VisionOfLehi

Wow! After looking into couple of those laws mentioned, I found several more on top of it! Can you think of more? And I can clearly see how all of these Laws extend from the two Great Commandments: Love thy God Love thy Neighbor

I'd prefer only to include Laws in my list that prophets, seers, and/or revelators have mentioned, in Church materials, or are in the Scriptures themselves. So, we have 4 more. I'll edit them into my first post.

"Our religion is nothing more nor less than the true order of heaven—the system of laws by which the gods and the angels are governed. Are they governed by law? Certainly. There is no being in all the eternities but what is governed by law (DBY, 1)." Laws for All Law of Obedience: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Obedience Law of Agency: LDS.org - Aaronic Priesthood Chapter Detail - Agency: A Gift from God LDS.org - Ensign Article - Walking in Pathways of Happiness Vision's View: These laws are part of our decision to come to Earth, from our Pre-Mortal state. It is because of these laws that we were able to come here, at all. Old Laws Law of Moses: (The 10 Commandments, Law of Cleanliness) looking for material Law of the Sabbath: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Lord's Day Law of Tithing: Numbers 18 Doctrine and Covenants 119 Law of the Fast: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Law of the Fast Law of Sacrifice and Offerings: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Law of Sacrifice Vision's View: I call these "Old Laws" not because they're outdated, but because they're recognized by Judaism as well as Christianity, and have a strong history in the Bible. Laws of Purity Law of Chastity: LDS.org - New Era Article - The Law of Chastity Law of Health (includes the Word of Wisdom): LDS.org - Family Chapter Detail - The Lord's Law of Health Vision's View: While ALL laws are meant to make us pure, these two laws specifically are meant to keep our minds and bodies clean and pure, as well. Christian Laws Law of Repentance: LDS.org - Liahona Article - The Gospel of Repentance Law of Forgiveness: LDS.org - Ensign Article - In Remembrance of Jesus Law of Justice and Mercy: LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Great Plan of Happiness Law of Service: LDS.org - Relief Society Chapter Detail - The Divine Nature of Service Vision's View: I call these "Christian Laws," because they are those given by and emphasized by Christ during his ministry on Earth. Christianity in general recognizes these laws, including Latter-day Saints. A look at these laws will show that they're all laws of love. The Savior's love for us, our love for Him, and our love for one another. Higher Laws Law of the New Everlasting Covenant: Doctrine and Covenants 132 Also the Law of the Holy Priesthood? Law of Consecration: Doctrine and Covenants 105 and Doctrine and Covenants 42 Entered into by a new and everlasting covenant. Law of the Holy Ghost: Doctrine and Covenants 132 Laws of the Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial Kingdoms: Doctrine and Covenants 88 Celestial Law is the Law of the Priesthood. LDS.org - Relief Society Chapter Detail - The Gospel Defined Vision's View: These "Higher" laws are given unto those who enter into it. (The New and Everlasting Covenant.) Those who have not received the Gospel or the ordinances prior to it and not bound by them, because they have not received and covenanted into them. However, one must make it their goal to enter into this covenant, as it is a requirement for exaltation. The Terrestrial and Telestial laws don't quite fit here. But they are the laws for those who don't or won't receive the Higher, Celestial Law. Please contribute!

I know I get the blessing of the knowledge that I've been obedient to the Lord. I know people think often of the financial blessings that they receive... But for me, I've not had to worry about it yet. I've just always felt great, knowing that I actually did what the Lord told me to. Being aware of my obedience to one of the Laws just plum makes me feel good. I count that a good a blessing as any.

Hel. 6: 2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them. Alma 40: 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 Wicked is the opposite of righteous. The righteous are they that know what's right and choose to do it. The wicked are they that know what's wrong and choose to do it. It's a matter of choice. If you knowingly and willingly work against what is right, you are wicked.

I'm single, but proudly LDS now with a goal to marry in the temple that nothing, bar the will of the Lord, will prevent. --- I'd say date non-members, but don't slack on your standards. That's the only reason my ex-gf dated me. I cleaned up my language around her, and I never even had an inkling of a desire to drink, smoke, or do drugs. I didn't "hang with the wrong crowd." Actually... I guess I wouldn't say "date non-members." lol I'd say "Don't exclude upright non-members from your dating options." You don't HAVE to marry a person if you date them. Especially when you're younger. I guess, for youth, I'd leave the non-member aspect a little more open than YSAs. By YSA age you ARE kinda getting ready to get married, so your dates are a little more purposeful.

I felt the Holy Ghost as I was searching for God. I wasn't even a deist of any sort at the time, nor Christian. But I wanted and needed to know. I felt it another time, very strongly, before I joined the Church. So, it doesn't just work within churches, but the individual.

I am fully for dating non-members, but not really marrying non-members. Why dating? If a member gal hadn't dated me, and her and her family influenced me, I would not be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. It's that simple. And to be blunt, if she hadn't, and I hadn't found the Church, I'd be dead.

What does it mean that we, Man, were created in the likeness of God?

Pretty much. I mean, even Satan and his False Prophet will bow and acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, but that's not getting them any leeway.

