Abraham

Here is one more for you list. A) How do many Christian religions deny the resurrection of Christ the son of God? (You'd be shocked how many preach this.) B) I'd like to go into the doctrine of the Trinity but I only have 100 pages here so I will refrain. Hee hee Abraham

Sometimes one just has to have the final word as a defender of the faith. Abraham

Without causing offense these comments about the BofM are totally without merit and are evidence of lack of intelligence, diligence, and are more often than not moronic. These comments are not opinions they are prejucicial rantings from a bigoted mind. If you don't accept it as being divine that is your perrogotative (see Article of Faith #11) but don't make ignorant statements that are unsupportable just because your pastor told you so. Consider this. The facts in this case are fairly evident. The Bible is not complete. It does not say it is complete (the Bible never refers to itself); in fact, it strongly suggests the existence of other sacred writings. Anti-Mormons argue that the Bible does say it is complete and that it does refer to itself. However, to them the phrase "the Word of God," or "the Word," refers to the Bible exclusively since it is the only scripture they will accept. When we understand that those references actually mean any word spoken by God or his prophets to the children of earth, everything changes. A little history about the Bible may be helpful here. Many people today think of the Bible as one book, although it is in fact a collection of books, letters (epistles), and histories that have been written, rewritten, translated, and retranslated. The Bible didn't just appear; it was assembled, disassembled, and reassembled as new ideas and new material emerged. The Muratorian Fragment of A.D. 180 did not include the books of Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter, but it did include the Apocalypse of Peter. At the same time, the Shepherd of Hermas was considered by Origen to be divinely inspired. Clement of Alexandria considered a "secret" book of Mark to be genuine. Celsus claimed that Christians altered the text of scripture and changed its character to "enable them to deny difficulties in the face of criticism." In about A.D. 300 the church considered the books of Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation to be spurious. However, the Epistle of Barnabas, 1 Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Acts of Paul, and the Apocalypse of Peter were admitted to the canon of scripture but later removed.30 More than a thousand years later, Martin Luther declared the biblical books of Esther, Jude, Hebrews, Revelation, and 2 Peter, among others, unworthy to be among the "true and noblest books of the new testament." Luther considered the book of James to be "an epistle of straw," having "no gospel quality to it."31 Perhaps he did not approve of these books because the teachings they contained were at odds with his personal preference for the Augustinian doctrine of grace alone as the key to salvation. The first English language Bible was published less than 500 years ago. The popular King James Version was published in 1611, the Revised King James Version in 1885, the American Translation in 1931, the Revised Standard Version in 1947, the Good News Bible and the Jerusalem Bible in 1966, the New American Bible and the New England Bible in 1970, and the Common Bible in 1973.32 How many English translations of the Bible do we need? Clearly, for many the Bible has been and continues to be an evolving scripture. As for the question of completeness, we might consider a few referenced biblical statements for which we have no reference. Matthew 2:23 says that Jesus "came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew is citing a text unknown to us. To which prophets does he refer? Nowhere in the Old Testament does it say that Jesus will be called a Nazarene. One of the most popular of Christian scriptures is the Savior's statement "It is more blessed to give than to receive." We find this quotation in Acts 20:35 as part of a statement from Paul to the elders at Ephesus. This statement from the Savior does not appear in any other book of the Bible. Paul may have read or heard this statement elsewhere and then quoted the Master's divine words. It doesn't bother me that neither Matthew's nor Paul's statement includes a footnote to another scripture. But those who argue for a complete canon of scripture in the Bible--nothing excluded--beg a serious question. The Bible is scripture--it is the word of God and should be reverenced, studied, and appreciated for its immense contribution to the salvation of the children of God. However, the Bible has been used for both good and evil. Unprincipled peopled have used Bible verses as justification for all sorts of mischief. Others have been led into unproductive and even damning paths because they have failed to understand and apply wise interpretation to Bible statements. The Bible has been used as a weapon against righteousness by evil-disposed pastors, priests, and pagans alike. The Bible, as with any scripture or statement by any religious leader, must be carefully considered against what is known and understood about truth and salvation. It is important that all scripture be translated correctly. I will yield to respected Protestant writer Lloyd Averill for the last word on this biblical inerrancy issue. He writes, It is clear that Calvin cannot be identified with the scriptural literalism affirmed by present-day fundamentalists. Nor, indeed, can any other major figure in the history of Christian thought prior to 1800. Contrary to fundamentalist claims, the doctrine of biblical inerrancy as they have formulated it is not a return to primitive Christianity or to Christian orthodoxy. Rather, it was an innovation fashioned scarcely more than a hundred years ago as a weapon to be used against the modernist movement.33 Try and tell me that the Psalm of Nephi (also referred to as Nephi's soliloquy) or Chapter 9, or Jacob's relating of Zenos' allegory are mere musings of a 14 year old boy. Though it make little difference the evidence e.g., chiasmus, and an altar of rocks, or a river of water, because spiritual things are discerned by the spirit not by convincing. Let me say, "I cannot deny the Book of Mormon, nor the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true. i have behled what I cannot mention here, but suffice it to say, I know, and I know the God of the Universe knows I know it!! I dare not deny it." I strive to have perfect patience, love, and forgiveness for any who differ with me, but I cannot endorse darkness. You say you believe in an Omnipotent God but he ) can't reveal his will to man (revelation has ceased) 2) He can't create any other universe or planets and alike, 3) He can't have prophets like paterns of old, 4) he can't come to earth 5) he can't add to his own word 6) he can't help us in these latter days ( I guess because we don't need his help as we are doing so well without his help 7) that he is the author of the grand confusion of Chritiansdom made up of approx. 32, 000 (or 25,000 I can't remember which), churches which are diametrically opposed (by difinition of theri unique doctrine which make their sects/liturgy/doctrines separate) to each other. Which God do ascribe to??? Abraham of Abraham

