scottyg

Very true. I only mention this because this stake president was with us in an online training several months ago. We share the same area authority and he made it very clear what we could/could not do, and what areas had leeway. Now, could he have been given different and/or specific direction in a different setting from our area authority that I do not know about...yes, that is possible. I am not trying to speak poorly of others, and am sorry if that is how my remark came off. He does hold keys as well, and it is not my place to judge his decisions.

Personally I am not a big fan of Elder McConkie. He had a commanding presence, was a good speaker, and quite knowledgeable. But, he also seemed quite arrogant, conceited, and vain...but everyone has their faults. If he were alive today I would still sustain him as an apostle. If he was good enough for the Lord then he would be good enough for me.
Also, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not becoming less rigid. Some policies and procedures of the church may seem easier to some due to recent changes, but the church is not the same thing as doctrine. The doctrine of Christ does not change.

Agreed. Just reach out to them as a neighbor...and then act like a neighbor. Help them if needed and follow-up when you say you will. Don't force or push religion on them in any way, just live it.

How mucho, if I may ask? (If I may not ask, then never mind.)

I can supply the land if you can supply the money!   Recently got me a nice 15.5 acre plot about 40 min from Independence.  Only 4 minutes from the local chapel too!  🙂

I totally would be if I had the land and the money.

Gee, you say that like it's a bad thing.

I enjoy Dave Ramsay as well, and used to listen to his nightly radio show several times a week. The only modification we have made is in steps 4 and 5. I contribute 5% to my 401k to get the full employer match, but everything else that we make that we consider "excess" goes toward our mortgage...and that means everything. We follow prophetic counsel to get out of debt. We don't go on vacations other than camping, we drive old/used cars that we can pay cash for, and never buy name brand items...only store brand food at case lot sales or clothing at discount stores. It is true that we haven't had as much "fun" as other families our age have, (I am currently 34)  and to many outsiders looking in we may seem poor. But barring disaster, we will have our home paid off at the end of next year. Not many people can say they are completely debt free in their mid thirties. That will enable us to have more fun with our children as they reach their late youth/early teenage years, and allow me to start maxing out my retirement plan starting in 2023.
We are also not planning on funding our kids college tuition. They need the growth that comes from hard work, and the satisfaction of earning something yourself. Coincidentally, I have asked some youth in our ward to speak on that very topic in 2 weeks. There are many cheaper options than schools charging 30-40k per year. My parents didn't pay for my education, and things are going great for me...though it was hard at the time. I worked 2 jobs throughout college and paid for each semester up front. Dating and parties were almost non-existent. Twice I had to skip a semester to earn more money...but even though I graduated 1-2 years later than some of my friends, I was able to graduate debt free.
I do not say this to boast, but to demonstrate that by making sound plans, working hard, and saving what you earn rather than immediately spending it, you can come out on top in the long run. Tragedies happen, but that is the purpose of the 3-6 month savings account...a safety net. The snowball effect also works well. It takes discipline to not spend that extra money once a particular debt is paid off, but it saves you a ton on interest in the end. So many millennials my age, (and many gen Z'ers) cry about the world being unfair and staked against them with regards to the price of homes, education, etc... It is simply not true...you just need to practice provident living and have some discipline.

Also, on a side note, Ebay is now requiring sellers to fork over their social security number in order to be able to sell anything on their site. They say it is for "required tax reporting purposes", and they are moving towards to self-managed pay system. Even if that is true, that is just another tool that the adversary can use now and in the future to further his purposes. When the scriptures say that none will be able to buy or sell without the mark, they speak the truth. This may seem like a little flaxen cord to some, and I get that their private company can do what they want, but the day is coming when more measures will be put in place by greater powers to try and control people's beliefs and/or behavior. Get out of debt and practice provident living.
(I am not one of those crazy bomb shelter preppers or anti-government btw; but I do dislike abuse and corruption)

