Seanette

AGH!! Why does BYU insist on using FRAMES everywhere??? On my screen, I can't see a worthwhile amount of text in a frame!

I agree completely. IMO, saying either sex is better is rather sexist.

Assuming football counts as "wholesome recreation" (not a sports enthusiast myself), a case can be made for a family-bonding activity being OK. :) I'd say pray for guidance on what's right for you, within the guidelines we've already been given by Scripture and by the Lord's modern spokesmen.

I’m feeling a lot more motivated and energetic now, so should be able to work on catching up. I’m writing this on 7/13, and plan to do at least one more day’s reading today (hoping for two). 2 Nephi 8: Compare Isaiah 51, 52:1-2. The Lord will comfort Zion. God will establish His laws, carry out judgment, and bless the faithful. God’s people are not to fear the disapproval or hostility of man, but to stay focused on following God (very timely advice for our time!). Israel will be gathered to Zion. Isaiah speaks of the Two Witnesses of the last days, who are discussed in more detail in Revelation 11. 2 Nephi 9: The Lord deals with every generation through prophets (well, except for the period of the Great Apostasy, which was still well in the future for Isaiah, Nephi, and Jacob). There’s a great deal of discussion of the Atonement and the Resurrection, which entwines the two events much more than I normally see, so I learned a lot about the relationship between them, and that the Resurrection is part of the Atonement. By being resurrected and getting our bodies back, we’re freed from the hold Satan has over those who lack bodies (I assume those waiting to come to mortality are still under Parental protection). When we are resurrected, we will have perfect knowledge of our sins and of the good in us. God’s judgment will be just, since he knows everything about the one being judged. He will save all who hearken to Him. Learning is good, if God’s counsel is heeded, but can lead to pride and setting one’s own wisdom above that of God (to me, this basically defines the world we now live in). God warns against all forms of sin, and we’re told to not reject prophets because they’re telling us hard things to hear (based on how many different time periods we see this in, seems to be a “natural man” tendency). God’s way is narrow, with a straight course. Jacob urges his hearer/reader to come to God. 2 Nephi 10: Jacob is taught of the Crucifixion, and speaks of the wickedness of the Jews, who are willing to kill their God, having been led astray by priestcrafts and by their own iniquity. More discussion of the scattering and gathering of Israel. God tells Jacob that “this land” (meaning the land Jacob now lives in) is a land of inheritance and liberty. There are to be no kings in this promised land, and those who raise up a king will perish, as will all who fight against Zion. Jacob is told of other branches of Israel and that the Lord is mindful of all. We are reminded of agency, Jacob again urging the hearer/reader to choose to obey God. 2 Nephi 11: Nephi is again narrating. Isaiah, Nephi, and Jacob all saw the Redeemer, satisfying the Law of Witnesses (given in Deut. 17:6, Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1, D&C 6:28, and D&C 128:3). The law of Moses typifies Christ. Nephi praises God. 2 Nephi 12: Compare Isaiah 2. Isaiah sees the latter-day Temple, and the people going up to it to be taught. He sees the Judgment, and the peace in the Millennium. The proud and idolatrous will be humbled. When the Lord comes, the wicked will try to hide. 2 Nephi 13: Compare Isaiah 3. This appears to primarily refer to the then-future events of the captivity and/or dispersion, but Isaiah’s prophecies commonly have multiple fulfillments (the events will repeat in different time periods), so probably also applies to our future. Children will be brought to rule, and the people will oppress one another. Children will behave proudly against their elders and the wicked against the honorable (sound familiar? Like maybe now?). Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for defying God’s commands (another event that will probably also occur in our time). The daughters of Zion will be vain and worldly, and be humbled. Section 21: This is given at the organizing of the Church on April 6, 1830. Joseph Smith is called as prophet, seer, revelator, apostle, and elder. He acts as God would, as head of the Church. Believing his teaching brings blessings. Section 22: Baptism is necessary, and must be done by proper authority. We are not to seek to counsel God (ongoing problem here, looking at calls for the Church to change doctrine on homosexuality or giving women the priesthood). Section 23: Members are called to preach the Gospel, to exhort, and to strengthen the Church. Section 24: Joseph Smith is called to translate Scripture and to write of the Gospel. He and Oliver Cowdery are called to preach. Opponents of God’s work will be cursed (discussion of “shaking the dust from one’s feet” as declaration of cursing. This will be further discussed in Section 75). God tells us to not require miracles. Missionaries are to go without material goods and trust that the Lord will see that their needs are met. Abraham 3: Abraham gets an astronomy lesson. He’s taught about various bodies, especially Kolob, which is nearest to the throne of God. He learns that a day of Kolob time (same as God’s time) is 1000 years of earth time. He is promised innumerable seed. He learns that spirits are eternal and about intelligence. He learns about the Great Council in the pre-mortal life, when the Plan of Salvation is presented, Jesus is chosen as Redeemer, and Lucifer rebels. Abraham 4: The Gods plan out the Creation of earth.

