Michael_Newman

Here is a copy of what I posted in another topic: Our scoutmaster has been a scoutmaster for 18 years in several wards. Seems each time he moved into a new ward, the called him to be the scoutmaster. When he moved into our ward he started with the usual 5 boys who came to play basketball on Wednesday evenings. Although they camped a few times a year, there was no real scouting program, and no uniforms. After six months our scoutmaster had grown the unit to 65 boys (with about half non-member boys). For the older boys, we worked with the Young Men's President to form additional patrols - including a patrol for the priests that wore the dark green Explorer uniforms. All of them were in uniform (including the classic Campaign Hat from the early days of scouting), organized into patrols, camping every month, and were getting ready for their summer fund raiser (which earned them $3000). After a year and a half our scoutmaster formed a provisional troop comprised of boys from all of the troops within the district. The provisional troop included 81 scouts and 19 assistant scoutmasters. The troop traveled by Amtrak for a week-away expedition. By his own choosing, our scoutmaster and the boys did not promote FOS. That was left up to the bishopric and the ward families. He had discovered years ago that one dollar given to United Way resulted in one penny that went to one of his boy scouts. But for the boy to qualify for the penny, he would have to match the penny with another penny. So if I have $5,000 to UW, the boy scout would get $50 toward his summer camp fee of $100. His scoutmaster decided to do their own fund raisers. Funny thing, our scoutmaster never did set out to get a Quality Unit Award for the troop. They had no need for it. And as for Eagle Scouts, sure - there were several - but most of the boys enjoyed the journey, no matter what award the journey resulted in. The key is finding a dedicated scoutmaster that will be in the calling long enough (at least five years) with a dedicated Bishop that will sustain him. (The complainers I have seen haven't a clue as to their options. Our scoutmaster studied scouting, studied boys, and as a result of an outstanding annual program - the boys showed their respect by wearing the uniforms and doing the scouting program). All my best, Michael

Our scoutmaster has been a scoutmaster for 18 years in several wards. Seems each time he moved into a new ward, the called him to be the scoutmaster. When he moved into our ward he started with the usual 5 boys who came to play basketball on Wednesday evenings. Although they camped a few times a year, there was no real scouting program, and no uniforms. After six months our scoutmaster had grown the unit to 65 boys (with about half non-member boys). For the older boys, we worked with the Young Men's President to form additional patrols - including a patrol for the priests that wore the dark green Explorer uniforms. All of them were in uniform (including the classic Campaign Hat from the early days of scouting), organized into patrols, camping every month, and were getting ready for their summer fund raiser (which earned them $3000). After a year and a half our scoutmaster formed a provisional troop comprised of boys from all of the troops within the district. The provisional troop included 81 scouts and 19 assistant scoutmasters. The troop traveled by Amtrak for a week-away expedition. By his own choosing, our scoutmaster and the boys did not promote FOS. That was left up to the bishopric and the ward families. He had discovered years ago that one dollar given to United Way resulted in one penny that went to one of his boy scouts. But for the boy to qualify for the penny, he would have to match the penny with another penny. So if I have $5,000 to UW, the boy scout would get $50 toward his summer camp fee of $100. His scoutmaster decided to do their own fund raisers. Funny thing, our scoutmaster never did set out to get a Quality Unit Award for the troop. They had no need for it. And as for Eagle Scouts, sure - there were several - but most of the boys enjoyed the journey, no matter what award the journey resulted in. The key is finding a dedicated scoutmaster that will be in the calling long enough (at least five years) with a dedicated Bishop that will sustain him. (The complainers I have seen haven't a clue as to their options. Our scoutmaster studied scouting, studied boys, and as a result of an outstanding annual program - the boys showed their respect by wearing the uniforms and doing the scouting program). All my best, Michael

What a great resource for referring non members to a live chat with the church! They even have a toll free number to call!

Moses is a prophet too, but that does not mean we (in 2009) are to follow everything what Moses said at the time he was a prophet over his people. God's children are to follow their living prophet of the day. (You might also watch the 60 Minutes TV interview where out prophet was asked the same question) As for journals, they are not considered canonized scripture. Only the Standard Works should be the final say. I suggest you refer to them for a more accurate moder-day revelation. All my best, Michael PS: Here is BYU link that contains the teachings of the church: http://www.lds.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=79 Encyclopedia of Mormonism Link

Maybe joining the church is the easiest thing to do. But living the church is the greater challenge. Our church is one of the hardest (if not the hardest) church to live up to. It is not an easy church by any means. Even the 5% that go to the temple struggle. Yet, 95% who do not attend the temple still have an opportunity. We lost 33% in the War in Heaven, and I seriously doubt that the remaining 64% will be among the highest glory in the end - except for maybe 5%. Life in the church is much more than the Word of Wisdom, Tithes, Fasting, Callings, and what we "see" in the wards. My suggestion? Get around the 5% group, even if it means moving. "Go where the Saints are!" All my best, Michael

