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Our baby boy.

And this is the thing... we can't really judge other families as having no methods. Is the crackhead down the street bringing their sugar daddy of the night home where their children sleep not a method? I say the kid learning about sex from the sounds through the wall is a smaller problem than the mother being a crackhead and bringing sugar daddies home. Government sex education can't fix that family nor that child. I say LDS missionaries have a much better chance of bringing that family to function.

When I was a kid, my grandparents would take me to the toy store for me to pick out something for a Christmas present. I would refuse to go, and after I was forced, I would exit the store saying "I don't need or want anything- I have everything I need. No thank you for more." I tried really hard to be truly grateful for what I had... but truthfully there was also a second motivation: that I allowed myself to want something, then I wouldn't get it, and that would hurt-- I remembered times I had asked for something, but didn't get it. So it was better for me to not allow myself to want anything and avoid all that possible hurt. As an adult, I have fallen into that same mindset: I don't want to ask for anything. I don't want to open myself up to that hurt. I remember some times where I have asked for things-- even righteous things I felt were righteous like safety, preservation of a friendship, and I've not gotten it. And it hurts. Part of me wants to just surrender all reins of my life "thy will be done, I'm just a passenger in the backseat." But is that any way to really live? I don't think so. I love my daughter nowadays: and she has everything she needs. But her birthday is on Tuesday, and we're going to the bouncy-castle place for fun. She doesn't *need* to go to the bouncy-castle place, but I want to take her because she will enjoy it a lot, and I want that enjoyment for her. Other points we would't have been able to do the bouncy-castle place, but this year is a good year for it, and we can give that to her. She usually doesn't understand why sometimes things go down certain ways, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't talk to me, and tell me what she wants. Likewise with my Father: yes, He's in control, and His will be done. But I should still talk to Him, expressing my joys and desires, and learning... even when there's points when I don't get what feels like a righteous desire. He's still my father, and I'm not a mindless feelingless drone, nor should I be.

I think I can say with some confidence, that not going to see the Bishop will make you feel far, far, worse, for much, much longer, than going to see the Bishop. 22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:22)

You aren't alone, sister. You also aren't the first person to be in exactly the same shoes you are in now. You have some good advice here. I'll add only this. You KNOW how you feel right now. It's pretty crappy, huh? You know what you are supposed to do, but you're scared. Just think of how incredible it is going to be to have all of this behind you. To have repented and been forgiven. The longer you wait, the longer you're going to carry this around with you.

Others are giving very good advice. Here's some practical things to think about that might take the edge off your fear: - Pretty much guaranteed, your story won't be something surprising or new to the bishop. He will have heard similar things before, from helping other ward members through similar things. - You are not alone. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a place where the sinless folks show off how sinless they are. We all sin. It's important to avail ourselves of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order to wash ourselves free of our sins. In your case, that is exactly what the bishop is there to do. - I've had to sit in the 'hot seat' myself. It was one of the hardest things I've done, and one of the greatest things. It is so nice to live free of the crushing weight of un-repented of sin. I bet once it's over, you'll jump for joy.

Trust us, everything will be just dandy there may be some embarrassment, guilt and maybe even some shame in there, but that is already there is it not? its all part of repentance. I am 99.99% positive you will not lose your membership. You may lose your recommend for a period of time or not be allowed to partake of the sacrament, but losing your membership is for members who have been endowed and then made serious sins. And even then it isn’t guaranteed. One thing that helped me when I was in a similar situation was telling myself “it doesn’t matter what happens, I’m not right with God now and I will go through whatever it takes to become right with him”. I remember a bishop saying “I hope you aren’t mad with how long I’m drawing out the process before giving you back a recommend. I responded “If I needed to be excommunicated I’m order to fully repent, I would gladly accept it” and I meant it. Just text the bishop’s secretary and schedule and appointment. Take that first step! (btw... a young woman who confessed a serious sin to her bishop in order to repent is worthy of the most righteous of all men.)

As Pres Hinkley put it. ”The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the phone and ordering groceries - we place our order and hang up.” The purpose of prayer is not to send God to the store and get us what we need. It is to commune with God... or in more simple terms... to talk to him. We pray to learn his will, ask questions, make requests, etc. it isn’t just to ask for Christmas presents. I would also add that we put too much value in human life. Not saying we should go around pretending there is no value, but dealing with death is one if the greatest battles we face as faithful members. by definition, faith is to NOT have a knowledge. So by definition, we don’t KNOW there is an after life. When a family member dies, we are pit against our beliefs. Are they gone forever or will I see them again. We don’t know, and we won’t until we too die. We run into this with every major trial so it is easy to get worked up. we are accusing God for not answering prayers while holding to the pretense that there is no God. It’s a strange paradox or reverse “begging the question” fallacy. When we complain about unanswered prayers on major life events (like death), we are literally saying: ”God, My brother died because you didn’t answer my prayer, and now I will never see him again because you don’t exist.” Do you see the issue there?

