spamlds

When I first got called into a bishopric 10 years ago, the other counselor was a 25 year-old medical student. I think he felt kind of awkward also. He's going to be a high priest for a very long time!

Who are the "Gods"in the Book of Abraham? They are the same beings mentioned in Psalms 8:4-5. "4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." The Hebrew word for "angels" above is actually "elohim" or "gods." The word "gods" also appears in Psalm 82:6, a verse that was quoted by Jesus in John 10:35. In Genesis we read that the serpent tempted Eve, telling her, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5) A few verses later we read the that the Lord God said, "...Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil[.../U]:" Paul summarized the doctrine of "plurality of gods" very nicely when he wrote: "5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

This question is most appropriately answered in confidence with your bishop. The temple recommend interview itself contains instruction concerning this topic. This is not an appropriate discussion for an Internet forum. I hope the moderators will exercise some discretion here and pull this thread.

To my fellow LDS members on the forum. I have found this discussion very interesting, but my "spidey senses" have been tingling since this discussion started. I have the feeling that our brother RedPhoenix is more of a "Red Herring." He has lured us into a well-intended discussion of his objections as to why he has not been baptized. Each step of the discussion has uncovered additional layers of fallacy and misinformation in his thinking about core LDS doctrines. If he was close to baptism, then at some point he would have received missionary discussions. Those discussions are very basic. They would include the concepts of being saved by the grace of Christ, of repentance, of being born again. Certainly Alma's powerful witness about being born of God is a key element of those discussions. I can't imagine a missionary not teaching that doctrine. Anyone prepared for baptism would know about and understand the doctrine of the degrees of glory. They would know and understand that Mormons don't believe that God will send anyone to a fiery hell and they would know that we teach that there are varying degrees of glory. Those who reject the fulness of the restored gospel will end up being saved in kingdoms of lesser glory. Again, that's a core tenet of our religion. This statement by RedPhoenix is telling: "As for your crass remark about my "opinion" that I would be doing a favor to the church by joining it, I will not even dignify that infantile remark with a response. I am a social science scholar. I am paid to analyze and question things. I use this method to understand things, and God has opened my eyes to so many things. I generally find that people who can't rationalize or carry on conversations outside of their comfort zones resort to remarks such as those you chose to make. So be it. You are entitled to your opinion. Just please refrain from being rude and keep it to yourself. Thank you for understanding. "As for your ideas about holding the keys to the kingdom, I await the day we meet in the afterlife, only to see the look on your face when Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, and LDS stand side by side in God's kingdom. The worldly pride evinced in the statement, "Ï am a social science scholar" is very revealing. The scriptures I posted have nudged him into a defensive posture and now, like most sectarians, he leans upon his secular credentials, whereas we lean upon scripture and divine authority. At no point was I rude, just very frank. The scriptures I used are very direct. Secular credentials as a "social scientist" don't qualify anyone to judge spiritual truths that God has ordained to be "spiritually discerned." If I went around and polled 1000 florists, network engineers, or dentists and asked them if they thought Mormonism was true, based on their expertise and credentials, would they be anymore qualified to judge than a social scientist? No! It's oranges and apples. Dear brother "RedPhoenix,"although I respect your worldly acheivements, they have absolutely no value in determining the truth of what can only be assessed by the Spirit of God. If you find that offensive, I'll leave you to study how Jesus had run-ins with the learned men (scribes and Pharisees) of his day. They rejected him because of their supposed learning. The more I read the replies of RedPhoenix, I'm more convinced that he's toying with us. There's no sincerity. He doesn't show any inkling of having been close to being baptized. Maybe we're the subjects of some "social science"project he's working on for his PhD. In the two years I operated the Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism web site, I ran into people who posed as sincere investigators who were actually trying to post questions they thought would trip up members and introduce doubts into their hearts. They seemed to be surprised when we had good, scriptural answers to their "objections" and then they either ignored the answers or moved on to other prepared-in-advance "doubt-inducing" questions. Let me just go ahead and say so--IMHO, this guy's a plant, a subtle anti-Mormon trying to stir up some trouble. My gut tells me so and after running S.P.A.M. for a couple of years, I have very good instincts for sniffing out these types. To my LDS fellows, don't get sucked into trying to provide speculative "evidence" about ruins, ancient battlegrounds, archaeology, or DNA. To paraphrase my friend, Ronnie Bray, finding out the gospel is true is as simple as finding socks in the sock drawer. Just open up the drawer and "voila!' There they are! A person who persists in asking for "proof" and who refuses to seek to find answers as James 1:5 and Moroni 10:4 direct is not sincere and they're not looking for truth. When we continue to insist upon that method for finding truth, they get increasingly agitated and end up hostile. As for us Mormons, if we preach the gospel without the Spirit (i.e., trying to present scientiific evidence, etc.) we cheat sincere seekers of the only way to get a testimony. Don't get sucked into those questions. Stay on the high ground of testimony and personal revelation. If that's not good enough to suit someone claiming to seek the truth, let them go. It may be that the light in the rear-view window is best seen from a distance. There's always the possibility that they'll return with true purpose of heart.

