Food for thought

What are you thinking about during sacrament meeting? The real reason for the ordinance? Jesus Christ

NEW. LDS.ORG WEBSITE

"An upgraded LDS.org is now available at new.lds.org. Much of the focus of the new site is to help you, as a member of the Church and child of our Father in Heaven, to learn, live, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It does this by emphasizing the teachings of core doctrines by living prophets and apostles, providing easy access to scriptures, and enabling new tools for online gospel study." http://ldsmediatalk.com/2010/09/15/new-lds-org/

CHECK OUT NEW.LDS.ORG!!

We're back

Sorry we fell off the face of the planet this summer. Hope your summers were great and that you have had a great start to the new school year!!

Don't forget to ask a priesthood holder for a school blessing for the start of the new year. It can be your Dad, Home teachers, Bishopric member, YM president or any other priesthood holder you feel comfortable asking.

Announcing Mormon-themed restaurants! (funny)

There is an idea floating around Utah, Arizona, Idaho and California for a chain of non-pretentious Mormon-themed restaurants called "The Steak Center" (Where There's Never a Dry, Boring Meating!).

• Each Steak Center will have one enormous dining area with basketball hoops at both end and folding metal chairs and long tables covered plastic tablecloths.
• The Steak Centers will not have hostesses, but greeters -- men in their seventies will meet you at the door and talk like they have known you all your life.

The main menu items for lunch and dinner will be:

Porterhouse Rockwell Steak

Primary Rib

Poor Wayfaring Pan of Beef

Parsley P. Pratt Funeral Potatoes

Eliza R. Snow crab (in season)

And It Came to Pasta

Kraft MacaMoroni and Cheese.

Breakfast items will include:

Pearls of Great Rice

Frosted Minivans

Adam-ondi-Omelettes

Also available

In Our Lovely Desserts

Fast Sundaes

Gadianton Cobbler

Laman Meringue Pie (just sinful!)

• The waiters will be 12- and 13-year-old boys wearing white shirts and their fathers' ties...
• At the end of the night the customers will be asked to help fold up the chairs and tables and vacuum the floor.

Franchises are selling faster than Sunbeams on Skittles! Get yours

while they last!

Cool stuff

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Got a question? Post one and get answers!

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NEW Personal Progress Site Coming!

http://www.lds.org/pa/yw/pp/cs/index.html

NEW Duty to God program!

http://www.lds.org/dutytogod/

Inspirational Quotes

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=470c813d71189110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD

"Powerful answers and practical reasons for living LDS standards" www.ldswhy.com

Dating Q&A

Here are just a few of the questions from the Q&A section at: http://www.lds.org/youth/dating/atoq.html

What is the purpose of dating as teenagers? If we aren’t “looking for someone” during high school, why bother dating at all?

For the Strength of Youth says, “Dating can help you develop lasting friendships and eventually find an eternal companion” ([2001], 24). Your ultimate goal is to spend eternity with Heavenly Father, and in His kingdom we will live as eternal families. So the ultimate goal of dating is to find an eternal companion you can make and keep temple covenants with. When you’re a teen, dating helps you learn how to interact with others, make friends, have fun, and learn and practice respect and courtesy. These skills will be helpful in your social interactions and then later in courtship and marriage.

“When you are old enough [age 16], you ought to start dating. It is good for young men and young women to learn to know and to appreciate one another. It is good for you to go to games and dances and picnics, to do all of the young things. We encourage our young people to date. We encourage you to set high standards of dating.”
President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “You’re in the Driver’s Seat,” New Era, June 2004, 5.
Other resources: Matthew and Janine Clarke, “Why Date?” New Era, Aug. 2006, 38.

Why do we wait to date until we’re 16?

Modern prophets have counseled us to follow this standard because they know that it will protect us and help us to be happy. Turning 16 isn’t necessarily a magical event that makes you suddenly ready to date. The counsel against dating before you’re 16 is based on principles of physical, emotional, and spiritual safety.

Don’t get stuck in the racetrack mentality—“ready, set, date!” It isn’t about dating as fast and furiously as you can the moment you turn 16. The age of 16 simply means you can now begin dating when you feel ready, starting with group dates.

Should guys really have to pay for every date?

Not necessarily, but if the young man is the one who asked the young woman out, he ought to pay. However, don’t fall into the bad habit of taking advantage of the one most willing or able to pay.

Dates don’t always have to cost money. With a little planning, ordinary activities can become dates, such as going for walks or playing games. Most teens don’t have enough money to go out to dinner and a movie regularly, so creative dating that doesn’t cost much is the thing to try. When two people enjoy each other’s company, then even simple activities can become fun and allow you to get to know each other better.

Should I date someone who is not LDS?

