Silhouette

But a degree symbolizes that the bearer thereof has attained knowledge in a certain area or areas. And though we will not take the piece of paper that is our degree with us to the eternities, we will certainly take with us the knowledge that it represents.

I have a good friend from Church and we have lunch together often, in public places such as restaurants or the food court at the mall. We take turns asking a blessing on the food, even though I suppose we are rather conspicuous in doing so sometimes. We fold our arms and bow our heads and quietly talk with our Heavenly Father for the few brief moments it takes to ask Him to bless the food. I used to be very self-conscious doing this, but then I asked myself if I was ashamed of my relationship with God, and if I was trying to hide it for fear of what the world might think of me. The answer in my heart disturbed me, and I vowed that I would overcome this, and so I have. My friend and I don't try to draw attention to ourselves when we pray over our food, and in fact, the only way anyone would notice is if they were staring at us in the first place. As for the idea of "vain repetition", many of our prayers in the Church are repeated word-for-word by the Lord's own instruction. The Sacrament prayers, for example, and the words that are spoken in the waters of baptism. The temple ordinances require precise repetition, too. I see nothing wrong with saying very similar prayers each time we bless the food. Someone here mentioned that what matters to God is the good intent and sincere desire of our heart in asking a blessing on the food, and indeed, in any prayer. So yes, my answer is that it is necessary to bless the food each time we partake. My thought is that it is rather lazy not to do so, and is looking for an easy way out of having to address Heavenly Father. I am no longer ashamed of my love for and belief in Him, and I don't really care who knows it. If anyone has a problem with it, they can look away. Does it get tiresome for you ("you" in the general sense) to bless the food each time? If so, perhaps a look at priorities is in order. "Pray beforehand"? Why? Again, unless one is ashamed to be seen talking to God... Just my thoughts on the topic. Others' opinions will differ, I'm sure. Whether dining in public or privately, I would feel very guilty if I didn't pray each time.

The Hunger Games. Again. Excellent acting, portraying a very disturbing way of life. In fact, I found the movie very disturbing in general. It's a bizarre world they live in, what with all the weird makeup and clothing and hairstyles. And I dislike the "children killing children" theme throughout. Especially the way some are portrayed as relishing the experience. But for me, the acting makes it worthwhile, if creepily realistic. I adore Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Heymitch, or ever how the name is spelled. But then I adore Woody Harrelson anyway.

Frankenstein....the original one with Boris Karloff in the title role. I love these old Universal horror movies, so I thought it was great.

Hmmm, I have always been taught the same thing, TheFolkProphet. That whatever knowledge we acquire here we will take with us into the next life. In fact, there is even a scripture somewhere that is directed at women....I cannot for the life of me remember where it is, but it is a very lengthy list of topics and things that a woman should be proficient in, including science, math, geology, economy, geography, sociology, and I can't remember what all else....but these things will be required for us to know at exaltation. For how can we create worlds without having some practical knowledge of the workings of science and weather, math, etc...sounds far fetched perhaps, but I heard this in a Relief Society lesson on the topic many years ago. I'll do some research and see if I can find the scripture. I remember thinking at the time that if this was the case, I would find myself up the creek without a paddle, because I've never been to college. And I think math is Of the Devil

I think it is definitely a spiritual gift. So many people are unaware of how much Heavenly Father loves them, and if you can feel it, it is a gift for sure.

We rented Maleficent today too. Loved it as much this time as the first time I saw it. There is no bad language in it at all. Not one word. It can get violent, but not graphically so. No blood whatsoever. I did feel very close to the characters. I thought the story was well-told from Maleficent's perspective. I felt all of her emotions, as well as the king's slow slide into insanity and obsession. Aurora was beautifully portrayed I thought. All-in-all, I thought it was great.

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Yes, I have a "New Content" button which I've always used to view the latest posts since my last visit. The "Update Status" button is separate from that. I guess it's just on the mobile version of the forums. I guess it will just have to remain a mystery LOL. Thanks for trying to help me figure it out though.

Most of the cooking and travel shows about cooking are ok. We watch the Cooking Channel and Food Network, and the Travel Channel all the time. Might sound terribly boring, but these shows are updated for a modern audience, with fast-paced contests and things that are quite entertaining.

