carlimac

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Posts posted by carlimac

  1. My missionary daughter and her companions are allowed to go to Institute classes once/week. Last week she told us that the teacher said the gold plates were in a cave with other records and artifacts. Perhaps my daughter could have been only half listening and misunderstood, but she seemed pretty certain that’s what the teacher said. 🤔 

    Who has heard something similar?

  2. I took a look at the chart. Impressive that someone has researched it so thoroughly. But all those terms and number of days are completely foreign to me. 
     

    I really haven’t paid attention to the intricacies of the Second Coming because it’s too overwhelming to me. I figure I’ll just be as good as I can be, get my food storage and hope for the best. 
    With the uptick of podcasts and You Tube videos on the subject I’m hearing terms and ideas tossed around that I’ve never heard in my life. The 144,000, the End of Teaching the Gentiles, the Times of Judgement associated with eclipses. Huh? Is this stuff we’re supposed to know or just obscure facts 2nd Coming hobbyists like to throw out there? 
     

    Here is a video that threw me for a loop.

     

  3. Yes I’m fine. Just getting older. We moved back to “Zion” from the east coast 21 months ago. My husband started working from home in 2020 and that allowed us to make the move. We’re up to almost 11 grandkids and all but two kids married now. Empty nesting is a bit dull but we have trips in the works. Youngest just left for her mission 5 weeks ago. 
     

    And obviously I need a refresher on how to respond to posts. SMH!! 😆

     

  4. Hi again. It’s been awhile. Lots of life changes over the past few years. My questions for this forum have been piling up. I’ll start with this one- 

    Do you believe the coming eclipse on April 8th is a sign from the heavens that correlates with end times? Why or why not? 
     
    And if you do believe it is, and the really intense parts of the 2nd coming are on our doorstep what does your SPIRITUAL preparation consist of? 

  5. 22 hours ago, person0 said:

    The reason for this is because their wish is that the Church would validate their lifestyle, which won't happen.

    I bring this up because it is easy for us to wish the brethren would do more because we don't know or understanding why God has not called them to so do.  I am guilty of this all the time because I sometimes wish they would more explicitly reiterate the doctrines regarding identity, family, and chastity that are very clearly available on the Church website.  In my mind I imagine that if only they would say it, the members who have been beguiled will be shaken and awaken; however, the doctrine is easy to find and they ignore it now, so why should I expect a retelling to stir them up?  It never worked long-term for Laman or Lemuel.  🤷🏻‍♂️

     

    And the next day, along comes Elder Oaks! And it unfortunately causes contention between me and my 18 yr old daughter who has a huge heart but has been educated in the woke world of relativism and thinks there is more gray area than there really is. 😩

  6. Does anyone know if missionaries have been removed from Poland? I can’t find any news on that. It looked like there were only couple missionaries in Belarus and they’re probably removed long ago, I would guess. 😢

  7. 49 minutes ago, MrShorty said:

    @carlimac: I probably cannot fully explain what I mean. Closest is probably how Jim Bennett describes his view of the issue: https://canonizer.com/blog/words-of-revelation/

    In short, we claim to "know" so much more about how God views LGBT issues than I think we actually "know".

    I think it’s interesting how so many claim God made him that way and loves him just as he is.  1-No one knows if God made him that way or not. We haven’t received any revelation on that yet (have we? Did I miss something?)  2- God would want us to overcome the natural man rather than giving in and claiming no ability to control it. 
     

    Most disappointing was a comment from someone- - former leader who has spoken in General Conference who said she loves him just as he is. No qualifier that he should keep trying to make good choices or encouragement to stay clean and free from sin. 
     

    Maybe I’m over thinking this. I need to just let it roll off my back but in just feels like the church is caving to public sentiment. 
     

     

  8. 3 hours ago, NeuroTypical said:

    Q stands for queer, which they tell me can mean something different from standard-old gay or lesbian.  It can also mean 'questioning', which doesn't mean much to anybody, and is usually just a way to virtue signal.  Same with the A - it could mean asexual, which gets you invited to the club, or ally, which means much less.

    Some of the G and L, usually older Gs and Ls, have a bit of a problem with the word queer.  They remember it as a slur used against them by folks who occasionally meant them harm, sometimes physical harm.  These folks tend to be ok with a q calling themselves a q, but they don't want anything to do with the word itself.  Not everyone wants to adopt Yankee Doodle or Mormon.

    The last thing I know, is nobody gives a crap what a bisexual living in a heterosexual marriage has to say.  No camp wants to claim them as their own.

    Thank you for coming to my ted talk.

     

    Again, so why don't you say that?  Nothing sucks the power of witnessed outrage out of me, like someone confessing everyone else's sins, when they're doing the exact same thing. 

