Maxel

Actually, he didn't. He was telling the truth- it was Barbara Walters and Whoopee Goldberg who were unaware of all the facts. Surprise surprise. Beck was also sick that day- after his appearance on 'The View', he skipped doing his own show and went home. Some good reading on the subject: Newsbuster's analysis of The Viewettes, How Beck told the truth.Yes, I just waded into a discussion about Ted Kennedy to discuss Beck. Can anyone else say 'one-track mind'? Egads, I can't wait to move and start working again.

You yourself admit that the process is "different". Having heard various accounts of the experiences of Evangelical Christians who claim they are "saved", I sitll contend that there is a categorical difference between the LDS witness of truth and the born-again conversion process. The two are simply different processes.

I ran across an interesting article yesterday, written by an Evangelical Christian about the tendency to marry later. I like how he said that marriage is a "formative" institution. You have the oppurtunity to marry. You have someone who might be willing. While it's noble not to want to go into a relationship without a mountain of debt- are you planning to wait until you're debt-free to get married? Do you plan on never paying a mortgage to own a house- are you going to rent-to-own or something else? Good questions to consider. It's financially wise to enter into marriage; you cut costs that way (between the two of you; obviously you would have to be paying more than if you were living by yourself). It's sexually wise to enter into marriage- humans are sexual creatures; it's natural and the ultimate physical expression of love. It's spiritually wise to enter into marriage- there are certain paths we cannot walk until we're sealed in the temple to an eternal spouse. There will always be plenty of reasons not to get married- the question is, which is more important in the great scheme of things: working for worldly goals, or working for eternal goals? It is foolish to forego the former for the sake of the latter, but it is more foolish still to forego the latter for the sake of the former. Ultimately, the desicion is up to you, but I'd wager the Lord's advice ought to matter. Have you approached Him about it?

I think you miss the point of LM's post, ferretrunner. The point (I think) he was making is that the rhetoric about being tolerant of others (when what is really meant is "acceptance and validation of others' beliefs") is hypocritical; that kind of tolerance is unilateral. It demands acceptance of itself and cannot accept those things different from it.It has the form of Godly tolerance (charity), but it is without the power thereof.

Yay! More fighting! To me, I prefer the type of 'knowing' that comes from faith that has matured into knowledge. All the time I learn what I 'know' about the Earth through science and personal observations are wrong or slightly off base (and maybe that's simply the result of an uneducated mind). This fine line being drawn between belief and knowledge- and saying that others do not know that God exists because it is supposedly unprovable- reminds me of Korihor (and no, I'm not comparing Snow to Korihor here) in Alma 30:48: "Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe." (Comment: could the sign Korihor be asking for also be considered "physical proof"?) Interesting to note verse 42, in which Alma says "thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God". Even though Korihor believes in God (in verse 52 he says he has "always known" that God exists). Despite Korihor's belief and knowledge about God's existence, he still lead the people astray because he chose to listen to the devil instead of the spirit of Christ. One other thing- the idea that a knowledge of God's existence will lead someone to always act correctly doesn't explain Cain's actions in slaying Abel, or any of the Sons of Perdition. The more obvious answer is that human weakness is to blame for wrong actions- not a lack of faith or knowledge. One more thing- I doubt anyone who has seen the Father and/or the Son in this lifetime would casually share that fact over an internet forum to show that they know that They exist. The knowledge of eternal things is a very personalized and sacred matter. I've actually yet to meet anyone other than a Mormon that claims to KNOW their religion is true in the same way we claim to know. There is no witness wrought by a process of inquiry; there is usually a (sometimes blind) faith in the traditions of their fathers, who were the same religion. In the case of those who converted to another (non-LDS) religion from their original (non-LDS) religion, I've still never heard of anyone receiving a witness of the truth in the same manner that the LDS do.It seems to me that if the process of conversion and gaining a knowledge of the truth is categorically different between Mormonism and other religions, then that is proof enough that there is some sort of difference. I believe that difference is the difference between a real witness of the truth and intellectual/spiritual fondness for a set of doctrine.

Good luck, Godless! I don't really have anything to add other than my support, so I'll be praying that things go well for you and your parents.

Tell your mom; make sure you don't have internet access except on a computer with Covenant Eyes. Also, if the pull of the temptation is so strong that Covenant Eyes isn't keeping you away (knowing that you'll have to answer to your mom later), an internet blocker would be the best thing. You can't beat yourself up because you're not strong enough stay away- sexual addictoins are more powerful than substance addictions (and have you seen what a junkie will do to get their next fix?). You need to put the blocks in your life that will work- if you and your mom have a good relationship, maybe you can confess to her and let her punish you as she sees fit (I know it sounds like an odd idea, but it's not a bad one if you trust your mom). Also, playing video games very often leads to masturbation. Trust me, I know there's a connection. I think part of it is mental excitement coupled with a lack of physical exercise- your body wants a physical release, and if you're addicted to porn and/or masturbation, masturbating is the most natural physical release. If you really want to be free, you might consider cutting out all video games in your life- at least until you have the addiction under control. Whatever the case, keep climbing- don't give up! I Know you can do it!

