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I think many of us are relieved when we get that response rather than the endlessly unreturned phone calls!

Getting the gun issue out of the way first, my son said his dream is to have a weapon in every room. We're working on it, even tho we live in Iowa. Not a lot of crime, but there is some. It's easy to get concealed carry. The police at the university where I work carry weapons. The rule was changed to allow this after VA Tech. Students aren't supposed to carry, but the legislature is working on changing that. Apparently the univ admin hasn't read the news about shootings on campuses around the country. I'm not going to be a victim because some leftist doesn't understand the Constitution. So, Iowa is probably the last place on earth where I thought I'd live. A good thing about it is the people - friendly, hard working, literate, just nice to be around. It's also cheap. We've got 3 properties between us and will buy more when I retire. We'd never be able to do that in Seattle (where we lived before coming here and which I love) or the east coast (where I'm from). I don't eat meat now, but I did when I first moved here; they have some great meat out here. I had to get used to the county beef and pork producers having a big grill outside the grocery store. People like the little stuff - homecoming, first day of school gets in the newspaper, the county fair, etc. My UPS boxes stay on my front until I come home. I'm glad I'm here (don't ask in Jan & Feb, tho, 'cause it gets right cold and snowy then).

People by themselves seldom change their ways. But people with the Lord super-charging them-- they can change. They can indeed have every filthy spot and horrible crimson stain washes out to be white as snow. That is the miracle of Christ's atonement.

Gazing, Look man, you are choosing an eternal companion, a mate for the rest of your life. Maybe you should break it off, maybe not. Only God knows the answer to that question. Don't beat yourself up in the least bit b/c you feel saddened, heartbroken, etc. by what this young woman has done previously. Sexual relationships outside of marriage is a big deal. It is quite despicable that in today's society more people can't seem to realize fornication and the seriousness of that sin. Popular culture, media, etc. all makes it seem like it is no big deal and that is rubbish. It is a big deal-certainly a big enough deal that yes it can cause the re-evaluation of marriage prospects. Besides the obvious problems, if this young lady has had multiple sexual encounters, then does she have any STDs? As someone said in another thread, actions have consequences. If I can give you any advice in marriage, it is this and the #1 thing I will tell my children-under no circumstance be unequally yolked with your spouse. It is up to you to determine what unequally yolked means.

There's more than one way to ht/vt. ~ My husband sends a letter every month to one of his people (inactive, divorced...). ~ Maybe you can let them know that you're great at fixing cars if theirs ever breaks down (or maybe you have handyman skills...). ~ Maybe you can support them in their callings (I've actually told my vt that's what I'd prefer over a visit cause that would mean more - they still don't do it though ). So join the choir if you have to or offer to set up/take down after a RS activity. ~ Maybe promise to keep a visit to 20-30 minutes tops (I had one that stayed for 2+ hours). ~ Maybe they need to be reassured that you won't bring your wandering kids over (had that happen, too). ~ Maybe you need to tell them you won't ask any nosy/probing questions (been there and don't like it). chi 7.4.1 - Where possible, home teachers visit members in their homes at least monthly. Home teachers may also find other meaningful ways to watch over and strengthen the families they are assigned. For example, they may render service to the families or contact family members by mail or telephone.

Back when I was recently separated, then divorced from non-member husband - I would invite my HT/VT husband/wife over for dinner, along with the missionaries and one other couple. Yes I was on a real fixed budget, but Father made sure there was plenty of food in the house that I knew how to tastily prepare, without it breaking the bank account. Often the extra couple were in-active members that HT/VT knew, investigators the missionaries knew, or an active couple from the Branch that I wished to know better. Hubby #2 doesn't seem that responsive to having other couples over for dinner. BUT then I could be totally misreading his unsaid thoughts. Since my house is now 85% clutter free, and there is less stress I am going through in preparing large meals - I guess I will approach him again about inviting his HT families over for dinner. One family at a time. There are two families who just might accept. Also Hubby has suggested several times that he would like to invite our HT and his family over to help us eat the Turducken that his Good Brother gave us for Christmas. It is 22 pounds and Infinitely More than we could even consume in a month!! He and our HT, HT's Wife and two teen sons can eat the Turducken, I'll eat chicken breast, mashed spuds and fresh veggies. That little bit of duck makes that entire 22 pounds of bird and corn meal dressing WAY TOO MUCH FAT for me.