    Here's a slogan from that camp that you can feel free to adopt: Be the change @carlimac!  Be the change!

    I did in a way. Not that directly. I don’t want the “feel bads” when everyone tells me off. BTDT!! But I found one comment that said “the doctrine on eternal families isn’t going to change but I still hope you can find peace and happiness. “ That was one of the most honest comments. 

  9. So I’ll repeat my original motive for posting. I haven’t been active on this or any church forum for a few years. It seems the response to these LGBTQ ( what is Q anyway and how is it different from L?) posts are sooooo overwhelmingly huggy and supportive of these people. More so than it used to be. We seem to be treating them not only with kid-gloves but raining down rose petals on them.  This is even coming from very strong members (one gushy “love-you David” note came from an outwardly incredibly spiritual seminary teacher in our ward.) It took me by surprise. I understand we’re trying very hard to mitigate the rash of suicides among this group. And let them know of their value as individuals. That’s all good. But the praise and adoration heaped on them seems like it could be misinterpreted pretty easily that they simply get a pass on having to resist delving wholly into the culture and acting on it. 
     

    Since when is it ok to not deny all ungodliness? Is it now illegal among Church members to denounce same sex intimate relationships? I haven’t seen even one person in the comments say, “ if you choose to live in a gay relationship you will have to live with the consequences which may not be pleasant.” Not one!! It’s only coddling and sympathy with blame squarely on the Brethren and all the unsupportive members for his unhappiness.  Have we gone soft! Is this now what being Christ-like looks like? 😕

  10. 47 minutes ago, MrShorty said:

    I'm sorry, but, considering that the discussion started with David Archuletta, this seemed at least a little bit ironic to me. Perhaps I am assuming too much, but it seems like, of any of the high profile LGBT members of the Church, Archuletta is among those who is already quite passionate about music, and it doesn't seem to have changed the dynamics around his struggle.

    Based on the "fruits" that Archuletta described, I don't think the Church's stance or approach to LGBT issues can be completely right. Something, IMO, is just off about the whole thing. I won't claim to have any understanding of the difference between Archuletta's frustration and the alcoholic who is frustrated that he has to choose between a good life and alcohol or the the thief that is upset because he got caught, but there is something different, IMO, about the frustrations expressed by LGBT Latter-day Saints. 

     

    I think he was talking in general about anyone-not just David Archleta who doesn’t marry and spend the next 20-30 years of their life raising a family. That extra time NOT spent raising the kids can be used in productive and happy ways. Life doesn’t need to be considered a failure if they don’t marry! 
     I’m sure it’s not easy. The desire to be loved and to love is obviously very powerful. Archuleta has done pretty darn well filling his life with music up till lately (till COVID put the damper on public performances). For whatever reason he’s gone public lately with all this about his sexuality and whatnot. So either he’s had a setback in dealing with it, or he’s a late bloomer who has just recently decided to deal with his lack of success in dating women- and has gone so very very public with it. Because when you’re famous you can and you’ll get an avalanche of response. And if you come out of the closet to announce you’re gay and in your mind your Church has oppressed you, what you’ll mostly get is sympathy and atta boys because that’s just how things are these days. 

    When you say the Church’s response is “off” what do you mean? Can you elaborate?

  11. 32 minutes ago, NeuroTypical said:

    Dude has spent 31 years in the church - I'm sure he's heard that advice already. That's my answer - I don't have anything to add to the conversation, and I don't believe youtube comment sections to be worth the electrons they're run across.  The things that matter are genuine connections with real people, not who can spam a comment section the most. 

    What did you tell him to do?

    What I would tell him to do depends on my mood. Sometimes I get so tired of people trying to update the doctrine to fit what they want the narrative to be that I think - fine! Go get yourself a same sex partner and see how that works out for you. Otherwise, if I’m not  feeling snarky I would remind them that they are loved, that they can be strengthened through Christ and that this life is a minuscule dot in eternity and to trust that eternal blessings are worth enduring some pain and perhaps loneliness if they choose to remain single. But I’m married with 7 children and 9 grandchildren so that kind of advice doesn’t sound very empathetic coming from me.

     

    8 minutes ago, askandanswer said:

    I believe in the idea of the "customised curriculum" as taught most noticeably, but not exclusively, by Elder Neal Maxwell. I believe it is quite likely that we were closely involved in deciding what trials we would encounter in this life and that the manner in which each of us has been made is not random. David, and you, and I, may well have made an informed, perhaps even calculated, decision as to what trials we would be given the opportunity to endure in this life, we just don't remember it. This may be a viewpoint that might not be particularly helpful to David or one that is likely to attract his interest or attention, but that's what I believe and how I see things. One thing that has helped me through difficulties is to have faith in my pre-existance self that I made very good decisions, and that I made decisions on matters that would test and stretch me, but not overcome me. The pre-mortal thinking is something like "I want to grow as much as I can in mortality, or I need to grow in certain areas, therefore I will choose such and such a trial in mortality, knowing that it will provide the growth that I seek and need." ANd the mortal thinking, here and now, when enduring the trial is, " I believe I chose this trial for good and wise reasons, and that I can have trust in that decision, therefore I will seek for whatever it is that I believed I could learn from this at the time I chose to be subject to it." Summarised, it boils down to, I signed up for this, so lets make the most of it."  

