wenglund

It isn't the label that matters, but whether the action moves us forward in the plan of progression, or not.  Chaos, by its very nature, is contrary to the gospel plan.
That is because there really wasn't much of a change, contrary to what many have supposed. By no stretch of the imagination was the policy change a "step towards SAme-gender temple marriage" as erroneously believed, any more that heterosexual adultery and fornication were  already a step closer to heavenly legitimization.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Depends, methinks.
If I have the raging desire to murder you consuming my thoughts -- but in the end I don't act on it -- am I really free of sin?
The idea seems ludicrous to me. I don't know how it is that this idea is so common.
If our very thoughts will condemn us, maybe it's time we move past the notion that only action on things matters.

I agree that's fair. It just seems to me that avoiding the very appearance of evil is important as well, and avoiding dangerous situations like Joseph did when he was tempted by Potiphars wife. If you are in a tempting situation, far better to flee than place yourself in danger trying to prove how strong you are.

If Adam and Steve are in a state-legalized marriage (common law or otherwise), they would be in "serious transgression," and thus unlikely to be called to those positions.
However, if they are merely unmarried celibate roommates or friends,  it is unlikely they would be called as bishop, but as an older single celibate (though heterosexual) man who now serves as Elders Quorum Secretary, I can't see a problem--in large part because  my sexual orientation ought not be and issue,
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

What on earth is the point (from an LDS perspective) of a sexless homosexual marriage?

The Church has frowned significantly on the notion of coed housing, and even went to court over the matter in relation to BYU, though I don't know what disciplinary issues there are absent immoral activity. 
While at BYU, I lived on one side of a duplex with men, and on the other side there were women.  The duplex was disqualified as approved BYU housing because of males and females "living under the same roof," though my Bishop didn't have a problem with it. I don't know if the same would hold were men and women living on the same side of the duplex.
It would be interesting to find out. Either way, it is a move away from simplicity and order and towards chaos. The Jews attempted to avoid the potential chaotic  forces of immorality creep by "building a wall around the Torah."
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Interesting. 
One of the unintended consequences of irrationally redefining significant terms like "marriage" and "family," is it tilts towards chaos and away from order. The issue of "common law" as it relates to same-gender roommates is a case in point. Marriage between same-gender siblings or other close family members is another.  Etc. The mind-boggling and frustrating permutation continue to unravel 
As things now stand,  there are 16 states with common law marriages, several of which have already recognized same-sex common law marriages.  There are four general requiremements (note that sexual relations is not included among them):
What makes this more challenging, is that although only 16 states recognize common law marriages, most all the states recognize the marriages of other states (including common law). So, if a couple moved from a state where they qualified as a common law marriage,, they should legally be recognized as such in the new state of residence. (ibid)
Taking this one step further, a case in South Caroline  ruled that the common law status applied retroactively (prior to same-sex marriage being legalized in the state)(ibid)
As for the Church, it doesn't recognize common law marriages, and as for same-sex roommates, I suppose it depends upon the last 2 general requirements, if not also sexual relations. 
Thanks, -Wadse Englund-
 

That seems to me though, the same as an unmarried, unrelated man and woman living together. I've seen people denied recommends for that, even when they claim there is no sexual relationship involved. You would be putting yourself in a hugely, tempting situation if you were attracted to the same sex, married someone of that sex, and lived together. Is that truly any different from my earlier example? To me it seems like being an alcoholic and keeping an open bottle of whiskey you can sniff occasionaly, but swearing you'll never drink it. Some might be able to do it, most will fail.

One of my favorite moments came as the last session ended without some of the much anticipated and rumored changes.   I am thinking that perhaps many listened to conference expecting spiritual candy and instead being fed high quality spiritually nutritional food.
I found presidents Nelson's priesthood session talk interesting in light of the thread "repentance and language".
 
The Traveler

Oh my gosh!  I knew it!

That’s one policy change we can all get behind.  

