martybess

With APC being discontinued this will happen much more now.

True, Wingnut. Just making an observation that the calling was eliminated. I like that. :)

I beg to differ on this. Did they bring up the unemployed? Is there a ward that has no unemployed? This should be done in PEC. I think all of these should be addressed in PEC. Provident Living Home

Ward activity specialist came but now no more. :)

I would say a good majority of our PEC will be spent on going over: - Missionary work. (1/2 of meeting) - Members needs. (1/4 of meeting) - Concerns about specific members/families. How they are doing spiritually, temporally etc. - Specific qrm/group assignments. (1/4 of meeting) YM, help single sisters/widows with needs such as snow removal, lawns, sacrement, etc. EQ/HP/RS - Spiritual/temporal needs. This includes such things as missionary discussions, temple preparation classes, gospel principle classes, home teaching, and stake assignments-(BIG AREA HERE). We live where we have a temple cleaning assignments, desert industries assignments and drives, canning assignments at welfare square, chair setup for conferences, etc. We do not have an "Ward employment specialist" HP&EQ are responsible for this. HP are over monthly ward temple night and temple efforts. The list can go on.

This is really a good idea as it does help with general questions greatly. So does the boring book 1 as well. To bad they are not going to put portions that are known policies from it online where folks could read it too. That would cut down on question such as...."I'm going to send out my wedding dates to get a jump on the big day even though I have seen the bishop yet for a recommend" type posts here.

Sounds like you have already read it. We received a letter along with our that said don't review until the broadcast. Did you not get this letter?

Pride. Got to be better then my neighbor. My children must better then my neighbors. BUT! This pride is more than looking better then my neighbor it has to do with ones own selfish ways and carnal desires. Satan knows this well and has deceived many into believing the "church" has gone astray when in fact that member has gone astray. This is why so many stay close to the "cultural expectations". We need to look inward. - Although the Law of Moses has long since been fulfilled and the Gospel has been restored in modern times, the people of God must always differentiate between the outward forms of the divine program and the inward powers of the Holy Spirit. They must see the difference between the means and the end. The end to be achieved is for man to establish a living spiritual union with Christ—to attain the blessings of the Holy Spirit until he is sanctified in truth and, in the resurrection, glorified in Christ.

So why isn't the Brethren telling us this? Not that I don't believe it happening because it is, just wondering.

I am confused to what they are saying here: Any help for the confused and dazed due to the prescriptions I'm on? I'm not kidding either. Chronic pain 14 years now.

This is soooooo scary!!! I can honestly say that by the time I got to the bottom of this thread I had a gut wrenched feeling in my gut. BIG WARNINGS! Think about Jim Jones from the present. What about the past folks like the Gadianton robbers, rameumptom folks, priests of Noah and on and on. How did they start, just like this. No thanks! We have a living Prophet, l love him!

Prisonchaplain have you ever told the story that led to your conversion?

Oh I am so sorry to read of your heartache and loss. I hope mom is well. Personally I would.

Yes this is hard, do you stay, do you leave. I think John we a members believe that we must do all we can to be in tune with the spirit. Did you watch the youtube video with the elderly gentlemen working on the old radio? This is what we must all do. Rid our lives of distractions, listen for the still small voice and then follow. Sometimes the follow is the hardest. Sometimes we know the answer but say: "no, no that's just my mixed up thoughts and confusion. You may be right maybe H.F. is saying it’s time to move on. I don’t know your work habits. How long you have been there, what you do, if you get along with others well, if you get frustrated easy and so on. I know a guy who has not been able to keep a job for more than a few months at a time. He’s unreliable and has no self discipline and so he just quits or gets fired. He’s still lives at home and can’t seem to get it together. H.F. is not telling him to move on. H.F. is telling him to get it together. On the other hand I know ppl who will stick with something forever even though better jobs have come their way, thus not excelling as they possibly could. It sounds like I’m judging and maybe in a way I might be but really I’m just trying to help them. (It’s my calling in my ward). So without knowing what really is going on I can only tell you what I might do. If I though H.F. was telling me to move on, I know he would not tell me that (probably) unless I had another job opportunity. It’s just logic to me. You may have done all this but I would probably first look to see how I’m viewing my situation. How I deal with others. Why they might be treating me so. Why I view them treating me so. If I’m kidding myself and really I’m living a double life. Sinning and digging my own pit during the week with riotous living and then going to church on Sunday. (Allot of times this is the case for me). I might talk to my boss’s boss if it were unbearable, unfair and I had spent all possibilities on my part. If I get fired, then there you go the answer. Why the answer? Well I had done all I could on my part, felt I was following the promptings and come what may had faith and did what I felt H.F. was saying was ok. (But remember to H.F. there could be more the one right way to go) and still in the end be ok. So I guess really to answer your original question. Yes we all have trials but... we bring many upon ourselves and sometimes it's just life. No one has peace all the time that I know. -Marty

