Behemoth

Is @Carborendum causing a problem? I have a chart that might help

I will go on record again saying I do not think speedos are immodest when worn at locations where swimwear is worn. They are simply the right clothing for the occasion. Especially when actually swimming. I have worn them for the past 37 years including at the athletic club yesterday and today. 

The scriptures teach that eternity goes in both directions (as already mentioned).  Joseph Smith taught that there is neither a beginning nor an ending.  Methinks if you could hie to Kolob in the twinkling of an eye, that you could never, through all eternity, find out the generation where Gods began to be, nor see the grand beginning where space did not extend.
Eternity past is, in my opinion, the single most difficult thing for the mortal mind to try to grasp.  We simply cannot fathom the idea of no beginning.  Our lives start with a beginning and are full of beginnings and so long as we live, have no end, and we imagine they will go on for eternity.  Eternity future is easy for us.  Eternity past beyond us.  We can try and try and try, and I do and recommend it to others, but I don't think we'll understand until we remember.  Right now, all we remember is a bunch of beginnings.
Old Testament and Related Studies, chapter 6: Unrolling the Scrolls--Some Forgotten Witnesses, by Hugh Nibley (emphasis mine):
Moses 1:39, by God:
What greater joy is an omniscient, eternal being to have, once he's "been there, done that", than to help others get there and do that?
Fortunately, God is a better man than that.  Yes, that was snarky, but how else am I supposed to interpret your words except as meaning, "If I were a God, I wouldn't want mere mortals to grow and progress to become like The Great Me™."  And if you personally don't feel that way, then why would you assume that God (or a God, or your imagined First God) would feel that way?
How many planets can you create without mankind before it gets old?  How many stars can you explode before it's not amusing any more?  How many times with how many dogs can you play fetch before you want something more challenging?  What could be more challenging or more interesting or more variable or more rewarding than bringing sentient, intelligent, independent beings with as much capacity as you yourself have as far along the path to completeness as they are willing to come?
We don't see the smartest of humans abandoning their peers to hang out with dolts.  They look for others who are as smart as they, in the same areas, and in different areas, so that their minds might be challenged and expanded, so that they might be understood as well as gain understanding.  (Warning: Brutal truth inbound:)
Approaching Zion, chapter 3: Zeal Without Knowledge, by Hugh Nibley

Supposedly God was once a man in flesh and bone.  So at one time, a God had to create him. But then that God must have been a man at one time then right? Where did he come from? Another God who was once a man also? Somewhere along the line, there had to be a first God. One that wasnt a man ever.  I mean this cant be the Chicken or the egg thing here. There is just no way man has always been around and has no beginning. There is no way man became God first. Logically it had to be a God who was not a man and created the first man.  If that is true, and there was one God who was first among all and he created man, why would he then allow man to ascend to become a God like him? Why would he want others to be his equal? That doesnt seemt o fit with me either.  So there had to be a first God, and I cant see the first God deciding to let simple men that he created to become his equal. So only two possibilities seem to fit here.
1) There is still one True God above all others.
2) I saw someone post the idea that evolution actually did take place, and life forms evolved by accident and became the first men and one of them became the first God. But evolution doesnt fit either IMO, because it has never been observed for any non-living form to become a living form. Never have we observed any non-intelligent non-self aware life form to develop into an intelligent life form. And if evolution happened then where did the entire universe come from? The big bang theory is all but proven now, but they dont have any answer for where that first matter form that exploded or imploded or whatever came from. Science has proven one thing. All energy and matter changes from one form to another, but something cannot come from nothing. Not through science. So there had to be a God who created that first particle that created the big bang that evolved into a universe and developed life and became man for man to become Gods.
So basically, we are back to one initial God before all others.... who created man through evolution.... and let that man ascend to be his equal..... it just doesnt seem logical to me.
Can you see my problem with this?  I just cant seem to get it to add up.No matter how I try to look at it, logically it goes back to one God who had to be first and being of no beginning to him as he was always here.
Now one might say they dont believe there can be something that never had a beginning, but if you can believe in an eternity with no end, then cant you have an eternity with no beginning? But if you had a beginning, then logically dont you have to have an end too?  Again, it just doesnt seem to add up for me.

Welcome, Anonymous1101!
The short answer to your question is, "yes".
The slightly less-short answer is that while all violations of the LoC are problematic, they are not all equal in gravity.  A person who has a porn problem probably isn't going to see the same ecclesiastical discipline as an adulterer, for example.
But, they do all require priesthood-leader assistance to resolve.  And combining porn and masturbation creates and reinforces some neural pathways and associations that will be very, very hard to undo from an addiction/mental health standpoint; so the earlier you break those habits, the better off you'll be.

