omegaseamaster75

I never said that, you tend to be more black and white about things is all.

1. We never agree...ok maybe twice 2. I find it odd that you would not think that the writers of the BoM would not be totally fair and unbiased in their description of historical facts and their personal views on them... If I am mistaken I apologize.

I take it on faith that the BoM is 100% correct. There is nothing "harmful" in thinking that there is not historical bias we will disagree on that point, but heck my 5yo believes in Santa Claus, no harm in that

I will take a stab at your questions and this may spark some interest 1. Do you pray mostly to ask G-d for things or to report about things to G-d. For example if you are asked to give a talk in church do you ask G-d for inspiration for your talk or do you report to G-d your plan of putting together your talk? For me it is not a reporting mechanism, he know's what I'm up to. In your example, I will ask for inspiration as I am writing my talk, and in the edits I do to it. 2. Do you inform G-d about things you would like to learn or accomplish? For example if you plan on making an investment do you explain in prayer the investment to G-d and tell him the return you are expecting? And then ask for his input? No, he knows the desires of my heart. I asked for the winning lottery numbers.....that didn't work out. I think God takes the high ground when it comes to the financial aspects of our lives....people aren't successful because God wills it, They are successful because the work their butts off 3. Do you include in your prayers unresolved issues (like an argument with a spouse – or someone on the internet – perhaps even someone on this forum) and ask for his help or do you outline the issue and tell G-d your plan to resolve the issue – trying to determine if he approves or if you should rethink your plan? No reporting, I will outline a plan and seek confirmation on it, This is a tricky thing though and one I struggle with. Prayer helps us feel better about our lives and brings us closer to God. As a result when we pray we feel good. When we pray looking for an answer we feel good...so is that the answer to our prayers? or do we feel good because we are praying? I think that I can tell the difference....how do others interpret it I don't know. 4. Do you tell G-d in your prayers what you are trying to accomplish through your prayers? Do you ever let him know what you are thinking are feeling about answers you have received to prayers? Nope 5. Do you ask G-d for revelation specific to things you are studying – religious doctrines – how about secular ideas (politics, social or science) that you are dealing with or discovering? Not really I think that he lets us come to our own conclusions about doctrines and such. If we are following out leaders, studying the scriptures we are probably on a path that will lead us to him. 6. How many regularly scheduled prayers are you involved with on a daily basis? 3 typically 7. How often do you have unscheduled prayers? How often are unscheduled prayers involved with fasting? I pray on an as need basis....If I need help, guidance, protection, I ask for it 8. Are most of your combinations of fasting and prayer limited to fast Sunday? Fasting and prayer combinations....yes typically surrounding fast Sunday but not exclusively 9. Are your prayers a ritual or from the heart? The correct answer is from the heart, but we all fall into the pitfall of blasting through the blessing of the food etc.... 10. What do you do – if anything - to prepare for prayers? nothing....I pray when I need to and I pray when I don't need to. If I had to prepare to communicate with God I'd never be ready.

To the victor go the spoils as they say, MOE's post above mine sums it up very well. I accept the Nephi was chosen of God to write his portion of the BOM, but it has his slant on it, as does Mormons portion. A casual reading of the book demonstrates this. Same for the history of the church. Its pretty whitewashed, but again to the victors go the spoils, Brigham Young and leaders that followed him got to choose the direction of how the history of the church would be told to members. Particularly new converts and over time members that were BIC. The good is glorified, and the not so good swept under a rug in some basement.

I ask in fun, but like Just A guy said it's kind of a sticky wicket....you would think that for one of the single most important happenings in church history someone might remember when it actually happened...

The legalization/criminality of prostitution is another subject all together. We clearly don't see eye to eye on this one. That's ok.

Not employed enough to buy a wedding dress.

Can you be born with an illness, sure people are born with infirmities all of the time, can you cure them all? some yes, some no. I fundamentally agree that "Acting" on same sex attraction is contrary to Gods plan. I however am compassionate to the plight of individuals that suffer in this way. I would like for them to find happiness, as best they can in this life. Preferably abstaining from their natural desires and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they can't they should not be subjected to a temporal life if misery. by your logic we should take a 50yr step back... let me take the battery out of my car, you bring the jumper cables.......

Show me were I said that there is nothing wrong with gay sex?

Nope, clearly it is not healthy spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.....I do not recommend being gay to anyone. Who would make the conscious decision to live a life that way? Certainly if it was a mental illness you would get treatment. I PERSONALLY think that many people are just born that way. That said I do not pretend to know Gods will, I do not pretend to know how his plan for people that suffer with same sex attraction, and I do not know how his judgement will fall upon them.

Nice move Bytor, instead of using the moment to teach your young boys about appropriate displays of public affection, and visa vi appropriate relations between a man and a woman. You probably taught them to hate gay people also. I certainly don't think that gay marriage is OK, and homosexual behavior is certainly not natural to me....I can love the sinner and not the sin. You think being gay is a mental illness?

when was the Melchizedek priesthood restored? I forget the date....

I used the word ridiculous as an adjective: 1. causing or worthy of ridicule or derision; absurd; preposterous; laughable: Everyone has SOMETHING going on in their lives, how can we possibly be sensitive to everyone and everything. It is ridiculous to think that somehow anyone could know of your struggles, with out you telling them, do you wear a sign? It is ridiculous to think that church programs should change to cater to the 1%. This goes for anyone and anything. If we know of someones issues should we be sensitive yes of course, but how can you know? If you do know how can you expect people to self govern 100% of the time. I for one will not walk around church on eggshells worried about who I may or may not offend. I feel for you, I really do but you need to do whatever it takes to drag yourself out of your pit of sorrow and self pity. Therapy, medication, see your bishop, whatever it takes.

