Scuttlebutt from an Eagle Mountain Stake conference

[Aldon]

A friend of mine sent me a note on something an apostle said at a Stake Conference recently. I pasted it below but have left the name out as well as the exact stake to try and adhere to the direction not to quote Authorities.


Heard from someone who was at a stake leadership meeting in <ST1:p<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.ldsglo.com/forum/ /><st1:PlaceName w:st=</st1:PlaceName>UTAH County </ST1:pwith (An Apostle/Name deleted) that the swine flu is not a pandemic of the size we really need to worry about. He said that the really bad things are still to come shortly and that we need to strengthen our family unit because that is what will get us through it. This from an apostle.


Stand down but work on our spiritual preperation is how I see it.

[Earthling]

"still to come shortly" - Don't we all feel like we are waiting for the ax to fall with how wicked this nation has become? How much time do we have? I feel like I have been preparing as fast as possible for several years now.

Well, I got new carpet today in the bedrooms - guess I will go through it with that at least fixed. I think we need to make sure everything around our home is in good repair the best we can (versus planning on living in a tent and letting the house go to ruin meantime).

[arbilad]

Oh, come on, Earth. If you had gone through your Ensign with the secret decoder ring like we had you would know that we're all going to be called to live in refugee camps! :-P

[signseeker]

So... if you're unfortunate enough to have a lousy cheating spouse and end up getting divorced, you're screwed is what the GA's saying? Since when do we ride on the family's coattails? This is an individual probation as far as I knew.

[LoudmouthMormon]

Heard from someone who was at a stake leadership meeting in <ST1:p<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.ldsglo.com/forum/ /><st1:PlaceName alt=</st1:PlaceName>UTAH County </ST1:pwith (An Apostle/Name deleted)I don't really need to read further than that. Anything this church has to tell me, it can tell me to my face. (And from where I'm standing, it always has.)

LM

[Cowboy]

So... if you're unfortunate enough to have a lousy cheating spouse and end up getting divorced, you're screwed is what the GA's saying? Since when do we ride on the family's coattails? This is an individual probation as far as I knew.

Lord will not hold the non-cheating spouse accountable. You can still strengthen your family.

[Aldon]

I don't really need to read further than that. Anything this church has to tell me, it can tell me to my face. (And from where I'm standing, it always has.)

LM

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ncx9H97LElwtRM:http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/8/2/werenotworthy128621860874600034.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/8/2/werenotworthy128621860874600034.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/view.aspx%3Fciid%3D1687386&usg=__UYfyxJN0hr4b_FnfeEOO97f2vl4=&h=373&w=500&sz=48&hl=en&start=16&tbnid=ncx9H97LElwtRM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwere%2Bnot%2Bworthy%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3D en)

This communication was between me and a close personal friend and it just came up. The intent was not to short circuit the normal informational channels. I felt it would help stop the anxiety over the swine flu.

Beyond that, no other implication or intent was meant.

If I wasted my time actually posting every time someone else's thread held no interest for me I would waste a lot of time.

[Earthling]

I really appreciated the post - a lot!! Thank you OP!

[signseeker]

Lord will not hold the non-cheating spouse accountable. You can still strengthen your family.

Okay. I just didn't like the wording in the paraphrase that the "strong family unit" was the thing that was going to get people through the really bad things. There's plenty of good people out there with a less than "strong" family unit who will make it through just fine. I cringe for them when I hear things similar to the above paraphrase over the pulpit. I wonder if Christ was trying to teach something here...

Matthew 12:46 ? While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his <SUP>a</SUP>brethren (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/matt/12/46a) stood <SUP>b</SUP>without (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/matt/12/46b), desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my <SUP>a</SUP>mother (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/matt/12/49a) and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the <SUP>a</SUP>will (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/matt/12/50a) of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my <SUP>b</SUP>brother (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/matt/12/50b), and sister, and mother.



And there's this one, which no one really likes to quote much, cuz it seems so foreign to the latter-day saint church of today...

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send <SUP>a</SUP>peace (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/34a) on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man?s <SUP>a</SUP>foes (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/36a) shall be they of his own <SUP>b</SUP>household (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/36b).

37 He that <SUP>a</SUP>loveth (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/37a) father or mother <SUP>b</SUP>more (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/37b) than me is not worthy of me: and he that <SUP>c</SUP>loveth (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/10/matt/10/37c) son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

[Lucy]

I understand your concern but I also think that as families work together things can be a lot easier.

I have a single brother who really hates it when people say how much they love their families because he hasn't got one...thinks it should never be said over the pulpit. I told him that families are the primary unit in the church. It would be very rough never to mention the joy families bring to us.

We do need to strengthen our families. It is the primary unit of the church. Above our love for Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ, never.

