joofob

For what reason should one be reconciled to God. How can one be reconciled to God if one was never in his grace previously? IMO, This is plain evidence that before our mortality we not only existed but were found to be in God's favor and grace. Either that or the common held and mainstream Christian belief regarding original sin is wrong. To be reconciled creates purpose and reason for fearing the Lord and obeying his commandments, rather then "because he said so." It teaches and implies that there was a time that we were held in God's favor, but at some point fell from such status. I am also curious as to the meaning of "we do not expect to become Gods, we do expect glorification." I understand your use of we do not expect to become Gods and I have reservations if you really understand the LDS doctrine regarding become joint-heirs with Christ. Honestly I do not want to derail this thread so I will leave it at that, but I am curious as to your meaning regarding the expectation of glorification. What exactly does it mean for me to expect glorification? As far as judging angels go I agree with your assessment that Paul was teaching a broader principle and point, but I think you are too dismissive of the belief Paul represented. Even though Paul was making a point with the example of judging angels its obvious that statement represented some form of belief or doctrine. I understand it was in a sense cryptic, Paul seems to throw things out there in that way quite often, but its also apparent it was a held belief. Do you have any idea on what that could mean ? Anyway thanks for that thought from 1 Corinthians its been too long since I have read that

I think you need to be careful in drawing the line for what is influencing and what is forcing. If God influences the employer he is not forcing or making the choice for the employer. Your scenario only suggests influencing and if one insists "manipulating" the employer. At any time the employer can still choose to hire or not hire the applicant. He retains his agency in full, but the circumstances in which he makes the decision are altered. The scriptures are FULL of such examples and many here I am sure can provide such experiences in their own lives. I am not aware of any event where God has ever forced someone to do something. I don't believe he ever would, nor do I see how he could lol. Really how do you force someone to do something? They always have a choice between actions no matter how overbearing the circumstances may be. The only conceivable way I can think of where someone is absolutely forced into doing something is by a means beyond possession, which I am not aware exists. I could be wrong, but hey you would need a pretty convincing argument to show that someone can be forced in an absolute way where their agency is void. The only thing that could potentially be associated with such an example is by stretching the doctrine of influencing spirits, i.e. the devil can have power over you, but even that is lacking because one must permit the devil to influence and enslave themselves in his grasp. Anyway if anyone has some pretty convincing arguments Im down to check them out

A social attachment to the church is important and I do not want to undermine it by stating that it is not the reason to attend church. It can be truly difficult and challenging to become attached and devoted to the Gospel without it, but it is not the reason nor is it necessary for anyone to have social connections to attend church, worship the Lord and partake in sacred ordinances. he he he I have known quite a few non member men with hot heads confronted with aggravating situations because of others in the church. Lets face it, it will most likely happen a few times. That is not a reason to remain inactive. Discuss your feelings and the situation with him, inform him that at some point someone will comment on his lifestyle with good intentions etc etc. Let him be aware, but do not keep something like that a reason to not become active in the Gospel of Christ. His heart will soften over time. Your reason should be your testimony of the Gospel of Christ. I am sure you have it in there somewhere Search the scriptures and seek guidance and revelation from the Lord and be faithful and humble. If the Gospel is true and Lord of heaven exists he will make himself known and reveal his will to you. NEVER NEVER let this be a reason for you to miss out on spiritual growth and the gospel. Devote and sacrifice what you can and trust in the Lord that he will succor and nurture your spiritual needs. The Lord is pleased when even the weakest of saints shows some effort. Take gradual steps and let it be between you and the Lord. Speak with your husband, be patient with him and work things out as best you can. If you love him and he loves you then things will work out. It may be a challenging path ahead, but the Lord will strengthen you and soften his heart. BE PATIENT with him and understand it won't be an easy change for him either. Now is the time, it won't be easy, but you will be strengthened by the Lord. Seek his guidance, search, and pray. If it be right the spirit will confirm it and if it is not the spirit will also plainly confirm such an important decision. When you get your answer follow it and keep in mind there will be consequences, both good and bad, but the Lord will help you through any challenges you encounter. I pray for the best.

Pam, I liked your second response to clarify signs and revelation. Signs are indeed evidence and proofs many seek from God for both righteous and evil purposes. God will show signs for all as a demonstration and evidence to the righteous and wicked that he is Lord. The righteous seek after signs foretold in prophecy and by revelation with humility and faith. The wicked seek signs of the power of God to prove he does not exist. They do not seek signs to strengthen faith nor to know the will of God. They challenge God and his authority and demand signs because they do not believe he will give one. Revelation is communication from God to man and comes in many forms. Surprisingly revelation can even come to the wicked such as Alma and Saul of Tarsus. Revelation is also given as a means to teach and reveal the will of God to man. In most cases God reveals his will to the humble and righteous, but has also revealed his will and rebuked the wicked through revelation. Signs are more appropriately associated with events of power, demonstration, and miracles. They are typically physical things, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, commanding the elements etc. They are the measuring rod the prideful use to determine if God exists. Revelation is more appropriately associated with spiritual witnesses and communications. It is almost always discerned and understood with the spiritual eyes and senses and the ungodly mock and scorn such things. What are your thoughts Traveler?

