inthearmsofsleep

hahaha.... sometimes I wish we could more effectively express what we're really thinking but we're limited by the words we have. (By the way, this thread is a double-post... someone should delete the other one.) I used to (and sometimes still do) get confused when I read the scriptures and have to differentiate between God the Father and God the Son, though things are a lot clearer now than they used to be. Thank goodness for footnotes.

I think the problem people have with the word of wisdom goes much deeper than "I like my beer" or whatever... It's a lack of willingness to obey REVELATION given directly to God's prophet upon this Earth. This may be because they don't truly believe them to be a prophet of God, and that obedience won't come until they learn for themselves through faith and practice of the principles stated in those revelations that Joseph Smith (or the prophet in question) was really called of God. You can look at it scientifically, but you won't go very far. Once we start trying to find reasons for revelations, we step outside of doctrine. What's in coffee/tea that makes it bad for your body? What's bad about alcohol? Why was the priesthood withheld from (most) black members until 1978? We shouldn't speculate so much upon these things. If you have faith in modern revelation through our past and living prophets, prove those revelations true by being obedient to them and seeing the good fruits they yield. I will never go about trying to prove any of this to you because it's futile. If you want reasons to believe, you're out of luck.

It's important to remember that we (as a church) don't claim to be inerrant... as our leaders are human just like us. We claim that God's word is perfect, but anything outside of that is the word of man, and therefore fallible. Not everything the prophet says becomes official church doctrine. If he eats a sandwich and says it's terrible, does it become OFFICIALLY terrible? No, it's just his opinion.

That's rough, kona. Hopefully things will work out for you soon. There will always be things that we have a hard time believing/accepting as truth, and I've seen members go completely astray just because they don't take the time to humble themselves and REALLY search for answers. By this I mean fasting and praying with all their heart to know what's right. The peace and stillness you said you felt in your initial post is a taste of what the full gospel provides. Sometimes we need to fill the doubtful void in our minds with faith in order to get to the other side of whatever problems we're facing. You're entitled to find all the answers you seek if you do so with the right approach. Take care : )

This doesn't have anything to do with the supposed "DNA Issue", but a while ago I was having problems with what some people said concerning dark skin and the priesthood ban, etc.... I found this video on youtube and it was very useful to me. It's sort of a lecture by Marvin Perkins... it's about an hour long, spread out over 6 videos. Check it out here: YouTube - Pt 1, Reaching Black Saints

Were you ever excommunicated? The only way you'd need to be re-baptized is if you were excommunicated... otherwise, when you take the sacrament worthily and with the right intentions it will be as if you were baptized again.

Congratulations! I remember the first time I read it... I was amazed that it took me so long to even attempt to do so. I'm reading it again right now (in the "plain english reference to the Book of Mormon" by timothy B. Wilson) and I get what you mean about the book of Alma. It's so.... EPIC.

A human being could be cloned using their original DNA but not their entire body... so what if that resurrection just consists of a perfect arrangement of their original DNA with a new body? Though, I don't know about this... because Christ took his original body upon resurrection. Even when someone has been cremated, the matter that made up their body is still there... it hasn't been destroyed. I assume it could still be arranged into what it used to be, regardless of its current form. I guess one day we'll find out

Wow, this is a great thread. I just wanted to say something about faith: it requires a great deal of humility. We need to accept that we can't know everything, and we can't prove everything that we know... and by doing this we open up the possibility to learn things that we can't prove, since Heavenly Father already knows what we'll do with that knowledge. He won't give us anything until we're ready for it... so I'd say if you want faith, you have to prepare yourself first.

I really like what you've done here, especially with that last one. Some people don't think much of themselves, and don't love themselves at all. When we bring Christ into the picture, it shows that we should strive to love others as much as he loves all of us, including ourselves. Also, if Christ loves us as much as we believe he does, that shows that maybe we should respect ourselves a little more.

Just to add to what xhenli was saying, the Holy Ghost affects us all in different ways. There are some people who have received visual witnesses as opposed to feeling, or even auditory witnesses I imagine (not sure of any instance, but I've heard of the Holy Ghost "shouting" in a sense to stop someone from doing something). The point is, you'll be affected in the way that speaks to your spirit the most... for me I feel an urgency to do something, such as this sudden urgency to bring up a scripture or thought in a gospel discussion, not that this is really a "witness" per se, but just an example of how it affects me. When the Holy Ghost has witnessed to me that what I'm studying is true, sometimes I feel a "full-body goosebumps" kind of thing, or an immense calmness, surety, gratitude and overwhelming joy at whatever I'm reading or hearing. You'll know it when you feel it.

If you'd love to read about the atonement, I think "Jesus The Christ" by James E. Talmage is a great read if you have the time and patience. Personally, I'm loving it so far (haven't read the whole thing... just started) and I've learned a lot. Some people think it's difficult or too over their head... I'm not sure how you'd take it. I suggest borrowing it : )

Yeah, I don't see anything unusual about that. Mine says similar things, probably some that you'd consider even more unusual on that subject.... but anyway, I think that statement means gaining mastery over our thoughts and actions, so that no matter how much Satan tempts us we will not fall. That's how we're victorious.

I know it's jumping the gun, but I'd say a good place to start would be attending church regularly and going to YSA (young single adult) activities/meetings. In our area we have stuff all week long, like YSA family night on Mondays, YSA institute class on Wednesdays (scripture study, things like that), Family History class on Thursday, and usually Sports Night on Friday. All of those are a great opportunity to socialize without much pressure, while learning more of the Gospel and being in a good environment.

Whoa! Since when did this happen?!??! Congratulations, HoosierGuy. It's amazing to have been a part of your conversion process, even if it was only to read the updates you posted and the answers that others gave. Baptism and confirmation is only the beginning... you have much to look forward to!

Your parents will come around eventually when they realize the common beliefs between the LDS church and the Catholic church, and see the happiness that it's provided you. Of course, I don't know anything about them, but whatever happens things will work out for the better because you have the gospel in your life. Even if your family and friends turn you away, the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the love you feel from your Father in Heaven and the members of your ward will keep things looking up.

Oh yeah, Enya is great.

I thought I remembered one of the general authorities saying that green tea was on that list as well... maybe it was just my stake president, I'm not sure. I just remember them announcing it at a conference. My opinion is just to avoid it anyway... it's better to not risk losing touch with the spirit.

Wow, that's great!

Copied from the Bible? I'm guessing you say this because of the parts of Isaiah which were quoted in the Book of Mormon. Actually, the BOM sheds great light on the words of Isaiah, who was quoted more than any other prophet even by Jesus Christ himself.

Ohhhhh..my..gosh. That's terrible. I don't know what else to say.

I've been watching their videos for a while...they're very useful and informational.

That's a good point. It's all very amazing because of the way God has planned things to be... religious freedom in America and the plates being buried in a region near where the prophet Joseph would be born.

Harps have always been a favorite of mine... but of course I've never played one. I've been playing guitar for 7 years, self-taught, but tried learning piano several times and didn't really go anywhere. Oh yeah, and welcome to the forums!

I believe that we'll be reunited with our animals just as we will be with our family members in the afterlife. I know they have spirits, and I know they are innocent.