seashmore

The more you post, the more you remind me of our branch mission leader. He and his wife recently returned from a service mission to Sierra Leone. Before that, he spent nine months (I think) hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. These past few months, he's been working with our elders to clean up our address list and he has zero qualms about knocking on neighbor's doors to see if they know whether or not that person still lives at that address. I'm content with letting sleeping dogs lie. My roommate for five years chose to become inactive but left her name on the rolls to keep peace with her parents. When we moved together, she was okay with changing the address on her record. When she moved back, I knew she wouldn't want to be contacted, so I haven't given anyone her new one. In all honesty, her brother lives with her now and he's reintroduced her to folks in the ward on a social level. She knows what she needs to do (or who to ask if she doesn't know) to get that updated.

You're a better person than I in that regard. I would automatically write that ticket just to humble the driver. On that note...I once refused a calling, and I did it so fast it made not just my head spin, but the counselor who was calling me had his head spinning, too. In all honesty, he was extending me two callings and I had accepted the first. He extended the second, which was to be our ward's Gingerbread Specialist. (There's a huge Gingerbread Festival at both the Winter Quarters Trail Center in Omaha and the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, IA that's worth visiting the Midwest in December.) I said, "No," before he had had time to take a breath after asking. The good brother's eyes went wide, and I immediately tried amending my decision by saying I would if they couldn't find anyone else to do it. He shook his head and said it was ok; they would find someone. I was being extended callings because I was moving back into the ward to help my sister overcome alcoholism and reactivate, so there would be some additional stress on the homefront. I don't recall anyone in the bishopric knowing the extent of my sister's struggles when I said I was moving back, which might explain why they came up with my name. Anyway, they did end up calling someone else and I made sure to support and sustain that person in ways I had never supported a Gingerbread Specialist before (or since). A couple of years later, that person was still sharing lessons they learned from that calling, and I knew I had made the right decision. As far as fulfilling responsibilities in our callings......I'm a "Young Single Adult Adviser" even though the Church guidelines says at 32, I'm no longer considered a "Young Adult" for activity purposes. I've mentioned it to two branch presidents since approaching my 31st birthday. It's like being a Laurel class president at 19. Just don't make no sense. But I'm the youngest active single adult in the branch, so.....

These certainly do make it more difficult for you to overcome your addiction. I once subbed in the Sunbeam class, and it happened to be the lesson called "I Have Feelings." I've taught other lessons and forgotten them, but this one stuck with me for two reasons. One being it was a slow week so there was only the one kid and I felt like the totally cool teacher because I let her do puzzles on my iPad as a lesson break (they were of temples and produce, so Gospel related). The other being that I had never thought something so simple would be important enough to have a Primary lesson on it. Of course people have feelings. But the lesson poses some good questions that might be worth your going over. It may help you to learn to identify your own feelings if you can't find a therapist to help. (Link in case you missed it earlier) The scripture reading for that Primary lesson was the story of the Prodigal Son. Reading it again, I remembered a talk within recent years that almost seemed to dwell on the phrase "he came to himself," referring to the wandering son. I thought it was Holland, but it turns out I was wrong. It was Steven J. Owen, YM General President. If you aren't interested in reading/listening to the whole thing, here are some highlights. Keep fighting the good fight. Keep following that 13th Article of Faith and seek after "anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy." I have faith that if you put your trust in the Lord, He will help you master this struggle....eventually. (Cue that cheesy Footprints poem where He doesn't give up on you even when you give up on you.)

We kind of cancelled today, too. We were scheduled to have branch conference, but last night the stake leaders didn't think it would be wise to travel at least an hour on possibly icy roads to get here. Especially with so many of our congregation living rurally and likely not coming, either, they wanted to make sure that as many people as possible had the opportunity to hear their remarks. Had to laugh as we had a couple of out of towners show up, but not a couple of the families who live within walking distance of the church. With it not being cancelled until 8 last night, we still held sacrament meeting but no other classes, as those had been scheduled to be taught by the stake. I'm mostly disappointed that I'll have to reschedule a temple recommend interview, but circumstances have made it easier to purchase the more reliable vehicle I would have yesterday were it not for the weather.

What is even more astounding to me are the people in society at large who remain engaged for seven years. Like, you guys live and run a business together. You have kids together. Why the heck are you not married?! It's the opposite side of the commitment coin, really. Fearful of getting out of their comfort zone and into something they might regret versus getting into something just for the instant gratification of not breaking the Law of Chastity.

I'm in the "talk to your bishop" camp. Bring your fiancé along, too. Your bishop knows you and your situation better than we do and can give you excellent resources on how to have a gospel centered marriage. Hopefully working through this with your fiancé will bring you two closer together and closer to the Lord.

