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Quotes from President Hinkley

Quotes from President Hinkley

When I was growing up in the church, I remember being told that “we weren’t supposed to have favorite general authorities”. However, I have failed in this regard. I have come to realize I have 6 favorite general authorities, 4 that have passed on and 2 that are still present: Joseph Smith, George Albert Smith, Gordon B. Hinkley, Thomas S. Monson, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. These prophets are those I seem to have connected with more than others. Those that have most inspired me

2023-07-16 Shawn Gordon Spirituality
Quotes to Remember

Quotes to Remember

I have been doing therapy since 1997. Over the years and thousands of sessions later, I have had the luxury of gaining some great insights from my clients. One type of insight I enjoy comes from the quotes and sayings shared along the way offering great application for many situations in life people are experiencing, including those in dating and relationships. In this article I am going to review a number of the more helpful sayings and quotes I can recall in hopes that you too can be helped

2023-07-09 Randy Gilchrist Healthy relationships
The Eastern Wind and the Sun: Aesop’s Fable

The Eastern Wind and the Sun: Aesop’s Fable

Aesop was a Greek philosopher from 2500 BC. He is most famous for his fables—short stories with a moral at the end concerning traits of human nature. The most famous of his fables is “Sour Grapes”—where a wolf sees a bushel of grapes over a fence, jumps up to bite them, can’t quite reach him, and then walks away frustrated. While walking away he says to himself, “well those grapes were probably just sour anyway”. The moral of that story is that sometimes when frustrated and feeling spiteful, we

2023-07-03 Randy Gilchrist
Ideas on Love

Ideas on Love

The word “love” is mentioned regularly in the scriptures and by the general authorities. And love is an essential, key component of a happy, successful marriage. But what exactly does love mean? Especially in a Godly, spiritual, religious sense? And how can this kind of love be shown between man and woman? In this little article, the idea of love will be examined, along with some ideas on how love can be shown in a marriage. Ideas on Love: *Definition of love: In the online dictionary

2023-06-24 Randy Gilchrist Dating
What Can I Do to Be Happy?

What Can I Do to Be Happy?

When will you get married? Will you even get married in this life—or will it be in the next life? The results will vary. However, whenever you marry it is important to work to be as happy as possible. Being happy while single will prepare you to also be happy when married. Your spouse does not “make you happy”. However, a spouse in a healthy marriage will help a happy person become happier. In addition, when you are happy now, you also make yourself more attractive, fun, and enjoyable as a

2023-06-18 Randy Gilchrist Psychological health
How Technology Impacts Dating

How Technology Impacts Dating

Well into the 21st century, we enjoy many comforts and advantages from modern technology that have never before been available to people in the history of people. The significant advances from the last several decades are too many to list. These developments have affected most every aspect of life today. As a result, many activities, businesses, and ways of life have changed or even vanished. Some of the more notable advances that have impacted dating and relationships in specifically include

2023-06-10 Randy Gilchrist Dating
Man and Woman—Enemies?

Man and Woman—Enemies?

In earlier articles I reviewed the history and general idea of traditional feminism versus feminity (see: https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/feminism-versus-masculinity-110/ and https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/valuing-femininity-114/). In short, the original idea of 1970s feminism was supposed to be about equality, women being treated respectfully, and women not being treated as sex objects. However, modern feminism today has morphed away from many of these early ideals into obsessive

2023-05-27 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Communication, Conflict resolution
Issues from the Therapy Office

Issues from the Therapy Office

My first psychotherapy/counseling session was in February, 1997. I was in the Utah State University marriage and family therapy part of my initial master's degree program. Afterward I would go on to San Diego to my clinical psychology doctoral program. From these first therapy sessions those first few years to now all these years later, I have noticed some themes and common challenges, a few of which I’ve decided to share with you in this little article. Hopefully, you will find this

2023-05-15 Randy Gilchrist Psychological health
What’s Wrong with Dating Today?

What’s Wrong with Dating Today?

If you watch older (pre-2000) TV, movies, and music, you will notice there used to be a very different attitude and vibe about dating and relationships. It seems in earlier times, there was a much more positive, hopeful, exciting attitude toward dating as well as the opposite sex in general. Today, largely the opposite exists. So, what happened? Why the negative change? There are numerous theories out there and probably multiple contributing factors. In my opinion and from my observation, there

2023-05-07 Randy Gilchrist Dating
April 2023 Conference—Thoughts for Singles

April 2023 Conference—Thoughts for Singles

Every general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I pull some different quotes that I feel could have some special significance or interest to singles. These conference thoughts represent the most current modern revelation given to the entire church on a bi-annual basis. Every conference includes some material that everyone and especially singles can use to find extra comfort, hope, direction, and inspiration. I will review a few of those thoughts now. Before I do so

2023-04-17 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Spirituality
Forgiveness in Relationships

Forgiveness in Relationships

In dating, relationships, and marriage there is one thing you can predict and count on. That is that sometimes your partner will say or do something to offend or hurt you. Sometimes they will be acting intentionally hurtful, other times no offense was intended. In either event, hurt feelings result. And then what? Well, some partners will hold onto the offense and develop a grudge, whereas others will work to let go of the offense and forgive pretty quickly. Most of the time the result will be

2023-04-02 Randy Gilchrist Healthy relationships
Keeping an Optimistic Attitude About Dating

Keeping an Optimistic Attitude About Dating

When dating, relationships, and marriage have not gone well in the past, heartache, heartbreak, and scars are common and understandable. It is also understandable that these challenges could result in a person’s self-protective mechanism inside superseding the part of themselves inside desiring relationships and connections with others. When this occurs, relationship pessimism, cynicism, avoidance, and sabotage is common. The problem is that when we are alone and lonely, depression and other

2023-03-26 Randy Gilchrist Dating
Infatuation: Enjoying the Excitement

Infatuation: Enjoying the Excitement

When relationships are new, the excitement of it all can be invigorating, intoxicating, and addictive. We can obsess about the other and be in a state of nirvana for a good while. The potential of something new maybe being forever and changing your life entirely is fun and exciting. So, why does the infatuation phase of a relationship get such a bad reputation within our church circles? For 2 reasons. First, we learn that infatuation can lead to lust and the crossing of lines of the law of

2023-03-19 Carly Gordon
The Power of Temple Attendance

The Power of Temple Attendance

Is it more difficult to be a single member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints than a married member? Maybe. I would say, that depends. If married members are in unhappy and unhealthy marriages—even abusive marriages—then no. Their scenario is often harder or worse. Nevertheless, I agree that there are special challenges and difficulties for single members in the church. This includes feeling treated as lesser members sometimes, not being included in certain callings and

2023-03-13 Randy Gilchrist Spirituality
When Church Socializing Goes Badly

When Church Socializing Goes Badly

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers many advantages, including for single members. One advantage is the chance to socialize with other fellow members. To bond, connect with, and fellowship with each other. This also affords us dating and relationship opportunities in the ward, stake, and with other regional singles. This is all a good thing, right? Well, it is a good thing when the socializing goes well. When we in fact bond and connect with other members in

2023-03-05 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Communication
Emotional Eating

Emotional Eating

One of the greatest challenges we all have in this life is to control and overcome “the natural man”. As stated in the Book of Mormon: For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all

2023-02-25 Randy Gilchrist Health and fitness