warnerfranklin

I am a recent convert to the LDS faith, having been baptized in late 2016.  I came from a strong evangelical background.  It wasn't too long ago, say 15 years, that I too, in my ignorance, believed Mormons were cultist.  And yes, I was very vocal about that opinion.  But let me be clear, when I would try to reach out to my friends and associates who were/are Mormons to leave their faith it wasn't because I thought little of them (because I loved and deeply respected for  all of them), it was because I wanted to see them in heaven.  Remember, "traditional" Christian denominations have a very different outlook on the afterlife than Mormons do.  There is no second chance in the afterlife as most protestants see it.  It was out of love that I would try to witness to my Mormon friends and associates.  
But to be honest, as I said before I believed this out of ignorance.  Had I looked past doctrinal differences and saw the fruits of the spirit that most Mormons bear in abundance I wouldn't have seen a cultists, I would have seen a fellow brother or sister in Christ.
It was only after I became associated with seasoned LDS members who took the time to explain what and why our church believes certain principals that my attitude slowly began to change.  As I became more familiar with LDS doctrine my attitude evolved from Mormons are cultist to Mormons are an odd denomination to becoming a member of the church myself.  
When I began attending church at our local ward, which was five years before I became LDS, I was always treated like another brother in Christ.  When I drew outside the lines in Sunday School or Priesthood (which was often) the members of my church didn't tell me to shut up, they simply listened, thanked me for sharing, and then explained what the LDS faith believes.  They practiced the admonition of Joseph Smith when he said, "You can accomplish a lot more good by having a kind word to say about your own faith than you can by having a disparaging one to say about someone else's."  And as my knowledge and understanding grew I found that I could easily agree with 90% of what I heard at church and in General Conference.  I found that our differences weren't as many as I thought.  I found that my brothers and sisters at the Mormon church wanted the same thing that I wanted:  to see our family, and loved ones, and friends, and the guy we pass on the street to spend the rest of eternity with then with our Father in Heaven.
As Mormons we believe that certain lost principals of the Gospel were restored to the earth by our Father through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  It is not the fault of those outside our faith that they are unaware of these truths.  
I would hope that when we come across those who unaware of what we know to be true that we first remember to always treat them like another brother or sister in Christ.  That we remember the words written in II Nephi 33:10:  :And now my beloved brethren and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto the words and believe in Christ;  and if ye believe not in not in these words believe in Christ;  and if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words for they are the words of Christ and he hath given them unto me and they teach all men that they shall do good."
I became a Mormon in large part because members of my ward helped me with my walk with Christ (they helped me to believe).  And as my relationship with God became stronger my desire to become a member of the LDS faith grew.  When I needed a blessing or someone to agree with me in prayer it was members of my ward who prayed with me and blessed me.  When my family was is a bad financial situation it was the church who helped us (despite only two members of our family being active members).  I could go on and on about the examples of members of my local church who looked past the fact that I wasn't a Mormon and wanted to help me become the best Christian I could be even if it meant that I might never join the Church.  
I loved and respected the Mormon church long before I became member because I saw that the love and the light of Christ shining through so many of the people of my ward. People who looked past the fact that I was operating on incomplete information and just helped me become the best Christian I could be.

Hello Anon -
I trust you’re familiar with the site rules; and beyond that, I would simply note that in Mormonism very often how you say something is at least as important as what you actually say.
With that in mind, ask away—and welcome!

@Colirio, @warnerfranklin, @Scott
I agree with you that you don't want to draft into the military people who are not qualified to be military.  In the Philippines, you don't get drafted into the military.  Rather, you get military training as civilians (hence the term, Citizens Army).  So you're basically a ready-made militia.  The advantage to this is that, when enemy forces invade, then you're not relying solely on the military to save your bums.  Every citizen of age has some kind of training that aligns with military protocols on how to defend their homes and community.  This set-up would be constitutional in the US.
@Traveler has a different idea in that military service is some sort of "stake" in the claim for citizenship.  The idea is interesting but I'm not sure it is constitutional.

I'm currently in the military.  I don't think everyone should be required to serve.  The job is difficult enough without having to deal with people who don't want to be there.  
Should there be some kind of service for people to become full citizens and have the right to vote - well that is debatable.  Robert Heinlein made such an argument in his book Starship Troopers.  The argument he made did have many valid points, but the society in that book was semi-fascist, so different set of circumstances.
The military is a good place for young people looking for some life experience, marketable skills, and a chance to belong to something bigger than themselves.