[Aldon]

Please keep in mind that this was not mentioned over the pulpit to the church at large. Had that been the case perhaps he would have guarded his words better or not mentioned anything at all. This statement is paraphrased and second hand so who knows if the wording is completely exact. It also more fully gives me testimony that messages given by authorities are not to be forwarded. Even though I felt I had sanitized this to the point that it would pass the intent of the Church's direction concerning passing information onward, there are still those who will find fault or something to raise their Ire. Lesson learned. The next time I will be greatful that I received the information but that is where the information will stop.

Either way, it was given to the Priesthood Leadershipwho in a general broadbrush sort of way are supposed to be the more mature members and those who should understand the intent of the direction that comes from higher up the chain. I imagine the speaker felt that the listeners would receive the message in the spirit it was intended.

I like what Lucy states above.

I think that we all have a tendency to want the messages from the pulpit to be made with every individual taken into consideration. No comments that might offend the Singles, The divorced, those with WOW issues, the poor, the gender challenged, Porn users etc. etc. etc. .......

If we have soft underbellies or pet peeves, we each have to be very aware and take Bednar's counsel to heart and try not to take offense, as we each try not to offend.

[signseeker]

Please keep in mind that this was not mentioned over the pulpit to the church at large. Had that been the case perhaps he would have guarded his words better or not mentioned anything at all. This statement is paraphrased and second hand so who knows if the wording is completely exact. It also more fully gives me testimony that messages given by authorities are not to be forwarded. Even though I felt I had sanitized this to the point that it would pass the intent of the Church's direction concerning passing information onward, there are still those who will find fault or something to raise their Ire. Lesson learned. The next time I will be greatful that I received the information but that is where the information will stop. I'm trying to discuss the *principle* that was put forth and downplay *where* it came from. If you want to ignore the principle or not discuss it, that's fine. We can continue harping over what's gossip and what's not or who said what to whom and why. That's much less interesting to me.

Either way, it was given to the Priesthood Leadershipwho in a general broadbrush sort of way are supposed to be the more mature members and those who should understand the intent of the direction that comes from higher up the chain. I imagine the speaker felt that the listeners would receive the message in the spirit it was intended. And what was the spirit in which it was intended? Are you implying "more mature members" of the Church are immune to family problems? Big problems that tear families apart? My view is that Satan works most on those he perceives as a threat to his kingdom.

I like what Lucy states above.

I think that we all have a tendency to want the messages from the pulpit to be made with every individual taken into consideration. No comments that might offend the Singles, The divorced, those with WOW issues, the poor, the gender challenged, Porn users etc. etc. etc. ....... I'm not offended by the comment - I put forth the question of how having a strong, intact, traditional family could possibly save you from some of the coming bad times. No one answered that. Shall I answer my own question? I just thought we could discuss if that is an accurate statement and what makes it so. Apparently you want to bag the whole thing. That's fine, too.

If we have soft underbellies or pet peeves, we each have to be very aware and take Bednar's counsel to heart and try not to take offense, as we each try not to offend. Again, who's taking offense? Is it offensive to try to better understand what someone is saying? Is it offensive to ask questions? If you can't explain a concept to someone else, you really don't understand it yourself. (According to someone's 2nd grade teacher.) If we just parrot this or that phrase, how much do we really understand? I'd rather not get stuck in that rut. I like to discuss things so all those involved are on the same page.

...

[LEVE]

I find it kind of amazing that we all purport to have a testimony of the Gospel and a living Christ and Prophet. But why then do we all want to grasp at these straws of tidbits, rumors, innuendos and half statements to prove we're right?

Isn't a simple testimony enough?

I know so many who say they'd die for the Gospel... however they won't live for it... not even a day. :001_ssad: The big thing's they'll do, and to hell with the little things.

[Toni]

A friend of mine sent me a note on something an apostle said at a Stake Conference recently. I pasted it below but have left the name out as well as the exact stake to try and adhere to the direction not to quote Authorities.


Heard from someone who was at a stake leadership meeting in <ST1:p<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.ldsglo.com/forum/ /><st1:PlaceName w:st=</st1:PlaceName>UTAH County </ST1:pwith (An Apostle/Name deleted) that the swine flu is not a pandemic of the size we really need to worry about. He said that the really bad things are still to come shortly and that we need to strengthen our family unit because that is what will get us through it. This from an apostle.


Stand down but work on our spiritual preperation is how I see it.

When I was at a CERT conference this last Sat, there was a man from Homeland Security there. He told us that there is no pandemic and there is no epidemic in the U.S. Sure, it could turn into one as could anything, but we are seeing something mild. Nothing to worry about. 'Course, I figured that out on my own but it was nice to have someone "official" say it to about a hundred people.

[Toni]

Sign, I took "strong family unit" to mean that we as individuals do all we can to strengthen our families beginning with our own example. God will bless our efforts.

