dahlia

I used to have more free time and was happy to see my RS sisters and do VT. Now I'm working a full week, and living alone, my 'free' time is spent doing laundry, going to the grocery store, batch cooking my meals for the week, making lunches, cleaning house, etc. None of that is done for me, as it much of it is for the men in the ward who work. I'm lucky to make it in to church.
I told the bishop I can't take it any more. No more VTs coming in and no more me going out to VT. Maybe when I retire, but not now. I had a visiting teacher who was so sweet and would send emails and phone calls; we got along great. And even tho we asked to stay with each other, apparently I have a new VT I haven't heard from yet.
If your family is OK with emails or cards, etc. just do that. Maybe they're happy to say 'hi' at church. You can't make people do what they want to do. 
 

Tattooed on their cheek, man.
 
But, let me just give you a tip from a Filipino living in America.
You're volleyballing statistics with @Carborendum but those are all irrelevant.  Really.  It is.  You can't compare statistics between Canada and the US because you are talking about 2 completely different cultural mindset.  And this cultural mindset is codified into the Constitution.  Canada will have to conquer the US for that to change.
So, you are better off trying to understand this mindset because OBVIOUSLY, America is a very successful country where a lot of people want to go to and enjoy its privileges without fear of randomly getting killed by a firearm even when there are more guns in the US than there are people.  Well, of course, you can just say... there are guns there I'm just gonna stay in Canada.  Because, gun laws doesn't matter - Chicago for example is a city with strict gun control laws... yet there are more people killed by guns in Chicago than any city in Texas.  Or Utah, for that matter.
So, what's the mindset?  INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.  This means - you, and nobody else, is responsible for defending your rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Because, it doesn't matter if the law says you have a right to live if you can't defend that right.  Therefore, the 1st Amendment is the declaration of your most important rights.  The 2nd Amendment declares every American's ability to defend that right.  No other argument matters.
In Canada, Canadians have handed over the defense of their rights to the government in the same manner that they handed over most everything else.  So that, if Canada gets overrun by Islamic terrorists with a plan to wipe out every Canadian, and Trudeau and the Canadian military gets completely overrun, every single Canadian is going to die unless they seek American protection.
Not in America.  In America, even if  ISIS fighters end up overrunning the military and law enforcement, the people are not going to flee to Canada.  American households have full power to fight ISIS and live.  But yeah, people in New York City and Los Angeles will probably be fleeing to Texas.

That's just because your wife gave you one with a pink grip for your anniversary and you can't replace it because it was a gift from your wife and you're too embarrassed to wear it for the world to see.
(teasing)

I hate to break it to you, but you're in more danger in a place where no one is allowed to defend you than in a place where someone is allowed to defend you.  Oregon does have concealed carry permits.
You're limited to very few places if you want to go somewhere in the US where people aren't allowed to carry guns - it's in our constitution, you know.  Try NYC, Chicago, or DC...

If a state allows concealed carry (by permit or without), you can carry in the vast majority of places, including the supermarket, movies, and library.  This isn't unique to Texas.  You can also decline to patronize places who stupidly put up "no gun" signs.  (In Utah, if you disobey such a sign, and the company figures it out all they can do is ask you to leave, and only if you refuse are you guilty of a crime, and the only crime of which you are guilty is trespass.  Your gun possession isn't a crime at all.)
I had a coworker from Texas.  He said his bank had a sign on the door that read "Guns Welcome".   That's my kind of bank.  Bet they've never, ever been robbed, and never will be.

Maybe you'll be someone's guardian angel.  Maybe that someone will be a world travelling adventurer that constantly is in need of help to not die (maybe they climb mountains and you'll need to make sure they don't fall from great heights or something stops them from falling, or sailing across great oceans and some angel needs to keep them from dying in the storms as they cross, and then someone to stop the wild beasts or other dangers of the great wilderness from killing this wondrous adventurer, and then you'll need to stop them from getting mugged or lost, or any number of other things in the many vast cities across the globe).  Who knows.  Maybe you're job may be to roam around and see things and help people that you see in need as circumstances dictate...but without letting them see you or know directly that you were there or helped them (though if they have the spirit they may realize something helped them).
Etc...etc..etc...
Who knows.  What some call work, others call play or hobbies, and vice versa.

I sure hope so, but that sounds like too big of a loophole to have stuck around for very long.. I'll have to look into that.
If it is anything like an ipad backup, good luck at being able to sort out the right bits (at least if you arent using a program that can stitch together and open the backup archives properly anyways).
Pre ipad 1 ipods might be different, but id wager the late gen ones go through a few loops to keep someone from doing that.

