mnn727

I'm 57 and been meeting with the H.P. group for about a year now. Its an age thing. I'm more comfortable being with men around my age than with the younger Elders Quorum members. Just the opposite in my Ward, the HP Group get the metal folding chairs in the cultural hall and the Elders get the High Council room with the big table and comfortable chairs. But we have some spiritual powerhouses in HP Group - no one ever falls asleep.

The Bishop and his counselors are Priesthood bearers and they always lead our services. I am a full time Priest, I also have a full time job, but my Priesthood is always in effect. In any Church a Bishop is a leader over a number of Priests -- same thing in the LDS Church. I do understand what you mean, but we're not all that different except the Priesthood is given to all worthy males and we don't get paid monetarily for it, thus the need for other employment.

What are things a pirate says Alex?

I think its somewhere in between A and B, we do what we humanly can, to the best of our ability (if we're going to do it, then do it well). That doesn't mean we miss out on sleep or skip the kids soccer practice just to do what we think we should. I believe God understands our life and I also believe recreation and rest is a vital component to life. Please see the talk Good Better Best by Dallin H Oaks

One last thing and I'll bow out, its something attributed to Brigham Young: "Many people are willing to die for the gospel, but how many of you are really willing to live it?" It sounds to me (from the VERY little you have given us) that you want "whatever it is" but are not willing to follow the gospel (including going to Church, honoring your Priesthood, etc etc etc) to gain it, or you want it on your terms and time frame and not Gods. Don't know what it is you're looking for so further discussion would be just speculation, so I'll leave it at that. If you really want some specific applicable advise you'll need to be more open with us. I really do wish you well.

No I've lived in the East and the South and Mormons say that - I chuckle every time I hear it. Of course it could be the people that have spent a lot of time in Utah The one that I hate is at the end of prayers and testimonies: InthenameofJesusChristAmen - said really fast and all run together, slow down, you're using the Lords name.

You were misinformed or you misunderstood. Its ok, now you know. All 3 are members of the Godhead. They are 3 separate and distinct individuals.

Ok, I am reading that you're not getting what you need from the Bishop or the Home teachers. I guess my question would be what are you giving to them? I'm really not saying that to be mean or judgmental but after 10 years of your not going to Church, do you think they may feel that you've made your choice and there's a whole lot more people that do come to Church that need their help more than you? Quoting the story of the 1 and the 99 is great but lets be realistic, these are humans with finite time and finite resources. What is it you're looking for? Would you recognize it if it happened? and what are you willing to do to get it?

Because agency is the (to borrow a Star Trek term) the Prime Directive. If God trumped your agency, then you would be nothing but his little robot doing what he wants you to. That's not how you help an individual become your equal. Like you, I don't believe God is as involved in peoples lives as much as some like to think He is (I just don't believe the supreme ruler of the universe helps people find their misplaced car keys - and yes I know some people here will argue that point). I also don't care for it when people say "I know" (and yes we could argue about the definition of 'know') I'm an 'I Believe' kind of person -- I may be wrong and I admit that, but even if I am wrong and we're all fooling ourselves, I have become a much better man by following the teachings of the Church than I ever was before I joined. And yes,99% of the time I go for all 3 hours. I also: say prayers, accept and try to magnify my callings, give talks, teach a lesson occasionally, home teach each month, etc. Why? again, because it continues to keep me being a better man than I was before I joined and because while I admit the possibility of my being wrong, I do believe in the doctrines of the Church.

Not texting but also annoying, 3 different peoples cell phone rang during Sacrament meeting yesterday, including that of the Priest while he was giving the sacrament prayer. Come on people, turn the ringer off or leave the phone in the car or at home!

Yes, as I remember it was about crossing of time streams. Could they appear? yeah, there's always a way. Amy Pond is/was my favorite companion of the modern age, although Rose Tyler is a very very close 2nd.

My biggest challenge? Learning the language. We LDS have a language of our own and if you've not been exposed to it, it can leave you wondering. Coffee and Tea? no problem, never could stand either, but even now 20+ years later I do still miss a glass of wine with a meal at times.

You can find it online at lds.org or if you ask your missionaries they can get you a copy - that's what I did 20+ years ago because you are correct, there are a lot of references to the Books of Moses and Abraham.

You VT partner is wrong, No one is called to be a doormat

Follow the advise of Nancy Reagan "Just say No" If this sister needs that much help, give her the phone number of the Ward Exec Sec and tell her to make an appointment with the Bishop.

When my mother was alive we often disagreed about how much of my time she could monopolize.

I would hope so as if you are going to an Art Gallery, you are making someone work. Same with going to any business, regardless of whether the person working is LDS or not. There's no exception there for someone who doesn't share your beliefs, or for sports events or art galleries.

I found the same thing except it was much closer: Father, Uncle, grandparents. I thought I was the first Mormon in my family, turns out a Great Aunt converted years before me and was busily doing all the family she knew - even when she got dates wrong by a year or more. I was mad to begin with, but then I thought, well, Dad, Uncle, etc didn't have to wait decades for me to finally join and get around to my family history and Temple work. So it worked out better for them. My only peeve was that she wasn't even close on a few birth/death dates - she could have researched better or picked up a phone and called.

BiL lives in Houston so we're there once or twice a year - traffic is a nightmare - period - there's no other word for it. Humidity is high, Parts of Houston are very nice, much is not. I hope you're asking for a lot of $$. It would take at least double my salary to get me to move there.

This should help you find where to worship Find a Meetinghouse Near You | Mormon.org

Anatess, after reading your list - yes every one of them. It really has very little to do with the reality of politics in America and was no doubt written by a liberal professor - why do I say liberal professor? because they are locked away in their ivory towers pontificating upon theory rather than reality. Sorry, I am not trying to insult you, I just am dealing with the reality of current politics as the O.P. asked.

No.

I expect that they can qualify for a Temple Recommend - if they can do that then they are living the kind of life I want my spouse to live. Are there deal breakers? Yes, infidelity and smoking

Members will help. There are a few of us in our ward financing a mission for a young man in a situation similar to yours.

IN the chapel? or in the building? There are no pics in the Chapel. Plenty in the building.