Mahonri

Or Eyring could go back into the council. My guess is Oaks/Eyring or Packer/Eyring. The dark horses would be Holland or Bednar. And who will the new apostle be? Will they wait until April or will we get a new one tomorrow? I love Monday's anyway... I get a letter from my missionary every Monday. Should be a fun day.

Here are some: "We have spoken repeatedly of the power of the Holy Ghost. In the broad and general sense, this is the same thing as the power of God. In the same sense that the Father and the Son are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, so is it with the Holy Spirit, for he is one with them in all things. But in a special and more particular sense, the power of the Holy Ghost is the power he has, because he is a spirit being, to reveal truth to our spirits, to sanctify our souls, to baptize us with fire, and to do and perform all of the labors of his assigned ministry. He is the one who edifies, enlightens, and teaches the saints. He has a refining, uplifting, ennobling influence upon all who will accept his ministrations "The gift of the Holy Ghost," in the language of Elder Parley P. Pratt, "quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, Deseret Book, 1978, p. 61.) I really like that one... but it was Parley P. Pratt, a student of the Prophet Joseph.

Your mother gave you great advise. Pray. At the U (my alma matter) you will meet many wonderful members of the Church. (also many not so wonderful ones) Find those that are living their religion. Have them teach you the basic doctrines. Read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It can change your life for the better. Today in fast and testimony meeting a wonderful sister, a convert of 4 years stood to bear witness. She said she wished she had found the Church as a child. She has three boys. The two youngest joined the Church with her 4 years ago. She said that even though she doesn't have an "eternal mate", she knows that everything will work out in the end with Heavenly Father if she remains true and faithful to her covenants. She says that The Church has become her "family", that because of it, she has been able to be surrounded by 'good' and that her children have been surrounded by goodness. God bless you in your journey towards the Light. Mahonri.

I didn't like the music at the beginning... being LDS I didn't see a problem with your transition of writing a revelation and then being in the Carthage Jail. Others might. The rest of it was nice.

Yes, I concur with what Willow said. Go see your Bishop. He has the keys to help you. Just be open, honest and tell him everything. That's what he is there for. You will feel the Lord's love and peace will come.

I imagine they don't much care. They realized that if they didn't start producing babies that in 18 years they wouldn't have enough men for an invasion force.

Imagine this... when my sister was being interviewed for baptism the bishop was asking her worthiness questions. He asked her if she lied or drank coffee or tea or alcohol or smoked, the he said do you use swear words? She said, "Nope, but my mom sure does". Poor mom, she's never lived that down and I'm certain she hasn't used a swear word in 30 years now.

It's all up to you. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can learn to love like God loves. Find some missionaries of the Church and talk to them. Attend your local ward. Get a Book of Mormon to prayerfully read. God bless you as you seek truth and further light and knowledge.

I don't wonder. There would be fewer of us Mormons had it remained a suggestion. Optimistic Faith + obedience = happiness.:):):)

The "policy" came from interpretation of scripture regarding the seed of Cain. David O. McKay prayed and asked the Lord repeatedly if he could change the policy and received the answer of "No" more than once. It was reported that Harold B. Lee once told an individual that if he ever became the prophet that the folks with 'black' lineage wouldn't get it during his administration. His administration lasted a year and a half. Four years later Pres. Spencer W. Kimball received the revelation that the time had finally arrived when the priesthood would be extended to include all races. Perhaps once we pass to the other side we'll find out why the policy came into being.

The High Council usually has nothing to do with a Bishop being called. When the Lord indicates that it's time for a bishop to be released, the entire stake presidency will pray and perhaps fast if required to have the Lord help them find the man the Lord wants as the new bishop. Eventually the Lord lets the three of them know who His choice is. The stake presidency then fills out a recommendation form for that individual and then send it on to the First Presidency. The signature of all three members of the stake presidency must be on the form. (There won't be any First Presidency approvals this week:)) The First Presidency then prays about the recommendation. Marriage is a requirement. (I've filled and signed the forms) A man who has high debt that can't be managed will not be called as a bishop. He needs to have stable employment and he needs to be "church broke". The man's wife needs to be respected. He needs to have a good home life. His children should be examples for good. If there has been prior church discipline the chances of being approved are diminished. In border states in the US, police officers are not called as Bishops. I sent in 10 recommendations while I served and none were turned down. I know of a couple of stake presidents who have told me that they had a recommendation turned down. Bishops have a handbook, the scriptures, monthly PPI's with their stake president, World wide training sessions, stake bishop's training and prayer. We once told them in a training session, "You have your handbook, your keys and your knees-- go to work."

:) Just how "old" is he? My uncle is 89... he'd tell you that he is an Old Mormon.

