Drac

Other than the being citizens and stuff that is pretty consistent with LDS doctrine. In the Garden of Eden the Father dealt directly with Adam. After the fall Jehovah dealt with mankind as the intermediary between us and Heavenly Father. 3 Ne 1:10-15 has Nephi praying and the Lord (Jehovah) tells him that he is coming in to the world. Although we worship and pray to Heavenly Father I love having the understanding of Jesus being the great Jehovah. It shows just how great is role is. He is the creator and savior, all being done under the direction of the Father. He appeared to the Brother of Jarod in Ether and showed His spirit self which was long before he was born. "Behold this body, which you now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear to thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh." -Ether 3:16

My thoughts exactly bstone. Even though it is available online or in print (which I am very grateful for since I am often working on Saturdays), there is a special sense of camaraderie that exists in fathers taking their sons or Elders of a quorum seeing eachother at the Priesthood session. As the youngest of three sons, once I was old enough to receive the priesthood my father would take my two brothers and I to priesthood session and then we would get ice cream afterward. Yesterday my brother who lives in another state sent me a text message before Priesthood session that even though he was away from his father and brothers (He lives in TX, we in AZ), that he was still going to go get ice cream afterward. He sent me a picture of the ice cream he had from an ice cream shop and I sent him a picture of the DQ Blizzard I'd gotten. It was fun and added a lot to the experience even though we weren't together.

I agree with Dravin. That being said, I've been playing video games since I was a child. Atari, 286 PC, NES, SNES, Genesis, Playstation, PC Games, Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii. I have played and completed hundreds and hundreds of games and I can honestly say that most of the success I have in my work has been due to the influence gaming has had on me; especially PC gaming. It led me to learn all about computer maintenance and repair, building custom PCs, broadband internet and networking, Home Video and Audio, low voltage wiring and many other subjects. I don't feel that it's any different than someone watching movies, reading books, listening to music, etc. Just about anything can become an unhealthy habit. If it gets to the point where it is interfering with you living a healthy life than it is bad for you. I have friends who have serious issues with games causing problems in their lives and others that love games and understand when it can get out of hand. To say video games as a whole are bad is a bit myopic in my opinion. I like to stick to the following: Moroni 7:14-16 15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

Wow, I think the school district overreacted a bit here. As the article mentioned the kids thought it was funny and seemed to like the teacher, knowing the teacher was just joking around. My high school teachers called us all kinds of things, and for the most part they were right, even though they were joking around as well. As others have mentioned, with all the crap kids have to put up with other students, a teacher joking around with the kids is the least of their worries. This article just confirms that schools are babying children way too much, and parents complaining about stupid things are ruining schools. Teachers can't fail students in there classes or "OH NOO!! THE PARENTS ARE COMPLAINING." or "YOU'LL RUIN THE CHILD'S SOCIAL HEALTH."

I would think most definitely. Especially for the protection and blessings of the temple garment. I know I wouldn't want to be in battle without my garments. I sometimes get frustrated with the mindset that I see quite often among church members that military service is a bad thing; or that a member in the military is not living according to God's will. It is clear from the scriptures and from the teachings of the general authorities that military service is a very noble undertaking in serving man and God. Very many church leaders served in the military; and many prophets were also generals. That quote is from this talk: Elder Mark E. Petersen, "The Church and America," Apr. 1970 It is an awesome talk.

"Now the Church wants to show as much honor to you brethren going into the military service as we show to men going on a mission. It is a different kind of mission, but yet you can accomplish many of the same things that proselyting missionaries do. Even greater honor is yours because you are willing to risk your lives, if necessary, in doing this work. But in risking your life, know always that God will be by your side if only you will serve Him." -Mark E. Petersen I'm pretty sure that the church likes most worthy male members of the church that are serving in the military to have the Melchizidek priesthood; especially in times of war.

We have an orange, striped tabby cat named Hobbes. He's retarded, but so much fun!

Welcome! :) That's how I felt when I came across the site as well.

That is exactly how I feel. Do I think all members should read into anti information? Definitely not. But anything that I have read has caused me to go deeper into study and prayer and has made me come out stronger for it. It has also helped me to help others when they have come across information that makes them doubt the gospel.

