notquiteperfect

Yep.  That's why I said "might/may not".

These are from the church website and may be helpful for study:

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual?lang=eng
 
https://www.lds.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times-student-manual?lang=eng
 
https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-study-guide-for-home-study-seminary-students-2014?lang=eng
 
As far as parts I love - sections 89 and 122
 
Congrats on finishing the Book of Mormon!

Finished the Book of Mormon a couple of weeks ago and I've been gearing myself up to crack on with D/C.
 
I was wondering if there were good resources to compliment the reading of D/C and what are the favorite parts for you personally, you know bits that have helped you immensely or shone light on an old problem ? 
 
I'm going to make a start on it tonight once I've finished tying up the loose ends of the day. 
 
Hope everyone is doing good. 

I think it's awesome that you guys are getting sealed--congratulations!
I think it's a great idea to have a family party/get-together to celebrate. I don't think you should call it a "reception" or have bridesmaids, groomsmen, cake, presents, etc. The two of you chose not to do that at your actual wedding. I can see why you might regret that now; but (in spite of the modern trend of "renewing our vows") I don't think a temple sealing is a valid reason for calling a mulligan on the wedding day. Celebrate the temple sealing for its own sake, not as a pseudo-wedding.
But, again--congratulations; and by all means do have a celebration of some sort. :)

Just to add to estradling and yjacket - 
 
The LDS church also has missionaries.  Again - volunteers who pay their own way (though some get help - from donations from other members - imagine that!).  Why do I bring this up and how does it fit into the above posts?  Because we don't just write checks or just hand out supplies and wish them the best.  We show up.  Case in point: My in-laws went to S. Africa for 18 months. While they were there, one thing they did was to help the locals figure out a way to get water. The agreement was that the Church would cover the costs if the people provided the labor.  This way they got what they needed for basic living but they were invested in it since they did what they could themselves.  This is the system that I personally can get behind and feel that the money I give is spent in the wisest possible way --- that actually helps the poor and needy rather than continue unhealthy cycles that I see as way to prevalent now-a-days.

Sure we can separate the two. A church either tells its congregation to vote a certain way or it doesn't. Simple. I think you are saying a church is obligated to be specific and fervent in its politics-I just dont agree. A church can encourage love and charity, but it goes too far when it spouts political. At least in my view. Separation of church and state is a good thing.
Now if you want to debate this from a purely moral or political view, sure. But a religion should not dictate such things.
I also see morality more as action than result. If I'm feeding the hungry stuff I pillaged, that's not moral even if people are no longer starving.

The key is we need the spirit of charity.  I worry about those that wish the rich would do more yet aren't charitable themselves.  At what dollar amount are you too poor to be charitable?  At what dollar amount are you rich enough to be charitable.  How much money do you have to give to be considered charitable?
 
You ought to be seeking to help others no matter your bank account size.  Many a financial advice plan I've seen advocate giving so much of an income to charity. 

I am not sure if you are a member of the LDS faith or not, but I have to assume that you must take real issue with our wealthy leadership in the church. Your line of thought is very idealistic "if I had millions i'd give it all away" Easy to say not so easy to do. Make your millions and get back us on that.
 
I read through your posts and it is evident that you are from or live in the UK. Redistribution of wealth is a foreign/not socially popular policy in general in th US. Unless your poor...
 
I like to think that we should help the helpless not the hopeless.

How does this whole common law thing trump the commandment to seek exaltation? it is more important to you to make some social statement than to create an eternal family. I can't help but think that if you cared about God's type of marriage, you would seek it. If your marriage is indeed bona fied as you suggest, a little legal explanation to your bishop would be simple.

The only way I can see D&C 98 as coming into play, is if you argue (based on verses 6-7) that you don't have to obey any law you deem to be unconstitutional; and further argue that state marriage laws are unconstitutional. 
 
Your first assertion is perhaps defensible, but also more than a little dodgy in light of the Twelfth Article of Faith.  Your second assertion is--well, I'll put it gently--not one that the Church would back you up on.  The current instruction from those who are authorized to issue such instructions, is that if there isn't a legally recognized marriage--it's fornication.  That is not up for debate.  There have been apostles who went and sought out women and said "let's just say our own vows, call ourselves married and forego the legal mumbo-jumbo" and proceeded to have a sexual relationship, and they were excommunicated for--you guessed it--violating the Law of Chastity (Exhibit A).
 