Yes you can 'can' butter but it is much much better and easier and so much tasier of you order it from Australia. The butter and cheese for that matter will last about 20 years on teh shelf. We canned butter and though after 1 year it was not 'bad' it looked gross. So yes you can but there is a better way. I will have to get the company and it is shipped out of California. It is the best both the cheese and the butter. Commercially canned it safer, esp. with working with butter.

That is the intepretation of jajaja - you can't say hahah you have to write jajajaja. They all mean the same, if you speaka da spaño. jjajajajaja

It is not where you have been but where you are that matters, and though we cannot make the judgement on retro-tithes, the Bishop can give you GREAT comfort there, I have never seen one have to pay tithing in arears. Unless you saved it up somehow, you'd be paying double as it were. So in my humble opinion you probably will be asked to move ahead as an active saint including tithing on your income. In one Ward in Provo, the FYI - the Bisho got up in tears to clarify the tithing principle because many poor students were adding the value of their Christmas and B-day presents and paying tithing on that. Though you may if you wish that is not the intent of tithting and that is NOT what the Lord expects. Tithing is on your increase which the brethren have clarified means your salary. I am confident that the Lord does not want to be so much of a burden in considering paying back tithing that you fail, and slip again and don't pay tithing at all. Also - when considering paying tithing on gross or net income - do you want gross blessings or net blessing????? (BTW - we pay on the gross.) May the Lord bless you, Abraham

I know this is a hard one, since the chastity is the meat of the cohabitation issue, we have to avoid the appearance of evil. Iin today's world you can't go around justifying your intepretation of the rules for - to sound harsh - convenience. I guess it boils down to this - Do you want to live with this man or with the Savior (in the Celestial Kingdom). I am sure that there is a solution. It is very unfortunate that in many places the living together is more rewarding financially than not, and sometimes one has come to rely on the other person's income for sustenance. I sincerely pray that the Lord will come to your aid. I have found the key to getting answers to prayer is getting out of the way. This is the true, divine, fullness of God's gospel here upon the earth. Nothing else matters as far as priorities but sometinmes getting by in the telestial state is kind of tricky. Look at what Abraham had to do with his wife Sarah. All the eternal best and bliss to you, Abraham

