OneEternalSonata

The Father and the Son, A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I searched for articles that might help, but so far I'm not finding much. However, I did find one that may help. Mormon Woman on a Mission

A righteous life is requisite for attaining Godhood, yes, but I've never seen it been taught that mortality must be lived first. Quite the contrary, isn't the Holy Spirit a God who is yet to live on the earth? To me, eternal and everlasting are not specific to our "eternity". So, as I understand it, Heavenly Father didn't go through his mortal probation in our instance of eternity, but He has always been God in this instance. My mind hurts just trying to explain it(poorly), but I hope I've been at least a little helpful. (This is not official doctrine, as far as I know. It is my personal theory.)

No, as we believe the priesthood authority found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is required to make the "renewing of baptismal covenants" possible. Edit: Oops, replied just a little too late.

I'm active and my assigned home teachers don't call or visit. Perfect Church, imperfect people. (They let me in!) =D

If you come to know of the truthfulness of this Church and join it, you will open doors for your family to receive the blessings of the Gospel, as well. Like Unix and his parents, your family may in time see the positives, too. Its a difficult journey, that is true, however I've seen the Lord work on my family's hearts. My dad went from severely anti to kindly acceptance in four years. It required humbling on my part, and on his. We have more progress to make, yet this remarkable change is slow but steady. The Lord will help you, also! =)

My room has a framed copy of the Living Christ, a tile that says "Did you think to pray?", an lds print of Christ in Gethsemane, and two others of the Savior. My bookshelf is almost exclusively LDS books. Various scriptures, conference tapes, Mormon Doctrine, Talmage's books... etc. Don't even mention the church dvds floating around. I'd like to think it'd be pretty easy to tell I'm LDS. ^^

I haven't spoke with my new Bishop about it, yet. Where I lived a year ago, the Bishop didn't explain why I couldn't serve a mission very well. He was a good Bishop, just didn't have much experience with this kind of scenario. Medically, it is feasible.

I feel called to serve a mission. If there is a way I desire to know it. Am I clean? Yes. Do I have a testimony of my Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ? Absolutely. Just as I know Joseph to be a prophet because the truth of his calling is manifest by the revelation of the Spirit. The Lord has shown me time and again that I belong in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To leave it would be the utmost betrayal of my Heavenly Father, and my soul abhors the very thought. I am His. You might be wondering by now what is stopping me from serving a mission, since I feel this way. Well, I have always been told I'm "honorably excused" from serving in the field due to my disability. I ache to my very center that I might serve my God in this capacity. Should I be content with my lot? Do I need to just humble myself into acceptance? Or... press forward boldly, nobly until I've paved a path to this desire?

I cry almost every day. Could be singing hymns throughout the day might be to blame. I feel so joyful when the Spirit overflows my heart and tears are shed. Its such an intimate and gentle experience with my Heavenly Father.

Vort, what if Heavenly Father felt that was an appropriate time for you to cry?

Counseling is wonderful and effective for some, but it didn't help me overcome addiction. I'm not saying you shouldn't try it, especially since you have ADHD. However, I only overcame my addiction by remembering that my strength alone would not be sufficient. You've made a good step toward your goal to be free, and it is possible for healing through Jesus Christ. I was not valiant until I let Him teach me how to be. What an ongoing and difficult process, though! One day, I made the decision to read my scriptures every day and pray whenever I felt tempted. I have not broken this pattern, and have been clean ever since. Some moments are extremely trying still, but the knowledge that the Lord's valiance will cover my lack is a comfort and a refuge. For know am saved by grace, after all can do.

I believe the Law of Chasity is very personal, as people are aroused by different stimuli. If an activity causes someone to think or fantasize about either wholly inappropriate or extramarital affairs they should not engage in that activity. Personally, I feel anything more than a quick, moderate kiss should not happen between unmarried people. I always consider petting as beyond the boundaries for singles. That's my interpretation.

Yes, absolutely. “These constitute the Holy Trinity, comprising three physically separate and distinct individuals, who together constitute the presiding council of the heavens” (Jesus the Christ, p. 32) What makes them distinct? To me, Talmage wouldn't be redundant here by saying separate and distinct if their separation was all that made them so. In my opinion, being perfect in love, mercy, grace, etc. doesn't mean we will all express or use those attributes in exactly the same manner. =)

Much as an angel visited Alma the Younger while he was still railing against the church... Doesn't the Spirit speak to those in need of repentance to encourage them to do so? He may not dwell with them, but He does speak to them. I believe there is a difference between the Spirit working upon the unrighteous and dwelling with them.

Very glad to have you as part of our community here. =)

Isn't what Heavenly Father calls us more important than label warfare? Let's just let love abide here and be content in being His children, okay?

I'm stating that I call myself Christian because I believe Jesus is my Savior. I think anyone who believes such is, also. As for his teachings there are too many for me to list... but let me sum it up. I believe Jesus Christ suffered, died on the cross, and rose again. He fulfilled the high law of love. His paramount teachings, to love God and others as ourselves, are all bound in that. Every teaching of Christ rests on this.

You agreed in your first post to Elder Wirthlin's given dictionary definition of a Christian. Therefore, in at least two points we agree. We both fundamentally center our lives on Christ. We have faith in him, we love Him, we pray to Him, we want to return to him, and we know we need his atonement. There are some differences, yes, but in our common ground we can be Christians. If Christ is not the most fundamental part of our faiths, what is? “We should not assume; however, that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable.” ~Neal A. Maxwell

Aren't we all short of exercising the "full gospel" in our lives? I believe in the Savior, that he was resurrected, and that he lives. All of the gospel has a fullness in Him. My journey to 'come unto him' will not be done until I am in his presence. I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is perfect because I believe God has authorized it alone to house all blessings of the Gospel. Do I think that He doesn't teach or lead people in other churches? No. Heavenly Father has to 'dumb down' the Gospel for everyone. He teaches us where we are in our progression. Thus, I believe that any who seek Christ are farther along in that journey than someone who doesn't. People live in varying degrees of harmony with the Gospel, yet even those who live in even the smallest degree are Christian. In or out of the Church.

Thanks! Will do!

There were Saints from many countries in those prayer meetings. The incident you are quoting did not say what the language was, simply that it was translated. While I'm not refuting your theory, can it be said whether the language spoken was earthly or celestial? No, therefore that incident fails to prove or disprove in this argument.

I am the only member in my family. When I joined the Church I received unkind comments and was shunned by my father. It was a very painful experience, but I never regretted it. Through my own growth and the softening worked upon my father's heart by the Lord, he now accepts my choice and no longer views me as following after the devil. He even considers the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a good church now because he has seen it working in my life and sincerely tries to understand. Heavenly Father will bless us when we are faithful and trust in the promises he made with us at baptism. After all, we can only change our heart through the Holy Spirit, and the more Christike you live the more opportunity to have the Spirit in your life there is. That equates to giving your family another avenue to the Spirit through you whereby their hearts can be changed.

I was asked if I ever spoke in tongues... and I became curious. How do other churches view this gift? How is it defined in other faiths? Any feedback, especially from non-members, would be appreciated.

Thanks to all who have responded! =) tubaloth & annamaureen~ Very true. Satan clamors after us when we turn away from sin. I notice that his efforts have increased. I've found that when I start feeling tempted if I think to myself "The Lord's valiance is with you. Whatever you lack He will compensate for." the temptation loses its hold on me. I now consistently read and study the scriptures every day, first thing after my morning prayer. It has made all the difference. Its easier to hold to the rod if I start the day doing so, and the mists of temptation cannot deter me.