I enjoy Dave Ramsay as well, and used to listen to his nightly radio show several times a week. The only modification we have made is in steps 4 and 5. I contribute 5% to my 401k to get the full employer match, but everything else that we make that we consider "excess" goes toward our mortgage...and that means everything. We follow prophetic counsel to get out of debt. We don't go on vacations other than camping, we drive old/used cars that we can pay cash for, and never buy name brand items...only store brand food at case lot sales or clothing at discount stores. It is true that we haven't had as much "fun" as other families our age have, (I am currently 34)  and to many outsiders looking in we may seem poor. But barring disaster, we will have our home paid off at the end of next year. Not many people can say they are completely debt free in their mid thirties. That will enable us to have more fun with our children as they reach their late youth/early teenage years, and allow me to start maxing out my retirement plan starting in 2023.
We are also not planning on funding our kids college tuition. They need the growth that comes from hard work, and the satisfaction of earning something yourself. Coincidentally, I have asked some youth in our ward to speak on that very topic in 2 weeks. There are many cheaper options than schools charging 30-40k per year. My parents didn't pay for my education, and things are going great for me...though it was hard at the time. I worked 2 jobs throughout college and paid for each semester up front. Dating and parties were almost non-existent. Twice I had to skip a semester to earn more money...but even though I graduated 1-2 years later than some of my friends, I was able to graduate debt free.
I do not say this to boast, but to demonstrate that by making sound plans, working hard, and saving what you earn rather than immediately spending it, you can come out on top in the long run. Tragedies happen, but that is the purpose of the 3-6 month savings account...a safety net. The snowball effect also works well. It takes discipline to not spend that extra money once a particular debt is paid off, but it saves you a ton on interest in the end. So many millennials my age, (and many gen Z'ers) cry about the world being unfair and staked against them with regards to the price of homes, education, etc... It is simply not true...you just need to practice provident living and have some discipline.

1. The best debt is no debt.
2. True. Money has no inherit value...it only represents potential services and/or material items you could have. It is worthless if you can't spend it, or if others devalue it. It is best to diversify and not have all your eggs in 1 basket. Anything that I can buy now that will last, I buy now, because prices are likely to go up, the value of the dollar will likely go down, and the supply of items is finite. Just look at toilet paper and ammunition. Thankfully, the former has rebounded.

For his sake, I hope that's the case.

I $ee many po$$ible rea$on$ to de¢ieve $omeone.

I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey.  Mainly because I know so many people who got persuaded into his methods, did the work, and feel like they've been freed from slavery and stupidity.  
Best thing ever: My kid's high school personal finance course is basically his course, without any mention of his name.  I think I've been successful in inoculating my kids from the seductive draw of debt.   Time will tell.

Rather than go off on a tangent from the inflation thread, I thought I'd start something here.
Here are Dave Ramsey's "Baby Steps."  If you don't know who Dave Ramsey is, ask.  I'll be happy to introduce you.
1. $1000 emergency Fund.
2. Pay off all debt except the house.  Use the "snowball" methodology.
3. Increase your emergency fund to 3 to 6 months of expenses.
4. Invest 15% of your income to retirement.
5. Fund your children's college funds.
6. Pay off your home.
7. Build wealth and give.  (I call this one "Live like no one else".)
I modify this because I've finally bought into the idea that money is not just about the math.  It is about psychology and emotion.
So, in creating accounts, I create the following:
1. A savings account for each child.  I regularly contribute a small amount to these accounts.  So if they've grown out of their clothes, or need school supplies, or what to take a special class, etc.  I take it out of those funds.  If there isn't enough, I say, we can't afford it.
2. I have three "savings accounts" for different purposes:
Emergency Fund Unemployment Fund I'm saving to buy something big that I want. And I fund them in that order.  If an emergency comes up.  I stop contributing to the other funds and I fund only the emergency fund.
3. I try to keep a high balance in my checking account for monthly expenses.  This is NOT the emergency fund.  It is the amount that I expect to deplete each month with regular expenses.
By separating these in this manner, I avoid seeing a lot of money in one account.  I'm forcing myself to see that I have small numbers in my accounts.  I'm also forcing myself to acknowledge that some of these accounts are virtually empty.  Psychologically, it makes me think that I don't have enough money at any point.  So, I tend to avoid spending money.
I had all of these fully funded at the beginning of 2020.  By the middle of the year, I was broke.  By my first paycheck in June, I was just scraping by.  As of this month, I'm recovering.  It seems like I'm filling these accounts again.  But they are far from full. 
Part of my restraint is that we've been getting by on fewer cars.  My son crashed a car in October (I believe).  And we were unable to replace it.  We did not consider this an emergency.  It is the "I'm saving to buy something category.  So, we have two cars with four drivers, often needing to go to different places.  We manage.
I'm not sure if the 15% for retirement includes company match into 401(k) or not.  But I've got a plan to have enough at retirement.
I also don't fund my kids college funds.  I'm not sure if they will be going to college thanks to college politics nowadays.  Only two of them have said they want to do something that will require college.  I think the others, so far, can be very successful with online certifications and so forth.  For those going to college.  I have a different idea.