Me too. (This was a great test site. I will be sending it to my friends and family)

I wish you well on your new journey. Regardless of who you will meet with and what the first outcome is for the approval, you will be baptized again at some point - whether it be when you expect it, hope for it, or many, many more years. Your life is an eternal quest, so just keep in mind that you are going to start acting like a worthy member from this day forward. You can attend the majority of activities starting this week. You can volunteer for many more services than what some LDS choose not to. (Make sure you ask your bishop what he would restrict you from, but I am thinking there is much for you to do). If you lost your church membership in another ward, then your new ward may be a fresh start. If not, you have many options to choose from. I suspect you may have made a hasty decision to have your name removed before. Stay close to your priesthood training classes, and you will gain such a testimony of the great work ahead - there will never be a doubt. Understanding all of the doctrines of our church is similar to obtaining several PhD's. It takes several years, which is explains why many of us remain "students". All my best, Michael LINK: Miracle of Forgiveness - By the Prophet Spencer W Kimball (First Prophet Book I read as a new convert)

Please post the syllabus summary of the InnerGold System.Michael

What would any Bishop say?In my opinion, he would say get married now and then go to the temple in a year. If you cannot sustain your Bishop over this, then you may wish to fast and pray. All my best, Michael http://www.lds.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=78 (First LDS Romance Novel I read as a new convert)

What would you do with the cash? Your cash option needs to be looked at in what you would do with the cash. If you would just turn around and use the cash for something that AMX offers, then it would be silly to cash out miles. You will always get more value for AMX miles than for AMX cash.If you drive everywhere, that's okay. You can still eat, sleep, entertain, shop, and enjoy the journey - which will give you an extra "life" at no further expense. AMX has enormous choices on what to do with your miles, whereas many of the Visa/Master-Card miles are very limited in comparison. For rewards and flexibility, there is no better program than AMX. It is hands down. Check out the AMX Catalog of Rewards by starting with the following Google Results links: Google Results Link for American Express Rewards Catalog After reviewing their enormous catalog, if none of it looks appealing - then consider some of the other options mentioned. AMX does offer a cash card, and the conversion rate is similar to Visa/Master-card. Michael

The youth in past years were required to meet with their priesthood leader and obtain a dance card, which represented what church standards were to be met. This process has ceased in many areas, leaving the dances open. As for the loud music, I preferred the dances with live bands. The area I participated in was quite large, and there were weekly dances at some ward building through the vast area. A live band takes breaks, which allow for conversations. Michael

Continue on for dual Master degrees. The four-year degrees are not going to give you the advantage you need in today's economy. See the counselor for the Masters program. All my best, Michael

$2500 to $100,000 Credit Without a credit check - I started with an American Express Gold Rewards card a few years ago and treated it like a checking account instead of using the credit after the statement came due. Although AMX claims there is never a credit limit, there really is. The Gold Card started at about $2500 the first 2 weeks, and then quickly went to $5000 and all the way up. $100,000 Plus Credit Within 6 months I had enormous points, an excellent track record - and they offered me the American Express Platinum Rewards card. How I did it: Instead of waiting for the statement, I found a unique method which automatically increased my credit line by simply paying off the card every week - and sometimes every 3 days. The credit system began automatically increasing my credit line, and within a six months I went from a $5000 limit to over $100,000 card - all because I chose to: Pay everything (and I mean "everything") with the card. If you work for a company where your expenses are reimbursed; buying groceries, paying utilities, accountant, any professional fees - just look at your checking account and see where your monthly money is going. And remember to use the card as a checking account. Pay everything OFF within days or weeks.REWARDS:The AMX points can be double over any other traditional Visa or Master-card. Why? Because the merchants who accept AMX pay a higher rate when accepting the card. And AMX passes it along to their card holders. VISA/MC: If you have a Visa/MC and run $12,500 through the account, you might be able to get 12,500 reward miles at 1 point per $1 dollar used. AMX: If you have an AMX and run $12,500 through the account, you could get double the points at 25,000 reward miles at 2 points per dollar used.When I started racking up 100,000 reward miles, I looked at options to convert them into either free items or cash. They do allow you to cash out air-miles with a cash card, but if I was going to use the cash to buy something, then it was more beneficial to use the reward miles to get what I wanted instead of taking a discount to get a cash card.If you can run $12,500 a month through your personal or business checking account, then you can essentially get a free round-trip domestic airline ticket once every 2 months. Double that to $25,000 a month (even using your families checking or business accounts) and the miles will really pile up. American Express Centurion Card This card is the next step up from the Platinum card. The benefits are enormous (including access to a private charter jet if your regular airline is canceled). There is no credit limit. All my best, Michael

Yes!And that is the first step toward greater things.

Yes, those are all good journal commentary and general discourses. But I am looking for canonized scripture, such as official church-wide General Conference statements.