scottyg

Agreed. Next time you go to the temple call ahead if you can and see if the matron would have a few minutes to speak with you. My thoughts are that it would be appropriate...but I would still seek a second opinion.

I am an exec sec, and this is just how it goes. He truly has seen this before, and there is zero judgement passed on anyone. The main responsibility of his calling is to be the father of the ward, and he does this by assisting in the repentance process. The Temple is where you need to be. Trust me, you will feel better after you speak to him...he may actually feel bad knowing that you have carried this burden on your own for so long.

Hopefully this comment doesn't sound like a rant. I would not be drinking it. All I think about when I see coffee is the liquid that is drained out of cans of beans before you cook them. I would rather drink something that actually tastes good on it's own rather than having to add creamers and sugar/flavorings to it. Maybe this is a stereotype, but I don't like "coffee people"...they are always cranky, and have a one track mind until they get their fix in the mornings. They can't function without their good ol cup of joe. I don't even like the smell. I just don't understand how it became such a cultural norm almost everywhere.

If it wasn't April Fools Day I would be all for this. Someone should put it on kickstarter or something.

I am simply stating what is in the church handbook.

This is true. The Church strongly discourages in-vitro fertilization when using semen from anyone but the husband, or an egg from anyone but the wife. However, as Alia said, this is between her and the Lord. Also, children are meant to be reared by a father and a mother. Being a single parent, especially of a newborn is very tough and time consuming. Another thing to consider since she is LDS, is that if she conceived, she would be unable to have the child sealed to her...children can only be sealed to both a father and a mother, not just 1. If she eventually got married, and wanted a sealing, she would need to seek permission from the actual father of the child...it would get very messy, complicated, and difficult. I would recommend against it - it is difficult, but better to wait upon the Lord.

I do both. I am typically spending 3 days a week on the CFM material, and 4 days on my personal study, which is currently in the Old Testament. It is not the norm, as most people I talk to are exclusively studying CFM every day. Many of those people were not doing any kind of study before, so that is just fine. CFM has been an amazing way to get some families to finally meet together and talk about the Gospel and have a family home evening that they never had. We already did all of that, so we are continuing on in our personal study, and supplementing it with CFM. It is working great so far, and I think it is a great program meant to support home centered study and learning.

The main reason behind this change is to increase the likelihood that Gospel discussion will occur in the home. For some parents it will be easier to talk to their children about seminary because they know what is being studied, and it helps the kids learn and see different sides of the instruction from different individuals...themselves, parents/family, Sunday School teachers, YM and YW teachers, and now Seminary teachers. The material in the curriculum is what we need at this time. Everyone now knows what everyone is learning, and the discussions and education need to take place in the home. Church education will be changing more in the future. This is more preparation to fortify us and our youth from what is to come in the world.

My personal view and understanding of Lucifer's plan in removing our agency was not about removing our ability to make personal choices, but removing any consequence of those choices. We would still have the ability to make choices every day, but there would be no negative consequences from evil acts. This would also remove any positive outcomes from good choices, and effectively nullify good and evil altogether. In his plan, one person could be righteous his entire life, while another could lie, kill, cheat, and steal...and both would be given the same reward, because we would not be agents unto ourselves - Lucifer would be our agent. However, as he presented it, this plan of his was impossible. To some it sounded great, but without agency, and the ability to learn from consequences, eternal life would not be possible, because there would be no room for growth. Since we would all be given the same "reward" by default, it would hinder our potential to progress, and without progression, our reward wouldn't actually be anything meaningful...just a state of being, which is in another manner of speaking, damnation. We would not be able to progress. His plan was a great lie. With regard to Jonah, he still had to make the choice to preach repentance. God will at times guide and direct us in his paths, but we will never be forced to act. Also, I do believe that the people on Earth today have the same opportunity of those of Ninevah. If we truly feel sorrow for our sin, and choose to change, we can be forgiven as they were. I am sure that not every single person in the city chose to repent...just the majority, and that majority prevented destruction. Repentance of an entire city is possible I guess, but would be remarkable.

Hopefully this is along the lines of what you are looking for. I believe Jonah exercised his agency when he refused to go and preach to the people of Ninevah, and left. God knew that those people would change if called to repentance, but because Jonah disliked the people in that area, he chose to disobey, and at that point would be held accountable in part for the destruction that would soon befall the people. His sin was in that he refused to sacrifice and help others...to put the Lord's will before his own. Those who would be destroyed in Ninevah would be held responsible for their own wicked actions, but Jonah would also be responsible for not raising a warning voice and preaching the gospel to them when he had the chance. Thankfully, Jonah did go and preach to them, but he was also angry that they were spared because he still did not believe that those people were worthy of being spared. Eve though he gave them a great gift, he did it grudgingly, and so it profited him nothing without a real desire for their welfare. Later however, he was taught another lesson from the Lord, and hopefully his heart softened at that point. I think it did, and that his repentance would then be complete because he not only chose to obey his command, but began to actually view the people of Ninevah as precious children of God. His agency would then allow him to grow from this experience and partake of future blessings associated with his obedience.

