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Hype for April 2019 Conference


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2 hours ago, Tacenda said:

Since even my oldest son asked me to try coffee instead of my addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper. But I can't do it, and I think tea would be better. But still can't do that either. Just my darn pop!

Diet Dr. Pepper is a heavenly, err.....celestial, err.....amazing drink. I have one every day whether I need it or not. Drinking Diet Dr. Pepper is not an addiction; it is a delight! Especially if you went to graduate school and seminary in Texas!

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15 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

Having been around quite a bit, I don't begrudge the Utah LDS their "elitism." Some of the greatest people I know grew up, live, or moved from Utah.

There is no doubt they were the mainstay of the Restoration for a century. My hat's off to them for that.

In some places they have been godsends to struggling wards. I can deal with the rest. We're human, after all.

If you want to experience elitism try living near Seattle.

 

I wonder, how much of this supposed "Utah Elitism" problem is reality, and how much of it is perception?  As a life-long Utah resident (save two years in Southern California), I haven't encountered it a lot (at all, really, to tell the truth).  If someone tried to pull that **** in my hearing (imagine a mild form of the epithet referring to excrement there ;):D) , I would quote Matthew 3:9 to him or her.

At the same time, while it's not necessarily based on pedigree or on family connections, perhaps some Utahns do tend to get "fat and happy," religiously speaking, a bit (or perhaps a lot) complacent in their observance of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, taking quite a bit for granted in a place where, generally, one could not swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting a fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  (For you cat lovers out there, no cats were harmed in the writing of this post, and its author does not endorse so harming them. :D

While I've never heard anyone (except those who are apostate, ironically) trumpet their pedigree in the Church of Jesus Christ, conversely, I have heard quite a few people speak (indirectly, at least) of the pride of living "In The Mission Field," where, often, if one stands for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, s/he does so alone, or virtually so (as, e.g., the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ among hundreds or thousands at school or at his or her place of work).  While I think a certain amount of pride might be justified, in a sense, in the latter circumstance, I've never encountered it (except, ironically, as I say, among apostates) in the former circumstance. 

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3 hours ago, TaylorM said:

Alcohol...[is] not bad for you if consumed in moderation. 

Possibly not (given past studies, I think more need to be done to confirm or correct this):

https://www.foxnews.com/health/theres-no-safe-level-of-alcohol-consumption-global-study-finds

PS:  this doesn't mean that it is a sin to drink for those not commanded to refrain or that it reflects on their morality.

Edited by Calm
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3 hours ago, TaylorM said:

think everyone can agree that the Q15 should swap all three beverages for energy drinks.

Since there are plenty of people who don't do alcohol in moderation, I don't agree.

More deaths are caused by alcohol than opioids, though lower percentage of course due to much higher usage.

https://www.newsweek.com/alcohol-killing-more-people-year-opioid-crisis-and-most-deaths-are-young-1220622?amp=1

Quote

Alcohol is killing more adults in the U.S. than the opioid epidemic according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. The opioid epidemic kills an average of 72,000 people per year, while alcohol kills 88,000. In those 88,000 deaths are 2.5 million years of potential life lost, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The surge of alcohol related deaths is new. In ten years, the number of deaths by alcohol have increased 35 percent according the new report shared by USA Today on Friday. The statistics are based on findings from 2007 to 2017.

Most affected by the rising alcohol epidemic are young women. Among women, deaths rose 67 percent, while for men, the percentage rose only 27 percent.

 

Edited by Calm
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34 minutes ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I wonder, how much of this supposed "Utah Elitism" problem is reality, and how much of it is perception?  As a life-long Utah resident (save two years in Southern California), I haven't encountered it a lot (at all, really, to tell the truth).  If someone tried to pull that **** in my hearing (imagine a mild form of the epithet referring to excrement there ;):D) , I would quote Matthew 3:9 to him or her.

At the same time, while it's not necessarily based on pedigree or on family connections, perhaps some Utahns do tend to get "fat and happy," religiously speaking, a bit (or perhaps a lot) complacent in their observance of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, taking quite a bit for granted in a place where, generally, one could not swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting a fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  (For you cat lovers out there, no cats were harmed in the writing of this post, and its author does not endorse so harming them. :D

While I've never heard anyone (except those who are apostate, ironically) trumpet their pedigree in the Church of Jesus Christ, conversely, I have heard quite a few people speak (indirectly, at least) of the pride of living "In The Mission Field," where, often, if one stands for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, s/he does so alone, or virtually so (as, e.g., the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ among hundreds or thousands at school or at his or her place of work).  While I think a certain amount of pride might be justified, in a sense, in the latter circumstance, I've never encountered it (except, ironically, as I say, among apostates) in the former circumstance. 

