a-train

The saying that 'as man is, God once was, and as God is man may become' is scriptural and true. Jesus of Nazereth is God, He went through the same temporal probation we do and ascended to the Throne of the Father. The New Testament is full of this. We, like Him, are going through our temporal probation and when we have finished our work, if we overcome all things, we will sit with Christ in His throne, even as He also overcame, and is set down with His Father in His throne. (Rev. 3:21) As far as other worlds are concerned, the issue is sealed. The LORD said to Moses: 'And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many. But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.' (Moses 1:33-35) He later told Moses: 'I will speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak.' (Moses 1:40) We honestly do NOT know concerning the names of people on other worlds anymore than what we can gather from the above statement. Many interpret this to mean that 'Adam' or some equivilant is the name of the first man on every world created. Some say this is more a Title, a Calling, a Priesthood Position, than a name. What we DO KNOW is that these innumerable worlds are Created by the Only Begotten (Jesus), and that His Atoning Sacrifice is 'infinite' (Alma 34:10-14). If there be 'Abraham's and 'Israel's on these worlds, we are not told. We just don't know. And as far as Temple Attendence, remember that we are commanded to go. If you are unworthy, then get worthy! You don't have to be flawless, just meet the minimum requirements for the Temple. You are missing important Blessings and Knowledge with which the LORD is desirous to bless you. God Bless -a-train

Does Mormonism hold that only Mormons are able to be saved? 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?' Joseph Smith's answer was this: 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p 119) Is this judgemental? Is this hateful? Does this mean the Church is an exclusive club? ABSOLUTELY NOT! As Rosie mentioned, the LDS perception of the world is not that they are superior or are in an exclusive exalted Heaven Bound position. We take to heart that 'He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.' (Matt. 23:11) We are duty bound to serve the LORD by being 'in the service of [our] fellow beings'. (Mosiah 2:17) As LDS, we believe that God doesn't intend to save only a few, but that as Lehi 'thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God' (1 Nephi 1:8), even so shall there be numberless concourses of the saved. Lehi later saw 'numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.' (1 Nephi 8:21) Joseph Smith saw that in the Celestial Kingdom of God, those who take part in the first resurrection 'have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.' (D&C 76:67) God does not intend to save only a few of His children, and each and every child of every race, language, and nation are literal spirit children of God sent from His Presence to earth. This is our declaration. God Bless -a-train

Jesus is Immanuel which means Eloheim with us, or God with us (Matt:1 18-25). He is the "God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (1 Nephi 19:10). He stood in the Great Grand Council before the earth was created and was chosen by the Father to be the Propitiator of the Atonement (Abr 3:22). He is therefore also known as "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". (Rev. 13:8) He is as you mentioned the Firstborn of the Father, Hebrews 1 is Paul's powerful epistle on this matter wherein he said that the Father "bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Paul says Christ "hath [the Father] appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" The Saviour was the Firstborn to our Father in Heaven in the Spirit world, there he possessed a spirit body of spirit matter, which was seen by many ancient prophets when they had visions of Him such as the Brother of Jared to whom Jehovah said: "Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh." (Ether 3:16) Having come into the world, taking upon himself flesh, living without sin, and returning to the presence of the Father to "sit with Him in His throne" as the "heir of all things" he bears the name of Jehovah, which means I AM. He is the Great I Am. This signifies that He is unchangeable. Of all our Father's spirit children, only the Firstborn came through all estates without any degree of unrighteousness, He therefore bears this name as the Unchangeable One. He was appointed by the Father to be the Creator, Redeemer, and Judge in the pre-mortal world and is indeed Diety. As His famous words in John 14:6 exclaim: "I am the away, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." As He said to the Brother of Jared "Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." (Ether 3:14) Because only He can give us Eternal Life, He is known as our Eternal Father. "Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else." (Alma 11:38-40) In short, Christ is a literal Diety whom we are to worship. He is equal with the Father (John 5:18, Phil 2:6). Our worship of Him must be "in spirit and in truth". I think we too often equate worship with the worship performed by the heathen. Although we bow in reverance and prayer, this is not the only form of worship, nor is it the greatest form of worship. To worship the LORD is to live as He did, to live as He does. We are to worship Him in all that we do. -a-train

