BenRaines

So I am clear we can discuss issues that are to be voted on or bills that are proposed but not candidates? Ben Raines

I thought that the discussion of politics was forbidden here. Ben Raines

I personally think having a Sports Illustrated Swimwear issue is inappropriate for a member of the LDS church to have. Call me old fashioned or a prude but it is not right by me. Ben Raines

I don't use Ex-Mormon to describe anyone. Former Mormon or Someone who has left the church. People label themselves as ex-Mormons but I don't Ben Raines

President Spencer W. Kimball said that if you took two people who had never met and they were willing to serve each other in marriage that love would develop. I believe that many are confused by romantic love shown in movies and described in books and do not understand that "True Love" comes from serving each other. My .02 cents. Ben Raines

I taught my daughters to be careful with who you date. Your heart doesn't care if they are LDS or not. Just as easy to fall in love with a non LDS person as an LDS person. As someone said focus on your preparation for your mission. There will be plenty of time to date girls when you get home. I served and one of my daughters did and my son. Ben Raines

Never placed any trust in "movie stars" who make claims we should all follow and then they don't. One that comes to mind is Tom Cruise. Made a movie about car racing "Thunder something" while telling us all we should conserve fuel and not be wasteful. Like others who promote green living and live in mega mansions and fly private jets. Ben Raines

What is a sex worker? Is that a nice way to say a prostitute? Ben Raines

Didn't Sherri Dew get married? I thought she had married an Apostle who's wife had passed away. Maybe I am getting it mixed up. Ben Raines

I thought the same Vort. Ben Raines

I have a Nevada resident permit and a Utah non-resident. Still can't carry in California. Can in about 37 states but not in the West. No Washington State, Oregon or California. Ben Raines

I have never seen it as a calling in 30 yrs of LDS Scouting but I have seen callings that are not official callings extended. Ben Raines

Living in the wilderness is so much more peaceful. Moved to the wilderness after over 25 years or anger and contention. Ben Raines

I drew my weapon many times as a police officer. Never had to as a concealed weapon permit holder. Have carried for over ten years. I do not want to be a victim or watch someone else be one while I sit on my hands and wish I had a weapon with me. If I were in a bank and a bank robbery was going on I would be the best witness there is. Until they started shooting people. Then I would have to assess the situation and take action, if possible. It is not simple nor cut and dried as some would have you believe. Ben Raines

The key to remember is SLOW DOWN in the snow. 4WD or AWD or FWD do not mean you can drive as fast as you would on a clear, dry road. Most drivers, unless often in the mountains or un-maintained roads can manage without 4WD. Ben Raines

Wife's check went down $100 on the SS tax correction. Back to what it should have been all along. Ben Raines

That guy looks like he is flying a drone over Afghanistan. Ben Raines

Agree with Vort. Priesthood is the authority to act in Christ's name. He held keys that we do not even hold today. Keys of Resurrection for example. Ben Raines

There is a lot of great advice, on how to make difficult auto repairs, found online. I still do all my own work on a 2003 Mitsubishi and a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. There are a lot of tricks to some of these problems that can be found online. I have also learned to do most of my auto mechanics with my eyes closed. Often you can't see where you are working and working by feel is very important when working on cars. Perhaps John Doe can offer some assistance. I believe he works in that field. Ben Raines

If I recall I think Pam is considering having a daycare. No children of her own at home any longer. It would be a way for her to keep from collecting feral cats and keeping them in her house. Feral children instead. Ben Raines

Traveler, I tried that in Sacrament meeting once. The look on the Bishop's face for me standing up and asking a question while someone was reading an Ensign talk made me sit down. :) I agree about in a classroom environment. If I observe that someone has a challenge in teaching a lesson and feels the need to read through the manual, which I have read and studied before class, I will raise questions that usually gets other members of the class or quorum talking and cover the material without having to reread the manual. I haven't figured a solution to the reading of a talk word for word in Sacrament meeting and not even giving credit to the original speaker. Ben Raines

Pure speculation on my part but I think that those who "command" in the name of the Priesthood are being overzealous or are moved on by The Spirit to say those things. I do not believe that someone wanting it to happen can command it to happen unless moved by The Holy Ghost to do so. My two cents. Ben Raines

I served in Florida over 40 years ago. I never taught one lesson in English. Only a couple of door contacts spoke English. It all depends on the population and the need in the mission. Also depends on how one applies themselves. I came home speaking better Spanish than all my friends who went to Mexico. Ben Raines

You are all so nice. Don't feed them. :) Ben Raines

I believe long-time member or new convert it is often hard to separate our wants from our prayers. How do we pray? Do we ask "What should I do?" or do we decide what it is we should do by studying out in our minds, coming to a conclusion and then seeking confirmation? I have done both and found that the later is the best and advised way. On top of that we must do all we can to remove our personal feelings when we seek a spiritual response or the answer will always be yes. Good luck, Ben Raines