darrel

I'm not very good at remembering anymore but I have studied quite a lot and Agree with Sixpacker also. I think some the Book of Enoch has been found and is being translated. We will know in due time. When Father Adam calls his family again to Adam-Ondi-Ahman to organize them to usher in the Millennial reign of Christ we will know then. :)

I think someone should help you understand LDS doctrine shadow. I believe your explanation is very misleading and not our doctrine. I believe you have it all wrong.

Seekeroflight I echo the welcome and wish you many blessings in your search. I know that in addition to reading, listening to the missionaries, and going to church, there is one real key to understanding if these things are true. After all the talk, discussion, and search, you must sincerely pray to know what is right. We have a promise given by Moroni on page 529 in the Book of Mormon. "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, In the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10: 4-5) I know this works and will help you with your search. Darrel

D&C 58: 1-4 doesn't say the rich will come in, only that they are invited. It does say that the poor, meek etc will come in and be seated at the feast of the Lamb.

I think we have to be careful. LDS Doctrine is The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught through his prophets from the beginning of time. The Trinity view of The Godhead is in my opinion is the philosophies of men mingled with scripture and has resulted in the great confusion among the religions of the world. Revelation from God is the only way to streighten out the confusion. Surely the Lord God will do nothing except he revealeth his secrets to his servents the Prophets (Amos 3:7) I firmly believe that the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct Personages. The Father and the son have immortal bodies of Flesh and Bones and men are created in the image of God. The Holy Ghost is a Personage of Spirit. The special Mission of the Holy Ghost is as a Testifier of Christ, and one of his names is The Spirit of Truth. Through his influence we can know through our sincere prayer the truth of all things.

Rosebud, I appreciate your questions and personally feel your support for Mitt is well founded. As a life time member, returned missionary, active leader, and member missionary I can say that your questions are good ones. Some of them I feel are the result of misunderstanding the doctrine of the LDS gospel which you may have received from anti-lds sources. Some of those sources are on this forum so you must be able to discern them. That is the roll of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit). As you sincerely search, ponder, and pray you will receive a confirmation by that spirit of the truth you are seeking. Any answers you might receive to your questions must be received by that spirit of the Holy Ghost in order for you to accept and understand them. The confusion in the world today is because so many voices are clammering to be heard.

I wonder how many of us would do that with an unknown audiance. I share a lot with people I know but hesitate to bring up doctrine with strangers.

I wasn't sure where to post this so hope it is all right here. If not your wecome to move it. We had Testimony Meeting yesterday because our Ward Conference is scheduled for Jan 6th. One sister stood up and told of an experience she had at work. She works at a doctors office as an assistant who calls patients in when the Dr. will see them. When she stepped out to invite the next patient in, the lobby TV had a televalgelist on talking about the Mormon Church. She listened for a moment before she called the patient because the minister was bashing the LDS Church. She told us that he said that not only were Mormons a cult but did not believe that Jesus Christ was Devine. She spoke up and said that that minister was a lier and she was tired of all the falshoods being spread about The Church. She then said that if anyone really wanted to know about the LDS Church thay should ask a Mormon and not a critic. Everyone in the waiting room was staring at her. She called the patient back and the staff was gathered to see what the commotion was about. She thought she was going to be fired but she didn't care. She was then asked a lot of questions about The Church by the staff.

Good to have you Porter Rockwell. (Colorado Ron) I too am an offroader. My rig is a 1974 Early Bronco and am building an offroad lightweight fiberglass trailer to go with it.

Interesting Heading "Citizens" Hello Azaerino

My apologies if I have been out of line. I was responding to the reference of the reformers contributions and got carried away. Perhapse I should be in the testimony catagory.

AnthonyB I will agree that men were inspired to bring to pass the protestant reformation and to bring the Writing of the Jews to the world however incomplete they were. I do believe that it was done so the world would be more accepting of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ when the Lord was ready to reinstate His Doctrine among men. Imagine what would have happened to Joseph Smith or any other Prophet called of God to restore the COMPLETE teachings of Jesus Christ if it happened during the 1000 year reign of the Popes in Rome. Those protestant marters never claimed to have the full gospel but only wanted to break away from the tyranny of the established religious power. Their contributions however helped to bring about changes which prepared the way for the Gospel to be Restored by Revelation. I believe Joseph Smith contributed more to the understanding of Gods plan of Salvation than any other man on earth except Jesus Christ. The persecution He and the early Latter Day Saints suffered at the hands of the denominations and even to an extermination order by the Govenor of Illinois stands as a paralell to the persecution and distruction of the Early Day Saints after the Crusifixion of Jesus Christ. This Church had to leave the geographical boarders of This Free United States of America in order to have peace to impliment and practice the Restored Gospel. Even today this Church is called a Cult, and non-christian, and is still persecuted to a degree by many denominations who preach and teach their congregations that "mormons are evil". Again I say this is The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as prophesied throughout the scriptures. It is the stone cut out without hands, prophesied in Danial, which will roll forth and fill the whole earth. The Growth of the Church while slow at first is gaining momentum in many parts of the world. It's influence for good has been felt in every free country, and many not so free. The Humanitarian Activities of this Church are usually the first on the scene of disasters and often the resources for other agencies activities around the world. Many apponants of the church do not see the dynamic activities within the church in all areas of influence ie Education, Family Values, healthful living, Boy Scouts, and posative contributions in all areas of our society. I would challenge you, AnthonyB, or anyone else who cannot see the Fruits of This Church, "by their fruits ye shall know them" , to open your eyes and ears to see and hear the truth. I suggest we stop straining at knats and look beyond prejudice or preconceived ideas of who, what, and why this Church is The True Church of Jesus Christ restored to the Earth to bring about the salvation of those who are willing to hear, see, and speak the truth. I suggest a reasonable discussion of the points of doctrine would be more productive than debating meanings which cannot be unified without Revelations From Heaven.