A note about the "personal relationship" with the LORD. LDS terminology is deeply rooted in the language of the Book of Mormon and the writings and speach of Joseph Smith and the early Church Leaders. When you hear LDS referring to a "testimony" this is virtually synonymous with a "personal relationship" with the LORD. We say: "I have a testimony of the LORD Jesus Christ." This means that we not only believe in Him, but that we have obtained and continue to receive a personal, spiritual, witness, or manifestation from God concerning His will and love for us through our prayers and dealings with the LORD. This would signify a personal relationship. In addition to this, a unique and vital precept of the Restored Gospel is "The Gift of the Holy Ghost". LDS doctrine is that after repentance and baptism, the follower of Christ receives the laying on of hands of those in authority for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. If the receiver of such is worthy, they have a special Gift from God which is the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. This special arrangement is the blessing bestowed by the LORD through the covenant of Baptism that "they may always have His Spirit to be with them". A more powerful personal relationship with God is possible through this Gift than in any such relationship without the Gift of the Holy Ghost. SALVATION FROM SIN IS NOT ATTAINABLE WITHOUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. This Gift is the cleansing power of the LORD's Spirit that is signified by a "baptism of fire" and is only attainable through the covenant of baptism. LDS boldly declare that through Joseph Smith the power to perform the laying on of the hands to bestow this Gift has been Restored to the earth after having been taken from it for centuries. I can personally attest to having received this power and gift as described. It is a possession greater than any worldly boon. We not only believe that a personal relationship with God is essential to salvation, but that further advances in that relationship have been given to us and we do invite the rest of the world to partake of it also. -a-train

I am not trying to confuse anyone here, but I want to just throw something out about praying to Jesus. As LDS, we unequivically claim Jesus of Nazereth to be Jehovah, the Great I Am, Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. We further state that he is the Christ, the Eternal God. Now, have a look at the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple offered by Joseph Smith by revelation in D&C 109. Who was this prayer offered to? Look at verse 34 and 42 and you will see that the Holy Father and the God of Israel Joseph addressed was Jehovah. Now can our prayers and oblations go up to the throne of God and not come before Jesus who has ascended there to sit with his Father in His throne? I am not trying to confuse or say that prayers should be offered in any other manner than that shown to us by the Prophets through the scriptures, I just want to point out that to say that a prayer is offered to the Saviour is not blasphemous, neither should we feel uncomfortable saying that Jesus hears our prayers and answers them. Jesus is GOD. -a-train

The problem with any abjuring langauge regarding divorce is that it can create a perceived social mantel of bane to come over the divorcee or her estranged. Especially because the status of divorce is so publicly known and often brought to notice through the last names of children, living arrangements, and other functions of divorced life. It may also impliment a false sense of social superiority in the mind of those who have not yet been unfortunate enough to endure the 'Big D'. It is because of this that Church Leaders must be very carefull in the treatment of and in declaring the will of God on this subject. It must be understood as the Chaplain mentioned, we are to love all those involved in these broken families. The numero uno duty we possess in this life is to "love God" (Matt 22:37) and in our marriage it is to love our spouses "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph 5:25). Although it is a hard thing to say and an even harder thing to hear, it is true that when we love not our spouse, we love not ourselves nor the LORD. -a-train

If these "kids" are old enough to make "adult" decisions, than why can't they pay some "rent"? My mom put me out the summer after my graduation, right around my 19th birthday. Kids think they are old enough to be above Mom's rules, but they still want Mom to "wipe their butts and wipe their noses" (from a friend's dad). I say, if they are old enough to sleep together, they are old enough to get a job and stop mooching off the folks. -a-train