Being a Mormon/Latter-day Saint has been the most rewarding decision of my life. To know the will of the Lord concerning you and following it brings great peace and happiness. The extreme happiness I enjoy with my family is what I enjoy most about being a Mormon. Isaiah describes it well in chapter 51 verse 3 - For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. I also love how much there is to study in the church. The Bible is excellent, but on its own there is limited information about the Lord and his plan for us. Tag on the additional scripture and there is so much more clarity. I love it!

Hey Soul Sister- Train So catchy!!! You can listen to it on my profile if you've never heard it.

I had an imaginery friend skunk. Not sure why I chose a skunk of all animals. Funny how you don't remember sitting there and deciding on having an imaginary friend; you just remember having one.

I've wondered about luck/chance/whatever you want to call it multiple times and it always makes me think of D&C 59:21 21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. Whether that verse has anything to do with the topic, I'm not sure. That's just what comes to mind when I think about luck. I think it tends to have more with the importance of being grateful and expressing thanks to God. I like the idea of being lucky; but I don't really believe in it. Flipping a coin for example; people would say the chances are 50/50 but if you knew just the right amount of force to apply to the coin being flipped, etc. it would alter the percentage of it landing on the same side. Also, think of a driver never getting in an accident after 20 years of frequent driving. Some would say, "They're lucky," but of course that driver always checks their blind spot, is constantly aware of what is going on around them, etc. Does that mean they will never get in an accident? No. But the likelihood of them getting in one is a lot less. It's not luck.

Haha, I choked up while watching Up when the old guy's wife died at the beginning. Singing church hymns makes me teary eyed. Music is my favorite way to invite the Spirit. So many great hymns. D&C 122 and 19:15-16 are powerful scriptures that have made me cry while reading. Also Helaman 12. Elder Eyring quoting that in October 2001 shortly after 9-11 was amazing. LDS.org - Ensign Article - Prayer

Welcome! :)

Ring and Wring. - Ring around the Rosie; Wring your neck. Night and Knight - The night is dark; Batman is the Dark Knight Weight and Wait - He lost a lot of weight; Wait for me!! Waist and Waste - I have an average size waist; Waste not want not. Lose and Loose (pronounced different, but I see people mix them up a lot) - He will lose the race; my belt is loose. Sun and Son - The sun is bright and hot; His son looks just like him. Break and Brake - Don't break the window; Turn on your parking brake. Those are the only ones I could think of at the moment. What really gets frustrating to me is using who and whom properly.

I'm married and go by myself fairly often. If my wife decides she is not going that doesn't mean I won't. Not that my wife is inactive, but it does seem there are more women with inactive husbands than men with inactive wives. On the topic I'm not certain, but I tend to feel that on the whole women are more spiritual and willing to follow the Lord. Is that doctrine? No. That is just my opinion. President Joseph F. Smith declared: “There are people fond of saying that women are the weaker vessels. I don’t believe it. Physically, they may be, but spiritually, morally, religiously and in faith what man can match a woman who is really convinced? Daniel had faith to sustain him in the lion’s den, but women have seen their sons torn limb from limb, and endured every torture satanic cruelty could invent because they believed. They are always more willing to make sacrifices, and are the peers of men in stability, Godliness, morality, and faith.” (Gospel Doctrine, 12th ed., Deseret Book Co., 1961, Chapter 19, sub-heading II, p. 352.) I like how Pres. Hinckley infered of the position of women. "And so Eve became God’s final creation, the grand summation of all of the marvelous work that had gone before."

Cool video about what most likely happened at the destuctrions described in 3 Nephi. All the videos on that channel are very interesting.

That is so adorable. Last one made me all teary eyed. Thanks for that.

