DennisTate

Interesting poll. Why no option for a non-Christian leader to be most like Yeshua? Say, like the Dalai Lama? It shows that your default belief is Christianity, that's why. Non-Christian isn't even an option in your subconscious.
And WHY are you posting this obviously Christian poll in the Jewish section? Why would any genuinely Jewish person care who is more like Yeshua? Yeshua, if he actually existed, was an observant Jew, an itinerant preacher like many others of his time, and nothing more. 

I'm pro-Trump so I don't see Anne Romney the same way you do.  But yes, we agree, she's an exceptional woman.
That said...
Suicide, like poverty, can't be fixed by money.

@DennisTate I can only hope that these antisemites are spending at least part of their eternity cleaning floors with toothbrushes! 

Wow!!!!
I am so glad that I found this forum! AMEN!!!!!!
On this note..... I would like to apologize for buying into the idea that my old church..... was superior to yours!
Because we attempted to observe the weekly Jewish Sabbath, the annual Jewish Sabbaths, avoid pork and other meats.......
and had some pretty good ideas on hidden meaning in many Jewish Holy Day rituals........  we members of the Worldwide Church of God became very proud......
and convinced of our own superiority.  
Beginning especially around 1990 Messiah Yeshua - Jesus answered my prayers for correction....... and wisdom......
and He led me to see error, after error, after error in my own supposed understanding of scripture..... in my case near death experience accounts were used to
correct many of my total fowl ups on the meaning of much of the Jewish and Christian scriptures.  
Our sin of pride.... took us very, very, very close to...... (if not over the line of)...... "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" which the Scribes and Pharisees
were playing around with by accusing Messiah Yeshua - Jesus of doing miracles by the power of Baalzebub!
 

Nobody believes the Church is perfect.  God is, though, and through Christ we return to Him.  Period.

You can't blame the Church for the actions of the world, nor can you expect the Church to change to suit them.  That's what I see the issue is.  The Church hasn't changed, the world has.  Odd that everyone likes to blame the Church.
For generations, the Church has taught God's law and the path to salvation and happiness while the world has slowly slipped.  Now, the world points it's finger at the church and says it's OUR fault that kids feel bad and kill themselves.  No, I'm following Christ.  The world is telling the kids it's OK to sin.  No wonder they're confused and pained.  

I met a woman, elderly, who had been a child on a shipload of Jewish children who were refused by Canada around this time. Fortunately the US took them in. Shameful! 

There is something strange going on in Utah. The State finds itself on two different top-ten lists that you may have seen or heard about. According to the latest Gallup poll, Utah is one of the 10 happiest states in the country. This is a greatly reassuring statistic to hear if you happen to live in the Beehive State. However there is another top 10 list Utah places on that is a little more alarming — suicide (heatmap of US). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the specific demographic most at risk of suicide nationwide are teenagers. It is the 2nd leading cause of death for anyone between the ages of 10 and 20, the first being accidents. And according to a CDC investigation in Utah, there has been a "141.3% increase in suicides among Utah youth aged 10-17 from 2011 to 2015, compared to an increase of 23.5% nationally (UDOH)." This statistic is beyond alarming. When I look at these numbers, I am deeply disturbed. And I...
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Catholic-Protestant, LDS-Evangelical, Republican-Democrat -- all of these divides have been handled poorly. We generally suspect the other of carrying the greater guilt--or, to be even more childish--of 'starting it.' Civility will save our republic, and it might mend some broken bridges. For my part, all sincerely religious folk are God-seekers. If the Old Testament is correct, if the New Testament is correct, if the Book of Mormon is correct, and if the Quran is correct, then ALL sincere God-seekers will find Him--for He is not far away.
 
Come now...someone give me an 'amen!' 

500 years ago this Halloween, Martin Luther a Catholic monk (I forget which order, but I'm sure that information is readily available) went public with his concerns about the Roman Catholic Church, kicking off the Protestant Reformation. Some of my reflections:
1) God wants us to come to a unity of faith. The Reformation shows how difficult it can be. The Protestant Catholic schism is not the only division within Christianity, but it is arguably the most obvious.
2) I recall some sentiments expressed withing Mormonism regarding how the Reformation laid the groundwork for the LDS Restoration by making "heresy" no longer punishable by death. The Restoration could only survive in a society that could tolerate (even if only just barely) religious plurality.
3) While the worst of the "bad feelings" from the Reformation are mostly behind us, there are still some anti-Catholic sentiments out there. At the same time, I hear of anti-Protestant sentiments from the Catholic side of the aisle. It seems to me that the wounds from the Protestant Reformation are still healing. Some these "you're not Christian" arguments can strick pretty close to home as a Mormon, as many of the same accusations get leveled against us (and we are not entirely free from guilt for our own brand of "Mormon superiority").
Anyone else (LDS and non-LDS here) have any reflections on the Reformation?

