Lost Boy

Guidelines are essentially the same for both sexes https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/dress-and-appearance?lang=eng&_r=1

Yeah, I don't think I will be saying that. However, I do believe that there will be significant legal challenges to the church and its position on gay marriage.... much more so than there is now. I doubt that any of it will stick, but gay advocacy groups will try their best.

It absolutely applies to men as well. However, men are much less prone to want to dress skimpily. I think most ladies are attracted to a well dressed man more than a skimpily dressed man. Most men tend to like to check out how skimpy a ladies dress is. Who is more likely to wear something immodest to church? Is it sexist to point out tendencies of the sexes?

I generally have a pretty thick skin, but if someone challenges my testimony.... I kind of draw the line there.

I think there are still few members that support same-sex marriage. I think small but very vocal. I think this group will remain fairly small. Masturbation and porn go hand in hand and that is probably a fairly large number. Immodesty... I don't know why they ladies like to show off the bod, but most that have bods to show and some that don't like to show more skin than less... I don't see this going away. But I agree with all of these that they are a problem.

I guess I haven't been here long enough to see most of this. I agree with your list. I mean I do have issue with the creation story and the flood story, but I think many member do as well. But also consider this. The Lord has asked us to love our neighbor. Not all of us are going to be on the same place on the straight and narrow. Some may be off the straight and narrow. You don't love them any less. You don't shun them. You love them and continue on the path. You may also learn that you, yourself, may be wrong. I know I have changed in many ways over the years. I hope for the better.

I have no idea what orthodox mormonism is. let alone old fashion mormon. I mean, I remember growing up in the 70's learning in church why blacks couldn't hold the priesthood... That they were cursed and inferior, etc... Or I would hear all sorts of very mean comments towards gay people.. And then there were very sexist comments towards women... I am not sure I want any part of that. Perhaps you don't want to face the possibility that the scriptures may be wrong on certain details such as the origin of man and the Universe. Or perhaps your interpretation of the scriptures may be wrong. The Catholic church persecuted many scientists for their work as it was viewed to be a heresy. They have since softened their position on science significantly. I think the LDS church, too has softened its position on certain things and for the better. I know that there are some that disagree with my view on there not being a literal global flood nor a creation that lasted 6 days. I suspect that there are probably more than one general authority that has similar views. I personally think it is time to stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Some here think I deny the power of God. I do not in the least. I do propose that parts of the scriptures may be a lot more allegorical than some want to believe, but I believe it was through the power of God the universe was created. Nor do I believe God gives us proof of his existence. He gives us evidence and personal revelation of his existence. and on a personal level, I think you can view it as proof, but it is not proof to anyone else... only to those the holy ghost revels these things to. I see God as a being who sees the end from the beginning. He knows when we will need miracles long before we ever do and through what can be viewed as naturally means performs most miracles. This is far from denying his power. It attests to his great intelligent and wisdom. If he had to come in a "poof" something to fix a problem, that would to me mean that he did not have the foresight to see the need for the miracle. But as he knows the end from the beginning, he doesn't need to "poof" most miracles. He's already had the miracle in the works.

The founders??? We are talking Star Trek DS9, right?

I plan on getting there in the next few years when I get a bit more free time. I get essentially free airfare, just need the time. For those of you who went, did any of you rent a car? Or did you just go with a tour group?

Wow, that is pretty hard core. Why would someone do that? I would be ashamed to have someone like that as a friend or a spouse. You don't question someones faith/testimony, etc.

If you would like, I'll answer your questions. First, what beliefs do you believe I have that are not in line with the church's teachings?

I have never challenged someones belief in the church like you did to me. I don't recall putting anyone down. Now I did question some very questionable science and find it bizarre when people make up science to fit something they can't jive with reality. I don't know if the flood happened or not. I have respect for those that can believe it. I just don't understand why people make stuff up to help them believe. My guess is that pointing out inconsistencies is not what people want to hear.

Honestly I don't know what he is talking about. I don't believe in a global flood and I don't think the creation occurred in 6 days. I know many members that share the same view. Perhaps there is something else he is referring to.

I have no intention to go anywhere. I am not offended by someone like Grunt, but I am not going to entertain him either if he wants to be critical of me.

That is not an apology.

If you want to apologize and rephrase the question in a polite manner, I would be happy to answer.

Yes, you did judge me and then you lied about it. Yeah, I am not entertaining a troll.

You don't know the first thing about me or what goes on in my head and my heart and yet you are able to judge me as harshly as you did. Interesting.

Leadership doesn't just change over night. In the upper leadership... The 70's and above, there are a growing number of of non white ethnicities. The reason it is so white now is that the base is Utah.,a very white state. The leaders often know locals better. In the coming years, you will see a much more diverse group.

Like to twist words do you? I never said God couldn't do something because it didn't make sense. I he didn't do it. Huge difference, but I think you want to paint me in a bad light. If that helps you sleep at night, I am fine with it. The regular orbits of the planets speak to God's existence. There are so many things in nature that point to God's existence. So why didn't he leave evidence of a flood? Perhaps because he does not try to deceive.

There is no reputable evidence for it. And the holy spirit has not given me confirmation of it, so I am left to believe it didn't happen. This does not deny the power of God, but does say that the bible may have some fictitious parts to it.

It is a big decision whether to stay with him or leave him. Not something we can answer here. Hopefully, you don't have kids or any on the way. I would stay away from kids until you figure things out. Honestly, if had had porn issues and has a video game addiction, he probably still has porn issues and is hiding them from you. He probably also has some depression. You are in a difficult situation. I wish you the best.

It certainly sounds like he is not ready for marriage. How old are the both of you? 22? 23?

Sigh.....

You are not an engineer are you? I am and have had the exact same discussion with myself. I don't have the answers. What I do believe is that for us there is just one God that matters... God the father. Where did the matter of the universe come from? Did God create it? Or just organize it? Who created the place God is from? Yup... you are not alone with those questions. What if God didn't even know where it all began... Science has an explanation back to a big bang, but really has nothing before that. Although it is interesting to contemplate about, it is essentially a fruitless exercise. Need to be concerned about the here and now.