Gargantuan

A Smile as Big as the Moon is a great movie. I would recommend it for all ages. :)

This is taken from the legal code link given by Pam. There is more at this site about flying the USA flag at half mast. This is taken directly from article m of that subsection. (m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. When the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, or the Mayor of the District of Columbia, issues a proclamation under the preceding sentence that the National flag be flown at half-staff in that State, territory, or possession or in the District of Columbia because of the death of a member of the Armed Forces, the National flag flown at any Federal installation or facility in the area covered by that proclamation shall be flown at half-staff consistent with that proclamation. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection—

You must have a personal or family plan if you intend to be prepared for any unfortunate disaster that will come. It has always been a concern for my family to have a supply of food and at least a week supply of water. It is more important to know how to disinfect water so it can be used without making you sick. It is important to have a plan to remove body waste material when it is needed to be removed. It is important to have a plan for sanitizing items, such as using bleach to disinfect. It is good idea to have a means of communication, radio, ham radio, walkie talkie, or a small two-way radio. Utah and the Intermountain region have been flagged as being long over-due for a major earthquake. So far, we haven't had one, but it is my opinion that we will have a big one when it hits. I have spoken with internationally known experts in the field of earthquakes and it is not a matter of if, but when, we will have a big in this area. What are we doing to get ready for that or any other kind of disaster? Do we have a plan that we have discussed with family members or neighbors that we will follow if we have a major emergency? How are we going to cope with not knowing if our family and friends are okay in the event of a disaster? These are issues that most of the local, state, and federal agencies have published answers to either online or by a published hard copy. Salt Lake County has a great small paperback handbook that details some of the procedures that will need to be followed during an emergency. You can write them for a copy or go get copies for you and your family. Read it often and store it in a safe place for quick referencing. Most families will take care of their own first and then the city, county, state or church will help. We can go to city, county or state disaster and emergency planning agencies and ask for information that you can use to develop your own emergency and disaster plan. We must have a plan that will work during an emergency that we can use if we are forced to survive on our own until help can come to our assistance. The best way to get through an emergency or a disaster is to have a plan and practice a way to work that plan. Best Blessings, Gargantuan

The LDS church is an organization that operates under the hand of God. God bestows upon it baptized membership, the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Each member of the church will have the privilege of the inspiration from the Holy Ghost to help him make some of the decisions he must make here in mortality. A decision such as how many soda drinks one should have during the day becomes a personal matter and if one chose he could discuss it with the church leader, but ultimately it becomes the responsibility of the individual to make that a matter of choice influenced by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Members of the church will value their agency to choose between right and wrong. We also value the benefit of counseling with those priesthood leaders who may have more insight into some of the question we may have about church doctrine. After counseling and pondering our questions then personal inspiration can play a stronger role in making correct decisions. Each member of the church is encouraged to read and study the scriptures. There is great understanding given through the scriptures. After a person’s mind has been prepared by studying the scriptures, he can bring his mind closer to the mind and will of God. Thus, he will be able to receive, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost which gift it is his to have, more understanding of his particular question or concern. I hope this helps answer your question. Gar

This can be a confusing topic to consider, and I thank those who have offered answers for they haved helped me. Blessings, Gargantuan Turning to the holy scriptures again, please read from the Book of Mormon 2Nephi 2:14-16 14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon. 15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. 16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

Occasionally, it has been thought that souls who pass away from this life are held in a type of holding bin or limbo until God will see them. According to scripture they are not, but they immediately stand before their Maker. There is nothing more frightening than to fear death or the circumstances of the unknown. Death in any case is a very sensitive issue, and I have often wondered what happens after a person passes away. I am grateful for the blessings of modern-day scripture. I offer the following sensitive verses from the Book of Mormon, modern day scripture for all Latter-day Saints. I hope that this helps you. Blessings, Gar Please note verse 11 and 12; Quoting from the Book of Mormon Alma 40:11-13; 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. 13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil."

