Elrond

maybe they should buy it then. Every church pastor who has been there has to pass an offering plate just to pay the bills, then after a few months they go belly up......

I am just a little nobody whose Mom worked on nuclear stuf in the 50s, and my Grandma and Aunt knew the Kennedies and my cousin worked for Ollie and Arnold.... Been to the silly lobster bakes with Kenedies, been to Cape Cod with my Aunts politician boyfriend before he died.... As far as I'm concerned these leaders are no different from us. Actually at times I found them idiots. I have spoken to Nikita Kruschevs son (Sregea) on the phone for an interview because I did an essay on the Cuban missile crisis in my humanities class. Big deal. Ok, I got 104% and was top of my class. They are all just people. Rulers or leaders... whatever. they are people like me and you. No big deal. God is the big deal. It's no big deal if I talk to the North Korean or Iranian president. They are just people. They have hearts and minds like we do. They are not gods.

Huh? can we not just make friends and avoid conflicts? Actually if my messages last night inspired peace in the hearts of leaders, what has my wife leaving to motel have to do with it. I miss her, I miss my sons. And maybe we will all see another year or so of peace because of it.

Wow. Right on. I used to do that you know... And I used to tell people exactly what you just told me. What happened? Never mind..... I'm too busy... that's it isn't it? Love your avatar by the way.......

Proffesor Barry Fell, America BC. Read., Also just go to the places and see the things that are extremely similar to what is in Europe.

My wife split late last night with our two kids. I found her at the motel 18 miles away which is where I figured she would go. She won't talk to me. My 3 year old tried to unlock the door but my wife stopped him. Please pray for my family. Actually it is so cold here I have been burning 2 wood stoves and an electric heater for 3 hours and it still isn't warm. Maybe this whole thing is to protect my kids from getting sick.... One is only 5 months old....

I just wrote the Iranian and North Korean gov. It was wird because I had to shift gears when I went to the NK message beacause of the Christmas messagew. I actually talked about the TV show mash and how sometimes they befriended the NK "enemy". Bothn messages were heavby and only about peace. Was I wrong? My wife is mad..... I just wrote Iran and North Korea as friends and talked about poeace. Am I bad?

I cannot argue. AMEN....

your "tone" is fine. I like Canada. Alberta is an expanse, I know it. I may only be 47 but I feel 147. I work and I am sore and I am tired. My wife is 36 and she says she fels like a 90 year old lady. We push, we work and we are smashed, and I don't mean smashed in alcohol! We are physically smashed and run into the ground because we are trying desperately to complete our house building, on top of that cut firewood and work the grounds.... 4 years ago I was on a christian form that had a section for "mormonism" This one poor girl was under attack and I came to her aid, defending her and rebuking those foul judgers. She was single at the time and is now married and has a beautiful 18 month old child. We still correspond as friends 3 or 4 times a year. I was so disgusted at what they said to that girl I became annointed of God and slammed them hard. That section of the forum no longer exists. My Mormon friend does....... I may be vary independant, but just because I don't go to church doesn't mean God doesn't inhabit me as a vessel.

They came here way way before Leif did. They sailed up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers like 1,500 to 2,000 years before that. I agree it was in North America, because it seems that mainly Egyptians settled in South and central America.[ Unfortunately this is history you won't learn in school. I wish they taught it..... Moksha! shame on you..... (hissss.... bite)

Yeah, I know what you mean. I loved snow as a kid. I used to build snow caves when I was 10. The plow would make this huge pile at the end of our parking lot. It must have been 15' high. I would go behind it and make a cave. My Mom had me in this one piece snowsuit so I was warm. Now I hate winter. I despise it with a passion. But I can drive in almost any snow. Prettend the car is a boat because actually you are on water. It works. I also used to like long drives, even if I was driving. My biggest strait drive was from Vermont to Nebraska. 30 hours without sleep. Now I can't stand it. My Mom passed away this summer and I had to drive 1,000 miles to Florida and back - 4 TIMES in 2 months..... I met missionaries in college but they just said hello and kept walking on by. It seemed they knew I beleived what they did anyways..... Perhaps I will call...

