rameumptom

D&C 76 tells us that the Terrestrial will experience the full presence of the Son, but not the fulness of the Father (note the nuanced words). They will not experience the fulness of the Father. Alma 36 tells of the rebellious Alma suffering in what could be viewed as Spirit Prison (in a Near Death Experience). Once he repented, he was rescued from hell and could see God on his throne from a distance, wishing he could be there/closer. This seems to have been a Telestial/Terrestrial experience level of God's throne. Distance seems to be an important factor in such throne experiences people have. Isaiah is directly involved in the divine council and God (Isa 6), while Lehi is a distance from God's throne, but close enough for the Savior and apostles to approach him (1 Nephi 1). I think those in all the kingdoms of glory will be able to see God and his throne from where they will be. However, there will be distance and lesser glory for those in the Terrestrial and Telestial kingdoms. This is why D&C 76 notes that ministering angels from higher kingdoms will descend to minister to those in the lower kingdoms - they are unable to approach the higher glory of God, and so others must descend to minister to them. This would include Christ descending to minister to the Terrestrial, and the Holy Ghost descending to minister to the Telestial. Each kingdom blessed with the fulness of glory of A member of the Godhead/Trinity, but only the fulness of the Father for those in the Celestial realm.

JimJohnson, Yes, I meant to write Cain, but in rushing a response put Satan. My point being that there are many members who read that and conclude that Cain is still alive and wandering the earth as Sasquatch, and perhaps all Bigfoot are descendants of Cain. What has that got to do with the Miracle of Forgiveness or repentance or commandments? Nothing. It has everything to do with placing a very speculative story into a book that was to focus on repentance, forgiveness and doctrine. For me, that makes me have to consider everything in the book from its lowest common denominator (as well as its highest). I agree with you on many points you make. The problem is, what is true/truth, and what are the core doctrines? When GAs speculate, many members take those speculations as truth and doctrine, rather than the thinking/concepts of a leader. I've seen people fall away from the Church, because a speculation ended up being discarded later by the Church. And it has happened since the early Church. When Brigham Young stated that polygamy was the only form of exaltation in heaven, and the Wilford Woodruff ended polygamy, it caused many people to leave the Church, including two apostles. When the priesthood was given to all men in 1978, I knew members who left the Church, because Elder McConkie and many other GAs had speculated the blacks would not get the priesthood until the Millennium. There's been this thought in the Church that apostles are infallible in their teachings. Since 1978, the Church has moved away from the speculating apostles, and to apostles that teach the core doctrines of the Church, those things we know are true. As I stated, I have no problem with most of Elder McConkie's teachings. I disagree with him on some things. My big problem is when others read his authoritative sounding teachings, and it is imprinted in their minds that all of it is true and doctrinal. I have that same problem with other GAs who have speculated in the past.

