cdowis

What would it be like to be a missionary in spirit prison.
 
https://youtu.be/BIAMDF81w8k?list=FLOGthnff2vitBgcB66Ngm1A

CRITIC
It's amazing that anyone can believe in religion.
 
RESPONSE
I think Freeman Dyson best explained religion in his description of quantum mechanics-->>

"The important thing about quantum mechanics is the equations, the mathematics. If you want to understand quantum mechanics, just do the math. All the words that are spun around it don’t mean very much. It’s like playing the violin. If violinists were judged on how they spoke, it wouldn’t make much sense."  --wiki

For those who are deaf to spiritual things, it just doesn't make much sense.

I suggest viewing the press conference introducing the new apostles.  Each one spoke about his calling, and it was very spiritual.
https://youtu.be/aR9AbEG_Kbg

I suggest viewing the press conference introducing the new apostles.  Each one spoke about his calling, and it was very spiritual.
https://youtu.be/aR9AbEG_Kbg

I suggest viewing the press conference introducing the new apostles.  Each one spoke about his calling, and it was very spiritual.
https://youtu.be/aR9AbEG_Kbg

I suggest viewing the press conference introducing the new apostles.  Each one spoke about his calling, and it was very spiritual.
https://youtu.be/aR9AbEG_Kbg

When I heard this, I immediately thought of the Blue Man group.  This video teaches you how to really appreciate music
 
https://youtu.be/iUK6ImapGF8?t=7m18s

It is a permanently sealed book, never to be opened except to those who have already read the inspired scriptures several hundred times, ponderized a thousand scriptures, raised a righteous family, done many years of humanitarian service.......
Did I mention temple and missionary work?  Home teaching, family history and indexing.
 
IOW, those who have ALOT of time on their hands after doing "the basics".
 
PS I hope that I wasn't too subtle in my response.

"It's not grammatical but structural"
Very well done!
 
When I was in the sixth grade, I had a teacher who taught us grammar AND outlining sentences.  But I really began to to apply what I learned when  I took Latin and Greek.  They are about 20% vocabulary, and the rest was grammar and understanding sentence structure. There's nothing like having the subject at the beginning of the sentence and the verb at the end, and throwing the rest into the middle.  Add a conditional clause with a aorist subjunctive*, gerunds, etc.  and you had an interesting sentence to translate.  It makes the "prophetic future" tense a piece of cake -- you use the past tense in speaking of a future event, which gives it a stronger sense that it will be fulfilled.
 
What about the BOM saying that Christ will be born "AT Jerusalem".  It didn't say "IN Jerusalem", but means.......
 
Don't get me started.
 
*e.g. it might have been possible, if....
 
present subjunctive, "If I be wrong, then...."

Security at our stake conference--
We have several members who are police officers, and carry weapons off duty.  When a General Authority was visiting stake conference, one of them was sitting on on the far left side of the stand and was constantly scanning the audience.
The look on his face clearly said, "Don't try it."  
 
When the conference was over, I went up to meet the GA, and it was obvious that he was carefully being watched over by several people.  After all, this is the South.

Unborn babies [things] can began learning much earlier than doctors originally estimated, according to the results of a Spanish study. The study concluded that babies can hear at 16 weeks gestation, rather than the typically scientifically accepted 26 weeks.  The study, led by Dr. Marisa Lopez-Teijon of the Institut Marques in Barcelona, involved 100 pregnant women between the 14th and 39th week of pregnancy. Researchers used a device called a Babypod, which was inserted into the vagina, to play Partita in A Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

The babies [things] responded to the music, indicating they could hear. Doctors said almost half moved during the music, making head and limb movements as if they were dancing. Another 30 percent began moving their tongues or mouths. Ten percent stuck their tongues out, doctors said. Researchers said they know the music caused the babies to move because most stopped their movements when the music ended.  Not only did the babies move – doctors said they sang. Video shows the child moving its mouth and tongue, and it looks like singing.

 

Doctors said it isn’t uncommon for babies to respond to sounds with movements that look like they are trying to speak or communicate. However, researchers never anticipated these movements to happen so early in the pregnancy. Researchers wrote on the Institut Marques website that this proves children can learn before they are born.

That will be a major advantage to new parents and doctors, researchers said.

“We are aware of and recognize the importance of talking to babies [YES, THESE ARE BABIES] from the moment they are born to promote neurological stimulation. Now we have the amazing opportunity to do this much sooner, which is a huge advance,” researchers wrote.

Experiments with headphones on the mother’s stomach did not result in the babies making similar movements. Researchers said babies could hear their mother’s voice, her heartbeat and the sound of her heels on the floor, but only faintly due to the barrier of the stomach wall.http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-startling-footage-of-16-week-old-unborn-baby-catches-doctors-completely-off-guard/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=57&v=n9AWjb0D8gw

Yeah, and it would help if we could only get shooters to text while they are shooting.  

Security at our stake conference--
We have several members who are police officers, and carry weapons off duty.  When a General Authority was visiting stake conference, one of them was sitting on on the far left side of the stand and was constantly scanning the audience.
The look on his face clearly said, "Don't try it."  
 
