askandanswer

just a little detour here - would the wearing of clothes in the celestial kingdom necessitate clothing manufacturers in the same way it is said that the existence of a watch proves the existence of a watch maker, and the existence of a world suggests the existence of a world maker?

It just seems a bit odd that people would use eye gaugers and short knives to write with.

It looks like a pattern is beginning to emerge from some of the response here, or, alternatively put, from the sum of responses. Perhaps that pattern could be tentatively worded as contradictions are most likely to become evident when those with whom we disagree use the views and beliefs that we hold for different purposes, or for purposes with which we do not agree.

(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:25 - 27) 25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

having a family email account increases deniability. When someone asks "didn't you get the email" you can just reply, "O, my wife must have read that one and forgot to tell me about it"

By way of information, in Australia, maybe 5 years ago, some government entity, perhaps the Australian Taxation Office which is the body that keeps an eye on who does and does not deserve a tax exemption, held an inquiry into whether donations made to the LDS church should be tax deductible. They concluded that donations to fast offering should be 100% tax deductible, but tithing should be only 75% tax deductible. I think they concluded that only about 75% of the church's expenditure relates to charitable purposes, as defined by the relevant legislation, so only 75% of its income received as donation should be tax deductible.

I suspect that the way the church spends its money does far more to help the economy, and society as a whole, than does the vast majority of government spending.

Well how well do you speak Japanese?

Because you might end up bumping into Palerider while there. Or even worse, some random gator

I never thought I'd say this but perhaps you should ask gator for advice. I believe he has acquired and maintains quite a large harem, although for some reason he calls it a compound. (Perhaps because having more than one wife simply compounds your problems)

You seem to be concerned about the possibility of becoming a ministering angel and spending eternity serving God. Is that such a bad thing? Perhaps it might be helpful to change your attitude towards service. (New Testament | Matthew 20:25 - 28) 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea (no eye deer) What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs? Still no idea

I'm running short on lame jokes so you'll just have to put up with this one liner: QE2

Given that most letters take more than one pen stroke to write, I'm guessing that this piece of literature could have been more efficiently created with key strokes than with pen strokes.

Here is the English version of Jesus in England

Certainly, I agree that there is a close causal connection between the preaching of the word and the saving of souls and the preaching of the word is usually a necessary precondition that must be met for a soul to be saved. However, the sad fact is that the preaching of the word usually has minimal or no effect at all on the minds of the vast majority of those who are exposed to it. I think that most returned missionaries will be able to attest to that. Of all those who they encounter and preach to, how many react to and accept their word in a positive way? How many remember it the next day and think more upon it? Some, but very few. This idea, that only very few will respond favourably to the word is suggested by (New Testament | Luke 13:23 - 24) 23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 ¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:14) 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:7) 7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts; And of course, we have the example of the Saviour. His preaching of the word led to His execution, an action that appeared to be supported by the majority of the people, while only a small minority seem to have accepted and believed what He said.

Do people still use pens? What do they do with them?

There must be something wrong with you - I don't find it hard at all And God isn't the only one who knows that

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 29:10 - 13) 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. 12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. 13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

I think that late December is a great time to give a lesson about Joseph Smith given that his birthday was 23 December.

do they let you in if LG is not with you?

