SpiritDragon

This seems to be true. I was wondering if you could elaborate with specific examples?

At first I saw this and thought... is politics the good being called evil, or the evil being called good :) On a more serious note at the last provincial election we had here in Alberta the leader of the party who stayed in power as our premiere was shocked by a comment made from the opposition party - her response - "I can't believe [Christianity] is still considered a valid viewpoint in this country, this is the 21st century" The opposing party was seeking to pass laws to protect religious freedoms and were seen by many as "too radical" - Imagine that trying to preserve tolerance of different religious beliefs is too radical.

I'd also watch the ensuing star trek movie to get the unicorns back to earth from Kronos where the Klingons are keeping them. Kind of like going back in time to save the whales.

Isaiah 5: 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! In what ways do you see good being called evil and evil good in our times?

I just wish to second Finrock's comments. I spent my childhood hating my mother, the worst day of the year was mother's day because all the other kids seemed to genuinely love their moms, but I just felt forced to sing about it in primary songs and feign love to get the day to pass. I was physically beaten as a child frequently, as were most of my siblings... but it always came down hardest on my brother and I. It was more than excessive corporal punishment. I largely discovered my love for martial arts out of a desire to learn to keep myself safe from my mom. I spent many sleepless nights thinking about slipping a knife into mom while she slept. An amazing thing happened when I really discovered the gospel of Jesus Christ and let the atonement work in me. Miracles do happen. Our family is extremely close and we all look forward to family get togethers. We all love one another, a vast change from the hatred of my youth. Perhaps most amazing of all is that I was able to find a way to forgive my mom, while still living under the same roof... although admittedly I had grown and was the stronger of us by than and she knew she no longer had physical power over me and I wouldn't allow her to touch my younger sisters. I don't like talking about it much though. Not because it brings back pain, but because it villainizes my mom who I love now. Everyone will be different, but I found the greatest changes I made at the time of the transition from hatred to love was daily scripture study and prayer. I realized at the time that I had made many mistakes that I needed to repent of, and that to be forgiven I needed to forgive. This wasn't the most comforting and so I prayed for charity often. The amazing thing is it worked, and it has been almost 15 years now of getting along with my mom and actually wanting her to be part of my life. That being said by all means seek out other avenues such as counselling if you feel that is the right thing to do, just don't rely wholly on the arm of flesh.

Spiritdragron is a real class act, a stand-up kinda guy

I know it may not be an option... When I was a newly wed I could see a similar pattern of dependency with my wife and my in-laws, in fact I saw it when I was engaged. I took a job six hours away and moved so that we would be less easy to visit so that we could get to know each other better as spouses without every one else chiming in all the time. My in-laws still managed to come visit every other week and my wife spent a lot of time on the phone with her mom, but ultimately it worked and we learned to rely on and communicate with each other first and foremost before going to other family. Try reading this: For Newly Weds and Parents

I think in a lot of ways September is my favourite month. September usually has nice weather, not too hot, not too cold. After the dog days of summer September is just refreshing. I was also in the Provo missionary training center in September, and for so many years started school in September that it seems like a time for moving forward, new beginnings. The biggest problem with September is that it means the yucky time of year is coming fast.

I find it can be useful to call them by name as suggested by Suzie and Pam, but if it adds to context also specify the position they were serving in at the time. I find this is especially useful for past general authorities that didn't become the prophet and many of us will no longer recognize their name as an authoritative source without a little background info.

I think roseslipper is one of the most sweet and sincere people in the forums. In posts I have read she is quite diplomatic and careful not to upset people.

I may be a bit of an oddity, but I feel as though funerals are kind of like baby blessings, an opportunity to come together as family and loved ones and celebrate. I have never needed "closure" by going to the funerals of any of my grandparents, my 32 year old cousin (cancer), or a friend in my ward I lost to a farming accident at 14 years of age simply because I feel so strongly that they have simply moved on to the next chapter in their life. Death is simply a step in the plan of Salvation, it shouldn't be feared or mourned in my opinion. Perhaps this is also because in my family most funeral services have been a celebration of life and the legacy left behind as opposed to mourning a loss. Mostly I go to funerals to support the living. Those closest to the loss likely need the extra strength of close family and friends. I'm curious to see how differently I'll feel if I lose my wife or out-live a child.

I wondered if this problem extended beyond Utah, but I didn't want to make the assumption since my experience was with the people of Utah. You are right that there are many dimensions of education and geography is only one. Any way I love the people in Utah... I would seriously consider moving there myself, but I'm a proud Canadian and my family and life are here.

