[A_Wanderer]

Forgotten_Charity wrote:

Hi A-Wanderer. Welcome to the site. This site may not be for you. Regardless, the furry and masturbation problem may or may not be as you think of yourself. You can be your own worst enemy at times in self thought. This is particularly true if you have help from the outside by people of authority who are helping push you in this direction with or without conscious thought.

I advise as Ray has said to seek out a professional trained physiologist to help with this and shed light on it from a trained, knowledgeable, outside source. But even more important then that, to get help with your thinking process which shows a very strong sign of splitting (black and white thinking). It is very destructive to yourself and others if you are having this thought process. Please, it is very important that you seek professional physiologist help in this and the other issues before getting seriously involved in a relationship, let alone mission or marriage. It can prove very destructive to be close to or live with someone who splits thoughts.

However you take this, please don’t assume it is an attack on you. Everyone has their own set of problems for which they need assistance. None of us here can declare beyond what we know. That is why I ask you to seek out help from a qualified trained psychologist. Authorities of the church simply are not trained or qualified for this type of diagnosis or help. Neither are we. But you show strong signs.

I wish you the best of luck, blessings and success in overcoming your problems and finding happiness and peace and emulating that to those around you. Take care.

Thanks. After looking at Splitting, psychology-wise, I SERIOUSLY doubt that I have that at all. Perhaps I overstated in the OP as to how bad these problems of mine are. I mean, they are problems, but nothing that really gets in the way of my life honestly.

[A_Wanderer]

church0333 wrote:

So are you saying normal Mormon won’t discuss normal stuff because I consider masterbation pretty normal. Just saying.

Define “normal Mormon”. Do you mean the site or Mormon members?

mackay11 wrote:

I’ll ask around and see if there is another forum that is still ‘orthodox’ but willing to discuss this.

Oh, don’t worry about it. I think I already found one. Besides, I’m really good at finding stuff on the ‘netz.

[A_Wanderer]

mackay11 wrote:

A_Wanderer wrote:

You know what? I’m going to apologize again. I thought this was a normal LDS forum like any other but apparently not. I should have got the message when the admin first posted about it but I thought he was talking about something else. I’m sorry for wasting your guys’ time. I should have realized you guys were unorthodox. I just googled lds forum and you guys were the second result. (lds.net being the first)

No worries. I think we’re a fairly accepting bunch and don’t insist on people agreeing with us. We certainly don’t always agree. Elder Uchtdorf has given some great talks about diversity within the church. It’s a big tent with room for lots of people.

Maybe register with LDS.net and ask for a forum suggestion where you can discuss masturbation with more orthodox members.

Like cwald, I wish you luck on your next stage in your journey.

(I’m delighted to hear we’re second for ‘LDS forum’)

LDS.net’s rule on all sexual discussion seems pretty final. It was actually the server’s host who decided the new rule. The admin of the site had no say even though she didn’t like it either. I sent a polite email to the host but I, of course, didn’t ever receive a reply.

[A_Wanderer]

You know what? I’m going to apologize again. I thought this was a normal LDS forum like any other but apparently not. I should have got the message when the admin first posted about it but I thought he was talking about something else. I’m sorry for wasting your guys’ time. I should have realized you guys were unorthodox. I just googled lds forum and you guys were the second result. (lds.net being the first)

[A_Wanderer]

I should be clear here. Guys, please know that I’m not here to start up fights. Not in the slightest.

Now, to continue, of course I know that the Prophet or, for that matter, any of the Church leaders aren’t perfect. I also know that not everything they say is Word of God. Absolutely. However, I think you guys might be carrying that point too far. Now let’s say that the Prophet says one day that he really likes chocolate Ice cream. Does that mean that chocolate ice cream is best ice cream because the prophet likes it or even recommends it? Of course not. HOWEVER, when the prophet is at the pulpit and he is advising the church in what they should do, I do believe that the Holy Ghost tells him what to speak.

In D&C 1, it says, ‘Whether by my own voice or by the voice of my prophet, it is the same.’ I’m sure we’ve all heard that scripture before. The Lord has also said that he will never allow the prophet to lead the people in the wrong direction. So, if President Kimball says during an important speech that masturbation is a sin, and he’s wrong, wouldn’t that count as leading the people in the wrong direction?

Going back to my second question now, OK, I can see that one can never feel constant happiness, but EVERYWHERE it says that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only source of true happiness. So, can someone explain that further instead?

[A_Wanderer]

Thank you all for the support and thoughts…

Hm. A lot of you are arguing that masturbation is hardly a sin but if you do a search in the Ensign archives about it, you can see that President Kimball had taken a strong stance against it. If the President of the Church has spoken out against it, well, there’s not much room for denial, is there?

Also, perhaps you all can help me with another question… I’ve heard it said over and over that one can experience CONSTANT true happiness if one keeps to the commandments of God. Can anyone give clarification and/or personal experiences with this?

[A_Wanderer]

cwald wrote:

Thanks for the clarification of “furry.” I was worried this conversion was going to the realm of “hairy palms” mythology.

I’m done.

Good luck.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

lolwut? Could you be more specific?

Sent from my Laptop.

[A_Wanderer]

Old-Timer wrote:

[Admin Note to everyone: It is obvious that A_Wanderer wants to take a specific path in regard to the topics in the post. Since he has been direct and open about that, let’s not try to talk him out of what he wants to do. Let’s stick with advice and support in his attempt to pursue his own path, even as we express our honest opinions about the topics about which he has written.]

