TheLaughingMan

Hello everyone. My name is Isaac; my introductory post from a few years ago on my old profile (link in my sig) tells my story. I'm curious for a bit of input; I have just turned 31 years old, and thus I am technically too old for YSA, however, I am beginning my sophomore year of college, as in my depression and mental health issues, I feel as though I lost roughly 6 years of my life. They feel as though they were a dream. In essence, I feel like I'm only 25, despite my age being being a few years past that. The last year in college has made me realize as well, that apart from being far more mature than I was, I still get along fantastically with other college aged students, and they have no clue that I am as much older than them as I am until I tell them, and they often don't believe it until I show them my drivers license. Where I am going with all this is, and its just not something I am familiar with, is that I was wondering if the Church might allow someone in my position to attend the local universities YSA group? Honestly, I could take the Institute courses, and be in class with other young members of the church. At this point, I feel as though I need the support network of other young people and university classmates who are members of the church. I realize much of this line of thought would be something that I would necessarily need to talk to the YSA Branch President about, but I merely was desiring a bit of input on the subject from you all first. Thanks in advance!

I skimmed this conversation, and I think everyone needs to remember that conversion is a slow process. Not just in religion, but in all changes we make in life; they are all made in steps. That being said, I believe I've heard that even members of the church are continually still working on their conversion. We are to always work on our testimony and strengthen it. We are never without weakness as humans, it is our very nature that we have problems, issues, and weakness. We always need improvement, so conversion is always happening; we're converting ourselves into better versions of ourselves on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, a lot of people get so stuck on This is great! I do that sort of thing all the time... I just get so very focused on some things that I lose my focus on others.

This would've been nice when I was called to the Philippines, especially since I'm extremely warm-natured. >_> I'm glad for those in such climates now!

Hahaha, sorry Pam! I just noticed this.. its the same thing I just posted, except you posted the lesson format, and I linked to the actual talk. Great Minds I guess.

Hahaha, sorry Pam! I just noticed this.. its the same thing I just posted, except you posted the lesson format, and I linked to the actual talk. Great Minds I guess.

I think I'll leave this here... it might shed some light. "I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is the meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as “a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.” Meditation is a form of prayer. We can say prayers without having any spiritual response. We can say prayers as the unrighteous king in Hamlet who said: “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” -- President McKay, 1967 Source >> http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1550

We always called it "getting swept away by the Spirit!"

Minimal meaningful interaction seems like a great place to start, as well as being careful in what you say to or around them. Even things they might overhear, or things that get back to them.

Man, it must be the day for that.... I'm back after two years myself!!