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I don't like to say it, @clbent04, but I feel compelled to... Your words sound like, "I don't want to know the truth about God because it interferes with things I believe." Are you wanting to bolster your own current beliefs or are you wanting to gain an understanding of and relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost? That said, I don't understand how a correct understanding of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost can possibly fail to support a believe that God is the source of all good - since that's true.

Mosiah 2 v3-4: Sure, you could just go to listen, but better if you go to gatherings prepared to participate in ordinances (like the Sacrament) and to give thanks to God. (Be an active participant, not a passive or thoughtless one.) v6: @Jamie123, it's quite common for someone to use this verse in a talk or lesson about where we focus our attention - using the analogy of how these people had their doors open toward the temple. (Just helping you get the "reading as a member" experience. ) Meanwhile, I also liken this to modern times when every person can remain in their tents (aka home) and watch and listen to General Conference. v9: Learning the things of God requires more than just understanding the meaning of words spoken or written. It requires an intent on your part, a willingness to receive and act. v12-14: The attributes / behavior of good government / leadership. (Alas, these days are long gone.) v17: @Jamie123, one of the most commonly quoted scriptures, I think. v20+: There is no way to get out of debt to God. So, be grateful. v25 (and Helaman 12:7-8, linked in the footnote): Good verses to keep you humble - you dust. v32: In some ways, this is the downfall of the Nephites - internal contention at critical times. I expect it will be the downfall of America, too. v36+: Whatever you do, don't rebel against God! v41: Choose to be blessed and happy instead.

My examples focus on the fact that faith in man and faith in Jesus Christ are not the same thing. And if you have faith in the light of Christ, well, that's faith in Christ. I also mentioned that believing good things about or having hope for people is not the same as faith in Christ. I'm all in favor of looking as positively as you can on others (I believe God expects us to see others as He does), but I cannot find any way to believe that faith in mankind is ever the same as faith in Christ. Indeed, you'll have no trouble finding scriptures that tell you not to have that kind of faith in man - to have it only in God.

What @Vort said. Yes, it matters. Maybe not at the beginning of one's learning the gospel of Jesus Christ, but eventually, yes.

IMO, never the same thing. Faith in Christ, I've already defined. I do not need to believe that mankind can do anything in order to have faith in Christ. Look at Moroni - he was alone and hunted by the Lamanites. He had faith in Christ. I imagine the only faith he could muster in the people around him was faith that they'd kill him if they could catch him. Similar things could be said of Ether. Is it good to believe that we are all brothers and sisters, that each of us has the potential for good, to treat each person with respect and kindness, etc.? Absolutely. But that's nothing like the faith we have in Christ.

Joseph Smith said: God has revealed these things. Start with the Gospel Topics entry for Godhead.

It is for us, too.

This is true. Though an understanding of the roles of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, and that they are two different people is also important. (Just to be clear.)

But there are a lot of people still who know nothing about the Church other than "Mormon" and "LDS" or "Latter-day Saint" - but usually just "Mormon". And those people are convinced by the words of the people you mention that "Mormons aren't Christians". Because usually, the people you mention don't bother to say something like, "They say they believe in Jesus Christ, but they don't believe in the trinity." Rather, they say something like, "Mormons aren't Christians."

The Church's "Gospel Stream" app is ad free and appears to include all their YouTube content. And at least right now, the Firefox plug-in "Enhancer for YouTube" will still skip over the ads (you can't even tell their are ads - this thing would be worth money, but it's free). I also use a DNS server that excludes some ad-only servers, porn, and other family-unfriendly servers. So far, this hasn't caused any problems with any website that insists I not block ads. The Firefox plug-in "uBlock Origin" has triggered websites that disallow ad-blockers, though. And I use a javascript blocker (again, Firefox plug-in) so that nothing runs scripts without me allowing them (sometimes, this gets me around ads and, more rarely, the "you have to log in to see this" pop-up type things). But it, too, has triggered websites that disallow ad-blockers. I run yet another plugin that lets me apply my own CSS to web pages to hide content (including the positions where ads are placed) or otherwise alter the appearance. The ads still load, but CSS prevents me from seeing them. Finally, I use the browser's "hard to get to" settings to prevent videos from auto-playing anywhere any time. Needless to say, my browsing experience is much more pleasant than what I hear others complaining about.