Hi amigo ---- As a religious group within the Christian tradition, I do believe that members of the Church of Jesus Christ are prone to elitism. Once one acknowledges he or she is the only - then elitism is bound to follow. Then, assuming the sociological principle that faithful members of any group tend to display many of the dominant characteristics of the group, it is easy to see why a) one doesn't see it in others when most of those one associates with share the same identity; and b) one mirrors the dominant characteristics of the group with which one identifies. I highly recommend the book "The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires our Trust more than our "Correct" Beliefs" by scholar and theologian Peter Enns. He is a controversial guy (why I like him) and always makes me think (why I like him). This is a powerful book.  Elijah the prophet faced the same kind of identity issue when he complained to God in I Kings 19:10 that "I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." A few verses later, God reminded him that "I have left me seven thousand in Israel" who had not bowed the knees to, nor kissed the face of Baal. How about we all join hands together and stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Now that would be something to trumpet! 

Edited by Navidad
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3 hours ago, bluebell said:

Probably just anecdotal. Utah is the fifth state I’ve lived in. Out of those states it has the highest percentage of members and also the most emphasis on plastic surgery. 

 

It might have something to do with business practices.  I know of someone who came here from elsewhere to get plastic surgery performed (for health reasons), I can't remember if it was the lower cost or the best specialist was here ( it was a relatively new procedure at the time iirc).

Not saying only reason.  Utah used to rate very high in lawyers (maybe still does) and that was iirc, because BYU law school.  Perhaps UoU has a good plastic surgery dept. so a number of students from Utah go that route thinking it is a high paying job.  Then they get out and find lots of competition, which lowers prices...which draws more customers from in and out of the state.  Too lazy to do research to find out at the moment.

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3 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I wonder, how much of this supposed "Utah Elitism" problem is reality, and how much of it is perception?  As a life-long Utah resident (save two years in Southern California), I haven't encountered it a lot (at all, really, to tell the truth).  If someone tried to pull that **** in my hearing (imagine a mild form of the epithet referring to excrement there ;):D) , I would quote Matthew 3:9 to him or her.

At the same time, while it's not necessarily based on pedigree or on family connections, perhaps some Utahns do tend to get "fat and happy," religiously speaking, a bit (or perhaps a lot) complacent in their observance of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, taking quite a bit for granted in a place where, generally, one could not swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting a fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  (For you cat lovers out there, no cats were harmed in the writing of this post, and its author does not endorse so harming them. :D

While I've never heard anyone (except those who are apostate, ironically) trumpet their pedigree in the Church of Jesus Christ, conversely, I have heard quite a few people speak (indirectly, at least) of the pride of living "In The Mission Field," where, often, if one stands for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, s/he does so alone, or virtually so (as, e.g., the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ among hundreds or thousands at school or at his or her place of work).  While I think a certain amount of pride might be justified, in a sense, in the latter circumstance, I've never encountered it (except, ironically, as I say, among apostates) in the former circumstance. 

Except for 7 years at BYU and 2 years teaching in Murray and Springville, I have been a "Mission Field Dweller." It is true that having a pioneer ancestor enhances the resume of a critic of the Church. But it is nice to have a couple of Martin Company survivors in the family tree (on me momma's side). 

We lived in Rockford, IL, for 4 years. On one side of the Rock River were the Catholics and on the other side the Lutherans, with a passel of Evangelicals thrown in just for fun. The same kind of elitism and complacence existed on each side of the River there. It was not easy being LDS there in our two dinky LDS wards divided by the River. Because of our years living in Utah, Sister Gui and I were viewed as "Utah Mormons," but we filled some callings that needed filling and made some great friends. Some of the complaints about elitism are just the provincial aspect of human nature, IMO. You find it everywhere. I don't think it's helpful to rank on Utah LDS for being human.

At Conference time, I always enjoy the sense of belonging to a larger community (national in earlier years and global more recently) that I feet in April and October, whether in Illinois, New Mexico, Central America, Australia, or Washington. I will never forget the first Priesthood Session I attended in 1964 at BYU in the Smith Fieldhouse. I was astounded at the number of men in one building. My previous experience was driving 100 miles to Albuquerque with a couple of carloads of brethren to hear a telephone feed at a half-full stake center.

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3 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

For vaginal rejuvenation?  I suppose Mormon men have the right to go there. I’ll have to find stats I suppose.😂

Crivens. No, for the overall usage of cosmetic surgery, obviously.

What a world we live in.

Edited by Bernard Gui
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4 hours ago, Navidad said:

Diet Dr. Pepper is a heavenly, err.....celestial, err.....amazing drink. I have one every day whether I need it or not. Drinking Diet Dr. Pepper is not an addiction; it is a delight! Especially if you went to graduate school and seminary in Texas!

No soft drink with the word diet in it is heavenly

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On 3/22/2019 at 6:33 PM, MustardSeed said:

Haha! Gopher.  Can we all just agree that there IS no delicious burp waft? 

I’m positive that there will not be a green light ever put on coffee.  If wow changes , it will only be added upon.  No vaping, no unprescribed devil’s lettuce, no energy drinks. 