Yep, had several families like that over the years. My first rule with ANY home teaching family is to become their friend. If I can make friends, it usually breaks down any "visit walls." For those that does not work out, I just talk to them at church, ask how things are going, engage in some friendly chit chat. My EQ leaders will consider that a visit where the family is resistant to my attempts to contact or visit.

Sorry @Iggy but @Sunday21 is right. From the chi 7.4.2: When assigning home teachers, leaders give highest priority to new members, less-active members who may be the most receptive, and others who have the greatest need for home teachers, such as single parents, widows, and widowers. I'm also not a fan of this and think there's got to be a way for those doing the work to not be the ones who are ignored (probably could word this better but you know what I mean).

"Polygamy" is a general term that means multiple (simultaneous) spouses. Throughout history, lots of people have practiced polygamy. Many still do. "Plural marriage" is a form of polygamous marriage practiced by the early Saints of our dispensation at the command of God as a covenant to him. So I think the term "plural marriage" better emphasizes the unique covenant aspect of "Mormon polygamy".

In a sense, yes. By which we mean that one must accept all the ordinances and covenants, and be the sort of person who keeps them - in other words, one must abide the law of the kingdom in question. Now that might sound like we're saying a person from [insert some other religion here] cannot go to the Celestial Kingdom, but as you know, we believe in proxy ordinances. If a person is the sort of person who obeys a Celestial law, then they will, as they are taught, accept the ordinances and keep the covenants, and continue on in being a Celestial sort of person, and be sealed to an eternal spouse, and be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. If they're not that sort of person, if they don't accept the teachings, ordinances, and covenants, then they won't. Another way to say this might be to say that there is only one entrance to the Celestial Kingdom - Jesus Christ. All must get past him, and the way by which we do so is the same, and he will judge. Please note that I believe there have been, are, and will be many people who do not find The Church of Jesus Christ in this life (through no fault of their own), but who live the celestial law (as well as a mortal can) and who will ultimately be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. I believe there are many Mormons who do/have not and will not. But the conditions are the same either way, and they are outlined in scripture - all will end up in that kingdom whose laws they choose to live.

I used to have more free time and was happy to see my RS sisters and do VT. Now I'm working a full week, and living alone, my 'free' time is spent doing laundry, going to the grocery store, batch cooking my meals for the week, making lunches, cleaning house, etc. None of that is done for me, as it much of it is for the men in the ward who work. I'm lucky to make it in to church. I told the bishop I can't take it any more. No more VTs coming in and no more me going out to VT. Maybe when I retire, but not now. I had a visiting teacher who was so sweet and would send emails and phone calls; we got along great. And even tho we asked to stay with each other, apparently I have a new VT I haven't heard from yet. If your family is OK with emails or cards, etc. just do that. Maybe they're happy to say 'hi' at church. You can't make people do what they want to do.

He previously mentioned that they live in different countries, so in-person would not be possible.

Completely 100%. I have said previously we are required to forgive and forget. But that forgetting, might just mean we don't have that person in our lives-i.e. we move on from them. There is the modern idea in church culture that with sex outside of marriage is bad, but that as long as one repents it shouldn't be a factor in a marriage decision-hogwash. I can come up with plenty of scenarios like that. What about a guy who did marijuana and cocaine, and who has now fully repented? Should those prior actions not be taken into account in a marriage decision. What if the girl had an abortion? Should that not be factored into the marriage decision? We can play this game all day long, but the truth is that yes actions have consequences and one is choosing an eternal companion to stick by and through thick and thin for the rest of your life and eternity. One is not expecting a spouse to be perfect (no one is), but there better be a long gap between serious sins. If it is like well I screwed around with my previous boyfriend a year ago, but I've been to my Bishop I have repented, I'm truly sorry-watch out. If it was well, you know when I was 16 I was really dumb and messed around with only one guy, I'm now 22 I'm a totally different person now . . .okay maybe. Actions have consequences. And if I'm looking for an eternal companion one of the biggest factors is going to be their judgement. Screwing around with multiple boyfriends shows a severe lack of judgement. Sure they can repent and be fully forgiven-but that still doesn't negate the fact that they have a severe lack of judgement. So yeah, I'm going to start having some serious questions about whether this is the right thing to do given their lack of judgement.

