Suzie

I think maybe you are referring to the woman (symbolism) represented as a harlot (I can only recall two women mentioned in Revelation): Chapter 18 can tell us more about "her":

Well, I won't say the question is stupid but a little bit naive since nobody will come and say "Hey, yes I am troll or I want each LDS member to leave the church!". Also, keep in mind that just because people happen to belong to the same church it does not necessarily mean they agree in points of doctrine (heck, they do not even agree on what is considered doctrine).

Just curious, and how do you know she was not teaching what the Spirit wanted taught? I am pretty sure if we ask several members in that same class, they would say they felt the Spirit in her class. Same goes for some of Elder Dunn's talks (fabricated stories) and others who share stories that are either self centered or even fake, however many people testify of the Spirit feeling so "strong". I know what you are saying because I have felt many times like that in similar situations and I wonder if as members of the church we can truly separate the feelings of our own emotions and the one of the Spirit.

So we are all making sacred covenants in defiled temples then (according to your statement).

Kenamety, in my view this is more common than you think. There are many reasons for this behavior, from exploring their bodies to being sexually molested to stress and lots of other causes. If I was you, I would contact a therapist/child psychologist (preferably LDS, because of their view point about masturbation in general) and see what's going on. I wish you and your daughter all the best.

Hmmmm maybe you need to read the news more often.

There is no really right or wrong pronunciation. Ahmen is correct and Aymen as well. The Ahmen pronunciation changed to Aymen during the great vowel shift back in the 1400's to the 1700's in England so technically both terms are correct.

What appalled you about it? For me, it's called being "Witty" with a flair of dramatics, just her style of writing.

Personally, I like to read some criticism because it helps us to see the perspective of someone from the outside and not always our own perspective of things. Our meetings sometimes are fascinating and sometimes they are boring. Happens everywhere and in all Churches, so I don't take an issue about it at all.

Someone likes himself a lottttttt. (j/k)

Anatess, excellent points! I think as members of the Church we focus many times in some micro things but dismiss completely others. We may not drink coke but we stuff ourselves with chocolates and pastries. We may not drink coke but we eat junk food many times during the week and the list goes on. It IS truly stupid when we do these things.

IMO: Of course not! Do you confess to your Bishop you killed a guy in a game or you report it to the police? Do you go to jail for it?

I think the Church cannot tell us what to do in every possibly micro thing in our lives, it is just not realistic. We all have both brains and Spirit to guide us through the things that we should do. "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves". I believe that on this topic (and many others on the forum) each one us make our own interpretation of what it means (when there are no specifics about it) and whether it should be avoided or not, so really we are sharing our opinion and interpretation of what our leaders have said about the general topic (since I haven't read anything about virtual gambling but maybe someone has specific quotes about it?). I think it is important to state it as such (our opinion) rather than make it sound as THE Church position (I am talking here about others topics in the forum but using this topic as reference). Just my two cents.

'I have quite a thick skin but if a thread or topic may bother me, I would either reply with a good debate (if I am prepare to handle it) or do not participate at all. Maybe, if you think you are an oversensitive person, you could choose to avoid certain topics that may cause your feelings to get hurt easily. In the end, being offended is a choice we all make. Wishing you all the best! :) Suzie

Thanks for your reply. I read that talk before actually. I still do not see the connection with the issue at hand and it's your personal interpretation. We will just have to agree to disagree on this one. :)

Actually I said harsh because the OP asked if he was being overly strict which I thought, no way!

You're right. I think the fact he wanted to discipline him was correct, maybe the choice of the discipline was the incorrect one. Thanks for point that out. :)

Elder Bednar: I really don't see the connection between that quote and the point being discussed. Enticing us to think we would not otherwise think or do? Hmmmm...Playing monopoly with fake money with our kids? Playing RPG's with fake money? Is that something we would not normally think or do? Hmmmm. Nice quote but personally I don't think it applies here, context is key.

I don't see it as gambling at all but it would be interesting if those who state otherwise could provide a quote/source where specifically speaks about it because all the quotes I have read (so far) deals with REAL money (and that's my definition) but I am open to new ideas. If such quotes do not exist, I think it's fair to say it is their own personal interpretation.

Not trying to be sarcastic here or harsh but we are talking about taking away the use of an Xbox for a day, NOT letting the child starve the whole day without food and little water! That's not harsh at all! I think it was the appropriate discipline, it seems to me that he needs more of that (taking away his privileges) HOWEVER, in my opinion the issue here to be resolved it's not with him but with your wife. That's the REAL issue here. Unless both of you are in the same page with regards to parenting and disciplining, then the whole thing is bound to fail.

One of the reasons that made me think of that question is that I think a lot of times in the Church we see this attitude quite often between ourselves. The proud look, the one that can never be corrected, the one who thinks they have all the answers (and they state it in a similar fashion), the one who behave like they are somewhat more special than the rest of the humans, and unfortunately the saddest part is that they don't see these things. That's why I wonder if is possible (at all) for a self righteous person to see these things on their own because in their mind, they are being Christ-like because they read and quote scripture. Maybe each one of us have these issues, how do we know?

I know a guy (writer) who believes in two different Gods as well. In his theory though, the God of the Old Testament is nothing but an invention from the Jews to get people under strict control. He believes in the New Testament and believes the God from the New Testament is the "Real" God.

Personally I think it is okay to walk around the house in your garments as long as your kids are young. Once they get bigger, I don't think is such a good idea.

What is your personal definition of being righteous and self- righteous? Humility and false humility? I think people have their own definitions of these terms and I would love to read your thoughts (no dictionary definitions) :) How do you recognize the difference between them? Can a self-righteous person see they are being self-righteous? And most of all, how do you ensure that you are walking in the right path without becoming victim of self-righteousness? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. :)

Well, just as you respect her choice to not believe in God I think it is only fair that she respects your choice of going to Church. I know, easier than done but really, in the end is a matter of respect. It seems to me you need a long and deep conversation with her about respecting each other's religious and non-religious views. It works both ways. I wish you all the best.