LineUponLine

I suppose anytime someone witnessed concourses of angels singing around the throne of God or to the shepherds there were probably some female sopranos and altos participating.

In regards to shortening, think about the speed by which technology has helped us. Without the speed of travel, communication, technology and databases, etc... how long would it have taken to build the temples we need, spread the gospel throughout all the world, and find, complete, and maintain all the work for the dead. Technology (inspired by revelation) has surely shortened how much time we need to accomplish many tasks the Lord needs us to accomplish.

If they had repented, then sure, they could be in the Celestial Kingdom and I would rejoice. However if they hadn't repented then they wouldn't be there and I would be sad that they didn't follow the counsel of the prophets.

Struggled with it. Sure. Acting on it. Nope. It goes against Celestial Law. I believe the atonement will make right everything, including LGBTQ+ struggles.

Mosiah 3:19: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint. I haven't read everything that has been said on the matter in this thread but when I think of the Celestial Kingdom I don't see anyone LGBTQ+ and I think the points in The Family A Proclamation to the World will be very evident. Sex AND Gender have a place in the eternities and they have purpose. I think there will be some variety in personality, I don't think we will all be identical and robotic, fitting a mold where everyone acts exactly the same way, but we will be living a set Celestial (and Terrestrial and Telestial respectively) law which will not permit that which would make other Celestial beings uncomfortable. We live in a world where support and love have to equal the same thing. Our Heavenly Father loves each child, regardless of their LGBTQ+ identity, but that does not mean that he supports their behaviors. For example, I can't see Heavenly Father present at a Gay/Lesbian wedding for his children, and if he was forced to (which is impossible) he would be weeping because he knows that what he is witnessing is preventing his children from obtaining exaltation. Maybe I've gone a little off topic of simply the effeminate behaviors of men that makes some people uncomfortable, but again, I think if someone is putting off the natural man (the worldly, the confused, the misguided, the experimental, etc...) then a Saint probably would not make other Saints uncomfortable.

I found this in the Ensign from August 2002: Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.”12 Thoughts? Is the prophet the only one that will have the date revealed to him? Or could it be more than that?

Does anyone know how many of the world's countries have been dedicated for missionary work? I know that there are some countries that are unable to receive proselyting missionaries like Israel, mainland China, and various Middle Eastern countries, but have those countries been dedicated? (I know Israel was dedicated by Orson Hyde). I'm just curious if the statement of "the gospel will be taken to all the world" means proselyting missionary work. However if it just means dedicated by a general authority for ANY church work/efforts, then the statement may be more fulfilled that originally thought.

We know that after this life all death, pain, suffering, etc. will cease. I believe that the sacrifices made in this life are evidences that we are willing to DO what is necessary and BE what is necessary to live a celestial life. If we are to one day have the same power and knowledge as God then we must prove that we are going to use that power and knowledge appropriately. To be a god means to live a certain way and as Joseph said in the lectures on faith that if God were to not live up to his characteristics and attributes to the fullest then he would cease to be God because we could no longer have sufficient faith in him. His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. If we can't have faith in him then we cannot receive eternal life and God would cease to be glorified. As for eternal laws and how Christ was able to save us from sin and death, like Carborendum said, we cannon comprehend the mechanism of how it functions. Justice and Mercy may seem abstract, but the way they are described in scripture makes them seem somehow more like concrete powers of enforcement. Animal sacrifice is only temporary to this telestial state of being.

Two scriptures come to mind: 1 Corinthians 13:11 - When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Hopefully we can simply mature and grow over time so that the childish, immature, and desires of the natural man diminish. This can be accomplished more and more through the small and simple things of (specific and sincere) prayer, scripture study, and temple attendance. Job 28: 28 - And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. The more we understand by gaining light and knowledge, the more we will depart from evil. Simply by doing those things that draw us to God we will slowly but surely become more like him in thought, word, and action.

