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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/30/18 in all areas

  1. Just_A_Guy

    Stake president

    Why is this so complex? From the OP’s perspective, is there any doubt that 1) the friend is telling the truth, 2) that the LDS Church doesn’t stand for this kind of thing, 3) that if the proper church authorities had the appropriate evidence, they would take disciplinary action; and 4) the ONLY person who has the requisite evidence in their possession at this time is the OP’s friend? This doesn’t have to be particularly complex. If her allegations are true, the Church needs her—HER—to come forward; probably by contacting a member of the Area Presidency where she lives—end of story.
    5 points
  2. Meaningless. Had the popular vote been deciding the race, many people like myself would have held our noses and voted for Trump.
    3 points
  3. In some countries, for some products, sellers are allowed, and in some cases, even required, to place conditions on the sale of what they sell and who they sell to, eg, guns, alcohol, enriched uranium and items of major cultural significance. If this principle is applied to temple garments, then of course the seller is allowed to place conditions on what they sell and who they sell to. As to whether Europe is one of those places where this principle applies, and whether garments are the type of thing that this principle could be applied to, I can't help you with that, but I think the principle of sellers being able to sell what they want to who they want, or not to, is fairly widespread.
    3 points
  4. Hi You just need an account to purchase garments online, I minister to a less active sister who does this and I am based in the UK. If you have any problems I am sure the Bishop will send a Brother to help you, you just need to give him a shout
    2 points
  5. My kids' college is pretty much paid for. They're 7.
    2 points
  6. I've never heard of anyone narrowing it down to a named person or organization as we currently define "organization". I think we only know that it was "that great and abominable church" - which has been defined as those who do Satan's bidding or as those who fight against Christ. I'm also not aware of a book discussing specific biblical corruptions, but it seems like the JST version of the Bible, and the Book of Mormon, are the best sources for learning to recognize it. I can't really remember reading about the organized, planned, editorial manipulation of the Bible as your quote describes, but the idea doesn't surprise me. In fact, the notion of it not happening is what would be surprising. If you plan to use religion for something other than (or even in addition to) preserving the true doctrine of Christ, manipulating the Bible seems like a logical step in your plan.
    2 points
  7. If she's under 18, she should call the cops and send them the videos/pics. If she's over 18, she should act like an adult.
    2 points
  8. Here is an excerpt of a speech given by Dallin H. Oaks then president if BYU in 1971 explaining grooming standards at BYU. I think it basically explains the church’s stance against long hair and beards. Note that the rule is still the same 47 years later. “The rule against beards and long hair for men stands on a different footing. I am weary of having young people tell me how most of our Church leaders in earlier times wore beards and long hair, which shows that these are not inherently evil. Others argue that beards cannot be evil because they see bearded men enjoying the privileges of the temple. To me, this proposition seems so obvious that it is hardly worth mentioning. Unlike modesty, which is an eternal value in the sense of rightness or wrongness in the eyes of God, our rules against beards and long hair are contemporary and pragmatic. They are responsive to conditions and attitudes in our own society at this particular point in time. Historical precedents are worthless in this area. The rules are subject to change, and I would be surprised if they were not changed at some time in the future. But the rules are with us now, and it is therefore important to understand the reasoning behind them. There is nothing inherently wrong about long hair or beards, any more than there is anything inherently wrong with possessing an empty liquor bottle. But a person with a beard or an empty liquor bottle is susceptible of being misunderstood. Either of these articles may reduce a person’s effectiveness and promote misunderstanding because of what people may reasonably conclude when they view them in proximity to what these articles stand for in our society today. In the minds of most people at this time, the beard and long hair are associated with protest, revolution, and rebellion against authority. They are also symbols of the hippie and drug culture. Persons who wear beards or long hair, whether they desire it or not, may identify themselves with or emulate and honor the drug culture or the extreme practices of those who have made slovenly appearance a badge of protest and dissent. In addition, unkemptness—which is often (though not always) associated with beards and long hair—is a mark of indifference toward the best in life. As Elder Sterling W. Sill has observed: “A let-down in personal appearance has far more than physical significance, for when ugliness gets its roots into one part of our lives it may soon spread to every other part.” “
    2 points
  9. Who is this man? 1 Ne 13:12 12 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land. Do anyone know who this man is? Does anyone know of an on line source of information for the Book of Mormon that goes through the text verse by verse? There used to be a detailed commentary available online but I cannot find it. Many thanks! Edit: I found a manual that says this person is Christopher Columbus! How exciting! Still hoping to find an online verse by verse manual.
    1 point
  10. ldscalifornian12783