I'm sorry you didn't find my previous input useful.  My only other input is that perhaps, in addition to Section 98, you should review Sections 131 and 132 and then ask yourself a) how you attain exaltation without entering into the celestial order of marriage; b ) how you will enter into that order of marriage without attaining an authorized temple sealing, and c) how, at this point in time, you plan to attain an authorized temple sealing without first having obtained a legally binding marriage.

I just like talking to them because of their unique insights on things, that and they can answer a good number of my questions and even ones I didn't think could have an answer.
Nice folk, I like them.

Yes, they are.  So are missions but ever since I can remember, church leaders have encouraged people to work and save $ for them so why should this be any different?  
I'd send this person an e-mail something like this:
 
Hi, I got this solicitation and feel to help.  I don't believe in handouts but I do have a lawn that needs mowing, weeds that need pulling, a house that needs cleaning, a car that needs detailing, etc.  Also, if you want to hold a yard sale, I can find things to donate for you to sell.  
Sincerely, ...
PS I really do not appreciate that my e-mail was given to a third party.  That is for church use only (as stated on the website) so please don't ever do that again.  Cheers.

Two ideas - 
 
- See about combining with another group and share responsibilities?
- Decide to give it another x amount of time and call it good.  This way you have a game plan and a timeline.

Then don't.  Your house, your rules and I wouldn't allow the 'being Mormon' debate either.
 
I'd probably stock a variety of herbal teas if you don't already.

Just informed of my new calling at the ward BBQ (where I guess they hoped I'd be so high on the baked beans and macaroni salad that I wouldn't have the presence of mind to say 'no').
 
Look out folks - I'm going to be a teacher in RS!!!     
 
All of our teachers have been really good and either born LDS or members a lot longer than I've been. I'm not sure what I can add... or let's say I'm afraid that what I will add may get me called before a disciplinary council. I'm always the person in RS who says stuff like 'did you see a therapist?' instead of 'did  you pray on it?'  Even after 3 years, the suggestion to pray just isn't the first thing out of my mouth. I get to it eventually, but it's just not what I think of first.
 
When the bishop said "We'd like you to be a teacher..."  my mind went to Primary and I thought I was gonna faint. When I heard "...in Relief Society" I was like, OK, I can do this. I may end up giving statements to the press on the steps of the SLC Temple, but yeah, I can do this. "Wait 'til they get a load of me."  
 
A special RS pot holder with embroidered forget-me-nots and signed by Dieter Uchtdorf for the first person to cite the source of the quote above.

I'm kind of wondering how you had this procedure done on August 20th when it is only August 17th.  
 
Wow talk about really changing you.  You can now see into the future.  :)

As many are aware I had a near fatal heart attack on June 20 as I posted in an earlier thread. On August 12th I underwent triple bypass surgery and am now in recovery. I have quite a journey still left in this adventure, but the surgery was very successful and I am told I may never have any more heart related issues.
 
The Lord reached down from the heavens and changed me and I am SO grateful for this rich blessing that has redirected me or awakened me to life again and also for the opportunity to continue this mortal probation and the opportunity to become better, love deeper, be a better husband, father and friend and a life more consecrated to serving Heavenly Father.
 
Please take advantage of every day.......God Bless you all!
 
Brother Gainer

Awesome , thank you very much . 

Then don't.  Your house, your rules and I wouldn't allow the 'being Mormon' debate either.
 
I'd probably stock a variety of herbal teas if you don't already.

Then don't.  Your house, your rules and I wouldn't allow the 'being Mormon' debate either.
 
I'd probably stock a variety of herbal teas if you don't already.

Reply to the email and put this in the subject:   NoFundMe

Faith crisis councilor. (yes, totally made up, but SO needed!) It would be great if there were a person specifically dedicated to offering help and support to those struggling. Someone who's "been there", and can offer more than the usual pat answers of "just pray" or "study your scriptures". I know Bishops can sort of offer this kind of assistance, but in areas where they're swamped, it'd be great to be able to delegate. It wouldn't require Priesthood authority (you wouldn't be sitting in any sort of Judgement position over the person, just offering support), so it could be done by anyone.

Excellent point in your first paragraph. I had never thought of it from that perspective. Can you imagine soliciting for missions this way?
I really like the response you came up with. Both in the idea of an exchange of work for the donation and how you worded everything.

try this: 
 
there's a button for subtitles on the bottom right
 
Enjoy!

Thanks for all the responses! I've been trying not to get caught up on things like this because I really do feel like the Book of Mormon is true.