I'm sorry you have faith struggles in your family (I have been there and feel your pain). But you can still work on yourself and pray for a softening of heart in those who are uninterested at the moment. You never know when someone may change. One of the Seventy talked about a brother who changed right before he passed on and received the Melchizedek Priesthood 5 hours before he passed away.

"Time is running out."

The prophet lovingly telling us that time is running out and to repent and draw closer to Christ now. I felt a special dose of the Holy Spirit when he said that abd felt a renewed desire to make sure my family and I are ready for the Second Coming, no matter what sode of the veil I'm on when it happens.

Definitely feeling a strong need to repent, and be more active spiritually and physically after President Nelson's talk.

My interest is in the reasons Jesus did what he did with Lazarus, rather than why the corrupt Jews back in the day may have wished to kill Lazarus. 
In other words, there is a wealth of  authoritative things for me to learn that are pertinent to the gospel that I find little or no motivation delving into the non-authoritative  and impertinent things, even if somewhat interesting and popular.
Besides, there is a bit of a merchandising feel to the NDE movement that I am suspicious of given this weeks lesson on clearing the temple.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Or a more recent version of the same principle
Wherefore I, the Lord, command and revoke, as it seemeth me good; and all this to be answered upon the heads of the rebellious, saith the Lord.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 56:4)

It has been my experience that some children whine and carry on when they have to go to bed, and then they whine and carry on when they have to get out of bed.
Perhaps this tendency carries over into adulthood in other matters, like Church policies.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Sealing is necessary for making the temporary permanent (the temporal eternal( and  binding the earthly with the heavenly.
Metaphorically, it is like a sealant that protects against corroding forces, and an adhesive that holds things together.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-
, 

It has been my experience that some children whine and carry on when they have to go to bed, and then they whine and carry on when they have to get out of bed.
Perhaps this tendency carries over into adulthood in other matters, like Church policies.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

It has been my experience that some children whine and carry on when they have to go to bed, and then they whine and carry on when they have to get out of bed.
Perhaps this tendency carries over into adulthood in other matters, like Church policies.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

11 And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?
 12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

If by which you mean that you can still hold a temple recommend and participate in ordinances, then sure. But our goal should be much greater than merely keeping a temple recommend. We should be striving to be in harmony at all times with the Spirit. Publicly berating and questioning policy decisions in this manner is very obviously not in harmony with the building of the kingdom and the sustaining of our leaders.

I love that we are getting front page placement on news feeds for a simple change in policy.  
Can't wait till tomorrow when the real action starts...

It shouldn't have been a bombshell. The fact that it is only goes to show how messed up modern thinking is, even church-side.
The reality is that anyone who had a major problem with or rejoiced over the previous policy was looking at it in a severely short-sighted non-eternal-perspective way. The reality is that anyone who is either rejoicing or has a major problem with the new policy is looking at it in a severely short-sighted non-eternal-perspective way.
When looked at with an eternal perspective, nothing has really changed. There are those who rebel against God and there are those who humble themselves.
Whether one calls egregious sin "apostasy" or not is irrelevant eternally. It is what it is. And we will, individually, stand accountable for ourselves and our attitudes towards God -- humble and committed, or prideful and faithless.
Do people really believe that someone in open sexual rebellion against God in their thoughts and actions is any closer to or further from exaltation now because of this policy change, or the previous change...or the previous, or the previous, or the previous?
Do people really believe that when all is said and done that a faithful, humble, individual's salvation rests upon their parent's choices and actions? Isn't the truth of this taught in our most basic articles of faith?
The people treating this as a bombshell and some stupendous announcement apparently have no understanding of the basic principles of the gospel -- specifically agency, the Atonement, and that an all-knowing, all-loving, perfectly just God is no respector of persons.
The church could instigate a policy that no one gets baptized for the next 100 years and it would mean nothing in the end. We will all stand before God the same, our work completed, our agency intact, and receive that which is just and right. How do these policies, really, affect that?
Only, of course, in how we react to them -- on the one hand with short-sighted selfishness and pride, or on the other hand with an eternally-minded humility and faith.