Vort

No attempt at a politically unifying speech. Maybe what Trump said was what we needed to hear, but it certainly is not an open and welcoming inaugural speech. It is an open slap in the face to the previous administration(s) and to those who enthusiastically supported Obama's efforts. The battle lines have been drawn.
If Trump can deliver on 50% of his rhetoric, he will be a stunning success. Here's to hoping.

I agree with you. I am absolutely certain that many of the sexual differences we observe are culturally conditioned. But I am equally sure that there are differences both subtle and stark between the sexes. I suspect most of our cultural conditioning about sexual differences are based on these underlying and very real biological differences.

"Male" is a genetic condition. Saying that men tend to be _________ is saying that ________ is a genetically related condition.

LiterateParakeet is correct. I meant the terms as a humorous criticism.

As one who has spent many years documenting Microsoft's stupidity, I will rise to their defense. Generally speaking, Microsoft understands the need to document their products better than most other companies. They don't do enough, and the doc team is still one of the first to go when budget cuts are implemented, but Microsoft has largely set the industry standard for documentation. Even the term "programming writer" (or "programmer writer") is a Microsoft innovation, referring to a technical writer with specific facility in programming topics, such as one who writes SDK documentation, API guides, and such.

Fixed that for you.

Indeed...   Joseph Smith did teach about the Importance of Calling and Election... He also taught that one of the reasons more of the Saints don't have such revelations is that God can't trust us to keep our mouths shut about them.  Its not about keeping it secret... its about keeping it sacred.  And all we have to do is look around and see just how this worlds will blaspheme anything and everything sacred. 

I remember Steve Martin, back when he was a standup comedian and not a movie actor, saying how any song with a banjo was always happy. The banjo was a happy instrument. You just couldn't sing a sad song with a banjo. Well, this song actually made me shed tears (which, yes, probably says more about my own patheticness than about the song). But it's beautiful bluegrass with a prominent banjo and a great fiddle, and it's very sad. Ignore the silly video and just listen to the song.
 

It's the substance that lines the countertops of Mafia hit men.

It's the substance that lines the countertops of Mafia hit men.

And conservatives get the idea that liberals enjoy watching conservatives "suffer"...   So it goes both ways... Liberal cheered the suffering of conservative under Obama and now that they see the shoe being put on the their foot instead, and they suddenly find the tactics to be "deplorable"
 
 

It's the substance that lines the countertops of Mafia hit men.

You rang?

I assume Fire and Ice is the clear front-runner, what with its beautiful green tinge and two-tone effect. I'm actually fond of the Indigo Blue color, but based on zil's presentation, I'd have to go with the Fire and Ice, too.

My point is that telling a fornicator, even an adulterer (or adulteress), that his/her sin is comparable to murder in seriousness, is not likely to be helpful. And there is always a chance that the sinner will think rationally about that statement. If he does so, he will likely reject the idea as utterly absurd. As a rational thinker, he may even decide that anyone who teaches that fornicating with your girlfriend is worse than child abuse, torture, betrayal of your country, or cheating a thousand old folks out of their lifetime savings and leaving them in poverty, is clearly not to be taken seriously, and as a result avoid repentance altogether.

You rang?

yjacket, seriously, chill. This is wrong in so many ways. The woman has admitted (anonymously) to her actions and has come here seeking a path forward. Heaping coals on her head isn't helpful.
When the woman taken in adultery was dragged before Christ, she appeared not to have been willingly confessing. She wasn't there because her guilt drove her there, but because she was apparently dragged from her bed of adultery into a public place. Jesus first ignored, then shamed, her accusers, finally leaving only himself and her (and the rest of the crowd watching the drama unfold). At that point, Jesus did not rub her actions in her face. Quite the opposite: He said that he did not condemn her.
We are given a space for repentance, before the condemnation of God comes upon us. God does not immediately condemn us for our missteps, even something as serious as adultery. Instead, he allows us to figure things out and repent. I suspect I am as disgusted by this adulterous sin as you are, but coming out in accusing condemnation toward the woman who sinned is not the way to go. Remember who has the title of Accuser. That's not someone we want to emulate.
By the way, the idea that sex sin is the worst possible thing that anyone could ever do except for murder appears to be scripturally based solely upon a specific interpretation of the teachings of Alma (junior) to his son Corianton, found in Alma 39:2-5:
But what are the actual antecedents to "these things"? In context, they are: (1) boasting in his own strength and wisdom; and, (2) forsaking his ministry by going after a harlot. In other words, his abominable actions were self-glorification and breaking his divine covenants of ministry.
Insofar as adultery (or fornication in general) is a breaking of covenant, then I certainly agree that it is most abominable. But the idea that non-marital sexual activity per se is the worst thing anyone can ever do besides murder another person is absurd on its face. I can think of any number of things more spiritually damaging and damning than an unmarried couple having sex with each other -- and so can you. Years-long neglect to the needs of a child, or ongoing nastiness and hatefulness toward him. Long-term physical abuse. Beating someone so badly that you cause permanent, severe disability. Actively working to undermine the legitimate government of a people. Openly rebelling against God and seeking to lead his children astray.
Anyway, believe what you like about that. But I think that your condemnation of the OP is over the top. I think that encouraging her to come clean and turn from her path of sin is a better option than explaining to her in gory detail how awful she is.