Learn about the principle of fasting. Here's what I've been able to gather so far: 1, fasting is a principle of sacrifice. Sacrifice is a principle of power. There are some who do the whole 24 hr-2 meal fast, and yet are sacrificing very little for one reason or another. If your health or conditions are making you fast anyway, you should try to find a way to make your monthly fast a bit more special. 2, we deprive ourselves of food so that we may feast on the Spirit. Throughout ancient scripture, food and the body have always been prominent teaching models. One of the most important lessons these scriptures offer, is that Man must give away their lives (bodies) in order to be saved. Put away the physical in favor of the spiritual. Fasting, in a small way, prepares us to make that sacrifice. Our bodies tell us to go eat something about every 3 hours. The act of deliberately ignoring our physical needs for a while is inherently spiritual. 3, obedience is the Spirit of the law. One of my pet peeves is when people shout out "spirit of the law!" Whenever they are inconvenienced by a commandment or principle. I believe these sort are more like Pharisees than those who obsess over strict adherence. Fasting ought to be inspired by a deep sense of humility and meekness; to be born out of an ernest desire to serve and obey. 4, in other words, rejoicing and prayer. That scripture in D&C provides a very singular take on fasting among Christians. What does it mean? I think it means that the days we fast ought to stand out from all other days. There are blessings, comforts, and joys which the faster is privileged to have access to. It is sin, I think, to not take advantage of them. Well, That's fasting as I understand it. Even if you can't fast in the normal way, I bet it's still possible to abide by these principles.

Let's start with what a bishop's role is NOT: "Sally was a naughty girl and now I shall punish her with 10 lashes because that's what I do, and if you had done this you would have gotten 15 lashes!". Issuing out rote smacking to just smack and make somebody miserable. Or thinking it's like get a 3-point speeding ticket, unless it's in a school zone then it's a 6-point ticket... Now let's talk about what a Bishop actually DOES do: he's there to help you -an individual- stay close to Christ. To help us out when we've gotten confused by worldly things, or fallen down, to help us repent and put Christ back as the foundation of our lives. To help us so we CAN honor Him, rejoicing in His house, and be sealed. So the process: you meet with your bishop. If you want to have someone else with you there too, you can. You say what you said here, and he talks to you about repentance (a path you seem to be on already) and helps you make sure those confused worldly clouds are gone. It is to get you right with the Lord & in the temple: all indviduallized. We each can't tell you specifically what exactly he'll say, because it's individualized for you. But I will 100% guarantee you that of a few things: 1) you'll feel way better than the doomsday clouds in your mind right now and, 2) and the end of this & with a sincere heart you'll be hugging Christ.

Hi, Sounds like you have a very typical and very wrong view of what repentance is. You seem to have a very Law and Order view of sin, repentance, and punishment. Let break that down. In the Law and Order view you you break some Law (sin)... but until the Law's representatives (aka Bishop) finds out you are not punished. While this is a typical view it is totally and completely wrong. God's Laws are not arbitrary. They are designed with our happiness, protection and joy in mind. When we break the Laws of God the punishment follows as assuredly and as naturally as night follows day. And our punishment remains and continues until we change (aka repent) gain the protection of the Laws again. God has given us many tools to help us change (repent). The bishop (or other leader) is one of these tools. Sometimes we get so caught up in our sin, in our fears, in our suffering that we can not see clearly what needs to change so we can stop suffering. The bishop's role is to help us see more clearly. You are afraid that the Bishop will punish you more... so afraid of it that you can't see that your punishment is already happening, and that your Bishop can help bring it to an end. You also expressed concern because you do not know what the bishop is going to do or say. We can not give you a check list of what that might be. But we can tell you the larger picture. You bishop will say and do whatever he thinks it will take to help you repent and come out from under the punishment you have already brought down on yourself. Each case is different. Some people have already humbled themselves and repented. In those cases the bishop will simple say it is done and over. In some cases people are still struggling to repent in which case the bishop will council strict obedience to all of God's commands and observe you for a period of time to see how you do and offer help and encouragement . In other cases the sinner's heart is hardened and more powerful things like excommunication is needed to help soften the heart before they are willing to change. My advice to you is to seek out your Bishop now. He will help release you from this burden you are carrying as long as you will let him. It is normal to be afraid of what you do not know or understand. Many of us have been in your shoes to various degrees of afraid to talk to our Bishop, yet when we finally did the joy and lifting of burdens were so very much worth facing our fear and getting right with the Lord once more.

