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Welcome, @Ldsjones! I can't remember what I was told in the temple either (though I remember the room we sat in as one of the female temple workers talked to us, and who else was there with me - 4 of us). I've always just assumed it was basically what that letter said, and what @Carborendum said. I don't think it would hurt a thing to talk to your bishop or stake president about it, either. While "the Atonement of Jesus Christ" could be included in either of those (in a sense), I would add it as a third bullet point.

My aunt claims that people who grew up in the US (for example) lack certain [somethings - amino acids? proteins? I forget] to allow them to digest, for example, soy. So maybe it is genetic. Meanwhile, Klaw would like me to abstain from typing while he's using my arm as a pillow...

Meanwhile, is anyone else hungry, or is it just me?

My aunt does this (I learned a few weeks ago). New idea to me - I've never done it myself, nor heard of it. For those of us who meet at 9am, that's either a really short fast, or we're fasting on Saturday instead of Sunday... I have found that studying every scripture reference to a concept with the intent to learn from the Holy Ghost (not just learn what the scripture says, but abstract it to apply to me and learn whatever else the Spirit can teach me as I study) - and recording it (really studying, not reading) can teach me things I never expected. This would be my recommendation to anyone who struggles to live any gospel principle. For that matter, it's my recommendation to anyone who thinks they've nailed a gospel principle1. Not everyone would be so gentle in their assessment... (Just ask @Vort...) Yes, I fast the full 24 hours. Like @Carborendum, I find water the harder part, so I deliberately hydrate the Saturday before. I also found the timing that works best for me - from 1800 to 1800. Keeping busy with things that I find interesting also keeps me from noticing hunger. 1 (Unrelated topic) In 3 Nephi 15 & 16 (Christ teaching about his "other sheep" and how the apostles didn't understand what that meant - though they thought they did, and basically, God the Father was content to leave them in their misconception): In short, don't be so sure you understand what you think you understand...

Exactly.

Len Deighton's The Ipcress Files was also a good one. Personally, I prefer Adam Hall's Quiller series (note that these are for adults only) - best spy novels out there (the kind with an actual spy doing spy stuff, as opposed to a techno-thriller). To my knowledge, no one writes actual spy novels anymore. Oh, and if you want more lighthearted and fun, go with Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series (starting with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax). ETA: Yes, these are spy stories.

It was until his first trip outside. He hated both harnesses and the collar I tried. Once he'd been outside, it got easier and easier - he knows that the harness is the price for time outside, so he tolerates it, and that makes it a lot easier. Now getting it on and off is a lot faster since he doesn't fight it as much. He still gets annoyed when I have to adjust the neck strap (no quick release, so I have to loosen it to get it on / off and tighten it so he can't get out of the harness outside). That said, the people who designed the harness (which is the better of the two for fit) never tried to put one on a cat that wasn't already accustomed to them. And, I'm convinced they're designed for cheapness and for future sales of larger / different models. The one he's wearing would be perfect if it had a quick-release for the neck and an adjustable-length back-strap (the strap between the shoulder blades). I'm actually considering using my sewing machine (which has been used once in like 2 decades) - I'm sure I can get nylon strapping, and I know I can get 3/8" quick release buckles. Then I could modify the harness to be perfect... I might also try a "tactical harness" - which has the easy on/off features, just not sure if it's long enough - Klaw is long and skinny, and it seems like most of these harnesses are made for more stout kitties...

King Klaw surveils his domain: In other news, tabloids claim to have spotted the king playing court jester:

How do you comfort a distraught English teacher? Pat their hand while saying, "There, their, they're."

Welcome, @EH12NG!

I assume he's practicing good public speaking and teaching techniques, but I could be wrong. "Sufficiently humble" is interesting. Does that mean 99% humble is ok? But "stripped of pride" suggests that the remaining 1% cannot be pride. Not sure what else it would be, but it clearly shouldn't be pride. Worth pondering and prayer, though perhaps academic until one accomplishes 99% humility. (Not to be confused with 99% humidity, which is the depths of hell.)

