Jason

Traveler, I'm not following you. Are you providing me evidence, or asking me to look for it?

It seems an alien force has invaded Snow's body and taken it hostage. Let us all pray for his quick release.

Is it not likewise "selfish and wrong" to artificially extend one's life beyond the normal lifespan?

Oh but you should. I look rather handsome. B)

Much better guys...now I can go outside and do my sky-clad witch dance.

Oh come on A-Train....can't you even find a teeny-weeny "anti-christ" or something?

Seems I'm bearing the brunt of the storm this weekend. Did everyone get a memo to attack my person, rather than my questions?

Words are only scripture that are canonized. Mormon apologists, BYU professors, and General Authorities may sometimes say that all good words inspired by the Holy Ghost are scripture, but when someone quotes something as Mormon doctrine that is not in the Standard Works, it's immediately denied because it's not "scripture". You can't have it both ways. It's either in, or it's out.

As an Apostle, he taught what he believed was the truth. I don't always agree with Paul, but it is what it is. Perhaps now you can see why I don't place 100% on anyone's teachings. Nobody is always right. GBH ranks pretty low on the Mormon Prophet scale IMO. You won't see any of his words ever included in your Standard Works. That should be telling, methinks. I'm not trying to be "lofty". I just hate ignorant beliefs. When I can do something about it, I will. That's what I do. That's precisely what I'm doing. Really? And you know this how? Please don't make exceptions anymore. So now your the expert at moderation too? I can be based on one's best reason. Faith need not be illogical as so many pretend. Not all of it is false. You don't have to struggle, because if Mormonism is working for you overall, then there is no need to look elsewhere. Question, doubt, but don't desert if you don't have to. But you forget that Jesus reasoned with the Jews of his day as to why he was breaking "commandments". When reason failed, he just left them and went elsewhere.

That's rather like asking someone "What's the point of education?" I'm not bashing your theology. Much of it is actually pretty good. The "stupidity" comment is directed towards things like Book of Mormon archeology, historicity; the entire Book of Abraham deal; the Temple Ceremony being derived from Solomon, or Adam, or whatever, etc. Not if you include in my Universalism the law of Karma and reincarnation. I never said we would be all saved in one life time alone.

Josie, I think there is a growing consensus on Message Boards that linking an entire website is a no-no. Cut and paste a few things you think are relevent if you wish, but don't just post a link hoping the rest of us will spend a few hours or even days reading it over. Thanks.

If "casting doubt" as you call it throws the rays of the light of reason on someone, how can that be bad? I don't care what you believe, but do so intelligently and with the understanding that it is logical not to believe in Mormonism. If you can do that, you have my respect (as do some posters here). It's these wet behind the ears, fresh from the latest "especially for youth" rally that bother me. They're so woefully ignorant that I'm beside myself on how best to deal with them. Most times...I just ignore 'em. Today was not one of those days.

Apparently you don't understand me. Well you're very new here, so let me fill you in. I'm a Universalist. That means that I believe that everyone will be saved/exalted. It doesn't matter what your religion is, everyone goes to the Celestial Kingdom. I may be trying to save Mormons from their willful stupidity, but whatever you believe, we'll all end up in exactly the same place. JS had a "wide stance" too? Hope not!

Yeah, most of my questions are rhetorical. That said, I don't like people putting forth "answers" that have no defense outside of a "feeling," and then when these same "answers" are refuted with textual information, being told that I'm of the devil. That chaps my hide.

Actually, das' reply was pathetic. It completely ignores the subject and goes straight for the warm fuzzy testimoany. There is a lot more to communication than what he's offering. I'm not degrading him. I didn't address him. I addressed his post. I hope he can do better. At least he has you for a cheerleader. Maybe you can help motivate him? Do you have pom-pom's? I guess you believe that Paul is wrong? Just say so and stop toying around. You know you are right, but you can't defend yourself? That's interesting. As for your accusation that I am arguing ad hominem, I suggest that you review what I actually said, and not what you read into the words written. I in fact made no personal attack. What I did say was to criticize the qualilty of a post. Here, let me restate what I said, in case you didn't actually read it: "das the quality of your posts is rather dismal." I did not say" das, you are dismal.". I then asked a question: "is this yet another one of your "inthenameofjesuschristamen." episodes?" Trying to determine if he is interested in actual biblical exegesis, or if he's just going to bear his testimony every time we ask him a question. Does that help in any way clarify my intentions? ------------------ Artillery? I haven't even thrown a spit-wad your direction (yet). Great. But you do realize that "dialogue" requires more than a testimony, right? Debatable. "Friends of the adversary"? Are you serious? You're already reduced to implying that anyone who disagrees with your private view of Mormon theology is demonic? Where is Snow when we need him?

I'm a bit fuzzy on Qumran. Which scroll talks about the temple ceremonies as currently used, the garments with ninety degree angles, two white bearded gods creating the world with the archangel Michael, etc, etc.

das the quality of your posts is rather dismal. Was this post an actual attempt to address the words of St. Paul, or is this yet another one of your "inthenameofjesuschristamen." episodes?

Actually I answered your post tit for tat. I suggest you actually bring some text forward and show us some parallel to what you're claiming, otherwise it's ridiculous to make this claim.

Maybe you should read what else St. Paul said in 1 Cor.: "I would that all men were even as myself; but every one hath his proper gift from God .... But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they so continue, even as I." Apparently one can be an Apostle, and destined for exaltation, and not be married. He also said: "But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of this world how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you, but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord without impediment." (1 Corinthians 7:7-8 and 32-35)

Let me add: Mt. St Helen's, the Continental Divide, YouTube and silk neck ties to that list.

Methinks this deserves today's "TRUE BLUE MORMON" award! Congratulations poster!

.....(crickets chirping)......

Nobody here is "waiting for opportunities" to insult Mormon doctrine. We're all grown ups (mostly), who are willing to discuss and cast the light of reason upon all things Mormon. You're more than welcome to share your beliefs, all "inthenameofjesuschristamen", but don't expect us to get a warm fuzzy when you do.

Why is it that Mormons seemingly always compare "traditional Christianity" with Protestantism? Considering that 66% of the worlds Christians are not Protestant, that just baffles me. There are approximately 1.4 billion Apostolic Christians in the world. (Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans and Old Catholics) Source Another Source Contrast that with the number of Protestants world wide at 700 Million (this includes Mormons), and you get my drift. Traditional Christians are Apostolic Christians. Non-traditional Christians are Protestants and, well, Mormons. Traditionally, Christianity accepted "further light and knowledge" via the Saints and their inspired writings. Just because we live in a country founded by Protestants and still 50% Protestant, does not make the whole Protestant world "traditional Christianity". /rant.

I might argue that it was, at least in part, his sexually "lewd behavior" (to borrow a term applied to Sen. Craig) that led to his death. To be fair, there was no foot tapping on outhouse doors though.