we have read the book and pondered it in our hearts keeping in mind his mercy, then we can proceed with is promise.   The promise is that if we will ask God the eternal father (assumes that we have an understanding of who God is), If the book is true and then ask with 4 requirements he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the Holy Ghost.   The first requirement is to ask in the name of Christ, 2^(nd) to ask with a sincere heart (sincerely wanting to know if it’s true), then asking with real intent (really intending to follow through; meaning joining his church and keeping all his commandments).  

Moroni continues with “And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

He tells us that no hope and despair cometh from iniquity.

Then he ends with some if then statements which I think are really cool.   See v32 and 33. 

I want to end with what Grant Hardy wrote in his book “Understanding the Book of Mormon”

Hardy proposes that Moroni ends his book with previous Book of Mormon Farewells.   He tries to end his book three times but keeps on living so keeps adding. 

1^(st) he tries to end in Mormon 8:13- talks about he was a descendant of Nephi talk about the fulfilment of some of the vision of the tree of life vision including church of the devil lifted up in pride...wearing fine apparel v 36.

Ether 12 talks about faith of Nephi, Lehi, Ammon, Brother of Jared, He talks about his weakness (using Nephi’s word – Weakness which is in my 1 Nephi 19:6, 2 Nephi 3:13 that weakness can become strengths, and that the weakness of their words will the Lord make strong.

Finally in end of Moroni 10  he proposes that Moroni takes the words of others and ends with them:

“…for he shall see me at the bar of God….as one crying form the dead…the dust”  Moroni 10:27/2 Nephi 33:11, 13; cf. 2 Nephi 3:19-20; Isaiah 29:4; 2 Nephi 26:16 Nephi and Lehi’s words

“…proceed forth out of the mouth…God will show unto you, that that…true”  Moroni 10:28-29/2 Nephi 33:14; cf. 2 Nephi 3:21;  Moroni 7:35;  cf. 2 Nephi 33:11  Nephi’s words

“…come unto Christ…lay hold upon every good gift…”  Moroni 10:30/Omni 1:26;  Moroni 7:19, 10, 25  Amaleki’s words

“…Awake, and arise from the dust…”  Moroni 10:31/ 2 Nephi 1:14, 23; cf. Isaiah 52:1-2 Quoting Lehi

“…I bid unto all, farewell, I soon go to rest….meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah…”  Moroni 10:34/Enos 1:27;  Jacob 6:13 (Hardy, A Reader’s Guide, pg. 261-265). Enos and Jacob.

And of course quotes from Isaiah are through this also.   We have quite a book here…

It has been a pleasure share the book of Mormon with you.   I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The End.

The Church’s website says that the Lights at Temple Square will be on from “the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and remain on until January 1.” Does this mean the lights will be lit on January 1st night (Wednesday)? Or will the last time to view them be December 31st?

I’m getting baptized and my family doesn’t know

Basically what the title says. My family isn’t completely atheist per se, but they definitely look down upon Christianity. I’ve been in and out of LDS Church the last few years. Around 2 years ago I was set to be baptized, but my family more or less showed their disapproval, so I backed out of it.

I’ve been talking to some missionaries again for around 2 months now and am set to have my baptism on 12/29, I’m very excited, but also feel at a standstill with my family. I’d love for them to go, but I know they won’t.

I live with my mother, and we kind of have a makeshift family together. We both pay half for everything and get along really well, and we’re equals, so her disapproval of the church really resonates with me. A couple weeks back I actually snuck out one Sunday to go to church, which is kind of interesting since a lot of times it’s the other way around.

I love God and for sure feel a connection to Jesus Christ, but I’m worried it might put up a wall with my family (particularly my mother) and I. And it’s kind of nerve racking because I obviously can’t keep this a secret forever. Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated

Update: thanks everyone for your replies! A lot of them helped me out. I didn’t go to my baptism today, but got ahold of the missionaries later and expressed how I for sure want to be baptized and part of their church. I’ve also talked about it with my mother and she is now on board. Getting baptized for real this time this coming Sunday 😊

So i come from a very small ward. Definitely the smallest ward in the stake. For as long as i can remember (20+ years) on fasting Sunday, the elders passed the sacrament. When i was younger we never thought anything of it, kind of viewed it as a Sunday’s break for us that usually passed the sacrament . I’ll admit, I’m no where near as active as i should or would like to be. However when i started participating in this on fast Sunday’s, along with other elders that i passed with when we were in young men, i really felt a special bond and felt closer to the Lord/more spiritual. Keep in mind we rarely have enough youth to pass most Sunday’s, elders have to step in and help when needed. Well recently our stake president visited on one of these fast Sundays, and told us that we needed to stop the tradition of the elders passing on fast Sunday. A couple of us met with him after church and let him know how it made us feel, basically told us sorry but rules are rules. Mostly just ranting here but id also like to hear some of your thoughts. This is my first reddit post so take it easy on me.

Hi! I’m a pretty avid studier as I’m preparing for my mission and I want to really know the scriptures so I can answer questions efficiently. Some of my family listens to podcasts for their study. I tend to just read and feel the spirit, but that doesn’t always work if I’m tired or uninspired, so I tried some of the podcasts and they’re good for references but sooo hard to get through. Many make me want to rake my ears off just from the voices or the outdated opinions or long winded anecdotes that I can’t really apply to my scripture study.

I’m begging for a scripture podcast recommendation that is preferably not someone that appears to live in Utah and isn’t four hours long, just an expansion of the scriptures with some inspiring thoughts.

