Backroads

It would be exceedingly strange for a book club held at a public library to defend apparently bigoted writings without allowing another perspective--and if that's the case, then yes, a complaint is in order. I like Rammy's idea of approaching the town council in such a situation. I am surprised that two such books are showing up on the list so close to each other. That is not very likely to be chance. I do think a little attention should be given to this just because it's so odd. Chances are, it's a group of people who do not think of themselves as being hateful but rather being socially conscious, loving, and standing up against what they believe to be societal evils. In that situation with the benefit of the doubt, they would appreciate another perspective. (Though now I'm also toying with the notion that it could be an actual Mormon suggesting these books and trying to gage reactions. The notion amuses me.)

Actually, this is just a very common misconception. Dracula is actually a very large gnome/rabbit hybrid.

Both of those were very helpful, Rammy.

Just a 16-year-old kid. His age does not automatically make him a Venturer if he's only registered as a Boy Scout.

Really? Explain.

Easier to charter? All I can think of this panic explosion when some 16-year-old isn't put in the Crew, like it will affect his advancements. Age range doesn't make sense in Scouting terms. Troop ages are 11-18, Varsity is 14-18, and Venturing is 14-21. There's no specified age range in the Church for these. Like Delanie said, wouldn't it be easier to just stick them all in the troop and have seperate patrols or Varsity if you have no intention to ever run a Venturing program?

Your husband is correct. Venturing Crews are not necessary in LDS Scouting. According to the 2011 edition of the LDS Scouting handbook... This implies that no, a Venturing Crew is not necessary. According to the 2008 edition... Once again, optional... with the notion that when used it should be for activities--probably referring to high adventure-type stuff for which Venturing Crews are known. Now, in my humble opinion, I have to agree with your husband on the futility of a Venturing program if the ward is not actually going to run the Venturing program. Venturing has nothing to do with earning merit badges, making Eagle, etc. It has its own program with its own awards and advancements and it seems the average LDS ward never bothers with that sort of stuff and merely uses this as an age grouping. Varsity Scouting, which the Church encourages, is plenty useful high-adventure activities as well. But sometimes that gets dropped to merely an age grouping. So, if you plan on running the program, run it. But if it's there just as another place to stick boys without rhyme or reason just because you're 16, what's the point? Both the troop and the team will allow you to keep the boys in there until they're 18, which is usually when wards boot them out. (You can stay in the crew until you're 21). By the way, chances are, the other guys in the ward have a district executive telling them they need a Venturing program so he/she can benefit.

I'm not sure what pure scripture is, I was merely waiting for the two of you to make your your minds and be clear about it.

As someone who suffers from a mild social anxiety disorder... tell someone you're feeling lonely. Most people don't intende to not include others.

Excellente!

Happy Birthday!

The impression I'm getting is that both Snow and Skippy aren't being clear on the difference between cannonized works and pure scripture.

I have heard of Mormons who claim to pray sometimes to Heavenly Mother (though I doubt this is sanctioned by the Church). I also believe one offshot branch of the Church includes Heavenly Mother in the Godhead.

Well, heck, Pharoah was a perfectly nice and congenial man who was practically begging the Israelites to leave with his blessings...

Yes. Speak to any priesthood holder about it.

I do love the Bennett sisters.

Did not read all posts, so just my Does benevolent mean 100% bent on making life great? In my eyes, God does more or less let us do our own thing. I don't think this means He is any less loving, just not the "helicopter parent" sort of God. Yes, I do believe luck determines much of our lives. I don't agree that God is going to make our lives perfect. I don't believe suffering means there is no God. I don't think all suffering is educational and instructive and often just what is. I do believe we can learn from suffering, our own and others'. Perhaps I do lean more toward to the idea of God as a benevolent observer.

I remembering being college and receiving "fake" callings--any possible movement you could make in the church was a calling. I think that was merely to get us used to the idea of serving in the church. If you do want a calling, though, I see no harm in asking.

I will admit I have only read a couple translations of the Bible... do all original Biblical sources blame God? I have a friend who swears another version does not blame God in the Exodus scriptures.

Fair enough, but I personally do believe the JST to be legitimate and so do many other Mormons. I also highly doubt the Church is going to boot me for believing so. Many Mormons do consider the JST to be inspired, so it's going to be just as factual as the KJV.

Oh, no, you're fine. In fact, your confusion is as much of help as anything: kind of shows there is a chance. However, when I say LDS fiction, I mean fiction that directly is about LDS stuff, people, beliefs, culture.

Yes, but many of those passages of hardening people's hearts are considered incorrectly worded. If you are going to argue against Mormons, you also need to accept that we believe in some changes.

And that's the type of thing that can't be helped, of course. From the sounds of your posts now, it seems you really did not expect him acting this way. If you had known, would you have married him? So let's focus on answers describing what you can do now.

I wouldn't categorize Twilight as LDS fiction, though. I'm referring to a book idea my sisters and I are messing about with. In a perfect world, we would sell it to an LDS fiction publisher... and we just don't want it ripped from the Deseret Book shelves by order of the first presidency just because it has supernatural creatures in it. Mind you, this is to be a humorous type of book.

I'll skip right to the point with a vague question: Is it okay to stick werewolves/vampires/etc in blatantly LDS fiction?