#lds questions

[jolynesmom]

reasons you’re unable to enter the void or shift while lucid dreaming or in sleep paralysis

recently I received a couple of messages from followers and other blogs explaining how, when they were in sleep paralysis or lucid dreaming, were unsuccessful in reaching the void or shifting after stating their intentions

this also happened to me a couple of times, seemingly at random; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

I did a bit of research and also analyzed my own experiences to figure out the root of the problem and how to fix it:

you’re not completely grounded/you’re rushing

this took me an embarrassing amount of tries to realize this, but every time I’m lucid dreaming or feeling myself entering the void, I would instantly start to spew out my intentions/desires instead of completely grounding myself in there and I would be instantly kicked out from that state. I guess it just doesn’t work that way — you have to be completely grounded in your ld or sp for your desires to manifest

a lot of you (me included) get so excited or scared when realizing we’re in a certain state that the connection, I guess, breaks. as an example, when I wasn’t very knowledgeable on the void state I entered it and chilled there for like 10-15 minutes before exiting willingly, but after discovering it can be used for shifting or manifesting I could barely spend 10 seconds there before waking up unintentionally

mental exhaustion

your psyche is exhausted and it simply can’t proceed the instructions anymore. imagine you stay awake for more than 24 hours and someone asks you to do a task that requires concentration and precision. would you be able to do it perfectly? I highly doubt

to get over this issue you need to take a serious break, and I don’t mean you can’t attempt anything for a day or two, I mean a BREAK — don’t even think about shifting or entering the void and chill and sleep as much as possible. I mean it, especially sleeping! fix your sleep schedule or sleep lots for 2-3 days

after you start your attempts again, if the first few instances are unsuccessful, you need to take another break before continuing, otherwise you risk of repeating the same scenario over again — reaching your desired state but not being able to do anything from there due to mental strain

brain activation trigger

brain activity changes — realizing you are dreaming changes how your brain works, especially in parts that help you think about yourself and make decisions. these changes can wake you up; knowing you are dreaming can make you feel excited or surprised - these strong feelings can wake you up too

mental blockages and expectations

your subconscious mind might have doubts or fears regarding the process. if you unconsciously expect that your attempts won’t work or fear the consequences of them working, this can create a mental block — this is actually more common than people think and a lot of you don’t even realize you have these blockages

overexcitement

if you become too excited or anxious about the possibility of your desires manifesting, this can trigger your body to wake up. remaining calm and composed is very important (even though we can’t help ourselves at times). overexcitement goes hand in hand with other strong emotions such as fear, so make sure you’re in a neutral state

subconscious programming

your subconscious might need more time and positive reinforcement to accept and integrate the idea of shifting realities, entering the void or manifesting desires. using affirmations, subliminals and visualizations regularly can help reprogram your subconscious mind

timing

certain times of the night or stages of sleep might be more conducive to successful lucid dreaming/sleep paralysis and shifting. experimenting with different times and conditions can help you so much!!

as an example: I have an easier time entering the void by meditating at night after 1 a.m., but I have an easier time doing wbtb and lucid dreaming between 8-11 a.m.

I honestly think that what can help you overcome this is self reflection — a lot of you search for answers but never bother to answer them yourselves. by self reflecting throughout my journey has helped me identify my weaknesses, how to fix them, what works for me and other tricks to speed up the process or make it more enjoyable

[loveerran]

Can a person bound for the Terrestrial Kingdom be an asset to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?

Or should we kick them out?

[gay-mormon-wizard]

it's our fifth sunday discussion and they had us fill out a ministering survey and I the questions field I wrote "are transgender members still allowed to minister since they're no longer allowed to hold teaching callings?" and I just learned that they're reading out and answering the questions. fuck

[rarebird22]

Some insight on my personal religious beliefs and why I think some recent statements my church made are absolutely, mind-bogglingly WRONG:

(warning: there is, unfortunately, a lot of transphobic stuff in the publication my church made. I'm including my summary here for people who don't know about it, but it could possibly be triggering. if there's a better way I could be doing this, let me know. Basically they're choosing to make some dumb restrictions to trans people's participation in the church. It's unchristlike and I wanted to comment on it.)

