Amillia

A house is symbolic of life, your life. What happens in it is what is happening in your life. Are you feeling like you don't belong in the place of life you are now in?Furniture, old, new, ragged and worn, is symbolic of the state of your life. Things, if colorful, clutter, etc are obsticles or things you have to work out, or overcome.

We aren't the boss of God, nor his judge. I look at all the suffering going on these days, like children who were left orphaned from the Tsumaoni and then after that trauma, being kidnapped and put into sexual slavery for the rest of their lives, and I can't see that the wickedness of men can be curbed by God without him taking away agency. Do you understand agency? accountability? If God stopped all the wrongs, like that girl who was kidnapped and murdered just last week, then the whole purpose of this earth would be destroyed. You are too close to your pain and need some counselling.

Maybe the guy just stopped behind a tree to go~?Then there is always the possibility that it was a dead guy trying to get his spiritual muscles to be mocho for the spirit chicks~?

Very very true!!!

Actually ALL men want is someone who will dish it all out in the bedroom. And MOST men would be totally intimidated by a woman who could kick her way to the top of the corporate ladder.

PD....some people just don't believe a lot of what men find in science theories to be true. Studies, graphs, facts, logic, guesses, conclusions....some people just can't absorb all the data, findings, and such. I find a lot of it interesting, I love learning others viewpoints and findings.....but personally I take some of it with a grain of salt. Nothing against scientists, they are very intelligent people, and I enjoy listening to them talk. Doesn't mean I agree with everything they say. That you don't agree, not to be insulting, with something that experts in a field say, makes you sound really silly. It would be like me, as a science teacher saying that I disagree with Sandbergs history of the life of Abraham Lincoln. I'm in no position to HAVE an opinion on it since I haven't read it and am not an expert in the history of the life of Abe Lincoln. Study the subject, then have an opinion. But this is America, have all the opinions you want! Doesn't mean that those who have some background in the subject aren't going to laugh at you. ( ok, with you ) Well Cal, I have been laughed at before.....and I really don't care anymore Maybe I should just say that I love "hearing" viewpoints and findings. And I was told a long time ago that I never had to agree with what was being said, as long as I listened. If I agreed with everything I read, or watched, or listened to.....I would be in trouble. There are so many "experts" out there wanting everyone to believe what they have to say. Who is to say that the "experts in a field" couldn't be wrong? I am old enough to form my own opinion without caring if it makes me sound really silly. And if I do sound silly....maybe I'll feel better knowing that I could make someone laugh. Absotutly right on Lindy!!!

I am not sure what you mean about the anger. What I feel bad about is the lack of justice here. Because they were lax in their training methods Nick will live with a traumatic brain injury for the rest of his life. He will have to endure more surgeries and worry about infections. An infection to the plate in his head could go directly to his brain. Although Nick is very blessed to be alive, he is a changed young man in many aspects of his life. I am working at making the lack of training to be something that is against the law. Currently no formal training is required to work at that machine. Most tire shops, which I checked with, require training and or certification before a new employee is allowed to work on this machine. The company that employed my son gave very casual training. I personally believe that I have done a very good job at keeping anger in check. To me anger is a non productive emotion and that is the reason why I am looking to make a change for other tire shop workers. I am glad to hear you are doing something constructive. I didn't mean to offend or insinuate that you shouldn't be angry. I just would hope it didn't take you over. ~ it seems that you have it well in hand. :)

I've noticed this particularly with women. Some women are very "butch" from birth. Total tomboys. But most women I know who are "lesbians" (and being involved in "theatre", I work with homosexuals of both genders frequently) seem to go back and forth between men and women. They seem very confused. I wonder if our sexually permissive society adds to confusion for those who may have a temporary attraction for the same sex, but who are basically heterosexual. I know some male homosexuals that I feel quite sure are simply biologically homosexual, and nothing will ever change that. I think you have hit the nail on the head Curvette. BTW I was a tomboy when I was young, even thought I shouldhave been born a boy, until I hit puberty. Then I liked being a girl and the affect I had on guys! LOL and the affect they had on me.

