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Thought this quote from Elder Maxwell is spot on: “Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.) President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had ‘never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ! We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish irreligion as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom, even as it rejects the value essence of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage.” “Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. M. J. Sobran also said, ‘A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it’ (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, pp. 58–59). This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.” “Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, ‘summer is nigh’ (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!” Elder Neal A. Maxwell

The kid I pay to cut the grass

I like the below information: I heard President Marion G. Romney once counsel mission presidents and their wives. “I do not tell all I know; I have never told my wife all I know, for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me.” We are, I believe, to keep these things and ponder them in our hearts, as Luke said Mary did of the divine events that surrounded the birth of Jesus. (The Candle of the Lord, Elder Boyd K. Packer)

This news made me very sad even though I know mortal death is not the end of the journey. I think it has a lot to do with losing two apostles so close together and the fact that I have been a member only a few years, so these are the only apostles I have known.

Stop agreeing with me ..... Just because you met my wife doesn't mean I have to be nice to you. Lol!!!

Thanks for THAT image, Eowyn. I officially hate you.

With all due respect . . . how could anyone possibly answer anything other than "yes" to your question, framed as it is? I don't think the Church is significantly more spiritual now than it used to be. I do think we're a lot more spiritually exhibitionistic than we used to be. Seems like every Latter-day Saint who has a spiritual experience now feels impelled to write a blog, if not a book, making that experience available for public inspection. I call it Snuffer-Pontius Spiritual Selfie Syndrome™. Naturally, if the Spirit tells you to share, then share. But we should bear in mind that there's a strain of "look-at-me'ism" that permeates our culture. Are we sure we understand what's really motivating us?

Haha. I guess teaching you how to GRRRRRR about 16 years ago is still working.

There is perhaps a subtle detail here. We can receive revelation on many subjects, and the revelation we receive may relate to others not under our stewardship. However, we are not to council those outside our stewardship based on such revelation for according to the economy of God he will reveal it to them if they are to know it.

My son.

What we don't do, of course, on the Lord's day is only a part of the story. What we do do is just as important.

Frankly, I have no problem with the concept of expressing your concerns even to the point of "we don't think you should marry him". You say this once and only once, letting it possibly becoming a case of "you can't say we didn't warn you" without further nagging, but yes, I'd let your daughter know your feelings.

In a beautiful decision my neighbor to the North, Canadian justice has told Nova Scotia that it cannot bar graduates of Trinity Western University's law school from practicing law in the provice, simply because the alma mater bars gay sex amongst students. The justice said it's not about LBGT vs. Evangelical Christian rights, but rather about respect, inclusion, and the true meaning of tolerance. http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/january/canadas-first-christian-law-school-wins-supreme-court-case.html

Then you need to push harder. This lack of intimacy is slowly killing your marriage and you need to make that plain to her. I'm not saying tell about this issue with your friend, but make it very clear to your wife that the path you two are on is not good for your marriage and it needs to change before things get bad. Do not make it sound like a threat to leave her or cheat on her if she doesn't do what you want her to do, make it sound like you are worried and afraid about the future of your marriage and want to ensure nothing like that ever happens and you want her help. Laura Brotherson's book 'And they were not ashamed' is a fantastic resource. See if she will commit to reading it together with you and discussing it. DW and I set aside one night a week where we would go into the bedroom and one of us would read a chapter out loud and we would discuss it. It made a huge difference. If she won't do that, at least do it yourself, and share parts with her if she will listen.

Fireworks, friends, bbq. Personally I pause and reflect why this day is so important.

We are building our lawn care plans, so I'm watching this thread. We don't yet own anything fancy and right now just want to get our lawn healthy.

Arrange a swap with another branch in your district? If their sisters will watch a group of your branch's kids (only those kids whose fathers or older brothers can't take charge) you will do the same for them at a later date so they can hold a similar activity of their own.

We shouldn't counsel them either.

My husband.

Me too.

I don't worship squirrels, so your statement offends me. (tongue cheek etc.)

+1 with Pam. Me too.

Yes it does. I have her on my side now.

And there's only so much you can do, once a person of free agency has been given information. Hence why I say any thoughts on your end should only be expressed once. Alas, we can't control other people. I completely agree with avoiding strict instruction not to date or marry someone.

Same here .... Elder Hales is not in good health either.

Again, semantics. We have given plenty of loving counsel, but we would never say that she shouldn't date or marry someone. Who someone chooses to date or marry is deeply personal. My wife and I would never receive revelation for that. The addition of "think" or "feel" makes all the difference in the world. She has gotten plenty of advice, agrees with it, and yet does the opposite of what logic would dictate someone to do.