Adam and Eve were created just like Jesus Christ and they are all children of Eloheim. Adam and Eve are begotton of the Father into an non-telestial state, but Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten in the Flesh. How do we know that Adam was begotten of Eloheim the same as Christ? The scriptures: Moses 6:22 and Luke 3:36-38 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noah, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. And yeah, that's EXACTLY what Paul told us. We are His offspring. The scriptures tell us that in at least 3 places.

Talk to your bishop and to the Lord. There is no universal answer... but if you were asking me, I'd tell you that in the eternal scheme of things, if you want to marry the right person in the right place, it will only be a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the House of the Lord. I'd tell you that for eternities sake, if it's not in the right place with the right person, then it's better not to marry. (period) And don't ever forget, you marry those that you date.... so if they can't go to the Temple be very careful.

Having been there, done that and got the T-shirt, Bishop's love the members. But we must remember one of their most important duties. "The bishop (or stake president) is to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church. "This is the duty of a bishop.... "Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion" (D&C 107:72-74). I'd say it's mighty difficult in some circumstances to separate the sin from the sinner but in most instances it's possible. Discipline is given to members, not to the sin, but as has been stated, it is given in love. Pres. James E. Faust once taugt me that there is only One True Advocate that each of us has and that is Jesus Christ. Bishops and Stake President's must meet out righteous judgment.

Shortly after Pres. Hinckley was ordained as the prophet, my wife wrote him a letter with a picture of our family. He wrote a very kind, personal letter back to her. We still treasure it. At a General Conference we were sitting on the front row and on his way out he stopped, looked at my son and said, "Hello there young man". My son about melted. He will never forget that a prophet of God gave him personal attention. In 1999 in Ecuador my wife and I were blessed to be present when he dedicated the Temple in Guayaquil. He was prophet when I was released as Bishop. He sent me a kind letter of release when I was released from my last calling 4 months ago. He will always be special to our family.

If you want basics and an easy read I would suggest, "Truth Restored" by Gordon B. Hinckley

WELCOME! Have some patience... but please, come often and regularly!:)

I thought it was interesting that the Church placed this statement on their website: "The new president chooses two counselors from among the Quorum of the Twelve and the three of them become the new First Presidency." Of course this is NOT always the case. RE: J. Rueben Clark and John Winder. Neither of these brethren were apostles when first called to the First Presidency.

"A rib was taken from his side for that process. Adam fell into a deep sleep and Eve was created." This sentence is why we are told in Holy Places that it is "simply figurative" as far as the man and the woman are concerned. Eve was created just like Adam was.

How we will miss this great and wonderful prophet of God. It won't be long and many of us will be with him. Thanks Heather, that testimony was so beautiful. He touched my life in so many ways. A giant has passed on.

I have always been taught that when the 2nd Comforter (Christ) is present, there is no need for the Holy Ghost. We also don't know but that Peter had become a witness of God the Father. To speculate otherwise is just that, speculation.

As has been explained, President Hinckley was referring to inappropriate associations. Elder Ballard was telling us that we need to make the voice of reason and truth heard throughout cyberspace. I have known those who have gone into chat rooms and there have begun to form inappropriate relationships. Those are the ones that Our Prophet is talking about. We also need to be careful about what we disclose on-line. I was once seeking help for a close friend on line. I will tell you... that was a big mistake. Eventually a judgmental "Card" came along at "Nauvoo" and made a horrible misjudgment. Eventually that misjudgment would bless my life but not how I expected. I am so grateful for a wonderful, faithful wife who I dearly love and who loves me. She and my great children are all that really matter. I do wish though that I could have helped my friend who once served as a bishop and is now divorced. M

Thank you IntheDogHouse, the real blessings that come from the GIVING of tithing are not temporal but rather spiritual. Once we come to understand this, there are great vistas that can be opened up to our spiritual view. I have come to know that through the giving back of the Lord's tenth, that our spiritual eyes can be opened. We can come to KNOW in a real way. That is one of the many reasons why it's so important that we give a full tithe before we enter the Temple. There the veil is thin to those who are worthy and tithed. You've heard that a picture is worth a thousand words... well imagine a window opening up and being able to view the other side and how much that is worth and how there is so much to see and feel that there isn't room enough in our puny little brains to receive it all. I know this is true. Through the giving of a full tithe I have come to truly know.

AnthonyB, While Sydney Rigdon was a member of the First Presidency, (not the president of the Church) He had abandoned both Joseph and The Church and had moved east due to persecution. At that time and in some First Presidencies since, counselors have not always been members of the Quorum of the Twelve and did not hold KEYS. Brother Rigdon never had keys bestowed upon him. It was not until he heard of Joseph's death that he returned to Nauvoo to claim "guardianship" over the Church. It was at a meeting in the grove that both Sydney and Brigham spoke to the general church membership. It was during Brigham's talk that the mantle of Joseph, fell upon Brother Brigham and those with eyes to see were given to know that Brigham Young was to be the successor to Joseph Smith. And that's the way it is.