scottyg

There are many fingers to point, and there are multiple sides of the argument, some of which I can see as religious. However, when it comes right down to it, they are the ones who signed their names on the dotted line, and agreed to pay those loans back. So they should.

I think about doing it more and more each day.

Sadly, the pressures of the world mob are intense for the youth, and all those without a firm foundation. Too many think that truth is relative rather than concrete - subjective rather than objective. I gave a lesson on truth to our youth on our last 5th Sunday. Some if them didn't seem to believe me when I told them the basics...like how the commandments apply to everyone. No one gets a pass because they may feel commandments or laws are "unfair" or "oppressive". For reasons unknown to me, the adversary's message is seductive to them. He makes his foul patterns seem more loving and inclusive while painting God's as hateful and exclusive.

Every one K-5, and about 3/4 of middle and high.

Context is key. That scripture was specific to those people at that time. It does not apply to us...because it was not about us. We are now in the last dispensation, and the work will continue to move forward until the end. Yes, our wickedness could at times slow progress, but it will not stop the church this time.

Yep, sure do. One difference though is that the church is led by the Lord. Our country is not. Pres. Monson had his duties scaled back, and no major church policy decision/change was made when he was unable to sign off on them, even though many had been started by him beforehand. They were held off until a new prophet was put in his place to give a final approval.

Any MD evaluation should include what is called a Review Of Systems, or ROS, in the medical record - a brief summary of a person's overall health status. A person's cognitive ability and/or mental health should be addressed in the Neurologic or Psychiatric sections of the exam. Even a specialist that does not practice in other areas should at least have a notation about what other types of health issues are going on. Maybe Biden does have dementia setting in, or maybe he doesn't...I have not read the report, nor ever interacted with him. But, if the mental health of the commander in chief was not listed or stated in said report, that is concerning. If he is fine, then why not say so?

The past few years we have seen some examples of very poor judges (one wonders how they are still employed as such). We have also seen some great ones, and this is an example of the latter. Judges cannot mince words, and must not treat snowflakes as such. The words rang true, and were honest, not punitive. I believe the overall sentencing was also fair; not too harsh, and not too lenient.

Nope, not joking...she is definitely worse than Barack Obama. (...that was a joke)

An embarrasing lack of maturity and basic soft skills. I do not know of any president or vp in our country's history who has demonstrated their utter lack of knowledge and awareness like she has. She is truly clueless about how to properly conduct herself on the national and world stage with regards to common decorum. Unprepared and lazy. Her answers to questions are word salad, and her demeanor is that of a young girl in middle school.

So sorry you feel that way. For me, the differentiation is quite clear.

In certain areas yes. All sorts of things are discovered with more time. Almost every day new discoveries are made...a potentially big one just a few days ago regarding heart disease and diabetes. However, I have found that the latest best guess of the scientists is never as good as the the word of the Lord. He is the one that knows, and can lead anyone to, the truth.