I do not know what you were taught, and I cannot say what others may have taught through the decades. I was taught something similar growing up. But the above is not according to scripture, as I learned when I began seriously reading and studying scripture at about the age of 19. There was only ever one plan, not two. That single plan was the Father's plan, originating with him. According to the Father, this plan would save all who would receive it and exalt all who would abide the law. The plan required a Redeemer, for which Jesus volunteered himself (doubtless was called of the Father to do so). In speaking up, Jesus made it clear that it was the Father's plan, done by the power of the Father, and that the glory was to the Father whose plan it was. At least one other also volunteered himself for being the Redeemer. This prideful volunteer, a liar from the beginning, amended the Father's plan by making a spurious claim: He would redeem not just some, but all, and therefore the glory and honor would accrue to him, and not to the Father. The Father rejected the impudent offer of the so-called son of the morning and confirmed Jehovah as our Redeemer. The liar whose offer was rejected rebelled against God, along with "the third part" of the Father's children who hearkened to his lies. This is the genesis of the war in heaven, the premortal result of which was that the third part was cast out.

I’ve decided to take this Coronavirus thing seriously and start doing some staged preps as it gets closer and closer to home. But I had a question. Now with confirmed cases in multiple countries (and likely unconfirmed cases in almost every country by now)... how does it stop?

