VisionOfLehi

I think that hope and faith can be "saved" up, just as our other supplies for getting through emergencies. If we are diligent, faithful, and hopeful, I think it will carry use through the hard times, even if during them we don't feel as if we're gaining or having any hope. Tough Grits's story touches perfectly on this. Are we building up a year supply of hope with our food, money, clothing, and fuel?

Yeah, if I thought about that for a moment I would've realized the plates were probably too big to fit in a normal hat, anyway. Unless Joseph had a massive noggin', lol.

Most callings are not permanent, and they don't all take up the same amount of time. Not having your "free time" or "unwind" time and instead sacrificing it temporarily for the Lord is not something to whine about (as some do.) Is your free time really "idle time?" If you weren't so busy with work and Church and family, would you be in an easier spot to become complacent or even lazy? Or would you, perhaps, do something that'd make it much easier for you to make "mistakes?" (i.e. sin) I'm still progressing, learning, trying to pick up good habits. I find myself with so much idle time that it bothers me. While waiting for things to load, or finish I could easily grab my scriptures and relax with a few words from the Lord. Instead of wondering what to do, I should just do. I've made progress in this regard by making to-do lists every day. I know what I need to accomplish. (Now I just need to work on using the time between tasks effectively.)

This is actually... starting to worry me. My promptings haven't been to get my house in order, so much, since I don't have a house. But I have felt that I needed to get out on my own (Tada!) and start progressing on that front. I definitely want to start out properly: Avoid debt, save up for emergencies, etc What I'm worried about, though, is my family back home. I've mention food storage to my mom a few times, but I wasn't ever very big on it. My family getting out of debt was the bigger concern. Are a great many people receiving this promptings? Are we intuitively aware of a "drought" to come? How am I supposed to help out my family who don't know about this?

Ah! Thanks! So was it the seer stone that was in the hat?

Doctrine and Covenants 132 Does not speak about Solomon more than mentioning he had many wives. However, I get the feeling that he was not righteous with this Law, and thus it was abominable.

Correct. Doctrine and Covenants 132 And more of D&C 132 clarify this a bit.

Bible Dictionary: Lost Books

This reminds me of those few short months ago when I was learning about the Church, researching online... Going off information from South Park. Anyway, it was all the same to me. This was my thought: "Well, if Moses actually existed then Joseph Smith is just as believable. And if Joseph actually talked with God then a stone in a hat is just as believable." It seems sort of flippant, but it really was and is the same to me. If I was "going to swallow" God, Jesus, Adam, Abraham, Moses, Peter, etc. then Joseph Smith was and is no stretch at all. One missionary explained once to me, and I'm not sure how accurate* this is, that the hat was used not only to keep others from seeing the plates if they snooped or by accident, but that it also kept the glare from the light off them. (These are metal plates, after all.) *Not accurate, read next 2 posts

When I hear the first, I think of my Church. The one I've chosen, the one I have faith, belief, and knowledge in. I think of the chapels, and the humanitarian efforts, and the leaders. When I hear "The Mormon Church" I generally think that there's some ignorance going on, and the person saying it probably doesn't know what they're talking about. It's non-specific, and seems more likely to confuse aspects of FLDS and RLDS/CoC with the LDS Church. I've also heard it used more in a derogatory tone. Hearing the first kind of makes me proud. "Yeah, I belong to that one!" The second puts me on the defensive, ready to explain any misconceptions to the speaker. Or, if in text I may not bother even reading it.

The answer to the OP has been given, I think? Allow me to intrude with my own question: Why do some churches baptize with a "sprinkling" of water or mere "dunking" of the head (Forgive my lack of proper terminology!) Wasn't the full submersion to symbolize the burying of the body and the resurrection thereof? I can understand this is still symbolized with the "dunking," but am I missing something with the "sprinkling?" Do they also do something with that in the way of burial and resurrection?

Note: Strong's Concordance gives both mentions of "wife" the same number, 0802. It wasn't a "translation" of something. And, before you would say it was Sarai who gave this order, the Lord commands Hagar to obey Sarai later in the chapter. And yes, in this case, Abram was blessed for having multiple wives, and his wives were blessed as well. Is the change in the NT God's will, or merely the changed culture of the time?

I think these things should still be discussed and out in the open, by the way, but I don't see how they affect testimony. We should always be seeking to learn more, and about our own Church is a great place to seek.

How does it affect your testimony? I can't understand this. I know the Book of Mormon is the sacred record of Christ's church in ancient America which contains the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know Heavenly Father and Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. Oh how I know! And I know that he was called by Them to translate the plates which became the Book of Mormon. I know that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet of the Lord to receive revelation for Christ's Church on Earth. I know that God would not suffer to let a wicked or incapable man lead His Church. I absolutely know that Jesus Christ is the Firstborn Son of God, the Holy Messiah of Prophecy, Redeemer of Israel, Savior of Mankind. I know He led the life of perfection that ended with perfect obedience but infinite suffering for my sake. Our Father lives. Christ lives. They are here, they guide us, and they will not allow the righteous to be led astray. Whether Joseph Smith had one wife or fifty, mortal or eternal, changes none of this. Simply put: It's between Joseph and the Lord. Joseph was not perfect! We already know this! Plates of Lehi, anyone? And did not the Lord reprimand him? D&C 3! D&C 10! Trust in the LORD. Testimony only wavers when you cease to do this. Trust Him.

Speaking as a convert, those things helped persuade me to join, and helped keep me going when I was pretty down in the dumps. And no, I wasn't going to seek out the people in another place to do that. Social club or not, being social at Church helped me join, grow, and become stronger. I met people who I would not see at activities, who took time to try and get to know me better and made me feel more at home. Not a social club, but most definitely a place for fellowship.

All religions have some of the Light, some of the Truth. What, pray tell, is wrong with remembering the ancients and their beliefs? Should I never read the Odyssey? Note: This is rhetorical.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that's true of most guys. But, the difference between guys is what they consider "uggo" (lol, love that) and what they don't.

Yeah. Those "hot" girls I see about seem to have an "aura" about that that says "high maintenance" or "bossy" or... worse, lol.

No, but they tend to make me stop and pick them up! Do you need a pick-me-up?

Amazing! I love how broad the Gospel is! I would LOVE to go to many countries and just sit with brothers and sister from around the world. It's amazing! The gathering of Israel!

Wow! That's awesome dedication, WordFLOOD! Talk about blessings for hard work!

I make a mean (tasty!) grilled cheese! All you need is a hot pan, some bread, some cheese (not just American!), and butter! My trick to making it extra tasty? I butter BOTH sides of the bread. Nice and crispy and artery-clogging. ;D It's a really great and simple food thing. You can had ham, turkey, whatever. Get a little Béchamel sauce and gruyère to make a great croque-monsieur. Grilled PB&J is great, too. Plain peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can get rather boring. Grill them and enjoy. Throw in a little honey, or banana, too!

I'll pass (out) Do you pass in non-passing zones?

Mellencamp

Having a wife! Finding a someone, or someone finding you?