LdsNana

JBS, YOU are preaching false doctrine in regards to the blessing of the sick by the way of anointing and sealing with consecrated oil and then giving a Priesthood blessing by the Laying on of Hands in the Name of Jesus Christ and through the Power of the Holy Priesthood. NOW, if you are merely saying that ALL fathers are naturally patriarchs in their homes and do have a right to pray and bless their families without Priesthood authority, you would be correct. But that is all. Personal worthiness and faith would still be factors in the power of the prayer being offered up to God. This same principle would apply to any righteous individual seeking a blessing from God. FAITH is the POWER of the priesthood. (Bruce R. McConkie) If you have not read the talk "Only an Elder" then I would submit it to every male member of the church. Every male member of the church who receives the Melchizidek Priesthood receives the inherent patriarchal key to preside IN their family throughout Eternity. When they are sealed they then share equally this key with their eternal companion. They do not turn the key for her or exercise dominion over her in any way. She simply now has equal access to this key through the sealing covenant. My Stake President just recently taught regarding the equal holding of the patriarchal key between husband and wife in the home. I believe it was Dallin Oaks that also recently spoke about the differences in the way the priesthood relationship should function in the organizations of the church versus our marriage relationships. Apparently there must be some confusion going on in this area? The office of an ELDER is the only office of the Priesthood that is Eternal. Note that even an Apostle does not hold any more priesthood than an Elder. We refer to Apostles as Elder........ Did anyone see the press conference with Elder Eyring and Elder Cook between General Conference last month. Elder Eyring was asked a question, something about differences in operations in the church and his Harvard experience? Something to this effect? I can't really recall the exact question... What I do recall and what was just so beautiful was the way in which President Eyring described the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in coming to a decision. I noted that they actually used the pattern of the husband and wife and not the general church counsels. The highest body in this church is truly as the Bride preparing herself for the Bridegroom and desiring above all else to be at ONE. I am not sure if it is still available at lds.org but I would watch this if you can find it. What a beautiful example of a Zion Society of pure hearts. New Era Classic: 
Only an Elder By Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85)
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Adapted from an October 1974 Regional Representatives seminar address. Bruce R. McConkie, “Only an Elder,” New Era, Jan. 2003, 36 Someone asks: “What office do you hold in the Church? What is your priesthood position?” An answer comes: “Oh, I’m only an elder.” Only an elder! Only the title by which a member of the Council of the Twelve is proud to be addressed; only the title which honors the President of the Church, who is designated by revelation as the first elder (see D&C 20:2); only the office to which millions of persons are ordained in the vicarious ordinances of the holy temples. Only an elder! Only the office which enables a man to enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and to have his wife and children bound to him with an everlasting tie; only the office which prepares a man to be a natural patriarch to his posterity and to hold dominion in the house of Israel forever; only the office required for the receipt of the fulness of the blessings in the house of the Lord; only the office which opens the door to eternal exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world, where man becomes as God is. Only an elder! Only a person ordained to preach the gospel, build up the kingdom, and perfect the Saints. Every elder in the Church holds as much priesthood as the President of the Church. No Apostle can or will rise higher in eternity than the faithful elder who lives the fullness of the gospel law. Ministers of Jesus Christ What is an elder? An elder is a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. He holds the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. He is commissioned to stand in the place and stead of his Master—who is the Chief Elder—in ministering to his fellowmen. He is the Lord’s agent. His appointment is to preach the gospel and perfect the Saints. What is an elder? He is a shepherd, a shepherd serving in the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd. It is written: “And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God” (Ezek. 34:31). It is also written, and that by Peter, the first elder in his day: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, … “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:1–4). Know this: elders, who are standing ministers in the Lord’s kingdom, are appointed to feed the flock of God, to take the oversight of the flock, to be examples to the flock. The Lord’s representative What is an elder? “And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, … “Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? “To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth” (D&C 50:10, 13–14). An elder is the Lord’s representative sent forth to teach His gospel for the salvation of men. Who can measure the worth, the infinite worth, of a soul, a soul for whom Christ died? Every elder is needed The Church has need of every elder. None can be spared. The Church must be perfected and the gospel taught to every creature. There is no way to teach the gospel to more than 6 billion people without more missionaries. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. “And he that reapeth receiveth wages” (John 4:35–36). “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God” (D&C 6:3). “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father” (D&C 15:6). An eternal office Let us now, however, return to our theme, which is: “Brethren, what think ye of the office of an elder?” Only an elder! Only the office held by apostles and prophets in this life; only the office that they will have when they come forth in immortal glory and enter into their exaltation; only the open door to peace in this life and a crown of glory in the life to come. Only an elder! Only an elder in time and in eternity! What are we to understand by the four and twenty elders, spoken of by John? The revealed answer: “We are to understand that these elders whom John saw, were elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead” (D&C 77:5). Now, let us hear the words which John wrote relative to those who were faithful elders while in this life and who are exalted elders in the realms ahead: “Behold, a door was opened in heaven: … “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold” (Rev. 4:1–2, 4). Only an elder! “They had on their heads crowns of gold.” Moses prayed, “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:29). Well might we pray: “Would God that all the elders among the Lord’s people would be faithful, that they would feed the flock of God, that they would take the oversight of the flock, that they would be examples to the flock—all to the honor and glory of that God whose ministers they are.” Gospel topic: priesthood © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

