Ron Beron

More specifically, it is believed that Cain founded the tribal group of Kenites which were known for their metal workings. In Genesis 4:22 there is a reference to this. There is zero connection with him and the rise of Egyptian civilization. There is some evidence that the Sumerians influenced the Egyptian in religion and culture. Secondly, any mark placed on Cain was not done to condemn or curse him, but to protect him. The curse would be on those who sought to take his life.

My understanding is that is was part of an ancient tradition of placing a "curse colophon" on any body of scripture or writing to discourage disciples from imitating the original. Probably among the most famous are the curses placed on Egyptian tombs to discourage grave robbers.

Why do you consider this necessarily to be so? The role of a prophet in the OT and contemporaneously is much more complicated than a simple prognosticator. *First a prophet was one who saw or watches (Isa 29:10;43:10-12;Eze.33:7). *Secondly, he would be a witness or martyr to that which he saw. He would promote the saving ordinances of the gospel, the decrees and rites. (Isa I1:11-12(but)1:13 and DC 132:2-4). He would keep the scripture alive in the hearts of the new generation.(Isa 50:4;DC 68:4) He would teach that Israel had been elected by God and had a special covenant with him. He would teach them a sense of belonging that Israel was a place set apart. That Israel alone taught about the real God. (Isa. 40:11;DC49:9,36) *He would also render Gods judgement (Isa 30:12-14;Jer. 5:3,12,14;DC 19:3, God's compassion or mercy which implied a covenant. (Isa 54;7-8 ;DC 64:2;101:9), redemption (Isa 51:11;DC29:42), and final consummation (Isa 53:4-5/2:2-4) *Finally he would seal his life with his death.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

I have read parts of it and she is not very convinced that Paul was a strict Gnostic, although much of his writing reflects a gnostic edge. His adherence on concepts of "wisdom" can take us further back into some very interesting OT teachings on wisdom literature and the sub belief in Hokhma/Wisdom/Sophia which was a strong component of later Jewish belief. Philo of Alexandria taught a form of gnostic belief derived, in part, from Jewish thought.

I've been trying to track down the exact words. It goes like this. Chesterton recounted a "dream" he had had where he dreamt he was in heaven and had three miracles of inspiration come to him. First, there were people that were in heaven he would have thought never would be there. Two, the people he suspected should have been heaven, weren't. And the third and greatest miracle was that he was there.

Heretics and Orthodoxy. My favorite story he told was one where he discusses the three great miracles of heaven. I cannot remember it exactly. Do you remember it?

Mine said the same thing. I had offloaded Office Express and I wasn't able to get Outlook to run. I then reloaded Outlook Express and it worked fine. You should have it existant on your computer all ready. Just go over to the Control Panel and hit the Add or Remove button. As to removing Outlook you should be able to do that with little problem. Other than this I am lost.

Yep! Great writer. I have one of his books.

In agreement with your findings it is fairly evident that there were secret teachings. Later, I believe many of these teachings were completely eradicated during a purge of gnostic ideas during the Nicaean Council. I would think that the greatest problem to overcome is the comparison between gnosticism and Mormonism which may very well be contradictory and certainly heretical to orthodox Christianity as seen by some. Looking at your list I would think that most of the descriptive terms, especially the Greek, were, in fact, Gnostic teachings. Elaine Pagels brings up Paul's gnostic teachings in "The Gnostic Paul".

Who were the performers and what were their songs? I really liked the music.

Okay, Charity, I think that you are overly projecting at this point. How about lustfully eating without guilt or weight or no teenagers at all. That would be heaven.

He was the Tokyo Stake President on my mission and I had to report to him on a periodic basis. He was very businesslike and very kind. He also spoke better English then I spoke Japanese.

GG...If I had rephrased my answer to reflect the simplicity of your remarks then I would have fewer pushbacks. Thanks.

See my post above....

I think you misunderstood me. I said, "sex as a celestial being" not as a physical being. Since we will be living in a celestial paradisical glory then the idea does seem simplistic.

Yep! Most of my Jewish friends and the commentaries I have read seem to indicate that the stories in the OT are more illustrative of the relationship between man and God than an actual historical occurrance. It seems that it doesn't matter if the incident occurred or not what is more important is that God could do such things. In the meantime mankind needs to know that without God man is nothing. Having said that the stories of the OT is equally illustrative in that they show God's infinite love and compassion for His children.

It seems this approach is more consistent with the Jewish thought on the OT.

A lot of manuals are available on-line at LDS.org

My wife and I have an essential disagreement about the OT. She believes that most of the OT is basically authentic and actually occurred. I feel much of the OT is a series of analogies that were used to teach us of God and His plan for us. Case in point. I believe Noah to have been borrowed from the Sumerian and Akkadian texts during the Babylonia captivity and redacted into the literature of Genesis. She believes that the story is fairly true as it is presented. What do the majority of posters feel about this? And what stories in the OT are absolutely historically authentic?

I don't believe anyone here can assert with any real authority that we will be having sex or anything akin to it in the eternities. Sex, at least here on earth, is for physical procreation and is suited uniquely to our human forms and behavior. Sex as a celestial being with celestial glory seems a bit primitive and simplistic at best and crude and offensive at worse.

Knock knock.... Who's there? Ya Ya who? Are we having fun or what!

How are Spirits made? Practice....lots of practice.

I had a student from Sicily who would sing that song for the class. I love it.

Mr. Potts story is remarkable as was the life of Pavarotti. A childhood friend of his shared the story that when he was a baby he ate so much that they had to get a wet-nurse for him in addition to his own mother. I am not a major fan of operas, but I love the arias.