Possibly, but don’t date anyone (LDS or not) who, because of low standards, will drag you down. Including friends who share your standards in your group dating can build wonderful friendships and may create missionary opportunities.

How do you get out of a bad date?

If the group or activity makes you uncomfortable, ask your date to take you home or change the activity (such as leaving a bad movie). Let your parents know where you are going, and if you have a cell phone, use it when you need to. There is nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. If nothing inappropriate is going on and you’re just not having a good time, then consider how you can help the situation without being rude to your date.

"Dating for beginners" (and the intermediate)

Spiritual Assessment

“As you go through your dating and courting relationships, I would hope that you will assess the spiritual inclinations of the individuals you’re getting to know better. How is their testimony? How do they treat their parents? How do they treat their brothers and sisters? Do they respect authority? Do they love the Lord, His servants, and the scriptures? What plans do they have for their lives?

“It isn’t enough if they are handsome or beautiful, if they are rich or poor, what kind of car they drive, what kind of clothes they wear, what kind of athletic ability they have, or what kind of intellect they are. You should be seeking to understand the gifts they have that will be eternal in nature.”

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 19.

New LDS dating site! http://www.lds.org/youth/dating/

This site has dating ideas, stories from teens and apostles (from when they were dating), Q&A from teens, advice from general authorities, mormonads, cartoons, dating videos, etc. (Make sure to click on all the tabs at the top and under each section)

Dating: An Endangered Species

What has made dating an endangered species? I am not sure, but I can see some contributing factors:

1. The cultural tides in our world run strongly against commitments in family relationships. For example, divorce has been made legally easy, and childbearing has become unpopular. These pressures against commitments obviously serve the devil’s opposition to the Father’s plan for His children. That plan relies on covenants or commitments kept. Whatever draws us away from commitments weakens our capacity to participate in the plan. Dating involves commitments, if only for a few hours. Hanging out requires no commitments, at least not for the men if the women provide the food and shelter.

2. The leveling effect of the women’s movement has contributed to discourage dating. As women’s options have increased and some women have become more aggressive, some men have become reluctant to take traditional male initiatives, such as asking for dates, lest they be thought to qualify for the dreaded label “male chauvinist.”

3. Hanging out is glamorized on TV programs about singles.

4. The meaning and significance of a “date” has also changed in such a way as to price dating out of the market. I saw this trend beginning among our younger children. For whatever reason, high school boys felt they had to do something elaborate or bizarre to ask for a date, especially for an event like a prom, and girls felt they had to do likewise to accept. …

All of this made dating more difficult. And the more elaborate and expensive the date, the fewer the dates. As dates become fewer and more elaborate, this seems to create an expectation that a date implies seriousness or continuing commitment. That expectation discourages dating even more. Gone is the clumsy and inexpensive phone call your parents and grandparents and I used to make. That call went something like this: “What’re ya doin’ tonight? How about a movie?” Or, “How about taking a walk downtown?”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Dating versus Hanging Out,” Ensign,June 2006, 10.

Do you remember Elizabeth Smart?

Embrace Life

Hard to do, but worth the effort "Continue in Patience"

"Diligence in the Lord's service"- Priesthood session

Sungha Jung is 12!

Preparation for Memorial Day

It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.


It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.



It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the
VETERAN who
salutes the Flag,

It is
the
VETERAN
who serves
under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

God Bless them all!!!

Makes you proud to be an AMERICAN!!!!

Earthquake in Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland on 4/16/10

Significant in Every Way- poem

Surfing or Seminary? (18yr old 1st place National Surfing Champion)

Amazing Guitar Player

Guitar Drums:

Flying fingers:

Panda bears after Earthquake in China

After The Earthquake
The earthquake was right in the area where giant pandas live. Most pandas in this area were rescued, particular attention was given to the babies, all the pandas were scared. The photos were taken right after the earthquake and during rescue effort care. All the pandas were released back into the wild and it was noted that all of the bears stayed together.

Dogs are allowed on public transport in all of Europe, but generally with their master. This is interesting.

Moscow Commuter Dogs

Canine commuter...wild dog waits on the platform
STRAY dogs are commuting to and from a city center on underground trains in search of food scraps.
The clever canines board the Tube each morning. After a hard day scavenging and begging on the streets, they hop back on the train and return to the suburbs where they spend the night.
Experts studying the dogs say they even work together to make sure they get off at the right stop after learning to judge the length of time they need to spend on the train.
The dogs choose the quietest carriages at the front and back of the train. They have also developed tactics to hustle humans into giving them more food on the streets of Moscow.
Scientists believe the phenomenon began after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, and Russia 's new capitalists moved industrial complexes from the city center to the suburbs. Dr. Andrei Poiarkov, of the Moscow Ecology and Evolution Institute, said: These complexes were used by homeless dogs as shelters, so the dogs had to move together with their houses.
Because the best scavenging for food is in the city center, the dogs had to learn how to travel on the subway to get to the center in the morning, then back home in the evening, just like people.

