mrmarklin

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Everything posted by mrmarklin

  1. Haven't looked at this thread since the first few posts!!! Lot's of controversy. It seems that due to the fact that we are created in God's image, evolution would be precluded. Many eminent future modern day prophets have voiced this point of view before they were prophets. It does seem significant however, that the Church has no official evolution doctrine, unlike most of our Christian counterparts. I personally don't buy into evolution. If you think you evolved from a monkey that's OK by me. But I'm a child of God. YMMV
  2. It would save a lot of time to do concurrent repenting!!!!
  3. On Second thought all this is well and good in the wealthy industrial nations with a terrific infrastructure on the internet, but in third world and other emerging places where the Church is having so much success its a lot tougher. Because the people don't have the means in the home to do a lot of this stuff. A lot of countries still have internet "cafes" etc so people can still have access, but not have to purchase a computer. I'm sure it will be many decades before the Church will have full online reporting of almost any kind. On the other hand, those of us fortunate enough to have these facilities should certainly use them.
  4. Makes a lot of sense to me. The Church is way behind on this sort of stuff. For people who have to travel any distance at all this would be a great time-saver and convenience. I've never felt the Church was overly sensitive of saving time for people. Like in the old days Ward teaching used to be called Block teaching. Because in Utah you would teach those on your block. Of course as the Church expanded here in the US and overseas this terminology became obsolete, and even funny.
  5. The Church is far from predicting disasters on a world wide or even national scale. There are enough local ones for that!!! The program the Lord has for us does not contemplate the END coming too soon IMNSHO.
  6. The Church is big on preparedness so that we can have personal responsibility for ourselves, and not depend on others. Food storage is but a small part of the program, although it seems to get the most publicity, and there is a fairly large cottage industry catering for this. More important is avoiding debt, having some sort of savings (financial planners recommend at least 6 months of living expense), life insurance, health insurance for you family and preparing educationally for life in general. If you do these things, the food storage becomes almost academic. It just won't be necessary. I personally don't have any significant food storage beyond a 72 hour emergency thing for local disasters. My debt is manageable, I have 6 months (actually more) worht of living expense in the bank, and got an education leading to a big 6 figure salary. I'm a partner in a business so I don't fear any layoffs, and although my income has declined during the recession here in the US, I would say I still have a good lifestyle. That's real preparedness.
  7. I remember on my mission that the first year the guys were afraid that their girl woulcn't wait for them. The second year they were afraid they would. At your age, and after only a few months aquaintanceship you have no idea if she's the one. At your age your maturity level you will change a lot on you mission, and you will perhaps develop an idea of the woman wyou will want to marry......but not now.
  8. Matthew, you need to get out more. I'm not saying there is no sin in the US or for that matter in the rest of the world. What I am saying is that for the Lord's plan to prosper most of the people have to be good here in the US, and my experience is that most of us are good. This is also true of Europe, where I have travelled extensively, and Latin America as well. The greatest growth of the Church is currently in Latin America. Spanish will soon be the dominant language of the Church if it isn't already. Of course most of the country is non LDS, but so what? The average American is trying to do what he/she thinks is right. So much so that this country is still a magnet for the deprived of other natiions so much so that they risk everything to come here, many illegally. While the prophets are correct in warning us against the evil practices of today's world, the US is still a pretty good place to be.
  9. I don't have a specific cite, but several years ago in TIME magazine in an article about the Church, the author made this point. Earthquakes?? With all the other signs of the times who has the patience to argue about them???
  10. Christ was not exhalted until His resurrection. He was not yet perfected. Please read the scripture where He admonishes us the be perfect even as His Father is perfect, note He does not averr His perfection. That awaits until He appears to the Nephites where He admonishes them the perfection even as I and my Father are perfect. This is after the resurrection. I agree that logic certainly dictates the Christ was married. IMNSHO it was Mary Magdalene. No proof of this of course, but she was the first one to see Him after His "death". I've always thought it was indicative.
  11. Pan 52 I laughed when I read your post! Trust me: There is no difference, guys are visual beings we all like the cute ones! That being said we don't want them necessarily being the mother of our children. For that one must certainly look deeper than the physical.
  12. We've had poor economies before namely the depression of the 30s. Terrorism will probably not go away in our lifetimes. As long as the US supports Israel, this issue will be with the world. The guy should really read the Bible. He also should get out more often. While the US is not perfect, I travel a lot in the US and abroad and I can say the Americans are basically decent human beings who care for others. There's a lot of good in this country and while we have our share of sinners, we're no sodom or gomorrah.
  13. Anyone living now who cannot see the signs of the times is blind indeed. Forget earthquakes: We've always had them, it's just that with modern communications they seem more frequent. What are the more important signs? The gathering of the Jews in their homeland only since 1948 has this been possible. The preaching of the gospel to all the world. Only relatively recently has this been possible with the breakup of communism, monarchies etc, and now the challenge and pending liberalization of Islam (perhaps not in my lifetime), India and China. Remember the prophecy in Daniel: The gospel will fill the whole world. This can only happen in a liberal environment, God will not force anyone to come to Him; it must be a free choice. The strength and might of the US in preparation for the New Jerusalem, and protection of the Church as a refuge against the greater world. We are literally seeing God's plan unfold before our eyes in the last half of the 20th century and now the 21st. At current growth rates the Church will be as big as Islam in another century or so, making Joseph Smith the greatest man of the 19th century in retropect.
  14. Godhood is a continuum. We are all on its path, even now. Of course our Heavenly Father is much farther along the path than we are, maybe millions of years. And we can fall along the way, pick ourselves up and start again. But at some point sin, and the rejection of the truth can make us deviate from the path permanently.
  15. The bible says that they were married. Remember that Hagar was Egyptian, and it's possible that she was a descendant of Cain and her son wouldn't be able to inherit the birthright.
  16. Alma was really saying don't marry outside the Church.
  17. Well if you are fluent in English, you can go almost anywhere. Because it's true its the "universal" language. I'm fluent in Spanish, and have spent 8 years trying to learn German I'm not fluent, but can get by. I would like to do much better in Deutsch.
  18. I didn't answer the poll. I don't think believing in transubtantion rises to the level of sin. There are no other answers to make for me.
  19. mrmarklin

    NFL Offseason News

    Scuttlebutt was he would go to the Raiders. I regard this as very good news.
  20. mrmarklin

    NFL Offseason News

    I have a Howie Long vintage jersey. Solves all the problems with trades.
  21. mrmarklin

    NFL Offseason News

    Go Raiders Go Niners!!!
  22. Well it may be the "norm" to accept callings, but there are plenty of types to have. The last few years, I have basically been teaching--most recently Gospel Doctrine. I also serve as a Stake auditor where minimal meetings are required.
  23. After years of frustration, including Stake callings with interminable meetings, I no longer attend those I have no control over and will not accept a calling that requires it. You were obviously put into a position to help this president improve. I was that president (not EQ) at one time, and had a counselor that helped me a lot meeting my responsibilities. Sometimes his advice chafed, but I learned a lot. I think a little nudge now and then about regular meetings and reminders of interaction with his own presidency would be enough to satisfy any responsibility you have.