Connie

It's time for me to read this again. Anyone want to join me?

I'm so glad the kingdom of God on Earth does not do this. "We teach correct principles, and they govern themselves."

We started going back once a month starting in June when we were still living down south. We separated into three groups. It was short and sweet with everyone wearing masks. As the organist, it was hard to hear anyone singing with the masks on. Now that we are living in northern Utah, we are able to go twice a month separating into two groups. There are only two wards in our building. In this ward, there is no singing which is understandable. It’s harder to sing through a mask. My husband, who doesn’t even like to sing, has mentioned how much he misses the singing. My oldest daughter misses having full church meetings. It’s been different and hard in some respects. It’s been difficult to get to know anyone in our new ward in current conditions. But we go anyway because it’s important to us that we take the sacrament.

And was that a successful search?

Third drawer down, next to the dishwasher.

I will look forward to a more clear explanation then.

https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/english/charities/pdf/2019/LDS-Charities-Annual-Report-2019_R11.pdf?lang=eng No. The temple itself needs the higher priesthood to function fully. The bishop has no authority in the temple.

That’s a very interesting perspective. I’m reminded of books like Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s A Brave New World where there just are no families. In A Brave New World babies are manufactured. Everyone belongs to everyone. Isn’t that a big goal of socialist/communist ideals? The state is your father/mother or your big brother who watches out for you. Or just the idea that’s been floating around for years now that you should “create your own family.” I have a sister who has in many ways rejected the family she grew up in and considers her friends to be more her family than her actual family.

That's such a lawyer way of putting it. I love it! 😀

I don't have an answer to your question, but here's a church source that has a little section about adoption sealings and how Wilford Woodruff ended them. I remember when I first learned about these sealings that were so common and Woodruff's revelation ending them. It's always been interesting to me. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sealing?lang=eng

Just because I'm ahead of the times.

🤣 Thanks for being such a good sport, Traveler. It was a perfect setup, and I couldn't resist. 🤣

I would like to take this opportunity to point the finger at Traveler for taking such a dark turn to a simple picture of adorable kittens. And not so subtly suggest that he apologize to classylady for dredging up such a traumatic memory.

*Evil laughing* Why, no. It will never end! *More evil laughing* It is part of my evil plot to make you apologize for all minuscule infractions, real or imagined. Wait... Did I say that out loud? Ummm... I will now attempt to distract you with..... ADORABLE KITTENS!!

I'm sorry you're stuck with all the mediocre minds.

I don't know if it's a perk, but I would say that they are given more responsibility toward others. "Feed my sheep, feed my lambs." The other thing that comes to mind is that they have a deeper understanding of God and His mysteries. Those are my initial thoughts. It's an interesting question, though, I'll have to think about it some more.

We should be very careful about saying the circumstances we live in don’t matter in an eternal perspective. Eternal perspective is God’s perspective. And His purpose was to send us here to “prove us” (see Abraham 3:25). He does this through “trying our patience and faith” (see Mosiah 23:21). And that is accomplished through circumstance. Our individualized process of salvation will often include circumstantial commandments. For example, He told Lehi to leave his home in Jerusalem and take his family to a far away land. Should Lehi have just stayed because changing his circumstance “didn’t really matter” in an eternal perspective? Obviously it mattered in God’s perspective. He is the one who told him to do it. We are seeking to build God’s kingdom on earth. How do we build a Celestial society without striving to change Telestial circumstance? Exaltation does not happen in isolation. Service is a huge part of it. Take Joseph in Egypt. Should he have remained in prison because circumstances “don’t matter?” No. He became the best prisoner he could be, and he used his spiritual gifts and talents to get himself out and become a blessing to not only his own family but all of Egypt. “This life is the time to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). We are to “act” and not just “be acted upon” (see 2 Nephi 2:16).

I’ve struggled with prayer for a long time. Still do, in fact. Recently I’ve been studying the General Conference talks of Neal A. Maxwell. It has been of great help because he has such a wonderful, true perspective. Here are some things I’ve learned. The world would tell you to take time for yourself, to find yourself, to love yourself. That’s only descent advice if you know which self to do that with. Hint: It’s not the self the world is usually talking about. We mortals are dual beings. We have a natural/fallen man and a divine child of God wrestling for the supremacy of our soul. The scriptures tell us what to do with the natural man. We are to “put it off” and to “deny ourselves” (see Mosiah 3:19; Luke 9:23). The self we should nurture is our divine self. We do this by following the first great commandment and through the atonement of Christ. We put God first. We strengthen that relationship first. Remember that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). Start small. You already have the desire to live with God in the Celestial Kingdom. Let that desire work in you (see Alma 32:27). Talk to Him through prayer. Don’t mince words. Just tell it like it is, as you have done here. He already knows, of course, but it’s important that you acknowledge that you know it, too. Ask for strength. And then watch, observe. He works by small means, too, and you have to pay attention to the subtle ways He will let you know what to do. Keep hanging on even if it’s just by a thread. Here is a wonderful talk where Elder Maxwell talks to people in exactly your situation. Read it over and over. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1991/04/lest-ye-be-wearied-and-faint-in-your-minds?lang=eng I hope this helps, even if just a little. I hope you are able to find peace.

Thanks, Vort! I needed that!

The library is my home away from home, so I'm missing that. Grocery shopping has gotten weird. It's strange to see all the parks empty. I'm missing being able to attend the temple. I'm realizing how much I took that for granted, and now I'm really feeling it. But I'm loving having church at home with just our little family so much that I haven't missed our ward meetings. Is that bad? I'm not sure.

I finished reading Why Isn't God Answering Me? by Gerald Lund. While I wouldn't say it addressed my issues above, it did have some great ideas. I found his analysis of D&C 121 in regard to this topic very interesting.

My thinking has been, God’s will is going to be done regardless. And what I want, even if I think it is right and good, is not always what he wants. In fact, I’m learning it very rarely is. His ways are higher than my ways and all that. This is why I struggle with asking. Any insights are appreciated.

I identify so much with this. I, too, struggle with prayer. I feel your hurt because I've felt it myself. You are definitely not alone in this. Just wanted to let you know that. I wish I knew the answer.

I am really loving Volume 2 of Saints. There are so many details about this time period I didn't know. Like the infamous beginnings of the Salt Lake Tribune. 🤣