Colirio

When I conceal carry, I carry a full size 9mm SIG in a pancake holster OWB with a shirt or jacket covering it. I used to go to great lengths to make sure I wasn't printing through the shirt. After awhile, I just stopped caring if someone knew what I had. The biggest hurdle I have in carrying these days is that when I prayed about it, I felt fine about doing it, but that I would never need to use it. Kinda takes the fire out of lugging it everywhere, knowing it's a somewhat pointless endeavor...

Well, aside from ribbing you earlier, I agree with your points about there not being enough TRUTH being taught in the world that there is GOOD and there is EVIL. Therefore there is RIGHT and there is WRONG. Lucky for all of us, 1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Good enough for The Lord, but not for PC?!? "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)"

Over the years I have worked on various temples in the US and in several other countries. I will tell you that it is not uncommon for the church to buy the land surrounding the temple and invest in apartment housing and other commercial ventures. The first time I saw this was about 12 years ago (?) when the first presidency was very concerned about the Ogden, Utah temple. The surrounding neighborhood had begun to fall into a state of disrepair and they were concerned about the criminal element that had been popping up around it. In their talks with the city, they discovered that Ogden also had a housing problem at that time and so they ultimately chose to build an apartment complex across the street from the temple. Likewise, they attracted other investors to rebuild the area where Ogden City Mall had been abandoned. Since that time, church officials recognize that any city and area can fall on hard economic times and that they often preemptively purchase the lands surrounding the temples "just in case." In order to decide what will be built, there is obviously a lot of prayer that goes into the decision making process, but there is also much discussion with the local municipalities to decide what the needs are for that specific community. Stimulating local economic growth, creating local job opportunities, and attracting new attention to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ... What better ways could the church possibly help a community than by these things? From the New York Times:

There are several ways of viewing this passage and more than one could be correct. 1. The literal sense, he actually compared "fruit" to a "tree." Not fruit to a fruit. I can imagine most any fruit tasting a little sweeter than bark and leaves... 2. Do we know that he was referring specifically to how these things "taste?" Sweet and bitter can both be used to describe feelings. (ie. music that is sweet to the ears; bitter agony, etc.) 3. If we assume that he was metaphorically using two contrasting fruits to describe something of a spiritual nature, then the question would be asked if these sensations apply to the path to be trodden or the end result to be obtained. It seems that Anatess is looking towards these "tastes" as describing the path. The path to Eternal Life is full of difficulty, trials, and is often hard to bear. The path to destruction is much easier and well traveled. If we look to the taste of the fruit as a representation of the end result, then obviously the sweetness of Eternal Life is deeply contrasted by the bitterness of Hell. As Gfchase pointed out, depending on where we are on the path, the Spirit could certainly touch our hearts to different meanings in order to teach and comfort us.

I'm pretty sure that coercion is justified in order to get some brownies. I'm also pretty sure that coercion should be justified to get Kayne's Browning.

While I agree with others that what you have described is not a sin and therefore does not need confession, I would actually ENCOURAGE you to go to your Bishop about anything you feel you need to. I have never felt that a concern or question of mine was "wasting" the Bishop's time. If it's important to you, I'll bet it's important to your Bishop; even if others of us might trivialize its importance. He will be able to ask appropriate questions that help you resolve why you might be questioning your worthiness. If nothing else, I'll bet your Bishop will leave you with comforting words and a clear sense of direction for the future.

I believe this is the scripture that is referenced most often when others assert that we will never be tempted above what we are capable. The word "escape" cross references the following: Seems to me that the one thing Heavenly Father will always do is to respect our agency. We choose to be acted upon instead of acting. Instead, He makes a way to escape from things we should not do while making it possible to perform the acts we should do. Humbling ourselves and calling upon the Lord allows the Atonement to work most effectively in our lives to unshackle us when we have chosen to be acted upon and strengthen us when we choose to act in accordance with Eternal laws. As to the original post, I believe we should be patient and understanding when others insist that they will not be tempted above what they are able to bear as this is an attempt on their part to put their trust in God. Such should probably not be discouraged... However, I DO understnad how it can be frustrating to listen to others reference such quips. I get the same way when others say "He never said it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it," when THIS is what He said.

I got a hair cut and shaved last night. Trimmed my nails, too. All that hair that grows on my body naturally as a protection and keeps me warm sure has a lot of use... Don't worry, though. My repentance seems to be working as I have a 5 o'clock shadow already.

