tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31290957935108854052024-03-13T09:03:59.236-07:00Modern Mormon MenThe manly mommy blog.MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comBlogger1455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-82009150208463051232019-09-30T03:46:00.002-07:002019-09-30T04:04:35.312-07:00We are all “Middle Way” Mormons, and none of us have completed the Covenant Path!<br>
<div style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin-left: .25in;">
We are all “Middle Way” Mormons, and none of us have completed
the Covenant Path.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin-left: .25in;">
By RB Mac.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/midleway%20mormon_zpsucohh2d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/midleway%20mormon_zpsucohh2d1.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br>
The Orthodox Mormons sure love this new term of “Middle Way Mormon”
that is being used to identify someone that is not living every single rule or
procedure or believes in every single doctrine. I have seen a few times
recently where the orthodox Mormon puffs out his or her chest in declaring the perceived
shortcoming of another member by identifying their shortcomings on the Covenant
Path or bestowing on them the moniker of “Middle way Mormon.” In the words of the
Texas Forefathers “that really gets my goat” …. It seems that nowadays the
standards of the temple are being applied to the chapel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its almost like we are saying to everyone, “if
you want to be welcomed at the church, you have to be progressing on the
covenant path at a pace we like, or what’s the point of serving you or welcoming
you as part of our community.”<br>
So, let’s be clear about a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/09/we-are-all-middle-way-mormons-and-none.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-62627214867266131262019-07-02T19:56:00.000-07:002019-07-03T07:10:05.987-07:00Oozing Patriotism<br>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oozing Patriotism</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/edited-image_zpslcl24is7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/edited-image_zpslcl24is7.png" width="640"></a></div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am a true patriot. I always have been.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am a red-blooded American! My patriotism
doesn’t just tip-toe along as borderline corny; I am full-blown “I love
America”, getting teary-eyed listening to patriotic music, standing at the
position of attention during the Star-Spangled Banner,
I-don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks patriotic. I don’t own t-shirts with eagles
flying around carrying the American flag or anything; but if I did, I would
totally rock them like every day!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My love for this country predates my time in the
Marine Corps. I was raised from childhood to love and cherish the fact that I
was born in such a great country. The freedoms I enjoy here--granted by the
bloodshed of past military veterans and defended by current service
members--are unparalleled throughout the world. I live not only in the greatest
nation on Earth, but the greatest nation in Earth’s history.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have skirted the bounds of blind devotion for
just a moment to lay down for you the foundation upon which I have built my
adoration for my country. Yet, I am not blindly naive to the point that I think
my country is perfect. We struggle with poisonous politics, historical racism,
institutionalized sexism, and other forms of bigotry being hurled from both
sides of the aisle. And recently, we have seen what appears to be a move away
from what I believe to be among the most important of the freedoms established
by the Founding Fathers: religious freedom.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span><br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/07/oozing-patriotism.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-89453611064321920822019-06-16T08:26:00.004-07:002019-06-16T08:26:26.452-07:00Just Be There (Happy Fathers Day!)<br>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just Be There</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">James A. Robertson</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy Father’s Day!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have looked over what
I am to say at least a dozen times; I do not believe there is a single Dad Joke
in my talk. To all of the fathers out there: I am sorry… I have failed you. To
everyone else in the congregation: I noticed the collective sigh of relief--you
are welcome.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am going to begin by
telling you all something that most of the congregation may have trouble
believing. As I began to prepare this talk, I was literally speechless--at a
complete loss for words. The one person who seems to always have something to
say… had NOTHING.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I sought inspiration
through fasting, prayer, and temple worship. I sought inspiration by reading
the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of
Great Price. Of course, I sought inspiration by pondering the Articles of
Faith--and could only come up with the first one: We believe in God the Eternal
Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. That’s the only
one that mentions fatherhood, right?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then inspiration
struck.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/06/just-be-there-happy-fathers-day_16.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-10024504231329029052019-05-07T19:29:00.003-07:002019-05-07T19:53:48.778-07:00Serving a mission in the Church is about to change is a BIG way…. You might want to sit down.By RB Mac<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/ThomasTew_MissionCall_zpsunfx9aq4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="800" height="388" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/ThomasTew_MissionCall_zpsunfx9aq4.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I rarely play with predicting what is coming down the pipe
from SLC. Except for general conference predictions, which are practically required
in the Bloggernacle. But in this case, with the whispers in the crisp Salt Lake
City air that has reached into Texas, and the fact that I have thought this was coming for a while now, I am going to make a prediction:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Missionary calls are
about to change, and the majority of Kids are not going to be serving proselyting
missions, but service missions.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I say service missions, I am talking about a whole new
type of service mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am talking digging
water wells in Africa, Building schools in Asia and teaching in downtown Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proselyting
mission spaces will shrink for about 65k to about 20k, (I predict we will see
no decrease in convert baptisms) I also predict you will not choose what kind
of mission you go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your stake
president will write a recommendation as to what kind of service he feels you
are best for, and the twelve will make the final decision. Terms of service
will go from six months to a few years, but you will be able to select the maximum
amount of time you can serve for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
the Big change, you will be able to go on more than one mission. For example, you
could serve a six-month mission serving in Africa on college break, and another
teaching for a year in Chicago after you finish college. And best of all I
predict the cost of serving a mission will NOT go up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is my prediction, and I think we will see this announced
