Tag Archive for 'family'

You’re the Bishop #5 (Poll)


Bishop Bill again, folks.  Now for one that has nothing to do with the ward. Continue reading…

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Church as a Social Network


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There are those among the disaffected who would like to reap the benefits of the church as a community although they may no longer share the belief system that is the foundation of the church.  For some, this works very well; for others, it’s an endless source of frustration.  I recently read a great book called Connected:  The Power of Social Networks that described how social networks work.  As a result, I have drawn up 7 Rules (tips, really) for making church work as a social network. Continue reading…

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Is God Still Progressing? (Poll Included)


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Last month, one of the RS/PH lessons was about the nature of God.  Since the lesson was only about a page and a half long, the discussion in RS ended up raising the question whether God is still progressing or whether, being God He has arrived and is no longer progressing.  Read and and share your views. Continue reading…

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Abstainers vs. Indulgers


abstainers-vs-indulgers

Mormons dig abstinence.  Like many other highly committed Christians, we abstain from premarital sex.  But, that’s not all; we also abstain from tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, profanity, R-rated movies, dating before age 16, fooling around prior to marriage, and shopping on Sundays.  And some even like to add more abstinence on top of that!  I had one college roommate who was determined to share her first ever kiss across the altar with her husband. Continue reading…

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Dysfunctional Families or Church?


dysfunctional-families-or-church

Exit stories are the tales told when someone leaves the church.  The internet is full of these stories, and in many, there is drama in the family as a result of the person’s decision to leave.  Often the person attributes at least some of that family drama to the church itself as an organization.  Yet, it is also true that there have been people who have left the church without family drama or disagreeable behaviors.  So, is the church environment complicit in fostering “bad” behaviors or is it the families themselves who are prone to these behaviors?  Or both? Continue reading…

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Richard Dawkins, God and Santa Claus: Belief as a Form of Abuse


richard-dawkins-god-and-santa-claus-belief-as-a-form-of-abuse

Between Christmas and New Year I had the opportunity to meet with some friends and at one point during the evening we began discussing the role of Santa Claus in raising children.  As I was thinking about what was said on the way home I recalled an article I had read in the ‘New Scientist’ which discussed whether teaching children about Santa Claus is a ‘harmless fantasy’ or whether it is a ‘cruel deception’ [1].  This then led me to consider whether believing in God is a similar relationship? Continue reading…

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Sex Ed: A Poll


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Which is more effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies:  abstinence education or conception education? Continue reading…

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The Church in 20 Years


Where do you see the Church in 20 years?  Today’s guest post is by David Heap. Continue reading…

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A New Strategy for Preserving the Sanctity of Marriage!


Marriage is arguably one of the most important topics in all of Mormonism. It is considered ordained of God (PoF), temple marriages are sealed through the Melchizedek Priesthood, and it’s considered required for Mormon exaltation (D&C 132). The importance of marriage has led the church, in several situations, to support legislation to preserve the sanctity of traditional marriage. During these heated campaigns the church has made its point clear – it respects, loves, and welcomes those who favor, or desire same-sex marriage, but it highly values the preservation of traditional heterosexual marriage and supports legislation to that end. But is there a clear way to strengthen marriage staring us right in the face, or rather, wallet? Continue reading…

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White Noise


Everybody blogs, right? Why not me? Looking for my niche, my angle, and the one thing that seemed to make me stand out in my corner of the world. I found it: Being single. And 40. And Mormon. In a family ward. In a town where EVERYONE is under 30, sealed in the temple and constantly reproducing. The best humor is found in our painful life experiences. Read about mine and laugh with me. Or at me. Whichever.
singlemormonchick Continue reading…

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Too Much of a Good Thing: A Birth Control Poll


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Does the church discourage birth control?  Are couples encouraged to breed as quickly and frequently as nature allows?  Take this poll to share your feelings on the subject. Continue reading…

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Insiders & Outsiders


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When it comes to Mormonism, do you feel more like an insider or an outsider? Continue reading…

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What if the Brethren decided to allow gay marriage? by Justin Perry


marriage
What if the Brethren decided to allow gay marriage? They’d have to do a lot of back-peddling to explain why they were suddenly in favor of something they stood against for so long. But over time, the church’s previous “official” opposition to gay marriage would be downplayed, the Apostles who spoke publicly against gay marriage would be criticized for giving their own personal, uninspired opinion, and new generations of LDS children would grow up in a church that accepted gays openly. Continue reading…
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Gender vs. Sex


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The Proclamation on the Family states:  “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”  What is meant by gender?  One’s biological sex?  One’s gender identity?  The sexual stereotypes and cultural norms associated with one’s biological sex? Continue reading…

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Is Prayer About God?


What does prayer mean? What is its purpose in our lives?  Today’s guest post is from jmb275. Continue reading…

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