Just as a child is dependent on his parents until he leaves home and can be self-sufficient and capable of taking care of him/herself, the same applies with our Heavenly Father. We are going to be dependent on Him for a very long time, even after death, until we have sufficiently climbed the ladder of light and truth and reached "the perfect day". Then when we have reached the same level of omnipotence and omniscience as Him, I believe we will no longer be dependent on God.

When Mahonri Moriancumr asked Jesus what to do about the darkness in the barges the Lord responded with: Ether 2:23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? I think that the Lord gives us problems that he wants us to work out and in many instances there is no right or wrong answer. Mahonri chose to get 16 stones of molten rock and have Christ touch them to light them. With God's power Mahonri could have asked for any variety of methods to light the barges, but God simply wanted Mahonri to think and act. It is also important to note that God gave Mahonri specific responses to how they would be guided on the sea and how to get fresh air. So sometimes God gives us direct instructions, other times he wants us to think and then ask him for confirmation. D&C: 58:26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is acompelled in all things, the same is a bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Our Prophets sometimes have to look at current situations, think for themselves, ask God for confirmation, and then move forward. With this being the case the phrase "Thus saith the Lord..." would be incorrect because the ideas came from the prophets themselves. It would be better to say "The Lord backs me up when I say...". As for the statements concerning the righteousness/valiance of the youth today - I think things are simply moving forward as prophesied. We know that in the last days the church will be small compared to the world - yet powerful. For every individual that falls away from the church there is another individual in the church whose strength is growing. There is opposition in all things. The individual who is the only active member in their family, friend group, town, city, or even country needs to be very strong indeed to move forward with faith when everyone around them is trying to bring them down. Based on my understanding of the parable of the 10 virgins, only half of the members of the church will be ready at Christ's second coming. So regardless of HOW the General Authorities are choosing to express themselves in their talks in General Conference or elsewhere, we should know that the WHAT and WHY are from God. Honestly I think if there was too much boldness or pulpit pounding it might be counterproductive. I think there is a time for all things. Christ taught differently depending on his audience. To some it was straightforward and bold, to some it was in parables, to some it was with intense power, and to some with gentle love. In the end the message was the same: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and everyone who believes in him and obeys his gospel will be saved.

I remember hearing a general authority tell that he would meet with his bishop for tithing settlement at the end of each year, so I believe that while it may seem redundant coming from a general authority I would think they still follow the procedure to have a recommend interview with their Bishop and Stake President when needed. The simple act of declaring their worthiness is still an important rite of passage if you will. Even apostles can make errors and may need to repent of something from time to time.

I just like to think about our future potential to become as Heavenly Father. Can you imagine God being addicted to something that has a negative side effect? Obviously there are things that our body needs to be healthy. Red meat is to be eaten sparingly, therefore moderation is also needed (even water can kill you if you drink too much at one time). But I find it impossible to see God consuming something or participating in any activity that would impair his judgement or ability. God holds us accountable to the light and knowledge we have received. Do I think that we are forever condemned if we have unhealthy habits? Not necessarily, but God does want to see that we are ever improving ourselves and I believe that as we learn line upon line (including after our resurrection) we will further understand the best use for all substances and activities that will guide us to that perfect day. If we learn the most important commandment of obedience/humility, then: Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. All weaknesses can be overcome and lead us to be like God who is perfect in every way.

One thing about faith is that it starts from someone who has full knowledge. Lectures on faith describe how that whole first millennium there was either Adam who had seen and interacted with God, or someone who knew Adam, thereby gaining faith from he who had true knowledge. Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and therefore had true knowledge in them. So all who listened to his words were gaining faith through someone who had the truth. Now just because Joseph had this knowledge of the Father and the Son doesn't mean he didn't need faith to act according to their commands. (Polygamy for example was a difficult one for Joseph to follow, but he had the faith to follow it and now probably has a knowledge of it's eternal purpose). Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Yes, we will gain the knowledge of those things, but it won't be for any sort of personal income. We won't spend eternity as an accountant, a salesman, or a bus driver but we will use the knowledge to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". God's glory is in having perfect knowledge and using it for creation and perfecting his creations.