Ray

I you're saying what I think you are saying, I agree. I wouldn't just trust your heart (or my heart) either. We could have good intentions and still be wrong. What I do is ask God to tell me what God wants me to do. I don't just assume that my heart is like His. And whether or not you believe me... I know this is true: God is giving me a new heart... ... a heart just like His. ... a heart this is becoming like His. And if you ask Him, I know He will also help you. God can also give you a new heart. :)

How about an angel appering to you? and what about all the other evil in the world? How can evil be good? It's an oxymoron. Josh B) Evil is not good, but it can still help to know it to know how good good is.The fruit gave us knowledge of both good and evil. It all came from one, the same, tree.

Hi Doc,In case you haven't heard, "Israel" includes... ... not only the person named "Jacob", whose name was later changed to Israel by God... and,,, ... not only the persons who were direct descendents of Jacob, or Israel, as recorded in the Bible... and... ... not only the land which was once inhabited by the children of Isreal, as recorded in the Bible... and... ... not only the land which is now inhabited again by children of Israel, in this present day and age... but... ... ALL persons who are direct descendents of Jacob, or Israel, wherever they are living today. And btw, most LDS are literally children of Ephraim. FYI. :)

From what I understand, Mormons believe there are three "levels" of heven Holding an "optimistic view"[8] of the afterlife, Latter-day Saints believe that-through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ-eventually every person will be saved in a kingdom of heaven (or a degree of glory) except those who have committed the unpardonable sin.[i'm not sure what they consider the "unpardonable sin"] Bennion said: "All men will receive a degree of salvation commensurate with their desires, their faith, and their good works. This is the divine will and plan."[9] While the vast majority of mankind will eventually be saved in heaven, this does not mean that all residents will enjoy the same quality of eternal lifestyle. Level #1 The CELESTIAL HEAVEN - The highest of the three levels of heaven where faithful Mormons are exalted to Godhood. Level #2 The The TERRESTRIAL HEAVEN - is for those who lived honorable lives on the earth but "were blinded by the craftiness of men" and were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus." Those who did not receive a testimony of Jesus while on earth, but who could have done so except for their neglect, are also heirs to the Terrestrial Kingdom (D&C 76:72-74, 79). They obtain not "the crown over the kingdom of our God" (D&C 76:79) and remain without exaltation in their saved condition (D&C 132:17). They "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father," and their kingdom differs from the celestial "as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77-78). LEVEL #3 Telestial Heaven - In the Telestial Kingdom-the lowest degree of glory, while the inhabitants do not receive the ministrations of Jesus Christ or enjoy the presence of God the Father, they do enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost-the third member of the Godhead.[31] Williams said: "Within the telestial glory there will be varying degrees of glory even as the stars vary in brightness as we see them. It embraces those who on earth willfully reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, and commit serious sins such as murder, adultery, lying, and loving to make a lie (but yet do not commit the unpardonable sin), and who do not repent in mortality. They will be cleansed in the postmortal spirit world or spirit prison before the resurrection (D&C 76:81-85, 98-106; Rev. 22:15). Telestial inhabitants as innumerable as the stars will come forth in the last resurrection and then be 'servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come' (D&C 76:112). Although the least of the degrees of glory, yet the Telestial Kingdom 'surpasses all understanding' (D&C 76:89)."