Matthew0059

Not if we understand that different men are assigned different stewardships. For that matter, the 3 Nephites are still alive, and each still held the office of apostle.Now, do John, the 3 Nephites, and any others that may have received the gift of dwelling on the Earth until the Second Coming have the stewardship of the LDS Church? No- but they still are prophets called of God holding the Holy Priesthood, and with the authority to act in the capacity that that brings.

Just to avoid confusion- There's a difference between the Nation of Islam and the Islamic religion. The Nation of Islam is very radical in theology and application of said theology.

1.) Where did he "mess the Church up" in extreme politics? Where are the repercussions?2.) Aren't you happy when you (think you) see the Church doing this with left-wing politics (i.e., supporting a law affirming the rights of gays to housing in SLC; the addition of "caring for the poor" as a fourth mission of the Church)? I doubt you could yet explain the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 82:22 or Luke 16:9. Until you understand these things, lecturing others on the roles of government and worldly wealth is not only silly, but harmful to your own spirituality.

I think the purpose of this advertising is to counteract the negative effect that Islamic terror is having on the average person's perception of Islam and Muslim people. I don't think it's fair to lump law-abiding Muslims against terrorism (which, as I understand, are the super-majority in the Muslim world) in with terrorists. I'm very sorry for your loss, friend.

Mahdi, maybe you can answer this question for me. I went to the website to try to find it, but couldn't. Islam claims to believe the teachings of Christ- but canonized Christian writings very clearly proclaim that Christ is the Messiah. What is the source of the belief that Christ was only another prophet who preached of the future coming of a Messiah? I realize only a small portion of extant writings from early Christian leaders were canonized, but I'm unaware of any that supports the idea that He wasn't the promised Messiah.

To be frank, beloved sister, I doubt you even now fully understand what it means. I don't fully understand what it means; I doubt my bishop doesn't fully understand; even the Prophet would, I believe, claim that he doesn't 'fully understand'. I'd wager the only person who fully understood what it meant in mortality was the Savior, after having performed the Atonement.Covenants and commitments are guideposts as well as initiatory rituals, I think.

I've never seen Schindler's List so I can't comment as to its content. There is something to be said for historical accuracy and honest portrayal. To be honest, when you talked about acceptable R-rated movies, my mind flashed to a previous conversation on this forum, years ago, where (IIRC) someone argued that the movie "V for Vendetta" was acceptable because it "truthfully" showed the evils of fascism. I wasn't considering serious movies based on real events, but rather movies meant as entertainment. I don't have a problem with this- the reason that, as a rule, I avoid R-rated films (and encourage everyone to do so) is because the criteria for meeting the R-rating is criteria that simultaneously and universally disqualifies it from being enlightening as entertainment (I think Loudmouth_Mormon posted a very excellent summary of the difference between violence, sex, etc. as required in real life and as entertainment).Your example notwithstanding, we have to ask ourselves to what extent we will watch graphic depictions of historical events. As Elgama mentioned, if every scene in the Book of Mormon were graphically depicted, what rating would it get? There are numerous cinematic and storytelling tricks that could lessen the shock of some of the events depicted (for example, the Living Scriptures series shows only Nephi's sillhouette when he slays Laban- but it's obvious what is happening). The reason that I am so adamant about this is because I grew up watching bloody, violent R-rated films and thought they did little to affect me. I was also into X-rated pornographic entertainment. As I matured and put those things down and walked away from them, I've come to realize just how much they affected me, and still could if I sought them out. I'm hyper-sensitive and those things affect me more than the average person under healthy circumstances- but the principle holds true.

Saints and Soldiers is AMAZING, but was able to keep content to a PG-13 level.

I saw a segment where two scientists were describing how they had constructed a nuclear powered "manna-machine" from a description of (I think?) GOD from the book of Exodus. It supposedly created an algae substance that was the actual manna from Heaven.A bunch of kooks trying to take GOD out of history, IMO. I think Rameumpton is right with his square-peg-round-hole analogy.

Why, of all the varying functions of the Church, did you pick Home Teaching as the "final straw"? IMO- and the opinion of every bishop and stake president I've talked to about home teaching- it is one of THE most important callings we're given, because it is one of the most effective ways we can minister to our fellow man and give service that is truly needed. If anything, it should be viewed as one of the first pieces of straw ever put on the camel's back.BTW, if we don't carry heavy loads, we never grow stronger. I think it's when we're carrying loads so heavy we think we can't move farther that we rely on the LORD the most.

President Spencer W. Kimball talks about 'deathbead' confessions 'and deathbed' acceptances of Christ in The Miracle of Forgiveness, and their inadequacy for cleansing a person of sin. There has to be adequate time for repentance.

