Anddenex

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.

That is a Zion mentality, which isn't socialism at all. Thus I am still confused where people talk about socialism in the BoM.

Linguistic gymnastics? Do you mean like saying "So it doesn't matter what Jesus said...in the Bible...that's not what I am talking about." Then, the very next sentence you begin quoting the Bible as a reference, while telling someone who quoted the Bible they didn't understand your point. John 6: 43 - 60, is a symbolic verse. The symbolism is easily shown in verses 47 - 50, 58. The Lord begins addressing eternal life, and that he is the bread of life. He then explains the manna they ate, but are dead. He then says, if they eat of his bread they shall not die. Are they still living who partook of the flesh and blood of Christ? Is it assumed that none of the children of Israel who ate manna have received eternal life? If not, is Christ a liar? No, because he was speaking symbolically. Also, please remember, quoting early Church members to an LDS, depending on the source, often times proves further witness of an Apostasy.

I am confused where the Book of Mormon talks about anything socialistic?

I agree with the sentiment here Anatess. However, do people only vote because they might offend, or do they vote because they fear the retribution of others? Sometimes, people clearly avoid specific issues because they don't want the retribution of those who claim "tolerance".

I was having humor with your last statement Harry Reid is a wimp.