My mom uses the vinegar for cleaners. The problem is, getting one bottle every other week is too much; we don't use that much cleaner. I don't care; my mom doesn't listen to reason or wisdom anyway. I'm out of here in two weeks; they can live in a house with food rotting on the counter if they want. I'm too tired to care anymore.

It was all good things, I swear. Actually, beefche abandoned me before we even got chatting. So nothing was ever said about you. But if we had, it would have been about how unique your screen name is, how witty your avatar is, and how wonderful you are!

Beck calls the new Special Advisors to the President 'czars'. In his own words, he describes the power they hold thusly: "They don't need to be confirmed by the Senate; they rarely go before committees; they can claim "executive privilege" when asked to testify, and they're accountable to no one but the president himself." It's a way to circumvent the checks and balances of power in the American government, basically. (Hope that's concise and accurate enough! The link has Beck's basic definition of czars; if you have 5 minutes or so and want a more complete answer.) In regards to Beck's volatile emotions: I think a man like Beck- truly passionate, humble, and well-informed enough to know what he's talking about- is just what a lot of people in this country need to get involved in what the government's doing again (beyond the griping and murmuring against the government). The phrase used lately is that recent events have "awakened a sleeping giant" (of true patriotism) in the American people- I think Beck had a lot to do with that.

Awesome! Can we relegate Marxism and other socialist ideologies/policies to the graveyard too?This is the best argument I've heard yet for the repealing of the income tax.

I hope we can take our country back from those louses before they ruin it.

Glenn Beck's (oh no! Not him again! ) boys on his radio show made a remix version of Reagan's words- Reagan: Don't say we weren't warned. I was blown away by the prescience Reagan's words have today, so I thought this went best in the 'Current Events' section.

Yes, another Glenn Beck thread. I think the quota's been reached for this month, but if I can push the envelope a little... All this week, Beck's been doing a segment called 'The New Republic', discussing some of (what he thinks are) the more important changes happening in the American Government. This includes the Czars and who they are, the national debt and current recession, further governmental regulation of the media, the civilian military force, and more. The entire section is based on three principles: -Question With Boldness -Hold to the Truth -Speak Without Fear He puts all the 'good stuff' (the pertinent questions he asked, segments on what he said, etc.) all on one page- The New Republic- and I think it's a very good read. Interestingly enough, the White House itself (okay, a representative in the White House) has called Beck during the show more than one time this week. Beck's made some serious, serious allegations against the current czars (more accurately, he exposes the czar's backgrounds). The only response he's gotten is the White House rep saying "Don't call them czars- they're Special Advisors".

Ah ha, john doe... What a funny guy! Yes, let's talk about him in private chat.

1) The Christus / The "Mormon Voices" title2) Promote Mormonism/Give information about it 3) "Share the Gospel" 4) The awesome changing pictures and quotes. 5) "Engages in the Mormon Discussion" 6) Yes 7) Err.... 2 (But I get bored fast) 8) Intermediate

It's not just you. I have it too. It seems someone waaay up there (like Heather) changed the skins for the site! I like it overall, except I think the background of the general chat is waaay too bright. On a related note, you've initiated a private chat with me and are not chatting. Is that really you... or is your computer really possessed?

As far as a geographic location, I don't know if there's any place that the people wholeheartedly believe in Christ (I'm sure there's some little town somewhere that does, but I don't know of it). I think the same can be said for the reverse. Governments are another story, I think. China and various Islamic governments all reject the Christ. I guess if things continue as they are, eventually the citizens will either be lead to reject Him or be killed.

cofchristcousin: I really wouldn't be surprised if my mom had OCD. She has so many other emotional/psychological disorders, it wouldn't be out of place. Thanks for the advice- I'll see if I can find an article on it. pam: She fills out the food order form in the house with me and my little sister, then turns it in. Telling someone in RS is a good idea- I'll find the RS president this Sunday and pull her aside.

Okay, so this is it: My mom receives food orders from the Church. She's in debt and working very hard to get on her feet (working 30 hour weeks, attending school full time, raising my little sister, dealing with a host of physical and emotional problems, and serves as a ward librarian)- she most definitely is deserving of the food orders she receives. The problem is that she gets too much food and supplies. For instance, she orders one bottle of vinegar every time- and we hardly ever use vinegar (we now have over 10 extra bottles of vinegar lying around). She also orders too much fresh fruit- it usually ends up rotting and we have to throw about half of it out (we just don't eat it all). My mom has always used 'stuff' as a way to deal with emotional pain (she was abused in every way possible as a child), and this pattern of getting too much food items falls into that pattern. While she's not intentionally wasting food, the fact remains that she is misusing the goods appropriated her by the Church welfare program. My question is- should I say something to her? I've casually mentioned it before to be met with a lot of vehemence as a response. If I brought the issue up I know it would cause problems, but I feel like it's my duty as a good son to at least breach the subject with her. Anyone else been in a situation similar to this? Advice would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Well, you don't need it to get out of debt. Time to start that food storage!

Wait... mods get payed?! I have a sudden passionate desire to become a moderator.

Congratulations pam!! Party at my house!

Don't give up, LostSheep. Screwups happen- the good thing is that with Covenant Eyes now someone else is aware of what's going on. It sucks to have someone else do an intervention/talk to you about the problem, but it's ultimately worth it.

Good job, FairChild! Keep up the good work!