The Latter-day Saint Thread v. 8.0

[Rastaban43]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Based solely on the information you've provided, I'd say the problem is that they're not living their religion as they should. But that's a pretty harsh judgment to make, and I don't like making judgments. Maybe you should talk to them about it?

Well, I'm not really worried about it or anything. I go to uni in Utah, so I know a lot of Mormons, and they're all rather nice people. But the general feeling I get is they kind of ignore the "eat meat sparingly" rule, unless one serving of meat at every meal is considered sparingly.

From your Doctrine and Covenants: "...And it is pleasing unto me that [flesh] should not be used..." so I get the idea that it's better for your memebers to eat less meat except in winter time. I guess in Utah it's reasonable to say that there's a long winter! Anyway, I'm just asking if this is a strict rule because it seems like it doesn't really matter, sort of like caffeine.

[Lash Dresden]

Eating too much meat (or any unhealthy diet) won't keep a member from being temple worthy. It's one of those things that's between the member and the Lord.

[Rastaban43]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Eating too much meat (or any unhealthy diet) won't keep a member from being temple worthy. It's one of those things that's between the member and the Lord.

So it's a personal choice then? I guess that makes sense. Thanks!

[Lash Dresden]

Originally Posted by Rastaban43

So it's a personal choice then? I guess that makes sense. Thanks!

Well everything is a personal choice -- whether we want to obey any of the commandments at all, or not. Church member should follow the Word of Wisdom, but obviously many don't.

(I don't think I'm explaining myself well - someone else want to help out?)

[Pegasus]

There's a lot of really good dietary guidance in the Word of Wisdom, or Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. The parts of this that will affect your standing in the church--meaning your readiness for baptism, your temple worthiness, etc.--are alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and other harmful drugs, which on the worthiness level applies to abusing prescription drugs, illegal drugs, those things that are generally considered "bad" drugs.
Like Rapunzel said, the rest is between you and the Lord.

The point, really, is to come unto Christ. There are different levels of testimonies and obedience as people go up the ladder to eternal life. (Please understand that this is all metaphorical.) We're all doing our best, working on the things we need to work on, whether it be speaking kindly, not holding grudges, just how much television violence and sex we allow into our homes. It's a constant process, with daily repentance. We're all hypocrites, really, because the commandment is "Be ye therefore perfect" and that's not possible in this life. So we all do our best and repent along the way. It's because of our own imperfections and the power of the atonement in everyone's life that we need to be very careful in how we judge others.
Coffee of any kind will keep you out of the temple or keep you from being baptized. Are there members who struggle with this commandment? Sure.

[Pegasus]

I realize this is a double post, but it's been almost a week. I'll consolidate it later.
How was everyone's Easter? Mine was exhausting, but it was worth it. It was among the best Sacrament Meetings I've ever taken part in. It took the right amount of time, all the choir members who rehearsed with us showed up and remembered their parts, the His Hands duet was beautiful, I got through mine despite the crying, my daughters did really well on their duet. The message came across well. The bishop thanked me twice. It's always very obvious when something was inspired.

[Jenni Radcliffe]

Happy late Easter!!! Mine was great! We had an AWESOME lesson in Young Women's. It was on the Atonement, but my leader put it in a new light for me. It really made sense to me and I have a new appreciation for it!

[Pegasus]

The Atonement is really quite a dynamic thing. I still learn more about it every time.

[snowgoose]

Hi, I've only recently joined this forum and I've only just found this thread. I'm a member in York, UK. Conference definitley sneaked up on me but being in Nursery a lot of things have caught me unanware.

About the question regarding decaf coffee, it's still got caffeine in it , just less than normal coffee. It's just been 'washed'. Other drinks containig caffeine weren't around at the time the word of wisdom was first put into print so they couldn't have been excluded. The general consensus on thees is that it's free agency. I don't drink coke etc and don't have any in my house for my children to consume.
And as for mormon's drinking coffee etc. every religion has those who still claim to be a member of that group but are not actively practising whatever that group does. We tend to call those people less or non active.

