priesthoodpower

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Everything posted by priesthoodpower

  1. Week 2 of virtual sacrament was awesome, fast and testimony meeting and I was able to mute the second half of a sisters testimony when she felt the need to get too preachy, if there was a dislike button in zoom I probably would not have clicked it just for the sake of being respectful. Bishop preachy = OK Random member preachy = Sorry! you dont pay my bills or approve my temple recommend. Virtual is the future in learning the behaviors of its members, with this data we can better teach, better retain and better convert. The church is a long way behind in gathering this data and the only way they can do it is through the technology. Currently the most important data the church talks about is 150 temples, 5000 stakes, 18 million members etc...that data does nothing. You see google started way back in the 90's they knew the value in data. Gather data, understand how the masses think/behave, control the masses. Satan is at the forefront of all of this so where is God? Oh, God is still and ONLY in the chapels. Well this pandemic hit because God needs us to put him in the homes sooner rather then later, in the same computers and devices that glorify violence and sex...yes the same devices that satan has been using for decades to divert the attention of our youth and members. God needs to be in there too. Our LDS apps and websites are a great start but we cant only own apps and websites, we need to own whole industries. For example Tyler Perry is an african american actor/play writer who took his screen plays to Hollywood and they told him he has to change it up. He said, "Nope, Im going to create my own studios and own my own material." Tyler Perry studios in Atlanta Georgia is now a rival to Hollywood and has a big following. Why boycott Netflix, just create our own. Why leave the boyscouts, create our own. Why attend public schools with questionable values, create our own. The church needs to stop using zoom and create their own video streaming platform so they can own the data of its viewership and know when members like me hit the mute button or minimize the screen, that is valuable data. Satan is in business and politics, soon enough it will be a no brainer that God needs to be in there too.
  2. As far as I can tell "The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints" has always been written on every chapel, temple, and church document. Its a marketing and media problem that the church is trying to correct. In the 2000's the church put out a heavy marketing campaign called "...and I am a Mormon!" further adding to the popularity of the name, it was a huge success. Apparently in 2020 the Lord is now offended?? "..And if we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended." https://thirdhour.org/blog/faith/correct-name-of-the-church/ I personally do not see any problem with how the Church and its members have represented Jesus's Church in my lifetime. 1. 3rd Nephi 27:8 - Jesus says if it is my church then call it by my name, which we have been doing. 2. 3rd Nephi 14:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. - In the 1990's there were two famous mormon Americans living in Japan, one was a TV personality the other a lawyer. As a missionary in Japan in 1999 many doors were opened to us because we were mormon just like those two famous people. As "christian" missionaries people were not interested in talking to us.
  3. Today was the first and it was a hit - it is the future. I hope this becomes a permanent thing...not saying that physical attendance should stop but when it resumes the virtual option remain for those that dont/cant/wont attend in person. The presence of the holy spirit in this virtual setting was just as strong as if attending physically. I sat at my computer (in the living room) with head phones on because my inactive kids were not interested in joining me, one was playing xbox next to me, the other two eating breakfast. My screen was visible to everyone and they made comments as they saw Bishop and another speaker as well as the cameras/faces of old friends/members that were logged in from their own living rooms. One of the priesthood boys made a funny face on his camera and my kids were laughing. The scripture Matthew 18:12 comes to my mind - If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? I feel that this virtual setting allowed Bishop to penetrate into places that he never could have and speak directly to me and my household while the 99 were at his side.
  4. When asked about different faith groups becoming friendlier with each other - Dr. Wood: "Im old enough now that I trust the holy spirit." I feel that the increase of evil and attack on religion over the past couple of decades is helping/forcing christian faiths to unite and look beyond their differences. Yet another example of the pride and stubborness in christianity that stands in the way of the work going forward. All denominations including LDS have a lot more growing to do.
  5. I just got an email today from our area presidency that sacrament meeting is going virtual starting next Sunday. I can now broadcast my wards meeting into my home where my inactive kids can observe..not so sure that they will sit and watch with me but the broadcast will provide the opportunity for the priesthood authority from bishop to uplift in my home. You see several years ago when my ex and kids left the church they requested that no church members (VT, HT, Primary or missionaries) visit our home. Yes they left the church but they did not leave Jesus or God. 3 Nephi 18:22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not; Breaking down social barriers. For families like mine this is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGEEEE!