Research: to find or obtain information from a source. A source may be considered credible when in truth it is not, and conversely, a source may not be considered credible even when in truth it is. A source considered credible may also possess information that is not true, and a source not considered credible may have information that is true. Thus it would help to have some way to be able to find the truth from wherever the truth can be found, and not merely to rely upon a source as knowing the truth in all things simply because it has been found to know the truth in some things, or conversely. Hypothesis: a reasonable explanation of available information. One hypothesis is often discounted for another when more information is found. It is important to note that a reasonable explanation may not be true, thus it would still help to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Experimental design: a design or pattern used to test information, usually to determine whether the source information or hypothesis can be considered credible. As with an hypothesis, this pattern or test may be discounted if new information is found or found to be more credible, thus it would still help to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Data and observations: The type of information that is obtained through research. See the definition for research above. It is important to note that data and observations recorded in a book are not necessarily true merely because that data and observations have been recorded in a book, even if that book is very old. Thus it would still help to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Analysis of data: The process of reviewing and organizing or classifying information obtained through research or a personal witness, with the analysis usually resulting in a hypothesis. It is important to note that an analysis may not be true (or honest), so the analysis may be discarded once the information is analyzed again or new information is obtained which leads to a more reasonable explanation (or hypothesis). Thus is would still help to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Conclusion (theory): a reasonable explanation of information which has been tested for credibility. As with the others steps involved in this scientific method concerning information, a conclusion (or theory) may be discounted once the information has been reconsidered or new information has been found, thus it would still help to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Now, in conclusion of my summary of these steps involving the scientific methods concerning information, I testify that our greatest source of information and truth is God, and to know the truth from God we must research information from God by reading the scriptures and everything else people claim has come through revelations from God (an analysis of data using data and observations), study that information and reflect upon it in our minds (experimental design), form a reasonable explanation (hypothesis) about it, and ask God if we correctly understand and interpret the information He has given us, thus providing a conclusion (theory) to our search for the truth. If we do everything but ask God if we correctly understand Him, or fail to wait for a response from Him to assure us (give us faith) that we correctly understand Him, we are merely relying upon what we think is right and thus it would still help to be able to have some way to be able to find and know the truth. Thanks Ray!

Jesus and the Father are one; that Mormons have in common with traditional Trinitarians, and the traditionalists' accusation that we are tritheists -- that we believe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be three separate gods -- is incorrect. They are separate personages, and are not one in substance, but they are nevertheless one God. Where we go beyond the traditional Trinitarians lies in our belief that the followers of Christ may become one in Him in the exact same sense as as He is one with the Father. There are now three personages making up the Godhead. At the end of time there will be millions or billions or more personages, consisting of all the exalted individuals who have become one with Christ and, through Him, with the Father and Holy Spirit. (Hmm ... maybe that's why we use the term "Godhead" instead of "Trinity," a term which limits the number of component beings of the one God to three.) Thus, our understanding of the Godhead fits seamlessly and necessarily with our doctrine of exaltation. If, in order to be one God, the personages of the Godhead had to be one in substance, we could not be exalted, or become one with God, since we are individuals and have our own substance separate from God's. (To believe otherwise would be to reject the doctrine of the resurrection, which teaches that the individual human body will literally be raised, perfected and glorified, not that the soul will be merged with a disembodied God, which has more in common with Eastern religions.) Very good points PD! :)

