NeedleinA

As a teacher, I am not a fan of CRT in schools.
And a big part of that is because no one has the slightest idea what it would look like.
I have seen reports of what CRT looks like in university. I disagree with the information in said reports, but I also figure adults in university can teach what they want. There does seem to be a lot of socialism and absolutes when it comes to race. Could those reports be solitary examples of a few classes? Sure.
Then people start marketing it toward kids... with no clear examples of just what is going to be taught. A lot of feel-good ideologies are bantered about that could just as easily be "be nice to others!" rather than any tangible criticism or actual curriculum.
What is being taught? What do we want taught? 
We need a real and true example before I'll consider it.
And at that point, what are we going to move in the required curriculum to fit this in? 

I won't pretend to speak for other stakes elsewhere, but I know for our stake presidency/leadership the concern is thankfully pastoral in nature.
We all are very open about the fact that numbers/stats are only small tools/indicators to help get us to the real goals BUT they are not the goals. In this case: temple attendance, saving ordinances, service to those who have passed on and ultimately exaltation are the real focus.
We can't get to step 2 (the temple) without step 1 (recommend). If we can't get to step 2 (covid), we can at least strive for step 1 in the meantime.

It reminds me of stories where members of the Church in eastern block countries, post WW2, would save their tithing in jars, etc. even though they had no one to give it to. They saved it up in the hopes that someday they could actually turn it in. While they were limited in their ability, they still did the best they could at that particular time in those particular circumstances.

President Ezra Taft Benson from a talk from 1971 entitled, Satan's Thrust - Youth
 

A friend sent this over and I thought it applied nicely to this thread. 
 

Amen.

Yes, that is correct, and I didn't mention it because I thought it was self-evident from your original response; however, your clarification might be good for others who are reading through the thread.
The official Church thoughts is why I mentioned the concept of Zion where the righteous dwell and the wicked flee from (Is that inclusive in light of what Elder Cook mentioned?). It is also why I mentioned the kingdoms of glory which is official Church doctrine. We are discussing the concept of inclusion, while the most inclusive being (glorified being) will ultimately judge his offspring, his heirs, and they will be divided into kingdoms. According to the worldview, as Vort mentioned (and the OP), this isn't inclusive at all.
Official Church doctrine is that we are to call sinners to repentance. In our worldview, modern age, to call a sinner to repentance is an act of intolerance and a lack of inclusivity of a person's chosen lifestyle. This is also why I mentioned I am confused as to the boundary of inclusion within the Church, and in the world we live in. If we truly love our children we will do all we can to keep them on the covenant path. That means we call sinners to repentance, which isn't tolerant or inclusive according to the current worldview.

A friend sent this over and I thought it applied nicely to this thread. 
 

President Ezra Taft Benson from a talk from 1971 entitled, Satan's Thrust - Youth
 

President Ezra Taft Benson from a talk from 1971 entitled, Satan's Thrust - Youth
 

When I hear the word tolerance I am reminded of this talk from Elder Packer, "These Things I know," and the following quote from it, "Tolerance is a virtue, but like all virtues, when exaggerated, it transforms itself into a vice. We need to be careful of the “tolerance trap” so that we are not swallowed up in it. The permissiveness afforded by the weakening of the laws of the land to tolerate legalized acts of immorality does not reduce the serious spiritual consequence that is the result of the violation of God’s law of chastity."
Yes, I agree that we are no longer hearing about tolerance, but inclusion -- unless you're religious and you adhere to the doctrinal truths (as God sees it). There appears to be two types of "inclusion" in our world. The one @Vort portrayed, and the one @Suzie portrayed.
God, and His Son Jesus Christ, are the most inclusive beings in this world, and yet as the most inclusive beings in this world there is an Outer Darkness, Telestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom, and Celestial Kingdom (which kingdom has three separate levels itself). There are laws which can't be broken, or as Elder Packer suggested, "serious spiritual consequences," and being inclusive doesn't change the laws given by God.
So, to be frank/honest, I'm not sure the boundary of inclusion. I have read that Zion will be a place for the righteous and the wicked will flee from it. Is that the same inclusiveness spoken by Elder Cook? Note the scripture shared and highlight the point given, "come unto me." When people come unto Christ -- they repent, which means they repent of anything that is contrary to the will of God.
We are so inclusive now that women (as ONLY women bear children) are now deemed as "birthing people." In order to be inclusive, should I now refer to my wife as simply a birthing person, so that women who want to be men (as it is a choice) can feel included? So now, my children should call -- mom and dad -- birthers. Talk about a confused world we live in.
EDIT:
This is what bothers me about the canceling of priesthood general conference. Was this accomplished in order to try to be more inclusive to a ever 'whining' crowd, or was this something truly done because God inspired it. Remember, not everything a prophet and apostle will do is because it is the right thing. Sometimes God takes away something because of sin, or because of some other matter. God doesn't want to lose the wheat among the tares, so to speak, and thus a decision is made.

