Ray

What's the real difference between scripture and writings from a man who is inspired by God? Personally, I believe there really is no real difference. But that's what I think. What do you think? And as you respond, try to imagine responding to someone who was writing some scriptures. Thank you. Have fun. I'm outta here. :)

I mentioned this somewhere before, but for your benefit I will now repeat it: I've read all the discourses from Brigham Young... or at least all the ones he wrote or had written after he became a President of the Church.I simply disagree with some people's interpretation of what he taught. I know what he taught, and meant. And to put it all in a nutshell for you, Jason, and anyone else who is interesting in hearing what I think, I know Brigham knew Adam was and would be someone with whom all of us have and will have to do... because he was given a position of seniority over all the rest of us... exempting only our Lord and His Father who is in heaven... among all those we know and those we will know are our fatherS who are in heaven. And that is my story and I'm still stickin to it... regardless of what others may think. :)

This statement is wrong. If one wishes to understand why, look up these verses: Daniel 7:9,13,14,22; and D & C 27:11, 116:1, 138:38 Furthermore, I find it rediculous that people try to claim that Brigham Young did not teach the Adam-God theory. I have read the discourses on it; the entire discourses. Unless he was speaking in some sort of code language, he was unmistakably teaching that theory. People can try to pick the discourses apart to prove that he wasn't teaching it, because he said so and so, but those same people can pick the bible apart in the same manner and prove that Jesus never existed; and that all the prophets of old actually taught doctrines of little-bo-peep who lost her sheep. A little lame; wouldn't you say? I don't see what's to be so ashamed of. Brigham Young beleived a certain thing, and he taught it to the people; Which teaching was later denounced a few presidents down the line. So what? Why make up stories about how it never happened? L.H. I am not ashamed of the fact that Brigham Young taught us something about Adam. I am ashamed when members of the Church teach other people what they think President Young was teaching when it was not what he actually taught... when it is a false interpretation... when they don't know that he was teaching the truth. And the reason I feel ashamed when I keep seeing that happen is because it makes the whole Church look bad... when people keep arguing about what he was saying and I know we can't all have it right. I would rather we understood that he was a true prophet and not teaching a false doctrine or his opinion, but I know I am asking a little too much... we are all prone to error. Too bad.

I think those who have been forgiven of much have much more appreciation for forgiveness.But as Paul once said, don't just keep sinning so that His grace may more fully abound. The time to repent is always RIGHT NOW but sometimes we're a little too hard headed. But as long as we eventually learn, and fully repent, our Lord will definitely forgive us. Just keep trying to repent and keep asking for forgiveness while putting all your faith in our Lord. There's a reason He is praised, and always will be praised, by those who know He has forgiven them. :)

I think there's a little bit too much "hype"... ... and too many young people getting into too much trouble... ... but I still think it's the best screenplay of the "Superman" idea that I've ever seen... by far. ... there is one major flaw, though, and that is that I think Superman should NEVER tell a lie. ... they try to justify it with the idea that he's protecting people by doing that, but still...

I've watched that show... once, and I did like it pretty well.......but it reminded me of "someone else" who says "witty" things... like Snow does. :shudders: Perish the thought. In other words, I don't think "I" could stand to take very much more of all that. ... and btw, since I'm still being moderated, I'm going to tell you that that was a JOKE!!! ... okay? ... nothing personal, Snow. I do love you. :) ... but I can tolerate only so much of hearing "witty" things like people say in that show.

Dedicated warriors... Yes, I agree with that idea, but I think there's a very big difference in the war we are waging and in how we are waging our war... the images I saw show they seem to be focusing too much on the "physical" side of things.And btw, here are some links to show what type of war we are fighting and the warriors we're trying to be, as we fight for God and try to win what is the good fight.

Yep, Waco, Texas.Where do you think Steve Martin got that "wild and crazy guy" idea from, Doc?

I went through something similiar myself, once upon a time, and I hope you will simply "come back". You will lose your right to exercise the priesthood for a while, but it's worth what it takes to "come back". I was only active for 2 years, then inactive for 10 years, and then 5 years ago I "came back". You know what you're missing, and you know what you'll miss, so if you really wnat to, "come back". You know you'll never regret it. COME BACK!!!

