Hemidakota

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Everything posted by Hemidakota

  1. Not at a church level...remember those who apostatized from the leadership early in the church? How many were apostles?
  2. It has to be on the level of an Apostle or a prophet.
  3. Sorry for the such delay...referring to this phrase - "In the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency" I see your point Justice. For me, it is still one of the same. Even it seems to be different but in reality, we know that Enoch received this term from the Savior for what was occurring to these two children in the garden. Both scholars and leaders various agree with my own assessment as seeing this term as the same with section 29. It just goes back to a previous statement Enoch made known in his early writings in Moses 6:56: "It is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves." (Moses 6:56.) Hopefully this helps but I can understand what you are pointing out. Let me flip the “coin” real quick on this subject of “agency in the pre-mortal world.” I will reference my good brother Apostle John on what he stated: "Every man that cometh into the world is given the light of Christ " (John 1:9) You can follow the cross reference link (see also D&C 88:46 & Moroni 7:16). For all, the Light of Christ will enlighten all who will hearken to its promptings, ultimately leading them "unto God, even the Father," and the Father will teach them of the fulness of the gospel, the "covenant" restored through Joseph Smith (D&C 84:45-53). Now, what is notable here is the amount of light one receives depends upon at least three aspects (learned this Millet): 1] Capacity to receive it and use it, 2] Agency, and 3] the amount of this light we are blessed with. Millet is correct on these aspects from what I have learned. As Millet stated, “Though not spiritually predestined, we come into this mortal probation predisposed to different levels of affinity for spiritual things. Each person's predisposition is a result of his own choices in the pre-mortal life. Some do not have "ears to hear" even though a message is given.” We do know through various supported scriptures references, there were different levels of “spiritual nobility” in the pre-mortal life, (See Abr. 3:22-26) that we had our agency there, (See both D&C 29:36; Alma 13:1-9) that some can be exposed to a message but not able to "hear" it, (See Matt. 13:9-17). Something to think about when it comes to our destiny from the last realm to this one was the cause of three aspects.
  4. The reason why I stated this, GOD is omnipresent but most of the time, we are in the hands of others who are HIS servants and may not be aware of it.
  5. How does one who has the authority of the priesthood envoke the Holy Ghost?
  6. My favorite one is in Luke - "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be from the day when the Son of man is revealed. . . . Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:28-32.)
  7. Who watch over you? Is it always GOD or an ministering spirit (angel so would call them)?
  8. Acts 10:44-48, the Prophet Joseph Smith made this comment: There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy host before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the gospel. But he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. And had he not taken this sign [or] ordinances upon him, the Holy Ghost, which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him until he obeyed those ordinances and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, according to the order of God. (Discourse of 20 March 1842, recorded by Wilford Woodruff; WJS, 108)
  9. There is really no contradiction at all from what I am reading. There are two verses beside what is contained in chapter 7. However, I cannot undermine what Apostle George Q. Morris stated in 1958 at General Conference. He pointed out it better than what I can attribute to this variation of differences: This being "conceived in sin" (Moses 6:55), as I understand it, is only that they are in the midst of sin. They come into the world where sin is prevalent, and it will enter into their hearts, but it will lead them "to taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good." And then with further emphasis on the matter of agency, the Lord says,". . . it is given to them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves." (Moses 6:56.) This matter of agency is the very essence of our existence. The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency. (Ibid., 7:32.) Also the revelation in the 93rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants emphasizes again this matter of agency. We are intelligences, and the Lord says, All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence. (D&C 93:30.) If we take away their free agency we nullify the purpose of the existence of mankind in the world. Satan attempted to do that.By these revelations we see why sin is in the world and adversities and evils of various kinds. We can picture the plight of Adam and Eve. They had been condemned to sorrows, woes, troubles, and labor, and they were cast out from the presence of God, and death had been declared to be their fate. A pathetic picture, indeed. But now a most important thing happened. Adam and Eve had explained to them the gospel of Jesus Christ. What would be their reaction? When the Lord explained this to them, that a redemption should come through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, Adam exclaimed: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God. (Moses 5:10.) And what was the response of Eve, his wife? She heard all of these things, and was glad, saying: "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and. . . eternal life." (Ibid., 5:11.) There is the key to the question of evil. If we cannot be good, except as we resist and overcome evil, then evil must be present to be resisted.So this earth life is set up according to true principles, and these conditions that followed the transgression were not, in the usual sense, penalties that were inflicted upon us. All these that I have named to you that seem to be sad inflictions of punishment, sorrow, and trouble are in the end not that. They are blessings. We have attained a knowledge of good and evil, the power to prize the sweet, to become agents unto ourselves, the power to obtain redemption and eternal life. These things had their origin in this transgression. The Lord has set the earth up so we have to labor if we are going to live, which preserves us from the curse of idleness and indolence; and though the Lord condemns us to death—mortal death—it is one of the greatest blessings that comes to us here because it is the doorway to immortality, and we can never attain immortality without dying. So these are all real blessings. We come to the earth with all these conditions arranged as they are so that we have to struggle constantly against evil, struggle to preserve our lives, struggle for everything of true value—that is the thing for us to understand—this is the course of life that is most desirable, and for our good. We have no need to find fault with these conditions. The Lord has ordained them all for our welfare and happiness. The truth as I understand and feel about it is simply that circumstances placed Adam in a position where by a technical transgression he could come into mortal life, moving out of immortality into these earth conditions for his blessings, for the blessing of the race, without which no immortality and eternal life and exaltation could ever come. And in doing this, also, of course, his body, taken from the earth, was made mortal—an absolute essential. There is no salvation or exaltation except through the possession of a body of flesh and blood. In conclusion I want to give this inspired declaration by the Prophet Lehi. For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so. . . righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one;. . .And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. (2 Nephi 2:11, 22-25.) The answer to all the problems in the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which enables us to overcome all adversities, sin, and death, and go back into the presence of God fit to dwell in his presence, through the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. (CR, April 1958, pp. 38-40.)
