cdowis

Perhaps "they" have not responded because no one has asked them a question. Anyway, perhaps this would be pertinent Gen 6 [4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

I appreciate your effort. I just don' t have the time or incentive to pick apart your argument here, so let's just agree to disagree.

Well, yes and no. The "prophetic you", where the prophet is speaking TO the future "you". But using the present tense, it would be "they", since "you" is not yet born. Thus, "they will" -- I am in the present speaking of future events. "You" is addressing itself to those in the future who will be reading these words, and fulfilling the prophecy. Using the "prophetic tense" -- the present tense to describe future events. This "prophetic grammar" is a world unto itself and can be rather confusing..

I watched the preview, and... well, it's not my cup of tea. I think some of he General Conference talks and stories would hold my interest more, than a "born againer" preaching at me. I saw "Facing the Giant" (by the same people making this movie) and was unable to get thru the movie. Recently in a small town of Georgia, they hauled out a tub of water and was "baptizing" players just before practice. With cameras clicking and youtube videos posted of the baptism party. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv5teKFKoKE For me, it seems that this movie falls into that same tradition.

Because the Gentiles do not repent, a lion goes among sheep "treadeth down and teareth in pieces" does not seem to fit "roar and leadeth into safety". But I agree that both mention lions.

"Findings from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released today, reveal the percentage of Americans aged 12 or older who used an illicit drug in 2014 was higher than in every year between 2002 and 2013, driven primarily by increases in marijuana use, sustained rates of nonmedical pain reliever use, and increases in heroin use. “With now one in ten Americans reporting illicit drug use, it’s clear that we have much more to do to prevent drug use and treat the disease of addiction,” said Jeffrey Goldsmith, MD, President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)." http://www.asam.org/magazine/read/article/2015/09/10/increased-marijuana-heroin-use-contribute-to-highest-reported-illicit-drug-use-in-more-than-a-decade

3 Nephi 20 [15] And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people -- [16] Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. I remember when I read this, I could see the Navahoes (Lamanites) driving tanks in armed conflict with the Gentiles (ourselves) Of course this was rather silly. I now realize that the Lamanites include those who are from Mexico, Central and South America. Over the past few years I have seen how this prophecy has gradually begun to come to pass. Specifically it is our unrighteousness that has been the direct cause -- the drug trade is funded by ourselves. But it is not yet yet fulfilled.

A response to Hitchen's lecture, The Indifference of Heaven The typical argument, "If I were God, this is how I would have done things." He is reveling in his ignorance of our relationship between God and ourselves. "I don't understand, therefore it is absurd." He admits, with pride, that he does not understand the Atonement, how the sacrifice of the Son of God made it possible to return to God's presence. "How can anybody believe", is merely a reflection of his own concept of God, and , OF COURSE, it is an absurd description based on his ignorance. This may give us, at the very least, a hint of God's plan for us here on earth. https://youtu.be/9MiF_HKoFr4?list=FLOGthnff2vitBgcB66Ngm1A

Christopher Hitchens, in Memoriam "I think, I assert, therefore I know." Newton was heavily into alchemy. Does that then disqualify him as a contributor to science. According to the Hitchen's logic and philosophy as he assaults Mormonism, "This guy thought he could transform lead into gold, and spent enormous time trying to prove it. We can laugh at him, he was a con man, so don't take Newton seriously." Hitchens was seriously flawed in his logical processes and his view of reality. Basically, "I think, I assert, therefore I am right" People took Hitchens seriously because he was so clever in his words, using rhetorical fireworks, in his absolute certitude that he could courageously tell us the truth. Finally, his anti god philosophy was very appealing to those who saw it as giving them a sense of freedom --> that the ultimate judge of morality and personal behaviour was themselves. All of this was exemplified in his treatment of Mormonism. He had only a shallow understanding of its beliefs, bordering on ignorance. He took shortcuts, assuming that we were "just another cult" and not worthy of serious consideration. Joseph Smith was a con man, and could easily be dismissed with little study of his history. The Book of Mormon? Just "another Bible", a book delivered by an angel. No need to look any further.

When I use a public restroom, I always take a few extra paper towels home with me. It really adds up.

It does take alot of time, but the videos from the Joseph Smith Project are very helpful. You can view them at kbyu.org.

That is a requirement to become an editor of Dialogue magazine..

We have such a steeple in Jonesboro, GA, one of our older buildings. I was told that there was no symbolism here. In fact, it was somewhat embarrassing because people keep asking about it. Putting a steeple on the building is very expensive, and probably was an attempt to save money.

Obviously you have never played chess.

There must be some message hidden in the picture. Hopefully he will give us a hint -- does it have something to do with the tree, or sitting on top of the roof. I don't see anything obvious here.

And I bet you also don't know who is the world chess champion. (Hint: he's from Norway) Don't ask me about football or baseball.

