Girls are licked cupcakes...

[_Jersey Girl]

Every now and then, the guy with the rifle says something that makes me think from a different perspective.

Honestly I agree!! I am so happy now in my life that I am really living it on my terms and choosing to worship where I want and wish. For me the LDS Church is still the best. I have a friend who wants me to join a conservative EV sect, people here who think I ought to bolt because for them the Church is and "obvious fraud." Most of those persons would have me choose a path of no belief in God. Others want me to just shelve the knowledge I have about the problems with the Church. Other more TBM types want me to ignore things that I cannot ignore.

I am actually quite happy with where I am at. Happier I think than I have ever been. I don't tell anyone here why it is good for them to stay, go or do whatever. Nor should they me or you!!

No one should decide but for themselves and for their own purposes. A large amount of time spent in church or in church related activities can have to do with creating relationships, fellowshipping, supporting others through various events in life, celebrating a families successes and mile stones and trying to affirm each other as members of the church family strive to live according to their personally held beliefs. When the rubber meets the road, this is the purpose of the "body of Christ" that EV's believe exists in the world and functions to build eachother up in the name of Christ and in doing so, lifting up the name of Christ in their words and actions.

Who should tell you where to do it?

Actually some may be surprised where one can have influence. It will be slow yes. But having had some leadership and having friends and associates with more leadership than I, there have been opportunities to discuss things that could be bettered upon. Some of that may filter upwards. One thing I have been able to discuss with GA level type is the Church's involvement in Prop 8. I will not share the discussion here but I can tell you it encouraged me.

Baby steps are better than no steps at all in righting wrongs. Why blow up the building when you can reinforce parts of the foundation one new brick at a time?

Such wisdom for a snowy Saturday!

[_harmony]

I see it in wards and stakes and I see it in many of the top leaders. I saw it in Elder Maxwell. I see it in Elder Holland and Elder Scott and Pres, Eyring and Pres Uchdorf and others. Not all but in many.

It's those who are missing from this list that dismay me.

[_Jason Bourne]

It's those who are missing from this list that dismay me

Could you please elaborate?

[_harmony]

It's those who are missing from this list that dismay me

Could you please elaborate?

Elder Oakes, Elder Packer... I'm not sure they know the power of the Atonement. I'm not even sure they know who he was or what he stood for.

And that they know exactly how to use their power to inflict the maximum pain is very clear. And they have no impetus to change. We can only wait until someone else is called to sit in their chairs.

[_ajax18]

(to be clear, the young men can still fully repent, it's only the privilege of missionary service that is denied them).

With a punishment like that, it amazes me that more young men don't fall. I for one had no innate burning desire to bring the Lamanites to a remembrance of their fathers while living in their squalor and partaking of their diseases. Essentially it's just a smoother path to the CK, at least that's the way it's taught.

But I guess some political regimes have managed to make not serving in the army a punishment in some eras. It almost seems similar to punishing the truant by suspending him from school. The level of mind control just makes me do a double take some times when I look back.

[_harmony]

I for one had no innate burning desire to bring the Lamanites to a remembrance of their fathers while living in their squalor and partaking of their diseases.

The ignorance of this statement is appalling. But I know enough about you to not bother with "shame on you". Shame is only possible for those with a modicum of humanity.

[_Daniel Peterson]

Elder Oakes, Elder Packer... I'm not sure they know the power of the Atonement. I'm not even sure they know who he was or what he stood for.

And that they know exactly how to use their power to inflict the maximum pain is very clear. And they have no impetus to change. We can only wait until someone else is called to sit in their chairs.

Question cluster #4.

[_Yoda]

What about the temple changes? Those were done based on survey results from creeped out members. (I realize that TBMs will say this change was done based on inspiration).

Are the two mutually exclusive?

Maybe not.

I do know that the temple changes have improved my spiritual experience personally when going through the temple. I admit to feeling a huge relief that those parts have been removed.

I suppose my quandary lies in the fact that I wonder why those portions were ever a part of the temple ceremony to begin with? How could something that the Lord views as so important be presented in an incorrect manner? My questions here apply not only to the recent temple changes, but also to the prior incorporation of the Adam/God Theory.

[_Yoda]

Elder Oakes, Elder Packer... I'm not sure they know the power of the Atonement. I'm not even sure they know who he was or what he stood for.

And that they know exactly how to use their power to inflict the maximum pain is very clear. And they have no impetus to change. We can only wait until someone else is called to sit in their chairs.

Question cluster #4.

She respects the callings they hold. She disagrees with how they are executing their responsibilities.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I suppose my quandary lies in the fact that I wonder why those portions were ever a part of the temple ceremony to begin with? How could something that the Lord views as so important be presented in an incorrect manner? My questions here apply not only to the recent temple changes, but also to the prior incorporation of the Adam/God Theory.

Interesting questions.

I'd be happy to discuss them sometime.

But definitely not here. Perhaps only in the temple.