sixpacktr

As a BYU alum, and who has sent all three of my daughters there, I couldn't be more proud of BYU and of Brandon and the BYU fans there on Saturday. My understanding is that Brandon came forth on his own, which probably saved his career at BYU. He gets what the Honor Code is all about. I have been fascinated to read the reactions of members, non-members, BYU students/alum and those from other universities during this whole thing. I expected cheap shots about how 'antiquated' BYU is to expect the students, let alone the athletes, to adhere to something as silly as an honor code to come from non-members or others that simply don't like Mormons. But what shocked me was the outcry from BYU-land about how unfair BYU was being to Brandon and how they were being unChristlike (????) in this whole matter, how they could have waited until after the tourney and then done this 'quietly'. There were then comparisons to gestapo-like techniques, hidden cameras, etc., making sure no one uttered an errant expletive. It just showed to me that not only do we have our work cut out for us among non-members regarding our beliefs (one guy in Canada actually wrote that he knew a bunch of Mormons, really nice people, all rich, and that we taught that being rich showed righteousness and being poor meant that you were a sinner! I nearly gagged up my breakfast!), but that there are actually members that believe that the church (and they specifically mentioned the church) controlled everyone and tried to make sure that we were all 'good little robots'. It is sad that people still don't get what BYU or the church is all about. BYU wasn't built to field NCAA Men's Basketball Champions or BCS National Champions. It was founded to teach those things necessary to get along in this world, tying them together in a spiritual atmosphere, much like the Lord's admonition that all things are spiritual. If BYU had not acted when it found out, they would have been hypocrites of the first order. But they did act, and I guarantee that NOBODY in the Honors Code office told anyone why Brandon was suspended from the team. That is all speculation right now and unworthy of our consideration, let alone none of our business. Brandon will be back next year, I'm sure. When he went to cut down part of the net on Saturday, I understand the BYU fans chanted 'Davies, Davies'. There is no animosity among the fans. We want him back, and I believe that Charles, Coach Rose and others will help him get back. If you have a chance, find Danny Ainge's take on the matter on a local Boston sports radio show. Great, great explanation of the code, who we as LDS are, and why it is important to stand up for principles and integrity. I loved it when he stated "there is a difference between having fun and being happy". Go Cougs! Still a #2 seed, and a good run in the Las Vegas Invitational this week will cement that. (I am SO GLAD we are getting out of the MWC. And SO LONG 'The Mtn'. What a trashy sports network!)

Never said it would be. I said that it was the latest in the line of ripening in iniquity. Satan's tactics are always slow and steady, with a fine thread until the chains are too hard to break. But he is starting to go for the throat because too many are indifferent to what is going on. Perversion is perversion, no matter how you dress it up. Civil unions are just a ploy to make perversion acceptable. Just as when the Jews asked Christ about Moses allowing divorce, because we are refusing to live a higher law we're getting what we deserve. But hey, you're probably right. Nothing to worry about, nothing to see here folks, move along.

But......we're a cult! How can we have a picture of Christ on the cover of our monthly magazine when it is so APPARENT that we worship ol' Joe Smith! oh, that's right: OUR Jesus isn't the same as THEIR Jesus.... Sarcasm aside, I have read several articles already, and it is great. Sis Beck's talk about the doctrine of families is very timely...

So did Jerusalem... The gathering is still going on, and we shouldn't look forward to the destruction of these cities. I'm sure there will be a quiet call to those that are willing to listen to get out before it hits, much as the Lord warned the inhabitants thru Noah of what was to come unless they repented. And who knows? Perhaps a Jonah will rise up (or be upchucked up) and call them to repentance and they'll listen. Fortunately, NYC, Albany and Boston have NOTHING on Ninevah and the brutality of those folks. Although my taxes support the cesspool that is Albany and NYC...so maybe they ARE as brutal as this Ninevites!