Sorry to hear this ..... I am also concerned about Elder Scott

I would try the libraries. I suspect they would have a shelf or half a shelf, or maybe two shelves of nothing but Mormon Pioneer history, including some older, now not available books that would give you an older point of view. dc

It may be well for some of us participating in this forum to occasionally remember and follow what Elder Hales' said during the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference last April. No one should be criticized, persecuted, or attacked by individuals, or governments either, for what he or she believes about God. It is very personal and very important.

I am not a good source ..... I have read and continue to read all kinds of church history books. I am reading one now about the life of Dr Frederick G Williams. I would start with the books suggested in the above posts.

Would you seriously let any of your children make one of the most important decisions in their life without giving them the benefit of your wise and loving counsel?

I guess the Brethren go where they are needed most :)

I have only shared with my former mission president, wife, and endowed children in the temple. Personal things are just that- personal. If they are shared a lot then they are no longer personal things.

I agree with the others. It is very much in yours and your wife's stewardships to make these concerns known to your daughter--once. I would suggest you don't make the conversation about him, though. That's a sucker's game, because "You don't know him the way I do!!!" and you just create a persecution complex ("no one understands us!! This is just like Romeo and Juliet. Let's elope!!"). Rather, I'd suggest you try to find a way to point out how self-confident, talkative, and generally full-of-life she used to be; gently note that you've seen a change in her, and ask if there's anything you can do to help make her happier. Hopefully that could get her to open up a bit and have a good heart-to-heart that might eventually lead to the issue of Him.

I dated a loser like that for a couple of years, and my parents strongly objected and absolutely let me know. My problem was that I couldn't see that I had anything to offer, I didn't think I could expect much more than this guy. All of my friends had more dating experience than I did, and as far as I thought back then, the loser was the only guy who had ever thought much of me. Serious confidence and self-image problems, make no mistake. I don't know your daughters situation or her mind, but if you want to help her shed a bad relationship, I'd start with trying to bolster her self-image.

I often can't help but think that every member of the church should spend a (Jewish) Sabbath with an Orthodox Jewish family. I think having come from that, gave me a perspective on honoring the Sabbath day and keeping it holy that most people don't have. Not that we would need to take on everything....no driving...no turning lights on and off, etc.....but I think the focus on the Sabbath and the whole mind-set would be really eye-opening and helpful. As an Orthodox Jew, everything - and I do mean everything - you did was focused on keeping the Sabbath. Shomer Shabbat. You really did step away from the world for 25 hours. When I first moved into my current ward, the bishop took some time to get to know me. We all know you should be careful what you share with the bishop, right? One time, we talked about keeping the Sabbath and he had lots of questions regarding what my customs had been. He then declared that he thought it would be great if I could give a lesson on keeping the Sabbath. I think he forgot about it, but one of his councilors recently mentioned it. Yikes. I think if I mention that endless meetings were not part of the tradition (you do not discuss/make plans on the Sabbath for anything that occurs after the Sabbath), that might be a popular idea with some. And for those that grumble about the three-hour block - they might have a different perspective after learning that Jews have an obligation to pray three times a day and the Sabbath (and therefore the observance thereof) spans a 25 hour period of sunset to sunset. So you start Friday night with maariv (the third prayer service of the day, and on Shabbat this is followed by a festive meal. Best meals ever), continue Saturday morning with Shacharit - which in itself is usually about three hours long -, followed by mincha in the afternoon- the mid-day prayers (and in my synagogue and many others), this was preceeded by a kiddush lunch - which was a marvelous opportunity to socialize amd feel like family -, with maariv again at the close of the day. Shabbat would then be officially ended with a ritual/blessing called Havdalah. Between mincha in the early afternoon and maariv at the end of the day, there would be various activities happening, but the focus was always on Shabbat. Since driving is forbidden on Shabbat, everyone lives within walking distance of the shul (synagogue). So there would be lots of interaction between families/members during that time. Before my conversion, the shul (very old building that had its issues, but was very beloved for it's quirkiness at the same time) was near a small park, so often in the nice weather, families would stop there to let the children work off some of their excess energy. Then people would wander off either to their own home for a Shabbos nap (a time-honored tradition with no shame whatsoever!) or to attend to the needs of babies and young children, or go to another home in the neighborhood. Yes, some socializing would go on, but there was always, always Torah study going on by everyone for a good chunk of the afternoon. Some of it would be somewhat structured - I remember we had a women's group who studied Pirke Avot during the appropriate time of the year, and there might be groups of men who were wrestling with a particular portion of the Torah together - but most of it was informal and spontaneous, a natural outgrowth of that week's midrash or a question brought up by someone. But always, always everyone studied Torah in those hours. All of those things, combined with the complete and absolute absence of telephones, TV watching, etc. combined for the best, most amazing day of the week. I remember a woman once - who grew up in the liberal end of Judaism (which, to me, has become so far removed from traditional Judaism as to be unrecognizable) - telling the rabbi that she couldn't possibly be Shomer Shabbos (Sabbath observant) because then when would she get the laundry and the housework done? She just didn't have "time" to observe the Sabbath. The rabbi assured her that if she honored those 25 hours, she would find that she did indeed still have time to do everything else. That would be part of the blessings received. So this woman gradually increased her Sabbath observance. Some time later, she joyfully told the rabbi that she was now Shomer Shabbos and that the strangest thing happened - she had no trouble getting the housework and other "have-tos" done on the other six days of the week! One thing I forgot to mention....Shabbat is always ushered in by the lighting of the candles. This occurs prior to sunset (no kindling of a fire once Shabbat has begun) and is always done by the women (unless there is no woman in a household). Usually two candles are lit (although you can light more) and it is customary to have candlesticks that are used only for Shabbat. The bracha (blessing) is said and Shabbat has officially begun. I really miss the candle-lighting. I miss that special moment of transition between the rest of the week and Shabbat. The house has been cleaned, the food prepared (no cooking on Shabbat), TV is off, phones are off. Then you light the candles, say the bracha and you can feel the peace descending.