(my comments are listed in parentheses. Everything else is quotes or summary.)

Potentially transphobic quotes start below:

“Gender is an essential characteristic in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The intended meaning of gender in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is biological sex at birth.”

The church doesn’t have an official stance on why people experience gender dysphoria.  They make a separation between experiencing dysphoria and “identifying as transgender.”

“[Transgender people]—and their family and friends—should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion, and Christlike love. All are children of God and have divine worth.”

(If this is true, why doesn’t this policy seem to show Christlike love and compassion?  Denying participation to some children of God doesn’t seem like what Heavenly Father would want, especially when the reason for the exclusion is an intrinsic part of someone’s identity.)

“Church leaders counsel against pursuing surgical, medical, or social transition away from one’s biological sex at birth.  Leaders advise that taking these actions will result in some Church membership restrictions.”

(I believe this policy in particular is incredibly harmful.  Many, many studies have shown the positive effect of transition on alleviating gender dysphoria, reducing symptoms of depression, and preventing suicide.  My own family members have explained how medical and social transition improved their mental health better than anything else they tried.  Just as appropriate medical care is important for the wellbeing of trans people, so too is a loving, supportive network of family and friends.  This policy sets up a false dichotomy between community support and personal authenticity, forcing trans church members to undergo incredible levels of distress as they decide between remaining as a fully participating member of the church or undergoing the changes that help them become who they truly are.)

According to the church handbook, anyone who has transitioned in any way cannot participate in saving ordinances, which are “received according to a person’s biological sex at birth.”  Exceptions can be made for baptism with the approval of the first presidency, but not for priesthood ordinances or temple recommends. The handbook also says that leaders should “address individual circumstances with sensitivity and Christlike love.”

(It is good to show Christlike love, but what freedom is there to lovingly address individual circumstances when this policy places such exclusionary limits on transgender individuals’ participation in the church?)

“Individuals who transition away from their biological sex at birth are welcome to attend sacrament meetings and participate in the Church in many other ways.”

The handbook’s recommendations for how trans people can participate include attending church meetings and activities, participating in family history work, and providing service to others.  The handbook then includes a link to a document with “guiding principles” for trans people’s participation in church.  The document lists that leaders should:  “Seek spiritual guidance; Treat individuals and their families with love and respect while teaching gospel truth; Consider the needs of the individual and other ward members; Ensure that the Church’s doctrine on gender is not undermined or misunderstood; Seek counsel [from other leaders]; and Involve the parents or guardians of minors.”

(The part about being careful not to undermine the Church’s doctrine on gender is what stands out to me and concerns me the most.  Based on this line, it seems to me like the primary purpose of all these changes is to maintain the church’s historically accepted norms.  Any search about the doctrine of gender within the church’s website will always lead to the same phrase: “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”  Apparently this phrase is the church’s doctrine about gender.  That makes me wonder, though, because the Family Proclamation is a newer document that has an ambiguous state between scriptural canon and church policy.  Perhaps that phrase has been misinterpreted due to cultural lenses.)

The Guiding Principles document states that someone’s preferred name can be noted on their church membership record.  It also places restrictions on trans individuals’ participation in the church.  It says that people should attend the meetings, activities, and camps that match their biological sex at birth.  Some exceptions can be made for meetings and activities, but not for overnight camps.  In addition, youth who have transitioned in any way aren’t allowed to stay overnight at mixed-gender activities like youth conferences.  Trans people can’t hold callings that are gender-specific or involve caring for children or youth or teaching.  They are also asked to use a single-occupant restroom, a restroom that matches their assigned sex at birth, or be the only person in a restroom.