Excellent article in this month's Ensign by Sis Beck regarding our understanding the doctrine of the family. This is just the latest in the US's 'ripening in iniquity'. Black is white and white is black, and if you disagree, you are considered a 'neanderthal' or a 'bigot'. I sure hope you all have your food in store and your testimonies bright. We're in a for a long hard ride...

Chief whipping boy and kicking post. I've got calluses on my behind from getting kicked when I least expect it. Let's just say that I hate my job, hate my company. But it pays the bills, so I have to be somewhat grateful, right??

D&c 84:114-115

Unfortunately, there is no Chik-Fil-A in Buffalo, but I gave many weeks of salary to them when we lived in Atlanta! In fact, on our trip to Kirtland over the Christmas holiday when one of my daughters was home, we planned the day around breakfast at Chik-Fil-A in Erie PA and on the way home stopped at Steak and Shake for dinner! But we did buy a bunch of breakfast sandwiches to freeze so that we can enjoy at another time. And Erie is only 90 mins away, so definitely close enough to support when we pass thru.

very cute trait of my wife's by the way...she has been in this country for over 2 decades and still says some things funny. Our family favorite is when she pronounces 'eyebrow' as 'eyeblough'. But she just graduated from dental hygiene school, a grueling 3 year course, and in a 2nd language no less. Couldn't be more proud. As for the arm, now that my wife has an electric blanket for the cold Buffalo nights, if I got her this I'd make myself completely obsolete!

Typical Mormon forums discussion. If the internet was available during the Middle Ages, a lot of you would be arguing about angels and dancing on the heads of pins. Alma the Elder was a very wise leader of the church. His rule? for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God. (Mosiah 25:22) Then of course there is the example of those that argued about trivial matters about things they understood nothing about, and what was the result? And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God. 5 And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren they became more numerous. (Mosiah 26:4 - 5) You all argue too much about things that don't matter a tinker's damn in the scheme of things. And why is that? and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble. (Jacob 4:14) Think about your motives in posting to these forums. Is it to show how smart you are, or to build testimony? Is it to trip people up with your dazzling logic, or to help someone that needs it to return with honor to his/her Heavenly home? Remember, arguing about trivia only helps spread dissension and gives the adversary more converts....

No, never have. Either you believe that the calling is from the Lord, who knows your situation and the needs of your family and the needs of the ward, or you don't. If you don't believe the calling is from the Lord, then there are other issues at play. It's very black and white.

Folks, Get on your knees and repent! The 2nd coming is TOMORROW! How do I know? Elphaba/Emma and I agree on something! :) I think that sign is in Revelations 15:24 (or something like that)...

As a 'tea bagger' (which is a term used by lib in a 'wink-wink, nudge-nudge, know what I mean' type of way to marginalize people that are using their constitutional rights to protest and make their voices heard by referring to them with a word that is an act that homosexuals do) I wish that I could go see the Bold and Fresh tour. Those of you that make fun of Beck and call him a 'doomsday' prophet just don't watch enough of him or listen to him enough to understand just what in the hell you're talking about. And personally, I find it offensive and a little alarming that so many are taking what is happening to this country so lightly, particularly among LDS. But no matter. The sifting has begun, both in the world and in the church. And if you think you can separate what happens to our freedoms with what happens in the church, you're sadly mistaken.

As Monty Burns so eloquently puts it: Ehhksellent!

Well, Dravin, he is the Emperor of Japan. Having lived in Japan for 6.5 years, let's just say I know a grovelling, sniveling bow when I see it. This is such a bow. Believe me, the Emperor did not expect that type of bow from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. And the Emperor, like the Queen of England, is a figurehead, no more. Has no say in anything. IF Obama had given him a small bow (which I would have done, having been immersed in the culture for over 30 years as I have) while shaking his hand I'd have no problem with that. I'd do that, because it is part of who I am now. But RARELY do Japanese bow with their eyes cast down, almost never that I can remember. Always the eyes are upon the one you are bowing to. This man has no clue what it means to be an American. He wasn't raised here, he sought out those that hated America when he was older. This is an embarassment. Period. What next? Visit the President of China and turn him around so that he can kiss his behind? Maybe that one would be more appropriate, given that they hold so much of our debt...