    New Here

    Thanks everyone, for the welcome, and I have already started and created my first podcast along with a full website and social links. I will post all the information on the LDS Discussion page , later on today
    1 point
  11. NeuroTypical

    Stake president

    Again, and this is kind of important, was she under 18 at any time any of this was happening? If she was, then turn off the stupid computer and immediately call the police. Like, yesterday. This is urgent. Stop hanging out in discussion forums asking for advice, and go report a child offender, before he strikes again. If she's been over 18 this whole time, it's still really important, but not quite so urgent.
    1 point
  12. My parents paid for the first year for myself and my siblings, then the rest was up to us. Although they did allow us to live at home if we chose to go to our hometown university.
    1 point
  13. When you go into online store you will be asked to sign in. IF you are not registered, then you will be prompted to do so. There you will be asked to enter your LDS membership number. If you don't know it, ask your Ward/Branch Clerk he will get it for you. Enter this number and you will them be allowed into the store. If you are Endowed, the church records will know this and you will be allowed into the restricted section of the online store - where you can purchase Ceremonial Clothing and garments. For a period of about two years I had an expired recommend, but I could still purchase garments, which I did. As soon as Hubby AND I were able to connect with both are Bishop and the Stake President, we got our recommends renewed. For us, the delay was due to timing. Hubby having to work Sundays and the nights that the SP was available at Church. For some reason, not having a valid recommend was as nerve racking/upsetting and stressful as when I was in hospital and they refused to let me wear my garments! I felt so spiritually UNPROTECTED - it felt akin to being publically nekked!
    1 point
  14. Iggy

    What Ministering Really Is

    Sunday21, how do you do this? Put the, oops, think I accidentally found out how ~ @Sunday21 Yep, found out - Thanks for the help @Sunday21
    1 point
  15. Actually the sealing cancellation is valid only for you & her to marry. Re-read your letter to see if that is not true. When Hubby asked for a sealing cancellation, in the approval letter he received it was only valid for him to be sealed to me in the Temple, and we had to get that done within 30 days of receipt of said letter. Our Stake President got a letter telling him that Hubby received his approval. We had to go to the Stake President to get our papers to go to the Temple to be sealed. He handed us a calendar with the one month highlighted and told us to pick a day. Then we had to turn the letter from the 1st Presidency over to him. We were not allowed to keep it. I think that was also stated in the letter. We were a bit disappointed that we couldn't wait 2 more months to get sealed on the same day we had gotten our civil marriage. BUT we gladly picked a date and followed through. It took Hubby 1.5 years to get his sealing clearance. We were advised that it could take from one to ????? years to obtain one. The other party has to be found, questioned in an interview and give their consent. In Hubby's case the woman in question was very, very hard to find. When the Stake President told me why it was taking so long, I suggested that *they* look in the church records on excommunications, removed from records. That is where they finally found her. She had requested excommunication and got it. I also know a couple in which the sister requested to be un-sealed from her legally divorced 1st husband and the father of 4 of her children. [note, he legally gave up all parental rights to their children when he filed for divorce and the courts gave her everything] In the meantime she re-married an active, endowed, priesthood holder. In the 7 years it took for her to get the cancellation, they had 5 kids. They went to the Temple to not only be sealed together, but to have every single child sealed to them. They went about 3 months after I received my endowment, so I was able to go and be a witness [and to help with the children]. What an absolutely wonderful, exalting, spiritual, uplifting, glorious, day.
    1 point
  16. zil