I've seen a few discussions in various locations regarding the Plan of Salvation. One of the more recent ideas someone floated to me was that there were multiple ideas of the Plan of Salvation given through the years and it's constantly changed. I did not agree with many of these and frustratingly enough when I was about done with them I was directed to a website that posted that Prophets and apostles all disagreed with the Plan of Salvation and even posited that Bruce R. McKonkie and his son Joseph disagreed upon how the Plan of Salvation worked. It listed half a dozen different (and what I see as bogus ideas in my research as an amateur Church Historian) 'plans of salvation' that were given through the years. This comes from people younger than I who are pointing me to this idea (though not all of them, one was on this site a while ago I believe), and apparently it's changed since I've been a member of the Church (I've been a member for a little over 50 years now). I was polite, but what I wanted to say was...Not to my recollection it hasn't. One of the main themes revolved around Reincarnation. The church has never officially taught that reincarnation occurs as far as I've seen (and the closest was the idea that Celestial Beings have children in a mortal like state, but than after that they return to where they came from after several centuries...but that was a brief moment in time that was even discussed, much less taught). It was included in a majority of their presentations of the "Plan of Salvation." My thought on this stuff was...that's a bunch of rot. So, this is partly a vent and partly just to lay out clearly what the Church taught about the Plan of Salvation. The first post is basically what the Church taught from the time when I investigated, to what I believe it still teaches now. I will probably at a later date post this in my personal thread on my thoughts on the Church's Culture and such but with added stuff included of my own opinions and such. However, this thread is to reiterate the basic Plan of Salvation. So, onto the basics of the Plan of Salvation as was taught to me. As far as I know, the basics have stayed the same since at least the late 19th century. The doctrine of the various Kingdoms of afterlife have been around since the time of the Prophet Joseph. I will use his words on them for a basis in D&C section 76, some that were added as Canon later with Abraham Chapter 3 and D&C section 138. I will also use Section 131. There are a few other things that will be included that were taught over the years to me, but are for the most part understood (such as the veil of forgetfulness). Beginning at the start, as per section 76:24, the worlds were and are created by the Father of us. Utilizing Abraham as well, we are his begotten sons and daughters and we were with him before this worlds creation. This is what we call the Pre-existence. In the Pre-existence a war started. There, two individual Sons of our Father had two different plans. One was in accordance with the Father and had the decision to give us Free Agency to Choose good and evil. If we chose to do evil this son would come down. Through him we would have the atonement in which we could repent of our sins and return to our Father. The other plan was in rebellion and it was that instead of choice, we would be forced to choose good. This was also an idea of to supplant the Father and sit in his place, to steal his glory, and give all the glory to the leader of this plan. This plan of rebellion was led by Satan. A third of the hosts of heaven followed him. Those of us who are on this Earth chose the former plan and followed Jesus and our Father. In selecting to follow them we kept our First Estate. Those who followed Satan will not have glory in the same Kingdom as those of us who did. This plan was to prove if we will do all the things whatsoever the Lord our God will command us (Abr 3:25). Those of us who keep our second estate will have glory added upon us. After this premortal life we are sent to Earth to live in mortality. When we come here we pass through the veil of forgetfulness. We forget our pre-existence in mortality. Here we are given choices. We are here to see if we will follow the Lord. After we die we go to the Spirit World In the Spirit world we will go to either Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison. Those of use who are of the just, who have been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality and thosewho have offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God and have suffered tribulation in their Redeemer's name.departed this life firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ will be filled with joy and gladness. (D&C 138 12-15) Those who are such will go to what we call Spirit Paradise. There is another place also that the wicked go called Spirit Prison. There are others that may be in the waiting for the gospel and we will be organized and sent to preach the gospel to them, teaching them the principles and ordinances (ordinances for the dead) where we who are among the living can act as proxy so that those who are dead but did not get their living ordinances, can receive them as if they were alive. After this we go to a judgment where our final destinations after this life is determined. The following is almost straight from D&C 76. The Lowest are the Sons of Perdition. They denied the Holy Spirit after having received it and denied the only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame (76:35). The go to outer darkness and are the only ones the second death has any power over. The rest are brought forth by the resurrection of the dead through the triumph and the glory of the Lam (76:39). These are divided into 3 Kingdoms of Heaven, that of the Celestial Kingdom, that of the Terrestrial Kingdom and that of the Telestial Kingdom. Into the First are those who received the testimony of Jesus and were baptized, that kept the commandments and cleansed from all their sins and received the Holy spirit of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, overcome by faith, sealed by the Holy spirit of Promise, are of the Church of the Firstborn, who are Priest and Kings and received of his fullness and glory, are priests of the Most High after the Order of Melchizedek. Therefore they are gods, even the sons of God. (76: 51-58). These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever (76:62). This is the Celestial glory and the Highest degree of glory. This glory is that of the Sun. We also know that those who did not receive the law in this life but who would have accepted the gospel if they had the opportunity will also be able to receive this Glory. (D&C 137:7) This glory is unending. Those shall dwell there in the presences of God and his Christ forever and ever (D&C 76:62). There is no end of this if we believe in it being forever and ever. This Glory is also divided into 3 Kingdoms, into which to enter the highest a man must enter into the order of the Priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage] (D&C 131: 1-2) The next degree of Glory is that of the Terrestrial world. This glory is that of the moon differs from the sun. These are they who died without law. They are who the spirits of men kept in prison who the son visited and preached the gospel to that they might be judged according to men in the flesh. These are they who received not the testimony of Jesus in the Flesh but afterwards received it. These are honorable people of the earth who were blinded by the craftiness of men. They are those who receive of his glory but not of his fullness. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. They shall be visited by the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father. (D&C 76:72-79) The third degree of Glory is that of the Telestial. These are they who did not receive the gospel of Christ , neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Ghost. These are they who initially are thrust down to hell and are not redeemed until the Lord finishes his work. They do not receive the Son nor the Father in their Kingdom of Glory but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the Terrestrial. They shall have administering angels who are appointed to minister for them. (76: 82-88) There are as many different glories in the Telestial Kingdom, or divisions in the Telestial Kingdoms as stars, for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world (76:98). Those in the telestial will be as innumerable as the stars or the sand upon the seashore. They will be servants of the Most High: but where God and Christ dwell they cannot enter, worlds without end. (D&C 76:109, 112) This then is the general idea of the Plan of Salvation that I learned and has been the same since I've been a member...at least from what I've been taught (unless it's changed without me knowing it). Much of this (Especially that about the three Kingdoms) was taught in the Doctrine and Covenants and has stayed the same in writing since it was written down (as far as I know). Saying that this has changed... I don't think so. Anyways, that's the Plan of Salvation in it's basic idea with Scriptures as the background for reference.

I have to admit that his sound effects add to the hilarity.

