bytebear

All dictators want to rule the world. The Gospel's central unit is the family. We need governments who give families and individuals the ability to govern themselves, and limit them on what they can impose on others. This rule applies to everyone. Sure some cultures are extreme and seem out of step with our beliefs. But think about this. Every person in every culture of every time and place thought their culture was right and everyone else was wrong. So the solution is to have a government that don't let one culture dictate to the rest.

This is only true of the wife's increase, as far as the church is concerned. wolfpackpilot or any non-LDS person has no obligation to pay tithes to the LDS church as they have made no covenant to do so. It sounds like he has already covenanted to pay tithes to his own church which is perfectly fine. The bishop will not hold his wife responsible for that, and she will be a full tithe payer however they decide to pay to the Lord.

it's none of your business unless you have stewardship over them (i.e. Bishop). Even as a Home Teacher, you are to encourage, but you cannot judge them. But even a bishop of one ward cannot dictate the actions against a member of another ward. In other words, it's not your call to make.

I figure in the grand scheme of things, we are still children. If we were to talk to our kids about adult topics, and I will just throw out sex and having babies out there as an example, I am sure when one kid tells another kid about the birds and the bees, most kids would say something like "ewww..." or "that's not true" or in grown up terms, "blasphemy!" So instead we just promise them that one day they will grow up to have "all that we have" and leave the details out. We are speculating, but I don't doubt that when God promises us all that he has, and that we will share his throne, and that we will be above the angels, and will "continue for ever" I think that promise is probably far more than we can even imagine. And although some might balk at the idea of becoming like God, we are just children going "ewwwww..." because we aren't ready in our development to really understand what it all is.

I can totally see why the church is building this. Most temples are in residential areas. Newer temples are built with a chapel and a Mission President's home on the property. it makes sense in an urban area to build some kind of housing in keeping with the neighborhood. So, why not build an apartment building and have it be open to whoever. I am sure several apartments will be set aside for the Mission President and other church leaders or members who need a place to stay. The Los Angeles Temple has apartments behind it owned by the church. I believe it is entirely filled with missionaries and temple workers. In fact, I don't think you can live there unless you are in full time church service. So, why not open this space to non-Mormons? Second, they have a vested interest in keeping the area nice. They can ensure that a smoke shop, adult bookstore, or other unsavory business will open up next to the temple. And I agree that the church is giving people jobs, and helping the economy. And although the church could use all it's money to feed the poor, it's better to build a system that produces more wealth. And as to helping the poor, that's our job as individuals, not the churches. Why do you think we volunteer at canneries, and why we give fast offerings, and why do we have Helping Hands. It'd be a lot easier just to give a bunch of money to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. The church isn't just about helping the poor, but it's about teaching its members how to help the poor. Oh, and the Humanitarian Aid program is just one of many. The $1.5B is only money for that program. It does not count fast offerings, perpetual education fund, etc, etc. The LDS Church (members) gives far more than $150M a year both in money and in service. Truth be told, in 1985, the church was so efficient in taking care of its own, it had enough to start helping out the world.

The covenant details are found in the sacrament prayers. The crux is to keep the commandments. There are specific commandments that are used to judge the potential converts dedication to living the covenant, and they are pretty much the same as the temple requirements. Belief in Christ, belief in the gospel as restored through His church, a willingness to attend church regularly, honesty, chastity/fidelity, tithing, Word of Wisdom, etc. These are outward signs that you are living or willing to accept in order to enter the covenant of Baptism.

Adam. not Abel.

Not to begrudge Joseph Fielding Smith, but I believe he was speaking from opinion more than declaration. Certainly this is not canonical.

They had physical bodies of flesh and bone. Speculation beyond that is, well... speculation. We can reasonably conjecture that the scriptures use the term "flesh and blood" to mean mortal, and "flesh and bone" to mean immortal. Examples: 1 Corinthians 15:50 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Galatians 1:16 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Genesis 2:23 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Luke 24:39 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

I look at it this way. Jesus atoned for my sins 2000 years ago. Done deal. That's the grace. However, I need faith in Christ and will show that faith through my works. Jesus specifically speaks of baptism as a necessary sign of your faith. Does that mean it's a required work? Is it even a work, or an act of faith. But I do believe it is necessary to receive salvation. But all of that is moot unless grace is in place, which thankfully happened 2000 years ago.

Yes, it's a Philippines cultural thing. It may be more ingrained than in the US, but it's still cultural.

They have pain killers, so that's really not a big deal. Some cultures file down their kids teeth at age 8 or 9 as a rite of passage. I don't recommend it. Circumcision is largely a cultural thing. You choose it because it's the norm in America. As a Jew I understand the need, but I think if we didn't have a history of it as a cultural norm, you would be as appalled as if you were filing down his teeth, or cutting off his earlobes, or some other ritualistic body modification. But, other than it being a cultural thing, I see no need whatsoever.

I agree with Vort. If you do, the kid has no option but to live with it. If you don't he can decide later in life if he wants it. (same goes for pierced ears, by the way). So, give the kid the option.

I ran across this. It might be helpful in finding your answers. Knowing That We Know - general-conference

In the temple, you make some pretty serious covenants with God. It's not just tithing that is used as a gauge of you willingness to accept Christ and his commandments. If you cannot live them before you go to the temple, how can you be expected to covenant with God to live them? By the way, the temple requirements are the same as the baptism requirements. You must be willing to attend church regularly, keep the Word of Wisdom, be honest with your dealings with your fellow man, accept Christ as your savior, and accept this as His church. If you are to become a member through baptism, tithing is also expected, regardless of whether you go to the temple. The temple is an additional blessing, not an additional burden and nothing that any church member shouldn't already be living.

It's not like being angry does anything to the dead person. It only makes your life more miserable.

Ad clearly this child needs parenting beyond her parents.

Genesis 4:11-16 references it long before the Book of Abraham.

Well, you need to have some kind of hobby.

So what is the lesson for us today? What are we supposed to convey to the kids? That some people are so bad we should just avoid them?

Do you have kids? Who else will be affected by your decisions?

By the way, the absolute best social game for any size group (even dozens) is Celebrity. All you need is pens and paper. And it's a blast! Celebrity (game) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Have game night. Do it once a month, always on the same night (like 2nd Wednesday, or 1st Friday night of the month), always at the same place (or announce the location well ahead of time). Start with a prayer, but make it about good clean social fun. Be consistent and never cancel and people will start working their schedule around it. If you can do twice a month, and get a good turn out, great! And it doesn't even have to be an "official church" event even if it kind of is.

Other than the disrespect of the temple scene, what bothered me was that they went down a few steps into the Celestial room. Hello, the temple experience elevates you and each room represents a lifting both in height and lightness, and to have them have the Celestial room be downstairs was really annoying.