Magen_Avot

Yesterday, I had a facebook on "Don't be a Zombie" in reference to seeking Christ. This was a perfect followup for them who believe not. Thanks.

Oh, yes,... the OP! LOL I thought the man cave was the High Council room.

As with others, I am disappointed by things like this (LEV) for church parking. I watched as one Stake building was built and the Stake office area was made available to only the SP and visiting General Authorities and kept under lock and key to exclude everyone else. Anyway, since only the wealthy (I know this is reletive) can afford the luxury such social and political statements I am reminded of: 2Nephi 26:29 "He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." Not calling any "stewards" to repentance, just makes me wonder sometimes.

Interesting. What does it mean to say: I believe in Joseph Smith, as opposed to... I believe Joseph Smith. 10 minutes ago I wouldn't have even blinked at this. Some people will say I believe in ufo's, or other things. But now I'm wondering about what I or anyone else means when using "I believe in..."

This has been an interesting read. D&C 132:26, 27 has often left me wondering if I understand it. It abhors me to even consider that committing all manner of blasphemies after having received the new and everlasting covenant and that in the end all will be well. I recall hearing, or reading that King David would Inherit the middle degree of the Celestial Kingdom after repenting of his part in Uriah's murder, which was to cover his sin of adultry. I'm not sure where though. But I think, in part, this discussion has been about "culpability". In that "culpability" considers "blameworthiness", I've always considerded it as being worthy of the punishment. The four degrees are: purposely knowingly recklessly negligently Rameumptom mentioned, "to love darkness more than light" and I tend to think that this must play a big part in God's judgment. I saw some made for tv movie (I think) once where a 'perp' had kidnapped a series of women. He said something that chilled me to the bone. He described his interaction with one victim as... "delicious". We don't have cable or satilite tv anymore, but I still wish I could un-hear that. On occasion such as the reason for this discussion, I feel ill because of it. I can't help but feel that Castro is fully culpable, and relieved I havn't been touched by this, because I need a loving God's forgiveness and I imagine it'd be so difficult to forgive in this case. May those women be healed in Christ's love.

This is a though situation for anyone. Get counseling for yourself, try to get him in if possible. Put your trust and faith in the Lord and make Him your anchor. Pray for you, your kids and your husband. Be patient for the Lord to work things according to His will,... where ever that leads. Try to be possitive, and resist the road that embraces contempt or anger. Perhaps close friends can offer their possitive and faithful prayers to God as well. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Welcome, indeed. I may be making an assumption but, why not do a read of the Book of Mormon and get the basic story of it down and know whats in it for yourself. Write down your questions and put the missionaries to work when they come over? Just a thought. After all, you can spend years in books that "talk" about it. Blessings

Of late I have been looking into the deeper meanings of Hebrew terms such as commandment and pure, ect. Looking up Sol only seems to return meanings of the name Sol, Saul and Salomon generally meaning peace as you said. Yet, looking up 'peace' links to 'shalom'. The noun use of it is "wholeness with no deficiency" and the verb use is "to make whole". That seems to go off topic but interesting. I will have to look deeper. However, last week I gave a talk in Sacrament: Keeping your life in balance. I was able to choose the topic from a list, but I wasn't sure about it at first. I chose a direction that really seems to embrace your question. Though I don't think it answers things in a deep sense. Here's what my point was: Main point... Before a ship goes to sea the gyro (not a sandwich) must be calibrated with as little movement as possible. This effort ensures a stable platform so that the ship sensors (radars ect) can be exact in reporting the precise location of aircraft and other ships, coast lines and waterways AND IT'S SELF to shore commanders (Pentagon ect). This ensures a known transit throughout the world. So it is with with our life. We need to navigate an exact path in life, with detection of landmarks that help us know where we are. (Lehi's dream, sort of a "you are here" mall map). The gyro provides a stable platform when properly calibrated with meticulous care to procedure and actions. The effect of a stable platform in our lives can be expressed in this experience: While in the Navy and during a rough storm at sea, the aircraft carrier I was on was rolling 11 degrees each way. This amount of movement was rare. I went up to the flight deck to witness the action of the seas. To my surprise I felt like I was standing perfectly still, with no detected movement while the entire world, in my view, was in a great state of agitation. This is the effect when we take meticulous steps, putting our faith in Christ, and calibrating our hearts with His word. In the storms of life Jesus Christ is our stable platform. The storms may rage, but He will diminish the effects, and bring peace. We cannot have this peace without Him. Sorry for the length, but as I read your OP the peace you speak of is the stable platform that Jesus provides through our faith in Him,... This may not really go deep enough but this is how the Saviors effect in the storms of my life has been over the last 2 years. Peace.

Stand back for deep PBJ doctrine! Caution: Do not see your doctor about this first. He/she may forbid your participation!... Use thick toasted cracked multi-grain bread, blanketed liberally with crunchy peanut butter,... about the thickness of a peanut butter cup... or more. Add a couple of dollops of blackberry, or boysenberry, or pear, or apricot, or strawberry jam right on top of the jam (this is not a preferance, but a necessity). C'mon now don't be shy! A little more. Good! Lower the other slice of toasted bread and press the edges down firmly, but not too firmly. Pour a quart of ice cold milk and add a straw... both hands will be needed elsewhere. Delicately lift one edge of the sandwich and slide one hand under,... then the other. Hold the PBJ firmly so as to keep the lower end and the lower portions of the sides from leaking the jam. (of course you remembered to put a plastic table cloth down!) You may now enjoy**. Keep in mind you may need to practice in order to master this process. **Remember to inhale through your mouth just ever so slightly as you take a bite to keep the jam from squishing to the back... and inevitably all over the table cloth. (What's the point if one PBJ doesn't eat like a meal?) I know what I'm having for dinner!!!

