Gwen

Ok so just for fun I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring. This is an opinion thread because we don't have all the information revealed to us so I know many will not agree with my opinion. I mostly know because it's been debated on this site more than once. Though I'm more than happy to give further or better explanation I'm not out to debate my opinion, just throwing it out there for others to have an additional perspective. I'm sorry it will be long. lol 1. This life is patterned after the first. 2. We are a family with god as our father. 3. The crowning ordinance of the gospel and the entire purpose of the church is to support, sustain, and bind families. With these three facts I find it's helpful when speculating the finer points of things to compare it to the family here (then try to imagine how that works on a level of perfected deity). So how does it work here? We have children. We don't get to choose them, their personalities, talents, hair color, etc. They are not a craft project, they are children. We don't have children hoping they will be vulnerable to addictions or depressed or learning disabilities. We don't want our children to be "flawed". But they will be. After they are here we start learning about them. It's amazing how quickly we learn about them. We get to know them so well that if we hear a child cry from another room we know if it's our baby or not. More than if they are ours but which of our children it is. We also get to know their strengths and weaknesses. I know which ones will be tempted and drawn to popularity or unafraid to stand alone. Which ones will attract the bullies or could become the bully. Which will be most impacted by peer pressure or be a leader. These things are important to see before they are faced with it so that I can prepare them as best I can to stand up to things, to make the right choice. But in the end it's their choice, it could go either way. In understanding the function of family I believe it's fairly safe to say god didn't "create" satan to be "the opposition". He had children. He knew some would stray just like we know the odds of all our children becoming what we dream for them. Some will choose a different path. I'm sure as we grew over time our father started to get a good idea of who was most likely to become "the opposition" and who would be the leaders. I don't think he was happy about the idea that some of his children would choose the wrong path and he probably did everything he could to teach them so that those children would make a different choice. Just like we do for our kids here. Sometimes after all we can do they use their agency to take a different path. I also think it's also important to separate "God" from "father". God is our father. Before this life we didn't think of him as "God", he was dad. The creation of "God" was for this life. God is a function of this world. When we leave this life we do not return to "God", we go home to our father. When we talk about the all powerful, knows the beginning from the end, can control the world by the breath of his words kind of deity we are talking about the "God" created for this existence. For now, as far as we are concerned, god is the supreme. He knows all, he knows us perfectly, he knows what will happen in this world, he is the beginning and the end.... of this world, this life, this existence. We need him. Eternity is a different matter. In the eternal world he is our father. A simple evidence to this is when we talk about agency. How often is it said that god can not take our agency, if he did he would cease to be god? To my knowledge we are the only christian church that teaches there are rules/laws/restrictions on god. I've had ppl get very upset with me on that issue. "How can you say god is bound by something? He can't be all powerful and bound." But we do teach the existence of eternal laws. God is god because he keeps those rules, were he to break the rules he would lose his power. But we know he wouldn't do that because he is god, he has been proven, he has become perfect. This concept is where we base the foundation of becoming like god ourselves. Our eternal concept and goal isn't to become gods. It's to become parents, to have families. God can be omnipotent and bound by eternal laws at the same time. Just as we have all power over our home and the physical existence for our kids and yet are bound by greater laws than ourselves. For the here and now I have a god, he knows all and can control all, he is a supreme deity that I rely on for my daily success and I worship him. When I die I don't expect to meet "my god". I expect to return to my father, a relationship of love not worship. I don't imagine returning to a cold sterile court room with god sitting in a throne to judge me. I envision a reunion with my father whom I've been separated from. A big hug and a kiss, tears of joy and sorrow knowing I could have done more to make him proud. I envision sitting in a living room atmosphere as family, holding hands and intimately talking about experiences here. The joys and triumphs, with smiles and laughter. I hope to hear him sometimes say "I'm proud of you". We'll also discuss the sadness, the mistakes, the pain, and sometimes he'll ask "Did you learn anything?".

My parents were great grandparents and to young for social security. My oldest brother and sister are grandparents (40's). I was an aunt by the time I was around 9. I'm a great aunt, have been for a few yrs. My stepson has an aunt that is like 2 yrs older than him. And no I don't come from a long line of lds family. First generation in the church. I can't imagine being willing to subject my family to VH1 or any other reality program. I'm honestly surprised it's allowed to be advertised here.

I agree with the "what to do" suggestions so I'll throw in a what not to do. Do not figure up the cost of the music and try to send it to the appropriate folks with a confession. for example... To whom it may concern. For a long time like others I have stolen music from you. I realize the error of my ways and want to make things right. Here is a check that should more than cover the cost of the music you produced that I have copied. .... blah blah lol this would fall into the "no good deed goes unpunished" category. They will want to make an example of you because you are an easy target that has confessed. Make it right privately with god. Delete and then go through the process of buying it like you should have the first time. Don't beat yourself up more than necessary to feel remorse and properly repent. If this is your biggest vice you are doing pretty good. Hang in there.

