Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/31/23 in all areas

  1. pam

    Last Days' Timeline

    This is from my favorite reference that I use regarding verse 25: "As I read the scriptures, I often reflect upon the chilling implications of what the Apostle Peter meant when he said, 'Judgment must begin at the house of God.' (1 Pet. 4:17.) In our own day, the Lord has said, 'Vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth. ... And upon my house shall it begin.' (D&C 112:24-25; italics added.) What kind of judgments does the Lord have in mind? Why do the scriptures say that the cleansing will begin with the Church, rather than with the wicked? "The scriptures reveal that the Lord will save his greatest wrath and condemnation for those who outwardly appear religious but who are actually full of evil within. Speaking to Jewish religious leaders, the Savior said, 'Cleanse first that which is within the cup. ... Ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.' (Matt. 23:26-27.) Similarly, the great Book of Mormon leader, Moroni, wrote, 'God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first.' (Alma 60:23.) "President Ezra Taft Benson left little room for doubt that these warnings apply to us. He declared, 'All is not well in Zion. ... We must cleanse the inner vessel, beginning first with ourselves, then with our families, and finally with the Church.' (Ensign, May 1986, p. 4) "There are two methods of cleansing the inner vessel. The first is repentance. But if we do not repent, the Lord will invoke the second method of cleansing-from without. One way or another, the vessel will be cleansed." (Larry Tippetts, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel: The Process of Repentance," Ensign, Oct. 1992, 21)
    5 points
  2. Oddly, the Law of Chastity was one of the first things I had a very strong testimony of.
    3 points
  3. pam

    Last Days' Timeline

    Yet I can see the similarities. Noah warned the people and they didn't believe him or they didn't heed his warning. So they went about their business like nothing was happening or going to happen and then the rains started. They probably thought it was just the usual thunderstorm going through. But we know it wasn't. We have been warned and many will not believe it or will fail to heed the warning. They will go about their regular business. So yes... I see the similarities from that time with Noah to the time Christ will come again.
    3 points
  4. laronius

    Last Days' Timeline

    Sorry for the incomplete reference. Those are some good references. My personal opinion incorporates Pres Benson's interpretation but I think it involves others as well. Following the cleansing of the Church I think the United States is next in line. Partly because it will have swung the farthest from good to evil but also to prepare a place for literal Zion to be established. From there it will spread to the rest of the world.
    2 points
  5. NeuroTypical

    Judging media

    https://kids-in-mind.com/ is another one, although it doesn't have everything.
    2 points
  6. laronius

    Last Days' Timeline

    One particular sign that I've been interested in, both for what it means but also as a pretty good mile marker, is the following: D&C 24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. 25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; 26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord I've heard various interpretations of what the Lord means by "my house." Some say it is specifically the temples, others the Church in general and yet others to the United States or even the Promised Lands in general. I'd be curious to know other people's interpretation and what you think it means. But regardless, it seems to be a pretty significant milestone and a lead into much of what we might refer to as the "scary" signs of the last days.
    2 points
  7. I've sometimes thought to myself that the overthrow of the Nephite government in 3rd Nephi 7 shortly before Christ arrived might be a pre-cursor of what might precede His second coming.
    2 points
  8. pam

    Last Days' Timeline

    I've been working on it.
    2 points
  9. pam

    Last Days' Timeline

    I definitely need to get the book. This subject is one that really interest me. I'm glad it was brought up.
    2 points
  10. Backroads

