Hmm :/ Dunno What To Do...

Seraphim Moonshadow · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 12:35 AM

I have a friend whom I love very much that’s like a brother to me. Since he’s moved down to Nevada, I’ve spent less and less time with him. But the other night I was able to see him and we had a blast. Anyway, I found out that he’s become more or less inactive. The only place he can go to church is apparently Vegas and his job (he works at a school for rehab kids) he hasn’t been able to get it off so he could go. (He lives about 100 miles from Vegas one way.) I asked him if he had a testimony of Christ, the Restored gospel, and the Book of Mormon the other night and in a very quiet voice he said he did. I asked if he knew it was true and he replied, “Yeah...yeah, I...I guess.” I want to help him build his testimony. I know he will listen..he always does. He hasn’t found the reasons inside of him to stay completely on the straight and narrow and I don’t know quite how to help his faith become something more real to him. It would help if he was “able” to go to church and I asked if he had asked about getting time off but he hadn’t. He does have other people who go to Vegas for church, though. It just seems he has no zest for it, and I know inside of him, he’s a lot more hollow than he says he is. I’ve known him for about three or four years and we’ve always been best friends.

I think he’s had a lot of anti-Mormon people to be around, people I happen to know. He still slightly associates with them, but those influences are more or less online. I don’t know about “rl” influences. I want to teach him...he’s one of those people that are easily taught when you know them and I know the Spirit can touch his heart. He’s pretty much been through most of my up and downs with me, so I know I’ve not always been the best of examples. What am I now, though, I know he desires and testimony and to learn of Christ and he’s shown that to me. I’ve prayed for him and if you want to, pray for that spark within in. How do you create that spark-I know he has to find it in himself-he’s got a very hard shell but a sweet heart which is easily touched. He’s open and honest. I don’t know how often he reads the Book of Mormon and he’s not all that bad or anything, but he’s slowly drifted off in the past couple of years, but I know he wants to come back but I don’t think he rightly knows how. Any suggestions? Thanks for any replies....just...not sure how to approach it besides praying and just talkin with him one-on-one about the gospel and by my example and bearing my own testimony.

He's still just a kid and I know he wants to go on a mission. I don't know if he realizes some of the stuff that is wasting his time. I also want him to love the gospel for the right reason. But I know part of him would do it because he loves me, too.

Friends who'd do anythin' for ya can be a sort of a good thing and a bad thing, lol. I feel kind of like Alma....

I mean...I'd hate to see it, some years down the road, perhaps in that afterlife which we all shall have, in which he finds regret. I know it's his choice but he is a good soul, a very good soul. Maybe it's all about listening to the Spirit and reading the Book of Mormon. I know that has helped many a time lately with the people I've been teaching. :P

Also, what's the best way to explain to someone who God is if they're sort of the atheist type? Just...bearing your testimony of the Plan of Salvation? [Sorry, ya'll, my Preach My Gospel happens to be packed.]

It's alright if ya'll don't answer. I just sorta feel like I'm staring at a big, blank wall here.

BenRaines · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 12:50 AM

I would like to know where anyone would live in Nevada that they would be over 100 miles from an LDS church. In less than 100 miles I can be in St. George. There are 22 Stakes in Nevada and over 120 wards. There are units of the church all over the place in Nevada. Comes from having pioneers settle Nevada.

Get his zip code and go to lds.org and check for nearest church.

Good luck.

Seraphim Moonshadow · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 01:10 AM

He said something about not being able to go to a Singles Ward. Um...zip code. I have his area code.

I know there's a lot of churches over there...I've just...never....well, I dunno where they are and I can't even spell where he lives, much less remember it.

But you're right, there SHOULD be someplace he could go that's closer.

BenRaines · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 01:23 AM

Just because he is single does not mean that he has to attend a singles ward. Get his zip code and you can find the nearest ward where he is currently living.

If he wants to go to church he can find a way to attend. If he wants to make an excuse then he can always find one of them also.

Remind him that with the raised bar, increased standards, what he does in his life before he goes on a mission will decide if he can go on a mission in the first place.

Ben

Seraphim Moonshadow · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 01:55 AM

He lives in Armagosa Valley and yay, I found some! And I actually recognize some of those town names, yay!

thebomb7652000 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 09:15 AM

If i was in your shoes i would try to visit him more, invite him to social functions and pray for him,and dont forget to remind him to uphold high standards that is very important that is about all you can do for him.

lisajo · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

I would like to know where anyone would live in Nevada that they would be over 100 miles from an LDS church. In less than 100 miles I can be in St. George. There are 22 Stakes in Nevada and over 120 wards. There are units of the church all over the place in Nevada. Comes from having pioneers settle Nevada.

Get his zip code and go to lds.org and check for nearest church.

Good luck.
[/b]

Good point Ben, I live in a tiny town and we have a church, and all the towns do.....except goldfield nevada but that is much further than 100 miles, Were is he at?

shanstress70 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

He lives in Armagosa Valley and yay, I found some! And I actually recognize some of those town names, yay!
[/b]

Don't you think he could've found out what you just found out in 2 minutes or so?

Maybe he no longer believes that the LDS church is the one true church and doesn't have the heart to tell you that. If so, would you still be there for him and love him like a brother?

That does happen, ya know? And it doesn't necessarily mean that someone has 'lost their way' or anything. Remember that a true friend is a friend regardless of religious beliefs.

If this is the case, he probably needs your friendship more than ever because who knows what his familial relationships are like.

Seraphim Moonshadow · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 12:21 PM

I would still be there for him and he knows that. ^.^ I don't know as far as finding it out. He probably could have but sometimes he's pretty dense.

As we were talking about it, the Spirit bore witness he still does. At least, deep down inside. I know he has to make his own effort, which he is not exactly doing.

But part of his still has that effort, otherwise he probably wouldn't be where he is.