SilentOne

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  1. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Movie/show thread! What are you watching?   
    I've been streaming the '90s tv series Sliders on the Roku channel.
  2. Haha
    SilentOne reacted to Jamie123 in Identifying insects of the order coleoptera   
    This system will allow you to classify each specimen into its correct genus and species.
    1. If it looks like Paul McCartney then it's Paul McCartney.
    2. If it has small round tinted glasses and you can imagine it standing next to a Japanese woman with long dark hair, and it looks like John Lennon then it's John Lennon.
    3. If its playing the drums then the chances are it's Ringo.
    4. If it doesn't fit any of the above categories then you can safely label it George Harrison.
    Another minute wasted with Jamie123! 😝
  3. Like
    SilentOne reacted to NeuroTypical in The Godhead in Christ's life   
    Since He's one of 'em, it would be sort of hard for Him to be there without Him present...
  4. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Vort in The Godhead in Christ's life   
    By definition, I venture the answer is "no".
  5. Like
    SilentOne reacted to zil2 in Personal Prayer: Aloud or Silent?   
    This question was definitively answered in the April 2024 General Conference by Elder Holland and Elder Dushku. 
  6. Like
    SilentOne reacted to askandanswer in Question concerning “Continuing Revelation”   
    From a talk that I know some people here highly appreciate
    https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ezra-taft-benson/fourteen-fundamentals-following-prophet/
     
    Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
    Sometimes there are those who haggle over words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obligated to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet Joseph, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you” (D&C 21:4; italics added).
    And speaking of taking counsel from the prophet, in D&C 108:1, the Lord states: “Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed” (italics added).
    Said Brigham Young, “I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call scripture” (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot], 13:95).
  7. Like
    SilentOne reacted to mikbone in Question concerning “Continuing Revelation”   
    There are some General Conference talks that are obviously inspired.
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1977/04/our-great-potential?lang=eng
    D&C 1:38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
    Joseph Smith routinely gave us revelations in the voice of the Lord.  Ezra Taft Benson’s talk about pride is in his own voice.
    The question is, do we appreciate those messages equally?
     
     
  8. Love
    SilentOne reacted to mordorbund in Question concerning “Continuing Revelation”   
    If they aren't canonized then how would you know if Joseph, Brigham, or Russell received one? The point was that Joseph received "thus saith the Lord" revelations and they were never presented to the Church for a sustaining vote. If Joseph Smith were alive today you would have the same concern.
    I'll state again that I think it's worth checking our assumptions about what constitutes "revelation" versus "inspiration". I think the fact that Joseph's revelations needed editing before publication shows that there's a level of wiggle room even for "thus saith the Lord" revelations. And baptisms for the dead seemed to progress as they were practiced. I don't think revelation is as strong as you think it is, nor inspiration as weak as you think it is.
    No, I'm suggesting that just because we do not have the text of a revelation that does not mean that the revelation did not happen. The testimony of the apostles present make it clear that the lifting of the temple and priesthood ban came about because of revelation. The canonized record is the conclusion of such a meeting and not the revelation itself. That does not discount that a revelation was had. I do believe, and am suggesting that properly run council meetings become conduits of revelation and meeting minutes should reflect that. Joseph seemed to think the Lord sustained the high council's decisions enough to warrant including them in the Doctrine and Covenants. And although the practice of baptisms for the dead are mentioned in a revelation, the proper execution of the ordinance is explained in epistles -- not textual revelations. If Joseph Smith were alive today you would have the same concern.
    On the contrary, I believe there have been. I don't think they've warranted canonizing in the Doctrine and Covenants. I've seen saints stare in confusion when they read D&C 16 after reading D&C 15. What percentage of the D&C should we devote to the thousands of mission calls extended every year? Should we plan on adding a fresh revelation every time the First Presidency is reorganized? You'll notice the Doctrine and Covenants starts out with many revelations giving specific assignments to specific individuals, but once the assignment has been outlined the assignment revelations fade out. If Joseph Smith were alive today you would have the same concern.
    I think that's debatable.
    Let me see if I can make my point clearer. President Nelson, in his inaugural talk as prophet, says
    The word of the Lord came unto me and said, My servant Russell, I have heard thy petitions and thou hast found favor in my sight this day. Inasmuch as you have sought my will concerning who should serve as your counsellors, verily I say unto thee that thou shalt appoint from thy fellow-servants Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring; This is my word and will for the First Presidency. And now, as for thy concern over who shall sit among thy brethren the apostles, thus saith the Lord, Gerrit W. Gong and Ulisses S. Soares have I called for this work; And they shall serve as special witnesses to my name and testify of me. I will be with them and with thee in thy councils with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. If ye will gather in my name, esteeming thy brother as thyself, then I will pour my power upon thee that thou shalt speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.
    President Nelson would either have to speak like this his entire talk, or find a way to smoothly transition to it. This style seems to have fallen out of the common tongue early in the 20th century. Instead he said the following:
    I testify that the Lord instructed me to select President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring to serve as my counselors in the First Presidency.
    In like manner, I testify that the Lord inspired the call of Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares to be ordained as His Apostles. I and we welcome them to this unique brotherhood of service.
    When we convene as a Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, our meeting rooms become rooms of revelation. The Spirit is palpably present. As we wrestle with complex matters, a thrilling process unfolds as each Apostle freely expresses his thoughts and point of view. Though we may differ in our initial perspectives, the love we feel for each other is constant. Our unity helps us to discern the Lord’s will for His Church.
    In our meetings, the majority never rules! We listen prayerfully to one another and talk with each other until we are united. Then when we have reached complete accord, the unifying influence of the Holy Ghost is spine-tingling! We experience what the Prophet Joseph Smith knew when he taught, “By union of feeling we obtain power with God.” No member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve would ever leave decisions for the Lord’s Church to his own best judgment!
    President Nelson quoted the Lord directly using more modern language and you missed it. "[T]he Lord instructed me to ...." I wonder if there's something specific you're looking for that's blinding you to what's already in front of you.
  9. Like
    SilentOne reacted to mordorbund in Question concerning “Continuing Revelation”   
    AskGramps posted some thoughts on this subject. In summary:
    1. Not all of Joseph Smith's revelations were canonized (either narrowly-scoped, redundant, or the revelation simply wasn't recorded) and many of today's revelations are of the same sort
    2. You seem to draw a distinction between "thus saith the Lord" revelation and "inspiration". When Elijah (representative of "the Prophets") receives revelation as "a still small voice", I think it's worth checking our assumptions about what constitutes "revelation" versus "inspiration".
    3. Even meeting minutes are records of revelatory experience. One example has even been canonized.
    4. Elder Widtsoe classified latter-day revelation as "foundation" - doctrines and Church offices that need to be revealed only once -- and "daily guidance" which has the narrower scope -- given for a specific circumstance, time, or person.
    Gramps concludes that if Joseph Smith were alive today you would likely find yourself asking the same question of him.
    I would add that given the decline of biblical literacy in recent history, modern revelations are not going to be couched in King James formatting. Instead of "thus saith the Lord" we may instead hear something more like:
     