I don't think we chose our weaknesses and trials; but I do believe we may have been shown what we may experience. One of my favorite talks on the pre-existence by Neal A Maxwel.. LDS.org - Ensign Article - Premortality, a Glorious Reality When I was younger I experienced Deja Vu a lot. There were even times I began to experience it and then had, to the best of my ability to explain it, memories of what was about to happen insomuch that I knew what someone with me was about to say. It was really weird. I only had one explanation for it; I think I may have been correct :) Here's my favorite section from the talk. "Agreeing to enter this second estate, therefore, was like agreeing in advance to anesthetic—the anesthetic of forgetfulness. Doctors do not de-anesthetize a patient, in the midst of what was previously authorized, to ask him, again, if it should be continued. We agreed to come here and to undergo certain experiences under certain conditions. Elder Orson Hyde said, “We have forgotten! … But our forgetfulness cannot alter the facts.” (Journal of Discourses, 7:315.) Yet, on occasions, there are inklings. President Joseph F. Smith observed how “we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939, p. 14.) There can be sudden surges of deja vu. A flash from the mirror of memory can beckon us forward to that far pavilion, filled with “everlasting splendours” and resurrected beings. C. S. Lewis wrote, “We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so.” (C. S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table and Other Reminiscences, ed. James T. Como, New York: Collier Books, 1985, p. 34.) Thanks to the Prophet Joseph Smith, hundreds more leaves of scripture are rustling, rustling resoundingly for all who have ears to hear. Thus, when we now say “I know,” that realization is rediscovery; we are actually saying “I know—again!” "

I don't believe we chose our weaknesses. Of course he knew. As it says in D&C 130:7 all things are before Him. Past, Present and Future. He knows what all of us will do. Yep. If I recall correctly you are pretty young; and who is to say which parts of your life your blessing were specifically speaking of? The blessings of our patriarchal blessing are dependent on our faithfulness, but I'm willing to bet that you have enough of your life left to see those come to pass. Yes. No. Why would he do that, as your loving Father? There are instances in the scriptures where people are so wicked that they are destroyed to prevent them from continuing in sin (mostly civilizations). But from what I have read in your posts you are not lost; despite how you may feel at the moment. I know the Lord loves you and wants you to be happy and feel of his love. I think he sees the path we will choose, but also where we would go if we went on other paths.The Lord knew what would happen to all of us in our lives. However it would not be just for us to be assigned to degrees of glory without us living our lives and make our choices. How do you think you'd feel if God just judged you on what he knows you would do without you experiencing your life and seeing for yourself the decisions you would make? Just my thoughts on the topic.

I'm surprised you never learned about Kolob in Institute, Seminary, etc. The institute's Pearl of Great Price student manual has a lot of good information about Kolob. Abraham 3:1 - 17 - The Lord Showed Abraham the Stars As the guide shows it comes from Abraham chapter 3. Kolob is not a planet, it is a star. Here is another interesting article about Kolob and the idea of other worlds. LDS.org - New Era Article - People on Other Worlds Have you sung the song, If you could hie to Kolob in church before? Gorgeous hymn. Have you gone through the temple? Much insight to this topic in the temple as well.

This is a very interesting topic. I first read the title and thought, "Oh, that's wrong, a member shouldn't be a bartender." But after thinking about it a bit it made me think about my father. He was the U.S. military attaché in Switzerland and hosted dinners for attachés from other countries. He served alcohol at those dinners. Did I think badly of it as a teenager? No. He wasn't drinking, and it often led to many discussions about the gospel. I thought it was very fitting for a representative from the United States military to be a member of a distinctly american religion. As long as they're keeping their covenants I don't see anything wrong with a member being a bartender. Sure it would probably be preferred for them not to be, and has been mentioned definitely not in a strip club. I don't see that being any different than a member being a store clerk where they sell tobacco and alcohol products.

Although it is used throughout scriptute, I think the general way people define it and hence think of it in the Bible is far different than how the Book of Mormon defines it: Moroni 7:47 - But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. There's quite a difference between helping people and trying to have a perfect love as Jesus has.

Agreed. Does the verse about Peleg necessarily mean the continents were divided at that time? I don't think so, but if it does, it was a long time before Lehi which was a long time before Helaman. And with the scientific views of when the continents were divided, that was a looooooooooooooooooong time before the death of Jesus. The verses in Helaman are not referring to the continents dividing in any way.