O:9:"magpierss":23:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:25:{i:0;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-5141457552915951155";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-30T21:29:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-30T21:29:14.392-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"To Gideon

Thresher of wheat and hewer-down,
Thou ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:433:"To Gideon<br /><br />Thresher of wheat and hewer-down,<br />Thou mighty man of valor,<br />A tiny one, all fist-clenched<br />Born in pitiable pallor.<br /><br />Sing thy heritage, Gideon.<br />Lo, the angel facing!<br />Fear not fire's consuming force<br />Tho' thy heart be racing.<br /><br />The fleece, dew-wringed uphold thee<br />Through the nights to come<br />Bless Israel and all who cradle thee,<br />Blow thy trumpet home!";s:4:"link";s:80:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/email-me-cigar.html#5141457552915951155";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/5141457552915951155";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/5141457552915951155";s:11:"author_name";s:15:"Bored in Vernal";s:10:"author_uri";s:31:"http://notapostate.blogspot.com";}i:1;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-6455662488372415764";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-28T06:39:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-28T06:39:43.768-07:00";s:5:"title";s:12:"Thanks dude.";s:12:"atom_content";s:12:"Thanks dude.";s:4:"link";s:101:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/beholding-salvation-video-christmas.html#6455662488372415764";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/6455662488372415764";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/6455662488372415764";s:11:"author_name";s:12:"Eric Nielson";}i:2;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-8296463851201775711";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-27T10:42:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-27T10:42:42.907-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Interesting speculation, Stephanie. Thanks for sha...";s:12:"atom_content";s:58:"Interesting speculation, Stephanie. Thanks for sharing it.";s:4:"link";s:101:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#8296463851201775711";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/8296463851201775711";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/8296463851201775711";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:3;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-3251577635301662857";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-27T07:42:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-27T07:42:27.940-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I understand that 2 or more are encouraged but tha...";s:12:"atom_content";s:460:"I understand that 2 or more are encouraged but that it can be done alone. My understanding is that the reason for 2 is that the 2 priesthood leaders are symbolically Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that the olive oil/consecrated oil is the symbol for the Holy Ghost, so giving a priesthood blessing is as though the Godhead is present giving the blessing, which really is what the priesthood is, the power to act in God's behalf for the benefit of others.";s:4:"link";s:101:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#3251577635301662857";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/3251577635301662857";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/3251577635301662857";s:11:"author_name";s:15:"Stephanie Quinn";}i:4;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-2770927191609284761";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-23T14:02:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-23T14:02:41.994-07:00";s:5:"title";s:24:"Indeed, congratulations!";s:12:"atom_content";s:24:"Indeed, congratulations!";s:4:"link";s:80:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/email-me-cigar.html#2770927191609284761";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/2770927191609284761";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/2770927191609284761";s:11:"author_name";s:10:"J. Stapley";s:10:"author_uri";s:26:"http://www.splendidsun.com";}i:5;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-1695023046636655492";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-23T11:56:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-23T11:56:12.360-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thanks, Gene. Here is a direct link to the intervi...";s:12:"atom_content";s:153:"Thanks, Gene. Here is a direct link to the <a href="http://www.newdisability.com/interviewaaron.htm">interview with Aaron Fotheringham</a> you mentioned.";s:4:"link";s:83:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/09/i-felt-like-eagle.html#1695023046636655492";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/1695023046636655492";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/1695023046636655492";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:6;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-4424796717891974664";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-23T01:38:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-23T01:38:09.160-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"We have an interview with Aaron Fotheringham (the ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:185:"We have an interview with Aaron Fotheringham (the first person to do a backflip in a wheelchair) on our <A HREF="http://www.NewDisability.com">Disability</A> Website. Check it out. Gene";s:4:"link";s:83:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/09/i-felt-like-eagle.html#4424796717891974664";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/4424796717891974664";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/4424796717891974664";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";}i:7;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-7463012799170991865";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-22T10:30:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-22T10:30:25.612-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Keryn and Bradley, congratulations and best wishes...";s:12:"atom_content";s:52:"Keryn and Bradley, congratulations and best wishes!!";s:4:"link";s:80:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/email-me-cigar.html#7463012799170991865";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/7463012799170991865";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/7463012799170991865";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"Michelle J.";}i:8;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-4641790484585607380";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-21T08:27:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-21T08:27:10.016-07:00";s:5:"title";s:39:"Congratulations!  