I think that Jesus said quite clearly that he would perfer not to partake of the "bitter cup" indicating that it was not his will to do so but that he would submit to the will of the Father. I think this defines the essence of a sacrifice. I do not define "doing what you want" as a sacrifice. The Traveler Just to be clear... that is not what I was saying or trying to say. I was saying or trying to say, and I'm still trying to say, we always choose to do what we want to do, and if we're doing what we want to then it's not really a sacrifice. How can doing what you want be a sacrifice? I think Jesus would not have done what I know he really did if he had not chosen to really want to. I think the word "sacrifice" refers to losing something, but I'm not losing, I'm just choosing, what I want. And in the end, for me, it will all be about what I wanted, and what I still want, for me. Do you know what the word "paradigm" refers to, Traveler? I think mainly I just see this differently than you do.

Huh??? When Josh told Desire’ our standards works should be updated, and Desire then said something about how Josh wasn’t even a member yet and was telling US what WE should do, while showing she wasn’t taking Josh seriously, you were wondering why, and are STILL wondering why, she wasn’t taking him seriously??? Do you really think any member should take a non-member seriously when they tell us what we should be doing? You can tell us what you think, and we’ll tell you what we think, but only our Lord tells us what we should do... and our Lord has not told us to update our standard works, so that’s something we know we don’t need to do. And btw, if you’ll listen, you might see and understand another good reason we don’t and wouldn’t even attempt it. We know we have prophets who are inspired by our Lord, and we measure their works by the “standard” works… or in other words… our “standard” works are our “standard” for judging when other works are truly inspired by our Lord…. and we know it is impossible to keep adding to our “standard” when other works are later added by our Lord. If we added every other work our Lord has ever given us the whole world could not contain all His works. And our Lord still inspires us, every one of us, daily, and there never will be an end to His works. Do you now hear what I’m saying to you? Just learn our “standard” works and then add to that knowledge to learn all God has done and will do. That’s the “standard” God has set for all of us now, and that “standard” will help us know when we do. :)

where you having a conversation recently where that came up and then you started using it as a defense for your beliefs or is that your own conclusion? I've heard that quite a bit and was wondering if it is a standard reply to discredit any arguments from non-LDS members.Thanks you I think the point she was making is that it's OUR church, and the Lord's church.Why should anyone feel they can tell us how to do things? If you want to have a say on what goes on in our church, Then either become a member, or our Lord! That is really a no brainer... don't you think?

This is generally true. Perhaps what Ray is getting at is whether those of us that are unable to affirm that Joseph Smith was a true prophet believe he was a false prophet, a liar, or perhaps delusional, or led astray by a deceiving spirit, or whether we believe he was a good guy who may have had some spiritual insight, but who just wasn't a prophet? Is that what you're after Ray? I hope you're not simply setting up an unnecessary "us vs. them" scenario. Please read what I’m saying while in your heart praying, Or you may see things that really aren’t there. And please try to understand what I'm actually saying. That's what I try to do when you share. I am simply trying to say there are prophets among us, Some are true… and some are false… so beware, And when you read or listen please don’t stir up a fuss, I am just sharing what I think. Do you care?

And btw, the next conference will convent this weekend... and you can watch it on TV at home. :)

Thank you. I did that on purpose. :)

Heh, I thought about adding to ApostleKnight's words, but I think I'll just simply agree. If I added anything it would just be other words, but that's enough truth right now to set us free. :)

I think most LDS agree with what you are saying, Stealth, but some of your words are not clear. I know I am saved by my faith in Jesus Christ, and I show Him my faith by my works. If I only have a little faith, then I'll only do a little work, and I will then receive a little reward. But if I have great faith, then I'll do great works, and great shall then be my reward. I suggest that you search through all of our scriptures... through all the words we believe God inspired. And I would ask you to do that if you were a Muslim, or a Buddhist, or a Jew, or whatever. In other words, do not judge us by what you think of us, but by what are the fruits of our faith. And if you start with one book, then I suggest the Book of Mormon. Learn from us what we teach... not from others.

Hey Sug. How ya' doin'? Where abouts in Texas are you living? I was born in Mathis and grew up mostly in Waco, before moving to San Antonio and Austin on my own. After that I moved to Arizona before moving up to the NW. Could you send me some Big Red and some BBQ? My Mom and 2 sisters are still living in Waco, so if not, I can still (and often do) ask them. :)

Ooops. Wait a minute... Sorry, that song is actually about Mighty Mouse... Anyway, today the new season will begin for SMALLVILLE... Or maybe it will still mainly be... ??? And I know that I'm gonna be glued to my tube... Will anyone else be watching it with me???

