Not that I noticed. But I was distracted by my 4 and 2 year old climbing on me. And I did hear his loud amen throughout the meeting so I think he was awake.
At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
-
- captain of 100
- Posts: 607
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
- Cruiserdude
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 5479
- Location: SEKS
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Hahahhaha
(And I intentionally start my 'amen' a split second earlier when listening to others pray in public, like right during the pause before the group says 'amen'.... Don't judge me bro! I learned it from an old timer in my ward growing up 30+ yedars ago. The old timer did it, I noticed it and started copying it, my Pops then told me I better knock the crap off.... So then pops detest of my personalized 'amen' sealed it into my repertoire )
-
- captain of 50
- Posts: 78
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Ask him if he's concerned about the 20k images taken at Epstein Island ever being released?
-
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 3351
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Iβm sure Oaks was proud.Niemand wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 10:49 amOh dear. Talk about Stockholm Syndrome.Lemarque wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 10:44 am One of the ladies who bore her testimony was released as young women's president. In her testimony she talked about how she missed COVID because the young women couldn't go anywhere so they would all come to young women's. They would set up chairs 6 feet apart in a big circle and wear masks and she loved it.
- BuriedTartaria
- Captain of Tartary
- Posts: 1948
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Obviously I don't love the individual but I respect that. I'm sure he's aware there is a deeper layer to the real church that has stopped attending and becoming more independent as well
- Robin Hood
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 13159
- Location: England
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Parks & Recreation, The Office (US version), The Simpsons, and the Book of Mormon (the scripture not the musical) are the best things to have come out of the USA, though probably not in that order.
- Niemand
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 14231
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
That's been an ongoing process for decades. I think the lockdowns accelerated that.BuriedTartaria wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:34 pmObviously I don't love the individual but I respect that. I'm sure he's aware there is a deeper layer to the real church that has stopped attending and becoming more independent as well
However... he is Mormon royalty, and in LDS circles he is going to be noticed, except by new members maybe.
- Robin Hood
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 13159
- Location: England
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
- Niemand
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 14231
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Ironically that would be a good excuse to mask up.Robin Hood wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:45 pm I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
Best thing he could do is cultivate some informants (or "touts"). Folk at ground level who would be honest with him.
- Cruiserdude
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 5479
- Location: SEKS
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Or like that 'undercover CEO' show.... They could disguise themselves and make their rounds.... But then who celebrate and honor them when they showed up if they're not recognizable? (I know, I know it's the lay members fault)Niemand wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:51 pmIronically that would be a good excuse to mask up.Robin Hood wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:45 pm I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
Best thing he could do is cultivate some informants (or "touts"). Folk at ground level who would be honest with him.
- Niemand
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 14231
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Baseball cap, dress like a trucker, glasses β Michael Moore's old shtic (despite being a multimillionaire). Face nappy/diaper to complete the look. Sit at the back etc.Cruiserdude wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:56 pmOr like that 'undercover CEO' show.... They could disguise themselves and make their rounds.... But then who celebrate and honor them when they showed up if they're not recognizable? (I know, I know it's the lay members fault)Niemand wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:51 pmIronically that would be a good excuse to mask up.Robin Hood wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:45 pm I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
Best thing he could do is cultivate some informants (or "touts"). Folk at ground level who would be honest with him.
-
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 2410
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Niemand wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 2:03 pmBaseball cap, dress like a trucker, glasses β Michael Moore's old shtic (despite being a multimillionaire). Face nappy/diaper to complete the look. Sit at the back etc.Cruiserdude wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:56 pmOr like that 'undercover CEO' show.... They could disguise themselves and make their rounds.... But then who celebrate and honor them when they showed up if they're not recognizable? (I know, I know it's the lay members fault)Niemand wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:51 pmIronically that would be a good excuse to mask up.Robin Hood wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:45 pm I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
Best thing he could do is cultivate some informants (or "touts"). Folk at ground level who would be honest with him.
A wig alone would do the trick. My father used wigs all the time in undercover law enforcement, and he said it worked every time, often without even changing clothes.
-
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 1232
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
That YW President's testimony made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. UghLemarque wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 10:44 am This happened in Fruit Heights, so there was an endless stream of people wanting to go up and bear their testimonies. They went over by about 10 minutes. I didn't go up, I figured if I wouldn't have gone up if he wasn't there, I shouldn't go up because he was there.
Had I gone up, the testimony I was thinking in my mind was telling the story LDS Physician shared earlier about the song "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and ending with Matt 11:29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
But the first thought I had when he walked in was "I wonder what Reluctant Watchman and Gadianton Slayer would do/say in this situation...?"
He didn't pull a Stevenson and stand around until people noticed him and stood up. He just kind of showed up on the stand.
