omegaseamaster75

Eternal Increase is laid out pretty well in D&C but I from a doctrinal stand point I understand the reluctance to discuss this with a non member. It's a pretty big pill to swallow and is not biblicaly supported. I guess if I was the online missionary I would respond that yes it is a part of our doctrine but then try to change to course of the conversation.

Ill answer a survey if you want

No offense taken, while on the face of it Mission administration is fronted as being run in the service of bring souls to Christ (which it is), as members we tend to lose track of or not want to see the bureaucratic side of the equation. This does in fact exist. If this comes off as cynical I apologize, but it is a reality of the mission and how they are run. I have tried to have more in-depth discussions with the missionaries in my ward and they are unprepared to answer questions that the OP has for them. I can see the OP's frustration with this and the single laser beam focus of the missionaries.

What specifically say that was dismissive? or cynical?

You are asking all of the right questions, just to the wrong set of people. A missionaries time is short and they have a set group of items to teach which in theory lead to conversion. 18-19 YO kids are not the people you want to ask about church history because they are not prepared to discuss it on the level that you need in order to have your concerns addressed. They are not the people you want to discuss higher theological questions with, in general their understanding is at a basic level. Find a long time member who is knowledgeable and they can help you. this forum is a great resource. There are plenty of guys and ladies on here who are much smarter than me and can discuss almost any topic you may have a question about.

Missionaries are here to convert they will not spend time with someone who does not have a sincere desire to do so. The mission is run like a business. A mission works under the area 70's who manage a large geographical area/ group of missions. Missions track convert baptisms, lessons taught, contacts made, referrals, etc, etc. District leaders report to zone leaders, who report to the AP's who report to the mission president. The mission President reports his numbers to the Area presidency who in turn report to salt lake. Make no mistake about it when there is a dip in convert baptisms the higher ups want to know why.

Not to make light of your question, but in the grand eternal scheme of things will doing stretches on Sunday have a negative affect on out salvation?

Sunny CA So no not Hell at all...

I went for a run yesterday, am I on the fast track to hell?

The advise you get from me will be different form what you hear from others on this Board. Your "sins" stopped with kissing and you have broken off the "relationship". You prayed/asked for forgiveness, stopped taking the sacrament, and now generally feel pretty good about yourself. I say mission accomplished. #1 I wouldn't talk to the bishop if it was me, but it's not. Talk to him if you want a sounding board or feel that greater admission of guilt is necessary. #2 No way should you tell your wife, you have broken her trust this is not something that you can easily get back. Be smart do not throw your life or your wife's into turmoil for something that is done and over with. This is in the take it to the grave category for me. Let the Lord sort it out

SO I am thinking RS presidency? or a YW presidency calling? Handbook of instructions lays out the responsibilities of the individual callings for the most part. Look them up verse yourself on them and be prepared. Don't take anything personally, remember that you cannot make everyone happy all of the time. do your best and you will prove out.

You need to be in charge of the conversations, when you say that you are going to spend xmas eve at the inlaws house you can't allow it to be brought up anymore. If you are visiting and she mentions it you leave. If you are visiting and she says something mean you leave, if she is visiting and says something inappropriate you ask her to leave. Or come up with an errand to run. Take the high road, a normal conversation with this type of person clearly does not work the only thing you can do is hope that she gets the message about whats out of bounds. I assume that she wants to see her grandchildren but it has to be on your terms.

Talk to a lawyer, you can't armchair quarterback something like this. Lawyer (American immigration specialist) Bishop in that order

is it? I didn't find it offensive, sounds like one persons opinion which I am in favor of talking about if it merits discussion. Going to the temple is just another step in the indoctrination process, (some will interpret this or take it the wrong way I say it as a statement of fact and as one who is fully indoctrinated) which if you are BIC starts very early. In response to the OP there is no shame in declining to go on your mission or putting it off until your testimony is stronger, and no shame in letting your leaders know about your experience and seeking help and further understanding about the covenants made and the obligations that are now expected of you as an endowed member.

I was never taught this as a missionary.

Extreme caution on your girlfriends part, and quite frankly a little weird. There is no "rule" that says you cannot touch where the garments cover, heck they sell garments that go to your ankles if you want them. Before you take your relationship to the next level (marriage) a frank and open discussion needs to be had about intimacy and boundaries.

Sure you shouldn't seek it out, but it certainly does not rise to a "I need to see the Bishop to confess" status. Not for what the OP has described. Let me be clear if you are making this a habit then yes please see your Bishop and get some help. This sounds like a one or two off occurrence aka no biggie Clearly you have not seen the picture in question, You see more nudity on late night TV.

Ahh The Kim Kardashian photo.... No, IMHO no need to confess you didn't do anything wrong, and to be in fear for your exaltation because of it is just silly.

No it is not always necessary to bless the food that we consume, I think at formal meals aka dinner with the family a prayer of thanks should be given. I do not understand the concern about vain repetition, Catholics have the same prayers for many things and they will tell you that the repetition is not vain. It is the depth of feelings and thoughtfulness with which the prayer is given

Yet culturally having a beard and being in a leadership position is frowned upon, and judgement is passed about the individual. Kind of like the wearing of a white shirt on Sundays.

Are there restrictions against facial hair amongst the brethren? I am unaware of a rule that says you must be clean shaven to be a GA Someone please correct me on this

Plain and simple leadership failure. The Bishop needs to take the bull by the horns and have difficult conversations when he finds out about this kind of stuff. It is unacceptable to be bullied or be a bully, and 10x more unacceptable to do so in a place of worship or in a zone where the child should feel safe.

I just asked randomly, some asked why I was asking so I was able to engage in conversation a little bit. Like I said there is an underlying knowledge of polygamy and the practice of it with JS, our teaching of the history glosses over this. It is an after thought and in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter.

So I was only able to ask 40 people this last Sunday, the results were interesting I choose people at random even some who I did not know Did you know that JS was sealed to women who were already married? yes: 6 no: 34 Did you know that he hide some of his marriages from his wife Emma? yes: 3 no:37 So far it is as expected, people either don't know or don't want to know about the details of the history of the church, I am fine with this but I do think that this lack of information can be testimony damaging or cause problems when confronted with this information.

take your meds......