    Stake president

    Erm. I'm assuming the OP is male (Kourt sounds male to me). My understanding is that he (Kourt) is telling us that his female friend had an affair with a stake president and is now struggling with what to do. Thus, I'm suggesting that he (Kourt) tell is female friend to go see her bishop. In my post that you quoted, "she" and "her" are the friend of Kourt - the female who had the affair with the SP. I said he (Kourt) had been given good advice because the advice thus far was to tell his female friend to go see her bishop. Not sure why you think people are assuming Kourt is the one who had the affair - except perhaps a confusion of pronouns given that you think Kourt is also female.
    1 point
  17. I'm not sure what there is to fear if the go to their own bishop and inform him of what they know. He is required to keep it confidential. If the SP is a member of a different ward, the Bishop will pass the information on to the Bishop of the SP, and since this is a SP that Bishop will likely take the matter to the Area President and the matter will be investigated. There should be nothing to fear in terms of repercussions to the OP, the SP should never find out they were the one that went to the Bishop.
    1 point
  18. theplains

    Laws vs Commandments

    Thank you for the 'welcomes.' Jim
    1 point
  19. What she ^^ said.
    1 point
  20. Ginsburg, by most accounts, is in better physical shape than I am; and I’m under 40. See, e.g., https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/02/rbg-ruth-bader-ginsburg-workout-personal-trainer-elena-kagan-stephen-breyer-214821
    1 point
  21. Sunday21

    Who is this man? 1 Ne 13:12

    @zil Thanks so much! Deseret has it for $25! A good investment!
    1 point
  22. Hi @dbs1 So sorry that things did not go as you would like. As I understand it, the sister asked for a cancellation of her previous sealing and this cancelation has been granted? If so, she has had her former sealing canceled and is now free to marry someone else in the temple. If I am correct in my understanding, I do not see the problem. One way to discuss the intricacies of temple sealings is to do a proxy sealing at a quiet time in the temple. I have observed that patrons bring their questions at that time. Good luck!
    1 point
  23. zil

