Blackmarch

My take is that God knows every possible variation of action and consequence and knows what he will do for it. [/$.02]

dunno guess it woiuld depend on your methods and motivations.... but for me if I saw a company that I thought was helpful to the economy or society in some way, then donating money to them isn't a problem and if I can get back a portion of that that's modified by how well that company is doing is icing on the cake. The moral quandary for me isn't the investing in stocks- it's going to be about supporting whatever company.

heh sounds like a lot of big companies.

[$.02] personally I don't think belief is much of an action beyond a mental process... It's goign from having belief to having faith where all the action comes in. Which is why I don't think that belief in christ alone will save... but you do have to start with it. [/$.02]

I agree sometimes the when can be instantly, and sometimes it may take a lifetime. Never give up searching whatever happens tho.

There is no scripture that says God has a wife... However him having a wife would seem very logical considering we're made in his image, but God decided to make male and female seperate, and also considering how important families are in his plan.As for him having a body and etc.. I like the scripture where CHrist says he does all he's seen his father do.

unfortunately the bible does not define born for us beyond a new beginning- created and born do not exclude each other.

among others, quite possibly... it depends on which culture you study, but there are very similar aspects between them. There also quite few very christian-like practices that were only found in certain parts in central america and no where else.

Hola! And sorry thats about all I know spanish-wise

If the bishop is doing it how he's supposed to then there shouldn't be a lot of concern, but once he steps out of those guidelines, should you decide to sue him and the church, he has a lot less protection, and the church will have to spend more money to resolve the issue. I agree it is societal paranoia.. and that paranoia has a lot of potential for harm. Which is one of the reasons for sticking to guidelines.

not necessarily.... but if they are all saying something it may be worth doing a good study.I also caution you - you want to believe something, if you want to stay in the realm of "absolute" truths, and none else you can't believe anything.

There are very few things in this world that can undeniably be true. However for everything everyone has to make a judgement on it and accept or deny, modify, or shelve it... and the logical way to influence judgement that is through use of evidence. If one is to wait for absolute proofs for everything they would not get far in life. however what is interesting about the book of mormon is that God has brought it forth in a manner that pretty much forces an individual to seek a spiritual answer.

it actually happening may not be much more than in the past, but lawsuits and false perceptions have increased greatly. Nothing needs to happen to get the church into hot water, and if proper codes of conduct, guidelines, and etc... aren't followed then it becomes much harder to get out of said hot water when someone decides to take a legal action against the church, whether or not anything occurred that would warrant such.

really? the folks in the wards i've been in have been very "by the Book" type people. But on the other hand we didn't have a weekly camp. Suppose you can't everyone to be on the same page... I'd say that would be something to bring up to the bishop or young men leaders face to face, at least in the form of a reminder if nothing else.And no matter how early or how late we arrived we always were back at home almost first thing.

at the time he taught it there was dang little evidence for it.

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa welcome welcome :)

this is great stuff.... But its also mainly logical deduction.It looks good, sounds good, and makes sense, has scriptural support... but there isn't the stamp of revelation on it for the church.

yes but those are generally properly handled, which involves having multiple adults(both leaders and volunteer parents), consent forms, parents knowing about it, having it officially planned and etc..

Proof, no.. (but then if you're asking for absolute proof, that is hard to come by, even when everything is in your favor... heck we still don't have proof black holes and/or neutron stars exist) Evidence that supports the Christ coming to America theory? Absolutely. things such as the white god who promised to return myth in ancient central american legends. Ill have to see if i can find some of my old links in regards to this, but theres some pretty interesting stuff.

try Family Films... Only one I know of from them is Rigoletto.

that is also a good point.Hmm if church activites become sleepovers I definitely think that is a no no.

No there aren't any ward or stake restrictions. I had the blessing to have been able ot baptise my younger brother, and at that time i was attending a different ward. As for the bishop, he is set up as a judge in the church- he may request an interview with you... but usually that's more up to you. The times he will interview is when you want to go through something like baptism, going to the temple, getting the priesthood, or being made part of a leadership. Generally in my experience they contact you and ask when would be a good date to meet. Do you have to confess to him? Not necessarily... but confession is part of repentance - who you need to confess to depends a lot on the sin commited. For major things like adultery and etc... you probably should (it's very strongly advised)- as he can help you through the repentance process. If you have a question about any past sins, you've done then yes I'd say ask him about it. And confess as you feel fit (ie it probably won't be necessary gto go into all the details- you can also ask him for help in regards to confessing)

It may or may not work if one does not have the authority- there is no promise, nor authority to be recognised, or heeded. however if people are living rightioiusly it will be harder for an evil spirit to stand them, where as depending on what an individual is doing.. may invite evil spirit(s). (Which I personally have a poor idea what may do so, beyond a direct invite)

Well if its the person that has a spirit, they can bless the person and command the spirit to leave in the name of Christ. The residents could probably ask for a blessing as well. Same with the house. An interesting story I heard from a returned missionary was about a Mom and her daughter that he and his companion taught and eventually baptised... The daughter was hearing voices in her head all the time, but found out that when she attended the LDS church meeting on sunday that they stopped. My take on ouija boards is that they can invite spirits.. and since that is not how you communicate with god or get his spirit or his messengers, the only ones you are going to get are the ones who aren't God's. And Ive had enough aquantences who have claimed to have experiences with ouija boards to the point that I don't think that they are random or don't work. "I’m just saying, I think something is up in that house. If people get out of there, they are peaceful, happy, friendly…. But when they go in that house, they fight and yell constantly, and say the meanest things. Even get physical." there may well be an evil spirit there, however the owners of the house pretty much need to ask for a blessing on it. One thing that the residents that live there may want to check or try- are there things that will drive the holy spirit out (like inappropriate media?), try to do spiritual things more often (Pray, study scriptures, sing hymns).

2 feet is really annoying to shovel too...