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Showing content with the highest reputation on 09/03/20 in all areas

  1. As for the green tea in supplements issue I have often wished that more clarification be given on that front, but I can see why leaving it to individual agency is also a fine idea. I can see the argument from both sides. On the one hand, it is an extract from a particular plant, but not the plant itself, and not being used in the hot drink form, for what that's worth. In this way, it might really be looked at more like taking vitamin C which is also a component of tea. Usually, EGCG is the main compound being referred to as green tea extract and it can be found in other foods such as apples - so does the fact that it was extracted from green tea make it wrong to ingest in and of itself when it's no longer part of the tea? On the flip side, I completely understand the desire to avoid it as well. Modern revelation has made it clear that coffee and tea are what is referred to specifically by hot drinks, so even if it's not being had in a hot drink form it's still coffee or tea, at least insofar as say having an iced tea or frozen coffee treat. If it's processed, at what point does it (or is there a point) where it would no longer be coffee or tea? Might just be best to avoid it altogether. This position can be strengthened by the idea that for years caffeine was viewed as the culprit, but that may have been a case of members looking to scientifically validate what the lord has said and have nothing to do with what we've been commanded. To my knowledge, we have no specific chemical in coffee or tea that has been validated as the reason to avoid it, so in not knowing what components are the issue, perhaps it's best to avoid anything and everything to do with it. While I can understand both sides, I personally opt to avoid supplements with green tea extract or EGCG knowing it was most likely sourced from green tea, but sometimes it can be a real pain because it's in so many things and has caused me to have to find new sources as it's been added to formulations I used to use and enjoy.
    2 points
  2. Colorado is an interesting place. Denver and surrounding areas tend to be very Blue. Denver is known as a sanctuary city, meaning they willfully do not enforce various immigration laws. I think they've gone so far as to bar local law enforcement from working with ICE. The rest of Colorado is pretty Red. Lots of military, lots of farming communities, lots of legal immigrants from South of the border. It's not uncommon to get a county Sheriff statement about how they won't enforce this or that Colorado or federal statute on things like red-flag laws (requiring taking guns from people who have not been tried and convicted of anything). About half a decade ago, in gut-reflex emotional reaction to the Aurora theater shooting, the Colorado legislature passed a package of 10 gun control bills. Just about every county Sheriff in CO, teamed up with a bunch of private businesses, and sued the state over a couple of them, with most Sheriffs openly stating they would not come within a mile of enforcing the problem laws. (In this case - a law that made it illegal to transfer sale of high-capacity magazines. Totally unenforceable, as nobody could prove when someone bought a magazine.) Colorado got so mad, we recalled two Democrat senators and almost turned the whole state Red again.
    1 point
  3. Grunt

    Becoming like God

    Divides us how? I also understand, and agree, that you don't want to get it wrong. Honestly, that's what has led me here. The theology and doctrine of Latter-day Saints just made sense to me, if our understanding of God was correct. If it isn't, then he isn't a loving or forgiving God and we're all hosed anyway. Through prayer and faith, I came to understand that this is the correct doctrine. I'm not confident enough to say I understand everything, but I do know without a doubt in my mind that I'm where God wants me to be and on the path He has chosen. I also have come to understand the depths of His love for me, and that repentance isn't "just in case". It's Plan A. Because I know these things, and repent daily, I'm not as concerned with "getting it wrong". I AM concerned with progressing and enduring to the end, but because I know He loves me and has provided me the tools and knowledge to make it back to Him, but I'm not as worried about whether or not I get it wrong. I'm not worried about you getting it wrong either. Don't take it the wrong way, but even though I think you aren't acting with His authority and missing part of His doctrine (I honestly don't know what you believe, so this is an assumption), I think you are still doing His work and He loves you for that. I believe you'll do just fine when we are judged, and will have come to know Christ's true self in Spirit Prison.
    1 point
  4. I ran into almost this exact situation recently. The member was convinced that because it was not in hot liquid that the Green Tea extract was okay. It didn't sit right with me and I didn't use any of what they offered. They extolled the health benefits and all other virtues, and while they may be right, for my own conscience I chose not to use any of it, nor even took any of it. I think they used it every day (And probably still do), but for me it didn't feel the right choice. I seemed to be among the minority at the time, but it was just a small group of members at the time that were offered it, and perhaps there are others out there that also have similar feelings to my own.
    1 point
  5. I believe there is a difference between using your agency to act in opposition to the Church or disagreeing with doctrine is very different from encouraging others to do the same or influencing others that such behavior is OK. Two examples: I was recently in a discussion with someone who claimed baptism wasn't required for exaltation, regardless of age. He was quoting scripture improperly and trying to convince others he was correct. This is something I will absolutely speak up against. 2. I recently purchased vitamins from someone in our ward. They are mostly things I would take anyway, and I'd rather purchase from someone I know if it helps them than from Amazon. When I researched these vitamins, I found that one of them contains green tea extract. I informed them that I didn't want that one. Trying to convince me it was OK, they assured me they and others in the ward take that vitamin as it doesn't contain any stimulants. I have zero to say to them about THEM taking the vitamin unless they ask me my opinion. It has nothing to do with me. However, whether or not I believe that decision is in line with the Church, or is worth the risk that it isn't, is up to me.
    1 point
  6. Pound sand, mutton chops 😁
    0 points