Maxel

Your side started it, you dummy-head! (Runs away before anyone can respond to his searing accusation)

Bump. Does this ring a bell for anyone? Anyone at all? Aaaaannyyyyooonneee???

Perhaps if we were allowed to drill on U.S. soil more (like open up more of Alaska), more oil companies would be able to open up and drive down prices through more competition? Ultimately, I think it's going to require businessmen who are willing to stay out of filthy agreements with other companies to keep prices high- also will require more entrepenuers willing to look into practical (and economically sound) applications for other energy sources. I think if we let the government do it, though, things will get... worse.

Good points! I guess the question is, then, would anyone living a Terrestrial-level (mortal) life choose to stick around a place as wicked as Sodom or Ammonihah; a place ripe for destruction?When we consider that the destruction of a wicked society might be for the benefit of the children, I guess that said society could contain Terrestrial-level mortals who have been blinded by the wickedness of traditions and the craftiness of men.

Kwil- I've battled clinical depression since my young teen years. I've found that medication helps if there's a real chemical imbalance in the body. Seek to do the will of the Lord and have faith in His name, but don't expect Him to take away all your challenges. Also, continue to act in accordance with the advice of competent, caring medical professionals- if you think there's a problem with your diagnosis, perhaps getting a second/third opinion would help.

Traveler already made the point I was going to: It sounds like you're a stranger to this world, PC. Perhaps you belong in a better sphere of existence than this, and are just passing through this mortal realm? I often feel out of place among Church members. There's too much hypocrisy and backbiting among the members in some places, and among the young adults I've often been the odd one out (not wanting to go to certain movies like 'Transformers', not watching television, etc.). My experiences among other subgroups- atheistic, mainstream Christian, etc.- have never been any better. Maybe I've just had bad luck in the places I live, but I sometimes feel out of place in my Church, and I always feel out of place in the world.

There are two different words (and three different meanings) referring to the salvation of our souls in LDS theology: -Salvation from physical death: Everyone who has lived on the Earth will be ressurected, and their body reunited with their spirit, never to be separated again. This is a free and unconditional gift from Christ, wrought by His atonement- even Sons of Perdition (such as Cain) will receive a glorified, immortal body. -Salvation from spiritual death: Sin brings spiritual death (separation from Heavenly Father). Those who accept the saving ordinances of Christ (baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost) and follow in His footsteps will live eternally with God the Father in the celestial kingdom, never to be separated from Him again. -Exaltation: This is the highest degree of salvation and the highest degree of glory a being can attain. Those who are exalted have overcome all things through faith in Christ, have received His saving ordinances and the ordinances of exaltation, including (but not limited to) receiving one's endowments and being eternally sealed to a spouse. Those who are exalted will receive all that the Father has through the mercy and justice of Christ. To my understanding, being "saved" in many/most non-LDS Christian religions means to be claimed and cleansed by Christ as one of His sheep; to gain heaven as one's eternal reward. LDS doctrine is much more complex on the matter.

I don't mean to imply that the Lord's judgments are ever bad. I believe that the Lord's actions are perfect and just, and that the eventual destination (telestial, terrestrial, or celestial kingdom) of every man and woman will be the place (s)he desires to be, and perfectly merciful and just according to the mercy and justice of the Lord.That being said, I'm talking about the Lord destroying earthly societies (such as Sodom, Gomorrah, various Nephite cities, etc.). I have, until now, assumed that these cities were filled with people living telestial lives- refusing law and revelling in wickedness. However, is it possible that there would be people living terrestrial lives there as well? The idea that those living terrestrial lives are "honorable men of the earth blinded by the craftiness of man" makes me stop and wonder. If a person is born and raised in a wicked society and lives an "honorable" life according to the standards of their society, they may still be doing some very wicked things. However, it might be said that their wickedness is a result of the society they were raised in; if they "knew better" they would do better. So, are these people accounted as "the righteous" when we consider the principle that "God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked"? Or do societies that the Lord destroys contain only people living telestial lives; all who would live terrestrial lives move away/die?

The Nephite government included capital punishment among its punishments (for murdering someone or for refusing to take up the cause of liberty after having attempted to overthrow the government). Something to think about...

Agreed, Islander. I can see the correlation between immaturity and failed marriages, and the correlation between age and (im)maturity- but no direct correlation between a young marrying age and a failed marriage. The way I see it, the Church's strong emphasis on marriage is barely enough to counteract the anti-marriage culture rampant in the world today.

He's just doing it all for the American people, LM. We're too stupid to take care of ourselves, so the generous intellectual eite must take care of us so we don't ruin ourselves. You're not drinking enough kool-aid, LM.