Was never going to try to make it one. The only reason I posted was because I thought it was ironic that you listed everything that I personally (and many others) find to be the problem with the current agenda in government. I had to make the caveat about the economy because I don't think worrying about the economy in and of itself was bad- the problem was the economy was dealt with.BTW, I wouldn't want to get into a discussion about economics on this board... I don't know enough, and had my fill of it when I was posting as Maxel. While I feel for U.S. born Latinos and legal immigrants, I don't think inconveniencing them should be a reason to not enact reform- something akin to the Arizona legislation. I'm unaware of a Constitutional right to not have one's legal status checked. I'm all for an electric fence that actually keeps people out, and the military securing the border. I also think we might benefit from making it easier to become a citizen- I think part of the problem is mountains of red tape that someone has to go through to become a legal citizen. I agree. I think cracking down on businesses knowingly hiring illegals would be another great place to start reform.

daburto9876, I agree with your entire post except for: Could you provide an example of a movie that does this? My concern is that there have to be some legitimate grounds for an 'R' rating- language, nudity/sexual content, etc., and any one of those things disbars (in my opinion) any movie from being truly acceptable.I absolutely agree with what you said about PG-13 movies (and some PG/G movies!) being completely inappropriate. I've worked at a movie theater for the past 2 months, and the only thing really good and acceptable that's come out in that time is "How to Train Your Dragon" (I never saw "The Last Song" or "Letters to God", so those might be good- but I can't vouch for them. "Alice in Wonderland" doesn't pass because a mixture of the language, drug references, and overall creepiness.). Even "How to Train Your Dragon" suffered from a few vulgar and inappropriate jokes (although the storyline and themes were, for the most part, fantastic). Most of the PG-13 movies coming out will degrade the morals of anyone who watches them- the problem is that the young are most affected. What frustrates me to no end is when I see parents escorting teenagers and children to see Kick-A** or other R-rated movies (one mother took her 6-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!!)

I know this is old, but I think this is a beatiful story. It reminds me of the kind of dog mine was before she died of cancer- there was something very special and wonderful about her.

I don't know about Hemi, but... All of the above (except thinking that the economy was more important. What gives Progressive Democrats (gotta love the Blue Dog holdouts) the 'FAIL' label re: the economy is botching the chance for real, lasting financial reform- less regulation).

Good morning, anatess! I must say that I agree with your sentiments.Have a great day, and smile a lot!

I agree that it probably meant some office other than what we call a 'deacon' in the current organization of the Church- probably similar to a modern-day Relief Society leader (and similar to the prophetesses of the Old Testament), or the wife of a prophet or church leader. I don't think we should look too much into the disparity of titles if they exist; while many titles have remained some have changed ('evangelist' to 'patriarch', for example).

Hemi: THANK YOU for those wonderful quotes!! AngelPalmoni: What I take away from Doctrine and Covenants 132:26-27 is this: -Those who enter into all the covenants required and are sealed to exaltation through the Holy Spirit of Promise are guaranteed eventual exaltation no matter their later actions EXCEPTING they commit murder, are willing accessories to it, or deny the Holy Ghost. -Those who have their calling and election made sure and later sin grievous sins but do NOT commit murder/blaspheme against the Holy Ghost will, depending on the severity of the sin and the level of repentance, come forth after the ressurection of the Just (I interpret that to mean the ressurection at the Second Coming, before Christ's rein in the Millenium). I think that most will be ressurected at the ressurection of the unjust after the millenium, but this scripture doesn't clearly teach that. Until they are ressurected, they are privy to Satan's buffetings.

"Peace and justice" are often seen as the highest of ideals to those who advocate them so forcefully- Christ is seen as more of a means to social peace and justice than as a savior.Do you want to be affiliated with those who put Christ second and their own ideals first? Christ Himself stated that His true doctrine would not bring peace to the earth!! Anyone teaching that all we need to do is concentrate more on "peace and justice" to acheive it is either blind or deceitful- and you don't want to be following someone who is either.

I agree. Personally, I think some will be given personal insight into the matter while in mortality, but we don't have to accept ANYONE'S word as if it were doctrine unless it is presented by the First Presidency in General Conference and asked for a sustaining vote.

I'm not a scientist (as is obvious because I underestimated the consensus on the Earth's age)- it was an honest question, though it might not have seemed like it. I was under the impression that roaming planetary bodies, like asteroids or comets, that don't have a solar orbit have sub-zero temperatures almost to the core.I have no idea if that's accurate.

I haven't been to the temple since I was honest with my bishop about the fullness of my depression when I was 16 (before that, I had done baptisms for the dead twice). I am struggling mightily to overcome my own set of trials and challenges so that I might be able to enter HIS house and enter into HIS presence again.I testify that the temple is the LORD'S house, and that nowhere on Earth does HIS glory shine forth unto men as it does inside the temple. Nowhere on Earth is the Celestial Kingdom as near as when one is inside the temple. I know this despite not yet having received the Endowment, because GOD has whispered it to me. That's how I feel about the temple.

Rosabella- Discussing these things with Snow will prove unfruitful and will frustrate you to no end. I advise leaving the discussion where it is.

Everyone still living in mortality has need of the Atonement; therefore everyone living in mortality still needs to repent.Just last week my Stake President shared a story in which a visiting apostle commanded a group of Stake Presidents gathering for a leadership meeting to repent. The man telling me this story is, in my mortal opinion, one of the best men I've ever met and a man who radiates charity and love for the Lord. If a man like this needs repentance- if men like Paul the apostle and Nephi the seer needed to repent- do you suppose any of us can escape the need? The LORD calls His apostles to repentance frequently, I believe. Repenting is not just a cleansing from sin, it is the turning to CHRIST and becoming more like HIM.

For now. With what's coming, the wheat will be seperated from the chaff. For now.From The One Pure Defense, a talk given to CES Religious Educators by Apostle Boyd K. Packer in 2004 and quoted twice in General Gonference: Were it not for the righteous living among the people of America, I have no doubt we would be destroyed or be ripe for destruction within months.The wheat and chaff are being seperated even now, and we see the judgments of God on our doorstep. The whole world is becoming Sodom; the whole world is becoming Gomorrah.