cwald

Ahhhh, no. The word of wisdom is not about BEER. It's about alcohol. Is root beer against the word of wisdom? Of course not. And to take it a step further, it's about "moderation in all things" and using the spirit and common sense.

How many steps are we allowed to take on Sunday, before it is breaking the sabbath? Hmmm?

Well, you obviously don't know much about the art of beer. People who drink beer know the difference between good and bad beer ---- And it is an art - and a science. Someone mentioned this thread is an example about justification of sin. Personally, I think it is a thread about Pharisacial practice and behavior. Nit picking and trying to detemine the sin value of a drink that contains .05% alcohol - less than cough syrup. Wow.

Okay.

I don't think so. I know many folks in the LDS church believe this, but, I think they need to keep it in perspective. I heard at church recently that abortion and homosexual behavior would be the downfall of America. Really? Maybe we need to remember our history and not get so worked up about the current standard of morality. 140 years ago, the LDS church was saying that MONOGAMY was immoral and is what caused the Roman empire to fall. (see sources below) Im not saying we don't need to preach morality --- only maybe we should not jump on the "world is going to hell in a hand basket" fear because many in the world do not share our values and standards.

Oh? I would say that worrying and needing to ask the bishop what is and isn't a sin, is getting awfully close to Pharisaical behavior. I've heard members in church make fun of the jewish religion because of all there rules and defining what is and isn't a sin. I think this entire thread and concept is no different, and is pretty well the definition of Pharisaical behavior. So go ahead and mock my kind of attitude. I'll stick with my opinion, and you can stay with yours.

Wow. That sounds pretty insane.

I love large weddings. Love love love a good Catholic wedding in a cathedral. One of the most beautiful rituals i've witnessed on the this planet. I also love the "post" wedding Catholic receptions too! Some of the best parties and dancing I've ever witnessed

Absolutely nothing, except for welcoming her with open arms. This is Jesus Christ's church. Not mine, not yours, not the Branch Presidents. She has every right, just as much right, as anyone else to be there, IMO.

Probably for legal issues like inheritance, taxes, debt, visitation rights etc etc. This is the same argument those in favor of same sex marriage talk about. Maybe all this should just be some kind of legal contract between adults, rather than civil marriage, and the whole problem might just go away.

Yep. It's more about tradition and culture than about doctrine. Sometimes we need to step back and ask ourselves if our traditions have become our doctrine, or if our doctrine has become tradition.

I don't get what you are saying? Is raising your kids in a 2 parent LDS home AND being married to spouse that doesn't go to church - necessarily related?

You know, after reading all this, I just have to wonder if the church would do itself a favor and just copy what they do in England other foriegn countries because of public laws - and have folks get a civil marriage first outside of the temple where EVERYONE who wants to be involved can attend, and then get sealed in the temple the next day. This way, they can have as many people as they want at the wedding, without all these problems, and the next day go and get the sealing done in the temple. And, if we believe in mormon doctrine, really, it's the sealing that matters. Not the wedding ceremony. To me, it's a win-win scenario. Why does that not make sense?

Ahhh, no. No. It's none of the Bishop's business. Use the spirit of revelation to make personal decisions like this --- like the prophets have told us to do on more than one occasion. As others have pointed out - it's not a sin. So quit worrying about it, and don't bother the Bishop. He has more important things to worry about.

+1 These podcasts were amazing and gives one a lot of detailed facts WITH REFERENCES, about how Masonry was started, where they came from, and when, and what their ceremonies entails --- and how they relate to Joseph Smith's beliefs and the temple endowment. From the George Miller perspective, who is an active LDS members and high ranking mason --- the pre-1990 LDS temple ceremony and the mason ceremonies are strikingly similar in there rituals, wordage and symbolism.

Yeah. I was thinking that. No way is this for real, not even for lds.net site.

Maybe because they are a member of the church and they're torn between doing what they feel is right, and what their church leader tells them is right.

Despite the rude responses you got for this comment about being a know it all 20 year old, I think you may be right. They changed their minds about interracial marriage, so why could they not change their minds about this? There were probably many people that said they would leave the church if blacks ever received the priesthood, so go ahead and mock away. And oh by the way, I'm a little older than 20.

Oh yes, I forgot my Mormon doctrine. Let me rephrase. 14 million people recognize Thomas Monson as a a prophet. About a billion Buddhist recognize the 14 Dalia Lama as a prophet...why would he not be listed as one of the most influential people?

Well, I find it odd that the 14th Dalia Lama was not on this list (unless he is and I missed it). The Pope, Billy Graham, Pres. Monson..... So President Monson is the prophet for 14 million people, and the Dalia Lama is the prophet for 1 billion. Hmmm? How does he not make the top ten most influential people?

For me, when I need a spiritual boost, I just like to take a walk. Nature is soothing to me. Good luck.

FAIR would be a good place to research if one is having troubles with doctrinal and history issues. I would also recommend John Dehlins, stayLDS.com website. New Order Mormon also discusses tough issues like polygamy and temples, and tries to help people navigate a middle way. Both these sites are designed to help folks find a middle ground, somewhere between absolutely fundamentalists and complete rejection.

I think the second option is the most probable. I voted for it. Even though I don't accept monson as "The prophet of God," I don't think he is intentionally lying and misleading people. I'm sure he is an honest guy and he believes what he says and in his calling. Thanks vort for the thread and giving some of us "less traditional" and unorthodox members a platform to express our opinion without getting the crap kicked out of us.

Actually sister, I think I do know what it means. Fallacy: A false notion. A statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference. Incorrectness of reasoning or belief; erroneousness. The quality of being deceptive.

God does not make policy. Man makes policy. Man is man, doing the best they can. They make mistakes occasionally as church history has proven over and over again. Oh, you want an example of man making policy? Okay, how about the 18 month mission for starters? How about switching over to the 3 hour block. I doubt that was just god's doing. Probably a bunch of members started talking about what could be done differently to make things better for the local leaders and members, and it worked its way up to the top dogs in SLC. Thank god they didn't bring the idea to LDS.net. Sounds kind of what MM was wanting to talk about. He wasn't asking to change policy - just discuss some changes that might help out the poor bishop.