¿Eres miembra (mormona)? Me bautizé ein 1970 con mí hemano gemelo en California EE.UU. Ya vivo en Colorado. Tengo ocho hijo (siete varones y una hembra). Tengo un testimonio bien fuerte del evangelio de jesucristo, y su iglesia pura, es decir la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días. Espero que tengas un buen tiempo aquí leyendo y practicando tú inglés. Qué Dios te bendiga. Abrahan

You are correct there was no 'eye of the needle gate' into Jerusalam after regular hours. The most misquoted scriputre in the world "choose you this day" Look it up, it does not read next 'as for me and my house' and the true verse is quite insightful. High Counciman - no such thihng in the church. (It is High Councilor) In the name of 'thy' son when one is bearing their testimony in F&T meeting,or giving a talk. In sacrament saying 'always' have his Spirit to be with them at the end of blessing on the water. (there is only one 'always in each prayer) And this really bugs me but I have to let go. IT IS NOT THE BOOK OF REVELATION(S). It is by singulary content a Book of Revelation and it is the revelation of Jesus Christ shared with John not John's revelation. Just a few fun facts. Abraham

Hola, Bienvenido. Que gozo leer un santo que nos escribe en 'el idioma de los cielos' :) Serví la misión en CentroAmerica. Me hacen falta la gente, la comida, la musica, y la cultura. Sé que le gustará la gente aca. Qué Dios te bendiga. Hasta pronto, Abrahan [sic]

Hi, I can't help too much on LDS commentaries that are similar to some of the in depth voluminous series on the Bible, but if you have not heard of it, The Interpreter's Bible Series is incredible on Bible study. Of course you have other LDS commentaries like you see in Deseret Book etc. Perhaps if you went to FAIR/FARMS and asked there they would be able to assist you. Abraham

If you are careful, you will love II Ne 4:16-35, and especially II Ne Chapter 9. Welcome, and be strong. Abraham

Obviously this has been an issue for a long time. The answer to the issue when confronted as "we just don't know" may be more true than not but does little to pacify the sincere seeker of the truth, you included. I have a very fine article written by an African-American woman, who is a former anti-Mormon. If you PM me with your em address I will be happy to attach a copy of her talk wihch by the way is found on the FAIR/FARMS site so it is legit. Actually you can find a lot there but the two articles I found are from sources that in my opinion have lived it so they are better suited to expound on their perspective. Though there were times the blacks could not hold the PH, there were also times when the main universal church of the day would kill lay persons for having Bible/scriptures in their possessions. How could that be christian? So don't judge us too harshly, the point is that they have all the rights now. There are, sincere seekers of the truth, they just see things from a different religious culture than do we (LDS). All the best - be sure to make the right decision. My 8 year old son invented our family motto which is "Right is Light, Let's try with all our might." Pretty insightful. Abraham

Remember, as those here know quite well, that the 3 months supply does NOT supplant the counsel to have a year supply MIMIMUM for the Saints, families etc. It is a strategy to get people started. Also, the 90 day supply is espeically for a quarantine (social distanciing) if you have to be kept inside for 90 days, the general period for a pandemic to run its course - generallyspeaking of course. Also, don't forget just becasue your dependants move away does not make them less family. In other words, don't get rid of your year's supply for your entire family just because it is now comprised of you and your spouse. Additionally, they may have married, had kids, so if anything , if possible one should keep building up a year's supply and not shrink it. Those kids will multipy and return. We have everything from Almond Poppy Seed Muffin mix, to Zitti, (A to Z). Food storage and preparation is more than wheat, rice, and powdered milk. Did you know that the Denver Cannery is totally out of wheat and might be getting more some time in April. Scarey times are upon us. Be prepared and move forward. Abraham

We sound like kindred spirits. I have the Midas touch. Everything I touch turns into a muffler. :-) Abraham:lol:

