SilentOne

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  1. Like
    SilentOne reacted to zil2 in LDS Church's New Managing Director for Church Communication   
    Lots of things I could say.  The one that seems best is: I trust the Lord Jesus Christ.  He leads the Church.  This is outside my stewardship, so I will trust the Lord to deal with it properly in his own due time.
  2. Like
    SilentOne reacted to The Folk Prophet in Female angels?   
    I don't believe this is the case for mortality. Obviously it's the case for the eternities.
    Anyone who thinks they can see things as clearly as God in mortality is gonna get themselves in pretty big trouble pretty quickly.
    We are meant to live by faith. We are meant to trust. We are meant to obey.
    We are granted understanding and insight in small portions to help us with that, sure.
    But the condition set forth for our exaltation is not understanding. It is faith and obedience. As far as understanding helps us with faith and obedience it's a good thing. But even the dumbest person alive has the same opportunities for salvation as the most brilliant.
    I think setting up understanding as key to anything gets people into trouble pretty quickly. Obviously writing off understanding as meaningless would be wrong too. But it's so often the case that people set up understanding, knowledge, logic, and intelligence as the bases for their gospel journey.
    I generally agree, but...
    I'm not sure I can even accept that if someone became perfect in this life that they would/could then develop a perfect understanding of the eternities. But even accepting that as right...it's a non-starter because we can't be and won't be perfect in this life. God knew that. He set it up that way. He provided the Savior for us because he knew that.
    I guess I agree with you "theoretically". It's just practically speaking...that's not the plan of salvation as I understand it. The plan was that we're going to fail and fail and fail and will we or will we not accept the Savior's atonement by way of obedience, repentance and faith. And as much as we improve in our understanding through faith, we're still going to be pretty blind overall and dependent on faith and obedience.
    I mean I have no doubt that President Nelson understands the Priesthood better than me. I also have no doubt that there's a lot about the Priesthood that President Nelson doesn't understand and that he'd be the first to admit it.
    I accept this is a part of it. I know it is in the case with parables, because Christ said as much. But I don't think it's the entirety of it. I think it's multifaceted.
    Of course it also still fits quite nicely into the idea that God wants things blurry. It only adds a "why" (among what I assume are many whys).
    But I guess what I'm really trying to get across is that we ought to be comfortable with the fact that there are going to be an awful lot of things that we may never understand in this life, and that failure to understand them shouldn't really throw us.
  3. Okay
    SilentOne reacted to zil2 in Female angels?   
    I think it's more a case of, God would like for things to be as clear for man as they are for him, but before we are ready for that clarity, it would destroy us.  So to prepare us to receive the clarity, he gives us parables and "blurry" versions ("through a glass, darkly") and as we choose to be led into the light, we see more and more clearly.  Etc.
    (So, not so much that God wants things blurry as that in his mercy, he leaves things blurry, lest we be destroyed by the clarity.)
  4. Like
    SilentOne reacted to The Folk Prophet in Female angels?   
    Why can't blurriness be a part of order?
    Clearly God wants things blurry for us. That's the entire point of the veil. That's the entire idea behind living by faith. That's the whole concept behind the "mysteries of God". That's the very reason Jesus explained why he spoke in parables. Etc., etc., etc.
    Obviously it's lack of understanding. That's synonymous with "blurry". But it seems pretty clear to me that man's lack of understanding in mortality is God's intent and part of His plan. Or, in other words, it seems clear that God wants things to be blurry for mankind.
  5. Okay
    SilentOne reacted to Grunt in Female angels?   
    Yeah.  I can't see God wanting something to be blurry, but I can see us just not being able to comprehend it in this state.   Like eternity.  I understand it, but I can't comprehend it.
  6. Like
    SilentOne reacted to Vort in Female angels?   
    By definition, angels are messengers from God. Angelic visitations recorded in scripture are almost always to prophets and devout believers (with Paul, Alma, and the sons of Mosiah standing out as stark exceptions). These visitations seem to me to have the quality of a Priesthood assignment, which might therefore be considered a Priesthood responsibility. This would explain why the angels we read of in these visitations are male.
  7. Like
    SilentOne reacted to The Folk Prophet in Female angels?   
    I think that is the case sometimes.
    I am confident that we as mortals, even in the church, only have a very small taste of understanding of the priesthood and what it actually means.