Dear RedPhoenix, Let me reposition the assumptions involved here. I fully respect your right to believe what you will. However, you seem to display an attitude that you'd be doing the Church a favor by joining it. I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, because written communications often is inadequate to express our intentions. I pray that you will accept these words as being delivered in a spirit of meekness. The words of the Lord are bold. Thus the boldness is not mine, but those of the scriptures themselves. If you have no doubt that you're going to be with the Father in your present spiritual state, you are nowhere even close to considering baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord expects us to come to him with a sincere heart, a contrite spirit, and a broken heart. The question for you is how that occurs. I invite you to carefully read the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus in John chapter 3. Jesus teaches several important truths during that conversation. I'll post them one by one, beginning with verse 3. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ((John 3:3) The definition of being "born again" is to "see the kingdom of God." The moment you see that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth, you will be born again. You cannot see it until you gain a testimony of it. That testimony is spiritually discerned. Paul wrote: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (2 Corinthians 2:14) Paul's statement of how one gains knowledge parallels the teachings of Jesus to Nicodemus back in John chapter 3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:11-12) Latter-day Saints offer testimony. We teach what we know by the Spirit and encourage you to approach God to obtain a testimony in the same manner. Once a person is born again, he "sees" the kingdom of God, he can identify it--its characteristics and properties, its organization, its officers, and its authority. The natural desire for a sincere seeker is to unite himself to that kingdom. Jesus said in verse 5: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) Baptism is the gateway to enter into the kingdom. There would be no point in baptism if there is no kingdom or that the kingdom was some unidentifiable spiritual essence. Baptism is unto the remission of sins, which means that repentance must necessarily precede it. RedPhoenix, because you have not "seen" that kingdom yet, you are not repentant. Not being in a state of repentance, you are unprepared for baptism. Peter said: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the fgift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) My "assumption" on your spiritual standing is based in how you have responded as the knowledge of the gospel has presented to you. I'm sure you're a pleasant person with many wonderful characteristics. I'm sure you have a belief in Jesus Christ. That's a wonderful thing and I'm sure it brings blessings to you. The next step in the progression of your relationship is to accept the Lord's servants and the authority he has given them. In John 13:19-20, Jesus said: "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me." Do you see the linkage between verse 19 and 20? When it comes to pass that any person believes that Jesus is the Savior and "receives" him, he must also come to terms with the invitation to accept those whom the Lord has sent. One cannot receive Jesus and reject those whom he has called and sent. If one rejects Jesus' servants, they reject him and the Father who sent him. The "seeing" of the kingdom of God that comes at the moment of being born again is the realization that Jesus Christ called men and gave them his authority. It is the realization that he established a kingdom, organized it, and vested it with his power and authority. It is a discovery that there are men who are called of God. In our day, if someone rejects Joseph Smith as a prophet, they reject Jesus who sent him. If they reject Jesus who called Joseph, they reject the Father. The rejection of the restored gospel, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, priesthood authority, power to seal on earth and in heaven, and all the revelations that have come since 1820 is a rejection of those whom Jesus has sent. RedPhoenix, I assure you that, like all the rest of us have done, you have a need to repent of your sins and submit yourself to the Lord's servants, humbly applying for baptism with a contrite spirit and a broken heart. You must clearly understand that, despite your sincere desire to follow Jesus, you have committed errors and sins, and you must confess them and forsake them. You must enter into a covenant to take upon you the name of Christ and witness to him by baptism that you have sincerely repented. Your statement that you are confident that you'll be with the Father is an admission that you have no need of repentance at the present time. In that case, you're not prepared to be baptized. I'll conclude with a scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 84. 45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. 47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father. 48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world. 49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin. 50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. 51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin. 52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me. 53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now. My intent is not to offend, but to stir you up unto repentance--to shake a smug confidence that you are saved in the kingdom of the Father. If you had been born again, it would be a natural process for you to humbly request baptism, having an acceptance of the Lord's servants. It will be apparent to everyone here when you have been born again and when you have received a testimony. I truly believe that the Spirit has witnessed to you that these things are true, but you are resisting those feelings. I hope you will consider these words as being delivered in a spirit of meekness. The power is in the words of the Lord, not in anything I might say of my own. I hope you will be troubled sufficiently by these things and inquire of God directly to find his kingdom. I wish you well.

Congratulations to you! Becoming a high priest literally supercharged my spiritual life. I had never imagined that such a thing would occur. If you can recall the spiritual changes that occurred when you transitioned from the Aaronic to the Melchizedek Priesthood, you can expect something similar to occur when you're ordained a high priest. Sometime I joke with elders in my branch, telling them, "If you want to help somebody move, call the Elders' Quorum. If you want to move a mountain, call the high priests." Expect good things! -Greg

This lesson from last year's Priesthood and Relief Society manuals has Joseph Smith's explanation of Matthew chapter 13 and the parables contained in it. This is the best explanation of all why people don't get an answer. LDS.org - Support Materials Chapter - Truths from the Savior’s Parables in Matthew 13

Also see Revelation chapters 12 and 17 about the "woman." The woman is the Church which went into apostasy.

