Gillebre

you guys are hilarious. :)

Satan wanted power, glory. He knew God wouldn't name him the Savior, so he had to go about it another way. Satan was not a stupid person, he was intelligent and cunning. In light of that, why would someone in authority with God openly rebel as he did? There must have been something to gain. And because of his rebellion, what does Satan stand to gain? Satan gains ultimate power and dominion over the sons of Perdition. That is the power that Satan sought...to rule over the wicked and filthy, and he will do so over they who shall see no kingdom of glory.

Like has been said before...it's so much more than just emotions or 'feelings', and I think that we don't entirely understand the methods that He uses (silly 'i think', because obviously...:) i know). When I ask Him something, or receive a communique from Him it is so much more than a burning feeling. While that feeling plays a part, it isn't all of it by any means. I feel it in my mind, as well, and with every part of my being...I know. It takes time to realize the way you personally receive it...and it's important to know. In that light you can receive promptings from Him about many things. I think it's entirely appropriate and even necessary to seek always our standing with Him, so we can keep on our path to perfection in Jesus Christ, through His atoning sacrifice.

jumping away from the idea that He may be too busy to do something (which is not my 'debate' in this reply), let's look at the other possible reason someone doesn't get an answer to the question they ask regarding the truth of the BoM/LDS Church. Maybe, in His infinite wisdom as the Christ, the Son of God, He determines we are not truly sincere or honestly ready and willing to act appropriately on the knowledge He'd otherwise freely give us. We read the requirements for sincerity, humility, and honesty in seeking the answer to the big question (Is it true?), yet we in our efforts to find the answer may not get it because HE decides we aren't ready for it. Why is that? Perhaps He sees that the one asking isn't entirely dedicated to the pursuit of that truth. Only He is the person with the right to say if you are or are not: 1) Humble/sincere/honest enough to fulfill the criteria needed to fulfill Moroni's promise. 2) Prepared, spiritually, with faith, to receive it. He is the only final and ultimate authority on that search for truth, as He is the one that personally gives it; and while some like to say someone isn't humble enough or honest enough, the only way they can truly know that is revelation by the Spirit. Maybe they do really know you aren't really fulfilling all the requirements to receive an answer...but telling someone if they are or aren't doing enough or the right things to have the truth can get murky. :) He is the one that makes that choice...and I trust Him.

check out a book titled, "Earth - In The Beginning". It's quite extraordinary, and explains very well the creation story. It cites all it's sources, including scriptures and general authorities.

it's like lostnfound came right from the 'rag on mormons' fan club to litter the site with every question in the book that's been beaten over and over to death. you would like clear answers? Go to the source: lds.org, or even mormon.org. Another good resource is fairlds.org. You want the answers? Try the official sources on Mormon beliefs...the first two I mentioned above. Otherwise, asking on this site is only providing you with the opinions and perhaps almost frustrated headaches some receive of this thread. :) It's like you come with every question that those opposed to Mormonism would throw, in an effort to draw members away to 'the light' or something...not saying you are or that being your intent at all, simply an observation out of my own personal experience. I hope you get the answers you're looking for...remember that this site is simply the thoughts and opinions of some members, even nonmembers of the LDS Church. Treat it as such, because if someone says something and you take it as 'mormons believe <insert someones personal take here>' then that's wrong...Mormons believe what is clearly stated and laid out on LDS.org and Mormon.org. Not meaning to sound mean or the like... Gill

I read them in 12 hours each. lol...i loved them! i don't know if there is a third book, but i hope there is.

powers of discernment are not solely of the Priesthood. the spiritual gift of discernment. it may come with a Priesthood calling such as Bishop or Stake President (interviews, etc...), but I am no Bishop and can testify to the reality of such a gift. :)

