TStevieRob

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  1. I did not speak to him about it. I like my Bishop, I respect him, I think he is a highly intelligent man. But, my Bishop has never fought in a war. I don't feel comfortable spilling some highly personal secrets to him, which are emotional (war memories) and my actions (MJ) that I feel strongly about. Not to sound condescending, but he, or any other person who has not fought in a war, has no idea what it is like to be in a war veteran's shoes. I am not ready to divulge certain aspects of my life to I strongly believe in, to have him potentially judge me. He may completely agree with me and totally surprise me, but I don't know and therefore I am not ready. I also think I am grown man who has experienced many things beyond my years, so I think that I am capable of making life-altering decisions (like joining the Army). If I feel I need, I seek it. But I do not feel I need it in this manner. I feel I have done enough research, prayed enough about it, and talked to people I trusted enough to make this decision and feel what I am doing is right.
  2. So I took some time to evaluate my options and the path going forward that best suits me, and helps me deal with my problems. I decided to keep smoking it. I have PTSD from some pretty terrible combat I faced overseas. There is NO CURE for PTSD. I am fully prepared to deal with it the rest of my life, much like the older WWII, Korea and Vietnam vets are still dealing with it. Going forward, the question becomes: How do I deal with it? Aside from two obvious answers: getting psychological help (which I believe to be questionable in effectiveness and necessity for all war vets) and reverent religious guidance. I have decided I have 3 options: I can do nothing, which will mean bad nightmares, grumpy days, isolationism. I can go the prescription route: will knock me out and get more sleep but doesn't necessarily help with flashbacks or nightmares. Also, dependency becomes an issue. As well as weight gain and the fact that I feel they alter my mind. Or, I can self-medicate. Self-medicate is a broad term, I know. It COULD include drinking alcohol. Which is why alcoholism and spousal abuse or so much higher in older (veteran) populations. Obviously though, I am not an alcohol drinker. I could try supplements such as melatonin, but they have little to no effect (in my experience). So, I choose marijuana. It helps really in no way other substances can. It mellows me out, calms me down, relaxes me and helps me sleep, seriously, so much better. I use it safely (meaning I don't operate motor vehicles) in the comforts of my home, it is not habit forming, and the health effects of using are negligible (not saying it is free of adverse health effects of side effects, although it might, but it is certainly less than alcohol, tobacco, fast food, and definitely the different pills the VA had me on). There is the whole argument of "You might be supporting drug cartels" but I think that is a cop-out. Not saying it isn't true, but it is a man created problem and I will address that in a second. Marijuana is shipped en masse (illegally of course) from Mexico, but I think it is becoming so much more common and people have a desire for higher quality, which the cartels cannot supply, so I think the amount of marijuana people get from DANGEROUS illegal sources is not as much as we think. I especially know it in my case (that is all I will say on how I obtain mine). So we run into the "Law of the Land" issue. It is true, that Federal-ly marijuana is still as illegal as ever. But state by state, and really even city by city now, regions are changing their own laws regarding marijuana. So there arises the question of "Well, am I breaking the law then?". It's true that technically you are breaking Federal Law. But, there is a reason the Federal Government is allowing all these states to allow medical marijuana. There is a reason they are not challenging Colorado and Washington and marijuana legalization. They realize they don't really have a leg to stand. They are beginning to realize the notions we made marijuana illegal on are almost entirely false, and now there is movement, a tide, that really cannot be turned back. And that counts for something. If a state legalized murder, the Federal Government would jump right in immediately and say "That's crazy, what are you doin?" But, they do not do that with marijuana. They are letting states do as they please. That is saying something. So when a person is caught in that moral dilemma, and whether or not they are following the Law of the Land, I think they have that to turn to. Something else you have to ask: Just because something is the "Law of the Land", does that make it "lawful"? If the law of the land tomorrow became "Identify all Jewish neighbors and businesses, help ship them off to concentration camps", would you follow it? I know I wouldn't. Because I know that the laws were made by men, who are imperfect. And so some of their laws can be imperfect, even unfair. Were Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers sinful for breaking the law of the land and claiming an American independence, in the face of unlawful English orders for taxation of colonists without representation? So speaking for myself, I think any law outlawing marijuana is wrong, and I am not afraid to "break" it. I fought for this country, bled for it, saluted the flag every morning at 0630 for 5 years, put 3 best friends into body bags, watched a little girl have her arm ripped off, killed