She is clean in God's eyes, but let's not kid ourselves, having sexual relations changes an individual. Call it "used chewing gum" (I don't like the analogy) call it whatever you want but there is a reason why God commanded men and women to remain pure and chaste prior to marriage. I find it despicable that members of the Church would do what they can do make a young man who has lived his life worthily (something to be commended for and honored) feel bad b/c he his having second thoughts b/c his potential spouse did not live like that. What a sick society we live in.

This is total hogwash. Are you worthy of her? Give me a break. What is wrong with this world? In today's society we castigate the individual who desires for, wants a pure, virtuous wife, who has lived her life as such and is heartbroken when he finds out that his potential mate fornicated prior to marriage. And he is the one who is unworthy? Please, what utter complete rubbish, garbage and hogwash.

If they don't want to come over, you got to respect that. I have one VTee that just wants me to say "hi" to her at church once in a while. So that's what I do.

Ward beggar.

Doctor Lemon has said everything that needs to be said. I was going to quote John 8: 1-11 but there is no need to add anything further to what Doctor Lemon has said.

The Church doesn't have a standing list of what styles of swimsuit are appropriate, but General Authorities have given specific counsel to avoid clothing that doesn't cover the stomach or that is low cut. Years ago, the Church did have a specific guideline to not wear "two-piece" swimsuits, meaning bikinis. One-piece swimsuits certainly aren't the only style of modest swimsuit, and all one-piece swimsuits aren't necessarily modest (you can buy plenty of one-piece suits that have cutouts or dip really low in the front, for example), but they're one style that tends to cover more skin than some other styles.

Yes. I have a sister on my visit teaching route who doesn't want to be taught. She's inactive. I asked her what her preferred contact method is. She says she doesn't care as long as I stop coming over. So, I write her a lovely note with some goodies and hang it on her front door knob every month.

I did not fall into sexual transgression with any women, and saved myself for my wife. Now that I am married, I can tell you I am very glad that I saved myself. Those people that fell into sexual transgressions and then repented will always have that memory. And if they repented fully, I bet that they wish they had never strayed in the first place. My point is that you should be glad that you have stayed true to the Law of Chastity. I'm glad that you have as well. It is better to avoid the sin than to sin and then repent.

I think you've answered your own question. The great thing about Texas (and maybe Texans) is that they're a world away.

No. I agree. Your next step is to consider the possibility that, by cutting her free, YOU may well be the one bitterly regretting that decision in the future. Then look to find your way forward. I don't know if it's out of line or not. I think it's probably not helpful, and likely the opposite. Dredging up such specific details won't lead to a good place. Sure. It's fair to both of you. Neither of you is perfect, but each of you is beloved of God. Each of you has the freedom to decide how to pursue this relationship, and together you get to decide which direction the relationship goes. Hmmm... I don't think you're necessarily objectively "wrong" to think that you "deserve someone more sexually pure". I do think that you misunderstand what sexual purity consists of. Sexual purity does not consist of an intact hymen. Sexual purity does not even necessarily consist in never having engaged in intercourse -- consider a victim of forcible rape, who might be perfectly sexually pure despite her "lost virginity". Sexual purity is a type of spiritual purity, something we all struggle to keep. That is why repentance has been made available to us. Honestly, if her having had sex with someone else bothers you so much that you don't want to marry her, then DON'T MARRY HER. You are under no obligation, and you might well do more harm to yourself (and to her) by condescending to marry her than you would by just walking away. I happen to agree with yjacket that people today simply do not put enough value in chastity and sexual morality in general. If you can't get over being bothered by this, then do yourself and your girlfriend a favor, and call it off. But consider: Why is chastity worthwhile? What IS chastity, anyway? "Chastity" derives from the Latin castus, which refers to moral uprightness, usually in a sexual context. It has nothing directly to do with virginity; a married man or woman can and should be chaste, even as they engage in conjugal relations with their spouse. If your fiancée truly has repented, then she is chaste, by definition. In a gospel context, this means that she is "sexually pure". Remember: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." White, pure snow is white, pure snow, whatever form the water in that snow has taken in the past. Now, don't misunderstand. I am NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT telling you to marry her. That is your decision, and hers. But if (please note the word!) she truly is worthy and fitted to you in every other way, then I think you would be making a foolish choice to turn her away because of previous, now irrelevant, transgressions. You will be cutting off your nose to spite your face. You have fallen into the common trap of thinking that your sexual purity and avoidance of fornication have been a huge, and so far unrewarded, sacrifice. You are wrong. In most cases, virtue is its own reward, and that is true in this case. Your mind, your spirit, and possibly your body are in better shape because you have avoided fornication. Thinking you can "eat your cake and have it too" is a lie from Satan. How awful would it be going through your life comparing your sexual relationship with your wife to whatever "flings" you may have had before marriage? How much might such wicked, pernicious, self-defeating thoughts drag down your marriage bed and degrade your sacred relationship with your wife? No, you will enjoy the blessings of your chastity for the rest of your life, and for all eternity. Don't mourn your "lost opportunity" to sow wild seed. That's like mourning the amputations that you never got the pleasure of experiencing. Maybe you're afraid that your potential wife will do just that -- compare you to the other man or men that she has had. Well, if that's a concern, talk with her about it. And don't stop at her first horror-struck protestation that, oh my, no, she would never do such a thing! Talk to her, in kindness, love, and true charity, but also in absolute truth, until you are satisfied that either you are good with things or that you can't marry her without misgivings. Either way, you have your answer. All the best to you and your fiancée.

