szorgalmasan

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Everything posted by szorgalmasan

  1. We don't think with our hearts though, we think with our brains, and we do have the ability to scan the brain and decipher which parts of the brain are being used at any given moment. Perhaps one day we really will be able to measure and test whether or not "as a man thinketh in his brain, so is he."
  2. I think that this is a concept that is easy for members to understand, but can be difficult for someone on the outside to wrap their head around. Using the most obvious example: When someone sees a book called "Mormon Doctrine" and written by a person who is sustained as an Apostle, I think the natural reaction is to assume that everything in the book is an actual doctrine of the church, and then members come off seeming uneducated at best and disingenuous at worst when they say it is just opinion. Also on January 2, 1870 Brigham Young stated: "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture." A non-member, who has not been raised on the correlated church materials is liable to read that, and then conclude that every utterance that President Young ever made must be doctrine, while person raised in the church would think that conclusion is preposterous. I think that LDS Doctrines are best measured by what is actually taught in church on Sunday, and that's why I generally refer people to the Gospel Principals manual. It's easy to just say "read the scriptures," but those can be interpreted different ways by different people, whereas the manuals instruct members on how the scriptures should be interpreted.
  3. I had a similar question from a student when I was a seminary teacher. I referred them to: D&C 101:78 - That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. According to LDS doctrine, Heavenly Father is a righteous judge, and therefore will not hold people accountable for sins that they have not committed, even if he knew that they would have committed them. We could not be judged for our actions without being sent to Earth to act according to our own agency...that would be like arresting a person for drunk driving on his way to the bar and before he got drunk. Also refer to Alma and Amulek being restrained from stopping the wicked from throwing the righteous into a pit of flames. God allowed it specifically so that he could judge them righteously.
  4. Personally I think that Texting is more respectful than a phone call...not less. A text allows the recipient to respond in his or her own time instead of being pulled away from whatever they were doing to have a chat. I liken it to my paralegal walking into my office with a message on a sticky note and walking out as opposed to sitting in my office and interrupting what I am doing to give me a verbal message. When I was a seminary teacher I would text my students when class had to be cancelled on short notice...so much more efficient than a phone call to each individual. Our branch pres. used to text quite a bit too. "Bro. Can you bring sacrament bread this morning?" I agree with the above post though that a texting interview is wrong. I think that interviews are (in theory) supposed to involve the bishop "feeling" things about the person they are interviewing, and that's probably easier when the meeting is face to face.
  5. I think that is up to the mission president. If not, we sinned repeatedly in my mission under the direction of our President.
  6. The Church Handbook of Instructions vol. 1 2010 states in section 3.3.3 that "interviewers should not add any requirements to those that are outlined in the temple recommend book." The only thing that the Bishop might have been basing the denial on is the "Do you sustain your church leaders" question. I have never heard of someone being able to go through "other channels" to get a recommend, as it needs both the Bishop's signature in addition to the Stake Presidents. (Or their counselors) That particular bishop, love him or not, is his assigned "judge," so it's odd to me that the volunteer still ended up with a recommend somehow. So to answer your question, a "higher authority" shouldn't really ever question a bishop's decision to withhold a recommend as long as he doesn't deviate from the standard interview questions. The Stake Presidents duties enumerated in the Handbook also include "common judge," but a recommend needs two signatures and if the bishop wont sign, then I don't know where they are getting the other signature from.
  7. Speaking in the Tabernacle on April 7th 1876 Brigham Young had this to say about tobacco: "I used it for toothache; now I am free from that pain, and my mouth is never stained with tobacco. It is not my privilege to drink liquor nor strong tea and coffee, although I am naturally a great lover of tea. Brethren and sisters, it is not our privilege to indulge in these things, but it is our right and privilege to set an example worthy of imitation." Substances used for medicinal purposes are not necessarily against the word of wisdom, but note that once the ailment was resolved, he quit using tobacco. Green Tea can be used as a weight loss aid, but just as we don't use tobacco for toothaches anymore, I wonder if there isn't a better way to supplement weight loss than green tea extract. Are you in Asia by any chance? The only place that I have heard a big debate over green tea being for/against the WOW was in Taiwan, where many member still drink it regularly.
  8. I think that it is usually a safe bet that anything said during a General Conference address would be considered doctrinal, and in the past General Authorities have gone out of their way to say that they are speaking as a man if they don't want what they say to be construed as doctrine. Do you have a particular teaching that you are wondering about?
  9. The Standard Works, and Official Church Publications are considered doctrinal. Here is a link to a manual called "Gospel Principles." Everything contained therein is considered doctrine, and by reading it, all of your questions should be answered. It is a manual that is used every week in LDS congregations around the world. Gospel Principles
  10. As long as you are not asking specifics about the temple and things like that, I don't understand why they would be evasive. It's possible that they simply don't know the answer, or have never heard the teaching that you are asking about. The "milk" as you call it, is mostly what is taught in church on Sundays, because those are considered the doctrines necessary for salvation. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. What exactly are you asking about, and maybe people here can help without getting offended or being judgmental.
  11. I don't think you would have any problems. The last branch I attended had a guy get re-baptized 8 years after excommunication. We were all just happy to have someone else to share the calling load. No one judged him negatively.
  12. Yes, it was part of the reason that I quit going to church, but not the only reason. I don't think that the Book of Abraham alone would have been enough for me to lose my testimony, but it was definitely another rung on the ladder.
