hagoth

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Everything posted by hagoth

  1. A relevant thought from someone who has been lovingly serving orphans and orphanages for some time... "I have been working on renewing my mind to expose the false teachings and false beliefs I have held on to for some many years from sitting under prosperity gospel teaching and being so indoctrinated to the world's system and the world's way of thinking. The truth resounding in me this morning is this: I was not created so that God could bless and serve me! It is NOT God's job to pour out blessings upon ME. It is MY JOB to bless and serve GOD! God is good. Always. No matter what happens or doesn't happen in life, He is GOD and He is good. We must stop blaming and questioning the goodness of God!!! Life as it is includes sickness and death. We live in human bodies and our human bodies will battle human illnesses. Many of the bad things that happen in our life happen as a result of our own choices or the choices that were made for us by others who were not seeking God. The contemporary gospel has been twisted to make us believe that God is our sugar daddy. How far we have fallen from the true gospel. Jesus didn't come as a wealthy prince, He came as a lowly servant. He loved, He served, He was lonely and rejected and scorned, He suffered. But He NEVER questioned the goodness of His Father! Why? Because He knew His Father intimately. He knew His Father's will is always good and always right. I thank God for my pastor who is helping to teach me the truth and sort these things out. Teach me Your ways oh Lord." (Erin Hunlock)
  2. I liked that one. The young man who played the return missionary in that movie is the director, producer, and screenwriter for Once I Was A Beehive, which I just went and saw again last night. Frankly, those of you who are letting this one slide are missing out on an experience for yourselves, your kids, and/or your grandkids. It is only playing in Utah for a few more days, so you snooze, you lose. Anyone who goes is free to come back and call me a liar if it wasn't enjoyable and worthwhile.
  3. May I suggest a brief read of a short section from this post from a sister in the church: https://www.mormon.org/me/9j3x While the entire post is worthwhile, in the context of this thread, I suggest scrolling down to the section with the heading that says: "How can your talents and gifts bless others?" There's some good meat there.
  4. This is in general how things happen in Europe. A secular marriage first, followed by a temple sealing. While getting married in the temple first is the objective in many other areas, if getting married (in what seems to be a rush) for reasons of their own is something which they are confident was the right thing to do, especially since you say your cousin is "one of the most prayerful, faithful, and thoughtful people I know," rather than judge or question her, why not simply be happy for her that she is now married?
  5. (I know your post wasn't intended for me...but...) I don't get out much. But my wife has worked with one gay man for years that is one of the kindest people I have had the privilege to meet. He has always been very good and gracious to her, and it always brings a smile to my face to see him and shake his hand. He was even kind enough to invite us to attend a party or two at his home. Her boss, if I recall correctly, is also gay. He is extremely good and kind to her, and regularly takes time to go out to dinner together with her and one of her girlfriends. I also taught a gay man on my mission a number of times, who was extremely good to us. Not one of them attempted "to aggrandize or endorse their lifestyle." All three of those men are the kind of people omegasemaster describes. Those are the only three gay people I can recall being anywhere near my circle of influence, so with a sampling that small, I would have no way of knowing how common that happens to be. But I one day wish to be as kind and caring as any one of those three. If any confuse this post with an endorsement of a lifestyle, or a rejection of the proclamation on the family, it is neither, (nor is it somehow to be confused an endorsement of other, more common human failings which we all occasionally fall into, such as ingratitude, pride, selfishness, etc.)
  6. Amen. Here is one of the few times I don't agree with you. Was it foolishness for Solomon to ask for wisdom? https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/3.9-12?lang=eng#8 ...God was pleased with the request, and granted it. Did Paul, Joseph, and Moroni reveal foolishness? 1 Corinthians 14 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. D&C 46 But ye are commanded in all things to aask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all bholiness of heart, walking uprightly before me...and that ye may not be deceived aseek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; Moroni 7: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen. Based on the above, I respectfully submit that we are invited to actively seek the gifts God wishes to grant each, rather than passively waiting for them to appear.
  7. The scriptures seem to suggest that a key to several of the gifts is to have a genuine desire to benefit others https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.26,32?lang=eng#25 What little I have pursued along these lines is typically involved in considering my patriarchal blessing (or my duties in the priesthood), and to seek help accomplishing the things outlined and promised there. Accomplishing a few of such things requires at least one gift. The core point that stood out for me in the passage linked to in the previous paragraph is the need to express gratitude for any gift granted. It made me realize I don't do that enough. Some gifts aren't as effective without some degree of the gift of charity. I wish that gift was something I had started seeking/cultivating decades ago. Got a long way to go on that one. If you feel prompted to seek/cultivate a gift, then I suggest you have your answer to your last question.
