priesthoodpower

Thanks for clearing that up, that is exactly what I meant. The "Culture" of our religion, or any social organization where a group of people gather, is going to have this element of judging and controlling in it whether it come from a member in the group or a leader.  
In my own home I am guilty of micro controlling my wife (at the time) and daughters with the way they dress, what they watch/listen to, who they hang out with etc... My rules in the home are based on the standards and values of the church. This is a reason why my daughters are frustrated with me and have lost interest in the church. My two oldest are 16 and 12 and I no longer force them to attend church, two hours before church starts on Sunday I announce that they should get ready, when the time comes only me and my 9 yr old are out the door.
About 5 yrs ago I remember our stk representative saying in a WC meeting that "we are losing our youth", and the solution coming down from SLC at that time was the come follow me curriculum which made the class lessons more interactive/involved hoping that this would keep the kids interest. Fast forward to today and we are talking about the classroom being the secondary source of learning. To me it sounds like we are saying "ok, ok we no longer are able to control our youth and get them in the class room, parents its your responsibility and your home is the primary place for gospel learning". I would argue that we are moving the goal posts (culturally not doctrinally) because ever since I have been a member from birth the chapel (church, seminary, scouts) was our primary source of gospel learning.  
 
 

Thanks for clearing that up, that is exactly what I meant. The "Culture" of our religion, or any social organization where a group of people gather, is going to have this element of judging and controlling in it whether it come from a member in the group or a leader.  
In my own home I am guilty of micro controlling my wife (at the time) and daughters with the way they dress, what they watch/listen to, who they hang out with etc... My rules in the home are based on the standards and values of the church. This is a reason why my daughters are frustrated with me and have lost interest in the church. My two oldest are 16 and 12 and I no longer force them to attend church, two hours before church starts on Sunday I announce that they should get ready, when the time comes only me and my 9 yr old are out the door.
About 5 yrs ago I remember our stk representative saying in a WC meeting that "we are losing our youth", and the solution coming down from SLC at that time was the come follow me curriculum which made the class lessons more interactive/involved hoping that this would keep the kids interest. Fast forward to today and we are talking about the classroom being the secondary source of learning. To me it sounds like we are saying "ok, ok we no longer are able to control our youth and get them in the class room, parents its your responsibility and your home is the primary place for gospel learning". I would argue that we are moving the goal posts (culturally not doctrinally) because ever since I have been a member from birth the chapel (church, seminary, scouts) was our primary source of gospel learning.  
 
 

Those CompTIA certs are a good start and usually the minimum requirements for getting your foot in the door at an entry level Tier 1 ($30-40k).
Tier 2 ($40-70k) and Tier 3 ($60-120k) is when you start narrowing it down into each of the following fields
a. Networks - CCNA/CCNP/CCIE
b. Server-Database - MCSE/ Netapp/ VMware/ MCDBA/Oracle
c. CyberSecurity - CEH/ CAP/ CISSP
d. Programming (Im not familiar with)
How quick you move up the ladder depends on many things like who you know, how well you perform and the opportunities that surround you. 

 

The first sentence I don't think is well thought through. President Monson, previous to President Nelson, is the reason why we are experiencing the changes we are experiencing. These discussion that President Nelson has said have been in discussion for many years were discussions while President Monson was the prophet. A change in the Church, as we are experiencing under President Nelson didn't all of sudden occur in the short time from President Monson's death, to President Nelson being called, and then to the first general conference he presided over. I wouldn't even be surprised if a lot of what we are now experiencing were talked about during President Hinckley's time. I am positive President Monson is the reason for the change from Home Teaching to Ministering. What prophet has been highlighted for his ministering efforts? Yes, President Monson.
Polygamy is a practice, not a sexual orientation. Homosexual conduct has already been condemned by the Lord in the Old, New, and Modern Testaments. There has never been a time where homosexuality activity has been praised or practiced and condoned by God as his will. The natural man is an enemy to God and has been for a very long time and will continue to be an enemy to God.
All the prophets have done have been in honor of the first two great commandments.

