let’s roll

This. If we lack wisdom we are invited to ask God. We do well to accept that invitation.

Like most, this is a subject where one size doesn’t fit all. Since God has promised to impart wisdom to those who earnestly seek it, I think it prudent for earnest couples to consult with, and take counsel from, God with respect to their child bearing plans. Btw, I was the second oldest of five children raised by a single mother with a HS education. I quite enjoyed my childhood, with the credit going in equal part to my saintly mother and my fun-loving siblings.

There are elements of your discourse that point to the concept of consecration, which is a central and essential element of LDS theology.

Interesting. I used to encourage my early morning seminary students to engage in daily meditation. I did the same to those in Gospel Doctrine in six different Wards during a span of 40 years and never had pushback. I’ve always considered it synonymous with pondering, the term more often used in the Church at all levels. I am a lawyer and have been told that some are reticent to question attorneys so that may explain the lack of pushback. That said, I am always willing to discuss divergent points of view. I just have never had any verbalized opposition to the concept of meditation. My belief is that meditation was a vital part of Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness.

Embrace the struggle to become, petition for Divine assistance in that struggle, bask in the joy and light that accompanies progress, and have confidence that His grace will abide with those who maintain resolve when progress comes slowly. Invite others to the struggle, encourage and buoy them in their efforts. Have a grateful heart. It’s ironic that for many Americans, the abiding memory of the World Cup will be having had the world visit our country and tell us how wonderful it is and how happy and kind we are. It is, and most times, we are. We have much for which to be grateful. Gratitude to Deity and each other, in word and deed, is not only admirable, it is warranted and it lifts the soul of both the giver and recipient.

My son, do you believe I love you? As your father, the desire of my heart is that you have a successful school year and I will demonstrate my love for you by doing all I can to help you do so. I believe that includes asking God to bless you. With your consent, I’d like to give you a father’s blessing to both tell you of my love and commitment and to invoke God’s aid for both of us as we work together for your benefit. May I do so?

A pearl of wisdom from our friend Navidad. Worthy of consideration, understanding that I might be inviting navel gazing with respect to our navel gazing. 😉

The God Who Weeps is one of my favorites. My results: Terryl Givens 75% McConkie. 58% Progressive. 66% All of my responses were narratives, most of them nuanced. It was interesting to see how AI converted those narratives to a point on the spectrum of responses. I feel like creating a badge with my “theological radar” printed on it. I found the radar fascinating.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I have benefited from the wisdom in a number of your posts over the years. I appreciate your well and fence metaphors. My experience after having lived in Wards in seven different states and one foreign country is that my perception of the depth of the well has varied in each congregation. In some places I found the well so deep and productive that I was often able to drink my fill. In other places I spent most of my time with my spiritual shovel, trying to help make the well deeper and more productive, finding that such efforts often had their own reward. I can’t speak to fences. I’m not one who notices fences even if others make efforts to make sure everyone acknowledges and stays within their metaphorical boundaries. Better, I believe, to be guided by Deity, regardless of where that guidance leads and whose fences might be breached. Wishing you Godspeed in your journey.

In most cases, I doubt judges ever see the letters. While in law school (in the ‘80’s)I interned in the AG’s office for a couple of years and for part of that time worked with Adult Probation and Parole which, at that time, prepared Presentencing Reports for judges. My understanding was that any correspondence sent to a judge’s chambers was forwarded, unopened, to APP for review. APP would evaluate what portion of that correspondence, if any, would be included in the report. In my experience in preparing roughly 50 PRs, there were letters submitted by Bishops in 3 or 4 of those. We chose not to include any text from any of those but included a reference to the letter in a list of submitted character reference letters. The letters were returned to the judges chambers with a copy kept by APP. I also received a few phone calls from Bishops. My recollection of those calls was that in each case the Bishop indicated that the convict’s family had requested the Bishop reach out. I suspect all of those calls were made first to the judge’s chambers, with the judge’s staff then directing them to APP. I would listen and let the Bishop know that I was sure the family would be grateful that he reached out. I handled those as I did the letters. The call was listed in the report but no detail was included.

Agreed, with the caveat that, as with many things, there is the genuine and the counterfeit. We do well not to let the latter dissuade us from belief in the former.

Elvis is offended that he wasn’t included in the picture.

very enthusiastic and excited infatuation about someone or something. "moviegoers went gaga over Harry Potter"

There’s a golf ball up there that would provide evidence…🙂. Frankly, I have no problem believing there was a moon landing in 1969. I do struggle with the characterization of another moon landing nearly 60 years later as some marvel of science. There are some more practical reasons for going back that I think have been largely ignored, supplanted by lots of space gaga.

Just in time. 😉