Hi RedPhoenix, I certainly appreciate and respect the amount of mental energy you have expended on the subject at hand. Certainly that is a part of the "formula" given in the Doctrine and Covenants, to reason it out in your mind. D&C Section 8, verse two says: "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation..." Section 9 says: "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought Getting a personal testimony involves both the mind and the heart. In the Bible, the disciples on the road to Emmaus encountered the resurrected Jesus. He appeared in such a way that they didn't recognize him. As they walked along, talking of the dreadful events of the crucifixion of their Master, Jesus gently chastened them. He told them: "...O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (Luke 24:25) Do you see where I'm going with this. They knew the scriptures. They had an intellectual grasp of them. It was their hearts that kept them from "seeing" him. Jesus expounded the scriptures to them and even then, they didn't recognize him. They asked him to stay with them and they ate a meal together. When Jesus broke the bread, they recognized him. It was when they "let their guard down" and opened themselves up to the feelings they felt that they recognized him. After the fact, they felt foolish that they didn't know him. They said, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" I believe that you're "over-thinking" this and that you haven't opened up your heart to the Lord yet. There is some fear, some reticence that holds you back. You know the cost. If you embrace Mormonism, you know that you will become an object of ridicule by some people you probably respect. For some people, it's family or friends. Others are afraid of the impact it will have on their social standing, their careers, or some worldly position or honor. Until we're ready to become "fools for Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:10), the Lord will withhold the answers we seek. Commitment to follow the revelation is what brings it. I am always amazed at how many intelligent people miss the greatest blessings and opportunities that can be had. They spend so much time analyzing and rationalizing it, they never get to the point where they will simply ask God and trust the answer that comes. To the people in the Book of Mormon, Jesus said: "And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (3 Nephi 11:37-38) The "great and wise" miss this because they are unwilling to become simple, like a child. The answer is right there in front of you. What a wonderful invitation is given us, to approach God and get an answer directly from him. It puts our faith on the line. Those who have faith to obtain a personal revelation will have faith to inherit eternal life. Those who wait for proof will perish in unbelief. The entire process is between the person asking and the Lord. Brother, can I liken a scripture to you for a moment in a positive way? Mark chapter 12 tells about a scribe who came to Jesus with a question about what was the "first commandment." Here was a man learned in the scriptures and apparently an honorable seeker of truth. Jesus gave him an answer in very direct, simple terms: love God and your fellow man. Verse 34 tells us "And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." The scribe answered "discreetly," meaning that he was trying to be "objective" or non-committal in his response. He wasn't ready yet. He was still logically trying evaluate the cost of following Jesus. This is very much like your situation. You see good reason to join the Church. You also have some conflicts with the teachings of the creeds that are broadly accepted instead of taking the strait and narrow way. I ask you to consider Mark 12 and ask yourself what the scribe should have done. Should he have continued to debate with Jesus or wait for proof? Or should he have followed the feelings in his heart and followed the Savior? He was so close to the kingdom of God. Likewise, you are very close. Study the scriptures for every reference about the Holy Ghost. You'll find that it doesn't depend on intellect alone. Click on the link below to a list of New Testament passages about the Holy Ghost. Do any of them show any requirement for physical proof or evidence? Do any of them require a person to have even scriptural proof of the veracity of the revelations that come? Word Search: Holy Ghost Similarly, here's another list on the search term "led by the Spirit." Word Search: led by the spirit How much intellectualism is required for one to be led by the Spirit of God? Here's another list on the term "Spirit of God." Word Search: spirit of god Note how it tells us to find truth, discern false prophets, etc. by the Spirit of God. These verses tell us that no man can know the things of God unless the Spirit of God gives them unto him to know. None of this involves "proof" or "evidence" of any physical nature. Our testimony is that God will reveal truth to those who will become like a child and ask in faith. Any other method to find a testimony of these things will be ineffective. I hope you find the truth you seek. It comes by the Spirit. Not by man. Best wishes, Greg

