HEthePrimate

First, I don't know that having challenges like this in our mortal life is any indication of one's righteousness in the pre-existence.Second, I think it's obvious that some people are not accountable, or have different degrees of accountability. Third, the Church recognizes this and sees no need to baptize such people. After all, if they're not accountable, they have no need to be cleansed of their sins. Furthermore, unbaptized "special needs" people are also sometimes allowed in the temple. Again, they are innocent, and so there is no reason they shouldn't enter the temple. Of course, if they're dangerous, steps should be taken to protect people (and to keep them from hurting themselves, for that matter), but they are not morally culpable. HEP

Well, would you want people using minotaurs on soldiers from your country? What a funny article--I love The Onion. Peace, HEP

Tubaloth, It is perfectly appropriate to put both of them on the temple prayer roll. Sicknesses and afflictions are not only physical in nature--many are spiritual, emotional, etc. From experience, I know that unemployment, for example, truly is an affliction! I'm sure your brother would appreciate the prayers. :) HEP

That's a good question. Back when I served my mission, there was so "Missionary Set" that all missionaries had to buy. There was a short list of recommended/permitted books, and A Marvelous Work and a Wonder was on the list. Don't know why it wouldn't be now--maybe it's not considered essential for whatever reason? In any case, I imagine a missionary could still buy a copy of MWW and take it with her on her mission, in addition to the "Missionary Set." Shalom, HEP

I tend to think of atonement less in metaphysical terms and more in terms of relationships (human-divine, human-human, and even our relationship with God's other creations). It quite literally means "at-one-ment", and that's something you and I can do every day, in a very practical way. When you argue with someone, but then stop and try to actually understand the other person's point of view, and whether or not you agree, you show love and respect for that person, that's an act of atonement because it brings you closer to being "at one" with each other. From this point of view, "the Atonement" was not only what Jesus did in Gethsemane and on the cross, but what he did all during his life--he showed us how to be at one. The Hebrew and Greek languages didn't have a word for this exact concept, and neither did English, until William Tyndale invented it. That was a stroke of genius. Here's Wikipedia's explanation of the word's etymology: HEP :)

Thanks again, everybody. I'm feeling better today. :) It's been a few years, but the grief never goes away entirely. Thankfully, the pressure does ease up and it's not as constant, but it still comes along more often than I'd like. Of course, I'd also be worried if I didn't miss her! Sometimes I talk to her, which is nice, but unfortunately I can't hear her talking back. (Actually, to tell the truth, on occasion that's a good thing, because there are times when I say things that I know would tick her off! ) HEP

Thanks for your kind words. It helps to know people care.

Study me as much as you like, you will not know me, for I differ in a hundred ways from what you see me to be. Put yourself behind my eyes and see me as I see myself, for I have chosen to dwell in a place you cannot see. -- Jalaluddin Rumi, Divan-i Shams-i Tabrizi 1372: A1:168 Hell, I don't understand or truly "know" my own sister (or even myself, for that matter), let alone the Supreme Being. But if we are to have any hope of getting to know God better, it seems to me that imitating him is the best way. HEP

My advice: Be patient. There's no rush. It sounds to me like you're on the right track. I can understand that you want to baptize your daughter, and you probably can. She doesn't need to be baptized immediately upon turning eight, and can wait until you're able to exercise the priesthood again. I have a good friend whose daughter didn't want to get baptized at eight, because she didn't "know" the Church to be true. She did get baptized--at nine--and is turning out just fine. Peace, HEP

Really missing my wife. This may sound bad, but it might have going to the temple that triggered this. It's the temple where we got married, so I guess it's inevitable that sometimes these feelings will come up. Similar situation with the Institute (we went to a lot of classes, and attended church there for a while). It probably didn't help that there were all these elderly couples attending the session. I'm (relatively) young, and it doesn't seem fair that my wife should be gone at such a young age. Thankfully I was with a friend today, but now it's late at night, I'm all alone, and missing my wife. HEP (Sorry about the complaining, but sometimes it helps to let it out.)

