the Ogre

Lost, I can't speak for your bishop, but I know that it is possible to dig oneself out of deep pits. Accept whatever he has to say. Do whatever he says. Even if it means completely cutting yourself off from your friends and loved ones, do what he says. It might be the only way, but the rewards are worth more than you can know now.

Do you know your local church authorities?

It is true, it is only the simple things that matter.

Only one prophet is important at a time and that is the one alive today.As per restoration, what you can not see is as obvious to me as an eighteen-wheeler careening down the wrong side of the highway right at me on a windy, rainy night. I can not help your night-blindness. I can only see the semi.

PC: I apologize for doubting your sincerity. Aaron

My name is Aaron [the Ogre]. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am taking this opportunity to bear my testimony to you. J-sus Chr-st is my L-rd and S-vior. After years of service in my church in every capacity available to me, I can say that my belief in the S-vior has increased to the point that it would be impossible for me to deny. I have felt the burning in my bosom and witnessed miracles; the healing of the sick, the blessed peace of passing, and the joyous salvation of those who were lost. I have witnessed the glory of the temple and have felt the gratitude of the dead I served. I know there is no salvation but through the grace of my G-d as I explained to you according to Eph 2. 8-10. I also know that the S-vior holds out H-s hand to those across the globe with love. I bear witness that H- is my L-rd. I am also bearing my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. Without the work of his life, I would be among the worst of sinners. I would not be a Chr-stian. I would have returned to the religion of my ancestors: Judaism. I would be a drunk and most likely would be serving time. My conversion came by reading the Book of Mormon and taking the challenge as it is stated seeking to know for my self of the truthfullness of H-s work here on the earth. I received my answer and know that I am nothing. I am wasted. I am unimportant in this world and that my salvation through J-sus Chr-st can only be as per the revelations of modern prophets. And yet the fire burned in my breast and tears coursed down my cheeks. The proof of this authrity is shown in Eph 4.11&12. I know Joseph is one of those the L-rd our G-d gave us to reveal what is true and what is false and to cast a light on the iron-rod we are to follow. Joseph Smith gave me a path to follow. I bear witness that both G-d the F-ther and J-sus appeared to a very young and immature fourteen year old boy who wondered as I have which church is true. I know both the light and I know the nightmare beneath. I know the love of my S-vior and the love of the All-Cr-ator. I have received revelation for the welfare of my family, my children, and my service in the church. I have heard the voice of the W-tness whisper peace and love in my heart. I do not expect you to believe a word I say. I do not want you to have faith in me, but to have faith in the only man to overcome all, MY BROTHER J-SUS CHR-ST. My brother and S-vior also knows who I am. I am a weak man who cannot stand those who attack H-s honor, H-s condescension, and H-s blessedness. I am a weak man who, when not in school working on my theses "the religious dialogue between congregations in the urban environment" I am a proud man who reads, writes, and posts on religious forums. My pride and arrogance leaves me judgmental and that is my cross to bear, but I know who you are. I know your kind and I know the confusion you would spread. I will always face those who oppose the work to be done even if I am a poor, ignorant, savage servant who is wracked with the pains of pride, anger, and dissatisfaction. My education has always told me to be suspicious of organizations and social-structures as corrupt and oppressive (especially religions) and I will say that this is nearly always true, which led me to need to know: "is there a church for me? Is there a church that defies what has proven to be historically oppressive and soul-crushing?" I received my answer and it is my answer alone. I cannot preach to you about what you should do, but for me I know that the church Joseph restored to the earth is the only true church on the planet. I close my testimony by saying the Bible is the word of G-d, the Book of Mormon is the most true book ever printed, and that Thomas S. Monson is my president today who leads my church with the authority granted him by G-d the F-ther and H-s Son, J-sus Chr-st who died for the sins of man. I pray that I will be worthy of my S-vior's grace and that I will be able to partake in the atonement. You may doubt my faith, but I love the work of G-d. I say this in the name of J-sus Chr-st, amen.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was surprised with what you had posted. I apologize for jumping to conclusions, but I have heard such accusations from evangelicals in the past. I might be my fault for not being more clear with as many EVs as possible, but most are not interested in anything I have to say. I am a dirty cultist, so why would they care?I suppose with that in mind, should Latter-day Saints be concerned with the judgments of the other faiths who typically have only treated us with animosity? Should we be concerned with "a burden of proof" (especially when we are satisfied)? What about Matt 13.57, Mark 6.4, Luke 4.24, and John 4.44? Most opposition to Latter-day Saints is generated here in the US. There are hundreds of people who denounce any evidence of proof without a listen right here in Utah. That should also be a witness as to the possibility to the office Joseph Smith held. The one thing that irks me the most is that fellow Chr-stians should at least show friendship and brotherhood and yet Chr-stian leadership appears to be as filled with hatred as lay members often are. More people are falling away from faith than at anytime before and still Chr-stians waste their energy on the offense instead of working for some type of alliance regardless of doctrine. "Burden of proof?" You are a great person to talk to and someone I look up to and I do not categorize you with people like aj4u, but even then should you be concerned with evidences and rather than striving for fellowship in Chr-st? I might be out of line. I apologize for the passion lodged in my keyboard.