I was raised in a very disciplined patricidal home. My father was a very wealthy man but hated rich kids all his life so we lived in a lower middle-income home with one beater for a family car. I did not know we were rich until I was in college (paying my own way). I never received an allowance and at the age of 8 I was expected to work to pay for my own clothing, vacations (with family) and contribute to my board and room. My father owned a lot of real estate where we were put to work cleaning, landscaping or fixing. We had to have our chores done at home before we could go to work. We were expected to get “A’s” in school – father also taught school for a while. We could stay out as late as we wanted but had to be up at 4 for work even during school. We were expected to set examples in our standards and dress. We were never allowed to talk back – especially to elders. My father was rather physical when we were disobedient but I never thought of physical punishment as abusive. If you ever said you would do something or be somewhere – you better be true to your word. I never remember my parents coming to any activity or school play that I was a part of but I did not think they should be there either. I was raised with the attitude that I could do most anything I wanted to pay for or take responsibility. I would report my plan and my father’s response was almost always – Sounds good. I can never remember my father saying anything other than I should have done better when a job was done. I do remember not being paid for work that was not up to standard. One time my team was paid but I was not because I was in charge and it was not good enough. My father never suggested that we should be less than he would give as an example. I knew if I did not paint an apartment good enough he would re do it himself. I love my father and believe everyone should come from such a home – and you are right – I think G-d is a lot like that. But my father changed a lot when my brother was killed by accident – my father was the only one that could have saved him but was unable. The Traveler That isn't exactly the home I was brought up, but pretty close. Everything was the same except my dad was very good at working with us when given an asignment and very praising when doing a good job. I always did very good job, but my sister didn't and nothing was ever said. However, the siblings did enough complaining about a sloppy job so dad didn't need to. My dad was always the one who came into us at night when we were sick. He would give us a blessings and we would go back to bed better. He was a great dad, but he was strict in his expectations of us and we all worked on paper routes and custodial jobs with him without pay of any kind. I even took care of foster kids without any compensation. The allowance we were given just happened to cover our lunch money needed at school and I was expected to sew all of my own clothes. I didn't receive any store bought clothes until I was 14.

I enjoyed your post, though it didn't address the question. I agree with all of what you have said. And I must say the word 'deviant' wasn't the best word to use because most will attach it to all behavior and all character. I was only using it in reference to 'deviant sex'....scripturally taught.I know that 'being very great people' isn't something attached to what kind of sex one prefers. Nice people can be sexually deviant, and mean people can be hetersexuals. I don't think being gay makes one mean or good. The people are either mean or good with or without sexual conduct being a fundamental issue for cause. So, thank you Shanstress. I think it is important to take each and every case on a one at a time basis in everything. Grouping isn't smart. Too far reaching generalizations are just too limiting and unjust.

Frankly, I must ask, can you honestly say, his earning power made no difference to you. I seriously doubt it, even if you say so. I think you are decieving yourself. Secondly, that you consider yourself an exception, hardly disproves the rule. It takes more than a few exceptions to do that. Read the research again. I don't consider myself an exception. You consider me an exception. I think I am the rule. Are there any concrete studies to say who is the exception and who is the rule. And isn't everyone a rule unto themselves according to their intimate knowledge of themselves? I don't think grouping or pigeon holing people will work in these cases.

I don't let the anger engulf you. If you do seek a lawyer, out of necessity (understandably so) don't let the anger engulf you or you will lose more than you already have. I am still praying for all of you. God bless.

