Dror

Unless things have changed, they're probably not being fed every night in FRANCE (hint, hint)! Which is a real pity, because French food is s-o-o-o-o good!(Je vous prie de m'excuser, mes chers freres et soeurs francais, mais c'est vrai! Pendant ma mission, les membres de l'Eglise ne nous ont pas inviter chez eux souvent--on a manger a l'invitation des amis de l'Eglise plus souvent qu'avec vous! Mais, je vous aime tout de meme. La France me manque. )

Mmm...!!! Sounds good! It's been a long time since I've had steak, and have been craving it for a while. Now that the post-meetingblock "break-the-fast" potluck dinner is beginning to wear off (it was 5-1/2 hours ago, I realize with shock!), your post makes me want to run out to a steak house.Too bad it's Sunday! Dror

whattthe, I'm so sorry to hear about that. *sigh* It's a widespread problem, and it really is an addiction. StrawberryFields is right--it is HIS problem. Remember that you did not in any way cause it. I hope your husband overcomes it and that things get easier between you. ((hugs)) Dror

I really like the bright colors of M&M's--very cheerful. Sometimes I'll just let them sit in my mouth until they've warmed up, then bite on them. They're great when melted! Plus, eating them that way slows me down (and hopefully prevents me from getting too fat).

That is beautiful! They could rename it the "rainbow plant!"

They are right about one thing--we cannot prove that God exists (only He can ). What they are wrong about is that empiricism is the only way to gain true knowledge. We LDS have the advantage of believing in personal revelation, that we can receive a spiritual witness. We cannot quantify God, and we cannot prove Him to others, but we can personally experience Him, and there's no arguing with personal experience. It is possible that God has purposely made it so we cannot prove His existence to other people. He may want for everybody to come to Him as individuals, or perhaps for us to learn to exercise faith. Sure is puzzling why they should so fiercely desire to tear down the beliefs of religious people, though. Unless, somehow, they have themselves been harmed by religious people or their beliefs. Who knows?! Dror

No, my friend, the worst kind of sleaze is actually creating a personal tragedy by doing ungodly and inhuman things like torturing people.Peterson was right to refuse to participate. The article doesn't really give us enough information to draw any conclusions about the reason she may have killed herself. Her fellow soldiers said she had a difficult time with the issue of the "interrogation" techniques. Those statements alone, however, are not proof that's why she killed herself. The Army was sensible simply to reassign her rather than try disciplining her. However, she may have done something at their request before refusing to continue that she couldn't reconcile herself to. Or maybe she did not actually do anything, but knowing they were using such techniques distressed her greatly. Or maybe her suicide had nothing to do with it. In any case, torture is evil, I'm proud that an LDS soldier refused to do it, and I think we should do all we can to see that torture is no longer used. Dror

I say go for it. It could be a great way of saving lives and curing diseases. And since the Church has no position on the matter, for or against, I see no moral problem with it. Dror

I'm going to Institute for Halloween. Gospel of Luke class! Yippeeee! Actually, I went to a Halloween-themed concert Friday night. 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century music about death. People wore costumes, handed out candy, and we had donuts and cider afterwards. A real "hoity-toity" affair! Dror

I'm with you, and wait till after Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time!! I can't have Halloween and Christmas going on at the same time.

Just finished Killer Smile, by Lisa Scottoline. Started a book of short stories by Chekhov today. I'm also reading a few books about heraldry and vexillology off and on, as well as sections of a book on literary theory. Being interested in too many things can be fun, but can sometimes seem like a curse!!

When I was a kid, our bishop encouraged my mother to work!! Of course, we would have starved otherwise, and slept on park benches. (He didn't want to use sacred fast offerings to support us too long.) I think it all depends on the circumstances, and that what the Church leaders are trying to get across is that it is best, insofar as possible, for parents to be available for their children and to raise them, instead of having babysitters or day care centers do it. It would be nice if working mothers got the support they need from the Church, because heaven knows, it's not easy raising children or working, much less doing both! Dror

Hi Brother D, I grew up in the Church and for many, many years I did what the Church leaders said to do, study the scriptures, pray, attend church, etc. I even went on a mission. However, much to my frustration, I didn't get that spiritual confirmation. Obviously, this was more than a little frustrating and disturbing to me. However, one day a few years ago, I was just walking along outside and the Spirit bore witness to me, completely out of the blue. No voices, no burning bosoms, just a simple knowledge that God exists, the Book of Mormon is true, the Church is true, and so on. I almost laughed out loud at the sheer absurdity of the situation, that I tried so hard so long, but it was when I wasn't trying at all that the answers came! Guess God has a sense of humor, huh?! In answer to your second question, I'd say I can do so up to a point. Like you said, one cannot "prove" the Gospel's truth. Plus, I don't know all the answers. That's ok because nobody, of any faith, knows all the answers, and I have had a spiritual witness of the LDS faith. Honestly, I generally don't feel a need to defend the Faith--it doesn't really need defending. I will witness to people and explain my beliefs and when necessary clear up misconceptions about our beliefs (it is a little annoying when people of other faiths claim to know what we believe better than we do!). I may even try a little persuasion and logic, including using the Scriptures, but if it becomes apparent this approach won't work, I'll leave it at a simple witness. Mostly, I encourage people to explore it for themselves, like you said, suggesting they read the Scriptures, attend church, and *gasp!* actually ask Heavenly Father in prayer. My $0.02 worth. :) Dror