Well trained...dog enjoys a nap on the underground
Dr. Poiarkov told how the dogs like to play during their daily commute.He said: They jump on the train seconds before the doors shut, risking their tails getting jammed.They do it for fun. And sometimes they fall asleep and get off at the wrong stop.

Dog tired...mutt naps on tube seat in Moscow
The dogs have learned to use traffic lights to cross the road safely, said Dr. Poiarkov.And they use cunning tactics to obtain tasty morsels of shawarma, a kebab-like snack popular in Moscow.They sneak up behind people eating shawarmas then bark loudly to shock them into dropping their food.
With children, the dogs play cute by putting their heads on youngsters' knees and staring pleadingly into their eyes to win sympathy and scraps. Dr. Poiarkov added: Dogs are surprisingly good psychologists.
The Moscow mutts are not the first animals to use public transport. In 2006 a Jack Russell in Dunnington, North Yorks, began taking the bus to his local pub in search of sausages. And two years ago, passengers in Wolverhampton were stunned when a cat called Macavity started catching the 331 bus to a fish and chip shop.

TRUE IDENTITY

NEW MUSIC

Teens in the Bible #10

Miriam is a woman of the Bible who doesn’t always get the recognition she deserves, being overshadowed by her famous brother, Moses. In the Bible stories, she is quick thinking, a leader, a songwriter and a prophetess.

We first meet Miriam, although she is not named, as she is keeping a protective watch over her baby brother Moses as he floats in a waterproof papyrus basket. His mother had hidden him there to protect him from the Pharaoh’ slaughter of all male Israelite babies. Miriam was watching when Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and took him in as her own. Miriam was a brave little girl to walk up to Pharaoh’s daughter to suggest that she could get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. With the affirmative answer, Miriam got her mother, who was then paid to nurse Moses until he was old enough to be weaned. Exodus 2:4-8

Knowing Moses was called of God, she supported him when he led the children of Israel from Egypt. Miriam, a great influence for good in the camp of Israel, led the women in singing and praising God after Moses divided the waters of the Red Sea for them and destroyed their pursuers. (See Ex. 15:20–21.)

The time came when Moses married a second wife; not approving, Miriam talked bitterly against him. Then the Lord asked Miriam, “With him [Moses] will I speak mouth to mouth, … and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Num. 12:8.) And Miriam became “leprous, white as snow.”

Aaron besought Moses in Miriam’s behalf, and Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.” (Num. 12:13.)

The Lord could have healed Miriam instantly, but he did not. She had to be isolated from the camp one week before she was healed.

A week of isolation surely gave Miriam time to contemplate the seriousness of speaking against the Lord’s anointed, and if a Latter-day woman speaks against the Lord’s appointed leaders, she can also be sure of a rebuke. In all probability it will not be leprosy. But to the degree that she condemns the Lord’s prophets and leaders, she will lose the Spirit of the Lord—a malady more deadly than leprosy.

Another Bible story shows that a woman who serves and sustains a prophet or leader whom God has called is blessed according to her needs with the necessities of life, the Spirit of the Lord, and a testimony.

NEW MUSIC

FROGS

Fully Rely On God

THE PIONEER FROGS MEANT SAFETY:

In 1847, Brigham Young and the pioneers drifted southward along the towering western wall of the Wasatch Mountains, crossing the country on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. They were traveling through unknown country. They passed through fertile meadows, wetlands engineered by beavers but there were also salty marshes and tainted lakes. Thirsty pioneers traveling along the Humboldt Trail through Utah knew how to find potable water: If there were frogs in a spring or pond, it was safe to drink. That rule of thumb may have provided as much daily sustenance as the teachings.of the prophet Joseph Smith for that journey. We will have safety when we look for ‘FROGS’ & Fully Rely On God, just as the hymn says, “Words of a prophet, keep the commandments, in this there is safety & peace.”

ACCEPTING EACH OTHER WARTS & ALL:

Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. - 1 Peter 5:7 So lets take a "leap" of faith and Fully Rely on God! He will accept us warts and all. Warts are unsightly to look at ‘spiritual warts are often a symptom of sin but we must not focus on the warts but rather look past them to the beautiful young woman inside that Heavenly Father intents her to become.

