gtg166v

Sorry, I got the quote wrong: "Woe unto the generation that understands the Book of Mormon."

That has really disconcerting implications, though i don't disagree with what has been said above. Hugh Nibley once said (of the BOM), "Wo unto the people who understand this book."

There have been many rumors about his excommunication, mostly incorrect. Gileadi clarified what happened. "...although I was excommunicated in 1993 from the LDS church in a disciplinary council that began a wave of several thousand excommunications on the Wasatch Front in the 1990s, in my case—as not a single charge was true or supported by evidence—all record of it was expunged from the church’s records nearly a decade ago in a tacit admission that the church had made a mistake. In other words, as my excommunication from the church was a non-event so far as the church is concerned, it doesn’t define me as a person..." Avraham Gileadi Testimony

Roy, I am not sure what you are worried about. All is well in Zion.

I think Traveler has been the most accurate. The best answer comes in 2 Nephi 28 (you should read the whole chapter). But specifically: 4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. 5 And they deny the bpower of God, the Holy One of Israel; 31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost. Most Saints believe the Book of Mormon is talking about other religions and to not apply it inwardly. The Book of Mormon was written to US. Nonmembers don't really study it. There would have been no point for Nephi to write to people who aren't going to read it. We believe in asking God directly for answers. Unfortunately, the Saints are by and large failing to do this and relying on authority (precepts of man) whether it be bishops, general authorities, Sunday school teachers, or BYU religion professors. Joseph Smith worried that people were becoming too dependent on him for revelation and he urged people to go out and get their own--establish a relationship with the Spirit and with the Lord themselves. The truth is, most people are not living in a way to rely and have confidence in getting answers to their questions. We kneel, pray, hear nothing and think Heaven's silence is consent for what we have asked for. And in reality we received no answer. We worry about stupid things like coke and R-rated movies. James said that true religion was caring for the widows and keeping oneself unspotted from the world. Mormon 8: 37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. 38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? Mormons care too much about the praise of the world and getting a Mormon president. The Saints need to recommit. Rely on God alone. Stop looking to men. The fact that Traveler was the only one to give you the correct answer is telling what we understand of our own religion.

What does anyone know about this?

If you want to learn about the historical life of Jesus and the doctrines he taught - Jesus the Christ

My favorite doctrine is returning to Christ's presence in this life. (The Second Comforter) The endowment teaches us how to do this. It is not merely "work for the dead," it is learning how to converse with the Lord through the veil-now. It happens. I have no least favorite TRUE doctrine as I love all truth. There are many misinterpreted/misunderstood doctrines that bother me.

The difference is that with other terrible diseases, cancer, paralysis, etc. there is still a relationship that can be had. The relationship is not "dead". If one partner does not KNOW the other, how can you say there is a relationship? I am also not speaking to one circumstance (Alzheimer's), but to one principle (end of ENTIRE relationship). Perhaps a coma would also be a circumstance. "Loosing the physical aspects of a relationship" is not the same as there being NO relationship. I've never been worried about the argument that if you allow one you allow everything. I believe we should live our lives according to correct principles and govern our lives accordingly. Yes, this libertarian philosophy is used to justify actions not in harmony with God. But I'd rather give people the ability to chose for themselves. I believe we should not constrain the Spirit. Maybe the Spirit would never tell someone to divorce or marry another in these cases. But maybe it would. (Polygamy HAS been allowed previously, why? To allow people to take care of others. All of this is based on love, not selfishness.) Who are we to make laws that prohibit these actions? (Again, I am speaking of state-allowed polygamy, not church -allowed polygamy. But church-allowed polygamy was only stopped because the state didn't allow it. I'd be curious to see what how the church would react if the state-allowed it. And if the state allowed it, I would not fault the church for continuing to disallow it, I see that as God addressing the issue.) At the end of the day, we will be judged by God, there is no need for us to get too involved. If someone "uses" divorce or remarriage to selfishly justify leaving a challenge, they will answer for it. But I am open to the idea that God would be merciful and allow the suffering, healthy spouse a helpmate to endure life's trials.

So is divorce (against the standards of the church), yet we are discussing it. My suggestion of allowing polygamy was not directed to the church picking up polygamy again, rather why shouldn't the state allow it-in this circumstance? It is a solution for how one partner could continue to love their life long spouse (eternal companion) without terminating their legal status (marriage) together, while being able to move on. The reply was entirely "on topic". What do you do when a loved one has Alzheimer's? It could be possible that this is a challenge that God has provided both partners and the healthy one is NOT to remarry or "move on". But since God's laws are not in conflict with the idea of having multiple spouses (it has been allowed under certain circumstances), I would say this MAY be one of those times. I also don't think that allowing polygamy under these circumstances requires allowing polygamy in other circumstances. But not being in this situation, I cannot fathom the difficulty of this challenge, nor would I presume to speak in absolutes for what others should do.

One thing that is being missed in all this is that Pat Robertson IS NOT SAYING divorce them, leave them, and have nothing to do with them. He said that you still need to love them. Make sure they are taken care of, either by yourself, or by a care-giver. Visit them. Continue to love them. But it is okay to move on, because your relationship with that person is dead. We are counseled that it is not good for man to be alone. I would argue that if you are married to someone who does not know you, has no memory of you, that you are alone. I am NOT saying that one SHOULD divorce someone, what I suggest is that it is possible for the Spirit might, or might not, tell someone to move on. Personally, this is a reason to allow polygamy. I could never divorce my wife. (Though i have given my wife permission to if I ever get Alzheimer's. I wouldn't want my wife to go through that.) But why can't someone be married to two people. One who was the love of their life and to whom you continue to take care of, but another to have as a companion? At the end of the day, I would do what the Spirit would tell me to do.

I have a brother in law in Jones Creek. While I've never been there, they say it's awesome. A really nice neighborhood.