VisionOfLehi

Fear not, though the enemy deride. Courage, for the Lord is on thy side.

When it says "Heavenly Parents" it is referring to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. Heavenly Mother is not really explicitly stated. In fact, I've only seen her (Her?) mentioned in a Primary manual, and a Hymn. Otherwise it's always sideways references.

Although, did we not live in "Family Units" or something back then? So although we had billions of brothers and sisters, maybe we were in units which had spirits who were a little further along than us, and were like the "mom and dad." It's all conjecture, though.

Ah, yeah. I'd say those are survival, too. Survival of the species as a whole.

Digital: Something like that. Deprived of other animals, I think actually the child would die, or if it managed to survive they'd be absolutely crazy, and probably mentally retarded. People need people. Fent/Miss: I think human instincts are just as strong as animals. The difference is that we have higher thinking: the ability to ignore them. What are instincts? Natural instincts are all geared towards survival, right? Fight or flight. Find food. Find shelter. Avoid predators.

So I tried catching the Frisbee with my face tonight. I have a nice mosquito-bite bump below my eye, lol.

Again... They don't need something to imitate. The brain is hard-wired to develop language at a certain age. That's like it's primary duty for a chunk of time. During that time, some sort of communication will develop. Unless a child was deprived of all 5 senses. So yes, the environment has a factor in that sense. But a deaf and blind child will still express itself. It might not get too far beyond varying cries for different needs without external help, but it'll develop.

Iggy, when you're looking into a provider for a cellphone, there are some things you have to check: Is the plan a local area only, or a national plan? Is there roaming fees? If I get one plan, can I change my plan without paying extra or extending my contract? Get the coverage maps. I know T-Mobile is a nationwide carrier. All digital. Their nationwide plans have no roaming. So anywhere you can pick up a cellphone signal you can talk, no extra charge. Long distance, roaming, etc. are not extra. They simply take away from the minutes that you have in your plan. There's generally "unlimited" options you can pay for, too. Such as unlimited incoming, and unlimited nights and weekends. Your standard $60 family plan with them includes 2 phones, 700 minutes, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 9 PM, and unlimited mobile-to-mobile (so, between the two phones) Compare Alltell and Verizon to this. See if Verizon has deal with talking to other customers (like your brother and law, and your girlfriend), and whether or not the rest of the plan is sound enough to go with it.

Children who learn from the modern translations miss out on a lot of language history, "big" words, and a more challenging development of reading comprehension. When teaching a primary class, I was amazed at how well these kids (I think 9 year olds) could read, and understand what they were reading. I was stunned at some of the words they easily read, and understood, because of family scripture study of these "difficult" texts.

"Whether he/she learns to talk or even what language depends on those environmental factors." That's incorrect. Children have an innate ability to learn language. They WILL learn language. As long as they have something to interact with, they will develop a language. Deaf children, without being taught sign language, naturally develop their own gestures and noises, with rudimentary but consistent syntax. Even without verbal language cues they develop a language of their own, complete with grammar. "Wild" children, like the girl who essentially lived with dogs, still had language. Severely disabled people, who can hardly express themselves, still have a way to do so. Hard as it may be for US to understand, they do have a language. Language is an intrinsic human quality, and the evidence backs that up.

John 14: 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 1 Cor. 15: 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 2 Cor. 12: 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. D&C 88: 22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory. 23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory. 24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. D&C 76: 96 And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one. 97 And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one. 98 And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world;

If they're off the mark, even the Prophet is subject to disciplinary council, as explicitly stated in D&C.

From a forum standpoint: It's up to the moderators. From a non-forum standpoint: I don't think it's easy to constructively criticize your leaders, especially if you're not in their position. It's very easy to point fingers and say this or that... But I don't think it's your place. If you have specific issues with one leader, you talk to the leader above them, or however it works, and you let them take care of it. If the leader is someone like a President, like Thomas S. Monson or George W. Bush, then the person you need to go to when you think they're in error is the LORD, in prayer. There's a system in place that catches all those who're in error and has them held accountable.

Depends on the internet you have, Stacey. And you can turn cellphones into wireless internet access points these days, too. Costs more on your plan, but you can.

Right. And also that the LORD spoke to the our first progenitors and re-taught this laws (or established them, as some may say). So, the comment covered pre-mortal, eternal, and "Adam and Eve" standpoints.

