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Just re-listened to Elder Renlund's talk "Abound With Blessings." I still don't get it. If all of these things are necessary before a blessing can be received, why didn't Jesus say this? Matthew 21:22 and multiple other scriptures seem to make is seem much more simple. Ask and you will receive! Have mustard-seed faith and move a mountain!

I appreciate ALL the answers given. I appreciated the emphasis on covenants involved in sealing rather than just the "families forever" part (not that it's a bad thing). I also like Johnson Jones explanation because it was more or less what I was asking. I have a bit of an empirical mind and believe science and religion are the same: religion is just science (truth) not yet understood and the whole "anti-entropy" thing makes sense : ). Thanks.

I know we are supposed to be sealed and I believe it to be a true doctrine but I have never really understood why. Is there a principle of physics requiring a binding of spirits in order to accomplish eternal goals or is this just one of those things we don't/won't understand in this life? Insights anyone?

I believe (and you can quote me in my disciplinary council) that there is "unrighteous dominion" amongst church leaders. Elder M. Russel Ballard: "As part of that training, I invited a ward council to participate. I gave to the bishop a theoretical problem about a less-active family and asked him to use the ward council to develop a plan to activate this family. Without exception, the bishop took charge of the situation immediately and said, “Here’s the problem, and here’s what I think we should do to solve it.” Then he made assignments to the various ward council members. This was a good exercise in delegation, I suppose, but it did not even begin to use the experience and wisdom of council members to address the problem. Eventually I asked the bishop to try again, only this time to solicit ideas and recommendations from his council members before making any assignments. I especially encouraged him to ask the sisters for their ideas. When the bishop opened the meeting to council members and invited them to counsel together, the effect was like opening the floodgates of heaven. A reservoir of insight and inspiration suddenly began to flow between council members as they planned for fellowshipping the less-active family." A deacon's quorum president has keys to receive revelation for his quorum and should seek for it. The YW president has the right to inspiration regarding her calling. The Sunday School teacher has a right to revelation for their class. I am saddened by so many leaders acting without counselling with others "below" them or sincerely seeking the wisdom that comes from the spirit. Maybe this Stake President did this but it doesn't sound like it when other active leaders are rebelling. Having said this, as I have struggled with situations like this, I tend to follow the council of my leaders even when I don't agree. I also try not to sit silent when decisions I disagree with are made. I believe when we are in counsels we should speak our minds in kindness but firmness. Nevertheless, when push comes to shove, I will follow that leader knowing that in the eternities, he or she will be held responsible for the pain and suffering they may have caused by acting impulsively rather than spiritually and I will be absolved of any errors I may make when following their guidance with faith. Last point, we have the right to receive revelation for ourselves and how we should respond to direction from our leaders. At times the Spirit may lead you to ways to both conform with the counsel AND conform to the Spirit (the gift of Creativity? )

Wow. I guess I'll take the coward moniker. I've been called worse (or have I?). Anyway... I guess I'm the only LDS who thinks there are unhealthily gun-obsessed people or that carrying death machines all over the place may not be safe. I have heard about the 2nd amendment. I seem to recall it says something about "organized" militia. Regardless, I will resign myself to the apparent fact that I am the only "Mormon" who believes there are just too many disorganized minds in this world carrying too many crazy death tools in disorganized ways (sigh). In retreat, I cowardly admit I feel like the late General Omar Bradley , “We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. … Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.” (General Omar Bradley as quoted in Louis Fischer, The Life of Mahatma Gandhi, New York: Harper and Brothers, Publishers, 1950, p. 349.) (Hey, maybe I won't feel so lonely in the next life! Yo! Omar......)

“When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we … stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage. - Robert D. Hales

“When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we … stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage. - Robert D. Hales

“When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we … stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage. - Robert D. Hales

Deal.

Thank you for reiterating the fact that, indeed, in statistics correlation does not mean causality -- but correlation can make you wonder about the connections. Regardless, as a member of a depreciated LDS minority (i.e. unarmed), I simply felt I needed to stand up and defend myself and my fellow weirdos by reminding people that guns are efficient, quick-to-use killing machines that harm many more people than just bad guys. And to get myself into even bigger trouble.... as one who believes the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" (or even say to his brother "raca") it does disturb me that others who claim to believe in the exact same commandment fiercely treasure items whose invention was for the sole purpose of killing. I know. I am a fuzzy-brained extreme pacifist. You are allowed to pity me. Namaste, peace, love, Ghandi, MLK, and groovy moonbeams✌️ .

First, statistics clearly show "For every time a gun is used in self-defense in the home, there are 7 assaults or murders, 11 suicide attempts, and 4 accidents involving guns in or around a home.* I don't have a gun, have never shot a gun (except bb's) and never plan to shoot or own a gun. I don't believe one is ever truly safe with a gun in the home. I don't even like that my son plays paintball. It may be a myth but I do recall hearing President Kimball did not allow his personal guards to carry weaponry as he did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone - even an aggressor. I know I am an LDS anomaly, but my scripture heroes are not the prominent warriors but the Anti-Nephi-Lehies who would die rather than take up arms. I am not condemning those who think it is important to defend self and family at any cost, I just seem particularly sensitive to the admonition of Jesus who is reported to have told Peter (Matt. 26:52) for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. *https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/pro-gun-myths-fact-check/

