Matthew0059

One of the apostles, methinks. Rewording Hemi's words:"[We know the] Prophet... will not lead us astray, but [no such promise is given for individual] apostles." I think he was just having a bad day.Let's not speak ill of the banned. (I know that's not what you're doing... I just don't want others to join in and take it further)

A very wise and inspired person advised me to become proficient with the bow and arrow- I assume for hunting- so that's why I'm interested. Archery has always interested me, but only for target practice in the past.

That's how I felt. I might still feel that way, if I started watching him enough to guage the spirit I feel coming from him. We can only hope that he'll be as effective as Captain Moroni. Something interesting to think about- Captain Moroni's message had both religious and government themes. As far as I know (not that I've spent time looking), Glenn is the only big-named libertarian pushing a firm belief in GOD as the foundation of our nation right now.

I'm not going. I followed Glenn for a long time (~1 1/2 years) after the Obama election to learn about politics. I've learned what I wanted to, so I don't follow him any more. I'm also tired of politics now. I would go, however, if I lived in the area- but I'm not interested enough to spend the money to travel from Colorado to DC. I do wish him the best. I don't think that a majority of Americans will wake up to his overall message in time- largely because he is a terribly imperfect messenger. We're a nation of fools, methinks, and a fool's reward is heading our way.

My employer is a seasoned hunter- I'm going to try to go with him.Although he seems to do it for sport... I don't see a lot of options in this regard, though.

If the Imam behind the construction of the Ground Zero mosque already has a mosque 12 blocks away and doesn't have enough followers to justify the creation of another mosque- then that would be very suspect. I think the Church builds more meetinhouses to meet membership demands- not to make statements or stir controversy.

What do you think CHRIST would want you to do? If you stop focusing on how you feel and try to focus on how the SAVIOR feels about you, you will learn if this is all right for you or not.

I agree- and I doubt I can until I begin. As with rifle hunting, I only want to learn how to bow hunt- not to do it except as a last resort. Also, I don't want to have to go rifle hunting except as a last resort.As far as getting food when the world goes bad, my preference (at this time) for acquiring food is as follows: -Home-grown or community-grown food -Food acquired through outside sources (trade, scavenging, etc.) -Hunting (Rifle) -Hunting (Bow) Update: Going to my local Division of Wildlife office today or tomorrow to enroll in a hunter's safety course.

Our YSA ward is having a Comedy Night soon. Although my ward is pretty good- it's rare that we get stories instead of testimonies, and only rarely does someone testify of something other than the simple facets of the Church (like one sister who likes to testify of the reality of Satan, or the influence of good (non-scriptural) books ever month...).

Can we all join together and sing "kumbayah" together? Maybe we all can bury the hatchet, say "I'm sorry" and start over? Carlimac, I agree that it hurts A LOT to see people denigrating the Church. But that's a condition of the days we live in- no matter WHAT we do, there will be people trying to tear us down because they hate us and CHRIST whom we represent and testify of. Darned if you do, darned if you don't- because they hate who we ARE, not always what we DO. I empathize with you, friend, and hope that you find peace. I encourage you to counteract your current feelings by renewing emphasis on studying the scriptures and words of the living prophets. You will find solace.

Guys- Don't be hard on Dossice. She's 17. It's likely this woman is much older. There's not a whole lot that Dossice could do- and the fact that she's taken a concern in this woman's well-being is a laudable trait. I'm surprised at the harsh comments being made here.

The term "True Blue Mormon" is awesome, and it originates in a story from the life of a prophet of GOD (Joseph F. Smith).Every member should strive to be "dyed in the wool, true blue, through and through".

Shoulda tried out for American Idol, MoE. No way Lee Dewyze would have won!

carlimac- I'm glad to see that you seem to have come to terms with everything (judging by your last few posts). I agree with what's been said. When I first started investigating the Church for myself I read the anti-Mormon stuff- it's evil. Stay away from it. Remember that in Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, those who stayed at the Tree and abided in its joy were those who didn't heed the detractors in the great and spacious building. Persecution will intensify over the coming years- learn how to rely on CHRIST when you approach something attacking the Church. The LORD will always provide means of escape- look for them and be willing to use them.

Dossice- I would ignore those picking at you. You are seeking to lift this sister and help her feel welcome. That is a truly noble and CHRIST-like goal. I agree with Gwen 110%. I've never had much personal experience with mixed-race issues, but it is human nature to be drawn to "our own kind" (this is based on spiritual principles- see D&C 88:40), and it can be difficult to overcome when those who share our surface characteristics (such as race) are completely inclined to do something else. The way to overcome that is through the blood of the LAMB and faith in HIS name. What you can do is show your love, and help the other ward members show theirs. If you are concerned, I would approach the bishop and tell him. She should have home and visiting teachers visiting with her once a month at the minimum. If you reach out in charity and love, she will respond (unless she hardens her heart- in that case, there is nothing you can do (but keep trying anyway!)). Don't bring the race issue up with her, unless she brings it up in conversation first. Emphasize that she is a child of GOD, that the Church is true, and that her fellow Saints want her back to worship with the ward. If you do this prayerfully and with love, you will help this sister feel better and you will grow from the experience- and everyone will be better off.

TomLogan- I think Loudmouth_Mormon provided some excellent advice. If you're going to discuss the Great Apostasy in any length, in addition to praising the Catholic Church for safeguarding the Bible, praise the Reformers for their great work. Numerous times the modern prophets have praised the Reformers for their courage and what they did to prepare the world for the Restoration. Also, follow the "teaching helps" at the bottom of the pages- those are great. Also, ponder and apply the scriptures Vanhin linked. The worth of those scriptures to a teacher are inestimable, IMO.