Thank you A-Train I think I will be quiet and let you explain the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have a much better knowledge than I do.

Sorry about the spelling. I guess I need to use the spell check better. I assume you use the coined word covering as a reference to the Atonement. I'm not sure exactly what it means as it is not a word we use as we teach the restored doctrine of Jesus Christ as revealed by Joseph Smith. I suppose if it is a word coined by a christian minister to explain his doctrine then I can see it would be a way for him to reinforce his teachings. My views of Gods plan of Redemption and Salvation for all men is based on my testimony of The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, I think for us to debate the literal meaning of Christ's Atonement is an exercise in futility because doing so will not change the extent to which it is applied to us individually. Gods Plan through Jesus Christ is that all men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. I accept Joseph Smiths testimony, through a confirmation of the spirit, God's admonition to him to join none of the churches because "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." Just because the teachings and doctrine of the restored Church of Jesus Christ don't align with the doctrines of men they are true and bring a unity to the faith of those who accept it and will be confirmed as true in due time. The true doctrines of Jesus Christ are being presented to the world through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Christ's doctrine goes further back than Adam and Eve. We were all assembled in a grand counsel before the world was even created. There the Plan of Redemption was presented where Christ volunteered to take upon him the sins of all men if they would but repent and keep his commandments. Satan and 1/3 of all spirits rebelled and were cast down to earth to provoke men to follow him. All spirits born to the earth accepted this Plan of Redemption at that great council. Jesus Christ willingly took upon himself our sin on condition of our obedience.. The culmination of his atonement was the death he suffered and his subsiquent resurrection which opened the way for all men good and evil to be resurrected either to eternal hapiness or eternal misery.

I would like to thank A-Train CrimsonKairos and other scholarly LDS posters for strengthening this forum along the lines of LDS Doctrine. Other opinions and beliefs are good for reference, comparison, and discussion and bring validity to the beautiful truths of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Welcome Dr. Lynn. Your introduction is very interesting. I and I suppose other LDS are curious how you could preach from the Book of Mormon and not be converted to The restored Church which the Book of Mormon and it's translater Joseph Smith are and were an integral part.

Welcome rusure. I have not been on this forum long but do find it stimulating to discussions of note. One thing that stands out is non lds forum members will provide challenging dialogue which should pique our forum skills. Many well educated LDS posters give refreshing insites that help us all have a good forum experience.

I agree A train. The interesting thing about salvation of mankind is that Christians generally believe that it doesn't matter which church or what belief you have only that you believe in Jesus Christ and you will be Saved. The Gospel of Jesus Christ on the otherhand says Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to salvation and fiew their be that find it. Gods pattern for salvation of all men as revealed to his prophets ancient and modern is and has been the same throughout all time. The many differing views concerning salvation has come about through the limited perspective of the succession of churches from the apostacy from Christs True Church and the subsequant creed generated at the Council of Nicea. We need the Continued revelation and additional light to fully understand Gods plan of redemption. The world needed the Gospel to be restored to the earth. Acts 3: 19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you; Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Without it the confusion that abounds will prevent many from gaining the salvation promised.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the whole plan of redemption which was presented to all spirits before the earth was created. It has been from the beginning and will continue through eternity. Our mortal probation and preparation is but a moment in the eternal timeframe. All of Gods commandments center on the Gospel and our progress in the plan is conditional on how well we keep His commandments and follow God's plan and not follow our own whims or be led astray by those apposed to our progress.

Atheists are Gods Children too, they just don't know it yet.

Ephesians 4:11-14 shows the organization established by Jesus Christ and what we are to be called. Saints. Also Ephesians 2:19-20. The topical guide gives many more references to using the word saint refering to the members of Christ's church. We belong to The Chruch of Jesus Christ restored in the latter days and therefore Called "Latter Day Saints" as just as those who belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ he established in the miridian if tune were called Saints.

Society and the human view, limit our perspective regarding the purpose of life. Our vision is nearsighted as we only focus on that short interval between birth and the grave. We seem to gauge our actions and plan our lives within only this short span of time. We view our life as merely a mortal existence, seldom seeking or having spiritual experiences. Our belief in the Supreme Creator of man helps us develop a much broader view of life. With this larger perspective we see the real scope of our life as being much more expansive. Mortality becomes a brief outfitting, schooling and training interval in our eternal journey. Being created in His Image we are indeed spiritual beings having a mortal experience. This belief gives meaning to life, brings joy and fulfillment to our righteous moral choices. He has given us the tools for the journey and outlines our course so we can make this voyage safely through the troubled waters of life. We can have a full assurance as we follow HIS course and not our own that we can return safely home. This gives us hope of a joyous reunion and crowning reward from a loving Father in Heaven.

www.72languages.com

This the reference for the response.