Oh no no no... I am not that pigpen kid from Charlie Brown with the dust pluming all around him! I would not stain furniture, and I would wear clean clothes.... just not a suit & tie! I have actually worn a suit without a tie. In the 90s I had a Sonny Crocket Miami Vice suit.... I lost that or outgrew it years ago. But no tie. It was a cream color sport suit kinda thing. Oh, I have tatoos on both arms as well. Mainly Native art. Originally it was occult stuff and girls names as a teenager. I covered most of that because I am not married to any of the names on my arm and I don't practice occult. I actually have a symbolic story in little images on my left arm. It shows creation and life on our world. At the bottom is starfish and shells and fish, as you get higher there are birds and land animals, at the top are stars and moons..... it's really a story and took me several days to do.. there are also a couple mystery symbols only I know, so don't ask!

1,2 3 and 4 no problem. (We don't have a cow... so don't have a cow! haha ) 5 I do. We don't have a BoM, but do have several Bibles and Book of Enoch. But I can access BoM online if I have to. 6. I did that last night. I went to subway and ordered 2 subs. The girl serving looked like an 18 year old goth girl on her first job. She did really good... but she kept asking "do you want chips and a drink with that?" like 4 times! Anyways I paid with my card but I gave her a cash tip and said "bet you don't get too many of these here?" She said "Thanks, no we don't ...Thank You." As I left I thought I should have given her a $50 or $100 tip to really make her day. But I only gave her $2. A buck tip for each grinder she made. Was I cheap? Normally people don't even tip the subway workers at all. I just thought I should have given more after I left. Next time I go in and she's there I should probably tip her at least $20. 7. No time. And we are suffering and visit each other. My back and arm pain is terrible sometimes. And even though I took yesterday off I ended up engaging my 3 year old in a wrestling match and martial arts.... He started it! He was learning how to use the broomstick and so I taught him blocks and how to strike with it. At one point he got around my block and nailed me in the back of the neck just below the skull. It quite upset my equalibrium for hours and I had to close my right eye to have balance. I still feel some of these effects 18 hours later. He then pretended cave man kill the Mammoth. He speared me with the broomstick and clubbed me in the head several times. He then got on my back and rode me, holding my hair like reins and slapping me in the head to turn me. After a half hour of this I bucked him off and sent him to bed.... I told my wife our son would have made a master hunter in cave man days. 8. They are dying off. My Mom passed away at 79 in July. My dads first wife (my sisters Mom) also died this year. I am still in touch with my 90 year old aunt and 75 year old dad... so I do this. 9: I'll check it out. 10: I do. But my life has been heavy. 11: It's all there. I might not know chapter and verse all the time but God reveals scripture as neccessary. One former pastor of mine called me a walking concordanance! I could not quote you the entire Bible but in varied conversations the Spirit quickens me to verses needed at the time. 12: I do this but not enough. Many times I walk alone because we have a 4 month old well I guess he's 5 month now... on the 18th. 13: I do. 14. I do and will. I also beleive the Sabbath is saturday and Jesus never changed it. I am not a seventh day adventist... I just believe the real Sab is saturday as God originally made it. No big deal.