AnglicanJohn, Do you read the Bible daily? I think your answer is found there. What do we believe in our faith? To me well, it seems the answer to your question is yes, for others no, maybe not years. Job suffered much but others are blessed with peace for what seems to us a lifetime but... each of us handle things differently. The book of Job — The Guide to the Scriptures "Although the book is about Job’s suffering, it does not entirely answer the question of why Job (or any other person) might suffer pain and the loss of his family and goods. The book clarifies that having afflictions does not necessarily mean that a person has sinned. The Lord may use affliction for experience, discipline, and instruction as well as for punishment (D&C 122). The book of Job teaches that if a person has a correct knowledge of God and is living a life that is acceptable to God, he will be better able to endure the trials that come upon him. Job’s unfailing faith is characterized by such exclamations as, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). Job is also mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14; James 5:11; Doctrine and Covenants 121:10." Alma 36:27 — The Guide to the Scriptures "And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." Adversity — The Guide to the Scriptures "Through adversity—trials, troubles, and distress—man can have many experiences that lead to spiritual growth and eternal progress by turning to the Lord." What do you think life is all about? Do you think we are to become so saintly that we have peace all the time? Joesph Smith, Moses, Adam and so on all had trials, even the Savior "let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.." - Mat 26:39. Can we have peace all the time? Yes some day, until then...seek for help from God and do all we can on our part.

John, I hope I did not offend you. I did not know you knew much about us so I offered a shorten version on what we believe is a gift to us. You do not need to apologize that you are not of our faith. You are a Christian and so we have common ground, we have a testimony together concerning the Bible and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes I must conquer with you John, hopefully without seeming boastful we as LDS folks do seem to have it together. We do have a tremendous support group. We have a living Prophet, the Priesthood and the Holy Ghost and additional scripture but we too have trials. We too have jobs that are really stressful and do pray for help and we fast for, pray for and seek answers in the scriptures. We too have to step out into the unknown, with faith that we will be blessed for trusting the Lord. Sometimes we don't receive that help for what seems a long time. Sometimes due to our lack of our trust, faith and putting forth an effort to do ALL we can first fall short. That is the learning process of life and it is hard. I can say one of the hardest decision I have every had to make in my married life of 32 years was when I was faced with the decision of a job change do to a illness that I have had to endured now for 14 years. I was once an active lively person, full of life...now some days it's all I can do to just make it home from a pain filled day on the job. 3 surgeries latter I have finally turned it over to the Lord. I have finally gotten over the resentment and the why me. Nothing has been harder but nothing has refined me more to seek for help from Heavenly Father. What might be the difference for us? Really when I think about that question, I guess I must say hopefully without seeming boastful is all that the LDS religion has. As you know we believe other religions have portions of the fullness and we believe we have been blessed with the fullness of Christianity as it was while the Savior walk the earth. Pray, fast and read your scriptures and the Lord will make your burden easier to bear John. When you get up in the morning ask the Lord, "what would you have me do today?", listen. You will have a thought come to your mind and then do it. Have faith, look to lift others. Here's a good example of some help to follow: This has been my favorite story since a boy. I stumbled upon it in an old book that the father of our past beloved prophet wrote. May you be blessed.

John, Sounds like you are in the mist of some trials, hope things improve for you. The thought of not having the "Gift" of the Holy Ghost is most disconcerting to me John. And I will be frank we as Latter Day Saints feel we have that gift promised us if we take upon us the name of Christ, keep his commandments and do always remember him by way of a covenant. In turn we will have the gift of the Holy Ghost. Other religions can only be blessed from time to time by the Holy Ghost. This is not to say it can't testify or witness to non-LDS folks but, .... only to bring them to the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. Mostly it's a still small voice. What does that mean? Please read the link. https://new.lds.org/study/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng How has the Holy Ghost helped you? | Mormon.org Marty

I like Ezekiel 47:1-20. (Temples, The Lord) "living water" shall flow forth from the presence of the Messiah (from his house) and indeed bring life and healing as it flows, renewing the whole world. Ok might be a bit much I guess but I love this...... Go on the messenger says.... go down further and walk out into the water, walk out and feel it on your ankles, then your knees and so on. Is this not how we are to walk through life until we are completely emerged in the Savior and him in us? His love, his word and where does it stem? From his house, the temple. It heals us, it gives life, eternal life. His word and instructions are found in the temple. I guess you couldn't bring the temple up to much but would be good to know how they view these verses. Maybe they wouldn't be familiar with them???