In Article #4 of the Articles of Faith, we read, We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This statement is important enough for the Savior to declare it to be the "doctrine of Christ" (3 Nephi 11). Let's look at these one at a time first.Faith In the Lectures on Faith, we learn, Faith, being the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness, necessarily claims the first place in a course of lectures which are designed to unfold to the understanding the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Here we find that faith is not only the first principle, but it is the foundation for all righteousness. We cannot be fully righteous without first having faith in Jesus Christ!The Lectures on Faith teach that faith is the "moving cause" in all action both temporal and spiritual. Before a person goes to off to work, she has faith that her employer will pay her wages at the end of the week. We exercise faith in termporal things everyday we arise and do the things we do, because we believe our actions will provide a benefit. That faith is based upon experience, that which we have observed occur in others' lives, and that which happens in our own. So it is in spiritual things. We follow Christ because our belief in him creates a moving power or action within us. It begins the process of the "doctrine of Christ" in our lives, and without faith, repentance, ordinances and the Spirit cannot work. So powerful is faith that God used faith to frame the worlds and all his creations. Had it not been for the principle of faith, the worlds would had never been framed, neither would man have been formed of the dust. It is the principle by which Jehovah works, and through which he exercises power over all temporal as well as eternal things. Take this principle or attribute - for it is an attribute - from the Deity, and he would cease to exist. Faith being so important for the creation of the worlds, how important then is it for us to develop faith in regards to our own salvation?Repentance Once we develop a faith in Christ, we will recognize our weaknesses and sins. We will want to follow him, as faith is a "moving cause." Repentance is the actions needed to realign ourselves with Christ and his will. It requires humility and a willingness to change. Without repentance, we remain stagnant and unable to develop faith in Christ. The Lord warned us about the importance of repentance: Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit. (D&C 19:15-20) We only suffer for the things we refuse to repent of. Yet, the suffering is so intense that we would suffer even as Christ did. For Alma the Younger, we learn that his suffering lasted 3 days, with a pain that was so "exquisite", he wished to stop existing entirely. Only when he exercised faith in Christ and repented, was he rescued from the intense and racking pain, and was filled with joy as exquisite as was his pain a moment before (Alma 36). Those who absolutely refuse to ever repent will be sons of Perdition. There is no salvation for them, because they would rather suffer the intense pains of hell than to beg forgiveness of the Lord.The best time to repent is now. Still, even in the Spirit World, the Lord will open the door of salvation to any who believe and repent. Baptism and other Ordinances Many churches do not believe that baptism or other outward ordinances are necessary for salvation. They are right. A basic salvation in the Telestial Kingdom only requires faith and repentance, and it seems that repentance and redemption come at the last moment. And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who are thrust down to hell (in Spirit Prison - until they repent and are redeemed at the last). These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work.... And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation. (D&C 76:81-88) However, salvation in a Celestial Glory DOES require baptism. It is the gate that opens to God's full kingdom and glory. Baptism, the Sacrament (Holy Supper), and other ordinances of salvation are necessary for us, not only because of the covenants made, but also because of what the ordinances reveal to us. And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. (D&C 84:19-22) The ordinances of baptism, the Sacrament, priesthood ordination, temple endowment and sealings, all reveal to us the "power of godliness." We receive the key to the knowledge of God as we receive ordinances and make the covenants eternally connected to those ordinances. In the instance of baptism, it opens the gate to heaven, so we can return back into God's presence and know him.Gift of the Holy Ghost While we receive this gift officially through an ordinance of laying on of hands by those in authority, it is significant to see how it works. No one lays his hands upon the person and says, "I bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost." Instead, the gift is received by commandment: "Receive the Holy Ghost!" It is then our responsibility to actually receive the gift and accept it. The Holy Ghost can be a constant companion, but only when we are ready to have Him as a constant companion. Until then, he will come and go, as we are ready to receive him or not. Note that after baptism, the Holy Ghost is received. He is a member of the Godhead. We now have communication with a member of the Godhead, as the mystery of godliness is revealed to us. The Holy Ghost's main calling is twofold: to witness of the Father and Son, and to sanctify us (Mosiah 4:1-4). A Pattern to Live By It isn't that we gain faith once, or repent once, or receive an ordinance once, and then we are finished. Instead, we have been given a pattern by which we should live our lives. It becomes a process: 1. Gain faith in Christ to a certain level 2. Realize we have weaknesses to overcome and Repent 3. Receive the ordinances necessary to move forward at this level of faith 4. Have the Holy Ghost sanctify us to a new level of faith and righteousness 5. Rinse and repeat This is a process or pattern established by Jesus. And I, John (the Apostle), saw that he (Christ) received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first. (D&"C 93:12-14) As with Jesus, we must proceed from grace to grace, receiving grace for grace. As we develop a level of faith and repentance, we then receive an ordinance/covenant to that level. Then, the Holy Ghost sanctifies us to that new level of grace. In this pattern, we can develop perfection over time through Christ, and receive a fulness, even as he did. Bibliography Lectures on Faith: http://archive.org/stream/compilationconta00lund#page/6/mode/2up