    I like this!! Compelling ideas. I don’t think it would fly with those who have forsaken the church to deal with their trial. According to many, life is so much more beautiful without having to be limited and bogged down by doctrine. But I find enough beauty in life with the Gospel that I don’t need to leave to find a different source of beauty.

     

    21 minutes ago, Anddenex said:

    Sadly, we live in a time where this trial will be one of the hardest to bear, because of so many opposing voices that tell you to "sin" rather than keep your covenants (even members of your faith -- which is the saddest part).

    I don't believe there is really anything you could say, but love him. Ultimately, salvation is an individual choice. I hope he can avert the "finger of scorn" from the Great and Spacious building and continue to live according to the gospel truths.

     

    I agree. So is it wrong to push back or even just gently and politely disagree with all those trying to lead him astray? There may be only one voice in a hundred or more trying to stand up for truth. Why is that? I’m quite sure that a huge number of the thousands who have watched the video are members of the church.  Is it not appropriate on social media  to  encourage someone to stay strong? Or are we as the broad membership  tipping toward actually thinking  they might be better off leaving the church? Or are we just too squeamish or unsure about this topic to voice our faith in God’s plan?  Are we letting Satan win? 

  12. He’s obviously looking for help wherever he can get it. But maybe mostly validation that he’s normal for being attracted to men.

     If he really wanted to stay in the church and not  act on his attractions, I doubt he’d ask “the world” at large. Surely he’d realize he’d get  more encouragement to leave. He also said he thought maybe he would find a non-LDS therapist to help with his confusion.  I don’t that’s going to help much.

  13. Has anyone seen David Archuleta’s emotional, more than 45 minute video he posted a couple days ago on Instagram and You Tube about his struggle to reconcile his disinterest in women/being more into guys and his 31 years of being devoted to the church. He’s apparently on the edge of suicidal about it. 
     

    I feel for him. That’s tough. I still have no answers. But the thing that’s more frustrating than anything is that in the comments there are more encouraging him to leave the church, be his authentic self and know that God made him that way. Most claim to be  former members. There is a lot of the typical “ just love who you’re attracted to”. Why is it that almost no one is getting on there to encourage him to hang onto the truth and weather the storms and stay with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
     
    What would you tell him to do?

  14. This document was adopted into our school district “Code of Conduct”. It has thrown a bunch of parents for a loop de loop! They were especially peeved by the first “Whereas”, that teachers will be trained in “implicit bias”, and the last one that makes it sound like kids of color will be from now on disciplined less harshly.  Whoee are some parents spitting mad!! This and the fact that our Board of Ed won’t commit to no masks for kids in classes come fall. They’re ready to fire the whole board.

    Anti-Racism Resolution of the
    Board of Education of Calvert County Public Schools


    Whereas, the Calvert County Board of Education is outraged by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, as well as countless other African Americans who have lost their lives as a result of racism and police brutality that persist in our country; and

    Whereas, the Calvert County Board of Education acknowledges racism exists in our school community, and we expressly denounce racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community; and


    Whereas, racism has no place in our schools, we must protect the constitutional rights of each person who attends or works in our district; and

    Whereas the Calvert County Board of Education will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism; and

    Whereas, policies, practices, and procedures that produce equitable outcomes for students of color and marginalized groups will be adopted and maintained; and

    Whereas, it is time to listen to, learn from, and speak up for those who have endured discrimination and intolerance. Every member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, anti-racist learning environment where each student and staff member is respected and valued for who they are, regardless of skin color; and

    Whereas, curriculum and instructional materials for all grades shall reflect cultural and racial diversity and include a range of perspectives and experiences, particularly those of historically underrepresented groups of color; and

    Whereas, all district staff, administrators, teachers, and support staff shall be trained on implicit bias, racism, and about how racism produces inequitable practices and outcomes; and
    a racially diverse and inclusive workforce is achieved by identifying and removing bias interrupters used during the hiring process; and

    Whereas, discipline processes to increase racial disparities in discipline and suspension for students of color and marginalized groups shall be eliminated; now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, that the Members of the Board of Education of Calvert County affirm our obligation to require a safe, anti-racist, and inclusive educational environment where each student and staff member is treated with respect and dignity regardless of the color of their skin. We further acknowledge it is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools to uphold the commitment to eliminate bias, racism, and inequities from our system.
     