Well, "we believe that man will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression". Whether or not we understand that an action is a sin, it will still distance us from God nonetheless. For example, those who choose to participate in immoral behavior or commit adultery, may say that they "didn't know" it was wrong. Even if that is true, they will still need the Atonement to become clean, even if they do not believe their acts are wrong. Sin is sin, and one composed of it cannot be in the presence of God without the cleansing power of Christ's Atonement. We all have been given the light of Christ, and at approximately the age of 8 years old, we are expected to begin learning how to fix mistakes we make in life.

To me, agency isn't so much the ability for one to make choices, but rather the capacity to be held responsible for them.

I do believe that mistakes are okay. I see no reason for a lawsuit, nor do I see this as "stepping" on someones constitutional right. The teacher did not know any better, plain and simple ignorance. Now that things have been explained, the boy was able to wear the cross and the teacher, nor the school has any problem with it. Now, if the school persisted in not allowing the cross to be worn that is another story. But, since the boy and teacher both expressed regret and forgiveness was given, it is time to move on. We do not need legal vindication when we have been wronged, but more forgiveness and patience with one another. The founding fathers did not intend for the american people to sue each other left and right. There should be no need for the school to fix any legal blunder...because a blunder is a mistake...a 1 time thing. No long term damage has been done here. In fact, more positives have come out on both sides. We all should simply forgive and forget. That is what the Lord does when we repent. We should follow his example like this young boy has.

Yes, I would talk to the Bishop. As with all sins, it is better to nip it in the bud ASAP.

It's crazy how useful a little creature can be, especially one that is often seen as dirty and disgusting. It is also much cheaper than having several surgeries.

Top 5 movie of all time.

Yeah, most people mistakenly assume that all of the alcohol cooks out when it is heated for cooking. Not true. I also agree with what others have said. We all know where to draw the line, and if in doubt, pray about it. What is it in coffee that makes it bad? Many in the church have their own thoughts, but perhaps we shouldn't ingest it simply because the Lord has asked us not to.

I do not think it is okay at all. Similar to what Vort said, many people try to find ways around commandments, and focusing in on the "drink" aspect of section 89 is one way that can occur. What if I decided to pour rum on my pancakes in the morning? I'm not "drinking" it...so it must be okay right? Hypothetically, even if it isn't wrong, I choose to avoid the appearance of evil. Many larger sins and misdeeds have come from a path that started with less. To me, rationalization is one's way of making reality fit their desired narrative.

I agree that would be challenging. I do think that the church is really looking at education heavily though. With the way schools are becoming politicized it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the brethren come out with a home centered education program in the future. I am all for public school and the experiences it provides, but I also don't want my young children having teachers with a political agenda...especially one that falls outside of basic gospel principles. It is one thing to have a biased professor at a university, or even one in high school, but some of the things that are being taught to kindergarten kids nowadays is frightening.

I am included. This in many ways was a good thing as many like me are now aware of this practice. Plus, the boy said he forgives his teacher. Glad it turned out well.

Try and convince her otherwise. A stroller doesn't have to be nice. Better to save the money for food or possible emergencies.

I would never, ever, spend that much money on a stroller. I would say that at least 80% of our baby things were picked up secondhand, and a stroller was one of them. Outside of what we got at a baby shower, almost all of our baby clothes were used. Yes, car seats can expire. It is possible for plastic to become increasingly brittle over time, especially if they are in the sun and/or hot cars all the time. They will be less likely to hold up in the event of a car crash. However, that would take long time...we're talking about seats over 15 years old. Most of the expiration dates are due to new car designs - car seats are designed according to current cars on the market to ensure maximum protection. That being said, we do use them beyond the expiration date for a year or two.

For a first time buyer I would recommend the Taurus Millennium G2. It is a reliable gun that is very inexpensive. I have never had a misfire or a failed extraction in mine. It also has very textured grips which are good for first time shooters, and is comfortable to carry. The grip is on the smaller side though, so if you have large hands it may not be comfortable...definitely hold and handle several in the store before you buy. If you find that you enjoy shooting and become proficient, than at that point I would recommend spending more on a second gun with more features, and possibly a higher caliber.

Main differences are the M18 is much more customizable, has a higher ammo capacity, is lighter, and more reliable. Ammo used is pretty much the same. I actually really like the M9, but would always choose the M18 over it. It was just time for an upgrade.

If the church is intolerant towards people who choose to identify as LGBT, then one could also say that they are intolerant towards those who choose to use drugs for recreation, or who steal. Sin is sin, and while anyone may be inclined to commit certain acts that are wrong, the inclination in and of itself is not wrong. It is only when we entertain such thoughts and act on them that the sin occurs. The issue with the LGBT crowd is that they personalize their behaviors, and claim that it is a part of themselves...that they have no say in the matter. Other people have other weaknesses and are tempted to act on them, and they too need to learn to temper and control themselves. The biggest issue I believe revolves around marriage, which by definition is between a man and a woman. There is no such thing as gay marriage...it is by definition impossible. One cannot choose to alter something that was instituted and defined by God himself. So, although we love and care for everyone, that does not mean that we have to accept and sustain their life choices. If for example one of my young children ever chooses to become a criminal, or to use drugs, I will be sure to let them know that their actions are not right, and I do not approve nor support them. But I will still love them, and if they want to change I will help in any way I can.