VisionOfLehi

I chose "lack of a companion" but truth be told, it's more than just that. I would like to be sealed to someone, and I would like to be able to have my own family.

All-powerful and perfect are 2 separate qualities, to start. Being all-powerful means able to do all that can be done. It doesn't mean being able to make a triangle a circle and such. (Just to be clear) I don't believe, as tomk is saying, that the mechanism is perfect (any longer). As part of the Fall we became imperfect beings. That's why we have chemical imbalances. Why don't some people get answers? Why aren't all answers through the method I've mused on above? I don't know. It bears researching.

I don't call it "free" agency, just FYI. All religions have some of the Light. I know Heavenly Father WANTS us all to be in his flock (and, for me, that also means being LDS), but I also know that not everyone will do so in THIS life. So maybe they get called to other churches, and are good and righteous. They still live a good life, and Christ will Judge them based on that, and they STILL get the opportunity for proxy work to be done on them, and perhaps being a righteous non-member in this life prepares them for accepting the Fullness of the Gospel in the next. And I don't God communicates to us SOLELY with feelings. But I think that yes, He does, and it's not illogical, and a good deal of our answers come in impressions of emotion. I also think they come in impressions of thought, as well as clear thought, clear voice, visions, dreams, actual appearances of Heavenly Beings, and the voice of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit themselves.

Back to that telephone game, as a side note. I played it at a Single's Ward about 6 weeks ago. One of the most convoluted changes was this: Start: Stegosauruses have walnut sized brains. Midway(where I sat): Santa slithers walnuts in his brains. End: Whispers are endless. ---- Anyway, DS. You've used the argument that some people are told "to kill in His name." Well, aside from Scriptural references, I doubt that's happened in about 2,000 years. I think it goes against God's principals. So, most likely, if people believe God told them to do that, they're not actually receiving a message from God. Perhaps another entity, but not Him. But the fact that they believe God DID tell them to say that may belie that they weren't actually in a state to receive God's message in the first place. I believe that when the Lord wants to make sure we hear Him, regardless of our state, He will use clearer ways. Joseph Smith's experiences with the angle that visited him 3 times, for instance. When the Father has literally spoken concerning His Son. Instances like that, there's no mistake. And in those instances, confusion WAS removed for those who listened.

Actually, in some cases I'm not even aware my mom was telling me something, I'm so absorbed in whatever else I was doing that it doesn't register at all.

M y parents can talk to me all I want, doesn't mean I'm listening. >_< Ask my mom. She's constantly saying "I already told you to do this." "I never heard you! You probably said it when I wasn't listening." Hahaha. P.S. This is not an anecdote made up for humor, but is in fact a true story... that's happened several times.

I'm going to go with "One of those 3 statements" Should be: -God wants to communicate to us to let us know his true nature, but does not want to force us to do it, but let us of our own choosing.Very strong LDS belief that God does not want to force us to do anything, even listen, and that Agency is key. I'd prefer to discuss that particular aspect in a different thread, though. Just letting you know, I do appreciate the input, both from DS and Tom!

"Given those three statements, it makes absolutely no logical sense to me that God couldn't clearly communicate to us His will and that there would be so much confusion over it in the world." Is this an argument against God or personal revelation? It seems to be both.

As I said, there's a way for us to actually be attuned to what God is saying. "I felt" or "God said" isn't good enough if you're not actually in a mode to receive it. Or, well, a Prophet. Some of them get told rather bluntly with angels and heavenly appearances.

DigitalShadow: Why would He use such an "imperfect" method? Because it puts the burden on US. HE is speaking clearly, but it makes US have to be in the right state to listen. I never said anything bad about evolution, just that I don't think it alone accounts for the creation of man, nor his mind. In fact, I believe pretty strongly that evolution is happening even right now. "If emotions are a well documented and understood physical phenomenon as you stated previously, how is it that they can be a part of our immortal soul that does not require a body to function?" PHYSICAL emotions are well documented.

