LDS Freedom Forum

I’m quite familiar with statements since the 70’s the flat out say that soulmates are fiction. However, I am familiar with statements from John Taylor, Mosiah Hancock, Orson Pratt, Jos F Smith, multiple patriarchs, and others that say otherwise. For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children, that means that there is often the partner involved in those promises. Does anyone on this forum claim to have a soulmate? Were we spiritually begotten in twin pairs of a male and a female? Or does everyone think this is just romantic wishful thinking? Anyone here experienced love at first sight? Do angels make this happen? Would love to hear anyone’s experiences.

Yes I believe in soul mates. Unfortunately it seems most or many, including myself, did not marry our soul mate.

I have spiritual confirmation of such. But I don't think all were foreordained so.

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:22 pm I’m quite familiar with statements since the 70’s the flat out say that soulmates are fiction. However, I am familiar with statements from John Taylor, Mosiah Hancock, Orson Pratt, Jos F Smith, multiple patriarchs, and others that say otherwise. For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children, that means that there is often the partner involved in those promises. Does anyone on this forum claim to have a soulmate?

After a fashion. My destiny has been tied to my wife since the pre mortal life, this has been explained to me. You might call that "soul mates". It's unlike what is generally considered highly romantic that focuses on lustful passion.

Were we spiritually begotten in twin pairs of a male and a female?

I've never found support for this idea.

Or does everyone think this is just romantic wishful thinking? Anyone here experienced love at first sight? Do angels make this happen? Would love to hear anyone’s experiences.

I tend to think that these kinds of beliefs will get you into trouble more often than not. There is merit in the preaching against soul mates, because our concept of a "soul mate" runs generally against the purpose of morality which includes difficulty and strife.

Elizabeth wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:41 pm Yes I believe in soul mates. Unfortunately it seems most or many, including myself, did not marry our soul mate.

Why don't you feel he is your soul mate?

I am a widow, and am single... my hope is I will find my soul mate when I pass from this mortality.

NIGHTLIGHT wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 10:42 pm

Elizabeth wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:41 pm Yes I believe in soul mates. Unfortunately it seems most or many, including myself, did not marry our soul mate.

Why don't you feel he is your soul mate?

I don’t know that there is one single answer here.

In my case, when my wife and I met, we were instantly attracted to one another and felt comfortable with each other. This was different than previous relationships for both of us where there was attraction but things were just “harder” for lack of a better term. Things have just always been “easy” between us. And this is unusual for my wife, who has always had a hard time relaxing and being herself around other people...even her family.

I had a very vivid dream once where I knew we were in the Pre-Existence. I was with my wife and children (of course they were not my wife and children then) and we were all great friends and loved each other. My wife and I went to One in Authority (Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ?) and asked if it would be possible for she and I and those several spirits we were close with to be together in this life. We were told that she and I would be sent to Earth at the same approximate time and would encounter each other. However, whether or not we would get together and form a family was our choice and agency.

In our case, this makes sense to me why when she and I first met it wasn’t like two strangers meeting...it was like reuniting with a dear friend after a long separation.

Could we have met and married other people and had happy lives. Yes...I believe we could have, and if we would have made different choices we wouldn’t have been together. I believe very strongly in the principle of Agency. But our family and friends have always commented on how uniquely suited we seem to one another.

This is simply my own experience and belief of what happened in my particular case. Maybe I’m incorrect...I’ll find out someday.

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:22 pm For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children

How do we know this?

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 8:47 am

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:22 pm For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children

How do we know this?

Mary.

My husband is my soul mate.

I believe I have already mentioned this somewhere on the board, but I knew him the first time I met him. I'll never forget the odd feeling of trying to place him, trying to figure out where I knew him from. I actually introduced myself to him and asked his name, but was confused when the name wasn't familiar.

It was the first day of 10th grade chemistry class (yes, I know, I know...chemistry).

I didn't have a crush on him or anything like that. We didn't go on a date until the end of the school year. But as soon as we started dating, it was like something just drew us together so intensely and so quickly. I remember telling my girlfriend in July that I was going to marry him. I just knew.

On his end, he had a couple of esoteric experiences early on and then on his mission that made him confident that he would (should?) marry me. The thing that is interesting to me is that he's not particularly touchy feely when it comes to spiritual promptings...except with these few undeniable experiences he had, all related to marrying me.

We got married 5.5 years after our first date! Kneeling across the altar from him was the most powerful moment of my life. Period. I was not complete until then.

So that's my sappy love story...yes, I believe in soul mates. I don't know why I was lucky enough to find mine and some others aren't?

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 10:39 am

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 8:47 am

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:22 pm For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children

How do we know this?

Mary.

I am willing to believe that Mary was foreordained to give birth to Jesus. Although, right now I cannot remember any scripture that would clearly say that. There are prophecies; but there is a difference between foreordination and foreknowledge.

Anyway, Mary is an exception to this conversation since she didn't choose the father of her child in the same way as a typical woman would.