I'm currently in the military.  I don't think everyone should be required to serve.  The job is difficult enough without having to deal with people who don't want to be there.  
Should there be some kind of service for people to become full citizens and have the right to vote - well that is debatable.  Robert Heinlein made such an argument in his book Starship Troopers.  The argument he made did have many valid points, but the society in that book was semi-fascist, so different set of circumstances.
The military is a good place for young people looking for some life experience, marketable skills, and a chance to belong to something bigger than themselves.

Why do any parents let their children learn through failure?  What do we get out of raising our own children?   It's interesting that you post this because it seems so obvious to me, yet I'm not sure how to articulate it.  I'll give it some thought and hope one of the smart people come along and do it for me.

Moses 1:39
Satan had the same last 2 questions that you pose.  His solution didn't work though...

Super! Thanks!!
 

“God’s word doesn’t change, but our ability to understand it does.”
”Line upon line. Precept upon precept.”
“....If you believe not these words, believe in Christ...” 2 Nephi 33:10
From the time I first heard of the Church until I became a member was 36 years. I am thankful that Saints I came into contact with had the wisdom to understand that I was operating with incomplete information and helped me become the best Christian I could be with the information I had. 
That this man is going as far as he can is to be commended. That he is trying to create peace between us and those who are often hostile towards our faith is to be applauded.  

“God’s word doesn’t change, but our ability to understand it does.”
”Line upon line. Precept upon precept.”
“....If you believe not these words, believe in Christ...” 2 Nephi 33:10
From the time I first heard of the Church until I became a member was 36 years. I am thankful that Saints I came into contact with had the wisdom to understand that I was operating with incomplete information and helped me become the best Christian I could be with the information I had. 
That this man is going as far as he can is to be commended. That he is trying to create peace between us and those who are often hostile towards our faith is to be applauded.  

“We don’t share the gospel or go on a mission so we can go to the Celestial Kingdom. We share the Gospel so others can to the Celestial Kingdom and have the privilege of spending eternity with our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ben Arkle. 

“We don’t share the gospel or go on a mission so we can go to the Celestial Kingdom. We share the Gospel so others can to the Celestial Kingdom and have the privilege of spending eternity with our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ben Arkle. 

He is in Seattle for a stadium-sized meeting, and a staff member invited me to join his family. I figured that, as a chaplain and Mormonhub moderator, I should accept. So, tonight I will join 10s of thousands. Has anyone been to this kind of event? Any thoughts to offer? I'll certainly give my impressions within the next day or two.

I actually have talked with this guy on other forums.  He's a great dude and does really good work.  And yes he takes a lot of crap from other Baptists for this.
I think he's absolutely awesome.  I 100% respect his choice to remain Baptist.  I figure, good things are good, and the more goodness we bring into people's life the better -- even if it doesn't include the goodness of baptism. 

“God’s word doesn’t change, but our ability to understand it does.”
”Line upon line. Precept upon precept.”
“....If you believe not these words, believe in Christ...” 2 Nephi 33:10
From the time I first heard of the Church until I became a member was 36 years. I am thankful that Saints I came into contact with had the wisdom to understand that I was operating with incomplete information and helped me become the best Christian I could be with the information I had. 
That this man is going as far as he can is to be commended. That he is trying to create peace between us and those who are often hostile towards our faith is to be applauded.  

