cdowis

Many of these experiences are very sacred but I can share with you this experience.
 
Many years ago I was very active in a Christian church.  One day a school friend invited me to his youth group meeting, and the Mormon missionaries  had been invited to tell them what we believe.  When I went, it was the second or third meeting.
 
The lesson was on the Plan of Salvation.  They talked about where we came from, why we were here on earth, and what happens to us after death.  As they were speaking, I had the very strong impression that I had heard this all before.  I remember saying to myself, "This is very familiar.  I know that I have heard this before".  I went through my memory, but could not remember where I had learned this.
 
In that moment I heard a quiet voice speak very clearly to me.  "It is true".  That's all it said.  
 
I can clearly remember that experience now over 50 years later. It so imprinted itself on my soul that I have never doubted that they were telling the truth.  It was before I learned about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.
 
Whenever I think of this experience, it makes me think of the hymn, "Amazing Grace".

Many of these experiences are very sacred but I can share with you this experience.
 
Many years ago I was very active in a Christian church.  One day a school friend invited me to his youth group meeting, and the Mormon missionaries  had been invited to tell them what we believe.  When I went, it was the second or third meeting.
 
The lesson was on the Plan of Salvation.  They talked about where we came from, why we were here on earth, and what happens to us after death.  As they were speaking, I had the very strong impression that I had heard this all before.  I remember saying to myself, "This is very familiar.  I know that I have heard this before".  I went through my memory, but could not remember where I had learned this.
 
In that moment I heard a quiet voice speak very clearly to me.  "It is true".  That's all it said.  
 
I can clearly remember that experience now over 50 years later. It so imprinted itself on my soul that I have never doubted that they were telling the truth.  It was before I learned about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.
 
Whenever I think of this experience, it makes me think of the hymn, "Amazing Grace".

I tend to lean towards the nonlyrical variety...
New age such as Manheim Steamroller, David Arkenstone, Peter Maunu, peter Buffett, Suziane Ciani, enya, Adiemus, ray Lynch.
Probably my favorite of these would be
followed very closely by I love Many soundtracks (from games, movies, and stage productions)
John Williams, Hans Zimmer, goldsmith, Cliff Eidelman, Enrio Moricone, Henry Mancini, James Horner
probably my fave of those would be the piece
by Toto for the movie "Dune"of the lyrical thats not religious
 
Old Rock
Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, King Crimson, Toto, yes, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Emerson lake and Palmer, Phil Collins,
World/folk influence
Loreena Mckennitt, Sukay/Savia Andina, Celtic Woman
right now my current fave earworm of the day has been Timothy Seal's
this is rather actually a quite mellow variety for themost of it and tends to be more spacey and slower paced with a few actiony parts interspersed throughout it..... I almost cried when i came across this guy and his stuff>.>
And lots of others.

I believe that she is singing in the tradition of the Gaelic or Celtic folk songs.  Very rich with the English culture and history.
 
https://youtu.be/4iD3NsM1wOE
 
https://youtu.be/SdFHGFkyew4

The perfect music when I get home from work.  The conquering hero returns.
 
The lyrics translated mean ==>> "Where's dinner?  And NO frozen pizza."

This just blows me away.
 
https://youtu.be/8OelvnFLC7U
 
Be sure to listen to this with someone else.

Certainly not.  We just need to make certain that our discussion does not move into the area of generating doubt.
 
To me, true religion and true science are the same thing.  But some things simply cannot be figured out by man's reasoning alone.  For those things, I have a "bookshelf" in the back of my head of things I would (mostly out of curiosity) like to have and answer but for which I accept that answers are not forthcoming.

Why are some subjects taboo?
 
We're not sure how to handle it, we haven't formed an opinion, lack of information.

I agree for the most part, but there are those who know very little about us except to view these very negative videos and comments.  People make false assertions and claims.  If we don't correct this information,  who will?
 
Perhaps the term "apologetics" has gotten a bad reputation.  Then call me a  "fact checker".
I try to be an influence for good, not only to the posters, but to the readers of those posts.  I invite them to find out "what we really believe" on mormon.org, and giving links to appropriate church videos, etc
 
Church leaders have encouraged us to make our voices known on social media.  We have had combined RS and priesthood lessons on how to be active in encouraging others.  There are videos on the subject.
https://youtu.be/G7dTmsuuRT0
https://youtu.be/aUHMqlpccEM
https://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages/search?query=social+media
 
As you point out, it needs to be done in a positive way.  I have had several individuals who have responded in a very positive way, and have thanked me for correcting some of the misinformation.
 
Finally, if becomes clear that if this person just wants to argue, I just "mute" or "block" the person.  End of discussion with that person.
 
I invite you to try it yourself and see if you can use social media to bring someone to Christ in your own way.

Here is another thread on our favorites.  
 
This is a video which has given me a better understanding on how the Lord communicates with us.
While this is part III, I suggest that you see all three videos.
 
https://youtu.be/slTa15a3mp0

Music is so dependent on mood. I often times can hear something I used to love and feel nothing and then other times hear it and it really touches me. 
 
 
and then there's this..chills every time..don't understand a word though

 
Others won't get it at all. It's what makes music so fascinating.

I believe that she is singing in the tradition of the Gaelic or Celtic folk songs.  Very rich with the English culture and history.
 
https://youtu.be/4iD3NsM1wOE
 
https://youtu.be/SdFHGFkyew4

>>worry about going to the celestial kingdom
 
There is a point system ==>> you have to get at least 11,535 points to get in.  
If you miss it by a couple of points, too bad.
 