WinnieG, you're too funny! Do you write whodunnits?Dror PrisonChap,How many times do I have to say it? *exasperated* Let me make this clear (though I thought I did so in my last post)--I do not have a problem with gun ownership. If people want to own guns, go hunting, do target practice, etc., that's fine with me (but shooting people is not kosher, eh?). I was merely explaining that there is a sound constitutional rationale for some amount of gun control, like licensing, background checks, etc. OK?!! It is obvious that the 2nd Amendment has not been interpreted to mean only those in the National Guard can have guns. However, it could just as easily have been interpreted that way, given the wording. In any case, it does provide a legal basis for things like background checks, registration of guns, etc.--it has been interpreted that way, and this IS legally binding. Dror I've never met an "objective" person in my life. If you know of one, I'd be fascinated to meet her!

Ben,Please forgive my ignorance, but is it the same in all the states, or do different states have different laws? Also, what does CCW mean? In any case, I am not arguing against gun ownership. Most people who own and use guns do so in a responsible manner, and I have no problem with that. Mainly I was just reacting to the moaning and groaning I so often hear from the NRA types about having any kind of gun control at all, including having to register guns and get background checks. I just don't get it--what harm could there possibly be in checking to be sure the person you're selling a gun to is not a criminal?!? Nor would I be against some kind of age restrictions, such as not allowing children to own guns, or to operate them unless under direct adult supervision. Why can a 10-year-old shoot a rifle but not drive a car? I'm tired of hearing, when I get my driver's license renewed, that driving is a "privilege, but not a right" (as if the government is doing me some huge favor by allowing me to drive). But owning and shooting a gun without regulation is an absolute right? Anyway, Ben, I'm sure you personally are very reasonable and safe. As I said, I'm just reacting in a general fashion to the extremists. Dror P.S. It's ok that you're conservative--I love you, anyway! B)

certain good friends poetry Isaiah

Ok, I'm going to do something that'll really piss off the radical conservatives--quote the U.S. Constitution!! One thing the NRA hype-types seem to forget is that the Constitution does not guarantee a completely unregulated right to bear arms. Rather, the right to bear arms is within the context of a "well-regulated militia." In other words, members of the "militia" (National Guard) have the right to bear arms, but they are by no means unregulated, unsupervised, or uncontrolled. Having said that, there are other countries (such as Canada) where lots of people own guns, but that have much lower rates of "death by gun" than we do in the U.S. Maybe it's partly a cultural thing. Maybe it's partly that they have at least some form of gun control in the form of licensure, background checks, etc. To me, such measures to prevent violent death seem only sensible--and perfectly constitutional. Dror

Ok, I'll go to Church tomorrow--and then to the lake!!

GB-UK, Matt Romney is currently the governor of Massachusetts. It's remarkable that he is a Republican governor of a traditionally Democratic state, but I doubt he'll be elected President of the U.S. Whether we like it or not, there is prejudice against LDS in the United States. It may not be an issue for some people, but others think, for whatever reason, that we are not Christian, and they will only vote for someone they consider to be a Christian. Personally, though I think it would be great having an LDS prez, I would probably not vote for Mr. Romney because I'm a liberal (unless the Dems choose somebody really awful to run against him!). Now, if we can just find a good, liberal LDS person to run for President, I'd be a happy camper! Dror

Mmmm... tasty! ((smacking my lips))

"Why can't the rest of the world just see and understand how much more pure, wholesome, and clean we are as members of the Lord's true church?" (Spluttering and gasping for breath from laughing.) Oh, my! Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! Welcome to the board, Bryan. You are right that many (though not all) LDS are closed-minded and judgmental. In fact, probably all people are, to one extent or another. As the local Institute director says, people are "bundles of contradictions." I really, really like LDS people, and feel quite comfortable with them, mostly. However, we are FAR from perfect, and many of us (myself included) have a LOT to learn about the gospel. Your examples point out some of the things we need to improve. Unfortunately, there are more serious things we need to repent of, too. The crack about Pepsi just kills me! I've been in the Church all my life and still haven't been able to find any official statement saying we shouldn't drink Coke, Pepsi, or the like! (I know, I know, Pres. Hinckley in a TV interview--that's not an official statement of Church policy, folks!) I know a bishop who likes to bring Dr. Pepper to ward potlucks. That must throw some people for a loop! Dror

For the same reason, I'm a bit anti-dance. With the music being turned up so loud, I couldn't hear myself think, let alone carry on a conversation with another person! Ross, just ask her. I know it seems difficult at first, a bit scary, but you'll find that with time you'll become more confident. The worst that could happen is she'd say 'no.' If she's not interested, she's not interested, and you can always find someone else. Also, she may not be rejecting you. She may not be available that night, may not like the activity you suggested, or whatever. She might say 'yes' if you ask her out another time, so don't give up unless she makes it clear she really is not interested in going out with you. Also, although a girl might appreciate a decisive sort of guy when you ask her out the first time, be sure in the future to ask her what kinds of things she likes to do--work together on it. That way you'll end up doing things both of you like. Good luck! Dror

Why? I married a divorced person, and we love each other very much.

No, it was not Debbie. (Sorry, there's apparently more than one bishop like that!) Generally speaking I get along famously with bishops, stake presidents, and everybody else. Like you said, there are a few bad apples, but I won't let it spoil everything for me.

I love it!