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Years ago there was a Stake Pres. Counselor, doctor, who: had every part of the temple recommend memorized, very direct and never broke eye contract... ever! By time it was done I confessed to being a Russian spy and for stealing a lolli-pop in the 3rd grade. AWKWARD to say the least. He was a family friend too. Soon as the interview was over, poof! right back to being his normal ol' self. He did it with everyone and all of us jumped for joy if they got the other counselor instead. Good times.

I do not enjoy funerals and I do not intend to attend my own. The Traveler

It has been interesting to watch many traditions (mostly traditions generated when Utah held the vast majority of Saints) fall by the wayside. Gone are the church wide basketball and softball playoffs along with roadshows, gold & green balls, ward potluck dinners with green jell-o and shredded carrots, boy scout campouts, primary bandalows, ward 70's and High Priest groups, ward and home teaching (visiting teaching), stake M-men and Gleaners and a youth session of stake conference. Perhaps the tradition I miss the most is the priesthood sessions of general conference in the Tabernacle and afterwards the general authorities would walk among the attending brethren shaking hands and often answering questions. In many ways life was so much simpler. A lot has changed since my youth. Not all of the changes seem like progress but one thing I do enjoy is being able to attend church almost anywhere I travel. Generally, I am not sure I like people (especially in crowds) all that much but I do enjoy being among the Saints - Zoom meetings do not cut for me. The Traveler

Wow. You give @Vort’s doe-eyed Icelandic chick a run for her money.

I never knew you were a Russian spy.

Well, growing up it was not considered "destructive." If you have another word that explains the same circumstance, I'd be happy to use it. I recognize that other slang terms have integrated it to mean something less than desirable. But when, I myself, was not raised with it being considered "destructive", just technically correct, I would tend to keep using it as an effective & efficient method of communication. I don't think many people can talk about "testicals" without using that word that makes many people feel uncomfortable. But it is the technically correct word. What else do you want me to call them? Balls? I remember giving a presentation where I had to describe machine parts that were "male and female" to a bunch of college students. They were not familiar with the language and you can imagine the reactions I got. I finally had to put my foot down and say, "That's what they're called, folks. Get used to it." I still feel weird hearing the term "Asian." I grew up as "Oriental." I still consider it more accurate than "Asian." But if it's just as efficient, and understood in today's vernacular, I'm making an effort to use it. So, if you can tell me another word that is not "destructive" that is just as efficient and accurate, I'd be happy to use it. Yes, certainly, different people have different experiences. So what's new?

Perspective that I believe is accurate: It's nice when a repentant person and a forgiving person team up and move forward together. It's the preferable and the best outcome. But it's hardly a requirement for the salvation or exaltation of either individual. Forgiveness' blessings primarily fall on the person doing the forgiving. From the standpoint of the individual who needs to forgive, it doesn't matter whether the person needing forgiveness repents or not. Forgiveness heals and strengthens the soul of the wronged, and a lack of it keeps us stuck. But it doesn't matter if the two ever meet on earth ever again. The blessings of repentance primarily fall on the person doing the repenting. From the standpoint of the individual who needs to repent, it may or may not be a blessing to the person wronged, but it doesn't matter whether that person forgives or not. Repentance cleanses the soul of the sinner. It doesn't matter if the two ever meet on earth ever again. Prison missionaries and prisoners, addicts, anyone who has ever been through a 12 step program, folks who have gone through a divorce, or gotten out of horrible relationships, tend to understand this. You can't make someone accept your repentance, all you can do is offer it. You can't make someone change by forgiving them, all you can do is offer it.

Even better business plan - sucker people into stealing things, in order to trick them into not starving during famines: https://www.historynet.com/ask-mhq-king-frederick-ii-of-prussia.htm

I spoke to Dan yesterday and he had no idea why they were doing this

Oh. Right. Yep, she's a hottie. just a wide-eyed, innocent, hot Icelandic chick.

What are you insinuating? Halldóra is NOT a spy. She is NOT trained in lethal bladework and poisoning drinks. She most certainly does not use her seductive charms to learn industrial and intellectual property trade secrets for a clandestine multinational cabal based outside of Reykjavik. I mean, come on! Have you ever heard such nonsense? Please.

Я не русский шпион

I did. It was pretty obvious. Couldn't you tell by his accent?

No point hiding it any longer.

Finally, a console worth getting!! I'm off to the nearest Radio Shack to pick one up. I hope they still have one in stock....

But… But… I thought everything the church did was to guarantee the financial viability of the City Creek Mall?