Anyway, stop worrying. Just keep track of your points.

PROBLEM ==>>
 
Basically the agreement expires in 15 years, where Iran will have full authority to develop it's nuclear warheads.
 
Mark that down on your calendar.
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/24/world/middleeast/in-pushing-for-the-iran-nuclear-deal-obamas-rationale-shows-flaws.html?_r=0

This just blows me away.
 
https://youtu.be/8OelvnFLC7U
 
Be sure to listen to this with someone else.

For some people the process is pretty straight foward.
 
Something happens and they miss coming to church.  Somehow they don't make it the next Sunday.  They watch something good on TV, go shopping, something else.  And then they have lost the habit and desire to go to church.
 
Too much trouble.  They make excuses why they don't go, but it comes down to not regularly saying their prayers and reading the scriptures.  The final link is church attendance, and when that link is broken, then they are officially "inactive".

The terms of this arrangement are secret, and the head guy refused to reveal it to congress because he was fearful of the threats that the Iranians made to him personally.
 
Now, tell us where you got your information.  For example, please  define "continuous" and "monitor".
For example, should we be satisfied if the iranians themselves do the "monitoring", and they will "continuously" send us a report on the results.

Obama is paving the road to Armageddon --
"Warning, construction zone. Your tax dollars at work"

Years ago my wife and I were in the nursery.  One Sunday the bishop came to me with a father who was very upset.
"How did my daughter get a bruise on her head.  She didn't have one when she went into the nursery."
 
I told them that I had no idea.  As far as I knew, nothing happened in the nursery, she did not cry out in pain, etc.
The father gave me a very nasty look.  It could have been very ugly, but I'm sure that since my wife was also there, the whole incident stopped there.

I think she made it clear that she doesn't want you hanging around, intruding in her life, trying to "help" her.  She'll see you as someone trying to impose his values on her.
 
The best way to help her is to go on your mission and see what happens when you come back.
 
Best of luck to you on your mission.  Be sure to tell us where you are going.

>>worry about going to the celestial kingdom
 
There is a point system ==>> you have to get at least 11,535 points to get in.  
If you miss it by a couple of points, too bad.
 
Anyway, stop worrying. Just keep track of your points.

I think she made it clear that she doesn't want you hanging around, intruding in her life, trying to "help" her.  She'll see you as someone trying to impose his values on her.
 
The best way to help her is to go on your mission and see what happens when you come back.
 
Best of luck to you on your mission.  Be sure to tell us where you are going.

CRITIC
Joseph was a convicted con man.  He was arrested (or at least attempted to be arrested) on literally dozens of occasions and was convicted several times of fraud-type crimes.
 
RESPONSE
Fair minded people are more interested by the facts rather than the clever rhetorical tricks of the propagandist.  They will discover that the enemies of Mormonism were not only using bullets and the burning of homes, but also the courts as a tool of persecution.
Here are the facts based on scholars who have done extensive, documented research on various aspects of the life and history.
It is interesting that Paul the apostle was a convicted con man, as well as many of the prophets in the Bible.  Just comes with the territory.
Regarding the 1826 trial, see http://www.lightplanet.com/response/1826Trial/facts.html
He may or may not have been convicted as a "disorderly person", similar to the arrest of Paul the apostle.
 
Regarding the Joseph Smith Papers Project ==>>
Scholars have done extensive, documented research on various aspects of the life and history 

You will find these videos helpful regarding "Joseph Smith and the Law".   They are based on historical documents.
http://www.byutv.org/watch/6bf72946-5023-4842-82b9-f5cc52afe839/joseph-smith-papers-living-by-the-law

http://www.byutv.org/watch/d4437a3b-a00e-4805-8061-5c1c240db0cf/joseph-smith-papers-joseph-smith-and-the-law-part-1
 
+++++++++++++++++
CRITIC 
Joseph Smith and the Banking Society court case
 
RESPONSE
Wiki article is interesting but incomplete, missing many details.

You can read a detailed study here
http://www.fairmormon.org/Misc/KSS.pdf

You might want to skip ahead to section 3.3 "Joseph Smith".

http://www.byutv.org/watch/2c0a1fbe-7aca-46af-8603-604af9b2f665/joseph-smith-papers-joseph-smith-and-the-law-part-2

Isaiah 2: 3 ...he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
 
There will be two locations -- Zion (the New Jerusalem) for the gathering of the Ten Tribes and Jerusalem for the gathering of the Jews.
 
The physical gathering of Israel means that the covenant people will be “gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise” (2 Nephi 9:2). The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh will be gathered in the Americas. The tribe of Judah will return to the city of Jerusalem and the area surrounding it. The ten lost tribes will receive from the tribe of Ephraim their promised blessings (see D&C 133:26–34).
https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-42-the-gathering-of-the-house-of-israel?lang=eng

For my part I'm glad that the general leadership has decided to stay with scouting. However, I think the writing is on the wall and the LDS and BSA will part ways in only a handful of years. But that is still the least of my concerns. By far, the biggest problem our YM face in scouting has almost nothing to do with gay scout leaders at council camps or any like thing. Rather the negativity and unwillingness to support the program from parents and leaders, is the real tragedy. Such attitudes kill the program on a unit level. As I said before, until we are out we must be in. 
 
The instruction the Lord gave in another time and place is applicable here, "And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; and the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good." Let us do the same with scouting. Commit ourselves as if for years and it will turn for our good and the good for our young men. 
 
Interestingly the first task at hand will be everyone's favorite, "Friends of Scouting", so put your shoulder to the wheel and push along.