    William J. Phalen, Sr., President
    Inez N. Claggett, V. President Dawn C. Balinski, Member
    Pamela L. Cousins, Member
    Tracy H. McGuire, Member
    Dr. Daniel D. Curry Secretary-Treasurer and Superintendent of Schools

  15. My question is why can some people look at attractive individuals and not feel any arousal while others look at individuals and it becomes sexual attraction? Why does it become a sexual attraction? Also how is it that some people can be so very happily married to someone who is not physically attractive and produce children with them when sexual attraction is so darned important- like so important that it defines the very labels and identity we give ourselves!? (sarcasm alert)
     

    I feel pity for David because if he decides  to lay hold onto what little attraction he has for women in order to obtain the family he wants, he will have to fight the world and community that wants him for their own. He’s kind of a meek guy. I’m not sure he’s strong enough for that fight. The cat’s out of the bag and it’s not ever getting back in!! 

  16. On 3/13/2021 at 10:26 AM, Vort said:

    So then, let's be precise. The bee in these people's bonnet is not that McConkie and his father-in-law were "authoritarian". The irritant is that these people don't like how McConkie and Smith said things.

    So while admitting that those men were true apostles of the Lord, these people nevertheless insist that their plain, direct, unfuzzified speech was so offensive as to render their teachings of little effect today. In other words, this modern generation will not accept direct, plain-spoken, unfiltered true doctrine, so therefore the Church (and presumably He who stands at its head) are obligated to cater to their tastes in matters of divine instruction.

    I disagree.

    People can be who they are but there are consequences. The main thing I felt missing from Elder McConkie's style was any love or genuine concern for the individual. I feel Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven would be more accepting of mistakes and imperfections in us that McConkie was. And besides that, he was wrong on at least one issue so I lost trust in him and his very assertive and, frankly, scary style of preaching. 

    But Vort I can see why you would like him. Your style isn't too unlike his. Just an observation. Not meant to be a cut. Some people are more straight liners than others.  

  17. 9 minutes ago, Traveler said:

    I think I understand why you might have come confusion.  What is meant to hear Him?  The best explanation I think I would offer is D&C section 84.  Specifically what is called the oath and covenant of the priesthood.  Whether it be from the Father or his covenant servant it is the same.  Thus the real question is - who is a covenant servant?  That question is also answered in section 84.  At least I think it is answered quite clearly.

     

    The Traveler

    No, I understand that. It's the problem of the prophet making a clear distinction of whom we should try to hear (Jesus Christ) when apparently the doctrine is that we shouldn't try to make that distinction. 

    Or was that really just a slogan to go along with the 200 year anniversary of the first vision? Because that's what the Father said to Joseph Smith. "this is my Beloved Son...Hear Him." And then the Son spoke.   It probably doesn't really matter at all except that it seems the prophet is encouraging us to try to hear  ( at times?) Jesus Christ only. 🤷‍♀️

  18. 6 hours ago, Vort said:

     

    Jesus is our Father, in the sense that he buys us back and becomes our Master. I realize that we spend much time in the Restored Church teaching our children that Jesus is our "older brother" and not our Eternal Father. This is a truth, to be sure, but a child's truth, like "I am a child of God". There is far more to it than the simple teaching; the scriptures make it crystal clear that we become children of God, not merely as some sort of birthright, but by striving to follow him and come unto Christ.

    Our relationship with Christ is not merely that of a much younger sibling to an older and far wiser brother. Christ is our Creator, in a real and literal sense. At the very least, he creates our eternal life, for which we reverence him as a Father.

    Hope these thoughts have been of some help. I don't pretend to understand the deep and true nature of our relationship to God, except that we are his children and his creations. But the above represents some of my own understandings and thoughts on the matter. FWIW.

    I listened to that talk by Elder McConkie. He says a couple times in no uncertain terms, "Jesus is our Elder Brother" He never says in any way the Christ is our father. He says our relationship with God ( only God) is that of parent to child. 

    So I wonder after listening to that talk, if Elder McConkie is really speaking truth- that all revelation comes from whichever of the Godhead because they are unified, why President Nelson would single out Jesus Christ as the one we should try to hear? Why is he clearly separating The Father and the Son in regards to where the revelation is coming from by saying "God wants us to know that in uncertainty and fear what will help us the very most is to hear His Son... Because when we seek to hear- truly hear- His Son we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance."  McConkie was so very stern and forceful in saying we shouldn't single them out and that if we were to at all our deference should be to the Father. Nor should we try to have a special relationship with Jesus Christ. I think that in focusing so much on trying to hear the Son, maybe we're crossing the line into that territory that Elder MCConkie says is false and dangerous. I don't know...

    Am I justified in being confused?