EarlJibbs

When I moved to Houston from Salt Lake for work, I already new about 4 or 5 people in my new Job. Only one was active LDS and he has since moved back to Utah. The others however all grew up in Utah, some raised LDS others not, but all knew about the church and standards although they do not follow any of it's teachings. Some of those that I work with that are from Houston and not familiar with the church think of me as highly religious. They know I don't swear, don't drink or smoke, don't drink coffee and that I served a mission. I talk regularly about the church or church functions as it applies to our conversations as I would with members. Some have even asked me advice concerning questions they have had about the Bible and general moral dilemmas because I am "the most religious person" they know (flattering, but perhaps they do not know many? :) ). Now those that know me from Utah and are not religious know the same things, but say that I am a "laid back Mormon" or more liberal. Why the contrast? I act the same way around both groups, yet I am labeled by one as strict and highly religious and the other as laid back? I admit that I am very easy to get along with. I correct people about the church when needed, but otherwise try not to stir the pot. Perhaps compared to members of the church they knew from Utah I am not considered strict? I sure thought I was. I think I come off a little like the OP to those that know me better, as "laid back", although it is not intentional. This post has made me think about that, perhaps time for a self evaluation.

We have had a baptism for just about every week for months now in my ward. The newest one wears a cross. When she bore her testimony she talked about the gift of tongues and how often she spoke in languages that no one else understood due to how in tune she was to God. If anyone makes a "fuss" about someone wearing cross, IMO then they have not taken the time to understand anyone outside of the Mormon religion or anyone from a different back ground. I can say that the new member I spoke if is genuine and I have yet to hear anyone from the ward mention it. It is equally appropriate to talk to the ward members about how to handle certain circumstances. As the new Sunday School President I was asked to talk to all the teachers to be careful about any talk in classes regarding "how the Catholics do it" or how any other churches operate as it could easily be seen as bashing a religion that new members still probably hold in a high regard.

What about inviting a few families over, or friends in the ward and have a 1pm family home evening? Or a gospel discussion of your own? Make it unofficial, but you can still make it spiritual.

Done. I added ""I'm going nuts--I'm hearing crickets in my sleep now" to my signature line.

After three children Mrs Earl and I were certain we were finished. I was even planning on having the "procedure" done. Some of my friends had gone that route. I kept putting it off. At one point my wife thought she was pregnant being way past her regular menstrual cycle. Our first thought was about how we weren't planning on having anymore children, then we moved to talking about potential names and we felt excited. Eventually, the tests said she wasn't pregnant and she had her period. Finding out that we weren't going to have a baby; we felt disappointed. We prayed and fasted. We talked about it and came to this conclusion for our family as confirmed by the spirit. The spirit seemed to say to me very clearly, "Why not?" and my thoughts went to picturing a child born to parents who wouldn't care for a child, or being born outside of the covenant (not that the two are related), and this hit me strong. The voice said again "Why not?" I could give one of Gods children a loving home with loving siblings. I believe that the "scare" we had with my wife being late was to prepare us. Perhaps God was already asking us to have another child but we weren't listening, or we were refusing. I was being selfish. In the end, we haven't regretted having another one since. We feel at peace and I cannot imagine our life without our little jewel. My answer to the OP is this, starting a family right when you get married, or delaying it, can and should be planned with the Lords help. Converse with the Lord about it. Maybe waiting or starting now is the same. Perhaps waiting will be best. The council not to delay, as PC stated, could be related to fears or to the natural man. But if we present our problems to the Lord, then I don't see how we can make a wrong decision. Bringing children into a loving family, whenever the timing is either a good, or better decision.

I certainly would have been in the principles office more often if we didn't have recess. :)

I'm in Houston, moved from UT and let me tell you it's a huge difference with recess. I will have to check with the wife, but I think they only get lunch recess. Often my son comes home upset because they punish the entire class with no recess all the time. They already get less holidays, no half day Fridays, and less recess as it is.

And the poor souls that have to carry this out? I can't imagine what that would do to someone as a day job. Could it work? Perhaps. But I agree with Anatess, that is not who we are.

Welcome! "You gotta be kidding me. Everything you just said, is MY favorite thing to do, every day!" Name the quote.

