RMGuy

From Gospel Principles "When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest." -RM

Thanks all -RM

That's the rumor I had heard Vort. So was trying to substantiate it. I can of course find copies out there, but when I went to Deseret book and searched I couldn't find it. I could find the CD. I would love the hear that this is not the case. -RM

Pam, I get what you are saying, and clearly there are times to step in. You better believe if I see my child beating on a neighbor kid with a baseball bat I'm going to take his agency away...lol! Nothing I have read regarding this situation however rises to that level. I haven't read about any kids getting sick, or individuals that could be irrevocably harmed (food allergies). Rather what I have read is that we have a sweet (pun intended) sister in the ward that enjoys treating (pun intended) the primary children of her ward. We have children that look forward to these treats. We have a primary presidency that does not. This falls squarely, in my mind, into a situation that seems to be "I don't like what you like and so you must stop". I think it is fine to talk with this sister and express your concern, even talk to the bishop and express your concern. But taking it beyond that seems to be overstepping the mark. If there was an individual experiencing harm and this was brought to her attention and nothing changed, then my opinion would be different. -RM

You asked for opinions....I think, so here is mine. It is none of the primary presidencies or the bishoprics business. From my viewpoint the gospel is predicated on agency. Can you ask her to stop? Yes. Can the bishop ask her to stop? Yes. Have you done that? Yes....so now what? If she wants to keep doing it, the kids continue to accept it, and the kids parents are willing to allow it, then why does it become our locus of control? If it bothers the presidency that much then they can ask to be released and let someone else deal with the shenanigans. From my view point, this sounds very much like a situation in which I don't like what someone else is doing so I want to force them to stop....sounds a bit like a plan I heard once before, it's vague and I can't remember all the details, but something about forcing everyone to be good. -RM

Does anyone know when this went out of print? -RM

Very much so. If you look at members who attend and post in the bloggernacle (what would generally be considered active) and you tried to place individuals on a continuum from unorthodox to orthodox, I think you would find most of those at lds.net as being pretty far towards the orthodox side of the house. Those at STAY or NOM more to the unorthodox side. I am sure with most things that there are exceptions, but I would think this is one of the more orthodox sites on the net, by design. For example, look at what gets moderated here as opposed to some other sites. That is good, because it give those individuals that are more orthodox a safe home. Personally, I visit a number of those sites because I like the variety of perspectives, and it helps me to personally stay in balance. I guess that is a long way of saying yes....I find this site very orthodox compared to some others. And like others, I'm not using that as a pejorative. -RM

I think there is more to modesty than the way one dresses anyway. Personally, I think that our fixation on dress standards detracts from other aspects of modesty that, in my opinion, are even more important. -RM

I agree with you Leah. I did try to qualify it by saying your results would vary depending on the route you choose. Although I do have more than a few former students that have been married for a number of years, quite happily I might add, that met in the local bars around campus. None are members however. All kidding aside, I find that most people have the best success at meeting "soul mates" when they aren't trying. My wife and I were both serving our missions when we met and neither one of us was looking for that at the time. We talked to our mission president so that we could get moved away from each other. Once I was released he encouraged me to write her while she finished her mission. 6 months after her return home we were married, and that was more years ago than I care to remember. My advice generally, is stop looking, and start living. Do the things that you enjoy...whether that is sports or bar hopping, if you do the things that you enjoy you will likely find yourself around others that like the same things, and your relationship can grow from there. -RM

Some suggestions: Singles Ward Sporting Events School Bar Mission Online forums in areas of interest to you Note that depending on the source you use, your results may vary. -RM

One question and one word of advice. Question - Where do you live? Advice - Move -RM

I think many both in and out of the church confuse their interpretation with fact. That is a sword that cuts both ways. Overall, I thought it was pretty well done. If I am investigating or researching something I want to know what those that are satisfied and happy with the product or service think, but I also want to know that those that are dissatisfied think and why. I can them weigh them and make my own decision. I thought this did a good job generally of presenting two sides. Overall, it was probably more favorable to the church than negative. -RM

I think Vort has this one pretty much spot on. I would add that an outsider looking in at Mormonism and trying to categorize the faith would probably see many if not most of the individuals that post here as highly orthodox. -RM

I think a lot of it depends upon what you want to learn. If you want to hear about all the good things that the church teaches/is/does, then I highly recommend lds.org, gospel principles, etc. If you want to learn about how individual members apply doctrinal teachings in real world applications then sights such as this as a wonderful resource. If you are looking to explore areas of doctrine that are controversial/problematic then there are others. My experience is that multiple sources and multiple perspectives usually provide the clearest and most accurate view of reality. As a classic example, I will offer this. If you want to learn how wonderful a car that Ford makes then go visit your local Ford dealer. If you want to hear all the reasons you shouldn't buy a Ford, talk to your local Chevy dealer. If you want to know about Ford's customer satisfaction ask a variety of individuals that drive a Ford - not just one, and not just those that are happy or miserable with their choices. You have to talk to those that believe they have gotten both good and bad service. Finally, if you want to know if a Ford is the right car for you, then I would do all of the above, plus some additional research as well. In part, where and how you search for answers will determine in large measure what you find....both pro and con.

