lilered

The fact still remains that women have never been given the Priesthood in the history of the church. If married to a priesthood holder then they are co-holders, but the fact still remains the husband holds the keys and is the Primary Priesthood holder.

It is my understanding that the issue in Texas concerning the children equates to sexual abuse. This due to the practice of male members having sex with underage (under legal age) women/girls. The second issue is that the "victims" are being forced to have sex and/or children against their will. If these allegations are true, then it is an abomination.

I might be mistaken, but I thought the Jewish Faith doesn't believe in the NT. If so, then scriptures from the NT will not be valid to try to convince them.

Keep in mind that the repentance process is a process of love and yet justice must be served. Your husband progress will depend on how repentant he is and his willingness to accept his responsiblity. This will further manifest itself when he and the Bishop have a chance to talk.

This is over my head. I barely was able to handle puppy love. :^)

I agree TomK, share it with your daughter. Your wife and you continue to be good role models and examples to her and she will be fine. It might not hurt to consider offering your Testimony next Fast Sunday and as part of that, publically voice your love and admiration for your family and especially her.

Lozza: After doing some pondering over your situation it would be my counsel to seek out either the Bishop or Relief Society President. If its the Bishop, ask him for some prof. help to work with you to work through your feelings and emotions. If its the R.S.Pres. then ask for her confidence and seek her guidance and help for someone to talk with. It seems to me that talking with another woman would give more support. God bless you on your journey.

The FLDS's lifestyle choices do not agree with LDS Church Teachings nor are the lawful. In short, they violate both Gods laws and Mans laws and as such, they will be held accountable and justice served. P.S. I do however stand in amazement that there are men that can keep multiple women happy. I have trouble keeping one happy! :^)

Kona, you now have my respect. P.S. I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken. :)

Lostnfound - And yet after stating the above, you still maintain that Baptism is not part of the salvation process! I find that difficut to understand.

lostnfound - Why do you believe that Jesus was baptized? Luke 23: 39 ¶ And one of the malefactors which were hanged arailed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due areward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. What does Paradise mean to you?

It seems to me in my simple way of looking at things that when we are baptized we covenant to take upon us the name of Christ. We make this covenant with Heavenly Father. 1st we take on his name, then intuitevly it follows that if we do indeed take upon us the name of Christ, we then call ourselves Christians. Why? Because we believe in Jesus Christ and that he is our redeemer. It doesn't have to be any more difficult to understand than that. It is only when those critics outside the church start to define Christians differently that the arguements start.

This I can promise you. God loves you and wants you to be happy and prosper. He wants to bless you, and he will, if you but will surrender yourself by obeying his commandments, praying with a contrite spirit, and seeking his guidance. Once you do that, have faith and trust in him. Let me share a recent witness of this happening. I know of a young mom who was in a very difficult marriage situation. Her husband was very abusive to her and their son. This relationship can be deteriating for several years. Approx. 1 year ago, she decided to move out and start over. Together her and her husband owned a farm where she raised purebred dogs for extra money. When she decided to leave, she wanted to leave with an amiable relationship with her husband. She just wanted out with her son. The son was a teenager and a very good boy, great athlete, and had never been in trouble. Between the husband and the wife, she agreed to pay for the divorce, if he would agree to absorb all debt and continue to let her raise dogs on the farm as a supplemental living. They agreed so she obtained a very simple divorce. In the decree, only the debt was mentioned alongwith him obtaining full ownership of the farm. She left, obtained another residence and all was well for a full 1 year.. This is important as the divorce is final and cannot be undone or disputed after 1 year. At the same time this was going on, she left her present employer for a better paying position and started working at the new place. Her son playing Highschool football. Suddenly, her world fell apart. The next day after the 1 year limit, her ex husband notified her to get all of her dogs etc. off the farm or he would kill them. The same day, the CEO of the company she was working for as a brand new employee walked in and fired the entire office and mgmt staff and because she had only worked a few days, was released. In addition, her son received a kindney injury while playing a HighSchool Football game. She tried to reason with her exhusband, by visiting him at the farm, however, he had posted a "No Trespassing Sign" at the entrance and had closed the gate. She entered on the farm to talk to him and he called the Sherriff on her and filed a charge of 1st degree trespassing which is a felony offense in the State she lives. Bottom Line for the story is - she felt like ending it all, that she couldn't go on. She had never been in any trouble before, always did what she was supposed to do, but yet all of this happened to her all at once. She did however, pray mightly and often and never lost her faith. After 4 months of "hell on earth" - her words not mine, things finally started to turn around for her. Her sons kidney healed but he can never play football again ( he instead continues in sports as a baseball catcher). She obtained a better job, and with the help of a good lawyer was able to get all charges dropped against her and at the same time get out of a failing marriage. I would be less than honest if I didn't also add that she obtained great support from her family during her ordeal, but was continually advised to keep the faith. Today, she is a stronger person, full of hope, happy, and doing great.