Sounds great, I pray for a happen ending for you both, however it goes.

So, what, just increase the suckage?

@Sunday21, it doesn't matter what religion you are, you have the Light of Christ. Something in you tells you righter from wronger1. Those who choose to move toward wrong will end up in a lesser kingdom; those who continually move toward right will end up in a higher kingdom. 1 I use "righter" and "wronger" because "right" for a drug dealer is different from "right" for a saint. Both are in the same direction, but the "right" thing for a drug dealer to do might still be sin, especially for someone closer to God, but it's still more right than other choices the drug dealer could make. But regardless of your understanding of right and wrong, and where you are along that path, the Light of Christ still tells you which direction to go. (Does that make sense?)

A blind man vists the state of Texas There once was a blind man who decided to visit Texas. When he arrived on the plane, he felt the seats and said, "Wow, these seats are big!" The person next to him answered, "Everything is big in Texas." When he finally arrived in Texas, he decided to visit a bar. Upon arriving in the bar, he ordered a beer and got a mug placed between his hands. He exclaimed, "Wow these mugs are big!" The bartender replied, "Everything is big in Texas." After a couple of beers, the blind man asked the bartender where the bathroom was located. The bartender replied, "Second door to the right." The blind man headed for the bathroom, but accidentally tripped over and skipped the second door. Instead, he entered the third door, which lead to the swimming pool and fell into the pool by accident. Scared to death, the blind man started shouting, "Don't flush, don't flush!"

Hey if you've never been to Texas, don't rag on it I grew up in Texas and it's a fine place (well, parts of it are, at least) but you won't find me among the group of people asserting it's the best state. I'm open minded when it comes to which is the best state. I lived in CA and there are some things I really like about it. Currently live in Utah and love it (certainly not perfect but I do love it). My favorite Texas city is Austin. What a great place to visit!

My wife was a month younger than 20 years old when I got married. I was barely 24. My aunt (who is middle aged and never married) warned me that research showed that chances of staying together are much higher if both partners are at least 22 years old. She seemed pretty worried for me, and pleaded for me to reconsider marrying her since she wasn't the magical age of 22 yet. Well, 12 years later we're still happily married. And I wouldn't say it a was ever a rocky marriage either; her fears of us not being able to make it work seem unfounded to me. The takeaway: when it's right, it's right, regardless of research. There may be wisdom in the "22 year old" age guideline but it shouldn't be a rule.