To be clearer: he included the plates themselves, not just an abridgement or copy of them (at least, this is my understanding).

Omni was on the small plates. Mormon included all of the small plates. The clarifying history and these two verses are more than enough to justify Omni (as near as I can tell, this is the only place where we get the phrase "offer your whole souls"):

Some good "name" scriptures to ponder: And, to be completely clear: no one believes that just speaking Christ's name has some magical power. It is acting by authority (see Acts 19:13-15 - you cannot assume priesthood authority, it must be conferred properly) and doing as Christ would do (in other words, keeping covenants), acting in harmony with God's will, etc. that makes invoking Christ's name effective In a certain sense, the above are saying "be good" - because you can't "sin in Christ's name" - the idea is absurd. From the Bible Dictionary entry for Prayer: And that's just the tip of the "name" iceberg. Lots of good study opportunities here.

Most of Christianity can recite John 3:16 by heart: ...But I like verse 17 even better: Make no mistake, the day will come when the wicked will be condemned, but the Lord will give them every possible chance to repent and turn to him before that day comes. (And that day doesn't come, as far as I can tell, until the end of the Millennium.)

Words of Mormon It amazes me (and doesn't) how the prophets in the Book of Mormon are always concerned both for their enemies and for the people of the future. They clearly knew that they were recording things for a future day. And it seems to me they were fully invested in that future. v7: The Lord knew, even back then, that we'd need the small plates to cover for when the 116 pages were lost. v8: Be deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of all people. I think I too easily think folks can do what they want - it's not like I can teach millions anyway - but reading these things makes me think I should have deeper feelings for my billions of unknown brothers and sisters and their spiritual well-being. v12-18: This is like the Reader's Digest version of the Book of Mormon, summarizing all the sorts of things that happen in the rest of the book. Mosiah 1 v2+: Again with parents teaching children. It's like a subliminal message to every person reading the Book of Mormon: good parents teach their children. v3-5: Be grateful both for scripture and for historic records. It is the written record that allows society to progress and not devolve into near animals. v6+: Testify to your children of the truth. v7: The scriptures do us no good if we don't "search" them. (And these folk didn't have topical guides or indexes or apps or anything!) And then we have to do what the scriptures teach. v10: Evidence Mosiah I was probably a great man - instead of saying "people of Zarahemla, and the Nephites", Benjamin refers to them as "the people of Mosiah". I wonder how many of the people of Nephi stayed behind, with the Lamanites, perhaps, when Mosiah led the righteous away. v13+: Don't forget Christ - the name by which you are blessed and by which you will one day be called. v17: When you feel "smitten with sore afflictions", examine how well you're carrying out your duty to God. @Jamie123, King Benjamin's address that starts tomorrow is a well-known story in the Church - yeah, lots of Book of Mormon stories are, but I'd say this one is higher up the list as far as how frequently it's referenced. (Just FYI.)