This link is taking forever to load so I am going to post the message here so other people with slow dialups don't have to wait.... "My sincere congratulations to everyone for the Glorious and Auspicious Birthday of Divine Prophet - confirmed and authenticated by Gabriel, the angel of Divine revelation - the Obedient of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Messiah (peace be upon Him). He was a messenger of peace, devotion and love based upon monotheism and justice. He was raised in His Mother's hand - Virgin Mary (peace be upon her) - that Almighty God stood her as impeccable and exalted her above the women of the world. The Mother and the Son that in the Divine Sight are reputable and prestigious. And they are positioned by God - The All Wise- at a sublime level. There's no doubt, after God - the Peerless Creator, the Beneficent, the Merciful - created the human beings, did not forsake them on their own. By sending and assigning the emissaries - prophets and messengers - along with the righteous individuals, and on top of that, by providing and utilizing the mankind with the gifts of intellect and human nature, they are guided in the right path - in order to achieve the complete perfection. The human generations - one after another - were not created to live in anguish, intimidation, skirmish, aggression, oppression, and misery. And without enjoying an amity and fraternity atmosphere - replete of love and justice - depart this life and leave it for the next generations. The philosophy of human creation is: reaching the pinnacle of bliss, construction of immaculate life, efflorescence of all potentialities and talents, implementation of justice and devotion across the world amongst all human beings. This is one of the definite Divine promises that when the world is filled with oppression and enmity by the tyrants and oppressors, it will become full of justice by the reappearance of the promised Savior. All the Divine Prophets have clearly anounced this fact. Unfortunately during the history, some egoistic and tyrant individuals have existed that stood against the convocations and the sermons of the Divine Prophets. And these tyrants and oppressors were the causation of all the adversities and the originator of all wars and animosities. Today's status quo of the world is obvious of everyone. In occupied Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and South America and even in Europe and North America, due to the interests of despotic dominant rulers' parties and clans and also for filling up their pockets, the dignity, benevolence, peace and tranquility of the human beings have been taken to abattoir and slaughtered. And then, lie and deception are positioned for honesty and truth. Many peoples are exasperated from the present situation of the world. And they have come to the conclusion that the existed procedure, method and technique can not provide tranquilly and peace to the mankind. Frankly, if Jesus Christ - the Messiah (peace be upon Him) was present today, how would He react? And whom would He stand with and against? If Jesus Christ (peace be upon Him) was present today, he would order an encounter against those who would propagate corruption, obscenity and perversion, and try to nullify and exterminate the merits and the rights of women and diminish their position - a position that virgin Mary (peace be upon Her) - is their role model and sample. If Jesus Christ (peace be upon Him) was present today, He would order a contention against those who try to discharge the world from morality, spirituality, intellectuality, justice, and peace. And accordingly, the true followers of the Divine Prophets would follow their steps in regard to strengthening the morality, intellectuality, spirituality, peace and justice in the world. Although last year was accompanied with many injustices, aggressions, and many violation of rights, but the calls and outcries of begging and imploring from God and demanding justice were louder. Day by day, nations would realize the power of faith and godliness. They would go for peace and justice more than before and give a positive answer to the Divine prophets' sermons and would tell to their Creator - Almighty God "Here am I!"Â Praise the Lord! The same way that Jesus Christ (peace be upon Him) invited the people to goodness and perfection, and also avoid them from evil, atrocity and aggression, His true followers do the same. With the belief in God and the Hereafter, they are frontiers in righteousness. Certainly, the implementation of the Divine Prophets' commands and directions would reform and improve our lives in this world and would safeguard a satisfying afterlife conjunctionally. We believe that the beloved Jesus Christ - the Messiah (peace be upon Him and His Mother) would also reappear for the fulfillment of the promises of all the Divine prophets. And together - accompanying the invited of the nations - would bring all the beauties and goodness for humanity of the world. And we are getting close to that date. While commemorating the birthday of the Prophet of amity, love and devotion - Jesus Christ, the Messiah (peace be upon Him and His beloved Mother) and congratulating the new year, I beg God - the Merciful, the All-Wise - a year of bliss, and health and a year replete of blessing, abundance, success, and affection for everyone, specially the Christian of Iran and the world. By Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad - President of Iran" Wow. If he really said that and feels that then blessings be upon him. Funny he is even bold enough to mention both North and South America as being "occupied" territories. I know some Native Americans still feel that the US is an occupied territory and I know that parts of South America are occupied by forces of North America in the excuse called drug wars, which has been going on since the 1970s. Been there, done that....

Facinating topic. Finnish is one of the languages JRR Tolkien studied as a philologist. He studied ancient languages and gleaned history out of the meanings held within the words. He "created" the elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin mainly based on Finnish. He also had something to say about Native Americans but I can't seem to find it (I have probably 1,000 pages of writings on these topics so it would be hard to find!). Anyways, Native Americans (Indians) did not all come across a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska. Many migrated across the Atlantic from Europe and the mid-east. Many of the tribe of Joseph came to North America. Egyptians also, as well as some northern Europeans.... way way way before Leif Erikson. Try 500 to 700 BC. Even earlier. Ever wonder why some central American tribes built pyramids? They had originally lived in Egypt. Why are there European style burial mounds along the Mississippi and European stone structures in North America? It seems reasonable then that traits of Finnish might be found in some native american language. It is also interesting that according to Tolkien the Elves migrated from a sea in the east to the west.... almost symbolic of the Native American origins....