[Toni]

I find it kind of amazing that we all purport to have a testimony of the Gospel and a living Christ and Prophet. But why then do we all want to grasp at these straws of tidbits, rumors, innuendos and half statements to prove we're right?

Isn't a simple testimony enough?

I know so many who say they'd die for the Gospel... however they won't live for it... not even a day. :001_ssad: The big thing's they'll do, and to hell with the little things.

LEVE, I see your point. It is much more interesting to hear tidbits, I suppose.

This is not really new news. Anyone who has been paying attention could have noticed the same thing. I, personally, get tired of so many people freaking out b/c of the pandemic that isn't even in existence. Sure, I believe that deadly diseases will wipe out a bunch of people but we won't need media hype to tell us it's here when it reaches us.

[signseeker]

I find it kind of amazing that we all purport to have a testimony of the Gospel and a living Christ and Prophet. But why then do we all want to grasp at these straws of tidbits, rumors, innuendos and half statements to prove we're right?

Isn't a simple testimony enough?

I know so many who say they'd die for the Gospel... however they won't live for it... not even a day. :001_ssad: The big thing's they'll do, and to hell with the little things.

I'll assume you're talking to me. I don't see asking questions to better understand a speaker's meaning as "grasping at straws." I don't claim to live the Gospel perfectly and I don't go around bragging that I'd die for the Church. I don't know what big things you're talking about. Or what little things you're talking about for that matter.

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm a 15th C. catholic? No questions!! Shut your mouth!!

[LEVE]

I'll assume you're talking to me.Nope... I wasn't I was just prattling on as I generally do. The little things are things that make up everyday life... cheating on a test, being honest to a fault... not parking in handicap spots... not gossiping, ect... things like that. Outwardly many members of the Church are saintly, but inwardly, they are not. I guess it's a matter of perspective. Me, I'll try to judge myself, not you.

[Toni]

Yeah, I got the idea that LEVE was just speaking (writing) in general, not aiming accusations at anyone.

I see this a lot - the things LEVE was talking about - in myself and others.

[signseeker]

So does that mean I can't hurry and re-fill my garbage and put it back out on the other side of the road before the garbage man makes it back around? :blink:

Sorry for the perceived drama, everyone. I've been itchin' for a fight lately. Must be the nice weather. ;)

[Aldon]

[quote=Toni;35897]quote]

Originally Posted by Aldon http://www.ldsglo.com/forum/images/styles/Greenstar/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.ldsglo.com/forum/showthread.php?p=35851#post35851)
Please keep in mind that this was not mentioned over the pulpit to the church at large. Had that been the case perhaps he would have guarded his words better or not mentioned anything at all. This statement is paraphrased and second hand so who knows if the wording is completely exact. It also more fully gives me testimony that messages given by authorities are not to be forwarded. Even though I felt I had sanitized this to the point that it would pass the intent of the Church's direction concerning passing information onward, there are still those who will find fault or something to raise their Ire. Lesson learned. The next time I will be greatful that I received the information but that is where the information will stop. I'm trying to discuss the *principle* that was put forth and downplay *where* it came from. If you want to ignore the principle or not discuss it, that's fine. We can continue harping over what's gossip and what's not or who said what to whom and why. That's much less interesting to me. I tried addressing the principle earlier and below but was not clear and will iterate more on it below.

Either way, it was given to the Priesthood Leadershipwho in a general broadbrush sort of way are supposed to be the more mature members and those who should understand the intent of the direction that comes from higher up the chain. I imagine the speaker felt that the listeners would receive the message in the spirit it was intended. And what was the spirit in which it was intended? Are you implying "more mature members" of the Church are immune to family problems? Big problems that tear families apart? My view is that Satan works most on those he perceives as a threat to his kingdom. By more Mature members I meant that they would realize the context of the statement and should the message be relayed, that sensitivity would be used in regards to those who the target audience might be and as to whether they are single etc,,,

I like what Lucy states above. I guess this is the best place to discuss the principle. We need to quit thinking as if this finite moment in time. When principles are taught, they will affect the whole span of our existence as i understand it. Whenever a principle is taught for instance where it talks of the strength of families or our individual roles and actions regarding them, we all, both those currently with families and those who will be given them on the other side of the veil need to learn the principles as we will use them. Either now or later. I remember a first presidency message from a few years ago that was more eloquant and more sensitive than I that noted most of this. It was an issue of the Ensign that discussed Singles.

