skippy740

"The Standard of Truth has been erected. No unhollowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame... but the truth of God will go forth Boldly, Nobly and Independent... til it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every year... till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say: 'The work is done.'" - Joseph Smith Jr.

Temple recommend worthy.

I don't see the option in the "my settings" tab... but on other forums, you can "hide" your online status when you visit their forum. Those who are hiding their status would be the anonymous users.

Bringing up the laws of the land is not the issue here. There are three levels of integrity: - Legal - Moral - Ethical Legal is the bare minimum standard, and really isn't the subject of this thread. Why? Because the Word of Wisdom is a personal code of health, so it falls into the Moral category. It seems that anyone can pass any law they want these days, so basing a personal code of integrity based on "which laws I'm following" is hollow at best. Moral & Ethical - can you tell your Bishop and Stake President that you follow the Word of Wisdom and perform temple (and priesthood) ordinances worthily? Now I agree that you need to take the doctor's advice. I'm curious about the health benefits of marijuana ever since I saw that article on the infant/baby who would have multiple seizures a day and marijuana has helped to greatly reduce that number. (I don't know if it's true or not, but it's a good story.) I can guarantee you this: No 'baby' is smoking the marijuana, and I doubt they are chewing it (like chewing tobacco). If you could take it in a pill form, or in some other way that it is treated more like a medicine instead of a recreational drug (my own opinion here), then that would be more beneficial and avoid destructive habits.

Moroni 10:3-5

Garbage in, garbage out. You didn't spell anything else out. So far, all we have to go by, is what you've written... and you're writing about a number on a scale. When I asked for advice on a situation with my kids... I included a link to the pictures so I can truly convey the problem. I'm not telling you to post pictures, but the more you communicate, the better results and advice you will receive.

Here's the backstory... and it's key to understand this thread: http://lds.net/forums/topic/53952-not-sure-if-i-can-join-lds/

I'm sorry. I tried to merge your post with your old thread.

I'm sorry, but I just did a copy/paste from lds.org. One of the questions within #4 would be a question of one's gender. That question does require mission presidency, and perhaps First Presidency review & approval. It may/will take longer, but just trust that everything will work out. :)

First, EVERYONE is welcome at church... not just members or investigators! :) The bishop is probably just 'advising' you about the process. It's actually not up to him, but the local mission. You actually don't have a decision yet... until you meet with a member of the mission presidency. https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-prepare-people-for-baptism-and-confirmation?lang=eng It's question #4 that would require a member of the mission presidency to conduct a baptismal interview. Please don't assume that you cannot be baptized, or that there isn't a place for you in the Lord's Church. Your situation is unique... but based on similar posts, it's becoming more common. Please don't judge the leaders too harshly. They're just trying to do their best in a very gender-oriented environment. I think their intentions to do what's right and to help you feel welcome are there. I'm sure it's disappointing so far, but be patient and have faith. Please don't assume anything until you meet with someone in the mission presidency. Only they can tell you what the next steps will be. :)

Pray as though everything depends on God. Work as though everything depends on you.

Alma 32 can help you learn how to build your base: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng

Everyone has a bishop. Regardless of where your records are, you can talk to your local Bishop. Bishops have stewardships over their AREA... not just their ward. Find a Bishop near you. Don't worry if he'll be 'your' Bishop or not. Let him help you figure that out. You need someone to talk to, in person, and to discuss possible options with LDS Adoption Serivces. https://www.lds.org/maps/?lang=eng#ll= Here's another GREAT website I'd recommend reviewing: https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/ct/pregnant?lang=eng Apparently free pregnancy counseling is available. Just contact them.

"I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find a new giant, that's all."

Just to add to the thread: to get access to your account for the LDS Store (Distribution Center), you may need your MRN (membership record number). You can get it through your online access... or you may need to speak to your ward clerk to get it and register. BTW, there's NOTHING like wearing a fresh set of garments to feel "fresh in the gospel" (so to speak).

