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Missions are not mandatory, any more than obedience, happiness, or exaltation are mandatory. But full-time missionary service is the duty of every young Priesthood holder, unless specifically excused.

Enjoy!! https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=593521430803116&pnref=story

It's the most mightyful number, I guess. I forgot... the Babylonians didn't know a "zero" in their arithmetic system. It's maybe that why their tower fell to pieces... due to incorrect calculations...?

Don't discount your voice! Someone obviously needs to speak up so why not you?! Honestly, I've taken matters into my own hands before (and am about to again). I also brought up an issue with the ward council (mentioned the problem, offered a solution as well as my efforts to execute). Things haven't necessarily been followed (I didn't expect perfection but now they know someone's paying attention) but at least I did something and am no longer just sitting there being bothered. The environment is important and has an impact on reverence and the ability to focus on learning (it's even mentioned in Teaching, No Greater Call) so speak up and act (type up some signs!) until others get a clue. You never know how many others have been thinking the same thing and would appreciate your voice for change. Consider it anonymous service! :)

There was a time when two wards and a branch met in our chapel but the branch was dissolved years ago so now its just two wards and some people still say the chapel is too small. Its been probably close to three years now that every sacrament meeting, when the person conducting gets up to announce the intermediate hymn and the final speaker, that they will remind the congregation to clean up after themselves in the chapel, to replace the hymn books, stack the chairs and clean the boards. The counsellor in the bishopric who first started doing this was released about two years ago but other members of the bishopric followed his lead and continued to make the same announcement each week. This same counsellor could sometimes be seen vacuuming the chapel early on Sunday mornings if he didn't think it was clean enough. I suspect that these things would continue to happen each week even if members were not reminded of it but I guess there is no harm in repeating the message. I don't believe the other ward makes a similar announcement in their meetings. Its also my observation, and not just me, that when its the other ward's turn to clean the chapel, they don't do it as well as our ward does but nobody seems to get really bothered by it.

We have 3 wards in our building... 9am, 11am, and 1pm. Your starting time depends on what the duties are for your ward. We switch each January with our times. We start right now at 11am. Last year we were 9am, So next year we will be 1pm. We do like some others have already posted as far as setting up chair and taking them down, trash and other duties. If things start getting a little messy, the Bishop will mention in Sacrament for us to remember that there is another ward following us, so please remember to pick up the Cheerios, papers, etc so we leave it nice for them. He's only had to do that twice in the four years I've been in this ward. The only things I ever really noticed was when I was teaching primary at the 1pm time... I always had to erase the chalkboard from the 2 previous times. Not sure why the 11am teacher didn't erase the 9am teachers message. Maybe she used it. LOL

Yes, I've met in a building with 4 wards (stake center as well so scheduling was extra tight) but we managed. Honestly, it sounds as though it's high time people be reminded that it's the *Lord's House* and they should treat it as such. They also need to be reminded about the commandment not to steal (not returning things is essentially stealing). As far as cleaning up afterwards - the old adage to leave things better than you found them could be posted on every door. I might chime in with more later but you get the idea.

That sounds frustrating. I've never seen things that bad. We have three wards in our building. Each ward takes a turn being in charge of cleaning the building every week for one year. Our ward had that responsibility last year. It's never too hard to clean the building. The people here are so good at cleaning up after activities. The wards and parents in our area must be really good at teaching their children and ward members about reverence and respect. The last ward in the building on Sunday is responsible for stacking chairs and emptying out trash cans. The first ward to meet is responsible for setting up chairs and cleaning the building every week. The ward who meets in the middle slot is responsible for clearing the walkways of snow in the winter. Perhaps it's time for each of the wards in your building to have a special Sunday dedicated to learning about reverence and respect. And for your wards to get together in dividing responsibilities that can be rotated around. Maybe you can suggest such to your bishop.

I'm really getting sick of the whole too big to fail thing. Has our society completely abandoned valuing honesty, integrity, honor,responsibility, and other characteristics? Do we just assume everyone is a conniving deceiving liar putting their own social and financial progress before everything. It makes you wonder if it's possible to succeed in this life and be a person of high character. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/02/06/brian-williams-apology-challenged-why-hes-too-big-to-fail/ I really hope he gets thrown out on his ear.

A friend of mine encouraged me to visit this site about a year ago and I’ve been a semi-regular lurker ever since. I considered registering a number of times but life kept getting in the way. It still is, but I did it anyway. I’ve been a member all my life; active for about half of it. (The current half) Looking forward to participating. Hopefully I won't be too much trouble. :)

Sound like a failure of your imagination then

You could ask a few of the General Authorities that question. We do have some that are Democrats.

When I want news....I mean real news I tune into Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Chris Matthews and of course Mr Ed from the Ed show

I think you are right, Vort, I've overseen that point. ... das Mädchen, das Fräulein, das Frauchen, das Hündchen (little dog), das Jüngelchen (little boy), das Bengelein (a naughty little boy, from der Bengel), das Händchen (little hand), das Kindchen (but das Kind is neutrum, anyway), das Männchen (little, fragile man) etc. "Das Mädchen", indeed, is maybe a diminutive of "die Maid" ("das Maidchen...?"), an Old German word. On the other hand I can't see any rule or logic in general for assigning an article to a noun. Maybe there are some rules (sometimes depending on the ending of the noun, i.e. nouns ending with an "e" very often have the feminine article, but what about "der Riese"...? Yea, "der RIESE" (the giant) is BIG and STRONG, so, of course, it can't be feminine... On the other hand there exists the word "Riesin", a female Riese... Leave me alone. If you questioned me I would certainly know the correct article for 99.9 % of all German nouns, without any problem, spontanically, and without thinking about it. We simply know it. Anyway, for any mysterious reason this knowledge seems to be very important for us, as it's apparently very important for a hamster to run pointlessly miles and miles only in his traversing wheel... sorry, in its traversing wheel.

Sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell - it can be really isolating not knowing where to get a blessing when you don't have family members in the church. You are entitled to a priesthood blessing from your home teachers, Branch President or any other worthy priesthood holder. Try and call your BP or one of his counselors, and see if someone can come and give you a blessing so you can stay home, recuperate and let your body and the spirit do the work of healing. They can take simple precautions if you are fluey (eg. don't shake hands or breathe too close). Don't feel shy or like you are being too blunt - just ask - no-one will mind, in fact I'm sure someone will be glad to help you. Hope you get well soon :)

I would love it if signs were up on doors in every room...just something simple like 'Please be sure to stack the chairs and leave the room clean and tidy' would be great. (oh, and don't wipe your snot on the church pews - thanks!' would be good too)

No, he's saying that people are unforgiving jerks when it comes to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

Three. We had four while the new building in our stake was constructed. That lasted about a year or so. We had a 2.5 hour meeting block during that time.

If you have a fever you are contagious. Please don't spread this flu through your ward. My husband had it and my MIL ended up in the hospital with it...it's nothing to mess around with. Yes... ask for a blessing, but ask over the phone and let the people know you are ill so they can take precautions when they arrive at your home. Hope you feel better soon.

If I knew who my home teachers were, I'd totally go that route. Thanks for the advice, Jane_Doe. It is very much appreciated.

Feel free to ask the branch president, your home teachers, or anyone else. If you don't feel up to going to church, you can call/email/facebook someone to let them know you need help.

Note that this is a property of a number system of any base. For example, in base 8, (dec) 49 is 61, and 6+1=7. For any number system of base n, the numeral n-1 will have the property that any number evenly divisible by it will be a sum-n number, as defined above for sum-9.

Three wards meet in our building. We have had four before. The wards take turns with the cleaning. Right now we have the last time slot, so we put away the chairs. We haven't had a problem with cleanliness. Of course with three wards versus one or two wards meeting in a building, there is going to be more wear on the books, chairs, library materials, etc. But, I haven't seen an extreme amount of wear-and-tear.

Obama

3. My assigned ward meets at 9:00am in a very unusual building. I think the Church must have purchased it from some other denomination because it looks much more like a Catholic or Protestant church than an LDS meetinghouse. And it must have been a while ago, because the Church logo out front is the old one with the four lines and smaller "the" and "of." I always loved that old logo. Chinese ward at noon, YSA at 2:20pm.

Issue #1) How many wards in a building? Right now I'm in a 2-ward-building, but usually I've been in 3-ward-buildings. I have done 4 + stake functions + it being a charter school during the day. It was crazy!! I would totally not recommend it. Issue #2) On a different note, if your stake does make another ward, do you know for sure it'll be placed in your building? It could easily go to a different building, even one belonging to a different stake. Issue #3) Wow you guys have a bad situation! I agree with others though, that the problem is not the number of wards, but the cleanness/attitude of the ward members themselves. I would bring up your concerns to the bishop and/or stake presidency.

Its not a function of number of wards.... Its a function of attitude. Too many people in your area seem to have the attitude of "its someone else responsibility to clean up after me" Until that attitude changes your building will be a mess

I know other people will disagree with me here, but-- I really object to the language you "have" to go on a mission. A mission should always be a choice, convert or not, male or female. Going should be highly encouraged, especially for the guys, but not mandatory.

I can understand why a 17 yo convert may need more time to wrap their head around the idea (and thus not go at 18) but yes, the obligation is the same for all able-bodied men (as far as I know anyway). It is not uncommon for young men at this age to have reservations (whether convert or not) so I would suggest he talk to his bishop about it. Furthermore, maybe he was prompted to join the Church sooner rather than later so he would have the chance to serve. You never know! Also, has he gotten his Patriarchal Blessing? That could help with the decision as well. Just a thought.

I am really digging the Glock! So much so, I am going to purchase a Glock 26. They are really simple and kind of perfect....weird.

I personally don't care what people wear. I care that people show up, that people love one another, help one another, serve one another. My bishop prefers that I wear a neck tie, because it's part of the "priesthood uniform." I disagreed with him, but I told him that I would be happy to wear one if he really wanted me to. He did not compel me to, but he did want me to. I've worn a tie and also a coat since then, only because I love my bishop.

I am fascinated by the technology. I think the reality of the procedure creates all sorts of serious potential pitfalls for real human beings. At its best, it is miraculous technology. But I'm betting that a large percentage of cases are not at its best. As always, I support the Church's stand, and in this case I'm in full agreement with it, as well.

Sushi or wasabi? No way! Something sweet. I'm thinking I'll have a Lindor milk chocolate truffle.

What a touching poem. The only dog poem I know was one I memorized in 3rd grade, author unknown: We had a dog His name was Spot Whenever we cooked He licked the pot Whenever we ate He never forgot To lick the dishes. Thanks a lot!

No carpets... hardwood floors. But I sweep up enough white cat hair each week to open a good-sized first-aid station. I do it joyfully and with gratitude. He's the best thing next to a wife and kids.

I liked the first one. Then I checked the mail and saw how big my bill was. (also, he charges for unliking a post)