  10. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Traveler in Eclipse   
    The wife and I went to visit our daughter and family in Indianapolis to experience the eclipse.  The last bit of it may still be going on but the totality is over.  It has been worth the trip.  My iPhone camera did not work well at all.  As long as just one point of the sun was exposed the amount of light was amazing and is most likely why iPhone camera will not work.  Totality is a little creepy.
    I am impressed that in the search for extraterrestrial life there has not been another planet located with a moon large enough and in the right place  so that anyone can experience an eclipse anywhere except on this earth.   So I got to experience something quite rare in this universe.
     
    The Traveler
  11. Haha
    SilentOne reacted to Jamie123 in Tasteless and offensive joke that no decent human being would ever laugh at   
    What do you call a woman who throws all her bills onto the fire?
    Bernadette
  12. Like
    SilentOne reacted to CV75 in Question concerning “Continuing Revelation”   
    That makes it sound weird, so apologies, let me rephrase: I am suggesting that "Thus saith the Lord..." needn't preface every communicated or published revelation a) when the flow of revelation is constant, as it is with the brethren directing the countless everyday tasks and projects currently underway, and b) the members are spiritually mature enough to not require this to focus their attention and understanding. Both come from the proliferation of endowed priesthood power among the members and brethren.
    Perhaps a social backdrop to this, in the USA anyway, is that the common religious language has changed from the 19th century, probably due to secularization of the  language overall, and the practical expediency for religious speakers (to combat resistance and alienation by potential converts) to frame their communication to the modern hearer. Those with ears to hear will hear as they always have (the saints will recognize the Lord's voice nevertheless).
  13. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Resurrect Your Life!   
    I will be going to the temple more often
  14. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Emmanuel Goldstein in President Holland: A Breather of Holy Fire   
    "I bear witness that when Christ comes, He needs to recognize us—not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples. This is an urgent matter for all of us, lest we ever hear with devastating regret: “I never knew you,” or, as Joseph Smith translated that phrase, “[You] never knew me.” Fortunately, we have help for this task—lots of help. We need to believe in angels and miracles and the promises of the holy priesthood. We need to believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the influence of good families and friends, and the power of the pure love of Christ. We need to believe in revelation and prophets, seers, and revelators and President Russell M. Nelson. We need to believe that with prayer and pleading and personal righteousness, we really can ascend to “Mount Zion, … the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.”
    Brothers and sisters, as we repent of our sins and come boldly to the “throne of grace,” leaving before Him there our alms and our heartfelt supplications, we will find mercy and compassion and forgiveness at the benevolent hands of our Eternal Father and His obedient, perfectly pure Son. Then, with Job and all the refined faithful, we will behold a world “too wonderful” to understand. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." -President Jeffery R. Holland, April 2024 General Conference.
     
