Little girl has her mic turned off during F&T meeting

[_Jersey Girl]

I just read most of the thread - rather quickly.

Up to this point, I have decided to call this thread the "Christmas Morning" thread. A space littered with a ton of presents all piled on top of each other. While opening all of these presents, I have had many experiences. Surprise, laughter, confusion and weariness.

Having said that, I believe that the posts in this thread from Jersey Girl are clearly the best of the bunch.

Just my take.


Peace,
Ceeboo

Thanks I appreciate the feedback!

[_Jersey Girl]

wondering if I'm too old to be adopted by Jersey Girl?

Her posts in this thread give me the strong impression that she is a spectacular mother.




(But she could be just playing me in hopes that I would ask for an adoption) (?)

Peace,
Ceeboo

I can adopt you but you'll have to live in a tent, okay?

[_Sanctorian]

2. I also agree this girl has no idea what it means to be a lesbian. All she knows is she has a general attraction to girls over boys. I think it's hard to assign any real sort of sexual orientation until you actually start having sexual acts. What sort of porn gets you off. What do you fantasize about when you masturbate. What sort of sex do you like etc. Until you start performing sexual acts, simple attraction does not seem like a defining moment on your sexual journey.

The confidence with which you express yourself seems misplaced.

You have no idea what she knows. You have no idea whether she masturbates or not. If she does, you have no idea who or what she may or may not fantasise about.

But, as Jersey Girl has pointed out, research shows that teenagers and particularly teenage girls have often reached levels of development and regularly carry out activities that adults who think 'they are just kids' know nothing about.

Sorry Chap. Wasn't trying to ignore you. Got lost in the vastness of this thread. Yes, I may have overstated the first part of my point. The second half of my point is really what I was trying to highlight. When someone starts actively engaging in their sexual orientation, in my opinion, that's the defining moment. At 12 (now 13), she very well could be doing such things and yes, she would then "know" she is a lesbian. As you correctly noticed my overstatement, I personally do not know her actions or desires and should therefore take her at her word when she states she's a lesbian. I should not let her youth allow me to make judgements against her that I truly do not know.

[_Chap]

Thanks, Sanctorian! It is nice to get a reasonable reply in a discussion like this one.

[_Chap]

This makes me nauseous. Hard to defend this. What I'll say is ...

And, hard as it is, he then does his best to construct some kind of tortuous way to say that it doesn't really matter all that much, and that it is all basically OK.

Well done, thou good and faithful WD!

[_Sanctorian]

There are clear guidelines laid out by the LDS Church regarding bearing testimony at church and what’s considered appropriate. In a letter written by the first presidency, it says “parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is and when it is appropriate for them to express it.”

This was in the fox13 newscast last night. Does anyone have reference?

[_Xenophon]

There are clear guidelines laid out by the LDS Church regarding bearing testimony at church and what’s considered appropriate. In a letter written by the first presidency, it says “parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is and when it is appropriate for them to express it.”

This was in the fox13 newscast last night. Does anyone have reference?

Ask and it shall be given.

[_Chap]

This makes me nauseous. Hard to defend this. What I'll say is ...

And, hard as it is, he then does his best to construct some kind of tortuous way to say that it doesn't really matter all that much, and that it is all basically OK.

Well done, thou good and faithful Water Dog!

I'm just not a well of negativity like you, Chap. ...

Negativity: Thinking that WD is a bit too ready to defend the indefensible. Now we know.

I'd much rather hang out with most of the active/believing people in the church than you.

I hate to break it to you, but this is a discussion board, not Tinder, or Grindr for that matter.

[_Lemmie]

There are clear guidelines laid out by the LDS Church regarding bearing testimony at church and what’s considered appropriate. In a letter written by the first presidency, it says “parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is and when it is appropriate for them to express it.”

This was in the fox13 newscast last night. Does anyone have reference?

From the FP letter you linked:

Bishoprics are again encouraged to help all people learn to express a brief, heartfelt testimony of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the truths of the restored gospel
https://www.LDS.org/church/news/first-p ... g=eng&_r=1

to the right of the FP letter, the first link, entitled "Find resources for learning and teaching about testimony," contains this:

The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. https://www.LDS.org/topics/testimony?lang=eng

Note that this list exactly parallels the 5 part template that Doc previously listed:

My Testimony

1. I know that God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us.
2. I know that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer.
3. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth and translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.
4. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth today.
5. I know that this Church is led by a living prophet who receives revelation.

So yes, it looks like the template for exactly what a testimony should be is clearly spelled out on LDS.org, and distributed church-wide.

This makes me nauseous. Hard to defend this. What I'll say is that I don't think this is all that mainstream.

Hard to take seriously comments such as "[not] all that mainstream," and "I don't know that we teach this anymore" when it is all over LDS.org.

[_Xenophon]

Here is also a nice little excerpt from "Fast and Testimony Meeting" in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism

After the Sacrament has been administered, the person conducting the meeting expresses his testimony, then invites the members of the congregation of all ages to do likewise. Sometimes they stand in place to speak; at other times they come forward to the pulpit. Each one arises, as prompted by the Spirit, and addresses the congregation extemporaneously. In this setting feelings of profoundest concern are often expressed: appreciation of good family relationships, thanksgiving for the blessings of the gospel, recognition of significant changes in lives, and the fruits of obedience. A faith-promoting experience may be shared or a witness given regarding a point of doctrine or attesting divine inspiration. Such expressions are usually concluded by a prayer or petition in the name of the Lord. The experience is at once enlightening, sobering, and moving. Tears are not uncommon amid acknowledgment of weaknesses and efforts to improve, along with gratitude for divine goodness.

Bolding mine, of course. Does her testimony not fall into this category as well?