Suzie

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Everything posted by Suzie

  1. But Caster Semenya, a South African runner who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 800 meters, who have naturally high levels of testosterone compared with most women wasn't allowed to compete in that race. 😳 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/31/sports/laurel-hubbard-trans-weight-lifting.html
  2. Grandparents offering money, paying for school, etc, but also doing so with some semblance of control. If these grandparents did work hard to provide for their families, do they have the right to expect such things? Well, they can offer but their children can choose not to accept it? I think it's naive to think they will pay for all these things and expect nothing in return. This doesn't mean the grandparents are right but I don't think the parents are as oblivious as we might think. They want the cake and eat it too: They don't mind the grandparents to pay for school fees, and yet they don't want anyone telling them anything about their children. They want grandparents to babysit their children most of the day for free, but they get angry if the grandparents feed their child a particular food, etc. They don't mind to live under their roof, but you can't tell them anything even though they aren't paying any rent. You can't have it both ways, if you don't want others to use money as leverage or as a way to manipulate you, then don't accept it if you don't need it.
  3. Samuel W. Richards diary provides an interesting account (he was in NY at the time before his mission, circa 1846). “Sister Lincoln who was very sick with a cancer” requested that he and several other elders visit. Finding her in good faith, but not expected to live, the men sang and prayed with her. They administered the sacrament of bread and wine to her. Then she was anointed with oil unto the day of her burial which was sealed by the laying on of hands and prayer.” This isn't the only case, there are quite a few more in Church history. Wilford Woodruff diary also provides another interesting account after a meeting with the First Presidency, stating that "Church leaders were called upon Sister Gray who had a canser (sic) in the breast which was eating her vitals & rotting her flesh. Presidet (sic) Young Cannon, & myself laid hands upon her. She wished us to pray that she might spedily (sic) die as she could not live. Presidet (sic) Young dedicated her to God for her death & burial. In about 12 hours she died."
  4. Everybody knows that raisins are the devil's fruits and dates look like cockroaches. 😳
  5. “What makes me think that? I think the evidence is all around us, birds sit on power lines, we believe they’re charging on power lines, we believe that bird poop on cars is liquid tracking apparatus.” 😳 Sorry... I....can't... 😂🤣
  6. Diana Damrau, I cannot find the right words to describe her talent. Her vocal control is out of this world!
  7. A number of people who self-identify as "progressive" have decided that orcs, the common fantasy villain monsters, are somehow racist stereotypes and that they're "coded" to be black. As such, they're screaming, shrieking, and otherwise demanding that orcs no longer be used as a villain race because to do so is to perpetuate real-world racism. I'm not into games but how in the world anyone sees an orc and they associate it with black people? Makes no sense whatsoever! But then again, in one of my trips I was asked if "Mormons" don't drink coffee because we're racist. 😳
  8. As Lehi was growing up, did his lineage remain a mystery to him and he only discovered it with Laban's brass plates? No, of course not. Jews are very particular about their genealogy, just because Lehi didn't have tangible proof until he saw the plates doesn't mean he didn't know which tribe he came from. A couple of interesting quotations about this: Lehi’s ancestors (from the tribe of Manasseh) were likely refugees who had fled from the Northern Kingdom during or prior to the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians. As refugees they may not have been able to bring records with them, even if they had once had them. They may have had a general knowledge of their northern ancestry through oral tradition, but may have been unable to prove this or know it in full detail running all the way back Joseph, about ten centuries earlier. After Lehi and his sons obtained the plates of brass, they had proof of what they had previously only believed from oral tradition, hence Lehi then “knew that he was a descendant of Joseph” through Manasseh and could prove his important status as such (1 Nephi 6:2; Alma 10:3). https://bookofmormoncentral.org/qa/why-would-lehi-not-know-his-own-genealogy “We have now to notice the ridiculous statement that Lehi did not know ‘the genealogy of his fathers’ till he had the plates from Laban. That is, he actually did not know what tribe he was of, although he was a married man with a grown up family. Now to fully understand the nonsense of this, we must bear in mind that every head of a family, except the tribe of Levi, had an estate given to him by Joshua, which land could not be sold. If there had been nothing else therefore to tell him, the very possession of this estate was public proof, as plain as the sun at noon day, of the tribe to which he belonged; besides which we know there was nothing about which a Jew was more particular than his genealogy, which was kept in public registers, down to the time of Christ. If Lehi and his children did not know they were descendants of Joseph, we must also assume that when he married, his wife’s family did not know the tribe of their new relative, and that in their intercourse with other Jews, they had never heard of it. Why it is just as impossible as for a man who is walking every day to be ignorant that he has the use of his legs.” Anonymous, A Few Plain Words about Mormonism (Bristol: Steam Press, 1852), 6–7.
