bmy-

I think a much simpler way of saying what you were saying was summed up by CS Lewis. He said that.. Which is great and pretty much spot on for the definition of omnipotence that we are dealing with. I guess.. the better question here is.. could God create everything we see ex nihilo? If he could not.. that is hardly omnipotence. If he could.. then how does one go about creating oneself? (He is after all.. made of matter)

It has been. Check Hemis posts.

What was Jesus, then? Was he not flesh and bone.. and not God also in mainstream Christian theology? Why then did Christs physical body ascend with him into Heaven? We believe that all spirit is matter. A common example.. have you ever played a game like the Sims or Spore? I'm in charge of that world.. I know (or can know) everything that is going on in it. Heck, I created it. Well, Christ Himself ascended into Heaven with a physical body and was seated at the right hand of his Father. That just shows that a God can inhabit a physical body, unless you believe there is some extraction process for the spirit to be removed.

Oh, I completely understand my friend. I'm in the same exact boat minus the dating issues and the residency. The road may be bumpy and rough.. but you're better for it. Knowledge is power. The fact that you're trying to find some reason to believe really makes me sympathize with you.. because I'm there also. I don't regret it.. because I do not believe that a loving God would punish one for earnestly seeking the truth. The road less travelled type deal.

Except the trait of all-knowing would be omniscience and not omnipotence. I don't think people fully grasp what omnipotence is.. the common definition is to being able to do anything one chooses to do. Yes, that's right.. being able to do anything.

Exactly.

Should check out Snows thread about this very topic. What is wrong with looking at discrepancies? I think you should probably worry more about other peoples religions, but just slightly.. a little effort perhaps. I mean.. if you don't.. how can you be sure? Feelings can't count obviously.. because every religion claims to "feel" it also. Try doing some homework and maybe it won't bug you so much :)

It has everything to do with it. There's an incredibly large difference between matching your skills against another person (or bookie) and coming away victorious.. and betting on whether or not a coin lands on heads or tails. Slots, roulette, etc. That's gambling (and there is a time, place, and attitude for it to be acceptable). Poker, sports betting, etc. are skill based and those who profit from them profit for a reason.. and it's not luck. It all boils down to (imo) using skills to earn money vs betting on a coin toss. When research, effort, practice, and dedication come into play.. it's sport or work.. and not gambling. I don't really see anything wrong with gambling to begin with, though. Never seen a good argument against it.

Things like poker, forex, sports betting, stocks.. they all take skill and hard work.

Sounds absolutely ridiculous.

Calvinist doctrine? Unfortunately that takes a giant dump on the concept of free will. It's fine to believe -- go for it. But to bring it as scripture to an LDS based forum seems silly. Of course, you had no choice in the matter I'm chained in to responding to you also.

Why must God be omnipotent? It complicates things IMO. If God is still experiencing new things.. that is new knowledge. An omnipotent being cannot learn and still be omnipotent. For example: Does God know what it is like to have more glory than he does now?

It went from moderation -> abstinence. It took quite a while too.

I struggle with the same thing. Sometimes I ask "why bother"? The end result would play out the same if this religion is really true -- every single time. You can ease their suffering. That's the only consolation I can offer you.

I frankly don't believe God really cares what you think you know.. he is absolutely only interested in what you do. I can think all the good thoughts in the world but they mean precisely nothing. Actions speak louder than words and far louder than useless thoughts. I hate admitting it too. Cause I'm all about thoughts.

I'm a bit confused to where the issue is here.. Kolob is a star, not a planet. There are a ton of things you did not learn about in institute, etc. The reasoning behind that.. besides the 'milk before meat' idea.. is that people cannot teach what they do not understand. If we aren't certain.. it should not be presented as true in a classroom setting. Unfortunately we miss out on lots of great discussions and topics that can really help people out sometimes.. (and also mess them up) I personally suggest that you question away. Dig and dig and dig.. it will either reaffirm your belief or destroy it. If it's true it should stand the test. If you do take my advice.. make sure you dig in the right places and to dig evenly (fairly). I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

There's a catch... it doesn't say when. So when nothing happens.. people can simply say "well you obviously didn't wait long enough". I felt absolutely nothing, I left it to chance. Unfortunately.. that leads to doubt down the road sometimes. Healthy doubt though.

Hah. If anything.. in todays world.. I would assume it is the opposite. Although sexual oppression in the past could lend that idea some credence. The oppressed tend to turn to religion, don't they?

I think the portrayal of Satan in Paradise Lost is probably the most 'accurate'. It should be mandatory reading. I have to say.. if what we believe is true.. I think Milton was inspired.

Why no ring ceremony? That seems a bit odd. You already have to wait a year after entering a civil marriage in order to go the temple.. Just seems like an oddity.

God cannot do whatever he wants to do.. he obeys the same laws of physics that we do. As an example.. he cannot create something out of nothing.

I informed my parents about my decision but did not invite them to my ceremony. It was a mistake. I just did not want any needless drama.

Not at first and only if my wife was truly okay with having a sister-wife. I would not jump at the chance so to speak. I do think that once a woman was accustomed to it.. it would be fairly nice. Half the house work, half the responsibility, double the free time.. and you always have a sister to lean on even when the husband is away with work.

Taking jabs is what I do. It's usually to steer the conversation in a direction that interests me though.. but since you asked so nicely.. I believe that a loving God would not condemn his children for flunking an insignificant math test. Instead he would see it as just another teaching opportunity.. which fits nicely in with my belief that we are here to learn. After all.. what are tests useful for if not to determine how ready we are for the next "grade"..? Tests are not meant to be pass/fail. Think of it more as data mining.

Where.. in their doctrine does it say that if people die without knowledge of Jesus that they go to Heaven? I'm fairly sure the normal evangelical response is that "We do not know. However, we'll trust God to be just and kind."