askandanswer

Part of the answer might lie in the preface to the Book of Mormon, engraved on gold plates by Moroni almost 1,600 years ago. In this preface, Moroni writes about his purpose and hopes in preparing the gold plates. Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God. 2 An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. (Book of Mormon | Preface Title Page:1 - 2)

Using an analogy, I see scattered Israel as leaves blowing in the backyard, and the Book of Mormon as the rake, with the rake often being utilised by missionaries and missionary-minded members. The Book of Mormon is a central tool in the gathering process and a key means by which it will be accomplished.

There is a place for everyone in God's plan, from those in outer darkness to the top of the celestial kingdom. Where we place ourself within God's plan is entirely up to us.

Some coronavirus Australian oddities that might interest or bemuse you: Schools are still officially opened but State governments are begging parents to keep their kids at home. I think that attendance rates are down to about 10%. A few days ago I received a text message, the two sentences of which say “Hi, your health is our number 1 priority. That’s why we made the tough call to close all our branches across the country.” This was from my health insurance provider. Last Tuesday the government ordered that appointments with hair dressers and barbers cannot be for more than 30 minutes. Less than 48 hours later, they scrapped that limit but asked the cutters and clippers to continue with social distancing practices. Yesterday, gatherings of more than two people, indoors and out, were banned, but the hairdressers and barbers can stay open. A fight is emerging between the federal government and several networks of private hospitals. The hospitals want to shut down and stand down their staff, the government wants them to stay open. It's not clear which way it will go yet. This is a result of the governments ban last week on all elective surgery, which is where the private hospitals get their money from.

You're way too optimistic if you think that's all he needs.

I would take things a step further and say that even some of those who have been formally trained still cannot teach very well.

Any time you need a heart surgeon, I'm happy to assist, although I may have to clean some of the rust of my saw - but not all of it.

There's been a bit of discussion in the topic "The timing of truth" which I see you have contributed to, about whether or not God reveals truth before, or only when, people are prepared for them. I've thought about the many good responses to that topic and I'm still not sure what the answer is.

Hi @JaneDoe while listening to Brother Tad Callister’s talk at the 2019 Sidney B Sperry symposium earlier this evening, you came to mind. You have described a form of suffering. Brother Callister’s talk, titled “What is the purpose of suffering?” is one of the best talks I can remember on this topic. Brother Callister gives long, detailed and carefully considered responses to the following questions; who or what causes afflicting and suffering; why does God intervene to alleviate suffering for some but not others; does all suffering lead to positive growth; how does God help us face our afflictions; how should we respond to affliction and suffering; and what is the ultimate objective of suffering in God’s plan. His talk is on youtube. I strongly recommend it. See also And

I have a spare back yard if you need more room to plant

I totally agree. All too often, in its negotiations with multiple stakeholders about what the standards should be, government ends up going for the most easily achieved, least objectionable, politically safe standard.

There's always the risk that the line between self interest and selfishnes could become a little blurred at times and selfishness is condemend almost as much as greed.

I think that the experience my family and I have had over the last three months is a good illustration of making an informed health care choice, and also of how the government and the market can work together in a way that is beneficial to both consumers and providers. A few days ago, my father transferred from a residential facility that provided temporary respite care to a residential facility that provides permanent, ongoing care. It took more tha 2 months of researching, visiting, questioning and comparing to find a facility that he and mum felt comfortable with. There are significant differences in the quality of care that the various facilities provide and the cost of that care, and there does not appear to be a close correlation between cost and quality. We were signficantly aided in our research by a government website which provides detailed audit reports of all accredited aged care facilities in the country. Every 4 years all accredited aged care facilities are audited against 43 indicators and the reports are placed online, along with generic information about each facility. So we have a free market of private providers each offering what they hope is a competitive product, and charging whatever they want, and a government providing objective and well-informed information about the quality of each product. This enables the consumer to make a much better informed choice, thereby aiding the operation of the market in a manner that benefits consumers.