Does anyone have any New Year’s resolutions they’d like to share of a spiritual nature? I’d love some ideas to add to my list! I decided this year I’m not doing any resolutions unless it pertains to my faith journey, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you and what not.

So far my goals are:

• daily prayer, at the very least giving thanks and repenting.

• daily scripture study. I also want to make an effort to apply what I learned everyday and reflect on it in my journal.

• daily act of charity. I just want to do one small thing (at minimum) a day to humble myself and fill my heart with love and light.

• Read my entire quad

• Attend sacrament weekly, temple monthly

Any other ideas that are reasonable and preferably trackable?

Also side note in regards to last years resolutions, the ones I accomplished were:

• finish Book of Mormon for the first time

• Accept a calling

• Get endowed

What are your goals for the new year?

I LOVE the Givens’ books and perspective.

The God who Weeps The Crucible of Doubt

Currently I’m listening to All things New - Fantastic.

What other audio/books does this sub recommend?

Adam Miller - Original Grace has also been incredible.

They says "we release this person from this calling. Express your thanks for their service with the uplifted hand". I am grateful for what these people have done... even though I'm not in their ward.

Additionally, "sustain this person with the show of the uplifted hand". I want this person to be successful even if I'm not in their ward. Admittedly this probably has a stronger counter argument, but still... if my sibling receives a calling while in their ward...I can still sustain them.

I don't think it is doctrine for only ward members to sustain, but I'm happy to listen to what you have to say!

So I’m gonna start with this;

it’s a joke- it is an outgrowth of me being bored in sacrament meeting- don’t take it as literal doctrine!

Ok- with that out of the way…

Many speculate that the BoM took place in Central America. So let’s assume that Nephite-descendent Mayans knew a thing or two of the earth’s chronology. Their “long count” calendar ended in December 2012.

Revelation speaks of a half-hour silence in heaven on the opening of the 7th seal.

If a day in heaven is 1000 years on earth, then a half-hour silence is 21 years on earth.

So if the Mayans were right, and the 7th seal opened in 2012, and we add 21 years, we get to 2033. Which is exactly 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Christ.

I’ll finish with the fact that while it says “no man knoweth the day or the hour of his coming”, there’s no prohibition on figuring out the year!

Please disregard the tag I had to choose, it fit the best but I'm not here to challenge anyone's faith. If anything, I'm here to challenge mine.

Hi everyone! I was baptized Mormon at 17 (Or was it 18? Long time ago now) and LSS: It didn't fully take. I went off to the Army and, well, it's not the best place for Piety or the Pearl of Great Price.

I did expose myself to LDS "debunking" if you will, and I found most of it pretty compelling and likely, but I have a mind and soul that can see higher truths that supercede "facts" and I understand that God can work his will through all manner of machinations. LDS is very, very good for a LOT of families, and the values it extolls are just about the finest of any belief system.

So now you know I'm not a "hater" or some frothy angry Ex-Mormon who's Bishop "done 'em wrong" and therefore condemn the entire org.

What intersets me is The Book of Mormon, itself. I think there is a ton of truth in there, even though in the back of my mind I feel it was engineered by the usual suspectes, beyond JS himself, to take control of a narrative that was emerging at that time...facts about "America" that were coming to light that the PTB didn't want people to know about. (I.E. the existence of Giants, the "Newness" of American Indians, Cyclic catastrophe, etc)

If you kind of blur your eyes a little bit, TBOM is confirming what a lot of "alternative" info sources have been dishing out for the last 5 years or so.

How many of you feel very strongly about the truth of TBOM and as a bonus, do any of you feel the opposite about DOC? For me, the DOC stopped sounding like the Jesus Christ we all know and love and started sounding more like someone trying to attach the BOM to Freemasonry.

I know most if not all of you in this group are probably "All-In" and would not want to confess to any doubt or alternative thinking, and I understand why. But if anyone is willing to have a dialogue here, great. I'm not looking for debate or anything like that.

In other words, I found out that he was getting transferred yesterday. While I felt it was bittersweet, I really didn’t think that much of it. Other missionaries from my ward got transferred before. For context, I’m a convert who joined the church 4 months ago. I’m in my 30’s (F), divorced, and this particular missionary is 21 (M). He’s been there throughout my whole journey. He confirmed me and has continued to teach me all these months. The feelings I’ve ever experienced towards him were always platonic. In fact, I always used to treat him like a baby brother and would even jokingly say I could be his ”young mom”. I used to help him teach his lessons with his companion, I’d always get them snacks, etc. Today, during his goodbye speech I just started crying uncontrollably. Later as I was speaking to him, he had tears in his eyes too. I felt so sad and went back home still in tears. I can’t quite explain it. I wonder if my feelings for him might have been bigger than what I thought or if I’m just really sad and emotional about his departure. I did tell him that he’s going to bring so much joy by teaching about Christ in his new location. I’m just puzzled. After I got home I curled up in a ball and cried myself to sleep. I don’t intend on telling him about how emotional I felt but I’m pretty sure many people in my ward noticed it too.

Sitting in church today I was randomly reminded of that video by Elder TikTok where he was visiting a ward and there was a baptist pastor speaking and was bashing the whole time basically. Their bishop and swapped with the pastor for that Sunday and it was like, an event that happened. The stake president was fine with it or something. I don’t remember all the details.

This got me wondering if that could be considered “apostate.” I believe the handbook says only baptized members can speak (I could be wrong). That got me wondering; can bishops/entire wards apostatize? Can a stake? The priesthood and the church are here to stay and cannot be removed from the earth, but there is to be widespread apostasy too. How much “widespread” is widespread?

What do you think widespread apostasy would look like today?