If I'm a spirit, I'd just like to roam around and see things. Hang out with people without them knowing. I guess I'm a bad person; I don't want to preach the gospel for eternity. 

If I'm a spirit, I'd just like to roam around and see things. Hang out with people without them knowing. I guess I'm a bad person; I don't want to preach the gospel for eternity. 

Hi @ser?anto!  Welcome!
Okay, the use of the phrase "join the Church" means different to us, I think, than what you mean.  When we say "join the Church" we mean getting Baptized.  Baptism is a Covenant (contract between the person and God), so, of course, it requires that, at the very least, you believe in God that you're making a contract with.
But, you don't need to "join the Church" to join the Church.  Hah hah... that sounds weird.  What I mean is... you don't need to be Baptized to attend Church meetings, join activities, take your kids to primary and all the activities that go with it, etc.  The only caution I would put on that is that as long as you don't actively teach things contrary to LDS beliefs at Church - like, for example, going up to the podium on Testimony Sunday and saying, "Believing in Modern Prophets is a stupid idea" or something like that... you'll be more than Welcome into the fold of Mormons!
Oh, and fair warning... I can pretty much guarantee that when you start regularly attending Church services, you will have somebody try to convert you and get you Baptized... it's just something that comes with being Mormon.  What we know is that Jesus Christ is the path to happiness so because we love we want you to be happy so we want you to become closer to Jesus.  Just don't worry much about it - I believe the best way for you deal with this is to just say firmly to everyone - I love the Church but I don't want to be baptized.  You might have to say it often but after a while they'll begin to get to know you better and understand your life story.  So, be patient with them as they're not perfect people.
Anyway, I'm going to just put it out there... I hope you join the Church - as in get Baptized kind of joining the Church.    But, if that's not something you want to do (believe in God, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and the teaching of the Prophets, etc.), I hope you go ahead and join the Church anyway - as in attending services and activities. 
 

I think that He is trying to tell you something. How will you respond?

I have to admit, when I learned about this in Sunday School as an investigator, I wasn't happy. I don't really want a job in the afterlife.

I guess it depends on what kind of frozen food. I've been using an Instant Pot for over a year and put in frozen corn for chili (I'm sure I've put in something else, but it eludes me at the moment). Also, I think I've seen videos where people just dump in frozen meat, like the bags of chicken tenders or thighs.
If you want a new taste sensation - try an air fryer. Good googa mooga. I've made everything from chicken tenders for my son, to cherry pies and a cake in it. Great corn on the cob, and good veggie food. It's an amazing appliance. 
As for mowing lawns...that's why God made men.  Hey, I never said I wasn't a traditionalist. 

I have to admit, when I learned about this in Sunday School as an investigator, I wasn't happy. I don't really want a job in the afterlife.

I guess it depends on what kind of frozen food. I've been using an Instant Pot for over a year and put in frozen corn for chili (I'm sure I've put in something else, but it eludes me at the moment). Also, I think I've seen videos where people just dump in frozen meat, like the bags of chicken tenders or thighs.
If you want a new taste sensation - try an air fryer. Good googa mooga. I've made everything from chicken tenders for my son, to cherry pies and a cake in it. Great corn on the cob, and good veggie food. It's an amazing appliance. 
As for mowing lawns...that's why God made men.  Hey, I never said I wasn't a traditionalist. 

I got lenses that give me intermediate vision. I think they were regular lenses. I am very happy with them - was able to read the hymn numbers on the wall at church today!  I couldn't do that with my contacts. I was a little anxious as to what 'intermediate' would really mean, but I see well enough to drive, use the computer, get stuff at the store, etc. I need readers for very small print like a medicine bottle. I actually read a book on the commuter bus, which I haven't done in years. I will read from my Kindle, where I can adjust the font size, but a hardcover book, nope. I'm just thrilled. 
My vision at 25 was probably around 20/200. It was 20/400+ when I got the operation. So this is better than I've seen since I was a little kid. 

In my doctoral program, we all wore a red robe w/ermine collar, a crown, and had a scepter after we defended our dissertations.  I avoid having pictures taken, otherwise, I'd share.   Personally, I found it a natural state for me to be in and am surprised I don't dress that way more often.

