my two cents

FYI - The Church has teamed up with several bloggers to spread this around. They've each come up with various things you can use (fhe lessons, word searches, bookmarks, etc). I was happy to discover this not only for the vt letter I put together for a couple of my ladies but also for an upcoming activity in primary. TeePeeGirl.com WritingintheStillness.com CknScratch.com MyComputerIsMyCanvas.com RiseandShoutShop.com DoubletheBatch.com BrightlyStreet.com TheKiwiInTheClouds.com RecognizingJoy.com LittleDoveBlog.com FamilyLocket.com GypsyMagpie.com LifesJourneyToPerfection.net YayIMadeIt.blogspot.com CranialHiccups.com FaveMom.com TheRedHeadedHostess.com LittleLDSideas.com

I read this blog post some time ago. It might have some insights for you to consider. http://middleagedmormonman.com/home/2013/06/romance-and-mission-prep/

Mom at home may be the ideal but it isn't always feasible and the Church has stated such (“Nevertheless, I recognize, as he recognized, that there are some women (it has become very many, in fact) who have to work to provide for the needs of their families." - President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1996, 69) Perhaps some solutions would be for mom to work during hours the dad is home, babysit others kids, sell baked goods, sewing/mending for others, clean houses, do yardwork, start a blog or etsy shop (some do very well financially), etc. Just because the kids benefit from mom being home doesn't mean that kids whose moms have to work aren't happy and productive people.

A few thoughts: ~ Once you're married/have a growing family of your own, you need to start your own traditions and decide what is best for your family regardless of proximity. ~ Absence makes the heart grow fonder (and appreciation increase). ~ You can always just try it out for a few months to see how it goes and then go from there.

@bhackett - Thank you for sharing that! This work can feel so daunting at times and that removes a bit of the pressure (for lack of a better word). PS - I hope you don't feel like I've been picking on you. I just try to keep in mind that others may read this thread down the road and certain things may need some clarification, etc.

Duplicates are not the only reason to verify. Sometimes people are put with the wrong family, etc.

I hope the information is being verified. Several years ago I lost interest in temple work for a time after hearing how much duplication there has been over the years (one ward member had an ancestor that was baptized over 400 times).

I think it varies from person to person based on how much temple work has already been done.

I know of a family that was on church help for 3 years because the wife insisted on staying home which seems to counter this: “Nevertheless, I recognize, as he recognized, that there are some women (it has become very many, in fact) who have to work to provide for the needs of their families." (President Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 93–94; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 69)

I just want to say that I love your excitement! Please keep us posted!

@bhackett - The reserved names show up because the ordinances aren't done and there's a limit on it finding 20 at a time. What I did was share my reserved names with my husband so I would get 20 totally new names. (When I'm ready, my husband can re-share the names with me). Hope that makes sense.

Uhh - not so fast. I, for one, have donated quite a bit* to help the hungry and needy so you may want to walk that back. *above high taxes - that go in part to welfare programs

Maybe the poor need help with budgeting/financial planning and knowing the difference between needs and wants. I could give *many* examples of those receiving help doing things that my husband and I don't even do. More money isn't always the answer.

That's why there's an emphasis on making food storage a priority.

@omegaseamaster75 - I was basing what I said on this quote found in YW manual 1, lesson 38: “The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given—as not by ‘commandment or restraint’ was that at that time, at least, if it had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man, addicted to the use of these noxious things, under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law. Later on, it was announced from this stand, by President Brigham Young, that the Word of Wisdom was a revelation and a command of the Lord. I desired to mention that fact, because I do not want you to feel that we are under no restraint. We do not want to come under condemnation” (Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1913, p. 14).

Not a good example. The WOW wasn't required in the beginning out of mercy - to give people time to adjust. You don't need that when it comes to deciding to have a vasectomy or tubal ligation for non-health reasons. (not explaining this well but hopefully you get the idea - maybe someone else can chime in with a better way to put it)

Nope - grow a garden and grab a fishing pole...

Since not everyone traps, hunts - want to add that they also bartered for services (ie dental work).

Good point.

My parents raised 11 kids - without insurance. They also went to great lengths to make ends meet. Some of my earliest memories are of the muskrat (trapped by dad during off-work hours) skins hanging on our back porch to dry before dad took them to the buyer. Also, our winter meat came from dad's hunt in the fall. Just a couple examples of what can be done in order to be self-reliant.

From a byu talk given by a member of the seventy in *1980*: If higher concepts are formed from and built upon unsound concepts, the pyramid has a weak foundation and will crumble. When it crumbles, it takes with it all the concepts it has supported, and the fall thereof can be great. The welfare program of our nation is based upon unsound concepts, which today are threatening us with economic disaster. There are other good points as well - https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/royden-g-derrick_gospel-concepts/

Not all but considering how many game the system and are not honest in their dealings (temple rec question) - repentance is definitely in order for some. An example - my brother's active mormon neighbor (in UT btw) purposely refused work so he wouldn't lose his gvmnt help.

Have felt this way for a long time and it's nice to see I'm not the only one.

So, @priesthoodpower - what would you have preferred to hear instead of sorry*? * to me, this has always been a way to express compassion and hope that is how it's been interpreted by the receiver

A response from someone in the yammer group: It all depends on your temple district. The Church tries to have people in the temple district of the submitter do the work.