Of course, it was AFTER I mentioned how young I thought Elphaba was that I noticed her age in the statistics block upper right on her posts.

We have deacons in my ward I swear don't look old enough to have been baptized.

Uh, Scripture isn't evidence in a spiritual matter?

Glad to see you're unharmed, bc. I was worrying because I hadn't seen you around in a while, and that OP really had me concerned about your safety. (Yes, I'm a mother-hen worrier. )

I always think of you as a lot younger than I am (40 next month), but I guess we're closer to the same age than I realized.

Good girl! Now, have fun, date guys who'll help you bring yourself UP to where you WANT to be, and try to be a little kinder to yourself, OK, hon? :)

Pretty cute! Reminded me of 80s computer graphics (don't know if you're old enough to remember that).

Unfortunately, Prodigal, you seem to be something of a minority among members I meet online. The majority I've seen fit the "intellectual pride" category, along with the rebellious types who yell about how doctrines need to change to fit worldly philosophies (such as on homosexuality). I meet very few online members who are willing to trust God to know what's best, and will truly sustain the leadership of the Church without fault-finding and sniping about how "out of touch" the leadership supposedly is. I also meet very few who don't seem to be looking for negatives in the Church. No, we're not perfect. If we were, we'd be the City of Enoch and probably have been translated. The problem comes when the discussion is so focused on finding flaws that good is dismissed as "lightweight" or, worse, treated condescendingly.

My ancestors hide. My family tend to be stubborn, difficult, and obstructive when alive. No, death doesn't mellow them any.

I've gotten zapped a few times by people's avatar pictures, so have learned not to assume the picture is the actual poster.

I've heard the theory (not sure whether I buy it or not) that Adam & Eve would have in time been told it was time to eat the fruit, and that they "jumped the gun" and ate before they would have been told to. Do we know for certain whether they knew before the Fall that that event would be necessary? I keep thinking that in their innocence in Eden, they might well not have known if they did not remember the pre-mortal life (do we know whether they had those memories at that point or when the veil was drawn over memory of pre-mortality?).