I actually plan to address several aspects of this statement, in a series of threads. A statement I have made, and believe firmly in, is as follows: Science explains everything. God explains science. (Although I don't believe we know all the science there is, yet, or that what we know now is 100% right.) The first topic I want to talk about is: Feelings I often, on forums and sometimes in real life, hear people asking about the LDS belief in "feelings" and "impressions" that we are given by the Holy Ghost. There's plenty of confusion about it, and in some cases disdain. I'd like to discuss where exactly feelings come from. Based on scientific study we know a great deal about the nature of emotions! They're caused by biochemical reactions in our brain, as well as hormones and other chemicals in the rest of our body. We even have drugs which interact with these chemicals in our bodies and brains that directly affect our emotions. It's all biological. This even includes the powerful emotion of love! When two people are strongly in love, certain chemicals in the brain are at much higher levels than usual. This usually lasts up to 2 years, and then it fades away and one falls "out of love." This, unless they have worked to "fall in love" again. (Being good to one another and fostering the relationship.) Our thoughts alone can be enough to change our emotions. Recalling a moment when somebody really ticked you off can make you more irritable in the present. Recalling a particularly touching moment can bring tears to your eyes. And then emotions themselves can alter our emotions! Ask anyone with depression. Being depressed is likely to have an effect on every other emotion. Why on Earth would we, Latter-day Saints, trust anything so errant as emotions? I believe that these biochemical reactions were designed by God, for one, and not a mere chance of evolution. Complexities of the human mind, emotions, personality, etc. are what brought me to a belief in God in the first place. I do not believe science can explain their origin. God would thus know perfectly well that our emotions are open to being affected! He would take this into account in His dealings with us! I don't think He'd leave us with these physical emotions alone. As a Latter-day Saint I believe my spirit existed before I came to Earth in this mortal form of mine. In the pre-existence, or pre-mortal life, my spirit experience joy! And pain, for I know I wept, as well, as taught in the Scriptures. This establishes for me that my spirit also experiences emotions. And, "All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;" Being more fine, more pure, I do not think they are subject to all the weaknesses our physical emotions are. I think our spirits are much more trustworthy. And the Holy Spirit of God, or the Holy Ghost, is even more trustworthy (100% so!) I personally also believe that our spirits, and the Holy Spirit, speak also to our physical bodies. In the case of emotions, it elicits changes in our biochemical reactions. But these changes are subtle, as we're taught as Saints. The Holy Spirit is a "still, small voice." If we are not in the right mindset, our own natural man, non-spirit emotions can overwhelm and block out what the Spirit is trying to tell us. We do not believe we're supposed to blindly follow our every emotion! We're not taught that "If it makes you happy, go with it!" But instead, we're taught to enter prayer, and read the scriptures, and "become closer to the Spirit." I believe that by praying and reading the scriptures we bring our mind (and thus chemical reactions) to a state of peace and receptiveness. In this state your emotions don't retard the subtle changes by the Holy Ghost, but instead receive and even enhance them. So, final summation of the reason I trust my feelings: I believe emotions are designed by God, and that He has provided us a way to clear out the worldly influences upon them that we may allow our spirit and the Holy Spirit to affect them. Thoughts, comments, disagreements, counter arguments, etc., etc. are all welcome.

I can't decide between the ta'veren which my favorite is. They all have different things I love about them. Loial is one of my favorite characters, too. I can't wait to see what happens to all the Ogier in the last book. Mazrim and Logaine also pique my interest. And my favorite villain, and perhaps the most convoluted: Padan Fain.

Yes. Another author is finishing the the last book based on Robert Jordan's copious notes and audio recordings. Jordan's wife, who has edited a good deal of his books as well as heard more about them, I'm sure, than anyone else, will be editing the final book. I've read all of them, and the first 5 twice... But I didn't read them all a 2nd time because I didn't have the time, but I do want to read them ALL through once again.

I'm watching it at home today, which means my "non-member" parents will probably do something else while it's on (like go downstairs and watch TV), so I'll be free to walk about. Tomorrow I'm going to watch it at a friend's house. I've only been around for 2 other General Conferences. The 1st I wasn't a member yet, but watched it at my ex-girlfriend's house. The second I was a member and was PSYCHED, and at her house again. Seems like my tradition is to go over to someone else's place

FUNKYFOOL: My blessing in many ways seems generic, too. You could give it to any young man and it'd seem to apply to him. For me, though I know that certain emphasis (based on the Patriarch's voice and the wording) on some parts really resonate within me. But back to the point. It seems generic, could very well be. But whatever it is... That's all EXTRA. All a Patriarchal blessing is REQUIRED to have is declaration of your tribal lineage. Anyway. Please DO go to the Patriarch. And if that yields nothing, talk with your Stake President! I can't offer any advice other than that!

