Grunt

That was one of the things I talked about often when investigating. I always thought it sounded like they were trying to convince themselves. I've developed the opinion that it is just cultural. At one point it probably meant something or was commonplace in society in general. Now I believe it's treated the same as Saints folding arms when praying instead of clasping hands, wearing white shirts, etc. Kids hear others say it and repeat it. It becomes reflex.

http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio/

Nice. I never went past General, myself.

Matteo, This reminds me of that old gravestone that floats around: "Where you are now, so once was I....." Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about my journey. I have a thread in the "Learn about the Mormon Church" section titled "Missionaries". I studied and prayed myself into a corner. Through this time, I really wanted to believe in the Church, but at the same time I really DIDN'T want to believe in the Church. Accepting the doctrine would require uncomfortable change on my part. Throughout my journey I was give some great advice by some great people, as well as some crappy advice by some crappy people. I'd love the opportunity to share the great advice with you, if you'd like, and answer any specific odd questions from a fairly recent convert's point of view. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be.

Interesting idea. In my opinion, your dilemma is compounded the fact that you're using this treatment to subvert a natural timeline. I honestly have no idea what the moral implication of that would be, or if there even is one. That would be an interesting talk with the Bishop, in my opinion. I have been down this road and would be more than happy to discuss it privately if you need to.

Yay! I'll be there in the spring.

This has been such a problem for us lately. The drive to normalize deviancy drives me nuts.

Interesting. I have NEVER heard anyone say this. Is this a Utah thing?

In MY personal experience there have been times where there was reason to keep a calling secret and times I couldn't understand why. Reasons I've seen to keep it a secret were: 1. Person in the calling currently didn't know they were being released. 2. Person being called wanted time to think about counselors or other positions under their purview that might change. 3. Bishop wanted to tell the President "over" the person being called to a different position. These are just the reasons I've seen, but there are likely others as well.

I'm going to use that at next year's tithing settlement.

We had this discussion at a Church meeting recently. I try very hard to look at things objectively.

Nope. I have all that blocked on my browser/network, so I just kept getting a blank page. Now I know why.

I don't think it's the end. I think they just aren't all going to be filled, or filled by what they want. For example, I put put used bikes on our "free" page. I was contacted by someone that runs the giving tree asking if I would hold them for her, since someone had bicycles as their gift. I took them down, cleaned them up, and let her have them. Some kids will be getting used bikes from the giving tree.

You'd hate my house at Christmas, then.

Sure. My point being when someone asks for underwear as a Christmas gift, they are likely struggling in this mortal life. When someone is happy to have shoes to cover their feet while others are receiving gifts, I'm sad their burden is heavy.

I hope everyone is doing well after the horrific tornados last week. Has anyone heard from @person0?

Yeah. As I said above, I'm not sure how our requests are solicited. If it's a 5th grader asking for a phone or playstation, I think that's just what kids ask for since most of their counterparts have them (except my kids). If it's parents asking for that for their kids (or themselves) then I look at it differently.

On our tree we had some gaming systems, bicycles, etc. I'm unsure how our women's club solicits the requests, though. I'm always sad when I see clothes and essentials.

My district even withdrew from the state organization.

I can only speak from MY personal experience and I in no way suggest my experience is doctrine or that I even understand it correctly. That said, I spent considerable time thinking I was asking in sincerity and wondering why I wasn't receiving an answer. After acting in faith and dropping my earnestness and expectations of MY timeline I received my answers in unexpected places and times. This has happened more than once to me.

Officially? Not that I know of. I have several friends there with a private company, though.

I didn't explain myself well enough and you went FAR deeper than I meant. By "why" I meant foundational. Why does the Church believe marriage is required for the highest levels of exaltation? Where is it found in scripture? Where did it first appear in talks, sermon, or revelation? That's what I meant by "why". When my beliefs are questioned or challenged by myself or others, I want to know where to find the answers.

Criminalizing abortion will decrease abortions.

Congrats! Now can you teach me?

That's what I was trying to say, but failed (as usual)