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:21 am

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 10:39 am

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 8:47 am

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 11th, 2019, 8:22 pm For example, we know that we can for foreordained to have certain children

How do we know this?

Mary.

I am willing to believe that Mary was foreordained to give birth to Jesus. Although, right now I cannot remember any scripture that would clearly say that. There are prophecies; but there is a difference between foreordination and foreknowledge.

Anyway, Mary is an exception to this conversation since she didn't choose the father of her child in the same way as a typical woman would.

Is she though? How do you know?

I have an 18 month old daughter. I have felt her presence for many years. My wife felt her presence on our third date. Now I've been blessed with 18 wonderful months with her on this she if the veil and witnessing her personality at this young age helps explain why this persistent, beautiful, stubborn little doll made her presence known for so long.

My mother knew she'd have four children.

Perhaps we are talking past each other. The word foreordained to me means certain souls are meant to be born to certain parents and families, or do you take another meaning? I have other perspectives that may be edifying depending on your take. Looking forward to your reply.

The idea of soul mates relies heavily on the notion of romantic love and the freedom to choose one's partner. In time periods and cultures where arranged marriages are the norm, it doesn't make that much sense. In the world history, even when there have been the freedom to choose one's partner, the practical reasons have often governed the choice.

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:49 am Perhaps we are talking past each other. The word foreordained to me means certain souls are meant to be born to certain parents and families, or do you take another meaning? I have other perspectives that may be edifying depending on your take. Looking forward to your reply.

I'm not sure if I have a settled opinion on the subject. It is possible that we are born in to families that consist of people that were close to us in the premortal life. However, I have somewhat hard time believing that every family was foreordained. What if somebody doesn't choose his/her soul mate? Does the foreordained chain of parents and children then fall like dominos?

I know I was meant to be with my husband, but not because we were soul mates. I was told that one reason we were together was because I needed to be the mother to one or more of my sons. When we were married, our sealer said that our future children were there in the room.

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:57 am

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:49 am Perhaps we are talking past each other. The word foreordained to me means certain souls are meant to be born to certain parents and families, or do you take another meaning? I have other perspectives that may be edifying depending on your take. Looking forward to your reply.

I'm not sure if I have a settled opinion on the subject. It is possible that we are born in to families that consist of people that were close to us in the premortal life. However, I have somewhat hard time believing that every family was foreordained. What if somebody doesn't choose his/her soul mate? Does the foreordained chain of parents and children then fall like dominos?

I agree that not all families are foreordained, but in my opinion they're called gentiles. Israel is all about family and tribes, and there is an awesome scripture in the old testament that I don't have time to find about the bounds and boundaries being set, indicating God knows exactly the number of souls being born to Israel from the beginning.

If you have some personal struggle from your childhood or your relationship with your spouse, consider that noble souls are sent into families who sins are visiting the heads of the fourth and fifth generation who are there to break the cycle of abuse and redeem their house.

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 12:15 pm

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:57 am

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:49 am Perhaps we are talking past each other. The word foreordained to me means certain souls are meant to be born to certain parents and families, or do you take another meaning? I have other perspectives that may be edifying depending on your take. Looking forward to your reply.

I'm not sure if I have a settled opinion on the subject. It is possible that we are born in to families that consist of people that were close to us in the premortal life. However, I have somewhat hard time believing that every family was foreordained. What if somebody doesn't choose his/her soul mate? Does the foreordained chain of parents and children then fall like dominos?

I agree that not all families are foreordained, but in my opinion they're called gentiles. Israel is all about family and tribes, and there is an awesome scripture in the old testament that I don't have time to find about the bounds and boundaries being set, indicating God knows exactly the number of souls being born to Israel from the beginning.

If you have some personal struggle from your childhood or your relationship with your spouse, consider that noble souls are sent into families who sins are visiting the heads of the fourth and fifth generation who are there to break the cycle of abuse and redeem their house.

Yes, i have heard this as well. Some people are sent to bad situations to change and break the cycle, i have seen this happen in a few close peoples lives. I also believe some are sent to families that dont have the gospel as well to be the one who does convert and do temple work for their whole family line.

Sarah wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 12:03 pm I know I was meant to be with my husband, but not because we were soul mates. I was told that one reason we were together was because I needed to be the mother to one or more of my sons. When we were married, our sealer said that our future children were there in the room.

Thats so cool that he said that, wonderful!

It’s just my natural assumption that the further along your soul has progressed then the more likely it is that you’ll have foreordained family members. I guarantee you Lehi’s Family and Joseph Smith’s Family was not an accident, that was planned. There’s a quote from BY I think where he said that God looked over the smith clan for hundreds if not thousands of years. High level souls certainly don’t come to this earth without a plan. Families are the most important work we do here in this life so if anything is foreordained it would be our family. I’ve heard from to many people saying their patriarchal blessing made it clear there was a particular life mission which included a particular spouse, I’m not saying there’s no plan B or C, it’s just that there’s so much evidence leading to this.