In the past, going to general conference priesthood sessions often felt like presenting myself to be punished for a crime I didn't commit. Priesthood holders have been repeatedly told they needed to stop exercising "unrighteous dominion" over their families and stop verbally or physically abusing them. Women, in contrast, seemed to have just been reminded they are selfless, wonderful, special spirits. To my relief, as deserved as the rebukes may have been (the average men are idiots, you know), the priesthood rebukes seem to have softened a bit (an observation also noted by another ward brother). Nevertheless, it still bothers me; don't sisters ever abuse people? I know women may be less likely to physically hurt a family member but, as we all know, emotional scars from words can last as long as physical scars. My wife and her siblings were severely abused verbally by their mother and this legacy has been unfortunately felt in our home. I know several couples where the husband seems to be the abused one (dare I say they are brutally "henpecked" and criticized). As part of an informal poll, I am asking: is this relatively female version of abuse actually a common-but-understated thing in the church?

True.

So I can tell people not familiar with the church that I am a "minister". Although it may be true on many levels, the average north amercan would wonder what theological university I attended.

PS what are other languages calling this? Sometimes certain words e.g. "ministering" don't translate well.

I just found this thread and I am still SERIOUSLY feeling awkward about the terminology especially when it comes to people who have been less active and have had little contact with church for a long time. They may know what a visiting\home teacher is but to call up and say "Hello. I know you don't know me but I have been asked to be your ministering brother" seems somehow more uncomfortable than saying home teacher. I suppose we could just call and say "Bro. So and so and I have been asked to see if there is anything we can help you with". Regardless, I would still be more at ease if the authorities had been more specific and clear about a thing one could call one"s self

I understand westill have specific households for whom we are responsible. Although A bit off topic people in our Ward are having trouble Knowing what to call themselves. Do we now call families and say "we are your ministers" or say "we have been assigned to minister to you?

I believe in the suggestion to listen to the spirit to let you know what to pray for. For me, it's as hard as listening to the Spirt at anytime. However, I have actually had the somewhat disconcerting experience on more than one occasion of feeling I should STOP praying for someone - sort of a stupor of thought. In these cases, though, they were people who were making some "bad" choices not an illness. I have tried to follow that impression as I have received it and I have actually felt good about it. Maybe I'm odd (actually I KNOW I'm odd on many levels : ) but is anyone else "odd" in this regard like me?

I know I'm coming late to the opera but I get where you are coming from, Luke, and I don't really have an answer. What I noticed, however, was that no one really addressed the meaning of the word "lie." Does the withholding of information constitute a lie in the divine perspective (truth, whole truth, nothing but the truth)? What about the modification of a "truth" to accommodate our simple brains in order to bring about a positive outcome? Is this a lie? Bottom line: I think there is a lot of stuff we just don't and/or CAN'T understand because we are still little, teeny, weeny specks of ignorant dust (albeit valuable specks) in this universe of knowledge and truth. I don't think we can even clearly define the word "lie" with our limited understanding of universal truths. Personally, if he truly loves us, then I don't think he can tell us something that could interfere with our eternal potential. P.S. In regards to boredom, I got bored rolling a ball back and forth with my first toddler but then I got another child and it seemed all new and fun again.

1) To reiterate one of the responses above, look at the annotations in the LDS printing of the Bible that reference the Joseph Smith Translation (JST). He went through it verse by verse and sought inspiration (incidentally he also spent a lot of time studying ancient languages - the Lord always expects us to do our part and then he helps. ) 2) To see some of the different translations/interpretations, go to the biblehub.com. Numerous versions are there from various sources -- some quite enlightening. I have used it in teaching Sunday School. 3) I know of no authorized LDS book or treatise that lists errors in the Bible. I don't think LDS like to or should emphasize what is "wrong" but should always emphasize the interpretations that give us better understanding/enlightenment. I believe sometimes personal inspiration can come from even the oddest verses. Maybe even some of the "errors" could inspire people toward God. The bottom line is God's truth ultimately comes through the Spirit as a personal witness to our hearts whether via scripture, the spoken word or prayer. In other words, you will have to find out for yourself through direct communion with the divine if this Article of Faith is "true." 4) There is a book in publication, NOT from an LDS author but from an atheist/skeptic, detailing many errors in transcription or purposeful alterations of the Bible over the last 2000 years that can be quite clearly identified through study of old manuscripts and other scholarship. This particular author's purpose seemed to be to weaken the faith of believers. Because it was so negative, I hesitate to mention it but can provide the title if you wish. Actually, for me as a "Mormon," the book just emphasized what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints already teaches: the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated - through the Spirit's inspiration - correctly.

Just gotta repeat this again. Yes, even though this scripture is a bit out of context and is directed to idolatrous practitioners, it still applies to this whole discussion. 1 Corinthians 8: 5-6 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (over-emphasis added) Bottom line: we don't know the answer and we should probably re-direct our mental energies on focusing on the god we DO know and His son. I know I need re-focusing every day.

Trying to get more veggie but have a nasty stomach/digestion ailment. Gotta cook all my vegetables WELL or the stomach rebels. Any ideas? Also curious as to why tofu is as expensive as a T-bone steak?

just stumbled on your thread. Just finished Moonwalking With Einstein." Talks about this extensively

Not to be too much of bummer but "Things could be a lot worse" never makes me feel better. I always think "It's gonna get worse??!!!!!!

Fortunately not quite sick of the "happy" song. Still takes a bit of the edge off.