for this flag, and had to wear a flea collar to stave off insects all over me since I couldn't shower for 3 months. Who is any politician, Bishop, President to tell me what should and shouldn't go into my body that I know helps me? And not only do I find the law outlawing marijuana wrong, I find it immoral. We live in a country that is supposed to promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Having it illegal discriminates against all 3 principles. How do you explain having fast food, alcohol and tobacco perfectly legal by Federal Law, but discriminating against marijuana? How many hundreds of thousands die every single year from poor diet, alcohol and tobacco? And how many from marijuana? By having it illegal we are in fact encouraging violence. Low end estimates place marijuana at 40% of Mexican Cartel incomes, high at 60-70%. Low or high, that is a huge chunk of their profits. If we legalized here, people could legally grow it and sell it, and there goes a huge chunk of cartel income. You create an illegal marketplace where disputes cant be settled in court, so instead are settled by gunfire. I believe it is wrong to have it illegal, dead wrong. Just like segregation was wrong, slavery was wrong, throwing Japanese citizens into internment camps was wrong, allowing torture of enemy combatants was wrong, breaking anti-Vietnam War protests with batons, tear gas, fire hoses and dogs was wrong, and outlawing alcohol (remember the results of that?) in the 20's was wrong. I find it wrong, and therefore will not subject myself to something I find wrong.
  3. I was asking this as a serious question and I think both of you missed the point. Thanks for not answering the question and wasting my time.
  4. So I recently saw a video online made by an Australian comedian where he and a few others went to the SLC area to go door-to-door missionary style. Except, they were atheists and had copes of The Origin of Species with them. Now, I have no doubt that this video was edited, so who knows what most of the people they talked to who weren't in the video acted like- the mass majority of them could have been very respectful and nice. But, in the video, most of the people wanted nothing to do with them and shut them out. So, this leads me to ask the question: What would you do? Would you have listened to what they had to say and engaged them in a thoughtful and meaningful conversation and/or debate? This assuming they were respectful to you, as they were in the video. Go watch the video if you want, it is on youtube and pretty easy to find. Just beware, that it is anti-Mormon in nature.
  5. So I feel a few comments here might be a little misleading. Not to say they aren't true, but they do not tell the whole story, and so I feel compelled to give my experience. Serving in the military is an honorable endeavor should you choose to do it. First, there was a comment earlier about a parent that signed the papers when their son was 17, and now he has PTSD and suffers from alcoholism. Well, to that, I offer you this: I was 17 when my parents signed the papers, and I suffer from neither. And thats not to say I didn't see my share of combat, because I did, as an infantryman in one of the worst areas of Afghanistan. I keep in touch with most of my buddies, who are non-mormons, and do I know guy whose have those? Yes. But most do not. And most guys join under the same circumstances- 17 and straight out of high school. So that goes to show that serving doesn't necessarily mean you will turn into an alcoholic with psychiatric issues. It's about how you deal with those issues and experiences. Second, serving as an officer is honorable, but so is enlisted. I am a mormon, and I managed to find other mormons in my area. I also knew plenty of other Christians (Baptists) who held pretty much the same morals (no drinking, no sex), so shame on previous posters for making it seem like everyone in the military is hard drinking, cigarette smoking sex maniacs, because they aren't. Their are men from all walks of life. Will you be exposed to those temptations? Sure. But, I can honestly say that when they came my way and I said why I couldn't partake, I NEVER got grief over it. They asked me questions (missionary opportunities anyone?) but treated me straight because I was their brother-in-arms. I love my "hard-drinking, cigarette smoking, sex maniac" Army buddies JUST AS MUCH as my Mormon brothers, because I know my Army buddies would be there to have my back before the dime hit the ground. No matter the toil or situation, they will be there. And thats honestly something I can't say about any other group of men I've met in my life- including Mormons. So is serving in the military necessary for honor? No, absolutely not. But, there is a lot of honor in doing it. It is my firm opinion you will meet some of the finest men and women you can think of. You will find men/women to spend time with that are just like you, whether other Mormons in your duty station area, or other servicemen with just the same morals- THEY EXISTS. I also pose this: we live in uncertain times, just getting out of one war but still with one raging. Men and women are dying every single day for an honorable cause. Is it right for Mormons to sit out a war that is being waged on their behalf (as all Americans) while people of other faiths or no faith die, just because their social habits are not the same? Is it right for Mormons to pursue their own religious interest while other put the interest of all above their own, and give their lives in the process?
