GaleG

I suppose you are speaking about the people who would collectively come under the designation of Nephites (the believers) instead of the Lamanites (the unbelievers). How small of a land area were the covenant people given that there was a concern of there not being enough space for their inheritance when the many nations learned of its location? Thank you, Gale

2 Nephi 1:8 says "And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance". Was the actual size of the land a contributing factor to a lack of knowledge of where this land was that required God's (?) wisdom to keep it secret to prevent it from being overrun to the point where there wouldn't be enough space for an inheritance? Thank you, Gale

Is this how Heavenly Father (when he was a man) became the God of Earth? Gale

How do make a connection with the robe (the only thing he was wearing) with a temple garment? Gale

Will the church use these records of same-sex families and same-sex adoptions in future proxy baptisms? Thank you, Gale

What do you believe is the mark Cain received from God? Would you show me one scripture where a person other than Cain received a mark for committing a secret murder or combination? Thank you, Gale

Did Cain's wife and their children get a mark placed on them for protection? The curse upon Cain is pronounced in Genesis 4:12. "When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth". If this curse passed unto other peoples, what people groups inherited this curse? Thank you, Gale

Moses 5:40 says "And I the Lord said unto him: Whosoever slayeth thee, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And I the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him". A blessing of protection is inferred in that verse. But the word mark is linked back to Alma 3:7 - "And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women" What do you infer by the story in Alma? Is the mark on Cain a curse or a blessing of protection? Thank you, Gale

Maybe as Jane_Doe already replied. Gale

Thank you Anddenex. I found something similar echoed at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1973/09/q-and-a-questions-and-answers/why-did-the-lord-command-adam-and-eve-to-multiply-in-the-garden-of-eden-when-they-could-not-have-children-before-the-fall?lang=eng and https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-seminary-teacher-manual/lessons-1-5/lesson-2-the-plan-of-salvation?lang=eng Gale

I would say they had ability to procreate before the Fall but then their sense of mortality caused an immediate need to have children since they did not know when they would physically die (as God told them they would die but did not indicate a time frame). Here is a hypothetical - assuming the Book of Mormon and Pearl is not correct on this aspect of procreation, would you speculate on why they did not have children before the Fall? I agree they were in a state of innocence but I believe that God created them in adult form and he did not teach them how to speak, walk, eat, or do anything else they did in the Garden. I believe all this knowledge and ability was in them already as part of their creation. We are not provided any scripture that says they had or did not have sexual activity before the Fall. Were they holding hands? Maybe/maybe not. Were they kissing? Maybe/ maybe not. Does sexual intercourse always produce a child? Don't think so. That's a tough one to answer. I have always wondered if having the knowledge of good and evil means having a knowledge of being naked or having knowledge of how to have a baby. But like God gave the animals instinct, I believe he created them with some inbuilt knowledge - otherwise they would not understand anything he was asking/telling them to do. Adam was placed in the garden to tend it (Genesis 2:15. Apparently he already had this knowledge. They did not know evil before Fall. What is your definition of good when there is no evil? If know that part, I may be able to elaborate with a better opinion. Thank you, Gale

Both versions are available. Gale

1] There is none recorded. I also couldn't find any scripture indicating that they lacked ability or knowledge to procreate before the Fall. 2] I would say that when God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, he instilled in them the ability and knowledge. Same for the animals. I don't believe eating from the forbidden tree gave them the knowledge of good and evil and sexuality. Thank you, Gale

If I adhered to the 1997 Gospel Principles, it would look like this to me: 1] no shopping 2] no hunting or fishing 3] no attending sport events 4] no participating in similar activities on that day Gale

What characteristic allows an immortal Heavenly Father and Mother to have children but prevents an immortal Adam and Eve (in the Garden before the Fall) to do so? What is the curse of Adam mentioned in Moroni 8:8? Thank you, Gale

Are those outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still viewed as belonging to the church of the devil (1 Nephi 14:10)? If no, is there a video for that apology? Thank you, Gale