When the conference was over, I went up to meet the GA, and it was obvious that he was carefully being watched over by several people.  After all, this is the South.

Many of these experiences are very sacred but I can share with you this experience.
 
Many years ago I was very active in a Christian church.  One day a school friend invited me to his youth group meeting, and the Mormon missionaries  had been invited to tell them what we believe.  When I went, it was the second or third meeting.
 
The lesson was on the Plan of Salvation.  They talked about where we came from, why we were here on earth, and what happens to us after death.  As they were speaking, I had the very strong impression that I had heard this all before.  I remember saying to myself, "This is very familiar.  I know that I have heard this before".  I went through my memory, but could not remember where I had learned this.
 
In that moment I heard a quiet voice speak very clearly to me.  "It is true".  That's all it said.  
 
I can clearly remember that experience now over 50 years later. It so imprinted itself on my soul that I have never doubted that they were telling the truth.  It was before I learned about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.
 
Whenever I think of this experience, it makes me think of the hymn, "Amazing Grace".

A man For All Seasons (1966 version with Paul Scofield)
 
Quote==
William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!
Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
William Roper: Yes, I'd cut down every law in England to do that!
Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!

Let me humm the tune for you.   This is how it begins --->>
 
la la la la laaa, la laalaa la lala etc
 
Sound familiar?  I apologize if it is out of tune.

Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency(the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/approaching-mormon-doctrine
 
 
Taylor confused the doctrine of polygamy (as expressed by his father) with the practice of polygamy (Wilford Woodruff).  The doctrine is still in effect, the only change is how it is practiced.  And it cannot be practiced unless the one who  holds the key (the President of the Church) permits it.
 
His excommunication was not over polygamy but over the issue of who holds the keys
 
 
1. Get your facts straight.
2. "I really don't know what I am talking about."  No you don't.  You are just repeating rumors and gossip.
 
++++++++++++++++
Just an observation -->>
You are walking down a path which may lead you to a place where you do not want to go.  My personal attitude to this issue is that there are some things I do not understand, and it is ok to ask questions.  In some cases it will take many years to understand what is going on, as I get more knowledge, insight,  and spiritual maturity.

>>3-4 year old son
 
You should be proud of him that he participated and showed his enthusiasm in his own unique 3 year old way.

The blind side

"Inn of the Sixth Happiness" with Ingred Bergman (1958).  One of the great inspirational movies from the Golden Age of Movies, based on a real-life person who became a missionary in pre-war China.  Humor, romance, suspense
 
A very remarkable ending, shows how the Lord cares for his children even in an obscure, remote village in China.  A great movie to watch on Sunday.

SALT LAKE CITY — 
(September 26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church recently issued the following statement:  
The Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or unemployment.
This teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events. 
The writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or positions that do not reflect Church doctrine.
(my emphasis)
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-inquiries-about-preparedness

SALT LAKE CITY — 
(September 26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church recently issued the following statement:  
The Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or unemployment.
This teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events. 
The writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or positions that do not reflect Church doctrine.
(my emphasis)
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-inquiries-about-preparedness

SALT LAKE CITY — 
(September 26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church recently issued the following statement:  
The Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or unemployment.
This teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events. 
The writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or positions that do not reflect Church doctrine.
(my emphasis)
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-inquiries-about-preparedness

Here is the difference: Christians follow Jesus and His Word, the Bible. Mormons follow Joseph (Smith) and his false doctrine(s), the BofM, the D&C and the Pearl of Great Price Can you believe that Mormons believe that God was once a man who sinned!!! And that he may have actually been a Christ on another world before becoming God!!!
++++++++++++++++++
My response
1. Historic Christians have replaced the apostles and prophets with theologians and philosophers, who mingle the philosophies of man with scriptures.
The LDS church has as its cornerstone Jesus Christ who has called living prophets to lead His Restored church.  
See Eph 4:11-14.

2. "God is a man who sinned". This is not a teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. 
Christ told us in John 5: 19 The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Both the Father and the Son have been sinless for all eternity The antiMormons have poisoned your mind, my friend.

Papal condemnations of capitalism that also give godless communism a free pass from criticism are a sin, a prominent Cuban-American religious leader said this week.

“Why do you and other religion leaders condemn capitalism so strongly, and offer us a list of all the disasters that result from it on earth, but we never see an equally strong condemnation of atheist communism, which continues to cause the world so much harm?” Rev. Alberto Cutié, a former Catholic priest who is now an Episcopal priest, wrote in a column in the Miami Herald.

“Is it really more important to have diplomatic relations with a country that has not had free elections in 50 years, that abuses its people, that has a well-documented history of oppressing and robbing the Church–than to seek justice, the common good and freedom for all Cubans?” he asked Pope Francis, who met recently with Raul Castro and other Cuban leaders.

“I don’t understand–and don’t think I will ever begin to understand–why a man of God can meet with oppressors, but not the oppressed,” Rev. Cutie concluded.

http://www.westernjournalism.com/a-well-known-cuban-american-priest-just-asked-pope-francis-the-one-question-on-everyones-mind/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=TeaPartyNewsletter&utm_campaign=AM1&utm_content=2015-09-25