mrmarklin

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  1. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Rob Osborn in Marrying a Non Member   
    I will never forget the time I got up and walked out of a fireside when the speaker said marrying outside of our faith isnt an option. 
  2. Thanks
    mrmarklin reacted to omegaseamaster75 in Coincidence or Symbolism?   
    Anything more cooked than this and you have ruined your meal.

  3. Thanks
    mrmarklin reacted to JohnsonJones in Religious vs cultural Mormonism   
    Sorry, the thread has moved on, and haven't gotten past page 2 but things move fast sometimes when I'm doing work and such and can't get the time to go on the forums some days.
    However, to answer your question...some are...some aren't.
    The teachings of the Prophets and apostles that are doctrine are found in the Scriptures. Thus yes, the teachings and counsel from our living prophets and apostles that IS doctrine is found in the scriptures and apply to all ages and places.  That which is not, is normally just that, the teachings and counsel of our General Authorities.
    Normally the teachings and counsel of our living prophets are simply reiterating what is already doctrine.  They do NOT go off into new tangents or new ground.  In these instances, there is NO NEED to establish new doctrine.  It is repeating doctrine that we need to focus on or hear about.  In this light, it is doctrine, but as the doctrine has already been set, it is merely a repeat of what has already been stated.
    In many instances they set POLICY in regards to the church, policies which we see can change (for example, the recent changes on who could do baptisms for the dead in the temple, what quorums are composed of within a stake in regards to High Priests and Elders, etc.) which is by revelation, but is NOT actually doctrine.
    Many of the teachings that ARE doctrine are NOT done publically as they are found in our temples.  For items that ARE publically available, if it is to be doctrine it is done in the correct manner.  Sometimes this is done in the same manner as a Solemn Assembly where first it is accepted by the First Presidency and then the Twelve Apostles.  Any doctrine must be accepted by all of these unanimously. 
    Secondly comes approval by other quorums and then the membership of the church.  Several revelations have been accepted as doctrine.
    Other than that, there may be revelations but they are not necessarily doctrine.  Most of the time when we are given counsel it is GOOD counsel at the time over already established doctrine.  When it is NOT given by the Prophet and presented as an actual artifact to become doctrine, then it is not actually doctrine.  (and new doctrine in our day and age is RARE).  Normally it is simply good counsel.  Normally this counsel is upon already established doctrine and an exhortion for us to follow the doctrine.
    In instances where it deviates from doctrine, unless a prophet states it is the Lord speaking and it is accepted by the entirety of the church...it is not considered doctrine.
    There is a CULTURAL phenomenon which WOULD be with us Cultural Mormons where we think anything they say is doctrine, or at least for the next 6 months.  However, this philosophy is actually not correct.  It is COUNSEL...not doctrine.  Counsel can be gained by revelation and can also be given as such.
    Why is this important?
    If one reads the journal of discourses, you can find interesting subjects and interesting items.  If one reads what various prophets have stated, not as opinion, but as fact, it gets even more interesting.  We find that men live on the moon.  We find that Adam is the only Heavenly being we have to do with.  We find that if you participate in interacial marriage you are doomed and can only be saved by having your blood spilled (aka...you must die and have that death by spilling of blood).  We find many things today that the LDS church disavows or does not deem as doctrine. 
    Does this mean that doctrine changes?  Afterall, many of these thing WERE said at General Conference and over the pulpit.  It has been said you SHOULD NOT WATCH R-RATED MOVIES and that WE SHOULD NOT DRINK CAFFEINE.  Is this church doctrine today?  (Now, as a cultural Mormon I would actually say...yes, it is, but we, as a church are not strong enough to live it...but it is NOT held up as doctrine in the church officially...hence...why it makes me a cultural Mormon).
    Doctrine does not change.  Policies, advice, counsel can all change, but the Doctrine of the Lord is unchanging. 
    This is actually a blessing.  We can rely that what the Lord said today is the same for tomorrow and yesterday.  However, it also means that many things that were correct counsel for yesteryear but is NOT correct counsel for our day, is changed.
    Many anti-Mormons try to hammer in on artifacts of counsel that were stated early in the church in an attempt to show that the LDS church has changed it's doctrine.  It is because they also follow the cultural Mormon idea that anything stated by a Prophet or by a Prophet over the pulpit is doctrine.  If it were, then they would be absolutely correct and many of their false ideologies would be correct in the assumption towards Mormon doctrine.