FYI, there is a high level of depression among those who spend lots of hours playing video games and watching tv. Your spirit is waiting for you to advance, move forward, grow. Yet, you are allowing it to wither. No wonder you struggle. It isn't an all or nothing thing we are doing here. It is a process. Take baby steps, so you do not overwhelm yourself. First, do the basics: read scriptures, pray, fast, attend meetings, pay tithing, live the word of wisdom. I find when the world has beat me up for the week, attending church or reading scriptures gives me a moment of repose and solace. Cut your time on the video games in half to start. But then you have to do something in its stead: study scriptures, exercise, etc. Your body will probably feel like it is going through withdrawal pains for a time, as you may have an addiction. Once through it, however, you will begin to feel much better about yourself and about spiritual things.

Merlin Olson was my kiwani's basketball coach when I was in 7th grade in Montana. It was during his first retirement from pro football, and before Little House and Father Murphy.

Try some of these breathing/relaxation techniques that I use to manage my anxiety: Relaxation Resources \\ Counseling Center \\ Loyola University Maryland Pick one that you like from the ones they offer, and use it 2-3 times per day. Within 2 weeks, you should start seeing a difference in your stress and anxiety levels.

Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, Palmyra, Kirtland, and Independence MO, all have senior couples. Nauvoo has senior couples that do living history.

Lesson 6: “I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost” Lessons 5 and 6 both discuss D&C 6-8, which I discussed primarily in lesson 5. In this lesson, we'll discuss the revelation given to Joseph Smith's brother, Hyrum in section 11. In many of the early revelations, the Lord opened them with the following teaching: "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word. 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. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God." D&C 11:1-4 The early teachings of the Church were establishing the basics of the gospel. For Oliver (in sections 6-8), it was to teach him (and us) the proper forms of receiving revelation from God. For many, it was to let them know that the most important thing they could do is to preach the gospel of Christ to the world.Yet, even as the Lord says to "thrust in [one's] sickle", he will give Hyrum some important guidance in regards to preparation and the focus of his own calling. "Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion." D&C 11:5-6 We are to ask, so that the Lord can open doors to us. Hyrum asked the Lord through Joseph, which was a very common practice in the earliest days of the Church. Believers saw that Joseph saw angels and God, and could receive revelations for individuals. Others were infants when it came to receiving revelation. Here, it seems the Lord is telling Hyrum that he should ask and knock for himself in the future. In this instance, however, since he asked through Joseph, he was told 2 key things: keep the commandments and to bring forth Zion.Missionary work is one part of bringing forth Zion. Hyrum's life will have moments of missionary work in it, but much of the work he will do will be towards the members of the Church, and especially as a counselor and guide to his younger brother, Joseph. He would become the Patriarch of the Church after the death of Joseph Smith, Sr., and Assistent President after Oliver Cowdery's excommunication. His focus would be to build Zion, whether in Kirtland Ohio, Independence Missouri, or Nauvoo Illinois. He would be Joseph's closest ally and colleague, being with him in Liberty and Carthage Jails. He would support Joseph in life, even as other leaders (Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, etc) fell away from the Church, and he would be with Joseph in death, as their bodies were prepared for burial together. "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich." (v 7) This revelation was given in May 1829, while the Book of Mormon was still being translated. It is possible the Aaronic Priesthood had not been restored to Joseph and Oliver by John the Baptist yet. The Melchizedek Priesthood's restoration by Peter, James and John was still a month away. Could Hyrum have imagined the mysteries that would come forth: the priesthood, the gift of the Holy Ghost, understanding of the Godhead, the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, the establishment of the Quorum of 12 Apostles, establishing a literal Zion in Missouri, temples, eternal marriage, baptism for the dead, the three degrees of glory, the premortal existence, man's ability to become gods through Christ, and so many other amazing mysteries! "Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee; For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive." (vv10-14) What would this gift be that Hyrum would receive? He was commanded to "seek wisdom" and then he would have the Spirit, "which shall enlighten your mind". This is very important for someone who would become the Patriarch of the Church. A patriarch's responsibility is to receive revelation for the individual. As Joseph was receiving a personal revelation for Hyrum in D&C 11, so Hyrum would receive personal revelations for the members in Nauvoo.Interestingly, while his younger brother, Samuel Harrison Smith, would leave a year later on a mission to spread the Book of Mormon around, while Hyrum was told to wait. It was important that he first gain the word of God. "Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine." (v 16) Not only would he wait for the Book of Mormon to be published in May 1830, but also the creation of the formal church on April 6, 1830, and the establishment of the priesthood and basic ordinances (see D&C 20). "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. But now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto." (vv 21-22) Hyrum's responsibility was to study the word which already had "gone forth among the children of men" or the Bible, and to also to study that word which was to come forth soon, the Book of Mormon. Even though the "field is white, ready for harvest", the workers were not ready. They needed to know the Bible and Book of Mormon, in order to know what things they preached. This is a key reason why the Church today focuses so much training on the youth of the Church: seminary, institute, youth programs, etc. All of the preparation is to ensure they are ready to go forth into the world and cry repentance. "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen" (v 30) Hyrum could not imagine in May of 1829 just what this last statement and promise really meant. His understanding then would mean that people could become sons of God, but not in the literal sense. They would be in heaven as servants of God, singing hymns to him eternally. By 1844 at the end of his life, he would know that being a "son of God" was a literal thing. One would, through Christ, become a literal son and heir of all God has. The son of God would become part of the divine council and be a king and a priest unto God and Christ forever.

