#don't even know who the prophet is rn god bless

[songofsunset]

Wait what does elder in the LDS church mean? What do people think it means? I am so ignorant of it all but I feel like it's important to know since they're so influential in certain places

I think the line I was referring to was "He’d also been an elder in the LDS church but was excommunicated"

To someone unfamiliar, "He'd also been an elder" might sound like he was 'high ranking', but it really just means he spent two years of his life away from home preaching the gospel that would never love him back.

Elder is the honorific you use for a boy who is serving a mission! These are generally teenage boys (18 and 19 and 20ish. The mission lasts for two years and is pretty damn culturally mandatory for boys) So it's a term of respect, but also doesn't imply age or wisdom. Like, for serious, I was taught to look up to the missionaries my whole childhood, but from this end of time I'm like 'oh god they're babies why are we sending them out to represent us they've never even done their own laundry' whoops

Everyday members refer to each other as Brother and Sister Lastname. Men get called by different titles based on the roles they're serving, like Elder for missionaries, Bishop for Bishops, and President for a variety of things from the president of the local group of congregations (a stake) to the actual Prophet and First Presidency of the church.

Women never really get any titles other than Sister, even the ones who are active missionaries. Something something sexism something something a woman's highest honor isn't priesthood it's MOTHERHOOD (unless you're gay in which case you don't need a family it's fine suck it up......)

The role and title associated with age and wisdom that Elder might seem to imply- to someone doesn't know it generally applies to teenagers- is Patriarch.

#Patriarchs are the old guys who give you a Patriarchal blessing that is supposed to guide your life with Prophecy- this is an Actual Thing #lori chat #ask #anon #i used to be mormon #the mormon church has a lot of management levels and also a lot of specific terminology lmao #for instance bishop is more or less equivalent to preacher because he runs the congregation but also he only rarely preaches #usually members give talks #and it is by NO MEANS related to the catholic meaning of bishop lmao #fun fact my parents lived in a ward (congregation) for a while that had a Bishop Bishop and lmao #MAYBE women serving in the temple get a title? but lmao I've forgotten I love that for me #don't even know who the prophet is rn god bless #they lowered the girl mission age from 21 to 19 a while back and im so glad they waited until I left the church or I mighta done it #not serving a mission is one of the best choices I've made right up with not going to BYU lmao #for the record adults can go on missions too as senior missionaries usually when they retire but usually its the teenagers #okay im done hahaha I tried to keep this minimally salty but some snuck through

[sisterssafespace]

Hello sisters, first of all, thank you so much for this page. It is literally everything I could ask for. I don't have any sisters or friends that I can share my struggles with. Okay, I have a big brother. He is my other half that I can do everything I want to experience with my friends with him. We have a lot in common and a lot of differences but we are the example in the family of the perfect bro-sis relationship. He is dealing with a lot recently (well for the past few years) to be continued

Salaam my dear, MashaAllah you sent 3 parts but I'd be replying to the very first one so you'd recognize your ask. Kheir in shaa Allah.

First of all, I want to say Ma shaa Allah la quwata illa billah, may Allah swt bless your bond with your brother. I am thankful that you recognize it as a blessing in your life and you realize the importance and the value of this blessing that Allah swt gave you. Having an older brother who has got your back, is close to you, is your partner and your best friend is a true blessing from Allah swt for a muslim girl. May Allah swt bless him and keep him safe for you. May Allah swt protect your bond from all evil eye. Ameen.

Moving on, I couldn't help but say one thing, what if the state he is in has something to do with a girl? 😅 Sorry I couldn't help it! It is the first explanation that comes to one's mind considering his age Allahuma barik, what if, he had feelings for someone and things didn't work out? Maybe that's why he is in a bad state rn. I say you should give him some space, sometimes when a person is feeling down and all family members (out of love and care) start asking too many questions and putting pressure on them it feels like it's smothering. So a bit of distance can be comforting. I am sure, considering how close you two are, eventually he will open up to you or ask for your help. Oh, which reminds me, guys don't like asking for help, especially financial, especially from women, especially from their YOUNGER SISTERS, Ah God bless their arrogant little patriarchal hearts 😂🙈 so how about, you go to him, make him his favorite food or coffee or tea, wash his clothes or organize his room (as an act of kindness) and let him know that you are there for him no matter what, and whenever he feels like he is ready to talk, you will be there. Just say that, don't insist, and then give him space. ( But say it in your own way, you don't have to do it literally, I m just giving you ideas and YOU know your brother best. )

Now, the second hypothesis, that is he is feeling down because he is struggling financially. Sometimes, even when we do know things, because of stress or depression or shaytan, we forget these concepts, like the fact that work, money, etc. are all Rizq from Allah swt. Now, I don't know how religious your brother is, but I think you should work on reminding him of this important notion in Islam. You can send him vidoes, lectures, khutbahs talking about rizq, hadiths of our Prophet ﷺ, etc.. there are certain surahs that if a person reads them constantly, Allah swt will facilitate and increase their rizq for them.. you can look it up and talk about it with him. And if you can advise him to do a self ruqyah it would be great!

May Allah swt ease your brother's affairs and grant him what his soul needs. Ameen. Allahuma barik lakuma both and keep you safe for each other, and keep your bond forever strong and tight. Ameen.

- A. Z. 🍃

#sisterssafespace