Hey Jonny... Assuming there are not other extenuating factors and I can't speak to your specific case as I have no jurisdiction/inspiration there, but wanted you to know that there is no one year waiting period for receiving the Melchizedek PH any more. I promise you that if you are worthy, keeping your covenants, repentant, and obedient, you can receive the PH within weeks of being baptized. I have this from an Apostle. HOWEVER, be patient with those humans who are working wtih you. None of us is perfect. Also, if you inquire on this issue be loving and not judgmental. Someday, you may be in the Bishop's shoes and will understand more fully what he going through. Sometimes we are given tests, even inside the kngdom that prove and temper our mettle, as I am sure you have expereinced. Sometimes we can't see the wisdom in the work (See D&C 121 & 122) but the Lord loves you and will provide you will all you need. BTW - you have the key to the ministering of angles (I assume you have the AP). what else could you ask for? That should keep you busy for now. :-) Your loving brother in the Gospel, Abraham

My wife and I have reserached in detail almost all the grinders on the market and will give you our take, though of course it is arguably just our opinion. I do not like the desgin of the formerly called Whisper-Mill now named something new as it was bought out, and I can't remember the name. HOWEVER, you can go on the WALTON FEED site and it has a very nice comarison of electric and hand grinder, e.g., how long does it take, sound, etc. We absolutely love the new Nutri-Mill that came out a couple of years ago. You can load it up with 10 cups of wheat before turning it on as it has a pre-burst chamber. Others you have to feed in an on-going basis. In my humble opinion, don't try to get a grinder which can be used for both electric and hand crank (bicycle crank adapted). Get one for the kitchen and another one for hand, Again, IN MY OPINION - do not get one of these small 2" X 2" or so hand grnders. They show you how simple it is to grind wheat BUT BE CAREFUL AS THE WHEAT THEY OFTEN GRIND IS MERELY CRACKED AND NOT GROUND INTO FLOUR. Of course you can put it back in and regrind it two or three times but that is a major pain. There is no EASY way to hand grind wheat, there simply easier ways then compared to others. I have a top of the line hand grinder with a 12" adapter wheel that multiples my grinder effort by 400% since it has a large radius. It did cost nearly $275 but it is very cool. On another point be sure you know what you are getting yourself into. I have heard other boast of a hand grinder and it would take 4 hours to grind 10 cups for baking. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. However, take my word and look up the specs on a Country Living hand grinder. It is pertty big but not huge, The grinding wheels can be adjusted to make flour, crack, or any other texture you want. (BTW - did you know you can grind pop-corn coursely into corn meal for corn bread, the corn meal is great. We have a recipe for Marie Calendars corn bread that is llike cake yummm.) One more thing. Get a roller/cracker. you can take Oat groats and roll them through the roller/cracker and you have rolled oats or in the vernacular 'oat meal' that is terrific, delicious, and easier to store than oat meal. Give those sites a try and I am sure you can come to your own conclusioin. It does not matter to me which you buy, just wanted to share. Abraham

There is a story of a man who went for a walk with his dog in the country. Of course the dog would jaunt in the creeks and water all around. When the dog comes back to its master, of course it shakes and shakes to the dismay of the owner. He tries to block himself from the ''dog-shower'. This is sometimes how it can be if you want to learn about Christ's church. I am glad to see that you have been simply welcomed and not bombarded with doctrinal verbiage (see theh proper def of verbiagte), and made to feel like you are being overwhelmed by the shower of doctrine, stories, etc. etc. If a young boy of 14 can receive his testimony so can you, and each of us for that matter. I do bear testimony that your pursuit will get better and better as you get closer to the Spirit. Please let us know if you have any question, we leave the ball in your court. All the best dicovering your own gifts of the spirit. Abraham

