hagoth

Sister Act

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Is there anyone in this forum who lives in her vicinity who might be willing to visit her?

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I think the tone of part of this thread illustrates a glimpse into why some people choose to become inactive. It resonates to some degree with what I've come across talking to scores of people both in and out of the church. I think we can all do better at Christian discipleship and fellowship. Christ's warning against offending others is something we can gain from. (If I ever offend anyone here, please let me know so I can attempt to make things right.) That said, it is each individual's responsibility to grow deep roots. Because Christ promised that those who follow him would experience things that might otherwise cause them to take offense and/or lose faith, hope, and/or charity.

I think it would be more appropriate to have the chairpeople talk to the bishop, explain the situation, and ask for more people to be called to the committee. If he chooses to release some of the others, that's his call.

I don't think it's happening in our ward. If it is, I haven't noticed it, nor have I heard anyone say anything about it. My wife would likely have mentioned something.

So sorry for the loss of one so close to you. May your friends' family find comfort and reassurance from whatever music is chosen for the service.

I don't know what kind of music is recommended by church guidelines, but based on reading your post carefully, this is the first song that came to mind.

As discussed in other threads here, if you examine the early parts of Revelation 11 and consider the power that was given there to the two witnesses, you may see that it parallels the power and authority that was previously given to Moses and Elijah (they were also the same two prophets who appeared to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration). I believe the passage in Revelation is simply saying that the two witnesses would come with the same authority as Moses and Elijah. As to the timing, I don't believe it was meant to be understood as 3.5 years. Not even close. The text doesn't even say 3.5 years. Instead, it says 1260 days. Furthermore, as a glimpse as to how that is meant to be understood, in the very next chapter of the Bible (Revelation 12), Joseph translated the 1260 days there to be 1260 "years". There is a principle there. It might be worthwhile to do more than just pass that principle by without careful consideration. To cite Elder Packer, "We are following the admonition of the Prophet Joseph Smith [who said]: 'I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.'...We should not, according to the scriptures, need to be commanded in all things. (See D&C 58:26.)" Does the principle revealed by Joseph in Revelation 12 also apply to Revelation 11? I'll let you decide. While you're deciding, I suggest searching out the day-year principle in prophecy. Thoughts? Impressions?

bytebear, you're a gem! Thanks so much for the help!

Found it thanks to bytebear's suggestion. Thanks for the other suggestions here too. It is a Janice Kapp Perry production, as bytebear suggested. Rather than exiting the thread with nothing more than thanks, if anyone is interested in hearing a sampling of the song.... https://itunes.apple...uth/id314150300 or here https://itunes.apple...ary/id981966856 In that list, song #16 - "He Will Make Mighty His Sons" - is the song I was seeking. You can click on that song and listen to a considerable portion of it at no charge. I highly recommend it. Feel free to call me a liar if it's not more than worth the few minutes it takes to sample.

Much appreciated. Looking forward to their response. Out of curiosity, what does your current signature mean?

Note that verse 8 says "lands", not "land". May I suggest giving that some thought and searching of the promises for a bit.

There is no reason to be sad. God's promises will always be true and reliable - and they will all be fulfilled, with the exception of (at least some) conditional promises where mankind didn't keep to the conditions. That doesn't mean everyone will initially recognize the fulfillment of such promises, or agree on when, whether, or through what means they were fulfilled. Perhaps more on that in a bit.

Based on your helpful suggestion, I just sent them a query. Hoping for good news.... :) Thank you.

Back in the stone age (probably in the 80's), I had a wonderful LDS cassette tape of missionary-themed music, I don't remember by whom, and one of the songs on that tape had the chorus that included the words: "If He could make mighty all these, I know he will also bless me..." I think it also included the words: "And whatever my mission might[may?] be. I am ready, dear Father send me." Does anyone recognize the lyrics? The song title? The album name? Who produced it? How to get a copy in the here and now? I would very much love to have this music for my kids to hear on Sundays. Any help homing in on some of this would be greatly appreciated!

A helpful warning. From a recent Education Week session: 1) As President Hinckley said, "Being humble means recognizing we are not on earth to see how important we become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others." 2) "Don't focus on whether you're being humble...instead focus on serving others and serving God." Thoughts?

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We are largely in agreement there. If you had been there, and we could afterwards fully compare notes and impressions, I think we would be in complete agreement. A brief citation from the session might provide you an improved glimpse of what was actually taught and summed up there - on the need for a balanced view on grace and works: "Our works are absolutely necessary, but are insufficient to save us. We are saved by grace." Amen there.

I know a very decent honorable man who daytrades. (He is my home teaching companion.) Why say he didn't earn it, when you don't know the work, investment in training, and focus that goes into it? Is harnessing wind power, dams, or tides for electricity somehow also unethical and lazy?

This very issue was discussed in considerable depth in an Education Week session last week. As I recall, the instructor talked about the spectrum from grace to works - where some overemphasize grace to the exclusion of the appropriate place for good works, while others overemphasize works to the exclusion of grace - as if works can save. The instructor explained that we need to maintain a balance in the middle - acknowledging that while works are part of discipleship, it is essentially grace that we rely upon for salvation. The instructor also mentioned a talk given at a gathering of various churches, where an LDS speaker, I believe it was brother Millet, spoke on nothing but the central importance of grace. And members of the other churches were shocked that a member of the LDS church would speak on such a thing, and called him something along the lines of "the grace Mormon". For friends who misrepresent or are confused about such things, I would invite them to peruse this: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/search?lang=eng&query=grace&testament=bofm and this: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/search?lang=eng&start=1&end=10&query=grace&testament=dc-testament And the book, Believing Christ.

A couple more:

Two of my favorites:

Based on a number of passages, I am of the opinion that much of Israel is currently gathered into various Christian denominations, and that those denominations, to some degree, are a parallel to tribes (or factions, if you will) of Israel. Their records have been available for quite some time, and there are a number of very valuable and edifying things there, both for an LDS audience, and for the broader public. The Book of Mormon adds some helpful commentary regarding that, as my brother reminded me last weekend. So people are free to believe Elder Talmage's promise is past and gone, if they wish. Meanwhile, I believe the promise is fulfilled, and that more is yet to be revealed.