In regards to Jesus you almost have the point. What you do not seem to understand is that he sacrificed what he wanted for his Father's will. It was not about him and what he would get, grow into or be glorified with. Despite your opinion, I really do not think he was ever into it for the glory or any personal benefit. I also do not think his sacrifice was for your praise. I do believe your sacrifice would be meaningful. Not only would you obtain tremendous insight into the omnipotence of G-d but you would (like Jesus) be like our Father. The Traveler Okay, one more comment, and I'll try to use most of your words... In regards to what I was saying you almost have my point. What you do not seem to understand is that he (our Lord) sacrificed anything else he might have wanted so that he could accomplish our Father's will. It was really and truly our Lord's will to do the will of our Father, and in that he was completely successful. It was not about only him and what only he would get, he did what he did for our Father, and it was always our Lord's will to do the will of our Father... our Lord wanted that above all. He did have the choice to not do our Father's will, but he did what he did becaause he wanted to... for the glory of our Father and the glory that was given to Him... if you'll read our Lord's prayer again you will see that he asked to have the glory he once had with our Father... and he wouldn't have had that... he would have lost all he had, if he had only done what was only his will. Despite your opinion... that is what I believe... and I do have my reasons for believing. I know our Lord did what our Father truly wanted, but he did that because he wanted to do that. And that's all we ever do. We only do what we want to. And if we want to we can follow our Father.

Thank you, Strawberry. I'm thanking you for posting it anyway. Personally, I don't have a problem with people who say something like: "I don't believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God..." ... especially if they give me a reason, or reasons... ... because people who say that are basically saying THEY DO NOT BELIEVE he was. And even if they don't say "this is what I believe" they are still basically saying that anyway. And btw, while I DO believe that he was... I DO believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God... I still think we all should be able to choose whether we want to believe it. And I especially appreciate it when people give me a reason, or reasons, for what they do or don't believe, because I can then know the reason, or reasons, why they do or don't believe what they've chosen to believe or not believe. But it is not and it never has been my intent to make people believe what I believe... even when I sometimes give the reason(s) why I do or don't believe whatever I've chosen to believe... ... and I do have my reasons for believing.

I would say the first defining attribute of an Omnipotent G-d is sacrifice. It appears to me that the creation was a great act of divine sacrifice for un-deserving and perhaps unthankful man. I am not sure we understand such sacrifice. For every sacrifice we make, there is the impression that G-d blesses us so we get a greater reward; therefore there is no true sacrifice. Look at the arguments concerning salvation (faith or works). Lost in such arguments is the understanding that sacrifice does something for someone else but I see the focus of arguments concerning salvation - as get it for me, me, me and what blessings I can get for me by my faith or my works. Few seem to understand the sacrifice of Jesus was so that others may benefit - not him. I think salvation is really understood when our faith and works benefit others in a manner like that of Jesus without the focus on ourselves. Until we arrive at that point I think we kid ourselves about the me, me, me attitude concerning salvation. Until we understand that it is more about sacrifice (giving) than getting - salvation will be nothing more than an illusion. The Traveler I think I disagree with some of what you are trying to say, Traveler. I do understand that it was a sacrifice for our Lord to do what He did, but I don't agree that He got nothing at all out of it. He grew by being willing to... and actually offer... His life. He wanted to be just like our Father. If He had chosen not to do that He wouldn't have been... He would not have remained like our Father. So He got what He wanted, and we'll get what we want. That's what He did, and what He made possible. And He will always be glorified for making that possible. I will NEVER stop praising my Lord!

Okay, let's take this up a notch. Joseph Smith... true prophet? or false prophet? And btw, "I don't know" is an acceptable answer. But if we do want to know I know we can know... if we truly know who we should listen to.

Prophets today, since Joseph Smith, have "updated" the word of wisdom. Just go to lds.org and do a search with those words to say what they've said about that. And btw, if it helps, I think God was mainly teaching a "principle"... ... a principle with a "promise"... ... for those who seek wisdom from God.

Let's all just keep learning, okay, everyone? There will be a test at the end. And there might even be a POP QUIZ now and then. But don't worry, it is and will be 'open book'.