before the end of the summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why the change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think there are three reasons:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span></div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/05/serving-mission-in-church-is-about-to.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-35279735351078112452019-05-07T12:46:00.001-07:002019-05-07T12:50:18.279-07:00The Waiting Period to Get Married in The Temple is Over!<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by RB Mac</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/marriage-license_zpsjxnjok2n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="503" height="220" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/marriage-license_zpsjxnjok2n.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I heard about the change in the temple sealing policy yesterday,
I was a little frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
wrong I was happy about it, it a long overdue change. If you haven’t heard: if
you have a family that cant be in the temple for the wedding, you can get
married outside the temple first, then get sealed without a waiting
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In North America, there was a
one-year waiting period couples would have the wait if they got marries civilly
before they could be sealed.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I was a little afraid of telling my wife about it. No
one from her family was able to be at our wedding in the Bountiful temple, and
that was really hard on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked
about doing it civilly, but to be 100% upfront and honest we did not because of
the social pressure and stigma associated with anon temple wedding, that by having
a civil ceremony we were somehow admitting that we were unworthy of a temple recommend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we did that, it would be my half of the
family that would have a hard time supporting us, rather then my wife’s half of
the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we had to choose, which half of the family got
to be offended because of where we were going to get married?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/05/the-waiting-period-to-get-married-tn.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-17714261725553969582019-05-07T12:31:00.000-07:002019-05-07T12:48:39.351-07:00If you don't follow us on twitter you should! Here is whyby Mark G.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been gone for a while…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well we have actually been on twitter <span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the week leading up to Easter, MMM left the blog, and we
hit twitter pretty hard. We enjoyed what we did, and I think it turned out
really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Holy week (the week
before Easter) we posted the major events that happened that week on the day and
time that they happened at. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
actually a lot of data to give days and times to most of the events, and there
were a few that we had to estimate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for
me, it really bought Easter to life in a way that as a Mormon, I have never
understood before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was the Brainchild of RB Mac. He has been doing it at home
for years. And being the old and grumpy guy that he is he snapped off how his church
does not even understand or honor all the significance of Easter. I rolled my
eyes at him, but after getting a flash on my phone at Wednesday at Midnight,
for example, telling me that Judas just betrayed Christ, Or Thursday at three pm
letting me know that Christ just died for me, really put the day of Easter into
a perspective that I have never experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So thanks RB, you are old (he is actually only 43) and a bit grumpy but
you hit the nail on the head most of the time, and you did for me this Easter,
it was a special experience for me and a lot of our friends on Twitter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you missed our Easter week, twitter posts go check them
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ModerMormonMen@Twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-54596048985464301122019-04-02T17:50:00.001-07:002019-04-02T17:54:16.206-07:002019 April General Conference Rumors.<div class="MsoNormal">
2019 General Conference rumors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://oi1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/APRIL%20GC%20RUMORS_zpsvnlpwh6l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="425" src="https://oi1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/APRIL%20GC%20RUMORS_zpsvnlpwh6l.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok here we go, the possible changes, rumors of changes and just plain old speculation on what’s coming up for conference this weekend. Enjoy Conference Weekend!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Women getting the priesthood. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have no doubt this is in the works. Changes in the temple are clear precursors to the change, just as changes in the temple were precursors to the changes in Blacks receiving the priesthood. Is it going to happen this conference…? I don’t think so but it’s coming for sure and I would not be surprised to see some changes in responsibilities of the Relief Society this weekend, such as seeing them make and extending their own callings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Changes in who and how you serve in a proselyting mission. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rumors are that the selection process in regards to who can and maybe who is “asked” to serve in a proselyting mission. With the changes in status and respect of those serving service missions. Look for an increase in breadth of service missions. Rumors are that the church is going to shift to having fewer proselyting missionaries, and might even go back to the days where you are called to serve a mission before you even apply to serve one. This would shift proselyting missions to by “call”, rather than by volunteering. However, look for service missions being built up to handle those who are not called to proselyting missions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Temple building is going to Slow down.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOPE. Nelson is on a big push on all fronts, he is not going to slow down on building temples especially since we now know the positive economic advantages to building temple. Members that live within a few hours of a temple are much more likely to be full tithe payers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Youth programs to be announced. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think this is going to happen this weekend. Look for YM and YW to achieve the same “Eagle” or “Duty to God/ YW Recognition” type award. Also look for changes in the Faith in God award. Also, a rumor that YM and YW will meet together more often for Sunday quorum and YW Classes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Formal Limits and Procedures for Church Discipline of LGBTQ members. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know some formal guidelines are in the works for this. I don’t think they will be released in conference but we might see them talk about it. What to look for here are rules against trying members more than once for the same situation and official lines for what behavior constitutes church discipline. The issue has been that action by members in one ward might warrant no discipline, but the same actions in another ward can get a member excommunicated. Don’t look for everything to be spelled out, but look for a new section in Handbook 1 with a few more guidelines. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Got any good Conference gossip? Put it in the comments!<o:p></o:p><br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/04/2019-april-general-conference-rumors.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-24469285462559325602019-03-31T08:50:00.000-07:002019-03-31T08:56:51.913-07:00LDS Church members Deserve Trained Leaders, With Background Checks.