bytebear

Welcome from Orange County, CA (near the Newport Beach Temple)

I though the same thing. Didn't he do previous speeches that were essential the same thing? I don't see any compromise by the administration or the democrats. The congressman who spoke out has valid concerns, and it would be very easy to modify the bill to calm him, but they are simply unwilling to budge. It's very frustrating, and it will kill the bill, and possibly a second term for Obama.

Nothing more strange than the various angelic visitations recorded in human history. I guess I just don't see anything strange about it.

The offices were revealed later, but the authority was given in 1829, by the visitation of angels (specifically John the Baptist, and Peter, James and John). Smith was given all the keys of authority, but later understood how to distribute those keys throughout the leaders of the church.

You know I find it far easier to accept LDS doctrine than the visions and miracles, because most if not all, are well supported through Biblical interpretation, including the "controversial" ideas. I keep thinking if some bishop in 300 AD had been a bit more or less vocal, we would be debating vastly different interpretations today.

Having gone to the U, I agree, however I am now a Southern California resident and so I have to cheer for USC. It helps that my extended family are die hard USC fans and have 6th row seats. My only consolidation is that the one and only time USC played Utah, Utah won.

To clarify, I am aware of that, but I still think you should go with someone you know, and not have a stranger guide you.

I haven't read all the responses but when I read the OP, the first thing I thought was, "He (or she) who loses his life for my sake, will find it". (Matt 10:39, Matt 16:25). Here is my recommendation. Find something charitable to do with your time. The church has lots of volunteer opportunities, but even if you can't find something within the church, read to kids at the public library, visit with the elderly at a hospital. Teach disabled kids how to play basketball (I did this as a missionary.) Tutor kids after school. I think you are so concerned about finding an answer, that you aren't losing yourself in the charity of Christ. It is becoming about YOUR answer and YOUR feelings. I guarantee you, if you do these things, you will know there is a God and it will hit you like a ton of bricks.

Since this is your first time, are you going alone, or will you have someone with you to kind of hold your hand?

Lawrence O'Donnell, a vile human being, and actor who has had a bit role on Big Love, went on an anti-Mormon rant on a morning television program, but then said he would not speak out against fundamentalist Muslims for fear of retribution, to which Hugh Huwitt responded, "So you can be bigoted towards Mormons, because they’ll just send you a strudel." That about sums it up for me.

CNN is covering the term "Czar".

I recently heard that the NIV version of the Bible is being updated. I haven't reviewed the changes, but I wonder, does this upset anyone? How does it relate to the LDS belief that the Bible is true "as far as it is translated correctly?" NIV Bible update may spark battle | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

My nephew just got arrested for stealing GPS systems from cars and trying to sell them on craigslist. He was stealing them to get extra money because his parents cut off his allowance when they found out he was only using the money to buy pot. He is 17, and may be tried as an adult. I used to think marijuana was no big deal until I realized this smart, good student, nice kid felt it so important to steal, and to jeopardize his entire future, risk jail time, all just to get high.

I consider myself a libertarian and a federalist, but since there is no major political party which fits my ideals, I have to choose the ideology which will best serve my ideals. Unfortunately, neither party has done a very good job in recent years, although I think the Obama administration has gone full throttle in the wrong fiscal direction.

I think I prefer murder/suicide. It makes the legal process so much easier.

These comments really struck me. The liberal argument is generally that government does things better than the private sector. And if this isn't your point, then I apologize in advance. However, large corporations have done far more good than evil. And very large governments have generally done far more evil than good. The United States and other capitalistic organizations are the exception, but only because they give the private sector room to grow. Shall I compare the most evil company that ever existed? US Steel perhaps? Maybe Microsoft? Who would you say? And compare that to the most evil governments in the world. Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union? The Roman Empire? North Korea. Yeah, corporations are sooooo evil. Oh, and the medical luxuries that other countries are enjoying are because the US developed them. Change our system to theirs, and we will be as stagnant in innovation as they are. Amsterdam has done very little in the past 100 years to better the life of man. They are content at being content. By the way, am I the only one here who has actually been to Amsterdam?

You know what's funny? It extends to the Bible. If the Book of Mormon is true, then the Bible is true, and Jesus really is the Christ, and he did really die for our sins. Most converts already have that testimony, but I do think it grows and strengthens with a testimony from a second witness of Christ.

My cousin had her first sealing canceled and remarried in the temple. Her ex-husband could not remarry in the temple until he had shown the bishop that he was paying child support, however. It isn't just adultery that will keep you from the temple.

I don't think Amsterdam is a cesspool of corruption, but I certainly think it would shock people what isn't shown in the rebuttal video. I visited Amsetdam several years ago, and I saw a Hooters type restaurant where the bar maids would strip down the male patrons to full nudity as they danced on the tables. This was not in the red light district and it was an open sidewalk restaurant so I saw this while just walking down the street. Now, when you go to the red light district, things are considerably more sexual, with pornography that includes bestiality. It was quite an eye opener. Just because you have a society that largely ignores the vices it allows, doesn't mean we should accept such vices as the reason for their happiness or low crime rates.

Both people were wrong in their actions, but two wrongs don't make a right.

I didn't mean to upset you. I was trying to think like a 16 year old, and I think they have a lot of feelings that they just aren't going to share with parents (or step parents). I am also not saying her feelings are true or even rational. Most 16 year old's aren't rational, but that doesn't make the feelings any less real to her. I hope my insight can make your relationship better.

It's one truth leading to another. If the Book of Mormon is inspired, then Smith was inspired as well. Then you need to look more closely to his mission as a prophet. Smith's experiences go far beyond a visitation by Moroni and the translation process. In fact, he was visited by many angelic messengers (often times with other witnesses). Then you look at the course of the church. Some argue that the Community of Christ (RLDS) could be just as legitimate as the LDS church. But, then I read prophecies about the last days, and the great work that precedes the second coming. The desert blooming as a rose, the gospel being preached to every nation. The Book of Mormon being available to every nation and every tongue. I only see these things fulfilled in the LDS Church. That gives me enough evidence to rely on a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Once you have that testimony, it isn't hard to gain a testimony of Joseph Smith and his mission, the visitations by angels, etc. One leads to the other. And that leads to a testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. It is Christ's church led by a living prophet of God. I believe the baptism interview covers these aspects of a testimony, so I do think it takes more than just a single belief in the Book of Mormon, but I think one leads to the other. I am reminded of a convert who joined the church, not because of the Book of Mormon, but because certain gospel doctrines (pre-existence, temple worship and proxy baptism, living prophets, and even eternal progression) were only taught by this church, and the Book of Mormon became a secondary issue.

I don't think it has anything to do with the church or the temple. It has to do with family dynamics. The older daughter is seeing special attention given to the younger daughter, probably because the younger daughter is the "full" daughter, and not just the step daughter, and that's a lot to deal with. She has only half of her parents in the house, where her sister has full parents, so it's hard for her. She is treated differently by her step father, and this issue is just one example of how she feels she is being treated as a second hand daughter.

As to the Old Testament laws, Jesus put it simply. There are two great laws. Love God, Love your neighbor. All the laws of the prophets (i.e. the OT) hang on these two laws. So, the OT laws may seem out dated, but the principals behind them still apply.

not valiant in the testimony of Jesus I think this is the key phrase. You can have a testimony of Jesus Christ but still not live up to the example of Christ. You know the truth, but choose not to commit to it. Maybe you are deceived in believing the church is not of Christ and therefore, never look further into the restored gospel. I believe it's those who had the opportunity to covenant with God (either baptism or endowment) but choose not to for whatever reason.