HiJolly

Well then - may God bless you and protect you. HiJolly

Yes, the Church wants us to care for our family. But I don't think you are doing the right thing by taking on your husband's nephew. You are not in a good position to give him the discipline and other things he needs. You should turn him over to whomever else is available for him - even the State. You are only hurting yourself. Of course, I don't know the picture very well, but from what you're saying - HiJolly

The York rite was in Illinois -- John C. Bennett sent Royal Arch cypher communications to them, though he clearly should not have. Hmmm.... No *published* evidence, perhaps. Look to Nick Literski/Joe Swicks forthcoming book "Method Infinite" on that... Hopefully in 2013! Glad you joined the thread! HiJolly

Welcome! You'll find a lot of good advice here, so let 'er rip! HiJolly

I think the book is pretty interesting, it certainly was back in the 70's and 80's. We had a copy in our home in the 70's (I was just a teenager) and I did try to read it but like the Hobbit, it was slow going and I gave it up. (is that the first time anyone's compared the Hobbit with NDCC? -- ha!) So I guess it really wasn't *that* interesting to me! We have to be very careful today in what we say against Socialism -- Look at all the wonderful LDS people in, for example, England. Many of them are socialists. Are they somehow compromised and 'evil'? I don't think so. And if it turns out that socialism doesn't serve them well, then they have a political system where they can change it. Here's my real dislike of conspiracy theories. They cause us to live in FEAR. And is *contrary* to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which teaches us to live in Hope and Love. Any religion that requires us to obey God because He'll **** us forever if we don't, is a bad religion! Jesus taught us to obey because we LOVE Him. It's all the same principle, to me. I don't care about conspiracies because it's better for me to be actively engaged in my political process than it is to FEAR bad guys. That is the heart of my religion! HiJolly

Just do yourself a big favor and go to bonafide web sites, such as the SRRS(Scottish Rite Research Society) website. I was a member there for a brief time, but I know two LDS (one former member, Art; One current member, Joe) that are big muckety mucks there. And no, I've never been a Freemason. I just like them a lot, and study them. HiJolly

If I believed everything I've read about the Illuminati on the internet, and in certain books, I'd be freaked out also. Many, but not all, of these conspiracy theorists are manipulative, evil people, in my opinion. David Icke? YECH!!! Speculative mean searching for truth and seeking God (define Him/Her as you will) by bettering one's self and serving mankind. Spurious means seeking to gain influence, riches, power or other worldly things via what we LDS would call "secret combinations". I have an acquaintance that used to be deeply involved with conspiracy theorists. After he joined the Church, went through the temple and such, he broke their spell over him and is doing pretty well now. It was wonderful to see. HiJolly

We know that there are truly conspiracies in the world. However, Freemasonry, Mormons, Skull & Bones, and the Illuminati are not such. For the most part, I guess I should say. Joseph believed in two different Masonic groups. The first, and the one he engaged in, is called "Speculative Masonry", and the other is called "Spurious Masonry". Joseph and almost every Freemason of his day truly believed that their rites and 'worship' (used loosely) were descended from Solomon's temple in jerusalem. Really. Today we know that there is no evidence whatsoever linking 19th century (or even 15th century) Freemasonry to the Solomonic temples. But that didn't prevent Freemasonry from using the legends to better everyone's lives. HiJolly

Not true. He was raised to Master Mason, the 3rd degree, and the highest degree in the Blue (or regular) Lodge. Do you know the difference between "Luciferian" and "Devilish/Satanic"? Not that it matters, I suppose. 33 degree Freemasons get that label by joining and working in an appendant organization of one sort or another, the two best known are the Scottish rite and the York rite. And all the ones I've met are real stand-up guys, not evil in any way. I tell them that's correct, and if I have a few hours, I discuss it in depth. That's wise. His Grandfather was a freemason, as also his dad and Alvin, his brother. His older brother Hyrum was named for the proponent in the Masonic lodge ritual Hiram. His mother knew well not only the local folk magic lore, but also much Freemasonic legend. Masons are generally very good, generous, sincerely religious folk. At least in my experience. I agree with most of what frater Koltko says in the above link. HiJolly

Oh, definitely! That's why Bart Ehrman lost faith in the Christian god - not the biblical studies (he is world famous for his bible study) - but Theodicy. I think that Mormonism has the perfect answer for Theodicy. (1) A God bound by prior covenant and (2) A mortal world-view with ' personal growth' and 'spiritual development' as primary reasons for being. HiJolly

Yes, I think that's because it's not mortal joy, it's divine Joy. It was clear to me that I did not have the capacity to comprehend the fulness of this Joy. It overflowed me. Congrats, you are now a mystic. HiJolly

The greatest Joy of my life I experienced in an endowment room in the temple, as I contemplated my thankfulness to God, and asked God if I was doing ok. 2006, inexpressible Joy. I am so happy for you!! HiJolly