I appreciate your sports updates. I don't get the newspaper and find little time to watch cable TV. Thanks for taking the time. Gar

Thanks for the heads up. Brother Millet is a great speaker and those that attend will be blesed by his wise understanding of the Gospel.

My mother had her sealing cancelled to my father. Before she had this done, President Kimball, the Prophet at the time, told her that if she ever changed her mind later about the cancellation that she could always have it changed back. I think the reason that this can happen is due to the priesthood covenant. No, a man or a woman isn't trapped with eternal marriage to someone wrong for him or her. It is my opinion that there is time after this life to decide definitely that a person wants it cancelled. The priesthood covenant, sealing, has been made, yes, but there is much more to learn about that covenant after this life. God is a just God and if all that is possible has been done to do that work correctly; He will either show you the way or help you understand more about that way.

True they were all made whole, but we only have the account of the returning Samaritan to illustrate a point of gratitude for God's tender mercies. I hope that the rest of the "ten" were able to come back later and thank the Savior for His healing power. If they did, then it is possible that the thankful Samaritan was a good example to them in strengthening their faith. Gar

I have copied the link and shared it with a few more of my friends. Thank you very much for sharing this.

I have met President Monson and believe that not only is he a good man, but he is a great example of what personal integrity should be. Gar

God does reveal His will to His servants the Prophets in our day through the proper priesthood authority found in His Church. In Amos' day, as far any record reveals, that type of organization existed, but we have little record of it. Today as it was with Amos, I think that we all have the right to be inspired for things that pertain to us, but when it comes to receiving inspiration for the Church, God will only reveal that through the proper priesthood organization that is here to run His Church or the Prophet. I hope this makes some sense.

Asking to take us now, isn’t a sin, but more a matter of obedience. We certainly do not want others to suffer an agonizing death or life. Only God knows the reason for that person to suffer. For example, Joseph Smith suffered greatly and prayed that his suffering be taken away. It wasn’t and God gave him a good reason for it. It would all be for his benefit and if he endured it well he would receive the blessings of exaltation. In my opinion, it would have been a sin for him to continue to pray that his suffering be removed. Last year, before my own mother passed away from the influence of cancer a dear friend asked me to pray that she would pass away rather suffer the agony of a terrible death from the ovarian cancer. I love and respect the person who gave me the advice and I thought that is what I should do, pray for mother to pass away. I wanted, however, to be sure that she was going to suffer an agonizing death by hearing the doctor’s diagnosis of her physical condition. After she diagnosed mom as terminal, I reevaluated the advice from my dear friend to pray that mom would not suffer and to pass away peaceably. With tears in my eyes I prayed that she would pass away peaceably, but as I thought of those words another still thought yet stronger than the intensity of the request came to my mind that I shouldn’t do that. He [God] had his reasons for her to live and He would take her when it was her time to go. Instantly, I recognized that feeling and immediately stopped saying my prayer. Instead, I prayed that God’s will be done for her and I promised God that I would continue to stand by her until her time came to pass away. Oh yes, I still had my agency to pray for to pass away, but what was God teaching me about obedience? Would it have been a sin to continue to pray for her to pass away? Life hasn’t been easy for many people and I can understand why so many would pray to die rather endure the afflictions they face now. The trials we can receive are sometimes unbearable. But what I am trying to explain through the example of my mother’s situation is that though I wanted her not to suffer and pass away, God had his higher reasons for her living and experiencing her life to the end. Additionally, there are reasons that God will allow some to suffer and He knows that reason. For instance, In the Book of Mormon Alma 14:9-11 9 9. And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire. 10. And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames. 11. But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. Though this instance is sad, we we can clearly see that God His higher reasons for His children living or dying in a specific manner. We should always pray for understanding of our afflictions and look even past what may be a strong desire to pass away and not experience what difficulties we face now. In His own due time, God will give us understanding of the reasons for all trials and why others have suffered as well.