  8. Don't be offended neighbor. I mentioned it 11 days ago. :) Understood completely. But gotta unstring the bow every now and then.
  9. Yes. Then you have my sincere apology. I genuinely hope you can accept that. ? As to what we have been taught... Joseph actually provided additional guidance that offers helpful insight into the passage in question. And that guidance hasn't yet been introduced to the thread. His relative, Hyrum M. Smith, who was also a sustained prophet, seer, and revelator also provided guidance that speaks considerably to same matter. The few general comments I have made regarding the Two Witnesses are based in large part on what the two LDS gentlemen mentioned above offered us generations ago. Is such input unwelcome here? And/or is such input a false spirit of prophecy? Deal. The accusation is certainly withdrawn, and I hope the apology offered above is accepted.
  10. Although it is not a board game, we recently bought a used Family Feud game for our old Nintendo Wii. (The Wii typically does little more than gather dust in our home, other than streaming Netflix for us.) We tried the game this weekend as a family and were pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was.
  11. LadyHanley, there is some rock-solid counsel there.
  12. ? How is it prideful to converse, share, and compare, on this matter than it is on any other matter? Are you suggesting that things like the Book of Revelation cannot be understood, or are not meant to be understood? On what basis? Your exhortation to put on blinders and clamp down ears reminds me distinctly of 1 Nephi 15. Should we also run screaming in fear away from Deseret Book, lest we run across a worthwhile commentary on Isaiah, Daniel, or Ezekiel? If it is prideful to comment and contribute in this thread, how is it magically not prideful to comment and contribute in other threads? Seriously please. I'm not by any means insisting that others agree with what I happen to believe on the subject. However I take issue with your assertion that being a good saint somehow means we're to stop pondering, studying, and when appropriate, sharing.
  13. Vort, Where have they said this (that we should leave such things alone)? Also, I don't quite get what you mean in the second sentence. Can you restate it in other words so I understand your meaning? Much appreciated.
  14. Once I Was A Beehive. Although I'm not a girl, and have never attended girls' camp, that film now replaces The Best Two Years as my favorite LDS movie. Heartwarming. Funny. Tear-jerking. Edifying. Excellent family fare. (By way of disclosure, a close relative co-wrote, directed, and produced the movie.) But if you think I'm simply being biased, even Bushman, author of "Rough Stone Rolling", was cited as giving the movie a glowing review, and the last review I read before going to see the movie not only said it was the best film of the summer, but also said it was the best LDS film ever made.
  15. I actually enjoyed Castle Risk more than traditional Risk. (Looks like I should have kept my old copy. It is currently selling for $150.)
  16. Technically we're all dying to some degree each day. That's in part why I regularly remind my wife and kids that I love them. I have also already left behind a fair number of things that document and amplify my testimony. And I am regularly working on more of the same.
  17. "I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it. Don't be afraid of being damned for not knowing the meaning of a vision or figure, if God has not given a revelation or interpretation of the subject." Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291 I happen to believe God has provided interpretations of the fire-breathing prophets of Revelation - but they are interpretations that simply have to be diligently sought out piece by piece. If any of you happen to disagree, I'm certainly fine with that. Believe whatever you wish.
  18. Rather than a movie, we took the kids to see the local Pentatonix / Kelly Clarkson event earlier tonight at the outside ampitheater. Gorgeous night. Very enjoyable and memorable event.
  19. The only board game our family occasionally plays is Life. Years back, my wife and I used to have dinner with other couples and play Settlers of Catan. Decades back, my buddies and I would put two Risk boards end to end (linking from Kamchatka to Alaska) to double the playing field, and play late into the night.
  20. Hi again Finrock, In response to the passage you quote above, I would encourage a careful reading of the linked passage in Jeremiah provided earlier. This is because John was using figurative language throughout much of Revelation, frequently alluding to Old Testament prophetic writings. And in response to your concluding sentence, if you insist that this reality somehow takes away from the message of Revelation, I don't have much more to offer, since we would clearly be talking past each other.
  21. Hi Finrock, I would suggest that you're actually misquoting/distorting the text. First, the text merely says the two witnesses had the power to do those things. Those two had the power to shut heaven that it rain not, reminiscent of Elijah. Those two had the power to call down plagues, reminiscent of Moses. Those two had the equivalent power/authority of Moses and Elijah. It says nothing about whether they would actually flex that power in the same way that Moses and Elijah did. As to some of the other issues you happen to bring up, please consider that John was speaking figuratively, or as he specifically spells out in verse 8, "spiritually". I won't spell every aspect out, but as a partial response, consider this from Jeremiah. Thoughts?
  22. I happen to believe the two witnesses came from New England, and died in Illinois in 1844.