RMGuy

Riiiiigggghhht. If any of these things "worked" to accurately predict anything believe me that every business, investment firm, intelligence agency, and professional coach would be using them. Paper, ink, and plastic and they have about as much "magic" or "power" in them as a used soda can. -RM

I hear burqa's are nice, and they are pretty modest. -RM

I've known one set of parents of a college student convert in our ward to react very negatively. Usually, it is has been pretty ambivalent A few times they have been genuinely supportive. I have also know more than a couple of parents that have reacted very negatively when their children have deconverted. -RM

To paraphrase Brother Gordon, "Isn't freedom wonderful" -RM

I'll go with Usirwer for 1000 Alex. -RM

I'll go with... Child of God. -RM

My opinion:? They are paper and ink, an inanimate object. They have no special powers. -RM

Signed -RM

Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart grad responds to controversy - themorningsun.com -RM

As a doctor in our medical school recently described this to me. A good doctor is like a pilot to a ships captain. It is not the pilots ship, it is not their course to steer. It is their job to provide advice, assistance, and help as needed and as requested. If the patient decides to run their ship full speed into the rocks, then it is their ship. A good pilot will be standing beside the captain until the ship sinks, offering advice and assistance along the way, but never insisting or withholding help. -RM

Describing a letter delivery as an invasion is kind of like describing an interview that you granted in your own office as an ambush. -RM

For many in leadership the reality is that the 3 hour block can quickly become the 4, 5 or 6 hour day...or more. I think one of the reasons that we hear from some that the 3 hour block is too long is that for many the 6 day work week is not uncommon and that means that Sunday may well be the ONLY family day. If that is true it can mean less time to spend with spouse or children. -RM

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall... -RM

Don't. -RM

The best defense is a good offense....may I suggest something in 155 towed/ M198 155mm howitzer | Photos and Pictures -RM

Personally? I think there is a lot of parables, and life lessons in the old testament. Do I think that it is factually accurate? No. -RM

Umm no. The only reason that there is any alcohol at all in 'near beer' is because it is impossible to extract all of it. Kind of like cooking with alcohol. The purpose of near beer is because some people (don't ask me why) actually like the taste of beer. Hence, they can drink it without 'altering their brain waves'. -RM

Ummm, I believe that the post you are referring to was intended to show that WoW was not a temple requirement until the 1940's. Prior to that, it wasn't part of the temple recommend interviews. -RM

I'm sure it won't surprise you Vort to hear that we disagree. For me there are things that we covenant to do in the church, for example: baptism. It is a recognized covenant. The individual recognizes and is taught that it is a covenant prior to baptism. We talk about renewing our baptisimal covenants each week through the ordinance of the sacrament. While I do understand where you are coming from, and don't disagree, that we have covenants to obey, sacrifice, and taking upon us the name of Christ. At no time, in the temple or out of it, have I covenanted to wear the garment. As stated above, I do try to be obedient to the instructions that I have been given. Your logic would mean that we are under covenant to follow every word of instruction that we have been given. For example, am I under covenant to not wear more than one pair of earrings? Am I under covenant to not drink a beer? Am I under covenant to not watch R rated movies? I have recieved all of those instructions and I am obedient to them as well. But to consider such convenants, in my mind, cheapens the understanding of what a real covenant is. If a member feels like those instructions put them under covenant between them and God then by all means, that is wonderful. However, I take the covenants that I have made, in all aspects of my life, very seriously. I am not amused when someone tells me that I made a promise I never made. That is putting words into my mouth, and that is deceitful. -RM

Your baptism example is apropos, however, we refer to it as the baptismal covenant and we are taught from our earliest days in the church that the sacrament is to renew our baptismal covenants. However, this is the only place that I can find that the church has started to refer to a 'covenant' in relation to the garment. Even in the temple it is referred to as instructions on wearing the garment. If the intent is different than that, perhaps we should make it clear. I have a hard time ethically holding people to promises that they didn't even know that they made. Instructions are much different that covenants. I will stick by the point that I never made a covenant to do so (though I do try to give heed to the instructions that I have received). If it was implied that this was a covenant relationship then it was not implied very well. -RM

From the post above ""It is expected that members will wear the garment both night and day according to covenants made in the temple." When did we "covenant" to do this? Now, I'm just a poor dumb country boy, but I seem to remember this as part of the instructions and not a covenant. I don't ever remember promising/covenanting to do this. -RM

Must. Restrain. From. Comment. Whew...that was tough. -RM

MoE, I can respect that position. One further question, if you are willing to share, and if not I understand. What do you think? It seems to me, that our Heavenly Father expects us to reason things through and then seek confirmation. I think what is difficult in this situation is that we are told to trust the words of our leaders, of prophets and apostles. Many, many LDS did this, they trusted those leaders. They based decisions and behaviors on that guidance, now the church issues a statement that claims these teachings were just personal opinions and conjecture. I would hate to think that I cause harm, injury, or offense to others of my brothers and sisters simply because of the personal opinions of our current leaders. There certainly is no easy answer. -RM

So do you believe God is just tolerating our "horrific flaws" of not allowing homosexuals the same rights as others? Or do you think he is "tolerating" the fact that we don't allow women the priesthood? Or are those really bedrock doctrine? -RM