Maureen

Apparently we don't. And it's not a crime to show the definition of words; if it was all the dictionaries in the world would be in big trouble. M.

dizzysmiles - I've had my kids, only two but they're all mine (actually 7 altogether, if you count my 5 cats that have been members of our family for the past 24 years). I'm in my mid-forties so I don't think I'll be having any more. And how do you judge your sister? Do you constantly tell her she's a sinner because she's waiting until it's right for her to have children? M.

I would disagree with this society, and in fact I don't think our society that exists now would be OK with this type of family situation. I'm sure it does exist (I can even think of how it exists in Canada) but believe me, society does not approve. M.

Hmm, achieving an education before having children can be considered idolatry? Dictionary.com says that idolatry can mean: Blind or excessive devotion to something So then Mr. Kimball and yourself would say that achieving an education to later provide for your family is considered “excessive devotion” – that’s crazy. Believe it or not, going through the motions of preparing a home and a comfortable atmosphere ready for children is normal. Bringing children into the world to be parented by people who are stressed beyond what their mental health can handle is not normal. Mr. Kimball wrote his book in 1969. He was not President until 1973. I’m pretty sure this book is not considered doctrine; therefore the book is Mr. Kimball’s opinion. His own rationalization for not postponing children until you’re ready and able to provide for them is arguable. He’s trying to guilt people into thinking that their love for God is measured by how stressed they can make their lives by juggling too many serious responsibilities all at once. If you truly love God, then more than likely you also love yourself and your fellowman. If you truly care about the welfare of yourself and any future children, then you will do everything you can to give those children and yourself a normal, happy family life, not one stressed with worry and no time to devote to them – it’s just common sense. M.

re·spect Pronunciation Key (r -sp kt ) 3. To relate or refer to; concern. n. 3. Willingness to show consideration or appreciation. respect 7: courteous regard for people's feelings; "in deference to your wishes"; "out of respect for his privacy" Consideration and Tolerance are also synonymous with respect. So Ray, it is possible to show people respect even if you don't agree with them. You are just being considerate of their opinions and/or feelings. See Ray, you're getting it - being nice is one way of showing respect. M.

Hello dizzysmiles, You're saying the leaders of your church have actually said that waiting to have children is a sin. Could you provide us with some quotes? Thanks! M.

I first came upon this style of worship for 19th century Mormons when reading Zina Huntington Jacob's diary on-line. I thought it was quite interesting, here's an excerpt: March …1845… …31. Quite cool. Amacy Limon and wife returned from Laharp.40 He is not very well. Apr. the 1st, 1845. Went to Br Brewers to see Mother Brewer, the first time I have ben there. Father Huntington came in in the evening. He spake in tong[ue]s. Henry also Sung in tungs. It was very good. I interpreted the talk by the help of the speret of God. Had an agreeable viset. http://www.lds-mormon.com/zina1.shtml M.

Ben - Maybe you would be interested in taking this survey - or anyone here might be interested. I have permission from the surveyor: http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm?id...hreadID=2283205 Here's the survey: http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/psycholog...description.htm M.

Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency--the living prophet and the First Presidency--follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer. This one almost sounds like a threat. I personally don't pay too much attention to the prophet of the LDS church. I will listen to information offered by almost anyone, but I use my own judgement on whether any advice I hear applies to me or might benefit me. So far I do not believe I have suffered because I don't give Mr. Hinckley the adulation that LDS members do. M.

Fiannan - How do you define large family? Some people think 4 kids in large enough and some think large means double digits. How many children do you have? Happy homes come in a variety of appearances. Some feature large families with father, mother, brothers, and sisters living together in a spirit of love. Others consist of a single parent with one or two children, while other homes have but one occupant…. Thomas S. Monson, “Hallmarks of a Happy Home,” Liahona, Oct. 2001, 3 M.

I can say this since I'm non-LDS but I would take anything Ezra Taft Benson has said with a grain of salt. He was an ultra-conservative, with a conspiracy theory mentality. His fellow brethren were not too happy with his political notions during the 50's and 60's. Sending him to Great Britain was a kind of exile hoping he would settle down to church duties and abandon some of his political ideals. M.

lisajo - You could always call up the Bishop and ask him why he wants you to go. Then he can explain himself. M.

This is a message board. We communicate with other posters by writing with words what we wish them to know. If I can't read someone's message, how does that help them or me? If a person were to come up to you and talk the way <username> originally typed his message, you would think that person talking to you was crazy. If we expect people to talk to us clearly why can't I expect posters to post a message legibly? It's different if there is a typo here and there, but <username's> post had every other word garbled. I think that the person posting should at least be respectful of the other posters to at least make sure that most of your message is readable. M.

