[richlittell]

Besides the general advice I gave above, which I hope you take to heart, I'd like to specifically address some of your issues.

Originally Posted by norawhitman

Anyhow I got baptized and went off to BYU. I majored in Middle Eastern Studies and went to study abroad in Egypt. I ended up spending a lot of time over there, and fell in love with the people. I found Islam intriguing, as well as Coptic Christianity. This is where my testimony of the church was challenged greatly. Would God really say that these people who's faith was greater than my own, who were more disicplined than me... that it all wasn't enough? That was the first big uh oh question.

Who says it isn't enough? We are one of the few religions in the world that say non-Christians living good principles, Christians living good principles, and even lukewarm Mormons all have their place in one of God's glorious kingdoms (which glory of the lowest is beyond our comprehension). And who's to say that all these might not come to the true church someday, maybe in the millennium.

But in my spare time I would find myself checking books out of the library about different religions. I am fascinated by Eastern religions and find a lot of peace in their practices. I also find the history of religion fascinating, and I love to study the morphing of religions, if you will, as every religion has beliefs and rituals that are inherited by another. It was all truly amazing and was something I had never been exposed to.

Please, keep doing that, seems God may have given you a special gift, to be one who can be knowledgeable in such areas and help the rest of us. And.. wasn't it because of your conversion and time in BYU that led you to these things? Don't too quickly bite the hand that feeds you.

When I went back across seas I began to notice the Spirit everywhere. Old churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples throughout the Middle East and Europe had the Spirit in abundance. It was no different than the feeling I had felt in the temple a hundred times before. It was a sacred space made sacred by the thousands of prayers uttered there, made sacred by the thousands of faithful people who had worshipped there.

That is the power of the Holy Spirit, the one you received by the laying on of hands. You may lose it, at least as a constant companion, if you turn away too quickly. No one ever said the only place to feel the Spirit is in our temple or churches.

I do think the Book of Mormon has truth in it, I have read it only a few times, but each time I read it I feel peace. Definitely. I think the prophet and apostles are inspired men. But I also think Buddhism has inspired leaders. I read the Qur'an and I feel the same peace I feel when reading the Bible. There is no monopoly on truth or salvation. As long as we are seeking to live well, seeking to be better and serving others we are on our way there.

God has had inspired men in various places in various ages for all his children.

I want my son to grow up and truly have a choice as to what he wants to practice and believe. But I also want him around good people. I love the church. There is much to be learned from the members in areas of service, love, discipline, and much else.

Your son will have his choice one day, teach him how to choose well, let him feel free to keep your faith or another, though if you are strongly inclined towards LDS, let him know so and he can decide for himself. He will have his choice regardless of what, if any, religion you practice. But I can tell you, just like the friends who brought you into the church, you will never find a greater group of young men and women for your son to hang around with (and someday find his life partner maybe, you know, a woman like yourself)

Question. Is your husband not LDS?