That's fine, I'm really not a debater myself. I sometimes enjoyed it on my mission, but found it never gets anyone anywhere. What I am though is a registered nurse that works for a health insurance company, and I am well versed in the APA and the DSM, WHO positions, multiple peer reviewed journals, etc... It is my job to review them to give guidance on what the company should and should not cover based off of medical facts and proven treatments...not opinions. The WHO and other associations are made up of people, and they, just like everyone else have opinions. I have no desire to, as you say, penetrate their bureaucracies...that has unfortunately been done already. Unfortunately, they have already been infiltrated with those who harbor an agenda or who desire influence and/or money. It is not a conspiracy theory; you just have to look at how they make decisions nowadays...their processes and standards in multiple areas have changed due to inward and outward pressures. They follow the crowd, not the true process of medical research. Just so you know, the literature they use to justify changing their positions and definitions are nothing more than opinion pieces. There is no real physiological data. No legitimate study that proves anything. None. Zero. And yet these agencies will run wild with the latest "theories" of the day as if they had been shown to a law. They will find one random genetic marker (that really has nothing to do with gender) and spin a fairy tale so convincing it would make the Brothers Grimm jealous. However, it is just that, a fairy tale; false personal opinions of those in the situation that follow what those funding the study want to hear. Their so called "studies" are so poor it is laughable anyone would even publish them...yet they do to further their agendas, and those who don't know any better believe all of the lies prostituted to them without giving it any critical thought themselves...because it's the easy way out. Those who are gaining prominence in the fields of mental health are the very ones with mental health issues, and they are too darn prideful, lazy, and/or mentally weak to admit it. So, they do all they can to fill their "studies" with the words, maybe, possibly, and suggests to make it seem like they actually have a basis for what they are talking about. They seek for validation rather than truth, and will do or say anything to get others to join their cause to mask their pain. Great evils are being spread throughout the world disguised as "love", equality, and acceptance. It seems odd (and concerning) to me that you would continue to push a narrative based off of, nothing really. You continue to say that you don't necessarily believe that what the Prophets and Apostles of our day teach is in line with that the Lord thinks. To be blunt, that is absurd, and very shaky ground to be standing on as a member of the Lord's church. You cannot sustain the Prophet while openly saying you do not believe his words. I will say no more on the subject, but I implore you to please follow the living Prophet. TImes worse than this are coming, and the Prophet will not lead you astray...the Lord would not allow it. Do not get swept up by the beat of babylon's drum, as it is surrounded with flaxen cords meant to stop your progression to the Lord. The so called "love" and acceptance that is popular in the world today will not bring you closer to Him. It is possible to love people without accepting and supporting their decisions. Wrong is wrong no matter how many people say it's right. "Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated but need to be seen; yet seen to oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace." Alexander Pope's essay on man - often quoted by Thomas S Monson

Such as?

Could be Mimetic Desire, which eventually turns into a hedonic treadmill. Or, it could be just plain ol covetousness.

Also, for what it's worth, going back to part of the original post about employment, this was just posted not long ago about changing careers. Ken Coleman who is next to Dave Ramsey in this video has a great youtube channel with all kinds of career advice. If you hate your job, I recommend you move. I cannot remember a time when the job market was this favorable to the employee in my lifetime. I know you said "time & energy to apply is really in short supply", but it sounds like most of your time and energy is being sapped away not from church, but from a job that you hate. Again, I've been there, and following the spiritual prompting to change careers is one of the best decisions I have ever made...top 3 in my life. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, but sometimes it is, and you never know unless you look. I recommend you pray with an open heart and mind (perhaps you already have) and not let the fear of the unknown stop you from taking the next step in your life. Much of the time, that fear is based on nothing but our false perceptions.

Maybe He intended for their bodies to be that way so that they could learn something only possible through experience. Or, perhaps God had nothing to do with it, and their bodies just didn't develop properly. Chance and randomness do exist in this world. Yes, God can control anything. But, if He did control everything, then true agency could not exist. If the body of a person did not develop properly in utero, whether it is genitalia, limbs, brain, muscles, etc..., then that would be a difficult trial indeed. What we do know is that there are no transgender spirits. Male and Female exist, and that's it. If a person's body does not accurately reflect that while in this mortal probation, I cannot imagine how hard that would be. The number of true transgender individuals (meaning their body was born with both male and female characteristics/genetics, and their parents/doctors chose the incorrect one) is very, very, very small. I do believe the majority are just mentally ill, and they will be in for a rude awakening when their resurrected body does not display what they have been told it was for much of their life. Thankfully I do not have to judge anyone...that is up to the Lord. Only He and they truly know. As a side note, if any church policy regarding transgender persons is applied to their detriment, I believe God will eventually make it right. Again, perhaps they (a very small number) needed to learn or experience something while here. This life is just a blip on the radar when compared to eternity.

Yup. Although I wouldn't have placed at the olympics, if in High School I had said "I identify as a female", and ran against the girls, I would have been a state champion in every, single, race, and every, jumping, event. Maybe even some of the throwing events if I had learned good technique.