  9. Welcome to the evil side*, sister. We’ll make a conservative of you yet!!! 😂 You guys call me "liberal" or "progressive" (a term I use often to describe my views) BUT I don't think they fit into any particular "box". For example: I believe in legal immigration and at the same time I can empathize with those who are fleeing certain countries. But not to the point where they now jump the line and leave behind those people who have been patiently waiting for years. I believe in fairness, the system is a mess and people shouldn't be waiting for decades to be reunited with family. Then, racism. I don't believe when people say minorities use the "race card" for everything. This isn't always the case, there are genuine cases of racism taking place daily and cannot and should not be ignored or automatically categorized as using the "race card". Also, people assume too many things when they see someone from another ethnicity or culture , they automatically assume the person is illegal, uneducated, they can't speak English or they are on welfare. This mindset cannot be right and I blame this to ignorance, particularly lack of exposure and traveling. The most "exotic" places people go is Hawaii! Real exposure to people of other cultures and races is needed to stop prejudice. What happened to George Floyd was horrible and yet some people chose to talk about his character rather than what was done to him and this isn't good. When the Black Lives Matter movement started, I understood the reason why because no one wanted a repeat of the 50's and 60's but things got out of control rather quickly, destroying property, hurting others, etc to the point of profiting from this and certain individuals becoming millionaires practically overnight. I also don't agree with the extent in which we engage in political correctness. It feels as though there is a new term we all have to be careful to use. I cannot keep up with them and I find myself having to explain what I mean when I'm not inclined to do so. And yet at the same time, I deeply believe in respecting every individual and I truly care how they feel and I don't wish to purposely offend anyone. I am just concerned with people losing their jobs or being accused of things they didn't mean. And don' get me started with cultural appropriation...GOOD CULTURE IS MEANT TO BE APPROPRIATED! Unless we are segregationists. (sorry for the long post and hijacking this thread 😳)
  10. Yes, the whole piece has that sultry-tone to it due to the story itself.
  11. I have lived in different countries with diverse demographics. Maybe one day I will start a thread discussing my findings, but the impact that culture and traditions have in certain races and ethnicities cannot be ignored. Just last week, talking casually about the Royals with an acquaintance I was accused of being racist because I said Meghan Markle's body language during the Oprah interview showed signs of deception. I didn't get upset... I laughed because that's what I do when I hear something absolutely and ridiculously absurd.
  12. Another goodie is the waltz from The Merry Widow: https://youtu.be/DmlQnJREkJY This is wonderful. Rest in peace Hvorostovsky, a spectacular voice.
  13. I love the harmonies on this piece; the product is exquisitely lovely.  One of the interesting things about opera is that a lot of songs turn out to be (lyrically) not nearly so highbrow, and even at times rather unimaginative when translated into English. This is one of them (as I understand it they’re basically saying “come down into the pond and swim with us” over and over, or somesuch thing). This is my favorite part, my eyes water when I hear it... so profound and moving : Suivons le courant fuyant Dans l’onde frémissante D’une main nonchalante Viens, gagnons le bord, Où la source dort et L’oiseau, l’oiseau chante. Basically, yes Lakmé and her servant Mallika are picking up flowers as they get ready for a bath in the river. I think it is Lakmé who describes the beauty of nature which surrounds them , particularly beautiful flowers such as roses, jasmine and the like. I love this piece, it is such an elegant aria! Habanera is another of those songs (link below, conducted by the matchless Gustavo Dudamel, whose hair I could watch all day) YES! I love this piece (did you hear Maria Callas' version? Unbeatable!). Gustavo's hair is always distracting to me. He needs to shave it off.