CourtneyP, This is actually quite tough. The fact that you are counseling with others is a good thing because it means that you are aware of the issues that you are dealing with and most likely the challenges that you face. Mormon Culture is real and powerful in our lives. It affects our happiness, because we desire to be accepted within the system and yet still have autonomy to make personal choices without feeling judged "wrong" because we may choose something out of the norm. So we worry that one false move could change how we are seen within the group, therefore finding ourselves quickly outside the fence. Unfortunately our worries are valid because more than likely we have watched it happen to someone we know? The lds Saints are great at stereo-typing ourselves and enjoying being stuck in one place. We are very uncomfortable when someone gets even a foot out of the "stuck" and sees a different way than we have been doing it all these years. After all, there is only one way and that is the Lord's way... so WHAT are You thinking? LOL The first reaction is to be critical of those doing IT different that the rest... or the ONE way. Oh how we love to judge, we lds. Funny as this seems and stupid as it is, this is OUR reality as members of ZION. Thus the Three-fold Mission of the Church and here we focus on the "Perfecting of the Saints". If you get the go ahead, that for your family this is right-on with the Lord and you feel that you can endure these fallible and imperfect siblings of ours... then by all means do it. But only if you realize that it is your job to help others LEARN that this is a positive way to DO IT. No perfection required, but confidence is important in your choice to move forward. I personally believe that when people are comfortable, non-defensive and actually embrace those around them who may be critical or uncomfortable with us, we are able to bridge barriers that could easily be built otherwise and separate us from those that we are meant to be near. Seeing as you are in a sense, switching the traditional roles within the lds culture, you and your husband will need to make extra effort to STAY connected to your ward brothers and sisters, so that YOU and them do not separate each other from one another. And probably the very best tool you could apply would be a lot of humor. So laugh at the differences in all of US!

Well, Hellooooooooo Drewm. I caught your last act over at MA&DB a few days ago. You might say we are "new" old friends. You can pm me and ask more if you like. But I personally felt that you were definitely mistreated over there and feel that we will all benefit by having you here at this forum. So welcome aboard. WS

PEOPLE THAT NEED THE GOSPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

living on your own planet.... LUCKY YOU!

Hello Traveler, First of all, it is God who confers man His Power to Righteously bless, etc... In section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants, What the Lord reveals to us about Himself is very critical knowledge, as well as all those whom He allows to exercise His power. 41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; 42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— Note the bold word can in verse 42. Not even God Himself could, even IF he wanted to, misuse the Power of the Priesthood. It is that simple. He is Perfect. Perfectly Righteous. If this were not an absolute truth, God would cease to BE God. The Book of Enoch has much to value, but you must judge it by revealed truths to know what of it to value. Does it support or contradict? Now, you be the judge of your question... Also I would seriously suggest you study LAW before you allow the apologist scholars to convince you that the Flood was not literal, etc... You may want to return to the faith of your childhood, which is a stronger foundation and one you will find the majority of the great prophets founded upon. And one which will NEVER fail you.

