More missionaries = the work is rolling forward!!

There is a saying in the church that if the church wasn't true, the missionaries would have destroyed it long ago. Maybe that day is quickly approaching. The lowered missionary age is going to result in an overall drop in the maturity levels of missionaries as well as an increase in the numbers of boys serving who really don't want to be there.

I know from my own experience on my mission there were many boys who really didn't want to be there. They had a knack for bringing others down to their level of faithfulness and work ethic, as opposed to more diligent Elders bringing the less stalwart up their level.

Yes, it's true, there are now going to be more young men serving missions. Are they going to bring a positive influence, or something else instead?

Is it too much to ask, for our prophet to be prophetic?

Why doesn't the Prophet speak out about critical issues that pose serious consequences for the country and the world? Global warming, national debt, etc.

And if he's really a prophet, maybe he could give some direction on how to go about curing cancer. We have the Word of Wisdom to help us with improving our health. Wouldn't some prophetic guidance for curing cancer be an even bigger step to improving health? Maybe even some counsel on what causes cancer so we can avoid those things?

Is it really too much to ask that we get more from our Prophet than another anecdote about visiting a widow or a simple motivational quote like, "Dont worry, everything will work out."

I think the world deserves more than that from the one person on earth with a direct conduit to mind and will of God.

We must be ever careful

Members of the church must be ever watchful and careful to avoid ANY information contrary to the teachings of the church.

The reason for this is that the information out there is so clear, so convincing. It is astounding how easily the fundamental claims of the church are so easily discredited.

Even a superficial study of the evidence debunking Mormonism will destroy a "testimony" very quickly.

BYU is the hope for the future of the Church

I believe BYU is the glue holding this church together. Statistically, I would imagine retention rates for BYU grads is higher than those attending other schools or no school at all.

And with a degree in hand, BYU graduates are going to earn more, thus increasing their 10% contribution to the church. The church may find itself in a cash and membership crunch if they ever did away with BYU.

Should we tell people the truth about the Church?

Who am I to knock cracks in the beliefs of someone else? If the church really works for someone, and they are genuinely happy, why would I want to rip their beliefs from them, even if it is all a mirage? At the same time, if someone really would be better off knowing the truth, I believe it is our obligation to inform them of the realities of the Church. But it's a fine line to walk. And you must be careful and deliberate.

Atheists are crazy!!! Right...?

I used to think atheists beliefs were just as unfounded as those who believe in God. Why is it any less unreasonable to believe in the existence of NO god as it is to believe in God? It is just as impossible to prove the existence of God as it would be to prove God does not exist. I realize now I misunderstood the position of an atheist. An atheist says, "I will believe in something when I see evidence to support its existence." This is why religions teach their members of the evils of "sign seekers." Yes, how dare someone ask for evidence to support the existence of a being whom they are expected to dedicate their entire lives!!!

I love the truth, but sometimes it gets you down

Of course I'm depressed. How else could I respond when I discover my whole life has been a sham, a mirage?

The true irony is how strongly I believed I really held the truth for what all of life means when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.