I think that we all have a tendency to want the messages from the pulpit to be made with every individual taken into consideration. No comments that might offend the Singles, The divorced, those with WOW issues, the poor, the gender challenged, Porn users etc. etc. etc. ....... I'm not offended by the comment - I put forth the question of how having a strong, intact, traditional family could possibly save you from some of the coming bad times. No one answered that. And should we die ....all is well. We will be better off understanding eternal families and that this is only one stop on the jourey. My take is this will help us with perspective but I also believe while we can't get to the Celestial Kingdom on someones coat tails, we are also told in scripture taht it is better to have a companion to aid us in our journey. I have read it in either the old or new testiments but can't remember the book and verse. Maybe one of the scriptorians on line will help me there. We certainly may survive singly, but it will be much easier with a Family support structure in my opinion. Shall I answer my own question? I just thought we could discuss if that is an accurate statement and what makes it so. Apparently you want to bag the whole thing. That's fine, too. I did not necessarily mean that my comments were the end to all discussion. That is a download or lecture and not discourse.

If we have soft underbellies or pet peeves, we each have to be very aware and take Bednar's counsel to heart and try not to take offense, as we each try not to offend. Again, who's taking offense? Is it offensive to try to better understand what someone is saying? Is it offensive to ask questions? If you can't explain a concept to someone else, you really don't understand it yourself. (According to someone's 2nd grade teacher.) If we just parrot this or that phrase, how much do we really understand? I'd rather not get stuck in that rut. I like to discuss things so all those involved are on the same page. It is hard to fully be perceptive to communications in text or email. I may have been wrong, perhaps still am, but I percieved a tone of irritation in your queries.

[Earthling]

OK - back to the family question on this. I have several thoughts.

When 9/11 happened a friend of mine (non-member family) mentioned that her family was getting together to discuss the world situation and how to prepare and work together as a family if things continued to develop. This isn't a very functional family so I was pretty surprised. I was impressed with what they did and wanted ideas & tips that I might be able to use too.

Another thought - my extended family doesn't have much to do with each other. I have thought about that in an emergency and felt it was too bad because everyone would have so much to offer if we could work together on problems. But I can't change them. Guess it's just me and Mirk with his family but we don't live close.

Meanwhile I have thought about how great my kids are and how we could pull together to get through hard times. Maybe we would need to have several families share a home. In the depression whoever had work helped everyone survive. What else could we do? Who has what talents? What is the plan under different scenarios? What are the ages & abilities of family members? What if one of the kids marries a "flake" and they are together or divorced as Sign mentioned? I think this is the question that needs answering even if you are the only family member to work on thinking it through.

I appreciate your post Aldon. Let's have the "what can families do" discussion instead of getting side tracked and taking offense where none was intended. Let's all play nice together in the sand box. :)

[signseeker]

Yes, it's sometimes hard to know what people are thinking behind their posts. I'm not irritated. Only when I feel there's this unspoken "We don't go there" type attitude. I like to discuss things cuz I know people can hear the same exact phrase and have a hundred different ideas on what it's really saying.

So it sounds like the basic good thing about a strong family is that it lessens the difficulty of our trials somehow? Things aren't "as" hard when you have your buddy/soulmate there with you? Getting through more easily is the idea? (I'm just asking - honestly - this is not irritation. Just trying to peel back some layers to get to the heart of point.) I mean, I definitely see the advantage of having a network of righteous, honest, skilled people with which to weather these armaggedon-esque storms ahead.

[JayE]

I've been itchin' for a fight lately.

I'd love to see that, May 16th at the BBQ.

Are you coming, Sign?

[mirkwood]

I'd love to see that, May 16th at the BBQ.

Are you coming, Sign?


Don't hold your breath...you will die...

[signseeker]

I dunno... See, I have this paranoia about meeting online people... :frown2:

[arbilad]

Yes, she's afraid that she might get beans and ammo.

[Toni]

Okay, Aldon, I'm trying to figure out why my name is at the top of post #21. Wasn't that Sign's post?

Yeah, Sign, I could tell you were achin' for a fight. I figured you had reasons I didn't know about. BTW, if you're stressed and want to get it out, don't throw eggs. That is so, totally, unfulfilling. They splat too easily and hardly make a sound.

[phylm]

<IMG title="http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:...amity-jane.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dorisday.net/assets/images/doris-as-calamity-jane.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dorisday.net/calamity_jane.html&usg=__CBbACR0OULRNXWlr454LXH5lhm8=&h=657&w=504&sz=70&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=F5UmJAOr5KvXsM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalamity%2Bjane%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1)" alt="http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:...amity-jane.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dorisday.net/assets/images/doris-as-calamity-jane.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dorisday.net/calamity_jane.html&usg=__CBbACR0OULRNXWlr454LXH5lhm8=&h=657&w=504&sz=70&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=F5UmJAOr5KvXsM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalamity%2Bjane%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1)" src="http://www.ldsglo.com/forum/image.php?u=45&type=sigpic&dateline=1222273167" border=0> Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Good advice.

[signseeker]

I don't think I'm stressed... I think I'm thinking too much. That's good for reading scriptures, not so good for online forums. :thumbsup:

[mirkwood]

I think I'm thinking too much.


And all this time we thought you were just running off at the mouth.