scottyg

What I think is best is them actually wearing their best. No, I have not been given that calling, and I don't know if it is their best or not, but they do.

I would hope not. I would hope that someone who is going to partake of the sacrament would have the understanding of what that ordinance really is...what is represents; and have the desire to show reverence for it by doing something as simple as dressing their best. If all one has to wear is jeans and a polo then that is just fine. But if one has nicer clothes and knowingly chooses to dress less respectfully time and time again, then it is likely that they are completely ignorant, or showing signs of rebellion...and that's just sad, as are your comments about the prophet. I hope you can get over whatever issues you are currently facing with the church, because your current mindset is one that has already led many away from the Lord.

Look, regardless of the timeline of the seals, and whether or not they line up with the major dispensations, I reaffirm that church leaders have taught that the 7 heads of the 7 major dispensations are Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith. So yes, end of story.

Under this model, we should be looking for hundreds of major dispensational heads because large groups of people fall away throughout the history of the gospel. I'm sure the reader can come up with several examples under Moses, Isaiah, Elijah, Alma, Nephi (son of Nephi), Joseph Smith, and Heber J. Grant. My definition of a dispensation and apostasy comes straight from the church...both their website and printed materials such as institute manuals and Preach my Gospel. Can there be smaller instances of apostasy all the time...sure, but there are also larger/more widespread ones. There are 7 major dispensations associated with the opening of the seven seals in the book of revelation. Church leaders have also taught multiple times that the 7 heads of those dispensations are Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith. End of story really.

This is in fact how is has always supposed to have been handled. Because members of the church understand the priesthood and respect those in authority, many LDS people fall into this trap/belief that the Bishop is in charge of everything that takes place within the ward boundaries, and needs to have the final say on everything. They are good people, but just expect to be led about too often. The Bishop does not direct your life. Can this issue be a church issue...yes. However, it is also a legal one. Outside of the church this wouldn't even be a question - people hear about abuse, they notify the police. Unless you really have no idea what to do, there is no reason one should go to the Bishop first with news of abuse, let alone expect him to do something about it, or give you direction. Adults need to be adults and think for themselves. Law enforcement first, then notify local clergy leaders to help rally support for the victim and the aggrieved as appropriate.

Agreed. I hate how the world trashes a man if he leaves his wife and ruins his family for another woman, but if he comes out as gay and leaves her for another man he is hailed as a brave hero.

I know the church has issued statements before saying that she does not speak for the church, and her opinions are her own. I have not looked into her writings in depth, but since she has been excommunicated from the church I highly doubt they hold much weight. Perhaps they do, and she was possibly excommunicated for other reasons. Regardless, I steer clear of any kind of doctrinal or philosophical teachings outside of the scriptures and the latter-day prophets.

I like how they used the term "competent physician". And it must be taken as prescribed. After more research it could very well be found to do more harm than good, and be advised against in the future.

I agree, it's just important to not put all of your eggs in one basket...to not rely fully on the stock market for retirement. You never know when large up's or down's may occur...or when a company may go bankrupt and the value of your shares go kaput.

I hate that Green Goodness has Green Tea in it...saw that 15 years ago. Been drinking Odwalla and Naked ever since. .

Good question. I see that a lot as well, especially this week with the New Era publishing articles about the body and the Word of Wisdom. Many people try to skirt around true doctrine to serve their own purposes. "rules shouldn't be black and white, oh they don't really mean it like that, but I have special circumstances, but what about this?, etc..." My answer would be to trust the living prophet, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost...they will both lead you right. One question I would want to ask him is something about the Celestial Kingdom/eternal life. Christ has said that the path is narrow, and "few there be that find it". Does that pertain to the kingdom in general, or only the Highest Degree?

Very sad if true, but it does sound a little fishy. For starters, how would Markopolos, a man working for several unnamed hedge funds, have access to GE's internal financial data? Regardless of the outcome, this is one reason why the stock market is a gamble, and it would be best for everyone to become self-sufficient now and in the future to help mitigate fallout from corruption.

The church states that "A dispensation of the gospel is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys,..." I see no reason why Enoch being a patriarch and a "father" of a dispensation has to coincide with the beginning of it. Apostasy doesn't have to begin with the death of a patriarch...the first dispensation could have ended and the second dispensation could have very well began while Adam was still alive. With Noah, apostasy began many years before the flood, but he was still alive. Where is it said that they have to coincide perfectly with the prophet's lifespan? Do you think satan would abide by that? He tempts mankind all the time, and when large groups of people fall away from the teachings of God, they are in a state of apostasy. Who cares if Adam was still alive...why couldn't Enoch be called the father of the second dispensation during his lifetime? People obviously stopped listening to Adam, their father and patriarch, and fell away. A new dispensation arose around the time when Enoch began his ministry. It has nothing to do with both of them being alive at the same time, and one having less authority than another...they were both prophets. The Bible suggests at least one dispensation is identified with Adam, another with Enoch, another with Noah, and so on with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ in the meridian of time. It is possible that Christ himself may not have opened his own dispensation...that was arguably done by John the Baptist in preparing the way for the Messiah. Although the Bible contains some information pertaining to the ancient prophets and patriarchs, we all know it is incomplete and missing thousands of years worth of information. Regardless, church leaders have repeatedly said that Enoch is, so...end of discussion really.

What do you mean? Adam led the first dispensation, apostasy arose, then Encoh led the second. Makes sense to me.