I didn't bother to read pages 3, and 4. Sorry...lazy. I will venture to speak for a moment on this topic. The ability to see things...past, present, and even future does in fact exist. Not solely with the Lord's Prophets, as some might say. What does exist only with His appointed Prophets is the authority and ability to received revelation...prophecy, and anything else, for the entire Church as a whole, and the Earth. One can have all the revelation and personal sight of things perhaps to come...but remember only His servants with the proper authority can do so for His church, and for the things they preside over. Moving on, This is normally a topic I tread quite lightly on, for the special nature of the things of God that our Father has given to those His children who are obedient, in furthering the work and nurturing their testimony. However, in this thread I will so speak a few things - I feel prompted to do so. To answer VisionofLehi, yes, I have the gift of discernment. I have spent a long time working on refining my ability to discern. btw guys...perhaps look up the word discern, and remember it's meanings as you read this thread. :) I have seen things of which I will not speak in such a public arena as this, but suffice it me to say I have been able to grow in my own ability to discern, that I may better serve Him and do what is right. I will relate an experience I had just this last Sunday. It is close to me...but the Spirit would suffer me this that I may share with you my brothers and sisters. :) I was on my way home from mission preparation class. I was listening to my awesome collection of LDS music (hymns, etc...). I came across a song that reminded me of my best friend, who in his own life struggles with somethings. I had made several efforts over recent weeks to make it known to him how much I really care...how close he is to me, spiritually, and how much I can honestly say I love this one to death. And it occurred to me that I should send a message in writing home with his brother the next morning. As I was pondering in what words I would express just how much my closest friend he really is...I saw. I felt. I saw the future...10 hours later, when he would read my words. I saw him...his body and spirit, and I saw him weep when he'd read my words. I never saw him that next day, but I know beyond any doubt in the world I was seeing the near future, and I couldn't help but cry silently to myself in the car ride back home. Such experiences are...very precious things. If you ever have spiritual experiences related to the gifts given you, please cherish them and above ALL, thank your Father in Heaven for all of it. Every moment.

ksl.com - New LDS Church presidency to be announced Monday tomorrow morning, 11am MST, there will be a press conference announcing the new First Presidency. yay anyone? *cough*Eyring/Oaks*cough*

disrupt...mock...spread the 'love' of Christ...what have you.

President Hinckley. Yes...they plan to picket his funeral on saturday, in Salt Lake................ KVNU’s For The People Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Hinckley’s Funeral you can also check their 'schedule' to confirm, if you want.

Brigham Young held the keys of the kingdom, as given to him from Joseph Smith.

especially for youth. an annual weeklong program hosted by the Church. BYU - CES Youth Programs - Especially For Youth 2008 - Steady and Sure

This is a current thread....I started it a few days ago...... *bonk*

mountaingirl, I have a question for you, if I may. If back when you were younger (back when you were growing up), if you'd of asked how many wives Joseph Smith had, would your parents/teachers/leaders lie to you, do you think? You mention not being told the truth while growing up...what did they say that was untruthful, if I may so ask? Did they say he only had one wife? Or perhaps meant he was only intimate with one wife? Or what? I'm just curious. :)

I didn't realize Orem was on the other side of the mountain. lol sorry, I have no sense of that kinda stuff....being Kansan, and never having seen a mountain in my life (nor ocean, beach, etc...). so you're smack dab in the middle of them, Pentium? nice. :)

well, when i asked Oxy Mormon what he was doing here (in the chat, mainly), he said he wasn't here to form ANY relationship with anyone. Just here for entertainment and conversation, as he put it. I'm still a little stumped how you can be a Mormon in a chatroom with fun people like us and NOT form an association...I'd think that as Mormons, we'd be more prone to it.

I had similar thoughts. and like I said, I well understand being careful and such, but what it came across as was more of a 'if you do it at all, you are not in line with his counsel'.