Ha!!! I think we need to start a new thread and you can go through everyone's avitar and tell us what you thought they were. Sort of like the cat that you thought was a pig. If anyone would like to know, that actually is me, but not 100 years ago. Just a few years. -Now back to your regular program -

Dump the guy. As Vort mentioned it may sound unChristlike, but it's not. Why would you put up with that? Does he understand the commitment you just made? Is he a member? Either way he obviously doesn't understand what it is you just did, not does he understand the commitment and lifestyle you have chosen. You are trying to find someone that will respect boundaries and your morals. You said that you told him over and over no, and sternly, but he kept trying. One thing on that persons mind, and it isn't your salvation. Take heed to what Carborendum said also.

I just thought that even a partially trained sith that could stop a laser beam mid shot and one that could basically suck your thoughts/memory out of your head would be stronger in battle. Perhaps these manifest what his strengths are only, but not even Vader used the force to get the information he wanted, didn't he use torture? One question I want to pose to this group, since I have only been a huge fan of the movies and have not read any of the books regarding the Star Wars Universe; If you have the force, why don't they use it more often? For example, you can run fast, jump high, stop lasers, force push.... but they do not use it, it's more sparingly. Does it drain their energy? Perhaps it is more prevalent in the books?

In the end I really enjoyed it and will happily shove money down Disney's throat for more. Parts that bugged me: get more new characters! Sure it was nostalgic to see the same fish guy (General Ackbar) in the exact same setting but I could have just watched the older movie for that. Same with Nien Nunb (another fish looking guy). I actually felt bad for Kylo Ren that he, a trained sith, was beaten by someone so new to the force. Sure Rey knew how to fight, but what did she really know about the force? She was an infant, yet took Kylo to town. I don't mind at all that she kicked some but, but it just didnt seem she was ready for an all out battle like that.

You should watch the Charlie Brown Christmas. I listened to a piece about it and the station that originally aired it didn't like it. They thought the religious aspect of it, no laugh track and the pace was terrible. They still aired it and America loved it, and everything about it.

They checked everything out at the doctors. I was hoping it was something easy but no issues could be found. Basically they said that if it continues they may suggest a CT Scan. I doubt it will come to that since I am feeling rather well today now.

So I was awoken from a deep sleep with the room spinning. The light on the smoke detector was going left, my eyes couldn't catch up and I was getting dizzy, FAST! I sat up and turned on the light and tried to focus on one thing. Finally I was in control of my senses, but I was gagging like I just got off of the worst spinning ride of all time. My sympathies go out to anyone who has experienced Vertigo! Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I feel back to normal now, a day and a half later, after seeing the doctor and taking some meds. I certainly hope this isn't going to be a common occurrence, but it runs in the family. I just need to find the root of the issue since vertigo is a symptom, not a cause.

Your use of "goon Squad" keeps making me think of "Brute Squad" from the movie. That, and the reference to one guy with a key outside, I couldn't resist.

Everything is worse than Bacon. Everything.

But it is on the radar though right? By this thinking, we shouldn't be bothered by abusive husbands or pornography, because hey, Isis is is chopping heads off and killing Christians. Someone just swindled someone else out of their life savings? Who has time for that while Planned Parenthood is out there? Yes we should prioritize, but these seemingly small issues turn into large issues if left unchecked and uncontested.

Welcome to the forum!

I have come to the conclusion that absolutely no one is like me. Sure some people may be 6'3. Some may be as spiritual, or as devastatingly handsome as I am. Some may even have my character flaws while being similar in many ways. However, no one has lived a day in my shoes, even if they were with me the entire day. They would not have the same thought process, because they haven't been me. Early on when I joined the forum someone (pretty sure it was Annatess) told me something along the lines of "How do you know? Were you there every second of every day of their lives?" and it changed me forever (Thanks by the way Annatess). How could I possibly know anything, I mean really know anything about anyone? Especially well enough to make any type of judgement call? Not even my wife. The only person I know well enough is me. Back to your post, it may look like, and even feel like you and the other person were so similar. But there is no way you could have been. Every second that you have lived makes up who you are, from birth till now. Now, how many seconds did you two really live the same? How many of those seconds were spiritual or uplifting and how were they received? I am a complete individual, who perhaps shares in common many things with others, but I am in no way like anyone else. This has helped me immensely and reminded me not to judge anyone, for anything.

Seems hateful to me. Their speech reeks of hypocrisy. I can tell you that if this happened at my ward there would be about 30 guys escorting them out pretty quickly. Unfortunately, if that were to happen, it could turn violent. What to do... With the current climate, what do they hope to accomplish? They are not the right group, not the right time and not the right way to be preaching like this. It's all wrong.

Welcome to our little corner of the inter-web.

Welcome!