D&C lesson 5: This is the Spirit of Revelation Lesson 5 focuses on sections 6, 8, 9 of the D&C, which explain several things about receiving revelation. Some of our more familiar scriptures are found in sections 8 and 9 regarding receiving revelation, for example. Here, we will focus on some background. Oliver Cowdery was a schoolteacher, who had heard of Joseph Smith. Oliver believed in personal revelation, because he received it by using a divining rod. It is believed that he would ask "yes/no" type questions. In doing so, the rod would point up for "yes", and down for "no." This rod was also known as a "rod of nature" or the "gift of Aaron." In the revelations we find that the Lord approved of Oliver using the divining rod as a method to receive revelation. The ability to receive revelation (at the time via the rod) was the gift the Lord had given him. From what we read in the sections, it seems Oliver used the rod to determine if Joseph was truly a prophet of God. The rod also seems to be the source of revelation to send him to Joseph and work as his scribe. This brings the scriptures into a new context regarding the gift Oliver had: "Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above— And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways. Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things. If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time." D&C 6:10-14 Just as Aaron, the brother of Moses, received power from God via two rods: the staff of Moses and the budding rod, so Oliver would also have this great gift. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness? And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, even as my servant Joseph." D&C 6:22-25 Here, the Lord showed Oliver another way to receive revelation, through the Spirit speaking peace to his mind and heart. Oliver was then granted the gift of translation. However, Oliver was used to the idea of just asking a question and having his divining rod give a quick reply of yes/no. Translation through any means is a much more difficult and complex process. As we read in D&C 9, it required working it out in one's mind until one found a probable answer, and then asking if it is right (the yes/no question). Oliver skipped the first part. And it may be he did not understand how the Spirit works on the higher level of speaking to the mind and heart, as the Lord also had to explain this to him: "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me. Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now." D&C 9:7-10 We should not be surprised that the Lord allows mankind to use props that can assist them in knowing God. Joseph Smith used both the Urim and Thummim and his seer stone in a hat. Moses and Aaron used his staff. Jesus once used clay to heal a blind man's eyes. It is likely that Oliver used his divining rod less and less, as he learned to receive revelation without it, just as Joseph learned to receive revelations without his seer stone and the Urim and Thummim.

