David13

I was very happy also with the refreshments. That's when it occurred to me how many people were coming out to this occasion. I'd like to go to the convert baptisms myself, but I don't know if we have had any since mine. I need to find out where that info is listed so I can attend. dc

This story reminds me of the Chowchilla school bus kidnapping of 1976. dc

Well, I'm LDS but only by 1 month, officially. So I must opine, or relate. I was raised as a Catholic so I learned about the bible and the theology. And we prayed, mostly in strictly prescribed prayers, recited by rote. As life progressed, I learned others prayed ad hoc, ad lib, so I started. As an adult I had no church membership. I wandered aimlessly thru' the desert for 45 years. However, I did continue to pray. To know what to do in certain situations, for guidance in school exams, to deal with challenges, etc. I thought it was out of love of God. I didn't think I feared God. Now I realize I do. And maybe I should. As I got older, I said daily prayers of gratitude for life (at this age). I prayed in my desert wanderings in front of the Los Angeles Temple, since it was on the way. I prayed in front of other churches, looking for some sign. I prayed in circles with others, since they were doing that. I got a book of Mormon in 1985. Finally, this year Utah inspired me to walk in the (LDS) door. Now I had to learn a new way to pray. Which for the first time includes is the bible true, is the Church true, and is the Book of Mormon true. Why did I pray? For all reasons and because I/we just always did. dc A Doctrine that's a good quote there, I like it. Someone (maybe a Catholic, William F Buckley Jr maybe quoting someone else) once said, prayer does more for the person praying than it does for God.

I don't know where Roxbury is. But I want to say I usually catch some good trout down here at California Fish Grill over on Artesia Blvd. And that there is nothing more pleasurable than casting a line into that little creek somewhere and catching trout from the creek. And then building a fire by the side of the water and cooking them up to eat. A most honest way to eat fish. dc

Change your attitude. Those things are poisen and should be avoided. They are a waste of money. Take the right attitude toward smoking, and you will soon want to avoid them. It is one of the worst health deficits you could suffer. They smell horrible, and leave a horrible smell anywhere you smoke, and on your clothes. You will be very happy, and your health will improve greatly when you get those things out of your life. Not smoking is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. dc

You need friends for 100 different reasons. So various friends fill or take certain needs. You do something for them, or they do something for you. Or, it is mutual backscratching. Quid pro quo. It can be equal, or not. God is God and your friends are not God. Sometimes you need a friend to set a fire under your butt to get you going, motivated, so you don't feel like a failure. To tell you the truth. To let you know things about you that no one else has the familiarity, the audacity and the sense to tell you. dc

Not really. In fact, it widens your scope of friends, your riding (motorcycle) buddies, without any contention. dc

Yeah. Interfaith conversations, like interpolitical conversations are not productive. Seldom is any mind changed. Frequently heated disagreements break out, fights if you will, hard feelings, unhappiness, etc. Now if somebody has questions, maybe. But certainly in politics the questions are frequently loaded. And again unnecessary in that no one changes their mind. dc

It should be the same voice, at least at times. When we remember the words that were given to us to deal with a situation or something, then it is that person of great inspiration to us. My father was only a role model to me when I was quite young; in later life I had to adopt myself out to older wiser men who became inspiration or 'mentor' to me. And from whom I learned slogans, words of wisdom, concepts of faith, etc. At appropriate times those words come back to me in the same voice of that wiser man. But sometimes it's just the mother. What would the mother say or think or how would she approach this situation. dc

There are coincidences. But certain coincidence has a divine nature to it, perhaps, on some occasions. Thus, I'm still alive. There were people who came into my life and kept me alive. People who did things that saved my life. And just general influence and faith and activity that kept me going. I never knew I would live to this age. My mother and brother didn't. And I suppose I have known many others who didn't. So every day is a miracle to me. dc

I heard of a supposed miracle today. A woman living near, in sight of the Los Angeles Temple had stated that she would not be interested in the LDS church as long as the Angel Moroni atop the Temple faced away from her. Meanwhile, David McKay visited the Temple and noticed that the Angel Moroni faced southeast as does the Temple. He ordered Moroni to be rotated to face directly to the east. So one morning this neighbor woman awoke and looked up to see the Angel Moroni now facing directly toward her house, which was to the east of the Temple. Imagine her surprise. I suppose today she is a member in good standing. dc

It varies from time to time. It may be my mother, usually, it may be a teacher or moral influence I once had; an older wiser man, the Holy Ghost, maybe God or Jesus, but seldom my father. In all, it is my conscience. Not my conscious which is my awareness of my existence and surroundings, but the morality, the ethics, the knowledge of right and wrong, the CTR that steers me. It could not be my father as he was moral except to one factor. But misinformed about guns and motorcycles. dc

