skalenfehl

I caught a few minutes of South Park once and realized why I never bother to watch it.

LOL!!! Yup that's true! :lol:

Well dangit, I can't thank myself for finding my own post, but I've thanked Dr T and pushka! :lol:

When Christ was crucified and He died on the cross the world mourned and there were severe tempests, and massive natural disasters. We read in the Book of Mormon about cities collapsing, some being completely buried, covering up the sins of its inhabitants, others being swallowed up by the sea. If the Lord did not want to leave these cities standing in view, I believe He is entirely capable of concealing them from His eyes and ours. That said, there are still signs of civilizations descended from the people of the Book of Mormon, but it seems the proof that they are connected is debatable. In my mind it is an issue of faith and that is the way the Lord will have it. Think about it. As it is the world is struggling with Christianity even with proof of biblical cities and artifacts still in existence! But that is not enough for many to believe that Christ walked the earth and if there are people that believe He did, well then, maybe He was just a great man. Had Jerusalem been destroyed like some cities of the Book of Mormon were and covered up forever I can imagine the unbelief of the world population today. But we need that anchor, that evidence that Christ did walk the Earth. Without that, perhaps the less valiant of the world would fall into Satan's grip given that they, in their ignorant state, would be left to their own devices. If people have a hard enough time believing that Christ lived and that there is a God, then what difference would it really make if the city of Zarahemla really was found or if perhaps a gold plate or two had been discovered. There would still be something to criticize, something to doubt, something to dispute and something more to disbelieve to people's condemnation. Just my two cents.

It sounds like you are already on your way. I replied again to your introduction thread. Best wishes.

My initial reaction to your reply would be to start reading the Book of Mormon again and really listen to what it says. You will begin to feel the Spirit working in you. It may take a little while, but it will come. You will know when it is time to ask the Lord if it is true or not. That is when you will know it is time to be baptized again and join the church and continue in the plan of salvation. I was going to only reply by recommending that you invite the missionaries over. I definitely encourage you to that too.

dog right arm or left arm!?

That's quite an introduction, littletommy. Welcome to the forums!

I'm not sure. I've never wanted to find out.

Well, when we are interviewed for worthiness by our bishops for temple attendance, recommends, important callings, etc, we are asked very important questions like do we sustain our leaders such as our prophet, do we live the Word of Wisdom, do we live the law of chastity, etc. In other words are we living in harmony with the gospel and the promises or covenants that we made when we were baptized. To disobey a commandment or speak ill of the Lord's anointed, rebel agains/fight the church, etc, essentially constitutes what we could consider personal apostacy. When we turn away from the Lord in such a manner it is unacceptable to Him.

Our doctrine is the same no matter what part of the world we live in. I have been to church in different states and different countries, but the organization is the same, the structure is the same, the principles and doctrines are all the same. The only thing that is different is the culture and the environment.

It has been mentioned in Elder's Quorum and I'm not sure if this is taken from a discourse or a General Authority or where it originated, but we should be careful not to judge Emma for we will have to answer to Joseph for it.

WillowTheWhisp, I don't think he is trying to sway us from our faith. I believe that he is explaining his own views in response to those who are asking him questions. I see nothing wrong with it. Prisonchaplain, I must confess, you have a much greater understanding of our doctrine than the average member of the LDS church. A good number of Mormons have that level of understanding, but most, I'm afraid don't and thus their lights are kept under a bushel. The Lord has even placed our membership in condemnation in the past for this: D&C 84: 54-61 54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— 55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. 56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. 57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written— 58 That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. 59 For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay. 60 Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things; 61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

When I pray to Father In Heaven and ask some big questions, seldom do my answers come immediately. Sometimes I feel prompted to go way out of my comfort zone, and when I finally muster up the will to do it, I find that I come closer to my answer and in the past the answer hasn't always been what I expected, but the message was loud and clear. I also try to keep my heart constantly drawn out in prayer, as if conversing with the Lord daily. My thoughts are directed to Him, which also helps to keep me focused and from having idle thoughts.

Framing is what I mostly have done for 17 years. I've switched to finish and trim this year. The overhead is infinitely less, the employee trouble is virtually nonexistent now, and my schedule is much more flexible. Oh, and I'm not breaking my back anymore, which is good because this business has put a lot of miles and wear and tear on my body.

I've also heard it likened to a personal road map based on your personal life, circumstances, trials, talents, etc.

"Patriarchal blessings are given to worthy members of the Church by ordained patriarchs. Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection." Find out more

Bruce R. McConkie was not evil, did not commit some awful sin or was a horrible man. He was a very humble person, loving father and husband, devout member of the church and devoted member of the Quorum of the Twelve and bore his testimony plainly. His last talk.

Hence the scripture I quoted in my first post. By the way, McConkie did state that the book reflected his own words and not necessarily the church's official position. This is why that edition was never republished.

Planet LDS Bruce R McConkie

It's a very black and white scripture. Bruce R. McConkie gave a very bold explanation a long time ago in a book that he published, but that particular edition was never republished. I completely understand why. D&C 123: 12 12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

I come from a dysfunctional and abusive childhood myself, however, I'm sure our unique circumstances caused us to go in opposite directions. One thing, a hard thing that I have learned is that our answers come in the Lord's time and in His own way and not our own. It's a hard thing to swallow, but for those who endure, the rewards are made manifest. It took about 20 years for my prayers to be answered and for me to finally be rid of the dysfunction that plagued me. I wish you could feel what I have felt and know what I know. Edit: That is your anchor, your pivotal point. I dare say you felt the calm, peaceful, reassuring touch of the Holy Ghost. It is possible to begin again from that point, but will probably take more faith than you are willing, even today, to exercise, especially because of your childhood. Then again, it might be a smaller leap than you might think. The thing is, God knows us better than we know ourselves and how much we are capable of and tests our limits so that we can also realize what we each are capable of.

heh heh, I caught your mojo vibes in cyberspace. I used the Force, etc.

Finally found it!! Post #15 Talk Now I won't lose it again.

This is the only forum I can think of to ask. Recently there was a thread in which a talk given by President Hinckley was posted in one of the replies about the coming need to prepare. He started out by saying he didn't want to prophesy of what was coming, but that we needed to get out of debt, etc. If anyone knows where it is, would you please post the link for me? Thanks in advance.