Leaderboard

SALT LAKE CITY — (September 26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church recently issued the following statement: The Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or unemployment. This teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events. The writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or positions that do not reflect Church doctrine. (my emphasis) http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-inquiries-about-preparedness

A recent talk by Elder Ballard on this very topic: 'There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions' "Let me make sure that you are hearing my epistle and that you understand this important point. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions or investigating our history, doctrine, and practices. The Restoration began when Joseph Smith sought answers to his sincere questions... When someone comes to you with a question or a concern, please do not brush the question off—do not tell him or her to not worry about the question. Please do not doubt the person’s dedication to the Lord or His work. Instead, help the person find the answers to their questions... We have heard stories where someone asking honest questions about our history, doctrine, or practice were treated as though they were faithless. This is not the Lord’s way. As Peter said, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man [or woman] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you... We need to do better in responding to honest questions. Although we may not be able to answer every question about the cosmos or about our history, practices, or doctrine, we can provide many answers to those who are sincere. Help those with questions to realize that the Lord does not require His Saints to have advanced degrees in history and Church doctrine... The Church is blessed with trained scholars and those who have devoted a lifetime of study, who have come to know our history and the scriptures. These thoughtful men and women provide context and background so we can better understand our sacred past and our current practices." Russell M. Ballard (September 13, 2015).

Just wondering if anyone has experience with software or a website that improves the usability of Familysearch. I want to do more family history work, but I'm always put off by the fact that each generation of my family tree takes forever to load. Anyone know of a better/faster way to to use the information in Familysearch Family Tree?

tasting of autumn beneath the darkening sky my falling dreams

Before they became apostles, Elder Holland and Elder Oaks both served as Presidents of BYU. President Eyring served as President of Ricks College in Idaho as did Elder Bednar. Elder Bednar and the recently deceased Elder Scott both held Ph.Ds as did former President Benson. Elder Nelson was a fully fledged medical doctor by the age of 22 and later became part of the team that built the the world's first ever heart/lung machine. Elder Oaks served as law clerk to the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and as an appellate judge in the Utah Supreme Court.Elder Christofferson also served as a law clerk, to the judge who presided over the Watergate trials. I suspect that if any of these men thought that the church had an unhealthy attitude towards healthy intellectualism, they would know about it and do something about it.

Yes. Money.

Outwardly they're chuckling, but inwardly they're thinking "What a jerk. Here I am thousands of miles away from home in a strange place, and some clown is harassing me about it." They're really hoping you'll be more welcoming next time they see you.

At the end of the day, it is up to your Primary Presidency AND your Bishopric Counselor & Bishop as to what order you conduct your primary. Your Stake Primary Presidency are there to help and guide you and support you in your calling.

Whenever I hear the word "intellectual" I always think of a particular college professor I once had. The man had a PhD and two Masters degrees, was fluent in four languages, and considered himself the smartest man in whatever room he happened to occupy. One fine winter day he slid his Lincoln off the road and into a ditch, and then asked me if I would be so kind as to help him out. I pulled my truck up next to his car, handed him the hook on the end of my winch while I rolled out 25 feet of cable, and then turned around and watched in utter amazement as he proceeded to attach the hook to the car’s hood ornament! Ever since then I’ve not been much impressed with “intellectualism”.

It might not be a bad idea to read the whole of Packer's speech, in order to understand where he was coming from. Here's an online version of it. IMHO: "Intellectualism" is to "Intellectual" as "Islamist" is to "Islam" (or, to be grammatically proper, "Muslim"). Neither "intellectuals" nor "Muslims" are bad. The trouble happens when groups of people claiming either label, decide that they should be granted disproportionate control of the broader society within which they exist. Thus, Elder Packer notes in the same talk:

The primary challenge we face in this life...the core test of life, if you will...is whether we will humble ourselves and submit our wills to God's or not. The problem with "intellectualism" is that it can run us head on against this and become a major stumbling block to people. But the test amounts to the same. The problem isn't with intellectualism. The problem is with humility vs. pride. If we humble ourselves then intellectualism holds no danger. If we do not, it will destroy us. This is the same for anything. But there is a special challenge around intellectualism when it comes to the pride/humility equation because intellectualism, by it's nature, is centered in self and tends toward self-aggrandizement. As the Book of Mormon teaches, "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/9.29?lang=eng#28) That 2nd part is key.