Was reading about what happens if a blessing is not fulfilled. And that even an Apostle can get it wrong and that we don't always say God's will. It kind of makes you wonder, if an Apostle can't get it right, what makes you think that I can. It's discouraging to think that most people don't say or do the will of God, and you want to say, "what's the point of praying?" What's the point of praying for protection when people still get hurt when they pray? I went a long time without praying and I didn't get hurt. Because you know, God's will. He's just going to do what He wants regardless. Statistically speaking, you're bound to have a 'fulfilled' blessing. If I throw a hundred knives in the air, all at once, there's going to be at least one--but not limited to--fall blade first into the ground. You see what I'm saying? A person will be 'miraculously' healed at the same rate as someone who receives a blessing. Atheist are miraculously healed without believing sometimes. Not trying to be negative but honest with my feelings that I have always held in. Anyways, if you feel like you can say something to enlighten me, go ahead. And I love scriptural examples if you can.

It's not just LDS teens. The cultural shift is happening in the iGen. The hyper-sexualized culture became the main culture so that the reverent, chaste culture became the counter-culture. Kids scoffing at Twitch are now in the position of the punk rock counter-culture of our day. They're now the cool kids that stand out from the masses that get noticed in a cool way. Even the rainbow alphabet is becoming the mainstream and those scoffing at the rainbow sjw's are becoming the cool kids such that the cool gay kids are now scoffing at the rainbow sjw's too.

What really REALLY scares me is social media and peer pressure. As part of my current job I conduct a considerable amount of research on social media. This includes consumption to develop strategy. I was amazed at the sexualization, and peer pressure to submit, of girls as young as 11 or 12. Partial nudity, provocative clothes, and sexual acts are very common in those age ranges. Oddly, I was equally surprised to see a decent size stream of Latter-day Saint teens speaking out about it and forming online groups to share social media free of that. They really stick up for each other against the abuse from non-members for their unwillingness to conform. Some of you out there are really raising good kids.

Exaltation != Salvation Exaltation > Salvation

Exaltation does equal Salvation, but Salvation != Exaltation. Someone is able to be saved (salvation) without being exalted, and anyone who is exalted is saved (salvation).

Thanks for the write up. It was good for me to review the Plan again. One pet peeve of mine I inherited from an Institute teacher is the use of the word "Pre-existence." There is no such thing. We've always existed in one form or another. It's more accurate to use pre-mortal life or pre-mortal existence. Now, that nit has been picked. Thanks again.

Which is were we can get into issues. We can all agree that parents have both the stewardship, and the responsibility to see to their children's education. As with any stewardship there will be those that excel, those that do alright, those that struggle, and those that neglect it. Clearly there are those that need help but people have a tendency to judge others fulfillment of this (and any stewardship really) based on how closely it matches how they are fulfilling their own. Thus we spend way to much time fighting with those that do it 'differently' rather then focusing on are they being successful.

I'm packing it up. You just won the internet for the day.

Did a strawman kill your parents? Is that why you're pummeling it so mercilessly? This was more addressed towards those unmarried women, but the principle holds true. NO BLESSING will be denied to any worthy individual. Just because one is handicapped or disabled does NOT make them unworthy. If President Hunter is contradicting what Vort is saying, then not only are righteous single women blessed with eternal marriage and an eternal family, these single sisters are also blessed to rear their own biological children in this life! Do you think that's what President Hunter is saying? Or do you think rearing your own children in this life is not one of the blessings of marriage in mortality?

I agree. Some kids just aren’t drawn to it like others. And I do think 0 sex education is better than state guided sex education through the school. Im not so much concerned about differing methods of teaching kids about sex as I am about families with no methods.

This is bugging me... it's not "bipartisanship". It's "partisanship". Even if there's only two parties (there aren't just two), it's still called "partisanship" - that act of putting one party over reason. Bipartisanship means - cooperation between 2 parties. I couldn't care less what party you're affiliated with. It doesn't change the fact that your statement was PARTISAN - putting party over reason, unreasonably blaming one party for things other parties are just as culpable. I'm not American. American political parties hold no meaning for me. Only political actions do. Irrelevant. You engaged in partisan commentary. You should stop contradicting your non-partisan claims with partisan statements. Stop projecting. I don't have to jump to any conclusions when your statement bears proof of my criticism. Let me remind you of your statement. This ⬇️ is a partisan statement.