OR Will the Lord forestall destroying a city/nation for the sake of those living Terrestrial-level lives? I was thinking about this the other day. First of all- who are the righteous? I think the simple answer might be "those who live celestial lives, who will inherit celestial glory". Who are they; what are their characteristics? D&C 76:50-70 describe the traits of celestial beings; a couple of phrases I feel are important: They have "received the testimony of Jesus [and submitted to His orinances], according to the commandment which He has given" (v. 51), "overcome by faith" (v. 53), and are "just" and "true" (vv. 53, 69). What are the characteristics of terrestrial beings? D&C 76:71-80 lists them. They are those who "died without law" (v. 72), are "honorable men of the earth" but were "blinded by the craftiness of men" (v. 75), and are "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus". So, the question is: would the Lord forestall visiting judgment on a city or people if there are still terrestrial-level people in the society? We know the Lord will not destroy the righteous with the wicked- but do terrestrial people count as "righteous"?

Bumpety-bump.

A while ago (it could have been a month or a year; I forget) someone, somewhere on this site posted an excerpt. This particular excerpt was a fictional account of Abraham's fictional servant, who recorded the decline of Sodom into its wicked and filthy state. I keep thinking about this excerpt and want to read it again, but I cannot for the life of me find it (I've been looking for it using the Advanced Search options, but no luck yet). Does this ring a bell with anyone? I want to say it was written by Elder Bednar (but I'm not sure on that detail). Anyone who helps me find it gets a digital picture of an ice cream cone! Who wouldn't like that incentive?

No... At least, I don't THINK so. Technically, I guess I could since I don't know who you are... Then again, I don't talk to anyone over the age of 25 regularly who isn't my mom, so unless your grandma is a youngin' I don't think so. All levity aside, I know that video games have a connection to masturbation because I've lived it. Playing video games doesn't automatically lead to masturbation, but they do promote and perpetuate behaviors that very easily lad to masturbation- especially for an addict. Especially video games lately.. Although Nintendo is the best company out there for promoting family-friendly entertainment, there's still plenty of cases where there's too much sex and violenc in Nintendo games.

So, it's safe to say that what was once accepted 'true' by science- true enough to send a man to his death death by a court of law- is now proven false by newer information?

I don't have time to read the article now, but I am saddened whenever I hear that the justice system has erroneously given someone an injust sentence. Hopefully, the healing process has completed in his soul and he's been reunited with his children.

I was eating when I read this... Laughed so hard that a chunk of beef almost went down the wrong tube... What are you trying to do, kill me?!Focus that rage on the bunny rabbits.

Interesting aticle, bytor- I liked the quoted section.I was also intrigued by the following: Give the governmet more power, and the politicans suddenly like it a lot better- resulting in more dirty tactis employed so that they retain their seats.

No, but from a brief internet search it looked like the same thing happened? Yes- but was it the child's idea to offer a prayer for nationalized health care?Either way, I don't think this incident reflects the tactics of the entire Democratic party- just the one that urged the child to pray for health care (if anyone did, indeed, urge him to do so).

I like the new changes; they're also growing on me more and more. I think the footer bar is absolutely genius (I love the ability to chat directly with someone else currently online w/o going through the full chat room) and like the new layout. To me, it seems cleaner.

Didn't Bush do something like this regarding SCHIP a while back? Or was that someone on the other side of the political aisle.... And... is it possible those kids are being seriousness; that they thought health care was appropriate to bring up because it was such a big part of Kennedy's life (I have no idea; just trying to give those kids the benefit of the doubt here). Either way, I think that's pretty sad, bringing up political events in a funeal service...

daenvgiell- This migt seem a silly reason to think so, but both your screen name and your avatar leads me to believe that you may have a problem with loving the darker things of life. Is that true? We are told to rid ourselves of all ungodliness if we want heaveny communication from God. If there is something in your life that is a major offense to God, than it may keep you from feeling the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. If this is the case (that you've something in your life that is a gross sin, like addiction) then I suggest you attend to cleaning up your life before seeking for heavenly knowledge. This isn't a condemnation of your per se- only your actions, if you are holding onto unrighteousness. Whatever the case may be, I pray that you will find the correct road that leads to a testimony of divinity.

Fire away! As long as your intention is really to learn and not to criticize, no question is too large or too small.

Perhaps some of the confusion could be cleared if everyone (dis)agreed if it is possible to know for a surety whether God exists or not? A person's level of faith may be debatable to others, but theoreticals can be instructive. If a person saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in Their glory, would that be enough for them to know that God exists? I think the simple answer is 'yes'. What do you guys think?