David13

Ok. I watched it. It was ok. I watched Darth Vader gets arrested. Bad for language, but kind of weird/interesting. dc

I didn't think it was snarky or rude. I just thought you thought I disagreed with you. Which I don't think I do here. My point about the drug war is that it has not kept drugs off any street anywhere. And a gun ban would not keep guns off any street anywhere. I think the drug war has filled the prisons whereby there is no room for violent offenders, so they are turned loose, at least here, anyway. However I don't think it's the drug war that breaks up families or gives people a bad record. I think the blame for that can be laid directly upon the drugs themselves, or the use of the drugs, which is of course a result of the free will of the user. I'm against drugs, even most prescription drugs. However, I don't think passing a law against them is the solution. I'm against people shooting people with guns, also, unless in self defense or other appropriate situation, defense of others or law enforcement, and also I don't think a law is the solution, nor a gun ban. dc

Gator Thats my thought completely. The gun ban would be just as effective as the drug ban. Zero effectiveness. But what about the cost? I think the gun ban would cost far more than the drug ban, in terms of enforcement. dc

Classy lady Thank you I need to kick myself or something, as I did not think of the manual at all. Let me also add my condolences as to the death in your family. dc

Blackmarch, and gator. Don't you think the gun ban would be just as effective, tho' far more costly as the drug war? Does anyone doubt that anywhere in America you can buy drugs on just about any, or any certain nearby streetcorner? In my work I have visited prisons and jails many times, and worked with criminals on many occasions. They all knew what one told me specifically. That they know how to recognize each other. That you could drop them into any American city and within an hour or two they could buy whatever drug they wanted. Or any other black market item, i.e., guns. dc

We had the lesson from Ezra Taft Benson book on Stakes today in priesthood. Anatess, in what class did you have this lesson? I think we may have got a little side tracked, when someone pointed out, they only build Temples where there are stakes. Then we talked about how well built the Temples and church buildings are, and how some can be converted to Temples. And how floods destroyed houses but not the meeting house. Then how there are certain areas in America where the missionaries can't go. Where it is too dangerous and corrupt. And someone said but there are no such areas in California, they are mostly back east. So I offered Chicago, and Detroit, and Oakland CA. Someone offered that at the second coming if God doesn't destroy San Franciso then he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. Thus, I learned a lot about stakes today and about the church. This week we had two stake activities, which I am getting into and meeting a lot of stake people. First the stake senior singles Christmas dinner, then the stake Christmas program which I missed due to rain and fatigue. Anyway, I love the meetings more than ever, love the church more than ever. And I also learned that to be instantly prepared for any lesson, just read from the book, ask questions, and tell stories. And it makes for a good lesson. dc I don't know why I didn't think of stake, as in SteakHouse. How could I forget that one. I love beef.

1. I have no experience at this. Due to recent health issues, I am preparing my own grave. I didn't realize there was to be a dedication. I would think off the cuff is best, but off the cuff where he has thought ahead of time what he is going to say. I need information on this topic also. And, can I dedicate my own grave? Who usually dedicates a grave? The Bishop? dc

Roger Moore was my favorite Bond. And favorite Saint, also. And my mother's favorite Saint, as well. dc

Satire nothing. The terrorists, drug dealers, thieves, car jackers, burglars, and countless other criminals would also like to see the American populace disarmed. So they can carry out their evil without any possible interference. They also want the police disarmed. dc

Oh. Well in that case I may, later, click on mirkwood's link. Thanks dc

My favorite story from those days, tho' a true story, is after Joseph was killed a number of people decided they were to now run the church. However, Brigham Young adressed the congregation, and many of those present heard him do so in the voice of Joseph Smith. They said they were convinced, if they looked away from Brigham Young that they were hearing the voice of Joseph Smith. Thereafter there was little debate that Brigham Young was to follow Joseph Smith as President of the church. dc

Airhead extraordinaire. dc

Thanks Vort, I didn't click on the link and thanks to your comments I won't. dc

Dear Diary I feel so lonely. I long for Utah and it's mountainous beauty. I don't miss the 40 degree weather, tho'. I just can't do it. I think rather than.writing in on slips of paper, it would be better to have a diary or journal to write in. One of our missionaries would sit in Sacrament meeting and write in his. I just can't do it. I tried as a youngster, and I just never could keep with it. And for security reasons, it could be dangerous (who could get a hold of it, and all that personal information). Plus, I can't ever forget anything. I can remember conversations I had as a chld. Conversations from years ago. I know others cannot do that. Some people are sometimes amazed that I can remember something they said 3 weeks ago. Or three hours ago. So I guess I have the journal in my head. All those notes in my head. I can go back and review any of them at any time, whether I want to or not. dc

A lot of good questions. In all likelihood, you will never get a true answer. dc

I didn't see a pig but I think there should only be one cat avatar. I vote to make him change the avatar. I mean, after all, if a cat can be seen as a pig then I think it should be changed. dc

These are muslims who have 'become' Christians? It doesn't sound to me like they have become 'very much Christian'. Because their actions seem rather 'un-Christ-like' to me. dc

Maybe it is a pig. What do I know. dc

That is quite nice. It must be a real joy to be a part of a production like that. dc

That's very common today, what with these people, and I guess it's a good name for them. Special snowflakes. Read it as, special dirtbags. dc

Promises to the rich, and food stamps, welfare, phones, and how many hundred other government give away programs that buy votes. By the by, I never called anybody out for any disparaging thing they called Bush the Younger. Nor any of the others. I think they are entitled to free speech and their own opinion. The process to get elected has degraded into a 'sloppin' the hogs' contest. Remember what our dearly beloved Brother Mitt Romney said? How many receiving government aid? It's just buying votes. dc Promises to the rich, promises to the poor. You might say he's an equal opportunity hog slopper. And that's not to say I thought Mitt Romney was any knight in shining armor that was goiing to save our nation, nor our Constitution. I just thought he was clearly the lesser of two evils. And I had had a lot of respect for his father, George.

I don't make them, I don't eat them, I don't buy them. I just can't get into it. There is just too much, and usually too much sugar to it all. We had a farewell reception for two long term ward members moving to Utah (of course, all our ward members end up moving to Utah, and I will too) Saturday (yesterday). They had about 120 different candies, cookies, decorated crackers, vegetables and other miscellaneous snack items. And about 20 people. The could have all eaten straight for 3 days and still had more. I'm happy to talk and listen but I have to pass when it comes to all that. It's just too much. I may get a box of decorated sugar cookies from the supermarket, but that's it. dc

Some of them are fun. From the Bowery Boys, many years ago, the immoral Slip Mahoney used to say "don't jump to seclusions". Carnival knowledge, for carnal knowledge. That's where it's more fun, like a carnival. Archie Bunker used to say 'stifle yourself, Edith'. I still use that one on forums where someone disagrees with me. dc

Thanks for a good thread. I like the church history and to learn about the structure of the church. Particular thanks to bytebear for the video on the history and growth of the stakes and the church. I was pleased to see that the first California stake was San Bernadrino in 1852. Last week my home teacher mentioned that there were probably more church members in California than in Utah. However, I think he is wrong. California has 778,000 members of the church and Utah probably closer to 1,500,000. We did agree that perhaps one half of those numbers were active, but I will say that in Utah it seems there is quite a resergence in activity in the church. dc

I love the church and everything about it, so yes, I do love the Temples, plural, as I like to get around. I like guidance and direction as given in the Temple and in the gospel. dc