

Justice
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Everything posted by Justice
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WEIGHING, MEASURING, AND JUDGMENT by Dianne E. Wirth
Justice replied to Hemidakota's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing. I've never placed exactly why the currency was detailed out in the Book of Mormon. It makes sense. -
People always fear what they don't understand. Many of them believe they are doing the right thing, as did Saul before he became Paul. But, I suppose there are some like the Scribes and Pharisees that do it with some understanding that this is the true Church.
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San Diego.
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The Formality of Deity - What is God like?
Justice replied to puf_the_majic_dragon's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
I hear General Authorities tell jokes in General Conference all the time, in good taste and in good manner. I would think whether or not you felt comfortable joking around with someone is determined by how well you know them. Something to think about, if indeed President Kimball was overheard telling jokes with Him. I've always believed God has a sense of humor. However, I have too many things to discuss with Him, and don't spend enough time doing it, to spend my time with Him telling jokes that He has no doubt heard already. :) -
You beat me to it! This is the great companion scripture to the one in Moses. She should definately include this in her talk.
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Joseph Smith said it therefore it's good enough for me. Whether there is good in other churches is an entirely different issue than which version of the Bible they use. To be honest, I am like some who have posted here. I really do believe some things are lost in the newer more modern translations. And, I do see where the changes can lead you to believe the verses actually mean something different. Without the comeplte understanding of having a prophet and all of its implications, it is difficult to understand my view, I guess.
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"Better" is the whole dilemma here. Why is one translation better than another? Is it because it makes it easier to understand what was originally meant? If one is seeking to really understand what the Bible is saying he must turn to God for wisdom and enlightenment. If a man does that, does it really matter what translation he uses? Joseph Smith made a translation of the KJV from revelation, not from any understanding of languages he may have had. This is what we must do. We must rely on the spirit to help us understand. There have been many times in my life where I was reading the Bible and all the sudden the words seemed to jump off the page, and though I read those words hundreds of times in the past, they made sense for the first time. This is the spirit of enlightenment. Elder Bednar explained it to me like this: There are Gospel truths that are "caught and not taught." Joseph Smith said it was the best English translation at the time, so the Church used it. The truth can be had from the KJV, because God will reveal amswers to those that diligently seek them. The exact wording doesn't really matter. The problem with using a different translation, which some claim is "better," is what do they mean by better? Something has to be different about it to be "better." Joseph Smith took many of the most confusing parts and re-translated them into English the way they were supposed to be. With the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, we have enough. The problem isn't "Is there a better translation?" but "Do we read and pray about the scriptures often enough?" Because if we do then the KJV is perfectly understandable. But, to change the wording of the Bible because it is "better," you have to ask "What did it change in order to become better?" Were those changes inspiried? Does the new wording get closer to the truth or farther away? The KJV is just fine for anyone who relys on God for their understanding, and we have Joseph Smith's corrected portions as a further help.
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Part of the Atonement is that sin and death are defeated. If Christ were not allowed the fulness of everything that pertains to that victory, then where is the victory? Christ's reward is endless and eternal. He is greater than all but the Father. He will sit in His throne in the Celestial Kingdom, being worshipped and praised by all who are there, because it is only by His actions that they are there. Without Him it wouldn't matter if anyone was good or evil. Justice has no claim on Christ because He was sinless and perfect. This is why He was the Only One who could Atone for mankind.
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I have simplified charity to a point I can understand it. I used a familiar formula to break it down to simple terms. You are all familiar with this: Belief + Works = Faith Now, there might be more to it, but that is the simplest way to understand faith. I have altered it a bit to understand Charity. Love + Works = Charity I believe the most important things in the Gospel can be understood by adding works or service to them. Humility + Works = Meekness That we take action to love and serve is always the rest of the formula.
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Amazing what music can do, good and bad. Thanks for sharing.
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One time when I was serving in a certain calling, one of the members of our Ward was disfellowshipped for something he admitted he did. Part of his punishment was that he was not allowed to pay tithing. When I heard the judgment given I was very surprised. After a couple years went by, he was restored to full fellowship. I asked him what the hardest part was of being disfellowshipped. He said not being able to pay tithing. I mean no disrespect to any other church, but I can't help but wonder how many other churches would do such a thing? (rhetorical)
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We can't forget about our pre-mortal existence. Prophets have said that those who strived to learn more and grow there have all the adevantage here.
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The reason the Bishop sent him to the Stake President is because if there is to be any action against a Melkizedek Priesthood holder, it is the Stake President who presides, not the Bishop. If I were your friend I would take his Stake President at his word concerning his level of repentance. If you follow the direction of a Priesthood holder with keys who presides over you, you are in a unique win/win situation. The only way you can go wrong is to not take his counsel. Because if you do, and it is wrong, he is the one who is wrong, not you. Oops, I didn't see MarginOfError's post. Oh well, in the mouth of two witnesses... :)
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I can't speak for others, but the reason I try to explain things with love is because people are more apt to read what I say. 10 years from now no one will remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
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I was trying to be more diplomatic. :) Maybe it's a fault.
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I'm very sorry about mentioning that with no explanation. I forget sometimes that some who don't understand read these forums. We don't talk about it much because it's sacred to us. I think what has been said so far is enough to tell you what it is. However, if you still have specific questions, ask and we'll do our best to answer.
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Are there sins that baptism can't wash away?