I'm so happy for you!";s:12:"atom_content";s:39:"Congratulations!  I'm so happy for you!";s:4:"link";s:80:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/email-me-cigar.html#4641790484585607380";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/4641790484585607380";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/4641790484585607380";s:11:"author_name";s:6:"gsbbyu";}i:9;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-7317927691467175247";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-21T06:48:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-21T06:48:43.000-07:00";s:5:"title";s:34:"Congratulations Bradley and Keryn!";s:12:"atom_content";s:34:"Congratulations Bradley and Keryn!";s:4:"link";s:80:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/email-me-cigar.html#7317927691467175247";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/7317927691467175247";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/7317927691467175247";s:11:"author_name";s:12:"Eric Nielson";}i:10;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116616001135998751";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-14T22:20:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-14T22:20:11.360-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Hayes, J. Stapley has written the most in the Blog...";s:12:"atom_content";s:374:"Hayes, J. Stapley has written the most in the Bloggernacle about this subject. If you're curious to see what he's written, I'd do some searches from ldsblogs.org (the search engine there is great) for some of the stuff he has written. My memory of what I've read seems to confirm the story as you've just told it. Our practice in giving blessings has shifted over the years.";s:4:"link";s:100:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#116616001135998751";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116616001135998751";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116616001135998751";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:11;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116612361519221140";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-14T12:13:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-14T12:13:35.193-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Here's another question that a new convert asked d...";s:12:"atom_content";s:863:"Here's another question that a new convert asked during EQ:<BR/><BR/>What is the doctrinal basis for laying on of hands...on the head?  Where in the scriptures does it state that we must give a blessing on the head?<BR/><BR/>I did some digging and research. I found that some people, in the earlier age of the church, used to annoint the afflicted body part and bless it directly.  If you had a sore arm, oil was placed on the arm, and the arm was blessed.  If you had a bum knee, the same.  I found one example of people who would ingest the oil if they had an ailment on the inside.  <BR/><BR/>From the best that I can tell, it was a gradual change to "convenience".  The head seemed to be a less private area of the body, and it was well within reach of one's hands.<BR/><BR/>I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has done some research on this "principle"?";s:4:"link";s:100:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#116612361519221140";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116612361519221140";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116612361519221140";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Hayes";}i:12;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116611166867981032";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-14T08:54:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-14T08:54:28.680-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Personally, I believe that when it comes to priest...";s:12:"atom_content";s:634:"Personally, I believe that when it comes to priesthood blessings it is a matter of substance over form. That is, the form should be followed if possible (and I, for one, appreciate the strength of "added faith"), but where not possible then substance rules over form. The worthy blessing by the priesthood in the name of Jesus Christ is the important and necessary substance, as well as the faith of the receiver. <BR/><BR/>I actually think that J. Stapley's nostalgic musings about the old days are misplaced nostalgia, at least in regards to me. I definitely think the faith and power of the participants matters more than the form.";s:4:"link";s:100:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#116611166867981032";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116611166867981032";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116611166867981032";s:11:"author_name";s:6:"Jordan";}i:13;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116607302965881453";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-13T22:10:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-13T22:10:29.656-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Artemis, don't tease me like that! I can see that ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:166:"Artemis, don't tease me like that! I can see that you know all my deep, dark secrets, so drop me a line so I can figure out who you are! :-) bar33byu (at) hotmail.com";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116607302965881453";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116607302965881453";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116607302965881453";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:14;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116607269116962215";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-13T22:04:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-13T22:04:51.170-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Look at you baiting me! :)  One of the reasons tha...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1238:"Look at you baiting me! :)  One of the reasons that we have living prophets is that the needs of a community change over time--and even the commandments! Here is what <A HREF="http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-646-7,00.html" REL="nofollow">Elder Ballard said in our most recent General Conference</A>.