bytebear

I define "god" as the ability to create and progress forever through creation. Traditionally we think of procreation, and the fact that we can as a species create the physical tabernacles for the spirit children of God shows we are today engaging in a portion of creeation. So, until we are damned, we are "gods". Ultimately, some of us will inherit all that God has, become one with God, and therefore be God (or part of the family of God). God is a singular that describes a plural. So, we do believe in the plurality of God (not gods), but the singularity of God as well.

72 Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent— 73 The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 74 Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water. Church handbook 20.3.6 Clothing for Baptism A person who performs a baptism and a person who is baptized wear white clothing that does not appear transparent when it is wet.

I believe all of the Father's preexistent spirit children were involved in the creation of the Earth. Job 38 asks the rhetorical question about who controls all things (giving lots of "who...?" examples). Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone there When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? The Morning stars represnt the leaders (Jehobah, Michael, etc.) and all the sons of God are us in our pre-Earth state. Now, were they/we gods? In the context here, I believe they/we were. Why? because we engaged in the creation process. But we were not obviously set apart as part of the Godhead, and we are not saviors or atoners. Christ is alone in that mission, and is and will always be unique because he opened the gate to salvation.

If both parents are now members and temple worthy, they can be sealed to each other and sealed to their child by proxy.

I have an app called Mr. Number which tells me what other people have had a phone number be, so I avoid all scams. Also, I would say, "Please be aware that I am recording this conversation." That usually leads them to hang up. I would contact the police if they know your address or personal information. That's just scary.

Hey, if your in Philidephia, you can check out the construction of the new LDS Temple there. http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/philadelphia/

If this is the kind of evidence you base your religious faith on, you will be come an atheist very quickly.

I always understood the Aaronic priesthood was the outward priesthood, dealing with ordinances with physical symbolism (baptism, sacrament), and the Melchizedek priesthood about spritual ordinances (blessings, confirmation). So it makes sense that the sacrament is an ordinance of the Aaronic priesthood. But since the Melchizedek priesthood is a higher priesthood, they also have the authority to administer the sacrament.

Not throwing it across the room, but if I have no interest in continuing the story at the end of a chapter, I won't get past 3 or 4 chapters before getting bored. The best books are those where I have to force myself to stop reading.

I found it humourous that the article called the excommunication "very public" when in fact, it was they who publicized it. Also, excommunication isn't just about kicking people out, but it's about releasing the person from the covenants they are willfully breaking.

Member my whole life. Some ancestors crossed the plains to Utah. My great grandparents immegrated from Denmark to Southern Idaho. They were meant to only stay for a few years and then move back. Their families told them not to become Mormons because they would never return. Well, after several years and a few more children, they never had the money to go back to Denmark with all their kids, so they stayed, and their son, my grandpa met my grandma who insisted on a temple marriage, and that's how that side of the family entered the church.

Here's the problem with quoting Brigham Young. His point wasn't about the nature of conception, but on the paternity of Christ. Most of Christianity blurred the lines of God to the point that many taught or implied that the Holy Ghost was the father of Jesus, or that God begat himself. Young's comments were simply stating that the relationship of the Father and Son was exactly that of any Father and Son, in a very literal sense. But it had nothing whatsoever to do with the act of conception.

I believe the fullness of the gospel is the full arching story of the atonement. Both the Bible and Book of Mormon tell the story of Christ's victory over death and sin.

Interesting, because the Salt Lake City and County building was meant to be an architectural competetor to the temple. And it looks very much like the building you linked to. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Lake_City_and_County_Building

You cannot repent after death. If you have not heard of Christ, you will be introduced to Him and have an opportunity to accept the Ordinances of salvation through proxy, but that only applies to those who would have accepted His message on Earth. If you rejected it here, you will reject it there. And although Mormons do not believe in a literal buring for eterntiy, the separation from God is a very real and eternal sorrow. I think the greater point is that sin must be atoned for. Christ atoned for all of mankind, but if we reject that gift and do not repent, we will atone for that sin. 15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— -Doctrine and Covenants 19

I mostly read stories I pick up from news.google.com If a story interests me, I will read several articles from multiple sources. That gives me a fairly rounded view of any issue. I watch local news on tv, but tend not to watch the big networks. I do like The Five on Fox, but I look at it more like entertainment than news. Same with Jon Stewart and Bill Mahar. But I rarely watch any of them, and maybe will watch if I catch it, or they have an interesting guest. I can't watch MSNBC at all. Their bias is so extreme that my head explodes. And it seems that they can't keep a host around very long because they are too extreme. I also prefer local talk radio. mostly they hit local or state issues. There's plenty of corruption going on at the local levels, and these are issues no one else is covering at all.

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

I wonder if this gives any insight into the question. [Moroni] had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. Joseph Smith History 1:31

fairlds has some good stuff, but also Kerry Sheets (I think that's his name) has a ton of research. Hugh Nibley is very insightful, but he can sometimes feel a bit out there.

I got sideswiped on the freeway in LA, bumper to bumper traffic. I even got out when traffic stopped and asked the guy if he was going to pull over. Even with a photo of the license plate and a physical description, the cops said they couldn't do anything because I couldn't prove he was driving the car.

Here's my problem with "proof". It's never enough. There is plenty of evidence that the church is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that the Book of Abraham is inspired scripture. There are volumes written on it, and you can find plenty of documents and proofs. They aren't hard to find, and you can easily look them up yourself. I am reminded of 1 Kings 19: 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. We often use the term "still small voice" to describe the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We aren't big on flashy, showy relgious proofs. We don't handle snakes, or convulse on the ground speaking tongues. We don't protest opponents or boycott events to prove our piety. We simply rely on the Holy Ghost to convince people that the gospel is true. The convert who relies on the strong wind, the earthquake and the fire will fall away, because sometimes they don't come, or another faith has an even bigger fire or earthquake. No, it's the still small voice that confirms truth, and it's the only true way to know God (and his church). All "evidence" is a by product of truth. Why are Mormons known for being happy? Byproduct of truth. Why do the concepts of Joseph Smith fit so well with the Bible? Byproduct of truth. Why are other faiths also producing good, humble people? Byproduct of truth. But don't mistake the byproduct for the whole truth. This life is a journey. The church is just a path to the truth. It's the most direct path we have now and will always point to salvation and the greatest rewards in the afterlife (the reward being happiness). So, if you need proof, live the gospel and find the Lord through that Still Small Voice. Then you will have your proof.

If you sign up to feed the missionaries, make sure they know. I was in a ward on my mission and no one told me they had a sign up sheet for feeding the missionaries, so we never showed up. *blush* And taking them to pizza or McDonald's is just fine.

If you are new to the church or investigating, get a copy of Gospel Principles.

Buy cheap scriptures, or at least be prepared to mark them up. Expect to go through a full set at least every 4 years or more. If you want a set for an heirloom or something, have that be separate than your regular scriptures. I prefer the book to the electrionic version, and I highlight them a lot.

About 10 years ago (oh, how time flies) I had a season pass, but since I moved south, I haven't been back but once or twice. I did get to experience X2 and Tatsu, the greatest roller coaster on the planet.