Absolutely! The missionaries would be tickled pink if you contacted them. Their main goal isn't to baptize people per se, but to help others become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ...two different things. Baptism is a part of it, but contacting them now to be taught and learn more while you and your boyfriend progress would be great. The same can be said for the Bishop of your ward...I'm sure he is overjoyed to have you at church, and you will always be welcome there. That being said, how long is "quite a while"? When you do get married, make sure you get baptized and join the church for the right reasons. The missionaries and Bishop will tell you this as well, but your main focus needs to be on having faith in Jesus Christ. It, like marriage, is a commitment meant to last.

With regards to "spiritual genetics", I think this month's New Era magazine explains what I was trying to get across very well. The link is below. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2019/08/your-physical-and-spiritual-dna?lang=eng The entire magazine is a very good read...probably one of the best New Era's I have ever read actually; full of plain and simple truths. It is clear and concise, and kids like that.

I'm sure you jest a bit about Chick-fil-A, but seeing a GA twice in your youth is 2 more than I ever did. I have grown up and lived in Utah most of my life, and I never met or saw a GA as a youth. The only times I have seen an Apostle were at the MTC when Elder Scott came to speak (I was way back in the nosebleed section) and 2 years ago when Elder Christofferson spoke at a multi-stake training in the Ogden Tabernacle. (again, 3rd row from the back) I have never been to General Conference. I do work alongside the church now, and frequently see members of the Seventy around Temple Square, especially at conference time, and have talked to a few on occasion. I actually interviewed with one for a job last year. Never an apostle though. I admit that I would want my kids to see him too...it isn't the kind of thing that happens every day around here.

I serve in the bishopric, and there will be times when he will get a phone call, go dress in his Sunday best, and head out the door to help minister to ward members in need. There will be times when he will come from meetings feeling exhausted and looking depressed. Best not to ask too many questions about details as everything discussed and done as a bishopric is done in complete confidence. Prayers, smiles, hugs, and back scratches go a long way.

"If" that is all that happened then no, no problem. The Law of Chastity revolves around sexual relations. What if they were watching a movie and fell asleep on the couch? No problem, as sleeping is not the problem...the problem is physical interactions that are meant to be reserved between a husband and a wife, and placing ourselves in compromising situations that can lead to trouble. The use of the word "sleeping" in our culture has more than 1 meaning. Just sleeping (as in Zzzz) - not a problem. Sharing a tent while unmarried - definitely a bad idea. They should set better boundaries in the future and stick to them.

snow·flake /ˈsnōˌflāk/ noun noun: snowflake; plural noun: snowflakes; noun: special snowflake; plural noun: special snowflakes an overly sensitive or easily offended person, or one who believes they are entitled to special treatment on account of their supposedly unique characteristics. (the above video is Exhibit A)

I can believe it easily. There is no genetic test that exists, or genetics study ever done that shows a person is born homosexual, or has developed true homosexual desires during their maturation process based off of genes. You cannot see or predict a person's sexual preferences based off of genetics...you only see male and female. Anyone who says otherwise is cherry picking data to fit their narrative. The "gay gene" has been debunked many times. What is "natural" is heterosexual relations period; homosexual desires are learned. People who say they were "born this way" have no foundation to stand on except their word only. I agree that we must fight off the natural man, but the phrase natural man does not mean that every sin is a natural tendency. If that were the case then everyone would be fighting off homosexual desires. The natural man is one who remains in his fallen condition; one who has not yet experienced the spiritual rebirth Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus. The natural man is a person who chooses to be influenced by appetites, desires, and passions rather than the promptings of the Holy Ghost. As far as genetics go, (spiritually speaking) it could be argued that all of our natural tendencies are to do good, and that all evil is a learned behavior of the flesh...we are children of God after all.

Well, it all depends on what state you are in and what you call those clumps of cells. If they are termed a "fetus" for example, and you live in new york then there is no problem at all. (we all feel that way at times with regards to our little clumps of cells...mine were a terror in Sacrament meeting yesterday)

Seriously??? Simply not true. Why would you say something like that? This is exhibit A of what "Trump derangement syndrome'" looks like. That is a terrible thing to say, and I'm sorry you feel that way.

One more quote from the April 2006 General Conference. (my favorite conference) I recommend reading both talks from Elder Bednar and Elder Stone. "My involvement with the building of the Manhattan temple gave me the opportunity to be in the temple quite often prior to the dedication. It was wonderful to sit in the celestial room and be there in perfect silence, without a single sound to be heard coming from the busy New York streets outside. How was it possible that the temple could be so reverently silent when the hustle and bustle of the metropolis was just a few yards away? The answer was in the construction of the temple. The temple was built within the walls of an existing building, and the inner walls of the temple were connected to the outer walls at only a very few junction points. That is how the temple (Zion) limited the effects of Babylon, or the world outside. There may be a lesson here for us. We can create the real Zion among us by limiting the extent to which Babylon will influence our lives" "We do not need to adopt the standards, the mores, and the morals of Babylon. We can create Zion in the midst of Babylon. We can have our own standards for music and literature and dance and film and language. We can have our own standards for dress and deportment, for politeness and respect. We can live in accordance with the Lord’s moral laws. We can limit how much of Babylon we allow into our homes by the media of communication. We can live as a Zion people, if we wish to. Will it be hard? Of course it will, for the waves of Babylonian culture crash incessantly against our shores. Will it take courage? Of course it will." Elder David R. Stone