scottyg

John Taylor quoted Joseph Smith regarding this topic... "You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God... God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial kingdom of God" "Well, some of the Twelve could not stand it. They faltered and fell by the way. It was not everybody that could stand what Abraham stood. And Joseph said that if God had known any other way whereby he could have touched Abraham's feelings more acutely and more keenly He would have done so." Some of the beginning verses in D&C 101 also say that very thing.

The book is filth. It was not written to actually help anyone, but to create angst and foster division. The author will hide behind the guise of "love", "compassion", "tolerance", and "understanding". If this person is a member of the church, they likely won't be for much longer. Publishing a book talking about theology that differs from that of the church is an excellent way to be shown the door...they are practically daring the church to oust them. It is nothing but foul lies meant to further hurt those who are already struggling. Some of the BS in there is dangerous, and will canker our impressionable youth and members more than any disease ever could. There is no such thing as a "non-binary spirit", period. Those who openly teach such lies would not be allowed anywhere near my children, and I would have zero problem openly rebuking them in front of other ward members for doing so in a classroom setting. Everyone should stick to the scriptures and words of modern day prophets who have already given much wise counsel regarding those who deal with same sex attraction.

All of Doctrine and Covenants section 63 is excellent, and worth another read, but many saints need to understand and accept verses 25 and 26 in greater abundance. "Behold, the land of Zion—I, the Lord, hold it in mine own hands; Nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s." Administrative policies the church makes should not have any effect on testimony. This girl and her family obviously have an axe to grind. Have they prayed and asked the Lord what couse of action He thinks they should take...methinks not. He would not have them criticize one of His universities via national media. Church leaders are in very difficult positions with regards to all sorts of things, and it only gets harder as the church continues to fill various countries worldwide. The sifting continues.

Fauci is not god. He is a man with an opinion on matters. Maybe he is honest...maybe he is corrupt. Fact is, he is no more intelligent than any other physician with experience in infectious disease. He does not have access to information that is also not available to the medical community at large. Regarding other studies, those who look at data and interpret it cannot possibly see every variable taking place. There is no standard of practice for any of this, period. Bias exists with covid data, treatment, and news, for better or worse, on both sides...and the high amount of money at stake only compounds the desire for control and power among those with widespread influence. Folks need to stop cherry picking information to justify their actions to themselves and others. In reality, they themselves are lost and truly don't know what they are doing or talking about, and may be leading others astray at the same time. Find out what God wants you to do, act on it, and don't start looking over your shoulder uncertain of yourself because others are mocking you. So many things, including people in prominent positions, that may not seem to have anything to do with or against the church or the Lord's work actually might under the surface. The adversary can use any form of contention, greed, or fear to his advantage. "If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation." Russell M. Nelson, Apr 2018 General Conference

With regards to prayer, the main purpose is to align our will with that of the Lord. We should not enter into prayer assuming we can convince Him of doing what we ask. Exercising the priesthood is no different. When it comes to this kind of blessing, I would classify it as one of counsel and/or comfort. It is always best to follow the promptings of the spirit, and not presume that anyone can command or control the life of another. The spirit will let us know the words that need to be said. Life, and death, is ultimately up to God.

We can google. Perhaps I should have unjumbled my thoughts a bit better...it made sense in my head. The member in question wanted to donate in kind through the local ward/unit...hence my suspicion (again, possibly wrong) that he just wanted to be perceived as different or better than others. He wanted those in leadership positions to know about him and how well he was doing. If you make your donation directly to the church, then sure, you can use the method you referenced, and it is completely anonymous. Although anyone can do it, the church discourages paying tithing or other donations in kind. If it goes through the ward/stake level though, you need area and/or headquarters approval...most likely for the protection of those local leaders.

Yep, it still exists. We had a brother desire to do this about 2-3 years ago. Bishop asked SP, SP asked area authority, and they said no. The member was just an average joe, and really had no legitimate reason to do it in that fashion. (he is the type who likes to stand out, and methinks he just wanted to be seen as "cool" or different, but I really don't know) It really is the exception to the rule for the uber rich whose wealth is tied up and/or those who actually cannot make a traditional donation.

