Misshalfway

Beautiful! PC. This statement says it all, eh?

I can see that the constitution is under attack. I can see that the moral fiber of this great USA is also faltering. I see the character that was once so prized is now pushed aside and replaced with individualism and pride and indulgence. At times, the state of things can be distressing. But this is also the last time Father will gather his children and so much good is coming to pass as well! These are exciting times and blessed times and times of great sifting. Perhaps the constitution will hang by a thread, but we have the kingdom of God and the safety and peace of such a wonderful promise. And just when we think all will be lost, the Savior will come again and rule and reign in a beautiful theocracy. I am not scared. Sobered maybe. Watchful and aware. But not afraid.

Your ward is lucky! I usually hear of music people who never get out of musical callings and would like to be free to serve somewhere else.

Being politically correct gets us in so much trouble sometimes. What about the individual needs inside of each prison and the unique circumstances the guards find themselves with. And I agree. Not everyone in jail is an idiot. Not everyone is un-reformable. Not everyone is even guilty.

Medicine does not violate the word of wisdom. Heck! Where would I have been without those painkillers after my surgery? Those little pills were my best friends! I see no worthiness issue with ADHD meds. I see other issues.....like whether or not they are the best therapy...and other such things.

Running around in circles screaming...... I knew I was missing something! marking that one down.......

Welcome to the family.

Welcome!!

Elph, Thanks for your post. I have been in similar situations and you are absolutely right! Those judgements just ruin the trust, and you can't let someone in until you trust them. So insightful.

You are so awesome, Morning! Your heart is as big as Texas!

On my mission, I tracked into a gentleman who was so proud that his great grand daddy had shot a mormon. Oh well. I mean there are some out there that will see evil when they hear and use that word. They are statements and attitudes bred in ignorance. Perhaps they don't know any better.......perhaps they do. It seems to me though, that we can only meet any ignorance or persecution with love as much as we can and try to leave that person or group in peace.

Welcome!

This is such a powerful thread. Thank you for the read. I so agree with what has been said. Who are we to judge another? Who are we to decide when someone has had enough help? Nobody wants to be a project. Nobody wants to go thru these types of things knowing that they make others uncomfortable or judgy. I think such reactions just increase the burden and promote isolation. I think there is a lot in the church that we do really well as RS sisters and church members. We seem to know exactly what to do when someone has a baby or a death or is moving. But with deeper emotional things, we sometimes pull back and withdraw our compassion. Or we go thru the motions and bring the dinners without extending friendship or a listening ear or and withhold our judgement when we don't understand. Should we only give when it is comfortable? Should we only extend ourselves when there are kudos on the other side? Should we only extend ourselves to those who do it the way we think they should do it? Or react the way we think they should? Who says we have to even know the nature of the problem before we serve? If someone needs their toilet scrubbed, who am I to have to know why? I do think there is much to be gained thru reaching out and NOT needing any reward on the other side-- even if the reward is sometimes our comfort.

I never knew there was such a thing. Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing this.

Welcome to the forum. It must feel good to think about honesty...about not running from something. There is nothing like the truth...they say it sets us free. :) Looking forward to reading more of you.

I think Oprah is trying to be like Maya Angelou. Just a theory.........

Well, you are a good man. I am wishing the best for you!!!! Even if you do like 80's music!

I think this was a posting and thanking fest! :)

I am starting the BofM again and I am so glad to see this thread. I hope to comment on some of my thoughts later. Thank you Heather!

Total side note......With regards to the U&T, it was given back to Moroni, was it not?

I just wanted to add that I enrolled in the Tolle class online and I became disinterested and discontinued my participation. I felt that it wasn't truth in its purity, but I did feel that there were some important and helpful ideas worthy of discussion. I kinda like the idea of the ego. It is interesting to me and I wonder at how it may be an interpretation of the natural man. Anyway, I viewed my participation much like attending a college class rather than attending church. Always using the spirit and the discernment of that spirit to determine truth.

I just finished watching this one. I am not exactly sure what to say. I don't think that Oprah understands the nature of God. I think she has been searching, as I said before, and it seems that she has some inner dream to become a leader and she finds herself in a position of influence and so she is clearly stating her views. She clearly missed the meaning of the word 'jealous' as it relates to the first commandment. But again, the video is sensationalism and fear based and makes me shake my head. Is there actually a church? Her discussions are nothing but a huge book club discussion where Oprah's views are dominant. I see no organized religion. I see, on the other hand, the fanaticism of the Christian right. Nothing in Oprah's statements (the ones given on her show, not the book club) alarm me in any degree.

Don't even get me started on Dr. Phil. Talk about an exploitative program! I watch Oprah for Nate Burkus. Let's be honest. If Nate showed up at my house ready to redecorate, I would be singing Oprah's praises!

Ok. So I watched the video and I have to say, I loved the creepy music playing. Nice little bit of manipulation there. And I personally don't have any problem with what Oprah was saying. She was trying to make a point from her point of view. Do I agree? Partially. She is missing the plan of salvation. And so were the christian people. They both were right....AND wrong. And I think the movie maker was really off base and I resent that kind of expose or demonizing of someone that you may disagree with. And won't look to something like that to determine the truth about any person. Look. Oprah is a TV personality. She is very influential. But she is not a prophet and has never said she was!! Because of her power and influence is allowed to cross that line and discuss religion and philosophy from her perspective, of course, in a way that perhaps other TV host would not. But I argue, that she is opening the discussion. She is clearly inviting people to believe what she does. But, she has said that she believes in Jesus. I think that Oprah, as a person, has been searching and learning, and I can't say that I agree with her determinations completely. But she tries and the onus is on us to follow the spirit. If we find that we follow Oprah over the spirit, that isn't Oprah's fault. It is ours. So, as far as I am concerned, Oprah is Oprah. She is sometimes disturbing. She does promote ideas contrary to my values and beliefs. But, I don't have to listen. I don't have to follow. But she does try to bring good into the world and I applaud her efforts. I don't agree with her views. I do think that she mixes truth with error and confuses people. But, she is a TV personality. What we see and hear isn't real. It is a fabrication to get ratings and make money. There are many times I have felt funky about her and her shows. But I feel funky about this film maker too. Perhaps I am giving a double thumbs down.

Heather, I just wanted to say a special thank you for this and the other threads you have posted about the BofM. I have always loved the BofM and am so very grateful for the testimony I have of it and its power. I have struggled the last year and humbly ....and fumbly making my way back to where I so desire to be with regards to my testimony. I have felt the Spirit as I have read your posts. And I wanted to thank you for your gently bold statements. They have made a difference, at least to me.