Rosewood

I like your site, it's easier to copy and paste than lds.org. What happens if you sign in?

Musahi, that's good! I like your attitude. When I don't fit into my pants I just get bigger ones. Besides being funny it's also a statement about being pro-active!

This has been very interesting, but I was just wondering if your original question was answered too. I think I know the answer to your question but after all these yrs of reading it now I can't find it!!! I hate it when this happens. The great sign of the coming of the son of man will be the coming of the son of man Himself. In other words His appearance is the sign. I know that sounds like, huh? I think it's in the Bible and in the D&C. You know coming out of the east, brighter than the sun, people will think it's a comet, etc. It's actually Him. I have heard that the star of Bethlehem was actually a star. What ever they knew of stars in those days. There was some interest in the possibility that the star was an angel or something else. So a Gen Authority put an end to it by confirming it as a star. Again, I can't remember who or where HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD OF THESE THINGS OR KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM?

Well howdy neighbor! We live around Bass Lake! I have family in the Clovis 1st & 2nd Wards. Oakhurst is where we spend most of our time; the Hi school and church are there. Very cool. We're getting ready for snow right now, you may be getting some too. Thanks for your comments and thanks for letting me know where you are! Oops! I just noticed you said lived not live. Oh well.

Thank you, the note in the JST is what I needed for that. How about Brigham Youngs statement about the WOW? Do you know where I can find the exact quote? In all my questions, the 'are they or aren't' was in ref to are they scripture? I have several lists of the lost books, but at one time I also had someones (Gen. authority?) statement about which were considered scrip. and whch weren't. For instance the book of Jasher is mentioned in the Bible and we have that book, but the author is unknown so it isn't considered scrip. After being in the church for so long faith promoting rumors and gospel hobbies can creep in. I have an issue with truth. I want exactness. In it there is safety When I was first baptised, I realized many people in Utah had become very lax with doctrine, some drank etc. and all said it was ok because they had 'a good relationship with Heavenly Father' and that 'love' was all that mattered. I'm not concerend about mystries. I'll worry about those when I get revealed truth perfected.

There are a lot of things I know because of years in the church. But now I can't remember the exact authority I heard it from. Which books of the bible are considered scripture and which aren't and WHERE do you find this info? Also which 'lost books' are & aren't. Where is it said that the WOW is now considered a commandment and that 'hot drinks' mean coffee & tea? How about the Lectures on Faith, etc? Anyone know?

You re-opened this one, good! I have no problem excepting it as truth but actually understanding it isn't as easy for me. I can explain this with the same exact words and quotes as it was explained to me, but I still can't get my mind around it. It's been discussed in many classes. Like the actual atonement or the nature of the Godhead or eternity, it's a difficult concept.

I agree, if it wasn't for the apostasy I'd probably be catholic. We don't really know where the priesthood was active (from an lds point of view) in the world just prior to the apostasy, but just think of all that had to fall into place all over the world to get that to happen.

Well, just like Outshined said, when people drink they aren't the only one's effected. The effects of bad habits (disorders or diseases) spread out like a ring in water. Stick to your guns TXRed, you know who you are. Funkyfool, sometimes people drink when they're unhappy and it's the only thing that seems to lighten the load. Self medicating so to speak. If you don't want to drink, but somehow feel compelled, maybe you're a little depressed? Boy, did you know you were going to get everyone so excited?! You may be Funky, but I doubt that you're a fool!

Ok, it's now the next day. I'm guessing you've done all you can at this point including some very sincere prayer. I want only to say this; let not your heart be troubled. It's in God's hands. Allow Him to calm your fear. Go over in your mind what you learned and thank Him for the growth. Let it go. God bless your tender heart.

Follow your insticts. It was earlier and here you are still worried! It could be nothing, but only you know. How old did the little boy sound? Have you prayed about it? I think you could call the police or authorities without getting your company involved. If it was nothing, no harm done. Maybe a warning is enough to prevent a problem. My grandchildren had tantrums and anyone listening would have thought they were being killed, although, no one laughed when it was going on. My parents had the police called about me when I was around 3 because I didn't want to get out of the bathtub. Mom made the police get me out so they could see what was going on. I don't remember of course. I still think better safe than sorry.

