The cost of leaving

[_Drifting]

To bring one to God, talk to God face to face and to know and do what God asks.

Have you talked to God face to face?
What did He look like?
What did He ask you to do?
How did you know it was God and not the Devil?

[_Samantabhadra]

How did you know it was God and not the Devil?

I've wanted to ask Tobin this question myself for some time. But I would rephrase slightly: how did you know it was capital-G Old Testament GOD God, Yahweh, the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"--as opposed to a lesser lower-case-g god, powerful worldly protector, or other spiritual entity?

[_Yoda]

It would have to be real which makes it pretty much impossible

We haven't involved the bishop at all.

I think it is wise that you have kept the bishop out of it. Just so you know, however, if you do decide to go to the bishop, the bishop's handbook does encourage him to counsel the couple to stay together in this particular circumstance.

So it sounds like your loss of belief is the primary cause for your split? This is so sad.

Do you have kids?

[_Tobin]

How did you know it was God and not the Devil?

I've wanted to ask Tobin this question myself for some time. But I would rephrase slightly: how did you know it was capital-G Old Testament GOD God, Yahweh, the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"--as opposed to a lesser lower-case-g god, powerful worldly protector, or other spiritual entity?

It's an interesting day and age when people state the Devil is more powerful than God don't you think? I wonder where they got that idea from?

It has been my observation that those that follow the Devil and believe his lies, preach and teach against speaking with and seeking God. That always gives them away. They can't help themselves.

[_Buffalo]

How did you know it was God and not the Devil?

I've wanted to ask Tobin this question myself for some time. But I would rephrase slightly: how did you know it was capital-G Old Testament GOD God, Yahweh, the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"--as opposed to a lesser lower-case-g god, powerful worldly protector, or other spiritual entity?

It's an interesting day and age when people state the Devil is more powerful than God don't you think? I wonder where they got that idea from?

Here's another example of you twisting people's arguments around into straw man versions of themselves. No one said the Devil was more powerful than God, but you're happy to pretend they did.

[_Stormy Waters]

Do you have kids?

Luckily no. We decided to ignore that particular bit of counsel. Honestly it could be much worse than it is.

The thing is she she usually isn't this uptight. I don't want to go into a lot of detail here but she openly disagrees with and rejects some of the teachings of the church. You could almost call her a cafeteria Mormon.

[_Yoda]

Do you have kids?

Luckily no. We decided to ignore that particular bit of counsel. Honestly it could be much worse than it is.

That is a good thing. Since I am a hopeless romantic, I hope that you two can work things out. However, if there are no kids involved in the relationship, and you both really feel that there is no way to resolve things, then maybe separating, and giving yourselves the opportunity to find someone else who might suit your needs better is the best option.

ETA--Whatever happens, I hope that you can both be happy, and I'm sorry that the Church had to play such a negative role in your relationship.

[_Yoda]

The thing is she she usually isn't this uptight. I don't want to go into a lot of detail here but she openly disagrees with and rejects some of the teachings of the church. You could almost call her a cafeteria Mormon.

Hmmm...maybe she is scared of the finality? Did you basically say that you had to completely walk away from the Church? If she is a NOM in some aspects, maybe there is hope for a compromise of sorts?

[_Samantabhadra]

Here's another example of you twisting people's arguments around into straw man versions of themselves. No one said the Devil was more powerful than God, but you're happy to pretend they did.

No joke.

Let me say this again and try to make my question more clear in case it was insufficiently clear.

1. I accept the existence of (a) God, as well as (b) gods and (c) positive and negative spirits or "demons"; the word comes from the Greek daimon which did not have either positive or negative connotations.

2. I accept that you had an audio-visual encounter with some incorporeal entity.

3. What I want to know is:

(a) why you are certain that this particular incorporeal entity that appeared to you is God, as opposed to a lesser god (or a greater god like, say, Shiva) or a "demon."

(b) how you can tell the difference between spirits, gods, and God; what is the "reliable warrant" or "means of reliable knowledge" (Pramāṇa, look it up) you are using to determine that what you saw was God as opposed to a god. NB "the being told me it was God" doesn't count as a reliable warrant, since a lesser god or negative spirit could easily produce audio-visual manifestations but also be lying.

[_BartBurk]

Do you have kids?

Luckily no. We decided to ignore that particular bit of counsel. Honestly it could be much worse than it is.

The thing is she she usually isn't this uptight. I don't want to go into a lot of detail here but she openly disagrees with and rejects some of the teachings of the church. You could almost call her a cafeteria Mormon.

Is your problem that she expects you to keep paying tithing? What exactly is she expecting you to do beyond attending sacrament meeting? It sounds to me like there might be a compromise here somewhere that would allow you to keep your marriage intact if that is your desire.