[32] Also We have The "Outer Darkness" for those who commit the "unpardonable sin" Hope that clears it up for you... Josh B) That’s a somewhat accurate reflection of what I believe, Josh… I will not presume to speak for ALL “Mormons”… but to make it more accurately reflect what I think I’d like to add to all of your words while trying to keep all of your words I agree with. Holding an "optimistic view" of the afterlife, Latter-day Saints believe that-through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ-eventually every person will be saved in a kingdom of heaven (or a degree of glory) except those who have committed the unpardonable sin. [<strike>I’m</strike> You’re not sure what <strike>they</strike> we consider the "unpardonable sin"] Bennion (whoever that is) said: "All men will receive a degree of salvation commensurate with their desires, their faith, and their good works. This is the divine will and plan." While the vast majority of mankind will eventually be saved in heaven, this does not mean that all residents will enjoy the same quality of eternal lifestyle. Level #1 The CELESTIAL HEAVEN - The highest of the three levels of heaven where faithful <strike>Mormons</strike> followers of Jesus Christ are exalted to <strike>Godhood</strike> become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. (I suppose you could use the word “Mormon” to refer to all people who follow/ed Jesus Christ like Mormon did, and I suppose you could also use the word “Godhood” to refer to all people who will inherit all that Jesus Christ has.) And that’s pretty much all I wanted to add.[b/] :) Level #2 The The TERRESTRIAL HEAVEN - is for those who lived honorable lives on the earth but "were blinded by the craftiness of men" and were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus." Those who did not receive a testimony of Jesus while on earth, but who could have done so except for their neglect, are also heirs to the Terrestrial Kingdom (D&C 76:72-74, 79). They obtain not "the crown over the kingdom of our God" (D&C 76:79) and remain without exaltation in their saved condition (D&C 132:17). They "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father," and their kingdom differs from the celestial "as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77-78). LEVEL #3 Telestial Heaven - In the Telestial Kingdom-the lowest degree of glory, while the inhabitants do not receive the ministrations of Jesus Christ or enjoy the presence of God the Father, they do enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost-the third member of the Godhead. Williams said: "Within the telestial glory there will be varying degrees of glory even as the stars vary in brightness as we see them. It embraces those who on earth willfully reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, and commit serious sins such as murder, adultery, lying, and loving to make a lie (but yet do not commit the unpardonable sin), and who do not repent in mortality. They will be cleansed in the postmortal spirit world or spirit prison before the resurrection (D&C 76:81-85, 98-106; Rev. 22:15). Telestial inhabitants as innumerable as the stars will come forth in the last resurrection and then be 'servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come' (D&C 76:112). Although the least of the degrees of glory, yet the Telestial Kingdom 'surpasses all understanding' (D&C 76:89)."[32] Also We have The "Outer Darkness" for those who commit the "unpardonable sin" Hope that clears it up for you...

