eddified

@Vort and @NeuroTypical, are you saying you *actually* believe we have a very high chance of existing inside a simulation? If not, why not?

@Vort That might be a good argument mathematically (statistically?) speaking, but it seems like a pretty ridiculous argument otherwise. Math isn't all there is to it...

This is tangential, yet somewhat related. Musk has some pretty strange beliefs. He believes we are probably living inside a simulation: https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/2/11837874/elon-musk-says-odds-living-in-simulation He also thinks that A.I. could be a very real threat to humans in the future: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/03/elon-musk-billion-dollar-crusade-to-stop-ai-space-x For the record, I answered "no" to the 3 questions in the poll above.

Modest is not hottest. It's virtuous. It's good. It's certainly better than immodest. But the saying that "modest is hottest" isn't thinking out of the box. What I mean is that it continues to focus on what's hot vs what's good, right, and proper. I don't think it's wrong to suggest that modest is hottest, because the intent of the phrase is good. The intent of the phrase is to focus on modesty, but it also tends to focus on looking hot, which I think is a little off the mark. Can you really imagine Jesus saying it? I can't. It kind of cheapens the value of modesty, in a way. I'm not very good at explaining why, but this is my best explanation. You can find better explanations of why modest is not hottest on various blogs on the internet. The point I'm trying to make is, the phrase "modest is hottest" has a good intent, and it's catchy. Overall, it teaches a good lesson. However, the point of modesty isn't to look good, it's to be virtuous. So it has some undertones that aren't quite correct.

OK, sorry, after thinking about it more, it sounds like you're just saying something along the lines of, "online resources are fine, just don't seek for the church to change its curriculum". I think I understand where you are coming from now, if this is all you are meaning to say.

This post, in context with all of your other posts on the matter, make it sound as if people don't really need help from others on the internet. And you'd probably be right if you said that. "Have a problem with depression? All you need is to apply what the church teaches. No need to find a forum to help you deal with the trial. No need to discuss it with your ward members. You should be able to handle it on your own, with help from family. The church teaches everything you need." Now, I know you're not saying this, but this is the general feeling I get. The church has said some things about depression, but not as much as some would like. It's also a hard trial to discuss with family members & friends, they may not understand. This may cause the depressed person to go to the internet searching for answers. Isn't it better if there is wholesome, gospel-based information they can get on such topics for people who feel the need to seek help outside their family members? It sounds kind of like you're saying it wouldn't actually be better to have such faith-based info online, since not having such resources makes people work harder to get answers. I'm just saying, it's better to have a place where people can get gospel-based, well-thought out answers about difficult subjects (not just sex) online, than not to have such resources available. It sounds almost as if you would disagree.

I like your enthusiasm, but I'm not in a position to do this right now. I have a lot going on. And as I explained earlier, I don't feel that I really need such a forum any more.

And this is a problem, as I see it. There is nowhere that I know of that we can discuss those matters with faithful LDS in a respectable way. And that really bugs me. Or I should say "bugged me" (past tense) because I've come to a point where I think I no longer really need such a forum, and that by relying on the Holy Ghost, and with sincere prayer and fasting, and through discussions with my spouse, I can get what I need without such a forum. HOWEVER, I recognize that other people have different needs, and I believe that the ability to ask a question, and receive and answer, on such a forum, may very well be the answer to someone else's prayers. So I do think it would be better if there was a good place people can go for LDS-perspectives in these matters when their parents have failed them in the sex ed department. I'd much rather have a place where faithful LDS can get answers about sex, than leave it a void and have them find non-LDS, non-Christian answers elsewhere on the internet. <sigh>

A faithful LDS friend of mine (who is a self-proclaimed "devoted conservative") likes to put it this way: "Feminism? Well, if by that you mean "for women" then yes I'm a feminist, because I'm for women." This man I'm referring to is Jacob Hess of "mindfullymormon". https://mindfullymormon.org/authors/

I think a lot of this apparent insensitivity comes from the fact that (culturally speaking) members aren't "allowed" to admit to struggling with this. We "have" to pretend that no one in the room has ever seen anything pornographic. Someone has already discussed this aspect of the culture in this thread I believe. And it's too personal of an issue to say to the Elder's quorum (for example, while the son is outside of the room attending Young Men's) something like, "when my son found some pornography, I handled it this way". Sex is such a personal thing that it becomes hard to talk about in a more non-personal setting like a church meeting.

When I was on my mission in South Korea, a Korean or two stated I look like Nicholas Cage. I don't think I've ever gotten this from an American though. And I don't have the large forehead/receding hairline either (phew!)

Yes I've read Job, though it has been a few long years.

I like that you called out that we are empowered through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

Aren't we commanded to believe? 1 John 3:23: "23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." Mormon 9:27 "O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him." I could search for more examples, but I deem it unnecessary... It seems to me that God is telling us through the scriptures that belief (the opposite of doubt) is a choice. Otherwise, why would we be commanded to do it!? Your examples seem to indicate that doubt happens when trials happen. Job had many trials, but did not doubt. Indeed, I believe that one of the very reasons we have the story of Job preserved for us is to teach us that belief is not dependent on what happens to us -- it is a choice! This is not to minimize those with doubts: I do not think belief is easy. Or simple. But, I'd like to empower others by helping them realize that they are not subject to the winds of doubt - they can overcome them. It is possible!

Yes I've edited my comment to that effect.

"surmise": suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it "very likely": again, sounds like speculation. Which is fine. I'm not against surmising and speculating. I agree it is very possible that the church could pull out of BSA entirely. But that's not my point. My point is that the news outlet statement that "The church's Thursday statement alluded in multiple places to working toward programs that could replace Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts", and @pam's linked article's statement that the church has "signaled" something regarding that, are unwarranted. I do not see any such evidence in the church's actual statement.

I haven't seen any statement signaling that the church may drop other BSA programs. Citation, please?

I have the same experience as @Vort, @Latter-Day Marriage @NeuroTypical. In my experience gossip and sharing of personal details is avoided very, very well in the presidencies of the church.

What were the suicide bombing instructor's last words? . . . "Now I'm only going to show you this once!"

(Yeah I know this is old.) I'm sorry if my comment has already been said, but the punch-line sounds better (more like the Marry Poppins fake-word) if said this way: The Super-calloused fragile mystic vexed with halitosis.

Where did you hear this ? Did she admit to this behavior, or is this the findings of the Honor Code office? I don't really trust the Honor Code office at this point.

I really liked this quote by President Eyering:

Here is a good follow-up https://thesundaypews.com/2017/04/01/carpet-cleaners-mistakenly-wash-meetinghouse-walls/

@Vort, I don't get it. A stick in the mud? Oh, haha!! https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stick_in_the_mud I only got the joke after I started describing the image as I typed my reply.

Well this thread is a hard thread to follow. Every other post by @Sunday21 introduces something I've never heard of. Can't seem to follow the thread without googling quite a bit.