Hi RedPhoenix, I wrote an article for the Examiner that deals with this scripture specifically. Here's the link to it. It's lengthy, but since you're a PhD student, I'm sure you can handle it. Gnostics and Neoplatonists: the 'other gospel' Please read this article first, then come back for consideration of my answer to your second "objection" -- the demand for physical evidence or proof. Like you, I intend no offense here. In asking for physical proof, such as the coordinates of Zarahemla or Moriantum, etc., you must consider that this is a lack of faith. For example, what is the most sacred tenet of Christianity? I would have to say that it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like Paul says in 1st Corinthians, if Christ was not resurrected, our faith is in vain. Think about that for a minute. There is no physical, scientific, or other evidence that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Although there is some meager documentary evidence from ancient historians that a person named Jesus of Nazareth founded a Jewish sect or cult, there is no evidence (of the kind that you demand for proof of the Book of Mormon) that Jesus rose from the dead. It is a matter of faith. Yet you will never, ever prove that he rose from the dead using scientific or physical evidence. It happened--most definitely it happened. But you can never prove it. Yet if there's not the kind of proof available that you're looking for, why believe in the resurrection. You have to understand that the Bible isn't "proof." It's documentary evidence. It's testimony. It's the account of mortal witnesses. What "evidence" did Jesus leave for "proof?" He left eleven men who saw, touched, and felt his resurrected body. Similarly, as I explained in a popular Youtube video ( ), that God provided the same number of witnesses of the golden plates that he provided for the resurrection of Jesus. I don't think this is coincidental.If you're basing your Christian beliefs on some kind of archaeological proof of the Bible, well, you'll be hard-pressed to prove to an atheist that Jesus was resurrected. You come to that knowledge by faith, prayer, and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Likewise, the way you overcome your skepticism about the Book of Mormon is to approach God in prayer and accept the answers he gives you. I submit that you as a "PhD" candidate are not exercising faith at all in this process. You're looking for "proof" and "evidence" to base your actions on. Remember it's by faith you are saved, not by proof. Like James said, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God." It doesn't say to ask your professors or your pastor or to Google search for it. I will tell you that, if you're looking for some justification to join the Church that will satisfy your friends, your parents, your PhD advisor, or whatever, you're never going to find it. The only justification to join the Church is when you receive a personal witness by the spirit of revelation that it is true. Then, and only then, will you have strength to withstand what the last days are going to require of you. I invite you to get on your knees and ask the Lord for the Holy Ghost to confirm to you that it is true. If you do so without any subterfuge or evasion, you'll get your answer. Don't get baptized based on any "proof" except what comes to you by the Holy Spirit The Lord lives. He is a resurrected personage. I know this by the Holy Ghost. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true because I have had a personal witness of it from the Holy Ghost. I have had many confirmations of this truth that have reinforced my testimony, but that testimony doesn't depend of evidence. The "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10) Until you know by the Holy Ghost, you don't really know.

In my opinion, most people unrealistically anticipate that the "Antichrist" will be a single individual. Beginning with that assumption, they lump a lot of Biblical passages together to make a "horror movie" character. I believe that there are many things that make up what is called the "Antichrist." The spirit of antichrist was active among the primitive saints. Most particularly, John uses the term to identify a specific threat to the true Church in his day. 1 Jn. 2: 18, 22 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 22 Who is a aliar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 Jn. 4: 3 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is anot of God: and this is that spirit of bantichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 2 Jn. 1: 7 7 For many adeceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Historically and doctrinally, the threat he was referring to was Gnosticism. The Gnostics taught that Jesus was an "aeon" -- a spirit being who appeared to be mortal, who really wasn't. That's why John says to not believe the Gnostic doctrine that Jesus didnt' come in the flesh. Paul goes into great detail to dispute this teaching in 1 Corinthians 15, testifying powerfully that Jesus indeed did die and was literally resurrected. If not, there was no atonement and our souls would be hopelessly lost. This Gnostic doctrine and Neo-Platonism were responsible in large part for the corruption of the primitive Church and the apostasy. Some people confuse the "Antichrist" with "The Beast," which is mentioned in Revelation 13:1-5. The Joseph Smith Translation adds the phrase that says the "beast" is in the 'likeness of the kingdoms of the earth." It is a political entity. Perhaps it is the UN or some later successor to the UN. Some people have pointed to the European Common Market, the EU, or other political organization. I don't know what it is, but the JST tells us it is a government of some kind. I tend to think that the "new world order" fills the bill nicely. That's just my own speculation. Interestingly, this beast has two "incarnations" or versions. It receives a "deadly wound" that is healed. Perhaps a war destroys the credibility of the UN as a peacekeeping organization and it reforms itself again, becoming the second beast that exercises all the power of the first. (Revelation 13) Along with this beast-kingdom is the "false prophet (Revelation 19:20, 20:10) Again, some people would look for a personage to fulfill this. I would pose the possibility that it, like the beast, is not a person, but a thing. Perhaps the "false prophet" is false religions in the last days. Perhaps it is the "Gaia" cult of global warming. There has been a concerted efforts on the parts of progressive politicians to infiltrate churches, preach "liberation theology" which is Marxist in nature. Perhaps it is secular humanism. Maybe it is the composite representation of all religions that oppose and fight against the restored Zion. There is another group of people or things referred to as "horns" by Daniel. These could be kingdoms or rulers of kingdoms. The "mouth speaking great things" as one of the horns is described, will receive power to persecute the true Church for a period of 42 months. This period, described alternately as a period 3 1/2 years, "time times and half a time," and 1,260 days in various Bible verses. This period, includes a time when the Gentiles will dominate and tread down the holy city (Jerusalem), when the two witnesses (D&C 77:15, Revelation 11:3), and a time when the "mouth speaking great things" will wear out the saints of the most high. This period ends when Adam comes to Adam-ondi-Ahman preparatory to the Lord's return. I don't think that the antichrist will be a person. I think it's an influence, a false spirit, that guides the various movements to create a false Zion based on socialism, that governs by force, and opposes the kingdom of God on earth. Revelation 13 talks about false spirits that will go out and deceive the nations from the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the mouth of the false prophet. Those three form a false Godhead, or perhaps more appropriately, a false "First Presidency" that will preside over Satan's kingdom in the end and will seek to destroy the kingdom of God and the saints.