    Who is this man? 1 Ne 13:12

    Not online, but eBooks: https://deseretbook.com/p/verse-book-mormon-2-in-1-ebook-bundle-andrew-c-skinner-86288?ref=Grid | Search-9&variant_id=10012-ebook I have the Old Testament version, but haven't had the time to use it. It doesn't mention every single verse, but then not every verse needs something unique said about it. It's absurdly expensive on Amazon, but they have a preview, so you can check it out, and if you like it, buy from DeseretBook... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LNMO74/
    1 point
  24. This is what happens when you live in the world of American MSM. You get blinded by so much partisanship you actually start believing fairy tale reality. Undermining law enforcement? Like... Sanctuary Cities? And pandering to illegal immigrants? THAT law enforcement? Support from a minority population? A 2.1% margin on an election run on electoral vote campaign strategies is a minority population? The GOP lashing out against anything that doesn't fit the Trump agenda? Really? You know this guy named Paul Ryan? You know he's GOP? How about Bush/Romney/McCain? Sound familiar? You know they're GOP as well? Violent rhetoric against the opposition? Like this?
    1 point
  25. @anatess2 and @NeuroTypical I like to learn from history – I believe if you want different results than what has happened in the past you will need to do something differently. I would remind @anatess2 that the Nazis in Germany never had majority support – their support was always less than 50% of the Germans that voted. My point is – war is not so much about numbers as it is power and ability to advance an agenda. One of the biggest mistakes in pre WWII Germany was the failure to recognize problematic red flags. Joseph Goebbels, used violence during the early political campaigns involving the Nazis. He called first for demonstrations directed at any and all political opponents – then, to make demonstrations more effective, he called for violence and destruction of property. I would also point out that the Nazis always blamed their political opposition for the violence that they initiated. The Nazis opposed every effort by any political opposition regardless of its merits but on the principle that if it was not initiated by the Nazi party it was to be opposed - there were no party cross-over votes --- ever. I am not saying that political conservatives are angles. I am suggesting that the ultra-liberal political movement in the US is similar to the Nazis. Keep in mind that the Nazis were not conservatives – they were national socialists – Liberals that wanted government control and regulation controlling all social activities, including health care, education, religious influence in government, business and industry. Also any government agency (especially any law enforcement agency – like ICE) that the Nazis did not or could not control – they called for the dismissal and end of that agency and the permanent removal from government service of all the management of that agency – because according to the Nazis – for being unjust or ineffective. The Traveler
    1 point
  26. Then do so... Issue closed. But you can't... so either there is a technical issue... which means you should be asking about tech support. Or that is not really true.. in which case you should be contacting your local bishop. Nowhere in this situation does getting a Lawyer and compel the church through legal means becomes the simple and easy answer...and yet that is where you went
    1 point
  27. @Traveler, I think you would like this talk: "Be 100 Percent Responsible" by Lynn G. Robbins. (I only discovered it this week, finished reading it yesterday.)
    1 point
  28. I am somewhat conflicted with how this thread is going. I will begin by saying I believe we have an obligation to help one another. So how can we help anyone if we do not know what it is that they can improve? Or believe that we can judge such a thing? Then how can we help them if we refuse to say or do anything about how they can improve. Has no one ever had a coach in sports? Has no one ever taken music lessons to learn techniques? At one point of my life I thought I would be a teacher (I cannot spell so teaching did not work out). While I was studying I thought to specialize in exceptional learners – in other words genius. Does anyone want to guess what the #1 most common denominator of the world’s geniuses is? The answer is that they have a mentor. Sometimes a mentor tells their novice about almost insignificant things that they and almost everybody else are doing wrong. Sometimes mentors tell their novice to swallow their pride and keep going even after everyone else has quit and told them to quit as well. One thing I do not believe is that a successful mentor tells anyone – that is; to quit or take the easy way out. My father was a mentor to me. One thing he told me was that failure is used incorrectly – as long as you are striving and making progress he would say there is no failure. Then he would say that a failure is someone that has accepted the excuse. He would say failure is never because of anyone else – failure is one of the things you can only do yourself. But then to him – not winning at sports was not a failure. And as my father would say – giving up on a good thing is the worst kind of failure. Almost as bad as turning your mentors into critics. The difference between a critic and a mentor is in the person that no longer believes in themselves – that they can do better. How does a mentor fail? They give up on their novice and become afraid to talk about improvements and how to accomplish good – especially through covenant with G-d. The Traveler
    1 point
  29. I would like to see Ruth Bader Ginsburg retire. I think she has anomosity towards the United States Constitution from what I have heard her say.
    1 point
  30. Another favorite: Les Miserables Best Scene
    1 point
  31. Based on the ministering interviews in my Ward, I don't get the sense that there has been a noticeable decline in visits (at home or otherwise). However, I have observed a marked increase in comradary within the new quorum and the Ward in general, as well as an outbreak of spontaneous kindness and generosity, not to mention several inactives who have recently returned to church. I find this very encouraging given that the program is relatively new and most of us are still trying to figure it out and get a more firm sense for how it is, or we are, supposed to operate. Perhaps that is part of the beauty of the less structured and nuanced program--i.e. our shared struggle towards discerning the solid and concrete makes us more mindful. Who knows? Thanks, -Wade Englund-
    1 point
  32. MaryJehanne