  14. That said: our minds do irrational things when we are consumed by guilt (and by extension, rationalization and self-justification) over our choices. We lash out, we think we see judgment where it isn’t really there, we become obsessed with getting forms of validation that we shouldn’t reasonably expect from others. If I’m spiritually going off the deep end, it’s entirely possible for someone to do everything right in their approach to me—and for me to still dismiss them as an overbearing, judgmental putz and to shut them out of my life. In my mind, that’s what perdition is—in Spanish and Portuguese “perder” means “to lose (something)”. A person in perdition is, literally, lost to us. Thought-provoking post JAG and very true (in its entirely). I always remind others that the way someone behaves towards them (depending on the circumstances) shouldn't be taken personal because in many occasions it is actually a reflection of how they view themselves. Forgiving ourselves isn't always a straight and easy path but a journey with baby steps. Ultimately, all of us make choices and we can only do our best to love, support, understand and share each other's burdens.
  15. But I don't know if I trust therapists. What caused the mistrust? (if you would like to share) Also, please engage someone who is a dedicated professional, it is perfectly okay to meet several to see if you can connect. People believe psychologists are paid just to listen to someone's problems and get tons of money for doing "nothing". This is definitely not the case (there are bad apples in all professions). Having said that, psychotherapy (talk therapy) is extremely beneficial but you cannot do it with an aunt who is just a great listener, it doesn't work that way. There is a reason why people spend 10+ years in school! Wishing you all the best.
  16. In other words, if you feel gender dysphoria and thus identify as "transgender", the mere identification of self as such is not considered something that prevents temple attendance. But acting on those feelings, as in pursuing even a "social transition to the gender opposite of [one's] biological sex at birth", does indeed preclude temple attendance. Correct. It is interesting because this is the part where I think things can get rather confusing. First, the Church says: “Leaders also counsel against social transitioning. A social transition includes changing dress or grooming, or changing a name or pronouns, to present oneself as other than his or her birth sex. Leaders advise that those who socially transition will experience some Church membership restrictions for the duration of this transition. Restrictions include receiving or exercising the priesthood, receiving or using a temple recommend, and receiving some Church callings.” But then says this: “If a member decides to change his or her preferred name or pronouns of address, the name preference may be noted in the preferred name field on the membership record. The person may be addressed by the preferred name in the ward.” I know why the Church is doing it but I think it can be confusing/taken the wrong way.
  17. Official Church doctrine is that we are to call sinners to repentance. In our worldview, modern age, to call a sinner to repentance is an act of intolerance and a lack of inclusivity of a person's chosen lifestyle. This is also why I mentioned I am confused as to the boundary of inclusion within the Church, and in the world we live in. If we truly love our children we will do all we can to keep them on the covenant path. That means we call sinners to repentance, which isn't tolerant or inclusive according to the current worldview. Yes, we are 100%. Including ourselves, let us not forget that. We all sin differently and we know that God "cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance”. I feel as though sometimes we are quick to point out the sinful lifestyle of others while we have our own skeletons in the closet. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows our hearts. Having said that, we cannot force others to keep on the covenant path no matter how much we love them. But showing disdain, anger, intolerance or bitterness isn't the way. And no, we don't have to behave this way in order to show we don't agree with what others are doing (do we even have time to do that while we deal with our own sins and imperfections?). We influence others by our example, by our love and compassion... and if you noticed, all the information the Church put out there are based on these two principles. It isn't by chance, it isn't to appease the gay community but because they know how some members feel about this topic and they also know how our LGTBQ+ members feel when they come to Church and encounter gossip, rejection and harsh judgments. Sometimes, I feel a bit discouraged (not about this topic particularly but generally)...we could do so much better about how we treat others. It's almost like we know all the scriptures, all the theory, all the golden answers...but then we fall so short in being understanding of other people's burdens. But we are all a work in progress... I suppose this is the reason why Apostle D. Todd Christofferson feels strongly about this topic because his own brother Tom is gay and left the Church many years ago, and was in a relationship with a male doctor. Elder Christofferson never stopped showing his brother love, kindness and respect even though he was living with a man and this is an Apostle of the Lord. Elder Christofferson even called him when the Church changed the 2015 policy that automatically labeled Mormons in same-sex marriages as apostates and barred their minor children from being baptized. Tom returned to the Church after decades! His brother had an admirable kind and compassionate influence on him, this is what we all need to do! The Church has a difficult road ahead with this topic, I just hope we don't lose focus on how we should treat one another.
