laronius

I'm happy that it was a decisive victory. Razor thin margins cause problems.

Am I the only one here who dislikes the get out the vote efforts that happen every election? The problems we face as a country are not because some don't vote. It's because some (actually many) who do vote but have no idea what they are really voting for. Uninformed voters will be the death of this country. The messaging should be "Get informed before you vote." Of course it's becoming increasingly difficult to find truthful, unbiased information so that doesn't help.

An article I read the other day said Republicans have seen a surge in mail in ballots where traditionally they vote in person. Might be part of the reason. It's hard to know if increased divisiveness will cause more people to vote or make them tune it out altogether.

I'm torn about the outcome of today's election. Part of me definitely wants good policies and politicians chosen. But knowing what has been prophesied, part of me just wants to jump to the worse part of what the future holds and get it over with. But if I had to choose, I would say if the Church needs more time to establish itself and prepare for what's ahead then I still have to go with a good outcome for this election. Otherwise, I think I'm at peace with no matter what happens today.

I can agree with this. It has largely become an all or nothing, very polarized issue. Like the Church's stance on abortion, there may be some instances where abortion may be an acceptable option but they should be very rare and definitely not out of convenience. But many on the right draw a hard line on zero tolerance and I think that turns people off. As a result more and more people will side with the other extreme of abortion with no limits even if they would prefer limits.

Financial prosperity as a blessing (beyond simply being self-sufficient) is largely intended to allow us to more fully bless others. In other words seeking riches with the intent to do good. If we cannot be trusted with earthly riches we cannot be trusted with eternal ones either. It's a rather significant test of this life and indicator of future opportunities. Life is meant to reveal our true character, not conceal or avoid exposing it.

Non LDS Christians believe in a mercy with fewer conditions than we do. They also rightfully believe that said mercy will take them to a heaven we call the Terrestrial Kingdom. The more conditional mercy we seek, when properly obtained, will take us to a far greater degree of glory, like the sun to moon in comparison. In both instances people receive the mercy and glory they were willing to receive and both are exceedingly useful, considering our state if no mercy were granted, with or without conditions. Thankfully mercy is not a total yes or no option but is available by degrees. But make no mistake, mercy with no or fewer conditions is still partial damnation. Even in the resurrection where there are no mandatory conditions, the quality of the body we receive is still conditional

Much of it comes down to intent. No one gets exed just because they struggle with some aspect of our leadership. Even talking about it to try to understand won't cause it. But if someone goes public with seeming intent to discredit, that's where they cross the line. Then it's no longer a purely personal struggle but an attempt to persuade others to also think negatively about someone. That's outright opposition to the Lord who stands at the head of the Church. Here is a quote from Joseph Smith: It is an eternal principle that has existed with God from all Eternity that that man who rises up to condemn others. finding fault with the Church. saying that they are out of the way while he himself is righteous. then know assuredly that that man is in the high road to apostacy and if he does not repent will apostatize as God lives https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-2-july-1839-as-reported-by-willard-richards/5

I think you are getting at the first thing that came to my mind and that is us becoming saviors on Mount Zion. It's obviously not equating what we do with the Savior's atoning sacrifice but there is a degree of sacrifice, however small in comparison, that does allow us to participate in saving our kindred dead.

I would say if you have to ask this question you are probably already there. It doesn't mean that the person in question is an apostate but it means the seed has been planted and only requires some nurturing before it starts bearing fruit. So yes, it's time to be concerned. Hopefully he will come to realize that even if everything he thought about BY was true, pursuing the issue accomplishes nothing. At the very best it's a complete waste of time. At it's worst it will lead him away from God.

The law of consecration is really a rather significant manifestation of a person's/people's commitment to both the first and second great commandments: a grateful recognition that everything good comes from God and is ultimately still His and loving your neighbor as yourself. It is also a significant manifestation of a people being of one heart and one mind, the definition of Zion. Even if the law of consecration wasn't a formal commandment, it would be the natural byproduct of our attempts to live these great teachings.

Came across this in this week's BofM reading, concerning the economic status of the people in the years following Christ's appearance to the Nephites: 4 Nephi 1:23 ...they had become exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity in Christ. This is definitely an example of the promise of the faithful being blessed in all things both temporal and spiritual, but that phrase "prosperity in Christ" caught my attention. This verse is not equating becoming rich with prosperity in Christ but rather pointing out that riches are a potential blessing or byproduct emanating from fully living His gospel. And prosperity in Christ certainly has other and greater forms of prosperity than earthly riches. But the immediate verses following state: "...there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. 25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. 26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ." Clearly the people started to overvalue the earthly riches of being prosperous in Christ and undervalue the eternal riches.