<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by RB MAC</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We deserve trained leaders. Actually, we deserve trained leaders that have gone through a proper background check. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am just curious, when did the infallibility doctrine of Christ get applied to our church leaders. I am speaking specifically here about our stake and ward leaders, so please call off the strengthening the membership committee. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My stake is taking all the kids 14-18 to Nauvoo this summer. I was speaking to the stake Young Men’s president, and I asked what they were doing for Youth Protecting training for the fifty or so Adult chaperones going on the trip? The answer…. Nothing we are not in Texas there is no reason to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to bit my tongue from snapping back, “You mean there is no reason to besides, ya know, protecting the youth!” Instead, I shared with him that Illinois does indeed have laws like Texas requiring proper, training for all adults that are on overnight trips with kids longer than four days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To sum up his answer back…. “We really don’t need it; our leaders are so wonderful, they would never do anything wrong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all honesty, when did this phase shift that our leaders can’t make mistakes happen? And it’s not just the members that view it that way; I have had frank conversations with several Priesthood leaders over the years where they are asking for advice when the leaders are claiming infallibility in anything they do as a leader. Besides this being totally nuts. It leads to justification of completely inappropriate and often damaging behavior. So, let's dispel some common Mormon myths. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/03/we-deserve-trained-leaders.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-91318303732626555062019-03-24T10:15:00.002-07:002019-03-24T10:25:27.890-07:00Growing up a Bastard in Mormon Culture. by JAR<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/bastard_zpsbnnlq0f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="800" height="418" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/bastard_zpsbnnlq0f2.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Caution: Gratuitous Use of the Word “Bastard”</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f0a163a-7fff-1bb1-01c3-1ee11a143e8a" style="font-weight: normal;"><br></b>
<br>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It used to grind on my nerves.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like, BAD.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No other word would incite fury in me like “bastard.” I hated it. And when people would use it in regards to me personally, I would go fisticuffs with a quickness. The repercussions for calling me a bastard were often times bloody noses or black eyes--sometimes other kids’, sometimes my own.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took me quite a while to drill down to the underlying emotion surrounding the word “bastard.” I thought it pissed me off because it was just a mean word. But beneath everything else, being a bastard was downright embarrassing.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That was it: I was embarrassed to be a bastard.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was embarrassed that other little kids had a dad at school functions. I was embarrassed at the looks that we would get in church. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t answer questions about my father--I <i>still</i> can’t, having never even met him (and only recently finding out his real name).<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Embarrassment is a strong emotion. You can tell when your kids start to feel embarrassment, and it completely changes their behavior. It completely changed mine. But there’s something important that I realized as I grew older: I was not the only person embarrassed about me being a bastard.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I was probably not the person <i>most embarrassed</i> about it.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/03/growing-up-bastard-in-mormon-culture.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-86255225827066239992019-03-02T01:19:00.000-08:002019-03-04T19:23:35.771-08:00The ministering visit where my buddy was told the church would be better off without himby Mark G.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/VISIT_zpsovuzc41h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="630" height="259" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/VISIT_zpsovuzc41h.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I was over at a friend’s house. It was late afternoon, normally he and I would both be at work, but he had taken the afternoon off the help me with an engineering problem my group has been struggling with. As my friend usually does, he solved my issue in a few minutes, and as it turns out, I am glad he did. Soon the doorbell rang, and my buddy answered the door calling the visitor by name </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brother Smith (alias) and welcomed him in. The man joined us in the study:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Buddy: How can I help you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bro. Smith: Well this is a hard visit to make, but I came here to rebuke you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Buddy: ok… let's get started. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brother Smith laid out his argument. Specifically about how the church and its leaders including stake presidents and bishops are infallible. My friend listened kindly until a remark was about the evil of scientists and then he snapped a bit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/03/the-ministering-visit-where-my-buddy.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-56500079237163002562019-02-21T20:28:00.001-08:002019-02-21T20:49:26.937-08:00Food Fight Over Missionaries Calling Home Once a Week! (Yes it actually happened)<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
posted by the MMM Consortium<br>
<div>
<br>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/FOODFIGHT%20FINAL_zpsrsifhjhm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="452" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/FOODFIGHT%20FINAL_zpsrsifhjhm.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew one day all of us here at MMM would fight over something. Lines would be drawn and a civil war would break out. But I never thought it would come over something as seemingly meaningless as missionaries calling home once a week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the short story: Jeff posted the change on our Slack page, and WW3 began. There were more than a few comments about uncut umbilical cords, mean old white men, stupid antiquated opinions and if we should also start sending teddy bears to missionaries as well. We decided to stop chatting before feelings were permanently hurt, so we meet at a restaurant called 7 Leguas in Lake Conroe, Texas that night to discuss in person. Once there, we started to discuss this somewhat civilly then a chip was thrown. And it happened, an all-out food fight…in the middle of the restaurant. It ended when Mark poured the queso over RB and RB answered back with the Mexican Guacamole. Few things are sacred at a Tex-Mex restaurant, queso is one of those things, and Mexican Guacamole at 7 Leguas is the best in the world, period. Ashamed that we had wasted the Queso, with heads hanging low we sat back down. I wish I were kidding here, it was my turn to pay the bill, and I tipped less at my wedding dinner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