Ya know Traveler to me when I have a change of heart not only does this enable me to confess and forsake but I have a great desire to serve and I call it "paying penance". Just stuck in my mind. I don't feel completely forgiven until I have put more of an effort to serve God, thus man. I feel I just have too and have a great desire too.

Hmmmmm, I'm starting to think that it is me. That I need to work on my perception. :)

Let me rephrase just a bit.... Why do I see it more in ward leaders? Are members not taking things serious enough or are the ward leaders stressed with callings? I don't hear nor see this in the apostles and prophets.

I would like some help with a topic that I have been pondering on for some time now and the following is what I have come up with but I’m not sure it’s to the liking nor main stream on Mormonism. 2 Nephi 2:25 - Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. The Father—(the happiest of men )—endowed his Beloved Son with a "fulness of joy" (3 Nephi 28:10). He is in the business of "happifying" his children by sharing his own nature with them. Heber C. Kimball remarked: "I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have His Spirit. That is one reason why I know; and another is—the Lord said, through Joseph Smith, "I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance." That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person, and a beautiful man" (JD 4:222). Our individual capacity for happiness was first developed in the premortal estate. It was there that we learned the rudiments of joy from the gods set over us. As we partook of their spirit, we experienced a measure of the happiness righteousness produces. In this world of oppositions, joy is veiled; it cannot be experienced in its fulness—a fulness of joy comes only with resurrection (see D&C 93:33; 101:36). But, from time to time we can—like Elder Kimball—partake of the joy of the Spirit. Indeed, we not only have the opportunity, but the obligation, to do so. A perpetually unhappy Saint is an oxymoron, a self-contradiction. President Spencer W. Kimball remarked: "If you are not happy today, you may never be happy" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball 173). "Happiness," said the Prophet Joseph, "is the object and design of our existence" (TPJS 255). Righteousness alone can bring it to pass. To the degree that each of us acquires the divine nature, we will enter into "the joy of the Lord" (see D&C 51:19). Consequently, when all is said and done, each of us will be as happy as we have chosen to be, which is to say, we will be as much one with God as we have chosen to be. Take a look at our dear prophet, what a cheerful man indeed as was president Hinkley. Also if you take a look at scriptures that tell us to be joyful: JOY see also Cheerful; Delight; Gladness; Happiness; Pleasure. • thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, Deut. 28:47 • many shouted aloud for joy, Ezra 3:12 • joy of the hypocrite but for a moment, Job 20:5 • all the sons of God shouted for joy, Job 38:7 • in thy presence is fulness of joy, Ps. 16:11 • joy cometh in the morning, Ps. 30:5 • my soul shall be joyful in the Lord, Ps. 35:9 • meek … delight themselves in the abundance of peace, Ps. 37:11 • joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, Ps. 48:2 • we will rejoice and be glad, Ps. 118:24 • They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, Ps. 126:5 • Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom, Prov. 15:21 • It is joy to the just to do judgment, Prov. 21:15 • Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest, Eccl. 9:9 • with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation, Isa. 12:3 • meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, Isa. 29:19 • everlasting joy shall be upon their head, Isa. 51:11 • ye shall go out with joy, Isa. 55:12 • Rejoice … for so persecuted they the prophets, Matt. 5:12 (3 Ne. 12:12). • word, and anon with joy receiveth it, Matt. 13:20 (Luke 8:13). • faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord, Matt. 25:21 • departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, Matt. 28:8 • I bring you good tidings of great joy, Luke 2:10 • leap for joy … your reward is great in heaven, Luke 6:23 • rejoice, because your names are written in heaven, Luke 10:20 • joy … in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, Luke 15:7 • they yet believed not for joy, Luke 24:41 • this my joy therefore is fulfilled, John 3:29 • Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, John 8:56 • things have I spoken … that your joy might be full, John 15:11 • your sorrow shall be turned into joy, John 16:20 • your joy no man taketh from you, John 16:22 • that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves, John 17:13 • kingdom of God is … joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14:17 • I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation, 2 Cor. 7:4 • fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, Gal. 5:22 • Strengthened … unto … longsuffering with joyfulness, Col. 1:11 • Rejoice evermore, 1 Thes. 5:16 • took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, Heb. 10:34 • count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, James 1:2 • ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, 1 Pet. 1:8 (Hel. 5:44). • revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy, 1 Pet. 4:13 • no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth, 3 Jn. 1:4 • present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24 • fruit … filled my soul with … joy, 1 Ne. 8:12 • most joyous to the soul, 1 Ne. 11:23 • having no joy, for they knew no misery, 2 Ne. 2:23 • men are, that they might have joy, 2 Ne. 2:25 • their joy shall be full forever, 2 Ne. 9:18 • taught … commandments of God, that they might rejoice, Mosiah 2:4 • consider … happy state of those that keep the commandments, Mosiah 2:41 • I … declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy, Mosiah 3:3 • caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, Mosiah 4:20 • filled with great joy because of the resurrection, Alma 4:14 • light had infused such joy into his soul, Alma 19:6 • overpowered with joy, Alma 19:14 • receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, Alma 22:15 • my heart is brim with joy, Alma 26:11 • my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God, Alma 26:35 • joy of Ammon was so great … he fell again to the earth, Alma 27:17 • bring some soul to repentance … is my joy, Alma 29:9 • my soul is carried away … so great is my joy, Alma 29:16 • we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren, Alma 30:34 • soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain, Alma 36:20 • so great was the joy of the multitude, 3 Ne. 17:18 • my joy is full, 3 Ne. 17:20 • they have joy in their works for a season … and they are hewn down, 3 Ne. 27:11 • in them I have fulness of joy, 3 Ne. 27:31 • your joy shall be full … even as I am, 3 Ne. 28:10 • my Spirit … shall fill your soul with joy, D&C 11:13 • how great will be your joy if you should bring many, D&C 18:16 • canst thou read this without rejoicing, D&C 19:39 • lift up thy heart and rejoice, D&C 25:13 (D&C 27:15). • Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish, D&C 35:24 • knowledge … which bringeth joy, D&C 42:61 • come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy, D&C 45:71 (Moses 7:53). • both are edified and rejoice together, D&C 50:22 • wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, D&C 51:19 • crown the faithful with joy, D&C 52:43 • fasting may be perfect, or … that thy joy may be full, D&C 59:13 • spirit and element … receive a fulness of joy, D&C 93:33 • in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full, D&C 101:36 • what do we hear in the gospel … A voice of gladness, D&C 128:19 • call on the Lord … that your souls may be joyful, D&C 136:29 • that they might receive a fulness of joy, D&C 138:17 • because of my transgression … I shall have joy, Moses 5:10 • Enoch … received a fulness of joy, Moses 7:67 • filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced, JS—H 1:73 Verses Levity or the like: LEVITY see also Laughter; Sobriety. • is the laughter of the fool, Eccl. 7:6 • Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, Eph. 5:4 • Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, 1 Tim. 3:8 • let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds, D&C 43:34 • not with much laughter, for this is sin, D&C 59:15 • you have treated lightly the things you have, D&C 84:54 • cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter, D&C 88:69 • cease … from all your pride and light-mindedness, D&C 88:121 • declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, D&C 100:7 • I was guilty of levity, JS—H 1:28 So my question, why does it seem that LDS folks seem to dwell more upon ones soberness? Does this stem from the Temple? Or am I incorrect in my observation?