That's nice. It's great to live in America, where we have the freedom to disagree!Peace, HEP

Well, LostSheep, it won't make you free. But it can serve as a useful tool in your quest to overcome your addiction. I wish you the best in your efforts, my friend! Peace, HEP

Sorry, there are so many pages of this it's hard to keep track! But I agree with you. It's just a matter of semantics. Homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Opponents keep saying it "threatens" traditional marriage, but when I ask them how, they never have a coherent answer. If a gay couple gets married, it doesn't hurt me or a straight couple's marriage in any way. Peace, HEP

Don't know if it's still the case, but when I was on my mission, anybody under 18 needed their parents' permission to get baptized. In fact, that's how it was with my mother--she was converted as a teen, but had to wait a few years because her parents didn't want her joining the Church. As soon as she was 18, she got baptized. In order to avoid situations like what that formerly Muslim girl is experiencing, it's probably wise that the LDS Church has this policy, eh?As far as I'm concerned, the government has nothing to do with religion--I'm a strict separationist. But again, if parents threaten their child with violence should the child convert to another faith, yes, I want the government to intervene, just as it should with other forms of child abuse. HEP

I've been following this story. The issue is that the girl claims her father threatened her life for converting to Christianity, and so she fears for her safety should she be forced to return home. Whether or not she's telling the truth, I don't know, but even in America, parents don't have the "right" to threaten their children's lives. HEP

Though if marriage is regarded as a legal contract, pertaining to such things as child custody, property rights, etc., one can see why the government is involved. However, I can picture (and might like) a situation in which marriage as a religious concept is divorced (pun intended) from the legal aspect, such that the legal contract governed by the state is referred to as a "domestic partnership", or something like that, but the state does not use the word "marriage", which would only be used by churches for the rituals/covenants they perform. That way, anybody, whether gay or straight, could enter into a domestic partnership and everybody would be equal in the eyes of the state, but what kinds of marriages are allowed would be left up to the churches.HEP

Snow, I really like that. :)Perhaps because of my LDS upbringing, I tend to put theological matters in "familial" terms, viewing God as our Parent, etc. Parents support, nurture, protect, teach, and raise their children, not the other way around. Likewise with God. Of course, most parents want their children to grow up, become more independent, have their own children, and so forth. I think it's a good idea for us not just to think of God as our Great Supplier in the Sky, but as a person. We can thank him for what he has done for us. We can talk with him about our challenges, and also about our joys and interests. We can attempt to "grow up" and treat other people as He treats us, and have children of our own to take care of. I think that parents enjoy nurturing their children, but they also like seeing their children nurture other people. HEP

Hasn't he done enough damage already? Oh wait, he already did two terms as President. SURE we can resurrect him! Maybe he could star in some more movies!

If one accepts that other gods exist, then one is by definition polytheistic. However, there are different types of polytheism, including henotheism, in which there is a chief god above the others, and monolatry, in which you choose to worship only one god out of many. I'm not sure the LDS Church has really come to grips with this question (but then, neither have other Christian churches, so we're in good company!). For example, I believe many LDS would feel uncomfortable with the statement "Jesus is God." And yet, the Book of Mormon says he is. In fact, the BoM sounds downright Trinitarian in places! The Muslims and Jews have a good point when they claim Christians are not monotheists because we believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God.HEP

If that symbolism is meaningful to you then by all means, do it that way! :) However, I think the most important thing is what's in our heart when we are taking the sacrament, our attitude about our relationship with the Lord.Peace, HEP

Oh, how disappointing--I thought this thread was about sex positions! *wink*wink* While I'm here, I will say that I have a friend who has an intersex friend, who got a chance to sit down and talk with a high ranking Church leader (I won't name names). This Church leader was sympathetic, but said "I don't know" to their questions about gender. Although it's often comforting to have our questions answered, some things we just don't know, and I think the best we can do is allow people to make their own choices, follow their own path, and treat them with the kindness and respect all of God's children deserve. Peace, HEP

Eeks! Honor, that picture scared me so much I almost wet myself! HEP

She wears shorts that do not meet BYU standards! Also proof that Pres. Obama is not a good leader. If he can't keep his own wife "in line"... The Buzz Log - Michelle Obama's Short-Shorts Stir the Web - Yahoo! Buzz My favorite part: Well, what's the First Lady supposed to wear on vacation? A formal dress? HEP

lost87, That's what the Atonement ("at-one-ment") is all about, healing relationships and bringing people together. Because engaging in unchaste actions with him has hurt you, him, and your relationship, perhaps part of the repentance process involves working with your friend on healing your relationship, on resolving the trust issues, etc. For now, I would suggest not worrying about having a romantic relationship with him; focus instead on simple friendship, trust, and respect. If romance follows later, that's great, but if not, you'll find somebody else. In either case, those issues need to be resolved first. I wish you the best! :) HEP