CRITIC why do you call me an antiMormon. RESPONSE Thank you for allowing me to clarify. I did not call you an antiMormon. I said that you are using their tactics. I believe this is unintentional on your part. So, let's get down to it ==>> There are critics -- such as Rob Bowman, Dan Vogel, and I would even consider the Tanners as critics (most of the time, but they do cross the line). And on the opposite end, there are antiMormons. such as Lee Baker, Matt Slick, Bill McKeever. The difference is that the antis use clever rhetoric in a deliberate attempt to deceive. Bill McKeever keeps asserting that the BOM plates are 100-200 pounds even though he knows that they are documented to weigh 40-50 pounds. The others continue to quote church leaders as though every statement from a leader is the doctrine of the church. They "forget" to mention sources which actually contradict their assertions, and when we point it out their errors to them, they just move on to the next intended victim. For example, when an antiMormon talks about the wives of Joseph Smith, the ones already married, how many of them "forget" to mention that there are two types of marriage in the church, only one of which involves intimate relations. They quote out of context -- in the famous statement by Brigham Young and having intimate relations with blacks, how many also quote the paragraph above which clearly shows that he was not talking about marriage, but about the slave owners who took advantage of their female slaves. How often do they quote something, by giving their own "summary" of what was said. You check the actual statement, and it does not match their "summary". "Joseph Smith was convicted as a thief, con man, etc etc etc" This is antiMormon garbage. I'm sure they realize that most people won't check them out. When I ask for the exact quote, their sources, they just move on. The critics raise legitimate questions based on a knowledge and understanding of our actual history and doctrines. The antiMormons poison minds with their garbage. The critics ask questions, the antis fill the air with hysterical rants and assertions.

Questions and answers in the meeting with the Swedish members in 2010. I have included only those questions which seemed to be problematic. 1. Can the LDS Church leaders be trusted? You can rely on them to guide the church and to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are also free to express their own opinions, and may not have be able to give you the answers to your questions on such topics as church history. 2. Does the church believe in polygamy? There are fundamental doctrines of the church that do not change, but the practice of those doctrines may change. Let me give you and example, the Law of consecration. In the early church, the members had "all things in common", but today we practice that law through tithing. Today, a widow can be married and sealed to his second wife, but the practice of polygamy is not allowed for a man with multiple living wives. 3.Can you please try to convince us how this can be Christ-like, like Joseph Smith? To take the wives or have sex with wives that are already married to other men? Let me explain an important distinction in the LDS concept of "marriage". There is the temporal marriage with which we are all familiar, and that involves an intimate relationship between a man and a woman. There is also a "spiritual or eternal marriage" or sealing for eternity. In this case, someone can be your "spiritual wife" only after this life, and eternity only. Sometimes they were referred to as "sister=wife", a sister relationship in this life, and then a wife after mortality. But, again, the church does not practice this distinction today. It was a practice ONLY n the early days of church history, and you cannot have a "spirit only wife" sealed to you today. The history of these associations were not carefully kept, but we can safely assume that those married women were sister-wives to the Prophet. There is now evidence, including a DNA research study, which indicates that he had intimate relations with these individuals.

Here are the stories of others https://youtu.be/niB5Q-1g1m0?t=4m34s https://youtu.be/2w49_1a9X0Q

Here is a recent Boy Scout story. Our ward is collecting canned food for the different pantries in the area for the poor. They went to the local grocery store, in their scout uniforms, and collected food donations. They received TEN cartloads. I believe that their Scout uniforms, and what they represent, made a difference.

I'm diabetic, and still working on that fasting thing. The problem is going hypoglycemic -- going into a very low glucose shock. One Sunday I wasn't even fasting, but teaching a lesson and suddenly almost fainted. It's really really scary. Last fast Sunday I took a small drink bottle with grape juice in it. Drank some of it when I got to church, and left some in case I got into trouble. I know that my medical condition allows me to be excused -- but I still want to try.

CRITIC Various statements on whether Joseph Smith was a true prophet. RESPONSE Orson Pratt, 1811-1881 DIVINE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON By Orson Pratt One of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints This book must be either true or false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God to man, affecting both the temporal and eternal interests of every people under heaven to the same extent and in the same degree that the message of Noah affected the inhabitants of the old world. If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions who will sincerely receive it as the word of God, and will suppose themselves securely built upon the rock of truth until they are plunged with their families into hopeless despair. The nature of the message in the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it. Therefore, every soul in all the world is equally interested in ascertaining its truth or falsity.

I was taught NOTHING as a child. I was a teenager when I joined, and I learned about the history of the church was thru my own personal study. I worked at this, my fine feathered friend. I'm so tired of whining, sobbing people ...cough...choke...sob "The church did not spoon feed me all this stuff, and it actually expects for me to do my OWN RESEARCH" whaaaaaaaaaa whaaaaa SOB SOB "It's soooooo unfair."

Sorry that you did not like my answer, but it's all I got. To me it's self-explanatory. Anyway, as sometimes happens, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

Family history and temple work for my ancestors, if the Lost Tribes allow me to get into there. I understand they will be pretty much taking them over during this time to catch up on their own work.