Peppermint Patty

The Elders were over here and were saying that new member discussions can't be taught by the missionaries, home or visiting teachers but need to be taught by the leaders of the ward. They can be taught by the missionaries but it won't be counted on the stake record.This sounds kooky to me. Has anyone heard anything like this at all?

Interesting. I know that the missionaries in our Ward are currently teaching new member discussions to one of our families. Maybe this was just implemented?

Duncan, it's probably a good thing for the Ward leaders to teach these lessons. My experience as a missionary tells me that most of the new member discussions kind of end up like this anyway:

Reading this OP has made me a little uncomfortable. Nobody (except the Savior) is even remotely qualified to be passing judgement on someone's testimony/commitment to the Church. I know for an absolute certainty, the Savior would not want us doing so.

Moving on..........

just saw this and too feel more Grace being taught. I love this change.... log time coming as the Book of Mormon teaches this throughout. I just started a post on Grace and Mercy that you guys might like

Thanks, Reelmormon. I will check out your post.

ETA: Does anybody here remember Kerry Shirts?

GREAT clip! I take it that you are a Floyd fan? I flew to San Antonio last year just to see Roger Waters in concert (it was on my bucket list). When Roger sings Vera Lynn, it brings tears to one's eyes. I'm sure you know Roger's father died in WWII and Vera Lynn was one of the most popular singers in England during the War. If you've ever wondered where Roger came up with the lyrics, "remember how she said that we would meet again, some sunny day" came from:

One can almost imagine a young Roger Waters listening to this song on the radio wondering when his father would return from the War.

So as not to completely derail this OP, I think everyone here has made good points about the Book of Abraham.

Do you have stats to back this up, Patty?

Hi, Hamba. Here is an article that discusses the growing gender gap in the LDS Church. On a side note, in the last 20 years, I have lived in 4 different Wards and 2 Branches. In all of these units, the women outnumbered the men (3 to 1 in one of my Branches).

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53117548-78/mormons-utah-percent-mormon.html.csp

Mercy,

Great OP. I don't think women are more spiritual than men. However, women are more religious than men in the LDS faith. More women than men are being converted and are active members.

This gender gap is growing.

Interesting OP. The only reason I can think of for blocking this recruit from transferring to BYU is that the D-News reported some years back that Norm Chow was subjected to racial slurs by certain BYU officials. BYU even offered an official apology:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/540034586/1999-racial-slur-elicits-apology-at-Y.html

And yet

Jiohn 3:16

Forr God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Has anyone ever thought of how different the Scriptures might be on another world? The Scriptures elsewhere might mention the Savior being born on another world called Earth, that was so evil that they crucified Him.

I imagine that Earth might be the subject of much debate, discussion, scorn and ridicule on other worlds.

First you must buy her 11 cows...

This is exactly what I'm talking about, Blackstrap. Calmoriah probably doesn't even understand your "11 cow" reference because she refuses to watch "Johnny Lingo".

We've all been forced to watch this cheesy slice of Americana, otherwise known as "Johnny Lingo". Why does Calmoriah think she can run from the same fate? Calmoriah can't hide from "Johnny Lingo" forever.

In another thread, Calmoriah was pridefully boasting about never having watched "Johnny Lingo". I was shocked, to say the least.

I have decided to try to solve the mystery of why Calmoriah has intentionally avoided watching "Johnny Lingo". What say you Calmoriah? Is there an interesting story behind your choice?

Calmoriah, everyone in life has their price. What's it going to take to introduce you to Johnny?

Perhaps I am being cryptic, but I suggest reading Screwtape Proposes a Toast.

Screwtape Proposes a Toast:

For democracy in the diabolical sense leads to a nation without great men and women. It has a value as a state of mind, excluding humility, charity, contentment, and all the pleasures of gratitude or admiration. It is our function to encourage the behaviour, the manners, the whole attitude of mind, which democracies naturally like and enjoy, because these are the very things which, if unchecked, will destroy democracy. You would almost wonder that even humans don’t see it themselves”.

Is this what you are referring to, Volgadon?

Moses 7:36

Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.

I'm sure that many of you who have grown up in the Church have been taught either in Sunday School or Seminary that this Earth is the most wicked of God's creations, and that we were the only planet capable of crucifying the Savior.

We know that God's creations are "without number" and there are literally trillions and trillions of planets in the Universe. Do we really live on the most wicked planet? If so, what does this mean? Is this just a myth? Did we do something in the pre-existence to merit coming to this planet? Is it an honor, just chance, or maybe a punishment? Does this notion come from Moses 7:36?

Just curious about everyone's thoughts.

Sorry, it is a point of pride of mine never to have seen it. Can't make me, nyah, nyah, nyah.....told you I hadn't grown up.

I respect, and applaud you for your decision never to watch. After watching Johnny Lingo many times in my youth, I can tell you that you are making the right choice.

And whoever claimed I ever chose to grow up?