The book, Jesus the Christ, by James E Talmage is one of the most comprehensive studies about the Savior ever written. It has no out of date timeline. The Standard Works of the Gospel are the most reliable sources of infomation you will be able to study about the Savior. Always pray for guidance as you study and your mind will be enlightened by the Holy Ghost.

Hi Pam, I wished you a Happy Birthday through Facebook and now with the Forums. I know that you know how blessed you are to have a wonderful family. Merry Christmas and God Bless You. Gar

While it seems like a good idea and almost entirely a correct concept to consider, it simply wouldn't work with the Gospel plan as I am able to understand it now. I agree with most of the responses to this post. I don't know everything, however, and there may come a day when the temples will be going 24-6. I don't know what God has planned, but I do know He has a plan that will enhance temple attendance. It has a lot to do with being committed.

Enduring to the end involves a specific personal time span. The end for most, however, will not come until their final judgement. God knows if you want or do not want to endure and for what reasons. He is your final judge and whether that judgement comes through his chosen servants it will be a fair and righteous judgement. I hope that regardless what your circumstanes may be that you will always have the understanding that you can pray for the strength to endure to whatever conclusion God wants you to reach.

Agency does not end with the passing of the spirit from the body. The same spirit that possessed his body when he passed away will have the same tendancies as a mortal. Hence, that why there will be missionaries and teachers who help those who haven't learned how to control their given mortal traits and characteristics. Those who haven't accepted the Gospel here and pass away, for example, will have the same issues that held them back as spirits.

I hardly ever respond to most threads due to possibly offending someone. I hope that this makes sense to any reader. It is not meant to be offensive. Gar This is a true statement that should be understood better by most. Idealistically, a man who wants a family should marry a woman who will love to be at home taking care of the children. This is what should happen in a family situation, but it doesn't always turn out that way. Opposites many times attract opposites in a marriage. While the working man may expect his companion to stay home and tend the duties of the home, if his wife needs to get away from the home and is absolutely tied to it day and night she will feel as if the walls are coming in on her and that it is truly a prison to her. Yes, some women are not "wired" so to speak to feel good about doing this. They would rather be outside of the home and away from that which ties them too often to the home. That doesn't mean that they don't love their children or can't take care of the home well, it just means that she needs to get away from the home. There is nothing wrong with being away from the home and working or doing something not tied to the home. Before she leaves for work she needs to first schedule the tasks that are needed to be done at home, children and etc. Once these are finished, she can get out and work or go to lunch with a friend. Women who like to be away from the home can be excellent mothers if they will work their schedules right giving enough time for meeting the needs at home as well. It does a whole world of good to have both spouses understand their differences rather than resent each other due to a misunderstanding. Regards, Gar

This scripture is intended to help the reader come closer to becoming as Christ would have us live. Through honoring covenants we have alrteady made, we will reinforce an understanding of what we need to do for others and to become as Christ has done for us through the Atonment. Blessings, Gar

Hi Nora, You will like the folks at LDS.net. Gargantuan

Very good reminder for those of us who are looking for ways to serve others. As you know, when we will succor those who need a moral lift through our words of love. We can also pray for and with those that mourn and when we do we are serving them as Christ would. Thanks Pam Blessings, Gar

Good luck on your Mission and the folks with LDS.net will be praying for you. Gar

When I attended Weber State College I dated President Packer’s niece for a brief time. It was after he had been called to the Quorum of the Twelve. She told me how much fun he was at family reunions. She went on to say that he had always been a pillar of spiritual strength to the entire Packer family and to others. She told me how unselfish with his time he was and how he would take time, similar to President Kimball, to talk to almost anyone in his office. Times have changed since that time and it is very difficult to speak to a General Authority. I was personally acquainted with President Kimball and loved him very much. I could talk to him at almost anytime I needed, so I know by comparing President Packer to President Kimball was a true statement. I didn’t get to now her very well, and that was probably due to my own shyness. However, I have always remembered what she said about her uncle.