askandanswer

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:16) I suspect that the tendency that @MormonGator so accurately describes is just our attempts to smother and silence that persistent whispering that what we are doing is wrong.

Have you sufficiently considered the alternative? Would the universe be a better or a worse place if people were somehow prevented by some kind of external power, from doing that which they chose to do and if their ability to act was somehow limited by this external power?

The whole purpose of the church's existence, the primary focus of all of its efforts, is the salvation of every single one of God's children that ever have been, that are now, and that ever will be. This, to me, is a far greater, nobler and more expensive goal than the goals all other charities combined.

Perhaps ever since the US government confiscated ALL of its wealth and assets, the church has been understandably prudent in its financial management. I'm sure the lessons of the 1880s and 1980s have been burned into the consciousness of all church financial leaders.

Here in Australia, about 5 years ago, the AUstralian Taxation Office investigated the church's charitable status. The result of the investigation was that it was decided that fast offering should continue to be 100% tax deductible, whereas tithing, in the belief that some of it was being used for purposes that did not fit within the legislated definition of charitable purposes, would only be 75% tax deductible. From what I recall, there was some mild grumbling amongst some members but I don't think it had any impact on people's willingness to give tithing and fast offerings.

From the Church auditing department report of the April 2018 General Conference "The Church follows the practices taught to its members of living within a budget, avoiding debt, and saving against a time of need." Obviously, if the church is consistently living within its budget and avoiding debt, then a surplus will unavoidably accumulate.

I agree with this idea in general - certainty is too high a goal to aim for. I'm just hoping and thinking that some ideas and conclusions might be more plausible and better supported than other ideas. And I'm thinking that an angel who does not appear to be wearing temple garments on one particular occasion, and possibly on each occasion that he visited Joseph on that one night, might be sufficient to give some plausibility or support to ideas or conclusions about the use of temple garments by post mortal resurrected beings.

Why not?

31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:31) Does this verse give support to any conclusions that might be made about the use of temple garments by resurrected beings in the post mortal life? I’m not suggesting that this verse on its own is enough to draw any reliable conclusions, I’m just wondering if it might be enough to support any conclusions, and if so, what those conclusions might be.

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Old Testament | Exodus 20:2 - 3) In the context of this discussion, these verses can be interpreted in a slightly amusing ambigous manner. Verse 2 clearly establishes that, as indicated previously, to us, there is but one God, and is therefore supportive of the monotheistic view. However verse three implies the existence of other gods and therefore could be interpreted as supporting the henotheistic view. No matter how many Gods or gods there may be, I think Exodus 20: 1-6 make it clear where our attention needs to be.

I certainly agree that you receive a better quality of information and understanding through revelation and inspiration than through study, but I also believe that well-intentioned study motivated by faith leads to better quality revelation and inspiration than would be the case without study. I would also be inclined to think that a person who has received such inspiration can still be of much benefit to others and help others to build a better understanding even if they do not reveal the essence of any spiritual truths that have been revealed to them.

Hi @prisonchaplain I've only read bits and pieces of this thread so perhaps your question has already been answered, but I think the best and simples statement of official doctrine on this topic is our first Article of Faith - We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost (Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:1) I would be a little surprised if someone hadn't mentioned it already.

Doctrine and Covenants 132:37 gives us an approximate timeframe for how long it has taken some people: from the time of the death of Jacob until 1831 - 1843. We may be able to narrow the timeframe down further if we accept the idea that Christ was resurrected before anyone else. 37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:37) As to the idea that we can become gods, we don't need to rely on the King Follette discourse to establish that. Doctrine and Covenants 132:20 makes it pretty clear. 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:20) For what its worth, verse 19 of section 132 also gives a slight idea of one of the responsibilities of these other gods: and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:19)

I have felt these things. For me, and possibly for others, these experiences are brief, temporary and infrequent, so I think its only natural to wonder how we will cope when such experiences become an eternal constant, especially when we consider the impact on mortal bodies of more intense versions of the kind of experiences you, as suggested by 1 Nephi, 1:8, Moses 1: 9 – 10, Mosiah 27:18 and Alma 18:42

I can't figure out how we're going to deal with the sense of overload, or boredom or fulfillment that often comes from repeating the same experience too many times. In mortality, no matter how great, enjoyable, fulfilling, fun, exciting, or whatever, an experience is, eventually we tire of it and what to stop and take a break. Or, looking at a similar concept, when a person who was miserable no longer becomes miserable, the not feeling miserable becomes the new norm and not feeling miserable is no longer enough to bring peace and contentment. When a person starts to feeling happy, if they feel happy for long enough, happiness becomes the new norm and feeling happy is no longer enough to bring them peace and contentment. And when they start to feel really happy, then..............ad infinitum. There is something about mortality that means that no matter how good the conditions are, or what those conditions are, or how much we are enjoying them, we eventually, sometimes even quickly become accustomed to new conditions of living and are no longer happy with what we had, and want more. I wonder if the same principle will apply in immortality, and if not, how this tendency to quickly become bored or no longer satisfied, will be dealt with.

