Lindy

"Praise to the Man" should stay in the hymn book. We should honor the mortal man named Joseph Smith who was instrumental in bringing the Church of Jesus Christ back to the earth. There are songs of honor.... not worship..... honor.

Just heard this on news- did a little checking - CDC and FDA have both asked that you do not eat ANY romaine lettuce until they have more info. Already 11 US states and Canada have problems. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html I don't want to see anyone get sick.... or worse.

I was reading about members of our Church in California who had to leave their houses in a matter of seconds, and lose their homes and everything in it in just minutes by the wild fires. Lost possessions, family memories, documents, wallets, and Temple Recommends. Someone, who lost everything in the fire, said if they kept important things in a 72 hour kit.... well, they could have grabbed it on the way out the door. I need to rethink things myself- my 72 hour kit is in the basement.

People, people, PEOPLE! Upon reading so many posts of anger, aggravation, and intolerance of others opinions........ let me just say...... We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are members of our Church who are suffering with various afflictions in their lives...... and who is it that wants other members to bicker and tear apart? Hint..... it isn't God. Chill.

Carlimac- my heart goes out to you and your son, thank you for sharing your story- it may help others who are living through the same thing. Addictions are so hard to understand for those who have not had to deal with an addiction themselves or have not had to deal with a loved one who is dealing with an addiction. My son-in-law found faith in God because of his addiction (drugs)- but it took 4 or 5 stints in rehab for him to be able to learn to deal. He knows how lucky he is- knowing that there are those who are not able to kick it. I have learned through life experiences how hard it is to deal with an addict, with addiction, and how hard it is on the family. I pray your son can regain his testimony.

Several years ago, my ward had a RS luncheon where a speaker was a 16-17 year old young man from another ward who gave a very enlightening talk- about his addiction to porn that he faces everyday of his life. He started at 12 years old. Twelve! He had barely graduated from Church Primary when he started down that road! The young man got help to try and overcome his problem and said as with any other addiction it is a struggle daily. And he admitted that he was raised in a very God and Christ based, proper LDS home with both parents doing everything the right way....... but his interest in those things forbidden .... basically just drew him in. He said all it took was that first look. The whole point of his talk (that I got) was that even the best parent(s) in the world can't control the urges of their children, or everything sinful that child comes in contact with in childhood. We, as parents can only do the best we can do and pray that our children can fight their inner demons of temptation when that time comes, and make the right choices of turning away from that first look or taste of sin. Satan has made it so easy, has incorporated it into basically everything, and has followed the scriptures by enticing people into calling evil good, and good evil. And he has gone/going after the children, to destroy their innocence and keep them from doing what is right.

Glock- my daughters weapon of choice!

I'm wondering if this pageants thing is one of the ways that help weed out those who murmur against changes in the Church. Look how many left the church over the LGBT issues and same sex marriage, people didn't like what Church leaders had to say and walked away from the Church. The wheat and chaff/tares analogy that will separate the good seeds from the bad weeds come to mind. We all want to be a good seed and be counted on the Lord's side.

Styln- it was the phrase "many mansions" that peaked my interest when I was a non-member. Different levels of what we call Heaven...... this was a concept that no one else told me about when I was bouncing from church to church trying to find my answers. I was told by preachers, ministers, evangelists, etc., that people like Charles Manson would still go to the same Heaven as I would..... because he professed a belief. I didn't understand why bad people "who believed" and led a terrible sinful life - were still given a free pass to the same Heaven that good people who followed the Commandments and teachings of Christ would be in. I was brought up with the concept of it was either Heaven or Hell. Every church I went to told me if you believe in God and take upon you the name of Christ- you were saved (from Hell). I like the idea that we are judged by the way we live our lives and basically earn a spot in the kingdom (level) of Heaven that corresponds with how we lived our earthly life.

Faith in Heavenly Father (God) and in His Son Jesus Christ and also how you apply that faith, following the commandments, examples and teachings of Christ. Actually there as been a lot of information given to answer your question, but a lot of it is in our Church lingo that would be hard for a non member to understand.