Yeah, watch that Mister crap there, buddy. I'll tattle to a mod.

This one of the hardest series for me. I dislike the Nugs as much as the Lakers. I would like both of them to loose.

Hilarious. We're pretty laid back over here, just don't directly attack a person directly, spend all your time on their posts and how goofy the posts are.BTW: welcome to LDS.net.

PC:I think you are wrong about the role of Joseph Smith. In no way, shape, or form does he take the place of the S-vior. Joseph's role is only as a prophet and restorer. He is not our mediator with G-d. We do not revere him as deity at all, he is most definitely human. He translated the Book of Mormon and he gave us the will of G-d, but he does not take the place of G-d. Joseph Smith cannot lead us to ressurection or give us salvation. Latter-day Saints know who their G-d is. We also know just how human a man Joseph was. Joseph's role was to restore the church, give us a direction and three-part mission, and be the mouth-piece of G-d as H-s prophet. Joseph does not take the place the S-vior at all. I am sure this is merely a mistake in phrasing and you did not mean to imply the Joseph was our G-d (as in do the same as J-sus). Aaron the Ogre

You know, I don't think anyone mentioned that the Lakers lost last night. Hmmm . . . about that?

Oooo . . . you too. I get on them over here all the time. I've been booted from three EV forums (one for mentioning I was LDS). They are a pretty funny bunch.

Hemi: I agree with Rob here. We are supposed to live our lives, recognizing the end of days, but acting normally. The innocents of both nations do not deserve to die. I think the American public is vastly ignorant as to the goings on in the rest of the world. Russia is looking to expand its influence throughout Asia. Even if their governments have changed, it has always been a Russian goal to dominate both Asia and Europe. They still need a warm water port in the pacific. They also want to regain their international prestige after humiliation at the hands of the United States. Remaining religiously ignorant and/or uncaring is wrong.

Interesting you said "much". "Much" is not mentioned. He asked in v15(KJV) "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" My guess is that he left it open so they could negotiate. The NIV agrees with this: "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"The answer is False.

Actually, I think the earth is the only planet wicked enough to kill its own G-d (of course this is pure speculation).

I love spiders, especially the crunchy sound they make when I kill them.

Nope, just like there is nothing about eating pot in a brownie (or even included in green jello with carrots and raisins -- sounds like relief society right?).

Yikes!!! I like my nose the way it is thank you!

LOL, but alas it was not to last. Now I need to get to your last benchmark 12345. Unfortunately you have much further to go than do I.

You are not specific, but I believe you are referring to 1 Jn 5.7? This dovetails nicely with 3 Ne 11.27 & 36.We believe the G-dhead consists of 3 distinct individuals as a unified governing body with G-d the F-ther as the president of this all-important quorum. G-d and H-s S-n J-sus Chr-st have physical bodies and the H-ly Gh-st does not. The pronoun "him" in 3 Ne 11.36 refers to the person who the H-ly Gh-st bears witness to of G-d the F-ther and of J-sus Chr-st.

A.

Isn't he like the forth person to think this of you? I think you need to either recognize this as true or rethink your strategy.

I'm sorry, but this is overly reductionistic. Who is to say what a religion should or should not believe in? Each religion has its own set of beliefs. Latter-day Saints have their own different from others.For example, the prop 8 issue. There are Latter-day Saints on both sides of the issue (though most are pro-prop 8). Being pro/con prop 8 has nothing to do with salvation. For a Latter-day Saint, we define the family (here), but there is no where in our doctrine that says we insist every person must live this way. Many individuals in the church do think everyone should live this way, but that is not founded on doctrine. Please note, regarding salvation as Latter-day Saints understand it marriage is between a man and a woman. Do we insist every person believe the same way? No, of course not.

For me, it is not all that important. The creation of the earth, the Adam and Eve story/mythology, and the creation methodology for either are not important. I do not speculate on it and avoid those who do like the plague. Creation has nothing to do with salvation as interesting as it is and as such is not a much discussed doctrinal issue by the church leadership. Because the leadership does not discuss it (because it is not that important), many members feel free to form their own theories and methodology-matrixes. I prefer to allow science to work it out. I think they are more than likely on the right track anyway.