<BR/><BR/>"As a result of their focusing too much time and energy on their Church service, eternal family relationships can deteriorate. ... This is not healthy, spiritually or otherwise. While there may be times when our Church callings require more intense effort and unusual focus, we need to strive to keep things in proper balance. We should never allow our service to replace the attention needed by other important priorities in our lives. Remember King Benjamin's counsel: "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (Mosiah 4:27)."<BR/><BR/>While the Lord may continue to ask people to make sacrifices of family well being in our time, it is certainly the exception more than the rule, and we'd need some sort of explicit personal revelation that we are to act in opposition to this general counsel given to the church.";s:4:"link";s:94:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/11/humility-of-women-left-behind.html#116607269116962215";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116607269116962215";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116607269116962215";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:15;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116604180330139351";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-13T13:30:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-13T13:30:03.300-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"woops, make thatDTSFAAYRhavin' trouble typing late...";s:12:"atom_content";s:76:"woops, make that<BR/><BR/>DTSFAAYR<BR/><BR/>havin' trouble typing lately....";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116604180330139351";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116604180330139351";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116604180330139351";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Artemis";}i:16;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116604173298797293";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-13T13:28:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-13T13:28:52.986-07:00";s:5:"title";s:48:"Hey Brad,Nice post. And good to see you!DTSMAAYR";s:12:"atom_content";s:68:"Hey Brad,<BR/><BR/>Nice post. And good to see you!<BR/><BR/>DTSMAAYR";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116604173298797293";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116604173298797293";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116604173298797293";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Artemis";}i:17;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116594006591536264";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-12T09:14:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-12T09:14:25.916-07:00";s:5:"title";s:37:"So I guess it's like calling it Cmas?";s:12:"atom_content";s:37:"So I guess it's like calling it Cmas?";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116594006591536264";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116594006591536264";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116594006591536264";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Susan M";s:10:"author_uri";s:31:"http://whenigodeaf.blogsome.com";}i:18;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116593892180339218";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-12T08:55:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-12T08:55:21.803-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"i wonder what it would have been like if there wer...";s:12:"atom_content";s:458:"i wonder what it would have been like if there were blogs in John Taylor's time.  This would have made a good post and I would be very interested to hear what comments he'd have gotten.  Were the early members of the church just tougher than us?  I don't know.  I wonder if he should have confronted his leader?  Isn't family the most important calling even back then?  So there is no confusion, I am posting this comment purely in the spirit of argument. :)";s:4:"link";s:94:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/11/humility-of-women-left-behind.html#116593892180339218";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116593892180339218";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116593892180339218";s:11:"author_name";s:8:"shelleyg";}i:19;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116589947626189551";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-11T21:57:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-11T21:57:56.260-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"After finding the above quote from BRM, I was curi...";s:12:"atom_content";s:566:"After finding the above quote from BRM, I was curious to know how the term 'xmas' would show up in a search on GospeLink. The first hits seemed to be quotes from historical documents where the term had been used. I found a speech by Boyd K. Packer at BYU in 1962 where he said, "I shudder when I see the sign that says 'Merry Xmas.' It is symbolic, I suppose, of what has been done in an effort to cross Christ out of Christmas."<BR/><BR/>I highly value the opinions of both Elder McConkie and Elder Packer. On this insignificant point, however, I think we disagree.";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116589947626189551";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116589947626189551";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116589947626189551";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:20;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116589895051537084";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-11T21:49:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-11T21:49:10.516-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Interesting catch, Matt. Here is the quotation fro...";s:12:"atom_content";s:458:"Interesting catch, Matt. Here is the quotation from Mormon Doctrine.<BR/><BR/>"Since the letter X has been accepted as an abbreviation for Christ, it is not uncommon to find Christmas abbreviated as Xmas, Christian as Xn or Xtian, and Christianity as Xty. These abbreviations do not partake of the real spirit of reverence that should attend a reference to Deity, or to something closely associated with him, and accordingly their use should be discouraged."";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116589895051537084";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116589895051537084";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116589895051537084";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:21;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116585703826887337";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-11T10:10:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-11T10:10:38.270-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Read the church's official instructions:Family Gui...";s:12:"atom_content";s:501:"Read the church's official instructions:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://lds.org/gospellibrary/materials/family/FamilyGuidebook31180.pdf#page=29" REL="nofollow">Family Guidebook</A> page 23:<BR/><BR/>"<I>Only men who hold the Melchizedek<BR/>Priesthood may administer to the sick or afflicted. Normally, two or more administer together, <B>but one may do it alone</B>.