Out of all the revelations given in the last days, the Book of Mormon is the most important. Many see the Book of Mormon as simply a rip off of Isaiah, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and Solomon Spaulding. However, there are so many intricate things within the book that continually reveals itself in new and important ways to us. First, the Book of Mormon teaches us that God still speaks to mankind. The heavens are open! Revelation still occurs. This is a big part of the "new covenant" of the Book of Mormon - God speaking to man in all times and places.In Alma 29:8, we read that God gives to all nations and peoples the amount of truth they are ready to receive. But if people do not believe God can speak with them or send new prophets, then they severely limit the truth God wishes to give them. Second, the Book of Mormon teaches us the "doctrine of Christ". In 2 Ne 31 and 3 Ne 11. The doctrine of Christ is that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are "one God" or one in all things, and we are to learn to be one with them and each other. It is a process. We develop a level of faith in Christ. We recognize our sins and repent. We receive baptism or other ordinance, as it is through the ordinances that the "mysteries of godliness" are revealed (D"&C 84:19-21). Finally, we receive the Holy Ghost, which sanctifies us to a higher level of righteousness. Then we repeat the process, growing in faith and righteousness, until we become one with the Godhead. Third, it warns us of secret combinations and the enemies of God. Those groups or organizations or people who seek to get gain by any means are the enemies of God. They can include secret signs and oaths, and involve getting gain by using violence or other criminal means. When such combinations take control of government, the righteous become the enemies of the state, or are punished for their testimony of Christ; while the wicked are viewed as popular and good by society. Fourth, the Book of Mormon defines and shows the pathway to a personal theophany, or visitation of God to the individual. From Lehi's seeing God on his throne in 1 Nephi 1, to the Vision of the Tree of Life, to Alma's suffering in hell and then being redeemed into the presence of God's throne, to the Brother of Jared seeing the finger of God, we see the purpose of the Book of Mormon: to show us how to become like Christ, so we can return into the presence of God. Today, Latter-day Saints practice the theophany in the temple endowment, as the temple and Book of Mormon are closely linked by this new covenant and purpose. There are other purposes to the Book of Mormon, but these are definitely the most important concepts. Without the Book of Mormon, there would be no second witness of Christ and his divinity. There would be no understanding of modern revelation. We would not understand fully the process to become one with the Godhead, and we would not understand the importance to enter into the presence of the Lord.

Vort, I think it only raises those questions in your mind.... God can do whatever he chooses to do, which includes allowing both of Heber's fathers to be engaged in his life.

Pres Heber J Grant has the following history. His mother was sealed to Joseph Smith, who then died not long after. She married Jedediah Grant, who died a few months before his birth. Heber was called as an apostle at 25 years of age, when the other apostles were more than twice his age. He wanted to know just why he was called so young. He received his answer in a dream. He saw both of his fathers, Joseph and Jedediah standing before the throne of God, pleading that their son be called as an apostle. Clearly, the sealing is important, but all righteous and loving ties continue through the eternities. The sealing, in my view, is more a sealing into the Family of God. You and your current wife will still have a loving relationship of some kind, as you will also have with the kids.

I think you just need to enjoy the ride. Don't worry about your excitement level. Right now, it is just all a blur, and will continue to be so as you go through the MTC. Once you are in the mission and are working, it will feel comfortable to you. If you know that serving a mission right now is the thing to do, then relax and be satisfied in knowing that.

My wife and I listen to him on occasion. He has a good message.

