Crypto

I used to rock a beard myself, would still have one now but my wife doesn't like it Keep the beard life is too short to constantly shave 

Something tells me the after life is full of beards. 

Not sure why, but I have a sudden urge to post this picture.  

Is this a serious question? 

Are you thinking that BYU is heaven?
M.

With a beard like that, I don't think the Lord could keep you out of heaven.
(And I don't believe for a moment that this is a serious question.)

I was disappointed reading stories about parents getting arrested or threatened with arrest for leaving a nine old to play at a park or letting an eight year old walk to school.  Some people think that kids are twenty five year olds that need to live in the basement and play their video games all day while they discover themselves.  We need to give children work and responsibilities so they can grow up and learn. 
I used to be gone for up to three hours plus at time playing out the fields and at a creek near where I used to live.

Snorting very small amounts of cocaine twice a week has been shown to increase lifespan by up to two weeks. Guess we'd better all get our coke ready.

No one is playing a trivial game. I can read the scripture same as you and it says what it says. They (leadership) changed by policy how we as members practice and follow the word of wisdom they didn't change the word of wisdom, they didn't change the standard works.  They can change it back or add to it as needed. You want to use the 9th article of faith as your substantiation fine with me. I am entitled to my opinion on the subject.

heh, culture varies.  Like my mom tells me it's not appropriate to wear cowboy boots to church-- totally weird :).  But I'll still wear the cowboy boots when I attend her metropolitan ward, no one will die, and the gospel will still be the amount of true. 

I think the key here is explaining the situation to the bishopric, and on the flip side having compassion and good listening skills. (as applied to the many situations in this thread)
To trouble things further, everyone seems to have a different button of where pushyness begins or if it is just good natured inclusion.  Invites are good, they should be extended graciously and refused graciously, then respected graciously.To be called out on temple worthiness because of lack of attendance at activities is unacceptable.

You will get different answers from different people. I have always exercised in my garments under the thought “The church is ok with me biking 3-8 hours every day in the middle of summer while wearing my garments (referencing my mission), why should I feel justified removing them for a couple hours of workout?”
I always felt that we should wear them when exercising, but there are enough members not wearing them while out running or at the gym that it makes me wonder if there is something I don’t know haha.
As far as changing, I would take the approach of changing in a private place, if there is none, just try not to draw attention to them. 
You will receive better instruction when you go through the temple. And consult with your leaders.

I probably shouldn't even post about this since I know nothing about garments, but the talk about exercise certainly interests me.  I run and/or lift weights every work day.  After, I shower and change in a very crowded locker room.  Do they make exercise garments?  Running long distances in improper clothes can be bloody and miserable.  Changing in a crowded locker room?  That's not exactly keeping your garments private.

At some time or other, each of us serves as a bad example to others, to help them see what they should not do. These people you mention are just taking their turn. In this particular thing, please ignore them.

Well when I joined the church I tried to do everything right and I believed rules like ‘never refuse a calling’. I have had a hard learning curve. I also stick up for abused teenage converts. For example, we are now drafting young teenage converts into teaching primary. I pointed out that teenage converts often have no car. Getting to church and especially activities is challenging. Getting to church can be done on the bus but it can take 4 hours to take the bus from some neighbourhoods as our church location is very inconvenient. Activities often take place 5 hours away. You are a new face, a teenage convert, so you get an invitation at the last minute. This 5 hour drive is your only opportunity to meet others face to face.
So teenage converts can assist in classes but don’t put them in charge of a class or have them team teach because teenagers often have less control over their lives than others. Or talk to them before giving a calling. Discuss the issues and give them some time to think it over.

I know that I should not do this but...I was reading the comments below a video about religion. One of the comments was complaining about how the LDS church treated former members. It was a long and rambling complaint. At the beginning of the post. The person claimed that we shun former members. By the end of the post, the person claimed that we harass former members. Now really, you can’t have this both ways! Too much attention or no attention: which is it?
I feel for the poor hometeacher or visiting teacher forced to call and try to make an appointment with inactives.  I have done this a few times myself. Not easy. Anyone reading this, never ever go alone to one of these visits. Whoo. An experience that still haunts me. Yikes! 

It can be very difficult to have a constructive conversation with anyone monster painting. Your post is a good reminder to me to try and avoid doing the same xD

I would just like to make sure I'm on record here.
- A few years back, I had information regarding a Mormon in another state sexually abusing a child.  I knew the child.
- I sent my information to that person's bishop and stake president, and asked them to tell me the results.
- The church held a disciplinary counsel and the person was excommunicated.  The stake president called me back to tell me that result.  He asked me to let him know if he could do anything else to help the child heal.
- I am a real person.  This is not a rumor, or a thirdhand account of something.  I still have all the court documents and emails and transcripts and stuff.  
 
I'm only guessing here, but when horrible stuff like this happens, I'm guessing my experience is more of the norm than everything we're reading about with the Joseph Bishop incident.

Eh, you're probably right.

This will never make it to the courtroom. The church will settle. She will get paid.

I am glad it's going to court, may justice and truth prevail there for whatever be the outcome.
Not nearly as exciting as the court of public opinion, social media may decry.

The good news is that the plaintiff will have her day in legal court where procedures are in place to protect the rights of all parties involved, separate good and relevant evidence from bad, and best serve justice--all of which is disturbingly lacking in the ongoing trial taking place in the court of public opinion..
And, depending upon the results of the legal trial, appropriate action will be taken by those with the power and authority and desire to do what is right, as opposed to all the impotent posturing, empty virtue signaling, and counterproductive disputation between relative no-bodies throughout social media.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I'd just like to point out that the Church today is larger than it ever has been in all of history. There are more active, believing Latter-day Saints than at any other time. I bet Latter-day Saints comprise a larger percentage of the worldwide population than ever before (albeit still tiny, perhaps no more than one active Latter-day Saint per thousand people).
Yes, we have challenges. Yes, many in the western world have at least temporarily succumbed to the temptations of decadence and death. But truth goeth onward. Our children need not be threatened by these evils, if we teach them truth and help them understand how to find it for themselves. No pickle-suckers here!

Are you doing the work at home? If so, you might consider getting a blessing on your home. Just a thought!

Monster painting sounds a lot like the idea of telling villain stories. One strategy to try when facing these situations is to ask oneself why would a reasonable and rational person do this. Oftentimes the actions of others can begin to make sense. However, sometime it may require actually facing "the enemy" and asking them why they do such and such i it can be surprising to learn that it's not because they are villains or monsters.