    Judging media

    Today we went out on a family outing to see a recent movie of a PG-13 rating despite not having any children 13 and up. This was a movie my children wanted to see, having thoroughly enjoyed other movies of its kind. A friend of mine had actually walked out for about 5 minutes (until her husband texted her it was okay to come back in) of this movie, which led to me hemming and hawing and wondering if I should take my kids to see this movie. I went on various sites and forums and spoke with others (including aforementioned friend who happens to be insanely sensitive to certain things) including several ladies from my ward. After sifting through the information I was given and talking with Husband about it and usually hearing that if kids can handle similar movies and admitting they've been around a lot of other PG-13 movies in our household and I maybe tell them to shut their eyes at this one part, we decided to forgo my original plan to see the movie first without children and through caution to the wind. In the end, my kids loved it (as did myself and Husband. I mean no harsh criticism of the film itself). I instructed them (the kids) to close their eyes at the scene I was warned about, and generally found that as far as the visual stuff I was worried about, it was not nearly as gruesome as I feared. (I'm not sure where to put that on a line for anyone else, just that I was fearing one thing in my mind and was relieved to see something else). And yet, I wish I had been warned about other things. The worst stuff in the movie was definitely implied rather than showed, rather left up to the imagine to get worse the more one thinks about it. It's difficult to decipher just how much my kids properly thought about such things as it seemed they pretty much were going off the face value stuff, based on our post-movie conversation. But for my sake at least, I wish I had been warned about the scene that upset me the most. It was a scene that had been brought up in my research, but not once had it been one of the ones with a warning label. I found an article about said movie written by a dad who took his own kid (a few years younger than my non-toddler) who afterwards was concerned about what he had just shown his child. He pondered on the spectrum of family-friendliness and unfriendliness and it was a good article. But even then he talked specifically about the have-your-kids-close-their-eyes scene. So, graphic violence. That is so often a solid, easy line. Tons of harsh language. Another often solid, easy line. The scene that upset me, while still rather awful, doesn't quite fit the solid, easy line. It was part of the story. It drove some stuff forward. I certainly appreciate it in a story-telling perspective. I don't know if it upset my kids more than it upset me, but it was something that I would have liked to have been warned about to at least make that judgment call for my kids (and probably myself). To go back to my pre-film research, the stuff most friends and random interweb people thought was the worst and most disturbing was, again, mostly implied rather than shown. As far as the plot went, great stuff for storytelling and in my case, stuff I don't think my kids really thought much about beyond the obvious. This all leaves me obviously thinking more about the movies I take my kids to, but it also leaves me wondering about the stuff we worry about in media. It's not that I don't appreciate drama and wild escapades in my escapist entertainment, but I am amazed at the various things people find "the bad part". There it is, my random thoughts on the upsetting part of a movie I probably should not have taken my kids to but they'll probably be streaming anyway in a few months (another thing that's probably important to tackle with media) while I pick a few bones with a few gals in my ward.
    1 point
  11. Ironhold

    Judging media

    *Many* advance reviews indicated that the film was unusually dark and brutal for the Marvel franchise, and was rather pushing it for PG-13. I'm an entertainment writer IRL, so I have to pay attention to these things.
    1 point
  12. tomasgreenro

    Attack on Police

    The media always talks a lot
    1 point
  13. pam

    Judging media

    Ahhhh I wouldn't have guessed that. I haven't seen any of those movies nor do I have a desire to.
    1 point
  14. Vort

    Judging media

    Often people will not see what they don't want to see. When I saw the Tom Hanks movie Big, I was greatly disturbed that the plot revolved around the sexual relationship between a young woman in her late 20s and a thirteen-year-old boy magically put into his 30- or 35-year-old self's body. I voiced this concern once on an LDS-oriented discussion list (not this one, I'm sure), only to be shouted down by the other list members. One participant in particular took great pains to separate my comments from anything that any normal Latter-day Saint would think.
    1 point
  15. Prophecy: Key to the future by Duane Crowther uses a number of spurious (questionable) sources.
    1 point
  16. scottyg

    Judging media

    Common Sense Media is also pretty reliable. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
    1 point
  17. Many of the needed events could happen over a very short amount of time. But, I would remind everyone that the Lord said he would come as a thief in the night. I believe the world will be going along as it always has up until the day, or few days of the second coming. Beware of putting limits on the Lord's timetable.
    1 point
  18. I would also suggest, Prophecy and Modern Times by Cleon Skousen. I would avoid, Prophecy: Key to the future by Duane Crowther.
    1 point
  19. mirkwood

    Judging media

    https://idmb.com is my choice for content review.
    1 point
  20. I agree with your concept of evolution of sin. I would suggest that at the root of those turning from the law of Chasity is a propensity for pornography and masturbation. As these two temptations are embraced there will be no defense for those involved to stand against LGBTQ+ and remain loyal to the law of chastity. The Traveler
    1 point
  21. SilentOne

    Last Days' Timeline

    I read the first one. It was definitely not as bad as I had been led to believe it would be. Probably not really relevant, but I seem to remember hearing that Dallas Jenkins of The Chosen is the author's son.
    1 point
  22. Yes. So go get your food storage. You have been warned by prophets and apostles.
    1 point
  23. Meh, phooey. I'm not a fan of sensation-peddling clickbait, outrage journalism, and hate pr0n. @Godless, I see you're putting some from the right. That's ok. Just so we're all aware there's absolutely no shortage of similar things on the left. We just finished a thread about how the mantra "you can either have a dead son or a living daughter" has permeated our medical, educational, and legislative institutions. And if anyone is considering falling for the bait, I'd urge them to apply similar standards to stuff like this, before they express their outrage. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/equality-through-diversity?lang=eng https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-shares-social-post-encouraging-understanding-and-civility https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/diversity-and-unity?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/07/the-blessings-of-diversity?lang=eng
    1 point
  24. mirkwood