Our ward is one with many elderly...we still get a good amount of envelopes. We also have one brother that doesn't use technology as it allows others to spy on him. (no joke) It's great that they are so dilligent...but youth night is a pet peeve of mine. I always have to leave my boys and run to the clerk's office to lock it up because I don't have a suit coat pocket to put it in. 😩 Full disclosure: my kids are some of those penny donating envelope using monsters who need to get with the times. 😉

Correct. Such direction was given, and unfortunately, ignored in the past, Many of the early saints suffered much for it.

Yep. Something terrible would have to happen there to drive out the hundreds of thousands of current residents in the greater Independence area. I personally think much of it will be from man made evils...not just "natural disasters".

What is interesting is that if one doesn't do their exercise / therapy after surgery (or repentance), their chances of success are very slim. In many cases people can end up in a worse position than they were in to begin with. Orthopedics, Bariatric surgery, Cardiac Surgery, etc... Surgery won't truly "fix" anything if we do not also change the lifestyle that led to the problem and/or abide the prescribed therapy. In reality, you can only have surgery on a part of the body so many times. Repentance, having faith, and keeping the commandments is the same thing - our testimonies must always be nurtured. The basic things we teach in Primary are taught because they provide the best long-term growth and true foundation. Prayer, scripture study, and serving others are just some of the small things that bring true, lasting conversion. One of the most hidden secrets of the gospel (hidden because people choose not to see it) is that the big things are actually the small things.

I'm a nurse (spent around 2 years in the OR) so I have seen it at work also. My ward sounds the same as well. This month I have assigned Sacrament meeting speakers the basics - faith and repentance - in hopes that it will get a few lost folks back on the right track. So many people are struggling with basic faith in God right now, which I do not understand. One man has been dealing with a particular sin for over 35 years, and he never changes. He meets with every new Bishop every few years or so hoping to hear something different. He just expects some grand thing to change him, when all he really needs to do is "wash in the river 7 times". Enduring to the end is not easy for the masses...it takes work, faith, and patience. Our oil lamps are filled drop by drop, not by a gush. Each drop is difficult to notice on it's own, but they do add up. Sadly, even if some have the necessary faith, they do not desire to put forth the needed effort. And, even if they do, their supposed faith is weakened when the desired blessing is not bestowed immediately after doing 1 or 2 good things. Waiting on the Lord is near impossible for some folks with today's "have it now" mentality.

Yes, you should always have one current. Yes, they have always been lazy as well as disinterested. Covid increased the numbers a bit, but people are lazy with all kinds of things both in and out of church. I can't tell you how many requests for interviews I have had from people who have had theirs expired for some time...and only need it to attend a wedding they have the following day. They usually call me last minute as I am eating dinner with my family, or even the morning of the temple event as I am starting work. A sad truth is that many people don't ever attend the temple on their own. They only go to family fuctions to save face and look like they are good card carrying members to their family members. Our bishop used to allow people to renew their recommends even if they never attended church. This is no longer the case since the questions have been revised. We also have many folks who just don't keep the commandments. An example is tithing...lots just choose not to pay it. Even a former bishop of our ward around 11-12 years ago is currently in this category. We have not been able to increase our numbers despite multiple requests.

Although a bit off topic, this is one reason why a separation (paradise/prison) and missionary work is needed in the spirit world. Just because people die, and are taught the truth on the other side of the veil, doesn't mean that they will automatically accept it and all will be fine and dandy. Folks will still think and behave in pretty much the same manner there as they do here. "Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." Even if the Lord appeared to us right now, and we knew exactly who He was, we would not have a desire to repent or change without having faith in Him. Repentance comes of faith, otherwise it is of no effect/not genuine.