Exaltation != Salvation. All of Heavenly Father's children will be saved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

From what I see and have read it never says that anywhere in the scriptures. Even with my own personal opinions, which I won't pollute the thread with, reference the scriptures and different prophets. Many people are trying to make up an idea that the prophets or someone said that, but it does not say this anywhere in any scripture and no prophet has ever stated this either as far as I know in my historical research. As for the scriptures, they do not infer or say this. In fact, the words of the Lord in the New Testament and the things we read in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants explicitly imply something else. However, one can believe what they wish, but from what I've been taught and my understanding the scriptures imply that the rewards in heaven are eternal, and what we get in the afterlife reflect the choices we made (of our own free agency) in this life. This thread covers the plan of salvation as shown in the Scriptures used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and thus I'm not even really using statements by various prophets or others through the years, though, as stated in my initial post, I may do that in another thread with more personal commentary and opinions). This is the basics of the plan of salvation. Nevertheless, I do not know all things. If you feel what you say is correct, for a claim like that you'll need a reference directly from the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price or the Doctrine and Covenants. You can also look in Gospel Principles (and based on my own insertion below, also from the Church's own website of official definitions or statements currently on a subject as defined by the article or page heading) if you so desire and can find backing of your comment in there as this thread covers the basics of the Plan of Salvation rather than offshoots or personal opinions on the matter. That said, I will inject a TINY bit of non-scriptural (but heavily references scripture) from the Church's own site (if that is acceptable, is it is directly from the Church on it's own doctrines or teachings). The Last Judgment And a Scripture to expound on the final judgments from D&C 88

We went to see a pantomine on Saturday, by the same acting troupe I used to belong to myself. It brought back some wonderful memories. It was Puss in Boots - "Puss" played by a very very handsome young man I've acted with before. (Hah - my wife totally fancies him!!) Anyway, here are some of the running gags they had this year: The king's herald has a very loud and irritating trumpet. Every time he blows it (which is often) the king and the princess screw up their faces and cover their ears. Sometimes the king says "Is that really necessary??" to which the herald comes back with some totally convincing reason why it is. (As you can imagine, they bring plenty of references to Trump in concerning the trumpet.) The ogre's two goblin-henchmen are a pair of Laurel-and-Hardyesque buffoons who fail to scare anyone at all - least of all the heroes! The "Hardy" of the pair is always toadying and simpering to the ogre, but trying (and failing miserably) to terrorize anyone else. The "Laurel" always misunderstands what the other has told him (actually her) to do and comes back with ridiculous excuses. Everyone has difficulty pronouncing "The Marquis of Carabas". They practice saying it over and over again, but still keep getting it wrong. I've been away from acting for nearly three years now! (I only intended to take a 1-year break from it.) I met the cast afterwards and it was great to catch up with old friends. I was surprised (and quite touched) that they said they'd all missed me! Anyway, that's definitely given me the acting bug again!

Kobe. Such a huge loss! I will not say the greatest of all time as I reserve that for MJ but he was a MJ Jr. for sure. I loved his assassin mentality, his competitiveness and his drive, his work ethic was great. I heard the Mavs retired Kobe’s # That is Super cool in my book. I feel bad for his family, his wife and 3 surviving daughters. He never got to give his hall of fame speech. I'm shook. He was one of the best during my time, Kobe was great. I'm sad for his loss

I got addicted to porn at age 8 and had my first sex talk at 10. Didn’t learn about porn and masturbation (or at least realize that that’s what I was doing) till I was 11. I’m ALL for teaching kids young. but don't put that in the hand of the school... but... you are right, some families just won’t talk about it so can school do it better?

My condolences Dr T. Such a sad sad day.

I think the main purpose of prayer is to align your will with God's on the particular point of interest. So even if someone is "wrong" and at least they are trying in good faith, God will sustain them in the long run and there will be that alignment. Once one's will is aligned, they can handle just about anything, and may even be given opportunities to know and do more. For example, in Helaman 10 was Nephi's prayer answered (verse 1, 17, 18--but read the whole Chapter because there is more to it), or did his will align with God's (verse 5, and then Chapter 11)?

A couple thoughts, Do you suppose the Lord calls someone to the priesthood without a foreknowledge of all the slip ups they have in store? I do not think the people who are available to give blessings are often available only by chance or circumstance Do you know what a successful prayer looks like? It is a prayer that fulfils it's purpose, which is to unite the will of the person praying with the will of God. Group prayers or church wide prayers are meant to unite different people together in faith. Prayer doesn't change God's will, it realizes it. Depending on faith of course. If you think all your blessings are simply statistical happenstance, then chances are, you're not paying enough attention. Either that, or you're living beneath your privileges. I've found keeping a journal helps with the first issue.