  13. Will your online friend not take your word for it? Seems like you could answer questions about mormonism just as well as any website, and they would have the advantage of being able to ask direct questions instead of just reading prepared statements and dogmas.
  14. No, it wasn't a set up. I live in an area with a small branch, and most people here have two callings. My intention for posting was to get advice from members of the church, which I did. Some people were nice and some were judgmental and leaped to bold conclusions, but I appreciated hearing all points of view. I honestly never imagined that this thread would generate the discussion that it did, which should be apparent by the minimal amount of posting that I have done on it, but if you choose to believe that I made up a story to set people up, then I can't change your mind. I know you are a good person at heart, and I was touched by your previous two posts.
  15. This is an update on my situation for anyone who is interested. I appreciate all of the advice that was offered up by you guys. I did sit down with my wife and talk about two months ago, and was shocked to find that she had some of the same concerns with the church that I did. (Not adultery, whoever mentioned that earlier in the thread...grow up) Long story short, we have both decided to end our relationship with the LDS church, although we harbor no ill feelings toward anyone. I understand that this news might come as a disappointment to many of you here, but just know that it wasn't a decision that we took lightly. Thanks again for everyone that responded to my OP, I really do appreciate your help.
  16. Deceased Women - A deceased woman may be sealed to all men to whom she was legally married during her life. However, if she was sealed to a husband during her life, all her husbands must be deceased before she may be sealed to a husband to whom she was not sealed during life. This includes former husbands from whom she was divorced. Deceased Men - A deceased man may have sealed to him all women to whom he was legally married during his life if they are deceased or if they are living and are not sealed to another man. Deceased Couples Who Were Divorced - Deceased couples who were divorced may be sealed by proxy. These sealings often provide the only way for children of such couples to be sealed to parents. There are restrictions if either husband or wife were excommunicated of had his or her name removed from Church membership records at the time of death. First Presidency approval is required for the sealing of a deceased couple who obtained a cancellation of their sealing in life.
  17. Applepansy, while I truly do appreciate your question, it might not be relevant here. I posted under the Marriage and relationship advice because It has to do with my particular situation and whether or not it would be more beneficial to reveal my true feelings and risk my current lifestyle, or continue to live the way that I am, but just secretly not believe. I understand why you and others are curious about how I became an unbeliever, however that might be better explored in a more relevant thread.
  18. Thanks Gwen for your very relevant and insightful answer. I really do appreciate those of you who have taken the time to answer the question that I posted. I have been given a lot to think about. Sachi001, if you think that I am not being honest they why would you take the time to post on my thread? I feel that I have more than explained the reasons for my continuing to attend church as an active member even though I don't have a testimony. You have brought nothing whatsoever to the conversation, and, frankly, I don't appreciate you treating my serious question with an answer that is akin to posting "FAKE" on youtube videos just so that you can have the satisfaction showing people how wise you possibly are.
  19. Jenamarie, You hit the nail on the head as far as my question goes. Up to this point my thought continues to be that if it ruins my marriage, my relationship with my children, and my ability to associate with people from church without being the "guy that went apostate," then yes, letting the cat out of the bag would be worse. That is kind of where my head is at right now. As far as letting it slip...that is a good question and point. I really don't foresee that happening, but who knows. Actually, if someone told my wife that I didn't have a testimony I would probably tell her they misunderstood me...just being honest here...it's easy to be honest when you are anonymous and talking to people that you will never meet in real life.
  20. Jennarator, I remember people like that on my mission too, but never thought of myself in the same category. Thanks for the insight. The fear that I have about talking to my bishop (Branch Pres. in my case) is that if I do, then even though he can't announce what I tell him to the congregation, he would probably take away my callings, and the cat would pretty much be out of the bag anyhow. If you are a little disturbed about my teaching seminary, then think how he would feel. It's not like I can assure people that "hey, I know the doctrines, and I never stray from the official lesson manual and the scriptures (unlike some of the seminary teachers that I had growing up:)...just think of it like a science teacher that has to teach evolution even though they don't believe it...that doesn't mean that they can't properly present the materiel." I just don't see how I could discuss this with him without everyone finding out, and for my part I don't care, however the predicament lies in how much my family would care. I remember how stressed out my parents were when my sister went inactive, and as for my wife...well how would you feel if your spouse that you have a temple marriage with told you that they didn't believe anymore. I don't want to put anyone through that, but I wonder sometimes if it is wrong to just keep pretending too. As far as my testimony, yes I did have one at one time, but I don't really care to have one again. Pam, I don't believe any of it if that helps.
  21. Hi all. I am just looking for some friendly advice... I was born into the LDS church, went on a mission, got married in the Temple etc. etc. However, I have (over a process of time) come to no longer believe in the Gospel. (Not the point of this post) The point is that, I have a wife and several children, and I don't know how to tell her, or even if I should. The church goes far back in each of our family histories and is culturally part of who we are. I am still actively going to church, and I have two callings that I am very dedicated to. My question is, should I just keep quiet about the fact that I don't believe in any of this? I really don't want to upset my family, and I'm not one of those people that has some existential crisis every time I bear my testimony in class (I am a seminary teacher) even though I know I am just lying when I do so. I give talks, pay tithing, teach lessons etc, and just pretend that I believe it, however I do wish sometimes that I could just be frank with my family about my disbelief. Like I said, I just keep my mouth shut because I don't want to upset my wife, parents etc, and I don't mind my kids growing up "Mormon" because I think the church teaches good values. Any thoughts?