I don't have anything for ya when it comes to DNA, other than it can be helpful in terms of medical history. As as for the spirit of Elijah, I see it as an urge to seal families for eternity. For me, that includes families I share no connections with. The spirit of Elijah is what prompts people to do indexing and temple ordinances. When I served in a stake family history center, there was a sign on the wall that said (something like), "God is planning a family reunion and we're helping." To me, this is the spirit of Elijah. I like to think I naturally possess some portion of it, although I also think that it's more apt to compare it to a muscle: the more we stretch and use it responsibly, the stronger it becomes. It explains why I felt a deep connection to a fifth-great-grandmother while preparing to do her baptism in the temple. I don't have memories of anyone who would have memories of her, but I know we'll recognize each other in the hereafter. When Sister Wendy Nelson spoke to the sisters in my area last August, she mentioned that she believes the "guardian angels" we hear so much about (and perhaps have felt in our own lives) are really our deceased ancestors protecting and guiding us to do what is right so that we can do their work and live with them someday.

@Vort @lostinwater I've long considered there to be a difference between the Church and the Gospel. The Church (as an institution, also the members) has allowed me to slip through the cracks or abandoned me at times. However, the Gospel, that is the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation, never has and never will. I attend and participate in Church because I want to experience the Gospel more in my life, and that is one place where I can. Is it possible to experience the Gospel outside of LDS approved study materials and activities? Absolutely. Is it possible to experience the fullness of the Gospel outside of them? A faithful Mormon who understands the importance of the temple will say no.

@VioletGrace Congratulations times two! If conception happened before baptism, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. One of the blessings of baptism (and subsequently partaking of the sacrament) is forgiveness for sins we are repentant of, and it seems like you are. Being worried about the reactions of other church members is very understandable, but hopefully those who welcome and love you outnumber those who judge you. Talking with your bishop, he may be able to connect you with some of the more supportive sisters. There may even be someone in your own ward who was pregnant outside of marriage or had a daughter who was, and you just don't know it. Feel free to come back and ask us anything or vent, or whatever. Good luck and God bless!

@Curious1624 I think that dress with a cardigan would look very nice. If you're still feeling nervous (or don't trust a bunch of internet strangers) about it, you could always run it past the friend who invited you. Hope you enjoy the service!

Howdy!

Glad to have you here!

haha...maybe that's where I got it from!

This is exactly why I told our branch council I was excited about it. I really loved the example used in conference (I can't remember if it was Holland or Bingham) of ministering by attending a child's ball game together. Sign me up for that!!

Who did you ask, and did you say why you were asking? The thing about Primary callings is that they're really for both second and third hour. Even if you're "just a teacher," many Primaries need the teachers to sit with their classes during Sharing/Singing Time to keep things reverent, and also connect anything that happens to be covered in both lessons. So, if you teach a class third hour, you should probably sit with them during their Sharing/Singing Time second hour. If that's really a route you feel inclined to take, touch base with your Primary Presidency and let them know you're available as a sub. I know ours would wipe your feet with their tears (of joy) just for offering. Since this is the internet and I can give you extreme and ridiculous advice that I would never take myself..... next time Sister Jones approaches you at church, just burst into tears. Start sobbing so uncontrollably that anything you say is incomprehensible. Really anything to make her feel terribly uncomfortable. Go ahead and answer your door, just do so naked and/or while holding a bloody butchers knife. In case it's her. If it's not...apologize and say you were expecting someone else. Otherwise, you can corner someone else she doesn't seem terribly close to and ask, "How did you get Sister Jones to stop trying to sell you her oils?" Odds are, you aren't the first, and you can probably find someone local to commiserate with you.

I'm guessing that's a left over thing / or your ward/stake trying to figure things out. There seems to be a lot of local independence in this new program to do what works best in your area. I know for my ward, today's announcement was: "Ok, so HT/VT programs are retired. We are figuring out this new ministering thing. Since this is something that need to be figured out jointly between the RS and EQ, we need to first wait until the new EQ get's itself sorted out, and then we'll figure out the ministering program." Our ward conference is in 3 weeks, so they're probably official reorganize things then. We have branch conference next week, and I'm all but expecting that our adult lesson/class will be on ministering and the new program. We have so few M. Priesthood holders that we've essentially had a combined quorum already for the last....ever. It seems that there's always been a high priest called to be in the EQ Presidency for that reason, and they've called one within the last six months, so we aren't expecting to call or reorganize an existing presidency....side note: is it still called the EQ, or are we calling it Melchezidek Priesthood Quorum/Presidency? @Grunt as far as your seeing your ministering lists, I'm guessing that's an experimental thing. On my iPad, I can still see who my "home teachers" are when looking at my own profile. (Even after syncing and checking for updates.) Interestingly, the path to this information on my Android phone is different, so individual experiences may vary in that respect. But they both still use previous terminology. Our branch mission leader mentioned in our discussion that if he felt impressed to go and visit a member that he would not hesitate to go (and grab a companion along the way if necessary) regardless of whether or not he was their assigned home teacher. Our branch clerk/executive secretary said that some people had developed the mentality that "I can't go and visit that family because I'm not their home/visiting teacher" and is hoping that ministering will change that.