    Angels

    Thank you, LiterateParakeet! That does help. So, do you believe demons share similar powers as good angels, but for negative reasons? Are demons and angels able to interact with the physical world, such as being able to move things? Or can demons not really do anything in LDS theology? Yes, I am Catholic! Very different, in some ways. Angels for us are entirely different creatures. They are not gods, humans, or animals. They have a solely spiritual nature, but like us have a will and intellect. They are a higher nature than a human nature, possessing a much greater knowledge, understanding, and intelligence that is far beyond our own. They had their own test before human beings were created, where they accepted God or rejected Him (scholars believe the test may have had something to do with the Incarnate Christ). Angels, unlike us, have much higher understandings, so in one decision they were able to fall permenantly, where we fall all the time and still are able to repent and try again. All demons were angels who fell. They are still technically angels in that they have an angelic nature, not in that they’re the good angels. I don’t think guardian angels are actually set-in-stone for-sure doctrine, but there are writings that support it and it’s generally accepted. St. Padre Pio, for instance, was able to see and speak to his guardian angel, and angels of other people would come to him asking for prayers for their individuals. It’s also theorized that those with tremendous responsibility, such as the Pope or the President, might have an additional guardian angel. Angels have preternatural abilities, which are above the natural, but are below God’s creationary power. For instance, an angel can’t control your will, create a new planet from nothing, or offer humanity salvation of themselves. But angels are able to move objects, cause auditory/visual/seonsory/etc. illusions, touch a person (there are many saints who were physically abused by demons), force thoughts into your head, offer suggestions and ideas, and, I believe, see your imagination (different from intellectual thoughts which they can’t know unless, through God, you allow them). Some of the things I mentioned, as you can tell, good angels wouldn’t generally do. But while some abilities can be used by demons, such as suggesting ideas, they can be used by good angels as well. My guardian angel, for instance, may suggest that I pray in a particular moment or even, I believe, avoid a certain situation.
    1 point
  33. As a child, I had it drilled into me that we should never judge by appearances. So I didn't. And I found myself surprised again and again when the biker-looking dude with tattoos and wearing leather would be a profane, violent bully, or when the girl who dressed in short, tight-fitting outfit turned out to be on the make. After many long years of painful naivete, I finally figured out that the way people choose to look is often a pretty good indicator of the way they choose to act and want to be perceived. This doesn't justify Oremites in their shameless persecution of the more hair-blessed. But it's interesting (to me, at least) to wonder exactly what those judgmental people think when they see a man with long hair. What does that represent to them? Defiance of legitimate authority? Prideful desire to stand out? Excessive effeminacy? What would move a person to engage in personal criticism toward a visitor or new neighbor? I do not condone such judgmentalism. I think it's ignorant at best, Pharisaical at worst. But I remember my own painful naivete, and I wonder if such people might not sense something that I in my youth was too blind and simple to see. I have also seen cases where people were accused of judgmentalism when in fact there was no such judgmentalism on display, just too-sensitive souls eager to claim victim status. I have been that falsely accused person on more than one occasion. So I won't rush to judgment against the judgmental, at least in this case.
    1 point
  34. That's easy. A lot of men are plagued with receding hairlines or Jackson 5 hair. Unless you pay $$$ for some Apollo System or Beyonce straighteners, it is best to just shave the thing off.
    1 point
  35. mdfxdb

    Tattoo

    You can still do lots of things at church while not holding a temple recommend: Primary President, Relief Society President, Sunday School President. Even those who are not exemplary members of the church can at times participate in saving ordinances i.e. baptism at the Bishops discretion. Lots of people who commit sins hold callings in church. Yes, if you are drunk at church you would probably not be allowed to teach. Yep, no coffee at church. What's your point with all of this? Out of bounds with this comment. Do some research. You can be displeased by the brethren. I don't care, but don't take a change in policy for God's inattentiveness. Pretty sure there is no advocacy for early age marriage. We are counseled to not delay. Different........
    1 point
  36. Midwest LDS