Still having trouble pulling myself together to get caught up. I’m writing this on Sunday, 7/12, and plan to do more after church (I have afternoon meetings). 2 Nephi 2: Lehi blessing Jacob, very doctrinal focus for this chapter. Lehi says of Jacob’s future that he will remain loyal to Nephi and serve God. He speaks of redemption coming by the Messiah’s sacrifice for sin, and says that the inhabitants of the earth need to know of the Messiah. He talks about the need for opposition, which gives knowledge and tries and proves us, and discusses how necessary the Fall was to bring about the necessary mortal experience for all of us. He goes into detail about agency being vital to God’s plan for His children. Lehi urges his sons to choose righteousness and follow Christ. 2 Nephi 3: Lehi blesses Joseph, his youngest son. He says that the land they are now living in is consecrated as the inheritance of the seed of his sons who remain faithful. Joseph of Egypt, the son of Jacob/Israel, was shown our time (as so many past prophets were) and is promised that the latter-day seer who will restore the Gospel (whom we now know to be Joseph Smith) will be descended from him. He’s also told about Moses bringing Israel out of Egypt and about the Book of Mormon, which will join with the Bible to establish peace and true doctrine. The weak will be made strong in and by God. Lehi urges his son Joseph to hearken to Nephi. 2 Nephi 4: Lehi blesses his posterity, urging faith and righteousness and telling his descendants to follow prophetic counsel. Lehi dies. L&L, along with the sons of Ishmael, are yet again angry with Nephi because of the admonitions of the Lord (yet again, the anger of the wicked when called to repentance (sigh)). Nephi keeps records on the plates, praises God’s goodness, mourns his own flaws, speaks of his trust in God, and pleads for redemption and the Lord’s help to remain righteous. 2 Nephi 5: L&L want to kill Nephi and take leadership of the family/colony, so they can silence their prophet and not have to listen to the Lord’s words that they find displeasing. The Lord warns Nephi of the threat. Nephi takes those family members who wish to follow him, and the records and other sacred things entrusted to him, and leaves for the wilderness. This starts the split between Nephites and Lamanites. Nephi’s people seek to obey God. They plant crops, build needed structures, make weapons for self-defense, and are industrious. They build a Temple. Nephi’s people want to make Nephi their king, but he declines, not wanting there to be a king among his people. Laman’s followers become indolent, and are cursed by God. They are made loathsome to the Nephites to discourage intermarriage (as we’ve seen elsewhere, God strongly discourages believers from marrying unbelievers for the sake of the believer’s faith). Jacob and Joseph are consecrated as priests and teachers for their people. Nephi continues to keep records, and mentions in passing wars between the two groups. 2 Nephi 6: Jacob is now narrating. He reviews the history of Israel: Babylonian captivity and liberation, the scattering of Israel, their recovery by the Messiah, who manifests to Israel. Those who fight against Israel will be destroyed. 2 Nephi 7: Compare Isaiah 50. Details Messiah’s suffering for mankind and reiterates that those opposing God will be destroyed. Section 17: The Three Witnesses are shown the plates, the Urim and Thummim, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona. The ability to see these things comes by faith. The Witnesses are commanded to testify of what they see. In this section, Christ bears witness of Joseph Smith’s calling to His work. Section 18: The Scriptures show the foundations of the Gospel. The world is ripening in iniquity. Souls are of great worth to God. The command is given to cry repentance, ask for needs in the name of Christ by faith, have faith, hope, and charity, take on the name of Christ, and speak the truth of the Gospel in soberness. Those who repent, are baptized, and endure to the end shall be saved. Christ is the only way to salvation. Twelve Apostles are to be called to preach. Section 19: Christ has all power to destroy Satan and judge man. We must repent or suffer the consequences of our sins. “Eternal” or “endless” punishment is defined as that of God, not necessarily lasting forever. Again, the command is given to repent and to preach repentance. Do not give “meat” (or advanced material) before “milk” (or basics) . Do not covet that which belongs to your neighbor, be willing to give of means to support spread of Gospel. Be prayerful and declare the Gospel in humility. Like Section 18, this was at the time primarily given to those called to serve missions, but has application to all Church members. Section 20: This is basically a constitution for the Church at the beginning. The duties of members and holders of various priesthood offices are set forth. The Book of Mormon attests to the unchanging nature of God and the divinity of the latter-day work. The foundational doctrines of creation, the Fall, repentance, and baptism are covered. The laws governing repentance, justification, sanctification, and baptism are set forth. The Sacrament prayers and regulations for Church membership are given. Abraham 1: Abraham seeks for the priesthood in the patriarchal order. His fathers worship false gods. This “worship” includes sacrifice of children. Idolatrous priests try to kill Abraham for speaking against this (and here we go again with the wicked wanting to silence those speaking righteousness). God rescues him, destroys the false altar, and kills the offending idolatrous priest. There is a famine in Chaldea, where Abraham lives at this time. Abraham’s father Terah repents. Abraham 2: Abraham (at this time Abram) marries Sarai (later Sarah), and takes her to Canaan, along with his nephew Lot, Lot’s wife, and Terah (seems likely others came too). They stop briefly in Haran, where Terah, who returns to idolatry, chooses to remain. Abraham and Lot pray. Abraham is promised posterity, and what we will later know as the Abrahamic covenant is introduced. Abraham builds an altar, makes an offering, and prays for his father’s house. Abraham goes to Egypt with his family. He is commanded by God to tell Pharaoh that Sarah is his sister, so that he will not be killed to free her to marry Pharaoh, as would happen if Pharaoh knew Sarah to be Abraham’s wife. (This can be difficult to reconcile, a prophet being instructed to do that which is otherwise wrong. My personal answer is to trust in God’s greater knowledge, well beyond my mortal understanding.)

I've been on other forums where someone has to have a certain post count (it varies by board) before links are allowed. Seems to eliminate this sort of problem, since most spammers aren't going to put out the effort to achieve the post count.

If you're female, could your cycle be relevant? That hits me pretty hard sometimes. Other possibilities: problems with work or family, not eating/sleeping properly. Is this a recurring thing with you? Let's see, ways to pull back up: sometimes prayer and/or Scripture reading works, or a priesthood blessing can be useful. Finding a funny movie or book can help, too. Also, there's the classic "find something useful to do to take your mind off your mood" strategy.

Hey, lost, did you go out with him? Inquiring minds want to know.

I have no idea.English is quite inconsistent. (One thing I like about Spanish is that the spelling is a lot more phonetic and straightforward.)

Trust me, he's even more deranged in person.

Uh, dazed, no offense intended, but the word in question is spelled "height".

I put myself in the camp of "not perfect, but trying to be faithful, and with a certain knowledge that Christ runs this church through His prophet". I see a lot of "Internet Mormons" seemingly going out of their way to condescend or fault-find for the praise of more worldly philosophies or for the sake of their pride in their intellect (with a dose of "see how much more intellectual I am that I don't just believe, I can find all sorts of loopholes and exceptions and excuses"). Yes, I know the "chapel Mormons" can be a bit on the self-righteous side, and I'm not saying both groups don't have some work to do. I'm still more comfortable identifying with a group that trusts in God and His anointed leaders, rather than a group that fault-finds and puffs up in pride of intellect and contempt for simple faith.

Congratulations to the new Church member-to-be!

I really don't know. As hard as I try to be obedient, I do have some insecurity issues (not DH's fault). OTOH, could be to my benefit to have another woman around for company and to help me manage DH. He's been known to comment he's not sure he could handle two wives, especially if we're PMSing at the same time.