Suzie

We help others back to Christ with LOVE. We help them through our own example, through our actions. Otherwise instead of worrying about being led astray by wolves in sheep's clothing, we will have to worry about ourselves becoming pharisees in disciple's clothing... with or without us knowing. A kind suggestion: You might want to rethink your approach in your quest to help others because as I mentioned and you admitted, it is coming across as presumptuous and statements like that can be damaging.

So you know you are not Christ, you know it is awfully presumptuous, you know it is damaging but at the end of the day is all about Grunt...and wanting to be right? That's actually quite sad.

" Your mind, and heart, OBVIOUSLY isn't given to Him as much as it could be. " Your name is Grunt or Christ? That's awfully presumptuous. Seriously dude, statements like that are damaging (perhaps not to @MarginOfError but yes to others). You need to get off your little pony.

Sorry for replying so late. In 1851 during General Conference, Young stated that the Saints had more than enough time to learn about the WOW therefore, he declared it a divine commandment. Theoretically, it sounds great...but we all know that it wasn't embraced as a commandment right away. Even just before he died in 1877, he continued talking against the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee and warning the Saints. Leaders after Young seemed to have been extra careful with the use of the word "commandment". IIRC, after Young (and after much discussion and personal interpretations) it was Joseph F. Smith who made the pronouncement about the Word of Wisdom being a commandment and providing the date of the General Conference of 1851 to support his statement.

@Just_A_Guy I am one of those who are dancing along with @MarginOfError for the change because I didn't agree with the policy. However, as a former journalist, the Church needs to fire quite a few people. Seriously.

Well, all I can say is: I knew it was coming from the moment when they made the first announcement 3 years ago. Back then, I disagreed with the policy 100%. I dare to say this is not the last thing or the last time we will hear about the topic. The first decision divided the Church immensely and it affected the Church as an institution. However, all these sudden changes are making members question now whether it is inspiration or desperation behind all of this. Some people talk about a legal standpoint, perhaps in an attempt to understand a move they are struggling to comprehend but the Church clearly mentioned "continuous revelation" from God so no legal angle here.

Well, what do you mean by they "need" to talk to their bishop? A confession?

Welcome!

Sunday21, everyone here has given you great advise. All I would like to say is that I am here if you ever need to talk to anyone. 🤗

I just had a giant discussion about this with my mother who told me that "we can't help who we love." and I asked her, "so you just love me because you can't help it because you gave birth to me?" and she said, "yes."... talk about pain. But I would like to believe she doesn't know what she's saying. But if I can't even convince my own mother, who can I convince, eh? So wait..you tell Junior to listen to his mother but you don't listen to yours? tsk tsk tsk

And, this doesn't even touch on possible mental illnesses that may be sin related, if not caused.  That's a very bold statement to make. Psychological conditions of any kind are largely multi-factorial. In some cases, there are genetic and biological causes (predisposition) and in other cases there are social-environmental causes. Millions of people (including young children) around the world suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and we are seeing many people (due to severe abuse) with dissociative identity disorder (DID). None of these conditions are caused by sin and even though I understand that psychological pathology can be complex, we also need to be aware that those who suffer from mental disorders oftentimes blame themselves for their condition. I think statements like the one above can be damaging (even though I'm sure you didn't mean it in a bad way).

And, this doesn't even touch on possible mental illnesses that may be sin related, if not caused. Before I reply, can you please elaborate?

Paul Dunn didn't exaggerate his stories, he lied about them. He was also involved in quite a few fraudulent business activities. His actions are inexcusable. Having said that, as a sister in Christ I feel bad for him, his family and for all the people that were hurt. it's really tragic. General Authorities are human and as such, we should also try our best to extend our compassion. Not because he was a GA but because he was our brother.

I started watching the video but then when I hear someone saying the word "like" way too many times, I already know what they will say at the end...which usually is something that I wouldn't describe as very smart.