This is OT but, for some reason this reminded me of the song Spanish Train by Chris de Burgh, here's some of the lyrics: …"But I think I'll give you one more chance" said the Devil with a smile, "So throw away that stupid lance, It's really not your style", "Joker is the name, Poker is the game, we'll play right here on this bed, And then we'll bet for the biggest stakes yet, the souls of the dead!!"… …Well the railway man he cut the cards And he dealt them each a hand of five, And for the Lord he was praying hard Or that train he'd have to drive... Well the Devil he had three aces and a king, And the Lord, he was running for a straight, He had the queen and the knave and nine and ten of spades, All he needed was the eight... And then the Lord he called for one more card, But he drew the diamond eight, And the Devil said to the son of God, "I believe you've got it straight, So deal me one for the time has come To see who'll be the king of this place, But as he spoke, from beneath his cloak, He slipped another ace... Ten thousand souls was the opening bid, And it soon went up to fifty-nine, But the Lord didn't see what the Devil did, And he said "that suits me fine", "I'll raise you high to a hundred and five, And forever put an end to your sins", But the Devil let out a mighty shout, "My hand wins!!" M.

You're calling Jason an idiot after writing your post? Did you even bother to proof read? It wouldn't kill ya. Here's an example of some of the words from your post: Knwo * yall * dotn * UHm * tsom * ethign * souldn't * anythgin * endgin * stupedly * adn * knwo * nto * includign I separated the words with asterisks, just in case you couldn't figure it out. M.

AK - Not sure what you're saying that I knew, but I really doubt that you can read my mind through a message board. My point was that, you went through your post explaining your point in regards to faith, works, obeying the commandments and then seem to end by concluding that all come together by a certain earthly church organization you must be a member of (read LDS). It's seems you think that all the faith, works, obeying the commandments, etc. really mean nothing if they're not stamped with approval of the LDS church. I disagree, I believe that the spiritual relationship that mankind can have with God supercedes any church membership. M.

Hello Mandy, Well first of all, what does he like? Answer that and people might be able to give you some ideas. M.

Now, I'm finding your conclusion to also be a leap. The relationship between God and man goes far beyond being a member of an organized religion. But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we preach), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:8-13 NET Bible) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9-13 KJV) M.

Happy Birthday Heather! 28 is a great age, enjoy!! M.

Not sure if you've found everything you were looking for on the Adventists, Please - and this is probably repeating a lot of what Jason has already said but here's some info. from wikipedia: The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an evangelical Christian denomination that grew out of the prophetic Millerite movement in the United States during the middle part of the 19th century. Origins According to historians of the movement, this group gained its more recent name from the teaching that the expected return of Jesus on October 22, 1844 had been fulfilled in a way that had not previously been understood. This was termed "the Great Disappointment." Further Bible study led to the belief that Jesus in that year had entered into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, and began an "investigative judgment" of the world: a process through which there is an examination of the heavenly records to "determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement"¹ after which Jesus will return to earth. According to the church's teaching, the return of Christ may occur very soon, though nobody knows the exact date of that event (Matthew 24:36). For about 20 years, the Adventist movement was a rather unorganized group of people who held to this message. Among its greatest supporters were James White, Ellen G. White and Joseph Bates. Later, a formally organized church called the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was established in Battle Creek, Michigan, in May 1863, with a membership of 3,500. Through the evangelism and inspiration of Ellen G. White, the church quickly grew and established a presence beyond North America during the later part of the 1800s. In 1903, the denominational headquarters were moved from Battle Creek to Washington D.C. (and the immediately neighboring community of Takoma Park, Maryland). In 1989, the headquarters was moved again, this time to Silver Spring, Maryland. Doctrine Seventh-day Adventist doctrine is based on the Anabaptist protestant tradition. Adventist doctrine resembles mainstream orthodox trinitarian Protestant theology, with the exception of several areas. · Saturday as Sabbath. Seventh-day Adventists observe a 24-hour sunset-to-sunset Sabbath commencing Friday evening. Justification for this belief is garnered from the creation account in Genesis in which God rested on the seventh-day, an approach later immortalised in the Ten Commandments. Seventh-day Adventists maintain that there is no biblical mandate for the change from the "true Sabbath" to Sunday observance, which is to say that Sunday-keeping is merely a "tradition of men." · State of the Dead. Seventh-day Adventists believe that death is a sleep during which the "dead know nothing" (Ecclesiastes 9:5). This view maintains that the person has no conscious form of existence until the resurrection, either at the second coming of Jesus (in the case of the righteous) or after the millennium of Revelation 20 (in the case of the wicked). Because of this view, Seventh-day Adventists do not believe hell currently exists and believe further that the wicked will be destroyed at the end of time. · Baptism. Seventh-day Adventists practice adult baptism by full immersion in a similar manner to the Baptists. Infants are dedicated rather than baptized, as it is argued that baptism requires knowing consent and moral responsibility. · Belief in an imminent, pre-millennial, universally visible second advent, preceded by a time of trouble when the righteous will be persecuted and a false second coming where Satan impersonates the Messiah. · Teaching that the "Spirit of Prophecy," an identifying mark of the remnant church, was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White, whom Adventists recognize as the Lord's messenger. Her "writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction" (28 Fundamental Beliefs). · Avoidance of unclean meat such as pork. Seventh-day Adventists oppose the formulation of credal statements. Seventh-day Adventists prefer to view the fundamental beliefs as descriptors rather than prescriptors. However divergence from the published position is frowned upon. Missionary outreach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is aimed on both unbelievers and other Christian Churches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_Day_Adventists#Origins M.