When I follow the LORD's method of 1st studying out in my mind and then asking if it be right, I get the exact burning in the bosom or the stupor of thought mentioned in D&C 9. In contrast, when I take no thought save to ask Him, I usually get no such revelation. I cannot see how the LORD will unlock the mysteries of the Kingdom or give to us "hidden treasures" of knowledge (D&C 89) without cracking the scriptures. I have found that when I have any question, if I will prayerfully read the scriptures and allow the LORD to teach me "here a little, and there a little" (Isa 28:10) I will feel better even if I have not yet found the answer to the exact question I have. We must be content with the knowledge the LORD is partial to impart and be ever careful not to look "beyond the mark." (Jacob 4:14) I believe that if I am not quickly answered or confirmed, then the LORD has in store a trial of my faith, after which I will receive my witness. (Ether 12:6) Here is an example: A racist man may not be able to see the true nature of those within the race(s) he is disposed to have ill feelings toward until he first decides to treat them as though they were worthy of his love and respect. It is only after he is humble enough to do so in the face of a perceived irrationality of the idea that it becomes clear to him that his hate was ill-positioned and those he had such emnity with deserved none such. Just the same, we may need to take a similar leap of faith before we can stand in the light of knowledge only attainable by standing where the light is. -a-train

Remember that there is no power, no act, nor function of the LORD's Church that is NOT designed to draw men closer to Christ. Even disfellowshipping and excommunication are designed to bring us to God. When a person is disfellowshipped, they are still a member and still hold the covenants they have made through the various ordinances they have partaken of. This is different from excommunication wherein they no-longer possess nor are bound by any of the covenants they have previously made. Although the disfellowshipped member retains their covenants which came through the ordinances of the Gospel and still possesses the associated responsibilities, they DO NOT have the blessings of obedience to those covenants; such blessings are withheld. They cannot participate in any additional ordinances until they have been reinstated. What purpose does this serve? And, how can this bring a man CLOSER to the LORD? When a person is baptized, partakes of the sacrament, administers in the Priesthood, attends the temple, or is involved in any sacred ordinance of the Gospel, they are making or renewing covenants and increasing both their spiritual capacity and the accompanying duties or obligations associated therewith. A person taking upon themselves these obligations through such ordinances who is NOT meeting the accompanying requirements stands in a far worse position than those who have not had the ordinances at all. It is through the LORD's mercy that a person who is struggling to keep their covenants will not be enabled to "[drink] damnation to himself" (1 cor. 11:27-29) by unworthily engaging in ordinances such as the Lord's Supper, Temple Ordinances, and all others. "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." (2 Peter 2:21) To disfellowship a member of the Church is to keep a repentant person from making any further mistakes with regard to the ordinances of the LORD until it is certain they have overcome any addiction or other problem that arising again could destroy them. To excommunicate a person is to remove all ordinances and covenants from them so that they will not stand as a starkly unrighteous covenant-breaker at the judgement. Still, the LORD knowing their hearts, they will be accountable for what knowledge they possessed and betrayed. Although the righteous desire for the disfellowshipped member to again participate in ordinances can be increased as they are absent from such, this is not the main purpose of the discipline, but only a attribute of it. An unrepentant member will in such absence sink into a state of denial and a lack of interest for these ordinances. With the fleeing desire will also go their rememberance of gospel principles and the workings of the Spirit. "From him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matt. 13:12) I hope this puts some light on the subject. -a-train

Living in the KC metro, I have known RLDS and others who believe in the Restoration through Joseph Smith for years. There are many LDS people living here who were RLDS before switching. What I have always wanted to talk about but still haven't had the opportunity is the Temple. The Independence Temple does not house any of the ordinances that were performed in Kirtland and Nauvoo. Does the Community of Christ hope to participate in those ordinances one day? Are they viewed as necessary or only extra? What is believed about the Spirit of Elijah and his coming to the Temple to Joseph Smith? Baptism for the dead? Eternal Marriage? etc. -a-train