One of the ladies who bore her testimony was released as young women's president. In her testimony she talked about how she missed COVID because the young women couldn't go anywhere so they would all come to young women's. They would set up chairs 6 feet apart in a big circle and wear masks and she loved it.
- madvin
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 1134
- Location: Stillwater OK
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Of course, giving up freedom has nothing to do with safety for all, nor safety at all.
- madvin
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 1134
- Location: Stillwater OK
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Why did he not sit in the congregation then?
- Thinker
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 13132
- Location: The Universe - wherever that is.
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Why didnβt the oak tree talk to anyone?
It didnβt want to dialogue.
Watch out for that big oak over there...
It looks pretty shady.
-
- captain of 1,000
- Posts: 3729
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Only if they're released with a vote of thanks...
- Theveilofforgetting
- captain of 50
- Posts: 64
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Cruiserdude wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 12:33 pmHahahhaha
(And I intentionally start my 'amen' a split second earlier when listening to others pray in public, like right during the pause before the group says 'amen'.... Don't judge me bro! I learned it from an old timer in my ward growing up 30+ yedars ago. The old timer did it, I noticed it and started copying it, my Pops then told me I better knock the crap off.... So then pops detest of my personalized 'amen' sealed it into my repertoire )
This made me think of prayers said in another language. I can recognise a few words in the language most people speak in my ward, and 3 of those are at the end of the prayer. I said Amen in that language but everyone said it in English. I feel like doing this all the time now.
-
- captain of 100
- Posts: 607
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
I was pretty impressed with how he did it. Like I said, he just kind of appeared. I had actually been looking at the stand before the meeting started because one of the counselors was wearing a mask and I forgot how stupid people look in them. And then a minute later I look up and Oaks was sitting there. When he spoke he said, "I attend for both hours when I visit like this, so if I come in your classroom with sister Oaks try to ignore me. I just like visiting classes."Robin Hood wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 1:45 pm I think it's commendable that he does this. However, he would learn a lot more if he visited in disguise.
After church he was very personable, he stayed in the Sunday school room and talked with anyone who walked up to him. Let people take pictures, etc.
I felt bad for sister Oaks after church. Everyone was shaking Oaks hand and talking to him, most would also shake her hand too. But one lady went up to her at one point and started talking about how she's going to school, and getting a combined degree in business AND fashion, and how she wants to raise her kids but also run a business and that's why she's studying both, and so on. And sister Oaks was just standing there nodding along like, "Not sure why you are telling me your life plan of how you don't think that you'll be a good mom so you're trying to augment your life with something else so when you fail as a mom you can blame it on 'trying too hard' or something like that." No idea what was actually going through Sister Oaks mind, but the lady seemed to be desperately trying to get approval from her.
At one point during sacrament my wife was in the foyer with one of the kids, and a lady for the next ward was there early because she was playing a violin piece for their meeting. When Oaks'voice came over the speaker, she turned to my wife with her jaw dropped, "is that president Oaks?" She then went and peeked through the door to see him.
Turns out her husband was either being released or sustained as a bishop that day, I don't recall which. So while Elder Oaks was chatting with the Sunday school class and primary after church was done, the stake presidency and the two bishoprics of that ward are sitting there in the chapel taking care of changing the bishopric while thinking "Elder Oaks is here in the building and will probably be gone before our sacrament meeting is done."
So yeah, definitely a good amount of leader worship (my brother-in-law who was blessing his baby is named Dallin, so he was obsessing over it) but for what it was, I was impressed with how normal he tried to keep it. Very different from official authority visits I've been part of before.
-
- captain of 100
- Posts: 649
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Yes, poison oak doesn't sting you sort of just bump into it. That or you foolishly handle the leaf. This reminded me of a hilarious episode from "Married with Children"
-
- captain of 100
- Posts: 649
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Lemarque wrote: βFebruary 5th, 2023, 10:44 am
One of the ladies who bore her testimony was released as young women's president. In her testimony she talked about how she missed COVID because the young women couldn't go anywhere so they would all come to young women's. They would set up chairs 6 feet apart in a big circle and wear masks and she loved it.
The gaslighting and brainwashing is real, what a shame. SMH
-
- captain of 100
- Posts: 649
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
I think she needs to read this carefully.
2 Nephi 26:20-31
20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.
21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.
22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.
24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye bends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men, and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.
29 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get again and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
30 Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have a charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.
-
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 8535
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
^^^^^^^She could read that a hundred times and she would never think it applied to Elder Oaks or any of the PSRs, because they are, you know, PSRs.
- Gadianton Slayer
- Level 34 Illuminated
- Posts: 6552
- Location: A Sound Mind
-
- captain of 50
- Posts: 78
Re: At a baby blessing right now, Pres oaks just showed up.
Jenny makes a lot of money from selling her CDs via Deseret Book. Of course she is expected to push their evil agenda.