martybess

Do you think we can see Christ's face in this life without the temple? Not arguing or disagreeing, just asking? At this point I'm still thinking to know Christ we need the temples which are brought fourth by Prophets, thus I see the teaching point of view that without prophets we can't know Christ.

Do you not think that this might only apply in a curtain way like I'm trying to cover my sins as a hypocrite? If we are truly trying and testify but say I'm a sinner our words may stand to help us. If I stand in testimony meeting and testify but in fact I'm covering a gregarious thing like an addiction to pornography then I condemn myself if I have not confessed to my Bishop.

Do you not believe there are ppl walking the earth that haven't had their second anointing? I bare witness that there are those who have already had this anointing and are sealed unto Christ and everlasting life, though it is rare.

The House of Israel Are God's Covenant People. Gospel Principles Chapter 42: The Gathering of the House of Israel

We need temples and the endowment to know Christ (we are taught that there), thus I see where he was coming from.

Allot of members start to cry while sharing something and I often wonder is this just their emotions or is the HG causing their hearts to swell with the love of God, even nonmembers feel this at times. This I believe is the burning that is talked about but I'm just guessing really. It's just that it does happen for most at some point. I will say on 2 separate occasions I can with total honesty say I have felt this burning. I got up one night in my early 20's went into another room knelt down and poured out my soul for hours. As has been mentioned and as Enos states it takes work, but then again some do put in the effort and work and receive nothing but frustration. Even president McKay states one day he got off his horse prayed for the longest time and nothing. It wasn't until years later he came to understand he knew the church was true. Anyway on these two occasions the spirit hit me with such force I could hear it, yes like rushing wind or water and it hit me with great force. It also came from within me and got stronger and stronger and engulfed me totally, almost like a cloud but it wasn't really anything that could be seen, weird huh. I know it sounds totally like I'm making it up. It was so strong it frighten me and I asked for it to stop. I've wondered what I would of received if my faith would have been strong enough. My ears rang for hours afterwards, it was powerful! I will say that night was far from over as the advisory came in a show of force as well. Didn't see anything, no voices or anything but strange enough I heard the sound of a marching band coming down the hallway playing this horrendous sound. I prayed and prayed for it to go away only for it to start all over again just as I would fall asleep. Strangest night of my life. I'm not clairvoyant and anything like that. I have no idea why this all happen to me. That being said I can say with total certainty the gospel is true. If an angle came to me I would not feel anymore sure, sight is not as powerful as the spirit I testify to that.

I think it be done like: Dear HF, in the name of JC we come before thee say your prayer and then, amen.

To me my formal prayer like in public is almost like an ordinance. Think of the temple or giving a blessing. We state we are acting in his name and under his direction. My personal prayer is much different.

Sorry I get stuck on things. Any feelings on whether this is the Father or the Son? And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. 1 Nephi 1:8 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there. Alma 36:22

I'm sure the topic of the churches website the"Mormon Channel" has been brought up but I would like to give a shout out to the "Mormon Identity" program. Robert Millet hosted the first 35 programs and I enjoyed listening to them. Atonement - Part 2 - Episode 28 | Mormon Channel

1Ne.1:2-3,7-10 Hmmmmm, Lehi? I know, I know, it's getting like who really cares. LOL..... Hard to say on this scripture because he doesn't say he saw both together. LOL

(I read 3 times from this) Joseph Smith - (First Vision) Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon - D&C 76:20-23 (They hear his voice bearing record of the Son as well as seeing him) Stephen Acts 7:56 – (See’s the Son on the right hand of God) Thanks.

Should I suggest how many after the fall of man? That was one of the stipulations for partaking of the forbidden fruit. Man was shut out from Gods presence. I'm not trying to make this into a big deal or anything. I'm giving lesson 4 from the priesthood handbook Sunday and thought I would address the first vision somewhat.

Yes I have heard that as well. I wonder who said that statement? Reason I ask is I can only find one account in canon where God talks to man and that's Joseph Smith. Stephen saw God. Act 7:56.

I was wondering about this. Thanks.

Just fixed some grammar.

I’m trying to find a seminary lesson or something similar (actual scripture) where God (not Christ) has shown himself to man. There’s Moses, and Joseph Smith and who else? Thanks

I didn't read all the post so this might of been brought up. Ever asked yourself why the Book of Mormon has violence in it for surely it does. To me it's to remind me, rather warn me just what violence can do to a nation and it's ppl. Some movies are meant to do the same. I've never seen the R version but Saving Private Ryan did move me greatly. First for it's reminder just what evil can do and be and second (like the BOM as well) to show the greatness and good one man can do. (The man Tom Hanks portrait). Some scenes were to much for though. I was truly disturbed and disgusted with the scene where we had captured German and how he was treated, though I'm sure such things happen it was over the top and was pornographic in that the spirit was grieved and I felt it.

Wow I have allot to work on. I tend to look down on folks like this even though I should not. I tend to think "You can not be so lazy, I will try and help but I think your always going to be like this because I've seen it before, I'm probably wasting my time". Yes I'm being hard on myself but that's ok with me. I'm not hiding anything from the Lord. Really the Lord will be pleased with our concern and service, weather they change or not.

You make a great point! In my minds eye it's just to much to ask of me but really it could be that I do have the time but I'm selfish with my time. What am I going to do with my time? Watch a football game? I do this all the time. My wife on the other hand has a extremely demanding job, is the RS president and volunteers for everything and thinks it sounds fun. IS SHE CRAZY!!

So Skippy, "I'm fixing the widows roof because I'm the elders quorum president and it's my duty" verses "I want to help her fix her roof but can't do it myself so I will ask for help from the quorum". Is there a difference between these to thoughts in the Lords eye? Both may come across as PR when presented in quorum meeting.

I've been thinking about the definition of service and why we as members seem for the most part to struggle with it. You know when were asked to do something other then our callings like drive the youth to youth conference or help the quorum repair a widows roof. It seems the early saints were asked to do and sacrifice much to build the kingdom. (BTW is there a difference between sacrifice and service?). We all know ppl who are first to sign up for these types of things but why do they? Why don't I? What's the key factors that motivates them? I don't think we can say it's righteousness because I know plenty of good ppl who are less active or non-membes who serve allot. I look at these ppl with so much respect and say "He or she sure is a good person" even though the my not keep the commandments. It makes me wonder just how Christ will look upon them at judgment day verses me.

What about the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism"?

Ah yes, the first book I read. Thanks

1- Would it be ok to say these books have been commissioned or sanctioned (lack of better word?) as books ok’d by the church? 2- And are there anymore? ______________________________________________________ Our Search for Happiness, Ballard True to the Faith, Church Our Heritage, Church Jesus the Christ, Talmage The House of the Lord, Talmage A Marvelous Work and Wonder, Richards Articles of Faith, Talmage (WOULD THESE BE INCLUDED?) ? Lectures on Faith? , Smith ? Miracle of Forgiveness, Kimble ADDED BY BOARD MEMBERS: Truth Restored, Hinckley Thanks,