    Last Days' Timeline

    There are numerous catastrophic AND miraculous events that occur before this one. Again, The Coming of the Lord goes into some detail about the majority of the events that are coming.
    1 point
  25. In answer to your question, in the areas of study for worldly education (rather than spiritual or religious), the early saints practiced a form of Socialism or Communism which is termed...Religious Communism or Religious Socialism (depending on which you feel most like using). It's just a categorization (like Lions being Mammals, Frogs being Amphibians, etc). I would think that if we were using worldly classifications, we would use the system that was utilized either under Joseph Smith or Brigham Young. This would probably be classified the same under Religious Socialism. Many here have very weird ideas of how it would work (they get to keep everything they have...that's not how it worked under Brigham Young OR Joseph Smith...normally quite the opposite unless you were already very poor...which many of the Saints were...most posting here are NOT in that state of poverty). It would be HARD to institute at first. In the end, if it could be pulled off and the Saints stayed productive, I think it could work. Ezra Taft Benson was particularly strong on this point. Communism (as based on Marx and furthered by others) is a copycat from the adversary. It is based on the the way the Lord would work (which some would call Religious Communism as classified by what is described in the Acts in the New Testament...though the Saints have another name for it under the Law of Consecration and the United Order), but instead of the LORD and his servants being in charge...it is corruptible men. It is a mockery of the Lord's way of doing things on top of that...made to make men miserable rather than happy. It was created as a mockery to make people unhappy rather than to build them up and make them joyful.
    1 point
  26. Not his, but in scholarly work it would probably be closest to either Religious Communism or Religious Socialism. I love the terms because it puts Religious Capitalists and Feudalists instantly on their toes because they hate the terms and want to ignore these things. Many dislike the idea that the Lord's ideas as described in the scriptures, for many scholars, actually fall correctly into the fields of socialism or even communism. It drives them nutty. Thing is, Feudalism could actually also exist in a Religious Socialistic society IF one sees that ONLY GOD is King and is THE KING. To start, Karl Marx saw religion and what religion had done, but changed the ideas of it from the Lord to the State. Thus, differing Marxism or Marxist Communism (which many in the West now call Communism, but do not realize that it is Marx they are referring to, without seeing the rest of what would be seen as communistic or communist in all of society and all it's branches) from Religious Communism (who, though there are different religoius entities that have started the idea, in Christianity it roots back to the Lord, Peter, and the early Church and how they did things as described in Acts). He stated This reliance on state defines his new ideas taken from religion, but it is only a mere copy of the true thing. The state cannot replicate God and is an untrustworthy keeper of such things. Only the LORD is trustworthy and uncorrupt enough to truly do these things. Which brings us to the idea of Religious Communism. In Religious Communism the idea would be that EVERYTHING is created and made by the Lord. This means he ALSO owns everything. In that light, you can be given what you need, but it is STILL the Lords stuff at the end of the day. This is especially pertinent to land, where the land is owned by the Lord and so no one can truly own their land. (this can also be seen in Joseph Smith's time where he would grant land to some members, but when they apostatized it was seen as still being owned by the church and taken and given to another). Religious Socialism may be more apt though, as it varies greatly from group to group (and I'd group the early Saints in Utah under the banner probably, and perhaps the ONLY example of a HIGHLY socialistic society being HIGHLY successful). It can vary from being almost Communist (and in fact, some of the Christian Socialist chose the term Socialist rather than Communist because of the bad connotations Communism has held) to being closer to an almost capitalistic/feudalistic type society. In this I'd expect that everything is owned by God and he gives out to us as we need things. However, as we are his heirs, we also can expect to inherit all he has. The differences of course will be with the Kingdoms of Heaven. In the Telestial I expect it will be greatly different than the Celestial. In the Telestial it may be more of a thing where we are given that which will make us joyful and happy, but not burdened down with more than that. Though ultimately owned by the Lord, we will be able to have and possess things as we need them to make us happy and joyful (or so I think...nothing stronger than that...not even belief...just thoughts on the matter). In the Celestial I imagine we have the ability to CREATE more things which we then can call our own, and hence we are making MORE rather than taking possession of that which already is. Just a thought on it. edit: TLDR - Communism and Socialism run by the state as we see today are creations of the Adversary as imitations and mockeries of the REAL thing that was created by the Lord, where you have something almost exactly the same, BUT it is run by the LORD and his counsel instead of the State.
    1 point
  27. scottyg