The OP's quote of Elder McConkie is something, in light of more recent statements by Elder Holland, Pres Faust and others, is something I'm not certain of. IMO, there is no sin that Christ cannot reach, heal and exalt. We assume that David lost his exaltation, because we impose modern teachings upon him and read the OT in light of our own interpretation. Yes, he may have lost his exaltation, but then some go further and insist David can only obtain the Telestial Kingdom. Too much speculation for me concerning the salvation of a child of God who lived thousands of years ago, and whose entire story fits within just a few short pages. We do not know the whole story, yet seek to judge it by innuendo: "he had more than one wife and lost them, so obviously he was sealed to them and lost them for eternity." Where do we get this supposition? It isn't in the scriptures anywhere. In fact, the D&C (132) and Book of Mormon (Jacob) disagree on David and his multiple wives. Clearly there is room for us to realize that David's fate is not in our hands nor judgment. Second, for the person who has received his calling and election made sure - there is very little in the scriptures regarding it. It requires a lot of speculation to arrive at the conclusions that some GAs did, in regards to it. As I study the Book of Mormon and its teachings on who will become a son of perdition, it seems to me that there is a somewhat different view from Christ on who will become perdition: anyone who refuses eternally to accept the atonement of Christ in faith and repent of his/her sins. Yes, it is highly likely that almost all people will accept the atonement and be rescued from hell and Outer Darkness. I am not convinced that a person must hold the MP, be endowed and sealed in the temple, and receive the calling and election sure, and then rebel against it by murdering an innocent to earn such a dubious reward. However, it is one scenario. Was Cain made a SoP because he murdered Abel? Or was it because he 1: refused to repent, 2. refused to have faith in Christ, 3. loved Satan more than God? It seems the murder just finalized the deal. I do not believe David was ever in danger of becoming a SoP, simply because he was still willing to repent and believe in God. I believe there is plenty of punishment for him in spirit prison hell, so as he could still obtain exaltation after he has been buffeted by Satan on earth and in the spirit prison. Of course, this is also me speculating. But it seems my speculation is just as scripturally based as any other, including Elder McConkie's. We cannot earn our exaltation. Modern GAs have frequently taught it isn't obedience that saves/exalts us (as Elder McConkie suggested in his writings), but BECOMING. Obedience is a part of becoming, which comes from the mighty change of heart from the Holy Ghost, which causes us to "no longer desire to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:1-4). Pharisees focused on obedience, and were condemned by Christ, because all of their strict obedience to the Law did not bring them any closer to the atonement. Besides, should we not condemn Moses and Joshua for genocide? Or Nephi for the cold blooded murder of Laban? Can we not realize that God can save and exalt us, even after slaying innocent people (such as children and women)? If not, then we limit God's power to save. And that is my personal view on this. It isn't that I think Elder McConkie is wrong, but that his explanation is incomplete.

We all hope this is true most of the time. However, the instance last year with BYU Religion professor Randy Bott shows this is not always the case, even for those at BYU with tenure in a LDS religion position. FYI, Bott was interviewed by a news agency, and told them that the priesthood ban was all about the curse of Cain on the blacks. The Church had to come out and refute it.

Teach your kids that the teachers are not infallible, and that they can also be caught up in rumor and speculation. So, when they teach or say something, have your student ask for a primary source for the information. If the teacher cannot back up their statement with a solid source, then the student does not need to believe it, and the teacher should not be teaching it. I also hold to the concept that the newer the primary source, the better. You do not want the teacher to explain the Godhead, Adam, etc., from the Journal of Discourses, for example....

One thing I often do when it comes to a decision is this: First I'll research and weigh it out. Then if I have enough info to make a tentative decision, I'll do so, then ask the Lord if it is right (D&C 9 comes into play here). If I do not have enough info to make such a decision, then I'll take it to the Lord, tell him what research I've done, tell him the pros/cons/doubts/concerns I have on all possible decisions. Then I'll ask him in a very specific way: if X is true/correct, then make me feel good about it inside via the Holy Ghost; however if X is false/wrong, then make me feel bad or have a stupor of thought regarding it. This really helps me to distinguish between my own feelings and those answers from the HG.

Start slow. You've waited this long, you can wait another year or two for kids, and do it the right way. If you are graduating in May, chances are you may relocate for a job afterward. I suggest you consider areas with a higher LDS singles population. Also, you may want to consider some of the LDS singles online sites. I know a few people who have had good success with that. These options will open up a larger market of good LDS single men for you to consider.

But would you have shared?

"you cannot be saved in ignorance" - Joseph Smith The key is to be learning useful things. Those who do not seek knowledge, wisdom and truth, are limiting themselves here and in the eternities. "18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. 19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." D&C 130 God is not an average joe. He is a diligent seeker of all knowledge, intelligence and truth. Average Joes tend to go to the Terrestrial Kingdom, where they were not as valiant....

