There and Back Again

       I have to make a confession; I've been a bad friend before. Most of the time, I didn't even realize what was happening! I might've felt justified or not known that I was hurting the other person. Other times I could feel that I'd just slipped out of control, but didn't see any chance of stopping it and correcting myself in time. Worse yet, there have been times where I even purposely hurt someone. I'd like to think I've made proper amends to all of the people I've knowingly and unknowingly hurt, but I welcome the opportunity to make things better with those I haven't yet.         You're probably in the same boat. I'm sure you've said or done something hurtful-maybe even vicious to someone you loved. I'm sure you tried to apologize sometime after. Let me ask you something though, have you ever felt as though someone was using the transgression you made against them as a way to make their lives "spicier" or ...

             If you are or have been a young woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you have undoubtedly been counseled (most likely by a veteran Relief Society sister) to only marry a man who has served a mission. I was told this at least a hundred times as a laurel. I didn't have any strong feelings toward this particular "wisdom" then. I was actually kind of surprised when I emerged into adulthood and was exposed to individuals who found this counsel to be unfair, uninspired, and not to mention...kind of invasive! I just hadn't given it much thought, but maybe these people were right. After all, your criteria for an eternal spouse is your  business. But...is this advice really that bad? Let's dive in!  An Important Perspective to Consider: Well, There's Actually a Lot of Wisdom in That Counsel!        ....And...there is! We need to ask ourselves what truth this could be roote...