Backroads

Well-said. Which is why I mean to ask about it. And ask a lot other questions.

Definitely. But if He stops every bad thing we do, we will never learn. Random thought that has nothing to do with the topic but one I automatically associate with this kind of conversation: Few of us are ready for a perfect world. None of us are ready to be perfect. Most of us are at the stage that if we made ourselves a "perfect" world where nothing went wrong, we would lose so much compassion and opportunity for growth. I think God allows us that.

Actually, yes, I do know that part of deist philosophy. My other possibly controversial response (and the one that I more likely believe in) is that God just shrugs His shoulders and lets us do our thing. I actually am more of a believer that God is NOT a babysitter. I guess I am a bit of a deist that way.

Yes, the above is nice. What is even nicer is that yesterday my mom's friend's brother who just recently retired a few months ago from the church office says that if everything is correct we can very likely expect letters back in two-three weeks!

Oh, I support his spirituality, just not so much his politics and I really did not like his "Christmas Sweater" book. . It's a really good thing my fiance and I are both debaters who don't take personal offense, because we can really get debating about Beck's politics! (He's a huge fan)

That is something I mean to ask about at the Second Coming. My possible controversial response: For all I know, it may have been something necessary to such-n-such times and societies and perhaps even peoples. Please keep in mind I'm very much for equal rights for everyone.

I'm getting married, too. Come panic with me. Welcome.

Yes you are new!!!

I'm hoping it's a few weeks. Every time someone gives me a horror story--they also say it's usually part of the time of sitting around on a bishop or stake president's desk or waiting for letters. I'll let you know. I've actually entered panic mode because I'm a snotty little princess who wants to be married in the Ogden Temple before the remodeling for the sole reason that it's an ignored temple for weddings AND I don't want to have a civil ceremony. I'm considering, next week, actually calling the church office bulding and asking about it, if that's not too forward. At least asking for the typical timeline.

I never dated within my own singles wards. I had a horrible experience last April when they got rid of student wards and shoved everyone into geographical singles wards. I found out I had dated four guys from the exact same ward and I was now in it...

:popcorn:And I was so enjoying reading this debate!

And now all that paperwork is officially in the mail! Hopefully the clearance won't take long--it seems most people are telling me once it's in the mail it's just a few weeks. Weird request... if people don't mind doing so, would anyone pray that we get the stuff back quick?

The things I have seen in the various singles wards I have attended would make your eyes burn...

In this kind of community, you're always going to have problems. This type of community cares little for the laws. I guess I don't agree that polygamy should be banned just because of such situations as this. Why ruin it for everyone?

I also had some issues with him when a co-worker confessed to me she believed he was called of God to bring the people back to righteousness. That was a little werid. Ah, elephants. We are wandering into strong Glen Beck opinions!

Makes the world go 'round, don't it?

After my fiance's divorce, he was less active. Never lost his testimony, but he said he did feel bitter with God. Getting married in the temple and then divorcing cannot be a pleasant experience. My suggestion... maybe not focus quite so much on being interested in the church right now. You are going through a tough time. Take this time to focus on God instead and work on your personal spirituality, but don't be afraid to use the social support of the church.

The most major difference. I would daresay the doctrine's the same. I think some wards are more prone to idiolectual young adults than others, but I think the bishopric keeps things in line. Currently I'm terrified of transferring back into a family ward since I haven't been in one regularly since age 17. Also expect a meat market. And fashion show.

I don't listen to him enough, but my fiance loves him and mentions things he says. From what I hear, I don't think his words are particularly LDS, just a little too conservative and conspiracy-theory based for my taste. I also don't think he should be writing fiction.

I grew up in Ogden, Utah, so I'm familiar with Salt Lake (by the way, in Ogden, you could totally get away with piercings and tattoos and I imagine Salt Lake is similar). What I've noticed with Utah is you either have people that completely freak out about what your style is or rebel and take that same style. 1. If I moved to SLC or a LDS neighourhood, would I be shunned? Or treated as you would any other LDS or non LDS? I think Utah is becoming diverse enough that I doubt you would be shunned. 2. If I was to attend a meet or two (if anything to become more culturally knowledgable), would I be accepted or turned away? Hopefully accepted. I also suspect that if anyone in a meeting tried to turn you away, there would be other members who would berate them for doing so. That being said, there are a lot of jerk Mormons in Utah. My advice is to not judge all Utah Mormons by some of them. 3. What are LDS views on Tattoos and Piercings? I may have been mis-informed. Technically, there is no all-or-nothing policy to tattoos and piercings. One can certainly do temple work, be baptized, etc, while sporting tattoos and piercings. They will not get you kicked out of the church in any way, shape, or form. However, as a sense of modesty and respect for the body, it is discouraged. I know active Mormons with piercings and tattoos, and I've always had a thing for piercings myself.

Beautifully put. I know there are many who disregard religion because it seems to them just being rewarded for doing good. They fail to understand the relationship that exists.

Obviously they would not have the Bible and Book of Mormon as we have them, being that those tend to be histories. I doubt Brother Su-Phong of Planet X cares about the Book of Mormon. Not his planet's history. It would seem that if other worlds and peoples exist and they are the children of our Heavenly Father, the same or similar Plan of Salvation would extend to them. The principals we believe would be the same. Now I could see where the action of doctrines and principals would be different depending on the uniqueness of this world and people and their scriptures might have very different stories, but I would think the end result would be the same.

It's true that there are plenty of other great sources of protein besides meat. Frankly, I've seen a lot of vegan/vegetarian parents who raised their kids that way, and those kids were a lot healthier than the kids whose parents decided greasy fishsticks and cheeseburgers were healthy meals. Anyone who knows nutrition can eat healthy with or without meat, and it depends on the individual body. I think some people need more/less meat than others. There is also the subject of keeping even meat in moderation, though. We are supposed to be stewards of the earth, after all.

Thanks for the info. Beautiful picture as well.

I had no idea about the Latter-Day/Latter-day difference!