Aristotle

This brings up a question! Just curious, but are you gentlemen in an LDS forum to teach us about your beliefs, or to learn about our beliefs?

Exactly...and I don't feel bad...I am just being realistic. Basically, it is poinless to go somewhere to tell a bunch of people they are wrong, and we should avoid even trying, unless they are causing us harm. ← I think that would especially hold true in a forum designed for a specific group. Diversity makes things interesting, however. Otherwise, we'd all be preaching to the choir. How boring would that be? LOL

The pollution is getting so bad here, that I would actually welcome mass city transit. However, many of us live so far away from a Temple, how would we get home late at night from a session, or how would we get to Church on Sunday, unless the transit system ran 24/7? Many people work third shift...not a good idea for a woman alone to ride a subway in the middle of the night (not without a gun, anyway). And how about emergency hospital visits? I guess one could call a cab. But what about vacation time? Amtrak is very expensive...moreso than flying. I don't think mass city transit alone is very realistic...except to control the population. And we know what Jesus had to say about control. ;-)

Maybe my problem is that I know that my "truths" (opinions) will never be accepted (not even one) by the predominantly Conservative/Christian audience here. ...and by the way, I am not a Democrat either, so even the "liberals" won't listen to me It will be a cold day in Outer Darkness when I can get anyone here to understand and accept even one of the teachings of Lao Tzu or the Buddha. I'm not complaining about being ignored...I haven't even visited this message board regularly for a long time. I just want to teach myself to keep my mouth shut when I hear something I don't like, because it usually comes from a source that is not going to listen to my disagreement...and that will lead to nothing but frustration. I'll post some quotes about the value of silence later on... ← Don't feel bad...I doubt that my opinons would be of interest in a Buddist forum either. ;-)

I guess if we aren't going to talk about politics or religion, we'll have to talk about women. Me thinks the contentiousness of politics and religion will seem like the proverbial Sunday School picnic compared to starting down that dark, dangerous rode. ← A man walked up to me and asked, "Who's that lady?" To which I replied, "That's no lady, that's my wife." ;-) (Yep, more contention here...Mrs. A just whacked me with my high heel.)

My belief is that we are all gods and goddesses in embryo; that we are not at all insignificant, nor is God; and Mormonism is true.

Whenever I am confronted by anti-Mormons or anti-Christians, I try to remember the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

I agree with you.

There is a time for every purpose under heaven...including human life. It isn't in God's eternal plan for mankind to inhabit the earth throughout eternity. Eternal life will continue in the hereafter; therefore, those who came to earth to receive a body will live out their life as it was preordained, then return to our Heavenly Father to dwell with Him forever...if we are worthy.

Since this topic is about false prophets and sects, I would just like to add to Maureen's post that the only true latter day saint church which exists today is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; therefore, it should not be listed among the other sects, in my opinion.

Not long ago, I received an email from an Australian police officer quoting the crime statistics in Australia after disarmament. The statistics were actually higher. Criminals chose other methods to murder their victims. This proves that disarming a nation is no guarantee that crime or criminals will cease to exist. Disarming a nation only causes it to be vulnerable to a [corrupt] government.

As a Christian, I believe in a true sense of reality...life eternal. Although, I do like the Desiderata, and the song, "Child of the Universe". However, I would identify myself as a "child of God". :-)

It is my belief that the majority of LDS conservatives are united politically...especially in regard to abortion. Our First Amendment rights guarantee our right of freedom of speech, and the Church views the Constitution as a divinely-inspired document. I believe that we must protect and defend our rights through the political process.

In my opinion, if we share our beliefs from our own personal perspective, in a spirit of love instead of contention, it frees up the other person to do the same. In discussing politics and religion, I think mutual respect is the key...as well as practicing the Golden Rule. The Church encourages us to get involved in the political process and to elect good leaders. Perhaps if more Christians would watchdog the legislature, many of the laws which are being passed to weaken our Christian nation would not be enacted, and some can still be reversed. We, who are the majority, should take back our power and not allow our Christian heritage to be voted into obscurity.

When it's a person's time to go, they go. Our time on earth is pre-ordained. Even prayers cannot keep someone on earth when their time is up. It's hard to accept sometimes, when you lose a loved one...we're not ready to let go of them. But it is comforting to know that they are in a better place (if they lived right upon the earth), and that we have an opportunity to be with our loved ones in the next life. My heart goes out to those who disbelieve, because they don't have that comfort and surety.