So after an interesting conversation with Oxy_Mormon today, I've learned that I'm disobeying Gordon B. Hickley by forming 'relationships', whether intentional or not, in being here on this site (and the chat room). Friendships, etc... He cites the link below, from a 2001 talk by GBH, as his proof that if we're here and forming relationships, we're in opposition to what the Lord's anointed in the Latter-days has said. LDS.org - Ensign Article - A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth Specifically, this paragraph and even more specifically, the bold portion. "And while I speak of such matters I want to give emphasis again to the matter of pornography. It has become a $10 billion industry in the United States, where a few men grow rich at the expense of thousands upon thousands who are their victims. Stay away from it. It is exciting, but it will destroy you. It will warp your senses. It will build within you an appetite that you will do anything to appease. And don’t try to create associations through the Internet and chat rooms. They can lead you down into the very abyss of sorrow and bitterness." While I can easily understand 'risk' in being present online, making friends, etc... I can also easily understand the great spiritual uplift that I find here, having met a lot of you. Learning from you, being humbled by some of the trials people experience, even growing from hearing a simple testimony. Yet, by forming these 'associations', are we disobeying President Gordon B. Hinckley? That I ask to you...and I also invite Oxy_Mormon to explain his position in more detail. I figured this thread would work better than the chat room. Your thoughts and comments are welcome. Whatever you can contribute...is welcome, but on-topic. :)

i'm just gonna lay it down in this thread. I've never been to EFY. But Honor insists I make every effort to go. Didn't think i could go, being 18... lol Thus, I will. However, I am aiming for an Area Program EFY, because it's 300 dollars cheaper. The one i'm looking at is in Sandy, Utah, which I believe is just barely south of Salt Lake. 75 bucks, in all. presently, I'm in Kansas. however, at the beginning of June or maybe a little earlier, my family is having a reunion in Las Vegas. one of my older brothers will be driving down from Orem (he's about to move to Salt Lake). I believe I can hitch a ride back up with him to Utah, for EFY in Sandy no problem really. And i'm hoping to be able to fly back from Salt Lake, to Wichita Kansas, sometime afterwards...(i managed to look at some relatively not too expensive one way ticket from Salt Lake to Wichita, with one stop to change planes in Denver...like 190 dollars, about). However, one issue I've recognized could be a hindrance is being able to get to EFY and back to my bros house (with Area program EFY, the main difference is housing...the youth don't stay the night), basically. Any of you live in that area (Orem, Sandy, Salt Lake, etc...?)? I ask simply so I know who here lives nearby, and can talk to privately about maybe ya kno...saying hi sometime in person, among other things. Anyhow, just thought I'd put this out there and see what came of it. any thoughts or whatever else you could offer, would be great.

Well, first to Morningstar - it's a picture of Joseph Smith. rather, the young man who portrayed Joseph Smith in the Restoration video. and Mailis - it is my experience that one can find out if one is or isn't purely of one bloodline, through revelation. While it is true many today are adopted because of how scattered the tribes have been (mixed bloodlines, etc...), there are, I believe, some who are pure-blooded (so to speak), in their tribe. My Mom is of the tribe of Judah (my grandma was Jewish...). However my Dad is I believe of tribe X (as you put it. . I've never actually heard or asked what he was, but I assume so). However, I have gained for personal knowledge, that I am purely of the blood of the tribe of X. I take that with faith on His name that all that He does reveal, is true. :) What being 'pure-blooded' in regards to tribe means for oneself, I don't have much of an idea. Pray about it, would be my guess.

I could, but I don't see him very much at all. I've only seen him once in my life, that I can recall, and that was the day I got my Patriarchal blessing. I will ask him. maybe see if I can get his email from my bishop.

question, all, if i may. When I got my Patriarchal blessing (the typed copy from the Church in the mail) last March, the transcript had obvious words missing. Like it would just say, in a sentence, "Melchezidek _________" and the blank would say Priesthood, but it doesn't. the Patriarch didn't say it like that - he said Melchezidek Priesthood, but the typed copy left off priesthood (this is just an example...there are a few others like that, different words I believe). I'm thinking about typing mine into the computer, so I can shrink it and print it. When I do that, what should I do concerning very obvious words that are missing? could I get your thoughts on the matter? :)

Puhlease! I have the best collection of the most uplifting LDS music you'll EVER find on the internet, for free. All I need, to send you access to my collection, is an email address. 69 songs, from varying artists. I'm infamous with some members here (via the chatroom) about my music...ask girly, ruth, and some others.