@IggyWe were shown a video from the RS presidency about 5 years ago in which they stated the priority as new members/inactive sisters (maybe investigators) and if any resources left over active sisters. No one was happy! Including me! This rule would mean that active sisters would rarely be visited in my ward because we have a ratio of 5:1 inactive:active. I suspect that at least 1/2 of the so called inactive have moved or want no contact,

@DoctorLemon Thank you so much for your advice. It honestly means a lot to me. I hope that my knowledge of the atonement eventually grows to the point where I can look back with the type of mature perspective that you clearly have. I have been praying about it and I plan to continue doing so. Right now I feel so relieved though. She told me everything, yet I feel like it will all work out. You are spot on about her deserving praise for her honesty. I am so proud of her. Things are going to work out and I will let you know what happens. Seriously-thanks for such heartfelt direction.

This would give me great, great pause. Fornicating after a mission . . .

@Jane_Doe Thanks for the kind compliment and for your support. I have appreciated all of your responses. You are an absolute sweetheart! I will continue to keep those interested in following this post updated on how everything turns out.

@Jane_Doe Your story was so tender. Thank you for opening up that part of your life to me. I have a sibling who went off having sex freely as a young teenager and I have family who were sexually abused as well so there are just so many different possible scenarios that we could encounter in our lives. I am realizing more and more that the most important thing to our spiritual well being is our current commitment to the gospel. I cannot thank you enough for the impact your post has had on my thought process. I am so glad that you and your husband are doing well. God bless you

Well, maybe the members in your area will be more responsive than they are in mine. I never imagined I'd have to go to the lengths that I have to get even a smidgen of support. It makes me really feel for the Brethren with how many Saints ignore their pleas. Let me know if you'd like ideas, etc.

1. You both have zero experience with each other, and you both will still have a learning curve. Even after nearly 30 years of marriage we are still learning. You want to mourn with those who mourn, then mourn with her over her regrets. Share her burden and don't look at it as a punishment, it is your choice to lift some of the burden she caries off her back. 2. Elizabeth Smart was raped daily for 9 months while she was a captive. When she was returned to her family the prophet gave her a blessing and assured her that she was chaste in the eyes of God. Chastity and virginity are not the same thing. I know there is a lot of LDS culture that equates them, and it is wrong and you need to overcome that. Yes, there are consequences to what she did that can't be undone in mortality, or will take time to overcome, but all the eternal consequences are gone. No matter who you marry, no matter how obedient they were, there will be rough spots. Marriage is always a work in progress. Your kids don't need to know anything about her past. You can both say that you know from experience that keeping the Law of Chasity is a blessing. There are lots of couple in the church who didn't come to marriage with both of them as virgins and they don't find it a problem to teach their kids what to do. If she wants to tell them when they are old enough, she can tell them of the negatives she experienced as a result of her disobedience and tell them she knows from experience that it is not worth it. She can also teach them of the reality of the power of the atonement from personal experience. Is this really about teaching your kids though, or is it about you feeling ashamed if somebody finds out your wife's past? That would be unrighteous pride, thinking that she is not good enough for you because she committed a sin that you didn't. You need to really understand the atonement, and understand that you are a sinner too. Don't you dare look at yourself as somehow being better, purer or more righteous than she is. 3. You need to find that maturity, even if you don't wind up married to her you really need to get your mind and your heart right on these issues. All parents are imperfect and sinful. Just because she has a past doesn't mean the two of you can't show you kids how marriage should be and teach them what they need to know, that is a poor excuse. 4. Yes you have the right to make that choice, but it doesn't make the choice right. I don't usually come down hard on people, but IMHO if you left her and this was the only reason, it would reflect very poorly on your character and show that you are not good enough for her. Purify yourself of your arrogant, self righteous pride, fill your heart with forgiveness and compassion, and then you may be worthy of her. 5. I think that after a couple is engaged it would be appropriate to discuss their sexual past in detail, not before. And you shouldn't pop the question to any woman unless you can really believe that when somebody repents of something they are as clean and pure as if it never happened.

The fact that she would tell you this about her, without even being asked, says a lot about her and how she feels about you. She seems like she might be a good catch, provided you are happy with everything else you know about her.