Electric automobiles capable of highway speeds, average gasoline car acceleration times, and 200-300 mile ranges have been ready for over a decade. The technology is being faught at every turn by the automotive and oil industries. For an interesting evening, go rent Who Killed The Electric Car. The movie documents a law that was passed by California that forced every auto manufacturer to build electric cars in the 90s. GM built one that was very special and the movie zeros in on it. In the end, the auto companies backed by the oil companies spent more time and money trying to get the law reversed than building the electric cars that people literally lined up for. THE TECHNOLOGY IS HERE AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus, the first corn-fuel diesel motor was running when Wilford Woodruff was President of the Church in the late 1800's. A friend of my business partner has a Ford Van that has been converted to run on vegetable oil (the same diesel technology from the 1800's). He can literally pull up to the back door of McDonald's and fill his tank with the oil from their fryer and drive away. Go here to purchase your own conversion kit. Hydrogen is another distraction to keep us from using the technologies that have already been available for years. Electrical power from photovoltaics sounds the most promising. -a-train

Dude, I am so slothful. My home teaching is pitiful. I have this terrible job that puts me on off hours from the rest of the planet. -a-train

Polythiestic, sure label it what you want. The fact is this: God the Father is a Celestial Glorified Being and so is Jesus of Nazareth. They are NOT the same Being. They ARE both Gods. They ARE both God. They ARE one. They are together with the Holy Ghost (Yet another Being) the Godhead. The confusion here is all semantics. Everyone is trying to fit all the verses throughout the Scriptures through the same semantic peg-hole. But not all verses are round and not all pegs are square. This is why the Trinitarian definition came about. It is simply a word game designed to make every verse agree with their definition of God. Just think simple. Let the Holy Ghost testify what is true and what is right. The rest becomes easy. Do Mormons believe Jesus is God? YES! Check the first page of the Book of Mormon. The book of Mormon was written to convince both Jew and Gentile that "Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God." (BOM cover page) Do we worship Jesus? YES! Nephi said plainly: "And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out." (2 Nephi 25:9) So what does this mean? It means that what you have been doing in praying to the Father in the name of Christ is absolutely right. Christ taught: "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." (Luke 11:2-4) To worship Christ is to do as He does. By praying to the Father in that manner we also worship the Son. Do we worship the Father? YES! Jacob said speaking of "all the holy prophets": "Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name." (Jacob 4:5) By following the Saviour's Example, we worship the Father, and by doing so, we also worship Christ. Our Example is Christ, but who is His example? He said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19) I hope this helps a little. But don't worry about it too much. When we have questions or concerns, take it to the LORD and go about your life in faith. After the trial of your faith you will receive a witness. That is how the LORD teaches us. Thanks for the good questions. -a-train

No doubt Joseph Smith disregarded Creation Ex Nihilo. Brigham Young explicitly denied the 'adobe' style creation of man. The problem is this, Brigham also told that Adam wasn't created from dust literally but came from another sphere. 'Natural Selection' may be hard at work, but Adam could not have descended from the apes if he came from another sphere... ...at least not this earth's apes. We also need to take a close look at what happened when Adam partook of the the forbidden fruit. If no death in any species could take place before his transgression, then he either fell millions of years ago before all those dinosaurs died or they didn't die until more recently. The theory also has been raised that fossils and geological phenomena pre-dating Adam could have also pre-dated Creation and are part of the pre-existant matter used to make the earth. The indications of such could be that the earth was used in a more primitive form for another purpose before being prepared for the temporal existance of Adam's family. Basically, all the science we know combined with our Scriptures still give us only the tiniest glimpse at it's formation. I think the LDS are more able to swallow old-earth theories and etc. due to a different understanding of Creation than mainstream Christianity anyway. I like the B.H. Roberts quote. -a-train

You know, electricity has been overlooked too long in my opinion. There are many many ways to produce it without a chemical reaction and we just aren't utilizing this old technology enough. We also have new technology that will allow us to produce vehicles and other electric machines that will replace combustion engines entirely. Photovoltaic and power storage technology is moving fast, but what is currently available is already viable. The largest solar panel in the world is under construction in the south of Portugal. The proposed 116-megawatt facility covering a 250-hectare south-facing hillside in the southern Alentejo region is boasting a 130,000 household power capability. Although it is cost prohibitive now, I think photovoltaics still present one of the most promising energy possibilities long term. Governement moves to accelerate us toward a more solar powered society would be favorable in my opinion. I want one of these Electric GPR bikes for about $6,000 - $8,000. I live only 3 miles from work and according to their site, I could ride to work every day for almost two years without replacing the battery which is still less than $150 and not many gasoline motorcycles have an MSRP that low. of a very similar bike.Quiet, quick, TOTALLY EMISSIONLESS! Still, if you just want the easiest way to get to 70 miles per gallon Get a Kawasaki Ninja 250 with an MSRP of only $2999. Oh yeah, did I mention my full-coverage motorcycle insurance is $24 a month? RECYCLE TOO! -a-train