Extremely dangerous game to play. There are many who spend the rest of their lives and never find the way back who are continually tormented with the consequences because they gambled and lost and are now bound to their addictions. And there are many, many addictions. It could be said that one can become addicted to sin itself, ever needing more and more. This is exactly why the Lord almost seems to downplay the suffering of righteous people by comparison. While it seems that He might concentrate harder on preserving the innocent from all the trials and inconveniences of life, the Lord incongruously spends almost all His time worrying about the guilty. Instead of concentrating all His approval on those who resist temptation, the Good Shepherd takes time to "leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it." (Luke 15:4.) (And we at times we might feel like the older son did in the prodigal son parable but the Lord explains to us in this parable why he spends so much time after the sinner.) During His ministry on earth, Jesus spent a good deal of His time with the wicked, forgiving their sins and incurring the wrath of the law-abiding Pharisees. After all the pains we take to be upright, He tells us that "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7.) The life of a sinner can be in and of itself hell, tormented and contorted to those who travel down this road. He is our parent and how would we feel or how do we feel if we have a child caught in this awful snare. Surely as a parent it must be hard. IF we are to be a good child then it must be our greatest desire to please God. To make him happy as a child to his parents do. It is how we honor him and show our thanks to him and it is the way he progresses, from Joy we bring him.

Justice, Thanks for pointing that out. Seems Mormon knew.

Are you referring to the second washing/anointing (the name used early on in the restored church), or possibly another name is “the Fulness of the Priesthood”? That is when your are sealed. Please see the link as well as the comments at the bottom of the page. The Culminating Sealing Ordinance of the Temple