thews

I disagree. Can you give me a link to see what you're claiming? Why not? If the papyrus the Mormon church has matches the Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar (written by Joseph Smith) exactly letter for letter, and they had it on public display back in 1842 and charged money to see it, why would it not be on display now? It would prove without a doubt iwhether or not Joseph Smith knew how to translate Egyptian wouldn't it? Cool. Can you link me to a picture of the peep stone used to translate the Book of Mormon?

Actually no. Of the 4 mummies purchased by Joseph Smith, the papyrus Joseph Smith used to translate the BOA, is well documented, as it has a map of Navoo on the back and matches the Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar exactly, and comes with the receipts from Emma Smith when she sold them. The papyrus was given to the Mormon church in 1967... that is a fact. There is no question, as this is a fact. I've seen picutres of the peepstone, and have read that the LDS church has both the peepstone ands stovepipe hat.

Please explain what you mean by "experimets" by Joseh Smith. Joseph Smith said that polygamy was commanded by God... why isn't it today? So Joseph Smith did in fact "fall in love" with 38 women? Do Mormon men being "sealed" to women they aren't married to "in love" with them?

yes

If Joseph Smtih is "sealed" to more than one woman, and some of them married to other men, my question centers on the LDS concept of "love." Did Joseph Smith not love some of his wives, or did he love them all?

Can I ask you... do you believe in Hell? Can somoeone make such a big mistake, that they deserve being burned for all time and eternity? I'm not asking what you should believe, but what you do believe? Don't you think God is a loving God?

It is true. Sorry... my bad.

:)I find it hard to come to common ground on the topic of “love” and “marriage” in the LDS faith. If a man is “sealed” to more than one woman, and this is how it works in the LDS version of the afterlife, how does “God” define love when it comes to marriage? ...especially if that man is "sealed" to more than one woman? Do they share in heaven? I am going to get married on Dec. 20th of his year (I hope), and I love her so much. How could I possibly “share” her with another woman in heaven if it was only to her that I promise to love and cherish? Can someone define the LDs version of God’s view of love WRT to marriage?

Well, if people from 0 Ad to 1820+ were deprived of God's word. where do they land? How can one be judged if they didn't know?

What forum?

OK. Can you tell me what God sees as "love" regarding "marriage" in the LDS faith?

Can you tell me why the LDSchurch hides the papyrus (with map glued on its back), along with he EAG (Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar) written by Joseph Smith (along with receipts from Emma Smith), his peep stone and stivepipe hat from its members? Why do they (the LDS church) keep these sacred documents from its members?

The mark of a real diamond is its flaws. Flaws are where truth is found, becuase we are all flawed... makes it real. Your husband is a lucky man indeed.

Another lucky man. I love rubys.

He is a lucky man.

Heis a lucky man, and you seem to be a very good woman..., but C'mon, don't you want a rock? Seriously... you have to wear that ring every day forever?

Great. How have you been Laurel?

I would never do that, as respect goes both ways. In that respect though, I do find I'm attacked for asking the question that some LDS have issues with, or have not resolved it themselveswithin their own monds. In asking it (the question), I get a lot of flack. What can I expect in here to asking a question to what you believe you've already answered (someone else), but I believe has not been answered? I have questions... what is off limits?

Who do you think works in the local stores that sell this stuff? Ma and Pa shops need to sell inventory to survive. This save the planet at the expense of sending the money to Canada is something I don't understand. A local store got a comission today. Someone's life is easier this month in America; her name is Caron and she's a nice person.

Are simple questions about the LDS faith based on factual data "hurtful" in your opinion?

Eugene Morris Jerome: Why is it that we come from the same place but I can't understand you? Arnold Epstein: You're a witness. You're always standing around watching what's happening, scribbling in your book what other people do. You have to get in the middle of it. You have to take sides. Make a contribution to the fight. Eugene Morris Jerome: What fight? Arnold Epstein: Any fight. One you believe in. Until you do you'll never be a writer Eugene. Biloxi Blues - The finest movie ever made IMO.

I pulled the trigger today and wound up with a 3/4 carat SI H stone in the center. This is a big deal for me... getting married later in life is a lot harder than when I first got married at 19. What I found to be best was go to a small town store where money is tighter, and not a place where money flows. Thanks for all the advice ...it really helped. kneedrop Wed night ...but she already said yes:).

I'm getting lost in your mentioning statistical "evidence" in defining "real" evidence. Statistical probabilities can be used to define the null hypothesis in an argument if that’s all there is, but the use of the word "evidence" would imply actual archeological evidence IMO WRT to the null hypothesis when using "evidence." Are you implying both statistical and archeological "evidence" carry the same weight?

I'd love to her what you disagree with regarding the facts in my post. I find this response interesting. When you say you answer the same questions over again, you can tell when you are not responding for the reason of learning. I disagree, as I would sincerely like to learn from you. Can you tell me exactly what I said you that you disagree with?

Seems like most of the answers in this thread are from LDS, but I am a non-LDS Christian that was born and raised a Mormon with heritage that goes back to polygamy. There are a lot of aspects regarding the Mormon church's history that are hard to rationalize for Mormons and it kicks in a defense mechanism. Two cents: Polygamy/Polyandary - Just because this subject is not practiced by mainstream LDS, it was by the founding members (including their prophet of God in Joseph Smith) and is still part of the LDS doctrine, and it is how it's going to be in the LDS version of heaven. When confronted with the histoprical data (like the letter Joseph Smith wrote to Sara Ann Whitney), it shifts the focus of what is today, to what was then. The differences of the LDS religion today and back then are vast, and I think LDS members need to defend the fact that it's not practiced today, which is where the defensive attitude comes into play. Racism - Until 1978 black people could not hold the Mormon priesthood based on the color of their skin, and the doctrine defines "Dark and loathsome" as "cursed" skin. When attitudes regarding race changed in America, so did the doctrine. The words "White and delightsome" were changed to "Pure and delightsome" in the doctrine. Again this is part of the LDS history, and I think LDS members need to defend the fact that it's no longer a part of the doctrine. The Book of Abraham - Many aspects of the BOA are hard for Mormons to defend IMO, and there's a lot of angst when facts are referenced. There has been no critical examination of the papyrus and Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar (written by Joseph Smith), though the LDS church has had these documents since 1967 (they were not burned in a fire). Since there is no critical examination to reference, it creates a lot of confusion IMO. There are many more sensitive topics, and when people (non-LDS) want to point them out in the form of questions, an attack mode is what's given back, because it encompasses defense of their religion based on the question asked. If they feel attacked by outsiders asking questions, they will attack back in return. Having been in many debates with LDS people, people critical of the church are deemed "Anti" though the information is simply factually based history in most cases. I question what I believe and why often, but it's not easy. /2cents "A Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson Note that I expect to be attacked for stating this opinion.