I think that Easter is my most poignant time of year. I will never be able to truly understand what Christ went through for me, but I can enough to be really moved by his sacrifice. I feel so much more at Easter than I do at Christmas. Both special, but Easter more spiritual if you see what I mean?
Just had a phone call frm an exneigbour asking me to take her mother to church with me one sunday as her mother really unhappy at the moment. Husband died last year and is still struggling with life. Exneighbour sadi she was talking to her mum baout different things they could do when she had a feeling that she should suggest visiting our church! Her mother.. who has never even met a mormon (that she knows of) said she felt it was the right thing to do!!!!I shall wait and see if she phonesme... then work out how to pick her up with my 3 kids and husband in tow... she lives 30 mns away and Sacrament starts at 9.I know I'll find a way.

[Ginny1976]

Snowgoose!

On behalf of everyone! Enjoy the threads, they're really fun.

Wow, it's been a long while since I've been on. Easter was wonderful! We watched "the Lamb of God" for FHE on monday and it really touched my kids. My 2 year old daughter was putting her hands over her eyes during a certain painful part and then almost crying for the nails and I was touched that she understood. I think it's been about 2 years since we've seen it, so it was refreshing to see again.

[snowgoose]

I don't know if any of you have seen this kids book? It was given to my 3 yo fo rher birthday, but my 7yo understands it best.. it's called 'You are special' by max lucado, not LDS but great book. It was amazing to watch her face when she realised that Heavenly Father loved her just because she is his.Didn't have to be the best at anything, or prove herself, just because she is his daughter.

[firemaam129]

Snowgoose-
If you enjoyed "You are special," then you should also investigate the other Max Lucado books. He has a beautiful way of explaining Heavenly Father's love and purpose for us. I don't think that Mr. Lucado is LDS, but he has a special talent for writing his books. My favorites are the follow up book about Punchinello (I can't remember the title but it talks about the endless search for the Wemmicks to have more and more "stuff") and a story about a crippled Lamb on the eve of the Savior's birth.

Enjoy his books, My four daughters and I sure have!

[snowgoose]

I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks.

[AchelRay]

I love Max Lucado books they're all on my bookshelf sandwiched between Harry Potter and my quad. They all have wonderful messages that relate to the gospel perfectly. They always make me feel happy to the point of crying. My favorite has to be Just the Way You Are. It's a wonderful story and I love it.

[Pegasus]

New person! Hi!
I finally have a visiting teaching partner! My mom was nice enough to go with me for several months because I felt so strongly about going in pairs, but my RS president called yesterday to tell me she's found me a partner. It's a lady who was just reactivated a few months ago who I've been encouraging to come to ward choir and finally did last week.

[snowgoose]

cool. I have just been called as visiting teaching coordinator... so I guess I'll be looking at stuff like that. Only thing at the moment is our ward covers a huge geographical area and it's a little daunting!

[Pegasus]

We had a rather large area when we lived in Las Vegas, but I know it was quite small compared to some. I've just lived most of my life in Utah.
Is it one of those where you have to drive an hour to even get to church, or is it smaller than that?

[AchelRay]

I know that Las Vegas isn't as bad as some other places, but it still can be hard to drive 15 minutes to church. My cousins live in Las Vegas but I still find it strange to have to meet up after church to ride home. I live in Utah and so I normally just walk home after church and BYC meetings. It's a lot easier for my family and I because we all have different things to do right after church. My mom is in the Relief Society presidency, my dad is a scout leader, and I'm in the beehive presidency. It can be hard to all be home at the same time on Sundays.

[Pegasus]

I found out yesterday that I am capable of being the choir director and the accompanist at the same time...but just for rehearsals, and mostly just for pounding parts. I'm beginning to understand why the Lord placed me in this calling.

[busy91]

I have a question for an LDS.

In the past I've had missionaries come to my house and/or approach me in the street. I have actually been to an LDS service. It wasn't for me. And in the past when I was approached in the street I'd tell them I was 'Catholic' and they would be polite and move on.

A few weeks ago 2 LDS males came to my door. I opened it and politely told them I have been to their church and that I was 'Catholic' but thanks for there time. In the past this would have been enough for them. Then they wanted to offer me the BOM, I told them I have a copy, that wasn't enough. They kept on and on.

So my question is...The passive approach in the past didn't bother me much, what is with the more aggressive approach?

I finally had to close the door on them. I hate being rude (well no not really) but enough already.