I have been in different wards in various states, and found that the bigger cities have a higher dress standard than the small towns. From 6" heels to flip flops.

I actually ended up wearing a pair of jeans and a top to church one Sunday, I was out of state and accidentally didn't pack church clothes. I was treated like dirt by the women in Relief Society and was ready to leave in shame......... when the Bishop came up to me and welcomed me with open arms. He understood, and he even guided me into the chapel for Sacrament meeting and I felt a lot better. Don't gauge the truth of the Gospel by a mere man and his judgement of not understanding. There are times I go to church in spite of the people there. Faith supersedes mean and ignorant.

I totally agree - giving up keeps you from the blessings to come. Enduring may be hard, but we must endure. I found this wonderful quote from Jeffrey R. Holland: “Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” Good things will come!

And on a happier topic... a happy cow!

I guess I see todays Democrats as liberals who are veering towards the NDP, and they don't even know it, can't see it or just don't care. So many state government officials asking for members of their party to harass, create disruption, incite violence, and generally make life miserable for those who don't toe their line. It's actually very upsetting seeing how much vile hatred is shown to strangers in public places. On an aside.... My old hometown area of Portland, Oregon is an absolute mess- the mayor has let the drugs, vagrants, crime and violent protesters take over. It has gotten so bad I won't even go downtown anymore. I talked to locals who have friends and family members who had to close their businesses because of the theft, garbage, human waste on the sidewalks and in the doorways and no responsibility of local officials. It's heartbreaking.

Petty3- I implore you to reconsider any plan you have on ending your life. My father took his life and it has affected me, my brothers and sister ever since. I know that wasn't his plan to emotionally hurt his family like he did, but that is what happened. He let depression take over his life, and would'nt talk to anyone about it because....... you got it..... he didn't want to be a burden to anyone. He missed seeing his great grandson get married and the birth of his great-great granddaughter a year later. We all missed the chance of seeing the love and joy of him holding his 5th generation. Things CAN be different- you have to keep trying different things till you find one that actually helps. Writing helped me, talking to good friends (not family), collecting sports cards and watching hockey! Different things for different people! :-) You might think it'll all be good when your gone - but it's not. The heartache, mental anguish and emotional scars will stay with those who love you. Don't give up...... try, try and try again. You could try watching hockey!

Petty3, I'm so sorry you are sad and paste on the happy face when you are around others.... depression is not a fun thing to deal with alone (when your not alone). I actually found a lot of good help and solace on this site from a lot of different people that helped ease the burden. Someone told me to see a LDS mental health counselor - best advice I could have had. I learned to visualize the Savior giving me a hug and absorbing my burdens, heartache and sorrows. Knowing that Jesus is always there when I needed Him..... what a blessing! I prayed and cried unashamedly when my heart was breaking.... and found solace and peace. It was a learning experience that worked for me. Don't forget to put your name on the Temple prayer roll ........ prayers are important!

So the word cloud offended you now too? Maybe we can protest a group somewhere and scream at people like lunatics because we are offended. How about we go for 'anteater' tomorrow? I can psyche myself into a tizzy for the occasion.

I have a few words but am not allowed, shouldn't, and better not express them. This just makes me ------- mad even thinking about it.

So true, so true. I honestly think that you can't keep someone being offended on any given day. Try as hard as you may...... if someone WANTS to start something they will find something to be offended by. In fact I think I'll be offended by the term cloud tomorrow, and the name Brown on Saturday. :-)

And here I thought Canada was smarter than that. But with a Socialist government- it was just a matter of time before legal drugs took front stage. I wonder how long it will be before the United States has it's own "wake and bake" under Socialist Democratic rule?

You have to watch it all the way through... 1/2 point I'm saying to myself "don't give up little buddy"!

This was by far the most terrifying and stomach turning one yet!

I get it now! I racked my brains trying to figure it out... third hour, third hour, third hour..... why third hour? Then it hit me........THIRD HOUR....... an extension of the two hour church time.( You know - giving us back that third hour class that we grew to love) I'm just a little slow sometimes :-)