Quote by Outshined - No; they are the sons of perdition; they had their chance and cast it away. Outshined (I can't get the quotes to work)- I thought sons of perdition were those that entered into secret combinations with satan while they are in mortality, meaning they have a physical body. When vipergts24 said those that didn't make it through the precreation (preexistence) they couldn't have a body. They just didn't keep their first estate. They become satan's angels. Son's of perdition will (according to my understanding) rule over satan because they had more knowledge when they rebelled. I didn't find that in the site you posted. Welcome Viper, I'm fairly new myself. It's a great place to sharpen you gospel knowledge and communication skills. There are some really great people on here.

Service is the BEST way to get closer to Christ and those you serve. I think I'm jealous! Can you tell us any more about where you're going or what you'll be doing? I've seen cool little missions posted like helping in another country in a temple or as a translator, nurse, etc. I guess I'm waiting until my family is raised.

President Hinckley on Larry King told the world we avoid caffeine. I'm not sure what that meant exactly, but we stopped drinking caffeinated sodas at that time, although I still take Excedrin when I get a migraine and enjoy chocolate at every opportunity! I think one of the main reasons for not drinking coffee or tea is to separate us from the world. It sure makes us stand out don’t you think?

I'm sorry you hurt. When my daughter was about you age (I think) she had some problems also. Young women new to RS usually feel out of their nitch and people can be unkind without meaning to be. It's probably even harder because you're in one of those special wards designed so people will have things in common. They don't always work. I've made my friends in various callings too. Working together seems to do the trick. But it took awhile. Being a convert I always thought every one else knew something I didn't. Like they had some secret advantage. But they didn't. All I can say is gird your loins, count your blessings, smile and forgive. This too shall pass. John Bytheway said, “If you haven't been offended by someone in the church, be patient!"

I think you're right Chaplin; the thing that brought the most light and understanding to me was the idea of our life before birth IN A FAMILY. It was because of this idea that these other concepts became real in my mind - • Eternal families • A reason for being created • My purpose on earth • A reason to love God - He's literally our Father • A reason to be loved by God - we're literally His children (do you ever think of the Holy Ghost as a baby sitter?) • A reason to love each other - literal bros & sis. • A plan - the plan of salvation • Eternity in both directions • Deja vous - I know that’s a silly one too! • Other worlds, other souls • Progression • Father also follows the governing laws of the universe • We can become the same kind of being our Father is without being equal to Him. • The purpose of correct principles and values. • Lucifer - where he came from It's true that all those things could be without a pre-existence, but to me it's like memorizing math facts compared to really understanding the concepts. But also just as important to me as the pre-existence was the knowledge of personal revelation and my experience with it. Without it, none of the rest of it would matter.

Hi, M. Sorry it took so long to respond. I couldn't cut and paste from this site, but it explains what I was talking about. The site is by Hindu's so I assume it's what they believe. It says the gods are all incarnations of one god, just different ways of god expressing himself. http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses.htm What I was taught by a pastor was that God needed to be mortal so he made himself mortal for this purpose. I'm sure there was more to it; I was a teenager at the time. As an adult I heard the same opinion on a Christian radio station. Don't get me wrong; I don't believe Christians are like Hindu's! Just that the Trinity describes like it. I don't mean to be offensive to Christians or Hindu's!

Prisonchaplin & Serg - Am I understanding you correctly to say you believe that because Christ put on flesh that he was no longer God? Is that why you believe there was only one God when Christ was on earth and Father was in heaven? Does that mean you believe Christ was mortal? If He was mortal how did He give-up the Ghost? If a mortal was capable of atonement, then why couldn't any one do it? Do you believe in a literal ressurection? That He took up His physical body? If I understand you right, that's a difference I never even thought about!