I saw it this way as well. I don't think she intended it to be a guilt inducing video of "see how much worse it could be" so much as strengthening and uplifting, courage for your trials whatever they are.

I take the solar lights camping, they are great around the tent corners where someone might trip in the dark. I've even taken the string solar lights and hung them inside the tent before. Hadn't thought about bringing them in during a storm before but we keep flashlights handy so....

Typically yes I agree don't let someone over qualified take the job, he might get something better if he stays job searching. I agree jobs teach kids a lot and it's good for them. However, when the economy drops such that there are no jobs I do advocated hiring ppl with kids to feed (male or female) before teens just looking for spending cash (yes some teens help with bills but maybe they wouldn't have to if someone would hire dad or mom before the kid). I used the phrase "a man with a family to feed" because I was talking about the experience of a man. I do not agree with limiting the careers a woman can have because of the fact that they are women. My mom was in that situation, she was a single mother and she was turned down jobs because there was a "man with a family to feed" also applying. Well she was a woman with a family to feed. My point is hire adults with dependents over teens that are getting extra cash. Again I'm also talking about when times are hard. In a normal economy then I don't have a problem with the practice of not hiring over qualified. When things first started crashing I went to the store and in the back of the parking lot were a dozen very qualified, very skilled ppl that were begging for work. They stood there and gave out business cards and told their story to anyone that would listen. That's how bad things had gotten. They couldn't get "lowly" jobs (not that many were available) because they once owned a successful contracting business. Everything crashed and the business went under. They were reduced to standing at the back of parking lots telling ppl, "I'll do any job, nothing to menial, pay me what you think it's worth." When things get that bad the rules change.

One problem my father in law had when he was job searching was that he was "over qualified" for the "lowly" jobs. He couldn't get a job delivering pizzas because he had once owned his own restaurant and been in restaurant management. They would rather hire the kids with no one to support than a man with experience and a family to feed.

Part of the problem is sometimes they can make more on unemployment than they can at that lower "anything to feed the family" job. My brother lost his job (he worked at a place that was mostly seasonal income though open all year, some might consider it one of those "anything" jobs) and when his boss told him she said something like "You are the best employee I've ever had but you have kids to feed and you can make more on unemployment than I can pay you in the off season. I hope you are able to find good work. If not come back in the busy season and I'll see what I can do."

Guess what I have...... I got a copy of the warnings book that was sent out. You can be jealous now. lol

lol with the diversity in the branch I'm in now wondering if someone is speaking in tongues isn't an uncommon thought for me. lol The spirit is there and we love everyone, even if I have no idea what they just said.

I don't think it was a spin job so much as making a point. I read the original article on this. The criteria are weird, they are more social things that others define as "gayness" rather than realistic criteria. They did the study based on these stereotypes to show them their own "gayness". Open eyes and maybe get them to be more accepting and less bigoted. I also noticed on the list of cities were a lot of major southern (no reputation for being gay friendly) or religious cities. So in effect they said "ok what do you think makes a city gay?" Then they surveyed cities that may insist they are not gay and looked at those things. Guess what? You are more "gay" than you thought. Just because you don't talk about it (or hate it) does not mean it's not there. They are bringing things into the light, showing everyone's "gayness". A small scale example. My son is in the 5th grade. There is a boy that has decided my son is gay, based on this boy's definition of gay. Things like the ability to have a real conversation and talk to your friends (know things about them), not being interested in football, how you cross your legs when you sit, etc. We all know these are not real ways of determining someone's sexuality or their "gayness". But this kid has a list in his mind and anyone that fits it is gay. If I were to take this young man and list all the things he does (or all his friends do) that aren't "manly" to show him his own "gayness" to make a point to him that stereotyping is often wrong. Try to open his eyes to maybe be a little less bigoted. Finding things you have in common with someone is a good way to close divides. There is a gap in society that needs closing, this is one amusing way to do it. Or so I thought. lol

All this is true. However I have a branch and in a branch there are no support ppl so yes he would teach.

She did seem very calm but that is how some ppl are. You don't know how she is behind closed doors. I know many ppl that will keep it together in public and no one would know something is wrong but as soon as it's "safe" they fall apart. She had already been through the loss of her husband which takes a lot of effort to keep it together so she had some practice. We don't know what other life experiences she has had. Her ability to keep it together may very well be what saved their lives.

I went to their website and looked at all the posters. One of them is the same as the "when she was drunk I backed off" but instead it says "So when she was too drunk to decide, I decided we shouldn't" I like the second one better. Even though I know the discussion has been about how it focuses on men and not rape over all I still think it's a good effort. I appreciate and like how they are focused on the strength men have. They have a "tell us your thoughts" section on the left for those that would like to see them come up with other campaigns to focus on other kinds of rape. Being a coalition against sexual assault I would hope they would welcome the ideas.