    Last Days' Timeline

    Two things strike me about this event. First, when you look at modern weaponry, and the various ways nations will try to destroy Israel, particularly Jerusalem, those prophets will be using the Priesthood in miraculous ways. To some it may look like a jedi using the force. They will be stopping all manner of bullets, bombs, and missiles. Aircraft and tanks, chemical and biological warfare, etc... Secondly, it will be remarkable to see how even then, people will refuse to turn to the Lord, and accept those men as His prophets. They will be so rooted in evil, and so full of pride, that they won't care about possibly being wrong, and will just want to see them dead above all else.
    1 point
  28. The Book of Mormon is something I would encourage anyone who is interested in what may happen at the last days to read. It was written for the Nephites and Lamanites and also the Jews. It was ALSO written for us and our time. The events around the Lord's birth and his death and resurrection as found in the Book of Mormon are a type and shadow of what our own last days could be like. It even includes a millenial type time of peace and faithfulness. If the wickedness foretold in the Book of Mormon are true, than we still have a little ways to go. It doesn't sound like it will be pleasant to live through some of the events leading up to the second coming. The Doctrine and Covenants also has quite a bit in regards to the second coming and what we should do in our own time. (edit: Many read these two items, some even study them, but most do not go into great pondering, praying, and thinking about the exact details).
    1 point
  29. Maverick

    Last Days' Timeline

    I completely agree that the wickedness in the days of Enoch and Noah, with the people of Enoch being protected and the wicked being destroyed by the great flood in Noah’s day, is a type and shadow of what is to come in the last days. When Christ told his disciples about the last days and the destruction of the wicked that precedes his coming in glory, he specifically said that it would be like the flood in the days of Noah.
    1 point
  30. JohnsonJones

    Church Growth

    Activity rates are dirt low outside of Utah. From what I've heard activity is closer to 25% or even 20% than 50%. In that light, you'd need 25% of the church having record numbers of children to come up with a rate high enough to replace the others. I've actually had some thoughts on this recently (Due to some recent things that happened with some students and investigators around me), but don't think this is the appropriate thread to address it. The numbers at institute are rather low in relation to the number of members at universities as well. There is a general trend among young people to move away from Christianity in general. That the LDS church is retaining the numbers it is, is actually sort of a testament to the church. It seems that the numbers of young people growing distant from religion and Christianity have shot up to numbers I've never seen. There seems to be a definitive split between 2020 and after. The numbers seem to be growing at a much faster rate (this year especially) of those disillusioned with religion, or even more, being outright hostile towards christianity in general. The Church wants us to be seen more in line with popular Christianity (at least that is my impression), but it is too late for that. Christianity as a whole right now is having problems. We don't stand out FAR enough from Christianity any longer, and being bunched in with a sinking ship won't do us any favors. We need to show why we ARE better than the other choices out there, and WHY we are different that they should not lump us all in with those that they are starting to disassociate with (Sometimes for good reason).
    1 point
  31. Fair enough. But they're sure doing a good job of ridding any conservatives from government positions (like the FBI). Not sexual orientation. But when someone wants to dress like a drag queen? Yes. When an obviously male dressed as a woman uses the women's bathroom? Yes. I was once at an engineering convention. I was just trying to get out of my row of seats to go to the lunch buffet, when I realized I was trapped because a group of women were talking in the seats. Well... one of them wasn't a woman. And I noticed it from 20 ft away through a crowd of people. Yes, it was a distraction. Not because anyone was spewing hate. Not because of political arguments. Just his presence and appearance. I feel like I need to remind you that I really don't care whether someone dresses or puts on makeup in an unorthodox way. It is when they start doing things that are inappropriate (for a given situation) that deserves commentary. A male dressing like a woman with "loud" makeup is such a situation. Biological males using a woman's bathroom is also.
    1 point
  32. Vort

    Last Days' Timeline

    Anyone who refutes the value of this list is a science denier.
    1 point
  33. Maverick

