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  1. One should praise and acknowledge God's hand in all things. However one should not make unrighteous judgements, and that is exactly what happens when one tries to determine premortal or postmortal status based on temporal blessings. Such a judgement is very much a prideful unrighteous thing to do
    3 points
  2. Update: All is well. Husband isnt thrilled about it, but is at peace with the policy and entering a church building.
    3 points
  3. My dorky hobby is actually visiting different churches just to see and better understand/love, so I've been to many Almost always it's a very positive experience, that helps me better understand other people's beliefs (and better love them). It also helps me better understand my own beliefs, whether that's from agreeing with another or a thoughtful disagree. I always leave with an impression 1) how human people everywhere are, and 2) of how big and glorious God is. Thinking of some memorable specific experiences.... there was the first time I visited a mosque for Islamic prayer services. I committed literally every social taboo possible, but the people there were still gracious. Several of the women in particular were beautiful and so caring for others. The message itself was... honestly kind of vanilla as to not have much to commit about it anyway good or bad. I remember an inter-faith Christmas singing service in town, hosted in a church my toddler nicknamed "Jesus's castle". It was a beautiful old Episcopalian cathedral: one of those with stone architecture, the stain glass windows, and carefully crafted acoustics so that you hear everything coming from the front. The event was a huge smashing hit-- I showed up with my toddler 20 minutes early and the place was so packed that there wasn't even standing room available. Wondering what to do, one of the ushers saw us, and said "if she can sit on your lap, we have an open seat". Very grateful, I am led to the front row. We sit down, as a soon as the first song starts my very shy toddler starts SCREAMING. You remember what I said about those carefully crafted acoustics? So embarrassing. Honestly though, everyone got a laugh out of it. Some things are very universal. And we all had a fantastic time singing and feeling the Spirit.
    2 points
  4. I wish I could remember exactly what he said. We were asked not to record, video tape, or take photographs. He talked about how so many in Africa only have one meal a day. The average length of life for men is around 44 years of age. He mentioned AIDS being one of the causes of the young death rate. They live in very small houses, perhaps one room, often caring not only for their own family, but often the children of their brother because he has died. The young men (and women) are needed to help support the family. If they go on missions that financial support is not there. And, as I mentioned earlier, some of these young men and women are the only members. As to fast offerings, he didn’t say much more than, here they are, poorest of poor, hungry, how they give of their meager earnings—pennies, nickels, and need food and basics to survive, and in Utah some are unwise with their income and now need help in paying their mortgage using fast offering money. I think he was trying to portray the huge difference in needs and wants. It sounded like he said these poor saints are willing to help us in Utah, and it’s usually due to our unwise decisions, yet they need the very basics.
    2 points
  5. I have just started on a Physiotherapy degree course as part of a career change plan. I have been very excited to be a student again, but have had some irritating minor conflict with the University with regard to the clothing (or rather lack of) requirements for the practical sessions. Not sure why it didn't occur to me before starting the course, but I have had some difficulty explaining that due to religious beliefs I will not be wearing shorts which barely cover my buttock creases and will not be taking off my t-shirt. This was not a good enough reason and I was being pressured to participate until I noticed a final year student who is a muslim and wears a hijab and asked the program lead to allow me the same concessions that she had been allowed on religious grounds. Suddenly, I am no longer "a problem". I managed to speak with the girl yesterday and asked her about her experience and she told me about the options they had given her and what had worked for her and I now have a plan that I feel comfortable with. It was nice to at last speak with someone who understood the discomfort of immodesty, rather than heavily implying that I have body image issues I am grateful for that woman of faith who lives her principles. I am less amused that I had to use "the muslim card" to get some tutors to take me seriously. I guess I am already marked out as the awkward and annoying first year student....... well best they knew early on
    1 point
  6. I was sitting in a room not long ago with some older relatives who were all raised out in the Uinta Basin. As a result they all get checks from oil companies on a monthly basis - sometimes small and sometimes pretty big. Over the years they've accumulated some pretty impressive bank accounts - particularly when considering that they all had pretty menial jobs in my opinion. As I listened I was amused as the conversation turned spiritual - as in how blessed they are to receive this money from the Lord. One even said that she feels like the oil prices go up according to how faithful the recipients are in paying tithing. I have my views on this and my question is therefore rhetorical, but does anyone really believe that God sends oil money to the faithful, or is it the luck of the birthplace draw? It's almost like they're equating the non-oil people to the fence-sitting spirits in the pre-existence who were destined to be born in Africa. Thoughts?