If you study the history of China you will discover that China has always been a difficult trading partner - some believe this goes back many thousands of years.  BTW they invented paper currency for the specific purpose of trade.  China also attempted to drop the dollar as trading currency when the USA dropped the gold standard from it currency.  I am not sure if China buying oil without dollars will change much of anything since the USA markets remain the strongest in the world - by far and since under Trump the USA is quickly moving towards oil independence - Which BTW is the very reason that Trump is changing the world trading dynamic.  What you may want to ask - other than the questions you are asking is : why is anyone in the USA opposed to the Trump trade agenda?
 
The Traveler

Dennis Tate,
I have heard of multi universe worlds but it is not in my scope of interest at this time but the Biblical"mark of the beast " in relation to "already occurred well before the year r2018 does catch my attention.
What Sir, is your interpretation of "the mark of the beast" ?I would be interested in hearing it.
Ill check back in a day or so ,knowing your post is not active,for any replies.
Thanks

Is this a definite indication (sign of the times) that “things” just got “closer”?  The sun was just darkened (solar eclipse) – and a blood moon (third total lunar eclipse in succession) to take place on January 19th, 2019.    Is all this just a coincidence?  Any ideas what the stars falling from heaven might be?
 
The Traveler

A few years back I did some consulting work for the Federal Reserve Bank.  I am an expert in automation and robotics and have consulted with many companies and government institutions.  I know for a fact that there is no such currency as USA petro dollars.  If there was such a currency it would be tied directly to the global production of petro.  Also anyone with an IQ over room temperature knows that the Russian economy is far more dependent on the global price of petro than is the USA economy - which is much more complex.   If Putin was part of a scheme to bring down oil and natural gas prices - it would devalue Russia currency long before and many times more than US currency.  I really doubt Putin got to where he is now by being so palpably stupid.
There are many dreams (including the "Dream Mine") that have purported that some resource in Utah would save America and make the Mormons rich - and lot of idiots have believe it and lost their life saving (perhaps even their sanity - even their spirituality) with such schemes.   The Mormon view of economy, is and always has been, rooted in industry and work (not international schemes) - Industry the true meaning of Deseret and what the loyal Mormons wanted to name their state.  Smart Mormons have invested in their Prophet and not in dreams of the un-anointed.
 
The Traveler

... it was Awesomerrefic.  FINALLY. 
At the Joint Press Conference that ended just a few minutes ago, I noted several big important changes in the international air as it comes to the Middle East.  This air has not been breathed in before.  Ever.
1.)  The most important one is this Trump-style (i.e. Clunky.  Yes, I still wish Trump is even just half as eloquent as his children) - delivered principle:
When asked if the 2-state solution is not on the table anymore and if so, what solution are we working towards, Trump gave a very simple but very profound answer - The solution is that which both Israel and Palestine like.  I don't care what they come up with as long as they're both happy.  If they're both happy, I'm happy.
Why this is profound... in every single negotiation that has ever been made in the Israeli-Palestenian Peace Talks, the international community led by the USA/UK/UN has never expressed any level of trust that both Israel and Palestine has the ability to decide their own destinies.  Rather, it has always been that the international community treat them as squabbling children that the US/UN has to dictate to them the solution that they have to then agree on - neither of whom want.  The 2-state solution is just the latest one - neither Israel nor Palestine want it - the UN, led by the US are forcing it down their throats.  This time, the message is clear.  You are both adults, go figure out between yourselves how you can live in peace and we'll stand here just to make sure you don't kill each other in the process.
This, of course, is not new to the joint presser.  Trump laid out this Vision in his very first teleprompted speech which happened to be at the AIPAC during the primary season, before he even got to the general elections.
2.)  The warmth in the joint presser was palpable.  The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu is deeply rooted and personal.  There were moments of ribbing between the two (another thing I wish Trump would be a bit more professional on - he always got those humurous zingers bubbling to the surface that can make me cringe... like when he does it with Theresa May who is a very straight-laced noblewoman that was just not sure how to take the deadpan humor... but at least with Netanyahu, the personal relationship brings the humor out of Netanyahu too.).
Now, beneath the humor it was apparent that Trump and Netanyahu had important differences.  Trump was asked what he wants Israel to give on to facilitate a deal and he stated Israel could slow down those settlements.  Netanyahu said something about not wanting to do that.  Trump replied humurously about Netanyahu being a hard-nosed negotiator but that he'll get a deal.  And Netanyahu replied that he learned it from the Art of the Deal.  The exchange came off as very warm and humorous but there was a palpable stand-off there that you just know Trump is not giving in but neither is Netanyahu but it doesn't change the fact that they're willing to work together.  This is a very healthy relationship.
3.)  A drive-by-media reporter brought up the rise of antisemitism in the US after the election of Trump and tried to imply that Trump is fanning antisemitic sentiments in the US.  Trump didn't even get to answer this, Netanyahu jumped in to defend Trump.  He didn't defend the office of the President.  He defended Trump specifically in a very emphatic manner bringing the answer into a personal level that there is no greater friend to the Jews than President Donald Trump.
4.)  Netanyahu let a cat out of the bag about a new solution with a new series of negotiations that has been going on since Trump set foot in the White House.  Trump didn't know this was ready for public knowledge but he went ahead and provided a bit more detail but barely scratched the surface.  From what I understand Trump is spearheading negotiations not only with Israel and Palestine but with Israel, Palestine, and a host of other Arab and African Nations with the goal of bringing both Israel and Palestine opportunities for prosperity.  My understanding is, this vision of joint opportunity will make it easier for Israel and Palestine to come to the table and discuss solutions for peace.
 