  6. The great thing about the book of mormon is that it documents the cycle of civilizations that have risen and fallen in the ancient Americas based on their righteousness/wickedness. Its actually really simple to predict the destructive outcomes from human behavior but because humans are so greedy/stubborn we become blinded and need prophets (and "scary dreams") to remind us. Those NDE experiences you share are awesome but to be quite honest, nothing new or ground breaking. The more I learn about enlightened spiritual teachings from various sources, the more it sounds like its based on...Jesus's teachings. Here is a quote from your NDE website.... "I was told that the world could be saved, not by its leaders, but by prayer groups throughout the world. I was told that the prayers of a group of twenty could save a nation from war. I was told that the fate of mankind rested on our ability, individually and collectively, to change the direction of mankind in accordance with God's plan ... Depending on mankind's response to God, these events may be altered, postponed, or cancelled." (Ned Dougherty) ...and here is what mormons have been doing for 200 years
  7. Im old school (80s-90s) and traditional church is the only thing I knew growing up, that is until the world started changing. On my mission 22yrs ago my mission president told us to teach the missionary lessons word for word, do not add or subtract a word, the lessons were inspired of God and is perfect as is. By the time I left the mission an updated set of lessons came out with a few changes on the wording and minus one chapter, from 7 down to 6. Wait a minute, I thought the original set of lessons were perfectly inspired by God, nope, it needed updating, and then in 2002-ish? The entire world mission program got an overhaul...dont read anything! use your own words and teach by the spirit! Things change for the better. Its not hard, for me at least, to understand and accept. Seeing how the world is changing and how worship will change makes me excited to know that the doors will be even more open for more people to partake of the gospel. I dont think its a lowering of the bar or widening the goal posts, just simply opening of the doors. 1. God is not limited within the walls of a chapel. 2. Learning the doctrine is not limited within the walls of a chapel. 3. Feeling the Spirit that testifies of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not limited within the walls of a chapel. 4. The priesthood authority to over see the church/saints is not limited within the walls of the chapel. Im not saying get rid of the chapel, just that things are changing/updating for the better. Here is a new article out today that goes along these same lines https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/9/8/21407648/what-do-prayer-pods-means-church-worship-mormon-lds-house-church-small-group-worship
  8. I believe this is a social/church problem and not a gospel problem. Is the covenant (to serve) being violated or the situation causing the violation? Some members thrive while others either dont or simply just go inactive. What if we remove the member from the situation (church) that causes him/her to violate? Is that a solution? Lets say that person was me and the bishop sat me down and said "PP, I notice you have a hard time serving in your callings and getting along with others in the ward. I also notice that you have a full busy life taking care of your family, work and hobbies, you seem to be happy and driven when I see you in the community and I cant understand why you are grumpy in church." .."I tell you what, as long as you can continue your scripture reading/personal prayers and tithing you can miss church...you do need to take the sacrament at least once a month so please come to sacrament meeting once a month but you can leave right after." Me: "will I still be able to be in good standing as a temple recommend holder?" Bishop: "Yes!" ------------------------- Is this a solution? Cause you know church is not for everyone! and "serving" does not only mean to serve people in white shirts and ties. ---------------------- * fyi - This was me for 2 yrs, my work schedule fell on Sundays so bishop directed me in this way.
  9. Do you mean "pre-internet days" of social worship (strictly physical interactions) as the way we take care of each other? Does social media, online methods have a part in church worship and possibly surpassing traditional social methods? What used to be a 30min - 60min sit down with the entire family as a home teacher is now a 5 min chat at the grocery store, or a text asking how they are doing.
  10. This is beside my point and it appears that I am not articulating very well. Also my case for a virtual church worship was compared to the experience with my online college degree which fit me perfectly. My child is a senior in high school and I am 100% encouraging her to live on-campus, she needs the social experience. I had that same experience when I was 18, I didn't need it when I was 41.
  11. The temple building is necessary, the chapel bldg is not (as proven by covid when sacrament was being conducted in homes). The bishop is necessary, the RS pres, EQ pres etc. is not. Living a covenant life only require a bishop and a temple, am I right?
  12. Not remove the church, just less of the traditional "Social" way of worship which we have come to call sunday church. LDS think the only way we can serve others is to go to church once a week and serve our own. That is a selfish church and a mindset that needs to change in order for the church to grow immensely as God wants it too (fill all corners of the earth). Less face to face and more virtual, more home. Home is the new church. Every one of the 8 billion people on this earth have a home, if home is church then church is for everyone and God would smile. Once again as I shared in another post, I recently completed that last 2 yrs of my I.S. bachelors degree (started it 20yrs ago) from home without meeting one single cohort or administrator. My counselor followed up with me once a week via email, had I had any problems or if I was struggling with anything she would be available via phone but I was blowing past every course with flying colors. I had opportunities to join course chats to speak with other classmates and professors but I really didnt need that extra attention. If in-class, on-campus courses were my only option I would have never gone back to complete my degree for many reasons. These colleges and universities are finding ways, creating ways, to get their programs out to everyone. Schooling at my age and circumstance "is not for me". or was it?! ..it was! The college just needed to adjust. The degree and courses are still the same, the process evolves. So why is it that LDS folks say the gospel is for everyone as we faithfully look forward to converting and baptizing the world, but when we proselyte and talk to our neighbors they say "it isn't for me." Not to mention there may be more people leaving the church every year then being baptized, their reasons? "it isnt for me." The gospel and God is for everyone, we are failing in the process. Covid is a wakeup call.
