Jonah

Video streaming works well for something like a General Conference but maybe Zoom is better for the wards. Google Hangouts is another option. Hitting the mute button or minimizing the screen is perfectly normal in some circumstances and should not be viewed as a negative point against you. For example, you can even hit the pause button on a General Conference talk if you need to take a small break.

Do you believe the Fall is the result of eating from a literal tree that was forbidden? If no, what are all the trees in the garden symbolic of?

According to this church teaching in the Friend magazine back in 1973, Adam and Eve were very happy in the garden before the Fall. Poster @romans8 mentioned it earlier. Adam and Eve were happy in their beautiful home in the Garden of Eden, for they had been given everything they could want for food and for pleasure. They knew nothing of evil, for their world was all good. Often in the cool of early evening the Lord would walk and talk with them, and their happiness was complete. They did not need to learn happiness because they were already experiencing it.

From a previous post, you seem to believe the cause is the Atonement and the effect is the Fall. I believe the cause is the Fall and the effect is the need for the Atonement. Before I can try to answer this question, I need to understand your definition. What exactly do you mean by the *knowledge of good* and how do you believe Adam and Eve were *not good* before the Fall? You omitted *evil* from your post. When do you believe Adam and Eve became evil?

How? What gives you the impression Adam met the serpent first or had any concern about him? And what kind of warning could he have given her?

People, when they sin, do not make a covenant with Satan to disobey God. It is because they fall to his temptation and are driven away by their own lust (as James writes). Likewise, when Adam sinned (as explained in a church manual), he did not plan beforehand to enter into a covenant with Satan to disobey God. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/10734_bookmarked-eng.pdf Page 439 - Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. He is our Creator. He is our Teacher. He is our Savior. His atonement paid for the sin of Adam and won victory over death, assuring resurrection and immortality for all men". As James writes: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death". Adam and Eve were already created with knowledge (intelligence) before the Fall. God commanded them not to eat from the forbidden tree because of all the negative consequences which would ensue. He knew it would happen but it was His permitted will; not His desired will. One of these punishments was that all of mankind is separated from God because of this original (first) sin. It seems you don't believe the trees in the garden were literal. Does that mean you don't believe in a literal garden either? God's plan is that the need for an Atonement is the effect, the Fall is the cause. You seem to believe that Adam and Eve had to fall otherwise the plan of the Atonement would be frustrated - which I don't believe. I do not believe Adam and Eve's obedience in the garden was spoiling or frustrating anything for God. God did not foreordain the Atonement first so that he could later rely on Adam and Eve to disobey Him so the plan would not be frustrated. The need for the Atonement is the result (the effect) of the Fall (the cause). You seem to have the cause and effect reversed - that the Fall was required so the need for the Atonement would not be frustrated. I believe God is just and merciful. He provided a way for mankind to be saved from the effects of sin. He cared for Adam and Eve in that He pre-warned them what would happen if they disobeyed Him. But I don't believe He is just and merciful in that He wanted them to disobey Him by eating from the forbidden tree so they would not frustrate His plans to save them. From my reading of the Gospel Principles guide (if I read it correctly), Adam and Eve were given blessings for what they did. I don't see any mention of the word 'punished' in that context. As for myself, I have never been blessed for disobeying God. But I have been punished for falling into the devil's temptations. Some don't like to use the word 'punishment' but rather use the term 'negative effects'. But I see many times in the scripture where God punished His people for their disobedience. Do you see blessings and punishments in the scriptures or is it all *effects* or *results* for you?

Have you made a covenant with God to disobey Him in any situation? What do you mean by symbolic? Are you saying the trees in the garden were not literal trees that were pleasant to the sight of man and good for food (Genesis 2:9)?

I didn't consider it a lie or something anti-mormon. It seems like a logical connection based on what I read. D&C 8:8 "Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God". From https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/oliver-cowderys-gift?lang=eng

In regards to monotheism, there are a few passages which support it. Isaiah 43:10 - "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me" Isaiah 44:6 - "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God" I am not aware of any Jew (who doesn't identify as a Christian) which believes Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God. So in that sense, he would believe in a singularly unique God. To be honest with you, I don't understand how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages but yet they are one Godhead and one God. But I understand Joseph Smith considered them as 3 Gods in one Godhead. From reading some portions of the Book of Mormon, it too considers them as one God and never as 3 Gods.

