askandanswer

I'm, not suggesting that there is parity between human and animal life. In fact Genesis 1:26 seems to slightly support the opposite conclusion - that man has dominion over the animals. So on the scale of values between man and animals, it seems to be man is somewhere above the animals. I'm suggesting that on that same scale of values, the incident referred to in Matt 8:30 - 32 points to another point on that scale, that of spirits, and that on that scale, humans are at the top, spirits in the middle, and animals at the bottom, the evidence for this very tentative conclusion being that Christ gave preference to the interests of evil spirits over the interests of the animals. Of course its a highly tentative and speculative conclusion, but I don't think it should be dismissed altogether at this point without having been further considered and discussed.

I wonder if from this event we can draw a very tentative, wholly unreliable, but possible conclusion that human spirits take priority over, or a more important than, animal bodies. This idea is not overtly taught in the scriptures or by modern day prophets and apostles, as far as I know, but if we drill down,as Traveller put it, we may find additional tidbits of information which could be used to support or demolish this conclusion. And if enough supportive tidbits are found, we could begin to build a less unreliable, better supported conclusion.

but back to the main question - is it true that Christ gave preference to the interests of evil spirits over the life of living animals? Evil spirits in the pre-existence were cast out, not transferred into other life forms.

(New Testament | Matthew 8:30 - 32) 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. In allowing the evil spirits into the swine, did Jesus give priority to the interest of the evil spirits by granting them permission to enter another living body, even though those bodies only lived for as long as it took them to run into the sea, over the interests of the swine owner/s (?) and the swine herders who earned their livelihood by looking after the swine?

I guess that what Jesus was doing was using the gift of discernment, as explained in the Guide to the Scriptures. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/discernment-gift-of.p2?lang=eng&letter=d DISCERNMENT, GIFT OFSee also Gifts of the SpiritTo understand or know something through the power of the Spirit. The gift of discernment is one of the gifts of the Spirit. It includes perceiving the true character of people and the source and meaning of spiritual manifestations.

Or perhaps modern dress standards are actually a fulfilment of the prophecy that in the latter days "all things shall be revealed." :)

Just the usual stuff about father's responsibilities - providing for the family, leading, teaching, disciplining, setting an example, protecting his family from bad influences, setting the standard. For mums its usually about loving and nurturing, being close to their children, counselling their children, being a peaceful influence in the home, being someone who the children can always bring their problems to and just being there.

I didn't even know that the exact site was known. I thought that all we knew is that it happened somewhere along the banks of the Susquehanna river.

Most of us can walk and chew gum at the same time. Surely the solution is to buy a split screen tv so that we can watch our sports and conference broadcasts at the same time thereby ensuring that we do not sacrifice the religious for the profane? :)

First paragraph, chapter 20, Jesus the Christ Had the Master been mindful of policy and desirous of securing official recognition, this opportunity to attach to Himself as influential a person as a scribe would have received careful consideration if not immediate acceptance; but He, who could read the minds and know the hearts of men, chose rather than accepted. Luke 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, Mark 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Luke 5:22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

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Don't worry about it - I still haven't kissed him and probably never will - wrong gender and too far away. :)

It all seems a bit murky to me

So one bottle down, how many cases of Jack do you still have left?

I wonder if that's just an LDS thing, or just a western culture thing or is it universal?

Last week, our Prime Minister, after much pressure from the public, agreed to an intake of 12,000 refugees. Prior to the formal announcement, there was some discussion from politicians and media commentators that we should heavily favour Christians in deciding which refugees we should allow in. The idea was quickly dropped after lots of other commentators and pundits opposed it saying that we should not discriminate on the basis of religion. People were saying we should give preference to women, unaccompanied minors, and families, from persecuted minorities in high risk areas. In effect, this would discriminate against men, accompanied minors, non-families, and majorities from low risk areas. I was wondering to myself why we can discriminate on the basis of gender, geography, age and marital/family status, but not on the basis of religion.

We celebrated Father’s Day in Australia last week, so all the Sacrament talks were about fathers and their duties and responsibilities and what they should be doing. I’m pretty sure that by the end of the meeting, most, or maybe all of the fathers would have been squirming in their seats, afflicted with a guilty conscience as they were reminded of all the things they should be doing and perhaps haven’t been doing. My recollection of Mother’s Day last May is that all the talks were about mothers and how wonderful they are and all the sacrifices and service they do for their family. I think that by the end of the meeting, most mother’s would have been feeling happy and proud and grateful to be mothers. Father’s feeling guilty because of their shortcomings, mother’s feeling happy because of their successes. Is this how it goes in other wards, or is thing something unique to my ward?

Among life's many mysteries I've often wondered why A sense that's known as common Is in such short supply Piet Hein

Some really well organised teachers might email their lesson plan notes along with detailed notes on the learning styles and behavioural trends of all the kids in the class to whoever ends up subbing for the sub, and others might even have their husband deliver to the sub's sub all the teaching aids and snacks that they've spent the last week preparing. It could happen, but I haven't seen it yet :)

Hymn 118 - Ye Simple Souls Who Stray I don't think I've ever heard this sung in church. The music for this hymn is quite powerful. Lyrics 1. Ye simple souls who stray Far from the path of peace, That lonely, unfrequented way To life and happiness, Why will ye folly love, And throng the downward road, And hate the wisdom from above, And mock the sons of God? 2. Madness and misery Ye count our life beneath, And nothing great or good can see Or glorious in our death. But thru the Holy Ghost We witness better things, For he whose blood is all our boast Has made us priests and kings. 3. Riches unsearchable In Jesus' love we know, And pleasures springing from the well Of life our souls o'erflow. As we seek heav'nly bliss, Angels our steps attend, And God himself our Father is, And Jesus is our Friend. 4. With him we walk in white; We in his image shine; Our robes are robes of glorious light, Our righteousness divine. On all the kings of earth With pity we look down And claim, in virtue of our birth, A never-fading crown. Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, adapted Music: Evan Stephens, 1854-1930

I think there will still be a variety of opinions held, and possibly some scope for alternative courses of action, as long as those actions meet an agreed on objective. Varied opinions and the opportunity to act on them seem to be two of the most important precursors, or requirements, for political action.

just wondering if your watch/clock has stopped? :)

ground breaking. hmmm the term reminds me of bread breaking.

Thank you TFP

I can't help but reflect on the moral similarities between lion hunting and fish hunting. Both activities seem to have some similarities.