Grunt

Not hard, just habit. I use other codes and jargon as well, though I try to be aware of it. I don't worry as much with time because most people know it and it makes the most sense to me. I also always write dates 20200204 out of habit.

Missionaries left at 1900, I was in bed by 2000

Ours was too. Hmmmmmm.

Why was the handbook private?

Well said. I have flaws. I certainly hope that isn't what my wife fixates on and feels compelled to share with her friends. I think the new "woke" culture is damaging to people in and out of the Church, and certainly to testimonies. One of the things I find odd when sharing my testimony is how often people need to talk about the things they have issues with. I share my testimony more often than I should, probably. Maybe just because it's so easy since much of it is online. One of the recurring things I hear people claim they have issues with is the things they perceive as negative from the Church's early years and how it was "hidden" from them growing up or during their conversion. How it wasn't taught to them. It certainly doesn't seem to be hidden to me. Furthermore, we have so much to share and teach that deals directly with our covenants, staying on the path, salvation, and progression. Why would someone focus on the things that really have nothing to do with much of that?

The other bows had lost their springs.

I believe you are mistaken. They are microorganisms.

Congratulations!

HOW DARE YOU!

Who has said that it is?

Who is scaring and panicking people?? Who is spreading lies? Who is causing anxiety? All I've seen are factual contraction and death rates.

I didn't see any panic or harm from that. I don't see anyone panicking from this. People are just taking precautions, which is smart.

The key words in MY post are "if this thing blows up". That said, it's equally illogical to poo poo the seriousness of a virus that has up to a 2 week incubation period and indications suggest it could be contagious from day one, regardless of symptoms. Depending on how long the illness lasts, there can be large ramifications beyond the minor chance of death.

What really REALLY scares me is social media and peer pressure. As part of my current job I conduct a considerable amount of research on social media. This includes consumption to develop strategy. I was amazed at the sexualization, and peer pressure to submit, of girls as young as 11 or 12. Partial nudity, provocative clothes, and sexual acts are very common in those age ranges. Oddly, I was equally surprised to see a decent size stream of Latter-day Saint teens speaking out about it and forming online groups to share social media free of that. They really stick up for each other against the abuse from non-members for their unwillingness to conform. Some of you out there are really raising good kids.

Exactly. If this thing blows up I'm hunkering down in my bunker.

You aren't alone, sister. You also aren't the first person to be in exactly the same shoes you are in now. You have some good advice here. I'll add only this. You KNOW how you feel right now. It's pretty crappy, huh? You know what you are supposed to do, but you're scared. Just think of how incredible it is going to be to have all of this behind you. To have repented and been forgiven. The longer you wait, the longer you're going to carry this around with you.

Just another excuse for me to add to my special room.

This is what drives me nuts. Why does there have to be? Why are we trying to erase history? Why can't we accept what the Prophet has said in this day and still acknowledge what was said in the past? If it is no longer relevant today than I don't care if we do, or don't, teach it. However, it's still there.

It's in the store, too.

Me too. It sounds like there won't be a huge design change, beyond the two they mentioned. Just a fabric change. I guess we won't know for sure. I will say this announcement brought me GREAT joy.

This makes me happy. https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/1/17/21070609/mormon-lds-church-temple-clothing-changes-affordable-comfortable-first-presidency-ceremonial

Thanks!

Sure. I had a habit of biting off more than I could chew as an investigator. There were several things that almost kept me out of the font, but this one was one of the longest, most agonizing, and resulted in some crazy, almost unbelievable, Devine intervention to get me back on track.

KFD almost resulted in me not joining the church.

Her anger is misdirected.