RMGuy

that is not the way that it is intended Maureen. Rather we are taught to believe that sacrifice brings blessings. The point is that missionaries, and their families, the ward members, or even those who donate to the general mission fund all have to sacrifice in order to take the gospel into all the world. That is a beautiful thing. This was not criticism.....this is awe.....that individuals sacrifice their time, families and ward members sacrifice financially to send these young women and men out on missions. What a wonderful ting, but make no mistake about it....it is still sacrifice. -RM

Stairway to heaven is nice. -RM

Short answer? Sacrifice. In order of preference: 1. The youth works and then sacrifices their savings 2. The parents or family of the youth sacrifice other needs/wants to fund it 3. The members of the local ward sacrifice things that they need/want to pay the into the mission fund 4. General membership of the church world wide sacrificed things that they need/want in order to pay into the general missionary fund. How are missions paid for? Through sacrifice. -RM

I think we are encouraged to find knowledge through study and prayer. I think we also have an obligation to think things through and determine whether be believe they are true or false before we seek for confirmation. I've always been on the side that if something is true it should be able to stand up to open and honest inquiry. In short, you are on the right track actually. Study and think things through, ask for confirmation. Pay attention to sources.....both those on LDS as well as non-LDS sites. Make sure that what you are reading is in context and is verifiable (from both sides). I'll second Bytor's comment.....is it leading your to frustration or clarity and peace. -RM

Welcome to the world mate. -RM

Margin of Error, I'll bite...and no you didn't offend me. I do have one thought for you though. If your goal for a library is a place of resource material so members can learn and grow then why would you: 1. avoid controversial topics? Shouldn't this me a place that they can go to get information? I guess alternately they cold google it, but I'm not sure that doesn't lead to even bigger problems. 2. I would agree with accurately describing doctrine, but I'm not so sure about giving uplifting interpretations. Isn't the truth the truth? One of the biggest reasons that I believe some people turn away from the church isn't because of what they find out about church history, but rather, how they find out about it. For example, most members understand that the church practiced polygamy. Whether they like that history or not is irrelevant, they are still active members. Yet, when some find out about polyandry and the way that polygamy was practiced they feel that they have been lied to or decieved because they were only fed the "uplifting" parts of the story. I liked everything else that you had to say. Clearly there is no need to place a copy of the God Makers in the library by any means, but I think that making a decision to not place a well researched book into the library because we are uncomfortable with the truth might be counter productive. Using ward funds for something like RSR, might not be what I have in mind either, but if someone donated a copy to the library I would have no hesitation with including something like that or "In Sacred Loneliness" Just my $.02 -RM

You're learning. -RM

Yep, that's how I know it is from God. If it scares the bejeebers out of me, it must be true. -RM

It is not a requirement. -RM

Snow, I see what you are saying, but you will also note that originally I did clarify as scholars in the classic theological sense, for example Doctor of Divinity or similar. Talmage was a geologist, and Widstoe a biologist. Both were highly intelligent, well educated, and added a lot to church theology, but educated in a classical seminary type environment like PC would typically think of, not so. -RM

Well it's not like we were suggesting singing praise to the man......just a way to honor a man who tried to do his best to make life better. Perhaps I should retitle the thread to invite people to share their favorite quote or to make a snarky comment regarding the dead. I always need to remind myself how Christlike we all are. -RM

LOL, you have an open invitation to join me in Gospel Docrtine any Sunday you would like....then you can make up your own mind.....lol! -RM

I'll give it a go, but I'm sure that others will have opinions as well. As for what role scholars/professors play the answer is very little. At least in the classic sense of Doctors of Theology. Scriptures of course is a good source, but as with many denominations sometimes you can read a scripture and get one interpretation based on the wording used and then find that the heirarchy attaches a completely different meaning than what one would get at first reading. For example, read Doctrine and Covenants section 89. It says that it is not a commandment, but for members of the church, there is no doubt it is treated as such. It is a requirement for worthiness/temple attendence etc. It says that wine is ok if made yourself, but it is not. Based on a reading you would think that beer is also ok, but it is not. You would think that hot chocolate is not ok, but it is, and you would expect most members if they were treating it as a commandment to be mostly vegetarian, but they aren't. If you read the Book of Mormon, you might think that the church believed in the trinity, but they don't. So scripture are good, but the interpretation can be tricky. Members are encouraged to pray and recieve understanding or revelation for themselves as well. In fact, one might say that this is one of hte distingushing features of the church. That members are encouraged to seek after wisdom and knowledge for themselves. To seek a direct communion with deity. In practice, this is sustained generally so long as the answer that the individual recieves is in accordance with orthodoxy. My observations generally, that interpretation and what constitutes orthodoxy flows from the President of the Church/Prophet on down. In the 20's and 30's when the 1st presidency tightened restrictions based on the WoW the church's attitude towards that particular scripture changed from what it was in Joseph's or Brigham's time. So, probably the answer to your question is that this information flows down from the prophet through general authorities, regional reps, the Church Handbook of Instructions, and local leaders, until it is part of the culture. Does that help? -RM

"We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." -RM

Perhaps explaining the house rules (contributing to the home, getting a job, etc.) and then holding them accountable would be a good place to start. If they abide by the house rules that you and your husband have established then great! If they choose not to, then they have made their choice and you aren't kicking them out, they are simply suffering the consequence of their action or inaction. -RM

Interesting definition.... -RM

What parents need to know Parents need to know that this pay-cable series has plenty of graphic sex and violence. Some of the sex is particularly explicit and only barely hides actual penetration. For example, one scene shows a young man thrusting vigorously into a young woman from behind when her father bursts into the room (he later hits her across the face, bloodying her nose). Several scenes show topless women and views of naked men from behind. There are also violent scenes of murder, and men are wounded in fights and athletic events. The plot revolves around complicated political intrigue and is neck-deep in deception, treason, affairs, and bargaining with people's lives. Women are largely background figures. So in otherwords it is an accurate depiction of Tudor life? I guess we could always white wash the history.....it was all about people in cool timber frame houses that went to church, followed the monarch, and tended their flocks......I guess it isn't true, but it would be faith promoting. -RM

Presideing patriarch is a very interesting office in the church and one with a very interesting history. Happy Birthday Elder Smith -RM

There are both great replies. Thank you both. Please keep them coming. -RM

Hmmmmm.....no wait, that's not legal. -RM

The all seeing eye. -RM

Without a debate, I am just curious as to what constitututes anti-mormon literature or research to you personally. Since we are counseled to avoid anti-mormon literature, how do you categorize it? If it is something that isn't writeen by a member that means Dickens or Tom Clancy are off limits...so membership or not doesn't seem the right criteria. The same would hold true of publisher......we can't exclude something just because it isn't published by Deseret Books. Is it anything that says something negative about the church or church leaders? Or for you is it that you paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, "I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description (Anti-Mormon Literature); and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..." Curious. -RM

There are people who have a hard time believing that there is a God. Does that make Him any less real? -RM

I wouldn't go so far as to say that all or even many of the YSA's YM/YW use their meetings this way....of course I wouldn't say all of even many of the SSA groups are using meetings this way, but I'm sure that some are, in all groups. -RM

No surprise there....I would bet that many of our YSA's would say that YSA activities were a great way to hook up too....you YM/YW combined activities....or at least meet. -RM