So by your measure extra sensitivity should be shown to those who may be offended or have their feelings hurt (in this case infertility specifically)?

I respectfully disagree, and this is a subject for another thread, so I will comment and move on. These are some of the reasons that she should not get married, and I am making some assumptions here because we only know part of the story. 1. She knows her family is of limited means yet she still thought it was a good idea to go dress shopping, very selfish. 2. if her family can't afford a dress where is the fiance? Is he broke also? 3. She is a student...aka unemployed 4. same as #2 is the fiance broke also? 5. Lastly if she is not self sufficient, and we can extrapolate that to mean that her BF is not either otherwise he would have bought her the dress they have no business getting married and becoming a burden.

Char713, looks like you have taken over this thread with your woes of unfulfilled desires of motherhood. We are way off topic, but my 2 cents, which is about all my advice is worth is this: If you are not in therapy you should be and if you are you need to fire your therapist. Do something about the way you feel, because you can't change how others feel. The church is never going to not celebrate mothers day in sacrament, they are never not going to promote families and parenthood. I understand that you can't just "get over it" of course you can't but your expectations for others need to change. No I am not going to go research infertile women so that I can learn to moderate what I say in front of them. That's ridiculous.

You think he would be ok if you didn't attend one of the single most important life events in his life, and he may say that he understands, but I guarantee that he would be hurt by your decision. Who wouldn't be. Vort, yes its called homophobia, I am unsure what the underlying points are, " if I go to a gay wedding I am putting my stamp of approval on gayness" " I can't watch 2 people commit spiritual suicide" I am paraphrasing here. Go to the wedding, congratulate your brother isn't that what we do at weddings? wish him happiness he is searching for it.

Good for her, but it sounds like someone who is not financially prepared to be married yet...

the WOW is for the weakest among us.

This discussion has gotten out of control, temple recommended questions are worded so that the individual can anweser according to their conscience. Do you obey the the word of wisdom? lots of rooms there for interpretation.....lots as has been discussed Do you consider yourself a full tithe payer? We can have a monster thread about what constitutes a "full tithe" Bottom line it's between you, your bishop, and God and "your" interpretation of the law

Just A Guy answered the question for us, part of the interview is not if the investigator believes that the BOM is 100% true, many investigators never read it cover to cover before they are baptized that is an unfair question and the missionary is out of line. The question is as Just A Guy pointed out: Do you accept Joseph Smith as a prophet of God? If the answer is yes, then everything else falls into place.....He can't be a prophet and the BOM be false....

4.5.3 Physical, Mental, and Emotional Challenges Missionary work is demanding. Members who have physical, mental, or emotional challenges that would prevent them from serving effectively are not called to missionary service. Experience indicates that those who, for example, suffer from serious emotional instability, are severely impaired visually, require a wheelchair or crutches, or are dependent on others to perform normal daily tasks should not be recommended for missionary service. Missionary candidates who have previously had significant emotional challenges must be stabilized and confirmed to be fully functional before being recommended. A candidate who is dependent on medication for emotional stability must have demonstrated that he or she can fully function in the demanding environment of a mission with the medication before being recommended. The candidate must also commit to continue taking the medications unless otherwise authorized by a professional health care provider. The bishop includes in the recommendation forms a list of medications the person is taking. Young missionaries who are significantly overweight experience difficulties dealing with the rigorous physical demands of a mission. These difficulties also affect their companions. Bishops and stake presidents should be sensitive and wise in considering whether individuals should be recommended for missions when their weight will adversely affect their service. If prospective missionaries are significantly overweight, local leaders should counsel with them about reducing their weight before the missionary recommendation forms are submitted. For weight guidelines, the bishop or stake president may contact the Missionary Department or the assigned administrative office. If the bishop and stake president are unsure about recommending a member who has any of these challenges, they may consult with the Missionary Department (1-801-240-2179 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2-2179). They should not recommend exceptions that are unwarranted or that they do not endorse without reservation. If a member who has serious challenges strongly desires to serve a mission but does not qualify, the bishop and stake president express love and gratitude for the member’s willingness to serve and explain that because of the circumstances, the member is honorably excused from missionary service for his or her own benefit and to avoid placing undue demands on mission leaders and companions. These members should be encouraged to pursue such important endeavors as education, career development, temple preparation, and temple marriage. For those who have a strong desire to serve, the bishop may counsel with the stake president to identify local opportunities for Church or community service. See 4.12 for information about Church-service missionaries. 4.5.4 Medical Limitations A prospective missionary who has a serious medical limitation, including any due to injury or illness, can be considered only with the recommendation of a competent medical authority. Before submitting the recommendation forms, the stake president should consult with the Missionary Department (1-801-240-2179 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2-2179). 4.5.5 Review by the Area Medical Adviser Outside the United States and Canada, missionary recommendation forms are submitted through the Area Presidency. Under their direction, the area medical adviser reviews all recommendation forms and identifies any unresolved medical and dental conditions or immunization issues that could affect the candidate’s ability to serve or the nature of the assignment. If the area medical adviser feels that treatment is needed before a person is able to serve, he reviews the situation with the Area Presidency. They may return the missionary recommendation forms to the stake president, who ensures that the necessary treatment is arranged for. When the medical condition is resolved, the stake president may resubmit the forms.

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Don't let them put you off, you need to keep in mind the circle of influences and areas of the country in which other people live. Our perspective is different based on where we live, who we interact with, and how we were raised.