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While there are plenty of offshoots from the Church, most of them have developed a quasi-reasonable explanation as to why they hold the authority of God (or why the Church doesn't hold it anymore). I imagine it has been considered (or may be down the road), however, It would be very difficult for them the establish themselves as a legitimate LDS entity. I cant at this moment come up with a realistic hypothetical that would grant them their quasi-reasonable explanation (aside from those that already exist among other offshoots).

At this point we really need to have 3 political parties. It is the most reasonable way to eliminate the 'great and a terrible gulf' that divides the parties. There are enough Rhino Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats that they could combine as a central party, then the more conservative and liberal wings could have their own party as well. To the topic at hand though: I watched some of the Gorsuch hearings and I felt that he was an honorable and righteous man based on his responses and that he would judge justly based on the USA constitution. I also felt that those trying to trip him up looked foolish in their attempts to do so.

Step 1) Step 2) Step 3)

You feel I have been deceived? You must have read too much into my post and extrapolated your interpretation far out. I am already aware of the video you have posted and have shared it many times with friends and family. I am aware of the relationship that grace and works each play in our salvation and exaltation. I agree with everything in your post, there is nothing in my post that is contradictory.

@Vort @The Folk Prophet The statement was intended to be satirical in nature (Fail! ). I was using overly PC language to poke fun at those who: I almost made another comment that Vort's comment was a more direct version of the intended meaning behind mine. My satire logic: To magnify one's calling is to do your duty. Attending the Priesthood Session is my responsibility as a priesthood holder, it is not my wife's responsibility to attend. If my wife were to feel a compelling desire to attend the session (especially in public) I feel 'sorry' that she has the (incorrect) desire to do something that is not her responsibility. In all sincerity those who are part of groups such as Ordain Women are in a sense burdened by their desire to the extent that they propagate their desire in ways that are prompted by the adversary and by pride. Just like I feel sorry for those who are addicted to drugs, I feel sorry for those who are beguiled to actively seek more than that which the Lord expects of them.

I would be glad to speak with the bishop on your behalf, in exchange for some delicious GrandmaAng Cookies!

Church service is voluntary, if there is something that is uncomfortable for you or causing you undue stress you may withdraw from that calling/activity at any time, the bishop nor anyone else should look down on you as a result. Alternatively, perhaps discuss with the bishop the fact that you have four callings and see what he says/does without bringing up organist specifically. Then bring it up if he doesn't because for all you know he thinks it is your favorite thing in the world! That being said, if you personally feel you don't have an appropriate reason to be released from any of your callings (especially organ), perhaps the Lord has kept you in that calling because he does need you there, either for others or because there is something else he wants you to learn. Do any of the other organists get nervous like you as far as you are aware? Perhaps you are saving someone else from being nervous twice each month

Welcome @Mormonheart glad you could join us. Enjoy your stay, coffee and doughnuts are available in the lobby.

I love general conference, it is wonderful and uplifting. I devote approximately 10 hours of my life to it each time the opportunity comes around (not counting follow up reading/listening). That being said, I have no desire to attend more General Conference than what is my responsibility. I feel sorry for anyone who is burdened with the desire to do more than what the Lord expects of them. I imagine that men and women would be encouraged to watch the session elsewhere should they attempt to enter the Conference Center during a session that was not designed specifically for them. That being said, you need a ticket to get into each session (tickets are free), and there probably wouldn't be any leftover tickets/seats to allow men to enter the women's session anyway, and vice-versa.

On the first part agreed 100%. But what about the non-stranded spouse? Say 1 year has passed, the people are presumed dead, their spouses start dating and re-marry other people, did they mess up by re-marrying? If not, and the spouse can remarry, is it still unreasonable for the 'islanders' to re-marry each other?

Not only is this an aerosol word, 'Social Justice' is a complete farce. Justice is justice, to add anything to it makes it no longer justice but rather a vehicle for societal accepted bias and injustice.

I first learned this skill on my mission. I disliked listening to music and found it to be a 'waste of time' (for me at least) when I could instead be listening to something uplifting that would also enable me to more easily ponder and learn. Funny thing, is I started with the same speakers!