A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles From Improvement Era, Aug. 1916, 934–42; capitalization, punctuation, paragraphing, and spelling standardized. “The Father and the Son,” Ensign, Apr. 2002, 13 In the early 1900s, some discussion arose among Church members about the roles of God the Father and Jesus Christ. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued the following in 1916 to clarify the meaning of certain scriptures where Jesus Christ, or Jehovah, is designated as the Father. It is thought that a printing of this statement will be helpful to members as they study the Old Testament this year. The scriptures plainly and repeatedly affirm that God is the Creator of the earth and the heavens and all things that in them are. In the sense so expressed, the Creator is an Organizer. God created the earth as an organized sphere; but He certainly did not create, in the sense of bringing into primal existence, the ultimate elements of the materials of which the earth consists, for “the elements are eternal” (D&C 93:33). So also life is eternal, and not created; but life, or the vital force, may be infused into organized matter, though the details of the process have not been revealed unto man. (For illustrative instances see Gen. 2:7; Moses 3:7; Abr. 5:7.) Each of these scriptures states that God breathed into the body of man the breath of life. See further Moses 3:19 for the statement that God breathed the breath of life into the bodies of the beasts and birds. God showed unto Abraham “the intelligences that were organized before the world was”; and by “intelligences” we are to understand personal “spirits” (see Abr. 3:22–23); nevertheless, we are expressly told that “Intelligence,” that is, “the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be” (D&C 93:29). The term “Father” as applied to Deity occurs in sacred writ with plainly different meanings. Each of the four significations specified in the following treatment should be carefully segregated. 1. “Father” as Literal Parent Scriptures embodying the ordinary signification—-literally that of Parent—-are too numerous and specific to require citation. The purport of these scriptures is to the effect that God the Eternal Father, whom we designate by the exalted name-title “Elohim,” is the literal Parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and of the spirits of the human race. Elohim is the Father in every sense in which Jesus Christ is so designated, and distinctively He is the Father of spirits. Thus we read in the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” (Heb. 12:9). In view of this fact we are taught by Jesus Christ to pray: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matt. 6:9). Jesus Christ applies to Himself both titles, “Son” and “Father.” Indeed, He specifically said to the brother of Jared: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son” (Ether 3:14). Jesus Christ is the Son of Elohim both as spiritual and bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh, and which body died on the cross and was afterward taken up by the process of resurrection, and is now the immortalized tabernacle of the eternal spirit of our Lord and Savior. No extended explanation of the title “Son of God” as applied to Jesus Christ appears necessary. 2. “Father” as Creator A second scriptural meaning of “Father” is that of Creator; e.g., in passages referring to any one of the Godhead as “the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are” (Ether 4:7; see also Alma 11:38–39; Mosiah 15:4). God is not the Father of the earth as one of the worlds in space, nor of the heavenly bodies in whole or in part, not of the inanimate objects and the plants and the animals upon the earth, in the literal sense in which He is the Father of the spirits of mankind. Therefore, scriptures that refer to God in any way as the Father of the heavens and the earth are to be understood as signifying that God is the Maker, the Organizer, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. With this meaning, as the context shows in every case, Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ the Son of Elohim, is called “the Father,” and even “the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth” (see passages before cited and also Mosiah 16:15). With analogous meaning Jesus Christ is called “The Everlasting Father” (Isa. 9:6; compare 2 Ne. 19:6). The descriptive titles “Everlasting” and “Eternal” in the foregoing texts are synonymous. That Jesus Christ, whom we also know as Jehovah, was the executive of the Father, Elohim, in the work of creation is set forth in the book Jesus the Christ, chapter 4 [by James E. Talmage]. Jesus Christ, being the Creator, is consistently called the Father of heaven and earth in the sense explained above; and since His creations are of eternal quality He is very properly called the Eternal Father of heaven and earth. 3. Jesus Christ the “Father” of Those Who Abide in His Gospel A third sense in which Jesus Christ is regarded as the “Father” has reference to the relationship between Him and those who accept His gospel and thereby become heirs of eternal life. Following are a few of the scriptures illustrating this meaning. In fervent prayer offered just prior to His entrance into Gethsemane, Jesus Christ supplicated His Father in behalf of those whom the Father had given unto Him, specifically the Apostles, and, more generally, all who would accept and abide in the gospel through the ministry of the Apostles. Read in our Lord’s own words the solemn affirmation that those for whom He particularly prayed were His own, and that His Father had given them unto Him: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. “Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. “And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:6–12). And further: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:20–24). To His faithful servants in the present dispensation the Lord has said, “Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me” (D&C 50:41). Salvation is attainable only through compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel; and all who are thus saved become sons and daughters unto God in a distinctive sense. In a revelation given through Joseph the Prophet to Emma Smith, the Lord Jesus addressed the woman as “my daughter” and said, “For verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom” (D&C 25:1). In many instances the Lord had addressed men as His sons (e.g., D&C 9:1; D&C 34:3; D&C 121:7). That by obedience to the gospel men may become sons of God, both as sons of Jesus Christ, and, through Him, as sons of His Father, is set forth in many revelations given in the current dispensation. Thus we read in an utterance of the Lord Jesus Christ to Hyrum Smith in 1829: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. “I am the same who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; “But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen” (D&C 11:28–30). To Orson Pratt the Lord spoke through Joseph the seer, in 1830: “My son Orson, hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer; “The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; “Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son” (D&C 34:1–3). In 1830 the Lord thus addressed Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: “Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. “I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one” (D&C 35:1–2). Consider also the following given in 1831: “Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ— “The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; “The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own, and mine own received me not; “But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons” (D&C 39:1–4). In a revelation given through Joseph Smith in March 1831 we read: “For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world—-a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not. “I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life” (D&C 45:7–8). A forceful exposition of this relationship between Jesus Christ as the Father and those who comply with the requirements of the gospel as His children was given by Abinadi, centuries before our Lord’s birth in the flesh: “And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed? “Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God. “For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed? “Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed” (Mosiah 15:10–13). In tragic contrast with the blessed state of those who become children of God through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ is that of the unregenerate, who are specifically called the children of the devil. Note the words of Christ, while in the flesh, to certain wicked Jews who boasted of their Abrahamic lineage: “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. … Ye do the deeds of your father. … If God were your Father, ye would love me. … Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:39, 41–42, 44). Thus Satan is designated as the father of the wicked, though we cannot assume any personal relationship of parent and children as existing between him and them. A combined illustration showing that the righteous are the children of God and the wicked the children of the devil appears in the parable of the tares: “The good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” (Matt. 13:38). Men may become children of Jesus Christ by being born anew—-born of God, as the inspired word states: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 Jn. 3:8–10). Those who have been born unto God through obedience to the gospel may by valiant devotion to righteousness obtain exaltation and even reach the status of godhood. Of such we read: “Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God” (D&C 76:58; compare D&C 132:20, and contrast D&C 132:17 in same section; see also D&C 132:37). Yet though they be gods, they are still subject to Jesus Christ as their Father in this exalted relationship; and so we read in the paragraph following the above quotation: “And they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (D&C 76:59). By the new birth—-that of water and the Spirit—-mankind may become children of Jesus Christ, being through the means by Him provided “begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24). This solemn truth is further emphasized in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ given through Joseph Smith in 1833: “And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; “And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn” (D&C 93:21–22). For such figurative use of the term “begotten” in application to those who are born unto God, see Paul’s explanation: “For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15). An analogous instance of sonship attained by righteous service is found in the revelation relating to the order and functions of priesthood, given in 1832: “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies: “They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God” (D&C 84:33–34). If it be proper to speak of those who accept and abide in the gospel as Christ’s sons and daughters—-and upon this matter the scriptures are explicit and cannot be gainsaid nor denied—-it is consistently proper to speak of Jesus Christ as the Father of the righteous, they having become His children and He having been made their Father through the second birth—-the baptismal regeneration. 4. Jesus Christ the “Father” by Divine Investiture of Authority A fourth reason for applying the title “Father” to Jesus Christ is found in the fact that in all His dealings with the human family Jesus the Son has represented and yet represents Elohim His Father in power and authority. This is true of Christ in His preexistent, antemortal, or unembodied state, in the which He was known as Jehovah; also during His embodiment in the flesh; and during His labors as a disembodied spirit in the realm of the dead; and since that period in His resurrected state. To the Jews He said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30; see also John 17:11, 22); yet He declared, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), and further, “I am come in my Father’s name” (John 5:43; see also John 10:25). The same truth was declared by Christ Himself to the Nephites (see 3 Ne. 20:35; 3 Ne. 28:10), and has been reaffirmed by revelation in the present dispensation (D&C 50:43). Thus the Father placed His name upon the Son; and Jesus Christ spoke and ministered in and through the Father’s name; and so far as power, authority, and godship are concerned His words and acts were and are those of the Father. We read, by way of analogy, that God placed His name upon or in the angel who was assigned to special ministry unto the people of Israel during the exodus. Of that angel the Lord said, “Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him” (Ex. 23:21). The ancient Apostle John was visited by an angel who ministered and spoke in the name of Jesus Christ. As we read, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev. 1:1). John was about to worship the angelic being who spoke in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but was forbidden: “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. “Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Rev. 22:8–9). And then the angel continued to speak as though he were the Lord Himself: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:12–13). The resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, who had been exalted to the right hand of God His Father, had placed His name upon the angel sent to John, and the angel spoke in the first person, saying, “I come quickly,” “I am Alpha and Omega,” though he meant that Jesus Christ would come and that Jesus Christ was Alpha and Omega. None of these considerations, however, can change in the least degree the solemn fact of the literal relationship of Father and Son between Elohim and Jesus Christ. Among the spirit children of Elohim the firstborn was and is Jehovah or Jesus Christ to whom all others are juniors. Following are affirmative scriptures bearing upon this great truth. Paul, writing to the Colossians, says of Jesus Christ: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col. 1:15–19). From this scripture we learn that Jesus Christ was “the firstborn of every creature,” and it is evident that the seniority here expressed must be with respect to antemortal existence, for Christ was not the senior of all mortals in the flesh. He is further designated as “the firstborn from the dead,” this having reference to Him as the first to be resurrected from the dead, or as elsewhere written “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20; see also 1 Cor. 15:23); and “the first begotten of the dead” (Rev. 1:5; compare Acts 26:23). The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews affirms the status of Jesus Christ as the firstborn of the spirit children of His Father and extols the preeminence of the Christ when tabernacled in flesh: “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Heb. 1:6; read the preceding verses). That the spirits who were juniors to Christ were predestined to be born in the image of their Elder Brother is thus attested by Paul: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:28–29). John the Revelator was commanded to write to the head of the Laodicean church, as the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14). In the course of a revelation given through Joseph Smith in May 1833, the Lord Jesus Christ said, as before cited, “And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn” (D&C 93:21). A later verse makes plain the fact that human beings generally were similarly existent in spirit state prior to their embodiment in the flesh: “Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth” (D&C 93:23). There is no impropriety, therefore, in speaking of Jesus Christ as the Elder Brother of the rest of humankind. That He is by spiritual birth Brother to the rest of us is indicated in Hebrews: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). Let it not be forgotten, however, that He is essentially greater than any or all others, by reason (1) of His seniority as the oldest or firstborn; (2) of His unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and of an immortal, or resurrected and glorified, Father; (3) of His selection and foreordination as the one and only Redeemer and Savior of the race; and (4) of His transcendent sinlessness. Jesus Christ is not the Father of the spirits who have taken or yet shall take bodies upon this earth, for He is one of them. He is The Son, as they are sons or daughters of Elohim. So far as the stages of eternal progression and attainment have been made known through divine revelation, we are to understand that only resurrected and glorified beings can become parents of spirit offspring. Only such exalted souls have reached maturity in the appointed course of eternal life; and the spirits born to them in the eternal worlds will pass in due sequence through the several stages or estates by which the glorified parents have attained exaltation. The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah, 30 June 1916

