Saint Peter

The last stage is not performing an Atonement. I think those verses you are referring to is that Jesus was then resurrected. So having a perfect body is a requirement to be perfect. But we cannot possibly perform an atonement after this life cause we cannot die again

I agree with the theory that the Earth was created, or better yet organized, from bits and pieces of other worlds. I will agree with it till I hear or feel like a better answer is revealed.

“Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373). According to Benjamin F. Johnson, a close friend of the Prophet, the Prophet taught, "that God was the great head of human procreation, was really and truly the father of both our spirits and our bodies" (Dahl & Cannon, ed., Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings, p. 297). In this connection, after quoting Genesis 1:26-27, which says “so God created man in his own image,” Brigham Young stated, “I believe that the declaration made in these two scriptures is literally true…[God] created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process ofcreation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or that ever will be” (JD 11:123, emphasis added). Brigham Young furthered commented on this when he said: The world may in vain ask the question, “Who are we?” But the Gospel tells us that we are the sons and daughters of that God whom we serve. Some say, “We are the children of Adam and Eve.” So we are, and they are the children of our Heavenly Father. We are all the children of Adam and Eve, and they and we are the offspring of Him who dwells in the heavens, the highest Intelligence that dwells anywhere that we have any knowledge of (JD 13:312, emphasis added). Man was born of woman; Christ the Savior, was born of woman and God, the Father, was born of woman.Adam, our earthly parent, was also born of woman into this world, the same as Jesus and you and I. (Joseph F. Smith as quoted in Hyrum L. Andrus,Doctrinal Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price, 179.) There can be no doubt that the Father that President Smith had in mind for Adam was none other than Almighty God, since an official Church manual used in his lifetime for “Course Study For Priests” stated: Man has descended from God: In fact, he is of the same race as the Gods. His descent has not been from a lower form of life, but from the Highest Form of Life; in other words, man is, in the most literal sense, a child of God. This is not only true of the spirit of man, but of his body also. There never was a time, probably, in all the eternities of the past, when there was not men or children of God. This world is only one of many worlds which have been created by the Father through His Only Begotten. (As quoted in Hyrum L. Andrus, Doctrinal Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price, 179.) Anywho I personally believe Adam is direct offspring from God, both physically and spiritually. "Maybe" not official church doctrine, but seems to be taught in abundance. Currently today too, in one of my BYU religion classes the teacher taught it as a fact.

I guess I was just disputing evolution on the ground that ADAM, the first man, spiritually and physically was born from GOD. As a fully functional human. Did not come from a monkey or pre-adamite. Evolution in general, acting upon animals can be/probably is true. I was just saying humans.

SO the church doesn't have a stand on evolution?? Origin of Man, issued by the First Presidency: "It is held by some that Adam was not the first man upon this earth and that the original human being was a development from lower orders of the animal creation. These, however, are the theories of men. The word of the Lord declared that Adam was “the first man of all men” (Moses 1:34), and we are therefore in duty bound to regard him as the primal parent of our race. It was shown to the brother of Jared that all men were created in the beginning after the image of God; whether we take this to mean the spirit or the body, or both, it commits us to the same conclusion: Man began life as a human being, in the likeness of our Heavenly Father. True it is that the body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man. There is nothing in this, however, to indicate that the original man, the first of our race, began life as anything less than a man, or less than the human germ or embryo that becomes a man."

Maybe, the Apostles and Prophet were given the record and translated it years ago.. But just have not revealed it to the world yet! Not quite sure, maybe he was just speaking out of personal opinion.

Well, there was one instance on my mission where being poor did affect the worthiness. He was a great man, but because of difficult times, he could not pay his child support. He was behind it for over a year or so. Because of this, he could not get baptized. It was sad. He eventually got his feet under him again and is now baptized and sealed in temple! But he was a good man, who did nothing wrong, besides not being able to pay the child support.

I was less active around that age. I think "going to classes" when you don't want to be there is a hard one. On one hand it helped, on the other, I learned more about the gospel in 3 months of activity then 14 or 15 years of being "raised" in the church. I mainly would try to help him make friends. Going to activities makes him in a bad mood? Then the other kids there aren't befriending you son. For me, I stayed in the church initially for FRIENDS. After the right age, I figured I better learn for myself if it is true or not. So to me, he won't gain a testimony if you force him to go. But if the Bishop talks to the boys about befriending him and you can get him a friend or two, that'll do more good than anything! But as always that helped me, and each person is different. So use prayer and talk to the Bishop! Good Luck!

The understanding we seek begins with an understanding of the keys of the priesthood. “Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood [holders] to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”4 Every act or ordinance performed in the Church is done under the direct or indirect authorization of one holding the keys for that function. As Elder M. Russell Ballard has explained, “Those who have priesthood keys … literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”5 Dallin H Oaks Another reason is that is just how the church is set up right now, Mission Presidents have certain keys that Stake Presidents and Bishops don't have. A Bishop can't authorize a convert baptism. So right now, that is the main reason why we need full-time missionaries all over the world. But mainly I agree with everything else mentioned, full-time work is hard to do with having a family and job also, plus missions help the missionary almost more the the work they do.