(All of these policies are problematic to me.  The policies about overnight activities feel exclusionary and could lead to ostracization of trans youth.  The policies about gendered activities and meetings feel like they place unnecessary emphasis on differences between men and women, which makes me uncomfortable.  The restriction against teaching makes me feel especially hurt and angry, because to me this is a silencing of trans voices.  This policy says “we do not want the perspectives of trans people to be shared in our church.”  And the restroom policy is based on outdated and unfounded fears that associate trans people with predatory behavior.  That’s a sad stereotype to perpetuate.)

4. My conclusion

(I don’t think these new changes live up to the Church’s ideals of showing Christlike love to everyone and inviting all to come unto Him.  While it doesn’t say so explicitly, the handbook seems to consider transgender identity as a personal label and choice.  Every trans person I’ve met says otherwise.  Being trans is a core part of so many people’s life experience.  While I, like the church, don’t know why some people are transgender, I do believe that trans people should be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else.  The church’s new policies seem to do the opposite, treating trans people as “other” and restricting their ability to participate in the church.  The church has already caused so much heartbreak and despair among trans people, who understandably see past and current policies as evidence that something is wrong with them.  As representatives of Christ, it is not appropriate to send that message - directly or indirectly.  Instead, the church should be focusing on how we can reflect the true nature of Jesus Christ.  He sacrificed his life to bring redemption and salvation to every single one of God’s children.  He spent his mortal ministry interacting with those who leaders of his time considered different or unworthy.  Every aspect of His life shows his infinite love.  If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly wants to live up to His example, love and inclusion for ALL of God’s children - including trans people - is essential.)

[luciddreamingstuff]

*dances around the room*

And this is funny coming from me--

NUKE ENDING IS NO LONGER CANON! PULL OUT THE PARTY STREAMERS! GRAB THE CAKE AND PLAY SOME MUSIC! IT'S A GOOD DAY TODAY!

Thank gods, I was gonna rewrite the entire ending at this rate.

. . . . . in writing the tags, I just realized there is a massive gap.

I'M NOT REWRITING THE ENDING! I GOT OTHER SHIT TO DO! I'M HAPPY WITH HOW THINGS ARE EVEN IF IT LEAVES THE POSSIBILITY FOR ME TO FILL IN THE GAPS---

Do not encourage me.

[pagesofkenna]

heres some more mormon stuff: I skipped out on 2 of the last 4 weeks of church because didnt wanna, so i don't know if my ward has been singing any of the new songs, but i hung out in the foyer after church to kill time before the library opened and heard the ward after us singing Come Thou Font, and i was super jealous *fingerguns*

[acourtofladydeath]

Hey! I've read a few of your recommended fanfics and loved them. My friend just started using ao3 and needs some 'Second Chance' stories that don't belong to specific fandoms. I'm a bit lost so i thought I'd ask a few of my favourite pages!

Hello love!!

I'm so happy to know you loved my fanfics 🖤

I looked into this and I asked a few people, i'm really not sure I have any recs for you I'm so sorry!!

I did write "A Place Eternal" which is kind of second chance because it's Patroclus and Achilles reuniting after death and Achilles realized his faults in life/they start their relationship anew. It's short though, and doesn't go much into the new relationship.

[shesalewa]

Being part of the LDS/Mormons is kinda funny ngl.

But sometimes I just get pissed in this church.

I'm sorry, i thought we were given agency(the will to choose) and yet we can't love the same gender?

Oh wait sh/t no we can be gay apparently, just uh. Don't sleep with the same gender or date apparently.

...

Doesn't this technically mean we've already sinned because I'm pretty sure cousins would sleep in the same bed in sleep overs—

[mvshortcut]

mbs AU where Curtain gets invited to promote his Happiness Revolution by hosting SNL aaaaaaand i cast spell of psychic damage (send post)

[loveerran]

Could you elaborate on the JS sealing practices?

Great question! Thank you :)

What I am referring to (in this post) is the breadth and depth of the sealing power as envisioned and implemented by Joseph Smith and practiced in the early church. The original post speaks to how our family is more than just direct line descent or blood relations.

