LDS Freedom Forum

When I see Mitt Romney treated as a revered celebrity in church circles I am thrown.

When I hear of glorious pink ribbon cancer campaigns conducted by church members without the accompanying outrage over the cancer causing substances and practices constantly being foisted upon a trusting population (including mamograms) I am disappointed.

When I go to a church dinner which includes a sickening sweet punch (no pitcher of water available as an option), a side dish of a sugary jello concoction, cake with frosting as desert with the option of decorating giant sugar cookies with frosting and candy afterward I am discouraged. At the last Fast & Testimony meeting an Elder told of going to a member's home to assist in the blessing for a child that seemed to have a bad case of the flu. He said that while giving the blessing they were inspired to rush the child to the hospital immediately afterward. It turns out a blood sugar count that should be 75 was 800! She would not have lived the night at home. She had developed type 2 diabetes without the parents even knowing it.

I sort of feel like many years ago when the first Grease movie staring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John came out. In the end, instead of the leather clad rebel changing his ways, the good girl put on tight clothing, danced sexually provocatively and I swear I can remember, even smoked a cigarett in celebration of her liberation. When it was announced that the theme of the next youth dance at church would be "Grease" I was shocked (and appauled). I wasn't involved and didn't want to be critical/negative and make waves so I didn't say anything. Now I wish I had spoken up.

That is why I like hanging out in this forum. Along with the knowledge of and passion for the gospel, people here consistantly are the most common sense, aware group of persons I have ever been around.

You should still say something of that hypocrisy with Grease. If nothing else you will go on record for having spoken up about it. Maybe the Spirit whispered to you. Maybe there is nothing you can do about it now, but at least you can speak up. FYI, they won't see it as you do.

I have never watched Grease and will never watch it. As a general rule I do not watch movies of those actors who belong to Scientology because it is a completely evil system. After all who else who declare that Tom Cruise is their messiah.

Randy in Gunnison

My Wife and I went and saw Rango last night. We left dumbfounded how a kids show rated PG could get away with so much sexual innuendo, and violence.

Rincon, that was so excellent.

lumberjacksdaughter wrote:When I see Mitt Romney treated as a revered celebrity in church circles I am thrown.

Just because you don't agree with him politically or even if you think he is the devil himself doesn't mean you need to look down your nose at those who respect him. He IS a celebrity who is known for good works that are visible and known. I personally don't hear him talked about much but in your world I guess that's a pastime.

When I hear of glorious pink ribbon cancer campaigns conducted by church members without the accompanying outrage over the cancer causing substances and practices constantly being foisted upon a trusting population (including mamograms) I am disappointed.

And when I read this I weep for the lack of compassion for people who have suffered with breast cancer and their families who have suffered with them. If you have knowledge and information that would prove helpful to those around you in this situation you shouldn't be condemning them you should be helping them. People can't be condemned for what they don't know. We have a woman in our ward who has her own ideas about health and nutrition, which is fine. But she is extremely needy, constantly drawing on the ward for aid as she is depressed and her six small children are constantly sick. After dealing with the situation for a long, long time the Bishop finally advised her to lose her pride in her haughty knowledge and consult a trained phsycian about her methods and practices -- to get her kids basic immunizations and follow a doctor's advice for over-the-counter and prescription meds that would help her and her family. She FINALLY listened to that advice and has done much better in dealing with her issues. She had gone so extreme in one direction -- and could easily, like so many others, go extreme in the other -- that she was creating problems for herself.

When I go to a church dinner which includes a sickening sweet punch (no pitcher of water available as an option), a side dish of a sugary jello concoction, cake with frosting as desert with the option of decorating giant sugar cookies with frosting and candy afterward I am discouraged. At the last Fast & Testimony meeting an Elder told of going to a member's home to assist in the blessing for a child that seemed to have a bad case of the flu. He said that while giving the blessing they were inspired to rush the child to the hospital immediately afterward. It turns out a blood sugar count that should be 75 was 800! She would not have lived the night at home. She had developed type 2 diabetes without the parents even knowing it.

And your point is? I agree that healthier options would be the right thing to do at a Church event. Have you said anything to the powers that be? For years we had some women in our ward who wouldn't attend sacrament meeting. Know why? They couldn't eat bread. That's it. How awful is that? Since finding that out our young men make sure rice bread is used for these folks. I think there will be accommodation made where there is awareness.

I sort of feel like many years ago when the first Grease movie staring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John came out. In the end, instead of the leather clad rebel changing his ways, the good girl put on tight clothing, danced sexually provocatively and I swear I can remember, even smoked a cigarett in celebration of her liberation. When it was announced that the theme of the next youth dance at church would be "Grease" I was shocked (and appauled). I wasn't involved and didn't want to be critical/negative and make waves so I didn't say anything. Now I wish I had spoken up.

I agree with you on this. I have six teenagers presently active and I have gained quite the reputation for having to speak up in things like this or WORSE. Prayers aren't held in meetings. Kids address their leaders by first names. Mutual nights are completely absent of spiritual themes. Teachers bring food to church to bribe the kids, even on Fast Sunday. Leaders perform the jobs of presidencies and deny the kids of learning vital leadership skills in the Church. The same 10 people get all the callings over and over and over. The list goes on and on and on. It won't ever be addressed without someone saying something. It can be said in love.

I'm not being critical of you. It is just that I think sometimes the test in on US, not them, to see what we will do. It is the Lord's Church.

