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

[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?

[MikeWaters]

Sometimes I feel a tinge of envy as the Pope speaks out on issues that I think really matter, and I don't hear that same message from the General Authorities. At least, not to the same emphasis.

(yes, I know the Vatican is anti- gay-marriage. But they seem to have other issues they care about as well).

[Tex]

Sorry, is there an anti-materialism ballot measure in California? I don't live there, so I don't know.

[ute4ever]

Gay marriage is a current priority because the Proposition 8 vote is less than four months away. Although materialism is very important, there is not a deadline of sorts on the horizon that would greatly impact church policy. Additionally, I doubt the church has pending criminal lawsuits filed against it due to their stance on materialism being in opposition to a recent state supreme court decision.

[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.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Gay marriage is a current priority because the Proposition 8 vote is less than four months away. Although materialism is very important, there is not a deadline of sorts on the horizon that would greatly impact church policy. Additionally, I doubt the church has pending criminal lawsuits filed against it due to their stance on materialism being in opposition to a recent state supreme court decision.

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.

We really do need another ETB to come in, and go over the whole pride thing again, but this time focus on materialism. Of course, it disappoints me that Adam or someone said that his excommunicated grandson or his non-ex'd son wrote that talk.

[ute4ever]

Elder Bednar recently gave a conference talk on vanity, but I was distracted by his cuff links, they looked pretty sweet.

[YOhio]

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.

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

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by YOhio

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

I remember the letter about parimutuel betting. that was awhile ago.

Also, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the Church spoke up about airline deregulation, but I could be wrong. Does anyone recall this?

BTW, we received the donation slips today for Prop 8.

we were also encouraged to check out www.protectmarriage.com

[ute4ever]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

BTW, we received the donation slips today for Prop 8.

I don't know about California individually, but national polls show opposition to gay marriage by fairly large margins:
http://www.pollingreport.com/civil.htm