Because of the acceleration of the current economic decline, I took the liberty of pricing the download version of my book "Building the Ark: Preparing Today to Live in the United Order" to FREE. The print copy is still on sale, but if you want the PDF file, it doesn't cost you a thing. The book examines statements and teachings of latter-day prophets about how LDS folks will enter into "principles of union" to survive the judgments that will come upon the nations. Lorenzo Snow said that entering into the United Order would be as necessary as getting on the ark was to Noah and his family. If you're interested in the topic of this thread, you should get the free download and recommend it to your family and friends. To get the free download, click on the link below. Under the "Add to Cart" button, you'll see the link for the free download. Building the Ark - Preparing Today to Live in the United Order by Greg West in Religion & Spirituality

I would recommend a book to you that has nothing to do with the Church and everything to do with you. It's called "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. It's a book about positive thinking. It talks about how you can empower your life to obtain what you want. It's not about Church doctrine or anything, although the principles dovetail nicely into the gospel's teachings. Basically, you need to understand that you will get anything in life that you want. What you may not realize is that you, without even thinking about it, attract the things that you think about and the things about which you have strong feelings. It your feelings are negative., if you don't think you deserve happiness, if you don't think you can be righteous, if you don't think you can break free from addictions, well, you are right--because that's what you think. Change what you think about and you'll change your emotions. Change what you feel to something positive and good, and you'll attract that into your life. Let's put in in an LDS context. When we read about the Creation in the Book of Abraham, we learn that everything was created spiritually first, then temporally. In other words, everything was completely envisioned by the Creators before the first elements ever came together to form physical objects. This spiritual creation takes place in the mind. If you owned a corporation, one of the most important things to do is to implant in the minds of every manager and employee is the same vision--so they all know what they're creating and what their roles are in that process. The gospel gives us our places in the great scheme of things. The rest is up to us. We are free and empowered to make choices actively do good or to passively be acted upon. So, with your life, you need to have a "vision." That vision comes from within you. Take a notebook, write down what you want and how you want your life to be. Then, every day, open up that notebook and review it. Ponder it for about 10 minutes. Then at the end of every day, review those notes for a few minutes. Check to see if your actions that day were on track with your vision. If you do this, you'll find that you'll begin to reevaluate your actions. You'll let go of things that don't serve your vision of how you want life to be. Over time, you may modify that vision and include new goals and aspirations. It's your vision, so you can do what you want with it. Using this process, you become the one in charge of your life. Right now, it sounds like you're letting other people do the driving for you. This process can change your entire life in just a few weeks. Imagine that you could sit down in an interview with Jesus Christ himself. Imagine that he asks you, "What can I do for you?" What would you ask for? That's the opportunity you have every time you pray. Write down what you really want and ask him to help you bring it to pass. It's not magic. It's the power of God that is within you as a child of God. You have power to change your life and make it whatever you want. You just need to get "intentional" about it and just do it. The power is in YOU.

The Church is not in the business of breaking up families. One of the things you'll have to keep in mind is that, when you are baptized, you are making a covenant with God. Failure to keep the terms of that covenant will bring you more unhappiness and misery than you can imagine. Keeping that covenant and honoring it brings the greatest joys possible in life and in eternity. You have to resolve in your mind that, if you are baptized, you will keep the covenant you have made no matter what. There is still much you can do to participate until you make that covenant. As you are already studying the scriptures, praying, etc., you can continue to nourish your spirit that way. You can fast and ask God to soften your wife's heart towards the Church. Fasting can bring to pass miracles. If you live the gospel as fully as you can without the benefit of baptism, the Lord will open up the way. You have to realize that this is a test. The Lord's testing is not always quick and it's rarely easy. He permits your resolve to be tested. If you are determined to follow him, then he will open up the way for you. If I can offer a word of encouragement, I was the first member in my family when I joined the Church in 1978. I was just 19. My parents opposed it. I was baptized against their wishes, but they didn't "disown" me or anything. I did my best to live the gospel and set a good example. I answered questions as they came up. They did their best to understand. They knew I still felt the same towards them and they recognized that the gospel was making me a better person. One day, my mother was doing the dishes in the kitchen and she said the Holy Ghost came to her. She felt his presence just as if he was standing there next to her. She knew that the Church was true. She had never read a page in the Book of Mormon, but she knew from that moment forward that it was true. It took a few years, but my mother, my father, and my sister all joined the Church. The Lord can do things you think are not possible. He is not limited. He respects agency, but he can show somebody that the gospel is true without violating agency. Trust in the Lord and follow the promptings of the Spirit. Blessings to you and your family! Greg