Faith should eventually lead to perfect knowledge in something...whether the results are good or bad. However, in terms of spiritual things, once that knowledge is obtained the need for faith still exists...it does not just disappear or become irrelevant. Example 1: in the premortal existence, all knew that our Heavenly Father was God, and that His plan centered around a Savior. Amongst other reasons, undoubtedly there were some who (even though they had knowledge) lacked the faith to accept the plan laid out before them. They knowingly chose another voice over the Father's, many likely due to having little faith in Him, or the Christ that would come. Knowledge alone did them no good. Example 2: I, and many others, know that keeping the law of tithing brings blessings, but it still takes faith to keep this commandment throughout our lives. Even though we may pay it due to our knowledge, we are still exercising faith. Losing faith will eventually allow the natural man to take over, and a myriad of reasons (excuses) not to keep it, or any other commandment, will overpower your past knowledge. Once we enter in at the gate, all is not done. Enduring to the end requires faith. Contrary to what many believe, knowledge is not permanent - it can be lost when you do not use it. Spiritual knowledge usually becomes lost when faith is lost.

Alma's remarks that you mentioned answer this question. If you have tested your faith by planting a seed, and it grows and bears fruit, then you have faith no longer...for you now know it was a good seed. There is no way you can doubt it when you are eating the good fruit. The Lord has also said that a good fountain cannot bring forth bitter water. Sight can bring perfect knowledge, and it can enhance faith, but, it does not guarantee faith...Laman, Lemuel, Judas, and the 3 book of Mormon witnesses are examples of this. I have never seen an oxygen atom, but I have studied about it from books and those who have worked with it. I am also a recipient of it's benefits every day. I know it is a real element despite never having seen it. I have never seen God in the flesh, but, a combination of many things (blessings that have come from keeping commandments, spiritual testimony of the Holy Ghost, fulfilled scripture and other prophecies, multiple series of crazy events that I'll just call "too much to be coincidences", answered prayers, miraculous priesthood blessings, etc...) lets me know there is a God.

I think of the scripture in Psalms that says "who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord...he that hath clean hands and a pure heart." Obeying could be having clean hands - simply doing the right thing. Minding could be related to having a pure heart / pure thoughts; actually having a desire to do good and not just going through the motions.

This is a good point I had not thought of. Many who are older wanted to set some kind of an example for their children and grandchildren to follow.

Agree 100%. Unfortunately it is the other way around. Government will continue to get more involved, the waters will become even more murky, and the definition of marriage will be soiled further. One day, He whose earth this is, will return and govern it properly.

Nope. Some folks just wanted to get married in a sacred place, but had no intent of being sealed to someone other than their original spouse. It always seemed odd to me that time only marriages would happen there when the concept doesn't align with the whole purpose of temples, but I never really gave it much concern. Given the way the world is going, I do think this is one more step the church is proactively taking to try and safeguard marriage, and to prevent our church from having to participate in unions we do not agree with. Sadly, I also believe there will be no marriages performed in temples in the coming years.

Agree 100%. What I meant to say was that if I, or another straight white male, who takes issue with this were to speak up they would just dismiss us...so it should be women doing it in this case as they are the affected party. I could have phrased that better.

Ultimately, the women should speak with their feet and leave if they have concerns that are not being addressed...easier said than done much of the time I know. Women who actually care about women's rights need to make their voices louder. There is a 0% chance a university is going to listen to a straight white male in today's world. It should be common sense for women to have a secure place to use the restroom and bathe themselves. Sadly, in the future there will not be a choice in most places. The BYU Pathways program, and the ramping up of many online programs, is inspired. It will be of great worth in the future to many who, for a variety of reasons, will not or cannot attend a traditional brick and mortar school and the many "idiosyncrasies" that are developing there.

He does not get to decide. He is not a she. Period. End of discussion. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. If it is essential, then it is essential - such things are not messed up by God. If someone feels that they are the wrong gender, then that really sucks, and must he tremendously difficult...but they are wrong, and I for one refuse to feed or enable their misconstrued thinking. You do not have to submit to a person's every request to show Christlike love. Christ Himself would not call Fred by the name Laverne. He would tell Fred what he is doing wrong, and encourage him to change.

I'm a nurse, and worked in LTC for a few years. Our management (like most I'm sure) would go absolutely bonkers when survey time came and you guys walked into the building. Nurses never got stressed out over you guys being there...we were always too busy to worry about it. It was our managers that always made us nervous from being on edge and paranoid the whole time.

However things play out, the day will come when the majority of the world will be seeking Israel's destruction, and America will likely be among the number.