Conformation to the Gospel standards does not equate to the mindless sacrifice of all individual characteristics. In fact, when we give up ourselves completely to the SAVIOR, we are given "[a] new heart... and a new spirit" (Ezekiel 36:26). Each person must make this sacrifice individually, and each person will receive a new individual spirit. What is that heart and that spirit? It is one that seeks to do the will of the SAVIOR, which is the will of the FATHER, the MAN OF HOLINESS- yet not one devoid of its individual rightoues desires, passions, and uniqueness. Every good and wholesome desire is amplified and our ability to obtain the righteous desires of our hearts is increased! Can you imagine it? An entire nation of people who have given their will to CHRIST- and thus are given perfected wills? Where everyone seeks the wellbeing of his neighbor? Where he who has skill with the flute can play, and he who sings can sing, and he who loves the dance can express his joy to the music of the others? This, my friends, is ZION, the PURE IN HEART, where each person is more of a whole and complete individual than anyone outside of it! If you are having difficulty grappling with this fact- that the "individualism" so rampantly prized today is Satan's counterfeit- I encourage you to read the article and search I linked earlier. I took the time to follow and post the links so that everyone who struggles with this fact may read the words of the prophets, or that the prophets approve of. If you take this issue to the LORD and ask with a sincerity of heart, HE will reveal to you the finer aspects of this doctrine, and you will be able to discern between wholesome individuality found in CHRIST from Satan's counterfeit. The distinction can sometimes be subtle, and we all need the Spirit to guide us.

CHRIST'S advice is given as instruction pertaining to what the apostles should do in relation to other sects and religions. John had just related to JESUS how he and other apostles saw a man "casting out devils in [CHRIST'S] name", and they "forbad him, because he follow[ed] not [them]" (Mark 9:38). CHRIST instructed them not to interfere with the man. Ever person will eventually come unto CHRIST or refuse HIM- all that come unti HIM will have done good works of their own power along the way, having believed the prophets and apostles. CHRIST will in no wise reject such good works, because although done in ignorance of the full Gospel, they were done in faith on HIS name.Remember that CHRIST also said "[h]e that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Also: From the Bible Dictionary entry for Devil: "The English word devil in the KJV is used to represent... [the Hebrew word for] spoiler." (Emphasis mine) There is not a single religion on the earth (except for the LDS Church) that has not been spoiled by the devil or man- and even an unenlightened good person's wisdom is spoiled by our fallen state, and the learning of the society he grew up in. We can trace all instances of spoil or evil in society to Satan's influence somewhere in history. Therefore, anything that has been spoiled is spoiled by Satan and his minions- all religious systems are tainted by imperfection and spoil.

I'm sorry- I was a bit tired. Your use of "devil worshippers" confused me a little, and I confused people with religious systems.I'd still say that, as of right now, non-LDS religions are (usually) much better than straight devil-worship. If a church is based off of the teachings of Moses and named after Moses it will be Moses' church (same for Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Buddha, etc.) and thus not contain correct doctrine- yet they can still be far better than a church that worships Satan outright. Will those religions survive the coming apocalypse? No- they are based on sandy foundations. Yet they can still point to many more good things than devil worship does.

I am unaware if you are intending to support or attack my words that you quoted. Nibley's words are marvelous, but divorced from their context and me being unaware of what your position is, I can't deduce if it's "for" or "against" what I said about individualism.I might have more to say once I know where you're coming from.

GDKT, I disagree that anyone belonging to any denomination that is not LDS is "more dangerous than the devil worshippers". I understand your point re: disguising lies as truth, but remember that the LORD said, in Doctrine and Covenants 123:12: There are leaders and followers of other denominations and religions that will accept the true Gospel when they hear it. These individuals are not nearly as bad as those openly worshipping the spirit of rebellion and pride that Satan embodies (i.e., "devil worshippers").

Sister-I linked the Ensign article the quote came from in my original post. The article is from the October 1998 Ensign and entitled "Truths of Moral Purity". Its author is Terrance D. Olson, who is (or was, as of 1998) a professor in the Department of Family Sciences at BYU. While we are all individuals, and you are right that no two are alike, it is the ideal of individualism existing today (especially in America) that is Satan's counterfeit. You can type "individualism" into the "Search Gospel Library" field at lds.org for more information (or follow this link).

I do view "sustain", in this context, to be synonymous to "obey". If we 'sustain' a man as prophet, seer, and revelator given direction by CHRIST, and we believe CHRIST to be the Messiah- then we cannot actively oppose the strict teachings of the prophets without being in open rebellion against Messiah. When we are in open rebellion against CHRIST, we are not worthy to enter HIS house.As for individual cases and deciding where the "line" is drawn between disagreeing and disobeying, I think you got it right when you said: As the common judge in Israel, they are given the keys to understand the indiviudal's needs and personal worthiness.

Where can we learn that? I'm unaware of any part of the Standard Works that give an account of how they fell.

Better question to ask: at what point, when a member actively supports the right of same-sex marriage, can they honestly say they still honor and sustain the Prophet, First Presidency, and Council of the 12? There's been more than enough concise talk from the GA's to know that we need to oppose legalized same-sex marriage.Sorry if I posted something that's already been covered- I don't have enough time to read through the whole thread.