    Luckily for us, it is not so.  Thus, their attempts to "prove" that the gospel as taught by the LDS church has changed are futile, because it is the SAME gospel and the same Lord yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Prophets and apostles can be free to give counsel and advice for our day, even via revelation, and have no fear that a wrong word or wrong action will destroy the doctrine of the church.  Normally when they give talks and counsel, it is their opinions on different aspects on the gospel itself.  As Special Witnesses of the Lord they have special dispensation to direct us and the church and are guided by the Spirit and the Lord in their counsel.  However, if they do speak errantly by mistake or the weaknesses of men, because it is their opinion, it has no effect on the actual doctrine.  Such mistakes can later be changed, revoked, or enlightened in the face of a better understanding or revelation and other counsel given.
    In many of the instances above where some would say the doctrine of the church has changed, they are wrong because of these policies in the church.  It is why some of the items I mentioned above, when queried about it, we can say it was given as the opinion of that prophet or apostle at that time, but as it was only an opinion, the church is under not requirement to follow it today.
    It may be that there has been doctrine given that is NOT in the scriptures, but it is not something that is adhered to in the church (and as a cultural Mormon I believe this as other Cultural Mormons may) AS doctrine. 
    Hopefully that explains my take on the differences between doctrine which is unchanging, and policies and counsel which can change (and do change) depending on the needs and requirements of the membership and the people of the world.
  4. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Vort in Marriage as a remedy for lust   
    It's a survey commissioned by Ashley Madison, a web site dedicated to helping married people commit adultery (no kidding). So while I agree we may not be comparing apples to apples, I don't for a moment believe the numbers presented in that article are representative of larger India.
  5. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Grunt in We are so right!   
    I don’t believe this.  I believe we don’t always understand why God gives us some rules, but I don’t believe they exist only to test our faith.  
  6. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Selling Via Womanly Wiles   
    I’m not sure how you’ve managed to live to adulthood without learning one of advertising’s basics.
     
    Sex sells.
  7. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from Vort in Selling Via Womanly Wiles   
    The point is to just get someone to pay attention. The model need not necessarily know anything about the product.
    Several years ago I was at a swap-meet selling some of my model trains. I invited my future daughter in law, who is quite a number, to help me as I had a lot of tables and needed someone to help watch the merchandise. 
    I sold a lot of trains.
  8. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to NeuroTypical in Why is the law of chastity still important for engaged couples (like myself and my fiance)?   
    One reason, is because until the covenant is made, there isn't a covenant in place.   Up until that moment, either party is fully able to back out of the deal at any time, with or without reason.  And it happens.  
  9. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from Backroads in When Does Homeschooling Fail?   
    You live in Utah in a largely homogeneous community of similar beliefs.   You don’t understand the sociality of people in many other parts of the world. Or here in the US.
    my kids grew up with no Mormon neighbors. In fact, our neighborhood had few children at all. They were able to interact with Mormons primarily at church and not much more until they were able to drive.  By that time the boys had non Mormon girlfriends, because that’s what was available. Had they been homeschooled, they would have had largely only family interaction. Nothing wrong with that!  Im a fun guy!
    my wife is a fairly social person, but please don’t judge the social availability by the standards of Utah Valley.  School was an important social learning experience for all my children. 
  10. Confused
    mrmarklin got a reaction from lostinwater in When Does Homeschooling Fail?   
    Because you live in Saratoga Springs UT.
  11. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Just_A_Guy in When Does Homeschooling Fail?   
    To have it shunned/rebutted, of course.
    Follow-up questions:  
    —Is evil always immediately recognizable the first time it is encountered?
    —Can our in-home efforts thoroughly inoculate our kids against every problematic social/ philosophical/ historical/ doctrinal/ pseudo-scientific theory that our kids are likely to encounter in college?  
    —As our eighteen-year-old offspring go off to college, will give their parents any moral or intellectual credibility if they feel we have spent their entire childhoods deliberately shielding them from (or “misrepresenting”) the exciting new secularist theories they are encountering for the very first time?
    —The first day your kid hears an academic superior suggesting—say—that sexual promiscuity is psychologically healthy, or that “the Spirit” is merely a manifestation of physiological events inside the brain:  Where do you want your kid to have dinner that day?  In your home, or in some college dorm dining hall halfway across the country?
  12. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to omegaseamaster75 in When Does Homeschooling Fail?   
    I haven't read every post, but why not private school? 
    My kids go and they do not get the public school indoctrination, none of the parents are scummy, heck you have to take a test to get in. No social awkwardness because they have social interaction. They do field trips, have sports, all the good stuff of public without any of the crap. The added bonus that the education is great, my daughter constantly tests above her grade level.
  13. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from Backroads in I am leaving my job, not sure what it means for the future   
    Thank you Backroads for your post. This is why I send my grandchildren to private schools. 
    No serious behavioral problems allowed. 
  14. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from omegaseamaster75 in When to say no to giving a priesthood blessing   
    Have you taken her to a doctor??
    There could be a serious medical problem.
    Hard for me to believe that there is a "chonic" cough that's not serious.