I've missed a few months of tithing right now. I WILL pay it, but I don't have the means at this time. I've been told that there's no time requirement on Tithing (except maybe yearly as the least often) but that the more often you Tithe the more often you can receive it's blessings. Anyway... At one point, I had been paying my tithing fully and as often as I got a paycheck, my mom and stepdad were having some financial problems. They didn't have enough that month for some bills, and stuff was getting straightened out, but it looked bad. Then, for some reason, my mom got like $100 extra from... something. I don't even remember what, but it was enough to cover what was needed. Now, my parents aren't members, and don't pay tithing, but I knew it was a tithing blessing. My cup overflowed.

Correct. However, after the last resurrection, and the Judgment, when everyone is in their earned Kingdom of Glory, the Celestial will minister to the Terrestrial, and the Terrestrial to the Telestial.

I've missed a couple days... But got to Mosiah 5 today. My name is written the Lamb's Book of Life, right? I was baptized and have taken upon me the name of the Lord. So I have that. I like that. Not only have I taken the name of Christ upon me, but He knows it. I know... that's obvious... But when I think about it, that He knows not only me and my name, but that my name is "recorded" in His Book of Life... that feels good. The peoples' response to King Benjamin, and his response to them afterwards, is very much like the Sacrament prayer... The renewal of our covenants.

One who subscribes to the Nicene Creed. The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent

I don't think wanting a person to receive their punishment means you've not forgiven them. Forgiving them just means you mean no ill will towards them.

According to D&C, a man who has been sealed in the temple, into the new and everlasting covenant of the priesthood, can not be forgiven for shedding the blood of an innocent. So, it's not for all members, but for those who've been to the temple and made those higher covenants.

I didn't want to take up space quoting the whole thing, but this is in direct reply to the entire first post. GREAT REFERENCES! That sounds exactly like Thomas S. Monson to me, and like Gordon B. Hinckley, and Joseph Smith Jr. But I'm confused... You're giving me evidence of the Prophet of the Lord, the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... Are you also believing this same thing?

I apologize. I had quoted from the book of Matthew. It was a Biblical reference on its own.

21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

"17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

I have oft heard the expression of married couples saying "We are one." Does this mean they're the same person manifested in two bodies? No. It means they're united, and that together their purpose is fulfilled. "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." No translation I've seen ever has it any differently there than Jesus Christ, the SON of God praying to His FATHER, our great Heavenly Father. Why would Christ have to pray to Himself? How would He not know what His own will is, and why would He try to find another way around His own will, if one existed? Why did he have to talk to His Father to say that? Why didn't He just say, "I forgive you, because you don't know what you're doing." It doesn't make any sense at all to look at those verses and say "God the Father and Christ the Son are the same person in different make up." It ridiculous, and not scriptural. Now I'm fine with letting you believe what you will, but you have not been able to provide any sort of scriptural evidence of the Trinity. You can't pick and choose with scriptures, and interpret one set how you want while ignoring another that clearly contradicts your claim. I see it all the time, and it's what put me off to any religion at all for the first 18 1/2 years of my life.

Okay: It's true that if you're serving a legal punishment, such as probation or jail time, that you can not be baptized. You must first finish out your mortal punishment. For murderers, if that means they have to have to die first... Well, I'm not sure if they could be baptized when they're dead, but I'd assume so. But, back to my topic. Hemi, you asked why is it important to me. This is why: It is by far the most important aspect of the Gospel. Love.Think of all the other commandment and ordinances. Of what importance are they without love? How can I become exalted if I don't love all? How can I forgive someone if I don't love them? How can I love them if I don't forgive them? How can I stand spotless before the Lord on the day of Judgment and say to the Lord that I did not forgive my brother, and I did not love as He had commanded? He has told us! I think this should be an important question for everyone. Because how can we dwell in the presence of God if we do not love all? To have anything less than that would be unclean, for it is breaking the highest commandments! Do you not know that the 2nd greatest commandment, to love they neighbor, is double emphasized? In order to even keep the 1st commandment we have to keep the 2nd!So when someone accused me of not being able to love everyone... It affected me. I do not keep the commandment perfectly all the time... But when I am angry at someone I ask in my prayers for the Lord to take away mine anger, and let me forgive, and to forgive me for being angry with my brother (or sister). The progress I am making in my life is all because I'm trying to be like Jesus in his aspect of Love for all. I know that as I try hard to do this that the other commandments will fall into place for me.

I was once informed that the work that the Church isn't able to finish by the Millennial Reign will have a chance to be completed fully when He returns. Does anyone have references for this? I'd like to know where it came from, that idea... But going with that idea, which I believe anyway... Having his name removed should thus not be too big of a worry for the rest of us in the Gospel. All who want to be baptized will get the chance...

I try to, I really do. I'm trying to be like Jesus, and obey the great commandment to love others, even as He has loved them. But is it possible? Someone I talked to online didn't think it was so. But I do. Because we're all human, we're all brothers and sisters, even if we don't all know it. We have all come to this Earth, and many of us stray, but I feel a deep sadness for those who go far off the path of what seems to even be humanity. Anger, yes, and I have a sense of justice... But I feel that loss. There's rapists, murders, women and child abusers. Their acts are despicable, and bring up anger in me above any other... But, their human. They'll get their punishments, in this life or the next. Is it possible to love everyone? Or do I just have compassion for them? Can only Christ love all?