Matthew0059

Prince-What would happen if the Spirit stopped striving with every single soul not living the Terrestrial or Celestial laws (that is, everyone living the Telestial laws) and natural disasters continue to happen? What would happen if almost every country- including America- had its own set of problems that effectually ended the current system of government? Do you think a populace where most have had the Spirit stopped striving with them (as the degenerate Nephites of ~300-400 A.D.) would oppose an iron-fisted regime from rising to take what power it could?

Sister, the key word is discerning, or knowing the nature of something.There is a difference between knowing something's nature and gathering the wheat and burning the tares (which is the role of GOD and HIS holy angels). Forget the wheat and the tares analogy- for my purposes, it was a bad one. Think of it this way: How do you tell the difference between someone working good works and someone working evil works? And how do you tell the difference between good and evil philosophies, ideas, and religions? I laid out how to do so a few pages ago.

When I think about the similarities/differences between the professions of fishermen and apostles (fishers of men), I think of the remarkable similarity between the temporal and the spiritual, and the key differences between similar actions inside the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial realms. When I think of the role of the holy apostleship, I am grateful that there are men that the LORD prepares to sacrifice all that is required to preach the Gospel of salvation to mankind. I love this phrase! Thank you for sharing.

Yeah, I realize that now. I have a unique way of looking at the world.30 posts into the thread, I might have finally made myself clear...

If those of you who are saying that we shouldn't judge others in this life will read the articles linked by Connie and ryanh, you will understand where I'm coming from. In the words of Elder Oaks (in the article ryanh linked), I am speaking of righteous intermediate judging. I have laid out some of the principles and keys here on how to do it. Please, do not suppose that I am speaking of final judgments! And do not suppose I am only speaking of people! To us innocent children, many different ideas and philosophies of men may seem good when we first learn of them, but are of the devil. The process whereby you righteously judge the actions of others is the same process you righteously judge and weigh the spirits! And it is the MASTER who said "by their fruits ye shall know them"!

Sister, remember that Joseph Smith rendered the above verse "judge not unrighteously". Besides, what is it to judge? We do not condemn another to heaven or hell; the point of this exercise (learning how to tell good from evil and discerning another's actions) is to draw closer to GOD and become more like HIM.I think opening with the analogy of the wheat and the tares was a bad idea... Then again, this process allows one to sometimes tell the wicked men from the righteous, and that wouldn't have gone over well either.

Good- this is the kind of answer I was hoping to hear.So long as you keep in mind that greater knowledge of the processes by which GOD works does not invalidate said processes, you'll be fine and may be priveleged to learn some very precious information to your edification. The reason I asked was to guage whether you were moving to suggest that the "God gene" gives us reason to cast off our faith. I'm glad you don't see it that way. Another question that I'd be interested to know one day- how much of Joseph Smith's DNA comprised of this "God-gene" and other similar genes? Fascinating subject...

I think you have misunderstood the process, sister. We don't go looking around trying to seperate the wheat from the tares. The knowledge will be given to us by the Holy Ghost as we see and ponder the fruits of the actions of others. The key is to possess the spirit of discernment, which comes from being close to the Holy Ghost and humility before GOD. The Holy GHOST will tell us what we need to know and when we need to know it.The purpose of this thread is to understand that process better.

If the existence of the "god gene" is verified, does that invalidate spiritual witnesses given to us by the Holy Ghost (as in testifying to the truth of the Book of Mormon)? What do you think, questioning_seeker?

Crimethink, anyone?

I'm laughing at the picture. I don't know how accurate a representation of the policy it is. Does anyone have links to more information about it? I don't have the time to go looking... Okay, maybe I have the time, but just not the desire...

JAG beat me to an explanation of the Second Anointing. I can't explain it better, not having undergone it myself.

JEHOVAH, also known as JESUS CHRIST, was anointed to be the Savior and GOD of this world before its creation began. HE has always been the GOD of the Bible.I agree with JAG's explanation of the difference between the nature of CHRIST'S godhood before and after HIS mortal life.