</I>" (emphasis added)<BR/><BR/>And of course Father’s Blessings and Other Blessings of Comfort and Counsel can be given by alone as well.";s:4:"link";s:100:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/how-many-priesthood-holders-does-it.html#116585703826887337";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116585703826887337";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116585703826887337";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";}i:22;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116585259055437466";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-11T08:56:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-11T08:56:30.553-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"In the LDS community I think the Term Xmas is frow...";s:12:"atom_content";s:224:"In the LDS community I think the Term Xmas is frowned upon primarily becasue BRM wrote negatively of it in Mormon Doctrine, as I recall pointing out that the X was somehow related to a symbol for the Cross. <BR/><BR/>Matt W.";s:4:"link";s:81:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/why-call-it-xmas.html#116585259055437466";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116585259055437466";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116585259055437466";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";}i:23;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116580854861304247";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-10T20:42:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-10T20:42:28.613-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I'm aware that we are allowed to bless children in...";s:12:"atom_content";s:565:"I'm aware that we are allowed to bless children in places other than sacrament meeting. We blessed our second child in the Relief Society room in a meeting with our family at the same time a cousin was also blessed. This was a great help for the families who need to travel that day. I was just interested to note that the scriptures don't seem to provide for this exception even though our current practice does.<BR/><BR/>BrianJ, I wasn't aware of the explicit exception in the handbook for sick infants. I'll have to see if I can check it out. Thanks for the tip.";s:4:"link";s:82:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/12/name-and-blessing.html#116580854861304247";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116580854861304247";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116580854861304247";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}i:24;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:57:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.post-116578768786615435";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-10T14:54:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-10T14:54:47.866-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thanks for dropping by, anonymous. I wish I were a...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1554:"Thanks for dropping by, anonymous. I wish I were a more gifted writer so that I could make my points more clearly. :) <BR/><BR/>You say that when God doesn't act as we would expect, it "should make everyone wonder a bit about their faith." <BR/><BR/>I agree. Too many people are content to believe in a God of their own making rather than accepting God as he has revealed himself to us. I think it is easier to make arguments against god when people make contradictory statements about god--and they do!<BR/><BR/>Perhaps my view isn't clear until you understand my belief in the purpose of this mortal life. I believe we lived with God before our birth (as spirits) and that we may live with him again in the future. I believe that our mortal life is a period of learning and probation where God <I>purposefully</I> limits his influence in our lives. We are permitted to prove ourselves and grow in ways that aren't always possible in the presence of protective parents.  <BR/><BR/>Your question about amputees isn't entirely theoretical to me anymore. In less than two weeks, my baby boy will be born with a spinal cord injury caused by spina bifida. I fully believe that God COULD heal my little boy immediately after he is born. I believe that God WILL ultimately heal my boy, but probably not until after this mortal life. I'm okay with that, because I see this life as a small part of a larger picture. <BR/><BR/>I believe in a God that usually doesn't heal us immediately and yet still loves us deeply and that will eventually heal us in every way.";s:4:"link";s:87:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/2006/07/does-god-hate-amputees.html#116578768786615435";s:9:"link_self";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116578768786615435";s:9:"link_edit";s:69:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full/116578768786615435";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";}}s:7:"channel";a:10:{s:2:"id";s:42:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613185.comments";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-30T21:29:14.392-07:00";s:5:"title";s:8:"PonderIt";s:4:"link";s:43:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/index.html";s:9:"link_next";s:80:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full?start-index=26&max-results=25";s:42:"link_http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed";s:41:"http://www.lavalane.org/ponderit/atom.xml";s:9:"link_self";s:50:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6613185/comments/full";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Bradley";s:9:"generator";s:7:"Blogger";s:10:"opensearch";a:3:{s:12:"totalresults";s:3:"379";s:10:"startindex";s:1:"1";s:12:"itemsperpage";s:2:"25";}}s:9:"textinput";a:0:{}s:5:"image";a:0:{}s:9:"feed_type";s:4:"Atom";s:12:"feed_version";N;s:8:"encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:16:"_source_encoding";s:0:"";s:5:"ERROR";s:0:"";s:7:"WARNING";s:0:"";s:19:"_CONTENT_CONSTRUCTS";a:6:{i:0;s:7:"content";i:1;s:7:"summary";i:2;s:4:"info";i:3;s:5:"title";i:4;s:7:"tagline";i:5;s:9:"copyright";}s:16:"_KNOWN_ENCODINGS";a:3:{i:0;s:5:"UTF-8";i:1;s:8:"US-ASCII";i:2;s:10:"ISO-8859-1";}s:5:"stack";a:0:{}s:9:"inchannel";b:0;s:6:"initem";b:0;s:9:"incontent";b:0;s:11:"intextinput";b:0;s:7:"inimage";b:0;s:17:"current_namespace";b:0;s:15:"source_encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:13:"last_modified";s:31:"Sun, 31 Dec 2006 04:29:14 GMT
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