  10. Agency is an eternal principle, long before GOD was GOD. This is the force for existment as spirits. It is also a gift that is bestowed upon humanity to ACT and not to be ACTED UPON. Joseph Smith once stated: We deem it a just principle, and it is one the force of which we believe ought to be duly considered by every individual, that all men are created equal, and that all have the privilege of thinking for themselves upon all matters relative to conscience. Consequently, then, we are not disposed, had we the power, to deprive any one of exercising that free independence of mind which heaven has so graciously bestowed upon the human family as one of its choicest gifts. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 2:6-7) However, agency "TO ACT" will be removed when punishment rolls around for humanity if any sin is left undone – they will become ACTED UPON as Lehi stated, thus removing his or her agency to fufill this requirement. And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. (2Ne.2:26) Looking back at our premortal council when the plan of our Heavenly Father and Lucifer's proposed modifications to it were before the council, the FATHER's plan was accepted with joy by the righteous spirits, while the rest demand an easier route to salvation. The foundation of this plan was the principle of "moral agency". We had the ability to choose, gain knowledge, and experience in preparation for eventual Godhood. President Ezra Taft Benson observed this - "...the right of choice…runs like a golden thread throughout the gospel plan" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson p. 81). Justice, it is the core fabricate of our existment as Joseph described in the King Follett sermon. As we understand in that council, the Gospel of Jesus Christ involved considerable risks with allowing us the ability choose for ourselves and make mistakes, to sin, to rebel, to disobey, and to transgress divine laws. But, the rewards out weigh divine justice (no pun intended here ). I can cite many quotations here, it seems our agency is nothing more than a slight form of restricted choices (agency) but not coercion as Lucifer wanted us to have (ACTED UPON). You know Justice, every day our agency may be on a collision course with others (agency)? How we avoid or reconcile such collisions is much of what the Lord's great plan of happiness is all about. As we learn to accommodate the agency of others through tolerance, persuasion, patience, long-suffering, compassion, and kindness, we gradually begin to acquire and nurture the traits of godliness required to regain the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son.
  11. I will submit, ONLY those involved with GOD over this earth. See D&C 77. There is about five individuals outside of Christ and Joseph Smith (incharge of this dispensation-work continues across the veil), who would know when. Exact hour? The answer would be NO! Christ testifies to this. Time frame? YES. It is part of their calling as direct servants of GOD to do HIS bidding. I will be purchasing the book....thanks.
  12. Who controls BYU controls the fate of the team.... :)
  13. This is what I thought also... I need to bring this to my friend (math wizard from India - several degrees) to look at this to see if this is possible.
  14. Let me also add, she was no more than 15 at the time when this all happen.
  15. There is always a small contingent group of LDS aboard most naval vessels to include Marines. You simply need to find out from the Chaplin aboard the ship who is the assigned lay leader or assigned LDS Chaplin. He will point you in the right direction. If not, then talk to your local Bishop for help. Isn’t Norfolk closing?
  16. Enlarge MUSCULAR MEMORIES Muscles hold memories of their former fitness in nuclei (green, shown on muscle fiber) that help the muscle bounce back to fitness when training begins after a period of inactivity. EXCERPT: Pumping up is easier for people who have been buff before, and now scientists think they know why — muscles retain a memory of their former fitness even as they wither from lack of use. That memory is stored as DNA-containing nuclei, which proliferate when a muscle is exercised. Contrary to previous thinking, those nuclei aren’t lost when muscles atrophy, researchers report online August 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The extra nuclei form a type of muscle memory that allows the muscle to bounce back quickly when retrained. LINK: Muscles Remember Past Glory - Science News
  17. :lol: I state the same when I home, "WOMAN???? WHERE'S DINNER?"
  18. EXCERPT: Caffeine has been described as the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world," Crouch said. "It's a stimulant and it also is a diuretic, which means it may result in further dehydration when used for fluid replacement for sports." The beverages also are loaded with sugar and other substances that, combined with caffeine, can pose health risks when consumed excessively, including heart arrhythmias and seizures in the most serious cases, Crouch said. (Comment HD: It is not Caffeine is the biggest abused drug but sugar remains the number one hit with consumers. Even our can tin vegies have form of sugar in it.") LINK: Health officials warn against abusing energy drinks | Deseret News