NOM

Nah, you got it all wrong, SN. The folks who really really hate Trump don't own guns and wouldn't shoot anyone. Lol I think the feller who took the potshots was a republigun. As far as I've heard, there's no identified motive. I'm glad he was not successful. As much as I dislike Trump, I do not wish...

MHGA

Make Heaven Great Again

Amen, brother.

I grew up with a poetry and book living mother who read me classic poetry from the likes of Eugene Field, Frost, Kipling, Tennison, and Longfellow. Good stuff.

I played a lot of church softball from the 70's continuing into the mid to late 90's. I don't see or hear of it going on anymore. I played some church basketball in those same years but it didn't seem to be as big. In my current stake, where I've been for 20+years, I was told that a previous stake p...

And it was my experience when I was in local leadership positions, whenever I or anyone had a truly good novel idea that would actually help people but was a bit outside the box, the idea never became action, as anything outside the box needed to be floated up the chain. I once sat in a meeting with...

My wife had to play piano for the singing children, so I accompanied her to sac mtg so she didn't have sit by herself. It wasn't terrible and I got the token chocolate chip cookie handed out to the dads following the meeting. I've now attended sac meeting on Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day and fathe...

In their minds... Even though everyone is entitled to personal revelation, I'm entitled to that plus revelation relevant to lead everyone within my stewardship. The more sheep in my fold, the greater the stewardship. I've been directly taught that God works through me to guide and direct you. Ergo, ...

Good thoughts. I baptized all my kids but the last one was dunked a bit before I no longer believed. It was not an issue. Fast forward, all my kids are adults and are all out. My wife is not completely out but not 100% in either. Our oldest child's oldest child was baptized almost 3 years ago and at...

In my opinion, announcing temples creates the illusion of great growth, spends money that needs to be spent, and helps keeps the faithful faithful. Meanwhile, like has been stated, stakes are shrinking and members are leaving. Our stake, that a few years ago inexplicably added wards and made them sm...

But as Oaks said, let's not be so zealous to obey the 2nd great commandment that we forget the first. Don't love your neighbor TOO much. (And this is one reason I think Oaks is full of himself and full of shit. I'm sorry. Let me back up and apologize. Let me reserve judgment. Let me give leaders, es...

Maybe God really exists. Often atheists point out that if God were real, they'd not allow the suffering of innocents and the gross mistreatment of children. It seems counter intuitive that a supreme being or creator who loves their creations would allow such things, or consent to a plan whereby only...

I think I'll wish for such a boring and uneventful conf that I don't hear anything about it from friends, family, or social media.

Just some of the same ol boring talks and oh yeah more temples.

Unfortunately, sometimes garment wearing becomes a true outward expression of an inane insistence on obedience. I've seen some awful examples, as I'm sure we all have. I'm so so glad I no longer have to worry about tucking the sleeves under the sleeves, looking for longer shorts, or feeling a little...

My wife and I did not readily accept the last calling we were offered, which was something about family history, I think. I'm not against family history, so considered it, but had no interest in helping others find names for the temple. My wife had zero interest. She is still involved with music, bu...

I don't think my behavior is necessarily all that different between groups, it's more about actively trying to disassociate from Mormons if something I say ties me to them while with non believers, yet letting assumptions go that I'm still fully part of the group when I'm with Mormons. I do not beli...

I've wondered if anyone else has had this situation. When I was a TBM, I'd encourage questions about my faith, or leave the door deliberately open for folks to ask something like, where did you learn Chinese? Then eventually I kept the door mostly closed and when something like language came up, I'd...

Yes, but I should know better than to offer bait. I got thinking about it several days ago and knew I had just given him more to go off about. And then instead of ignoring his rant and taking the conversation back to church topics, I reacted to his derailment. See, I am not always so good myself at...

And prob should be separate thread, sorry

DB, kidding aside, you've given us too much to consume in one post. If and when you have time, I'd be interested in a more detailed argument of just one of those bits. Say gun ownership. Perhaps who should be allowed to own guns, what type of guns, any guns prohibited, etc.? Places or spaces guns sh...