If my limited studies of economics is valid - the result of MASSIVE government spending, government debt and massive increases in currency is SUPER MASSIVE inflation.   According to the Noble Prize winning economists, Milton Friedman, government subsidies and currency increases is the cause of inflation.  However, the cycle is about 2 years before the effects take hold.  Friedman compares subsidies to alcohol and drug addictions.  That there are some benefits in the beginning but to maintain the same effects one must indulge more and more and always the ill effects come later.  The more one indulges the worse will be the long term outcomes.  Friedman also suggest the the fix of inflation is similar to fixing addictions.  That in the beginning of the fix - thing are difficult and painful but the long term benefits make the process worth it.
According to such theory - we should start to see inflation in about a year -- corresponding to the initial COVID subsidies but if Friedman is correct the last round of subsidies and how the "emergency" funds are spread out - we will see increasing inflation for some time.  And if the current unemployment continues (especially the layoffs in the petroleum and energy section) - we will enter what was coined in the 70's as stagflation.  
I would suggest that those that wish to get through all this begin preparations NOW.
1. Get out of debt - especially credit card and revolving debt.
2. Establish an emergency fund and supply of essential things like food.
3. Have a backup plan for changes that could effect your primary plan.
4. Build a circle of friends you can trust and rely on for help.   I suggest the best way to do this is through service.  
Hmmmmmmmm - now that I think about this - I am sure I have see all this before!
 
The Traveler

This is the type of circular reasoning you really can't compete with. The answer is already made up in their minds (stiff necks as the scriptures like to call it), and as the answer is already deemed -- unanswerable -- the result is being pigeonholed.
How good follows bad circumstances is an authentic answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people, and to be clear when I hear the phrase "good people" I am always reminded of Christ's words, "Why callest thou me good..."?
Define good? In order to have "bad" things happen to "good" people please define good? Please define bad? What is the transition from "bad" to "good" and vice-versa?

Here's an example of a conversation I had with an atheist who decided to mock me (yes, literally mocked me) for being a theist.
A: Why does he let bad things happen to good people?
C: There are thousands of answers for thousands of different circumstances.  Which one do you want?
A: So, you can't answer it?
C: For the most part I can.  But each circumstance is different.  So, the purpose of suffering is different for each circumstance.  It would be impossible to do know the purpose in EVERY single situation.  But there are many that we do know and do understand.
A: So give me just one example.
C: OK.  So in this one  circumstance I recall (I proceeded to tell the story of something that seemed very bad, but turned out to be good).
A: Well, sure.  But that doesn't explain...
C: Now wait.  What did I start off by telling you?
A: What do you mean?
C: I said there are thousands of circumstances with their unique purpose for suffering.  We can't know them all.
A: Yeah, but you can talk about some of them.
C: Yes.  You asked for one example.  I gave it to you. And you even AGREED with me that it was a plausible explanation.  But now you want another.  Then another.  Then another...  How many will you insist upon before you realize that there are answers to this question?  But you throw them aside.
A: Well, I just want to get a good idea that there is an answer.
C:That's you're problem.  You are insisting there is ONE answer for ALL suffering.  There isn't.  I said at the beginning that each circumstance has its unique reason for suffering.
A: So, you can't answer the question.  See?  I told you.
C: Yup.  You told me.

Just be a friend, reaching out to whatever level / method they are comfortable with.  If they aren't interested in Gospel talk, then respect that.  Just be available for a text / call / whatever it is that they like at whatever frequency.  Don't force anything, and just act like your natural self.  Pretending only backfires.  