</div></div></div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/02/food-fight-over-missionaries-calling.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-84281589017100213852019-02-02T08:05:00.002-08:002019-02-02T08:13:32.805-08:00Diggin’ Up Bones<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">by JAR</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Digginrsquo%20Up%20Bones%20final_zpsbfv07px9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Digginrsquo%20Up%20Bones%20final_zpsbfv07px9.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-98499fb0-7fff-4022-13fb-5dbaeeaa77fa" style="font-weight: normal;"><br></b>
<br>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to work for a power systems company that manufactured and serviced electric motors and electronic variable frequency drives for use in different industrial applications. Although the company’s main focus was on oilfield drilling controls (top drives, drawworks, mud pumps, etc.), one of the many smaller niches that we had carved out was in controlling the pumping and drilling motors on dredgers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dredging is the process where the sediments on the bottom of a body of water are extracted and moved elsewhere. Some dredgers use a large scoop, similar to a backhoe; most of the dredgers I worked on would actually break up the sediment with a large drill and suck it up using essentially a giant vacuum, then pump the material to another location (sometimes the shoreline, sometimes a barge). Along coastlines, this technique is used to protect the shape of the beaches. In Houston, contractors employ dredgers to keep the ship channel deep enough for the large freight ships to safely navigate to the docks. In Dubai, they excavated sand from deep seabeds in order to build a beautiful island shaped like a palm tree. However, there are many drawbacks to the process, and one major one that we will discuss here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whenever you dig up the bottom of a bayou, river, lake, or ocean, you never really know what you can expect to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everything that sinks when discarded into a body of water has the potential to be dredged up when the floor is disturbed. That includes trash, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, bikes, cars, at least one ATM to my knowledge, and even human bodies--I understand the latter to be quite a harrowing experience, though it is one that I have not personally had to endure. Items that were long since forgotten are brought up to the surface, and can even cause issues with the dredging process itself by getting stuck in the pumps or breaking the drills. These are the risks you take when you start carving up the bed of a bayou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
</div></div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/02/diggin-up-bones.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-3324515782713241292019-01-20T19:13:00.002-08:002019-01-20T19:14:14.998-08:00Could Recent Changes In the Temple Be Hinting At Changes In LDS Priesthood Ordinations? by RB Mac<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/TEMPLE%20CHANGES_zpsxyj6xrc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/TEMPLE%20CHANGES_zpsxyj6xrc3.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changes to the temple ordinances were announced a little over two weeks ago, and we really wanted to pop up a post right away, but then we saw that the Church had asked for people not to post the changes. So, we waited for a few weeks to go by so we could all find out what the changes are without us being the ones to tell you. Now that we all know what changes have been made, we can talk about all of this and there is a lot to talk about. Is this the first time that ceremonies have been changed in the temple? What is the history of the temple ceremony? What are the doctrinal implications of the recent changes? Are there more changes to come?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changes pertaining to the temple ceremony are more common than you might think. Significant changes were made in 1843, 1845, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1877 Jan-15, 1877 Feb-1, 1884, 1893, 1894, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1915, 1916, 1919, 1922 May-1, 1922 Sept, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1945, 1955 Nov-4, 1955 Dec-5, 1959 Mar-16, 1959 Jul-15, 1962, 1963, 1965 Jan-1, 1965 May-4, 1965 May-14, 1966 Jul-6, 1966 Aug-30, 1969 Mar-18, 1969 Oct-23, 1972, 1975, 1978 May-3, 1978 Jun-8, 1979 Jun-1, 1979 Dec-1, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1990, 2005, 2008, 2019. That’s a total of fifty-four, and I don’t consider this a complete list, I left several minor things off. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point being change is a governing principle of our church. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2018/12/president-nelsons-charge-to-take-our.html#more">Click here to read an article about the role change plays in the church</a></span>. I also think it’s healthy to point this out as too often “Mormon urban legends” attempt to dictate something to be a fact when it's not a fact at all. One of those urban legends is that the temple ceremony is revealed and can’t be changed… at all. On that topic, there is only one official statement we can find: 1982, Jan 16: "As temple work progresses, some members wonder if the ordinances can be changed or adjusted. These ordinances have been provided by revelation, and are in the hands of the First Presidency. Thus, the temple is protected from tampering." -W. Grant Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy. So there you have I, it’s both revealed, and it can change. Think of it this way we believe in the 9<sup>th</sup> article of faith, which to summarize says we believe what God says when he says it. You can change it, and it does change with the obvious caveat that it comes from the First Presidency. Now some might say that certain small inconsequential things might change, but important items like covenants, oaths, etc. never change. Absolutely not true, just in this last change we saw changes in oaths/covenants and this recent change is much more subdued than many in the past. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/01/could-recent-changes-in-temple-be.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-86715630746428394462019-01-17T19:01:00.002-08:002019-01-17T19:01:54.009-08:00Meet the Fatherless Mormon<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a Fatherless Mormon by JAR<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/fatherless1_zps40vsmqzx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="800" height="452" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/fatherless1_zps40vsmqzx.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a lot of unpacking to do with that statement; let
me begin by expressing my understanding of a couple of key items.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, I understand that the Church very recently shifted
away from using the term “Mormon.” Fortunately for us little people, the
restrictions of having to change our vernacular are less draconian than
anything published officially. Besides, “Fatherless Mormon” rolls off the
tongue much better than “Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints Who was Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by a
Single Mother Who was Also A Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, I understand that nobody is technically fatherless
(although it is in the Bible--just saying). Spare me the platitudes about “you
always have your Father in Heaven” blah, blah, blah… That’s not much of a
consolation to a young boy wondering why other kids are baptized by their dads;
a deacon trying to understand what it means to hold the priesthood; or a priest
struggling--and ultimately losing--to fight the temptations of the world with
no righteous example of priesthood leadership in the home. True: I can look
back now and understand that Heavenly Father has always been there for me; but