Ashilla, Oh I am so glad you have come to this forum. You will meet a lot of great people that will answer specific questions that you would like to post, as well as support you as you investigate the church. What you are sure to run into are many anti-mormon sites on the internet. This is very unfortunate. I hope that if this occurs, and you meet with questions that are confusing to you, that you will allow us to help you through them. We are pretty good with giving you resources and explaining some of the many false information that is out there. I have placed a link here to mormon.org. It is a great site that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints has published officially that will answer most of the important questions that you would be interested in knowing. This information is the best way to begin familiarizing yourself with the Mormon faith and what we believe. This should help in giving you a good foundation of information to then build on. Again, Welcome! Questions Answered and Live Chat about Mormonism @ Mormon.org[/

ROCK AND ROLL! Led Zeppelin or Cold Play

cheating here... internet news Porche or Jaguar

Did you mean the diet-coke and the chocolate with nuts or ALL CHOCOLATE.... WHO CARES WHAT KIND? LOL Spice drops... cinnamon:-) oatmeal cookies - with or without raisins... he he he

definitely diet-coke extra on the ice chocolate with nuts or without nuts?

frbhg - I LOVE Hyrum Andrus! He totally rocks. I think everyone should read ALL of his books! He puts the period on many topics for me or has assisted me in coming to my own understanding on many doctrines and principles of the gospel. If you love the mind of the prophet Joseph Smith, you will enjoy Hyrum Andrus' books, as his goal is to come to the understanding of gospel truths through the known reasoning of the mind of the prophet and with of course the truths he also revealed. So it is very sound in its presentation and fits well into the frame of what we are already familiar with. Yet he expands the mind of his reader just as the prophet Joseph Smith did to all those who were blessed to know him personally. It was his higher understanding of true principles that he often associated with gospel truths that elevated the understanding of those who spent time in his midst. Joseph Smith was a master teacher and this author enjoys bringing out this in his works.

HiJolly, Great Point! May I... During His Ministry... that it was to the sinners, the fallible, yet humble believers that Jesus did minister and did promise to heal. I sense that so many of us in the church (us both) fall into this category. It is hope in His Word that keeps us moving, lest our natural man leads us down into the pit and the dirt pile upon us unto death... This is where we must be ever soooo careful. (not to get caught in judging one another) For there will always be the sinful and fallible IN His church. What frightens me, is that we often find this in our very leadership. I have come to believe that this is how it is supposed to be. It can be a great stumbling block for the prideful as they assume that those in authority should be infallible? Thus, they in their judgement will not accept direction from one they judge not of God. It is a test of fallibility and the spirit. How does the Lord work here? A great test of humility and faith on the part of individuals to see where they are in their journey of Coming unto Christ. Hence, "with an eye single....." And this is a very beautiful thread. I traveled over to Yediyd's blog and spent some time reading her personal blog. I was speechless for quite a while. She is very gifted in this area of expressing her inner most thoughts and feelings in the way in which she writes. The spirit was felt in her work no doubt. And yet I am profoundly touched by how the spirit can produce the very same effects in the simplest of words when bearing testimony of the results of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in one's life. The truths of the Gospel, witnessed by the power of the Holy Ghost are undeniable. I am so very indebted to Jesus Christ for the truths he has restored to the earth through his latter-day prophets. I love The Book of Mormon and the testimony of Jesus Christ that it bears. I truly came to love the Doctrine and Covenants last year when I had to study it so intensively as a seminary teacher. What a gift that was, for which I will forever be profoundly grateful to and for Joseph Smith... a true prophet of God. It is for modern revelation and living prophets, come as this glorious final dispensation of the fullness of times literally has burst forth upon us, that we must give Jesus Christ our complete gratitude for, which has come this blazing light storm of knowledge that we have access to in our lives, if we are willing to receive it. When I take The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and then The Pearl of Great Price and also JST... along with the understanding that has been given through our Latter-Day-Prophets and most of which has come from the Prophet of The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times... (but most specifically the sacred text of the restoration that has been canonized with the other canonized scripture which now become, "The Standard Works of The Church", By which we judge all other truth...) The sacred text of the restoration "to me" has become literally a "great urim and thumim" which literally opens up all scripture and clearly makes all truth VISIBLE OR REVEALED. For it is my testimony that as we take upon us the Name of Jesus Christ, we have firmly anchored ourselves upon the Rock of Revelation... Rev. 2: 17 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Holly, Before or after it would have been the same. He is the same person either way and so are you. This was not meant to be. Now prepare yourself for the one who is waiting for you and praying that you will come into his life. That is the most wonderful thought, isn't it? But you need to cleanse yourself of these feelings and allow yourself to heal. I stand by all that I said before and will continue to pray for you. I pray that you will look above these negative feelings and catch the positive energy that is being sent your way Holly. You must receive that power if you expect it to work FOR you. You have asked for it NOW you must actually take it IN and RECEIVE it. It is HERE.... Love, gVr