God is the Father of your spirit. Jesus Christ is your brother. They are the same species as you. That they are exalted doesn't change that. Study the scriptures. Who and what Christ is are clearly taught in the scriptures. Go from Genesis 1 (understanding that Jehovah is premortal Jesus Christ) and go through Article of Faith 13. Start in the topical guide entries for Jesus Christ, if you wish. Study him. Read about him. He was a mortal man, with a physical body not so different from any other man. But he was perfect, sinless, the Son of God. When you come to know Jesus Christ, you know God. (Though knowing them is a process that will not be complete until and unless exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. Until then, move forward with what you know, and keep learning and getting better at doing what Christ taught - that's how you come to know him, by doing what he taught.) Don't let yourself get hung up on how he (and you and I and everyone) existed eternally, without beginning. Mortal humans simply cannot understand eternity past - it makes no sense. We are creatures of beginnings. The idea that there never was a beginning is unfathomable to us. It's much easier to imagine eternity future - we can imagine going forward. We cannot imagine how it is that we existed for eternity and yet are still at a stage of development where just dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning is a struggle. It's baffling. Let it go. It's something for future-you to understand. Rather than thinking of the feelings, then, think of the person from whom the feelings flow. You may not know what he looks like or understand how he can be perfect, but surely you can imagine that there is a person from whom all these things come. And try to think of it this way: your feelings and knowledge are guiding you toward the person holding the light. Check out 2 Nephi 32:4: You know there's light because Jesus Christ is showing it to you. You cannot reach the light without Jesus Christ bringing you into it. He loves you enough to shine the light in your direction and to offer to bring you out of darkness and into the light; and enough to let you decide whether to come, or stay in darkness. It's not light or truth you're after - it's to be in the presence of Jesus Christ, who will open your eyes to the light and teach you (to understand) the truth. In short, try connecting those things that make sense to you to the person through whom they come. An effort to connect to the person is required to make that connection. If you say, "well, I can't understand God so I'll just think about love, forgiveness, and compassion", you will never gain understanding of God. You might get a bit closer, but you won't get there until you intentionally decide to seek a relationship with the person.

Clearly I have been delayed by other posts on the forum... (And a trip to get bird seed since Klaw's bird-attracting supplies are arriving tomorrow and I didn't order bird seed online - cheaper locally, go figure.) And now it's time for lunch. My scripture study will be happening late today...

Jesus Christ is our salvation. His is the only name. He is the only way. Without him, all are damned. Sure, his name is slightly different in various languages. Sure, he has many names. But the person we know as Jesus Christ is the only one with the power to offer us salvation and exaltation. And as Alma said, we will be called by his (Christ's) name at the last day. If you don't know that name, or more precisely, if you haven't taken it upon yourself by covenant (either personally or by proxy), then you are not saved or exalted. It is that simple. So yes, the name matters. Eventually (by the end of the Millennium) all will have heard it and decided whether to accept or reject the person whose name it is.

I submit that you are wrong - at least in the sense that once we learn the name, the name matters immensely. Those who have yet to learn the name can move toward Christ without knowing they're doing it, but if they continue, eventually they will learn the name, and then they will be required to take that name upon themselves. I would encourage you to search the scriptures for the word "name" and see just how significant it was to those who wrote scripture. As you study, pray and note what you learn (which may be more than what the words say). I think the cultural significance of "name" has been lost to some degree, but I think study will help you find it. I've already posted one scripture about this - "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ". Faith in Christ - a topic worthy of study, by the way (read the scriptures and note what those who have faith say and do) - means to believe what he has said, that he has the power and character to keep his promises; and then to act in harmony with that belief. If you have faith in Christ, you will follow him (that is, do the things he did and taught). And when you are converted, you will help others to come to him. If you don't have faith in Christ, then you don't think he meant what he said, or you don't think he can do what he promised to do, or you think his teachings were nice and all but not something you need to do, or whatever "not gonna change my life" thing you want to list.