    Tattoo

    Sorry brother, but you are wrong if you think I am advocating sin in the church. It is not a "care bear" attitude to try to lift each other up rather than beating each other down. Otherwise you would have to look down on our Savior when he sought out Zacheus. Rather than delivering a thunderous condemnation of the man, he merely told him he was going to dine with him. He showed him love and kindness and, on his own initiative, Zacheus chose to repent of his sins. We absolutely must teach correct principles in church, but it is absolutely not our place to go up to someone trying to follow Christ by coming to church and fulfilling their callings and rip them down. It's that kind of attitude that rips up the wheat with the tares and convinces people to never come back again. I wasn't asking you about showing kids porn in church, that's a straw man argument. I was saying that a tattoo is merely a visible struggle, like smelling smoke on someone coming in the door. All of us are guilty of sin. Every single one. If we start picking people out to shun at church then we become as the Pharisee, who gave a self serving prayer thanking God that he was not a sinner and talking about how great he was. Remember what Christ said next? He said the Publican, who could only pray for forgiveness was justified rather than the Pharisee. It is far better to strive to correct the beam in our own eye, before we try to fix every mote in our brother's eye.
    1 point
  37. From the front page of lds.org Faith in an uncertain pregnancy Four months into her second pregnancy, Delva was told that her baby had a rare chromosome disorder called trisomy 13. There was little chance for the baby’s survival, and because Delva’s life could also be at risk, doctors repeatedly advised her to abort the pregnancy. Faced with an uncertain outcome, Delva chose to trust Heavenly Father no matter what happened. https://www.lds.org/liahona/2018/06/delva-netane-california-usa?lang=eng&_r=1&cid=HP_MO-11-6-2018_dPTH_fLHNA_xLIDyL2-1_
    1 point
  38. Hello all, I just thought you might like a little update I appreciate everyone's responses and advice here. I was able to use it all to guide my discussion with the missionaries. They've been quite understanding of my silly questions and get that most of it is due to my poor, dear parents' fears that I would end up in a "cult" like they did. Few updates: My sister has been my biggest cheerleader in all this. I never thought that would happen (you can see I had concerns she would be disappointed in me). She's extremely happy My sister talked to my parents and assured them that I am not joining a "cult" and that this is different from the unfortunate experience they had. They were relieved by her assurances and told me they are very happy I have made friends and family in the church. My mother even excitedly asked me about what my future in the church looks like. Again, never thought this would be possible. I'm so relieved that secrecy is no longer a concern. I am getting baptized this Saturday and all my doubts are gone. I walked out of the baptism interview on Monday feeling like a million bucks. I am the happiest I've ever been and I absolutely cannot wait until Saturday. I chose Dear to the Heart of the Shepard as one of my hymns and every time I hear it I just want to cry with happiness. The missionaries are just about done with the program, and when I see how many dear friends I've made in the church will be there, I am overwhelmed with joy. A fellow recent convert is baptizing me and he is so excited and humbled that I asked him to do it; the elder who interviewed me is doing my confirmation and he was so shocked and happy as well. Long story made short, my family is happy, my doubt are gone, I'm getting baptized on saturday and I'm happier then I've ever been Thanks again, all.
    1 point
  39. Yes, I knew of that, but didn't feel like adding a footnote about it given that it was retracted (though I suppose that needs a footnote1), nor did I feel like getting into a discussion of the Catholic church's impact on scripture. 1Darkness. I think I just need to stop posting about anything which involves facts.
    0 points
  40. Latter-Day Marriage

    Stake president

    Some were putting quotes around the word friend in their replies, which can be taken as them implying the OP was the person having the affair and third-personing the story. While is would be ideal for the woman in the affair to go to her Bishop and confess, the OP can go to their Bishop with this as well.
    0 points
  41. Wow, Polygamy is all everyone talks about round here 😂😂
    0 points
  42. Iggy

    Stake president

    I'm assuming the OP is making a play on the word Court - as in tribunal. But within the LDS church it is actually called Church Disciplinary Councils.
    0 points
  43. Silence is frequently the best response but at least you know I won’t shoot you! @mirkwood on the other hand...
    0 points
  44. Well @NeuroTypical the lady asked you a question. Heh. This is some bizarre online version of "does this dress make me look fat", isn't it?
    0 points
  45. Well @NeuroTypical the lady asked you a question.
    0 points
  46. Exactly! Who do you think would win a shootout? Me or @mirkwood ?
    0 points
  47. askandanswer

    Stake president

    Same advice applies if you are sewing
    0 points
  48. Just too funny to not share:
    0 points
  49. If I have a son then I will be very excited and I can turn them into a soccer prodigy.
    0 points
  50. Lost Boy

    Tattoo

    I stand corrected.....😁😄
    0 points