Backroads

I think I just might approach the whole family and see how much it really bothers them. I could always go with the idea that my family members were also invited to this, that the game is indeed on public proberty, but that might just make things worse. I tend to absorb bad feelings, so it's pretty crucial to me that everyone feels at least okay about this. Thanks, everyone.

I learned what anatess taught. I also find it easy to have two people folding the blasted sheet.

1. The way I always understood, the web of sealings will be so complex that no, any refusal on the part of your mother will not cancel out the sealings of your father to his children. As for the lower kingdoms, logic decrees that for this fine web of sealings to exist there can't be any breaks and thus those in the lower kingdoms would be included. 2. (first question). no idea, but it has me thinking. (second question). How tragic would it be to be the one guy (or girl) no one wants to be sealed to? You'd think SOMEBODY would roll their eyes and accept you. Sorry, I kid on that. But I do hope someone has further insight.

This evening I went to the local high school to see a play. After the play, I ran into my two little 17-year-old brothers and this boy "Jim" who I have known since he was a toddler. Brothers and Jim were chatting it up, and I started chatting with them. The Saturday before Easter, my friend's family throws a giant paintball game. It began as a family affair years before and has since exploded into crazy social warfare. Without even thinking about it, I invited Jim as I know he's very much into paintball. As we left, my sisters were furious with me. Apparently, they don't want Jim at the paintball game and they doubt our brothers want him there either. I was not told that Jim is currently a bad name in the family household until that moment. My parents are very unhappy with this kid. Now, he's been slightly wild the past few years, but nothing truly terrible. My two little brothers are fine, upstanding young men, and I personally think they are a great influence on Jim. As the story of the bad taste of Jim poured out, it seemed the only concrete reason my family currently has against Jim is the fact that he can be a very negative person, has a dirty mouth, and got into a car accident during the Festival of Colors that prevented my brothers from getting home on time. The rest, from what I gleaned, were things my brothers should have handled on their own or my parents simply should have said "no" to. Even so, the bottom line is that my parents really don't want my brothers hanging out with Jim (please understand that my parents never ground, don't give many sharp instructions outside common sense rules, and pretty much let consequences affect us, so it's not like they will deny anyone the presence of Jim.) Well, I'm caught here. On one hand, if I had known of the bad feelings beforehand, I never would have invited this kid anywhere. I now feel like an idiot and that I have messed a lot of things up and have brought around a kid my siblings really don't want to have around. On the other hand, it's my invitation, I think my brothers should stand up for themselves and take a little more responsibility for their actions, and even that my family is being rather self-righteous. I've already discreetly texted my brothers that I could disinvite Jim or something if they want me to. There's also a very good chance he won't have his license back in time. I hate causing bad feelings. Or should I just let it go and expect my family to get over it?

Of course it is. I would never suggest otherwise. But contention does not add to the spirit nor to salvation. If you're only thinking about pleasing her, making her feel comfortable, and not trying to balance that with setting an example and taking steps to keep the spirit in the home, there will be problems. And while I certainly understand you can't hurt a mother's children without hurting the mother, must she take out her anger on the entire new ward?

He deserves that sentence. Hopefully it's something that will prove useful in repenting.

Fascinating question. Part of me assumes everything gets sorted out in the eternities while the other part of me wants to know all the details.

estradling, you might want to calm down. You are becoming very defenseive, which is not good in a spirited and friendly debate. What Maureen is doing is no different than when I pick the brains of others of different spiritual persuasions.

That would actually be a good answer to Maureen's question!

Perhaps it's the way I look at it. You spoke of the above in bold. To me, those were not commandments, nor presented as commandments. Emphasis on the word "would". If, as the discussion as suggested, items A, B, and X were placed in the official Word of Wisdom by way of inspiration, I would then consider them commandments. Right now, they don't fall under the prohibitions.

What does this have to do with the Word of Wisdom? Ultimately it's my choice. I can choose to obey the WofW, or I can choose not to. EDIT: I'll try to explain this better. You might consider what I do picking and choosing. I choose to obey the WoW. To me, it is a commandment. I see everything else as good advice. I have a brain, free agency, and I can weigh my options.

Precisely! If the WoW was entirely about health and nothing else, many more arguments could be made about what it should and should not include. Is it a health policy? Yes! But it also became commandment. One could present me with all the information in the world about the health benefits of coffee and tea and I could whole-heartedly agree with them on those health benefits. Doesn't change the fact that I am obeying a commandment not to partake of them.

That direct contact of a tool does tend to increase flesh-and-blood explosion heights...

I for one would happily drink tea if I could because of the reported health benefits. Health logic would decree I would. But if the Lord doesn't want me drinking it...logic won't help.

Standards. Levels of cruelty and types. Like Cruelty Standard 4B.

Of course, I didn't mean that with any insensitivity. But hey, what's the fun of being burned alive if you can't take down others?

Now that's just cruel, even by my standards.

I think we need a good witch hunt.

It would certainly get people thinking!

Possibly. I'm not denying it's a possibility.

On Supernatural, that bear was considered on the same level as a demon. I fear Snuggles.

Why do I suddenly have the urge to point, laugh, and throw fruit at you?

There is a time where you either have to get married or break-up. That being said, if you're not ready for marriage, you're not ready! Are you scared of the idea of getting married? Are you not sure you're ready to marry him specifically? Pray. Fast. And write out your thoughts and feelings on this. That might get you seeing just what you're thinking.

I know it's not the real thing, but hey, I do what I can.

Indeed. If a tangent is allowed here, I once read this guy's story whose decision to leave the Church was, according to his words, because he thought he and his wife weren't allowed to cuddle.