Have you ever wondered why Nephi included the Isaiah chapters. I love the scripture that goes something like "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses, but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by Isaiah, for I did liken all scriptures unto us that they may be for our profit and learning." I see you are doing the same. Remember, Nephi was forbidden to write what he had seen in vision(s) by the angel, so he used words already documented by another Prophet, in this case Isaiah, so he could convey similar testimony and prophecies of the Savior Jesus Christ. This way he could comply and yet fulfill his wish to get his message across to us 'as he saw our day'. I am glad that you meet to discuss the scriptures. If I could spend all day every day memmorizing scriptures I would be in heaven. Abraham

As we know those who are not exalted in the CK are left to serve those who are going about their celestial business, or in other words those who are in the CK. In other words those who don't make it will be eternal home teachers and the 'hell' we talk about is being home taught over and over and over, what could be worse than that? Just Kidding Just Kidding!!!! BTW - we are told that most LDS should not focus on any kingdom other than the Celesitial, as we pretty much all will make it there, but there are three kingdoms in the CK. We then can shoot for the highest or most exalted. I am sure most of will be in shock and awe when we see things as Jacob said and see "things as they REALLY are." Abraham

I should not have generalized Catholics as criticizing us (LDS). We (here in Denver) have many joint service projects throghout the years that have benefitted the Catholic charities and many catholics volunteer right beside their (us) Mormon friends. I should have isolated the correct splinter group. Thank you again, Abraham

Before they try to remove the mote in their Mormon brother's eye(s) they should remove the beam in their own! It is not true that they (the Catholics) have a lot of house cleaning to do before they start criticizing other's faiths? I am sure Mother Mary would be embarrassed and ashamed! Abraham of the Chaldeas

FARMS has provided many articles on the difficulties with demographics of the wars in short amount of time numbers wise, if Lehi was the only family in the promised land. As we read in II Nephi 29:7, there were many peoples on the earth that had been spirited away onto the islands of the sea and other lands. That is where the other scripures will be coming from and pretty soon too (whatever that means). We know that we will be adding to our own standard works besides the sealed portion of the BOM. NA Maxwell said that we will need a little red wagon to carry our scriptures in when we go to church. There is no way that 50,000 warriors could have been killed, not to mention the survivors if Lehi, or if you like, Nephi, and Laman, Lemuel, were the only ones left to propogate. Also, remember that Lehi was from the tribe of Manasseh, and Ishmael povided the blood line from Ephraim. Just thoght you'd like to know where the two sons of Joseph were represented by the Lord. Abraham

After joining the Church, BTW - my twin and I had to wait until we were 16 since my Mother would not let us be baptized until she was sure were sincere and devoted, we found out my Granfather did quite a bit of Genealogy. The point being, there was a man in the 1300s who was preaching that the faith of the day was not true to Christ's original organization. For his trouble he has the infamous reputation of being the last person being beheaded in Switzerland for his religious convictions. Now just think how great and spiritual it was to go through the temple for him? Not to sound egregious, but I guess I came by it rightly. My wife and I are still the only members in either family. By accident I just found an distant cousin who has 38 notebooks of genealogy (well I guess not too much of an accident hee hee). I can't wait to get to work. We went to a family reunion, and this gentelman from Germany brought a 30 foot long pedigree chart with 1500 names. I guess I have my mission cut out for me. BTW - I have served a mission to Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. All the best!!! Abraham

Welcome, I joined the Church after comparing all Churches I could get my hands, heart, and mind on. When 12 years old I made a comparison on doctrine, revelation, practices, organization, spirit, people, and even summer Bible schools & beach parties hee hee, and found the truth in the LDS Church. Of course I could stop after I found the truth. Nevertheless, that was only part of the issues since the quantitative searcch was inadvertantly my searching it out in my own mind. After praying to get Heavenly Father's confirmation, it was a sealed deal. This was in Orange County (Santa Ana) and it has been heaven ever since, I married in the temple, and have eight children (all of them girls EXCEPT seven). (That is one daughter for those mathematically challenged hee hee). Just remember love in all you do. Don't ever become defensive and if you feel heat, just smile, it will pass. Abraham