Suzie

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.

I am not a fan of Cola drinks (I don't buy them) if someone offers me I drink it without hesitation and I really don't have a problem with those who drink it.

Thanks for replying Daniel. :) In that quote though, it says that the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter and then goes on and add the counsel part. But I can see why some members may see it as doctrine and others like me, do not. Thanks for clarifying your point.

Are you saying the statement is church doctrine in your opinion?

Not at all! You are going through a LOT! It's normal to feel this way, please do not beat up yourself. I think is wonderful all the things you are doing and I know your kids love you so much for it as well as your wife. You're living under special circumstances and in situations like this one we feel and do things we would not normally do or feel. God bless you and your family! Suzie

Pimping? I was thinking more of John Travolta.

Yup, you are right. What hubby did (besides thinking it's ridiculous) is call my friend on the phone, thank her for her help but asked to please stop and give the meals to someone in need in the ward. So in the last 2 weeks, she did that. That experience made me realize that even when giving service, we can overkill.

Oh I did! NONE of them accepted!

This is what I was trying to say in another thread. When teaching the Gospel we use the Standard Works as the source, when we start adding our own philosophy into it AND teach it as the Gospel, it becomes "precepts of men mixed with scripture". Notice that it says "no matter what its source".