  15. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from NightSG in Asked not to wear pants to church   
    The guy was out of line. It’s this sort of self righteous nonsense that puts people off. 
    Im a guy, and I haven’t worn a white shirt with a tie to Church in years. No one has ever mentioned anything. 
  16. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from askandanswer in Sunday attendance stats   
    This is fairly typical in units outside of the Mormon Corridor.  I’ve lived in California all my life, and those are typical statistics for the units I’ve lived in. I suspect in many third world countries, this statistics are worse than this.
  17. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Backroads in I am leaving my job, not sure what it means for the future   
    Hello folks. Prepare for a rant. Prepare for awful, possibly non-pc and even legitimately controversial things. I'm not posting this is Advice because I am feeling the happiest I have felt in months.
    4 years ago, I went to work full-time. Yes, as a working mom. I went to teach in a charter school. I enjoyed my job. I enjoyed spending time with my family.
    Last year, I found myself tiring. Not of my trade but of the school. I put out my feelers for other positions. I was even offered a part-time position because part-time seemed very good. I ultimately chose to stay where I was.
    Worst decision ever. I recently told the school I would not be returning next year. And no, I don't have another job lined up.
    This year, I have been assaulted multiple times by students. I am at over 50% special issues. My school, being a charter, has attracted enough of a certain population that it has hired three people to work specifically with behavior issues with the plans of creating a behavior unit. I have students who cry if someone looks at them the wrong way but have no qualms about going full-on sailor language while beating up another student. My school has introduced a behavior program that we are expected to follow, chose not to train us,  and punishes teachers if a kid does wrong. The SPED aide for my grade is afraid of my room.
    I have been a nervous wreck for months. I have self-harmed and felt something akin to suicidal.
    I have felt such happiness knowing I will be leaving. My husband supports me and even wonders if I can just make up the income just teaching online so I can be home with our kids.
    Perhaps I'm a bad teacher thinking about kids so poorly, but I am so sick of parents dumping all social educational on schools. I am so sick of special education inclusion ultimately meaning "put all IEP responsibility on the general ed teacher so we can save money and look good".
    I may have put my family into financial trouble, but I don't care. I feel great. This might be what needs to happen.
  18. Like
    mrmarklin got a reaction from GoodNJolly in Wife wants a church wedding but I don't   
    This is a female thing. You don’t have to be religious. Go with it. 
     
    If she discusses religion a lot, this could be a potential conflict in your married life. Sort it out now. 
  19. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to beefche in Why You DON'T Ask a Mormon to...   
    I add milk to my herbal tea.  Depends on which tea I use. I feel very British when I do.
  20. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to bytebear in What if the unsealed portion of the gold plates became available and were proven to be accurately translated?   
    Lamen and Lemuel pretty much knew their dad was a prophet given all that happened.  Still, they didn't much care.
  21. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to person0 in Ward "Succession"   
    My understanding is that if the Bishop and counselors are gone, it would fall to the HP Group leader.  If all High Priests are gone it would fall to EQP if all Elders are gone it would fall upon the Priests, then Teachers, then Deacons.  If none of them are available, then you go home due to lack of priesthood leadership.
  22. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to Suzie in how to convince a girl we're compatible?   
    Hi vitaminwater120,  what seems to be obvious to you doesn't seem to be that obvious to her. If she says that "the feeling isn't there", it means she is not interested in you in a romantic way. Time to look elsewhere. There are millions of LDS women who fit the exact same description and I am sure they will be the right match for you. I know it sucks, but unfortunately no matter how cool we are, how intelligent, and amazing we might be, if the other person doesn't feel the same for us it is a super clear indicator that we need to move on. Using logic won't work. Convincing her and later on getting hurt will make things worse for you. Wish you the best.
  23. Like
    mrmarklin reacted to person0 in Gun Violence and the decline of Marriage, Family and Community   
    @Namaskar,
    Just like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I believe the gun 'debate' will never be solved.  The second amendment has already been infringed upon too much by two categories of people: the uneducated and fearful, and the power hungry.  Disarming the people is a tactic for control.  Imagine if all of a sudden there was a military coup, how would a people adequately protect themselves with inferior weaponry?  In most countries they can't, they just hide, escape, or die.  I don't think fully automatic weapons should ever have been banned, for that very reason.
    Gun crime will always exist, it is not preventable.  What is preventable, is weather or not we have the means and ability to protect and defend ourselves and others.
  24. Thanks
    mrmarklin reacted to Grunt in Gun Violence and the decline of Marriage, Family and Community   
    I want no gun control.  Period.
  25. Thanks
    mrmarklin reacted to The Folk Prophet in Gun Violence and the decline of Marriage, Family and Community   
    Only leftists.
    We? Once again. Only leftists.
    Because the mainstream media is leftist.