STAND AS A WITNESS: Margaret D. Nadauld

What does it mean to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places? First of all, in standing as a witness at all times, we promise to love the Lord, to honor Him all the time--daytime and nighttime, good times and bad times--love the Lord and let that love show by the way we live. We also take time to thank Him, take time to ask for help, take time to seek guidance, and then take time to listen. Take time for that still, small voice which will whisper to us, help us, and give us courage. Let me illustrate: Standing as a witness in all things means all things--big things, little things, in all conversations, in jokes, in games played and books read and music listened to, in causes supported, in service rendered, in clothes worn, in friends made. Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile, being the first to make the stranger feel a part of things, being helpful, thinking of others' feelings, being inclusive. Our Heavenly Father does bless us when we show our love for Him in all things. We say that we will stand as a witness in all places. That means not only in public places but in private places, in secret, in dark or in light places; in church, school, home, or cars; in mountain places or beach places; on the street or in the park. Stand as an example of a worthy daughter of God in all places. Remember Joseph who was sold into Egypt? Certainly he exercised good judgment when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife to become involved with her in an immoral act. We read in the Bible that at this critical time in his young life, Joseph stood up and got himself out of the situation (see Gen. 39:712). He didn't sit

around wondering what to do. He didn't linger a little longer. He stood--he stood as a witness of righteousness at this crucial time. You, like Joseph, are of noble heritage. You have a royal inheritance, for you are a spirit daughter of God. You were chosen, before this world was, to come forth at this time. You were taught in a premortal world by God Himself. The time is here for you to stand up for what you know is right. You must judge right from wrong. No longer can you be complacent or go with the flow or wonder what to do. You must decide now which path you will follow and which answer you will give. Decide well in advance, before the pressure is on. The great good news is that you can win any assault that is aimed at you! And it is not that hard. Just use good judgment! You can stand up and change the channel on the television, delete any comments that

cuss on MySpace and don’t go to or rent bad movies. Don't wear the revealing clothes that are too tight or too bare or too short. Leave them in the closet. Better still, leave them in the store. Stand up and walk away from temptation, just like Joseph did--only he didn't just walk away, he ran! You can do this too, literally and figuratively, and you will be safer, more pure, more secure. One way to disrupt God's plan for you would be to desensitize young women. Give them a small, seemingly innocent taste of something ultimately destructive, next time a little more, and next time even more again, and soon, when it was time for the big whammy, it would hardly be noticed. It is said if you want to boil a frog, don't throw him in a pot of boiling water. He will immediately jump out. Put him in a pot of cold water and turn the heat up so slowly that he won't even notice the dangerous increase in temperature. Young women, I fear that the trend in our world is to slowly turn up the heat. Pay attention. Don't allow yourselves to be desensitized by gradual lapses in good judgment. As you view images, whether on TV or movies or Internet or magazines, you will see some good things and most probably some bad. Wrong and evil may be made to appear acceptable. Don't be tricked! Simply stand up and walk away! Christ showed us the way. He willingly suffered for our sins because He loved us so completely. He gave us the right to repent. When we think of the magnificence of His gift to us, what

small thing could we do for Him and for our Heavenly Father who sent Him? We could stand as witnesses of Their love & teachings at all times, in all things, and in all places.

Teens in the Bible #9

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel

After King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, he ordered that certain Israelite children live in his palace to study the language and learning of Babylon. They were to be given the king’s food and wine. Four of these young people, Daniel and his friends, would not eat such foods because they knew they shouldn’t. Daniel asked the king’s servant to let him and his friends eat only grains and vegetables and drink water. They grew more healthy than the children who ate the king’s food. When Daniel and his friends stood before the king, he found them 10 times wiser than all the wise men in the land.

King Nebuchadnezzar had an important dream that he could not remember. He commanded some of his wise men to describe the dream and explain it. When they said this could not be done, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be killed. Daniel was one of those who would be killed. He and his friends asked the Lord for mercy, and the Lord showed Daniel the dream and its meaning. Daniel then described the dream to King Nebuchadnezzar and explained what it meant. The king was pleased, and as a reward he made Daniel and his friends rulers in Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statue and commanded everyone to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego knew they should worship only Heavenly Father and refused to bow down to the idol. The king was angry and commanded that they be thrown into a fiery furnace. He was amazed then to see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego calmly walking in the hot fire with a fourth man whose form was “like the Son of God.” The king called the three men out of the furnace. They were not harmed. He praised their God for saving them, and sent out a decree that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

• • Daniel 1:1–7—Daniel and his friends are trained in the king’s court.

• • Daniel 1:8–16—They eat plain food and refuse the king’s wine (Note: Pulse means foods made from seeds and grains).

• • Daniel 1:17–21—God gives them knowledge and wisdom.

  • • Daniel 3:1–7—King Nebuchadnezzar commands the people to worship a golden image.

  • • Daniel 3:8–18—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the idol.

  • • Daniel 3:19–27—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are cast into a fiery furnace and come forth unharmed.

  • • Daniel 3:28–30—Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the power of God and gives Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego more responsibility in his kingdom.