Yes, thank you. It's been corrected. Sorry, I didn't want to ask it outright, but you no doubt understand the question as does LittleWyvern. ...and thanks, that was insightful.

Ok, my daughter asked me a question I've never seen or heard about but here it is... 3 Nephi 13:12 has the line "lead us not into temptation" and there is a footnote that says "JST Matt. 6:13 And suffer us not to be led into temptation..." Does the question leap out? The BoM verse coincides with Matt. Essentially it seems the BoM verse would already be "correct" or whatever. I can think of a couple of reasons but I just don't know. Anyone got an answer that does not start with, "Maybe"? I've got that covered already lol!

I'm sure the Captain Moroni philosophy may not get the results I would be hoping for and I would also prefer to keep my job too. I might add that there would be Less to repent of. But thanks

I was denied opportunities because of the color of my wife's skin and told that I had lowered myself by marrying her (all this said in the presence of my wife). She's Native American and I'm Caucasian. The confessing BP explained, in the busy church hallway, that he felt convicted of practicing unrighteous dominion and asked us to forgive him. Awkward on several levels. Funny though,... things didn't change in the least that I'm aware of. A current and new experience is a co-worker who is Caucasian accused me, a Caucasian, of being racist against him. It seems that when I spend my off hours in my apartment (room) ie. "avoiding him", and having been critical of certain things he's done, (such as taking the carpet I purchased and placed at the front door to our building) that I am expressing my 'hatred' of him. I'm not even sure how to respond to that.

Now... LOL, as a Network Administrator I can really appreciate this. I always wondered if the Liahona was a 'smart' compass so 'keys and servers' would, indeed, be needed for divine authentication.

...oh! Is that what is written on the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon... "Thread Closed" Pam~Head Moderator?

Thought better of my post, but I need to dig some.

My family went "wireless". More specifically: ROKU (not a genisis of any cartoon,... mutated or otherwise, nor pixelated pretender) I guess I would say "we survived reality tv". ...and that's the naked truth!

I was called as an EQP and wanted to 'better' know how members really feel or think about things. That would make me a better EQP right?... I first found a site active/inactive/former members go and I was really blown away. I thought active members thought/felt like me but learned otherwise.... a whole lot of incongruity for me but I learned just how diverse LDS belief systems can be. That site was not for me though, I did some more googling and found this site. I found that participating here was not the same as mingling at church (right?); however, in hind sight, I wasn't as patience, tolerance and forbearant as I should have been, and I had my account deleted. As I contemplated my experiences, I realized I wasn't learning about how other members really feel or think about things, I was learning about ME! About accepting others as they are... not judging, recognizing need for change in myself, the chaos I call my life. Through all that I rejoined this forum and made it my goal to step back a bit, to listen better (a feat in and of itself,... I know). I was... and still am a work in progress. In a manner of speaking, this forum became a 'change agent' for me. Now, in the Middle East, this forum is a lifeline.

You might also like: PICNIC = Problem in Chair, Not in Computer!

I've never felt that an online chat room was a good thing (my DW also), and as a result the only chat room in my home is the one where my DW and two daughters are in at the same time... ...What'd I say?.......

After the Dubai Stake was organized (May I think) a 70 came and spoke about missionary work in Muslim countries and with citizens of those countries. As I understand what was said; the church will not knowingly baptize any person who is Muslim. At least right now, and likely not without the First Presidency knowing. While I share in the joy of anyone who 'comes unto Christ', I would suggest ensuring the mission president of the missionaries teaching you is aware of your current standing in the Muslim religion. It is difficult for members of the church to embrace a "non-proselyting" directive, but considering that whole families have been killed (not just LDS related baptisms) it would seem prudent to be informed of current church policy in this matter. Regardless, I would hope for the blessings of the gospel for you.

IMO... Do not wait to see your BP about getting counseling and tell him what you shared here. While many things need addressing... FIRST is the safety of every member of your family. Turn your whole heart to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and seek their guidence and seek to have the spirit with you as impossible as that may seem right now. Cultivate Patience, Tolerance and Forbearance. You need it now, and for a while to come. I have been where you are now. There is hope, though it may seem quite the opposite, but it takes two and, did I mention... patience?

The thread moved while penning a response... IMHO it sounds like you already know what you should do. The 'how to' is just what you already said, The " last couple of months I've gotten into this really bad habit of {problem}." So the conversation begins. ...and what skippy740 said.

I was lucky that the person who ordained me an Elder gave me his lineage. I had no idea what that really meant at the time, but when I ordained my sons, it was a rather great feeling to be able to give them mine. When I was ordained a High Priest I had to ask my BP (who ordained me) for his LOA, like a dozen times. When I got it some pieces of information was missing. I was able to locate all but one date, and will have to go to the church for the ordination date of one individual. I framed the LOA and gave it to my BP, because it's that important to me. I rarely remember who ordained who without notes though. Checking the ward history is a great idea JAG. Perhaps in the next fast and testimony meeting you can bear your testimony and then ask for anyone who might know.

4th of July in Qatar: No ball ball park franks...