I am so glad to hear that things are much better in your life. Just think, your little boy is going to be 8 years old soon. He can be baptized. That is so exciting. You sound like you are a very busy mom. You have four children to keep you busy. I hope they are all helpful for you. Welcome here and I hope to continue to see you on other threads.

Hi Comassion, Welcome to the board. Those are some great questions. I really like the way they outline this over at mormon.org. I have given you the link here. I thought that perhaps you might like to head over there and either the live chat might answer further questions after some reading or we could add to what they outline there. Sometimes it is nice to have a simple, clear and correct understanding from the "source" given first without confusion of opinions here and then have questions answered based upon that foundation. I am not saying that we here are not a good source. I am only saying that mormon.org is "the source". We here are very good for adding to and helping with understanding. Hope this helps. Mormon.org - The Plan of Happiness

WHAT THE HECK? Do we need a thread for stupid dumb jokes? Cuz you guys are soooo silly here! and I love you all. Off to find some intelligent conversation now.... right. See YA!

Holly, Sometimes we must mourn what was never meant to be... It may take some time, but you most likely will come to see this as a gift that was given to you, instead of something that was taken from you. But that will only come when you are able to see this from the proper perspective. First, like the doc has stated, you must forgive yourself for whatever you feel you did, that may or may not have caused things to come to an end. Fact - It does not matter why. WHY? - Because, now you MUST heal and move on to new experiences WITH what you have LEARNED:-) The Savior's atonement has covered all of these things if you will but come unto Him. I love knowing that he atoned for my weaknesses, my depression, sorrows, failings, shortcomings... as well as my sins. He has already forgiven me of these things. His atonement only truly becomes alive in our lives when we receive it for ourselves. Must he continue to suffer as He watches us suffer unnecessarily while we are so hard on ourselves. He has offered us his great love and mercy. Can we not allow ourselves to receive it.... and also offer ourselves the same? I too have prayed for you as have others who have not written, but surely feel your discomfort. What simple faith you have to use this forum for this request. I imagine great blessing will come to one such as yourself...

frbhg, What I continue to find interesting is that many in the church, as you mentioned, are still debating this topic. As I personally read this statement with the very thorough commentary they have given, I have found it to be rich in doctrine when studied and pondered upon deeply. Toddz - I am impressed with how easily you identified such an eternal truth that is not readily found and understood by most in the casual reading of the scriptures. For myself, this find required deep study and much cross-referencing back and forth, etc... We must all ask ourselves the question as to WHY we have been given four accounts of the Creation? Is there any other single event in the ancient or modern texts that we have received so many different accounts for? I have found the study of the Creation of the Earth and Man to be the most illuminating, and important time I have spent to increase my understanding of the entire Plan of Salvation and my own eternal purpose and destiny. The patterns which are taught are "The Truth" that I look to, that I may see clearly the path before me as I continue to move forward and seek truth continually. At least for me, I am beginning to understand the "why" of why we have been given these many accounts, for which I am so very glad.