I see what you're saying with most of your post, but you lost me here... Tell that to a child who is tortured and buried alive, or a parent of that child. Let me try to put it this way. If all of us suffered excruciating pain every day of our mortal lives... ... it would only be a moment... a very brief moment... in the scope of our eternal lives. Now, granted, I don't like pain... and I don't even like it a little bit... ... but I'd suffer every day if it meant I would grow to be more and more and more like God. :)

Happy, happy Birthday... ... as happy as can be... I'm glad today's your birthday... And here's some cake to eat... Hey... Happy, happy Birthday... ... as happy as can be... I'm glad today's your birthday... And here's some cake to eat... Hey... Happy, happy Birthday... ... as happy as can be... I'm glad today's your birthday... And here's some cake to eat... Hey...

Okay. Thank you for playing, everyone. :) And now I'll share what I think. I will answer my own questions. So you can know what I know too. :) Do I think I know God? Yes. I do think I truly know God. Not totally. But I know God. I know many things both from and about God. And I believe I have learned not only from other people. I believe I know God, myself. Have I ever encountered God in my life? Yes. There have been many times when I've encountered an influence... a presence… a power... a being… and I truly believe it was God I encountered. And I’m willing to talk about what I’ve encountered. I'm always willing to share what I think. Has God ever helped me know what is true? Yes. I truly believe God has helped me know truth… to know many things God knows are really true. I don’t claim to know all truth, but there are many things I do know, and I claim it was God who taught me. And I believe God still helps me know what is true. Just ask me and I'll tell you if I know. Do I know when God has shared some truths with other people? Yes. I know at least some times when God has shared some truths with other people, because those people shared what they knew and God then told me that was true. For instance: I know God shared some truths with other people who wrote the Bible and the Book of Mormon. And I know God shared some truths with people today, including the general authorities of the Church. And I know other people who I know God has taught, when God tells me what God has taught them. And if you tell me what you know, and what you know is the truth, then God will tell me what you know too. How do I know when I’m not a false prophet of God? When I know what I’m sharing is what God has taught me then I know I’m not a false prophet of God. And it doesn’t really matter what other people may think, because if God tells me I’m not, then I’m not. Can a person who falsely interprets the scriptures be known as a false prophet of God? Yes. It can become known that what someone is sharing is not true according to God, even though they might say it is true. But if God can know truth, then God can share truth with all who ask God what God knows. Do I think I can tell who are true prophets of God? On my own? No. But God can tell me who truly are God’s prophets. If I ask God and God tells me, I’ll know. How do I know when I’m a true prophet of God? When I know what I’m sharing is what God has taught me then I know I’m a true prophet of God. And if I don’t think I do truly know God, do I think there are others who do? N/A. I do think I do truly know God. How do I know who is who? By asking God and God telling me. Who is false and who is true? Those who share what is false and what is true. Do I ever claim to? (sorry: Do I ever claim to know who is false and who is true?) Yes, I do claim to know who is true. I claim to know many who are true. And I also claim to know of many who are false. But I’d rather tell you only who is true. Can I know who is truly true too? If you can know the truth then I can know too. And I do claim you can know what is true. God knows what is true, and God will tell us. We simply need to know what God knows.

According to Dictionary.com in definition #1, a prophet is a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration. And according to Wikipedia.org in the very first sentence, a prophet is a person who has directly encountered God, of whose intentions he can then speak. With those definitions in mind I now have the thought that false prophets only claim to be speaking for God, or only claim to have encountered God in their lives, while in truth they don’t really know God. And as far as I know they could have good intentions, while they think they are speaking for God. And now I will ask what you think: Do you think you know God? Have you ever encountered God in your life? Has God ever helped you know what is true? Do you know when God has shared some truths with other people? How do you know when you’re not a false prophet of God? Can a person who falsely interprets the scriptures be known as a false prophet of God? Do you think you can tell who are true prophets of God? How do you know when you’re a true prophet of God? And if you don’t think you do truly know God, do you think there are others who do? How do you know who is who? Who is false and who is true? Do you ever claim to? Can I know who is truly true too?

Never fear, little sister.Don't forget about the power of God. :)

To be sent into outer darkness a person must choose to NOT accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior after fully understanding who He is, and what He can do for them.Everyone else will have chosen to refuse some of what God told them that was revealed to them personally.... except for those who live by EVERY word of God revealed to them personally. That's my story and right now I'm stickin' to it unless you can tell me more than God already told me. :)

Just in case it helps to repeat this again... Some people seem to think it's an "EITHER OR" option, but I personally believe it is AND. And if want to hear my answer to what you asked in the thread topic, I'd say: Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord. Does everyone understand what it means to have a Lord? Do you think Jesus Christ is an exception? The only way I know to accept Him as my Lord is for me to actually do what He tells me.

Yes. Some things. Treasures for heaven. Family, and friends. Faith. Knowledge. Love. And eggs. I believe they will help make my life a lot happier.I could probably live without all of the eggs, though. But the chickens might eat them if I didn't.

You have said that it doesn't, and you may really believe that, but does that mean I should listen to you?I think that it does, but "HOW" I can't tell you. You really wouldn't believe me anyway. :)

We all give our personal testimonies, and we all are accountable to God. When someone asks me how I know what God thinks, I say something like: "I asked God, of course. How do you?" And if they say something like they read something in a book, I say something like: "How do you know that's from God?" And that pretty much covers it, I think. I don't automatically accept what I read or hear. I don't automatically accept what people tell me. When I want to know what God thinks, I'll ask God what God thinks... ... even when some say God is speaking through them.

Shannon, I apologize if this may seem cold to you, but I think you’re showing why we need faith. If we don’t really have faith that our Father knows what He’s doing, then how can we really trust Him? Do you think you would do a better job than He does if He ever gave you the chance? I think there are things we don’t really know, and once we know Him, we’ll understand.

Can I play?I have something picked that I'd like you to ask God. How about asking if the Book of Mormon is really true?