Cal,

Here is Johnny Lingo in its entirety. Please watch it and tell us what you think. Your thoughts will probably be worthy of their own OP.

Really? More effective than the Amish and Hasidic Jews?

I would dare say that Islam is probably much more effective than the LDS faith.

I am hoing that the replies to this post might be serious answers from your perspective on how you deal with several faith crises issues.

reelmormon,

Good post. Every LDS has their doubts (whether or not they will admit it). That's what is so good about faith. We don't have to come to an understanding or acceptance of every single part of our history or doctrine. It is sufficient that we have faith in Christ and follow his example and teachings.

I have struggled with many of the same issues that you brought up. Honestly, you will find troubling issues in every single religion in the world (Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, etc.). There is MUCH good in the LDS faith and millions of LDS have found comfort, peace and a closer relationship to the Savior.

Just remember that it's okay to have doubts and questions that may never be adequately answered in your life. Every member of every world religion (and atheist) have doubts and questions. It's part of the human condition.

If I had a dime for everytime I heard that we are not Christians.....

This situation is getting better. Currently, several churches who previously taught that LDS were not Christians have come out and publicly changed their opinions. All we can do as LDS is keep living good, clean, charitable and Christian lives. Eventually, most churches will come around and realize that the LDS represent many of the best parts of Christianity.

As the social/economic/educational gap widens, it would not surprise me to see LDS men dropping out of both the mating market and the Church.

Great comment. I really hope this does not happen.

I agree that many women in the Church today have unrealistic expectations when it comes to choosing a husband. Many expect to marry a wealthy husband as righteous and as good looking as Nephi (see Frieberg's Nephi picture). These men simply do not exist. There are many good, hard working, kind and gentle men in our Church that are overlooked by LDS women for a variety of reasons. I hope this culture changes at some point.

Also, if the educational gap continues to widen, the government may have to initiate a program of affirmative action for males. Don't laugh, we are already heading down that road.

Messenger,

Many studies now show that there is a strong genetic component to Adult ADHD. Other studies show that women who smoke or drink alcohol may have an increased risk of having a child with ADHD. Still other studies show that the presence of certain toxins in the environment, such as lead or PCBs, may also have a role in causing ADHD and interfere with the brain development of children. Finally, there are even some studies that indicate that too much TV may be associated with ADHD.

In short, it appears that there might be numerous causes of Adult ADHD. I'm just glad that you were finally correctly diagnosed and can now receive the appropriate treatment.

You seem like a very courageous person and I really wish you well in your endeavors.

It all has to do with the terms of the exchange. Like you, employers are free to set the terms by which they are willing to pay their employees, including requiring an accounting of how the employees spend the money given them.

Wade,

Not to derail, but employers cannot require an accounting of how employees spend the money given them. At least not in the United States, as this would violate numerous state privacy and federal labor laws.

Carry on.

I will try to view the video later. In the meantime, I want to mention that I myself have come to a provisional conclusion that human consciousness is actually centered outside this perceptible universe -- probably in the presence of God Himself -- and our bodies are all waldoes for our spirits, which communicate seamlessly by way of entrained particles, which is a quantum phenomenum in any event.

This is something I am not prepared to offer any mathematical proof for, regretably.

Stargazer,

You are not alone in your belief about life being a simulation. There are several respected physicists who believe that there is plenty of scientific evidence that we are living in a simulation. Just google Oxford Professor Nick Bostrom, or read about the Simulated Life Theory here:

http://en.wikipedia....mulated_reality

Thanks. Great comments.

I'm thankful that the Church stresses education so much and the importance of the family unit. I think if all religions stressed the importance of education like the LDS Church, the gender gap would not be as wide as it is today.

In addition to a recent study showing that more women are LDS than men, we now have this article from the Deseret News regarding recent trends between men and women in education and obtaining college degrees: http://www.deseretne...risis.html?pg=1

For every 100 women who earn a bachelor's degree, only 73 men earn one. Women outnumber men obtaining master's degrees by more than 30 percent.

Whitmire's "suspects" for why boys have lost so much ground in schools includes video games, homework, male angst, feminization of the classroom, disappearing male role models including teachers and failure to practice brain-based teaching.

As a mother of 3 daughters, these trends are a little discomforting to me. This can't be good for families. Are most women going to be the primary breadwinners in the typical family in a few years? What can be done to reverse these trends and encourage young men to pursue their educations?

Do these trends hold true for LDS young men too?

blooit,

I'm curious. What type of crops are you going to be growing this year? Are you also planning on raising any livestock? If so, what types? I will be interested to see how much food you will be able to harvest on your land.

Good luck.

Sounds like a very interesting symposium. I will try to make it.

I've really wondered why the "moderate" Islamic world has allowed the radical fringe to completely dominate the discourse between Islam and the West. I'm convinced that the vast majority of Muslims go about their lives like ordinary people. Raising their families, praying for security and peace, etc. We seldom see this side of Islam here in the American media.