I’m sure you get this already, but I want to clarify for the reader. A Father’s “Revelation” does not overwrite clear direction from the prophet. Personal revelation may direct us on how to apply doctrine to our lives, but not to dictate what is and isnt true
Just a personal experience here. I have two younger siblings. Both were anti social and not very exciting to be around. Over the last year, one came out as gay and the other as transgender. A sudden change occurred and both became very social and so fun to be around. My trans sibling struggled heavily with social anxiety, depression, and saw a therapist regularly. Since she came out, she has been so o credibly happy, has made tons of friends, and has gone to more social events I. The last month than her entire like previous. If you knew them growing up, it would be moronic to say that their transition and opening up did not make them 10x happier.
This experience does NOT give me or my family ANY authority to speak on behalf of God. Through this, my parents still hold true to the doctrine, they don’t pressure my siblings toward any gospel principles that conflict with their “identity”, but still hold a high standard of gospel living in the home. My mother, a school counselor that specialized in alternative high schools for less fortunate youth, joined a parents of LGBTQ children group where she participates and is involved in. She does not believe the way everyone else does, but wants to make sure she doesn’t drive her children away from the family (side note, they went to the bishop before hand and asked if doing this was in conflict with any of the temple recommend interview questions). This is an example of revelation from the prophet and personal revelation leading a family playing hand in hand. Nothing they did was in conflict with the church teachings and we have an incredibly happy family and the topic of religion doesn’t really come up, and when it does, there is a mutual understanding and respect of each others experience.

The doctrine can change too..if it comes from the prophet via God. We went from old testament to New testament to the Restoration, polygamy came and went, blacks and the priesthood....all were updates to the system.
I think that the prophets prior to Nelson were kind of like reinforcers of the law where Nelson seems to be more solutions oriented to the problems of the day. Who's to say that God is sitting and waiting for the bretheren to ask about a solution for our lgbtq brothers and sisters.
If polygamy (one man + multiple women) is a celestial law. Whos to say a potential solution for a lesbian couple is to add a man to their relationship? They are now able to procreate and fullfill Gods plan, or two gay men need to add a woman? I understand the sexual orientation problem here but cmon lets start thinking of love oriented solutions instead of fearful punishments and condemnation.

Yes, and the solution is always a system.
Back to this lgbtq topic, the gospel of jesus christ is a system, im confident in our current and future prophets that we will find solutions.

"They get better when they distance themselves from negative messages or rejecting spaces while they are still healing."
This is not just for lgbtq in church but normal "sensitive" members too that feel they are not living up to their callings or church standards. Last month stk pres made his rounds in the wards and came down hard on us for the lack of missionary work. Every month in EQ they are forcing the ministering message due to the lack of results...its become a fear based environment that those who leave the church use as their reason.

He was set up for failure.
No one in life is set up for failure, not even Ross. Are some of us born into more difficult circumstances, yes.
The victim was probably a good person, the victims family are probably saying "why God! do you let bad things happen to good people!", while at the same time I am here saying "why God! do you let good people do bad things!"
Moral agency is the reason why we are able to choose between good and evil. Moral agency is the reason why good things happen to good people. It is why good things happen to bad people. It is why bad things happen to good people, and it is why bad things happen to bad people.
We live in a Telestial world, and the Telestial world will have the type of people that inherit this kingdom (by their own choice). This means, by their own choice, our world will have murderers, adulterers, fornicators, liars, stealers, etc...
The other known reason for sure, as found in scripture, is so that a righteous judgement can come upon all people.
I am in no way justifying bad behavior and sins here on earth, im just hopeful God knows what he is doing and has a plan for ALL of us.
2 Nephi 2:24

Is opposition a necessary part of learning and growth?

Would have been cool and totally mainstream if they released it in season format on netflix. After the bom story go into the JS restoration. I know the rest of the world would enjoy it. 
It would be the new missionary tool.

Im 43 yrs old and recently divorced from a 15 yr temple marriage. I come from a strong Mormon family that goes back to the pioneer saints in Utah. I read that article and I can tell you that my parents relationship lacked a lot of the elements in that article, they divorced (8yrs ago) after 40 yrs of their temple marriage. The issues and behaviors that affected their marriage manifested itself in my own marriage.
In my experience the patriarchal order is in trouble because of a lack on the mans part. We need to educate and teach this more to our young men.

