lurker

The bowling alley is in the lower level of the Wilkinson Center. That's actually a very convenient place to propose, because, should she say no the unlucky boy can post another "Ring for sale. Used for proposal once, never worn" ad up on the info board a couple feet away. Seriously, there's a whole section of ads like that written on 3x5 cards.

This Adam/God thing is totally confusing to me. It seems like some of the teachings conflict with each other, or perhaps we're taking things out of context. I read Brigham Young's sermon in the Journal of Discourses, and I have to say that I have a very different take on it than you guys. I agree with Ray that Brigham Young is not teaching that Adam is God (as in the God that we worship as our Heavenly Father) because, if you read it in context, he goes on to speak of Adam and God as different beings. That seems pretty clear to me. What confuses me, however, is that it seems Brigham Young is saying that Adam is the Holy Ghost. Eloheim = FatherYahvah = Son Michael (Adam) = Holy Ghost Doesn't any one else read it like this?? I really don't see how this sermon could be read with a different interpretation.

I think that a person's opinion on the mandatory draft can generally be predicted by his age. This may sound like a better idea if I were 40... It does seem like the whole bill was a political maneuver. But, that wasn't very nice.

What thinketh you of this? Full text here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.163:

ExMormon-Jason, Why do you personally reject the LDS version of the Godhead?

Everyone is babbling about which poster is the most mature, but no one seems to know the answer to the question. We've established, in concrete terms, how LDS would see the Trinity. But, what of other Christian faiths? Again, I pose the question: If you were to see the Trinity what would you see? What does a modalist believe he would see? What does a Catholic believe he would see? What do most non-LDS Christians believe they would see? In discussing this question with my Catholic friend, she was unable to give me an answer. On the board, the question continues to be evaded. Perhaps this is because people don't have an answer. Or perhaps not???

This is a good example of what I'm talking about. I'm sure that pretty much all Christian denominations agree with what Jesus said. But they interpret it very differently. When a modalist quotes the scripture, what picture of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit does he have in his mind? In the most concrete terms possible, what are they saying that their beliefs are.

I'm not so much looking for someone to tell me the true answer on the board. I just want to understand the different perspectives. Perhaps because I grew up LDS and have not really considered the concept of the Trinity much before now, the language is rather confusing to me and it is difficult to decipher what each group actually believes. Because denominations use such abstract language to explain their beliefs regarding the Trinity, it seems that the groups say the same thing while meaning very different things. For example, both my Catholic and my Mormon friends would probably agree with the statement: "Christ and God are seperate, yet they are one." However, I'm pretty sure that they would understand it to mean different things. (To be honest, I'm not quite sure what the Catholics mean yet, that's why I'm asking this question). In my last post, I descriptively explained, using the most concrete terms possible, what the Trinity would look like from an LDS perspective. Using similar concrete terms, can any one answer the question from a Protestant, Catholic, or any other perspective? If you were to see the Trinity, what would you see?

I have read over the creed you quoted and continue to be sincerely confused. Perhaps if you answered this question for me, it would help clear things up: If you were to see the Trinity, what would you see? In LDS theology, of course, you would see the Father as one seperate and distinct person, and Christ as a different seperate and distinct person (both with Celestial bodies, btw) and then the Holy Ghost as a seperate and distinct spirit who does not have a body but is a being who cannot transform himself into anything else or physically be at more than one place at one time.

I've been discussing the concept of the Trinity with some Christian friends this week. Can anyone give me some scriptures from the Bible that agree with the LDS belief that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three seperate beings? Also, is anyone aware of other Christian denominations that share our belief? Thanks.

How does a person pay for their own sins? Is this fully possible??

Wow! My friend's mother was one of that man's wives...I always wondered how he looked! She took my friend up to live with them when she was very young...12-14ish. Her dad went up and took her back late one night; he had to slash some tires to escape with his daughter. When she got back she was really confused. She told me that they had her convinced that plural marriage was the only way to be righteous and that they were already getting her ready to be married (and so young...scary!). She didn't know who to believe. I think the group disolved though, but I'm not sure. I do know that my friend's mom is back in CA.

From the new True to the Faith manual, released by the church: When married couples are physically able, they have the privilege of providing mortal bodies for Heavenly Father’s spirit children. They play a part in the great plan of happiness, which permits God’s children to receive physical bodies and experience mortality. If you are married, you and your spouse should discuss your sacred responsibility to bring children into the world and nurture them in righteousness. As you do so, consider the sanctity and meaning of life. Ponder the joy that comes when children are in the home. Consider the eternal blessings that come from having a good posterity. With a testimony of these principles, you and your spouse will be prepared to prayerfully decide how many children to have and when to have them. Such decisions are between the two of you and the Lord. As you discuss this sacred matter, remember that sexual relations within marriage are divinely approved. While one purpose of these relations is to provide physical bodies for God’s children, another purpose is to express love for one another—to bind husband and wife together in loyalty, fidelity, consideration, and common purpose.

Snow, I went to hear Jan Shipps talk about the church at Claremont a few months back. It was a very unique experience for me to hear a non-lds person addressing the religion in a non-threatening, intellectual way. There was an interesting mix of people, and the Q and A was quite a bit of fun. I found myself sitting next to a student from a neighboring institute. But, there were also alot of religion majors, interested parties, and skeptics there as well. And the missionaries, of course. Still, if I had to guess, I'd say that about half of the people there were LDS. What would you say the make up of your crowd was? Are more LDS people going or more non-lds?

I always thought it was interesting that Laman and Lemuel literally did follow their father. They just did so begrudgingly and with sporadic outbursts of rebellion. They could have left at any time; it seems like they were big enough to just walk away. But, something must have kept them there. For most of the journey they were followers. They just weren't good followers. What do you think kept them around for so long? Why didn't they just go back to the city if they thought their father was crazy?