I think if we must realize that all that is said about the leaders of the church, both past and present have two sides to the story, but we never hear the other side.If JS was living today, and could have a personal chat with each of us as we questioned him about what really happened back in his days, would we find it a whole different matter? If we could have a personal chat with the prophet of today, what would we feel and find about him and what is going on? Taking the written word of others and not using the Holy Ghost to testify of truth (knowing it is really the Holy Ghost we are listening to and not Satan) what would we really find to be true and what would we find to be false? I believe, that even the very elect will be tested and some will fall because they didn't know the glory of God personally enough to know truth from falsehood. Consider Moses in the BofM, how he had an angel of light come to him and try and fool him. If Moses hadn't already experienced the Lord, he wouldn't have known the difference.

Very interesting input. I think some are raised with the concept of a fearful God. It means they understand the God of the OT as He is recorded. But fail to understand the God of the NT as He is recorded. Actually, both parts of the scriptures teach of the fearful part of God and the loving, kind, merciful God. But some tend towards one element while some tend towards the other. How you perceive God is dependant upon where you are in the 'relationship' with Him. Those who were raised with less love and more letter of the law kind of homes tend towards the fearsome God, while those raised in calm and peaceful, kind, understanding homes, tend towards the Father image of God. IOW what I am trying to say is that we find the God we are looking for.

Shanstress, would you address this for me? I am interested in your thoughts.

Would you rather kids grow up in foster care, being bounced around from home to home, or in an orphanage than to be adopted by stable, monogamous gay parents? Sure, it's not ideal IMO, but it's better than what would possibly be the alternative. You ask that question as if there are no other choices. There are pleanty of choices better than being in a home with people who don't really know who they are.

