mightynancy

You sound like you'll be a wonderful doctor. :) Our daughter is passionate about science, and we encourage her to pursue her interest wherever it takes her. I think it would be tragic for her not to have it in her life (not to mention the contributions she could make to the greater community), and there are ways to keep family a priority while having a fulfilling career.

Condescending much? You mean I can't really use money when I'm dead? Golly! The thing is, if we want to make someone out to be the bad guy, what about the gold-digging woman who wants to get rich upon the death of that poor guy? Meanwhile, he's willing to soldier on bravely, with just a little help for a decent burial. Really, the gender difference in insurance is quite interesting. Is it because couples are unaware of financial losses other than wages when a spouse dies? Are (stay-home) women's contributions to the household less valued from a financial standpoint? Are couples just financially uneducated? In our family, no, we're not like the OP. We're both insured enough that the other would be able to take a leave from work to grieve and help the kids through it. Given that, as the lower earner, I ought to have MORE insurance so the higher earner can take time off. We're equally insured right now.

Your bishop *is* your leader, but he does not have more "jurisdiction over" you than you do. I'm agape.

^ That's what I'm talking about.

Or in other happy words, it makes sense if you don't really think about it! Any belief that can't tolerate scrutiny is shaky. For me to maintain any faith, I have to believe that a lot of ancient scripture is allegorical. Trying to impose ill-wrought science onto these stories makes them less believeable, not more. We can't totally overcome logic, and there are indeed questions like the one in the OP that could use an answer. This is where assigning physical locations to allegorical stories becomes problematic. Darn that DNA and geological evidence! The pertinent theological questions are about how the stories help individuals become better/holier/more in tune with God, so in that case I understand that "it doesn't matter."

I imagine it's an individual thing. I grew up LDS. I don't especially love having people over (introvert), but when I do I am hospitable, doing all I can to help my guests feel welcome and comfortable. I don't have any religious art (not my style).

I'm glad there's some light in the situation. You're right there are angels everywhere - a lot of churches have wonderful outreach to those in need. LDS are not the only ones who accomplish righteousness! You'll be in my heart!

I did it a hundred years ago. Way back then, it was more fluff and less substance...however, in a very practical sense it helped. One main focus was goal setting. In our book, we set a goal, wrote the steps, set dates to accomplish the steps, and chose someone to whom to be accountable. This has proven to be very useful! I was just released as YW President after two years. I am partly finished with the current PP program. I have found that personal progress can really help a woman to rely on her relationship with Christ.

Checking back in to see how you are. I can't imagine the strain you feel; I pray you can find a good solution soon.

Lists are my friend! I'm very random on the inside, but organized on the outside. It's the only way anything gets done in my life. Tap into the good feeling you have when something is completed, and work for it.

Unworthy of what? He's not seeking a calling or a temple recommend, so this is irrelevant. Besides, we are not all judged equally - the Lord is very aware of your son's limits. And everyone is worthy of his parents' love and appropriate help. My brother has special needs but still lives at home (and will live with me when our parents are too aged to care for him). I can only imagine the worry I'd have if he were on his own, far away. You and your son are in my prayers. My heart goes out to you - the only advice I'd have is to look into adult protective services, or services for the developmentally disabled adult in the city where he is. Don't give up...I'm sure you'll get the runaround for a while. Is one of you able to leave home to go see him and help him get settled, either where he is or back in your hometown? Do you know anyone besides the inlaws in the town where your son is? It sounds like he really needs a local person on his side.

I dunno. Maybe the higher commandment is not to skewer one's wife on a public forum in a fit of self-righteous pique but cloaking it as divine advice. Am I correct?

We had a really hard time finding dance classes that were appropriate for our daughter. Tap turned out to be the thing. We found that our city's Parks & Rec department was not only less expensive than studios, but much more mindful of the age of the kids and what's appropriate. Even their hip hop classes are age appropriate; they're fun and funky without being suggestive. There's nothing wrong with you. There's something wrong with sexualizing little girls.