It’s funny you should say that since it was just recently that I told my wife that if I was a woman I’d be a lesbian. 
I based that on the fact that if I was a woman I would not want to wear skirts, high heels, jewelry make up nor long hair or long fingernails. I’d be a very masculine woman. However that’s probably not a fair statement in regards to lesbians. 

The LDS view is that only heterosexual couples sealed in the temple will be exalted. I believe the husband and wife relationship is a necessary part of the creation of worlds. 
Practicing homosexual people will still inherit a kingdom of glory but by not obeying the commandment of entering the new and everlasting covenant of marriage with a member of the opposite sex they will forfeit the possibility of exaltation. 
Of course God loves everyone but His love isn’t going to exalt those who have not been obedient to His commandments. 

While the primary purpose of sex is reproduction, the primary use of sex is pleasure. I would say that practically speaking pleasure between husband and wife is the primary purpose of sex. I think it was intended to be that way. There’s only a relatively short period of time where reproduction is desirable or possible.  While my wife and I have used it to reproduce four times, we’ve used it for pleasure more than four thousand times. Those who think that sex is a necessary evil in order to reproduce are missing out on what I feel is primary usefulness of sex. 
I don’t think that will change for exalted couples. 
The primary purpose of sex being to produce posterity in this life and the next is why homosexual relations are against God’s plan for us. 
Someone has said that homosexual desires will be gone after this life. I asked many pages back how you would know this to be the case? It seems like a pretty complicated issue to me. To make a difinitive statement on this issue you would either have to be able to find it in scripture or be a prophet speaking while moved upon by the spirit. I haven’t been able to find either of these as of yet. 
The primary purpose of eating is to stay alive but I suspect most people eat because they enjoy food and crave it. 

2 Ne 10:2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/10.24 (BOM) 
2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
Do you have an interpretation of this? I have meet lds folk who believe that the children of the covenant will enter the highest kingdom although they knowingly sinned in life, once they repented off their sins. I wonder if this is the scripture on which they based this conclusion. What do you think? 
I was looking at the Ridges commentary and it references D&C 49:24 4 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
The ridges comment suggests that BOM scripture has the commentator looking forward to Laminite descendants becoming converts to the lds faith.
What do you think of this ‘coat tails’ argument that children of the covenant will be given a 2nd chance to repent of sins that they knowingly committed? 

This is always such a strange topic for me to talk about, but there seems to be carrying opinions on the topic.
I recently purchased a “discourses of Brigham Young” book. While traveling home I was browsing through it and every single sentence seems to be packed with some profound binof doctrine. At one point he was talking about how miraculous healings in Christ’s time we’re just as common as they are today. That Christ did not heal every person he came across.
Now here is the discussion I have a hard time with. Many people claim that we can’t take all of Brigham Young’s words as divine, that often times he was not speak as a prophet, but as a man. 
What has officially been said about Brigham Young and the nature of prophets that may assist in this question? I’m not so much interested in opinions but rather statements made by prophets or apostles dealing with the topic.

Thank-you, Sir.
Agree!  i guess that's the rub, right?  Everyone trying to figure out whether the good or bad labels they've assigned to something are accurate or not.  Task enough to fill a lifetime, and maybe longer.

Whenever the church has interactions with the LGBTQ+ community, it stirs a series of thoughts and questions.
What is the ultimate vision? Obviously it is rooted in charity and acceptance but not quite reaching into adoption of standards. Do we see some day in the future where homosexual couples are freely marrying each other outside of the church yet attending church faithfully? Even holding “minor” callings like a Sunday school teacher? 
Will the LGBTQ community ever stop seeing the church as a religion of bigotry if We never change our view of marriage, but still put as much efforts into strengthening our ties with them?
Does anyone believe that one day the church will allow homosexuals to receive temple recommends?? I definitely don’t.

May I present to you... the LDS media on audio including all the standard works ... https://www.lds.org/media-library/accessing-media-audiobooks?lang=eng

Your wife is a very special woman.

I more-less explained this to her, but she didn't want to hear that!

Recently, I was having a conversation with an investigator and at one point, she made a very interesting observation. 
In the scriptures when describing humanity as a whole, the Lord uses “and the children of MEN”, or, “if MEN humble themselves...” . 
She felt that it demotes womenhood to be less than that of men and that God would never place such restrictions on women.
I made the attempt to express that in any language, the general way to describe humanity as a whole, it was by using the word “MEN” and that in noway it’s used to demean women. She wasn’t sastified with that answer. 
So, two questions:
1.- How could you explain and provide a suitable answer to explain this to people such as this lady?
2.- Is feminism going to destroy humanity to the point of abolishing anything and everything related masculinity?