Very true.

It's not that you are robotic, it's the idea that if one checks off the list that you posted, they are righteous.  AS I mentioned above, it doesn't really tackle or discuss what real righteousness is.  It talks about some ideas which you feel are outward indicators, but they themselves are not what actually saves someone. 
Some of them are your own self values that you put up, and that's fine.  However, if one is looking at that list as this is what defines who is righteous and who is not...it gives the appearance that one has missed the boat by viewing guardshack on the harbor.  It makes it sound somewhat robotic, where everyone checks off the checklist and sees if everyone else is doing it too...sort of like a robotic assembly line.
A better way is to say it's looking at the outward appearance of being righteous while ignoring everything else, including the gospel and other aspects.  It's trying to say one case fits all, rather than allowing the idea that there are all sorts of people and followers of the Lord, even in the church.
I'm not against your list, I think it can fill in what someone who is righteous may do in their day to day activities.  However, just like the law of sacrifice was with the Jews, it was not the action of the sacrifice that saved them, it was the Lord's atonement.  Sometimes we focus to much on the action (such as sacrificing the lamb or animal) rather than the deeper meaning of why we do it and what actually saves us (the Lord's atonement and his sacrifice and resurrection).

This is exactly how full time missionaries live and reminds me of my own mission way of living. It was the best two years of my life but I wouldnt want to do it again.
I will admit that the entire two years on my mission while living in that manner I experienced a spiritual high. Not to say I felt super spiritual everyday but when I finally returned home, the first month was an adjustment period where I literally felt that spiritual high slowly distancing its self away from me till I acclimated back into the dark and dreary world.
"In the world but not of the world", maybe thats why Maureen thinks its impractical and said the list resembles a robot. I would have probably agreed with her but I did serve a mission and experienced this spiritual high and know its possible and quite real. I mean dont get me wrong, i still sinned on my mission and had companion problems etc...but the intent and dedication of serving the Lord and proselyting 24/7 is what the journey was all about.

This is exactly how full time missionaries live and reminds me of my own mission way of living. It was the best two years of my life but I wouldnt want to do it again.
I will admit that the entire two years on my mission while living in that manner I experienced a spiritual high. Not to say I felt super spiritual everyday but when I finally returned home, the first month was an adjustment period where I literally felt that spiritual high slowly distancing its self away from me till I acclimated back into the dark and dreary world.
"In the world but not of the world", maybe thats why Maureen thinks its impractical and said the list resembles a robot. I would have probably agreed with her but I did serve a mission and experienced this spiritual high and know its possible and quite real. I mean dont get me wrong, i still sinned on my mission and had companion problems etc...but the intent and dedication of serving the Lord and proselyting 24/7 is what the journey was all about.

I think you've described Mary Poppins (practically perfect in every way).
But seriouly, your list sounds like you are describing a robot. I'm not clear on the Latter-day Saint's definition of elect of God but to me it doesn't seem this elect has a heart or soul. Does this elect cry or laugh or fall ill or even require help or friendship themselves. Your list of do's and don'ts seems superficial, there's no humanity or love behind either.
M.

I know no one who does all this, and never have.  It’s the sort of thinking that leads to self destructive guilt trips. Most of us need to work on one thing at a time. I’m an early riser, but I don’t think I’ll be out of the elect by sleeping in once in a while. And I seriously don’t aspire to any Church offices as well.  This among many other defects in my character  
I believe that being elect and going to the Celestial Kingdom is a process. One that we won’t necessarily fulfill in our mortal lifetimes. 

My brother left the church because he felt he couldn't meet the expectations he put on himself. He was constantly stressed over not doing enough and he finally just left. He is not angry with the church, but I don't see him coming back anytime soon.

This describes my ex wife who was so charitable and loving to everyone and served in her callings with honor...until she realized that there was a culture where some leaders just delegate their own tasks to everyone else. Her kindness was taken advantaged of for years until she finally got fed up and left the church. 

This describes my generation, always being judged feeling inadequate to live perfect gospel standards and its back fired in the way of members leaving the church. We can all see these new changes from a mile away its called damage control.
 