Well... after two months of non-payment anyway. Which, if we re-read the OP, there's plenty of savings to use for an emergency. If something happens to one's income, you first plan for the necessities of life and being able to obtain employment. This is the fundamentals of provident living. However, while it's always better to be debt free... in the midst of a cash crisis, I'd rather have cash on hand... than lack of debt. Debts can be financed... and paid with cash. But if you don't have any cash... it's a major problem. Cash is king. If you properly structure things, I like to use L.U.C.K. with my clients: - Liquidity - Use - Control - Knowledge Each situation is different, but let's suppose we were talking about paying off a mortgage, instead of a car. If the mortgage was $300,000... and you had $300,000 in the bank.... I'd recommend that you keep the $300,000 in the bank and continue making payments. Equity is not liquid... particularly if one becomes unemployed. You cannot use the equity in the house, unless you borrow it out. You aren't in control of the value of your real estate. Again, every situation is different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1o-nA5en78

If you're wanting to improve your credit reports... you'll want to avoid CLOSING your good tradelines... particularly if you are planning to buy a home. I used to be a moderator here, but it's been quite some time since I posted there last: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/community/ You might want to check it out to get ideas on how to work on your credit profile prior to buying a home. However, having a good MIX of tradelines... such as a secured installment loan... can help your scores. For example, this thread I wrote about 9 years ago: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/community/topic/236056-make-money-rebuild-credit-and-build-your-savings-accounts/

That's the way the moderating team sees any reported posts. Just click the button, give us your impressions... and we'll take care of it.

Uh... no. These guys are trying to, or are working for more HNW firms, such as Goldman Sachs. It doesn't require an advanced degree to know how to help someone with their finances, especially with a basic question like this. However, you DO want someone who has some experience and some education beyond basic licensing courses. http://www.letsmakeaplan.org/ http://www.chfchigheststandard.com/ http://www.iarfc.org Heck... even your local BANKER could probably be of some good help in this area. (I'm a ChFC charterholder myself.) Someone with an MBA and "years of experience"... are really trying to do more tactical and strategic asset allocation and market predictions for the future. However, just because I said I'm a ChFC doesn't mean that I had all the facts/information in order to make a professional recommendation. I simply looked at the available information, and with what I knew, gave you something else to consider.

I will also state that it would be better to pay off your debts. But I want to give you a different idea on HOW to go about it. It is SO HARD to build up your emergency funds in the first place. Another consideration... is to take out a SECURED LOAN against your savings. https://www.dcu.org/loans/savings-secured.html Take a look at the above link as a possible idea. Notice the rate you could pay on a Certificate-Secured Loan: Only 3% above the rate the CD is earning. As you pay it back, you have less "pledged as collateral" for the loan. 3% is a GREAT rate above the CD rate (which is practically nothing today). Another part of this, is my own economic opinion. Deflation will be a reality over the next few years. I think home values WILL go down... and being debt free (owing yourself via collateralization) and having cash on hand will make your next home purchase a bigger value for you and your family. If/When deflation hits, it won't have ANY affect on your current debts... but it can help you to get a better house for the money when you're ready to buy. I try to follow Harry S. Dent Jr. on his economic predictions using demographic spending trends... and that's what he's predicting for the next few years.

Most of my non-LDS friends love it too. I think that it's rooted in the fact that LDS are told to watch non-R rated movies and seek good entertainment... so when something is GOOD... we tend to "own" it a little more. :)

I'm so sorry to hear about this... especially for young children. As someone who is seeing this from a distance with a few other families that have had sudden losses, I hope I'll have some ideas for you. First, please don't "bury her" before she's gone. What I mean is to enjoy life as best as you can. Be happy while you are still together in this life. Take lots of pictures! Capture everything. Compile photo albums of memories of the past... and maybe do them with your children too? Consider it a legacy in photography. If you have a really nice photo of your wife, get it framed for each of your children to put into a corner of their room. This way they can "talk with mom" when they want. As I've been following the facebook posts of a young widow (who remarried 6 months after her 1st husband passed in a car accident)... I'm not sure how I feel about visiting graves after someone has deceased. If we truly believe as we believe... then we know they aren't there. They are in spirit paradise... free from the cancer and moving forward the Lord's work. So, unless the kids want to go, I'm not sure I would volunteer this as a place to visit regularly. Have a few FHE, in particular about the Plan of Salvation. While I'm not a big fan of it, I think that "Saturday's Warrior" might be a fun one - particularly when Pam (the oldest sister & twin) passes away and is reunited with her "sister in heaven waiting to be born". Lots of doctrinal inaccuracies... but still a good family film with a message that your KIDS may need.

I've been using Windows 7 practically since it came out. I may get myself a Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet in a couple of months... which would be my only reason to "upgrade" to Windows 8.1... but at least I'd have a touch interface on it. (My daughter will need a computer for 6th grade, and my little 11.6" i3 8GB supercharged netbook would be a great fit for her.)

According to these guys... you can do exactly that:

"Grandpa? Maybe you can come and read it to me again tomorrow?" "As you wish."