skalenfehl

Yes, Joseph Smith (a Gentile among gentiles) restored the fullness of the gospel and brought to light the fullness of the gospel (BoM). The Gentiles and the House of Israel are separate nations. Heck, the house of Israel itself consists of twelve nations. But as Jacob 5 and other scriptures (even Isaiah, whom I believe was very familiar with Zenos' allegory) reveal, all who repent and come unto Christ are the covenant people of the Lord. So Joseph Smith became a covenant Gentile. Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough...there are promises given to Joseph that have been and are being fulfilled through Ephraim and Mannaseh, but more specifically through the Lamanites because of another promise made to Lehi, Nephi, Jacob and Enos because of the faith of their prayers. Nephi saw all of this. The Gentiles became nursing fathers and nursing mothers to the Lamanites. I think most members might consider the British to be said nursing mothers/fathers, kings/queens. But the American Continent was populated by three groups of Gentiles: English, Spanish and French. Nephi saw in vision a man wrought upon by the Spirit, which we may infer was Columbus. Since his discovery, the Spaniards, while conquerers, did not conquer to annihilate, but to integrate and to convert. From the 1500s through the next couple centuries, they integrated and intermarried with the natives, who at the time were the Incas, Aztecs, etc. The Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, was and is Mexico. Spain brought Christianity, as Nephi prophecied they would, and became nursing mothers and fathers, whereas, the British, through their supposed Manifest Destiny, saw the natives as expendable refuse to be discarded as an obstacle to their goals of ownership and gain. They did not, for the most part integrate with the natives as the Spaniards did, though some did become nursing mothers and fathers. But ultimately, it was necessary for the gentiles to introduce Christianity to the natives, who already had in their legends, corrupt traditions that pointed to a God and His return. By the time Joseph Smith entered the picture a couple centuries later, America (the entire continent) would become primed (barely!) for further light and knowledge. This is the way the Lord works and the only way it could work as Zenos taught through his allegory of the tame and wild olive trees and the necessity to break off branches, transplant them and graft them back into the mother tree in time for one final harvest before the end of the season. The LDS began as the Gentile Church. It has become much more complex, but it is as it should be. New Jerusalem will be built by Joseph and Old Jerusalem will once again be hallowed for Judah. The two (like the two sticks of Joseph and Judah) will run together as Zion is built and it's borders continually lengthened. It won't be a picnic, though. I suspect that those who are now "hearing" the call will experience their trials necessary to be worthy of building Zion just as the Israelites needed to be refined when crossing the wilderness, just as Nephi and company needed to be refined while crossing the wilderness, just as Brigham Young (though it should have been Joseph Smith had the saints not considered him a coward and called on him to surrender when he was heading west with his brother) and the early saints needed to be refined when crossing the wilderness, and just as we (let he that hath ears hear) will be refined when crossing the wilderness, after the day of wrath, to build Zion. It has always been this way. We must all, as the Savior did, cross our own valley of the shadow of death and be refined.

Without knowing the context of that quote, I can understand why. 22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not. 23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. 24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up. The times of the Gentiles in nearly fulfilled. The US is nearly rotten to the core. Then the desolating scourge and the day of wrath and burning prophecied of in the D&C will happen.

Sure. Plenty living in Utah.

I've mentioned it before, but for those who haven't read, one thing I've begun doing in the last year or two is listening to the BoM and all scriptures on my ipod. You can DL the entire set from lds.org and listen while you work. I've listened to all four standard works many, many times and have developed greater retention as a result. I don't miss scripture study time anymore and work goes by so much faster with the Spirit teaching me new things throughout my shifts. Please consider giving it a try. You'll find a new found spirituality.

There are many mansions and many heavens. Salvation ranges from Telestial to Celestial and so on, which is covered in many scriptures in the BoM and D&C. The Bible also alludes to this (body of stars, moon and sun) in the NT.

3 Nephi 27:13 Jesus Christ defines His gospel: 9 Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; 10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. 11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. 12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you. 13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. 14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— 15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. 16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. 17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father. 18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words. 19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. 20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. 21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; 22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Updated entry: All Things Common

"I'd like to bear my testimonyyy..."