There is no "Church policy" on breastfeeding. The Lord doesn't "command in all things" and, in a global church, there is a wide variety of cultural acceptance of breast feeding. Nevertheless, one must consider that nursing is a form of intimate behavior. It's not sexual, but it is intimate behavior. The question is whether a sacrament meeting is the place for intimate behavior of any kind. I'm a branch president in the United States. Here in the USA, we're still a little "squeamish" about breast feeding in public. A woman who might breast feed in public without covering up would be considered rather rude. If a woman did so in Church (without covering up) you'd have mothers of 14 year-old boys protesting to the bishop before he got to the door at the end of the meeting. I served a mission in France and served in many areas populated primarily by Africans. They had no shyness about nursing a baby with other people around. It made us uncomfortable at first, but we adapted over time. I asked my wife her opinion about breastfeeding in Church. She thought doing so in an environment where other families and other people's children area around was somewhat indiscreet. Some would say that "it's entirely natural," but so is loud flatulence and trimming one's toenails and we don't do those things in a church meeting either. Certain things are just more appropriate done in private. It's a matter of respect for the feelings of the those around us. To demand that an entire ward comply with the requirements of our personal comfort zone is a little much. The people you should be asking is your sisters in the Relief Society. If there was a complaint to your bishop, I guarantee you that's where it originated. Most men are simply embarrassed by the whole topic.

I posted this earlier on another thread, but this relates to the question posed earlier as well as this one. Joseph Smith preached what is known as the King Follett Discourse, at a funeral sermon of a member of the Church. It was the last public sermon he preached before his martyrdom. Here's the link to it: Mormon Literature Sampler: The King Follett Discourse I disagree with the premise of Vanhin's statement that all of our doctrines must be demonstrated from the scriptures. Much of our doctrine comes from Joseph Smith's sermons. Some true revelations such as Section 137 and 138 were around for decades before they were officially added to he canon of scripture, yet they were true revelations. When living prophets are among us, they supersede scripture. This Church constantly needs the guidance of its head, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This was well taught by President George Q. Cannon, formerly a member of the First Presidency: “We have the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants; but all these books, without the living oracles and a constant stream of revelation from the Lord, would not lead any people into the Celestial Kingdom of God. This may seem a strange declaration to make, but strange as it may sound, it is nevertheless true. In a First Presidency Message from President James E. Faust, he cited President George Q. Cannon: “Of course, these records are all of infinite value. They cannot be too highly prized, nor can they be too closely studied. But in and of themselves, with all the light that they give, they are insufficient to guide the children of men and to lead them into the presence of God. To be thus led requires a living Priesthood and constant revelation from God to the people according to the circumstances in which they may be placed” (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 2 vols., selected by Jerreld L. Newquist, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1974, 1:323). We must constantly be aware of the danger of allowing scripture to override the teachings of living prophets. That's one of the things that happened in the Great Apostasy. It's how Catholicism and Protestantism got so far off-base. The same can happen to us if we're not careful. One of the best things a member can study is the "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" books that we used in Relief Society for the past decade or so. If you don't have all of those books in your home library, you should order them from the Distribution Center. We should know what the prophets have taught in our dispensation because they have said much that is not contained in our scriptures. Paul said that "the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets." (1 Cor. 14:32) However a living prophet is not restricted to teach only what is in the scriptures. We know way more about eternity, the gospel, the second coming, etc. from the sermons of latter-day prophets than is contained in our holy books. We should never seek to limit a true prophet to what was written by his predecessors.

Read the King Follett Discourse. This addresses your question inasmuch as anything has been revealed regarding the answer. Here's the link: Mormon Literature Sampler: The King Follett Discourse

This is a highly speculative question and thus the answers will also be. Searching the scriptures for reliable answers, I came up with this on in Doctrine and Covenants Section 88. It discusses the "light of Christ." 6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; 7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. 8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; 9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; 10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. 11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; 12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space— 13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. Note that in verse 13, it says that the light of Christ gives life to all things. This light of Christ proceeds from the power of God and emanates in to space, touching all his creations. It is an influence of control or governance. It is not animate or alive--it is a property or attribute of the Living God. Some people mistake this influence, which touches all of us, for God's presence itself, or the Holy Ghost. It is neither of those things. It is a medium by which God governs his creations and communicates his will to them. It also gives life, awareness, consciousness, understanding, order, etc. Now, related to the topic at hand, can there be a body that is alive without a human spirit being present in it? I believe that it can be so. The light of Christ is capable of sustaining life independent of the presence of a human spirit. Seeking another scriptural example, let's look at 3rd Nephi. The day before Jesus' birth, he spoke in a revelation to the prophet Nephi, telling him that his birth would take place the following day. Mary's child in her womb surely was alive, but apparently the Savior's spirit had not yet entered into it yet. To me, that is one of the reasons why the Church has never said that a first trimester abortion is OK, but later one's aren't. The Church says that abortion, although it is a grievous sin, is not murder. It may be the case that the time that our spirits enter the mortal body varies. Perhaps some of us desire to begin our mortal existence in the womb from the moment of conception. Others may enter in somewhat later. There have been instances where "stillborn" children have come to life some 20 minutes after they entered this world. It may be our choice when we enter the mortal body. The body is alive all that time that it's in the womb, but there may be "nobody home." It gains its life force from the light of Christ. I have not given much thought to how this applies to individuals at the end of life or in vegetative states. Like I said, this is highly speculative and I'm just trying to apply scriptures according to our best understanding. D&C 88:15 tells us that the spirit and the body, joined together, form the "soul of man." A spirit and a body, inseparably joined in the resurrection can experience a "fullness of joy." (D&C 93:33-34)