So, with some of the topics I have felt a bit of negativity recently (probably on my own part perhaps) and so I thought I'd create a positive thread.  In this thread we compliment those we know of in the forum.  I'm going to try to give everyone compliments (and if Somehow I miss you, PLEASE, tell me in the thread.  It is not due to maliciousness on my part, but I'm a older and sometimes my mind is not as sharp as many others around her.  Forgive me for my bad memory and jog it with a post so I can include you).
So, I'll start...
@JaneDoe I appreciate your thoughtful replies
@NeuroTypical I enjoy your snark at times, and though I may not understand it, your little Pony enthusiasm
@CV75 I enjoy your willingness to discuss things with people who have questions and your recent posts in the Resurrection thread.
@zil I appreciate that you are active on the forums and, though I do not understand it fully, that you are so enthusiastic about fountain pens
@BJ64 I think it is great that you pick up on small details and want to help those that are striving to do better
@Traveler I appreciate you injecting a more scientific approach at times and explaining things from a more technical mindset
@MormonGator I like that someone from a rival team is here (LoL), but I also enjoy that you can relax the forum and spring in some humor when we all get too serious
@FetherI think that you do wonderfully at striving to do good, and this is an extremely commendable thing
@Iggy I think your staunch support of standards and your desire to help others up is something that is wonderful
@MrShorty You seem to be able to navigate the middle ground at times and try to create peace.  The Lord said, blessed is the peacemakers.
@Grunt I appreciate how you bring up the gospel so plainly and point out how these we should know.  It brings us back to how we should be, rather than trying to dodge around commandments.
@Just_A_Guy  I think you look great in a suit ( hah).
@Just_A_Guy I do think it was good you wore a suit, but there is more to compliment you on, just making a joke because I know you can take it.  That's what I like about you, you can take all the abuse and still be nice.
@Carborendum  I think you and I are more alike than we may think at times, and I like how you stick to your guns and your morals.
@Anddenex  You bring in thoughtful injections into conversations that note that you really think about the subject and consider what is said or not said
@Scott I appreciate how you like to go back to sources.  You like to check to see where something is sourced and give a source for your comments
@Blackmarch  You are blunt at times, but we all need the blunt truth to bring us back to reality.
@Laniston You have a smaller post history so it is harder to define what I enjoy, but from what I've seen, I think I appreciate your willingness to share personal experiences with the rest of us.
@unixknightI enjoy how frank you are in admitting your own difficulties which helps us to understand our own and help prop others up in there striving to be good.
@estradling75  I not sure I understand the carebear, but I do appreciate your willingness to share your opinion, even when others may be hostile to it.  It takes courage to do so at times.
@SilentOne  You are exceptional and you speak through listening and only say something when it is important.  We all could learn more from your approach.
@Vort  I love that you stand for something (the gospel).  Gordon B. Hinckley instructed us so and it is good to see someone doing that.
@Emmanuel Goldstein  Not a ton of posts to know you well yet, but you seem to convey a lot with very little.
@mrmarklin  I like that you are able to converse with those who need advice and share with them in order to help them
@pwrfrk  I think it is good that you bring us to recognize how blessed we are and strive to help others with your advice and words of peace
@theplains  Not a long time member, but it seems that you enjoy talking about the gospel with others and I think that is a good thing to do.
@wenglund  I appreciate how you are normally trying to discuss hard subjects without condemnation or judgement, but rather understanding and hope.
@Jersey Boy  I think that you are willing to share your feelings in the open which is a hard thing some of us have doing.
@Rob Osborn  You point out the plain and precious things of the gospel at times.  Even if we don't agree with all your opinions, I think it is terrific that you point these things out
@NeedleinA   You are a wonder to read in your posts.  You try to help others on the forums and have some interesting perspectives
@Crypto  I see you post infrequently but people genuinely like you and your posts here
@warnerfranklin  I haven't seen you around much recently on the forums, but I appreciate how you share your views and opinions and how thoughtful you can be
@Lost Boy  I like how you express sympathy for those in need and empathy for others.  I appreciate how you can make us think about how others are and how we should be.
@Midwest LDS  Thank you for how you interact with others and taking the time to listen
@Backroads  I also enjoy how you show empathy for others and how you, despite your troubles, try to listen.  I hope that you continue to enjoy your new job also
@askandanswer  I find your answers refreshing at times and your injections in conversations interesting
@mordorbund  Tis an interesting name you have.  LotR connection?  I think you express your humility at times and I appreciate that willingness
@mirkwood  Another reference that seems it could be a Lord of the Rings thing?  Anyways, I think you try to make things lighter on the forums and make others laugh.
@anatess2  I like how you tell it how it is.  You come right out and tell us what you think and I feel that is a good thing.
@person0  You have things to share with us that enlightens our minds, though you also tend to joke around as well at times
@classylady  Your name bespeaks for itself.  We would all do better if we had as much class as you
@Maureen  You help us to recognize that we are mistaken in many of our assumptions and point out the good in others
@bytebear  I find your comments fun to read and at time enlightening
@seashmore  I look forward to reading your posts and enjoy what you have to say.  I enjoy how you share your experiences and your thoughts on things
@DennisTate  You are another that I cannot say I have read a ton of your comments, but from what I see you are thoughtful and reflect on what you write.
@LiterateParakeet  Your posts are refreshing on these forums as they try to see the best in people and view the best possible things about others
@MaryJehanne  Your willingness to share about the Catholic Church is appreciated
@Lindy  sharing experiences from your life is good in showing us examples and ways to be.
@Sunday21  Your enthusiasm is a beacon for us all.  Your love for the temple is also something I admire greatly
@SpiritDragon  You are a wonderful person that seems to be Canadian. 
@Jeremy A  I'm not sure how many have participated in your trivia but you keep on trying and going.  You are like the energizer bunny.  Perserverance is a positive quality.
I'm certain I've missed many, I've tried to include as many as possible and yet I've probably still failed.  If so, be aware it is NOT because I don't think you are wonderful, but simply because there are so many names and so many people and remembering them all is sometimes very difficult.  I probably forgot some of the closest and dearest ones that are on these forums.  I apologize, but if I did miss you, just tell me in the next day or two and I'll hopefully have that to jog my memory.
Don't let me be the only one, if you have people you want to compliment on something they did on the forum, go ahead and post it!
We should recognize people for doing good!
 