at the moment, I found it impossible to see an eternal perspective.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2019/01/meet-fatherless-mormon.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-4620753689799067252018-12-31T08:05:00.001-08:002018-12-31T08:13:56.871-08:00Strengthening The Men In The Elders Quorum <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By The MMM Brain Trust</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Copy%20of%20Welcome%20Church%20Template%20-%20Made%20with%20PosterMyWall_zpsksncsto5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Copy%20of%20Welcome%20Church%20Template%20-%20Made%20with%20PosterMyWall_zpsksncsto5.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s not a very well-kept secret that the men as a whole in
the church are struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
more active women than men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 20-30
age range there are more single women, than single men. More families are
without fathers in the home them without mothers in the home. And the
inactivity rate for men coming out of the young men’s program is staggering
high. We have some issues with us as Modern Mormon Men. The Church has been
talking about this for a few years now. I even think that this was one of the
main reasons for the changes to the Elders Quorum this year. We are not in
defcon 5 by any means, but we are certainly due for a course correction to increase
/ change the way we strengthen ourselves and our brothers in the church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a group article. A bunch of us here at MMM some how
started discussing the topic and we came up with a set of six points. Three that
address fallacies with the way we and the church assume the adult men in the
church are getting spiritually feed. And three items that wards and quorums
already have the authority to do according to the handbook that can be changed.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2018/12/strengthening-men-in-elders-quorum.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-73237275893642103662018-12-20T12:31:00.001-08:002018-12-20T12:48:58.811-08:00“Two Journeys” - by Rob Trishman<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(One of The Best Christmas Poems We Have Ever Read.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Two Journeys” - by Rob Trishman</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The journey to the manger</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The journey to the cross</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One led to the start of life</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other, to its loss.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each journey was filled with pain,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both His, and His mother's.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her pain so she could bear Him,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His pain to bear up others.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each journey was filled with doubt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why were all the inn rooms taken?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He cried for help in that dark hour.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Had God His Son forsaken?</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each journey had rejection</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unwelcome in any place.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nowhere for them to stay and rest.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crowds spitting in his face.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of these two journeys,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He knows hard roads we take.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pain, doubt, and rejection,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And how our hearts will ache.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He meets us on the thorny path,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In lonely times of fear,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In soul-crushing uncertainty,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember, He is near.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The journey to His death,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the journey to His birth</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both difficult, but completed</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of our souls’ worth.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And thus our mortal journey</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So difficult to face.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet He who said, ‘I am the way’</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carries us with His grace.</span></div>
MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-86659326469628398872018-12-18T07:11:00.002-08:002018-12-20T13:32:52.580-08:00TOP 12 CHANGES FROM CHURCH HQ THIS YEARby RB Mac<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Copy%20of%20Christmas%20Party%20-%20link_zps6vfbhk6q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="283" src="https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/modernmormonmen/Copy%20of%20Christmas%20Party%20-%20link_zps6vfbhk6q.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null" name="_Hlk532305371">Intro:<o:p></o:p></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532305371;">Merry Christmas!
Its been a huge year of change in <s>Mormon</s> Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the guys
over here at MMM thought we would bring you some Christmas cheer in the form of
the twelve days of Christmas, featuring the twelve biggest changes in the
church over the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532305371;"><o:p><br></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532305371;"><o:p><br></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the first day of Christmas the Mormon Church gave to me…. A new first presidency!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532305371;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we are going to talk about this new first presidency, we have to talk about what came before it, way before it and that was Nelson and Oaks. Two bros, the highest-ranking Modern Mormon Men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob Mims at the Salt Lake tribune put it this way “There they always were. The lawyer and the Doctor. The judge and the surgeon. The apostle and the… apostle.” These two are close, besties, I think the term Bromance is appropriate. I am willing to make you a bet that somewhere between five and ten years ago President Nelson and President Oaks hunkered down in a cabin by Bear Lake, Utah in a brainstorming session (probably over a raspberry shake) about all the changes they would make once Nelson became prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also willing to bet they wrote down on something like, a paper towel, all the things they are going to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am dead serious, stuff is just rolling out too fast, this has been planned for a long time. And every time something new rolls out I bet they have a little victory party in Nelsons office where they pull out the paper towel and cross of the item that just changed, then they probably toast their success with a Chery Coke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t forget about Eyring, poor guy! Imagine how hard it must be to try to reign in Nelson and Oaks!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
(Note: December 1 we posted about upcoming changes in the church and how change is supported by the theorem of our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out.)</div>
</div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532305371;"></span>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2018/12/top-12-changes-from-church-hq-this-year.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-14543601654377671322018-12-12T13:13:00.002-08:002018-12-31T08:07:31.327-08:00DeadPool Movie Poster<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VYttQaPRS0/XBF5ilVAixI/AAAAAAAAAJo/qTUvCIOy85oyx3HUlCwaXROc65F5XQJKACLcBGAs/s1600/deadpool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="945" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VYttQaPRS0/XBF5ilVAixI/AAAAAAAAAJo/qTUvCIOy85oyx3HUlCwaXROc65F5XQJKACLcBGAs/s640/deadpool.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kind of think that a graduate of the graphic arts department