He should not ask her for details on what she is doing with her boyfriend as he apparently did. With that said it seems he meant only to ensure she understood the law of chastity. He could have gone about it in better ways then trying to find out the details of what she does with her boyfriend. If he was concerned he should have asked her to explain the law of chastity, clarified anything that was misrepresented or left out and reaffirmed that she lived by the law of chastity. As for those who claim she should not be embarrassed about anything unless she is breaking the law of chastity... please. That is a totally ignorant generalization of human behavior. Many people are private and do not like to discuss certain things with even those that are close to them. There are lines drawn that in most cases should not be crossed but under certain conditions and circumstances should be. It seems this was not one of those cases, but it is also apparent no harm or malevolence was intended in anyway. As for comments regarding mission presidents and bishops having revelation on very personal decisions... lol I don't think so. Finding a wife or husband is a decision that should be made between yourself, God and the potential spouse. The bishop has no authority, nor the mission president to receive revelation, but they can certainly give counsel. My mission president always held the view that missionaries should not marry women or men from the mission and he strongly counseled against it. I happened to agree with him, but it was just good counsel. Congrats Amy on finding the restored Gospel and living it. I am glad you understand that the Bishop had the best intentions even though he may have made a mistake, don't hold it against him

This is the answer. ^ ^ To expand a little on what McConkie offered and bytor shared Christ had attained Godhood in pre-earth life. He had become one with God the Father. He shared all the characters of Godhood as did the Father as well as the Holy Ghost. Christ was subject to the same plan all of us were subject to. He did not need to become mortal to prove himself or progress in understanding and knowledge as some have implied. See Nephi 11 for the Condescension of God. Christ being subject to the plan and will of the father, lived under the same circumstances any other mortal would have being born into this world. A Veil was placed over his eyes and he had to grow learning line upon line and precept upon precept. God had to reveal himself to his only begotten son and Christ had to follow the will of the Father in all things in order to be perfect. I make that sound like such a simple task, but being Perfect in all things as Christ was is unfathomable to me just how great and marvelous that is. He was God in the flesh as he was God in the spirit before. He simply had to abide by the conditions of the fall in order to bring about the salvation of all. He did not have to grow and learn because he was lacking.

Jesus concealed spiritual truths and teachings in the form of parables so that those who had ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand could discern such truths and receive them in righteousness. Those whose eyes had closed, hearts waxed gross, and hearing dull willfully rejected such truths. They sought wickedness rather than righteousness and darkness rather than light and truth. They kept themselves from such truths not Christ. At any time they could discerner the spiritual truths had they been prepared and willing, but they were not. As for any other reasons then what the savior has specifically declared I know not, but remain interested in others thoughts.

From a LDS perspective one should be grateful for the availability and access to such sacred teachings and covenants, because those able to receive such in the ancient church were a very selective group of individuals. It gives a new meaning to the prophecy that the Lords spirit will be poured out upon all flesh.

Prayer has many uses and is essential to our salvation. It is the means by which we can communicate to God the father and he to us. We are able to communicate with God and he with us because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. As you pointed out prayer brings forth the fruit and blessings of the Gospel. It is a time for me to set everything aside and speak to God and for him to speak to me. If I never have anything I really want to say or ask for I simply thank him for blessings that I have noticed. Soon enough I am humbled and I find more to be grateful for, say, and ask for. For me prayer at its core has been a reminder of the Gospel and the covenants I have made and always gets me to recognize who it is I really rely on. Its my medicine for pride and my sustenance for spirituality. I am a better person with it and worse without it It has always been my strongest source for relieving revelation and relieving my doubts. one of my favorite teachings from the scriptures on prayer

As others have pointed out All the dead will not be resurrected at or during the millennium. There are 2 main types of resurrections with subgroups. 1. The first resurrection 2. The second resurrection. The first resurrection contains 2 distinct types of resurrections, the morning of the first resurrection and the eve of the first resurrection. The morning of the first began when Christ raised himself from the dead and was the first fruits. All the righteous saints that are to receive a celestial inheritance that came before Christ where also raised at that point. The morning of the first resurrection has continued to this day and will be wrapped up with the coming of Christ. Those who die during the millennium will be resurrected having not tasted of the fruits of death ( it will be an instant change from death to resurrection ) At some point during the millennium the eve of the second resurrection will occur and all those who have inherited a terrestrial glory will rise and become resurrected beings. The second resurrection contains 2 distinct types of resurrections, the morning of the second resurrection and the eve of the second resurrection. The morning of the second will begin after the millennium and those will receive a telestial glory. The eve will occur later, but before the final judgement and those will inherit outer darkness. At the time of the millennium the earth will inherit a paradisaical glory as it was before the fall. That would be a terrestrial state and not celestial. After the millennium the earth will be resurrected and inherit its celestial glory.