OK, I'm back in. Let’s see. What do I KNOW that God knows is the first question? I know what he has taught me in the scriptures and through prophets. But how do I know that those things are truer than the tabloids? There's a saying that says something like, 'pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on you'. So on my side would be preparation and thought. In what order should I teach the things I know? In what order did the Lord teach them to me? I think prayer was first........no, it was gratitude. No, humility then gratitude then prayer. My testimony that there is a God came somewhere around humility. Then who God is came somewhere around prayer. Hey this is fun; I wish I knew how to put in a visual aid. (I actually did this one time before and it ended up looking a lot like the Gospel Principle book.) Anyway then continue on like that. I would only be able to truly teach those things that I have had confirmed by way of the Holy Spirit. That’s covers a lot of ground these days. That’s part of the spiritual side of the preparation. In order to teach those things that have been prepared, the Spirit would have to be present on BOTH sides of the lesson; with the teacher and with the student. Prepare the students ahead of time, letting them know to come spiritually prepared and then of course start the lesson with an invocation. Whew! But back to the part that God knows. I know a few things that God knows. For instance, He loves me. I can't possibly know that like He knows it. But not having a complete knowledge of a subject doesn't make my portion of knowledge un-true. I guess this would be an important part of the preparation; to seriously analyze what you KNOW that God knows. The parts of scripture that haven't been diluted for our little brains so much that it's hard to find the core truth, without the parable. Also isn't it true that God knows everything; so whatever I know, true or not, is something that God knows? But, I'm going on as if you said "teach the TRUTH that God knows". Even if we taught lies it would be something God know, right? Well, I'm obviously not a linear thinker.

Maybe I'm getting too uptight about this. The activites you mentioned are things we do almost every night. He used to dance with me in the kitchen, so I ralized he probably would like to learn swing so we took lessons. We had so much fun, but that was on WED. It is getting more difficult to get him into the kitchen these days with homework, sports and "My Space". We've got John Bytheway memorized (he's so great!) We also listen to other books on tape almost daily; some lds some not. We went to a Fireside that was a little odd on Tue. about making creation work with science, sort of apolagetic. It's just 1 hr 20 min to church and back and it wasn't worth it that night. One thing I have thought of recently is more service. I suggested we take our old church magazines to Dr. offices, laundry mats. etc. He liked it. It wasn't our usual 'sing at the old folks home'. We actually should concentrate more on his mission. that is a good idea for us. Thank you ALmom.

My 16 yr old son and I are the only ones who live in our home right now. We're both very active at church; callings, priesthood, seminary, etc. But I have sooo much trouble with Family night. Teenagers are a challenge no matter what the situation is. He's too old for some of the silly little things that used to thrill him and with just the 2 of us, well, I'm pretty sure he gets kind of bored with mom. We live WAY up in the mountains with no TV, movie theaters, or even neighbors near. We've used seminary and institute lesson books for family night, but it turns into something like "homework". (I used to homeschool him). He's interested in studying the New Testament right now so that might be a place to start. Any suggestions? Please?

OK, Ray. Is this another trick question? How about Moroni 10:3-5 or James 1:5? Are you asking how would God teach His children? or how would a prophet of God teach the world? or how would Ray teach a teacher developement class from the book 'Teaching no Greater Call' ? I have a feeling you're looking for something specific, so what's up?

What do you mean too Utah? Ester's a Hebrew name, and I love it! I've never heard Ester was not suppose to be scripture. I guess I've been hiding in Primary for too many years. My children are named Adam, Rachael, Gabriel and Gannon. My husband is David and my name is .......also Hebrew. We thought we made up the name Gannon, but we found it in a book of gaelic names meaning fair complected. And boy, he sure is!

This is the way I think it explains best. Man is also used to describe women. That doesn't make them the same. Mortal is used to describe everything on earth at this time, but we're not all the same. God is the kind of being they all are. Yes there are 3. BUT We have only one Father and we have only one Savior. They are unique and they will always be above us. We follow their will and their teachings because they are identical to each other. Someday in the far far future, we hope to grow up to be like them. Thats also what they want for us. We are their hiers, we will inherit the Kingdom. Even though we may grow up to be the kind of beings they are, doesn't mean we will ever be equal to them. How can we be equal to them? He's our Father and our Redeemer! Thats why He told us to call him Father. We're His children - literally. That's why He loves us. I know that's a strange idea to you, but have you ever tried get someone to relate to the trinity that wasn't raised with that idea? Let me ask you something. There's a Hidu god that multiplys into several gods. Is that one god or more than one? Is it determined by what the incarnations are doing at the time? As in God the Father spliting into different people when he had a different job to do? And about the trinity, did Father cease to exist when Christ was born? Obviously not. So there were 2 at that time. Has one of them ceased to exist now? I don't mean to sound rude. I really would like to know.