at BYU got hired to do a movie poster and while struggling for a concept late
one night in his living room he looked up and had a vision (saw the painting on his wall). I bet you a
thousand bucks his wife slapped him with a rolled-up Ensign when she saw his "new" poster!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does everyone think? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck there is even a change.org petition on it
if you want to really get involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you
can just laugh at the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or
you can go to the change.org petition and laugh at the comments, which is
currently what I doing.<br />
<br />
Fun Fact: While the LDS painting was commissioned by the Church it was painted by a Seventh Day Adventist.</div>
MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-60387421776105429162018-12-03T19:14:00.001-08:002018-12-14T15:43:32.827-08:00Our New LDS Youth Programs (Part 1)<a href="mailto:rmbay1@gmail.com" target="_blank">by: RB Mac</a><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00rKo14CzfI/XAXvr3Fj-RI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8DzRqooM4AkwR84aONoG9JbSKEtJ8-O1ACLcBGAs/s1600/usnscc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00rKo14CzfI/XAXvr3Fj-RI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8DzRqooM4AkwR84aONoG9JbSKEtJ8-O1ACLcBGAs/s640/usnscc.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I had an amazing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was invited to do a presentation at Ellington
Joint Reserve Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Its </span>a multipurpose
base in Houston Texas that serves NASA, the Coast Guard and acts as a military base
for reserve units of each branch. The entire experience was amazingly
impressive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About twenty minutes before I was scheduled to arrive, I got
a text from a Petty Officer in the unit I was going to visit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Petty Officer: “Sir, just wanted to
confirm your arrival time?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I answered: “I’ll be there a bit
early in about five minutes” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Petty Officer: “That’s fantastic, the
guards at the security gate are expecting you and have directions for you to
our building. This is my cell, please let me know if there are any issues”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got to the security gate, presented my ID. The guard said
they were expecting me and handed me a customized map of where I was to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The map guided me perfectly to the building and as I was
getting out of my car was greeted by the Petty Officer and a Seaman. The seaman
immediately asked to carry my bag and then politely took it from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no option, he was going to carry my
bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a few more things in my truck
for the presentation and in about two minutes four very fit, very well-behaved gentlemen
were carrying the contents of my truck into the presentation room. I got to the
front door of the building and immediately I was greeted by another sailor who
opened the door for me, “good afternoon sir my name is seaman Yadul, welcome to
Ellington we are all looking forward to your presentation”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once to the room the four sailors immediately started to
setup my presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not give
them instructions and if they had a question they asked, but for the most part
they looked at what I had brought with me, accessed the items and set them up
just as I would have. I was absolutely shocked. I have done hundreds of presentations
all over the world, this level of competency and professionalism was a first. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as we were finishing setup the Chief walked in,
introduced himself, thanked me for coming and explained that in about an hour
Airforce One was landing to take the body of President Bush 41 to Washington DC
for the Funeral. He then said “Sir, with your permission I would like to interrupt
the presentation to take the entire unit out to the landing deck to see Airforce
One land and pay our respects, if you would like we would love you to join us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I want to stand on a runway while Airforce one lands and
then see them prep the plane for the late president and his family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YA I do! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just then the unit of about thirty people filed into the
room from lunch, everyone introduced themselves and welcomed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Petty Officer stood up, the room immediately
went silent. He walked to the front of the room and introduced me to the unit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started what was a rather technical presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About thirty minutes latter the Chief walked
in, waited for a natural break in my speech, then said it was time for Airforce
One to land. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without instruction and in
almost perfect order the unit emptied the room, walked down the hallway, out the
building, over to a hanger, through the hanger, out the big door and onto the
runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There about three hundred yards
in front of me Airforce one landed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could feel the wind the landing made, it was awesome! It then taxied around us and
parked about five hundred yards away next to a long line of black suburban’s,
buses and a hearse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unit was at
ease (no president in the plane) but they were near silent talking in whispers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of them were old enough to have even
been alive when Bush 41 was president, but I heard several of them say “I read
this about him” or “do you know ___ about him”. You could feel the level of
respect they had for Bush 41.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was actually
very touching.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2018/12/our-new-lds-youth-programs-part-1.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-68098434565556614342018-12-02T01:49:00.000-08:002018-12-14T15:48:41.797-08:00President Nelsons charge to take our vitamin pills and the theorem of our faith. <br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="mailto:rmbay1@gmail.com">RB Mac</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpTMffigASA/XAOoSVNtPGI/AAAAAAAAAIg/0KYycVcV5UQmDqGJGt6vI1zjOY0IUvHeQCLcBGAs/s1600/math.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="906" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpTMffigASA/XAOoSVNtPGI/AAAAAAAAAIg/0KYycVcV5UQmDqGJGt6vI1zjOY0IUvHeQCLcBGAs/s640/math.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you ever wondered how President Nelson, a Prophet of God, warns
you in essence that the proverbial defecation is about to hit the rotary oscillator
(the crap is about the hit the fan)? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says
it like this: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There's much more to
come…Wait until next year, eat your vitamin pills, get your rest”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Change is a big deal especially in theology, where most religions
including ours, are known more for not changing then they are for any type of
change at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few things are more consistent
in the world than religion. But guess what, that is not how our religion was
setup. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theorem of our faith is very,