I realize my perception will be different because the experience I had in Utah was different. I am from Southern Alberta Canada where we also have a large percentage of latter day saints. I served my mission in Utah and I loved it. I can honestly say that I don't think "Utah Mormons" are any different on average than simply "Mormons" in general. The main difference I observed is that because Utah was settled by the saints and historically has consisted of mostly church members, it is assumed that everyone is a member. This assumption is not exclusive to members of the church either. The non-members often call out the members for hypocrisy because of what other non-members, or less active members are up to. In Utah the membership is judged by what the society as a whole is up to, whereas in other places I've lived church life and secular life are more easily separated. At the same time the opposite also holds true; those who know better "feel" more judged in everything they do because they know others who hold high standards are likely to be watching. It can be difficult to "hide" from the church in Utah. As for Utah Mormons being more self indulgent or judgmental than anywhere else I call Bull Crap. I met many of the most diligent and hard working people who honour their covenants there. Observations I had as a missionary about Utah/Non-Utah interactions: Missionaries (especially from the eastern states) felt a particular need to "rebel" by drinking colas to protest against the notion that is inappropriate. I can see how this concept is mormon culture, but not doctrine. Even so it is not a big deal. Until they get a few years of college, Utahns do tend to be under educated... the kids never seem to be in school. Late start Wednesdays, early out Fridays, Canada is a favourite (cough) state in the union. A few strange colloquial sayings like "might could" (I think it means maybe) and a "couple three" (possibly means two or three, or perhaps six ) or calling what I'd call an overpass a viaduct. You get used to it.

I promise I don't want your job :)

Happy Happy!

My understanding is that this whole fiasco was riding on the men's Olympic hockey game... Loser keeps Beiber. Man did that make the game more tense knowing what was riding on it. Fortunately for those of north of the 49th parallel the right team won and JB can stay away :)

It really depends... Sometimes I just need my alone time and a good pillow to soak up the tears and work the sorrows out of my system. When it comes to this scriptures and prayers are also helpful for me. If I am having a particularly bad time I focus on getting more sleep and ensuring my nutrient status is up to par, especially B vitamins. Usually I can just get a change of scenery to shake things off so I take my wife shopping, because it is easier than convincing her to go for a walk with me, not to mention I like to be indoors during the half of the year that is cold and dark. My wife is also a great sounding board so I can often discuss things with her and it is great to know that even if we don't always agree that she can understand my perspective. As opposed to drowning sorrows I find physical activity more useful for working off frustration than sorrow, but even then often all I need is a change of pace to get out of a rut (a sorrow rut, not a work-out rut) I guess it just depends if we are talking about the occasional doldroms of life or the (hopefully) very infrequent true sorrows. When I was having one of darkest times in my life I gave up writing in my journal because I didn't want to remember feeling that way. At a later time that was worse I found that journaling helped me understand myself and resolve my issues to return to my mood-homeostasis.

I haven't missed a week yet :) I've been told I'm not normal.

Maybe I just haven't been close enough to anything to feel like there is any reason not to sustain the brethren whether locally or globally. As far as keeping the commandments are concerned, well I've already made covenants for myself to do so; thus when the church leadership reminds me of these covenants I have no need to think they are leading me astray. Quibbles over other topics such as what the ward eats at the ward Christmas party have always astounded me as stupid irrelevant points to grumble over. To me sustaining church leaders comes down to serving in my callings and doing my home teaching. In this way I lighten the load they have to carry by doing my part. This is what it means to sustain to me. If on the other hand I am not doing my part, then I add to the burden by becoming a concern myself. Lift where you stand.

In my own experience I would tend to agree. Obviously it is a generalization and individual sense of humour will vary. It seems that in our current society the conservative has to learn to be able to laugh it off, while the liberals quickly jump on the "I'm offended" wagon and get very defensive when they are the ones being ridiculed. Rather than take anything in stride my liberal friends seem to need to make a production to destroy dissension and make out all those who would "dare" to find their "plight" humourous to be a bigoted backwater hick. I personally find it an interesting musing that the term "politically correct" is really more "liberally correct."

I come home to my wife every day. It doesn't get more awesome.

I can't really say what it's like for the stay at home mom who also does the primary thing. I can see it going both ways, as in some women likely thrive on it while others dread it. I was a teacher in primary before my mission and I loved it, but when I was team teaching with my wife as newly weds I hated it. I think part of the difference is that before my mission I knew every one in the ward I had been there for years and it was fun and exciting to have my first "real" ward calling. As a newly wed, I was new to the ward, and only knew a handful of people and the kids were brats. All callings have there challenges. I hope never to be a bishop... perhaps I should get some tattoos and grow out a full beard to ensure it doesn't happen. Alas I wouldn't want to be running from the Lord like Jonah did, that didn't turn out so well.

Granted, but a military coup killed you the moment you took power. I wish I was in Heaven.

A thought that came up during a recent discussion on this topic in Gospel Doctrine is that Adam and Eve needed the garden time to adjust to having bodies and not always being in the presence of God. Sort of a time to learn things in innocence like we all have as children before we reach the age of accountability. The garden is somewhat a representation of Adam and Eve's childhood, after partaking of the fruit they knew the difference between good and evil and could be held accountable. Another interesting point is that it often seems as though being cast out of the garden is a punishment. This point is not actually explicitly stated (at least not that we were aware of during our discussion). Adam is told that the ground will be cursed for his sake. In fact the use of the words "for thy sake" could likely be referring to a blessing, as in Adam will be blessed with learning to work ground that has been cursed from spontaneously bringing forth perfect and abundant food without effort on man's part. Really though we still have a pretty fantastic capacity for plants to grow on their own; makes me wonder what the garden was like.

Happy Birthday!