#5 isn't a cultural thing. It's a relationship thing. I don't think LDS culture says anything about the matter. It really just depends on what you feel comfortable asking of someone that you are in a relationship with. When people become really close they tend to open up about these things. If you are not close enough to her to be comfortable asking the question, then maybe you need to let some more time pass before you get close enough to be able to ask it. In other words you might still get closer and then you can ask her. If you never get to that point then perhaps you should pass on her and find someone who you are comfortable with asking such questions. I say this because it seems to me you feel like you should be close enough to someone to be able to ask that question. If that is your standard for someone to marry then keep to it. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Shorty's comment under (1). This is your decision and you are fully justified in making such a decision for your own spouse and eternal marriage. He also makes a good point under (2) that you should make a distinction between "sexually pure" and "virginity". However I will note that the book of Mormon uses the word "Chastity" in the sense of "virginity". See Moroni 9:9-10. My point is this : "Chasity" can mean different things in different contexts. I think in modern context it usually means clean and sexually pure. I will repeat: it is not evil to have a goal of marrying a virgin. You should forgive her, but that does not necessarily mean that you should stick with her if it does not match your personal preferences and goals. Whether it is a good idea to leave her in the hopes that you might find something better later is an entirely different matter. How old are you? (Rhetorical question) You might want to take that in to consideration. I'm just making the point that you won't have endless chances to get married. Especially if you have very high standards. You said, " it almost seems like I am being punished for her sins as well". Note that this is true of all kinds of sin not just sexual sin and not just in marriage. The sins we commit will always be hurting other people. It's just part of life. Note that you'll never find anyone perfect. I'm lucky because I got someone who almost is I'll be very honest here: I am very, very thankful that my wife and I both saved ourselves for each other. To me this is a very great blessing. It would be hard for me if it was any other way. But please keep in mind that the Lord may have other plans for you. I wish you the best.

@Gazing at essence - First, welcome to the forum. I can see where you're coming from and applaud your strength of character and commitment to live the law of chastity despite the temptation to do otherwise. I agree with eddified about knowing how long ago the issues occurred and would add to find out about stds just in case. One thing to keep in mind is that since she's been through the repentance process, she may have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the atonement which is a plus and something you could learn from (not condoning or advocating sinning). I have a sister that had two kids from a long-term but too early relationship. My brother-in-law saw that she was a good catch though and they've had a strong marriage and built a wonderful life together. Oh - you mentioned your dad and grandpa's opinion on the matter. I know you need a sounding board but please don't share her transgressions with others (at least not people that she may eventually call family) unless you have her ok to do so.

Also, it is the law of chastity, not the law of virginity. She has repented and is forgiven, so she has reclaimed her chastity.

From the sounds of it, this lady is 100% devoted to the Law of Chasity. She is 100% sexually pure. Has she always been? No, she was honest about that with you. But that doesn't change the simple fact that she is 100% devoted to the Law of Chasity and is 100% sexually pure. I understand your sympathizing with the prodigal son's elder brother. We so frequently we see the younger son as getting to party and later be a saint-- liking having the best of both worlds. We mentally skip over the eatings-with-the-pigs episode. We skip over all the pain and misery the prodigal's actions on himself and his family. Misery far surpassing the seconds of fake fun. We also overlook the other prodigal -- the elder son. To quote Elder Holland: " But being caught up in this younger son’s story, we can miss, if we are not careful, the account of an elder son, for the opening line of the Savior’s account reads, “A certain man had two sons”—and He might have added, “both of whom were lost and both of whom needed to come home.” ..... Feeling unappreciated and perhaps more than a little self-pity, this dutiful son—and he is wonderfully dutiful—forgets for a moment that he has never had to know filth or despair, fear or self-loathing. He forgets for a moment that every calf on the ranch is already his and so are all the robes in the closet and every ring in the drawer. He forgets for a moment that his faithfulness has been and always will be rewarded. "No, he who has virtually everything, and who has in his hardworking, wonderful way earned it, lacks the one thing that might make him the complete man of the Lord he nearly is. He has yet to come to the compassion and mercy, the charitable breadth of vision to see that this is not a rival returning. It is his brother. As his father pled with him to see, it is one who was dead and now is alive. It is one who was lost and now is found. "Certainly this younger brother had been a prisoner—a prisoner of sin, stupidity, and a pigsty. But the older brother lives in some confinement, too. He has, as yet, been unable to break out of the prison of himself. He is haunted by the green-eyed monster of jealousy. He feels taken for granted by his father and disenfranchised by his brother, when neither is the case. " I would highly recommend you read/listen to rest of Elder's Hollands fantastic talk -- https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/04/the-other-prodigal?lang=eng

