alanjones10

MARRIAGE MATTERS - is a program in the region of southern California, I know it at least includes the Orange Stake and Huntington Beach Stake. Speakers are arranged for to speak to the group ever so often, perhaps every other month. A few text messages and likes to talks by General Authorities are sent out during weekly. Recently the speaker was Merrilee Boyack, a family and estate lawyer. One of the many great things she talked about was having a regular weekly date night for the parents (without the kids). Evidently she has many sisters, those who hold regular date nights have remained married to the first husband, those that did not have been divorced 3 or 4 times. She went on to talk about how they need not be expensive, but they are a part of the ongoing building of a loving relationship. She gave many examples. It can a walk on the beach, maybe grabbing a hot dog out, taking a long drive, maybe even necking the car, or course it might include movies, plays, concerts and more. The important thing is to continue the relationship we started before marriage. How we should not stop trying to show our affection, not stop showing we care, but show that you still love them and how special they are. She pointed out that God requires most of us to give 3 hours a week on Sunday for Him, that we should also give 3 hours to the love of our lifes, who want to be our eternal mate.

Excommunication is the responsibility of the Stake President, Not the Bishop, unless the Stake President sees it being very simple and he give the Bishop directions to do it. Excommunication is done to people who have taken upon them Temple Covenants, those who publicly attack the church the Prophets (even if it is being said the Prophet is wrong and needs to change things). These things are serious to the Lord. First when you Covenant with God, he will not be mocked. Regarding attacking church leaders one is hurting the work of the Lord, one is not accepting the divine nature of the Prophets calling. Excommunications are always done either by the Stake President or with his permission. Disfellowshipping is used for members who have NOT made temple covenants, or who have not been ridiculing the church in public. Or course more minor sins. This is handled by the Bishop. So 2 people living together who are young, never married in a temple, never taken temple covenants, never ridiculed the church publicly, it is very very unlikely they would be excommunicated.

Excommunicated people who die before rejoining the church, require approval of the First Presidency. Just like anyone Excommunicated who wants to rejoin the church. Not long ago the Person who was responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre who was excommunicated then executed, the descendants want him re-baptized it had to go to the first presidency. If I recall correctly they turned it down for the time being. Though I am sure permission will be given someday. So once permission is given then the temple ordinances would be just like any deceased person's baptism.

The Government might not accept the LDS funding, because then it, the Governement, might lose its non-profit status! LOL

There is a tendency, ok much more than that, for anyone with any responsibility in the church to say NO when something is requested. Rather than to risk them seen as approving something that some higher leader might criticize them for. This is at all levels. I see it in missionary work, in publications, etc. I could give examples, but probably the people here don't care that much. My tact is to do my best to determine if i am causing some harm or breaking a law, if not then i do it.

I don't think that authors of the Bible thought Yahweh could say one thing and then not contradict it, but the use of the word immutable needs to be clarified. i claim that the biblical authors did not question the immutable nature of goodness of Yahweh and i find no scriptural dialog to challenge that. I know this was not saying what we believe, and i am maybe not so good at making my point. I think there are aspects of Yahweh that the biblical authors did take as immutable, such as his love and goodness. I know of no biblical references that say that Yahweh's love changed or his goodness slackened. That is what i am saying, the article this came from was very good but the article's author assumed that "immutability" when referenced to Yahweh means that he could not say go right, oh, changed that go left now. I never saw that as part of the definition of immutable.

I was responding to #5. I disagree with the premise. the work immutable: L. immutabilis "unchangeable," from in- "not" + mutabilis "changeable," from mutare "to change" Does this mean that there is nothing about a person, entity, being, that can be changed or grown? But the "common understanding" or rather i should say misunderstanding or maybe even better, there are thousands of understandings in christianity as to what is unchangeable about Yahweh. In some ways, he is immutable, not in every aspect has he been immutable. As far as our experience of Yahweh, as far as the scriptures we have, Yahweh's goodness is immutable. Now i have made a blanket statement just like that item 5.

Bytebear, the problem with using "words" is often that we use a shortened form, and lose the full explanation. I would agree and disagree with some of the things said. For example, "immutability". Simply means unchangable. But we LDS know that Yahweh was only spirit until he was born in the flesh and then his flesh was resurrected. Thus his physical self was not immutable during those stages. But if we specified that Yahweh's goodness was immutable, then i think we could support that from ancient scriptures easily. The Immutability of God is an attribute where “God is unchanging in his character, will, and covenant promises.

Cindystar, you are beautiful. Welcome to the site, actually i am new to the site also. And i look forward to some enjoyable discussions.

Errrrr.... "joined" the church to get some advice? only joking, what advice would you like?

I just heard about the new lessons 2 days ago. Can you give us some examples of what you see in them that are new topics or at least less known?

Welcome, and by the way i don't know about you, but i am old old old, and it is fun fun fun to be a Junior Member! LOL....

Welcome, Adam. Remember everyone is always learning either by learning or by the spirit, none of us are perfect but we can be friends and comfort one another in this journey of life. I am a convert but of many years, if you have a question, i would be happy to give my point of view about it. God Bless, Alan

Loneliness is something i struggle with, but i have learned to realize that it isn't the fault of the church members, or others. it is a combination of circumstances beyond anyone's control, and my lack of know how to handle it better. I am sure you don't want advice, you would prefer that someone near you offers to drop by, and that would be great. but for many of us, and us who also feel alone, it may not be possible. I suggest you find some activity in the church that you can get involved with. For instance, in my case I became a licensed ham radio operator. I use it from home to help with the church's emergency preparedness practices and would help in a real emergency. It gives me a conduit to make more friends in church from my home. I am not saying that is for you, but the idea is a sound one. Find something you can like or learn to like by way of an activity or function in the church. And be sure to tell your church leaders, quorum leaders, bishopric, etc. how isolated you feel, they too may be able to help but don't leave all the responsibility on their heads. Oh my, i had intended not to give any advice and here i did. sorry. I have health issues, not the same as yours, i am on the other side of the pond, but i am single and alone, and can understand where you are coming from. May God bless you my new friend. Alan

i love humor. i think it is ok to find funny things about people, society, and the church. that is not the same thing as attacking them. i would love to see your act.

Danny, your experiences aren't so unusual, as i get the impression you think. I was born and raised a Baptist, but felt drawn by the spirit to learn more about the LDS church. I read anti-mormon materials, then i felt that i had to give both sides a fair shake and read the pro lds materials. After a while and after prayer, i felt compelled from within to join the church. I have never been happier, though it took a while for some relatives to come around, my grandfather was a deacon in the baptist church and choir leader, aunt was catholic, but in time they could see it was good for me. Not everyone has the same experience, but it is typically common to feel the spirit of god drawing us to want to know more about the church. Alan

Hello, I am an active member, 58yo, from near Disneyland. Just started poking around on this site, not sure about it yet.