Justice replied to seeker's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
Well, that one commits murder isn't the idea, necessarily. Murder can be forgiven through honest repentance, as you have indicated. It is speaking more of the murder of the innocent, meaning Jesus Christ. It is when you openly crucify Jesus afresh and wish that He and His efforts would fail, and you actively seek to destroy His Church, knowing, like Nehor, that it is true. You become His enemy, and there is no forgiveness for you according to the Law of Justice. It makes no sense to me how someone could do this, but it's clear some will. -
I agree more with hordak, not that you are totally wrong Truthseeker. I have read much about this on the Church web site. There is actually quite a bit about this topic by early prophets and others. As hard to believe as it is, it is actually some combination of what you both say. It literally is speaking about the marrying outside of the covenant. Some early Church leaders speculate how these giants, like Goliath's family, were formed. Some say it could indeed be by someone other than mortal men, as their fathers. What is clear is that these others had to have physical bodies, ruling out that they were ticketed to be born on this earth, knowing Christ was the first to be resurrected. Who they may have been is speculation. But, every road leads down "out of the covenant" one way or another. It does raise a lot of questions. I hope no one gets stuck on this and doubts their testimony.
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One teaching of Christ's in the New Testament might offer some "light" on this discussion (pardon the pun). Matt. 5: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Interesting in its implications... and considering Christ's good works... Also, for more interesting reading, go to the Church's site (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and go to the web edition scriptures. Search for "light shine" without quotes. Read the several scriptures that come up. Very interesting.
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The short answer is that only marriage through proper authority can yield eternal results. Only one who God authorizes can seal for time and eternity. All other marriages are "till death do you part." When Christ said there is no giving in marriage in heaven He meant it is an earthly ordinance, like all ordinances, and must be done here. It does not mean people will not be married, just that marriages won't take place there. They would have already had to take place here. That's why we perform them by proxy for those who did not have the chance. My best advice for you is to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. The marriage issue is really a basic part of Church belief. You must know the Book of Mormon is true before you can believe the rest.
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Are there sins that baptism can't wash away?
Justice replied to seeker's topic in LDS Gospel Discussion
I have studied this for many, many years... and the conclusion I have drawn is that the Atonement is infinite and eternal, and as long as you repent, any sin can be forgiven. If there is a sin that is repented of that cannot be covered then it is not infinite and eternal. A prerequisite for committing an unpardonable sin is that it implies it is not repented of. In the case of committing "the" unpardonable sin we can assume the person did not repent of it, whatever you believe the specifics of that sin to be. -
Yes, HiJolly, I think people of today are much like the people of Ammonihah. After Alma made Nephihah chief judge so he could devote his time to set the church in order, he went from town to town preaching and calling the people to repentance. In Ammonihah, Alma said something of the people that reminds me so much of religions today. When Alma entered the city the people knew who he was and threw him out of the city claiming not to believe in the "foolish traditions" of the church. The Lord told him to go back to the city and preach repentance. He went around to the south entrance of the city and tried again, where he me Amulek. The people started to argue and contend with him over doctrinal issues and they called on and paid the lawyers, who were wise in the ways of the people, to trap Alma in his words. Alma 9: 3: Now they understood not the words which they spake..." This is a very interesting comment. Many people of different churches today fall in this same category. Often we have conversations with people about points of doctrine and they use the same words we use when we teach, but they understand them very differently. For instance: We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. How many different beliefs are there in this, the most simple and basic claim of Christianity? What about: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. It's amazing how many different people all claim to believe these words yet understand them so differently. Here is perhaps the most widely misunderstood statement: We are saved by grace. So, Alma's words ring true today as well, and since the Book of Mormon was written for our day, it makes sense. On a side note, I have recently changed the way I teach those who say, "all we have to do to be saved is believe in Jesus Christ." I used to say that wasn't true, and try to teach how we must also keep His commandments. But, I recently realized that you cannot claim to believe in Jesus Christ and not at least try to keep His commandments. John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Christ answered a direct question about what the greatest commandment was by saying that thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, and strength, and that the second was like unto it, that thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. John 14: 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 15: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 13: 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Very powerful teaching from the Master Himself. To make it even more clear, someone even questioned Christ what He meant by "neighbor." He responded with a story called the Good Samaritan. Interestingly enough, this story does not answer the question with a simple "everyone," it answers it by showing that we can treat everyone with love, even our enemies.
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Very good observation about why Jesus might have said that. I always understood that He said it because they didn't even know His name, nor did they really obey His voice very often. But, it seems much more clear and in line with what He was trying to teach them when you also understand your comments. Thank you.
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Heb. 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We're always told that this scripture is one of the best definitions of faith that we have. But, at first glance it looks like faith is something we hope for and evidence of faith is not seen. This scripture couldn't be farther from that. faith is the substance of things hoped for Faith is... or the definiton of faith will follow. the substance... or what makes it up, or what we can see to know when faith is present. of things hope for... the things we hope for, what we dream of and work toward. It is saying that faith is substance; it's real; tangible. Faith isn't something we hope for. Faith is the result of hope in Christ. When we learn of Christ we learn of our fallen state because of sin and disobedience. We realize what that has done to our standing with our Father in Heaven. When we learn what Christ did for us, and what is possible because of Him, we have hope that we can be saved and return to live with our Father in Heaven. Without this hope, there is no reason for faith that follows. All things become meaningless and pointless without Christ and the hope He brings. Yes, there is no hope without Christ. But, because of Christ, we can hope for everlasting life. This hope drives anything and everything we do in the Gospel.
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Jesus claimed to be the God of the Old Testament, this is why the people of His day tried to kill Him over and over. Exodus 3: 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Interestingly enough, I Am is literally translated from Jehova. This is the name Moses took back to the Hebrews who did not know God's name. Jesus answers a question in the New Testament this way: John 8: 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: The Jews knew exactly what Christ was claiming, to be the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or that He was Jehova. This is why they took up stones to kill Him. If they understood it any other way they would not have tried to stone Him.