I think it would be fadulous to be from Gad

I think the essential idea contained in Alma 31:5 is that the preaching of the word has a powerful effect on the minds of the people, and the effect it has is a tendency to lead the people to do that which was just. Both common sense and the weight of scriptural evidence do not seem to support this proposition. The common sense view is that it is not the preaching of the word which has a powerful effect on the minds of the people, it is their acceptance of, adherence to, and application of, the word that has the powerful effect, not the preaching of it. History is very clear in showing that of all those who hear the word, only a tiny percentage accept, adhere and apply it, and for that tiny percentage, yes, the preaching of the word bring about a powerful effect on their minds, but for the vast majority, the preaching either has no effect, or ill effects. This is what Christ said would be the effect of His gospel and His preaching: (New Testament | Matthew 10:34 - 35) 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Consider the following scriptural examples: This is how the Pharisees reacted to the preaching of the word by the greatest Preacher ever (New Testament | Matthew 12:14) 14 ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. (New Testament | Matthew 27:20 - 25) But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 ¶ When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Herod’s reaction to the preaching of the word by John (New Testament | Matthew 14:1 - 10) 3 ¶ For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. The reaction of the Jews to Paul’s preaching (New Testament | Acts 17:1 - 5) NOW when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 ¶ But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Further Jewish reaction to Paul’s preaching of the word (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 11:24 - 26) 4 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; The reaction of the Lamanites to the efforts of Jacob and others to the preaching of the word (Book of Mormon | Jacob 7:24) 24 And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually. The reaction of American citizens 172 years ago (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 135:1 - 3) 1 TO seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls. 3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! In more modern times, we have the persecution of the early Saints, culminating in the extermination order of former Governor Lilburn Boggs and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, as examples of the effect that the preaching of the word can have on the minds of the people. Surely, it would not have been necessary for the early Saints to so frequently flee persecution if the effect of the preaching by the missionaries of the time was to bring about a powerful and positive effect in the minds of those who heard the word. In our own time, we have the prohibitions by many countries on the entry of missionaries, most noticeably many middle eastern countries and China, because of a fear by those countries that the preaching of the word will destroy their craft. I think it is safe to conclude that more often than not, the effect of preaching the word is to stir up a vigorous, and usually successful counter-effort by opposing forces, led by the evil one, to negate any beneficial attempts that the preaching might have. This seems to be what happened with Alma and the Zoramites – their preaching, as has happened so many times, in so many places, caused a backlash amongst those who already had a way of life they were comfortable with, and that the devil was very happy for them to continue enjoying. Keeping in mind the common sense view as stated above, I think a more helpful and more accurate wording of the idea that Alma was trying to express in 31:5 would be (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:5) And now, as the preaching acceptance and living of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God. I think that the preaching of the word is more likely to have a powerful effect on the minds of the people when those people have already accepted and are living the word. That is when, and among whom, the preaching is likely to have a powerful effect. The preaching of the word is less likely to have a powerful, positive effect when those to whom it is being preached have not already accepted it and are not already living it. The word, when preached with power, to those who have already accepted it, is likely to have a powerful effect on the minds of those who hear it. This idea is supported by your example 4 which states It (the preaching of the word) strengthens members in their efforts to live according to gospel principles. When God’s word is taught with spiritual power, it has a “more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than … anything else” (Alma 31:5). When the word is preached to those who have not yet accepted it, I think the scriptural examples referred to above, and the example of Alma and the Zoramites show what usually happens – a very small minority accept it while the rest rebel against it. This outcome would be consistent with what Christ said, in the verse quoted above: 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

While not disagreeing with the idea that the preaching of the word can have a powerful positive effect in bringing about positive changes in behavior, Alma 31:5 in no way supports that idea, although that verse is frequently used to support that idea. Consider the following sequence of events. Alma 31:4 Alma is concerned that the Zoramites might ”enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites” Alma 31:5 Alma concludes that to prevent this from happening, he should preach the word to the Zoramites. Alma 32, 33, 34. Alma and others preach the word Alma 35 Those who believed in the preaching are cast out and given refuge in the Jershon. This angers the leaders of the Zoramites who then ask the people of Ammon, who were living in the land of Jershon, to “cast out of their land all those who came over from them into their land.” (vs 8). The people of Ammon refuse to cast out the “poor of the Zoramites.” This refusal (Book of Mormon | Alma 35:10 - 11) did stir up the Zoramites to anger against the people of Ammon, and they began to mix with the Lamanites and to stir them up also to anger against them. 11 And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Ammon, and also against the Nephites. 2 And thus ended the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. 13 And the people of Ammon departed out of the land of Jershon, and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in the land of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might contend with the armies of the Lamanites and the armies of the Zoramites; and thus commenced a war betwixt the Lamanites and the Nephites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges; and an account shall be given of their wars hereafter. So we see that the preaching of the word by Alma to the Zoramites led directly to the outcome that Alma was trying to avoid. His preaching, and the reaction of those he was preaching to, led to war, not peace. The preaching did indeed have a powerful effect on the minds of the people, but not the effect that Alma was hoping or expecting. I think that Helaman 5 is a vastly superior example to illustrate the point that the preaching of the word can have a powerfully positive effect on the minds of the people. In Helaman 5 we read how the preaching of Nephi and Lehi led to such a change in heart amongst the Lamanites that they freely gave back to the Nephites the lands that they had taken possession of through war. I think its also worth noting that sometimes, the preaching of the word, by even the most expert of preachers, has pretty much no effect at all. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 9:4) 4 Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them. As Christ taught in the parable of the sowers, preaching the word is only one of the variables. Another significant variable that influences what effect the preaching of the word might have, is the quality of the soil.

On the other hand, said He who is the perfect example in all things Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken and again, when giving a parable (not talking about a real person, but ascribing the use of the word fool to His Father) (New Testament | Luke 12:13 - 20) 3 ¶ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24?lang=eng