nimrod

Exactly. Another friend (these are actually co-workers) brought up this scenario. He said the fasts he has seen has been for "forty days", presumably reminiscent of Noah and Jesus. I said the same thing as you.....gimicky. I don't feel right participating in such things.....but its hard to explain to those that do and you usually come across as uncaring, etc.

Nope. I'm not a Stake guy. This is actually a question posed by a friend. It was more of a..."What is appropriate?" academic discussion. Just A Guy.... I knew I couldn't artfully ask the question. Of course anyone can ask anyone else to pray or fast for a cause. But is it appropriate for me to organize a ward fast on such and such a day for such and such a cause? This is something beyond just asking some friends or family members. I organize a special fast for Tues. The family down the street organizes one for next Wednesday or Sunday, etc. I guess it is getting to be pretty common in certain wards. Personally, I wonder if the scenarios described by Wingnut is the more appropriate process.....if you are going to include the whole ward or stake. I might compare it to children bearing their testimony in sacrament meeting. We could all agree that it is great that they are bearing their testimony, thus we should disuade them in any way. However, the brethren have been clear on this. It is not appropriate for children to use the time in sacrament meeting. They may bear their testimony in primary, etc. Several letters from the First Presidency have been read from the pulpit on this. As for my question, I am wondering if there is any guidance.

OK. This may be a difficult question to articulate. It is a little nuanced. It is becoming more and more common for members to create a group or 'ward' fast for a specific cause. (ie: neigbhor child has cancer, etc) Sometimes the 'invitation' to participate in the group fast comes from a concerned neighbor, a home teacher, a friend, etc. Kids at school start texting back and forth inviting others to join the fast, people post it on Facebook, etc. I'm wondering if these group fasts are appropriate to start. I can almost hear President Packer or Elder Oaks saying, "The first Sunday of each month is set aside for fasting. This is usually sufficient. Special fasts may also be appropriate from time to time. Families may wish to engage in special fasts from time to time. Bishops or Stake Presidents may organize special fasts as circumstances or emergencies occur." Thus, while I don't see the bretheren prohibiting these fasts, I wonder if they would (or have) gently suggest that these group or ward fasts should come through proper leadership channels.???? There are soooo many worthy causes in a given ward that could easily warrant a special fast. Does anyone know of any counsel on this subject. (I know as a missionary, we were warned against having special fasts all the time......and my question is similar but more specific to these group fasts that are started by ....well......anyone)

Yep, unforturnately, I believe he has taken too much liberty in that statement. Do a search of statements from the Twelve. I don't think you will find it. It is 10% of our interest, or increase. Again, I encourage all to give liberally in tithes and offerings. My friend made an interesting observation....If one pays 10% tithing and the windows of heaven are opened up and he recieves a blessing poured out that there will not be room enough to recieve it.......then what happens if you pay 12%? (See Malachi) His cup continues to runneth over? But he is still left with a full cup in each case. Ponder that one.

I appreciate the responses. I hope people didn't think I was Knit-Picking tithing. The real issue I have is that members should not stand at the pulpit and declare that "one MUST pay on pre-tax dollars to be a full tithe payer" or "one must pay on their Gross". It is not the doctrine. It is opinion. Now, lets go out there an pay 12%.....or maybe 21%. J/K But when Obama taxes us at 91%, we will have to have this discussion again.

I couldn't find my answer in the Tithing Section, so I'm asking it here: A ward member gave a talk in Sacrament Mtg sunday on tithing. Twice, he said in the talk, that "you are not a full tithe payer unless you pay on your gross income." He also said, (twice) that "you are not a full tithe payer unless you pay on pre-tax income." I'm not trying to skimp the Lord here but I want people to make accurate statements, especially in sacrament meeting. As I know it, we are commanded to pay 10% of our interest (increase) annually. I don't think the Church has defined it as Gross, Net, Pre-tax, etc. Please indicate if I am wrong. Before giving an "opinion" on tithing, please indicate if you have a source that answers this question directly. (I know that IF you pay on your net, you need to pay on your tax return, but if you pay on your Gross, you do not need to pay on your return.) I bring this up, because a blanket application of "Gross Income" cannot be applied well across the board (self employed, sole proprietorship, investment income, etc) Also, what are your thoughts on paying pre-tax when wealthy people pay 70% tax and poor people pay zero to 5% tax (not right now, but it has been like this) AND, depending on how you answer this question, should one pay tithing on your "cash for clunkers" benefit/rebate? Disclaimer: I agree that people SHOULD/can pay as much to the Lord as they can. I just want true doctrine/teachings to be disseminated.

Heading to Missouri and Nauvoo soon. When I travel I like to eat what the locals eat. Does Missouri or Illinois have any delicacies that they are known for? The weirder the better. Also, any good restaurants for local food in the Nauvoo area?

I am going to Nauvoo and Independence this summer. Do you have any trips, tricks or advice for the trip? - Places I must see? - Things I must do? - Places I must eat? - Local customary food I must try?

I don't know the longevity, but have you guys tried MORNING MOO milk alternative. I have tried several powdered milk manufacturers and Morning Moo is the best. They also make a great Chocolate Milk mix. Look for a sale.

My wife would like an electric wheat grinder. Which one is the best? If read about the WonderMill and the NutriMill. A local shop recommends the WonderMill, but they sell that one, of course. What say ye?

I'm not a young woman....I'm not even a woman. But I agree with this post. Tankinis are the most modest and look the best. If I were a woman hankerin for a good swimsuit....I would go with a tankini. Many have skirt bottoms or shorts. I better go now.....I'm feelin' a little weird.

Those scriptures relate to the law of consecration. There is a talk by President Benson distinguishing the divine law and Satan's counterfeits (socialism and communism). A great quote from that talk is: "redistribution of wealth....IS socialism"

The Atonement in my words The atonement is the act whereby Christ paid the demands of justice so that we, who are fallen and lost, may be "reconciled" with God. We are reconciled with God by becoming one with Christ, taking adavatage of his power to make vicarious payment for our sins.

Mormons try to be specific in the area of the Atonement. We do not speak in terms of being "saved". That word is not specifically defined among the various religions. Thus, for Mormons, this is a two-part answer: 1. Resurrection Paul confirms that He died so that ALL may be resurrected: "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" ( 1 Corinthians 15:22) 2. Eternal Life Jesus also atoned for ALL sins, ALL suffering, ALL pains of the spirit or body. (See Isaiah 53) That is NOT to say that we are all saved from our sins. We must CHOOSE life over death. (Eternal Life over Spiritual Death) (Eternal Life = Life with God) (Spiritual Death = Separation from God) “for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Thus, you must believe on his name to have everlasting life. “Not [he] that saith … Lord, Lord, [will be saved] but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21.) Thus, you must not only believe, you must also "doeth the will of [the] Father." Conclusion Did Christ die for all? Yes. Because of his triumph over death....all will be raised again in immortality. Because of his victory over sin.....all may be forgiven if we meet his proscribed conditions (ie: believe on his name, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, repent of our sins, keep his commandments or doeth the will of the Father.)

An excerpt from: Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., “Words of Jesus: Forgiveness,” Ensign, Feb 2003, 48 All Sins but One The Savior was very clear that, conditioned on repentance, all of our sins can be forgiven through His sacred and atoning sacrifice except for what He called “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 12:31; see also Mark 3:28–29). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught on this subject: “Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.” 4 4. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 358.