Nine of the twelve Nephite disciples of Christ requested that after they had "lived unto the age of man" that they speedily return to Him in heaven. The Lord consequently set that age at 72 years old. Is there any known doctrinal significance to that age? Maybe back then that was old. Now days not so much. The closest thing I can think of are Seventies called until age 70. It's also odd that Jesus didn't just say "When you eventually die..." but set a specific age for it.

“I want you to know that mortality works, and I want you to know that I now understand why everything happened [in my life] the way it did —and it is all OK.” Elder Hales' story about the woman's difficult life and then her letting her son know after she had died that she understood why her life went as it did caught my attention. In my patriarchal blessing it seems to indicate that at some point in my life I will be able to understand the why of things in my life and what it was preparing me for. I can't say that I've reached that point yet. But it got me thinking. How much of life is divinely planned vs God just being really, really good at taking everything that happens and using it for His purposes? We talk about God having a specific plan for us but how specific is it? I think the things contained in our patriarchal blessings would fall into the divinely planned category but, like the scriptures, much of what they say can be interpreted to mean different things.

Saving His creations is not just God's work but also His glory. Yet we don't view Him as being selfish. I think it's because His work is done with the recognition that His joy and enlargement is tied to the joy and enlargement of others. There is no divine individual joy, it's always only obtained by bringing joy to others. And personal growth is never truly actualized until it is put into the service of others. Part of the law of consecration is seeking to become more so we will have more to offer. So I don't see any problem in what you are doing but perhaps you just need to learn to be content with whatever part God would have you play in His divinely orchestrated plans. Edit: Rather than say content, perhaps it's better to say we need to have more faith that God knows better how to maximize our joy than we do.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; If we view this teaching as having eternal implications, beyond this life, then this mortal life very well may be the patriarchal responsibility of our Father in Heaven to carry out. Christ only ever did that which He saw his Father do. And we men are commanded to do as the Savior did and act in a similar, though obviously lesser, capacity. It is part of the divine order of things, though in this life we largely only witness one half of that parental responsibility being carried out.

Your comment reminded me of something that stuck out to me in the recent Book of Mormon reading schedule. 3 Nephi 26:9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. This promise of greater things is made in multiple places in the scriptures. Orson Pratt believed that many of the revelations found in the D&C are part of these greater things. But I think this promise is made to individuals as well as to the Church at large. If a person takes seriously the truths God has revealed, spiritually and temporally, I see no reason why He would not continue to reveal increasingly deeper truths to us. Most people just aren't willing to pay the price though and are content with what has already been revealed.

Yes. I am always struck by the idea that all scientific fact is only true in relationship with the known universe at any given point in time. That doesn't mean it's not true everywhere, just that there is no way for us to know for sure. The very existence of God implies exceptions to much of science. But thankfully scientific fact is true and consistent enough for us to utilize it in real life. It's kind of like everything we see and hear is technically in the past but because of the speed of light and sound we are usually capable of reacting sufficiently in real time.

I don't think a certain limit on speed was ever intended concerning the principle of line upon line but rather it simply points out the order in which God helps us progress. We are saved as fast as we are able to receive these truths but it is still line upon line, precept upon precept. Joseph Smith described it this way in TotPJS: “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation.” And it wasn't reserved just for those who are struggling in the gospel: D&C 98:12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.

I know it's easier said than done, but we have to learn to put some things into God's hands and stop worrying about them. Pray to find out what matters most and what you can do about it, do it, and then "stand still."

Timing the market is a fool's game but I have absolutely no problem with decisions that reduce stress and worry, especially with interest rates like they are. It's not exactly an all or nothing decision. There is middle ground. I am personally hoping for a market correction. But that's just me being selfish. I would like to think though that with all the temples being announced and needing to be built that we are not quite to the point of complete collapse of the world economy. Hopefully any downturn would be just your typical market correction. Though I might need to start considering the BYU Football Index when making decisions.

A fellow temple worker the other day said he still wears the one piece style. Says you have to call them to put in the order.

I have to wear a size bigger in the T-shirt style as well for the same reason. So it's the same problem either way.

The fallibility of prophets concern is used a lot like the argument of institutional racism. It's used to cast doubt without having to actually provide specific proof. It would be far more productive to address specific concerns when they arise. And when I say address I mean take it to the Lord in prayer. No, prophets are not perfect but the process is.

Happy birthday!!! How much partying is allowed on the day of rest? 😃