Hey All! I am not so smart. I just love to study up:-) One resource I have enjoyed with the OT are the Round Table discussions over at KBYU TV. You can even watch or listen to them online. They are really quite interesting and they give a good summary that really helps your study of the scriptures. Also, the student manuals for Institute are excellent resources for all of the standard works. Again, available online..... Check them out... Here is the link. CES Website for Institute Manuals Online that you can download

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE OF 2006 ON THE BOTTOM... MEANING THE CHURCH OFFICIALLY CONTINUES TO STAND BY THIS STATEMENT. This is a reprint of the original 1909 article, in the February, 2002 Ensign Gospel Classics: The Origin of Man By the First Presidency of the Church From Improvement Era, Nov. 1909, 75–81; capitalization, punctuation, paragraphing, and spelling standardized. “God created man in his own image” (Gen. 1:27). First Presidency, “The Origin of Man,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 26 In the early 1900s, questions concerning the Creation of the earth and the theories of evolution became the subject of much public discussion. In the midst of these controversies, the First Presidency issued the following in 1909, which expresses the Church’s doctrinal position on these matters. A reprinting of this important First Presidency statement will be helpful as members of the Church study the Old Testament this year. Inquiries arise from time to time respecting the attitude of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon questions which, though not vital from a doctrinal standpoint, are closely connected with the fundamental principles of salvation. The latest inquiry of this kind that has reached us is in relation to the origin of man. It is believed that a statement of the position held by the Church upon this subject will be timely and productive of good. In presenting the statement that follows we are not conscious of putting forth anything essentially new; neither is it our desire so to do. Truth is what we wish to present, and truth—eternal truth—is fundamentally old. A restatement of the original attitude of the Church relative to this matter is all that will be attempted here. To tell the truth as God has revealed it, and commend it to the acceptance of those who need to conform their opinions thereto, is the sole purpose of this presentation. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” In these plain and pointed words the inspired author of the book of Genesis made known to the world the truth concerning the origin of the human family. Moses, the prophet-historian—“learned,” as we are told, “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians”—when making this important announcement was not voicing a mere opinion, a theory derived from his researches into the occult lore of that ancient people. He was speaking as the mouthpiece of God, and his solemn declaration was for all time and for all people. No subsequent revelator of the truth has contradicted the great leader and lawgiver of Israel. All who have since spoken by divine authority upon this theme have confirmed his simple and sublime proclamation. Nor could it be otherwise. Truth has but one source, and all revelations from heaven are harmonious with each other. The omnipotent Creator, the maker of heaven and earth, had shown unto Moses everything pertaining to this planet, including the facts relating to man’s origin, and the authoritative pronouncement of that mighty prophet and seer to the house of Israel, and through Israel to the whole world, is couched in the simple clause: “God created man in his own image” (Gen. 1:27; see Moses 1:27–41). The creation was twofold—first spiritual, secondly temporal. This truth, also, Moses plainly taught—much more plainly than it has come down to us in the imperfect translations of the Bible that are now in use. Therein the fact of a spiritual creation, antedating the temporal creation, is strongly implied, but the proof of it is not so clear and conclusive as in other records held by the Latter-day Saints to be of equal authority with the Jewish scriptures. The partial obscurity of the latter upon the point in question is owing, no doubt, to the loss of those “plain and precious” parts of sacred writ, which, as the Book of Mormon informs us, have been taken away from the Bible during its passage down the centuries (see 1 Ne. 13:24–29). Some of these missing parts the Prophet Joseph Smith undertook to restore when he revised those scriptures by the spirit of revelation, the result being that more complete account of the Creation which is found in the book of Moses, previously cited. Note the following passages: “And now, behold, I say unto you, that these are the generations of the heaven and of the earth, when they were created, in the day that I, the Lord God, made the heaven and the earth, “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them, and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air; “But, I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. “And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word” (Moses 3:4–7; see also Moses 1 and Moses 2, and compare with Gen. 1 and Gen. 2). These two points being established, namely, the creation of man in the image of God, and the twofold character of the Creation, let us now inquire: What was the form of man, in the spirit and in the body, as originally created? In a general way the answer is given in the words chosen as the text of this treatise. “God created man in his own image.” It is more explicitly rendered in the Book of Mormon thus: “All men were created in the beginning after mine own image” (Ether 3:15). … If, therefore, we can ascertain the form of the “Father of spirits,” “The God of the spirits of all flesh,” we shall be able to discover the form of the original man. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is “the express image” of His Father’s person (Heb. 1:3). He walked the earth as a human being, as a perfect man, and said, in answer to a question put to Him: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). This alone ought to solve the problem to the satisfaction of every thoughtful, reverent mind. The conclusion is irresistible, that if the Son of God be the express image (that is, likeness) of His Father’s person, then His Father is in the form of a man; for that was the form of the Son of God, not only during His mortal life, but before His mortal birth, and after His Resurrection. It was in this form that the Father and the Son, as two personages, appeared to Joseph Smith, when, as a boy of 14 years, he received his first vision. Then if God made man—the first man—in His own image and likeness, He must have made him like unto Christ, and consequently like unto men of Christ’s time and of the present day. That man was made in the image of Christ is positively stated in the book of Moses: “And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. … “And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them” (Moses 2:26–27). The Father of Jesus is our Father also. Jesus Himself taught this truth when He instructed His disciples how to pray: “Our Father which art in heaven,” etc. Jesus, however, is the firstborn among all the sons of God—the first begotten in the spirit, and the only begotten in the flesh. He is our elder brother, and we, like Him, are in the image of God. All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity. “God created man in His own image.” This is just as true of the spirit as it is of the body, which is only the clothing of the spirit, its complement—the two together constituting the soul. The spirit of man is in the form of man, and the spirits of all creatures are in the likeness of their bodies. This was plainly taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C 77:2). Here is further evidence of the fact. More than 700 years before Moses was shown the things pertaining to this earth, another great prophet, known to us as the brother of Jared, was similarly favored by the Lord. He was even permitted to behold the spirit-body of the foreordained Savior, prior to His incarnation; and so like the body of a man was gazing upon a being of flesh and blood. He first saw the finger and then the entire body of the Lord—all in the spirit. The Book of Mormon says of this wonderful manifestation: “And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear. “And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said to him: Arise, why hast thou fallen? “And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood. “And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this? “And he answered: Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me. “And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak? “And he answered, Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie. “And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. “And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image. “Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh” (Ether 3:6–16). What more is needed to convince us that man, both in spirit and in body, is the image and likeness of God and that God Himself is in the form of a man? When the divine Being whose spirit-body the brother of Jared beheld took upon Him flesh and blood, He appeared as a man, having “body, parts and passions,” like other men, though vastly superior to all others, because He was God, even the Son of God, the Word made flesh: in Him “dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” And why should He not appear as a man? That was the form of His spirit, and it must needs have an appropriate covering, a suitable tabernacle. He came into the world as He had promised to come (see 3 Ne. 1:13), taking an infant tabernacle and developing it gradually to the fulness of His spirit stature. He came as man had been coming for ages and as man has continued to come ever since. Jesus, however, as shown, was the Only Begotten of God in the flesh. Adam, our first progenitor, “the first man,” was, like Christ, a preexistent spirit, and like Christ he took upon him an appropriate body, the body of a man, and so became a “living soul.” The doctrine of the preexistence—revealed so plainly, particularly in latter days—pours a wonderful flood of light upon the otherwise mysterious problem of man’s origin. It shows that man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal body to undergo an experience in mortality. It teaches that all men existed in the spirit before any man existed in the flesh and that all who have inhabited the earth since Adam have taken bodies and become souls in like manner. It is held by some that Adam was not the first man upon this earth and that the original human being was a development from lower orders of the animal creation. These, however, are the theories of men. The word of the Lord declared that Adam was “the first man of all men” (Moses 1:34), and we are therefore in duty bound to regard him as the primal parent of our race. It was shown to the brother of Jared that all men were created in the beginning after the image of God; whether we take this to mean the spirit or the body, or both, it commits us to the same conclusion: Man began life as a human being, in the likeness of our Heavenly Father. True it is that the body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man. There is nothing in this, however, to indicate that the original man, the first of our race, began life as anything less than a man, or less than the human germ or embryo that becomes a man. Man, by searching, cannot find out God. Never, unaided, will he discover the truth about the beginning of human life. The Lord must reveal Himself or remain unrevealed; and the same is true of the facts relating to the origin of Adam’s race—God alone can reveal them. Some of these facts, however, are already known, and what has been made known it is our duty to receive and retain. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and lineal offspring of Deity. God Himself is an exalted man, perfected, enthroned, and supreme. By His almighty power He organized the earth and all that it contains, from spirit and element, which exist coeternally with Himself. He formed every plant that grows and every animal that breathes, each after its own kind, spiritually and temporally—“that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal, and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual.” He made the tadpole and the ape, the lion and the elephant, but He did not make them in His own image, nor endow them with godlike reason and intelligence. Nevertheless, the whole animal creation will be perfected and perpetuated in the Hereafter, each class in its “distinct order or sphere,” and will enjoy “eternal felicity.” That fact has been made plain in this dispensation (see D&C 77:3). Man is the child of God, formed in the divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God. Joseph F. Smith John R. Winder Anthon H. Lund First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints November 1909 © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. I hope this helps.

