askandanswer

When I did this blindfolded on my unicycle last week, the video didn't turn out so well because it was midnight, and too dark to film clearly. I'm thinking about doing the whole ride backwards next week, but I sometimes get a little bored when I do the same ride twice. And as for risk, well, I think the only risk I am taking here is the risk of suffering in eternal fire and brimstone for telling such dreadful lies.

A lot of people who have studied previous versions of humanity, and animal behaviourists, have come to the conclusion that the use of tools is one of the distinctive, or distinguishing features of, intelligence. Assuming that there is a link between intelligence and the use of tools, and given that, as taught by several prophets, God is the source of the inspiration of the principles upon which many tools of the latter days have been built, and that these tools play a role in the furthering of His work on this earth, it would seem a little odd if tools and technology played no part in the next life. It may be that the rapidly growing proliferation of tools and technology, and there ever increasing usage may simply be preparing us for their widespread use after this life. I vaguely recall hearing a teaching ascribed to one of the latter-day prophets that one of the biggest surprises we will face in the next life is how much it is like this life and how familiar we are with it.

I think a better comparison would be whether a 17th century musketeer would recognise a machine gun. Or whether Wilbur Wright would recognise a 747. Or whether Karl Benz would recognise a Ferrari. I suspect, although of course there is no way to be sure, that some of the functions and processes of some of the technology we use today, are the prototypes of what will be used in the next life. I think that as we get closer and closer to the last days, aspects of this world will start to more closely resemble aspects of the next, including the technology of the next world.

I turn my phone off when I go to bed and then turn it back on shortly after I wake up. if people want to contact me during those times, they can use my land-line. I reply to texts, or not, when I want to, which is not always the same time as the sender would like and if there is something that I would really like someone to know, I will call them rather than text or email. I regard my phone and email as personal conveniences primarily for my benefit, and not the benefit of others, and use them accordingly.

In trying to decide whether or not to attend, I think you might find the following thread to be helpful http://lds.net/forums/topic/56697-mormons-free-to-back-gay-marriage-on-social-media-lds-apostle-reiterates/#entry816330

Tess, I enjoyed that description of how your family operates - very interesting.

I did exactly that many years ago. I made sure that in my re-typing, I included not just the text of the blessing but also the name of the Patriarch who gave it, then date it was given, and the reference number, in the top right corner. These days, you can just order a copy of your blessing online through the church website.

and also https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/24.18?lang=eng#17 but on the other hand 86 Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from this hour take purse or scrip, that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom. 87 Behold, I send you out to reprove the world of all their unrighteous deeds, and to teach them of a judgment which is to come. 88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mineangels round about you, to bear you up. 89 Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; and the same will feed you, and clothe you, and give you money. 90 And he who feeds you, or clothes you, or gives you money, shall in nowise lose his reward. 91 And he that doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this you may know my disciples.

I notice that the url posted by Pam ends in lone - pam and it is immediately followed by a reply from a rider and a picture of a horse. Makes me think of a man who used to ride a horse called Silver.

I recall that Christ paid His taxes by asking one of His apostles to extract a piece of money from the mouth of a fish. Does that have any similarities with priestcraft as it has been defined and discussed in this topic? Would it be an attempt at priestcraft if you or I tried to find a pot of gold through the power of faith and prayer?

To me, this simply sounds like an updated version of the Lord's instructions to the ancient Israelites that they not intermarry with the people in surrounding territories. This morning I listened to an interesting and informed radio broadcast of a discussion about marriages between people of different cultures. The person being interviewed is in the final stages of completing her research which focussed on intercultural marriages, for which she interviewed 44 people. There was also some excellent phone-in listener contributions from the audience. It’s a good insight into, and discussion of, some of the issues that can arise with interracial marriages. The segment goes for about 20 minutes or thereabouts. It can be listened to at http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/the-impact-of-moving-overseas-for-love/6332456. ps I note that in the quote above, President Kimball didn’t say we had to marry someone of the same sex........... but I guess that went without saying back them. pps and the fact that he didn't have to say it back then, but that it might need to be said now, or in 20 years time, would be an example of how counsel on marriage may need to change from time to time.

