tesuji

Mindfulness has helped me a lot to deal with anxiety. Basically, focus on the present moment. Worry and regret come when thinking about the past or future. We don't live in the past or future. "Now" is the time that counts, the only time we are living our lives.

I think the news, TV shows, and movies have made us parents paranoid. A few bad things happen to kids somewhere in the nation, and suddenly no more trick or treating, or kids walking home by themselves from school, or playing in the neighborhood until dusk - all like I used to do. My mom never knew were I was during the summer (as far as I can remember, and she had 5 other kids to worry about). I find myself constantly fighting paranoia about this. I live in a safe little town, so I force myself to just let my kids go out, walk to friends houses, etc. Of course, you have to use wisdom. But I think the "conventional wisdom" has shifted toward paranoid. I just don't think the world is really more dangerous now, to warrant the increased parental fear. So I can relate to you. Advice? Try not to think about it, and try not to read those stories. I try to avoid news like this in general. Local news is the worst. If you feel like it becomes debilitating to you or seriously affects your quality of life, then yes I would say consider counselling. Or maybe at least try talking to a trusted, wise friend.

I think that must be one of the hardest calls in church leadership, and where the Spirit is especially needed: How high and how fast do you raise the bar? I have to think the general authorities would love to require a higher standard in the church - that we all should be doing a lot better than we are. But the higher you raise the bar, the more people you will leave behind, who will leave the church. We are all better off in the church, to get it's help in our progress. Like a mission president trying to deal with a missionary who isn't following the rules. Send him home or keep him in the mission and hope he'll get it eventually? The thing about marriage though - it's very personal. You keep teaching the ideal, that you should get married. And hope people are trying their best to get, and stay, married. The GAs often in general conference show a lot of compassion toward those who are trying but it isn't working. I also know women who would love to get married but feel they are surrounded by playboys (or chickens, or nerds) who don't want to get married. I was a chicken and a nerd until I got married at 31. I was trying but couldn't make it happen.

No, I didn't mean "those 'weak' ones leaving the Church have only themselves to blame." My main points: 1. Mormons shouldn't judge others. 2. The church should teach the ideal.

I'm not sure if we know for sure the exact case in the spirit world. The main thing, though, is that people still get the chance to accept the gospel after this life (and before the resurrection, I think). The Book of Mormon says the time of our probation consists of this life plus also the spirit world (said by Alma, I think?) I'm thinking the first general judgement comes at the resurrection. The D&C says you will be resurrected with a specific class of body - either Telestial, Terrestrial or Celestial. That would seem like a pretty permanent thing at that point. I've read that people will be required to grow and repent, or pay for their sins, before they are allowed to be resurrected. And this process takes longer in the spirit world, so we might as well do it here in this life where it's faster and easier. I got this from the book "What's on the other side?" by Brent Top. Ultimately, it is the state of your heart that matters.

I'm not sure if we know for sure the exact case in the spirit world. The main thing, though, is that people still get the chance to accept the gospel after this life (and before the resurrection, I think). The Book of Mormon says the time of our probation consists of this life plus also the spirit world (said by Alma, I think?) I'm thinking the first general judgement comes at the resurrection. The D&C says you will be resurrected with a specific class of body - either Telestial, Terrestrial or Celestial. That would seem like a pretty permanent thing at that point. I've read that people will be required to grow and repent, or pay for their sins, before they are allowed to be resurrected. And this process takes longer in the spirit world, so we might as well do it here in this life where it's faster and easier. I got this from the book "What's on the other side?" by Brent Top. Ultimately, it is the state of your heart that matters.

[dup]

I've always thought that the JST was more like inspired commentary, to clarify and expand on the meaning. Rather than claiming to restore lost text in the original Bible. However, it would be cool if it were this. A lot of those JST verses are very specific, and could be that...

I skimmed the article, enough I think to know the gist. The point is valid, that sometimes Mormons judge others who don't fit the "ideal." Something we should always keep in mind. However, I totally support the church in teaching the ideal. And some people need to be pricked, even if they like to kick against those pricks. Especially, in the case of marriage, which is so disparaged by our society, yet so vitally important.

Another "thank you" for the Psalms 22 reference. It reminded me that I read about this - "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" is the very first part of Psalm 22, which is about the Messiah. It was a common practice to refer to a whole passage by quoting just the first part. So Jesus could well have been referring to the whole Psalm, which, as has been said here, his audience would have immediately known that he was referring to Psalms 22. It also has the added bonus of confounding people who didn't know what he was talking about, and trying their faith. Jesus seemed to love to say things that worked on different levels, according to the individual faith and knowledge of those hearing him. Other examples of this "first-part" thing: This is similar to the Shema prayer, which our Jewish friend here Aish has discussed. Shema is the first word in the whole prayer. Or the "Magnificat," the verses in Luke 1:46–55, known to Catholics as the Song of Mary. The Latin translation of these verses begins with "Magnificat anima mea Dominum...," meaning "My soul doth magnify the Lord...." The Catholics have a lot of these, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canticle Maybe I'm just repeating the thoughts of what you all have already said. But this is cool stuff.

I started to read The God Delusion by Dawkins. Didn't get very far, because he seemed to be so angry at religion that he lost credibility with me. Although maybe he had good reasons from his own experience. But it was his blanked statements about all religions being evil that turned me off. Anyway, thank for the recommendation. I like science books, so maybe I'll give at least The Selfish Gene a try.