Hi sharyll, I am going to start praying that you will find the strength to talk to your husband about how you really feel. And I'm also going to ask God to help your husband understand that he is fighting to preserve your freedom in religion. From there it's up to you guys. You can make your own choices. God can always give you everything you really need. :)

If it doesn't return does that mean God cannot do it?Are you going to put God to your test? I believe it will happen when we know it's God's will. Sometimes God's best answer is: No

Bold added.I have a couple of comments. You say he is closer to God. You then say the spirit makes known and testifies of the truth. If he is closer, as you suggest, it seems that he would tell you all the truth because he would be closer to "the spirit that makes it known to him." That is where I'm having my biggest difficulty with what you are arguing. Dr. T I think I might know what you mean, Doc.I know when someone speaks as a prophet of God when God tells me what God told that <other> prophet. But I know Jesus Christ ALWAYS agrees with our Father even though I'm not as close as He is. Do you now see how you can know a lot about God and yet not be as close as a <greater> prophet? We all know some things, but we all don't know everything, while we know some are closer than some others.

As a side note, I personally believe Brigham Young did NOT believe or teach that Adam was the same person we now refer to as our Father in heaven, or Elohim. And I also believe Brigham Young did NOT believe or teach that Adam was the same person we now refer to as Jesus Christ, or Jehovah. I personally believe Brigham Young knew a LOT about Adam... before and after he was created on Earth. And I think it's very strange to even think that he didn't, because I know he was inspired by God.

Some people seem to think it's an "EITHER OR" option, but I personally believe it is AND.And if want to hear my answer to what you asked in the thread topic, I'd say: Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord. Does everyone understand what it means to have a Lord? Do you think Jesus Christ is an exception? The only way I know to accept Him as my Lord is for me to actually do what He tells me.

I am also having problems with this particular belief. I am confused about the role of the prophet if he is fallible and the role of the broader church on differences of belief. If it is true that each person makes up their own mind-why do you need a prophet (spokesman for God)? True, each person makes up his/her own mind regarding whether or not he/she will believe what a prophet of God is saying, and whether or not that person truly is a prophet of God, but God still uses prophets to tell everybody what God wants everyone to at least be able to hear. Heh, I don't know!?! How am I supposed to know why Traz would say that?!?I do think it's an advantage to hear from prophets of God instead of only having my own thoughts to think with, but I don't know who the prophets are until I ask God to tell me if what someone says is really true. Since the majority of members decided they wanted to vote on whether or not if what someone said was and is to be considered as divinely inspired scripture for the Church. I, personally, appeal to the authorities of the Church when I want to know what the Church teaches, because that is their role... they're the authorities for the Church. But I still always ask God what God thinks. It depends on you ask, I think. I, personally, believe only God has the final word, but I know God also speaks through some people. I think I understand what AK meant, and I think I agree with that thought. But some people don't agree that some words are from God and if I know they truly are, I won't agree. If God tells me He inspired some other people, then I should agree with God. Don't you agree? And as always I am happy to share what I think with you, so I'm happy you looked forward to this. :)

Doc,Instead of me taking my time to go back through what I said while comparing what I said to what you said and then trying to explain what I meant, would you please clarify your questions to incorporate what I have already told you and then ask me to if you correctly understand me? Thank you. You're a pal. And I know you can do it, if you try.

I think you've already been given some excellent suggestions, but I'd like to add what really helped me.When I read the Book of Mormon and understood what they had written I found what to me was the key. It wasn't in other words, even though others were really good, that the Spirit helped me to really see. The power came through a witness from the writers of that book, so ask him to just read it and let it be. :)

I agree that God has not stopped some people from doing some very evil things to some other people. But are you saying you think God WON'T EVER stop that??? ... that there's NO way God has helped some other people in the past??? ... and there's NO way God would EVER help others??? Maybe we just need to learn how to get God involved when we want God to do some thing(s) for us? I'm willing to help you when I know you need help, but I don't always know you need help. And sometimes when you need help and I know I can help you, you don't want to ask me for my help.