The one thing I have yet to have explain clearly to me on this subject is~ Why, if two men want to be together or two women want to be together, one acts like a male and the other a female. If female and male wasn't an important element in a real relationship, why would each couple not be all mocho male or sweet feminity? It is just plain silly. It is meant for men to be with women and women to be with men and that is why even the diviant follow this pattern.

So, you think that just preaching to a gay person is going to stop them from being gay? Maybe we could preach to the Chimps too--they are actually pretty smart. Just preaching? It is about spiritual laws. If they have been given these teachings and choose to ignore them (which they are free to do) then they have chosen to ignore teachings which require a higher level of spiritual adherence. There are always laws and law breakers. But Chimps aren't given the same laws as man. Get over it. Really? Who made the law that says that being born gay is a sin? Who said being born a gay was a sin? It is acting upon that weakness which is a sin. Why can't you separate these two concepts? Who said it was a weakness? Is hetersexuality a weakness? Well if you are going by the definition God gives homosexuality and hetersexuality. NO it isn't a weakness, it is part of the plan of eternal life, and continual progress through out all eternity. Homosexuallity can't, by any difinition, be classified with hetersexuality because it reproduces nothing, it doesn't give nesessary diversity to the children who might be unfortunate enough to find themselves raised by them. It has been an on going studies, many which prove children need a father and a mother. Many have to go without one or the other due to divorce, which couldn't be helped, but to purposes create such an environment for children is detrimental at best, and sick at worst.

If that's how you'd like to see it, swell. His point is that homosexuality is an aberration, and I agree with him. We all know how you see the subject; don't feel obligated to rehash it for me. I can always go back and re-read it if the urge ever hits me. Isn't crazy what some people think? If homosexuality was normal, where are the offspring going to come from? Everything reproduces in the earth, except mountains and homosexuals.

Mark44: I am often concerned when people think that happiness and success are something that comes from the outside in. I feel more that success comes from making the most of what is on the inside. But there is a problem. If one centers their hopes on self they will find that life will become confining, limited and in slaving. But by focusing on others they find their skills rewarding and fulfilling. One of the reasons a Buddhist learns to mediate is to become aware. Some think of meditation as being self-aware but that is not true. The purpose of meditation is awakening awareness of self, time and place. I believe such awareness includes G-d and others as reflected in your understanding of success. I have incorporated an understanding from a Buddhist friend (lay monk) of mediation into bicycling. I commute by bicycle to and from work (when there is no ice). I use this time to mediate and search my thoughts and methods of facing what I am and where I am. I am devout LDS and I am not recommending Buddhism. I am recommending that good and true things should be embraced wherever they are found. You may consider trying a mediation technique. Take about a half hour to start. Put yourself in a place where you can be alone with your thoughts for that half hour. Explore the thoughts that come to you. Let them come however they may and ponder everything you can about them. Where the come from, how long they stay, how they make you feel, if you really want them or not. Do this more than once and then begin to explore who you are and what you want to do with your thought that find place in you. I have found many thought that I have decided I do not want to be a part of me. So I have chosen to forget them and explore other thoughts that I find of greater value. Ponder your thoughts with what you learn from scripture study. Ponder your prayers like your thoughts. When you think you have some insight to yourself begin to ponder others and how you relate to them. Ponder what you can do to assist others is their success quest. Ponder how when you are happy what effect it has on others. Ponder when you are despondent how that affects others especially those that are close to you. Ponder what you can add that would have eternal value. Enjoy your thought and who you are or change them. The Traveler Thanks Traveler, this really is beneficial.

I was asking a question! Where did I say I was sure of myself. Before you act all sure of yourself about me, get your facts! You asked a question, and then you said "It doesn't make sense," which I took (maybe mistakenly) as applying to evolution in general. The question you asked doesn't render evolution senseless, because it mischaracterizes the evolutionist position -- which is that humans evolved, not from gorillas and chimpanzees, but from a long-ago common ancestor of both those apes and humans. In other words, the chimpanzees took one fork in the road and evolved to fill one evolutionary niche, while we took another fork and evolved to fill another one. I stil believe there has to be more than just speculation. There really isn't any proof. The indians used to call dogs little horses. Does that bring us to think that because they have commonalities, they had a fork in the road also?

That sounds good Strawberry. I am glad all is going well.