That is why I like hanging out in this forum. Along with the knowledge of and passion for the gospel, people here usually are the most intelligent, common sense, aware group of persons I have ever been around.

Rincon wrote:The issues you mention are valid. At one time I had a list of such issues which was bothering me deeply, so I wrote a letter to the President of the Church, who I was already acquainted with. He wrote a reply at the bottom of my letter and mailed it back to me. Here is what it said:

"The tares will grow with the wheat for a season, your task is to make sure you are not one of the tares"

Every time I look at his hand written note to me, I begin to look in the mirror and interview myself again. I have come to realize how powerful and correct his personal answer was.

That is Awesome!!! Simple profound response.....no wasted words.

edzachary wrote:The same 10 people get all the callings over and over and over. .

im on the bishopric
i just wish we had more than 10 people who were_reliable_enough for us to call them to such callings as YOung Mens President, EQP etc

AussieOi wrote:

edzachary wrote:The same 10 people get all the callings over and over and over. .

im on the bishopric
i just wish we had more than 10 people who were_reliable_enough for us to call them to such callings as YOung Mens President, EQP etc

My husband said that when he was in the Bishopric the biggest problem they had was all the people refusing to serve in callings. He was stunned how many people just say no.

That is an interesting take on things that I've never considered. Up until now, I've always been grateful for the work and resources members have put in to church function meals. It may only be Jello and punch, but it is still something that has been offered without asking anything in return. For that I am thankful. The same goes with those who dedicate time to charities designed to better the lives of others.

Nan wrote:

AussieOi wrote:

edzachary wrote:The same 10 people get all the callings over and over and over. .

im on the bishopric
i just wish we had more than 10 people who were_reliable_enough for us to call them to such callings as YOung Mens President, EQP etc

My husband said that when he was in the Bishopric the biggest problem they had was all the people refusing to serve in callings. He was stunned how many people just say no.

Guess it just depends on where you live. Here in Utah we live in a ward of 500 mostly active people and in 13 years all I've ever done is teach primary and Sunday School. There are people I know who have never had any calling and they complain about it all the time.

Nan wrote:

AussieOi wrote:

edzachary wrote:The same 10 people get all the callings over and over and over. .

im on the bishopric
i just wish we had more than 10 people who were_reliable_enough for us to call them to such callings as YOung Mens President, EQP etc

My husband said that when he was in the Bishopric the biggest problem they had was all the people refusing to serve in callings. He was stunned how many people just say no.

Look if you are in SIN lets say you are a Porn hound.... and you get a calling from the Bishop are you going to accept it? Not if you have any conscience. If you don't want a calling don't pay tithing. Many callings require a full tithe payer. Or course many callings don't require a full tithe. Also saying no many times is the correct answer. However, if you are free of major sins then say no to a calling then you will be held accountable to the Lord. Many times people are going through health problems that they don't want to tell others about. Or they are sinning and don't want to stop sinning. As members it is our job to be as sin free as possible so we can accept callings.

I really don't like the passing the calling because its your turn. We had a guy get called to be the ward missionary leader. He was a great guy but his teaching skills were very very poor. I had a sister in law going through the discussions at the time and when I sat in on the lessons I just cringed. I tried to help the lesson by giving good thoughtful comments but if I had to bring a new friend to church with him as the teacher I would not. Some calling can not be hey it your turn even if you suck at it. I will trust the Lord but we all know some times callings are not fully prayed and pondered over. On the flip side when callings are prayed about and pondered over they can be a tremendous faith building and testimony building exercise. I know this from personal experience in my life and I have seen it cause other people to blossom as well.

So needless to say I have mixed feeling about callings and I do believe there are times when we should say no to a calling.

I understand how you feel. Just remember you will never find satisfaction and reward from what others around you are doing. You can only gain that self assurance from what is within you.

I was frustrated a few weeks ago because someone that I work with closely in a calling continues to drink diet soda even after I had given her information on the dangers of aspartame. She even continues to promote drinking of these diet drinks to others.

I had to sit back and realize that she may have difficulties in living the Word of Wisdom, but she is doing great in other areas that I may be falling down in. We all have our downfalls. It is up to each of us to live up to our principles the best that we can.

I was depressed because of her actions, but I failed to see the things that were holding me back in my own life.

I tend to go overboard in obeying the Word of Wisdom, but I definitely have to step things up in the area of family history. It just doesn't interest me. I know that it is important, but I can't get into it. We need to live every aspect of the gospel. We also have to be careful that our pet gospel topic doesn't become an idol to us.

I read an article on a Christian homemaking blog that we excellent on this topic:
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/201 ... -idol.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's helped me put things in priority. We are all different and we can each play a part in God's kingdom.
We also need to love others in spite of their deficiencies. None of us is perfect. We are all trying to be better, but some of us our more knowledgeable about certain things than others. We will all be held accountable for how we live the law that we know.

I am also, I should say, we are also dumbfounded at the many people that do not want more truth or progression. They want to be damned (have their progress stop because of their poor choices and willing disobedience to the truth) They do not want to try any more tests of faith, they are weary and content to sit in the boat up the creek without the paddle so long as none will rock it. You cannot help those who first aren't even honest with themselves, and second won't have a solution. It the old "women don't want you to provide a solution, they just want somebody to listen." Sorry folks not in my blue jeans:

And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you. Ye say that he hath used sharpness; ye say that he hath been angry with you; but behold, his sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him; and that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that which is in God, which he could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.