Average Joe

The letter was read in a combined P-Hood, RS, YW opening exercise. The few comments were not controversial.

Especially in drought years. This year we've had plenty of rain so they had to try even harder, so I was expecting a really big show and wasn't disappointed!

This may be too much information but I think it bears on the subject if not about creeds specifically. Let’s see what the LDS scriptures say about this. D&C 18:20 - Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil. (June 1829) This scripture makes clear that not all churches are of the devil. However, D&C 18:20 seems to go against what the Book of Mormon says at first glance. 1 Nephi 14:10 - And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. (The Book of Mormon was published in March 1830) Looking at this verse it would seem that if you weren’t a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints you were a member of the church of the devil. The Book of Mormon was published in March 1830, the Church wasn’t established until April 6th 1830. Let’s look to the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) again for clarification. D&C 10:52 - And now, behold, according to their [The Nephite’s] faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel [The Book of Mormon] to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up. 53 And for this cause have I said: If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them. 54 Now I do not say this to destroy my church, but I say this to build up my church; 55 Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. 56 But it is they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom [church] of the devil—yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that it is they that I will disturb, and cause to tremble and shake to the center. (Summer 1828) These scriptures, written almost 2 years before the publishing of the Book of Mormon and establishing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints clearly states that the Book of Mormon isn’t to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up…[not] to destroy my church, but I say this to build up my church. So who were these who were “his church”? Here are two examples of the Lord building up "his church": I. In October of 1830, missionaries from the Church visited Rigdon while traveling through northern Ohio. After two weeks of studying about the Church and reading the Book of Mormon, Rigdon announced that he believed the Church was true. In November, he was baptized and ordained an Elder in the Church. More than a hundred members of his congregation also converted. Ultimately, nearly 3,000 Campbellites would join the Mormon Church. II. In the mid-1830s, a group of approximately 600 Primitive Methodists led by Thomas Knighton left the Primitive Methodism movement and established an independent religious organization they called the United Brethren. The church was divided into many small congregations scattered among the Three Counties, with 50 designated preachers for the group. In 1836, the United Brethren built a chapel in Gadfield Elm, near Ledbury. In March 1840, Latter Day Saint missionary and apostle Wilford Woodruff was brought to Hill Farm, Fromes Hill by William Benbow, a recent English convert to Mormonism. Benbow introduced Woodruff to his brother John Benbow, who was a member of the United Brethren. Woodruff received permission to preach to United Brethren congregations, and in the first 30 days he had baptized 45 preachers and 160 members of the United Brethren into the Latter Day Saint church. By December 1840, 300 members of the church had been converted to Mormonism, and ultimately all the members of the United Brethren except one became Latter Day Saints. This is in addition to the many individuals and family of the world’s churches who having received a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s work in the restoration have come into the fold. The church of the devil remains…”they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom of the devil.”

sounds like a ten year visitation schedule here

Watch my neighbors send off fireworks and try to burn my house down

We live in the times when men call good evil and call evil good, It may seem more pronounced in our time but the war in heaven didn't cease - its right here.

The kid I pay to cut the grass

prayers are with his family and, the prophet and apostles as they seek to carry the load. He will be missed.

a mighty oak has fallen

I only share my sacred experiences with immediate family at most. However, many things are only kept in my journals (a very safe place as no one ever reads them!)

you may be right, but it will be difficult to deny now that the can of worms has been opened. Any member of a polygamous religious group (Muslim or not) is now to claim they are being denied marriage as espoused by their faith.

The Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual would be an inexpensive and authoritative place to start.

Nathan Collier said he was inspired by the recent Supreme Court decision that made marriage equal. He said he was particularly struck by the words of dissenting Chief Justice John Roberts who claimed giving gay couples the right to marry, might inspire polygamy. And so this week, Mr Collier and his two wives, Victoria and Christine, entered a courthouse in Billings, Montana, and sought an application to legalise the trio’s polygamous union, “Right now we're waiting for an answer," Mr Collier told The Independent. “I have two wives because I love two women and I want my second wife to have the same legal rights and protection as my first.” He added: "Most people are not us. I am not trying to define what marriage means for anybody else - I am trying to define what marriage means for us." Read full article here

at a certain time young women transition from Laurels to Relief Society and young men transition from Priests quorum to the Elders Quorum. Qoh.3[1] To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [2] A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; [3] A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [7] A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [8] A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. To have comfort in that where you are isn't growth. Growth comes in seeking to do well wherein you are placed despite your discomfort.

I think the litmus test for how successful the change is with the members will be the first Sunday "Fast, Testimony & Travelogue" Meetings.

I would send you an offending pm if you'd like - but I'm allergic to cats

I always wanted to be ass't nursery leader in charge of snacks and nap time! ;D

He IS the major cheerleader through virtue of his ownership of the bully pulpit. State gov'ts nave ALREADY begun to penalize people for following their conscience and not supporting homosexual marriage. To think the Fed govt will lose any time, not in hoping people will change their minds, but in using whatever means they have to punish Christians who don't support homosexual marriage to force them to change their minds is a flight of fantasy.

Obama: Ditch Religious Convictions About Same-Sex Marriage Already Rachel Stoltzfoos Daily Caller June 27, 2015 President Barack Obama urged supporters of same-sex marriage Friday to “help” people to overcome their religious convictions, so they are no longer held back from a progressive American view of equality. “I know that Americans of goodwill continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue,” he said in a speech following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling to Constitutionally recognize same-sex marriage. He initially espoused respect for those who disagree with the ruling. “Opposition in some cases has been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs,” he said. “All of us who welcome today’s news should be mindful of that fact. Recognize different viewpoints. Revere our deep commitment to religious freedom.” “But today should also give us hope that on the many issues with which we grapple often painfully real change is possible,” he continued, abruptly switching gears, clearly implying that those who disagree must come around to the more righteous, more American, and more equal view of marriage. Full Article Here Not sure how checking your morality works with the 5th commandment – Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Apparently, we’re not supposed to care if we don’t have long upon the land. The politics of expediency will save us…

Its not about homosexuals and lesbians being allowed to marry Its not about bakeries being fined for not making wedding cakes for homosexuals and lesbians Its not about landowners being fined for not allowing homosexuals and lesbians to be married on their property when they allow heterosexual couples to marry there Its not about crimes against homosexuals and lesbians being labeled hate crimes - violence against all people isn't caused by love This is just one more throe in the death of the republic

Why lie? There are too many witnesses!

I often meditate during interminable church talks...but I prefer to call it "contemplating Lehi's Dream"

Umm... http://english.pravda.ru/ https://www.wsws.org/en/topics/site_area/news/ http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/ http://www.president.ir/en/ http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm

No.

welcome to the site. I'll trade you your two cents for my wooden nickel