Well, my intention was not to call you to repentance, Gwendolyn. My intention was merely to point out one of the most effective tactics that Satan uses to keep us from being able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel in our lives. He likes to get us so worked up over our perceived differences that we lose sight of the love and concern we should have for the soul with whom we are discussing such matters. I know that Heavenly Father will answer your prayers and I have every confidence that you will make the choices He wants you to make; even if they seem difficult for a season.

Gwendolyn, I don't know you very well, but, it seems to me that you are on the right track! These are the statements of someone who is drawing nearer and nearer to the most non-abusive Man that exists. I know that the Lord loves you and must be SO PLEASED with your decisions! With that being said, I can promise you that the path towards our Heavenly Father has a lot of obstacles (sometimes in the form of people!). The adversary is clever and quick to try and get us off track. I have found that one of the sneakiest tricks he uses is to attempt to bring contention into our hearts: Whatever the topic that was being discussed, it was less important than maintaining the Holy Spirit and avoiding contention. Contention has a way of consumming our thoughts and cutting us off from receiving further light and knowledge into the matter being discussed.

How many miracles did Jesus have to perform before finally convincing Pharisees, Sauducees, and others of His divinity? Those who desire to believe need nothing more than a spiritual witness. Those who are too interested in justifying their own desires will find their hearts only get harder when confronted with greater evidences. To answer the question of the OP, I thought your quips were very clever and probably right on the money.

One of the times this hit close to home for my family was when my grandmother started investigating the church. Some of the members took it upon themselves to explain how someone who wasn't "worthy" should not be allowed to partake of the sacrament when she reached for the bread. They forbade her when all she wanted was to participate. Don't worry though. We were able to do her temple work for her, even though she never set foot in one of our churches again for the next two decades of her mortal life on the earth. I would urge us all to not "cast out" someone because we misunderstand the context of a few verses of scripture...

What does it mean to know something in gospel terms? For those who are members, what does it take to become worthy? This passage has direct relation to the repentance process and how the church leadership would deal with those who are in such stages for grievous sins. Mosiah 26 was in similar fashion a revelation to Alma on how to deal with those who have serious sins.

The church teaches self-reliance, it is true. But that is also temporal as well as SPIRITUAL self-reliance. Here this (or these) women are doing their best to pray and receive revelation for themselves, trying to become spiritually self-reliant, and we would tell them that they are listening to wrong sources for their inspiriration and that they merely need to know what the church teaches on the subject? Does such a response encourage or discourage their efforts to become spiritually self-reliant? For every "keep the Sabbath day holy" there is a "get your ox out of the mire." I believe this is Grand Design to help us learn to become spiritually self-reliant. I have had to learn through trial and error what the Spirit feels like and assume most everyone else in the whole wide world did or does, too. As for the comparing this to government assistance programs, I would rather give to fast offering donations all the money that I have been paying in taxes any day of the week. At least I would know that ALL my money goes for those in need, has a spiritual leader called of God to make the financial decisions regarding how it's spent, and that the program is for helping others to become self-reliant. I don't even like to lump those two programs into the same category personally. I have no problems at all supporting the widow, the fatherless, and the disabled both temporally and spiritually. It's not MY money, MY time, or MY testimony as it all comes from the Lord. He calls someone to be a judge in Israel and I'll leave to that man the decisions on how my donations are spent, even if someone is trying to "game" the system. As for the women who are claiming to receive these revelations, I find myself in no position to judge them. I certainly am no one to cast the first stone as I am not sinless. For all I know, they spent many hours on their knees struggling and in tears trying to cope with that answer to their prayers. We should love them and treat them as we would any other saint.

How long does it take you to build the fire so you can send a smoke signal "text" to someone? But, I hear ya about inferior technology. I'm hoping to become righteous enough to get one of those "white stone" things that have been promised and be done with updates.....

And...? Likewise, what does your spouse say? Personally, while I can't say for sure considering how many unknown factors exist, as this brother seems to be quite confrontational, I would encourage you to continue to seek redress from the Bishop. If he does not seem to care or take it seriously, take it to the stake. In the meantime, I would also admonish you to remember the words of the Savior and apply them like you never have before:

