bytebear

I think of it as a outward priesthood and an inward priesthood. The Aaronnic priesthood deals with outward tasks: administering the sacrament, collecting fact offerings, even administering the business needs of the ward (the Bishop is an office of the Aaronic priesthood). But the more spiritual needs are carried out by the Melchezedek priesthood. Blessing the sick, blessing the sacrament, and administering to the spiritual needs of the ward (The bishop must have the higher priesthood to be called).

How many of these women had their sealings recorded by the church?

So, does it make sense, that to fight for the right to claim Smith as "their" prophet, the Utah Saints, led by Young, might just fabricate or exagerate stories that would justify their claim above the Prairie Saints and the RLDS?

Used in the translation of what? Please give those exact quotes> I'd like to seem them, because I know of no first hand account that links the seer stones to the Golden Plates. They were used to translate the BoA, and probably even for use with the JST, as well as a plethora of other things, but there is no first hand account of them being used with the Golden Plates. I realize my theory is unusual, but I also know that 99% of Christians accept the trinity because it has been "proven" for thousands of years, and yet, we as Latter-day Saints know that even with massive support for an idea, the idea can still be false.

I have explained quite well how those first hand accounts could easily be tainted. I have also explained how the accounts of the seer stone are 1) second hand and 2) never directly mention translating the Golden Plates. Aii I am saying is that the holes in our history have been filled in with pat answers for so long, we have forgotten to look at all the evidence objectively. Look more carefully at the history, and you may change your opinion.

If I were a 19th century woman writing to her friends, and wanted to elevate her social status. I could easly see her telling friends how close she was to the prophet, and I would bet she might even exaggerate her status to the point of lying about her "sealings" and cosumation of it. We know historically, that Smith's death created a legacy, and anyone who could claim an intimate relationship (socially, religiously, or in this case sexually) with the prophet would gain favor in the community. We also know that Brigham Young was fighting against the testimony of Emma Smith, who denied everything. I can easily see Young bolstering his claim by "encouraging" a few women to swear to their claims of a sexual relationship with Smith. In other words, your evidence is a bit tainted.

Nor is there any evidence that he did, so we are both dishonest? Methinks you have decided to try to make things personal, which is the poorest argument of all.

We know Smith was potent. He had not trouble at all getting Emma pregnant. It is a very weak argument that of the other 26 women, all of them were either infertile or all got lucky with the rhythm method. I agree that there is a chance, but Achems Razor favors me.

Well, the evidence I do have, is that every time they do a DNA test on one of these supposed children, the tests come back validating my theory and against your theory.

Oh, I am sure Brigham Young could be very convincing.

Didn't GBH suggest the same thing. Don't shun your gay kids? What more does Affirmation want from the church?

Wow, so by that reasoning the anti-Mormon books all must be true, because they are filled with such testimonies.

One couple, no, but 27? Of 27 wives and ONLY Emma has kids? Come on... Whose evidence is stacked?

So, because she "felt guilty as hell" it makes her actions acceptable? Give me a break. And, I love how you dismiss both historians credentials as "Quite irrelevant." In other words, you don't want to compare because in comparison to Bushman, Broadie looks a lot like Michael Moore.

If there is no repentance after resurrection, why is Satan loosed for a time? What is the purpose if it cannot affect our salvation?

Do you have ANY historical evidence of this theory? Again, the principle, and the practice are not always in conjunction. As was stated earlier, Polygamy did not always produce children. There are MANY instances where wives never had sex with their husbands. Some were sealed long after their child bearing years. Clearly "platonic-polygamy" was more than just a theory. It was practiced.

ooh, good point. I would say no, but only because Satan will be loosed for a time at the end of the millennium where we will have our final test. Maybe all the time before is just study time, and that is the final exam.

Not so. We are the same people in death that we were in life. If we would have repented in life, but were never given the chance, we will be forgiven. Those that "eat, drink and be merry" will be judged accordingly. Judgment will be fair for all.

There are none. Some that were suspected have proven to be the children of other men. Again, NO PROOF, and in fact, evidence to the contrary.

Admits? Or believes? There is a vast difference. There is simply NO PROOF. NONE!

As I said, it's he said she said. It's just a matter of belief. I don't recall the testimony of Young or the women as canon. We know a prophet can be fallible.

See the link above.

Since I never saw anyone address this, I thought I would comment. Do you know who the Judges of Israel are? There are 144,000 of them, and they will assist Jesus in the judgment of man. I believe each group will judge their own dispensation, so you very well may be judged (in part) by Joseph Smith, and a few thousand other High Priests of Christ. When you say "not by God or Jesus Christ," that is where you are mistaken. Jesus is the final judge, but he does not work alone.

Actually he is both. :)

I actually find when I have more to do, I get more done. Meaning the busier I am the more productive my time is. Does that make sense? Here's what I recommend. Find a way to introduce charity into what you are already doing. You are a dance student? Great! Help tutor a student who is below you, or teach kids for an hour before or after your own classes. Coordinate with your instructor, and maybe s/he will have some suggestions. I think tutoring is a great way for you to master your own skills anyway, as you learn by teaching.