Magen_Avot

As I see it, the priesthood is the government of God and I act as an administrator as my callings dictate. I relate to it much like a good epic fantasy expresses things because we (men and women) have gifts of the spirit which is more greatly empowered by the priesthood. Weird I know. The daily drain of life can sometimes weaken spiritual strength but when I am called to put my hands on someones head, I become a prophet, seer and revelator for the person receiving the blessing. This isn't doctrine in so many words but it is true becuase God will reveal his secrets or in this case, his blessing, to the person who is receiving it. This is the moment I most prize. Through my hands and voice I have witnessed God healing the sick (no, I mean total healing) witnessed his power casting out devils, deliver messages that only mean something to the person getting it and made no sense to everyone else. This is the moment I have felt the burning flames of the power of God desend on the circle of priesthood holders like I was in a burning furnace. But there are more quiet times when mearly visiting someone because thats what is needed and providing a service in conjuction with a priesthood calling. Some of these things are shared by sisters too, not all of it is exclusive. It is all a sacred duty to me, and an honor. I don't think I prepared to receive the priesthood, rather, I was prepared by an experience I had and ordained at the age of 11.

This content was received by Martain.

Martain, I am one of those you want to talk to. Have you been touched by one of the spirits? Do not describe it if you have. Just let me know.

Most of us long timers (in the church not this forum) have heard much about non-doctrine and even believed them for decades. Like you said though, it's not to be found because it's not doctrine. Just an opinion.

This also seems to be overlooked much of the time. Men and women in and out of the church have gifts of the spirit and can heal the sick among other things and is not a priesthood only role.

I agree with Vort. IMO Dravin had the most correct answer. Women holding the priesthood is not doctrinal nor is there any doctrinal ideology (ie. found in the scriptures or otherwise voted on and accepted as such by the body of the church) that explains why women do not hold the priesthood. Perhaps some interesting opinions but no definitive answer. As to what the priesthood is,... well, that may be another thread but consider men are ordainted to "the priesthood after the Order of the Son of God" as opposed to the idea that Lucifer has priesthoods (plural).

Just an observation,... have all y'all noticed those most "for" are doing it, and those most "against" have "clicked the gun" for themselves as it was put? Anne is an exception of course. The 'hell fire & brimstone' approach always bakes my brain when I hear it (or read it) and grouping bottle rockets (cards) with land mines (the board) is a little over the top IMO but your bottom line that it's better to stay away is sound advice.

Only if you've been a bishop, stake pres, reg rep (whatever their called now-a days) will you be x'ed right off the bat. It depends on how many times, your attitude (sorrow) and how quickly you went to the bishop. Your circumstances do play a role too. It will be a formal counsel but you may end up with disfellowshipment. (fingers crossed). So turn to Texas1992! Get to the Bishop ASAP. you'll likely be asked who it was with just so you both know, and the bishops will call each other too. Sorry, I see you should have met with the bishop last Sunday.

Don't bother annewandering. Neither you nor those who you spoke of need this. It's ok for someone to be skeptical and/or disbelieve experiences of others. There are way too many people who jump on the wagon for their 15 minutes or whatever anyway. There is only one source of truth and I know you know that. And of course you're right about the $18 bucks Loudmouth_Mormon, it sure doesn't. My worst experience, I just walked into a room. The board is not a "portal", it kinda falls under two or more witnesses thing if you follow, or unity ect. You could just put a rock on the table or sit around a table holding hands... and for some just to... ah, I wont' go there. Like some have said, just talking about it can invite things you don't want. I'm glad it hasn't for you. Everyone has their choice, and I don't think you're being flipant or laughing at anyone but it's not a matter of impressing like annewandering said. Peace.

There are really two parts. The first part of the 8th article of faith states: We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes. So considering this, when we speak of the 'gathering' we are speaking of Isael. When we speak of restoring anything this may require putting in new parts or pieces to restore something to it's former self. So as the 10 tribes are restored some will be adopted in and others will be born in the lineage. The tribe of Ephraim also has a lot of adopting in. There are some interesting cases and I'm sure I know very little, but my wife is of the "tribe of manasseh with the blood of Judah" and so is her sister. I know someone from the tribe of Dan. I'd love to see data on tribes and where they lived when given the lineage. Fathers also have the right to pronounce lineage but I think it's discouraged. I've heard in years past that preference had been give for certain lineages to be pronounced but that may be a myth. I was born into Ephraim but my sons were adopted into Ephraim (to their unliking I might add). Anyway, if anyone really knows it'd be a good read.