I was reading today on another forum about a possible connection with the BoM and the Olmec civilization. Now here we see Mayan. I tried to find information on the Los Angeles Temple. They have a Mayan theme in the architecture, I think it's Mayan. I know that temple builders lived for many years around Mexico, central and south American many years ago. And there were mound builders, or crude temple builders along the Mississippi river in the very distant past. What the connection is may never be known, or "proved". dc

C O I see no exaggeration there at all. That is exactly what will happen, and in fact is happening right now in many, far too many other aspects of society. dc

I too went thru' on the 13th of May. I will say I did see that one, I think, well, I know I saw them all. My first favorite was the poplar wood or forest on the way into the Baptistry. Then the valley forest scenes from around the Temple, complete with a good supply of deer. Those were my favorites, as they showed the natural beauty of the surrounding area to the Temple, but without all the development and strip malls and gas stations throughout the valley (not that I'm against gas stations, I'm not, I like to get gas to enable the motorcycle to take me further). The one you have here, yes, beautiful with the history and the theme and all. dc

In a sense you sound like me. Except for the part about shunning and all that. I'm older and a former Catholic and all alone. No family, all dead, divorced long ago, no children. But most people, good people see me as a good person. I smile, look directly at them, eagerly say good morning, etc. If they respond I'm ready with a handshake. I'm modestly but cleanly and neatly dressed with short hair and a trimmed beard. I walk and talk like a man, which I am. I don't appear to have any drug or alcohol impairment and I don't smoke. And most people around California, and all in Utah and Idaho and other areas are quite friendly to me. But yes, I have, as a 1 month member of the LDS church found that at least in Utah the LDS church is the most open, welcoming and friendly church I have ever gone to. But you might say I seem like 'one of them' except for the beard. Here they were more suspicious. But once it seemed clear I was serious about joining the church they all shook my hand, patted me on the back, and talked as a friend. Look at those words of wisdom. But I think you will find a fellowship here in LDS that Catholic church doesn't even consider. dc

Fantastic. 40 years. And now ... peace and quiet. And time to pursue all kinds of new adventures. A great opportunity. dc

Let's start with Genesis 3. The serpent, Lucifer. 1 Peter 5; 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Revelation 12; 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 2 Corinthians 11; 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. dc

What troubles me, with my limited knowledge is the idea that Satan does not have a body. He is an evil spirit and can take many forms. In the Garden of Eden he takes the form of a serpent. I think it's common belief that Satan can take a form or appear in a form very different. But the most recognizable form is the beast. I guess the answer to the op is that in Moses 1: 22 Satan takes a form or appears in such a form to have teeth. I thnk it's clear that Moses recognizes who he is from the start, tho' he does say "Who art thou?". Why is that (that he recognizes Satan")? God told Moses "Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten." in reference to Satan. Here Satan has taken the form or appearance of Jesus, no? So he has no particular body, but can appear in many forms. dc

I suppose I am far too judgmental, suspicious and paranoid to believe the best with all people. But there certainly are those I look at and feel that way. And others less so. I guess it gives me something to think about, and work on. dc

Well, why was I going to say does Satan have teeth? And your issue is teeth. I would say Satan would have sharp teeth but what scripture is there? dc

The topic came up recently are there still miracles? Or have they ceased? I raised the issue today with 4 others and at first they said no, no miracles. I shared that I consider each new day of life for me to be a miracle, in that I never knew I would live to be as old as I now am. Then they started to remember things that could of late be considered a miracle. I just returned from Utah and saw a miracle. Posters advertising (in Manti and Fairview) "An Evening with Porter Rockwell". Which is a miracle as he's been dead for 138 years. But it reminded me of lectures I attended as a child. Mark Twain lectures. Not actually Mark Twain but old men that looked like and could memorize Mark Twain lectures and give them in various civic auditoriums. Those were the days when there was decent entertainment for young people tho' I think the minimum age for the Mark Twain lectures was 12 or 14 as there were adult themes. What miracles have you seen with your own eyes lately? dc

The regret is that I did not do this long ago. dc

I don't want to say anything because I think I would end up sounding like your mother, even tho' I could be your father or grandfather, but not your mother or grandmother. As a man I can tell you, men don't change unless they want to. And men who don't ever want to change are not that unusual. Still, I hope I don't 'sound just like your mother'. I have seen maybe one or two men change when they saw divorce papers. But I have seen a great many divorce papers. dc

Do you mean about Utah, or the 52 years, or the signs? If you read my introductory thread and a later one about Baptism you will have most of the story to date. dc