I think we talked to our kids when they hit around the age of 10-12. I handled the boys, my wife handled to girls. Kindergarten is a tad too young in my opinion. If they want to start that young it makes it sound more like they have some sort of indoctrination in mind rather than simple education on those items. Most kids don't even think about that type of idea until older, and when they do ask questions it's normally innocent in what they are asking about (how a new baby brother or sister is coming or why...etc) and probably better explained by their parents. They say it would it would cover safety and inappropriate touching, which I think is fine, it's when they try to insert other values into it that I probably wouldn't be (and I suspect there would be a STRONG push to do so). The idea that some did not want to allow parents to have the option to opt out of it also strikes me as someone is after indoctrination rather than education in some arena similar to what has been proposed in other states at times. I'm fine with it starting later, but kindergarten seems a little young. Inappropriate touching doesn't necessarily have to be under Sex education and neither does safety (just the police officer visiting schools and such under safety in general can do that) so making a bill and labeling it as such seems to indicate possibly another purpose behind it if they want to cater to kindergarteners.

Satan had a plan.. which he claimed could save everyone... However there is no proof that his plan could/would do what he claimed it would to. This much like the grand promises we hear from many politicians.. It sounds wonderful but when you try to get beyond the sound bite level you find nothing there or that it can't do it. So if all you need for a plan is a statement of intent/desire... then yes there were two plans. However anyone that looked deeper and asked how many "Workable plans were there" well the answer is just one. The Fathers.

Yes, there was one plan for the plan of salvation originally and only one plan that was used. The other plan was not and is not the plan of salvation, but was something made by Satan (or alternative if you want) in rebellion to the Plan of our Father. Saying there were two plans is a way to simplify it I suppose, in that there were two plans (but only one Plan of Salvation) or ideologies that we needed to choose between (though in a way it was between two groups or Leaders, that of the Lord and that of Satan's). This meant that each of us had to make a choice of who we would follow. We could follow Christ and the Father or we could follow Satan in rebellion. A third of the Host of Heaven followed Satan which implies that 2/3 of us followed the Lord and chose the Plan of Salvation. I was trying to keep it simple and yet complete.

His heartfelt blessings full of love A promised hope of calm and peace To all honest seekers thereof In prayers and tears that never cease I say, my brothers, sisters all Who, in goodness, still hold trust But question why they still feel small And deem are lower than the dust This meekness draws the eyes of God Who loves you more than you will know It’s humility He applauds Your willingness to let it show He answers every tear that falls With care towards your broken fate He guides you up above the walls And lifts you to a higher state Always there, He anxiously awaits A Parent watching you in stride For any chance to show His traits And lead you Home where He abides Oh then look up and never doubt About the love He has for you Pre-destined for a greater route In your heart of hearts, believe it’s true. Aeglyn Nov 2019

Community colleges tend to be very affordable.

Most Trinitarians know that God is three persons but one God. They know Jesus is God. They know the Holy Spirit is God. They know the Father is God. They know the three are distinct, yet they are one. So, when LDS ask questions like, "But was Jesus praying to himself in the Garden?" the answer is, "Of course not!" "Oh, so you agree with us that they are separate?" Confusion arises very quickly at this point. I'll lay this out again: Muslims/Jews/Jehovah's Witnesses: God is one and Jesus is not God. Modalists: God is one. Jesus is God. He reveals himself in 3 modes--as Father, Son or Holy Spirit. (Some summarize this as God being 1 in 3). Trinitarians: God is one. Jesus is God. So is the Father. So is the Spirit. They are distinct, but still they are one all the way down to their essence. How this is so is beyond us, but there it is. LDS Godhead: God is one. Jesus is God. So is the Father. So is the Spirit. They are separate. What unites them is their purpose. Yet, this unity of purpose is so strong we can be called monotheists. Modalists have a hard time explaining how the different persons can exist simultaneously and interact if they are all just Jesus. Trinitarians have a hard time explaining how God can be 3 and 1 at the same time. LDS have a hard time explaining how 3 beings can exist at the same time--in different bodies--and still be so one that it qualifies as monotheism. The difficulty is compounded by the doctrine of exaltation. Of course the Muslims, Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses think Trinitarians aren't truly monotheistic either.