The sacrament prayers review the covenant, both our part and the Lord's part. "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen." (Blessing on the Bread, Doctrine and Covenants 20:77) The elements of the covenant are: 1. To be willing to take upon us the name of Christ. Other churches call this accepting the Lord as a "personal Savior." We rely upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation. 2. To always remember him. How can we ever forget someone who died to pay for our sins? We owe him everything and we can go to him holding nothing back. 3. To keep his commandments. Receiving God's grace means we accept his terms for salvation. We must do our best to keep his commandments every day. It shows submission to his will and faith in his power to save. The Lord's part is, if we will do these things, he will pour out his Spirit upon us. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things, strengthen, sanctify, and protect us if we will show our trust in our Heavenly Father by keeping our covenants. This is why partaking of the sacrament is sometimes referred to as "renewing our covenants."

Brother Keefe, No one is "jumping down your throat." You say you are a new member. If you've already related to others about your conversion, I beg your pardon if I am ignorant of your situation. Nevertheless, I was once a missionary for the Church. I'm also a branch president today. I know that the missionary lessons explicitly teach that faithful members of the Church observe the law of tithing, that it means paying ten percent of one's income. During the baptismal interview with the missionary district leader or zone leader, baptismal candidates are specifically questioned about their understanding of and their acceptance of various gospel principles. The interviewer specifically asks the potential member if he will promise to live the law of tithing, the Word of Wisdom, the law of chastity, keep the Sabbath day holy, etc. I'm a convert myself. I recall the interview and the sobering weight of the commitments. It takes a testimony of the gospel to accept them and great faith to commit to live them. As a missionary, I had the privilege of doing baptismal interviews. Recently, I was asked to sit in as a translator for a baptismal interview of a brother who speaks Haitian Creole, French, and English. I was there to assist in case of any problems understanding. I found that the baptismal questions are the same, some 30 years after my mission. Many people, especially those who convert from a "saved by grace alone" background who never came to terms with the idea that God expects obedience and sacrifice have trouble adjusting to them. Brother Keefe, you've joined a people whose pioneer ancestors sacrificed everything for the gospel. They were driven from their homes, tarred and feathered, and were even murdered by anti-Mormon mobs in the 19th century. They walked across the Plains to a "God-forsaken" wilderness that nobody else wanted. They went out to the nations preaching without purse or scrip and built up the kingdom from nothing. They made those sacrifices in the depths of poverty. There are still pioneers among us today. In America, as well as in distant nations, many people risk becoming disowned by their loved ones, fired from their jobs, receive harassment and ostracism from their neighbors and co-workers--all because they joined the Church. As a new member, you are now a pioneer in your own family. It is a privilege to be called upon to sacrifice for the kingdom of God. God's greatest blessings rain down from heaven upon those who forsake the world and follow him. I would encourage you to regard the payment of tithing as an honor and a privilege. Doing so enriches your soul, fills your faith with power, and pulls down blessings upon your head and those who will follow after you. From personal experience I can say that a person cannot pay tithing and fail to come to a personal witness that God is real and is mindful of his needs.

D&C 58:43 - By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

Read chapter 3 of the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. That's one of the most oft-cited doctrinal references for tithing. The Lord does not need our money. He tests our faith by asking that we pay tithing. Faithful latter-day saints obey the law of tithing. Tithing, in a sense, represents everything about the gospel. The test of life is whether we'll rise to faith in an unseen God and be obedient or whether we'll allow doubt to cheat us of his blessings. When we don't pay tithing, we allow our doubts to win. In Malachi, the Lord said: 6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7 ¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. There are great promises associated with tithing. In essence, a person will pay for what he believes in. By the payment of tithing, Joseph Field Smith said, you know who is for the Lord and who is against him. These seem to be hard words. The Lord recognized this and addressed this in the continuation of Malachi chapter 3: 13 ¶ Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? Up until now, you considered it unimportant to pay tithing and keep it as an ordinance. Now, the blessings of tithing are unavailable and you "walk mournfully" before the Lord. Maybe you even consider the wicked who appear prosperous to be a model to emulate. Malachi continues: 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. But to those who fear the Lord and are obedient, including those who repent and obey, the Lord makes great promises that they will be his "jewels" when he comes again. 16 ¶ Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Tithing is one of the ways we can discern the righteous from the wicked, between those who serve God and those who don't. I don't mean to sound judgmental, but your question itself reveals that you're not ready to enter the temple and participate in temple ordinances. They only have value to those who are properly prepared and who have made the appropriate sacrifices. Because of the atonement of Christ, you can still repent and receive the blessings of tithing and those of the temple. Repentance is a wonderful thing and it brings peace and closeness to the Spirit.