I would say that what impresses me the most about the LDS church is acceptance (by most) of truth even when it goes against traditional thinking.  I began to appreciate this notion studying math and physics in college and the discovery of the great divide between traditional Christianity and the scientific community.  Because I am a 5th generation Mormon – I encountered a lot of traditional kind of thinking by some LDS members but I also had personal relationships with a couple of “general” authorities as well as Hugh Nibley and a divinely inspired patriarchal blessing; all which encouraged me to personally pursue science as a divine spiritual gift and a promise that through the gift of the Holy Ghost I would have an advantage in my studies over others in my field without this divine gift.
I am also impressed in the general notion that when someone joins with us (new converts) in our LDS faith that they are encouraged to bring with them all the good and true things they have learned before they became a “covenant” member.  This expanding knowledge base and the idea that we LDS are not trying to live in some long past era but are constantly thinking to expand our understanding, knowledge and faith – both spiritually and scientifically. 
 
The filan notion I love and will point out about the church is a very different concept of G-d and the leadership within his kingdom.  All other organizations are based on the pyramid concept – that is with all the power, inspiration and guidance at the top that trickles down to the lessor beings at the bottom.  That the bottom exists to adore the top but to never ascend above their place.  Where as in the LDS Church the entire concept is turned upside down.  That the purpose and glory of G-d himself is to lift and inspire other to be like him.  And so, the entire effort of the LDS church is established to strengthen and maintain the family unit as the supreme goal and purpose of each individual.  Instead of heaven being the reward of good individuals – we learn that heaven is family – the turning of hearts of the fathers (and mothers) to children and vice versa.  That family is (or at least should be) heaven on earth.
 
The Traveler

You might see that in our healthy families section. The others sections would have more-sugar-than-substance debris. AND, don't even ask about what we find in the seniors section!

I’ve never experienced a Church as loving and truly caring as Christ’s Church.  Ever.  And that ISN’T putting down other religions that are loving as well.   Until I emerged from the font and was received as a member of Christ’s Church AND resolved myself to progress in faith I didn’t know the selfless binding of God’s children on Earth.  

After viewing a number of other sites ran by persons from other denomination I can emphatically say that I am so glad this site exists.  And while I don't want this discussion to turn into a bash fest of the short comings we have seen in others (for I know I have many of my own and we are called to deal with our own and let leadership call out failings in others), what I would like to hear are examples of what makes our church different.  Why is being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so special (with much respect to Prison Chaplin and others- who are fine examples of their faith).  Instead of using catch phrases like "the power and authority of the holy spirit" tell me what you have seen that reinforces that we are in the right place.
For me it has always been the love and openness that members seem to show, not for just each other, but for those from other denominations.  Speaking from my own experience, long before I even thought of becoming LDS it was the Church that was always there for me and my family.  When I needed someone to agree with me in prayer, or provide someone in the family with a blessing, or help when we were going through a hard time it was the Church that helped us.  If I got up and shared what was on my heart on Fast Sunday, no one said boo.  If I wanted to participate in EQ or Sunday School no one told me to shut up or that I was going to hell because I drew outside the lines.  If I showed up for a service project they were always glad for another set of hands.  There was never a time when I wasn't treated like an other brother in Christ.
Long before I ever read a verse from the Book of Mormon I had a testimony of the BOM because I saw the impact that it had on the lives of those who lived by the principals found inside it and all of our scripture.  That I could say with surety that my friends and neighbors who were LDS exemplified what we are told in Galatians 5:22-23 is proof of the fruits of the spirit.
I am so thankful for our Church, the impact that it has had on my life, and this website that helps people become more like Christ!

That's why I haven't been able to eat mac'n'cheese since I was a teenager.
This might be a site violation, but I defy you to tell me this isn't a sizable temptation: 

A question that might be asked is do boys really get turned on by seeing a girl’s shoulder?
As for myself a woman’s shoulder is no more alluring then her elbow.

Well, I'm also a work in progress.  We can hang out sometime perhaps.  I think almost all but those who have achieved perfection are works in progress.  I know there are some who feel like they have reached this point in our stake (and probably throughout the church) but I know I have not as of yet.  In fact I think I have a LOOONG way to go and a very short time to get there.  Not a race I'm going to win.  Thank goodness for the atonement.

I believe that the purpose of modesty (law of Chastity) is a preparation for the law of Marriage.   Not so much so that we can blame others but that we may see and understand our own covenants – despite what everybody else is doing.
 
The Traveler

Start wearing short skirts and spaghetti straps and we might
NOTE: for outside readers, I say this because Grunt is a guy... not because I have a distaste for people who are dressed immodestly.

I'm a 'work in progress'.  Thankfully nobody has kicked me out yet.

This sister is what we call ‘a work in progrss’. We are all in this category with respect to something! 