In Australia this is a common outcome and there are two main reasons why. The first reason is whether you enter the hospital as a private patient or a public patient. Being a private patient means that you are privately insurered and that your health insurance will pay much, but not all of your costs. The part that the health insurance won't pay can still be substantial, depending on the nature of the procedure and your level of cover. As a public patient, you won't pay anything. The reason why some people choose to go in as a private patient, despite the higher cost is that you have a much greater say over who your doctor will be and the timing of when the procedure will be performed. As a public patient, you just go on the waiting list and get assigned whatever doctor is available at the time, whenever they become available. The second reason why there might be a huge price difference is your choice of doctor/surgeon. Two private patients can have the same procedure in the same hospital on the same day, but one patient might have chosen a surgeon who charges a high price and the second patient chose a surgeon who charges a lower price. It can make quite a difference. In my family, if ever one of us needs to have elective surgery, we always shop around and inquire about costs and charges first before deciding which medical specialist we will go to.

I continue to have uncertain and mixed views on capitalism, although in general, I am more in favour of it than any of the alternatives. On the one hand, it seems as if a healthy capitalist system requires a fairly large dose of greed to function effectively, and this seems to put captialism in conflict with the idea taught in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all evil. On the other hand , capitalism, more so than any other system, enables an enormous freedom of choice, and God is strongly in favour of freedom of choice. I don't think that pure capitalism is the best system and I think its shortcomings can be improved with some degree of government intervention. I think there is lots of scope for discussion about the nature and degree of any such intervention.

So do you think we might soon see some easing of restrictions on the ability to preach the godpel in Israel?

The gold plates had a sealed portion. I don't think the Book of Mormon does. Doctrine and Covenants 20:9 and 20:5 both refer to the Book of Mormon as containing the fulness of the gospel. Doctrine and Covenants 10: 38 - 45 suggests that the pages that were lost are not as valuable as the pages that were not lost so I don't think we have lost anything of real signficance as a result of the missing 116 pages.

This sounds like confirmation of the butterfly effect on a cosmic scale.

Its my understanding, in part derived from the section summary at the start of the section 10, that in many of the verses preceding verse 52, the Lord is talking about the Book of Mormon and its coming forth in the latter days. And then in verse 52 it says 52 And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 10:52) The wording of this verse suggests that the Book of Mormon is only “part of my gospel.” If it is the case that the Book of Mormon is only part of the gospel how would we then reconcile that idea with the idea that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel? How can it simultaneously be both a part and a fullness? What am I missing here?

How many people attend a funeral or a wedding where you live? As of today, in Australia, 5 people can attend a wedding - the celebrant, the couple being married and two witnesses - and ten people can attend a funeral (not counting the person being buried.)

A not unreasonable interpretation of 1Thessalonians 4:17 could cast doubt on the idea that we will all die. 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 4:17) Doctrine and Covenants 43:32 has a similar message 32 And he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 43:32)

Can we agree on the idea that the atonement is needed only by those who die and those who sin? If we can't agree on that, can you refer to scriptures that suggest that the atonement covers categories other than these two? I think that the scriptures that teach that everybody needs the atonement are based on the assumption that everyone will die and everyone will commit sin but I think there may be room to question that assumption. The scriptures are ambiguous on the fates of Moses, Alma the Younger and Elijah and when the father of sin no longer has power there may be some who do not sin. The scriptures that I read teach plainly that the atonement is needed for all those who die and for all those who sin. So naturally, this raises the question of whether those who do not die and who do not sin need the atonement.

I think the whole thing boils down to a question of how much value we place on differing types, or sources of, knowledge. Empirical knowledge is based on data derived through our five senses and spiritual knowledge derives spiritual feelings, usually experienced, or described as, emotions. There may be other types or sources of knowledge, but these are the two with which I have a degree of familiarity. One of the consequences of the enlightenment was an elevation of empircal knowledge and a devaluing of spiritual knowledge. I think a well balanced person recognises and accepts the importance of both forms of knowledge without trying to play one off against the other. Both types of knowledge are referred to in Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study (empirical) and also by faith (spiritual). (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:118)

This could be one of those situations where semantics become more important than usual. If "home" is understood to mean home country, rather than place of dwelling, then I'd say an awful lot of missionaries are being called home. In time, as in, a matter of months, it might very well rise from lots to all. But then again, perhaps this part of the prophecy was already fulfilled with World War 2 when I think all missionaries were called home. The other descriptions of death and destruction in this prophecy might also have been fulfilled throught that war.

I'm too lazy/busy/insufficiently motivated to do the research, but does feel inclined to take an informed guess as to how many prophecies covid 19 fulfills? I seem to recall their being prophecies about the temples being closed and missionaries being called home. There may be others.........