Yes, I could see that happening. I believe the mark in our hands/foreheads will be more of a belief system rather than a physical mark...but it could physical as well. Regardless of how it comes to pass though, it most definitely will. It would be wise to get out of debt as quickly as possible, and to teach our children to live as self-sufficiently as they can, as the government will not be on the Lord's side in any way. Live within your means, get as much food storage as possible, grow a garden, get some chickens, etc...

I want to add 2 scriptures.
JSH 1:17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
I'm pretty sure that the Hear Him movement originates from this scripture.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Sheep do not understand English, Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek.  But they obviously can pick out their Shepherd's voice and follow him.  Thus we don't necessarily have to Hear His voice in our ears or mind and interpret the words in order to follow him.  Perhaps we just need to perceive the Holy Ghost promptings and the Light of Christ - AND follow.  
 

Likely, what will happen is that other states are looking to see how Texas fares.  If the cases/deaths are low, then other states will follow, citing Presidential competence in distributing an effective vaccine.  If not, they will use those numbers to mercilessly mock and condemn their political opponents.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/hasbro-rebranding-mr-potato-head-gender-neutral
Another article from nbc states that the toy will also be sold in a family pack with accessories for two sets of "same gender" parents for the baby potato.
Our children need to be taught how to feel the Holy Ghost and discover truth for themselves, because the world is ready to sweep them up in sin.

Nine years ago, President Eyring offered this thought:
I heard President Spencer W. Kimball, in a session of conference, ask that God would give him mountains to climb. He said: “There are great challenges ahead of us, giant opportunities to be met. I welcome that exciting prospect and feel to say to the Lord, humbly, ‘Give me this mountain,’ give me these challenges.”1
My heart was stirred, knowing, as I did, some of the challenges and adversity he had already faced. I felt a desire to be more like him, a valiant servant of God. So one night I prayed for a test to prove my courage. I can remember it vividly. In the evening I knelt in my bedroom with a faith that seemed almost to fill my heart to bursting.
Within a day or two my prayer was answered. The hardest trial of my life [up to that time] surprised and humbled me. It provided me a twofold lesson. First, I had clear proof that God heard and answered my prayer of faith. But second, I began a tutorial that still goes on to learn about why I felt with such confidence that night that a great blessing could come from adversity to more than compensate for any cost.
In our most recent General Conference, President Eyring offered this:
Now, even with such blessings promised through tribulation, we do not seek tribulation. In the mortal experience, we will have ample opportunity to prove ourselves, to pass tests hard enough to become ever more like the Savior and our Heavenly Father.
President Eyring often speaks of enduring trials well. In the above examples, perhaps his opinion changed in the span of time between his younger self and his present state. In any case, I agree with the elder Elder Eyring. Tribulations will come. We do not need to seek them out. For myself, I try to avoid tribulation, even praying at times to avoid such, knowing full well that a loving Father will bless me with trials as he sees fit.
I don't need to pray for trials. As Manzoni put into the mouth of Lucia in The Betrothed, "I did not go looking for trouble; it's trouble that came for me." Actually, the whole passage is worth reading. (The whole book, if you have taste for early 19th century classic Italian literature.)
"I have learned," [Renzo] said, "not to get involved in riots; I have learned not to preach in the square; I have learned to watch whom I speak with; I've learned not to drink too much; I've learned not to lift the doorknocker when there are people inside with hot heads; I've learned not to kick a doorbell before thinking what could happen;  and a hundred other things."
But Lucia, although she did not find this doctrine wrong in itself, was not satisfied; it seemed to her, although confusedly, as if something were missing. After hearing the same song repeated, and wondering every time-- "And I?" -- she said one day to her moralist, "What do you think we have learned? I did not go looking for trouble; it's trouble that came for me. Unless I mean," she added, smiling softly, "that my mistake was to love you, and promise myself to you."
After a long debate and thinking it over together, they concluded that troubles come rather often, because there are causes for them; but that the most careful and innocent behavior was not enough to keep them far away; and that when they come, with or without fault, the faith in God makes them easier to bear, and makes them useful for a better life. This conclusion, although found by poor people, seems so fair that we have decided to put it here, as the juice of the the entire story.