LOL. What has nine arms and sucks? (Can't help pulling that old joke out at every opportunity.)

If I understand her correctly, @An Investigator was saying that her husband was a feminist-studying Buddhist and member of the Labour Party. We wouldn't think of discriminating against a woman whose husband was those awful things.

If you're curious about the history of Mormons and the political parties, you can start with this: Mormons and American Politics.
If you want to know why many Mormons voted against Hillary, you could try asking and then restating their position to ensure you understand.

Of course, she'd have the sense to tell the SP only a man would be crazy enough to accept such a calling.

Honestly, folks, Rob Osborn's mind is not merely shut. It's hermetically sealed. None of your arguments will change his mind, because he already knows The Truth®. Let him believe what he wants. No skin off anyone else's nose. Who knows? He might yet have something of value to offer on other topics. In the meantime, let him be content in his sure knowledge that he knows Science. Whatever.

If not for the Atonement, this alone would insure that 100% of men would fail to gain their exaltation.

I’ve served as bishop for just over 5 years.  Several weeks prior to meeting with the stake president I’d received a witness that the call was coming.  Even so I spent sleepless nights when the call came wondering what I’d gotten myself into by accepting and how could I, with all my warts and weaknesses, be considered worthy and able.  I’ve reached a point that while not really comfortable with the calling I at least somewhat know what I’m doing.  There is a sizable number of people who on a regular basis offer thanks to me for what I do, but there are also those who are not happy with me or feel I’ve failed them.  With them feeling that way I suppose it’s safe to say that I have.


 


While serving, our ward council has seen some changes.  Including those who were serving when I was ordained and set apart we’ve had:  5 bishop’s counselors, 3 executive secretaries, 2 ward clerks, 2 RS presidents, 4 YW presidents, 5 Primary presidents, 3 YM presidents, 3 HPG leaders, 4 EQ presidents, 4 SS presidents and 4 ward mission leaders.  A number of those served for relatively short durations prior to moving out of the ward and a couple of the women were released when they were dealing with problem pregnancies.  Bottom line, lots of fluidity in the ward council and much more when looking within the organizations.  I suppose I could say I’ve had 7 counselors as the two women who served as RS president have been de facto counselors for me.

 
As you would expect, the hours of working to keep up with everything have at times been long.  The phone calls at all hours are trying.  My favorite question to ask when an issue is brought to me is, “who is the home/visiting teacher?”  I’m a big fan of delegation and have done so extensively.  Even with doing so, it’s been a hard row to hoe.


 
On the other hand I love the kids in the Primary and I am not a “kid” person.  I’m tickled when a child’s eyes light up because, “…THE BISHOP BUMPED FISTS WITH ME!!!”  My absolute favorite part of the call has been to interview the kids just prior to their baptism (with the office door cracked and their parents sitting right outside).  The best one was the boy who had a cheat sheet in his little suit pocket so he could give the right answers.  My amazement and gratefulness for how so many people step up to help others in so many ways grows daily.  But I’ve also been burned by individuals who know and milk the system.  That hurts.


 
I will note that I’ve not yet been officially released.  I traded e-mails with my stake president – with whom I am very good friends – to nail down the date the bishopric will be reorganized.  He will be meeting with my wife and me prior to extend the official release.


 
I’ve long thought that learning of my release would be a joyous day.  Not so.  I’m feeling a sense of loss.  Of what exactly I haven’t yet figured out.  When I was first sustained my wife gave me a card that said, “Congratulations and Condolences”.  The same card could apply now.


 
I’m left pondering, what comes next?

I have taught my children the principles of evolution from their earliest childhood. When they inevitably encounter the Sunday School teacher who is overtly hostile toward evolution, I talk with them about it and encourage them to study the words of the prophets and investigate the Church's actual position on evolution -- which doesn't take very long.