I think that Helaman chapters 10 and 11 give the best illustration of the Lord changing His plans in response to prayer. In Helaman 10:15 the Lord gives Nephi the sealing power and tells him that “I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.” A few verses later, in verse 11, the Lord tells Nephi to tell the people “Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto destruction.” The smiting and destruction commences in the form of a war starting at verse 18. At the start of chapter 11, Nephi, through prayer, as the Lord had foretold he would, asks the Lord to replace the war with a famine. So God’s preferred method of smiting the people was a war and Nephi’s preferred method was a famine, but God had already known in advance that that was what Nephi would do. And then, in the middle of chapter 11, Nephi prays again and asks the Lord to end the famine, which He does. Who knows how long the war would have continued for if Nephi had not asked for it to end, and who knows how long the famine would have continued for if Nephi had not asked the Lord to end it. I think its interesting that the Lord stopped the destruction that He forewarned of in favour of a method of destruction that Nephi asked for. Nephi asked for something different from what God was doing, but which was not contrary to His will – it was just a different approach of bringing about the will of God. Both the war and the famine, although quite different in nature, both worked to bring about the same objective.

Sounds like you've got a good strategy in place

Radio National Australia has been reporting for the last several hours now that 5 "volunteers" have been airlifted off one of the outer islands. They did not say which organisation the volunteers were from. It was a group of Australians, New Zealanders and British.

I can relate to how you are feeling Traveler. I thought my post on Isaiah and ISIS in which I raise the possibility that there are similarities between the methods of God and ISIS might have generated more than two responses.

I've often pondered about the level of detail that God has included in His plans and I don't know the answer. I suspect that for a given event, there are many ways in which it could turn out without greatly impacting on God's plans. Perhaps in those cases, the way an event will turn out could be influenced by someone's prayers.

It's only 16 more months now :)

This sounds a little unexpected. Several years ago we used to do confirmations on the same day as baptisms, but now that only happens for children of record. For converts, the confirmation takes place during sacrament meeting on the Sunday immediately following the baptism. I believe the change came about in response to changes in Handbook 1 although I'm completely certain about that. Sunday best can be taken to mean your best clothes, perhaps what you might wear to a really nice restaurant, or a formal occasion where you wanted to look good, but without going over the top. Formal but not fancy.

Thanks Pam. Interesting comments by President Hinckley about the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. I'm one of those members who are surprised to learn that its been fulfilled, although I have seen a blood red moon several times, especially during dust storms and major bushfires.

Very nice Eowyn

Clearly the Union of Unicorns failed. All the unicorns have now died out because their union failed to protect them. I think they were made redundant by the Fraternal Society of Rhinoceroses who have two horns instead of one, a much tougher skin, and a much more aggressive negotiating strategy. Unlike unicorns, which tend to fly away at the first hint of danger, rhinoceroses will take any challenge head on and just crash their way through. A bit like unions.

The events and activities described in 2 Nephi 23: 7-18 and the current activities of ISIS in Iraq and Syria seem to have some similiarities. Both sets of events seem to be motivated by a powerful force indignant and angry at the people for failing to live in the way that the force thinks they should, and seeking to punish the people for this. Both sets of events seem to feature a lot of graphic and brutal violence. For both events, the perpetrators of the violence would come from a far country - witness the large numbers of foreign fighters flocking to join ISIS. In both events, the Medes, an ancient Iranian people, are closely involved. Even the location – modern day Iraq, is the same. In fact, if we read these verses and replace references to “the Lord” or “I” with ISIS, it seems to be a fairly accurate description of ISIS’s current activities. 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall melt; 8 And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. 9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13 Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. 15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword. 16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished. 17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it. 18 Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children. One surprising conclusion that this points to is that at first glance, it appears that there may be some similarities between the methodologies of ISIS and the Lord.

Protection rackets are unlikely to exist if nobody needs protection although there are probably better ways in which the administration and delivery of protection could be provided.

I think the better question to ask is How do I tell my wife?It may be that somewhere on this forum there is someone who has been in a similar situation as you are, and has had the experience of telling their spouse something difficult, and they may be able to give you some helpful advice.

This is completely off topic from the original post, but a question occurred to me as read the above. To be sure, it would be wrong to presume to instruct the Lord or His servants on what is best for the kingdom and its members, but I wonder how often the Lord, or His servants, has an open mind on some issues, and is willing to make His decisions based on what is asked of Him through prayer? (I'm not suggesting that the size of sealing rooms is one of those things on which He might have an open mind)