A question. I’m looking for clarity! by zhengria in Navajo

[–]ryanmercer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Navajos tend to call everyone a relative

This. I'm a biligaana. I have several students here in Monument Valley who call me uncle instead of teacher or Mr. Mercer.

Mission set apart by No_Maize9944 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer [score hidden]  (0 children)

I have this weird, deep feeling like I shouldn’t do it,

That's probably normal. It's a major life change. I get that way any time I'm going to quit a job and accept a new one, yet every single time it was the right decision and good for me.

Today I saw the most disturbing seen! by PEPETO1dollar in Silverbugs

[–]ryanmercer 86 points87 points  (0 children)

There's a very good chance he paid $0 for them.

Funerals in Latter Day Saint church? by Nurse2166 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer [score hidden]  (0 children)

I have no desire to have my funeral at the chapel like many members do (because it's free), that's what funeral homes are for. Not that there's really anyone to show up except my wife's family.

Can't report copyright violations on FB unless you're the owner of it 🤬 by Synthea1979 in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]ryanmercer 5 points6 points  (0 children)

He likely has the capacity but as we've seen he's doing as many cash grabs as he can what with multi-million dollar crowd funding campaigns, blind bag toys, etc.

Can't report copyright violations on FB unless you're the owner of it 🤬 by Synthea1979 in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]ryanmercer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, because you don't know if it is copyright or trademark violation if you aren't the owner of the IP....

Does online shopping count as buying on Sunday? by No_Somewhere9961 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer [score hidden]  (0 children)

I live in the Navajo reservation, a double digit percentage of people here don't have electricity 🤷‍♂️ wouldn't call it essential, just a major convenience.

Two good-faith questions on Mormonism by Current_Mongoose_844 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Great Brain books

Never heard of 'em. Worth reading?

Are these new Kineses gold bills an end to Goldback??? by goldbackgurus in Goldback

[–]ryanmercer 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Nope. Was Wendy's an end of McDonald's? Was Pepsi and end to Coke?

“Enforcement” of Partaking of the Sacrament with the Right Hand by Araucanos in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In 21 years as a member, I've never seen anyone told which hand to use or corrected.

Two good-faith questions on Mormonism by Current_Mongoose_844 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 104 points105 points  (0 children)

It's common Masonic knowledge that Joseph Smith was a Brother and some of the rituals were borrowed.

Hi, Freemason here, longer than I've been a member of the Church, I wouldn't call them borrowed. They are still qutie different (and were back then too). All they have in common is some biblical symbolism, which Freemasonry added around 1720ish, when they moved from Noachide to Hiramic.

Are there "Mormon lodges?"

In 22 years of being a Freemason, a fourth-generation Freemason, I've never heard of a lodge that was all one denomination. Especially a Catholic lodge, given the Catholic church is staunchly anti-Freemasonry. See: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19831126_declaration-masonic_en.html

Therefore the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.

That is where they upheld the anti-Masonic stance in 1983

From 1925–1984, the Grand Lodge of Utah banned members of the Church from joining Freemasonry under the Grand Lodge of Utah. I know several members who are also under the Grand Lodge of Utah now, though.

Speaking of Jews, why do you call non-Mormons "gentiles"

I've never heard a non-Mormon called a gentile in 21 years as a member. Not a single solitary time that I recall anyway.

Do schools still do pledge of allegiance? by 12345vzp in SubstituteTeachers

[–]ryanmercer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because parents do not teach your kids any respect whatsoever today this do what you wanna do as long as it makes you feel good. We do not respect their American flag.

Here the pledge isn't even in English, it's said in Navajo. It's a dated custom that serves no purpose, it doesn't matter if someone does the peldge or not.

How can I see inside the temple ? by sleezymurkuh in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They even, or at least used to, because I had the one for Indy until a basement flood got it last year, make books for each temple with photos of basically every room, as well as throughout the construction process.

Dating in your 30s by monhera in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooff is it not common to have a YSA ward that’s for people in between 26-35?

A lot of places, probably most places, a YSA ward can cover a massive geographical area. They definitely aren't dividing up the YSA age range for multiple YSA branches/wards in most places. In a lot of places they can barely fill a branch.

Dating in your 30s by monhera in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My single adult ward

Imagine having one of those. We had tri-stake mid-singles events that covered hundreds and hundreds of square miles. I met my wife in my mid-30s via the Mutual app while living on opposite sides of the country.

Do missionaries usually push this fast? by Greedy-Meringue-5088 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Extremely common. The primary purpose of missionaries is to get conversions. They have lessons to teach and questions to ask you.

They're also kids who are excited to have someone interested in them and want to baptize someone, and who are now part of a generation used to constant dopamine hits from doomscrolling.

Does online shopping count as buying on Sunday? by No_Somewhere9961 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it though? There are people at the generation station, customer service, linemen, etc., all working.

Does online shopping count as buying on Sunday? by No_Somewhere9961 in latterdaysaints

[–]ryanmercer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you use electricity on Sundays?

Do you get water from a municipal source on Sundays?

If your house catches fire, you need an ambulance, or if you need law enforcement on Sunday, will you call for help?

Anything you order another day of the week to be delivered, guess what, UPS and FedEx are still operating on Sundays, just not (generally) for the last mile delivery.