  15. Like
    SilentOne reacted to LDSGator in Is this a photo of Joseph Smith?   
    I’m not sure anyone is worried about it. It’s more interesting than worrisome. 
  16. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Just_A_Guy in Why is this not in the Inspired Version of the Bible?   
    I don’t think Joseph Smith ever really saw any of his revelations as being truly “done”; he continued to tinker with their text throughout his life—even the text of revelations that had already been published.
    Brigham Young, at a Council of Fifty meeting,
    ”. . . supposed that there has not yet been a perfect revelation given, because we cannot understand it, yet we receive a little here and a little there.  He should not be stumbled if the prophet should translate the Bible forty thousand times over and yet it should be different in some places every time, because when God [speaks], he always speaks according to the capacity of the people.”
    The point of canon is not to encapsulate all truth.  The point of canon is to get us each in harmony with the mind and will of God and bring us to a spiritual state where we can learn all truth directly from the source.  The current canon—while certainly not perfect—at least does accomplish that.  This isn’t to say we should resist additions to the canon that the Lord, through His servants, offers us from time to time.  But not do we need to live in terror that the existing corpus of scripture is somehow insufficient for God’s purposes.
  17. Like
    SilentOne reacted to ZealoulyStriving in Resurrect Your Life!   
    April 2018:
    "...in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." 
    Today he said that we can receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Temple.
  18. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from ZealoulyStriving in Resurrect Your Life!   
    I also noticed a big Think Celestial theme. When the text from all the talks is on the church website, I want to do a search to see just how many times the phrase was used.
  19. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from Vort in Resurrect Your Life!   
    I will be going to the temple more often
  20. Love
    SilentOne reacted to Vort in No in-betweeners?   
    Indeed, including statements from our leaders during the last fifty or so years that unanimously affirm that this life is the time to prepare to meet God, We have been warned against the philosophy of "eat, drink, and be merry...and it shall be well with us; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." Jacob goes on to call these "false and vain and foolish doctrines".
    Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance. Don't say, "Oh, celestial is too hard. I'll just live a telestial/terrestrial life. That's good enough, because eventually I'll get there." The truth of the matter is that celestial living is not merely far more rewarding than terrestrial/telestial living; it is EASIER. Show some faith. Believe the prophets and the scriptures. Think celestial.
  21. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Vort in No in-betweeners?   
    I very explicitly disbelieve this. We have been told almost nothing about the lower kingdoms or what covenants are required to enter therein. This is because God wants us to be celestial. Our current prophet and senior apostle has clearly stated that we are to "think celestial". We are not to resign ourselves to a lesser kingdom or start planning for our more modest mansion in the terrestrial regions. The Lord Himself, both during mortality and in His eternal nature, has told us that eternal life—which is to say, exaltation—is the greatest of God's gifts, and that He wants to bestow that gift upon each of His children, and will do so to all who will receive that greatest of gifts.
    No, we do not need a better understanding of a lesser place. We need a better understanding of the celestial realms and, more importantly, a better understanding of what we must know, do, and be in order to gain that exaltation.
  22. Love
    SilentOne got a reaction from ZealoulyStriving in Resurrect Your Life!   
    I will be going to the temple more often
  23. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Temples for April 2024?   
    Here is a list of places with no temples built, in progress, or announced. Most new temples lately have been in places that already have at least one in the relevant state/country, but I think I usually have to cross one or two off the list per conference. So something to consider.
    North American States/Provinces/Territories
    New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Yukon
    Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Northern Mariana Islands, Rhode Island, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin
    Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Nayarit, Tlaxcala, Zacatecas
    Africa
    Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia
    Asia/Middle East
    Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
    Europe
    Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Vatican City
    Also Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
    Central America/Caribbean
    Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
    Oceania
    Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu
    South America
    Guyana, Suriname
    Also French Guiana and the Falklands
    Utah Counties
    Beaver, Carbon, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Sevier, Summit, Wasatch, Wayne
  24. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Temples for April 2024?   
    Tirana, Albania
    Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
    Uruguaina, Brazil
    Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
    Bordeaux, France
    Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
    Kingston, Jamaica
    Majuro, Marshall Islands
    Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
    Abuja, Nigeria
    East London, South Africa
    Port of Spain, Trinidad
    Kampala, Uganda
    Mobile, Alabama, USA
    Price, Utah, USA
    Everett, Washington, USA
    Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
    Maracaibo, Venezuela
  25. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Traveler in Temples for April 2024?   
    I will predict at least two in places I did not know there was even a ward there and one in a place I did not know even existed.
    In my youth I could name all the temples – but back then there were only 12 and the year I graduated from high school they dedicated the 13th.   I set a goal to visit al the temples.  Currently I can’t even tell you all the temples in Utah.  I am starting to take all the temples for granted.  The wife and went to our assigned temple forgetting that it was closed for a week of deep cleaning.  So we just went to another temple.  We ended up finding out there 4 temples were closed for something before we found one (all within less than an hour drive of our home) was open.  Now days that problem is solved because we make appointments.   At the most recent Roots Tec I learned that on the Family Tree app I can find the name(s) of the closest relation to take to the temple.
    I am guessing that we will be told that the Kirtland temple will soon be restored and rededicated.  I would like to be there for that.
     
    The Traveler