  18. If a biological male (or female) wishes to be identified as the other gender - If they are youth, how should the other youth respond. Do we encourage attendance according to their biological or preferred gender for priesthood or young women? How are we to be inclusive for summer camps or sleep overs? If they are an adult - do they attend Relief Society or Priesthood? Do they go to where they feel most comfortable? Regardless of anyone else's comfort level? I am not sure I understand what it means to be inclusive with someone that identifies as LGBTQ+. I think it is completely understandable. The Church has been publishing tons of information online about Church activity and members of the LGBTQ+ community. In many cases such as those who identify themselves as transgender, the areas presidencies are involved: How Can I Participate In The Church? All are welcome to attend sacrament meeting, other Sunday meetings, and social events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many ways to participate at church both in Sunday meetings and in other capacities such as callings and committees. You are encouraged to attend, be active, and look for opportunities to share your talents and skills by serving in your ward and stake. All who attend are expected to avoid creating disruptions or distractions contrary to worship or other purposes of the meeting. Since circumstances vary greatly from ward to ward and from person to person, bishops and stake presidents counsel with Area Presidencies to determine how to address individual situations sensitively, such as the use of restrooms and attendance at various meetings and activities. Most Church participation and some priesthood ordinances are gender neutral. Examples include being baptized and confirmed, partaking of the sacrament, and receiving priesthood blessings. However, priesthood ordination and temple ordinances are administered according to birth sex. What is the Church's position on transitioning? Leaders also counsel against social transitioning. A social transition includes changing dress or grooming, or changing a name or pronouns, to present oneself as other than his or her birth sex. Leaders advise that those who socially transition will experience some Church membership restrictions for the duration of this transition. Restrictions include receiving or exercising the priesthood, receiving or using a temple recommend, and receiving some Church callings. Although some privileges of Church membership are restricted, other Church participation is welcomed. Transgender individuals who do not pursue medical, surgical, or social transition to the opposite gender and are worthy may receive Church callings, temple recommends, and temple ordinances. Some children, youth, and adults are prescribed hormone therapy by a licensed medical professional to ease gender dysphoria or reduce suicidal thoughts. Before a person begins such therapy, it is important that he or she (and the parents of a minor) understands the potential risks and benefits. If these members are not attempting to transition to the opposite gender and are worthy, they may receive Church callings, temple recommends, and temple ordinances. If a member decides to change his or her preferred name or pronouns of address, the name preference may be noted in the preferred name field on the membership record. The person may be addressed by the preferred name in the ward. The Church does not take a position on the causes of people identifying themselves as transgender.” (General Handbook, 38.6.21) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/transgender/understanding?lang=eng
  19. and the one @Suzie portrayed. @Anddenex I just wanted to clarify that the information related to inclusion isn't Suzie's personal opinion but it came straight from the official Church web site. The following (and more) is found there: 1. The Church does not take any position on the cause of same-sex attraction. 2. Feelings of same sex-attractions are not sinful and some people may not choose to have these feelings (Elder Ballard). 3. Acting on these feelings is sinful. 4. " The parent of a child who experiences same-sex attraction or identifies as gay should choose to love and embrace that child. As a community of Church members, we should choose to create a welcoming community." (Elder Ballard, from the same web site) " And we want people to feel that they have a home here. That we have much, much more in common than anything that’s different about us." (Elder D. Todd Christofferson) “I think that the lesson that I learned from that is that as a church, nobody should be more loving and compassionate. No family who has anybody who has a same-gender issue should exclude them from the family circle. They need to be part of the family circle.” —(Elder Quentin L. Cook ) Are there restrictions on Church participation for members who identify as gay or experience same-sex attraction? “Someone who is adhering to the norm of chastity, someone who is following the covenants, and the standards, teachings of the gospel of Christ, though they may be dealing with same-sex