+1 As Eowyn, mentioned, "at some future date." While this is true, it is entirely up to us based on our worthiness to the five laws, which we covenant to keep. When we go through the temple for ourselves, we are specifically told that we are only "anointed" to become kings/queens and priests/priestesses and do not become such until we have proven ourselves worthy through our faithfulness. This is a very important distinction. However, we are free, as many have done, to prove ourselves worthy; to be proven true and faithful in all things, to advance this promise early in our lives, as early as we desire. We truly are judged based on our "works according to our desires." While most fully expect and have sufficient faith to experience this at "some future date," perhaps when Christ returns in glory, there are many who have desired and do desire to experience this fullness now rather than later. This is what most, if not all of the prophets of the Book of Mormon labored to teach. This is also what Joseph Smith labored to teach the early Saints over and over again. This is the message, which a very few still endeavor to share today. It truly is good news for those who discover that they have the same desires to receive it and begin their journey to obtain it.

And He continually extends His mercy unto us all day long. He loves us more than we know now. All he asks is for us to love others as He loves us. And to love Him as we love ourselves. "Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep." Truly when we treat the least of our brothers and sisters as He would treat us, we are treating Him likewise. The more we study His life and how he treated others, the better we can emulate Him. I love the story of Lazarus. Very symbolic on several levels. One of the things, which bears relevance to this discussion is that in the parable, the Lord named Lazarus. The rich man had no name. Those whom the Lord keeps, He knows. The brother of Jared knew Christ. And Christ knew Him. Christ knows the least of us who come unto Him. He has called very few His friend. Yet those friends were still His servants for the world's sake as He was our Father in Heaven's servant for our sakes. To truly know Christ is to truly love Christ.

I love how Joseph Smith put it. In my mind, what our Savior declared to be the two greatest commandments, was eloquently expounded by the prophet: "If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude of sins." Do we accuse others of being apostates because they believe or sin differently? Do we accuse the poor of having brought their own plight upon themselves and turn them away? When we judge someone based on our own individual paradigms, we make accusers of ourselves. Can we love another with the perfect love of Christ, which Mormon taught his son, Moroni, and yet judge them or accuse them of something? If we do not have charity, truly we are nothing.

Boy, this train went off the rails. After page two. Smithite Mormons...Denver Snuffer...

It is my belief that we can fast as often as the need arises. The righteous Nephites and Lamanites united often to fast and for many different occasions. The fact that the church has a single day set aside should not mean that it is enough. It is not. But imagine if there was no Fast Sunday set aside. I think fewer members would fast on their own. It seems we must be commanded in all things because more often than not, we just don't do it on our own. I think it is great that members unite to fast for and behalf of others. This, to me, provided our hearts are pure, is what Zion is all about.

To the OP, I am a certified personal trainer and a Beachbody Coach. I manage a website and also a facebook page. I run across many fitness sites with athletes of all types, both genders, modeling equipment, programs, supplements or themselves. As one who is sensitive to the kind of "soft porn" suggested in your post, I have observed that the difference is when either male or female models pose provocatively in any degree. I stay away from sites where, for example, female athletes, fitness models, etc, pose just to show off their glutes with their backs arched, etc. Are they promoting wellness and/or fitness or are they attracting your attention or iliciting base desires? Contrast that from a female athlete who is competing in a olympic tournament who is at the bottom of an overhead squat or a crossfitter who is sprinting behind a prowler. It's obvious by what is being advertised or promoted whether or not an image is pornographic in any degree. Then there's the feelings it generates in the viewer. If it is creating a "hormonal response" and said base desires then it's likely something one should avoid. We should continually strip ourselves of all ungodliness. Lust is ungodly. Just my two cents.

I've been married now going on 22 years. I have found very simply truths taught by our Savior. "Agree quickly with thy adversary lest he esteem you to be his enemy." I am always quick to apologize and to make amends with my wife before she has a chance to build up steam and tear me down. When we first married, and I did something wrong or even if she just wanted to blow up, I quickly apologized, told her she was right (especially when I was wrong). She didn't like this because it completely diffused her bomb. All that building up for an argument and I just expressed my love for her. And if I was right, I simply listened and validated her feelings and hugged her. How could she tear me down with a one sided argument. And if she continued to blow up, I would patiently listen and let the blast roll away. Practice compassion as the Savior would. Succor your husband and let him know how much you love him. You don't have to kiss his feet. Just hold him or do whatever works to soften his heart and strengthen your marriage in the Lord.