This actually reminds me about a different sad fact of life: Too many people are invested in the social aspect of a church as opposed to truly being converted or dedicated to seeking the actual truth and conversion to it. A dedicated individual may get a job with a company and soon after find that they dislike the job itself and all of their co-workers, but are motivated to achieve a long term goal where the experience they are gaining is necessary. As a result they will stay with the company and work hard to achieve it, often regardless of social factors at work. Sadly the same is not true with religion, people often become disenfranchised and become 'inactive' or go somewhere else, not to search for truth, but seeking a social fit, or to be taught what makes them feel comfortable. Obviously we should socialize and be warm with our brothers and sisters at church, but we each also have a responsibility to choose truth over being offended.

As a missionary, I would mark the scriptures so that if I gave my scriptures to an investigator to read, the exact information they needed to gather from the scriptures was highlighted, so that it would pop out as soon as they (inevitably) glanced back after the verse. Two Examples: Question: What was the foundation upon which the church was built? Question: What are the three things the scripture tells us that the Holy Ghost will do? These are the actual colors I use as well (although unimportant): Orange for anything related to organization, blue for anything related to the spirit and personal revelation, etc, etc, etc. I have found it beneficial to continue marking my scriptures in this way so that I may look at a verse, re-read it and gain from it each the initial message intended through the restored Gospel, in addition to other ways in which it may speak to me. I also have other scripture marking methods, but this one is truly dear to me, and highly effective! Homework: Try this method going through every verse in the Plan of Salvation section of Preach My Gospel! This method makes you really ponder a great deal about which words you should highlight because you are thinking about the questions you would ask as well as what words/phrases would pop out to easily answer it. I was highly uplifted, and was blessed to ponder each of the verses at length gaining way more from them than just what was enough to achieve the initial goal for the investigators.

That's all fine and dandy, but I have 3 kids (1 is a baby), who even when well behaved are highly disruptive. I get great bits and pieces from the live sessions, but always have to follow up with additional watching/listening/reading to get what I really need anyway. I actually haven't used the method from the OP for General Conference, and was posting it to be funny (but still kind of half serious). Humor Fail! Suppose I should get to know the crowd better, eh! However, I have recently pondered over the last couple of conferences if I might as well do it like that since I have to follow up anyway and I would get more time with my kids on the actual conference weekend days.

Step 1) Download the Video Speed Controller plugin for your browser (link to Chrome plugin) Step 2) Wait until 10:40 a.m. Mountain Time on Saturday of General Conference weekend Step 3) Start watching General conference on YouTube at 1.5 speed Step 4) Complete an entire session including prayers and hymns in 1 hour and 20 minutes, finishing the session at the correct time it would normally end. Step 5) Repeat as needed Note: You can speed the video to 1.5 without the plugin, however, the plugin gives more control and options than the built in YouTube speed feature. Disclaimer: General Conference is for learning, personal revelation, and inviting the spirit (among other things). Do not do this if it will impede your ability to accomplish those goals. I personally watch video content at 2x speed on a daily basis and am used to processing it. Most speakers during conference are not speaking very fast which makes it easier to do this with great results even for those not accustomed! Happy Conference

I sometimes wish I could move just so I don't have to have a leadership calling anymore, but then the Lord will probably just call me to it again somewhere else so I just try and put it in his hands and deal with it. For me, not doing the calling, saying no, and 'resigning' are not choices I'm personally willing to make (without a really good reason).

CRITIC Only the grace of God can save us, your works won't save you! RESPONSE I agree! CRITIC

I volunteer as the third party. You send data to @mordorbund, he does his dice throws and sends me a spreadsheet with both data sets without identifying either one, then I will decide which one I think is random and which is hand written. I will then post it here and you each can verify the information matches what you provided and there was no fishy business. Solved!

Hahaha! I once asked an uncle who is not a member of the Church if he paid tithing. He said, 'I would, but right now I haven't found a church in my area that I like'. I am so grateful I never have to search for a church, and pray for those who are searching for the truth sincerely.

Sadly, no gold How about this lovely assortment of conch shells?

I'm not sure if you were in agreement or disagreement with me, but what you just said actually further proves the point that I and @The Folk Prophet were in agreement on. The condemnation/persecution of homosexuals within society should not be viewed as causal to their suicide rates.

I could potentially concede to that for our current day. However, in the early days of the Church there no doubt was mass persecution and animosity; I doubt suicide statistics would support similar suicide rates between the two groups.

I'll write it if you'll market it, 50/50 split!