Islander

I find, on the average, gnostic arguments quite bland. My theory is that some folk just do not want to bother with God. It interferes with whatever it is they are doing. One of the best evidence of God is order and purpose in design. I think it is actually quite difficult to prove the contrary. We have been peering into space for 10,000 years and have seen nothing that resembles intelligence out there. The first radio waves were sent in the 40's and recently photo-coded (fiber optic emitted) signaling was sent just a few years ago. Such signals have already traveled billions of light years from earth and no response yet from the other side. Statistically speaking, the chance that earth and the inhabitants thereof are "just an anomaly" of this vast universe is ZERO. There is in fact no evidence of greater complexity or better design than the eco-system we inhabit. Of course, the above will not convinced those that refuse to be confused by the facts. They already made up their minds.

Thank you Wanderer.

Fiannan - that is precisely my point. We place so much emphasis in physical fitness that we forget about the realities of life. I have a friend that is the most amazing girl (of course second to my wife) and she is already 37 and no mate. She said that from age 29 to 34 she had, looking back, very good prospects although they were a few years older. Today she has no prospects at all. Of course, we are not talking about a blob of lard for a prospect. But by far it would not matter much if he or she had a few pounds extra here and there. It is quite sad, I'd say.

That is quite interesting. It points, perhaps, to your desire to live your life unencumbered by the Gospel. I would caution you because it seems like a dangerous strategy my brother. Acknowledgment of the truth but failing to act on it can be interpreted as rebellion. It is not in my nature to judge or criticize but I must warn my neighbor. I feel sad, I must say. I came ten thousand miles to find the Gospel which was given to you from the crib and you have reject it. I wonder.

Grandma' just to say" taste...that is why we have flowers and ice cream..." You may chose anyone you like, or hope and wait for someone to your liking. Now, life experience and reality will change your mind like nothing else. The fact is that some of my single sister friends that past that threshold would not care much for race or physical attributes as long as they could marry a solid priesthood holder. Remember, even when we try our hardest we can not maintain the "Abs of Steel" physique you speak of. If physical attribute were the only things that matter in such magnitude I would make a case for euthanizing ALL above 40. Just a thought, of course.

The problem with genetics is that we are left with a bag full of conjecture and theory as to bio-type for early Semites. If they were desert dwellers, as we suspect, it is a fairly good assumption that they were darker than the typical Europeans. The diaspora Jews that later returned to Palestine had been intermarrying for 2000 years thus the physical differences. There are also Jews in north Africa, Turkey, Egypt and even Persia. And they do not look very European. Beyond that, it does not matter what color Jesus was. God is in charge and he does whatever he sees fit as to the work that needs to be done and by whom. FYI, there were black roman soldiers and commanders in the legions and even at the head of the empire. Skin color in the ancient world did not have the connotation and social divide it currently carries. Revisionism is the name of the game.

I guess we are all right in the general sense. The issues involved are quite complex. When we are very young (say 18-26) looks and apparent level of activity matter very much. As time goes by and we mature in the faith we are presented with the realities and complexity of life, and substance becomes more important. Most single sisters at age 26 and over will not care that much if a prospect is 34-35 as long as he is a solid, faithful priesthood holder, able and willing to provide a strong foundation to make a family and a home. in such cases I think long range vision and the realities of life plays a more important role. Do not forget that it works both ways. Younger sisters (18-25) on the average "look" more appealing tom some that those that have crossed that threshold. Genetic selection at its best, I think.

Convert since 1998. What a ride!! I traveled a few thousand miles from the Caribbean to join the Saints in America.

Leeanntheone1 We wish you good luck. You have, truly, nothing new to add to the plethora of arguments put forth by former members in 170 years. We have heard them before. I personally visited 40 plus congregations in 7 years. So, I think I had ample time to "browse" the "Christian" garden variety religions. If God does not add to his word Genesis chapter one would be the Whole bible.

I did not intend to say ALL Jews were not observant. I said most because that is what a survey from the Knesset in 1998 on the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel showed. Synagogue attendance and the like were featured in the survey. I also said that many were quite serious about their religion. The point I tried to illustrate was that being a Jew is part of self-identity and not just religious observance. There are millions who are quite observant. That has never been in question.

I hope this time of uncertainty and doubt will pass that you will soon feel in your hear the love and care of your Heavenly Father. Even when we are not aware, it is when we are weak that enemy seize a corner of our minds and whispers constantly why we should walk away from under the protective shelter of the Savior and His Gospel. Please, remember we wage war with God's sworn enemy constantly and the battle field is our minds. It is thru influence and seduction that satan tries to lead us away from God. This is a time to reflect on what you do everyday, who your friends are, what kind of activities you are engaged in with them and alone. What kind of thoughts occupy your mind? If you falter at this point, walk away from the truth just because you are not able to understand it at this time; it would be the equivalent of you stepping off the roof of a ten story building because you have failed to grasp the fine points of physics and the law of gravity. How you feel and even what you think today hads no bearing on the fact that God is true, that He loves you, that the Gospel is true and that Joseph was the instrument of restoring God's truths in the later days. Your task is to endure to the end, engage in service with the desire to serve your Savior, strive to be faithful and obedient to all the commandments and to serve the Saints here and those across teh veil. I promise you the Spirit will kindle a fire in your heart like a storm and you will look at this low points in your life like an insightful time in your history that proved to be a pivotal moment for you. It would have given you experience.

It is interesting but most Jews today are secular or non-observant Jews, even in Israel. Many stores and businesses remain open on the Sabbath and in general if they would live outside of Israel there may be nothing to distinguish them from the rest of us "gentiles". That is not to say that there a also many that are very serious about their religion. In that context, tt is an element of self-identification like saying "I am Irish or Italian or French-Canadian" when we refer to our ancestry and origins. I think most people are driven to seek self-identification. this is just an example.

After reading D&C in regards to the WoW you should consult your priesthood leader in the Ward and discuss it with him These are very important issues to be left to "personal interpretation." That view, in my opinion, is like quick sand.

Let's not forget that physical imperfections, deformities and the like are part of the "human" element of the equation. Most of the birth defects have a probable etiology or origin/cause but the correlation is not 100%. Exe: vitamin deficiencies are believed to be responsible for certain birth defects. But that is not always true within the same household (several sisters pregnant in the same household with identical food sources) and we have no clue why. The genome jigsaw puzzle is quite complex. We can speculate but that is far from fact. So, ultimately obeying the word of God is the sure way to His kingdom regardless of what our bodies look like.

I think we have slipped away from the original issue on the post. The Church as guided by revelation and the word and commandment of God has ONE position in regards to the practice of homosexuality. We all have the right to have a personal opinion on the issue. But that right does not extend to debating the issue inside the Church or with anyone who desires to do so. For us it should be a settled issue. Now, because I count myself as a member of society I have the right to voice my opinion in terms of what and how my country runs. The rights of others end where mine begin. Adults have the right to do as they please but not to impose by legal or legislative means their will and values on others. Sexual behavior has hundreds of "variances" and it is interesting that ONLY homosexuality is NOT considered a disorder or curtailed by the law. There are legal ways to ensure basic rights for anyone without trampling on the values and principles that others hold dear. Let's not forget that the very constitution, also quoted so often as the point of authority, mentions from whom those rights are derived. We are just trying to follow everything else the Creator said in the rest of the texts available. I hope the above makes sense without hurting anyone.