Well, if you are a tithe payer you could probably write to the church office building and ask. President Hinckley said, "...THAT INFORMATION BELONGS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTRIBUTION,..." So they should tell you. My understanding is that yes, Mission Presidents receive a stipend for their service as the the General Authorities. -RM

Clearly the average age for marriage has risen, and you can find instances of child brides throughout history. While these examples exist they are by and large exceptions. In the history of the United States the lowest average age for 1st time marriages of females was just over 20 and that was in the 1950's. In England from 1450 onwards the average age for first marriage by a female has never fallen below 18. The idea that in the 1700's and 1800's that children were regularly married at 12,13, 14...while common is none-the-less not born out by the evidence. -RM

Out of those, my choice would be Cornell -RM

WOW, that sounds like a very black and white world. -RM

I don't see why we still send the deacons around to collect fast offerings. It is considerably easier from an accounting and cost standpoint to write one check instead of two and include it with the tithing slip when handed to a bishop. It is less burdon on the bishopric, the financial clerks, and the bank...not to mention the individuals themselves. The only reason I can see to continue it is because it provides an opportunity for the deacons to serve. That being the case most wards have areas where real service that meets needs could be performed by these deacons without creating additional busy work. -RM

I voted yes, but I can't stand the taste of cola. Now Dr. Pepper on the other hand.... -RM

@OP Depends. What do you feel comfortable with. Let's illustrate... Supposed one of your parents, a lifelong faithful member, pased away and left you $10,000. You know that they paid tithing on their increase throughout their life (in effect this money was originally tithed against and is a remainder) however, you have not tithed on this increase for you. So you pay 10% or $1,000 Leaving you with $9,000 You have 3 children and decided to pass on some of this to them. You give each child $2,000 from their grandparents. Each child, also faithful members, pays 10% or $200 each. Leaving them with $1800. Each of your 3 children have 4 children and they each decide to pass on a bit from the great grand-parents. They give each child $150 or a total of $600 per family. Each of those children, being young in turn pays tithing, or $15 for a total of $60 per family, or $180 total. Your parents generosity of a $10,000 gift has resulted in $1780 of tithing or 17.8%, not counting the tithing that they originally paid. Now some might consider that justification, they might be right. But I have also seen a wide variety of definitions as to what consititutes increase. Some say gross, some say net, others say that it is revenue-expenses that equates to income and thence increase. The real answer is, it is between you and the Lord, and NO ONE ELSE. -RM

I think that they way individuals view a site such as josephsmith.net depends in large measure on the lens through which they view it. Clearly a TBM will view this differently than an investigator, or an individual who has left the church due to issues with church history. Like LDS.net it is important to keep in mind what the Jospeh Smith site is and what it is not. It is designed to share the church's view of the Joseph Smith story and history It is designed to to give an overview of the prophet's mission and life It is designed to be faith promoting It is not designed to share every detail of his life or church history It is not designed to share truth that might not be faith promoting It is not designed to be objective -RM

He spoke in the 1976 conference, and gave that talk, later turned into a pamphlet. It is not on the church's website and the only place you can actually link to the talk are from what some consider to be anti websites. To me that seems a little 1984, but you can draw your own conclusions. To the OP, yes that question has been asked in youth interviews by various bishops and stake. We gave a letter to our bishop indicating that if anything of the sort was asked during interviews with the youth in our family it would immediately be reported to CPS. -RM

Sarcastic? Yes Mean? No I'm sure I'm older than many on the forum, younger than some. But I can distinctly remember days when youth in the church attended activities in tank tops and shorts above the knee. Now I have seen individuals advocate that our youth live up to the same standards of dress as those who have covenanted to do so in the temple. They need to dress as though they are wearing garments. I've heard others attempt to shame even younger children (achievement days, primary etc.) that what they are wearing is immodest. We are all entitled to our opinions. Mine is that we have gone a bit off the deep end on this modesty kick. I think it has gone a bit beyond a reasonable standard. We've moved beyond the concept of teaching correct principles and allowing individuals to govern themselves. That's my opinion. So a bit tongue in cheek, where does it stop? If you are going to have 'impure thoughts' over a shoulder or a belly button, then what about a wrist? A calf? -RM

Probably for the same reason that some people believe they are saving you when they are trying to convert you. -RM