    1 point
  7. Well that's one responsibility you cannot delegate. Hope they start feeling better.
    1 point
  8. We do this as a family periodically... for no other reason than seeing if we can do it. We go through a week without spending money. We have found that we are just as happy eating our year’s worth of rice and spam and the eggs from the backyard chickens every meal for a week... and the kids are just as happy biking everywhere instead of driving. It’s not really “bunker mode” though because we still use whatever has been paid for - like electricity, gas, water, movie passes, etc. We haven’t really gone on a “bunker mode” where we can’t even use what we have to buy like electricity, gas, rice...
    1 point
  9. I'm probably stating the obvious, but @Fether's video was probably from a United Pentecostal Church service or conference (they are Pentecostal and dress conservative)...and the music was dubbed in ... We all knew this, right? 🤨
    1 point
  10. I am viewing it as an adventure, a challenge of sorts. However, tonight was leftovers found in the fridge. 😁
    1 point
  11. I took a glance over at Mormondialogue to see how they were responding to it and there seemed to be a unanimous belief that this was one step closer to sisters getting the priesthood.
    1 point
  12. i.e. The myths that are sadly being perpetuated by Third Hour articles and the reasons they give for these changes. I am remembering a particular article regarding home teaching and ministering and how High Priests were given a "smack down" by the prophet. I agree wholeheartedly. Myths need to stop. I would be more interested in his exact words pertaining to fast offerings.
    1 point
  13. A while back I met a guy in my stake that worked for the Church statistics department. One thing I learned is something I already kind of knew. Even though revelation is and essencetial, Saints are encouraged to be invested in operations. Kind of like the brother of Jared given the task to come up with an idea to light the ships with not windows. The church leaders work very hard to learn and add insights. During one of my opportunities to learn from my friend in the Church stats dep. told me of the results of several studies conducted by the Church. I will summarize some of the elements I remembered: 1. In order for a ward to function and be successful there must be at least 5 "Power" families. 2. A power family is a family with stable parents committed to each other and children - all (or most all) active in the church and willing to accept calling. It is also a social family that gets along well with neighbors (especially other church members) and the kids are also likeable and friendly within the ward social circles. 3. Power families are likely to not only help other families to remain active but have an influence of resolving disputes between others families. 4. The biggest surprise is that the number 1 requirement for defining a power family - is not regular scheduled family prayer, family home evening and scripture study. The number 1 most important element is that the family has regular activities of fun for the whole family and that the family enjoys being together. The reason I bring this up; can be summarized by a talk I once heard where the speaker defined family home evening as a family argument opened and closed with prayer. Sure there is a little humor but one of the reason for the focus on family is for the purpose of families having fun and learning to enjoy being around each other. So I will make a prediction. The new program for youth will fail or fall short in those families that do not know how to have fun together. Likewise the families full of fun and enjoyment - will find that very little changes or appears to change with the new program. The Traveler
    1 point
  14. Thanks for your response. I wonder if the core of this discussion goes far beyond music and has elements that apply to all forms of worship. One of the interesting conundrums of life is dealing with counterfeits. It would seem that throughout history much good has come from individuals skewed from worship and just about all the evil on a large scale (war and other abuses of power) are committed by those within the cadre of once known covenants - example being the Pharisees as an outgrowth of the Abrahamic covenant. And then Paul counseled that anything virtuous, lovely and of good report should be incorporated into our worship. I am thinking that it may not be the music - but how it is used and what is in the heart. Maybe it is possible that both those that reject and those that endorse are correct. In the late 1950's when I was a youth, Utah would celebrate the Mormon pioneers settling Utah in what was called the "Days of 47 Parade". But in my youth something showed up in the parade that had not been there before. Marching with the high school bands were young ladies, marching and twirling batons. Many church going Utahns were quite upset that the young lady baton twirlers wearing "skimpy" outfits showing way to much skin. Elder David O McKay was the prophet and president of the church at the time. He was asked for his opinion. His opinion was that he thought the presentation in the parade was beautiful. I am not sure if there is a one size fits all that cannot be counterfeited recognition of what is of G-d and what is of man. The Traveler
    1 point
  15. In this day and age of atheism and unbelief, people of all faiths need to back each other up. I'm glad you were able to stick up for your beliefs with the help of your fellow student!