A friend of ours sent us the following email: Two Mormon missionaries tracting door-to-door in central Florida were shot. One died and the other was seriously injured. This was sent to me by a nonmember friend...Notice the two other shooting news items – both resulted in bullets lodged in the victims’ brains. I think the MSM (mainstream media and liberal media) wants everyone to get the idea that “gun deaths and injuries” are out of control in every city and town across America – obviously in need of more “gun control” laws. Missing from prominent coverage, or coverage at all, is the number or car crashes that put hundreds of people in hospitals or morgues all over America every day. Notice also that the average of 6,000 abortions performed every day (babies killed in utero) by mothers and their complicit doctors – resulting in 44,000,000 (44 million) missing Americans since Roe v. Wade. You never see this news making front page, do you? And we are made to wonder why our borders are so porous. Probably three-fourths of the 44,000,000 would be in the American workforce if they were alive. Do you see front page news decrying this deliberate bloodbath on innocents? Of course not. http://www.local6.com/news/5813181/detail.html

Personally, I am so grateful to know that our Heavenly Father has designed a place in the hereafter where all His children may be reunited as eternal families. I cannot conceive of living in "nothingness" throughout eternity, as I have experienced plenty of that here upon the earth. LOL

Recently, we have looked into getting a concealed weapons permit. A friend of ours took a class from a retired police officer in regard to the rules and regulations and added responsibility of having a concealed weapons permit. For example, if a concealed weapons permit holder witnesses a crime in progress and does nothing to stop it, the permit holder faces criminal charges.

You remind me so much of me and when we were first married. Neil Sedaka did a great song, "I miss the hungry years"...things do get better, if we want them to. If we work hard, keep the faith, and do what is necessary to improve our lives for the better, it will happen. Do we need help, and prayers, and determination? Yes! Life isn't easy, but I find that if I look at other people's problems, mine seem small in comparison. I'm just so thankful to know that Heavenly Father is here for us in such times, and always.- Mrs. A. ← Thanks for the post Mrs. A..... You are so right.... things get better if we want them too... we do have to work at it. I have said more prayers in the last 2 days than I have said in the last 2 weeks.And LOL.... I remember back to my wedding...one I had little hand in helping with BTW...the (to be) ex-mother-in-law took over since I was just a teenager who "didn't understand" the fine art of planning... And she picked the colors...Purple of course...her favorite color.... nice contrast with the Army green uniforms don't you think? Oh, and the Red Poinsetta's that decorated the church since it was close to Christmas.... ROFL....it was a NIGHTMARE....LOL I did get to pick a song....hmmmm what was it? "Nightmare On My Street"? He He He ← Thank you, Lindy...by the way, I would have loved to come to your wedding...high heel sneakers and all. LOL

Oh Aristotle... we used to have so much fun with the name changes in chat.... we still do...ok SOME still do. If you don't want to be changed around...just tell the mod... they will be nice. Promise. :) ← Ok, gotcha! The joke is on moi... I'm taking my high heels and heading to the stranger than fiction corner. ;-)

Is their any doubt who my choice would be? Aristotle rules! ;-) Kidding aside, my number one choice is Jesus.

The strangest thing happened the other day when I was in live chat...my name was changed from Aristotle to Pluto! Ben, the moderator, said something to the effect that it was the invisible gremlins at work again. I guess my suggestion is to put a lid on the gremlins. LOL

Have faith, sister! A living prophet of God guides the Church today, and he will never lead us astray. Yes, people make mistakes...to err is human. But keep your eye on the prophet. Many things cannot be explained on this side of the veil.

Although I love shopping at the LDS Bookstore, I do so infrequently because it's very expensive...so, I'll shop at Barnes & Noble instead. We have found that LDS businessmen tend to charge more for their services, presumably because they pay tithing and have missionaries to support. When I was home schooling, on my application under "Religion" I listed myself as "Christian" instead of LDS, since other LDS homeschoolers told me if I stated I was LDS, the Christian supplier would refuse my business. It's a shame, in dealing with other Christian denominations, I am reluctant to state that I'm LDS, since so many share the misconception that LDS are not Christians. - Mrs. A