Benaishtart wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 1:38 pm It’s just my natural assumption that the further along your soul has progressed then the more likely it is that you’ll have foreordained family members. I guarantee you Lehi’s Family and Joseph Smith’s Family was not an accident, that was planned. There’s a quote from BY I think where he said that God looked over the smith clan for hundreds if not thousands of years. High level souls certainly don’t come to this earth without a plan. Families are the most important work we do here in this life so if anything is foreordained it would be our family. I’ve heard from to many people saying their patriarchal blessing made it clear there was a particular life mission which included a particular spouse, I’m not saying there’s no plan B or C, it’s just that there’s so much evidence leading to this.

The high priest of Israel atones for himself, then his house, then all of Israel on the unfulfilled Day of Atonement.

The Fish Who Loved A Bird
(a poem by Lycus from https://allpoetry.com/poem/866173-The-F ... d-by-Lycus

A fish fell in love with a bird one day.
What was his reason I could not say.
The bird flew down its reflection to see,
the fish jumped high and cried "Marry me."
The bird simply laughed and flew away,
"Birds marry birds!" was all she'd say.

But while she flew nothing else came to mind,
save the face of the fish she was leaving behind.
No other had spoken to her such words of love,
not the swiftest falcon nor the sweetest dove.
To the beauty of his fins a bird could not compare,
or to the strength of his muscles as he lept through the air.

Suddenly she turned though she couldn't say why.
Back to the water she quickly did fly.
"Oh beautiful fish how can this be,
a bird of the sky and a fish in the sea?
We never could marry, our worlds are apart.
So why cruelest fish have you stolen my heart?"

The fish gave his reply, and his words sang true.
He told the lovely bird what in his soul he knew.
"Beloved my beloved, oh do not despair,
though I swim in the ocean and you in the air.
Nothing in this world could keep us apart,
if your love is as true as the love in my heart."

The fish thought about it as best he could,
till he had an idea that would do them some good.
"Sometimes before sunrise at the edge of the world,
I have seen a place where creation's unfurled.
Come with me my love and our fates we will cheat.
Come to this enchanted place where the sea and sky meet."
The bird and the fish both made their merry way,
and live happy and in love to this very day.

Now from the look on your face you think my tale a lie.
You don't believe a beast of sea can marry beast of sky.
These things that I sing, I can prove they are true.
The children of the couple are known to all of you.
A penguin is a bird that calls the ocean home.
What of flying fish? It is in the air they roam.

https://whateverforeveramen.wordpress.c ... l-in-love/

This is a very difficult subject for me. Although I do not believe in soul mates, how long were we developing relationships during our premortal existence?

I have known people who quietly shared stories with me of experiences they had when they were developing relationships with their spouses that convinced them of a relationship with their eternal companions that existed before mortality.

This disturbs be because of the big mistake I made. Did I have such a relationship with someone special before mortality? Did we have a plan to meet and marry in mortality? Did I blow it by marrying the wrong person all those years ago, forever preventing us from becoming eternal companions?
If we will become eternal companions, did I cause her to spend decades alone, denied the opportunity to bear children in mortality? Did or will she have to go through the pain of her own divorce so she can be available to marry me?

Through repentance we can be forgiven for our sins to escape punishment but we don't necessarily escape the consequences of those sins. Because of this, even though I have little difficulty forgiving others, I have great difficulty forgiving myself.

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 12:15 pm

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:57 am

Alaris wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:49 am Perhaps we are talking past each other. The word foreordained to me means certain souls are meant to be born to certain parents and families, or do you take another meaning? I have other perspectives that may be edifying depending on your take. Looking forward to your reply.

I'm not sure if I have a settled opinion on the subject. It is possible that we are born in to families that consist of people that were close to us in the premortal life. However, I have somewhat hard time believing that every family was foreordained. What if somebody doesn't choose his/her soul mate? Does the foreordained chain of parents and children then fall like dominos?

I agree that not all families are foreordained, but in my opinion they're called gentiles. Israel is all about family and tribes, and there is an awesome scripture in the old testament that I don't have time to find about the bounds and boundaries being set, indicating God knows exactly the number of souls being born to Israel from the beginning.

If you have some personal struggle from your childhood or your relationship with your spouse, consider that noble souls are sent into families who sins are visiting the heads of the fourth and fifth generation who are there to break the cycle of abuse and redeem their house.

Since I got several likes, I'll post the scripture here now I have time:
Deuteronomy 32:8
“When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.”

inho wrote: ↑January 12th, 2019, 11:52 am The idea of soul mates relies heavily on the notion of romantic love and the freedom to choose one's partner. In time periods and cultures where arranged marriages are the norm, it doesn't make that much sense. In the world history, even when there have been the freedom to choose one's partner, the practical reasons have often governed the choice.

Say there is a pool of 100 to chose from, and you are going to date n number of people.

What is the minimum number of dates (n) you should go on, to optimize your chance of selecting the best one

Spoiler

t = 5:42