Hmmm, Thought I'd be Gryffindor but my test score is split between hufflepuff and ravenclaw but hufflepuff was the selected class. Hufflepuff - 13 Ravenclaw - 13 Gryffindor - 7 Slytherin - 7

To your comments, I would agree that some people would freak themselves out . I also agree that not everyone would experience the same thing or have "bad" experiences and can have "fun" experiences. I'm not talking about that (my own experience as a youth wasn't a bad one, but not my choice) and apologize I didn't speak more completely. It was a long entry as it was. I've never tried the board/feather thing though, but I don't have a 'supernatural' area in my mind where I put things like this so I agree with that too. I think we are of different opinions generally and that is ok. I am not afraid of nor freaked out by the board, The bottom line is I accept your difference of opinion, but there are those who are inexpericenced in this and they should be informed enough to rely on the spirit... back to the don't lean on the arm of man thing. Still, some will "dabble" and some won't. And they don't need to IMO. I was writing when annewandering posted and would say that her experience is one no one would want but risk everytime the board is used. I relate to her experience because of an experience I had at 11 yo. It is because of this I can recognize spirits where ever they are and no one knows what they are going to get with this.

First of all, thanks for this thread HEthePrimate, it's a good one for a lot of reasons. Some great advice has been given about a subject most members would just freak out about, but it seems that some of it is being minimized or brushed aside. I mean this to be a more central approach to two opposite views, that being (1) Tarot cards are a ‘righteous’ method and ordained of God and the (2) ‘it’s of the devil’ approach. It may not play out that way in the end but that's my intention. The Church Handbook of Instruction #1 doesn't anything to say about the subject of Tarot cards or the Ouija Board, at least that I could find. There have been statements over the last 40 years though, but I am unaware of official doctrine. If you are familiar with other statements I have made it probably won't surprise some of you that I’ve looked into Tarot cards once upon a time. To say I "dabbled” in it would be an over statement, however. That said I acknowledge that we all have our agency to make our own choices; this is illustrated by the story of the war in heaven which was taught (at least) to me in church as a war of testimony. It’s interesting to think that in heaven 30% of all the sons and daughters of God would choose to go against Him, but they did. I really don’t expect things to be so different here on earth where we are separated from God. We all choose. Hopefully we choose while being more informed by the spirit, scriptures and the prophet. But we are human and not commanded in all things. When I checked out Tarot cards I made a discovery and I have to say, they work. Well, “they” don’t do anything really as has been discussed. Rather, they are a tool that helps to ‘focus’ our faith and gifts to,… receive revelatory information as an example. If you find yourself caught on the “faith and gifts” part, I’d just say that it is sometimes difficult to find words that communicate well across boundaries of accepted understanding. But in this case it does require some faith and gifts of the spirit to be gifted at Tarot card reading. We all can also communicate spirit to spirit but that is another thread. Lest you think I am taking sides with using Tarot cards, you are mistaken. I agree that they work and that they help focus our faith and gifts. But why use a child’s beach shovel to move a mountain when you can use a space based mega-transport system. Sorry, just trying to illustrate something . When a person prays, they are using a more powerful way of ‘tapping’ into revelation, even if it may require more work to get the answer. When the Priesthood is used to give a blessing the same thing occurs. To suggest that using Tarot cards is a divinely approved and appointed method to receive revelation is just incorrect, as we have the scriptures and words of the prophet that tell us acceptable ways to commune with God and to received inspiration, prophecy and revelation even if by burning bush (also another thread). The reality is that the cards are just lesser tools (I don’t mean that rudely;)) and our faith will not get stronger unless we really work it. Can you imagine Jesus Christ consulting the cards to answer you with? Also, to say that a “lack of proof against something is proof for it” is a stretch at best and only pacifies those who want it to be so. Also to compare the cards to the Urim and Thummim (which is biblical) seems to give the cards inferred legitimacy. Maybe this is a stretch to suggest that it’s like saying it’s ok to follow the devil because God made him and God doesn’t make junk (I think someone also made a point like this (?)). They are just a tool that man has found,… that’s all, and unnecessary at that. Remember,… don’t lean on the arm of man. The Ouija Board; however, is not a tool like Tarot cards. It is a “game” (if you prefer that characterization) that ‘in fact’ invites unembodied spirits (Satan and/or his angels) and disembodied spirits (disobedient spirits of the dead) who lead us away from God. That is my experience, and, therefore, my opinion. Again, you have your agency. I prefer to allow you your choice as God does not desire to “make” anyone do the right thing or “to command us in all things” and you have the ability to pray about it. I wonder if anyone has put the question (to the cards) of whether or not the cards are a tool God gave to lead us back to Him? If they were, they might have been mentioned by Moses. Frankly, you can use any tool that helps you focus, so why not just focus your faith with the greates tool,... your mind? Why did we leave grade school and graduate from High School if it was enough being there? Take the next step, graduate or rather, put on the whole armor of God and wield your gifts with real Godly power? …just a thought.