LDS believe that ALL Truth comes from God.  Receiving this Truth is not limited to just people in His Church, but ALL men are entitled to receive it-- the Father gives Truth to those that earnestly ask.  Storm's account might indeed by revelation for him (I am not in a position to judge that).
Now all that being said, different people have different roles/things they do in this life.  I believe that Joseph Smith was called to be a Prophet of God, hold that formal office in God's Church, and lead in that role.  Storm is not in that role-- which neither am I.  Different roles for different people.
 
 
That all makes your poll hard to answer: because yes this Storm dude could indeed have received revelation, but that doesn't put him in the role of Prophet of God the way Joseph Smith was.

My best friend calls me an extremist because I won't watch movies or shows with profanity, blasphemy, or anything depicting or referencing sex. This just seems to me to be the correct direction.
Now here's the thing. If I follow this direction and reasoning, I shouldn't tolerate profanity in any degree. Therefore, I shouldn't watch something like Star Wars: A New Hope, which has one D word and one H word. It seems somewhat true to me that drawing lines between "okay" profanity and "not okay" profanity is intellectual pride and therefore the line should be drawn at all profanity and vulgar language. Although this seems right in principle, it doesn't seem right in practice, like turning it off because it said the D word. 
What do you think?

I think CS Lewis explained this conundrum of people choosing Hell when he wrote in his book The Great Divorce:
”In the end there will only be two types of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and to those whom God says, ‘Thy will be done.’ All who are in Hell have chosen it and without that same self choice there would be no Hell.”  
It is pride. The setting up of self as God. Pride is why Satan and his followers threw away glory because he wanted to be first. 
Sadly, many would prefer to, “reign in Hell” than to serve and be joyful in heaven.

Welcome back. Go talk to the Bishop and see what is required to regain your membership. God bless!

A good lesson!  Might I recommend the following:
God shows His love for us in this: that while we were yet sinners Christ died fo us. Romans 5:8
”Being a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable in others because God forgave the inexcusable in you,”  CS Lewis , Mere Christianity 
I think the above two demonstrate that it is helpful that we remember what we too were once covered in warts, but our father saw us not as we were but as who we can be  
President Eyring tells a wonderful story about how, when he was a Bishop, that he had to counsel one of his ward members who had just been busted for drunk driving.  As he tells the story he relates that he was going to tear into this guy, but before the meeting started the spirit allowed him to see this person as our Father saw him.  The experience changed the whole tenor of the meeting.
 
 
 

@warnerfranklin Thanks so much! I will use this for sure!

A good lesson!  Might I recommend the following:
God shows His love for us in this: that while we were yet sinners Christ died fo us. Romans 5:8
”Being a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable in others because God forgave the inexcusable in you,”  CS Lewis , Mere Christianity 
I think the above two demonstrate that it is helpful that we remember what we too were once covered in warts, but our father saw us not as we were but as who we can be  
President Eyring tells a wonderful story about how, when he was a Bishop, that he had to counsel one of his ward members who had just been busted for drunk driving.  As he tells the story he relates that he was going to tear into this guy, but before the meeting started the spirit allowed him to see this person as our Father saw him.  The experience changed the whole tenor of the meeting.
 
 
 

2 Corinthians and D&C. 

Bah, I love a good cup of herbal tea, but then I live in So. Cali where we are currently enduring our 3rd week of straight 100's. I like iced peppermint tea, iced country peach passion, and iced berry zinger.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.