  6. Short and sweet- how do I get out of the "friend" zone? Seems like it always happens to me. I go to a YSA ward. Im (generally) not afraid to ask girls out, I think Im pretty good on dates, but I dont know, that's how it seems like it always ends up. Also, a random tidbit. I dont think a girl should ever turn down a chance at a first date. No matter whom the guy. Whats the worst that could happen to you? Get a free meal and make a new friend?
  7. Please have an open mind when reading this, but please be honest. I am a 23 year old war veteran. I served for four and a half years as an infantrymen in the Army, including a year in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan, a pure hell hole. My job was straight forward- hunting the enemy everyday. I have been shot at, rocketed, bombarbed by artillery. I have personally seen 3 of my best friends die before my eyes, and to be honest, yes, done some killing of my own. I have some PTSD issues, albeit not crazy in my opinion. I manage to get on with everyday life after reading experiences from some older veterans who said life from that point on is about putting on one pant leg at a time, and getting on it with it. The only area greatly bothering me is my sleep. I have nightmares every night of some messed up stuff. Blood, explosions, bodies, etc. I often wake up in a cold sweat, my friends have said I talk, sometimes yell in my sleep, and sometimes I even wake myself up from jerking around. This causes me to be grumpy, exhausted, and depressed a lot. Now, how this comes to the word of wisdom. I have tried every avenue of help avaiable to me. Medical care is provided to me by the Veterans Administration. Through them I have access to help groups and sessions with a therapist free of charge. I have been on quite a few different medications, none much help and some with terrible side effects. Yes, I pray. Yes, I read scripture. I exercise and eat pretty healthy. Finally, some friends recommended marijuana to help me sleep and relax. After contemplation, I tried it, and it helped. It calms me down, helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. I generally feel better. I dont abuse it, just use it as needed. My state has a medical marijuana law that I qualify for so I am not worried about that. I dont sell it, nor do I go around advertising it. Researching it, it has virtually no adverse health effects. It really has no links to negative health conditions. Obviously, I am timid about bringing this up to people I know for obvious reasons. That is why I am posting it here. I honestly dont know how this would qualify as far WoW. Thoughts?
  8. Hello, I am a recent convert, and I will be honest I joined this site so I could gain answers to some serious questions I have. Thats why I am not providing much information, I am not sure how what I ask/reveal about myself will be taken. Please look for my other threads and share your thoughts. Thank you.
  9. Being single can be tough, I am. But Ive discovered its about getting out, putting yourself out there, and being GENUINE.
  10. It's in their record..... But they will bounce back eventually most likely.
  11. Great read. Great by yourself, on a dark and stormy night.
  12. I love Rudyard Kipling. A man of adventure and longed for it, and it showed in his work. My personal favorite: Kim. About a British boy growing up in India. A mirror of his own life in many ways.
  13. Eating cheap is great, but you have to make sure what you eat is nutritious. I follow a staple of my Drill Sergeant that he taught us: All you need is some meat, som vegetables, and maybe a salad. Following this is cheap, and healthy. Buying a pack of chicken breast will last you a week. And then canned/frozen veggies. Voila!
  14. Just look at how we try/ought to/do live our own lives as LDS members. I know for many, including myself, our day does not feel complete unless we have prayed, read scripture, etc. Its like one of the core aspects to building a complete mortal body.