Anddenex

I am a little confused, how does becoming active again keep you from these places? There is a huge difference between ministering at these places, and participating at these places. Telling youth to keep away from bars is telling youth to keep away from drinking and other harmful substances. As Pam already suggested the Church has plenty of people ministering to dark places all the time. On my mission I ministered to hookers, drug addicts, etc..., however you would have never seen me go into a brothel for more than one reason. Why would anyone go into a brothel to minister, you minister to people on the streets, in their homes, but typically not their place of work. Every missionary learns quickly, that we go with the Lords strength. If you feel it is OK to minister inside a brothel, a bar, a jail, etc... that is purely up to you, but don't judge others because they don't feel the same way as you do. I can only imagine if I went to minister at a brothel what my wife would be thinking.

I would recommend avoiding the shoe rack for cleaning supplies if you have small children, well, if your small children are anything like mine and like to spray or open containers and dump them out. :)

There is no one on this site who will take offense over sincere questions, by honest seekers of truth (if not truth, at least to understand). This is a great question. We are not entitled to anything in this life, even if we are faithful members, and covenant keepers. If all of the sons and daughters of God had kept the commandments from the beginning, with Adam and Eve, no one would be "condemned to a life of quiet desperation and loneliness." As a result of people's choices, not God, unfortunately some suffer more than others. I wish I knew why it appears some have life so easily. They obtain riches, good families, etc... and pray no differently than their counterparts. Some who obtain riches are unjust man, while just man are left to suffer in poverty. When Nephi was fulfilling the commandments of God in obtaining the plates and as a result he was beaten by his brothers with a rod due to his faith and willingness to keep the commandments. And we have in scripture, as Vort shared, yet the Lord suffered it. We exercise faith in the answer our God has provided that he exists, and if he exists, and we have received a witness, then His doctrines must be true also, and the Deists would be wrong. A problem I see in our lives, including mine, is that many of us feel entitled to specific blessings, prayers answers (the way we think they should be answered), etc... However, we are not entitled to anything. There is nothing we are entitled to, thus gratitude is a key to have in in quiet and lonely lives. Even our bodies are not guaranteed to be perfect. If anything, wouldn't it be right for those who kept their first estate to receive a normal functioning body. However, this is not the case either, for many children are born incapable of performing even the simple task of computing 1 + 1. Thus the question again funnels to this main point, "Have I received a witness from the Holy Spirit that God lives, and that the Church of Jesus Christ is the Lord's true church?" If so, then the doctrines specified are true, and we must exercise more faith until we grow and our knowledge becomes perfect. Until our knowledge is perfect we must trust, and exercise faith, hope, and charity. This we do know from scripture, one civilization existed, who kept all the commandments of God by personal choice, and there was no one condemned to a life of quiet desperation and loneliness? Unfortunately, it is because of our actions, our lack of love, faith, honesty, greed....that has caused many of our brothers and sisters to live a life as you speak, not God.

Anatess - you are a member of the Church and have broken Vort's rule. Tisk---Tisk

Thanks JAG, I was hoping someone would point this out. I was trying to figure out how Bhodi would reference Book 1, chapter 8, in a discussion about interracial marriages, when the chapter speaks about facilities. I also thought it was interesting that he quoted a whole chapter in the handbook instead of a specific paragraph.

Your welcome. :)

Wow, this is interesting for me to say, this was 26 years ago. I wouldn't be able to tell you what programs were available. I never really asked my father or mother. It wasn't until we were older that my parents finally let us know that our camping excursion was actually due to us being homeless. The only memory I have of that time is that our parents sat us down and mentioned that we would be camping. They never made a fuss about it in front of us. As children we thought it was so cool to go to school, and after school come home and play on the beach. We camped on the beach for about 2 months. Our showers were from the sand rinse water outlets.

Let's be clear, there are actually more than four reasons why people are homeless. For nine months when I was 10 years old my family did not have a home to call home. My father was neither: addicted, mentally ill, ignorant, nor apathetic. We had just moved to California, and my father was not making enough to afford any rent. When we first arrived we rented, but my father's income did not increase as he thought it would, and we were unable to pay for rent. For nine months we camped on the beach, in campgrounds, and other places that would allow tents. For these nine months, my parents saved money from their jobs, until we found a home. ---------- Yes, Bini, if the Church and all of God's children lived according to the commandments we would be living in a Zion society. Unfortunately, greed, avarice, and power control many people even those of us who call ourselves saints. The Lord sough to establish this in our day, but the majority of the members could not live it. It will be great times for the people who are living during the time the Lord establishes this again. This can only be accomplished with faith, hope, and charity.

1. Remember, you are there to invite those within your stewardship to come unto Christ. 2. With less active members, again, extend an invitation to come unto Christ. One of the best lessons from a G.A. Seventy (Elder Snow), was that we don't invite people to come to church. We invite them to come unto Christ. For some less active members coming to church is to much of a task, but praying nightly to come unto Christ is a simple task. As their love for the Lord grows they will eventually come to church. 3. I would recommend two books: "Increase in Learning" and "Act in Doctrine", both of which are authored by Elder David A Bednar. I wish these two books would have been written when I was EQP. 4. Set a specific week to always have your stewardship interviews, for Home Teaching. As Elder Bednar has said, the more we teach correct doctrine and principles, and if our members understand them, then behavior problems will tend to no longer be an issue. 5. The Elders Quorum is not a moving company. The primary resident is responsible for making sure they have enough people, cars, trucks, etc... for the move. The Elder's Quorum is there to assist their brethren. 6. Relax, especially when you see a vision and have a hard time helping others to see the same vision. 7. Honor agency. I remember I had one brother who had back problems and one day approached me and said, "President Exon, I am unable to do my Home Teaching sometimes due to my back." I responded, "That is fine brother, the Lord knows our hearts and he knows when we are incapable of honoring our assignments, and doesn't expect us to do more than we can. He also knows when our back really doesn't hurt and we are shirking our responsibility." I assume he understood my point, because he was my home teacher and never missed a month of home teaching for two years. 8. Follow the Spirit. These are some of my thoughts.