[Admin Note to A_Wanderer: If you are looking for people who will agree with you and not express differing opinions (and I don’t know if that is the case), this site probably isn’t for you. We all have differing opinions about things, and our site is dedicated to allowing those opinions without any requirement for consensus and absolute agreement – with very, very few exceptions that are outlined in our mission description. Here you are going to get open and sometimes blunt responses, but they are given from a position of love and concern.]

Nope, you’re all good. Just because I disagree on a few point does NOT mean I don’t want to hear anything that doesn’t align with what I think. Just as you said, people have differing views. I especially want to hear your people’s opinions if it’s backed up by a good solid logical argument.

[A_Wanderer]

church0333 wrote:

In the grand scheme of things, I don’t think God is too worried about people doing what come natural to them. I would try to remember that we need to use moderation in all things. I would also recommend that you talk to a really good mental health worker about the appropriateness of you servicing a mission. A mission is not for everyone. Just so you know, most people here will not laugh at your situation but will really care about you as a person. Please feel free to ask what you need to ask and we will try not to judge. I had know idea about “Furries” but thanks for the information. Maybe talking to a professional about this would be appropriate also.

Eh… I would highly disagree, church. Any sin at all feels natural because it is part of the natural man.

In fact, If you’ll all allow me to divert this topic to something else for a moment, I want to emphasize the fact I stated in the OP that, at times, I am so torn between doing right and wrong. But the worst part about this, I believe, is that I don’t think I’ve ever felt true happiness for any extended period of time. I have felt it when I prayed about whether the LDS church is true. And it was so incredible. But ever since, I’ve only felt shadows of it. And with the numerous small sins I’ve done that promise immediate pleasure, it’s just so hard for me to have faith that I can experience constant true happiness if I just repent and turn to the Lord.

Maybe I’m blowing this all out of proportion but… *sigh* The worst battles you can have are the ones with yourself.

[A_Wanderer]

DarkJedi wrote:

OK, so you’re 21 and discovered masturbation when you were around 10. Nothing unusual there, I recall discovering it around age 11, and I remember that because of where we lived then. Frankly, as a teenager I was a regular at it and I know some of my friends were as well. I joined the church at 21 where I found out it was a sin. I understand your struggle, it is difficult to stop. I never really did stop before marriage but I did it less frequently, that’s the best I could do. I could be wrong and I could be headed to the telestial kingdom, but I really believe a loving Heavenly Father expects nothing more of us than to do the best we can or try our best. And as Ray alluded to, here’s one of those things you probably don’t expect to hear: I don’t actually believe masturbation in and of itself is a sin, and I think you’ll hear others here say the same. The scriptural reference is scant at best and vague, and no one will convince me otherwise than that everybody (including GAs) has participated or experimented on at least a limited basis. I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to stop and I’m not saying you will not meet with success, I’m just sharing my experience and point of view.

Porn is another story, even though the two can be related. Yes, I have looked at porn but I don’t do so currently and never did so on a regular basis. You talked about this stuff being in your “rampant mind” and I agree, that’s where it lives. Porn can be avoided, though, it doesn’t live there (although it may linger).

Lastly, I know the advice over on that other site you mentioned is a flat “talk to your bishop.” I’m not going to advise anyone not to do that of they feel they should. On the other hand, most bishops are not trained counselors and really have nothing to offer you. You can repent on your own without the bishop, but if you feel you need his help, by all means go. FWIW, I believe it’s something most of them don’t deal with well because it’s uncomfortable for them (at least in part because they have been “guilty”) and because they really can’t offer any tangible assistance – it’s not like you’re asking for welfare.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing what others have to say.

I’ve talked to my bishop and he’s know what’s going on. But he said I do have to kick this habit if I want to go. Honestly, I don’t blame him at all for saying that. I do believe it’s a sin like any other. Although not too serious, I’ve noticed that it can act as a way for dirty thoughts to enter your mind depending on how much you do it. I am of the opinion that if you really want to stay pure, you must be rid of these acts. But, like you said, I suppose YMMV since I’m not any sort of a church leader at all and can’t make a concrete judgement on what is truly bad and what is not.

cwald wrote:

What the hell is a furry?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Simply someone who finds the design and/or concept of anthropomorphic creatures intriguing. Can also mean anthro creatures themselves. Here’s an example if you want to see one.

That is concept art of a Lizalfos from Ocarina of Time.

[A_Wanderer]

Old-Timer wrote:

Welcome. You are going to get some responses that will vary radically, since we all see things differently in many ways here. There also are going to be some responses I think you won’t expect. In fact, probably most comments will include reactions you might not expect.

I don’t have enough time right now to post my detailed thoughts, but I will try to get back to it when I can. My only question now is whether or not you have been tested for something like OCD – or even bi-polar disorder – or a combination of issues. I don’t know if something like that is contributing, but your description leads me to ask – and, if so, a clinical diagnosis and proper treatment can be critical. I absolutely would suggest checking before leaving on a mission, since missions can exacerbate existing conditions like those in unhealthy ways.

I have gone through a professional psychological test with a reputable doctor. It was paid for by my local Voc Rehab center to find out if I had any such mental disabilities that would impact my work. He has revealed that I have a combination of Asperger’s and ADHD. Dunno if that will be of use to anyone here though.

[Author]

Posts