We can discuss which educational blanket best covers society all day and get nowhere. As earlier stated, the responsibility to educate children falls directly to the parents. That is doctrine. If the child doesn't learn to love learning, then whatever system is being used is failing them. You cannot pour knowledge into a person. Helping them learn to love learning is the key to their success in life, not what certification hangs on their wall. A person getting a degree in something does not mean they got an education in something. If a child can gain the desire to learn, then any education system that has been discussed affords an opportunity for them to gain an education. Likewise, if they don't want to learn, each system becomes a daily torture factory. The problem with public education is that it is filled with people who don't want to be there, teachers and students alike. It makes it tough on those who WANT to gain an education and those who want them to give them an education. Rant time: The real question for me, when it comes to public schooling, is what type of education are my kids getting besides reading, writing, and arithmetic? They ring a bell, the kids start learning. They ring a bell, the kids eat lunch. They ring a bell, they go back to learning. They ring a bell, the kids go home. Those same kids grow up and get a "job" where a clock is punched, they start working. They punch a clock, and go eat lunch. They punch a clock, go back to work. They punch a clock, they go home. Are we teaching kids or training Pavlov's dogs? Unless the child has the parental support and guidance, regardless what educational system is used, they will most likely become another social drone and then another social drain. /rant

O casamento na Igreja Catolica seria valido nos EUA por causa das leis aqui. No Brasil, um casamento na Igreja Catolica nao vai ser valido por causa das leis da terra. Por isso, um casamento tem que ser registrado no cartório de registro civil como JuanP falou antes. Em A Igreja de Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Ultimos Dias no Brasil, tem que registrar o casamento no cartório de registro civil antes de ir no templo. Se aquele casamento na Igreja Catolica foi registrado no cartório de registro civil, entao nao precisa fazer de novo. Se nao foi registrado, precisa fazer antes de ir no templo.

God will open new areas in His own due time. I understand the feelings of urgency concerning the affairs of the world. I used to debate politics and conspiracies. A lot. I came to understand a great truth. People are rarely swayed, at times, by a good, solid argument. Most of the time, arguments and debates tend to further imbed the participants into their own beliefs and ways of thinking, usually leaving both parties further from the truth than before the debate. If you want to REALLY make a difference in the world, one that will matter long after this life, serving and blessing the lives of others through pure love will never be overshadowed. New wars, new politics, and new governments come and go. But, to help someone's heart be changed in Christ so that they can discover new truths on their own is by far the most rewarding feeling in this world. Everything else becomes just a distraction.

Everything the Lord does, it is because of LOVE. Whether it is condemning and rebuking, encouraging and healing, it is all done out of His great love for us. If this is true, then would excommunication be done out of love? If so, how would one explain excommunication as "loving?" I would say that removing the further condemnation would be a good start to understanding how this would be so. Although I hear this statement a lot, and I know people have taken courage from it to continue onward during difficult times in their lives, I find it to be somewhat false in its precepts. The Savior DID say that His yoke is easy. I know for myself, I often place undo burdens upon myself concerning things of a spiritual nature. I HAVE to read X amount of chapters in the Book of Mormon everyday. I HAVE to avoid that Coca Cola because it has caffeine. I HAVE to miss out on some activity the rest of my family is doing because it's Sunday and I HAVE to set the example for them. I HAVE to do this, or that, or the other because if I'm not busy and over-burdened then I feel like I'm falling short. Many of the burdens we place on ourselves we then expect and even pressure others to live also. The truth is that many of these burdens we place on OURSELVES rather than allowing the Savior to carry our burdens. We are not equally yoked with Him because we are trying to pull the plow ourselves. It's no wonder that new members get discouraged. It's no wonder so many members in the church use anti-depressants. It's no wonder we sometimes fail in our progress even though we feel like we just can't run any faster or harder.

If I did have one, no one would know. If the current church leaders have and use one, why would they ever declare such a sacred thing publicly?

Christiano, While the quick answer you would get from people in the church would be, "No, you would not need to get remarried," I saw that you are in Brazil. That changes things due to the law in Brazil. The only legal marriage recognized by the Brazillian government is a legal document being signed at the government building. So, if a person were married in an evangelical church only, it is not recognized by the Brazillian government as a legal marriage. Even members of the church in Brazil have to have a civil marriage at the government building first and then be with chaperones all the way to the temple in order to be "married" (sealed) there. So, the answer to your question is that the church requires a legal marriage in order to be sealed. A religious ceremony is not a legal marriage according to Brazillian law.

I get tired of not having enough money to have an opinion about this topic.

I see by your avatar that you are into BJJ. I understand. I've been in the martial arts world for several decades now, including BJJ. The desire to look the role is sometimes overwhelming. It can increase the intimidation factor. It helps you look more extreme. The prophet didn't advise against it because he's "out of touch." If you really are looking to be a warrior, the battlefield most warriors are conquered in is their own inner weakness. Be better than them. Be stronger than your own feelings of insecurity. An Eternal Warrior would put truth first and would never be conquered by lack of self-mastery. Unless it's a tatoo of Spongebob as stated earlier. He'll never go out of style.