How likely is it that Pres. Monson will ask us to fight materialism?

[Runner Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Come on, no one here can name another political issue that the church has weighed in on in any serious fashion in the last 20 years.

I remember our Stake Pres. coming to priesthood meeting in 1988 and saying that Pres. Benson had told him to tell the men that if the Idaho Lottery was passed in the '88 election, the holders of the priesthood will have failed in their duties and would be held accountable. It was very weird. Of course, countless lotto tickets have been sold to those brethren in the last 20 years.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080720/D921I4K00.html

How likely is he to focus on materialism as he has focused on gay marriage?

Which is the greater issue facing the Saints and everyone else in the world?

It would be nice when religious leaders such as the Pope come out with these statements, they would also define what they mean by "materialism". If of course they are reminding folks that "money" is not the root of all evil, but the "love of money" is the root of all evil, I think that is a good message.

Churches like the Catholic church and yes the LDS church could be accused of being materialistic themselves. Everything they do is on a pretty grand scale. I dare say a great deal of their wealth comes from the generosity of those of their patrons who have some pretty nice materialistic things.

I could be dead wrong, but I would guess that just like the government, 70% of the revenue the church receives comes from the top 10% of the income earners.

I wonder what would happen if that evil 10% materialistic pursuers were to suddenly take an oath of poverty. You think the fine non materialistic pursuers would take up the slack.

If you pursue material wealth and do so at the expense of your family, your spiritual well being and your integrity, you lose in the long run. However, blanket unexplained attacks on materialistic pursuits just allow those who don't fair as well as others materialistically an excuse to point their finger and break the commandment concerning conveting.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by YOhio

M/X Missile Site
Paramutual Gambling
ERA
Utah liquor laws (though not as directly as the other three)

ERA and MX missile were more than 20 years ago. SWK died in 1985. That is more than 20 years ago.

Link on paramutual gambling?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Link on paramutual gambling?

IIRC, it was around 1985-1987.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

IIRC, it was around 1985-1987.

i.e more than 20 years ago?

What is the link on the liquor thing?

[Levin]

Wordsworth said it best:

"The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away; a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not -- Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn."

This poem means a lot to me, and it hits on the spiritual depravity of materialism.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

i.e more than 20 years ago?

What is the link on the liquor thing?

The liquor laws in Utah really aren't opposed by the LDS Church as much as some would have you believe. The people who make the decisions about Utah liquor laws are mostly LDS and the drunks in Utah see that as the Church meddling.

I'm curious as to why you wanted to go back only 20 years. Is it because you can't gripe about the LDS Church stance on homosexuality if it also takes a stance about other things?

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

The liquor laws in Utah really aren't opposed by the LDS Church as much as some would have you believe. The people who make the decisions about Utah liquor laws are mostly LDS and the drunks in Utah see that as the Church meddling.

I'm curious as to why you wanted to go back only 20 years. Is it because you can't gripe about the LDS Church stance on homosexuality if it also takes a stance about other things?

I'm saying that in 20 years the church has only spoken to one issue.

Whereas the Pope has tackled more issues than I can count. Abortion, cloning, embryos...just about every moral quandary you can think of.

Maybe the church wants us to make our own decisions. I'm ok with that.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

For a while we had this pattern in our ward:

1. young law associate takes job, moves into ward.
2. young law associate buys BMW.
3. young law associate, soon after buying BMW, leaves ward.

Oneupmanship seems to be rampant among young law associates.

How common is it to see a firm partner driving a 10 year old Toyota Corrolla? I have seen some awfully old cheap cars among the physicians I know. Of course, I also recently saw a lamboghini.

Point is, in our culture, you put a pro-gay marriage sign in your yard, you are evil, but if you buy the latest and greatest BMW, the Lord must be blessing you.

I drive a 99 Subaru Forester.
And proud of it. (Lesbian jokes aside.)

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Maybe the church wants us to make our own decisions. I'm ok with that.

That could be, as the church really does maintain political neutrality unless there is something it sees worth it's time to become involved with/against.