DapperDan

station

Vort, I have read this poll, voted and studied the responses. And I've come to one conclusion: this poll is stupid. It is a fools poll, manufactured like the Pharisess to catch people in their words so that they may stand in judgement of others. Shame on you.

I actually think this is an interesting point. Because it is a place where the Lord actually did exercise judgement (His not ours). That is why he invited her to change course. I can't see a situation where I would need to exercise this same type of judgement with someone else. More, my course is to bear one another's burdens, etc.

Hemi, I believe this is an example of what I'm trying to say: the sentiment you represent in your first thought is all about judging one's own-self. (i.e. decisions and actions to be taken) There is no judging of others. The judgment of others is running rampant in our day and dare I say it is extremely prominent in our LDS culture. It causes us all to "keep spiritual tabs" on each other. Causes us to monitor and regulate our interaction with them. Causes us to separate ourselves unecessarily from those that would otherwise provide great richness in our lives. However, the feeling that we "need" to judge as part of life is a great burden and wedge.

I believe there is also a HUGE difference between judging whether or not something is good for US or not, whether something would benefit US or not, etc. Then there is the scenario of judging whether or not something SOMEONE ELSE is doing is good or not, whether something SOMEONE ELSE is doing is beneficial or not, etc. I believe we fall into the latter scenario all too often and use the JST and talks like Elder Oaks' and the like to justify ourselves -saying that "we NEED to judge, it's part of life." I would love for someone to please state a place where you NEEDED to make a judgment about someone else's actions or thoughts or words. There is NEVER a need for us to make a judgement about someone in that way outside of being a Bishop (Judge in Israel) or Stake President and so forth. Parenthood may fall into this category as well, but I don't really think that these situations are what MissHW is talking about. My two ¢.

Wingnut, I agree with you - a thread being positive about our spouses would be a great idea. If that was the only thing this started on it would have been a screaming success, i believe. This is the piece that bothers me: "we understand that the sanctity of marriage shouldn't be minimized or publicized on a world wide forum" "Just trying to make the world a better place for those of us who are "<insert favorite alternate here>" "Exposing one's mate, and his/her behavior internationally is wrong" The judgment here is palpable. And YES, it is completely fine to go to the place where you find friendship and talk about wrongful doing, pain, suffering or otherwise unsavory or uncelestial conduct. We are not a whited sepulcher.

"For those of you who were thrown by the term "lucky", maybe I should have used fortunate. To the more literal minded I guess lucky is offensive, apprently it conjures up visions of Vegas or Atlantic City." Or maybe you could have said "blessed". Because heaven knows hardship and awful things occur in the absence of blessing. Opposition in all things right? "The innapropriate use of a forum, a world wide forum, to expose one's spouse and his or her weaknesses, that is the issue. The term "Public execution" was questioned. OK, then let's use the term character assassination." You are right a public character assassination is much less warranted than a private demoralization of the soul. Some of the things that the people on this site have experienced have been ugly, painful, destructive and life-altering. Heaven forbid the come out of their hiding places for a day and hope that someone with an understanding voice may hear them. "There are proper venues to dealing with a "weak" spouse or failing marriage. They include bishops, stake presidents and LDS social services. Bishops and Stake Presidents are tied to the responsibilty of confidentiality, so should the particpants who are married. church athourities have counseled us about delving itno our marital problems with others who do not have the authority to make decisions in such cases. This is a forum on the web, not your bishop's office." Boy, this is amazing. I agree with you completely that you should be working with your Bishop in the resolution of these matters. However, to say that he is the ONLY venue you should use? Man, are you worried about the world being overwhelmed by the pollution of hardship? "If I PM someone and privately appologize for seemingly being "harsh" it isn't because I'm "afraid" of doing it "publicly" it's only that I was trying to have some "class". Apparently having "class" has been lost on some of you. So if you were the one who questioned my motives all I have to say to that is: You have got to be kidding me?" Maybe you should take your classy style and start some more positive threads then. Let the rest of the unlucky ones continue to wallow in all that supportive stuff below you.

Holy sanctimony batman! Really? So the luckier ones can't get sullied down by being around those who may not be so lucky? I fail to see your point. But let me see if I can follow your logic: -People talk openly about their life with their friends on an open forum -People look for some comfort, advice, support, friendship or companionship during hard times -You listen in and join the conversation -You figure the lucky people have heard enough of this hardship and that the world cannot support their weight anymore -You raise the world's hopeful water level by singing the song of your "lucky-ness" in their face. How's that scan?

i hear you. sometimes it's quite a bit less effort to argue against someone else's stuff than stand up for your own.

Further, please tell me how John knew about a Bible in 60-something AD also?

kona, Please explain why you still think this verse was meant as a warning to not add on to the Bible. I don't see where you have supported that notion. Also, please explain the need for physical proof in a world where faith rules. There is no physical proof of the ressurection and yet i assume you believe. There is no physical proof of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and yet we all believe it. There is actually no physical proof of Adam and Eve and yet......you get the point. please expand on your own thoughts.

So this is a really long string of fair questions. And I really like the answers/thoughts presented. I'd like to add my insight here as well, only one question at a time (as work permits) #9 Of course there is room. Jesus himself explains this principle to his own apostles while he was with them (quoted from the book of Matthew Chapter 13) 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. It is clear that the Lord definitely enables sacred information not openly available to all. Only to those searching with an open and willing heart. (which is still free to all). So the answer is positively yes.

I really do see how the two ideas come into play with each other. But if we talked about why God allows so many to be mislead in His name and came to a solid answer on that - it may remove one of the obstacles to God making himself known to you. Again, just a thought.

This would actually make for two really good threads separately. 1. Why doesn't God make himself known to me? 2. Why does God allow so many to be mislead in His name? Although there is a curious intersection in this that only you could analyze - are you concerned that you are one of the ones being mislead, therefore it is hard to accept any "so called" communication from God. It would cause one to be very cautious - to the point of a standstill if this fear were deep-seeded enough. Again, this is just a thought, not really meant to be my own reading of your soul. I believe in your struggle. Have had similar ones myself. Hang in there.

one of my favorites is pretty new to this place - ancestry.com. they just launched a new part of the family history section called ancestrypress. it lets you build all kinds of pages and books and posters using your own photos and such - and then they also have tons of imbellishments and the like. as with all these others if you want to pay a little you can also place old documents from your ancestors in there as well. really really cool. AncestryPress