I've previously noted that 9 of Joseph's first 12 plural sealings were to women already legally married. Today, we regularly seal deceased women to more than one man (and deceased men to more than one woman) if they were married to more than one individual in mortality. We understand it will all be sorted out later.

But more interesting to many of us is the notion that sealings were performed for things other than marriages and the sealing of direct-line ancestors to direct-line progeny. Consider this account from the diary of John M. Bernhisel relating a sealing between friends and cousins, aunts and nephews and so on:

"The following named deceased persons were sealed to me on Oct 26th 1843, by President Joseph Smith: Maria Bernhisel, sister; Brother Samuel's wife, Catherine Kremer; Mary Shatto, (Aunt); Madalena Lupferd, (distant relative); Catherine Bernhisel, Aunt; Hannah Bower, Aunt; Elizabeth Sheively, Aunt; Hannah Bower, cousin; Maria Lawrence, (intimate friend); Sarah Crosby, intimate friend, /died May 11 1839/; Mary Ann Bloom, cousin."

A Gospel Topics essay notes early sealing practices may have been intended to extend family ties "both vertically, from parent to child, and horizontally, from one family to another".

Of additional interest is how proxy ordinances for the deceased, including proxy baptisms, could be performed by someone of any gender, prior to Brigham Young clarifying the same gender requirement in 1845. We also note non-related individuals were sealed by adoption to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other church leaders, including men sealed to men as father/son adoptive pairs.

Some believe our current evolution in practice aligns itself more closely to God's will and the original practice was at fault or incomplete. However, I give Joseph's expansive vision a lot of room. And the truth is that non-family, non-lineal sealings were performed by Joseph and others. Will those sealings be honored in the eternities, or will they be null and void? I have a hard time believing the latter. And what of OP's case for "the spinster aunt who had no kids but made sure that three of the six kids her sister abandoned survived into adulthood"? Church doctrine is big on adoption already, and I can only imagine that relationships like found family and adoption continue in the eternities.

To me, the sealing vision feels more expansive than our current understanding and practice may be.

[nobodysdaydreams]

One thing that’s been cycling in my brain is the fact that Nicholas’ employees call him “Mr. Benedict” and his daughter (Constance) calls him her “roommate,” but Nathaniel refers to his employees as his friends and his son (SQ) calls him “dad”. I know someone’s (probably?) already brought this up, but the parallels and the irony are too good not to comment on again.

Like, they are both afraid of getting too close to people, but obviously Nicholas can’t stop caring so he uses formal titles to keep the distance and (from his point of view) respect their boundaries, but still shows with his actions that he views them as his family. And then Nathaniel thrives on (or rather depends on) the illusion of closeness/openness, but can never actually be vulnerable in the way that would give him the relationships he claims he has. (Like: SQ doesn’t even know his dad’s real name or at least, he never gives any indication that the does).

[mod2amaryllis]

GREAT the church people found me. usually the ones that show up are harmless girls who i don't mind being nice to, but there's nothing scarier than two old white men in dress shirts and ties at 7:31 pm on a Wednesday. Joanie barked the whole time. good girl.

[bi-demon-ium]

okay but actually constance DEMANDING piggyback rides from post-redemption!curtain all the time, a la toph and zuko. shes just like. chop chop idiot i want to go to the third floor library. and he's like i know you know how to walk. and she's like remember how you put me in a waking coma and he's like for fuck's sake but he's already crouching down

but like then: weirdly soft plot twist. constance really is just getting a kick out of making him carry her around, but like. constance knows that curtain's presence makes her--her "roommate", her mr benedict, happy. she also knows, via annoying psychic abilities, that a) he's secretly a huge bitch just like her and mr benedict, which means he will eventually be tolerable, b) his redemption is, as of now, genuinely and sincerely motivated.

so like. part of it is that she's fucking with him. he did still hurt a lot of people, including people constance doesn't admit to caring about but totally does. she's not like, letting him off the hook for this. maybe it's even partly a test, to make sure she's not wrong. but like... also part of it is this: she wants him to stick around longer, if for only for mr. benedict's sake.

and... well, she knows that everyone watching him, dutifully--with exasperation but also some clear like, visible amount of fondness for his niece--cart her around on his shoulders while she snips at him, is softening them up on him a bit. not only is it harder to stay actively mad at him when there's a pink ten year old sitting on his shoulders bullying him, but it's also obvious he's trying, and not only that, but allowing this obvious poke at his dignity go unchallenged.