Sure, but: 1. Husband is the person asking questions. Therefore, we can only give advice to Husband. 2. Presumably Wife 2 still has a good (or redeemable) relationship with Husband. So theoretically, we can pass advice through Husband to Wife 2. (And hopefully Husband chooses which advice to pass on and how to present it since Husband knows Wife 2 well.) 3. Presumably, Wife 1 doesn't give a flying squirrel about what Husband thinks right now. So how do we give advice to Wife 1? If I could give advice to Wife 1, it would be to return to Christ, exercise faith, humble herself, repent, seek and extend forgiveness, and strive to keep her covenants. It is not bashing anyone to say they need to do these things, because these are things we all need to do in one degree or another. Does it sound like Wife 1 is being spiteful? Yeah, sure, but the solution is the same as for Wife 2 who is letting her offended heart keep her and Husband from blessings they could already have. And no doubt, Husband has need of the same things. These things invite Christ's healing power. Blame all around? Sure; that's what the repentance and forgiveness are for. Harm received all around? Sure; that's what forgiveness and turning to Christ are for. No one can force anyone to do anything (at least, not righteously). So each party needs to focus on what they can do in their own heart and mind, and then on what (if anything) they can help the other parties to do - but those other parties will each have to choose it themselves. And, since you already know I'm blunt, I'm going to ask a blunt question: What were you hoping for? Did you want us to break out the virtual pitchforks and drive Wife 1 to the stake and set her alight? What good would that do? Would that really help Husband and Wife 2 to move forward in a positive way? Do you want us to put Husband and Wife 2 on a pedestal of innocence and lament their helplessness at the evil claws of Wife 1? That would be a lie, and it would not help Husband or Wife 2 to move forward in a positive way. I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what else we can tell anyone except to avail themselves of the help Christ offers - and that comes when you offer him a broken heart and a contrite spirit, in faith...

Old news - just note the ever-increasing 3-digit number throughout the article.

They forget in both directions: The one you outlined, and something like, "I don't have to do anything. I'm guaranteed a spot in the Celestial Kingdom cuz I'm sealed."

Perhaps @Carborendum needs to hire her to do some Strider and Carb modifications...

Or doing those dog competitions with all the obstacles - they love that.

And the smarter the breed - smart dogs (like Border Collies) really need serious training and mental stimulation or they go nuts.

Brent Spiner hated that cat. Apparently it was the worst actor ever. Refused to take direction. (I know there are cat-actors that do much better, so I'm thinking they found the wrong cat / trainer to fill the role.)

Klaw and I are training each other as we go. You could say we're getting acquainted. He seems happy. I'm happy. And yes, he is learning and adjusting his behavior and so am I.

As someone who's lived with a casually trained dog and much later with two formally trained dogs, I can tell you, everyone is going to be much happier with the formal training, and the more of it, the better. (The casually trained dog was a good dog, but the other two were far better.)

Klaw says, "Meowmy's training is going well. Soon she will be the perfect slave."

Tinfoil or clear packing tape will keep him from clawing where you don't want. (In theory, once he's used to clawing elsewhere, you can take the tape / tinfoil off.) It takes cats a long time to adjust. If he doesn't want to go outside and run free automatically (strange that he doesn't), then it could be that he doesn't yet feel safe at all. It takes 3 days for them to get over the initial shock of a new environment, 3 weeks to start to feel comfortable, and 3 months to feel confident. Perhaps it's too soon or there have been too many changes for him to be anything but scared. If he's started to bond with one of the family, having them sit outside with him should give him more confidence to explore. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how to keep ants out - food on a table (or similar), not the ground, possibly moats (bowls of water?) around / under the legs (though I suppose that would create mosquito problems, and now that there are Bill Gates mosquitos in Texas, that sounds even worse ). Sorry, don't know how to help as you're trying to do things I've never wanted to try. (And I have to go play now, as punishment for bringing Klaw in from our walk sooner than he wanted - which appears to be "ever". )

This morning, my kitty learned to be brave. This afternoon, he touched the treadmill (while it was at its slowest speed) for the first time, then slapped and poked at it with one paw a few times. I'm sure eventually he'll go for walks on it (while it's on). We went out again this evening. I has created a monster! Little boy doesn't want to walk in the grass, but we explored the driveway all the way to the gutter. He made it quite clear that he wants to be free to roam and hunt like the wild panther he is. I told him it was time to go home. Once I had him in the house and out of his harness, he began meowing and exploring the front door, trying to figure out how to get it open.

We've had a successful week so far! On Monday, I managed to get Klaw into his harness and play with him in hopes of distracting him. This confirmed it's not restrictive, and he wore it for ~20 minutes. Then, yesterday, he finally decided to figure out his treat puzzle (level 1 anyway, but previously, he wouldn't even try). And finally, today after a trip down the street in his backpack, he seemed raring to go outside without the backpack, so I got him into his harness (much easier than previous attempts) and we went outside on a leash. He stuck to the front porch and walkway, and the planting beds on either side of it, but it was a huge success. We investigated bugs, ate some grass, and went "ekekekekek" at a couple of nearby birdies. Little boy wouldn't let me take a picture of him from in front, so here are some not-so-good pictures of harnessed Klaw...

Thanks. And again, I'm sorry my bluntness offended. I tend to like it when the Lord whacks me upside the head with a 2x4 - it's so much easier not to doubt when that happens... Obviously, I've let that come through here. And I will try to remember that newbies don't know me and that such things can easily be mistaken for ill will. You needn't tell me this. There is zero chance I will end up in the situation of wife 1 or wife 2 in this life, but I know well that the Lord will allow us to go through our own nightmares so that we can learn to choose the good and refuse the evil, or in better terms, learn to choose God no matter what, above all else.