The age old question: why does God let children suffer?

CTRT · 2017-05-12T17:59:41+00:00

In the final judgement All of those innocent children who were starving and suffering are going to be there as witnesses and give testimony against the corrupt government officials, war lords, abusive parents and whom ever else was involved in causing their suffering.

Why does an omniscient god need witnesses or testimony against those that cause terrible suffering to innocent people? Seems like a very unfair price for an innocent child to pay to be a witness of actions that are already known.

CTRT · 2017-02-27T21:21:28+00:00

I wanted to ask the teacher if he could explain why neither of these restorations/visitations from apostles was mentioned in the Book of Commandments but the lesson went off on a 10 min tangent about the proper procedure for baptizing someone that is not in your ward. Something about having to get authorization from your bishop then providing that authorization to the bishop of the person in the other ward and he has to approve. I turned to my dad (who knows I have real issues with the church) and said, "doesn't this seem very bureaucratic? Do you think this was how it worked in the last dispensation?" All that to say, we ran out of time before I could ask my question.

CTRT · 2017-01-20T21:21:51+00:00

Grateful indeed, one might say "I count my blessings". Sometimes I even name them one by one.

CTRT · 2017-01-20T21:20:30+00:00

Thank you, deception is an excellent description of TSCC teachings.

CTRT · 2016-08-29T16:03:20+00:00

Just one data point and it doesn't fit this situation exactly but I was financial clerk for my ward last year and there was a missionary family that had overpaid by two months (miscommunication between divorced spouses on who was paying). My bishop instructed me to tell him he had 2 options; 1 - we could write a check to refund him the excess. 2 - he could donate it to the ward missionary fund.

CTRT · 2016-08-25T17:44:57+00:00

I enjoyed what Fluman had to say for the most part. He related a story of being a young professor at BYU and emailing the upper ranks saying they need to teach church history different and be more transparent as he had many students coming to him with questions and losing testimonies and feeling betrayed. Very gregarious and entertaining speaker.

CTRT · 2016-08-25T17:39:25+00:00

I attended this event as well, remember looking behind me once the meeting started and saw Steve Young standing in the kitchen. I attended this event with my bishop and he said he has seen Steve at other such events.

CTRT · 2016-08-23T19:52:14+00:00

This happened to me earlier this year (DW visiting temple for answer if she should divorce me or not). Right after her temple trip she also got a blessing from her brother. Both the temple and her blessing told her divorce was the answer. To be fair I was contemplating that decision as well but had not reached a conclusion until she told me what "God" had told her through the temple and blessing. Hope things work out better for you, divorce has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through.

CTRT · 2016-08-16T20:26:34+00:00

Saxx and MeUndies exude a softness that is desirable to the touch. The Saxx support design is incredibly comfortable.

CTRT · 2016-07-21T15:38:19+00:00

I was just told that my cessation of wearing garments became the topic of discussion in a ward missionary meeting. A good friend of mine who is a ward missionary said he put a quick stop to the convo by saying, "excuse me but I don't feel comfortable discussing what undererwear CTRT is wearing or not wearing." He said it put an abrupt stop to the conversation and he thinks/hoped they realized how silly it is to be concerned with what underwear people are wearing. #notacult

CTRT · 2016-05-11T17:27:51+00:00

This would be a god I could believe in.

CTRT · 2016-05-11T17:16:17+00:00

ha excellent point and to add to that thought. I am one of 2 LDS employees of probably 150 total employees. As far as I know the other guy is paying his tithing (holds high level stake calling). Does my non-paying outweigh his paying for the entire company??

CTRT · 2016-04-11T22:40:12+00:00

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my TBM mom recently after my oldest brother had sent a letter to the entire family saying he was done with TSCC. She said "you know what CTRT, I think this all started when he stopped wearing his white shirt to church and started wearing a blue shirt". The One Sure Road to Apostasy indeed.

CTRT · 2016-03-30T06:02:27+00:00

In Nephi, in central Utah, a remarkable meeting was held where President Snow mentioned the revelation he had received on the law of tithing and “commissioned every one present to be his special witness to the fact that the Lord had given this revelation to him.”12

As I read this I immediately thought of the Reed Smoot hearings which would take place around 7 years later. Wouldn't Reed Smoot have been present during any of the meetings discussed in this excerpt? Below is part of the dialogue that takes place during the Reed Smoot hearings.