very different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It sounds a little cold to describe part of one’s faith as a
theorem, but that’s really the way it is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every faith in the world has a logic to
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fun part is that in the world of
religion, is each church gets to make up its own logic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its very own cause and effect, its own axiom
set if you will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not just talking
about a logic that religions use to deduce rules that govern behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a rule of logic (theorem) by which their
very beliefs are derived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is a lesson I learned in a theology class, we were required to
take in high school. As much as I love seminary, it is not in any stretch, a
serious class of theology! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your imagination
into one of my memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You show up to school
and the first lecture you get, is on how so many religions in the world don’t
get along. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells us about the hate of
the Crusaders, the eternal battle between Islam and Judaism, Southern Baptist
and Mormons, and so on and so on… illustrating that fact that nothing in the history
of this world, is full of more animosity and war then religion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The teacher then sits on top of his large desk, in the front of
the room and utters the following words “We expect you young people to be able
to bring the harmony of logic to every situation in this life and you will
start by bringing the most emotional subject in the history of this world into logic
and order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if you can do it
there, you can do it anywhere”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
next year I learned a lesson that has paid many dividends in my life, that the study
of theology is really the study of philosophy within the bounds (rules) of
logic a specific religion has chosen to be governed by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That even something as seemingly complex as
religion, has a simple straight forward core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to flatter the most adherent believers in a religion,
make them smile, have them look you in the eyes and say, “Yes that’s true!”… Tell
them that their religion is so solid it is based on logic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will get all of the warm fuzzes they
desire and their minds eye will flash with images of their religion being the
one true religion that has found a way to bring together the world of science and
logic with the Universe of God in Heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, if you want to make most adherent
believes in a religion, any religion<s> </s>mad, really mad, make a point of
telling them that the logic their religion is based on is totally made up,
subjective and full of so many holes of varying size that it makes a sieve look
water tight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Different religions have different logic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fun part is that once you know a certain
religions foundational theorem, “logic”, they become easy to understand, easy
to argue with (the Greek meaning of the word argue, thank you very much).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also learn that in every religion there
is a fallacy in their logic, a belief that does not fit, a doctrine that it
does not explain. That is every religion except for a true one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a religion is to be true, then the theorem by
which their beliefs are derived from must be perfect. Their theorem must bear
the weight of any test. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So why am I bringing this up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br>
</div><a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2018/12/president-nelsons-charge-to-take-our.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-52033334481476039762018-11-15T19:59:00.002-08:002018-11-16T08:35:53.601-08:00Farewell<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Seattle%20Jon" target="_blank">Seattle Jon</a> & <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Scott%20Heffernan" target="_blank">Scott Heffernan</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLnoYf12A2c/W-4utGGxJDI/AAAAAAAAAII/-Ds9zEWlA_MP4EF0dDzKvAyVVjZLNA8tACLcBGAs/s1600/farewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="600" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLnoYf12A2c/W-4utGGxJDI/AAAAAAAAAII/-Ds9zEWlA_MP4EF0dDzKvAyVVjZLNA8tACLcBGAs/s640/farewell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We're chuckling as we write this, looking back at the title
to our last post over two years ago.<br />
<br />
#MormonMafia. Maybe you thought we'd broken the code of silence and been
clipped. Or went into hiding. Would have been cool to be modern mormon martyrs.<br />
<br />
No such luck. We just stopped. We woke up one day and knew
we were done. We let the blog sit, thinking the content was still good so why
not leave it online for others to find and read.<br />
<br />
Then, a few months ago, someone approached us about resurrecting the blog.
Seemed like a good guy so we're turning it over to a new family. He'll be the
top-level management. The boss. The don. The new modern mormon man.<br />
<br />
So come back soon for new mormon crank. We hope it's as addictive as our stuff
was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You'll always be family, but we're leaving the business for
good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gotta go, we have a waste management business to run.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
A Note From The New Guy:<br />
<br />
Jon and Scott from all of us, thanks for the laughs! More than
once I woke up my wife because I was laughing while reading a post late at
night.<br />
<br />
On a serious note thanks for contributing to the <i>Modern</i> era of our church. Your thoughts, paradigms and the way you
presented them were always enlightening and hit the proverbial "nail on the head".<br />
<br />
May the world of waste management hold great
things for you!<br />
<br />
All my best,<br />
The New Guy (also known as RB Mac.)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />MMMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16616277913848859736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-50967135787867681682016-11-02T09:27:00.000-07:002016-11-02T10:05:53.937-07:00Persecution vs. Chastening: When #MormonMafia Is No Joking Matter<i>by <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Rob%20T" target="_blank">Rob T</a>:</i><br>
<br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNhy6ly1uCQ/WBkswHvC-4I/AAAAAAAAEMo/KZmpMynmDqIDbOjN0uzfrNC4tTM8MNzUwCK4B/s1600/mormonmafia.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNhy6ly1uCQ/WBkswHvC-4I/AAAAAAAAEMo/KZmpMynmDqIDbOjN0uzfrNC4tTM8MNzUwCK4B/s1600/mormonmafia.jpg"></a><br>
<br>
When Fox News personality and Donald Trump supporter Lou Dobbs went on a rant last week about LDS presidential candidate Evan McMullin, which included referring to him as a “Mormon Mafia Tool” <a href="https://twitter.com/LouDobbs/status/790024160160411648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">in a tweet</a>, Mormons on Twitter <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mormon-mafia_us_58118785e4b0990edc2f34fb" target="_blank">responded hilariously</a>.<br>
<br>
I got in on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MormonMafia?src=hash" target="_blank">#MormonMafia</a> fun (see the HuffPo link above, he said unhumbly), because I enjoy a good-natured Twitter hashtag joke stream. And I appreciated that most Mormons were having fun with it instead of seeing it as an instance of “persecution.”
<br>
<br>
While joining in the social media levity, however, two things came to my mind that weren’t joking matters.