I know, he lost his 100 yen piece and was looking for that, right??

Bihon is good, but this is better: okonomiyaki, baby. Wife made it last night, and I ate till my belly button went from an innie to an outie!

Isn't the church recognized over in China? I know when they took over Hong Kong they got wards, stakes and a Temple, and I haven't heard of the Temple being closed down. Perhaps it isn't any further than Hong Kong for now, I don't know.

The church only had something to gain with this. We don't condone hatred of anyone or discrimination of anyone. Never have, never will. So to come out for non-discrimination based up on sexual preference was a no-brainer. However, I do think that this has gone too far in this country. Every little group with a pet peeve starts claiming discrimination when things are unfair in their opinion. All that has happened with this is that lawyers like John 'The Breck Girl' Edwards gets richer because I guarantee someone will be offended by someone else and claim discrimination. I have been discriminated against because of being a Mormon. In fact, I've been fired for being a Mormon (of course, they didn't say THAT in the paperwork, but the conversations that went on behind the scenes were all centered on that). Was I upset? Damn straight I was. Could I prove it? Not in any shape, manner or form. Why? Because I couldn't prove what was really in the person's mind. And this will be the same way. There are already laws upon laws in this land protecting us from discrimination. But those aren't special enough for a group that wants recognition. I'm gonna ask for special rights for Bohemian-Irish Mormons that are overweight and like sushi, because I KNOW that there are those out there that just want to keep me from being happy....

and, in fact, has already started...

We have been told over and over again by prophets that without converts the church would wither and die. It is a very important part of our duty as Saints, and we sometimes are less than diligent in doing this because of fear (quite simply). So we rationalize our behavior in a myriad of ways to make ourselves feel better. The sad fact is that too many converts never fully integrate into the church. It is a hard change for many of them, and while they have the fire when they are baptized, I believe that Satan gives them a double dose of whatever doubts they had before baptism right after. Up to the baptism it is 'you don't need to do this' and after the baptism it is 'you don't need to do any more than this'. Numbers rising and falling is of little consequence. We have in the scriptures that the church will be like a stone cut without hands until it fills the whole earth, and the Prophet Joseph stated that it would fill every nation and clime. The reason it doesn't grow faster is because we don't want it to. We lack the faith. That, I feel, is evidenced by the decline in the missionary force. Too many of our YM are opting out of a mission because they don't want to sacrifice two years of their life. And they don't prepare themselves accordingly. The church is growing, but could grow so much more if we would not doubt and do our part...

All she needs is Galoolie and a ball bat....

Thanks Miss 1/2, you are exactly right. Satan is targeting everyone everywhere and trying to find whatever chink in the armor that he can to weaken us and drive us to despair. I have been to Utah many times, both as a student and then visiting my kids while they are at the Y. I don't know if it is happier than the rest of the nation, but I do know that I meet an awful lot of nice people there. Those that are living the gospel as they should are naturally happy and are focused on enduring to the end joyfully. Those that do not have this type of attitude (including church members), or that 'life $uck$, and then you die' are, generally, not going to be very happy.

I'd do it. The Bishop is the judge in Israel over me, and I have made those covenants. Would it be easy? No, I don't believe it would be. But I believe that we will have that trial, someday, when we will be asked to hand everything over. Also, I would want to believe that I have lived my life in accordance with the Spirit so that I can get a witness then and there that this was req'd of me. If I didn't get the witness, I'd check with the SP, but having served with many Bishops, I know that they wouldn't ask such a thing lightly. So my covenants take over and I simply trust in the Lord.

I saw this on Fox news with Shep and again on O'Reilly. There is aggressive play and then there is out and out brutality. This was totally uncalled for. If I were the brunette I'd push for assault and battery charges to be filed. And the MWC should ban this girl for the rest of her college career. This type of crap needs to be stopped in its tracks. The girl is a witch with a capital B....