Jul 12, 2013 | Bible, Life's Lessons
The Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 9:40-48 has our Lord describing the high price which sometimes must be paid for salvation. In extreme circumstances, it is better to lose limbs and even precious sight in order to spare a life. Could you please give me your...
Jun 29, 2013 | Forgiveness, Homosexuality, Life's Lessons, Missionary Work, Mormon Policy, Obedience, Repentance, Sexual Issues, Worthiness
My son has SSA (Same Sex Attraction). He does not act upon it. He wants to go on a mission. He has worked on worthiness and feels ready to go. We were told that he couldn’t go because he has SSA. In the Church Handbook of Instructions it says that individuals...
Jun 24, 2013 | Faith, Holy Ghost, Life's Lessons
Dear Gramps, How can I be certain the feelings I get are from the spirit? I’ve lately discovered I can cry on command, and generally feel a burning when I do. The same things happen when I conjure up powerful, positive emotions, even if they are not related to...
Jun 9, 2013 | Bible, Depression, Doctrine & Covenants, Life's Lessons, Self Worth
My dear friend has been having a lot of trials lately. It seems everytime something is set to go well life pulls back and says “gotcha!” As a result her outlook on life is bleak and I can feel her losing faith. I remember reading a scripture about our...
Jun 8, 2013 | Bible, Life's Lessons
Question Gramps, In Matthew 18:15 it says if your brother or sister refuses to listen, we should treat them as a pagan or tax collector. What are your thoughts? Ann Answer Ann, Matthew 18:15-17, provides a set of guidelines for Church members to follow when...
Jun 3, 2013 | Life's Lessons
When a Bishop has listened to rumors that are very serious and accepted them as truth but I know better, what course of action should I pursue? We have tried to talk to him but he will not listen. What should we do? It is destroying a young man’s reputation....
May 25, 2013 | Life's Lessons, Mormon Policy, Worthiness
I am paying my monthly payments on child support as I should. But when I wasn’t working it got piled up. So when I went to court, we made an agreement, to pay the back pay in small payments with the monthly payments on top of that. So basically, I am paying what...
May 15, 2013 | Bible, Book of Mormon, Current issues, God, Life's Lessons
Hey Gramps, I am an active member of the LDS church and I’m looking for answers/comfort regarding some of the atrocities I’ve learned about effecting large groups of children. Specifically, a recent TED talk by Sunitha Krishnan exposed the systemic selling...
May 7, 2013 | Life's Lessons, Self Worth, Worthiness
Question Gramps, I just read your response to the mother about short skirts and modesty. Modesty is a matter of attitude. A girl can be dressed from neck to floor in a loose fitting gunny sack and still be immodest. The church is now airbrushing sleeves onto...
Apr 30, 2013 | Forgiveness, God, Life's Lessons
A friend told me years ago that two apostles got into a verbal fight and went their separate ways (acts 15:30-31). I’m sure they have forgiven each other and both serve the Lord but in different ways. I have struggled for years to forgive someone and I still...
