What is the difference

Christian forum is a forum based on general non-denominational beliefs. LDS is a specific religion with specific beliefs. LDS is an abbreviation for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Or another slang term is "mormon" Members of the LDS Church are Christian. It's the same as the difference between the Catholic Forum and the Christian Forum. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :) :D :D :D

I knew what lds stood for. I just wasn't sure if people considered the mormons christians thats why I asked what the difference was.

Some people don't consider us Christians, although I can't understand why....I mean the name kinda says so...? Our Church is very definately centered on Christ and His Teachings. I have also met some college educated adults that actually think "mormons" have horns, or that there is an electric fence around the State of Utah and you have to show your "Mormon Card" to get in. It's kinda funny some of the questions that we get asked sometimes. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions. Let me know if you have any more, I would gladly answer them!

I have talked to the missionaries in the past. They don't really believe what I believe in. I do have one question and was curious. I know someone who is 15 years old and was speaking to the missionaries and she is pregnant and she is keeping her child but the missionaries told her if she joined the church they would encourage her to place the child for adoption. why is that? why would they tell her such thing? she told me they offended her so she stopped speaking to them.

As a general rule, it is best if the bio parents BOTH can raise the child. At 15 your friend is severely limited in capacity to raise a child. I have known several girls at several stages and the one that was 19 that decided to parent, That I supported in her decision to parent by the way, had many many problems and troubles. I got to see first hand the hardships that her life had. She even called me in tears when her boy was 1 yr old asking me if it was too late to put him up for adoption. It was unbearable for me to see her go thru this heartache. I believed that since she was 19, she could handle being a single parent. The reason the missionaries stated that she would probably be counseled to place her baby for adoption, is that it usually is better in the long run for both the child and the single mother. The child is reared in a home with 2 parents who are more prepared to care for it and the mother is able to finish her education and make a better life for herself. I personally feel that whether or not adoption is the right choice depends completely on the situation. If I could do it again, I would have given my friend the advice to place her baby for adoption. Her life would be dramatically different today. And I'm sure that Troy, her son would not have the mental/emotional problems that were a direct result of her inability to parent. I know that this is not the case in every situation, but I also know that parenting requires so much more than love. It requires that you sacrifice large parts of your life for the sake of another. The foster system is filled with neglected and abused children that are there because the biological parents thought they were ready to be parents. Age is not the only fatcor of prepardness. It is however a large factor. The advice to place for adoption probably came from an idealistic hope for the child and mother both to have all the best opportunities in life. Please don't let what I have said offend in any way. I am only speaking from my own life and experiences. I hope your friend carefully looks into what it will really take to parent. (I'm NOT speaking of money or big house...etc)

The girl I am speaking of is friends with my daughter. My daughter is 16 and will be 17 soon. I had my daugher when I was 15 and I am very happy I kept her. I am went to college and graduated high school and two trade schools. I graduated from a beauty school and paralegal school. the girl I would like to see her do what she thinks is best even if she keeps her child because I would know thats what she wanted. she said she is keeping her child and her parents will help her while she finishes school. Her parents told her she cant ever speak to the mormons again because they offended her. Its kind of sad what people do these days to offend people. How do the lds feel about the ones who keep their child and if the family is willing to help them?

Each person has their own opinions, I'm sure. But if the family is able and willing to help, then more power to her. I certainly wouldn't recomend single parenting without some type of serious support stucture in place. I am close friends with many single parents. In some cases it turns out fine, and others...not so good, even with parental help. One friend has a 6 yr old, and lives with her folks, but now that she is older, she wants her own place and just cannot afford to move out. It has put a terrible strain on her relationship with her parents. She also has to give visitations to the bio father even though her daughter hates to go. She told me that the worst part of being a single parent was dealing with the bio father. She is 23 or 24 now and still doesn't have a life of her own. I would suggest that your daughter's friend marry the biodad if that is at all feasible. By the Way, this is the link to our church's Official Position on Adoption and Parenting. That way you can read for yourself and not rely on the humble opinion of a single member, or that of the missionairies. [url]http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/2002.htm/ensign%20february%202002.htm/adoption%20and%20the%20unwed%20mother.htm?fn=document-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0[/url] The letter in it's entirety is below.... Policies and Announcements Adoption and Unwed Parents News of the Church,Ӕ Ensign, Apr. 1999, 80 The following letter signed by the First Presidency was sent to priesthood leaders worldwide: Priesthood and auxiliary leaders are again encouraged to teach members the importance of living chaste and virtuous lives. We reiterate our concern over the decline of moral values in society and the resultant number of children born out of wedlock and reared by unwed parents. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by parents who provide love, support, and all the blessings of the gospel. ӓEvery effort should be made in helping those who conceive out of wedlock to establish an eternal family relationship. When the probability of a successful marriage is unlikely, unwed parents should be encouraged to place the child for adoption, preferably through LDS Social Services. Adoption through LDS Social Services helps ensure that the baby will be reared by a mother and father in a faithful Latter-day Saint family. Unwed parents who do not marry should not be counseled to keep the infant as a condition of repentance or out of an obligation to care for oneӒs own. Generally, unwed parents are not able to provide the stable, nurturing environment so essential for the babys well-being. ғWhen deciding to place the baby for adoption, the best interests of the child should be the paramount consideration. Placing the infant for adoption enables unwed parents to do what is best for the child and enhances the prospect for the blessings of the gospel in the lives of all concerned.

The girl told me that she wishes the missionaries would of just minded their own business and I agree with her on that one. When I had my daughter at 15 I didnt mind dealing with the birthfather because I realized he had rights and he still does. He was paying me child support weekly out of his pay check. now he does it monthly. I have no regrets that I am where I am and have my daughter. I am pregnant again with my second child and this child is a result of a rape and I am considering adoption for this child.

The missionaries probably shouldn't have mentioned anything. I'm sure that they only had the best of intentions though. Rape is a different situation and I am sorry to hear that. I obviously have a slightly biased opinion as I am hoping to adopt. But I have heard from some that the main reason for placing for adoption was pain and difficulty of seeing theor attacker's features in their child. I hope all works out well for you. You sound like you have made a wonderful mother to your daughter:( :D I would really like to know more as you make your decisions and why. I am trying to learn as much as possible about every situation while I have all this tiime on my hands!!:D

they may of had the best intentions but its not their business whatsoever. they were not there to ask her to place her child they were they to teach her the gospel. all I know is they lost someone who was interested in the church because of them offending her. when I was taking the discussions back in 1992 they never said anything to me about being a single parent. They acted like it wasnt any of their business which is true. adoption is a good thing thats what you want to do and it cant be forced on someone like the girl that i know. If I place it will be to someone in my church and i am catholic or it will be with a family member. I am not biased cause I see things differently than most people. I dont side with anyone unless I know someone is being forced to do something or someone offends someone.

I'm sorry she had this experience. It doesn't sound (to me) like those missionaries handled it right. Actually, I have found that most members who have not dealt with this situation on a personal level really are quite unaware of the church's policies and preferences regarding it. When we decided to adopt we had many INTeresting questions about adoption from our church members. LDS Family Services is a great place geared towards helping a mother make an informed decision between raising or placing a child. When a mother makes the decision to raise the child they then help them identify community resources to utilize so they and their baby can get the best possible care. If they had wanted to say something Its too bad those missionaries didn't just direct her to the agency because LDSFS has far far more experience in these matters. BTW, you do not have to be Mormon to go there. Sorry she had a bad experience! I strongly advise that she call them and tell them how they have offended her. When people don't know what they did, or THAT they did something offensive, they cannot learn from it and may unknowlingly repeat it. Good luck to both of you!