NeedleinA

Always find his talks very interesting.

When I was in the bishopric, my bishop would collect and store tithing envelopes in a locked desk drawer until the tithing was counted. The counting did take place every week, but I don't see why it might not be changed to every two weeks or once a month or something like that.

Interesting video several years BEFORE COVID.

Sort of strange comment. For a church that values families, shouldn’t you want the fathers to be home more? 

I haven't heard those exact words.  But I've heard a similar sentiment.
I wondered at it back then.  I disagree with it today.  The Lord wants us to use our time efficiently to do his work.  If we don't, not as much work is going to get done.
 

I think I would have been tempted to respond, "Maybe the Lord isn't interested in efficiency, but I am."
At face value, the statement is silly. In what ways is the Lord uninterested in efficiency? He may not care about efficiency in doing this or that task, but I bet he cares a great deal about a father being efficient in his use of precious family time. It's probably worth noting that Paul thought time management was important enough to mention at least twice, in Ephesians 5:15-17 and Colossians 4:5.

Had to do a double take...oh, now I get it!

Is the Lord interested in efficiency? If he is, then his Church should be too... right?
I recently had two interesting interactions with members in councils. After I presented what I thought was something efficient and for the benefit of members involved, to my surprise some members of the council stated, "The Lord is not interested in efficiency".
I'll share one example.

Example: In many of the units in our Stake, tithing has shifted almost exclusively to online donations with the exception of children and one elderly hold out. This means each Sunday at least two priesthood holders are stuck at church doing 'tithing' AND then driving to the nearest bank drop off. Many Sunday's those drop offs consist of <$10 in change, the kind you know is change in the envelope before you even open it. I suggested that unit leaders either offer to collect tithing 2 times a month OR that the Bishop securely holds donations and they count it only twice a month.

Why?  To allow brethren the opportunity to not stay late, drive 40 minutes round trip and call for rides. These brothers will have already been at church of several hours in other meetings beside block meetings.
To my surprise I was met with, "The Lord is not interested in efficiency".

Have you ever heard this response before? Have you ever given it, if so, why?
One time was weird enough, but it just came up again in another council.
 

Had to do a double take...oh, now I get it!

What are conservatives establishing as of late?
What 'action' are conservatives willing to actually do about issues facing us as a nation OR are 'we' (myself included) sitting on the sidelines neutralized simply watching things play out?
Every time I see a parent stand up at a School board meeting and voice their concerns over issues like CRT, I witness some glimmer of hope.
We need more of this, more action.

Are you (generic you), are we members of the Church?
Want a kick to the groin? (of course!)
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
 
 

You misspelled "awesome".

Not much. It's pretty light.

Then they look at the parents and say, "What are you all so upset over!?!"

What are conservatives establishing as of late?
What 'action' are conservatives willing to actually do about issues facing us as a nation OR are 'we' (myself included) sitting on the sidelines neutralized simply watching things play out?
Every time I see a parent stand up at a School board meeting and voice their concerns over issues like CRT, I witness some glimmer of hope.
We need more of this, more action.

Are you (generic you), are we members of the Church?
Want a kick to the groin? (of course!)
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
 
 

Goes on to share her Paypal address to send her money.
Classic race hustlers, in it for the money.

Thought of your post @mordorbund when I saw this.

Bingo!
We sold our home and moved to a different school district 4 years ago.
We home schooled our kids until Middle-School. We have one home schooler left and the other two are in a very conservative school district for now.
 
 
@person0 I hope my last post didn't come off as something directed at 'you' specifically... it was generic. I tried to edit/clarify it just in case.

What are conservatives establishing as of late?
What 'action' are conservatives willing to actually do about issues facing us as a nation OR are 'we' (myself included) sitting on the sidelines neutralized simply watching things play out?
Every time I see a parent stand up at a School board meeting and voice their concerns over issues like CRT, I witness some glimmer of hope.
We need more of this, more action.

Are you (generic you), are we members of the Church?
Want a kick to the groin? (of course!)
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
 
 

I'm a nurse (spent around 2 years in the OR) so I have seen it at work also. My ward sounds the same as well. This month I have assigned Sacrament meeting speakers the basics - faith and repentance - in hopes that it will get a few lost folks back on the right track. So many people are struggling with basic faith in God right now, which I do not understand.
One man has been dealing with a particular sin for over 35 years, and he never changes. He meets with every new Bishop every few years or so hoping to hear something different. He just expects some grand thing to change him, when all he really needs to do is "wash in the river 7 times".
Enduring to the end is not easy for the masses...it takes work, faith, and patience. Our oil lamps are filled drop by drop, not by a gush. Each drop is difficult to notice on it's own, but they do add up. Sadly, even if some have the necessary faith, they do not desire to put forth the needed effort. And, even if they do, their supposed faith is weakened when the desired blessing is not bestowed immediately after doing 1 or 2 good things. Waiting on the Lord is near impossible for some folks with today's "have it now" mentality.

I have seen so many people struggle with this throughout my career as well as counseling friends and family.
Example:  Morbidly obese patient enters my office with the chief complaint of knee pain.  I review the x-rays which demonstrate mild arthritis which I had expected.  
I recommend the obvious: Physical therapy, weight loss, routine exercise, healthy diet, & anti-inflammatory over the counter medications.
The response is almost universal.  “I have tried all those things and none of them help.  I came to you because I need you to help me.  You are my last resort.  My family doctor said you could help.  Can’t you do a knee scope or some other surgery.  How about stem cell injection?  Isn’t there some kind of special injection or medicine that can repair my cartilage?”
I then explain that all those suggestions do not work.  I then delve deeper into the weight loss, and exercise routine and find that in reality they never really tried therapy and do not understand or care to try lifestyle changes.  
Usually, they then request a steroid injection, which i can give but I explain that it only gives temporary relief and that they would be much better off with the lifestyle changes.  
The same happens in the Gospel… Recommendations: Read the scriptures, pray, follow the commandments, attend church services, partake of saving ordinances.
Unfortunately many people don’t know how to study the scriptures.  They don’t pray and then listen.  Or they (can’t) keep the commandments.  Or don't understand ordinances and even partake of them when unworthy…
They then look beyond the mark and expect others to solve their problems for them: support from social media, prescription medication, therapy, blaming others, leaving the church…
 
What do we do for these people?  How do you help them? Do you see this in your work or local ward?  Is it a generational problem?
 

@Backroadsand @person0  With rare exceptions the children that do well in school have parents that are interested and involved.  Please note that parents is plural.   The children that do poorly (with rare exception) are children without parental influence in their home that is interested and involved in their education.  It should be obvious that systemic racism or critical racism is that which abhors parents that are interested and invested in their children and instead glamorizes sex without responsibility of ever creating children - especially when such is done through institutions (schools and government) towards a specific group of people.  Abortion targeted towards a specific race (more in one race than another) is perhaps one of the greatest examples of critical race theory in action.
 
The Traveler