Justice

Members
  • Posts

    3480
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Justice's Achievements

  1. I believe there was not a first. If there was, then there would be an ultimate beginning. I believe this is the way "things" have always been. It certainly raises more questions than answers, but just because I can't understand something doesn't mean it's not true. It causes others to question terms like "Alpha and Omega" or "First and Last," or that God is without beginning of days or end of years. All things that we would need the mind of God to understand how He meant them. I believe you have to stick to basic foundational beliefs when you ponder things not revealed. If what you're supposing doesn't fit the basic foundations of our teachings then there must be another possibility.
  2. I don't have anything to contribute directly to the topic, but one of the off-topics. In the "Sermon on the Mount" delivered in 3 Nephi, we see Jesus speaking directly to the "twelve" disciples or Apostles, and then turning to the multitude and speaking. If you follow this pattern and compare it to the same sermon as delivered in the Bible, you can see that parts of it were directed specifically at the twelve, or leaders.
  3. There can be a "rest" in a song, but it doesn't mean the song is over, nor does it mean anything has "stopped" or shut down. It could be that He "rested" because the creation process was complete, and not because He was tired. He was possibly allowing creation to "take over" and begin to thrive on it's own, relinquishing dominion to man. He was pausing before entering a new step of His plan, like songs do so often before entering a different movement.
  4. I pondered over this lesson for quite a while before I taught it. You know, what can possibly be greater? Of all the things that man has imagined over the centuries that attempt to explain the destiny of man, what can be greater than what Joseph Smith taught? Can we imagine or teach anything more meaningful for man? I think many don't embrace it simply because it's beyond man's imagination to even conceive. In a strange way, it's one of the evidences that Joseph Smith was a prophet. On his own, man would never think to say, "You know, the final destiny of man is to be as God is." Considering what the current belief was in his day about who God was, it would have never enter man's mind to think man could possibly become that. Even today, people of other religions simply cannot believe this because of who or what they believe God is. Even we can see how ridiculous it is to imagine that we can ever become a triune being made up of three persons, yet only be one being, without physical body. I agree with them. We can never become that. This is the greatest restored teaching, in my opinion, and it must be accompanied by an understanding of who God really is... or it can't work.
  5. 2013 Edition Scriptures Is anyone else excited to dive in?
  6. What do you say? Do you know right from wrong? How did you learn it? Look inside yourself. How can any man know right from wrong if it were not a gift from God? The light of Christ, or the knowledge of good and evil, is given to every man born into mortality, not just to Adam and Eve. If God does not exist, then we know nothing. If God does not exist, then we cease to exist when we die, and this existence is meaningless. If God does not exist, then there is no hope; no love; no family. What do you say? Does God exist?
  7. The answer is found, not in how much God knows, but in whether He will interfere. If you think aboout it, it really doesn't matter how much He knows, but whether He will force any man along one path or the other. If we truly have agency, which is a fundamental principle of the restored gospel, then we are free. I learned a long time ago that God will not interfere with out agency. Consider this song: 1. Know this, that ev'ry soul is free To choose his life and what he'll be; For this eternal truth is giv'n: That God will force no man to heav'n. 2. He'll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind. 3. Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well The beasts may think of heav'n or hell. 4. May we no more our pow'rs abuse, But ways of truth and goodness choose; Our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek his perfect love.
  8. I found out about it by something Orson S. Card wrote. I don't know if you saw it but it was about the election, but more about why Mormons believe in the God of the Bible and modern Christianity does not. If you're interested I can find a link. It was just a short newspaper article, but I loved it.
  9. Awww. That means a lot... even if the thoughts weren't quite so nice (but I can't picture that coming from you). I don't know how I got by without my Kindle Fire HD my whole life. I can't believe that when I go to church all I have is this little "thing" and my notebook. My wife won it at work and knew I wanted one so she gave it to me for Christmas. She's so awesome!
  10. One option is to talk to your Stake President first and tell him your concerns about confidentiality for your kids. No matter what you decide, I wish you the best.
  11. Hi everyone! Long time no see. Has anyone read this book? And, if so, what do you think? How Greek Philosophy Corrupted the Christian Concept of God: Richard R. Hopkins: 9780882907826: Amazon.com: Books
  12. These companion scriptures will help answer your question: John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 1 John 2: 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
  13. Nope. Never linked the 2. I'm not sure it's the intent to link those, although I can't tell you what the intent is. I'll have to do some pondering. Thanks for bringing it up.
  14. PC, that was not the lie though. Genesis 1: 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Satan and God said the same things... before and after. The lie was in verse 4, that they wouldn't die. Genesis 2: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.