I believe we can be absolutely, fully cleansed from sin in this life if we receive the Second Anointing while in this life. In this way, we become again innocent before GOD and "perfect" in that we have committed no sin that will be remembered in GOD'S presence. If by "perfection" you mean "wholeness" in the way that the FATHER is "whole" (in the language of Adam, MAN OF HOLINESS is the name of GOD), then it is impossible to become perfect in this life.

The answer to your question depends on the definition of "GOD" you are using.And this line of questioning can quickly get far beyond the knowledge that has been revealed to the world at large. It almost already has.

"Satan" also represents "Adversary" and "Spoiler".I think acute guilt is a good example of the buffetings of Satan.

There is a difference between the forces of chaos and Satan and his minions (represented in Isaiah 27:1 as "leviathan" and the "dragon in the sea" respectively), and there is a difference between the buffetings of Satan and the trials of the flesh. It takes understanding to differentiate the two.Example: being physically tired because of having just seen GOD and experiencing a marvelous vision is a trial and condition of the flesh (Moses 1). Having Satan come to you and rage against you is a "buffeting" of Satan (also Moses 1). If you want to differentiate between the two and say there are "buffetings of the flesh" and "buffetings of Satan", that's fine- just understand the nature of the buffetings of Satan, and that there are times when his angels are anxiously about us waiting to draw us down.

Tell me: how would he influence our spirits without touching them or interacting with them in some way? Taunting and mocking is the spiritual equivalent of physical assault. Source? I'd be interested in reading what they had to say.

Buffeting: –noun 1. a blow, as with the hand or fist. 2. a violent shock or concussion. –verb (used with object) 3. to strike, as with the hand or fist. 4. to strike against or push repeatedly: The wind buffeted the house. 5. to contend against; battle. –verb (used without object) 6. to struggle with blows of hand or fist. 7. to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc. The buffetings of Satan are the blows that Satan strikes us in our constant battle against our carnal man and him. While the unrighteous and unrepentant are offered no special protection because of their wickedness, the righteous and penitant also experience such buffeting as an experience for their greater glory. The question is: will they give in to the fear and pain that Satan brings (see Moses 1, where Moses began to fear and saw "the bitterness of hell" when Satan raged against him), or will they call on GOD and the SON of GOD for deliverance (as did Moses)? The key for enduring is to keep looking to CHRIST with an eye of faith as much as possible, and not giving into the temptations to do evil. Buffetings are always accompanied with an "out" that Satan gives- for example, he may tell you you are a social outcast and will only be popular (and have your 'outcast' status and its shame removed) if you do drugs, fornicate, etc. The buffetings of Satan are all spiritual and often come when we are already wearied by physical trials. The buffetings are quite literally Satan and his minions raining blows onto our spirits in an attempt to get us to falter and fall.

kimz- I have had a few experiences similar to Loudmouth_Mormon's, and can testify to the soundness of the experiment- although it can only be successfully tested after someone has received that living testimony of CHRIST. And those who have stated that all the convincing evidence can only be measured internally (in the soul) by individuals and does not exist externally (in the world) to be measured empiracally are correct as well. There are different manifestations of the Holy Ghost: the 'burning in the bosom' is the most common and usually the first manifestation felt. It testifies of all truth, and testifies most strongly of JESUS CHRIST and the Book of Mormon. There are at least two other major physical sensations brought on by the Holy Ghost: the 'cold chill' and the 'electric shock'. The 'cold chill' is a sensation similar to when a frigid draft is blowing and produces a quick shivering sensation, and is a testimony that the Holy Ghost is aware of your actions and approves of them. The 'electric shock' often accompanies acute spiritual experiences (Brigham Young would sometimes feel this 'electric shock' the moments he would begin speaking in tongues). Offer your nephew advice as is appropriate, and encourage his parents to do the same (if they are members). If your nephew is elect, he will eventually overcome his crisis. Whatever the outcome, continuing to show concern as you have will benefit you both greatly. Good luck and GOD bless!