The answers so far have talked about what the membership-at-large sees.  Behind the scenes (and there have been conference addresses explaining this, though I can't think of a cite to one off-hand): on the prophet's death the remaining counselors of the first presidency resume their places in the Q12 (technically, now the Q14), which now assumes the role of the church's highest governing body.  This status quo (Chirch history nerds call it an "apostolic interregnum) may continue for a few days, or (though this hasn't happened recently) for years.
At some point in a Q12 meeting a motion is made to re-constitute the First Presidency.  If it carries, then by tradition the second-senior apostle formally nominates the senior apostle as President of the Church.  Once that motion carries, the President is set apart by the entire Q12; with the second-senior apostle (who is now the presumptive president of the Q12) acting as the voice.  The President of the Church selects his counselors (traditionally, but not necessarily, drawn from the ranks of the Q12), which then (usually) creates a vacancy in the Q12 that is (usually) filled at the next General Conference; where the new First Pesidency and new President of the Q12 are also sustained.

There is really no pomp an circumstance around it.  Assuming he doesn't pass away first, the next President of the Church will be Russel M. Nelson.  There will be a ceremony known as a Solemn Assembly where the First Presidency will be reorganized and we will sustain the leadership of the Church.  There is nothing inherently special about a prophet of God except for the fact that he is a very righteous individual who has lived in such a way, and holds a character such that the Lord is able to use him; to call him to labor in that role. He is a man, just like any other, and both you and I are individually capable of being equally righteous and attaining the same knowledge, blessings, and personal revelations.  Members should never view the prophet in the same way as as the woman with the issue of blood saw Jesus:
A prophet is a holy man of God, nevertheless:
All that being said feel free to wear a cape and red hat if you want as long as you post some pictures 

No capes or hats.  A solemn assembly is held (a lot like General Conference).  Here's one: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/the-solemn-assembly-sustaining-of-church-officers?lang=eng

Yes, to some degree. If your child is going to go the liberal arts route, suggest a minor in accounting, business, a science, etc. At my uni, we offer a certificate for students in Entrepreneurial Management and Nonprofit Management. They can major in anything, and get the certificate, which gives them some business background and makes them more competitive.  I used to teach management and still write a quarterly article for the Library Leadership & Management journal. A lot of liberal arts types (including my grad students) think that management is some kind of dirty word. They want to work in a nonprofit. Fine - but you still need management and basic business skills, even in a nonprofit.
College is tremendously expensive. Being able to write nice paragraph shouldn't be the only thing a liberal arts grad can do. That's why a lot of them are baristas at Starbucks.

I got lenses that give me intermediate vision. I think they were regular lenses. I am very happy with them - was able to read the hymn numbers on the wall at church today!  I couldn't do that with my contacts. I was a little anxious as to what 'intermediate' would really mean, but I see well enough to drive, use the computer, get stuff at the store, etc. I need readers for very small print like a medicine bottle. I actually read a book on the commuter bus, which I haven't done in years. I will read from my Kindle, where I can adjust the font size, but a hardcover book, nope. I'm just thrilled. 
My vision at 25 was probably around 20/200. It was 20/400+ when I got the operation. So this is better than I've seen since I was a little kid. 

I got lenses that give me intermediate vision. I think they were regular lenses. I am very happy with them - was able to read the hymn numbers on the wall at church today!  I couldn't do that with my contacts. I was a little anxious as to what 'intermediate' would really mean, but I see well enough to drive, use the computer, get stuff at the store, etc. I need readers for very small print like a medicine bottle. I actually read a book on the commuter bus, which I haven't done in years. I will read from my Kindle, where I can adjust the font size, but a hardcover book, nope. I'm just thrilled. 
My vision at 25 was probably around 20/200. It was 20/400+ when I got the operation. So this is better than I've seen since I was a little kid. 

I'm diabetic and have a dilated eye exam each year. My last visit, in August, indicated that the cataracts were 'on the horizon' and that we should just watch for changes. However, by February my vision was so bad, I had to see my doc again. She did some extra tests and said, yeah, you probably need cataract surgery. I came back, did some more tests (all painless; they shine a light in your eye and ask questions about your vision) and talked to the surgeon.
As I mentioned, I wasn't seeing contrast on web pages, which worried me when people at work pointed out things they were seeing that I wasn't. I've been able to reset all my web pages back to normal now. I'm also able to see pages at 60-80% and not the 150% I had to use before.

My mother never talked about houses or cars (I didn't drive, so that would be pointless), but she does talk about education and jobs. "So and so's daughter is a doctor at Georgetown. Why are you in Iowa?"  Or, "Can you believe that X left her attorney job to make candles?" (true story) and the ever popular, "Why hasn't Son-of-Dahlia finish his dissertation yet?"
When I mentioned that my DIL's brother was getting married, she wanted to know what kind of job the spouse had. Spouse is a hairdresser. You could hear the disdain in my mother's voice, as if I had said the spouse was a stripper. Or a Democrat. (OK, that would have been my disdain...) 
Everybody's got issues. I just tune 'em out.