Is this a don't ask don't tell mode of operation? Don't talk about it and it won't happen? It's not teaching abstinence, it is assuming ppl are having sex. It is teaching without consent it's rape, it's supporting respect of your partner and that you are not entitled to sex. That's a good thing, something that many ppl still do not understand. Bringing it out of secrecy (education) is a good thing. Refusing to admit something is a problem does not make it go away, just means you don't have to think about it. Which is never a productive solution.

Yes very old thread. lol He loved the tumbling but the teachers quickly realized they couldn't handle boys so they cut it and it became a girls only thing. Didn't find a kids yoga video I liked. Ended up buying a kids Tai Chi set. Which all my kids love. But I have to confess to not having myself together enough to always have time to do it in the mornings so it's probably done to randomly to have the proper effect. But they like it and it's always on the goal list of things to do. lol I also found that a good magnesium supplement does wonders. One of my boys I insist take it because I can see such a difference. Another insists on taking it because he can feel such a difference.

Ok so I actually like the "You can stop rape" change. But I didn't see the slogan line as the "men can stop rape" so much as focused on the "My strength is not for hurting" So to make this add "perfect" it should be something like..... "my love is my strength" (I'm sure there is something better, I'm not in advertising lol) at the top and "you can stop rape" at the bottom. Then the upper left corner one should say "when he changed his mind i stopped" (because we don't want to support the stereotype that men don't change their mind). the upper right should be two women with the line it already has. Bottom left needs a better pic but is fine. Bottom right is good. Does that cover all the possibilities? No agenda other than rape and politically correct for all relationships and situations? lol

LOL so I had to look up ecumenical. I was a little worried about too many non lds for an lds branch but it seems I made a good choice. All the lds turned to secret combinations pretty quick. lol But in the end I do have to admit I just like diversity.

It's amazing how quickly this went from a ward set up by the church to secret combinations..... hummmmm

It also appears this has happened 3 times before. Maybe they need the same rules with the bold "this is not legal tender" as other fake money is required to have? Do an image search and the novelty ones are very realistic looking. I just see a big difference in making a fake bill and trying to spend one. They are 2 different crimes. Could it be argued that if one really believed it was real then can they be charged with trying to purchase goods with a forged bill. If I go to the store and buy something and they give me a fake $20 as change that someone used previously, then I go to another store and it's discovered it's a fake what crime have I committed? can he be charged for using forged instrument if the federal reserve doesn't consider it counterfeit? False pretense yes.... if he knew it was fake?

Not a very inspired bishop are we? lol I'm in a branch so I'm not sure what to do with so many callings. I've also sworn I will never live in a ward again, branches make a nice home. Branch Pres: Gwen Counselor: Soul Clerk: Moe Exec Sec: don't have one EQ Pres and HPGL: ryanh Primary Pres, counselor, music, you name it: Lizzy16 Branch Music Leader: Jennarator RS Pres: applepansy Sunday School Pres: prisonchaplain YM Pres: DrT YW Pres: Backroads

LOL fair enough beef. However, the two did tour together and Foxworthy did his share of the jokes and they collaborated on a lot of them so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. But yes you are correct, Bill had it first, my bad. I know it's easy to dismiss this guy as stupid (which isn't entirely unfair no matter the situation) but they don't say he made the bill, just that he insisted it was real. I'd like to hear the rest of the story. Either he's really dumb making outrageous counterfeit money or he really thought it was real. I have a hard time believing someone with the forethought and skill to create fake money that would be that dumb. Which leaves me with he really thought it was real. I know it's easy to think "well doesn't that make him even more dumb?" but not really. How many ppl do you know that have never seen a $100 bill? Maybe you know rich ppl and you don't know any but I know plenty of ppl that I wouldn't be surprised if they have never seen anything bigger than a $20. They know these other bills exist but they haven't had the pleasure of owning one. They also know millionaires exist but haven't had the pleasure of meeting one. Could such a person be naive enough to be conned into going against their natural reaction of "that's not real" into believing such a thing does exist? I think so. Not saying that makes them the brightest bulb in the box but it's possible. So it leaves me wondering what the guys defense is. Did he make it? Did he get conned? And for curiosity's sake, I'd love to see what it looked like. lol

Well.... you know the Foxworthy song "here's your sign"? Sadly I've met some of those ppl. I could see someone falling for it. The same ppl that think the random emails they get mean they really did inherit a bunch of money from someone they don't know in a country they have never heard of.

I didn't see it so much as targeting violent rapists that has decided to do something. It's geared toward the guys that don't realize that drunk impairs ability to consent and therefore makes it rape. Pushing yourself on another is rape. They don't have to scream and yell (if you are in a relationship they probably won't) or fight back (and sometimes actually say "no" for it to be rape. Even in a relationship it can be rape. A lot of ppl don't get that. That was the message I saw in the add.

Also some insurance companies only authorize certain ppl to do the work if they are going to pay. You need to know if they require this or not before you schedule the work.