Modern Revelation. Most churches there is a limited amount to learn about. With Modern day apostles and prophets and modern personal revelation, we can learn about the gospel our whole lives and just scratch the surface of it. The fact that there is so much doctrine to learn about is cool.

AverageJoe, what city are you in? The "heart" of the bible belt. I served my mission in tulsa oklahoma and was around a lot of those environments.

DnC 131: 1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; 2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; 3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. 4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase. ya I think you have to be in the HIGHEST to have eternal increase. That's just my understanding from this passage.

This is pretty interesting. Just to clarify, you are saying if you attain the middle degree of the Celestial kingdom, you still have posterity after this life?? I think that was only in the highest degree of the C K

That is what I said. Is 5 years being in that state that much? Spirits in prison can be there for thousands of years... Gods time is vastly different. But they claimed the spirits in prison can at least progress somewhat. I said what about a man who lives with alzheimer's for 5 years before he dies. He isn't progressing much and can't even recognize his children. Why would God let that happen? Trials happen sadly and it is apart of this life.

Well I think refreshments should be had. A main reason for a baptismal service: "A baptismal service offers the opportunity to find and encourage other investigators. Converts should be encouraged to invite their family members, other relatives, and friends. Church leaders and missionaries may also invite other investigators who are being taught, potential investigators, and leaders and members who will be working with the new members. Other ward members may also attend." https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng&query=20.3.4#20.3.4 I feel like the best way to fellowship these non-members who attend are afterward with food. They can mingle with the WML and missionaries. They can make friends. If people quickly leave after the baptism, then they won't get as big of a chance to meet people. Also if the refreshments were served at someones house, honestly the non-members won't show up to that persons house for food. It was lucky enough that they came to the baptism. So as far as missionary opportunities go, I say refreshments and mingling should be encouraged.

My friends and I had a discussion the other day about when the spirit leaves the body near death. I claimed that the definition of death in the scriptures is separation of the spirit and body. The spirit would only leave for the spirit world if the body died. Some argued that what if a person went into a vegetative state where machines were literally the only thing keeping them alive? God knows, everyone knows, that that person would never wake up or do anything. Would it be fair for that persons spirit to be "trapped" in that body? The body isn't dead yet, but is only so because of machines. Would God let a spirit be trapped and not really progress in a body on life support, for months, even years? They said the spirit would leave and go to the spirit world and progress. That is what a merciful God would do. I still believe that the spirit wouldn't leave the body until it is "dead". Any thoughts?

Wow, thanks a lot guys. I liked what you guys said. I think what I am missing is that it can be a combo of figurative and literal. I am definitely not stressed out over these things, but it is interesting to learn and understand the Plan as much as we can. I guess with a lot of these things everyone has their own opinion as they are hardly taught in conference these days. But thanks for shedding some light.

Hey guys! Just wanted to get more direction on studying the tree of life. So from what I gathered the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden is figurative. Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit is symbolic of them maybe doing something else to "fall". Is that correct? Well if THAT tree is fake or symbolic, then is the Tree of Life symbolic too? It doesn't seem like it. God actually put a flaming sword and stuff to protect it. If the tree represented something else then it wouldn't seem like God wouldn't need to guard it. But it seems like an actual fruit that would make Adam and Eve live forever if they ate it. "It must needs be that there was a forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life" 2 Ne. 2:15 Okay, opposition in all things right? Makes sense, but the forbidden fruit is symbolic, so what is the tree of life? Maybe I am just thinking too much into this, One represents sin, one represents love of God. But it seems like the Tree of Life is real because of certain scriptures like "If our first parents had partaken of the tree of life, they would have been forever miserable" Alma 12:26 Doing a quick search on LDS.org just pops up stuff on Lehi's vision and the tree representing the Love of God. But I am assuming that the tree in Lehi's dream is an altogether different tree bearing the same name. Any ideas or thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

"Does Christ himself know when he will come? This question comes up occasionally, perhaps because of what is stated in the Gospel of Mark: 'Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father' (Mark 13:31-32; emphasis added). The phrase 'neither the Son' is not found in Matthew nor Luke. Christ knows all things; he possesses the fulness of the glory and power of the Father (see D&C 93:16-17). Surely he knows when he will return. If he did not know the exact day or time of his return in glory when the Olivet Prophecy was uttered, then certainly after his resurrection and glorification he came to know. It is worth noting that the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse omits the disputed phrase." (Robert L. Millet, Selected Writings of Robert L. Millet: Gospel Scholars Series [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2000], 556