(also it makes nicholas smile SO much. he'd love to give her piggyback rides but he is far more likely to fall asleep.)

[sunofaraven]

What inspired Love Death + Grumbot?

Sorry for sitting on this ask for so long! This was a way harder question to answer than I anticipated, and I apologise in advance for the very long post XD

I started working on LD+G back in January 2023, just after the end of the Hermitcraft/Empires crossover event. I had just finished writing Soulbound, my first fic, and I was itching to start another. And... I was missing Mumbo. Grian was missing him too and Emperor Grumbot was ready to destroy a whole universe just because Mumbo wasn't in it; I was defenceless against the "I miss Mumbo" brainrot.

The initial idea for LD+G was more of a gritty, steampunk, two dudes and their cryptic robot son against the world thing. I wanted to write an apocalypse fic (I've actually got several original novels that are apocalypse/dystopian novels--I am only a little addicted to the genre...), and Cub was doing his whole sculk thing on empires, so it seemed as good a cause for an apocalypse as anything else. You can see all this in the very first notes I ever made for the fic:

But, see, I LOVE zombies. I blame The Last of Us. I'd spent 2022 trying to play through the second game and getting frustrated with its cynical take on the world. It just doesn't feel believable to me that humanity would be at each other's throats. Sure, people are scared and impulsive, but it takes a lot for the average human to hurt another. Our strengths lie in our adaptability and how we support each other in times of need!!

Anyway, once I veered away from steampunk and started down the zombie route, a big inspiration for some of the characters was Hybbart's Rancher Apocalypse AU (I blame them entirely for my Ranchers obsession tbh). They also had some pretty fun ideas about the role of sculk in an apocalypse, and since I come from a biology background, the opportunity to have a symbiosis between zombies and sculk was just SO much fun for me.

So then, why did it become a story about grief? Well... I felt pretty trapped in my personal life at the time, so initially LD+G was both a way to process that and some much-needed escapism. I don't remember exactly when or why I decided that Grian was infected, but I do remember writing like I'd been possessed in early 2023. I wrote a whole list of scenes/moments that I wanted it to contain and then the plot just kinda... fell out of me one day.

To be melodramatic about it, I have written a lot of novels in my life, but none that felt so akin to bleeding out on the page as this one did. I needed to write this story, to have a place to channel my emotions as well as my eternal mcyt brainrot. I wasn't mourning a person, exactly, I was mourning my own perceived lack of agency and trying to gather the strength to end a whole chapter of my life and start anew.

So I wrote about love, I wrote about death.

And I wrote about Grumbot.

[seawardboundsammy]

16 also for arbor? :3c

hiiiii dearrrr :]]]

16. What makes their stomach turn?

they can weather the general populace perceiving them as a villain but the idea of ortega finding them out makes them want to turn inside out. for external things, people who betray/hurt their families and loved ones. yeah they did NOT like fighting ortega (but he was fineeeeeee they dont even think about that more than once a day.)

thank you for the ask love!

[ldcurtain]

What do you think of the fan fictions portraying you as a bad dad.

Give us parenting tips, oh magnificent one.

Thank you. At last, a NICE and NORMAL question in the middle of all this childish chaos and finger pointing.

I would respond by saying that those fics are exactly as they are titled: fictions. Fictions write by those who fail to understand my greatness.

But I'm glad you asked for parenting advice, because I do have a few posts on that in the drafts. The whole reason I got this account was to impart my wisdom upon the world and despite those who have mocked this account, I intend to do so. In good time.

I also plan on making an important announcement which should be VERY interesting... @sophieswundergarten