<br>
<br>
First, Trump supporters on Twitter haven’t suddenly surfaced to go after Mormons. There have been countless instances of <a href="http://www.poynter.org/2016/report-some-trump-supporters-are-targeting-journalists-with-anti-semitic-abuse-on-twitter/435165/" target="_blank">anti-Semitism</a>, <a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/1/27/10852876/donald-trump-supporters-sexist-tweets-megyn-kelly" target="_blank">misogyny</a>, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-staffers-spew-racism-hatred-twitter-accounts-ap-review-article-1.2761140" target="_blank">racism</a>,* and now Latter-day Saints are in the crosshairs, due in part to Trump’s <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/13/donald-trumps-very-bad-mormon-problem-explained/" target="_blank">declining popularity in Utah</a>.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2016/11/persecution-vs-chastening-when.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-64011302187475503742016-09-08T08:49:00.000-07:002016-09-08T08:49:34.558-07:00Wardless<i>by <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Devin%20Fletcher">Devin Fletcher</a>:</i><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTlULSWOT04/V9CxmSQJZaI/AAAAAAAAELc/cj-THi9cfPIglIoOey3-2Jo0mflSiIncgCLcB/s1600/pews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTlULSWOT04/V9CxmSQJZaI/AAAAAAAAELc/cj-THi9cfPIglIoOey3-2Jo0mflSiIncgCLcB/s1600/pews.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
For the last few weeks, my family and I have been in a weird spot in our relation to the organization of the church. We’ve kinda moved. I don’t mean “kinda” in the linguistic filler type of way, or as a way to minimize the damage of a comment to follow. I mean we’ve kind of moved, but not completely. Since 2013, we’ve lived in Waco, Texas while I attended Baylor Law School. Upon graduation a year ago, I passed up a job offer because of a prompting from the Holy Ghost. Recently, I found a job and began working down in Austin during the week, driving back to Waco on the weekends, while my family finished out the lease. My family moved down and joined me in staying with my sister-in-law and her family. Due to various circumstances, we have attended church in three different wards since and have effectively been without a ward for a month.
<br>
<br>
The old saying is, “the beauty of the church is that it’s the same wherever you go.” In my experience within the U.S. that's generally true, with allowance for local flair and preference. The doctrines taught in the Austin-area wards were basically the same as anywhere else. The people were friendly and often welcoming. But I miss having a ward to call my own. It makes me feel, perhaps for the first time, truly grateful for the geographic way we determine where our members attend services.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2016/09/wardless.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-37256603181187500902016-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:002016-09-02T00:01:01.691-07:00Why My Son Said He Didn’t Believe in Evolution — and Why That Troubled Me<i>by <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Rob%20T" target="_blank">Rob T</a>:</i><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFaeejvjYys/V8jGNr3Xj2I/AAAAAAAAEK8/Zj3ksL96JEUNkcpCv_-j0GFh5rDh1oOXACLcB/s1600/10161720723_d379b88800_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFaeejvjYys/V8jGNr3Xj2I/AAAAAAAAEK8/Zj3ksL96JEUNkcpCv_-j0GFh5rDh1oOXACLcB/s640/10161720723_d379b88800_z.jpg" width="600"></a></div>
<br>
“Some people believe in evolution, that we came from apes. But I think they’re wrong because it’s not in the scriptures.”
<br>
<br>
Those words came from the mouth of my 5-year-old son recently. They took me by surprise, not because of his opinion, but because he was thinking of this issue and forming a personal stance. Was I underestimating his intelligence and awareness of such profound matters? That’s likely.
<br>
<br>
Impressed as I was that he could articulate this thought, I also was troubled by what he said.
<br>
<br>
Shouldn’t I have rejoiced, as an LDS parent, that my child took a firm stand with what I believe to be the word of God?
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2016/09/why-my-son-said-he-didnt-believe-in.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129095793510885405.post-57147568836475835292016-05-26T00:01:00.000-07:002016-05-26T08:58:41.978-07:00MMM Search Term Roundup 16: January 2014 - March 2014<i>by <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Scott%20Heffernan">Scott Heffernan</a>:</i><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBfRTsvOKxY/TlaaEArrBHI/AAAAAAAABAU/MGESs7_bgVA/s1600/searchtermroundup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBfRTsvOKxY/TlaaEArrBHI/AAAAAAAABAU/MGESs7_bgVA/s1600/searchtermroundup.jpg"></a></div>
<em>When someone finds Modern Mormon Men via search engine, we get to see what they typed to get here, giving us a small glimpse into the thought processes of those who happen upon our site. I think our readers need to see these, so I'll be sharing them monthly. Some are funny, some are sad, some are disturbing. Maybe we can work together to give some context or help answer some of those curious questions. WARNING: Although some of the more explicit entries have been excluded, saucier phrases that </em>are<em> included have not been edited.</em><br>
<em><br></em><i>See all Search Term Roundups <a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/search/label/Search%20Roundup">here</a>.</i><br>
<br>
<b>do i have to wear a shirt and tie to mormon church</b><br>
I would at least wear a shirt.<br>
<br>
<b>mormon soaking floating marinating</b><br>
Whatever you call it, you’re not fooling anyone.<br>
<br>
<b>are mormon men good in bed</b><br>
No.<br>
<br>
<b>are murmons good in bed</b><br>
Yes.<br>
<br>
<b>why dont mormons have nipples</b><br>
You’re thinking of Jehovah’s Witnesses.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2016/05/mmm-search-term-roundup-16-january-2014.html#more">Continue reading the post »»</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com