  8. Haha
    SilentOne reacted to mordorbund in Merry Christmas (and turkey stuffing)   
    Probably should have read this thread before serving my charcuterie.

  9. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Easter thoughts?   
    How lambs/chicks/bunnies/whatever else got associated with Easter
    History of Handel's Messiah
  10. Haha
    SilentOne got a reaction from Jamie123 in Merry Christmas (and turkey stuffing)   
    I feel like I've always known about the dangers of turkey-stuffing. Huh.
    President Bartlet on The West Wing also doubted when he first heard of the risk.
  11. Okay
    SilentOne reacted to zil2 in Christmas   
    Hmm.  Sounds like a sphere.
     
    Some interesting factoids:
    1. Per Leviticus 12, they would have gone to Jerusalem after 41 days (8 + 33).  So, if we assume they stayed in Bethlehem for those 41 days and then went to Jerusalem as required, the events of Luke 2 happened around that time, including going to Nazareth.
    2. It may or may not be meaningful that they went to Jerusalem every year at Passover.  (Note that Bethlehem is very close to Jerusalem (about 2 hours away by foot), and lots of people go to "Jerusalem" at Passover - and perhaps spill out into surrounding towns.)
    3. In Matthew 2, Herod kills all children 2 years of age and younger.  You've explained the math here, but it's still a wide range of time - meaning, the visit from the wise men doesn't have to have happened in those 41 days.  Indeed, depending on where "in the east" is (some speculate Babylon), it likely took them more than 41 days just to make their journey.
    Verse 1 can be referring to initiating events more than precise times - after all, the star appeared at the birth of Christ, not before, so the wise men couldn't be there "when Jesus was born in Bethlehem" - it would have to be considerably after.  At the very least, they've found a "house" (Matthew 2:11) - not in the manger any more...
    4. Herod's experts tell the wise men that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem, and Herod sent them there, saying (emphasis mine): "Go and search diligently for the young child..."  OK, sure, maybe that meant infant, or maybe not.
    5. Now let us look at exactly what verses 9 and 10 say, without assuming what they say:
    They left the king And oh, hey, look, the star!  Let's follow it. The star stopped when it "came and stood over where the young child was" - again young child.  (Moving star - did you know about the Chinese record of the comet (or meteor, or something, I forget now) from this time?) They rejoiced when they saw the star Maybe, just maybe, instead of going to Bethlehem (2 hours of following the star?), they followed the star for a week until it came to Nazareth - or when night fell, they saw the star and it wasn't over Bethlehem, so they picked up and headed north...
    6. They were warned not to return to Jerusalem (hard to do if they're in Bethlehem, but easy if they're in Nazareth).
    7. Now, before you say, but why send Joseph to Egypt if they're in Nazareth and Herod is going to kill all the children in Bethlehem?  Surely Herod wasn't a complete idiot.  Joseph was there for a census.  It's likely that census would have noted he was there with wife and newborn son.
    v13: "Herod will seek the young child to destroy him" - maybe Herod searched the census records.  That v16 doesn't mention it doesn't mean it didn't happen that way.   I mean, dude had to know about the census, right?
    Anywho, point is that the events can easily fit together without contradiction - the accounts are sufficiently vague that almost anything could be true.
  12. Okay
    SilentOne reacted to zil2 in Merry Christmas (and turkey stuffing)   
    I think we'd do well to call it the dangers of under-cooking food.  Everyone ought to already know that.
  13. Haha
    SilentOne got a reaction from rcthompson88 in Merry Christmas (and turkey stuffing)   
    I feel like I've always known about the dangers of turkey-stuffing. Huh.
    President Bartlet on The West Wing also doubted when he first heard of the risk.
  14. Haha
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Merry Christmas (and turkey stuffing)   
    I feel like I've always known about the dangers of turkey-stuffing. Huh.
    President Bartlet on The West Wing also doubted when he first heard of the risk.
  15. Love
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
    - Psalm 32:11
    We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
    - The Living Christ
  16. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    - John 3:16
    I testify that Jesus Christ, whose birth and mission we honor and celebrate, is the light of the world, our Savior and Redeemer, our hope, our anchor, and the author of our salvation. There is such great joy in that knowledge. May we all feel the Savior’s love in abundance this Christmas season, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
    - Bonnie L. Oscarson, Christmas Is Christlike Love
  17. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh. Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
    - Doctrine and Covenants 35:26-27
    Before that sacred night in Bethlehem, the events of history and the words of the prophets of all dispensations prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord and His Atonement. Similarly, history and prophecy laid the groundwork for the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Do we have eyes to see that the events and prophecies of our time are preparing us for the Savior’s Second Coming?