They can't. This was already decided back in the time of the Draft. Students wore things to protest it. Supreme Court ruled that students retain the Freedom of Speech. Precedent will get this school backhanded. Edit: wow, um, I'm apparently too tired to write anything cohesive. Others are welcome to back me up.

How do you figure "and the only God with whom WE have to do."' in any way does NOT insinuate that we somehow worship Him? It's very strange wording there, and you only explained the first half of the sentence BEFORE my quoted part.

How? God is omniscient. Of course He knew they'd bite beforehand. He didn't sound shocked, to me, He sounded like He wanted Adam and Eve to fess up and be honest. --- And how do you give birth when your body can not change, and how when your body has no blood? 2 Nephi 2 I often see people just quote verse 23 and suppose they couldn't have children because they were innocent and "didn't know how,", whilst ignoring the verse immediately before it. Being pregnant is certainly a different state! Something has to GROW in you. Continuing: http://institute.lds.org/content/manuals/inst-327-student-pogp.pdf Emphasis added on all quotes.

I'm interested in learning more about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. What exactly did it do? Was it an actual tree, or does it represent something else, or both? How does eating fruit impart knowledge upon someone? Does anything like this take place anywhere else in the Scriptures? Can the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil be compared at all with the Tree of Life (as referenced in my moniker.) That was purely symbolic, representing the Love of Christ. Yet, if I've read scripture correctly, Adam and Eve did actually partake of the fruit. So was the fruit itself somehow BLESSED to impart knowledge, or was the mere act of transgressing the LORD'S commandment enough somehow open their eyes? At what point did the Fall of Man initiate the Fall of the World?

You should be. Circular argument (supposedly) is no good, but copious amounts of sarcasm is an awesome tool for debate. I get it now. I do? That's funny, I didn't realize that. Thank you for telling me what I think. It helps wonders. OH, that's right! Sorry, I forgot that's what I believe, again. Silly me. What would I do without you? I WOULD do what would make me feel good. Now, not that I've ever seen a homeless person that smells like booze, but it definitely would make me feel good to take them to a restaurant and buy them a nutritious meal that giving them potential booze money. I can't believe I'm so callous and lacking compassion. I'm such a terrible person Really? Because I thought by the very nature of the word (i.e. the definition), it was the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. "If it doesn't, I don't care" doesn't seem to match up with that. I knew you'd go for that angle as soon as I posted it. (Not accusing you, I'm just saying I realize that there's a lot of negative stuff in there, too.) But I was talking about the teachings. 10 Commandments, Psalms, lot's of other things. I don't think you find atrocities in the NT. (Though I've not been through the whole thing. ) That's the catch, there. If they waste the money, I've not helped them in any way. So I'm not disappointed that they didn't appreciate it, I just realize I didn't actually help them. Neither am I. All talk I've been feeling a strong lack of service lately. :/ P.S. Not in any way angry or anything. I rather enjoy the discussion like this. That said, I've had my fill of being sarcastic for the day, lol.

Atheist or not there's 2000 years of history involving the Bible, at LEAST, and more when including the Old Testament, and at the very least anyone of any intelligence can realize that the precepts therein are goodly, in the fact that those who practice them DO bring peace and contentment to tho practitioners and others. "I'm an atheist," is a sad excuse for ignoring them. You also seem to have taken my post as just geared towards you, and I can see why, but it wasn't meant just for you, other than the line directly following the quote form you. Anyway, I don't see how just giving out a few bucks like that is just compassion. Seems more like a cop out, trying to buy peace of conscience.

We SHOULD help "take care" of one another. How do you love someone if you're not doing what you can to improve their situation when you have a way to do it? People have brought up stuff as donations being used for drugs/alcohol. I also think about certain debt, like gambling, when on this topic. If you decide that the only way you can love someone is by some some magnificent feat just giving them cash... And what they might spend it on is questionable, then I think you have a duty of love to not give them cash. If you love them, you want to improve their situation... And giving them cash that'll wasted and make problems worse or just continue them... It's obviously not an improvement. I heartedly disagree. A little more time spent and you can find out what they need, and help them acquire that, rather than just forking over money. While you might be able to construe "administering temporally" as "giving money," the following verse does say that it should all be done in wisdom. Giving a handout without a thought about what it will be used for just does not seem very wise.

I'm a geek and I just wanted to say why it's up to the Bishop and how I know! The Bishop is the head of the Aaronic Priesthood, and baptism is an ordinance of the Aaronic Priesthood.

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This is my personal stance: Alma 24 Mormon 7 Emphasis added.