Meanwhile, stuff your body with Botox and whatever else so that you’re cute. Vaginal tuck, yes please.  And sugar is a GO! ;) 

It's just nice to have a few commandments that you don't feel tempted to break.  Drinking coffee, eating shellfish, coveting my neighbor's a$$, and getting gay married are all on the list of things I don't feel tempted to do.

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1 hour ago, Bernard Gui said:

Some of the complaints about elitism are just the provincial aspect of human nature, IMO

I am a No. Californian Saint.  I thought California Saints were elitist until I realized it was just the same group behaviour I saw in high school, Canada, Kansas, Russia, and even Mapleton (among Saints and nonmembers alike).  Everyone thought there was some quality that made their group special.  And they are right as far as I am concerned.

I think that is important to feel that way.  To feel proud of who you are and those you care about, are close to.  

It can become a problem when we refuse to acknowledge other groups are better in some ways than our own.  We don't have to be the best at everything even if we need to feel we are important and have value to others.

I also suspect quite a lot of what I interpreted as elitism over the years was more my own insecurity about whether I felt I belonged.  Easier to blame others for not including me than blame my own discomfort leading me to avoid stuff.

Edited by Calm
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30 minutes ago, Calm said:

... It can become a problem when we refuse to acknowledge other groups are better in some ways than our own.  We don't have to be the best at everything even if we need to feel we are important and have value to others.

Dean Stendahl discusses his Holy Envy for aspects of belief and practice of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it does illustrate the point: There are aspects of belief and practice in numerous other faiths for which we might have Holy Envy.

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26 minutes ago, MustardSeed said:

Great song, one of my favorite singers :) 

and I know I for one suffer a sore case of vanity. 

Well, we've never met in real life (and may never do so) but, while we might all have our little vanities or our little moments of vanity, I have a hard time believing your case is all that sore.  Just my $0.02. ;) 

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17 hours ago, bluebell said:

Her point might have been that Utah, home to so many members of the church, should be one of the last places where women are vain about their appearance (including that if their vagina). 

I think it’s a relevant point (while acknowledging that there are medical reasons that a vaginal rejuvenation might be needed). 

What constitutes being “vain” about one’s appearance, though? Would that include the wearing of makeup? Accessorizing one’s wardrobe? Visiting a hairdresser?

Look, you won’t find me defending vanity-motivated plastic surgery. I consider it akin to tattoos or body piercings, which I disapprove of earnestly.  

But if anecdotal evidence is the order of the day here, perhaps I might be indulged in offering my own as one who was raised in the Church and has spent nearly his entire life among “Utah Mormons.” I must have become acquainted in that time with hundreds, if not thousands of them. As I sit here, I can’t think of a single one who, to my knowledge, has received plastic surgery to feed his or her vanity. Sure, it’s possible some might have done it without my knowing. But you would think that in all that time I would be able to think of at least three or four if it is indeed as endemic here as is being portrayed. 

Edited by Scott Lloyd
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11 hours ago, Navidad said:

Hi amigo ---- As a religious group within the Christian tradition, I do believe that members of the Church of Jesus Christ are prone to elitism. Once one acknowledges he or she is the only - then elitism is bound to follow. Then, assuming the sociological principle that faithful members of any group tend to display many of the dominant characteristics of the group, it is easy to see why a) one doesn't see it in others when most of those one associates with share the same identity; and b) one mirrors the dominant characteristics of the group with which one identifies. I highly recommend the book "The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires our Trust more than our "Correct" Beliefs" by scholar and theologian Peter Enns. He is a controversial guy (why I like him) and always makes me think (why I like him). This is a powerful book.  Elijah the prophet faced the same kind of identity issue when he complained to God in I Kings 19:10 that "I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." A few verses later, God reminded him that "I have left me seven thousand in Israel" who had not bowed the knees to, nor kissed the face of Baal. How about we all join hands together and stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Now that would be something to trumpet! 

You don’t grasp the concept of the Latter-day Saints considering themselves the covenant people of God (which is a concept older than Abraham). It entails the duty to take the gospel message to as many people as will listen and to invite them to join with us by entering into the covenant. Such inclusiveness is not elitism. It is just the opposite. 

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11 hours ago, The Nehor said:

What religion is Florida Man?

It is known only to him and a bodega owner in Boca Raton. It is said he found a tiny glowing alien orb in a nautilus shell on the beach near the bodega and when he put the shell to his ear, instead of hearing the ocean, he heard whispered the secrets of the universe which he can not reveal on pain of losing his power and being transformed into a sea slug..

Edited by Bernard Gui
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30 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

It is known only to him and a bodega owner in Boca Raton. It is said he found a tiny glowing alien orb in a nautilus shell on the beach near the bodega and when he put the shell to his ear, instead of hearing the ocean, he heard whispered the secrets of the universe which he will not reveal on pain of losing his power.

Then he got high and started cooking a pie on his George Foreman grill and burned his house down?

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