Because I have known of churches where they will turn you away at the door if you aren't wearing a suit or a woman isn't wearing a dress. By the way I hope no one gets the idea I go around publically rebuking preachers all the time. That's happened twice in my nearly 24 years as Christian and both times were about 10 to 11 years ago. Hemidakota, part of my testimony is that I was cast out of churches. Not due to a dress code, but due to a relationship. I had been engaged to someone who was divorced and I was divorced. The preachers believed that you could not remarry if you were divorced. I was litterally hunted in 3 states by one preacher. He would find out what church I was attending and call the pastor and tell him I was a witch and an adulterer. Actually I guess he stalked me, not hunted me. There was also the deacon of a church that pulled a gun on me and pointed it at my head. This guy had different motives, he believed God had told him that he should have my fiance! I calmly looked at the man and told him "if it's Gods will for me to die then pull the trigger. If it isn't Gods will you can do nothing!" Funny to see an armed man back away shaking and almost dropping his gun at the mention of mere words! I was also judged for dress though never cast out... For example: "He wears those Indian shirts. That proves he's in the occult!" or, "He has a dream catcher in his car. That's witchcraft. He's using it to put a spell on our church!" I mean, you have to be kidding me! A dream catcher is a little wheel native Moms made to hang over their baby so the baby could look at it and pretend it caught bad dreams away. It wasn't ever used for 'spells." One time I walked into my fiances former church and sat down quietly in the back row. I wanted to hear the new preacher and see what he was all about. He had sort of done a hostile takeover from the former pastor. No sooner had I sat down the preacher stopped the song service and looked at me telling me I was not welcome in his congregation. I humbly got up and walked out, shaking the dust off my feet. He later called other local churches and claimed all kinds of demons had jumped out of me when he confronted me in his church and he had cast the devil out! WHAT? Wow. This is the other pastor I rebuked publically later on in front of his deacons and a few church members. So the point of this thread was because I wondered if anything like this has ever been an issue in LDS churches. Hordaks comment from Samuel sums up my own feelings on the matter: "Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. "

Sounds like any run of the mill protestant churches, to be honest. I guess individual leaders each have their own conception of what is worthy or not. Several years ago I had attended a service at a Baptist church. After the service the pastor came out on the front steps and was saying something to in judgement. I was getting into my car when suddenly I stood up, pointed my finger at the pastor and prophesied. The scripture was from Zechariah.. but I forget what. The pastor shut his mouth and froze. There were some people still in the parking lot and they looked awestruck. Mind you, Baptists are not accustomed to manifestations of the gifts of the spirit! But they could not deny what had happened either. After that the pastor and I became friends and he never judged me again. He was very understanding when we talked. He would give his opinions even if they disagreed with mine, but he never did that judgment thing again. Actually I think we BOTH gained a measure of maturity from the experience. I learned again how powerful God could be, since I hadn't planned the event, nor did I act of my own accord. Speaking through me God silenced a church leader on his own front steps in front of members of his congregation. That pastor learned that God could put him in check through whatever vessel he chose... Church leaders are not above rebuke, but it must come from God....

I hear what you are saying. 66 miles? I never said that but it may very well be accurate... HMMM. It is not a day of rest when you have to get kids up, prepare them to go out, drive 2 hours, attend services, and drive 2 hours back., It's a burdensome hectic 6 to 8 hours. Tiring. Very tiring. Even when we attended church 7 miles away it was burden. My wife worked all week and I did my work at home. It was grueling. Terribly gruelling. We all felt slammed to thge pavement and run over.

Totally cool..... and I don't and wont wear a tie either. God is bigger and better than human arguments, after all. Actually Jesus mainly wore robes. If a man waers a robe nowadays , well......

I don't work for some employer. I am self employed. I have work to do and it needs done. Much of it involves building our house, cutting wood for heat, care of animals. I the past 3 years I'd be exaggerating if I said I had 15 days of rest. You're supposed to get 1 day a week. I get about 5 or 6 a year. Also, Sunday is my big work day. In fact I am online so much today because I did 12 hours work yesterday. That's just the way it is.

Right on... so it appears it's not a requirement. Good. Thanks.

Can I walk into an LDS church wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and a winter jacket..... somewhat dirty from work? Will I be judged? I don't own a suit and tie and will not wear one due to both physical reasons and my own opinion. If I went to an LDS church unannounced and had only jeans and a sweatshirt, would I be cast out?

Since we live in very rural woods, we have dirt roads and small, hilly secondary highways to travel 2/3 of the way before we hit the interstate, then another 20 or 25 miles, then the city traffic. Time to get to city: 1 1/2 hours or more. And the trip back. Equals over 3 hours on the road with 2 kids..... Our 3 year old doesn't like the car seat for over a half hour. That means stops. The real trip is over 2 hours. One way. And dealing with the high pitched screaming in your ear..... LDS needs to lease the church here. I'm not being snide. Come here and convert these rednecks! :)

I know the history. I was just researching Missouri.... He also passed through Pennsylvanaia, did he not? So, what happened there? :)

Thank you. I have been drawn for many years to you people, and I have defended you on christian forums for several years when the fundamentalists have attacked you as being a cult. I did this because I was inspired by God... I was not LDS, and I was nothing but a castaway from several Christian churches.