But for those who are comic fans... this movie is, as one of my fave youtuber describes it... criminal... for what they did to the characters and their background.  Whoever thinks that Captain Marvel is "criminal" "feminist" or whatever other twist they want to add are spending way too much in front of a computer. Time out! lol

Thanks for explaining. Even though I absolutely agree that the baby's best option is always to have 2 loving parents under the marital covenant, I also believe that forcing or encouraging a marriage when one of the persons involved do not want to do it (for whatever reason), will make matters worse for the child in the long run (and two very unhappy parents). The baby needs both of them, no doubt about it so if they don't get married, they can still be present and involved in the child's life. I believe in this case adoption should be a last resort and not just because one of the persons is not considering marriage.

Right, but even when that revelation came neither the Seventy nor the Twelve had the authority to re-constitute the First Presidency. That, as I understand it, didn’t happen until Joseph Smith “rolled off” his keys onto the Twelve in March of 1844. Yes JAG, we are on the same page. I was just trying to figure out if the scripture I posted is the one that mrmarklin was looking for. The "equal in authority" does not say to me that the keys of the kingdom lie with them. I agree. I think the following scripture puts the topic to rest: 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams: Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.; 2 Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/81.1-2?lang=eng#0

Are you looking for D&C 107: 25-26? "25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling. 26 And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named."

I loved the movie! It was great! And this is Wonder Woman saying it.

YOU want the baby to be as safe and comfortable as possible by providing her with THINGS instead of what the baby needs the most - a responsible and loving MOTHER AND FATHER living under the protection of the marital covenant. It's not too late to consider adoption. Anatess, maybe I missed something about this story? Why are you suggesting adoption? Because Junior isn't considering marrying his girlfriend?

I just let her be in charge because she knows what she is doing and I am clueless. I do want to make more decisions or at least make them together but I don't have lots of time to read up on everything. You seem like an intelligent young man to me. But let me show you through logic why I think you are not clueless and your girlfriend is: I don't want to spend that much money on a stroller not because I am cheap but I need to save some money for emergencies when the baby is born. That's exactly what a mature and wise person would do. Now your girlfriend: I would buy new things but she wants me to buy a stroller that costs over $800. Can you see the absurdity of what she wants you to do? No one would spend $800 on a stroller, period. It does not sound like someone who is being reasonable, mature or realistic. What I am puzzled about is the fact that you think she knows what she is doing. You know she does not know what she is doing but for some reason you feel pressured to do whatever she wants to do. Sounds like you are a people-pleaser and if that's the reality, good luck with that brother, she will have you quite busy. BUT you cannot blame it on her, you are making a conscious choice.

I don't want to spend that much money on a stroller not because I am cheap but I need to save some money for emergencies when the baby is born. But my girlfriend thinks it is important that the baby has the best things so I will probably end up buying it for that ridiculous amount of money. Well, being expensive doesn't equal being the "best". Last time I checked, both of you are going to be parents, not just her. Having said that, I think your girlfriend needs a serious reality check because she seems to be living in la la land. I also think you need to man-up a little bit and stop talking like she is putting a gun to your head. She isn't, you are going to be a father so time to put the namby-pamby behavior behind.

" The bolded above puts the responsibility of #1 - recognizing depression, #2 - seeking the help of a professional - on everybody who don't suffer from depression. Every single one of my posts above addresses the error of this thinking. " No, you are misinterpreting my post. I didn't say anything about the GA having the responsibility (emphasis on responsibility) to seek the help of a professional neither I expect him to recognize depression. That's absurd. What I am saying is: If you do not know how to address someone who is depressed, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional so they can properly guide you. This is not about responsibility, this is about learning the necessary tools that could help you communicate better with someone who has a mental illness, it doesn't matter who you are. I believe all Church leaders should receive some sort of training with regards to this.

Well, you seem to expect that everybody, especially the GA, should know how to handle depression. Really? And you came to that conclusion because...?🤔

I don't even know where to start in order to address this post. Few things leave me speechless.