    1 point
  16. The key here is "witness"?
    1 point
  17. As I listened to the 48-minute video it reminded me of why my wife and I decided to home-school. Both of us had been public schooled, but we wanted something different for our family. We called it: "Learning is a Lifestyle" and that became our philosophy and motto. Everywhere we went, and everything we did was an opportunity to learn. The classroom never ended. It was very successful and our children have grown into hard working well-rounded adults. Academically most of them earned full-ride scholarships to college so it worked well in that area too. If I were to name this new program I would call it "Gospel Learning is a Lifestyle" and it would have fit into our home learning philosophy perfectly. When our kids were young we would often have family home evening five, six, or seven days a week. The one thing we wanted was a home-based seminary program that we could use, but because we didn't live in a remote area the Church would not allow us to use the existing home curriculum for seminary. It seems to me that the natural extension of this new home-centered, church supported Gospel program would be making the seminary program home-based as well. It would be a major change but I guess we will see. I taught Seminary and I loved it, but it is definitely a major disruption to family life in the mornings. So, bottom-line is that I am super excited for this program because it fits perfectly into my views on life and education!
    1 point
  18. I did for my police applications. I had to account for my entire life for background checks. No gaps. Otherwise no I have/would not unless applicable to the job I was applying.
    1 point
  19. Resumes have only one purpose - get someone interested enough in you to schedule an interview. Anything that detracts from that purpose doesn't belong on a resume. In fact, resumes are really crappy ways to get jobs in the first place. Networks and human contact are how you get jobs. Resumes are best used as an afterthought.
    1 point
  20. I have included my mission service on every resume or college application I've ever sent out. I do this for a few reasons. A. I believe it shows my level of committment by demonstrating that I volantarily left home for 2 years to do something difficult. B. It shows I'm used to interacting with people about potentially difficult to talk about subjects, which actually went a long way to getting me my current job. C. It let's my employers know a little bit more about me without them having to ask. If they are going to have a problem with me being a Latter-day Saint I'd rather they find out and not hire me, then have them give me grief later.
    1 point
  21. I'm not saying professional counselors don't serve a purpose because they really do. My point is that any counselor who dismisses eternal truths is doing their clients a great disservice. This is especially so with members of the Church who should know better.
    1 point
  22. "They get better when they distance themselves from negative messages or rejecting spaces while they are still healing." This is not just for lgbtq in church but normal "sensitive" members too that feel they are not living up to their callings or church standards. Last month stk pres made his rounds in the wards and came down hard on us for the lack of missionary work. Every month in EQ they are forcing the ministering message due to the lack of results...its become a fear based environment that those who leave the church use as their reason.
    1 point
  23. if you're kid is inactive. When he signs up for BYU, he's going to have to accept the policy and honor code of byu. Honor Code Statement We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men....If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Thirteenth Article of Faith.) As a matter of personal commitment, the faculty, administration, staff, and students of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, BYU-I, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off-campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will: Be honest Live a chaste and virtuous life Obey the law and all campus policies Use clean language Respect others Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse Participate regularly in church services Observe Dress and Grooming Standards Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement Requirement. (Refer to institutional policies for more detailed information.) https://policy.byu.edu/view/index.php?p=26 IF he's inactive, are you sure he can live by those codes if he goes to BYU? If not, but he still goes there...well I'm not to judge but...he has to follow those rules or he will get kicked out! I'm a BYUI graduate.
    1 point
  24. This is also a great question for you + your son + his High School Career Counselor to set down and look at options. Consider not only tuition cost, but also your son's career ambitions, culture matches, location, etc.
    1 point
  25. I read a really good book a few years ago called Amish Grace, and I believe there was a movie/PBS special based on the story of a young gunman who terrorized an Amish school and how the community responded. It may offer some perspective. There's a lot to learn from the Amish. Also, this policy allows for current law enforcement to carry a concealed weapon. I remember seeing a new police officer flash his gun at some friends in the YSA ward (by lifting up his shirt just enough to show them, didn't even take it out of the holster) and seeing it made me uncomfortable, even though I knew he would not use it unless absolutely necessary. So, if you want guns in church, convert more cops, I guess. The Lord blesses us for our obedience.
    1 point
  26. mirkwood

    It is time...

    Trunk or treat. No masks allowed.
    0 points
  27. 2 Thoughts: 1.) Filipinos and lots of Filipinos!!! 2.) The feminists are not gonna remember anything out of the video except the one time the Young Men President interrupted the Young Women President. 🤡
    0 points
  28. Don’t be silly, we all know that was a raw video of an Assembly of God service
    0 points
  29. I replaced my doTerra line:
    0 points
  30. I love the response of Winston Churchill to a feminists that declared that by the year 2000 the world would be ruled by women. He looked back and uttered just one word - "Still?" The Traveler
    0 points