This discussion dramatically underscores the wisdom of Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 2 that those who have been spiritually enlightened by the Holy Ghost need to realize it’s utterly futile to try to persuade the natural man to believe in and come to an insightful spiritual understanding of the things of God. The things of God are totally beyond the comprehension of the natural man and it’s a waste of time and effort to even try to persuade him to think and believe in spiritual things that are beyond the scope of his eternally fixed and limited understanding.
So what can one do in order to help someone with an intractable natural man mindset to be transformed into a man who regularly receives the revelations of the Spirit of God? Tell him that after all is said and done it comes down to needing to establish a personal revelatory relationship with God. The spiritual side of his nature, as weak and underexercised as it might be, needs to come to realize that the spiritual aspect of his being must engage in diligent scripture study, followed by fervent petitions of prayer offered up with a broken heart and contrite spirit, with as much genuine faith and sincerity as he can muster, and that this is the only way to bring about authentic spiritual conversion. Until these things occur as a consequence of the petitioner being sincerely willing to at least temporarily put off the natural man, there will be no satisfactory resolution to discussions such as this one.
Those with living testimonies need to understand the natural man not only doesn’t want to be persuaded he is wrong but needs to be understand it’s everlastingly impossible to persuade the natural man to come to understand he is in the wrong. In addition, those who attempt to persuade those with natural man mindsets to believe in the things of the Spirit need to be aware of the fact that the natural man loves lines of argumentation based on human logic and reason, the reason being because he knows beforehand human logic and reason are powerless persuade him and will inevitably serve to only reconfirm, again and again, that he is right.The natural man cannot ever be persuaded to believe in the things of God; if one wants to believe, the only effective thing he can do is to put aside the mind of the natural man. 

Yeah... haha! I wish they would keep their feathers to themselves!!
A little modesty might make their relationships better...

Did I not make it clear that any man who has an entrenched natural man mindset also has a spiritual component to his being that can be spiritually enlightened, nourished and strengthened by coming directly to God in true humility for help in time of need? Like it or not, the natural man is an enemy to God and always will be, and for this reason there is no hope of ever beimg able to convert the sign-seeking, spiritually insensitive fallen nature..  The only way for anyone to be truly converted to the Lord is for that man to “put off” the natural man and with a fixed determination decide to not feed into the natural man’s cynical, spiritually unresponsive nature. 
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3)

She was at Church.  That's more than most of the world can say.  I'd rather have someone at church in a bikini than on the couch in a mumu.  

Well, some birds.  Mostly the female ones.  But a lot of the males are seriously immodest.  I mean, just look at these guys:

Ouch miss Zil. I guess I’ll have to not judge you about the expressos (when I really want to...) there’s bigger messes on our hands I think;)

Per D&C 93:30, it is true within that sphere. For example, within the sphere of the ten commandments to kill is a sin. Within the sphere of 1 Nephi 4, it is not. This is also consistent with D&C 88:36-38, "All kingdoms have a law given; And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified."
It also depends on what one means by absolute truth, and whether having faith in it is coupled with knowledge in (not of) it.

As a caveat, I implied relying on our 5 basic senses makes differentiating virtual reality from “reality” almost impossible.  However, I would purport that sensory information is never pure knowledge even when it is an integral part of knowledge.  We are told that spiritually sensing will result in knowledge.  It is at the spiritual level that deception and knowledge actually occurs.  But we are conversing at a sensory level so it is impossible for me to prove this to you – though you can prove it to yourself.  I have also discovered that I can “spiritually connect” but such a connection is most difficult to maintain as a fallen mortal being.   Thus, I believe that to associate with truth in this life – we must seek to repeat spiritual connections – almost to the point of scheduled ritual.
As a cyclist, Krispy Cream donuts are not much of a temptation for me just because of what they cause on ride.  This, in a small part, corresponds with a teaching of Christ, “If you continue in my word you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.   The point I am making is that it is not impossible to know if G-d is lying – but not at the sensory level of understanding.
For your information, I write G-d for two reasons – The first is to show respect for those I have met in my travels that hold such respect, can – without infringing of their covenants copy anything I write and show it to whomever they want.  The second reasons is to be a constant reminder to me – while on the internet – that my words reach far beyond the sphere that I may even intend and that therefore I should be a little more careful what and how I respond.  Unfortunately, there are time it is not enough.
 
The Traveler

There is what we call Absolute Truth, which is what defines God. To wonder if God lies or tells the truth is counterproductive to the infantile human mind. To make this concept even more simplistic, let's look at some facts that bring the question of wether or not God lies, to rest: 
President Kimball said: 
So, the key to understanding is to listen and understand those silent truths President Kimball is talking about. Now, what are those silent truths? Let's explore a few:
In a talk given by President Kimball, he elaborates on the difference between relative truth and absolute truth. It's amazing and I hope you take some time to ponder it's content. I have reread it at least a dozen times and still learn something new. 
I love this quote from such talk: click here for the quote
So, relatively speaking of truth, thats what you're experiencing right now. Regardless of wether or not you think God may or may not lie, is absolute relative to the absolute truth which is he DOESN'T.  He has said and done many things that are constant and does not deviate from what he says. Never has, never will. Otherwise he woukd ceased to be God and remember that those are the traits of someone telling the truth. 
In Mathew 7:15 - 20 we read:
So, why would God expect his servants to be truthful and not expect that of himself? It just didn't add up. So, from a logical point of view we can conclude that He Doesn't lie and will NEVER lie. It's just not his His nature and expects us to learn from him so that one day, we too may be in truth AND in spirit. 
Hope that helps clear that up a bit.
 
Regards, 
@Xavier
 
P.S. not sure why I couldn't attach the links but here they are:
"Absolute truth":
 https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/spencer-w-kimball_absolute-truth/
"by their fruits ya shall know them":
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/10/by-their-fruits-ye-shall-know-them?lang=eng