What has always troubled me about evolution is the problem of the origin of life. We have yet to identify or even slightly describe or conceive how lifeless matter spontaneously and arbitrarily gave birth to the elementary primitive life-form from which all life evolved. I can remember being taught in school as a youngster that in old-times people believed that setting fire to a bundle of hay would bring about new life, but only later did men realize that these frogs and mice had been born under natural circumstances and had made residence in the hay only to be disturbed by the fire. It was related by my teacher that such nonsense was laughable. It is interesting that only a few years later the same institution wanted me to believe that very idea, saying a bolt of lighting caused a chemical reaction and brought about the incredible first biological experiment through formation of an amoeba in a pool of water billions of years ago which spawned all we know as life today. Although all science since then has done nothing but disprove it, we still are told there had to be an exception somewhere. -a-train

The lady that asked me about my marriage had a teenaged son. She is single. I saw a report that says that the average marriage ending in divorce in the UK is 7.5 years. I ask all my teenage customers (I sell skateboards) their names. Almost every other time the Mom will answer with her last name and then go "Oh, my sons last name? It's so and so." I can certainly see that a lot of adults wait till the kids leave home to drop the Big D. I saw another report that said that the #1 reason for divorce is still cheating, but 'falling out of love' is still on the top ten list. How does this happen? I don't believe for a minute that a man who is reading his scriptures and praying in the Holy Ghost regularly is abusive or suddenly starts cheating on his wife. Does the problem actually exist early on? Does it get worse and worse and all remain a big secret until its all out of control? Has he attended meetings, paid tithes, and done all the outward expressions of faith but hasn't felt a burning in the bosom since that overcooked meal his mother-in-law put out last holiday? Does this suggest a bigger problem? IS OUR SOCIAL ARRANGEMENT SUCH THAT THE AVERAGE MAN IS MORE AFRAID OF BEING JUDGED THAN GETTING HELP IF HE CAME TO HIS FRIENDS, BISHOP, OR FAMILY HAVING TROUBLE BEING SPIRITUAL AND KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS? DO WE THINK THAT WE CAN BE ACTIVE AND FAITHFUL BUT NEGLECT SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER? OR THAT OTHERS CAN? I recently heard a man say his Dad didn't have a testimony until after 50 faithful years in the Church, because it took it him that long to finally read the scriptures and pray. Could a lack of testimony be the problem? Can we locate a root to this Divorce problem? -a-train

I just want some of those 'mild drinks' made from barley and also other grain in verse 17. The issue isn't interpretation or understanding the reasons why, but we must follow the counsel of the LORD's anointed servants. I could argue that the LORD's revelation to Joseph Smith explicitly permits beer in D&C 89:17, but the Elders of Israel today will not allow me to participate in temple ordinances if I am to partake of it. Can I argue with them? If the First Presidency sent out a declaration that Recommends are not to be issued to members eating ice cream could we argue against it? If we ask why and get no answer should we eat ice cream anyway? Perhaps a 'scientific explanation' would soon demonstrate that ice cream is hazardous, would this then justify the ban? Obedience is the issue. Our First Presidency has told us to partake of no coffee or tea, and no alcohol even though it be a mild drink of barley. We are not here to determine why, but "to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]." (Abr 3:25) -a-train