She requested you to write a letter knowing full well that you are aware of her personal life. I assume she also is aware of your character. Therefore, you must expect that she will assume that you have been honest in your assessment of her and given her an honest and fair recommendation, according to the type of job she was applying for. I think you should pick up the phone and call her to see how things are going and assume things as normal. You have done what you were asked and I believe you should rest on that and stop worrying too much. It sounds like you have a friendship with her that she trust, as she should. You have done her no harm whatsoever and should feel no guilt in doing the right thing.

and she cooks! Whoa girl. Like I said, you GO. But don't wear yourself out too soon. Your children can't be that old yet. LOL But apparently they still require a cook?

4321, Blast OFF! LOL... Will you be my friend. Okay, now we are talking with some sound and reasonable person here folks. Here is an individual who knows what they are speaking about. Numbers could be considered the "Handbook of Instructions" for the children of Israel. If you do not know what you have before you, then you shall never make the connection to try and understand it. It is a facinating book with deep application to the church today IF one knows how to interpret its meaning. Jesus Christ is deeply embedded therein. Evangelicals actually are orthodox christians, as they never actually abandoned the corrupt theology, ie the godhead for instance and also mode of baptism for most, etc.... as much as most of them would like to believe. (wierd, huh 4321? but true) You are spot on with bringing Christ into the conversation as a messenger as was Moroni... very good form my friend. Analogy is very bad... you right on this one, need I say more? No credibility... he has not read BoM. Done. TOUCH DOWN!

Dale, Then you understand my concern. Maybe I have dealt with anti's too much before coming over here. I am on the alert very easily I'm afraid. I spent quite a few months over at On Faith on Michael Ottersons threads early in the year. They play very tough ball with only a handful of us members to catch and defend the church. It was quite the experience for a new blogger. I have changed my handle here and truly enjoy this environment much better. Although I still love to advocate for the gospel of Jesus Christ when it becomes necessary on other forums. But On Faith is so extreme. Posters over there are literally nesting at this point and it is truly exhausting. They are basically a group of apostate now athiest, humanist and who are just down right angry with life. But they must be refuted as that blog is so public and they cannot be allowed to lie so publically about the church, JS and our living prophets. Well, you get the idea I am sure.