Meant to respond to this thread sooner. This is one I have mixed opinions on even when I was in the bishopric during this time. I, personally, thought doing temple recommends -- while the temple was closed -- unnecessary. If the temple is open, then yes, I find it very necessary. If the temples were all of a sudden shut down (all of them), and you couldn't attend would a temple recommend be needed? No, because there is no temple to attend, and I am still worthy.
If the temples were open, and I couldn't attend the temple I would still go in for a temple recommend because the temple is open. It is available, and should my circumstance change for a day (even an hour) I would go to the temple with that active recommend.
With that said, I kept my active regardless because I knew at some point the temples would be open. But admit, for the first six months when the temples were closed I didn't see the value in it. The Lord isn't going to ask for my temple recommend, but whether or not I am worthy.
Yes and no. Some are some aren't. I know I was still performing temple recommend interviews while in the bishopric. I would be more concerned if this remains when the temples are back to fully being open again. Right now, I can see people being apathetic, especially if they are living worthy lives still.

I'm not saying always, but many times...  
we simply just need someone (set of ears) outside of our circle of friends/family/associates that we can vomit our feelings/thoughts upon. No worries of it coming back to bite us. I struggle with X, I think about Y, I'm great at A but fail at B, I hate M and don't give a rat's behind about L, so on and so forth. 
Over the years, I'm less and less under the illusion that the person needed to accomplish this needs to be a 'therapist'. Especially with the caliber of therapist I see more and more. 
There is a great weight that can be lifted by simply verbalizing things out loud.
This in part, is a small reason, why I think Bishops are such a valuable tool to many members... they just need to share X with someone in confidence. 

I'm not saying always, but many times...  
we simply just need someone (set of ears) outside of our circle of friends/family/associates that we can vomit our feelings/thoughts upon. No worries of it coming back to bite us. I struggle with X, I think about Y, I'm great at A but fail at B, I hate M and don't give a rat's behind about L, so on and so forth. 
Over the years, I'm less and less under the illusion that the person needed to accomplish this needs to be a 'therapist'. Especially with the caliber of therapist I see more and more. 
There is a great weight that can be lifted by simply verbalizing things out loud.
This in part, is a small reason, why I think Bishops are such a valuable tool to many members... they just need to share X with someone in confidence. 

But I don't know if I trust therapists.
I'd love to unload on a neutral unbiased party that has useful insight, but I also don't want any someone from a different system of morality or beholden to such by the profession.

The most inclusive place humankind has ever conceived of, is Hell.
(Then again, I suppose it’s pretty tolerant, too . . .)

Tolerance is for the weak. As long as the political left formed a minority, they were all for tolerance. Now that (they believe) they have a majority of the population behind them, tolerance is no longer seen as a virtue. Inclusion is the watchword, and those who fail to conform merit whatever social or even legal consequences that can be applied to them to leverage them into compliance.

I suppose a lot of it depends on what we all define as 'better'. Is it:

1. Poverty levels dropping, clean water, living standards, access to goods, etc.
OR
2. Moral compass, desire to follow God, service to mankind, adherence to the commandments, loving your fellow man, etc.
OR
Both
I believe #1 is better while at the same time believe #2 is unfortunately getting worse, namely here in the USA.
 
 

My son and his family are in Houston for the summer. He's loving it there so far, but stories such as these and this one don't make me feel happy.

District Court Judge allows a child rapist to go free after 180 days - even when prosecution recommended 15 years.
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/father-calls-out-judge-for-giving-daughters-rapist-a-light-sentence
Same judge requires parents to get a vaccine to see their kids in the middle of a divorce proceeding.
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/judge-orders-covid-19-vaccine-in-divorce-court

Just having fun for a moment...

In the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11-28 we read about the people enjoying about 200 years of peace and Enoch type bliss, after the Savior's visit.
The next 100 years, call them years 201-300, we are told they did “dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year”
By time we get to year 301, they have fallen all the way to:
* I don't know what trafficking they are specifically referring to, but I have my guesses.

I was looking at it from a completely different perspective.  It isn't a matter of how good or bad the world is TODAY.  It isn't a matter of if the world is improving or worsening.
It is that the world could fall in a major way from ANY height within a single generation if the lessons of the gospel are not carried on from parents to children.  At any moment we're only one generation away from complete collapse.
People have been saying "the end is near" for thousands of years.  We have scriptures that quote the Lord saying,"I am nigh, even at the gates."
I don't think this is intended to mean a chronological closeness to some pre-set date.  I think it is a warning that if we do not continue teaching and living righteous principles, it could all come crashing down at ANY time.
From a practical sense, we're probably not going to see 99% of a single generation all falling away when 99% of the previous generation was stalwart and true.  But the warning is there to help remind us of our duty TODAY.  Teach the children the way path they should walk...
I have my own impression of today's rising generation.  But they are my own, and not a prophecy of what is to come.  What I can say is that whatever forces are pushing us one way, I see some holdouts that are pushing the other way.  And just like the story of the soldiers in the foxhole at Normandy Beach, they don't realize just how widespread the resistance is.  We have hope.

LOL! Love it!!! Lol 

Thanks 😂
 

All true. It goes to show that motives are largely irrelevant, I guess.