"Shawshank Redemption" with my mom. It's a prison movie, so there's some violence, language, and a few sexual situations, but the deeper meaning of the film transcends those surface level issues for me. It had been a while since I had seen it (and it was probably a tv version, anyway) so I had forgotten it's potential for inspiration. Excellent themes of hope, persistence, and persistence in hope that I needed very much today.

Alma told Shiblon to bridle his passions. This is one reason it's important to remain chaste while engaged, the main reason being you both made promises to God that you would. Unlike those who are suggesting you head for the courthouse, I'm going to suggest you run for the hills until you and he BOTH have learned to bridle your passions. Fast together, at the same time and for the same purpose, as this will help you. Limit alone time. No kissing unless you're both wearing shoes. Do whatever it takes to curb your sexual appetites. You can feast once you're married.

Lifelong member of the Central Time Zone (and LDS Church), and the dish is definitely not exclusive to Mormondom, although calling them funeral potatoes is. They usually get called cheesy hashbrowns, going back to the days when farmers and their wives liked to call spades spades. @JohnsonJones I've seen them made with corn flakes on top. To me, casserole implies lurking vegetables, although I feel like I've had this dish with diced mushrooms mixed in.

Can I tape this up on my locker at work? Bonus fact: Elder Gong was called to be an Apostle on Easter (2018), and was also called to be a 70 on Easter (2010).

I disagree, mostly because I'm a notoriously awful VT. I hate trying to arrange three schedules for one visit, for one. I also get uncomfortable with conversations revolving around "I need to come visit with you because I am assigned to come visit with you," both initiating and receiving. The functional tone of the teaching programs was to teach first, serve later. I am confident and hopeful that the tone of the ministering program will be to serve first, teach later. Personally, I am looking forward to encouraging our members to say, "Hey, let me know when Johnny has a game and I'll come cheer for him." Yes, I am aware that this could be done before, but I am excited that the push is to become involved in the lives of our assigned families rather than just making sure we show up at their house. Also, I think the tonal shift makes it easier to fulfill the calling without the accompaniment of a companion, something I always felt awkward about because I hardly ever got along with my companions. (Or if I did, our schedules didn't.) And I am most definitely excited about taking the issuing of assignments more seriously! I saw it all the time, both while giving and receiving the slip, where that stupid slip of paper gets shoved into a bag and forgotten about. Until you give your bag the annual clearing out and wonder which slip is your current assignment. I imagine that, with the reporting interviews being quarterly, many leaderships will do them on a rotating basis. Three months in each quarter, so interview one third of the companionships each month and you'll have a pretty good handle on that aspect of it. (At least, that's what I would do based on my limited understanding.) My whole adult life, those I consider my best VTs were the ones that asked me out to lunch or invited me over to their home to work on a church-related project. The ones who were inconsiderate of my time put a bad taste in my mouth for the program. The best HTs I had were the ones who acknowledged I have no PH holder in my home and made sure I knew I could call them for a blessing. So, you know, the ones who ministered. But let's talk about incorporating the youth. What are the details on that? How does that jive with the new two-deep leadership policy for youth interactions? Will youth minister brothers and sisters always and/or automatically be assigned with parents? What about youth with inactive/nonmember parents? Homes where the youth to parent gender ratio is uneven (single mom with two boys 14+ or a family with three between 14 and 17)? Will they be given opportunities to be assigned families?

JW's will knock on your door and chat about God for as long as you'll let them. (At least, that's my guess at explaining it.)

Mark this discussion null and void!

Watched this just a few days ago. Love this YouTube channel. Ended up showing my YW the one on Mr. Rogers because a few hadn't heard of him. (One is only 12 and the other spent her Sesame Street years in Romania and China.)

Watching "Serenity" right now, as part of my personal March Madness, wherein I watch all of Firefly and Serenity while everyone else is watching sportsball. A rather quotable movie (and series) that I have to be cautious about quoting, as it's easy to misinterpret (or miss)the fact that I'm just quoting something rather than stating my own opinion. For instance, when a missionary asks, "Can we leave you with a word of prayer?" the response might not necessarily be, "Only if you say it out loud." Thankfully, the one time that slipped out, at least one of the elders caught the reference to the show's pilot episode. Although, we definitely had to explain it to his companion and their chaperone.