We're explaining to Daughter she must attend nursery last.

My ward has made the switch. Starting Sunday, Sacrament meeting will be first. I will soooo like this.

And to put up with all those Mothers-in-law... ugh!

My gut tells me that Collier won't win this one--if only because he's a white male. The case that legalizes polygamy will come from a Muslim man, a polyandrous woman, or free-love swingers in a group marriage. It won't come from a white Christian male.

I have served as Elders Quorum President for just over five years and will be released this Sunday. I am happy......and sad all at the same time. I taught Gospel Doctrine a couple times lately and lot's of folks told the Bishop how much they enjoyed my lessons. I jokingly told my wife that I would be released soon and called as GD teacher....well, sort of jokingly. I had the feeling that it was going to happen. Sunday, our Bishop asked how I felt about being called as.....Gospel Doctrine teacher. I of course said, whatever the Lord would have me do Bishop. As I ponder my stewardship of the EQ....I am feeling kinda blue thinking about being released. Anyone else feel that way after being released from a long time calling?

There is no middle ground I would morally support. Until you are divorced or widowed, you have no business pondering relationships with another person.

You do not discuss it with her, stop with productive hugs, and immediately drop all "what could have been" thoughts. If necessary, drop seeing her until you can control your heart.

I have to agree with NT. You're playing with fire, and you're risking a lot more than just your own heart and well-being. If this good friend poses a threat to your intimacy with your wife, do the right thing and throw water on that relationship. You need not be unkind to your dear friend, but you need to protect your marriage (and hers).

In all honesty it just does not seem right to receive money gifts from friends that are struggling when one has sufficient and more for their needs. But one cherished wedding gift came from a struggling friend and artist that took our wedding picture from our announcement and reproduced it by hand burning a replication on scrap plywood. After over 40 years it is the only gift I remember and still have.

The term new and everlasting covenant is used frequently throughout the Doctrine and Covenants. President Joseph Fielding Smith gave the following definition of it: “The new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel. It is composed of ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations’ that are sealed upon members of the Church by the Holy Spirit of promise, or the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the President of the Church who holds the keys. The President of the Church holds the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He delegates authority to others and authorizes them to perform the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. “Marriage for eternity is a new and everlasting covenant. Baptism is also a new and everlasting covenant, and likewise ordination to the priesthood, and every other covenant is everlasting and a part of the new and everlasting covenant which embraces all things.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:65.)

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 didn't break them out...but I did check on them. They are chilled and ready. Of course, if it turns the other way, we may need a few more bottles...oh wait...that doesn't work with sparkling cider, does it?

From what I can gather, Canadian bars are deciding on a province-by-provence basis whether Trinity's grads may practice in their jurisdictions. The results have been, up to now, a mixed bag. This is progress; but we shouldn't break out the (non-alcoholic) champagne just yet. Things could easily turn the other way.

The Lord also said in reference to the creeds, "...that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” I think reading it in context is helpful and helps explain why Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. I can only imagine that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ being two distinct personages, Glorified and having bodies of flesh and bones would make the creeds and professions of belief by the various Christian sects an abomination describing them as Elder McConkie put it, "... as a three-in-one spirit essence that fills the immensity of space; it teaches that it and they are without body, parts, or passions; it acclaims that it and they are unknown, unknowable, and uncreated, and specifies, in the creeds, that unless we believe all these things we cannot be saved." There purpose was to restore the Gospel and reveal Truth again to an apostate world.