  13. The church/gospel is doing good and will soon be thriving.
  14. Alma 39:11 "..for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." My mission president shared this with us to show the responsibility we had to not only share the gospel but to not deter anyone from it due to any irreverent behavior. In Alma it was Corinatons pursuit of "harlots", For us in our mission it meant every little thing pertaining to breaking the smallest of rules like being on time to everything, always dressing properly, never having contention etc.. I use this story from my mission to show that the member in leadership had the higher responsibility, he will be held accountable for his action/words toward your brother. No one is perfect and Im sure that the members many good deeds will out weight the bad ones but at the very least Im sure the Lord will take into account this incident on your brothers behalf. Members being offended at church is a way to common thing and that is why I feel the direction we are heading toward is less church and more God.
  15. The world is going through so much trials right now not only because the wickedness of the people but because of the slow response of the church adapting to market and spread the gospel. We have a 1950s mindset in the 2000s, limited by our cultural traditions and not by Gods desires. Has any of our leaders ever thought to ask the Lord if baptism could be done by reading the fine print of a website, checking a box and then hitting submit? Okay thats a little far out there but you get my point....and yes I do believe the President Nelson is that prophet that is throwing all sorts of ideas at the Lord.
  16. We need an app on the same scale of Instagram or twitter that does one thing, Prayer roll submittion! Need a ride? Download the uber app! Need to pray for someone? Download prayer roll app! This could be a great missionary tool.
  17. I first heard of the prayer roll when I received my endowments at 19 before serving a mission 20+ yrs ago. My children who left the church a few years ago with their mother will most likely never serve a mission and therefore never know what the prayer roll is.... ...that is, until this past weekend when I did a FHE lesson around caring for loved ones. I then explained the true order of prayer that takes place in the temples and I logged into my LDS account and we submitted those names. Thank you Lord for allowing resources available to bless the world and plant seeds. Thank you temple attendees that have prepared spiritually and prayed around the names in the circle, your service is immeasurable.
  18. In case you didn't know man can do anything....yes, even filter spam. Obviously the church would'nt use google ads to get the word out. If you cant think beyond that I dont know what to tell you.
  19. My observations: 1. You still need a member account to login and submit names. My brother has an account so he is good but I am excited for the day when non-members can submit names and have access to the higher order of prayer that is performed in the temple. 2. I have heard several times this year from non mormons in various arenas that the "mormons were right about the teachings of food storage and emergency preparedness". Mormons are also famously known for the No coffee/tabacco/pre-marital sex commandments...which again people are recognizing as a true and admirable belief. I feel that the church is gaining credibility in the worlds eyes as an organization that is righteous/good and maybe, could possibly be Gods true church on earth. With world governments and leaders being exposed in scandals and corruption I feel that the building and expansion of "mormon" temples will be a new source of hope and light for the world in the near future. 3. What good is a temple if only a worthy few can enter and participate? Hopefully millions of people will soon be able to enter worthily but untill then the ability to place a name on the prayer roll easily and anonymously from a device will give millions of people instant access to the blessings and holiness of the temple. This is huge! 4. I know that every country/culture/religion has their own manner of prayer and worship, but like I mentioned in #2 satan is penetrating every culture and religion to the point where people are losing confidence. If the mormons have a good track record, if the mormons are Gods true church and the temple is the house of God, how can I participate? Prayer roll for starters! I still see a day when 90 of 100 random people shopping in a local grocery store will be members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints but no one will know it because the advancement of technology will allow worship to be anonymous, less church more God. Less judging of your neighbor and more self accountability to God. Blessing and partaking of the sacrament in our own home during the covid lockdown was an anonymous form of church worship.
  20. My argument about anyone that says they had a vision from God while dreaming is that it can be explained through what we know from science. You can be driving down the street and not notice that you passed three apple trees on the side of the road, you didn't notice it nor remember it, but your subconscious took notice. You can have a dream about apple trees ten years later and think that it was out of the blue. The vision this pastor explains on the video contains all the elements and items he is already aware of....a calender, civil unrest, biblical warnings. His dream is exactly as @Traveler explained, his only, and not Gods prophecy to youtube viewers.
  21. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/online-submissions-temple-prayer-roll?cid=email-OCA_TemplePrayerRoll_081720_CTA1c Its a small step but still a step in the right direction. The blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ here on earth continue to break barriers. My brother (served a mission and is now inactive) throughout the years would ask us to put his name on the prayer roll of the temple. The tipping point of his inactivity 20yrs ago was the ole "all or nothing" mentality that he felt from the church. Since he wasnt living up to the expectations of becoming a bishop or EQ president he just didnt want to deal with the pressure, long story in and of itself. He has always loved the Gospel and his testimony was always solid but barriers remain. After sending him this article he replied "I miss the temple and don't know if I will ever return to attend in person, being able to put a name, my name, on the prayer roll directly...not having to go through you or mom, I feel a piece and peace of the temple in me now."
  22. Exactly! The sub-conscious mind sits in the background observing things during our waking hours while the conscious mind is active. At night when we sleep the conscious mind takes a back seat and the sub-conscious mind becomes active, giving us dreams of things we have already observed and learned. My thoughts after seeing the video for the first time? This pastor is an idiot! My thoughts of my LDS relative that sent me the video with a sense of warning and urgency? Hes an idiot too! Ill stick to the prophecy's of our LDS apostles who receive impressions and messages from God while in a conscious state.