Isn't it the Supreme Courts' job to deem DOMA unconstitutional or not? Is Obama overstepping his boundaries as President by doing the Supreme Courts' job? (Real question; read this the other day in an opinion article and was wondering if that was accurate)

A gay couple should be able to live their life as they see fit. I don't see how keeping a legal definition of "marriage" as man-and-woman infringes on that. I don't even see the need for having "marriage" a legally defined term on the federal level.The problem with your argument is that you assume the church wants to strip homosexuals of their rights. That is untrue! In my readings of the Constitution and the negative powers it gives to the federal government I see nothing that deals with marriage at all- only with individuals and individual rights. The problem comes when you inflate the government and begin social engineering using socialized programs and a progressive income tax to offer incentives for certain behaviors!! I personally am against anti-sodomy laws on the federal or state level. My personal view is I would prefer those who choose to live a gay lifestyle to not encroach on my rights, and I will not encroach on theirs. To my knowledge, the core of all the legal battles have been over the legal definition of marriage and the various benefits derived therefrom. I believe the best resolution would be to either abolish all laws giving preferential treatment to married couples or change those laws as needed so as not to infringe on anyone's Constitutional rights. If a state decides to give hetero couples certain legal advantages that it won't afford to homo couples, then the homo couples should either strive to change the laws according to the State Constitution or vote with their feet and go somewhere that will afford them those rights.

Absolutely stunning! We live in such a majestic universe.

Reminder: The parable of the wheat and the tares, while an accurate summation of how the wicked grow alongside the righteous, is also accurate when applied to principles (knowledge) growing within our own soul. The test given in Alma 43 wherein we plant and nourish a seed applies to every principle of truth we can receive in this life. For example, if I want to know whether the doctrine of baptism being at 8 years instead of birth is true or not, I can test it: accept the fact on faith that children should be baptized at 8 years. Study it out in your mind and search the scriptures. Pray about it. Every day, assess your understanding of the principle. If it is a good (correct) principle it will grow, expanding your understanding and encouraging you to believe in CHRIST and serve HIM. If it is a bad (incorrect) principle, it will not have expanded your understanding and will not encourage you to believe in or serve CHRIST. Now, this test can be applied to every philosophy and principle one can comprehend. If you want to know the truth of any matter, you can use this process. The good and the bad principles will look the same in the beginning stages- but once the good begins to grow and bear fruit (even in its beginning stages) you will feel the Spirit of GOD move within you and testify of CHRIST. Blackmarch is correct about why this is important: GOD is about to accelerate the sifting of the wheat and the tares very, very soon (temporally speaking) and we will see many begin to fall away from the Church. False teachers and wolves in sheeps clothing will arise from within the Church, some from high callings (Seventies, Stake Presidents, possibly an Apostle or two) and will lead many away with them into hell. In this sifting process, we will be better able to withstand it and endure it much easier if we know exactly what is going on.

To a relativist such as yourself, Soulsearcher, this might be the highest truth there is, but I am a firm believer that GOD and the universe works by set natural laws. I wish you could see it the way GOD does- but it appears you've already counted that possibility out, judging by your signature.And the "anti-family" comment could also be rendered "anti-traditional-family". I wish I had the time and motivation to take the hours required to build my case, but it would be rejected anyway, so here are the basics: There is a conspiracy in the minds and hearts of those leading this gay-marriage movement. This conspiracy is the same one that exists in the hearts of the leaders of communist/socialist/fascist revolutions, and all despotic dictators. This conspiracy was started by Satan, and is at its heart a spiritual one- one that cannot be discerned by those unenlightened by the Spirit of GOD and wisdom. This conspiracy aims to tear down anything that typifies GOD and CHRIST and seeks to build up the kingdom of the devil, which seeks to take the rights and agency of man away from him. Those at the very highest echelons of these conspiracy know more or less what they are doing, but they cannot let the average person know. Therefore, using the flattering power of human language they trick their billions of followers into thinking that their cause is for the "greater good" and for the "progression" of society. This conspiracy has existed in the hearts of man since Cain slew Abel, and we are about to see its various masks come off and the anti-christ rise in terrible power. You may laugh at this as you did at my former post, Soulsearcher, but I ask you to be respectful enough not to misuse the laugh button for this purpose.