This we do know! In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy. The scriptures refer to this plan as "the plan of salvation" (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62), "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8), "the plan of redemption" (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30), and "the plan of mercy" (Alma 42:15). The plan of salvation is the fulness of the gospel. It includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all the laws, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel. Moral agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential in Heavenly Father's plan. Because of this plan, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God. Our family relationships can last throughout the eternities. God the Father is the Supreme Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is the ultimate Creator, Ruler, and Preserver of all things. He is perfect, has all power, and knows all things. He "has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (D&C 130:22). Eph: 4 6 One God and aFather of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Pres. Boyd K Packer indicates the following; There are many other verses of scripture, at least an equal number in the Bible, that speak in plural terms of “lords” and “gods.” The first chapter of Genesis states: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26; italics added.) Such references are found from Genesis to Revelation. (See Rev. 1:6.) The strongest one was given by Christ Himself when He quoted that very clear verse from the Eighty-second Psalm: “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? [see Ps. 82:6.] “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” (John 10:34–36; italics added.) The acceptance of this truth does not mean accepting the multiple gods of mythology nor the polytheism of the pagans, which was so roundly condemned by Isaiah and the other prophets. There is one God, the Father of all. This we accept as fundamental doctrine. There is only one Redeemer, Mediator, Savior. This we know. There is one Holy Ghost, a personage of spirit, who completes the Godhead. I have emphasized the word one, in each sentence, but I have used it three times. Three is plural. Paul used the plural many and the singular one in the same verse: “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) “But to us there is but one God, the Father.” (1 Cor. 8:5–6.) Anyone who believes and teaches of God the Father, and accepts the divinity of Christ, and of the Holy Ghost, teaches a plurality of Gods.

Your answer is found in Matt: 1: - 18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Luke 1: 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among awomen. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, aFear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name aJESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the aSon of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the bthrone of his father cDavid: 33 And he shall areign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no bend. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I aknow not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The aHoly Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the bSon of God. Luke 2 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and apondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the acircumcising of the child, his name was called bJESUS, which was so cnamed of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Bottom Line - Mary was conceived by the Holy Ghost

Kona0197- The more I read your threads, the conclusion I am coming to is that you are not happy in your present situation. If I am correct, then Have you ever put the God to the test? By that I mean - Obey and Keep his commandments and in so doing, he promises us we will prosper and have joy in our life. This of course, requires we be obediant, have faith, and trust God that he will do what he says. I can testify to you that he will bless you as he continually promises in the scriptures. Matt: 6 33 aBut bseek ye first the ckingdom of God, and his drighteousness; and all these ethings shall be fadded unto you. Mosiah 2 22 And behold, all that he arequires of you is to bkeep his commandments; and he has cpromised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth dvary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do ekeep his fcommandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Are you sure that is the wisest course of action to take, you can reason about doctrinal matters, but you do not get religion into your life until you feel something in your soul, until there has been a change made in your heart, until you become a “new creature of the Holy Ghost (2 Cor. 5:17). Thanks to God, every member of the Church has the opportunity to do this because, after baptism, every member of the Church obtains “the gift of the Holy Ghost” (D&C 33:15), which means that he then has the right to constant companionship of this member of the Godhead, based upon his personal righteousness and faithfulness. D&C 8: 2 Yea, behold, I will atell you in your mind and in your bheart, by the cHoly Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. 3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses abrought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. Hopefully you get the point.