Would someone clarify this section. "Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God". I saw on the church's website and it said this gift of Aaron was a divining rod. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/oliver-cowderys-gift?lang=eng "The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God's will (see Exodus 7:9–12; Numbers 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery’s day similarly believed in divining rods as instruments for revelation. Oliver was among those who believed in and used a divining rod." What marvelous works did Mr. Cowdery perform with this rod? What prominent Christians in Joseph Smith's day believed in divining rods as instruments of revelation? Did any of the living 15 Apostles in the last hundred years use divining rods?

I believe in only one God, not two or three Gods. Being one with God is living in union with him. Marriage is a man and a woman becoming one flesh, but this doesn't mean the man becomes a woman nor does a woman become a man. https://www.ministrysamples.org/excerpts/BECOMING-ONE-WITH-GOD.HTML has a longer explanation.

I don't believe with the church teaching about eternal life being living life as a God. In regards to family and marriage, I found this article - which I tend to agree with. https://www.gotquestions.org/marriage-heaven.html Question: "Will there be marriage in heaven?" Answer: The Bible tells us, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). This was Jesus’ answer in response to a question concerning a woman who had been married multiple times in her life —whom would she be married to in heaven (Matthew 22:23-28)? Evidently, there will be no such thing as marriage in heaven. This does not mean that a husband and wife will no longer know each other in heaven. This also does not mean that a husband and wife could not still have a close relationship in heaven. What it does seem to indicate, though, is that a husband and wife will no longer be married in heaven. Most likely, there will be no marriage in heaven simply because there will be no need for it. When God established marriage, He did so to fill certain needs. First, He saw that Adam was in need of a companion. “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 2:18). Eve was the solution to the problem of Adam’s loneliness, as well as his need for a “helper,” someone to come alongside him as his companion and go through life by his side. In heaven, however, there will be no loneliness, nor will there be any need for helpers. We will be surrounded by multitudes of believers and angels (Revelation 7:9), and all our needs will be met, including the need for companionship. Second, God created marriage as a means of procreation and the filling of the earth with human beings. Heaven, however, will not be populated by procreation. Those who go to heaven will get there by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; they will not be created there by means of reproduction. Therefore, there is no purpose for marriage in heaven since there is no procreation or loneliness.

I view it differently. I see that the 'if children' part is tied together with the 'if we suffer with him' part by the 'joint heir' part. I don't see any child (who is considered a child by the if condition) who does not suffer with Christ.

I can agree with that. But do you believe God blesses someone for disobedience?

@Carborendum It was from something mentioned earlier. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. I found these teachings on the church's website that says that if one is a child of God, then that means they are joint-heirs; which it defines as exalted beings. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-18?lang=eng https://emp.byui.edu/DormanS/Rel 212/New Testament Student Manual.pdf https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/new-testament-student-manual/romans/chapter-36-romans-4-8?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-3?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/new-testament-study-guide-for-home-study-seminary-students/introduction-to-romans/unit-21-day-1-romans-8-11?lang=eng

Why are only exalted beings (the joint-heirs) considered the children of God?

How do you understand these verses? Hosea 12:2 - The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. Amos 3:2 - You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Do you believe God blesses someone for obedience?

In a communication to Peter, the verses say "Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth. And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come" Why would John minister for all those on earth whereas Peter would minister for John and James?

Alma 40 has some more information about what happens between death and resurrection. 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. 13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. 14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

What message do you think Christ was trying to convey in Mark 3? And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

I think its all based on some events in the future. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. The power of this false prophet is mentioned earlier in Revelation. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.

I don't know who these 10 kings or leaders will be, but if we are around, we'll know when the beast is revealed and he gives them power for a short time. Then we will also see the harlot destroyed.

Abraham 3:2-3,9 mentions it is a star nearest to the throne of God so it doesn't appear that he is governing from the star itself but rather from his throne.

Are the 7000 years of D&C 77:7 continuous?

Verse 12 says And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. I see these 10 kings obtaining a temporary kingdom in the future via power granted by the beast, but which God permits.