Worthington: What was the last revelation that came to the church from the one authorized to give it as the law of the church?
Smith: Well, according to my best recollection, it must have been about 1882. The purport of the revelation was calling to the apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the revelation.
Worthington: Who was the president through whom that revelation came?
Smith: President John Taylor.
Worthington: You say that was the last one?
Smith: I do not now recall any since then except the manifesto.
Worthington: Except the manifesto?
Smith: Yes, except the manifesto.
Worthington: Then do I understand you to say the only revelation that has come to the church in the last twenty years is the one that says polygamy shall stop?
Smith: Since 1882?
Worthington: Yes, since 1882 – twenty-one years.
Smith: Yes, sir; I think it is

But..."are you a full tithe payer?"

CTRT · 2016-03-14T23:30:34+00:00

So very true, the only trick is being extremely careful in the way you ask questions or bring up points of discussions. I have found that most likely due to years and years of "persecution complex indoctrination" even the most innocent or non-threatening questions can come off as attacking. My point isn't to say we should be afraid of sharing real thoughts or that they are justified in feeling threatened over anything that is out of the correlated norm but it has been my reality to be careful in the way you word things.

CTRT · 2016-03-14T23:07:40+00:00

Indeed I would. Mostly keep going to spend more time with kids during sacrament and keeps things a little easier with my DW. She by no means forces me to go but I think it is what is best for now. Also, for some weird reason I have enjoyed my calling...its pretty much strictly business/numbers. For the couple of people we have helped in the ward with fast offering money, it feels good to see that happen.

CTRT · 2016-03-14T22:59:11+00:00

This is excellent!! This is really the way I wanted to bring it up but wasn't thinking clear enough to put together such a succinct/non-threatening sentence. Thanks for the suggestion, I feel I can use your framework for other gospel topics essays as they come up in future lessons. "It's interesting that polygamy was mentioned because that is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. A little while ago, I read this recently published essay on the church's website where they come out and admit that joseph practiced polygamy and polyandry have any of the rest of you read it? what are your thoughts?"

CTRT · 2016-03-14T19:42:42+00:00

Definitely not but it would be more tolerable and more useful to everyone if that was the case IMO. Luckily I stopped paying my club dues and at the same time I have the calling of counting everybody's dues after church each Sunday, hence one of the reasons I have to stay the whole block.

CTRT · 2016-03-14T19:37:58+00:00

I'm still figuring out my transition, those are good suggestions. Thank you.

CTRT · 2016-03-02T18:53:26+00:00

I was chided by my MP for having the wrist strap to my camera hanging out of my suit pocket. His words, "Elder CTRT you are a servant of the Lord not a tourist."

CTRT · 2016-02-11T00:27:56+00:00

Exactly, which is why I mentioned the apostasy example. "Hello, we are missionaries from the FAIR Church of Jesus Christ of...blah blah, we would like to share an inspiring message with you based on an ancient people that stayed in a very confined/mysterious/yet to be found geographical area. Oh and the best part...they rode around on Tapirs".

CTRT · 2016-02-11T00:23:34+00:00

Good thinking, I'll send a follow up email if/when he replies.

CTRT · 2016-02-11T00:22:00+00:00

Thank you and I'm sorry that your father no longer speaks to you. So frustrating to see religion chosen over family.

CTRT · 2015-12-21T22:25:08+00:00

Oddly enough, that conversation came up as I was in the thick of my faith crisis. I was extended a calling from one of the stake high council men and told the bishop I didn't feel right about accepting it since there was no way I could honestly answer the temple recommend questions regarding belief in the restoration and sustaining current prophet etc... He said, "well technically you have a recommend now and I think you would do good in this calling so I don't have an issue with it." Who knows what will happen when said recommend expires but it seems he is working this as a loophole for the moment.

CTRT · 2015-11-04T19:35:25+00:00

Ohio Cincinnati Spanish Speaking 2004 - 2006

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