Hi Anddenex, I hope you don't view my line of questioning as me being insincere. The references to the Book of Mormon in my previous post indicated some events which are said to have happened to Lehi and his family. I saw the Book of Mormon video where Lehi is commanded to leave Jerusalem. It seems to me to depict a people living at ease given the events recorded before Zedekiah assumes the throne (2 Kings 24:8-18). I'm trying to view this from a historical perspective of the time before Zedekiah becomes king. (while Lehi is still in Jerusalem living with all his wealth). 8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. 10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it. 12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. 13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said. 14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. 15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. 17 And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. 18 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah Thank you Gale

Thank you. Based on how it's worded, I would agree. When I read that part of the Book of Mormon, I see some highlights about how life was like for Lehi/Ishmael and his family just before they departed. - The introduction notes of 1 Nephi 1 says "The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem, because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy his life". 1 Nephi 1:20 and 1 Nephi 2:1 mention this. - 1 Nephi 2 – Lehi leaves Jerusalem in the first year of Zedekiah’s reign (introductory notes to 3 Nephi 1). - 1 Nephi 3 – Nephi and his brothers return to Jerusalem to get their gold, silver, and other precious items in order to barter for brass plates from Laban. They are denied the plates, their treasures are confiscated and they flee out of Jerusalem and back into the wilderness. - 1 Nephi 4 – They return again to Jerusalem and are successful in retrieving the plates after Laban is killed. They leave Jerusalem in haste for fear of being captured by Laban's servants. - 1 Nephi 7 – They return to Jerusalem again and get Ishmael and his household. In 1 Nephi 7:6, some of Ishmael's household, together with some of Nephi's brothers, rebel and wish to return to the land of Jerusalem. 1 Nephi 16:36 mentions that the daughters of Ishmael wanted to return to Jerusalem. - 1 Nephi 17:21 – One of Lehi’s sons says they would have been happier and enjoyed their possessions if they had only remained in Jerusalem. From the looks of it, their life and activity didn't seem to be impacted by the Babylonian invasion and military presence in and around Jerusalem. Gale

The manual on page 92 (see attached) seems to supplement the teaching that the destruction of Jerusalem occured immediately after Lehi left; as it references 2 Nephi 25:10 - Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my father left Jerusalem; nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried away captive into Babylon. The introductory notes for 3 Nephi 1 says "And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah." If you don't believe this, it would help if you could explain your toughts on what year in Zedekiah's reign was Jerusalem destroyed and when he was carried away captive to Babylon. I don't know Jim but on the surface he appears to be ex-LDS. Thank you, Gale

Sorry to intrude. I read the first chapter of 1 Nephi but don't see your reference to a 'next time'. Can you be more specific? I see that the church mentions in the notes section of 3 Nephi 1 that Jerusalem was destroyed immediately after Lehi left Jerusalem; possibly using 2 Nephi 25:10 as a supporting scripture. Also taught in the church manual in chapter 12, page 92. Do you believe instead that this destruction was not immediately after Lehi departed but rather some time after Jeremiah was imprisoned (after the tenth year of Zedekiah's reign; Jeremiah 32)? Thank you, Gale

What is the meaning of Jacob 5:77? Thank you. Gale

Hello, Would you help me understand this verse. 2 Nephi 1:5 says "But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord". Is there a scripture which hints, for example, that the Lord would lead people out of other countries to a place like Australia so it too would be considered a covenant land in addition to the land Nephi was referring to? Or is Nephi's land the only covenant land which the Lord would lead people out of other countries to? Thank you, Gale

This reminds me of what I read in Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith. ‘Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ Gale

Thank you Anddenex. Was Lehi driven out of the land by his enemies or commanded by God to leave (1 Nephi 2:2-3)? Gale

Hello, Would you help me understand this verse. 2 Nephi 1:4 says "For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished". Do you think Lehi was aware of the Lord's revelation to Jeremiah that the good figs (chapter 24, verses 5-8) represented the people who remained in Jerusalem and were taken and preserved by the Lord in Babylon? Thank you, Gale