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Vanguard

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Everything posted by Vanguard

  1. Oh it's so difficult to be me! ;o I think there at least two reasons why so many times I don't speak up. In no order of importance - 1) I'm scared I may provoke a conflictual exchange in the group and/or 2) I don't think it's germane enough to the lesson and the purpose of the discussion. I do on occasion try to convey my own thoughts though I am particularly careful in how I word it. Sometimes it seems others have no problem saying exactly how they think about a given topic regardless of how their comments might impact others unnecessarily.
  2. It happened about a month ago while I was visiting an old ward of mine in So Cal. The speaker was going on too long and there was another slated to speak. The bishop got up and whispered into his ear. That's about the only time I can think of, however. There have been numerous times when I have wondered if the leadership would say something though they never have. I wonder sometimes what I would do if put into such a leadership position. Yuck. I have never heard a leader correct something that is considered false doctrine though there have been multiple times when someone has said something that I privately contest and that perhaps should be addressed. Just last Sunday in Priesthood there were several comments that I thought needed much more nuance and clarification. The teacher each time simply followed up with an "Exactly. Couldn't agree more" or some such comment. It was discouraging for me to say the least. : ( Edited to add: I think participating on this board as either helped or hindered me. I am so much more familiar with important nuances that it seems other members have never even considered. Geesh.
  3. My wife & I had just spoken of this 'prophecy' a couple of weeks ago. I have difficulty imagining a scenario where foreign powers decide the US should be split and then are willing to spend their blood treasure trying to make it so. Who knows how much would have to happen in the States for that one step to become a realistic possibility?
  4. Ok. So then would it be more accurate for me to say - "I trust that those managing the funds are striving to take directions from God"? And if so, then it is entirely logical to hold this position that they have done so with these money matters regardless of whether God ultimately approves. And even if He didn't, how could we possibly know?
  5. I don't understand this statement. If we accept that the general leadership seeks the Lord's guidance in important matters pertaining to the Church, then why would it not be logical in the case of money matters to assume this? Again, I don't understand. If I trust they are taking directions from God, why wouldn't it be logical? And if not, what other logical position can one take if one trusts the leadership in this way? My head spins... ; )
  6. I also thought physical violence is the worst because almost by definition it includes emotional violence.
  7. Yup. Though not the only response that can be considered unhealthy, physical violence is certainly the worst.
  8. Great question(s). I think the first step (which I believe is the point of your post) is to remind ourselves that just because we have a negative emotional reaction to something does not mean we are therefore justified in claiming the entity causing the reaction is in the wrong. Powerful emotional reaction is not always synonymous with legitimate grievance. Yes, we have a right to any emotion we want though we do not have a right to therefore claim we have been legitimately grieved. With that, I find it helpful to remind myself the art of communication is fraught with potential pitfalls even when said communication comes from those whom we respect. I suspect many times (virtually always?) the communicator does not intend to offend anyone. Perhaps it is simply a reflection of their own ignorance regards to the impact their message might have. Could they be more insightful and sensitive? Sure. Was it malicious? I doubt it. I think we could all stand to learn that lesson. And similarly, at times it would be good to thoroughly examine our own emotional world. Could we be allowing ourselves to be led too much by our emotions? I believe it happens all of the time. It looks like both communicator and listener have much to ponder. There is much more to be said about this. ; ) Edited to add now that I have read the other posts: I personally wouldn't emphasize feeling guilty about one's emotional reaction. Your emotions do not carry much valence in my mind but rather, what are my behaviors as a result? Is said reaction helping me move forward or contributing to keeping me mired.
  9. Oh good grief. You're probably right. The TR rolls are better than anywhere else and especially along with the special honey-butter spread. : )
  10. Ha! There's something about the mint flavored that is a cut above any of the others. I can go through a roll in minutes flat. ; )
  11. Happy General Conference Sat! My wife and 16 yros caboose are watching. We had to buy a massive stash of treats in order to cajole our daughter to wake up and attend. You know, the regular fare - Fritos (the original kind), peel and pull cherry Twizzler licorice, several Mentos rolls (mint flavored), and Pringles. Of course, the cherry on top will be lunch at Texas Roadhouse this afternoon! Good grief! The lengths we go to... ; ) Oh, and copious amounts of Dr. Pepper, baby!
  12. Smac - How do I get a hold of you privately? Your PM function seems to be disengaged. Would you mind reaching out to me instead?
  13. I think that's the same kind of reaction I had. I find it to be a massive cognitive disconnect when someone says "Hello, we are faithful, practicing, temple-worthy members of the LDS Church but the entire general leadership is all evil" kind of thing. : ( There's something weird about that. How on earth do they get along at church? To wit, "Good morning Sis. Smith. Your lesson on Christian charity was wonderful! You can't wait until next Sunday's General Conference to see if they have anything more to say about it? Oh, we won't be wacthing as the apostles are all wolves in sheep's clothing and evil to the core. But you have a wonderful Sabbath." ;o
  14. Long live modestly skinny dipping! ;o
  15. Who said anything about it being someone's job? And yet here we are in good faith trying to figure out the distinction. Your good faith attempt - So can God be sufficiently satisfied with someone who believes they have covenanted with Him such that they are granted this "continual and increasing witness" you speak of and all the while not receive the LDS baptism? If your answer is no, I know several Christians who fervently believe otherwise. What is our answer to this?
  16. These comments all resonate with me. I think we as members will ultimately have a difficult time reliably distinguishing between those who have the gift of the HS and those who simply can feel the HS at times but who do no yet have the gift. I have yet to hear a solid description of the difference. Occasionally (frequently?) you'll hear someone who has converted to the faith proclaim, "Oh you better believe there's a difference!" though I don't know if even they are able to articulate what that difference is. And even if they do articulate it, it may simply be more a function of their own experience and not a universal statement of how it really works. If the LDS gospel is true, there must be some difference though I don't know yet what that is.
  17. No worries. I would grant you a 'smoking voucher' if I were in charge! ;o
  18. Good grief! I thought you were kidding! ;o
  19. As is classic with Vanguard-family thinking, we inevitably will push the envelope even further. The next program I would institute if I were prophet would be the 'sin voucher' program. You can imagine... ;o NOTE: By the way and on a loosely-related note, it's a treat when I hear one or more of my 3 children (22, 20, and 16 yros) exclaim - "Dad, I can't believe how much I think like you!". Ahhhh, pure bliss. ; )
  20. By the way, I have joked with family about instituting a 'tithing voucher' program for those who have gone the extra mile. You know, something like - "Bro. Vanguard, in recognition of your tireless service in helping to clean the chapel, visit your ministering assignments, and working at the soup kitchen, we grant you this tithing voucher good for skipping one month's worth". ; ) Do you know the things we could do with one month's worth of tithing? Oh, the places you'll go! ;o
  21. But isn't a house mortgage or rent a major expense too?
  22. I appreciate your candor though I don't agree with the position. Do you think you would be taking the same action had the Church not - as you say - "engage[d] in deceptive behavior for no good reason"? Let's say this issue with the SEC had not happened but instead you still found out the Church has amassed the large amount of money it has. In that scenario, would you stop paying your tithing?
  23. Could you clarify what you think should be concluded and what actions should therefore be taken? From your few posts I gather you are an active believer. Have you concluded you will no longer follow these "types of people"?
  24. Or maybe we should refer to the Pope as 'Frank' and Bishop Solis as 'BS' so that we don't appear too cultish! ;o
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