    I bear special witness that our Savior Jesus Christ lives. I testify that His hand has been over the work of the Restoration from before the foundation of this world and will continue until His Second Coming.
    That each of us will prepare ourselves to greet Him is my humble prayer. In His holy name, even Jesus Christ, amen.
    - Robert D. Hales, Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: “My Hand Shall Be over Thee”
  18. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    @zil2  The matching melody is used at about 2:23 in the video I posted
  19. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
    - Galatians 4:4-5
    Brothers and sisters, join with me and behold your God! Behold your God, born as a little child in Bethlehem and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Behold your God, born in poverty and simplicity that He might walk among common people as a common man. Behold your God, even the infinite and eternal Redeemer, the Messiah, veiled in flesh and come to live upon the very earth that He created.
    - Bruce D. Porter, A Child is Born
  20. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from JohnsonJones in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead, and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father
    - Luke 3:7 JST
    We can all find ourselves in places of darkness from time to time. We may wander into dark, spiritual caverns when we make foolish choices, admit harmful influences into our lives, or turn away from the light of the gospel to embrace the world just a little longer. It may seem harmless at first—just a little exploring, that’s all. Before we know it, we become separated from the light and left in darkness alone. Why do we remain in darkness when such rescuing light awaits us? Let us bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home.
     - Virginia U. Jensen, Lead, Kindly Light
  21. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from JohnsonJones in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    For behold, and lo, he shall come, as it is written in the book of the prophets, to take away the sins of the world, and to bring salvation unto the heathen nations, to gather together those who are lost, who are of the sheepfold of Israel; Yea, even the dispersed and afflicted; and also to prepare the way, and make possible the preaching of the gospel unto the Gentiles;
    - Luke 3:5-6 JST
    The Pearl of Great Price teaches that Moses was shown all the inhabitants of the earth, which were “numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.” If Moses beheld every soul, then it seems reasonable that the Creator of the universe has the power to become intimately acquainted with each of us. He learned about your weaknesses and mine. He experienced your pains and sufferings. He experienced mine. I testify that He knows us. He understands the way in which we deal with temptations. He knows our weaknesses. But more than that, more than just knowing us, He knows how to help us if we come to Him in faith.
    - Merrill J. Bateman, A Pattern for All
  22. Haha
    SilentOne reacted to JohnsonJones in Newest Apostle   
    Does that mean you are currently sleeping?
    It's already in the afternoon where I'm at.  What time do you normally wake up at?
     
    (The above is a JOKE...please accept it as that and nothing more).
  23. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from LDSGator in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead, and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father
    - Luke 3:7 JST
    We can all find ourselves in places of darkness from time to time. We may wander into dark, spiritual caverns when we make foolish choices, admit harmful influences into our lives, or turn away from the light of the gospel to embrace the world just a little longer. It may seem harmless at first—just a little exploring, that’s all. Before we know it, we become separated from the light and left in darkness alone. Why do we remain in darkness when such rescuing light awaits us? Let us bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home.
     - Virginia U. Jensen, Lead, Kindly Light
  24. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from zil2 in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead, and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father
    - Luke 3:7 JST
    We can all find ourselves in places of darkness from time to time. We may wander into dark, spiritual caverns when we make foolish choices, admit harmful influences into our lives, or turn away from the light of the gospel to embrace the world just a little longer. It may seem harmless at first—just a little exploring, that’s all. Before we know it, we become separated from the light and left in darkness alone. Why do we remain in darkness when such rescuing light awaits us? Let us bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home.
     - Virginia U. Jensen, Lead, Kindly Light
  25. Like
    SilentOne got a reaction from Carborendum in Christmastime Music/Spiritual Thoughts 2023   
    And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead, and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father
    - Luke 3:7 JST
    We can all find ourselves in places of darkness from time to time. We may wander into dark, spiritual caverns when we make foolish choices, admit harmful influences into our lives, or turn away from the light of the gospel to embrace the world just a little longer. It may seem harmless at first—just a little exploring, that’s all. Before we know it, we become separated from the light and left in darkness alone. Why do we remain in darkness when such rescuing light awaits us? Let us bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home.
     - Virginia U. Jensen, Lead, Kindly Light