This describes my generation, always being judged feeling inadequate to live perfect gospel standards and its back fired in the way of members leaving the church. We can all see these new changes from a mile away its called damage control.
 

If you served a mission, you and I both know that our Mission Presidents taught us that our best resource is our testimony and the spirit, thats it. These other things you point out is all fine and dandy for me and you as believers but to non-members/non-believers it means nothing and proves nothing.
Let me be clear here:
1. Im playing devils advocate.
2. I believe in Jesus. Is he a real resurrected being in the flesh? Yes, I believe it. Did I see, hear or touch him? No, all I have to go on is my faith based on the history of prophets and storys in two books that testify of him. 
3. In the convincing of investigators that Jesus is our Savior we have nothing other then the two books to testify of it. Are these two books credible? I myself personally believe so but just Look at this thread and see how nit picky people can get about that credibility so imagine what critics and naysayers have to say about it. 
4. There is a place called Antarctica that not a lot of people have been to but we know it exists because of pictures, video and books that have been written by scientists that have visited that continent. If I wanted to I could get on a boat and travel there and confirm that Antarctica exists. 100% of the people in this world would agree that Antarctica exists even if 99% of us will never visit it.
My argument with the resurrected Jesus Christ (his earthly ministry is a little different of an argument) is that only a handful of people saw him face-to-face and no one else can do that anymore. Only 15 people saw the Golden plates and no one else can see it anymore. As missionaries we were taught that without the spirit you will not convert anyone so what does that say about the tangible resources that currently exist?
 

That tangible resources do not convert. Only convince. While on my mission I met many people who, when they heard the doctrines of the gospel said “that makes sense! I believe that!” But then did nothing about that belief. They were convinced... but not converted. I admittedly have also met many “active” members of the church who are convinced, yet do nothing with their membership. They are not converted.
If you read Doctrine and Covenants 29:7, 131:34-40, and Matt 7:13-14, you’ll see that it is fairly clear that the gospel isn’t a club or a product for sale. Even God knows only a handful of people will actually accept the gospel, providing physical evidence (which I argue there is) will only provide condemnation for those that reject the gospel. We aren't converting people to a scientific thought, but to a divine and godly way of life and belief.

I HAVE talked to the Lord.  I have SEEN him.  It is possible for those who are not General Authorities to do so.  I am NOT the Prophet though, nor am I the Seer or Revelator.  However, because I have seen the Lord I KNOW that he is real.  Many have been given this gift and opportunity in this life. 
There are others who have seen the Lord at various times.  Many of these have occurred in Near Death experiences or similar times.  Many of those will also say they know the reality of his existence.
However, this is a personal thing.  I KNOW because I have seen and heard.  There is no way to show you the experience, as it was not recorded on any devices I have or was able to give.  Many work to try to disprove the experiences others have had so that instead of saying that they know from seeing and hearing, that it is still a belief based on the brain's actions.  People can tell you what they have seen and heard in this life or their experiences, just like any other experience.  They cannot make anyone believe that those experiences are true or not.  The same applies in this.  I KNOW he lives, but you have not experienced what I have, so I cannot make you believe that or to help your belief in that regards.
However, this does not diminish their testimony of these things, nor does it mine.  I know he is real because I have seen him.  I BELIEVE in him because of the Spirit and the Holy Ghost.  They reaffirm my testimony.  My experiences are just as real as they have been when I type on this computer and touch the keyboard, or when I eat my lunch or any other experiences we have.
In this, I'd say there are MORE resources than just "two biased books" but for the most part, those who testify of him are largely ignored in many ways.  Even a testimony from the Holy Ghost can give one faith, and that in itself I consider a testimony and yet another resource that testifies that he is real.  Those who have this testimony and bear it can have a powerful effect and they too are a resource testifying that the Lord, the atonement, and it's effects in this life are real. 
There are many things I do not KNOW.  There are many things that are merely belief to me.  There are many things that are less than that and are merely opinions, or less than that, mere thoughts on a matter.  I cannot tell you about how the Bible or Book of Mormon happened in history.  I believe many things but I haven't been granted knowledge of all things.  But I will say that one can KNOW of the Savior being a reality and that Jesus Christ is real.  I know this, and I know there are others who also have had experiences that have also given them this gift while in this life.