Huh!? They'll fix everything. Except grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Well you don't say "I have dollars 20"... that sounds like a poem where the writer couldnt think of a way to rhyme "minty" so he had to mess with the sentence. You old people are the ones with the strange ways, we are simplifying life and making it better. 40 years from now, us millenials will fix everything! Free school, healthcare, everything will be organic, Everyone will never making 100,000$ a year, no competition, no one will ever be offended, poverty will be gone, anyone will be able to marry anything and however many they want, no privilaged, white, straight male will ever go to college, and not even health concerns will be an acceptable reason to suggest someone loses weight The future looks bright

No, you are not. In the Lord's way, I willingly give my all and receive what the Lord chooses to place into my stewardship, and I am responsible for what I do with it from there, including whether I increase it (did you notice that in the parable of the talents the one who did more with his stewardship was given yet more, as opposed to having more taken from him?). In the world's way, someone with a gun (aka the government) takes from those who have "more", wastes or abuses most of it, and gives a tiny smidgen to "approved" people who have less. (Unapproved people are put in jail or killed.) You seem to be missing that in the Lord's plan, I choose whether to participate or whether to go it on my own. It the world's plan, I go along or I go to jail, there is no other way. One way is the Lord's way. The other was Satan's plan. Nonsense. I consider worldly socialism and communism evil (especially after living in Moscow Russia for 3 years). And yet I would love for the Lord to come and institute a full, community-cooperation version of the Law of Consecration like many of us imagine will happen in the millennium. (NOTE: we will not be any more under the Law of Consecration then than we are now, but many of us anticipate a different functional implementation of it on a larger scale.) What law? If you mean the Law of Consecration, if you are endowed, see above parenthetical note.

I hate to break it to you, but you're in more danger in a place where no one is allowed to defend you than in a place where someone is allowed to defend you. Oregon does have concealed carry permits. You're limited to very few places if you want to go somewhere in the US where people aren't allowed to carry guns - it's in our constitution, you know. Try NYC, Chicago, or DC...

I sure hope so, but that sounds like too big of a loophole to have stuck around for very long.. I'll have to look into that. If it is anything like an ipad backup, good luck at being able to sort out the right bits (at least if you arent using a program that can stitch together and open the backup archives properly anyways). Pre ipad 1 ipods might be different, but id wager the late gen ones go through a few loops to keep someone from doing that.

Because Bernie ain't no Jesus. And even if he were morally trustworthy, his universal influence would still come from the point of a gun. Whereas Jesus' universal influence comes from the universal knowledge of His atoning sacrifice on behalf of all humankind. Consecration comes from love and gratitude; socialism, from fear and suspicion. I would also note that when we talk of societies where there were "no poor"--right up through the turn of the 20th century, "poverty" meant something very different than it does today. I agree that the Law of Consecration ultimately banishes starvation and want and provides an equality of opportunity; but I'm not convinced that it requires all individuals to have identical net worths through all eternity. In fact, if it did; then that would pretty much nullify the idea of varying "kingdoms of glory", the parable of the talents, etc. Also - can you provide a source for the assertion that the Law of Consecration or the United Order denied members the prerogative to choose their own vocation?

I've seen Wall-E. I know what happens to people who always depend on motors to get around.

you need to keep in mind that NightSG is in Texas. Maybe these new fangled things are still a bit too fancy for Texas.

Advice first, perspective later. You've obviously looked at the situation from a romantic side, now try a rational side. What are your thoughts about putting in your own mission papers in a year? What's your five year plan? What's his? How closely do they align? Have you consulted your patriarchal blessing (or considered getting one)? If you need to talk it over with someone, try your brother. He will know you and your family, and might be able to give you some counsel. To give my advice some weight: I'm a YW Leader (1st counselor) in my branch. I'm 31 and single, but my semi-active sister just got married at 17 (she'll be 18 in July) to a (barely) 19 year old Catholic Marine. She and her husband have been exclusive for three years. It's a pretty drawn out story, but suffice it to say it was right for them, and our dad was over the moon to walk her down the aisle.