Can't say I can offer any real advice on the drinking aspect. I can't see how anyone would want to do that to their body and their brain. I've never liked it, and all I can say is that you should look at not drinking as a sign of respect towards YOURSELF. Wild-child, eh? Piercings weren't a big thing for me, but I have wanted a tattoo for some time, to mark my ancestry. I'm pretty big on outward showings of my faith. (I LOVE sharing the Gospel, and wish I could just wear a T-Shirt that said all that I know.) I don't think that's terribly wild, though! I was a bit of a butthead, if you will, not long ago. I've been in the Church for about 19 months, being baptized on my 19th birthday. So, I'm kind of in that same age bracket as you are. I've had that feeling that "LDS is the right path for me to follow." Absolutely had that feeling. So I decided to test it, to take a gamble on it all. It was worth it. It was the best and most sure bet I've ever made. The power of Jesus Christ is real, without a doubt. It transformed me from a person I didn't like to a person that I know is heading on the right track to be the person I truly want to be. I've been agnostic. I had interest in certain pagan beliefs. I was never Christian until I joined the Church. It's a big leap, a huge change, and I was just telling people this morning that sometimes I stand, amazed, that I'm at where I am. That I'm such a different person, and that I'm a person with belief, faith, and knowledge of Christ. It's a wonderfully amazing shock. You can have this, too. I know it. If you decide to take that leap of faith, it will pay off. The blessings you shall receive because of it are things that I can only meagerly describe. So many little aspects of my life have changed because of Christ. You can be filled with that joy, and that sureness of faith. You just have to want it. More than anything, want it to be true. Hope with all of your heart, every fiber of your being. If you ever need to talk to someone, or want advice, this board is a great place to go. Use it! There are many members that're happy to converse with you privately, as well. Myself included. Don't hesitate to ask, because we honestly all want to help!

I just had this thought: Do you think the original writers of Scriptures could actually express in the words of their mortal language what they actually, fully experience? We can't even do that telling an anecdote. So the original writers even had to translate it from event into words. I don't really have anything else to say about that, I just realized it and I think it's cool.

KJV is fun. It may not be accurate, but if you've got an LDS quad, then the mistranslations and such are usually in the footnotes. Even then, if you're doing scripture STUDY, then those errors will come out, anyway. And if you're studying the BoM, then the KJV is good, because the language is more similar to the BoM's. However, I think it's terribly UNimportant which version of the Bible you use, as long as it's not one gross with error and translator's bias. Because, honestly, it's the Word of God. And if you read, with sincere intent and ask prayerfully for guidance, then the Spirit of God will "translate" for you and the message as you need it, to bring you closer to Christ, will come through. Brothers and sisters, deciding which version the Bible to use is generally not a good argument. As it stands, the Book of Mormon has been translated completely into at least 80 languages, which means 80 translations. I'm sure the Bible has a great many translations into other languages, as well. We must remember that the Gospel will be taught to every nation, kindred, and tongue. Old English or modern English are separate tongues, and by and through them must the Gospel of the Lord be taught. And to everyone, as PC mentioned. Even those with a lower reading level, they are our kindred, and so too must be taught. The whole point is: Read your scriptures, whatever version they may be. Seek out the Word of God, and in so doing the Spirit of God shall find you.

I don't know how this is taught in other churches, but when Christ rose, wasn't there also a bunch of saints who rose with him? That was the FIRST big resurrection. Those saints were more than just the patriarchs, right? Is that how it's taught in other denominations?

I joined the Church 19 months ago. That's also when I joined Christianity. I got to see a lot of the other side Although, I will say some Christian things as fact when I feel it truly is, even if not everyone acknowledges it.

I'm pretty sure it means God won't "jump" if you talk loudly to Him. He's not a jittery fellow.

Okay, I rather like this topic, so I'm going to request the back and forth be taken to PM. I, myself, should've done that in another topic. But I didn't, and it just went downhill. Anyway, Elph, "No, whatever the first moral laws were, and they weren’t Christian, the world is still enmeshed in pervasive poverty, dictatorships, and violence, especially to its girls/women." That depends on your viewpoint. As a Christian, I definitely believe certain moral laws ALWAYS existed.

1 Corinthians 13 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Because of our anti-homosexual behavior stance as LDS, I don't think most "gays" look too fondly on that. Speaking from experience with only one fellow, though. My dad has been vocal about that towards me. To a young LDS child I doubt he'd even bring it up, but an older one nearing adulthood, he might...

I don't think reverence and inviting the Holy Spirit are exactly the same thing. A loud, upbeat Hymn that causes followers of Christ to come together in unity is a very wonderful way to invite the Spirit. I wouldn't call it reverent... That said, I wouldn't necessarily say that a quiet service is reverent, either. Reverence involves a bit of awe and recognition of the Lord. Sometimes people may be quiet for quiet's sake, rather than their appreciation of the Lord. Nevertheless... I'm content with giving a loud, joyful "AMEN!" Watch this video: I can feel the Spirit listening to this. I have a rendition of it by the African Children's Choir that I love and have it under my Gospel playlist on my iPod. I love to to praise and sing JOY to the Lord. I LOVE IT! I feel such wonder and thanks and absolute joy for Him, it seems only suiting!