I am one of those who has felt the withdrawal of the Holy Ghost for almost 10 years. In my case it was when I denied the Holy Ghosts' careful teachings to me that caused the rift. And it wasn't healed until I humbled myself and my heart changed to where I could accept the truth. Then He waited a bit, and proceeded with my education. Not the same case at all, I know. But I thought I'd throw that into the thread, FWIW. As to a God who does not interfere. I know it. I had an experience long ago where God revealed to me a problem involving my wife's sisters' husband's sister. I didn't (no, couldn't) act to help her and she lived a hell of a life for another 10 to 15 years. I was in anguish for years over all this, but then God taught me the lesson I needed to learn (different from the above '10 year' deal). One tender mercy was that after it all was over, I confessed my failure to act on her behalf, and she freely forgave me. I still don't understand how she could forgive me, after all the exquisite, life-threatening pain and abuse she'd experienced. The lesson was about Theodicy, which is what is troubling you, Dark_Jedi. God _does_ interfere, but on His terms alone. As far as I can tell, His terms include a requirement of faith. Trust. And this faith must be held in the sub-conscious mind: it is NOT belief. It is a 'gift' from God and cannot be obtained any other way, than by following His promptings and commandments (which for an LDS Church member also includes following the counsel and teachings of Church leaders). And of course a whole bucket load of other related things, like Psalms 24:3-4. Add to that, the scriptures and the journals of prophets are very clear that we as mortals always struggle with being able to correctly interpret God's working with us. Promptings, revelation, even visions are subject to misinterpretations ALL THE TIME, for ALL MORTALS, even prophets. As Joseph remarked more than once. Like parents who have children don't get 'owner's manuals', we too don't get 'revelation manuals'. This is why we "walk by faith" and "see through a glass darkly". Yeah, it's a pain. Especially when our needs are great. Miracles are out there, I've seen a few. And the scriptures are very careful to mention that some have one 'gift', and others have other 'gifts', and there's really no explanation given for the details. It just is, from the mortal perspective. I don't know what else to say, at this point, DJ. Best wishes to you. HiJolly

Pam, I responded to danalynn personally and encouraged her to post the question on the site. Hopefully she will. HiJolly

Well, I'll shoot from the hip for ya! HiJolly

Welcome to the site! And to the Church!

Welcome. I'm not a strict literalist when it comes to the scriptures, but I value them for how they teach and how when I read them I feel God's spirit. HJ

In the early years here in the Salt Lake Valley, Sacrament used to be done in the 'bowery' and then the Tabernacle, not in the church services in the Ward buildings. I think that changed in the 1900 - 1910's, roughly. HiJolly

Be careful what you ask for... "On April 9, 1852, Brigham Young rose once again to address a session of general conference. He intended to preach several discourses, he said, and as the Deseret News observed the following week, "the Holy Ghost [rested] upon [him] in great power, while he revealed some of the precious things of the kingdom. One of his subjects was the "mysteries of the kingdom." If mysteries were to be taught, Young advised, they should be discussed here, for this "is the place for you to teach great mysteries to your brethren, because here are those who can correct you." After brief comments on amusements and tithing, Young proceeded to a dramatic announcement:" HiJolly

That's Shane Warby. Yep. He's awesome! HiJolly

I realize this is an older song and there aren't any official recordings of it anywhere - except the Church's web site! october 2012 General Conference LDS.org Entire Conference Show MusicYipee! HiJolly

dahlia, I am impressed! 'How Firm a Foundation' *IS* Protestant! We "borrowed" it. HiJolly

I was probably about 6 when I found out, by getting up at the wrong time to go to the bathroom, as seeing my mom & biggest sister setting up the stockings. I puzzled over it a bit & then figured it out. It was an "ah-hah!" moment, without any real regret or whatever. HiJolly

I would happily welcome such a change in Church policy. HiJolly

The MoTab music planned is as follows(subject to change): 6 Oct 2012 SATURDAY MORNING HB 67 Glory to God on High (verses 1 and 3) How Firm a Foundation HB 220 Lord, I Would Follow Thee (4 verses) HB 19 We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (congregation) Will Follow Gods Plan Now Let Us Rejoice HB 96 Dearest Children, God Is Near You (contingency) HB 14 Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings (contingency) 7 Oct 2012 SUNDAY MORNING HB 272 Oh Say, What Is Truth The Morning Breaks Does the Journey Seem Long HB 249 Called to Serve (congregation) If the Savior Stood Beside Me If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not HB 81 Press Forward, Saints (contingency) HB 116 Come, Follow Me (contingency) SUNDAY AFTERNOON The Daydawn Is Breaking Did You Think to Pray HB 66 Rejoice, the Lord Is King (congregation) God Be with You Till We Meet Again HB 113 Our Savior’s Love (contingency) HB 125 How Gentle Gods Commands (contingency) HiJolly