Let's back the wagon train up a bit. The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. On February 27, 1833, as recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed which foods are good for us to eat and which substances are not good for the human body. He also promised health, protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who obey the Word of Wisdom. D:C 89 Sect. 1 A aWord OF Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion— 2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days— 3 Given for a principle with apromise, adapted to the capacity of the bweak and the weakest of all csaints, who are or can be called saints. 4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— It was later revised from a warning to be a commandment of the Lord. Of particuliar interest is the following portion of the 89 Section :“In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation …” (D&C 89:4.) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands committed unequivocally to the doctrine that tea, coffee, tobacco, and intoxicants are not good for man. True Latter-day Saints refrain from indulgence in tobacco and drink, either of stimulants or of intoxicants, and by example and precept, teach others to do the same. God has told us that in DC 1: 31 For I the Lord cannot look upon a sin with the least degree of allowance; The WofW is important enough to be viewed as a qualifier to obtan a Temple Recommend, which indicates its importance to God and the Church. Having stated the above: For those who want to continue to take the position that a cigarette or beer in moderation is okay, please explain how your position is not being disobediant to one of Gods commandments. No different than stealing, lying, cheating, being dishonest, etc.. President Faust indicated in one of his talks - When obedience becomes our goal, it is no longer an irritation; instead of a stumbling block, it becomes a building block. Obedience to the Word of Wisdom keeps us from addictions so we do not become slaves to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Our bodies will be healthy and our minds clear because the promise associated with this principle is that “all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones.” 7 An additional promise in this revelation says we “shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” 8 So by obedience we also gain knowledge. As the Savior said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” 9 Obedience brings peace in decision making. If we have firmly made up our minds to follow the commandments, we will not have to redecide which path to take when temptation comes our way. That is how obedience brings spiritual safety." While I apolgize for being so blunt, it would seem that those who choose to rationalize breaking this commandment or any other for that matter is simply fooling themselves. IMHO

First President Hinkley said it as well as anyone: " Let the Lord speak for Himself to you. The acquisition of understanding and enthusiasm for the Lord comes from following simple rules. One of those rules is to read the word of the Lord. But I promise you that if you will read the words of that writing which we call scripture, there will come into your heart an understanding and a warmth that will be pleasing to experience. Let the Lord speak for Himself to you, and His words will come with a quiet conviction that will make the words of His critics meaningless." The spirit will testify to you of the truthfulness, that is if you desire to seek the truth? Secondly, we believe that the BOM is another witness to Jesus Chris and therefore by reading it, one will also gain knowledge. Thirdly, we believe in the sanctity of the family as is a divinly inspired unit. We believe that we can by obediane to Gods commandments, we and our families can have the opportunity to be with each other in the Celestial Kingdom. Not just in this life, but forever.

What is the difference between The Rapture and Tribulation?

In my view, we should always keep in mind that we have Prophets/Apostles, who are led by the spirit of God. As such, they continually receive guidance and counseling. Many of these Prophets expound on different subjects and we are able to obtain latter day information and knowledge to help us. Elder Andersons essays portray the latter days as a negative time, and yet President Hinkley continued to portray these same times in a positive light. Both are correct and help us to live in today world as well as prepare us or what's ahead.

I wonder if Eve rationalized the same way, just before she ate the apple. Or I wonder how many alcoholics said the same thing, just before their first drink, or the meth user before his first hit of meth. One a day, sure sounds like a daily habit to me.:)

You logic could be applied to any commandment or dictate from God. We are to be obediant however to all of his commandments. Even the WofW as it is stands presently. Gods' commandments in fact are one size fits all. The problem I see with your view as stated is that you fail to understand that many evil or bad things for Gods people are fun, taste good, exciting, etc. but never the less, they still can be bad for man. Whether it be alcohol, drug, living on the edge, etc. Example: The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden and eating the forbidden fruit . As to alcohol, when a person is under the influence of alcohol, they in fact do things that they otherwise would not do. Children are conceived out of wedlock, driving while intoxicating, words are spoken that can never be taken back, etc.

Keep in mind that your wife is hurt and only time and Gods love can heal these wounds. My counsel would be to do walk uprightly and do the things that you know are right and true. Treat her lovingly and respectfully and let her have her space. I agree with previous advise that any literature etc. you give her will only make things worse. Eventually, I believe that she will be convinced by your actions that you truly are changed.

Ankh, remember the Lords love knows no boundaries. God will be overjoyed at the return of one of his prodigcal sons.