This is normal everywhere. Setting personal goals is the main part of the new youth program of the church that has been in place for over 2 years now. Primary age kids and the youth each have different booklets to help them set goals and find ways to grow. Rather than have leaders tell kids what they will be doing each week/month (like what we used to do with scouting) it is now up to the kids to determine their own ways in which they would like to personally grow, and to choose weekly activities if they want that will align with their personal goals. Leaders may still direct more of the activity days age kids, but once you are in the YM/YW program, it should be fully youth directed/led. Your leaders could be pushing this method on the adults because there may be many others who need to hear this direction. If you don't then that's fine. I don't accept every goal that is "given" to me by others...it's no big deal. I don't really know why you are allowing yourself to get so worked up over this. Just go to church to partake of the sacrament and recommit yourself to the Lord. Everything else that takes place in the church is meant to support you in keeping your covenants. If something doesn't help you, then don't participate in it.

My times in high school would have been fast enough to qualify. Based on those times between the 100, 200, and 400 meters I would have placed in the bottom half of the various races. No medal for me...but I would still be running among the worlds best.

My neighbor who is a counselor in the Stake Presidency had the same type of job situation that you describe. He was visibly worn down. About 6-7 weeks ago he abruptly quit his job, and just started working again last week. The first Sunday I saw him after he quit I noticed that something was different about him...and realized that he was smiling. I hadn't seen him happy in who knows how long, and he looked like a completely new person, even though he was unemployed. I don't know specific details other than what you have shared, but rather than find shelter from the storm, perhaps you need to move yourself somewhere where no storm is present for a time. My last job change 5 years ago came with a pay cut, but improved my life in every other way by leaps and bounds. The Lord is aware of you and your situation, and will reach out from time to time to bouy you up as you wait upon Him.

I have never felt "in over my head" with regards to a calling, nor have I ever turned one down...and I never plan to. Though it may be difficult, it always works out. When I went through the temple for myself I made a promise (amongst other things) that I would give of myself, my time, my talents, etc... So, in my mind, I have already agreed to accept any calling that will be extended to me. In our ward however, I have had 3 people turn down callings in January alone. The number of people saying no has greatly increased over the past 2 years or so, and the biggest excuse I hear is a lack of time. People are too easily distracted nowadays, and fill their lives with so many unnecessary "obligations". Even simple callings like a primary teacher are becoming hard to fill...and that is something that I would love to do. It is quite discouraging to many ward and stake leaders to ponder and pray about callings for weeks on end before you get your answer...only to have the person refuse it. It is disappointing to know those people truly were called by the Lord, but instead choose to miss out on something important for their lives. "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies" Thomas S. Monson

Truth is truth. It is not divisible and no part of it can be set aside. It does not change from person to person...wrong is never right. God will never lead His children to sin...it is against His nature, work, and glory. Blacks not holding the priesthood for a few years was a church policy. Marriage is an eternal principle; one defined by God Himself as the legal and lawful union of a man and a woman. He does not change eternal principles to fit the narratives of the vain Caesars of the day. Gay marriage is in fact a misnomer...it isn't possible. Homosexuality is wrong - a sin meant to disrupt progression and mock our divine nature. The practice is sin and will never, ever, be acceptable before the Lord. I'm sorry you doubt such things, and that your testimony is lacking. By the way you speak the chances seem high that you, or someone close to you, personally struggles with this. However, there are no loopholes to be found. Any hope for some new church guidance or what you think of as "revelation" that lessens or removes the sinful nature from this act is misplaced. The beliefs that you currently hold about these issues are wrong, and always will be. For many, that is the harsh reality that needs to be said more often. Sin is sin, and never leads one back to God. I hope the tone of my response is not read as one of anger, because it is not meant that way. I wish you well in your search for actual truth moving forward.

During our time on earth...yes. He tolerates all number of sins so that we may have time to repent. Personally in His presence...no. No unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God. This thread, and another one currently active, have amazed me more than once. The seeking for loopholes to justify immoral behavior must stop. The apologetics for sin in the church must stop. As is the case with other sins, there will be no homosexual relations in the Celestial Kingdom of God, period. Gays, just like everyone else, must learn to bridle their passions and overcome their temptations. We do not give sins an exception just because there may be emotional ties to them. I am all for learning how to better understand and empathize with others, and know the issue is painfully difficult for those involved, but at the end of the day the practice is sin. It is not, and never will be acceptable in the eyes of God.

Even the Deseret News has changed somewhat over the last 2 years or so. The prophets words about having the Holy Ghost with us to seek truth, and not getting all of our information from media become a bit by bit truer day by day.