Eowyn, Sorry to hear about your experience. Perhaps she will be your refiner's fire that give you that final push into achieving the Celestial Kingdom.

It was a question. I doubt it was whining. General authorities have said God completely abandoned Jesus at that moment to make his sacrifice and victory complete.

Interesting question. But remember the Book of Mormon is a poor history book, on secular topics. We don't even know where it takes place. Nephi says there was tons of political, etc stuff that he left out. And that's just Nephi. Imagine how many volumes it would take to write a conventional, modern history of a culture that lasted 1000 years. If we had the info for it which we don't. It's primarily the spiritual history of a people, plus a lot of great sermons about following the gospel of Christ.

I agree with what I think you're saying. But I think there are both productive debates and unproductive debates. When it comes to politics, I think most people only want to assert their opinions, but are not interested in actually listening or learning from the other side, or in analyzing their opinions. Debating/arguing with these people is a waste of effort. It's the unproductive type of debate. Maybe I'm too cynical, but it's how it seems to me that most people are about politics. Perhaps not on this site, I don't know, although I've seen at least some of it. It is very hard to analyze your views. Of necessity, we can't go around continually re-evaluating our mental picture of the world. We couldn't function in daily life. But I think when it comes to politics in a democracy, it is important to be at least generally informed, and to keep an open mind. Also, since this is an LDS site, when you say "loyal opposition," I think of the latest general conference where Elder Oaks(?) said there is no such thing as loyal opposition in the church, which I agree with, at least in the way most of the "Mormon loyal opposition" seems to see themselves. Follow the prophet is what the church teaches (I'm not saying follow blindly). But a prophet is a prophet. But you are talking only politics, not religion, it appears.

Thanks for this info. Are you familiar with the Catholic Church in South America? I went to Paraguay on my mission, and the way people talked, they almost seemed to me to worship the Virgin Mary there. I don't know exactly what they think - so I'm asking if you know. They have one annual festival I remember where a life-size, like-like "doll" of the Virgin Mary is paraded down the street, similar to a parade float in the US Forth of July celebration. And don't they pray to Mary, as a communication intermediary to God? About the Eucharist, I think you might agree with me, but we Mormons don't believe our sacrament actually turns into the body and blood of Christ. It's just a symbol. I don't mean any disrespect toward these beliefs. Just asking to understand.

I didn't take your Jim Jones comment very seriously. I don't think you really meant it so seriously the way some people are taking it here. The fact is, our society is paranoid about authority. Unfortunately, abuses of authority in recent history (Jones, Nixon, etc) has given us some cause to think that way. So whenever a prophet speaks, especially when he says something we don't like, it is a trial of our faith as modern people. I don't think the Lord wants us to blindly, unthinkingly,unprayerfully obey the prophet. On the other hand, no Mormon prophet in my lifetime has told me to do anything even remotely outrageous. Every official pronouncement is made after unanimous agreement is reached by 15 of the wisest, most righteous men on the earth (the first presidency and 12 apostles). No they aren't perfect. But I trust them. I don't expect polygamy will be reinstated in the church. I wouldn't worry. If it is, pray about it. Even when it was a thing, it was practiced mostly by a minority, among the church leaders.

Of course, just because one liberal person says something doesn't mean you can say all liberals think that. The exact same thing would apply if one conservative said something outrageous - obviously, he/she isn't speaking for all conservatives. Arguing about ideology is pointless, when it comes to politics. When has that ever convinced anyone? What matters is finding practical solutions. Personally, I think liberals and conservatives each get everything about half right. That's why we need them to talk and work together - to get a good whole solution

Hey, you're not allowed to add more commandments. I'm still working on the first 10

The Book of Mormon text was directly given to Joseph Smith by God. And we still have the original English manuscript from Joseph Smith. And Joseph Smith, a prophet, said it's the most correct book. So the Book of Mormon is much more reliable than the Bible. The main limitation of the Book of Mormon would be just the linguistic limitations of English.

It would be interesting to know where he got the ideas, if it was specifically from Buddhism. I think it's more a matter of universally wise counsel to help counterbalance the crazy Western 21st century rat race. Or perhaps just German folk wisdom that we in the New World have kind of forgotten...

I commend you for trying to do the right thing. It's obvious that you are. I would talk to your bishop. Tell him everything. Ask him your questions. I have heard of people getting married civilly first, and then working toward the temple after. Maybe that is something to discuss with your bishop as well. Also, you may want to change the way you spend time with your fiance. Perhaps only meet in public places, where you can still talk. Perhaps only be with her when others are present, such as at the house of your family. Good luck and best wishes!

Democracy doesn't work if citizens are ignorant, foolish, wicked, or silly. Like you, I still believe in the American people as a whole. I hope they don't prove me wrong.

I love Zen and I'm fascinated by koans. Although I'm too lazy so far to do zazen. General Bhuddist concepts like mindfulness and letting things be have been greatly helpful to my mental health. Our LDS gospel embrace all truths. I would personally like to see more of the practical concepts from Bhuddism become official parts of our religion. President Uchtdorf has been trying! Signed, Brother Monkey Mind

Yeah, I'd love to know in what ways we are more Jewish than traditional Christian. The Word of Wisdom, certainly. Although I know many Christians are also against things like alcohol and tobacco. Temple worship, too. What else? (I'm too lazy to google it, but maybe I will)