I enjoy creative writing. I have written fiction in the past, verse and amateur poetry. I enjoy blogging, but my biggest ambition is yet to be realized. I hope to a published author soon, even if I self publish. I've been studying and compiling research for many years with Book of Mormon themes, including the fullness of the gospel and have also made a study of Nephi, son of Lehi. I may also yet write a sci fi/fantasy novel.

Never!

I still can't get over the fact that a massive NSA building is being constructed in Utah. In UTAH! What irony!

The more that all Christian faiths can unite in our common beliefs, the stronger we can become in fighting the adversary. Good is bad and bad is good nowadays. Christianity is under attack in the guise of "erasing hate."

You only covenant not to reveal a certain name and also signs and tokens. Other than this, the endowment ritual is purely symbolic of things we can easily read about in the scriptures, plain as outdoor daylight.

If ye have desire, ye are called to the work... By all means, go. Serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength. :) Doctrine and Covenants 4*

You're welcome. Speaking of "every form of godliness," our Savior taught at least two tribes of Israel how to be godly. When we have learned to strip ourselves of all ungodliness as King Benjamin taught and become as Christ admonished to two tribes, we will be well on our way. Something to ponder.

What the Brother of Jared saw had been recorded by himself and passed down until Ether hid them up so that Limhi's people could find them. It was then that King Mosiah was able to interpret all the writings, but he did not make them all known, per the commandment of Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ had shown himself to the Nephites, then were all of bro. of Jared's vision given to all. Because 2,500 people at Bountiful had been preserved and had received the Second Comforter, having the veil parted for them, nothing could be kept back, just as nothing had been kept back from the bro. of Jared. They had seen everything from the foundation of the world to the end. We must exercise faith. It is always the first step. How did the brother of Jared exercise faith? We read that he had a relationship with the Lord who favored him. "This long time have ye cried unto me..." Nephi is the perfect example in the Book of Mormon of the process of exercising faith. The Book of Mormon teaches us that exercising faith means doing and becoming. When Nephi leaves Jerusalem with his family, he didn't even know who Jesus Christ was. Then his heart was softened because he had "diligently" sought the Lord. He spent a lot of time in prayer and supplication, pondering his father's teachings, inquiring diligently of the Lord until he was answered. He exercised faith by performing tasks given him (1 Ne 3:7). After the Lord had fully proven Nephi, Nephi, having been true and faithful, had parted the veil and was ministered to by Jesus Christ. A lot of what Nephi records (prophecies), the bro. of Jared has also seen in vision. But Nephi was forbidden to write what John was foreordained to write. In the end, Nephi mourned because he could not write more. But before he closes his record, he had testified that he had seen Jesus, he had been given power in the priesthood, the sealing power...in other words, as written in D&C 76: 52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; 53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. 54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. 55 They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things— 56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; 57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. 58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God— Nephi walked the path that the bro of Jared did. Both had exercised faith, moving forward, being proved until finally falling to their knees to partake of the fruit of the tree of life--Jesus Christ's love--they had become encircled in His embrace. This is the main focus of the Book of Mormon and why it will bring us closer to Jesus Christ than any other book--but only if we do what it instructs. Nephi proved it. So did others all the way through Moroni, who hinted to us that being ministered to by angels is a sign that we are exercising strong faith, for their calling is to bring us to the veil. Angels call men to repentance. They also bring instructions, further light and knowledge. Moroni 7:30 For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. It is happening today. There are people today who are discovering what has been offered all along. People are unlocking the mysteries taught in the Book of Mormon. People are being sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, receiving power in the priesthood, becoming kings (whereas in the temple were are only anointed to become kings and queens--not the same thing) and queens, becoming members of the church of the First born as Nephi and Enoch and Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. God is no respector of persons and His hand is outstretched to each of us all the day long and He denies nobody. Verse 7 and 11 refer to the same. Whoso receives such great things will bear record. To bear record means to bear witness. He becomes a witness and shall bear record that Jesus Christ lives, that he has seen Him and has been ministered to by Him and whatever else Jesus Christ commands him to bear record and to whom.

Uh..is the direction of this discussion appropriate for the OP who is 14 years old?

Amen.