Sure, I'd be glad to. But I'm coming in from a mobile device, using the mobile version of the site, so I wonder if that's why you and Pam can't see it if you're on computers.Anyway, when I sign in, I'm taken to the main page of the forums. I can scroll to the top, and in the upper right hand corner there is a little box with 4 square buttons in it. I click on that and it opens up a full screen of the box, and the buttons in it are labeled with things like New Content, Messages, Forums, etc., and one of the buttons is labeled Status Update. When I click on it, it just opens up a window with a bunch of posts from people ages ago, and I can't navigate beyond that. I guess it's not that important, but I didn't want to miss anything here on the site, so I just wondered what it was for. Thanks for any information.

Hello there, and welcome! I'm in California in the Northern part of the state. Glad you're enjoying going to the LDS Church and meeting some nice folks. So glad to have you here, and hope you'll enjoy being here! ☺️

Yes, which definition IS that⁉️ I'm with The Folk Prophet.

ROFL

So irreverent! (And so funny!)

This is so true. I was arrested when I was about 21 because I went to my landlady's house to return the key to my place because I was moving. I knocked on her door, and I saw through the uncurtained window on her door that she picked up the phone. I waited patiently until she hung up. I waited about 10 more minutes and she still never came to the door. A police car pulled into the driveway while I was still waiting. When he came up he asked what I was doing. I told him that I was returning my key. The lady finally came to the door. I went to hand her my key, and requested our rent deposit back since we left the place nice and clean, just the way we rented it. She refused, saying we had left it a mess. I asked what was wrong with it. The officer asked me if I wanted to be taken to jail for disturbing the peace. I said of course not, I was just asking a legitimate question. He told me I was now under arrest and that I had "backtalked" him and the landlady.I asked what the charges were. He told me to "Go get in the back of the police car!" I did so because I was frightened at that point. He took me to the jailhouse and they took my picture and booked me in. The charges were disturbing the peace and "resisting arrest". Because I had asked what the charges were, that was "resisting arrest", even though I had gotten into the police car and shut the door to it myself! At the station, he asked if I had any aliases. I said no. He asked if at any time during my life I had been called anything but Melanie (my given name). I said that well, some of my closest friends and family called me "Mel" sometimes. He put down "Mel" as my alias! He then took me to the back where the cells were. The matron was very kind. I smiled at her. The officer asked me if I thought this was funny. I replied that I wasn't laughing. He yelled in my face and asked did I want to be put in the holding cell "with three prostitutes and a murderer". Thank God the matron spoke up and said, "You are NOT going to put that child back there with those people!" She asked me if I would behave if she let me sit in the waiting area in front of her window. Of course I agreed. Time passed. She asked if I were hungry. She sent a jail trustee across the street to a store to bring me back something to eat. She paid for the food herself out of her own pocket. My bail was set at $40.00. I called my husband who came and paid my bail, and I was finally allowed to go home. But not before the arresting officer told me I had better not cause him to be called ever again. Keep in mind that my hateful landlady had called the police without ever coming to the door first. I didn't "cause" anything. I never got the deposit back, and the arrest stayed on my record for several years. The clencher of all of this? I was pregnant at 7 months along. Very visibly. Disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Right.

Men in Black, always a favorite of mine.

I'm very sorry, but I haven't ever seen a picture like the one you describe, but I wish you luck in tracking it down.

We don't put up our Christmas tree until Christmas Eve, then we take it down immediately after Christmas, usually within 3 days of having put it up. We have 6 cats who would just love to tear the tree to shreds, and we have to put them in the back part of the house for the time the tree is up. Fortunately we have a door separating the two parts of the house so as long as we keep that closed, we're good. As for what my favorite holiday is, I guess it would have to be Thanksgiving or Christmas, because the kids come home from college at those times.

I don't see a thing wrong with giving them Christmas cards. I think it would be a very nice thing to do.

The Mummy, with Boris Karloff. Presented by Svengoolie. Another masterfully done black and white horror movie.

I won't have any ox hearts, but I'll substitute something else.

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to see if I can get the ingredients today.