Who is "FlyLady"?

I don't believe fear is an acceptable motivator, however if it is fear that motivates then that is a personal choice. It would have been better for me, when in high school, to act in obedience as a result of my love for God. Unfortunately, I was naive and allowed fear to rule my actions. Although fear was a motivating factor for me, would it have been better for me to break the law of chastity, due to a lack of love for God? Or would it have been better for me to keep the law of chastity, even if fear was the motivating factor? I believe, a person is better off to allow fear to compel obedience, rather than denying the judgments of God and breaking his commandments because people do not love him enough. Force is an interesting word. The question I would ask in return, is it OK to compel obedience? If so, is God the only source allowed to compel, or is this extended also to us? People are in prison as a result of their personal agency and the agency of others to compel them or to keep them from committing other crimes. Is this OK? Just to reiterate, I don't believe fear is an acceptable motivator, however I do believe that it is better for a person to obey, even if it is from fear.

I would agree. In high school I kept the commandments partially due to my fear for hell. I did not have the relationship, nor did I have the understanding, I do right now. It would be nice if people kept the commandments because of love, however, again, I would rather see someone keep the commandments out of fear, than not keeping them at all.

If fear is what keeps a person obedient, yes, then I would rather see a person fear God and keep his commandments, verses disobeying because they do not love him enough. Our primary motivation should be love. This is the hallmark of a disciple. Alma the younger's conversion first began with fear, so much fear that it caused him to faint, and he recognized his awful state. In time fear, was no longer a motivating factor, but his love for God and his fellow men, for he shrank at the very thought that any of his brethren would find themselves as he was.

Texans being big headed... Hmmm.... is this evidence when as a new missionary and each ward I was transferred to that someone would always say, I always thought Zion was something a little more...but, ehh, been wrong before.

Let's hope no one gets so frustrated that they turn over the tables.

I remember my first born, almost 12 years ago. I soon will have another priesthood holder in the house. :) When our first son was born, I actually called up every person in our ward who had teenagers, and their teenagers had made good decisions. I asked them what they did, and why they felt their children had made good decisions. I thought it was very interesting regarding a common thread: All of the parents believed in firm and friendly discipline. I noticed each parent was active, and lived the gospel themselves. All of them had regular family home evenings, and each of them prayed daily with their children. One father, which I am grateful for, mentioned how he felt the reason why his oldest and him stopped getting along is because he tried to make him to "tough". The moment the son became old enough, and wanted to hold his hand, he would let it go and tell him to grow up. His next son, he felt otherwise, and if his 14 year old wanted to hold his hand in a uncomfortable situation or circumstance he would allow the hand held. He shared how this greatly has helped with his relationship with his other 5 boys. At times, my son to be 12 year old, will hold my hand in situations and I get the urge to let it go, and am quickly reminded of this father's words. Remember, you can not accurately teach unless you are living the gospel and standards yourself. Congrats! That is a wonderful time soon to come.

I will never understand how Hostess would even file for bankruptcy with such products like "Twinkies" and "Zingers". Every kids has easily eaten, well almost every kid, 20 lbs. of twinkies. I couldn't get enough of those when I was younger, especially the vanilla frosted zingers. You know our economy is bad when Twinkies and Zingers do not keep a company a float.

What we have potentially discovered: 1. Free Coca-Cola and Pepsi for ward functions 2. Target discount if you show your temple recommend 3. Gambling will soon be a must, not forbidden I assume if we all go on strike and stop paying tithing we surely could get the above three accomplished? I am grateful for the internet, it only takes one naive person to get people to believe a whole bunch of falsehoods. And thus we have youtube comments or other websites addressing:

So, ward functions we can now have free Pepsi and Coca Cola. Do you think we will be able to get free Mountain Dew?

I was viewing some Youtube videos, and read this comment about Mormons. When are we going to start receiving free Pepsi's at ward functions?

The idea is great. The students are rewarded according to their due diligence and efforts. They stay in class to finish their reading assignments if they did not earn it. The face painting is kinda funny, but inappropriate. Bullying? Not even close. The children accepted the goal. The children chose to have their face painted, instead of staying inside for recess. The face painting shouldn't have been an option. I really dislike the over generalization of important words like "bullying". It is like the over generalization of racism in popular media outlets.

I have been trying to invite my wife to Home School since my first born was 3. I have been unsuccessful thus far. Sometimes I really hate moral agency ... it is no good when it doesn't follow my supreme intelligence ... and she doesn't want to listen. P.S. For my stickler readers, the last statement... yes it was a joke, meant to be taken as such. Feel free to click the laugh button.

I personally feel this is an easy decision. If it comes from the ACLU, a person 99% of the time with any morals should take the opposite view.

My head is shaking with yours.

Communism or communlism, is an imitation of Zion. It is not a Zion mentality. It takes on the appearance, but in substance it is nothing like it. Socialism, Communism - A force of the people's will by government with penalties when disobeyed. Example, Obama forcing a tax on the rich to aid others. If the rich don't comply, they are then penalized. Zion mentality doesn't need a government force, it is a government educated and run by the grace, and mercy of fellow citizens. People think upon their brothers and sisters more than they do themselves. Zion mentality doesn't need a forced tax increase to support people. EDIT: Force and Zion mentality do not mix.