Are you in a YSA Ward? Do you go to church sponsored activities? Are you Temple worthy? If you don't already have a recommend, then go get one just to go do baptisms & confirmations with. Read your scriptures, read the Come Follow Me for Individuals & Families AND the Sunday School one. Ponder the lessons and the accompanying scriptures. Then when you are in class, don't hesitate to participate. As a teen, I never felt pretty or even good looking. I was the 4th of 7 children, the 3rd girl out of 5. None of my older siblings dated. We were too busy helping Mom & Grandma with the housework, cooking, and tending to the younger (still in diapers) siblings. We were, however, encouraged to Go Outside And Play - just take the little ones with you and keep them out of trouble/danger. My oldest brother was 16 when he was introduced to the LDS Church. I was 8. What brother did, I demanded to do. Thus I went to church, to all of the activities and I went to all the dances. Absolutely loved the practice at church on Wednesday nights. My parents were not members. But the way they lived their lives, the moral compass they taught all of their children was exactly the same as the LDS doctrine. We danced at home. Moved all the furniture to the sides of the room, and waltzed, polka and then as a Junior in High School I taught them how to swing. The rock-n-roll dances were not allowed - but I (we) did them outside in the street. I also went to the "Gold and Green' Balls at church from the time I was 14 until I moved away at age18. At school, the guys that I most preferred were the Not Knock You Over Handsome. I was a senior when I went on my first date. The guy was a classmate, of the Muslim faith. His father was my hairstylist and his Mom taught me how to prepare meals with no bowls and very few utensils. We went to dinner then the movies. Saw The Godfather. We read the book before. My parents were not pleased that I saw the movie, but then Mom read the book and decided I was old enough to see the movie. At church, I danced with all the guys. I really enjoyed myself, and I had some really good, adult conversations with most of them. The Pretty Boys not so much. Their heads were so far up their arses they couldn't carry even the simplest conversation. Add to that I lived in the poor part of town, and I wasn't even Middle Class. I was Lower Middle Class. ALL of my clothes were re-sewn hand me downs. Clothes Mom got from the neighbors and her new Sis-In-Law (upper crust clothes of the finest materials). The neighbor lady was close to 400 pounds so her skirts and dresses could be re-made into a skirt and bolero for me and sometimes a skirt and trousers for the two little ones. Mom was an excellent seamstress, so unless I exposed the inside back of the tops or the inside seam where labels would be, there is no way anyone would know my clothes were actually homemade. My sewing home economics teacher in high school was flabbergasted at the skill my Mom had. So, no matter what you look like, it is How you act, how you treat others. Stop being so needy. If you are in your mid to late 60's and still single, then you have cause to be needy, but even then don't It is such a turn-off. Actually, it is disgusting. Live your life like you want your wife to live. Be the person you want your wife to be. My second husband (we married 15 years ago! I was 52 and he was 62) tells me often how pretty I am, he bolsters me up and encourages me to be me. When he saw pictures of me as a teen - in my ball gowns, graduation outfit, even some of the Halloween costumes I made for church events - he told me that had he known me as a 20 something, he would have beaten down doors to court me and eventually take me to the Temple. Hubby #2 is not Knock You Down Gorgeous/Handsome. BUT his good moral compass, standards, gentlemanly good manners, and being a righteous priesthood holder MAKES him Knock You Down Handsome. Every time I see him looking at me, my heart skips a beat and I find myself catching my breath. LordyMoses I love him so. He is a keeper. He better be as we are sealed for time and all eternity! Be a good, righteous priesthood holder. Live a temple worthy life. Stop being so needy and self-deprecating. Look for a woman with these same attributes: Good, righteous LDS woman. Lives a temple worthy life. One who is humble yet confident in her own skin. One who knows she is a righteous daughter of God! Remember, remember You are a child of God!

Agreed. Contact you embassy about help to escape this abusive husband. If you were in the USA, I could point to resources in the USA, but I do not know Tunisia. The embassy will.

Your BIL I assume is an adult and mentally competent. Your marriage is your priority. Help him as best you can without making it damaging to the marriage. You could consider perhaps having him stay for a short period of time but only with a firm move out date and a plan to accomplish that. Having him stay for good doesn't sound feasible. He can go to the church for help as well and he has to be responsible for himself.

HOW DARE YOU!

People are just trying to find something else to panic about so they won't have to deal with this anymore.

I think someone messed up calling it the Corona Virus instead of the Fung Flu. For now, I think the best protection is prevention. Wash hands, avoid sick people if possible, install an irradiation room in your entryway.

Last night at dinner with my parents, I said “we survived the swine flu and the Ebola virus, this will be a cake walk” my dad then Followed up with “the heinie flu!” In trying time do a play in words with H1N1. I misinterpreted it and asked “is that slang for AIDS?”