GO HOME TEACHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -a-train

I was recently asked: "How long have you been married?" I replied: "We are at 5 years now." The questioneer exclaimed: "Wow! Good job! You are already past the hardest part!" Is it really that hard? My wife and I have had times of frustration and mis-communication, but we have never considered the idea that a divorce could even happen. We are too in love and we haven't done anything but become closer over the years. Am I going to wake one up day with an old fat wife? Will she wake up to a husband that is nothing more than a bald old fart? Why do so many marriages end in divorce? Man, just thinking about all this has given me the commitment to buy some flowers on my way home tonight. Now, wasn't the LDS Church ALWAYS tough on divorce? Isn't the LORD? I can say that in my 20-something years of memories in the Church it has always seemed that the Church Leadership has ALWAYS equated divorce with pride and self-aggrandizing ambition. In fact, the current arrangement and rate of temple annulments is the most lax the Church has probably ever endured, if I understand correctly (correct and edify me if I am wrong, please). While I'll be the first to admit there are some psycho ladies out there, I think the men hold the larger responsibility in keeping the family together. Those ladies might chill out if those husbands will give them those little things they ask for. FELLAS, TAKE OUT THE TRASH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! -a-train

Forgiveness to the unrepentant will NOT help them. Nor will it take away the pain still inflicted in the victim. What forgiveness DOES give is freedom to the forgiver. It casts the scales of hate from our eyes and allows us to understand the LORD will bless us according to our obedience and we do NOT need to get revenge to become happy or to grow temporally or spiritually. Forgiveness allows us to move on and continue our progression towards God without harrowing ourselves up in bitterness. It DOES NOT mean we are to submit oursevles as victims. I would GO TO THE LAW!!! I know of a girl on my street whose father obtained full custody of her based on a single allegation that her Mother's new husband violated her. The violation stipulated although repugnant was far from rape, battery, or any permanently damaging or physically violent act. It is believed by everyone around that she only made the claim to live with her Dad who promised a less constrictive household than her mother's. Still, the law sided with the 13-year old's testimony and wishes. If your daughter is truly being victimized and she and yourself are both wondering what is to be done, I would contact a group such as: Women Helping Battered Women of Vermont. You are probably not in Vermont, but a Google search for a similar organization in your area will provide counseling in regard to the matter. Your Bishop should also be made known of the situation as well (if your husband is in the Church the Brethren should be aware that these allegations are being made). TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER!! Understand how severe the situation is. If something illegal is going on, Authorities need to know immediately! You and her should be VERY open and clear with one another and pray together seeking direction from the Spirit NOW! Remember also: If you delay in reporting illegal behaviour, this will NOT help your testimony! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILD! -a-train

Have you ever read a Red Letter Edition? These print all the words of Christ in the New Testament in red. I love that idea! So I took it a step further (OK, a lot further) and color coded my whole Standard works like this: The Father (not many of these): Untouched Christ: Red Holy Ghost (few of these too): Yellow Angels: Blue Narrator: Green Men: Brown Women: Purple Satan: Grey In the case where a quoted speaker quotes someone else like a prophet saying 'Thus sayeth the Lord..." the color is only used to demonstrate the first layer and goes no deeper. I like doing this because I can easily locate context when looking something up by identifying quickly who is speaking, who they are speaking to, the occasion, etc. I began this process in 1995 and was very close to finished by 97 when I lost my scriptures to theives who stole my backpack on my mission. I restarted later and enjoy both the process and the product. In short, my whole quad is so colored I even colored the facimiles in the Book of Abraham. -a-train

'The Father' is our Heavenly Father and the Father of Jesus Christ. There are a large number of references to Him in the New Testament such as Matthew 26:39 wherein Jesus prays saying: "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The Saviour mentioned going to the Father to Mary Magdalene in John 20:17 saying: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." The Saviour spoke to John on the Isle of Patmos from Heaven and confirmed that He was there with the Father in Revelation 3:21 saying: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." So, who is the Father? God. -a-train

So somebody tell me how the name troll came about. I see what it refers too, but why? -a-train

Funny. Why does a 24 hour 7-11 have locks? Why do you need I.D. to get I.D.? Why do we park in the driveway and drive down the parkway? Why do the British call cookies biscuits? Can something really be both new AND improved? Why can't cell phones sound like phones? MOST OF ALL: Why do people buy cars when everybody knows MOTORCYCLES ARE SUPERIOR! -a-train