22. "Praise to the Man": A Review of the Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons ['Smithmasing']

BYU Religious Studies Center ^ | 2005 | Thomas E. Thunell

[ravenwolf]

I just have a couple of friends who are Mormon and we talk politics and theology occasionally.

---

I also have friends and relative who are Mormon and they are conservative.

[SZonian]

"Though a lot of Churches talk about dropping out how many actually will?"

Depends on how many are giving lip service to their beliefs/mission or not.

"I have never saw the BSA as anything except Government paid baby sitters and a badge of importance but it seems most people think it is something good."

The BSA is not affiliated with the gov't. It's a private organization using mainly volunteers to manage and run the program. There are paid "professionals" in the ranks, but they are vastly outnumbered by the volunteers. The BSA program is a good one. Focusing on teaching values and morals in addition to mentoring young boys into capable, responsible and productive men. The youth can and do earn awards, depending on how much effort and time they are willing to put in.

"Do you mean that the Church that was supporting your troop dropped their support?"

Yes, they told us that their values and the values of the BSA were in conflict, thus, they could no longer provide a meeting place nor any other support for our Troop to operate. It would be tacit support/endorsement of the homosexual agenda/movement.

I am only still involved in the BSA because of commitments to some of the youth in our Troop. That time is rapidly drawing to a close, February at the latest...

Just as an aside, the previous BSA policy of essentially "don't ask, don't tell" was more than adequate.

But again, I digress from my original point...the LDS gave their consent to the BSA, agreeing with the policy change of allowing openly homosexual youth to have and maintain membership in the BSA.

But the "fight" is not over, as has been evidenced in the days immediately following the BSA's announcement of the policy change. The homosexual activists stated that it was a start and the fight was not over...meaning adult homosexual leaders.

My questions to National, Region and Council "leadership" regarding the "preference or orientation" policy went unanswered by all.

Again, these are policies that the LDS agreed to via their consent to the policy change and in maintaining the BSA program as their primary youth program for Scouting age youth in their membership rolls.

Those that disagreed with the BSA have moved their youth to Trail Life USA, a faith based, Christian organization that emulates Scouting.

[alexander_busek]

Your statement implies you agree mormonS could be all over the universe. Odd

No, that is entirely your inference.

I am merely saying that even IF, say, a hundred billion people were reincarnated on a hundred billion planets scattered more or less evenly across the universe, there would still on the average be fewer than one reincarnated being per galaxy - and the nearest galaxy (Andromeda) is about 2.3 million light-years away.

Thus, even if the earliest man (say, a specimen of Homo habilis two million years ago) had died and had happened to be reincarnated on the nearest galaxy, radio signals from him would still be on their way to us.

That's what I meant about the original poster making a statement that showed an ignorance of the enormity of space.

Regards,

[svcw]

OK.

[ravenwolf]

The BSA is not affiliated with the gov’t. It’s a private organization using mainly volunteers to manage and run the program.

---

But they do receive money from both local and federal Government in many forms, that is the excuse the C.L.U has given against them for years.

That they are a public and not a private organization.

And in turn the BSA caved in rather than quit accepting Government hand outs.

I also just read an article that one and one half billion dollars of tax payer money went to Catholic organizations in the last two years, so does the government have a say in their policy? you can bet on it.

But again, I digress from my original point...the LDS gave their consent to the BSA, agreeing with the policy change of allowing openly homosexual youth to have and maintain membership in the BSA.>>>>>>>>

I can see your point.

But I believe the Mormon Church as many other Churches are going to go along with it because they do not want to be seen as the bad guys.

Their reasoning is probably that they do not want to turn up their nose to 97 boys just because of 2 or 3.

I think we need to come face to face with the fact that satan has the world by the throat.

[Elsie]

Depends on how many are giving lip service to their beliefs/mission or not.

We're dedicated!!! 6/10/365!!

The Rules

1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
4. Don't debate or argue.
5. Center your mind on your mission.
6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
7. Cut your hair regularly.
8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
9. Be neat and clean.
10. Bathe frequently.
11. Use deodorant.
12. Polish your shoes.
13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
18. Exercise regularly.
19. Write in your journal regularly.
20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
36. Do not go on road trips.
37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
38. Do not watch television.
39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
40. Do not listen to the radio.
41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
42. Do not participate in musical groups.
43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
45. Do not engage in contact sports.
46. Do not engage in water sports.
47. Do not engage in winter sports.
48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
51. Do not embark on a private boat.
52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
53. Do not handle firearms.
54. Do not handle explosives.
55. Do not swim.
56. Do not play full court basketball.
57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
59. You may play half-court basketball.
60. Never be alone.
61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
62. Be loyal to your companion.
63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
64. Pray with your companion every day.
65. Study with your companion every day.
66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
72. Do not arise before your companion.
73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
77. Do not flirt.
78. Do not date.
79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
90. Do not telephone parents
91. Do not telephone relatives.
92. Do not telephone friends.
93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
98. Obey all mission rules.
99. Obey the laws of the land.
100. Do not get involved in politics.
101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
102. Do not give any information about the area.
103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
108. Be courteous.
109. Provide community service.
110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
114. Keep your housing unit clean.
115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
121. Maintain your health.
122. Eat a healthy diet.
123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
124. Follow the approved exercise program.
125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
129. Be immunized.
130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
131. Budget your money carefully.
132. Keep a record of what you spend.
133. Do not spend more than your companion.
134. Do not loan money.
135. Do not borrow money.
136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
141. Be a frugal photographer.
142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
147. Do not drive without a license.
148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
149. Do not drive members’ cars.
150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
155. Drive defensively.
156. Wear your seat belt.
157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
160. Know bicycle safety rules.
161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.

[Elsie]

Ma'am; could you give us a ride?

It'll soon be dark and we're on our bikes and...

[Elsie]

Bing; do you still have your copy of the Program?

18.Exercise regularly.

124.Follow the approved exercise program.

[Elsie]

156.Wear your seat belt.
157.Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
158.If your companion is driving, assist him or her.

HMMMmmm...

[21twelve]

168: And remember - Have Fun!!

[Utah Binger]

Bend the elbow?