Grunt

Thanks. I'll check those out. Side note: I haven't seen any antagonizing of faithful members of the Church here. Perhaps we have different definitions of "antagonizing" or "faithful member".

There should be a law.

We are in different places, though. I would love to be a member of a doctrinal group, because I have many questions about doctrine. I also believe I learn more from someone I disagree with than someone I'm in doctrinal harmony with, typically. I study with a few Catholics and their challenges often lead me to a greater understanding or narrowing of my own beliefs as I research those challenges and questions. However, I also find many reasons to continue conversations with those I agree with. A few of them are a broadening of my perspective on the reasons for those agreements, a greater understanding of the history of those agreements, or in some cases just a reinforcement of my own beliefs. It also isn't always about what I get from the conversation, but what the other person gets from me. Conversations aren't only about what we walk away with. This is one of the biggest reasons for my want of a study group. I will probably benefit more from it than a member such as yourself. I'm now at the stage of my progression where I want to know more "why" than "what". I know we believe that marriage is essential, but why do we believe that? Where is the doctrinal foundation? Then, what doe s that mean to you? I agree with some of this. The temple is the proper place to receive instruction, but it isn't always conducive to understanding that instruction. I've learned a lot about those topics from books and talks by Church leaders, and through discussion with faithful members of my ward. I don't know why anyone would experience anger in a discussion, unless one or more parties were being dishonest or deceitful. At that point I don't know why anyone would continue the discussion of the topic.

That's unfortunate. Thankfully, I haven't experienced that yet.

I've had one instance of this that I've spoken and written about in detail. I've since become very cautious about "supposing" publicly, but I happily discuss it privately.

I've accomplished more through DM here than public discussion. There are a few posters that I really enjoy reading and have learned a lot from. Sadly, I've been soured by some of the ExMos and fakers here. Some that are quick to reach out privately are the wolves in sheep's clothing.

I wouldn't.

Yeah. If only they were honest about that up front.

Thanks! I don't mind different views as long as they are faithful views.

Are Midnight Mormons and StoneXVI groups? Forums? A cursory search only showed mention of them. Also, do you know Jim Bennett? Do you know if he volunteered at the Family History Center in SLC?

Thanks! I've been doing a bit of studying lately and sometimes struggle with answers. I'd really like to be able to toss out questions and topics, knowing the answers I get are from faithful Saints. I'll check it out, though!

Thanks. I'll take a look. Maybe I do need a group made up of only faithful members. As a convert, if I can't tell the followers from the fakers, it can be difficult.

I'm convinced of it, in certain instances. One in particular for me.

Not necessarily bans critics, because criticism with intent to learn initiates conversation sometimes, but gives faithful answers and shuts down those that aren't. It's hard to learn when people on the surface act as faithful members but aren't even close. It's easy to get misled. Probably something I desire doesn't exist and would be hard to put together. Perhaps on Facebook, where there is less anonymity.

Does anyone know of a discussion group of actual active, practicing Saints to dive a little deeper into questions, scripture, or ask questions and get Saint-based answers to questions? We don't have anything like that in my ward. I've found a few online, but they either aren't very active or aren't moderated strictly enough to keep out fakes or trolls.

It's still playing here and there, but probably not where you live. It played up here, but I bought the DVD.

This is how it was explained to me.

Nice! Today I scheduled Mrs. Grunt's endowment and the Grunt Family sealing as well.

Anyone see this?

It's great training, particularly for those with zero training. The hand wringing over getting involved in a lethal force situation is mostly misplaced in my opinion. People watch too many movies. Most self-defense shootings are over pretty quickly, long before police arrive on the scene. In those instances, thankfully there are people willing to step up and be heroes to protect their family, or even yours. Gunfights are confusing. 9 times out of 10 you're much better off not getting involved at all, in my opinion, unless it's to protect yourself or someone you know to be a victim. It's going to cost you either financially or emotionally, at the very least. @mirkwood is absolutely correct that you want to not present as a threat at all before the professionals arrive. Let them handle it. Reading some of these posts, though, makes me glad I live where I do and have neighbors I can rely on.

And if that action is worth the consequences to you personally, even if you are legally within your right.

The cases have zero in common.

He never should have felt he needed to be there, in my opinion. Neither should he have felt he needed to show up to clean the town in previous days. Alas, people make choices and others react to them. Some feel the need to destroy, others feel the need to repair the destruction or prevent it from happening.

As a convert to the Church, I've wrestled with this. I think one of the issues with all most religions, or more specifically the people in them, is the need to have everything answered. While I certainly have a desire to know everything, I'm OK with not having all the answers. As such, to your question, I'm comfortable saying "beats me". I don't like that answer. I'm convinced I'll learn the answer some day, either in this world or the next. But for now, I don't have one. Testimony is funny. Not funny "ha ha" but funny odd. There are things I know with every fiber of my being. I know the Book of Mormon is scripture. I know the Law of Chastity blesses me. I know keeping my covenants have brought me blessings and joy, even the covenants that boggle my mind and I'm half-convinced I'll show up at the Pearly Gates and ask "what about this?" and Christ will chuckle and say "you guys really got that one wrong, good on you for being faithful, though". But my testimony is my own. I can share it with you, but you can't make it your own. I really wish that you could, but you need your own testimony. I also know that we learn line upon line. I know I was taught things that I was convinced weren't true. I know I spent days, weeks, and months studying and praying things I couldn't understand, then woke up one morning with near-perfect clarity. I know I put up my own mental roadblocks without even realizing it. I'll also leave you with this: If you're a Christian, good for you. If you learn something, or feel uplifted, reading the Book of Mormon or listening to conference talks, that's awesome. If studying the Bible brings you closer to Christ, good. These are the things that will keep you on the right path. You'll learn as you go.

I can relate to this. The truth is, we rarely do all we can. We can almost always do more. However, there comes a point where "doing more" comes at the expense of something else, whether it's your family, yourself, other students, etc. The reality of the situation, in my most humble opinion, is that the responsibility beyond reasonable expectations doesn't lie with you. In the realm of education, what are expectations and involvement of the parents/guardians? Are they meeting with you to assist? Are they applying this assistance at home? Are the kids striving to succeed in spite of home involvement? You can't always save the world in the short amount of time you have with students, because much of the saving needs to happen at home. It doesn't matter how bad you want it. Students and parents have to want it just as bad.