I will disagree with the others here and say "yes". But it's all about what these two phrases ("broken heart" and "contrite spirit") mean. I submit that there's the dictionary definition, which doesn't require Christ, and there's the scriptural definition, which does require Christ. I'm going to discuss them in reverse: "Contrite spirit" is a little easier - it simply means "repentant": Now, in the world, I can feel those things and "repent", but in scripture, repentance involves God and Jesus Christ - it is always turning back to God and asking his forgiveness, which is offered because of Christ (and Christ can extend forgiveness because he carried out the Atonement). Even if scripture teaches to go and be reconciled with your brother first (for example), repentance still has to involve God the Father and Jesus Christ. Next comes "broken heart". I submit that this does not mean "heartbroken". People are "heartbroken" when they break up with their girlfriend or when their beloved pet dies. While not unrelated, I do not believe this is what scripture is talking about. So, let's look at some definitions of "broken" (all from Merriam-Webster): violently separated into parts damaged or altered by or as if by breaking disrupted by change made weak or infirm subdued completely reduced in rank cut off : disconnected imperfectly spoken or written not complete or full disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent These aren't all, but they're the ones I can loosely link to the scriptural meaning. That one in bold is the most important. Neither this dictionary nor google's used the example they should have - namely, of breaking a horse. It doesn't mean shattering it into multiple pieces (hard to do unless it's frozen solid anyway), it means taming said horse, teaching it to submit to human authority, teaching it to obey. We have a broken heart when we are humble, submissive, and meek (see Mosiah 3:19); when we are "stripped of pride" (Alma 5:28). We have a broken heart when we allow Christ to change our heart (tame us, in a sense), when we recognize his authority and our dependence, when we choose to obey because he knows all and we know essentially nothing. As to the other definitions... We have a broken heart when we recognize that we are separated into parts, damaged (flawed) and "disunited" or disconnected or "cut off" from God, weak and infirm, imperfect or incomplete compared to God's perfection. I don't think it means "sad" beyond being saddened by our recognition of these things and then our contrite spirit turns to God to seek reconciliation, accepting his guidance and will in how to accomplish that.

Here's what President Nelson had to say: Here is what Jesus had to say: First, the Atonement is something Jesus Christ did. It is not a sentient entity capable of acting independently, it is not a series of rules, it is not a magical incantation or source of energy. It was a collection of acts and events which Christ carried out and endured. Without Christ, there is no "Atonement" - they cannot be separated. I refer you again to President Nelson: Here is what King Benjamin had to say (I recommend reading the whole chapter if not the whole speech): Here is what Alma had to say: @mikbone had it right - faith in Christ cannot be separated from the condition of your heart - it is a condition of your heart. As previously stated, there is no disconnecting faith in Christ from the condition of you heart. But why? Because the Atonement doesn't save, obedience doesn't save, ordinances don't save, justice and mercy don't save. Jesus Christ saves. Even those like little children who die before the age of accountability are saved by Jesus Christ. Those who die without the law and are judged based on what they understood and did, who never heard the name Jesus Christ, are still saved by Jesus Christ (Moroni 8:22) (ETA: Also Mosiah 3:11). He is the way - the only way and the only name. There is no salvation without him. I will post separately about broken heart and contrite spirit.

By that same logic, they should not want to be associated with humans. Divide us into pretty much any sub-grouping you like and there's a fair chance that at some point in history, some of that sub-grouping has behaved atrociously. "Throw the baby out with the bath water" comes to mind.

I don't think anything ever says what language was used on the brass plates. I would guess Hebrew, but I don't know. Oh, so, the index to the triple combination (which doesn't appear to exist in the Book of Mormon app) has an entry for "Egyptian". And one of those entries takes us to Mosiah 1:3-4 which suggests that Lehi was able to read the brass plates because he had "been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings" - so I guess the brass plates were in Egyptian. As for Nephi's two sets of plates, they called it "reformed Egyptian" (per Mormon 9:32 - which was written by Moroni). I believe they wrote this way because it required less space and perhaps was easier on plates. In fact, I think they say that in the book.... Yes, Mormon 9:33-34: I haven't started on today's reading, but will, just as soon as I finish with the FP forums and my morning exercise...

Yes, exactly - an editorial bridge. The remainder of the book up to Mormon consists of Mormon's abridgement of the large plates of Nephi - the ones kept by the kings. Parts of Mormon, and all of Ether (ETA: Moroni's abridgement of the Jaredite record) and Moroni were written by Moroni (Mormon's son), though a couple of Moroni chapters are letters from his father. I'm happy to walk through it with you, and still hope more will join us - a good discussion in Sunday School quickly reveals that different people learn and perceive many different things when studying scripture, so we all learn more as more participate. Either way, this has been very rewarding for me and came at the perfect time - so thank you for that!

And it's entirely possible, IMO, that Mosiah I was that impressive a man. (Heaven knows what all went on there - gallons of history in a drop in only a few verses - but it sure seems like Mosiah I was not your average fellow.)