RMGuy

Pam I agree. When it came up...I was sick to my stomach for weeks and I wasn't the individual that turned it in, or the individual it was handed to. -RM

With as far north as Milan is, he might actually run into some German or French. Northern Italy is a bit eclectic that way. When does he report to the MTC? -RM

I could tell you Specka, but then...... Just kidding. It came up a number of years ago because we had a member in our ward that did not want the bishopric members to know how much they paid in tithing. At tithing settlement, they said that they paid directly to Salt Lake even though our numbers showed a 0. The Bishop asked the Stake President who explained that yes it is possible to do this and that in that case the local ward/stake would have no record of the amount paid. The bishop is permitted to follow up with Salt Lake and they will just tell him yes or no about donations received is my understanding. We decided to start paying that way, not because I care if the bishop knows what we earn, but simply because it was easier to manage. I think it is still pretty rare, but I would imagine it will become more popular. Less checks/cash changing hands etc. We had an incident about the same time (while I was in a bishopric) of $500 in cash going missing that was never found. The member insisted that they gave the envelope to a member of the bishopric, that individual never remembered receiving it etc. There was a big investigation...etc. Anyway, having observed that (So glad it wasn't me they said they handed the envelope too), I decided I did NOT want to be or put anyone in that position ever...one more reason to just pay direct IMHO. -RM

Awesome!

I'm going with somewhere in the states....Michigan is nice! -RM

I love Anatess, and respect their opinion highly...but can I caution you on this. It can work...and it can also backfire. Many times in this situation individuals are looking for evidences, facts, and proofs more than feelings. What you testimony tells someone in that circumstance is that YOU believe it is true, but not why they should. I'm not telling you not to do what Anatess suggests, but just to carefully consider it. You know the individual in this situation much better than we do. From my experience this is about a 50-50 pick 'em as to whether it helps or hinders. -RM

Dravin, those are some great questions. Schools (at least here in Michigan) are required to run those checks annually. I'm not sure how an organization like the BSA covers those costs, but I would assume that there is a cost effective method. We run criminal backgrounds on all new hires and this runs approximately $7/check. You are right there are other safe guards in place such as two deep leadership etc., but that isn't always the case, for example seminary teachers. Also members of the bishopric are many times alone with youth/children without an open door, and without two deep leadership. -RM

Good points backroads and JAG. I hate the "do it for the kids" arguement, but is the cost justified if it prevents avoidable abuse? -RM

Honesty is a great thing, but the real problem is that someone who would be a problem probably isn't being honest. Which is precisely why we have lockers in the temple. I"m just thinking that if it is a requirement for individuals to have a background check prior to working with the YM in scouting that perhaps it is every bit as important for them to have the same before working with the YW or the primary. -RM

AoF 11

What would be your thoughts if the church instituted criminal history/background checks for individuals that serve in Primary and YW. Theoretically these already exist for individuals in YM's callings if they are doing scouting. What about for positions like bishopric etc. Where they have the potential or even requirement to be alone with youth? Is this something you would support, or feel like it was detrimental to the Spirit of Inspiration. -RM

It was pretty easy actually. You send an email to [email protected] make you subject: RE: i want to pay tithing through direct debit of my account. and they will send you the instructions to pay tithing through bill pay. I believe you have to be in the US to do this. It is great! I opened a separate account just for this, have my employer deposit an amount equal to 10% each pay period and then transfer it out. The only down side is that your local leaders don't have a record of you paying, so you just have to tell them you pay direct to salt lake, and you can't pay fast offerings that way, so for that we still write out a check etc. -RM

If so that is news to me Wingnut...I've seen a couple with stained glass. The ward I grew up in had some, no pictures or anything just colors. One of the things I really love about traveling to Europe is the big cathedrals and stained glass. There is a certain something and reference there. I love the temple, but the places I have always felt closest to the spirit is high on a snowy peak, or in quiet contemplation in some of the ancient cathedrals of Europe. -RM

Vort, I'm with you on this. I pay tithing for other reasons...not fear based. I understand though that for some that is their motivation. I am sure I am missing something in that scripture. -RM

To the OP. I feel for you. School, work, newly married....those are a lot of plates to juggle, and it is not easy. I know that many others in the church (and out of it) have confronted these same issues. The one thing we know is that our choices have consequences. We are told to follow the prophet and listen to his council. Sometimes I think we believe that if we do so things will suddenly be easy. Unfortunately, such is not the case. Getting married young, while still in school, on limited income is not easy. Far from it. There are many, many demands upon such a relationship. Getting used to each other and sharing decisions/responsibility with another person, balancing finances, housekeeping, studying, etc. That probably isn't helpful, but at least it is honest. You'll get there. -RM

It is good to hear a voice of reason that perhaps people should be making decisions for missions based upon their individual circumstances and not based on social pressures or expectations. I hope you are as vocal when counseling the YM and YW that come to you for advice. -RM

I pay online....so much easier. -RM

Nope. I have seen in at least one building a stained glass rendition of Jesus tending sheep. -RM

I always love (hate) the argument to pay tithing based on the fact that you won't be burned at His coming, or that tithing is fire insurance. It always strikes me as a mafia protection racket. -RM

I can't imagine how much pot he would have to be smoking for multiple neighbors to smell it unless you are in an apartment....and even then.

I'm of the opinion that Twinkies, like PopTarts, were all made sometime in the spring of summer of 1962 as emergency supplies in case of nuclear war. They were stockpiled in government warehouses and have been sold to an unsuspecting populace ever since. Isn't there more preservatives in those things than food product? ICK! -RM

Pine for Michigan? -RM

In the MTC we had an elder in our district from Texas who would always talk about how much bigger and better things were in Texas. One morning at Breakfast, between bites of cereal, another elder in our district who was from Alaska said the following: "Those of us from Alaska would like to remind our friends from Texas that if you cut Alaska in half, Texas would be the 3rd largest state." We didn't hear much more about Texas during our stay in Provo. -RM

In the old argument between warhead and armor....warhead always wins. -rm

Well that's one way to get kids to read........