I've sometimes wondered about the efficacy of the above ^^ as a methodology for coming to know and understand God's character. Joseph taught that “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God” and it seems to me as if one way of learning about God's character is to study the choices and decisions He has made and to try and work out the values and motives that underlay them and the opportunities that were foregone by choosing X rather than Y. I suspect that if we study enough choices and decisions, and make it a thorough study, understandings and insights would begin to emerge that are not readily apparent through other methods of coming to know His character. I would be very interested to hear the thoughts of others about this.

Some differences, and I would argue that they might be significant differences, are that D&C 76 also includes some information about a kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory, which is an idea completely absent in Jacob's vision, (verses 25 - 46 of section 76) and Doctrine and Covenants also describes the characteristics of those who will go to each kingdom. But its not only the vision that we need to consider, but also how it is interpreted. The interpretation by Brother McConkie of Joseph Smith's interpretation of Jacob's vision includes the idea that the ladder represented not just three kingdoms, but that it also "represented progression from telestial to terrestrial, and from terrestrial to celestial degrees of glory." This idea of progression is not readily apparent in either the original recording of Jacob's vision, in Genesis, or in the visions recorded in D&C 76

I've long accepted the view espoused by Bruce R McConkie, and I believe others, that there is no progression between kingdoms However, a few minutes ago I came across the following, I think from Elder McConkie's son in his book Gospel Symbolism in the chapter on The Mountain of the Lord's House: In his dream Jacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the ladder stood the Lord, who (and we must assume that Jacob ascended the ladder) covenanted with Jacob, as he had with Abraham and Isaac, to bless him and his posterity throughout all generations. He was told, as had been his fathers, that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. Joseph Smith tells us that the "three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder" were the same ascended by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) and that they represented progression from telestial to terrestrial, and from terrestrial to celestial degrees of glory (Smith, Joseph. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1927 (published by the Church). 5:402). To me, it seems as if Brother McConkie is saying that Jacob and Paul progressed from one kingdom to another. Is this a correct understanding of what Brother McConkie is saying, and is Brother McCnkie correct in his idea that there is progression between kingdoms? As a side issue, I note that the interpretation by President Marion G Romney of Jacob's vision as recorded in Genesis 28:12 is somewhat different from Joseph Smith's explanation. Joseph Smith said "Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder—the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p.305) President Romney said "Jacob realised that the covenants he made with the Lord were the rungs on the laddter that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised bliessings - blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord." ("Temples - the Gates to Heaven" Ensign, March 1971 page 16) I was planning to teach President Romney's interpretation in my Elders Quorum lesson tomorrow but now I'm not so sure, given that it seems to be different from what Joseph Smith said.

As part of their contract negotiations with Santa, the United Elves Brotherhood has placed a temporary ban on deliveries to Canada. Perhaps you can bring your expertise to assist?

Rudolph has the same problem at the moment. Speaking as chief reindeer carer, can you let me know if the peppermint has any impact on nasal shininess?

A warning, or a mark, is only any good if its meaning is clear. There's no point in putting a stop sign at an intersection if people don't know that that sign means to stop. As illustrated by the multiple possible meanings expressed in this thread, the meaning of the mark on Cain is unclear and open to multiple interpretations. It therefore seems to me that as a warning, or mark, or indicator, it has failed to serve its primary purpose. I'm also a bit curious as to why the mark persisted for so long amongst Cain's descendants. Surely the desire to kill Cain in revenge for his killing of Able ceased long ago but the mark has persisted.

3 Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:13)

I wouldn't directly answer the question - instead, I would point out all the faults in the question and explain what information the question lacked and still needed in order to give a precise answer. Being able to give a comprehensive answer to what information is missing and why it is needed to answer the question shows that you have the knowledge required to give an answer and also might motivate the examiners to construct their questions more carefully in future.

Interesting. Anecdotes like this add to my impression that there are some cultural differences in how the church operates in different countries.

Hymn 270 - I'll go where you want me to go. It may not be on the mountain height Or over the stormy sea, It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me. But if, by a still, small voice he calls To paths that I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: I’ll go where you want me to go. I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea; I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I’ll be what you want me to be. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place In earth’s harvest fields so wide Where I may labor through life’s short day For Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere: I’ll be what you want me to be. I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea; I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I’ll be what you want me to be.