I love Elder McConkie very much. He was an apostle and witness of the Lord. He was also a product of his times: many GAs speculated on a variety of concepts that went beyond doctrine and into personal belief/opinion. Elder McConkie admitted to being wrong in his views on blacks and the priesthood, after the 1978 Revelation came out. He was humble enough to correct his errors as he saw them play out in new revelation. That said, we are moving beyond the speculations in Mormon Doctrine, and back to the core doctrines of the gospel. On the quotes you now hear from Elder McConkie, they are of his doctrinal statements, not his speculations. You don't hear anyone quoting him in Conference regarding a 6000 year old earth, evolution, etc. Why? Because the Church has moved beyond the speculating phase (begun with Brigham Young and ending in the 1980s), and onto a focus on the Book of Mormon, core doctrines, and the work at hand. I'm not saying we shouldn't quote Elder McConkie. I'm saying we should quote him on those things that agree with the current views of the Church regarding doctrine. You'll note that this discussion began regarding a quote from Elder McConkie, on his views regarding salvation/exaltation/calling and election made sure. I would say that the Church's views today are somewhat different than where they were 1/2 a century ago. Heck, I would also say that in regards to some statements in a "Miracle of Forgiveness" by then Elder Spencer W Kimball. Why? Because Satan being Sasquatch is not doctrinal. 1/2 century ago, the Church focused on members saving themselves "Obedience is the first law of heaven", rather than how it has changed since we've begun studying what the BoM and D&C actually tell us in regards to it. Elder McConkie often viewed the Telestial Kingdom as a form of hell, yet D&C 76 teaches it as a part of salvation and heaven. Which one is right? I guess it depends on one's viewpoint or the concepts being taught (Celestial is better than Telestial...). Yet, I know that I have a greater faith in Christ and his atonement today with what the Church teaches (Elder Holland is amazing on this), than how Elder McConkie wrote on it 1/2 century ago. BTW, the new Gospel Principles manual is thinner. It teaches much of what was in the previous manual, but removed almost all of Elder McConkie's statements, replacing them with newer GAs and newer ways of viewing the gospel. It isn't that Elder McConkie is bad, but as I said, he was a product of his times and speculated a lot. We are now in an era of GAs speaking the doctrine, and leaving speculation alone. Speculation has embarassed our Church on many occasions, and still haunts us on some topics. We aren't going to convert souls if they think Mormons are racist, bigamists, or hateful of other groups, for example. Hence the changes we see in the Church that have been occurring since 1978. Our Standard Works have not had a major update since 1981, having much of Elder McConkie in them. Still we have seen some changes: so the BoM intro now says that the Lamanites are "among" the ancestors of modern Indians, rather than being THE ancestor of all modern Indians. I could give many more examples, but these should suffice. I don't just place this on Elder McConkie, either. As a Church, we downplay the Journal of Discourses, simply because of the amount of speculation Pres Young and others made in it. BH Roberts also speculated a lot, as did Elder Talmage and others. We need to take all their words into today's context of modern prophetic guidance. Rameumptom

The scriptures say, "Thou shalt not kill", and yet we have thousands of active LDS in the military, who have been involved in the deaths of thousands of enemy, but also tens of thousands of innocent civilians that were unfortunate to be near those enemies. I think the Lord makes exceptions for those who work for the defense of the government. Remember, Capt Moroni and others used deceit as a strategem against the Lamanites.

We have the same priesthood as Christ, but we operate it under His direction. In such an instance as a giant storm crossing many states, I think it appropriate that we use the priesthood (or a prayer) to protect our family during the storm. I do not think it proper under most circumstances to try and calm an entire storm that will affect millions by using the MP power. Prayer is always called for, and is appropriate.

My wife and I just concluded a 2 year service mission to our local Spanish congregation. I still worked my job, and we have our regular lives, but spent many hours each week strengthening them and their program. There are opportunities to serve at all ages, they just aren't always as a full time missionary.