I studied at La Universidad de Costa Rica for a year. It was fabulous. The credits transferred back to UC Davis; the program was arranged through the University of California system. The Study Abroad office at your school will be able to help you sort things out as far as credits go.

Dude, we need asexual androgenous judges, quick!

I guess being in a period of questioning (and not yet receiving answers that fulfill or satisfy), I can relate to JH's "yes and no" response. Now Vort, let me save you some trouble. I'm not demanding that God meet my standard of satisfaction; I'm not so wrapped up in my intellect that I refuse to hear the Spirit. I am earnestly seeking, and while I'm not satisfied yet, I am at peace with where I am and the path I'm on. The world is not either/or, black/white, 1/0. I have no Mormon heritage (roots was it?) to speak of - so that's not part of an answer I'd give. So while I'm a faithful person, a member of the Church, I can see where an answer could be complicated. There's a lot of nuance to it, and it's a personal issue, and even if I ran for office I wouldn't feel compelled to lay it all out. Personally, I'm more interested in one's outlook on government than on his faith or lack thereof. As I said before, I am all for secular government. And thanks for the teenisms! I was flattered the other day when someone thought I was "33 or 34". But this! Wow! *blush*

I love these books: Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynn Truss A Grammar Book for You and I, oops, Me by C. Edward Good They make what could be a stuffy subject into something entertaining. I agree that a comma could set off the words "Every year," but I would not distinguish the name of the group with anything but its capital letters.

You'll be in my prayers, runner. :)

Yes. The group holds. John and the group hold. Being that this sort of construction can sound awkward (even though it's correct), some writers choose to restate the subject and verb so they sound better. Mind you, your original sentence sounds fine to my ear, but I'm a grammar nerd.

Like what? Like what I wrote. False dichotomies are an easy way to color in black and white, but they're, well, false for a reason. Gee, I must be loathesome. I have ambivalent feelings about a lot of what we do in the name of Mormonism. I don't disagree with Brother Huntsman. Perhaps not here at this site, but there are many faithful LDS who believe as I do (and many who believe differently, which is great). I don't set myself up as arbiter of what makes someone "loathesome" as they declare their beliefs. My cousin thinks I should leave the Church, because I disagree with a few things we've done of late. Clearly, I am interested in staying. Who's loathesome? Perhaps this boils down to a question: Is there room in the Church for people like Brother Huntsman, like me, like many of the believers out there who ask the tough questions?

Vort, there are more possibilities than two. I'm LDS. I believe the doctrine and have a testimony of Jesus Christ. That said, I'm not a lot of the things that people think Mormons are. I'm an environmentalist, a feminist, a liberal, and for secular governance. I don't expect people who are not well-versed in Mormonism's reality to understand the nuance between our LDS "trappings" and core doctrines. I don't expect most folks to understand that Mormons aren't one homogenous block. Heck, even a lot of Mormons don't understand that. It could well be the inverse of your option one: perhaps Bro. Huntsman believes the doctrine, but rejects the social and cultural elements of the Church. There are a lot of us in that position. Edit to add: I don't think that any of my listed sociopolitical beliefs are incompatible with the Gospel. That said, it's complicated to explain. Kinda like what JH, Jr. said. Hm.

Wow! I'm so glad you survived! I hope you have no lasting ill effects. I survived a spectacular crash, and I preach seat belts to this day. Best wishes!

Jacob! I relate to his, "Y'know, it pains me to have to talk to you this way (in front of the kids, too!), but straighten up already!" attitude.

An engineering or business model is not exactly right (though the engineers certainly do bring proven methods to the table). Kids are not widgets. I don't think there's one right way to reform education. What works in Boise may not work in Miami, and what works for Sarah may not work for Ben. I do like choice - the charter school movement has been interesting to watch. The school district I work in has a number of magnet schools; I think they retain students by offering a number of options (elementary IB, Montessori, dual language, Harbor Method, math & science middle/high school...I'm sure I'm forgetting some).

The Church doesn't take a stand on dinos. There is, however, a small dino museum at BYU in their Paleontology department.