Thinking

I recently found out that a nephew of mine and his wife are "taking a break from Church." As I understand it, they want to see what their lives are like without the Church. Both were raised by very active parents and they have known nothing but life in the Church. I don't know if this is a cover for "we don't believe anymore." Do any of you know somebody who "took a break from the Church?" Did they come back or stay away?

I think Putin doesn't really care about what the scriptures say about the end times.

Or...To any of our youth out there who are struggling and considering suicide, whatever your concerns or difficulties, please talk to someone: a friend, teacher, parent, family member, anybody you trust. Or...I know that your pain is real. Please let us help you. This statement should just be deleted. It is somewhat of a guilt trip. 👍 Guilt trip. Delete this sentence. 👍

There is a legal disclaimer at the bottom of the tithing slip that basically gives the Church permission to do whatever it wants with any donation. "Though reasonable efforts will be made to use donations as designated, all donations become the Church's property and will be used at the Church's sole discretion to further the Church's overall mission." Lawyers correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the quoted disclaimer has more legal standing than a press release.

Emphasis mine. Are there states that grant high school credit for seminary? I know that in Utah students are "released" to go to seminary, but they don't receive high school credit.

I'm not sure Metis_LDS deserved your snarky response. It was a legitimate question since the major news shows are not going to talk about the LDS temple. Thanks Rain for finding that information.

My wife pays her tithing online. On the bank statement it says "LDS Tithing."

One thing I like about cathedrals is they are open for worship. LDS meetinghouse are only open if there is a meeting or activity going on. The chapel is not "open" for anybody to come and pray or meditate.

Was Catholic Charities part of an organization that provided services to same-sex couples, or was Catholic Charities its own organization?

I might be the reason that the priests are now excused to sit with their families after the sacrament. I dozed off several times at the sacrament table and I am not a quiet sleeper.

I'm not sure what you are really asking because there are a lot of things that are legal (gambling, cigarettes, alcohol...) that the Church doesn't get behind.

If said church doesn't want to provide services that run counter to its own doctrine, then is shouldn't be a member of an organization that has some services that run counter to its own doctrine.

Yes.

Anecdotal: My sister's husband had an affair (among other things). They divorced. He was never excommunicated. Don't know why. He later served as a counselor in the bishopric in a different ward.

Cheryl A. Esplin could have shown her how to have a short feminine haircut. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2010/05/news-of-the-church/cheryl-a-esplin?lang=eng Eyebrows too firm? No. Words.

How do we know if the prophet is still leading people to exaltation and has not created another Great Apostasy?

How big of a mistake is a prophet allowed to make and still be a prophet?

Probably not. Just like growth curve leveled off, any curve that depicts a decline in membership will most likely level off too, IMO.

So you want concrete guidance on gay dating while remaining a member in good standing when concrete guidance is not even given for whether to pay tithing on net pay or gross pay?

When I go out to eat at a restaurant, I order the 6 ounce steak instead of the 10 ounce steak. 🙂

My companion and I were robbed in Peru in 1982, but not in person. Somebody broke into our apartment and stole only my companion's tape recorder. I think after they broke in they probably dropped a few swear words after they realized there was nothing of worldly value other than some clothes (which were mostly white shirts, ties, dress pants, and unusual underwear). I'm glad that nobody was seriously hurt in Mexico.

Freudian slip?

It was as if somebody who said "I believe..." had a weaker testimony than somebody who said "I know..."

So basically some group decided that Equality = Workplace Environment + Education & Health + Political Empowerment Any definition can be manipulated in order to obtain the desired result - especially if the questions are worded in such a way as to create bias.

We are already "into the millennium" so I'm not sure what his point is. Now if he had said "into the next millennium..."