Heber13

I don't believe God is filtering temptations to individuals based on capacity. We are just exposed to this world, full of enough trials for us all. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Not being tempted above what you are able is a positive message that with God's help, you can succeed. But you will also fail. We all do, it is why the Atonement is needed. We should not despise who we are, but look for the talents we do have that we can develop, and be content with the good and the bad. It is who we are. It is our choice. We either avoid temptation, or we succumb to it. We always have the choice. We always live with the results, and get to choose again. Sometimes if we get stuck, we can get help by a bishop, or a parent, or a friend to help us build enough strength until we can be on our own to withstand things. God gives us enough resources to succeed, and He knows we will not be perfect at it, and so we will fail until we learn from the mistakes what to do differently to overcome.

That is one explanation that could make sense to me. And because that possibility is there, perhaps the other religions are good enough to provide some people with direction to live good lives, and be judged according to the light and knowledge they were given, and God's plan allows for the righteous who can live with Him through eternity will receive their just reward. Perhaps the LDS church, even though it has flaws and is imperfect, is good enough to bring us closer to God in the same way. That would mean that non-LDS people have their path to exaltation, even if they never are taught the gospel in this life. In that light, there are other ways to exaltation in this life, because, as Vort said, there may be equivalents in the next life. I would also add, those who are in the church who think their ordinances will provide them a magical and foolproof guarantee, but never learn to live the charity Christ exemplified, and become converted to become more like Him, also deceive themselves by thinking they are better than people of other religions just because of earthly ordinances.

Anddenex makes a pretty good point...there are other chapters we cannot see or know about everyone's journey. We do know, if we are here on this earth we kept our first estate. But this 2nd Estate is a brief moment and not the only part of our eternal journey. Pres Uchtdorf mentioned in the July 2012 ensign that we should realize we are "in the middle". I think he was teaching us not to worry too much about the timing of things, or what we see now. Where we are now is OK. Christ also taught the parable of the laborers of the vineyard. We may think we want equal labor and equal pay from our point of view, but the Lord's ways are higher than our ways, and the person hired at the end of the day may get the same pay, and it is fair because we are all given what we need, not comparing ourselves to others' situations. I have heard some people believe severely handicapped people or small children don't need ordinances in this life to be saved. Circumstances are different. Perhaps the Russian leader also played his part in the vineyard. The Lord uses tame and wild olive branches to save and strengthen the trees. Perhaps CS Lewis didn't need to be mormon, or Mother Teresa, or a bunch of other noble people, including my neighbors. I am open to the idea that others may be following God's plan for them, with or without LDS ordinances. They have their own relationship to God. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord the way we are taught, but humbly acknowledging we don't know what is needed for others. The Lord will determine that, and I will be open to learn from others, even as I share my example of following Christ's teachings to others.

bytor... if you are suggesting we might have a stewardship to fulfill...I think you are on to something. And I would also add, our stewardship does not need to include elitism and talking in class on Sunday that we are favored or privileged above other religions. We just have our place in God's plan, and we can accept that other religions may have their place too. We do not need to think we are better. Rameumptums don't get us closer to the CK.

Thanks Skippy. Good scriptures. It gives me something to ponder, because those answers don't seem to satisfy me yet. I really, really like the free agency answers, but not many people have the agency to choose to receive the ordinances in this life, it is just so limited to such a small group. That is what doesn't make it sit well with me. I think I get hung up on that, and then the whole thing kinda falls apart for me. If everyone had a fair and equal opportunity...then ya...no problem...those answers make sense. But realistically, it isn't a fair and equal playing field. And at the same time, my experience with other religions and other friends and neighbors does not provide me any observable evidence LDS devout followers are any better off than devout followers of other good religions. I will give it some thought and try to post some additional questions.

That is just really hard for me to buy into. What evidence do we have that our Church is any better than any other Church? If you compare the fruits...are not other churches producing just as good of fruit as our church? Is not our church producing just as many sour fruits as those in the Bible belt that attack our religion, or other churches?Is God really going to restrict the CK to Mormons only? Let's say a good muslim family raises their children with devout worship, respect for their beliefs, and loving service to others in their community. In the afterlife, it is judged that their hearts were pure, they just weren't taught all truth yet. So they are taught in the spirit world and accept truth there. I would think they could enjoy blessings from God based on their level of knowledge and their hearts. Right? Then why do we care if people receive ordinances in this life or not? It works out either way, more important is their hearts and the qualities they develop. If God will be the judge, why do we condemn all other religions to less than CK status?

Keep doing what you are doing and try to read about how to get through such a crisis like this in your life, use the marriagebuilders resources, use the marriage counseling, and talk to family, as much as you can. While doing all that, also work on yourself. You may need to prepare for a big change in your life, and you need to be strong and independent, and know how to make right choices. You can't be taken advantage of, or be pressured to forgive. It has to come from in your heart, and you may realize the best thing is to move on, or the best thing is to forgive and love unconditionally. Either way, you will need to be strong. Make sure you work on things to help you develop that inner strength (healthy things, like exercise, journal writing, reading, studying, social friends, etc)...and of course, start thinking of your children and how you'll handle them and their needs.

I like Travelers response, on a micro level, I do not think we can answer the question. It makes it difficult for me to expect answers to prayers on which job I should take, or protect our family from harm while traveling in a new SUV, when children suffer so greatly. I have to let go of trying to ask "Why?" to things that cannot be explained well. I just have to leave running the universe to God, and focus on my little life and do the best with what I can. I think some things just don't make sense, and we have to move forward anyway.

I think it is always good to start with understanding what is similar to what you already believe, instead of starting with what is new or different. You know, build on common beliefs first. What is your back ground? Do you believe in God, or are you not sure how to know? Have you gone to church in the past? What about your feelings on the bible? Also, how did you come to know about the church and the Book of Mormon? Also, are there specific things that you are most interested in learning about? You may want to think of these things before the missionaries come. Missionaries are good at adapting messages to what you want to know about and learn.

Hello all. It seems to me that we regularly recognize the good in other religions. Any good that brings people closer to God has truth in it, but we claim as Mormons more revealed truth, or greater collection of truth. The quotes are often about truth is found in many sources, but bring all that to the Mormon church and we will add unto it. This is a comforting response to those who believe the Church is the "one true" church. It can be a bit offensive to others, obviously. But I really want to hear from this group why we would think God would work and offer salvation for such a small group of His children? Temple work for the dead is a nice thought, but it doesn't make sense to me when this mortal life is so important in our test. If I think this church is one way to God, but not the only way, am I on dangerous ground? I have so many friends outside the church that are such wonderful good people, I'm not sure they NEED to convert. They are pretty dang good people now. What do you all think about other religions being just as good as the Mormon church, as long as they help people develop Christ-like qualities?

Hello!! I used to live just north of Columbus...loved Ohio. It's nice they have a temple there now.