askandanswer

Back to the OP In my stake, where you end up sitting during stake conference makes a huge difference. If you are in the pews, you are more likely to be able to listen clearly and enjoy the conference. If you are in the plastic chairs in the cultural hall, its likely to be noisy and distracting and of reduced value. The sound echoes, the carpet doesn't cover the whole floor, people are more likely to be wandering in and out, and many families with babies and young children and toys prefer to sit up the back so that they can more easily take their young ones out if they feel the need to do so. The people who sit in the back definitely have a different experience, and I would argue, generally a lesser experience, than those who sit near the front. If you're not at conference 25 minutes before it starts, you know your not going to get to sit in the pews.

I admire your consistency and single minded dedication

Bring it on. You bring your sword and I'll bring my pen....... and Unixknight

just a little detour here - would the wearing of clothes in the celestial kingdom necessitate clothing manufacturers in the same way it is said that the existence of a watch proves the existence of a watch maker, and the existence of a world suggests the existence of a world maker?

It just seems a bit odd that people would use eye gaugers and short knives to write with.

It looks like a pattern is beginning to emerge from some of the response here, or, alternatively put, from the sum of responses. Perhaps that pattern could be tentatively worded as contradictions are most likely to become evident when those with whom we disagree use the views and beliefs that we hold for different purposes, or for purposes with which we do not agree.

(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:25 - 27) 25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

having a family email account increases deniability. When someone asks "didn't you get the email" you can just reply, "O, my wife must have read that one and forgot to tell me about it"

By way of information, in Australia, maybe 5 years ago, some government entity, perhaps the Australian Taxation Office which is the body that keeps an eye on who does and does not deserve a tax exemption, held an inquiry into whether donations made to the LDS church should be tax deductible. They concluded that donations to fast offering should be 100% tax deductible, but tithing should be only 75% tax deductible. I think they concluded that only about 75% of the church's expenditure relates to charitable purposes, as defined by the relevant legislation, so only 75% of its income received as donation should be tax deductible.

I suspect that the way the church spends its money does far more to help the economy, and society as a whole, than does the vast majority of government spending.

Well how well do you speak Japanese?

Because you might end up bumping into Palerider while there. Or even worse, some random gator

I never thought I'd say this but perhaps you should ask gator for advice. I believe he has acquired and maintains quite a large harem, although for some reason he calls it a compound. (Perhaps because having more than one wife simply compounds your problems)

You seem to be concerned about the possibility of becoming a ministering angel and spending eternity serving God. Is that such a bad thing? Perhaps it might be helpful to change your attitude towards service. (New Testament | Matthew 20:25 - 28) 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea (no eye deer) What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs? Still no idea

I'm running short on lame jokes so you'll just have to put up with this one liner: QE2

Given that most letters take more than one pen stroke to write, I'm guessing that this piece of literature could have been more efficiently created with key strokes than with pen strokes.

Here is the English version of Jesus in England

Certainly, I agree that there is a close causal connection between the preaching of the word and the saving of souls and the preaching of the word is usually a necessary precondition that must be met for a soul to be saved. However, the sad fact is that the preaching of the word usually has minimal or no effect at all on the minds of the vast majority of those who are exposed to it. I think that most returned missionaries will be able to attest to that. Of all those who they encounter and preach to, how many react to and accept their word in a positive way? How many remember it the next day and think more upon it? Some, but very few. This idea, that only very few will respond favourably to the word is suggested by (New Testament | Luke 13:23 - 24) 23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 ¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:14) 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:7) 7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts; And of course, we have the example of the Saviour. His preaching of the word led to His execution, an action that appeared to be supported by the majority of the people, while only a small minority seem to have accepted and believed what He said.

Do people still use pens? What do they do with them?

There must be something wrong with you - I don't find it hard at all And God isn't the only one who knows that

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 29:10 - 13) 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. 12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. 13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

I think that late December is a great time to give a lesson about Joseph Smith given that his birthday was 23 December.

do they let you in if LG is not with you?

I think it would be fadulous to be from Gad