As an author of several LDS books, I can testify from experience that the market is indeed small. Hardly anyone makes a living from writing LDS books. Almost all LDS authors have some other line of work, like the professors of ancient scripture at BYU, medical doctors, businessmen, etc. There is a need for LDS entertainment, literature, music, art, etc. That doesn't just mean the fine arts. Popular music, comedy, romance novels, fantasy and adventure, movies, videos need to be created as an alternative to their worldly counterparts. The challenge is for artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and others to produce quality products for such a small market. If you ever want to see a blatant, shameless exploitation of a religious market, just go to any large Catholic shrine like Lourdes. The entire mile-long road leading into that site is lined with souvenir shops selling plastic Mary-shaped bottles to put holy water in from the spring. They even sold postcards of the dead Saint Bernadette in her glass casket! Deseret Book doesn't even come close to anything like that display of crass commercialism. Regarding General Authorities and their books, these men do not receive a salary for preaching the gospel. They don't take a vow of poverty, however. Most of them were very successful businessmen in their fields. Many of them were leaders in their businesses, government, or in the military. Some of them owned extremely profitable businesses, were lawyers, professors, doctors, generals, etc. Many of them sacrificed significant opportunities to leave all and serve the kingdom. For example, N. Eldon Tanner was poised to become the Prime Minister of Canada. Others are merely retired executives, teachers, and businessmen who live off a pension or well-managed investments from their earlier years. The world equates success with money and the attainment of social rank. Imagine what it takes for men of great stature in their industries to leave those opportunities behind and serve in an unpaid position for the rest of their lives? Some of them receive renumeration from books they might write. This isn't the same as being a minister of the gospel for "filthy lucre." They're not selling "scripture." Perhaps it is the case that it is necessary for them to write and earn an honest royalty from a book so they might be able to continue their ministry. The New Testament tells us that Peter went fishing and that Paul worked making sails to pay his way that they might not be chargeable to any man. The Lord opens up the way for them to continue to serve without getting a paycheck from the Church.

The patriarch may receive inspiration after the actual blessing is done, when he is transcribing the recording to make the printed text copy. That's one of the reasons they don't want you recording it on your own equipment. The process isn't done until the patriarch "publishes" it. Inspiration can come to him at any time during the process. He may also change redundant wording, correct his own grammar, etc. I've also heard patriarchs say that they've added entire paragraphs after the fact. That's rare, but it can occur. It's not spiritual "dictation" but it's the patriarch interpreting the impressions that come to him according to his ability to express them. To prepare for your blessing, fasting and prayer is a good idea. Don't go in trying to "tempt the Lord" by asking for something you ought not. Your faith is expressed by going to the Lord's servant (the patriarch) for the blessing. You don't go to him trying to get "proof" that your faith is well-placed. What to expect from the patriarch. He'll chat with you briefly, just to get to know you on a personal level. He may discuss your goals, your concerns, your ambitions, etc. During the blessing, the primary objective is for him to declare your lineage. All saved persons on earth belong to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, either by blood or adoption. Peter, James, John, and the other apostles had it given to them by the Lord to exercise judgment over the tribes of Israel. Thus, if you want to be found worthy of exaltation, you need to have a place among the Lord's chosen people, the seed of Abraham. Beyond that declaration of lineage, the patriarch may give expressions of admonition, warning, encouragement, and direction for your life. He may identify spiritual gifts that the Lord has given you that you may not know you possess. The entire period of your "mortal probation" is covered by the blessing. That time goes up to the moment you will be resurrected. Receiving a patriarchal blessing is a privilege given to those who are worthy members of the Lord's earthly kingdom. It is a wonderful thing to have a personal revelation given to a patriarch in your behalf to guide you through your mortal mission. Best wishes. I hope you have a wonderful experience!

I think the question is whether a young man should attempt to "evade" mission service or whether he should live his life in such a manner as to qualify himself to serve. The qualifications to serve a mission are simply the same qualifications to enter the temple or the celestial kingdom. There are obvious reasons that someone should not serve a mission. Severe, chronic health problems might keep one from the demanding pace of a missionary lifestyle. Yet there are many brethren and sisters who serve despite some of these limitations because their desire to share the gospel is so strong. Someone with serious mental illness should not serve. A person who is schizophrenic might be technically worthy in every way, yet through no fault of his own, but might be reasonably excused because of the difficulties he'd encounter. That's where the "calling by inspiration" comes in. We had a missionary here in Virginia that had Tourette's Syndrome. It was a real difficulty for him and his companions, but I think he served faithfully. His companions had to learn some real longsuffering and patience as a result, which isn't a bad thing. The "raising of the bar" was intended to send out missionaries who are worthy of the Spirit's companionship. There was a time when ill-prepared elders were sent out in the hopes that they'd catch the vision of the work. Many of them did. they became truly converted and became effective preachers of the gospel. There were some that didn't and they were a drag on the work. Raising the bar seeks to identify the more prepared missionary candidates. All males in the Church are called to qualify themselves to serve in the same way they're called to qualify to enter the celestial kingdom. A man who evades the responsibility to preach the gospel misses out on fulfilling a part of his foreordained purposes. He misses more blessings in time and in eternity than he can possibly imagine. I left for a mission in France, approximately 20 months after I converted to the Church in 1978. I can't imagine what blessings I would have forfeited had I not gone. I can trace every good thing in life that came to me afterwards to my decision to serve. What a blessing it was to serve a mission!