Red, I read your interpretation of Mormonism and I’m curious as to how you came up with this scenario. The cycle you have explained seems reasonable except for the possibility that each world created has the potential of being a world of it’s own with no relationship with other worlds – even Mormons believe in “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” You are assuming that each of these worlds has a connection to all the other worlds and I don’t think that’s part of Mormon doctrine. The scenario that happens on one world may not be the same on a different world; they may choose a different philosophy of good and evil, of life and death. There‘s always the possibility that one of these worlds chooses differently and their Adam and Eve continue to obey God and sin does not exist. The cycle you mention might be the way of Mormonism but I believe the specifics are unknown even to the Mormons themselves. So to accuse the mission that Jesus plays in Mormon doctrine as of being a murderer is unreasonable since you have no way of showing that there is moral connection between all these created worlds. Why would the ransom required on one world have any connection with what may be required on a different world? Why would they have to be connected at all? M.

I know the truth about this one. It is really trolls that try to steal the breath from babies and it is the cat that really protects the baby from the troll and gets blamed for it later - poor cats. That was from a movie I watched years ago and I can't remember the name of it. Yes, the old wives tales. I would suspect the one about going out into the cold with wet hair wouldn't be too far fetched just for the fact that being cold might compromise someone's immune system which would make them more susceptible to colds. M. Editing to add that the movie I saw years ago is called Cat's Eye, here's a comment from a viewer from IMDB: 4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :- A Gem of the Black Humor, 4 January 2005 Author: Claudio Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil A stray cat witnesses weird and suspenseful events in three different cities. In New York, Richard Morris (James Wood) is convinced by a friend to look for the support of the Quitter's Inc. to stop smoking. The unconventional and efficient procedure followed by the company terrifies Richard. In Atlantic City, a powerful professional gambler, Cressner (Kenneth McMillan), makes a mortal bet with the tennis teacher and lover of his wife, Johnny Norris (Robert Hays). In Wilmington, NC, a troll, living inside the wall of the bedroom, threatens the ten years old girl Amanda (Drew Barrymore). These three tales are gems of the black humor, combining elements of suspense, comedy and horror. The first tale is very funny, with the situation where James Wood gets through without previous warning. The second tale is pure suspense, having some funny moments, and is certainly the darker story. And the last one shows a very sweet ten years old Drew Barrymore. The movement of camera in some moments recalls "Evil Dead". "Cat's Eye" is a great entertainment. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): "Olhos de Gato" ("Cat's Eyes")

This is a little OT but, chances are your mom found out about croup from her mom. My first child was born in 1988 and I found out about croup from my mom. It took me awhile to recognize that distinct cough and if caught at the start and if you're lucky enough to live in a cold environment, it is easy to control with cold air. For some reason (my pediatrician didn't even really know) but the cold air helps alleviate the inflamation of the larnyx. M.

But Traveler, what's the chance that whining on the internet might be that very thing that would make the difference. Maybe someone might come across the thread and recognize that they are that "overly-emotional-travellog-pat-themselves-on-the-back" testimony giver and make that effort to change - just because of this whiny thread. M.

I think that the typical idealistic LDS mentality is that if a couple is married for "time and all eternity" then they will automatically live happily ever-after. But in reality not all marriage endures or ends that way. Temple divorce does exist. So assuming that this woman and her first husband were a happy couple was a very wrong assumption. NormalGuy - You are probably familiar with the Church Handbook of Instructions that Bishops and SPs have at their disposal. I would make an appointment with your Bishop and I'm sure he would have all the pertinent information. M.