LDS:Have you ever had a "dry" time in your desire to attend church?

lol wispy, most of my adult life has been a dry time. I don't enjoy church. I think everybody goes through a time when we don't really want to go, or be around people, or whatever. it's ok to take a break, but it's not ok to stay away so long that we start to lose who we are in regards to the church it helps us remember that life isn't just about us...and how important it is to involve ourselves with serving others and our communities.

I am a youth and, as you may know, youth get bored easily. I have had a dry times and it sucks. I just followed the motions. Then, one of my leaders, as if an answer to a prayer, gave a lesson to me about how to make church more meaningful. Here is what I learned.

1. Prepare

A. Throughout the week pray to recieve an answer during sacrament meeting or other church classes

2. Share

A. Share your testimony at church

3. Do

A. Think of Christ while you partake of the sacrament

B. Take notes

This helped me. You can also look for a talk (I am sure there is one) on www.lds.org

It's usually a dry time for me. I go to a singles ward where it's full of college age kids and everyone is socializing, and it's extremely hard for someone like me, who has social anxiety and Asperger's, to try to fit in and it gets very depressing, especially since I have an important calling (I'm a financial clerk).

But while part of me wants to stay home, I always remember that the Savior wants me to be there and my testimony only gets stronger each time I go. It's okay to occasionally take a Sunday off, which sometimes I do, but don't make it a regular thing.

It takes faith to go to church. The rewards aren't always obvious or immediate. In my experience, people get about as close to God as they dare, before they start backing off. So they vacillate between their righteous desires and their wicked desires, between spirituality and carnality. The weekly ritual of renewing our covenants by taking the sacrament and contemplating the sacrifice of the Savior on our behalf helps us fight against the worldly desires that plague us, and reminds us of our potential.

Another benefit is the support we get from other members of the church, and the support they get from us. Without those meetings, we might not know a single member. Okay, so Jim is giving a really boring talk in sacrament; soon it will be your turn to give a really boring talk in sacrament, but you both will benefit from the experience, if you are both trying to do better. We must have patience with each other's failings.

Don't remember what her name is, but a feminist mormon woman recently said, "It's okay to leave the church if it doesn't inspire a spark of joy."

It could have been your mom. Listen to her.

It's always a dry time with me around.

The Bible does not Teach We are to Give any Fixed % (Such as 10%) of Our Salary or Property

Tithes were required by God from the Israelite farmers and ranchers (see Deuteronomy 14:22 and Leviticus 27:30). Tithes were agricultural produce and not money (and they had money back in those days). The tithes were used in the temple, for festivals and for helping the poor.

There were 3 tithes from some of the Israelites and a 4th from the Levites to the Levite priests.

1) The Levitical tithe required those who raised crops (not everyone and not all professions – just those who raised crops) to give 10% of that to the Levites. This tithe occurred 6 years out of the 7 year cycle. It also required those that raised 10 or more animals to give each tenth animal that passed under the rod to the Levites. If a person raised less than 10 animals, they were not required to tithe.

2) From what was given to them, the Levites in turn had to give a tenth of the very best to the priests.

3) The festival tithe required that those who raised crops or animals to set aside 10% for the annual festivals.

4) The Poor tithe occurred only in the 3rd year of the seven year cycle. This was set aside for the poor.

Now about Christians and tithing, God never established a set standard for Christians to give. The principle of 10% of earnings being required of believers is not taught in the Bible. Giving should be done out of freewill and love and sometimes God puts it in our hearts to give much more than 10% and it doesn’t have to be just money. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. Giving should be done cheerfully from the heart (2 Corinthians 9:7) for the honour and glory of God, to help the needy (Hebrews 13:16, Acts 20:35, Matthew 25:35-45, Acts 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 5:1-16) and to support true pastors and ministries (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-13, 1 Timothy 6:17-19). This is the true principle to be learnt.

It’s clear that God never told us that we should be giving 10% (or any fixed %) of our salaries. Those who preach that Christians are to give 10% (or any fixed %) are wresting the Scriptures to conform to their belief at the expense of the truth. An individual may teach this false doctrine due to one or more of the following:

• Ignorance

• Fear of ridicule or disapproval of others who support this teaching

• Not wanting to admit what they always taught was wrong

• Love of money (1 Timothy 6:10)

Applying Old Testament practices in the New Testament is in essence, placing those who hear them under the bondage and curse of the Mosaic Law (Galatians Ch. 3).

If you’re teaching others that God commands this no matter how good the intentions are, it’s a sin. It’s time to break free from the false doctrine of believers being required to give 10% of their earnings, and take a stand against it.

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

http://www.cnview.com/on_line_resources/christians...

http://www.letusreason.org/doct54.htm

REDEMPTION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Because mankind is incapable of meeting God’s standard of perfection necessary to abide in God’s presence (Romans 3:19-20,23), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the total debt for the believer’s sins and mercifully credits to his account Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21-28,5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus’ gracious act of atonement was complete and covers all sin (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Salvation is not based on good deeds but according to the mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). Believers are justified by faith; it is a gift by God’s grace (Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). A true, living faith will result in a desire to live a holy, loving life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26), but failure to be absolutely successful at righteous living does not negate the believer’s justified status.

If you sincerely say this prayer, your sins will be washed away, you will be redeemed to God, be saved from eternal torment and inherit the Kingdom of God:

"Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner.

I repent of my sins.

Please forgive me and save me by your shed blood;

come into my heart.

I want to receive you as my own personal Lord and Savior.

Amen"

https://victoryinjesuschrist.wordpress.com/