Backroads

Being completely hypothetical... I think I would feel pretty darn torn. On one hand, I believe I could still accept I lived a good and moral life. On the other, I think I would feel I... kind of wasted my life. Heck, I could have been a pagan! As for the Church, I think a good chunk would die off, but I stil think a fair amount of it would exist--worshipping God, doing nice things, just not with all the doctrine.

The problem is that far too many atheists tell me that because I have a religion I am not as good a person as they.

My sisters and I believe it is due to the vanilla ice cream served at church functions. Something is wrong with it.

According to my husband I'm the worst at taking compliments because I respond with things like "I know!" and "I try!" No one has to be that extreme, but a "thanks" is always a suitable reply. 9/10 times when people stay stuff like this, it's a sincere compliment.

Yes, but even if there bodies are dust, they are still their bodies. God created all things spiritually before physically, and I do believe that physical body is ours for eternity. With all we know of our bodies being resurrected and spiritual/physical creation, why would you think we would wind up in some completely different form?

ISFP If only I can remember what I got last time...

Well, you're probably always going to have these memories. The thing is to not try to forget them but accept they happened but you are over it. have you read "Jesus the CHrist"? IN my area it's something of a thing to read that prior to a mission.

Do all but cloister yourself. It's hard to get out of these habits. STay away from any and all temptations and triggers.

How come Joseph Smith used a rock in a hat to translate? How come women are inferior?

... wow, we're a weird bunch.

Why so many versions of the First Vision? Why bother with temples? Why bother with baptism for the dead? Why isn't the Bible good enough?

Am I on the spot because I brough up Twilight? Well, in answer to your question, I guess when I hear about our bodies being resurrected into perfection, I assume it's the exact same body. While I imagine God is perfectly capable of creating for us all new bodies, it just seems easier and more sensible to work with what we have. While I can see our genetics being much improved, why bother going with all new genes?

I do support you in being honest about this. All will work out, whether you graduated from a church school or somewhere else.

I would suggest meeting with the stake president, though I'm not sure what would need to be said so you're not "tattle-telling". Something is a little off with the youth population and I highly doubt one man can fix it, which is what it sounds like you want the bishop to do. I do believe that help from above (meaning the stake presidency) could help clean this us. But when you say it's not your job to foster a welcoming feeling... it kind of is. It has to start somewhere.

The main problem I see in his argument is the need to define so many things from the BoM as terms and ideas he understands. He creates Mormonism to suit his needs, then fights it.

25 is hardly old. Heck, it's not uncommon to be starting the higher education thing at that age. It's difficult to avoid students loans and with a bit of luck you land a job that pays it all off for you (again, not uncommon).

It is often suggested that time is merely a human perception... thus we cannot grasp infinity as long as we are trying to apply time to it.

I certainly see where you are coming from. I attended a couponing class last weekend and the instructor mentioned her irritation with people who abuse-while-technically-following-the-rules their coupons. I love the idea of getting great deals and saving money. The people who save 3,000, I say more power to them. Yet you are right, some people do get greedy. But as for the coupons themselves being cheating... I don't think so. I don't think any one participating (the manufacturer, the store, etc.) really loses out very much in the end. For example, I'm part of Amazon Vine in which I get free stuff to keep every single month. The catch? I am required to blab my opinion about the products--which is totally cool with me. Last month I received a treadmill valued at $1000 dollars and a laminator valued at $700. I suppose the company and Amazon.com are losing out on that money, but I don't see it as dishonesty. To be honest, I think coupon using and free offers and what not is a fine part of provident living.

For what's its worth, I'm not a big Twilight fan. In fact, I've been known to mock it, though I do try to refrain from hurting anyone's feelings.

It is a tricky situation... frankly,I put responsibility on the teenager, though not for murder but neglect. But charge a 5-year-old? Kid is already going to be traumatized enough as it is.

And now you all know my true nature.

Girls camp is hardly going to be tough. Frankly, anyone who gets THAT sick on a simple little hike is either completely out of shape, not drinking enough water, has a pre-existing condition, or a combination of some of those. Comparing this to "boot camp" is moronic. On thisi story, my heart is breaking. How sad would that be!

Without having a single scrap of evidence to back me up... Yes, I do believe we will be beautiful in the eternities due to our perfected resurrected bodies. What that beauty will mean? I haven't the slightest idea. As has been said, beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. It's a matter of culture and personal preference. I think our bodies will be at physical perfection and that we will be without deformities and such. We will be healthy and fit. We will be, by all biological definitions, perfect. As for size and color, I think genes have already determined it. I'm going to go with a Twilight comparison for this... In Twilight, the vampires technically looked just like they had as mortals. Same hair color, features, what not. Yet as vampires they were all drop-dead (pun intended) gorgeous. I enjoy thinking it might be the same deal.

No pride detected by me. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I agree with much of what you say. I for one am perfectly happy with the notion of evolution and will be until told otherwise.

Wonderful video. I like that it dug into the definitions. I really do believe that too often the question of limits on chastity are shunned or made vague. Kids are "expected to know everything" but aren't given opportunity to really learn. This provided some great answers.