attraction, really there is no reason they cannot be fully participative, that they can’t be a full-fledged member of the Church, and hold callings, and speak, and enter the temple, and serve there, and all the other opportunities and blessings that can come from Church membership will be available to them. “There are examples of this among Church members. There are multiple examples. And though no one would say it is always easy, all of us are endeavoring to maintain those norms and keep our covenants. And we’re all in the same boat, in the same company in that regard. So, I say there are many, relatively speaking, who are finding that success in their lives, and that happiness.” —Elder D. Todd Christofferson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/leaders?lang=eng
  20. Is it just me or is the word “tolerance” not used as much these days? The word “inclusion” seems to be thrown around more often. Inclusion seems to mean that we change our beliefs in order to accommodate others. When it comes to LGBT issues, it seems the church is no longer being asked to be tolerant. It would appear we are being asked to change in order be more inclusive. Well, if we check the official Church web site about this topic this is what you will see: Inclusion doesn't mean you have to agree, it means we truly put in practice 2 Nephi 26:33 " For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he ainviteth them ball to ccome unto him and partake of his goodness; and he ddenieth none that come unto him, black and white, ebond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the fheathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. " From the same web site: How can I include or reach out to those who experience same-sex attraction in my ward or stake? “Do we teach the Proclamation on the Family? Do we teach Heavenly Father’s plan? Do we teach the first chapter in the second handbook? Yes, we do. We have a plan of salvation. And having children come into our lives is part of Heavenly Father’s plan. But let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach to those. And let’s not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender. I feel very strongly about this, as you can tell. I think it’s a very important principle.” —Elder Quentin L. Cook https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/leaders?lang=eng
  21. And is the point of the whole issue isn't it?. What does that mean really??? If she was going to a swim party you might give a thumbs up to the swimsuit she chooses as modest. But then you would not let her wear the swimsuit you found as modest enough to sacrament meeting, because it is suddenly immodest. She wouldn't be wearing a swimsuit to sacrament meeting for the same reason I wouldn't be wearing a cowgirl outfit in front of a judge if I'm called as an expert witness. That means modesty is not, nor can it be about a certain amount of coverage. I agree 100%.
  22. If a young woman in my ward goes to New York’s Central Park at 3 AM in a dress made of $100 bills and gets mugged, do I have to never, ever, say anything to the other 50 youth in my ward about the dangers of dodgy neighborhoods and late hours and flaunting wealth, or about the virtues of keeping a can of mace on one’s person? Of course not. We must warn our youth about the dangers out there, it is our responsibility. Most importantly we must also teach them about showing compassion to those who found themselves in certain situation and became victims. We should never engage or encourage victim-blaming conversations or behaviors (not only because it's damaging to the individual in question) but also because it comes from a reckless believe system that what others experience "can never happen to me". I want to be trauma-informed, but when sensitivity to trauma means we can no longer talk about prevention or utter fundamental truths that are useful—I fear we may be going too far. One thing is prevention, another thing is blaming. There lies the difference. As you know, there are many abused women and men who feel compelled and empowered to talk and warn others about the signs of controlling and abusive relationships. This is very beneficial for the general public but also very therapeutic for these individuals. There is nothing wrong with informing and warning others, it is paramount. We need to prevent rather than cure (my motto) but in the process of doing all of this, we need to ensure that we don't create a bigger problem. In the example I provided, rape has nothing to do with sex or how a person was dressed (and yet most of the comments victims receive are about how they were dressed, what they did for this to happen and why they didn't fight back more).
  23. To add to this discussion, parents are very much unaware about the kind of activities their young children and teenagers are involved online. It is a very disturbing trend that some parents wish to ignore or blame it to "computer games" or "bad friends" but in fact, there are no rules or any sort of monitoring taking place at home. Children are producing porn. YOUR child might be producing porn. Time to wake up!