    Last Days' Timeline

    I’m assuming that you are referring to the promised sifting that is to take place. I agree with you that some (many in my opinion) are choosing evil because they are confused and deceived. It’s makes me cringe when I see active Latter-day Saints make comments on social media or in person that support the LGBTQ agenda and other social and moral issues that are incompatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m all for treating everyone with respect, dignity, and kindness, but I refuse to join with masses in calling evil good and good evil. I’m a firm believer in tough love and holding the line. I agree that in the end the Lord’s sheep will hear his voice, but a question I have is whether the majority of the church membership will prove to be sheep or goats in the end. Only the Lord knows.
    1 point
  34. My wife's parent's family is full of horrible evil stuff like intergenerational child abuse and incest. We're very happy to live a state away from all that drama. I'm happy to say her wounds and scars have largely healed over time, and the stuff we hear coming out of that family doesn't bother her much any more. She's still sealed to all of 'em (the ones that haven't gotten themselves excommunicated, that is). I ask her about it from time to time, and her general opinion sounds like this: "They had their chance to have me in their lives on this earth, and in the next life it's God's problem." She hopes they'll eventually be healthy enough to go to heaven, but she doesn't lose any sleep over it - she's busy worrying about herself and her family. I'm pretty sure our doctrine states that heaven isn't a place where people can't stand to stand next to each other, much less be sealed to each other. I don't know how such things will play out. But I do know if I'm fortunate enough to get to heaven, and I saw her parents there, I'd be happy, because it meant they finally pulled their heads out of their collective butts enough to finally grasp and repent of their evil acts.
    1 point
  35. Leiliani, The important thing is to remember that it is all in the Lord's hands. His judgments are perfect. We need to have faith and trust in him. Once we refuse to allow Him the final judgment, we are really denying the Atonement.
    1 point
  36. I agree with @zil2. The requirement for a legal adoption prior to performing the sealing ordinance is a modern Church administrative policy, but that doesn't nullify the ordinance itself. But there's something more important at play here. God only honors the sealing ordinance (or any other priesthood ordinance) if, in addition to the proper formalities being observed by the proper authority, the Holy Spirit of Promise gives its ratifying seal of approval (D&C 132:7); which is conditional upon the parties' worthiness and their ongoing living in harmony with the covenants that pertain to the ordinance. Do you think the Holy Spirit ratified your sealing to your mother's husband? I don't know anyone in your family, but based on what you say here . . . I'd be inclined to answer "no".
    1 point
  37. I believe (but don't know) the sealing is valid regardless of the laws of men. That said, a child molester will have a hard road to the celestial kingdom, and if he doesn't live up to covenants, and repent when he falls short, that sealing will be null through his disobedience. More importantly, I'm so sorry for the pain this must be causing you. I can't begin to understand, but I'm sorry and hope you're able to find peace somehow. PS: Welcome to ThirdHour!
    1 point
  38. The following occurred to me last Sunday during Sacrament meeting and I thought it was worth sharing When we take a piece of the sacrament bread we take a peace, of Christ.
    1 point
  39. So, your mileage may vary, but here's just my thoughts: I've been actively seeking out folks who tinker with their pronouns, so I could see for myself what I thought about them and their pronouns. I've found maybe a dozen over the years, been able to speak with a handful, and gotten to know maybe one or two. What I've discovered, is that the 2nd great commandment pretty much settles matters. If you can respect someone's basic humanity, and find ways to show them that respect, they'll return the favor. In my discussions with these folks, I don't think I've used their preferred pronouns a single time. I just focus on using their names and restructuring my sentences so I don't need a pronoun. I totally get that some folks would consider using a trans person's preferred pronoun to be lying, and therefore they won't do it. And I've met umpteen million people who consider using the pronoun to be a virtuous thing, and go out of their way to accept and advance the agenda. Both sides of the issue require passing a judgment. So far, I'm making it through life just plain old choosing not to pass judgment one way or the other. People have always been able to change their names, and if a Fred wants to be called Shelia, then whatever. Pronoun usage communicates a judgment on the rightness or wrongness of the thing, and Imma just hold on to my choice to decline to pass that judgment. I think Elder Oaks has my back here, but again, your mileage may vary.
    1 point
  40. scottyg

    Judging media

    Could be because GOTG3 still hasn't been out long enough for most parents to leave an honest review.
    0 points
  41. pam

    Judging media

    I had no idea. I don't even remember the last time I went to a movie.
    0 points
  42. Maverick

    Last Days' Timeline

    In my mind there is no question that the day of burning and vengeance beginning upon the Lord's house is referring specifically to the active membership of the church. Who else could possibly be part of the Lord's house, who profess to know his name but really have not known him and are therefore blaspheming against him in the midst of his house? This prophecy appears to be connected to the parable of the 10 virgins, the parable of the sheep and the goats, and parable of the wheat and the tares, etc. All of which in my opinion are specifically directed at the Lord's covenant people in the last days.
    0 points
  43. pam

    Last Days' Timeline

    Go get your own thread.
    0 points
  44. Do you mind Pam? Vort and I are tryin' to classy up the place. Folks can go back to their on-topic posting later.
    0 points
  45. And now also by @mirkwood
    0 points
  46. Vort

    Last Days' Timeline

    I seem to recall talking to my children about this and referring to it as Sinistral Buttock. My children have grown up having to put up with that sort of thing.
    0 points