I’ve heard that Mormons wear magic underwear… is that really true?!

Sincerely,
BVDon’t

Dear BVDon’t,

Indeed, Mormons do have “magic underwear”, although we are pretty sure that they aren’t very fond of that terminology.  Mormons prefer to call them ‘garments’.  These ‘garments’ are special underwear worn by Mormons that have passed through their endowment ceremony (a ritual where a Mormon pledges to lead a righteous life), and even though it sounds entirely ridiculous, many devout Mormons take their sacred underwear very seriously.

Mormon underwear/garments is a perfect example of what happens when you stop following the authority of the Bible.  Mormon ceremonies, traditions, and rituals are not found in the Bible.  The Mormons says that they got all of their teachings from the angel Moroni.  It is ironic that the apostle Paul says that if even an angel teaches you something other than the Bible message, they are accursed (Gal 1:8).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

Two of my children left home to live with their father that has not been in their lives all their lives (my son is seventeen and daughter thirteen).  They feel like I have to many rules, and he has none.  Their father is not saved and does not go to church.  I know this will be a big mistake.  I want my children home, but like God, I want to choose the right thing.  What do I need to study and pray about to have them to see the light and come home before it is too late, or should I just let it be?  Help!

Sincerely,
The Unpopular Parent

Dear The Unpopular Parent,

Of course you want your children home, but forcing them to come home won’t work either.  Hammering them with Bible verses probably isn’t going to be your best option.  Since they have the option of choosing where they live, and since they are old enough to make the decision on their own… their lives are in their own hands to a certain degree.  You have been a light in their life (Php 2:15), and you have tried to train them up in a way that is pleasing to God (Pr 22:6).  Now they will have to decide who they want to become.

At some point, everyone has to work out their own salvation (Php 2:12).  Your children, for better or worse, are now entering that stage of life.  Continue to be a loving, godly example to them and let your influence work.  Your children are already greatly blessed with an advantage because their mother is a christian (Pr 20:7).  You have done your best to provide them with the tools to succeed, and now it is their turn to ask and seek for themselves (Matt 7:7).

Continue to pray (1 Thess 5:7), continue to teach them when possible (Deu 11:19), and then be still and know that the future is in the Lord’s hands (Ps 46:10).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

How do you handle a spouse who finds it easier to demonize you rather than to turn to GOD, keep His commandments, and serve GOD?

Sincerely,
NO Longer Disrespected

Dear NO Longer Disrespected,

Christianity isn’t about handling others; it is about handling ourselves.  We cannot control the behavior of others; we can only control ourselves.  In a marriage, each spouse has a separate command.

If you are the husband, your command is to “love your wife” (Eph 5:28).  A husband is to love his wife as his own body regardless of whether she is being respectful and kind.  A husband’s love is not dependent upon a wife’s respect.  Biblical love (best described in 1 Cor 13:4-8) is a choice, not a feeling.  A loving husband chooses to do that which is in the best interest of his wife.  He is to seek to love his wife as Christ does the church (Eph 5:25).  A husband’s love is sacrificial; it is a gift he chooses to give unconditionally.

A wife is to respect her husband (Eph 5:24).  She shows him respect even if he doesn’t deserve that respect.  She chooses to let him lead the household regardless of whether he is good at it.  As long as his decisions do not force her to disobey God (Acts 5:29), she follows him.  She treats him as a man and honors him as head of the household even when he acts petty and small.  Her respect is unconditional.

Each spouse has their own job.  You cannot force the other spouse to behave one way or another, but you can gain them by your behavior (1 Pet 3:1).  We waste our energy when we try and control the actions of others.  You can only have success when you begin to mold your own soul.