rameumptom

I actually hit it out of the ball park most of the time. It's just that Vort is usually in line for a hotdog and drink when I'm at bat.....

I hate being around so many victim wannabes. Anddenex, You notice how many thought you were referring to them? They are all so hypersensitive, looking for some limelight. How vain! Anyone who is anyone could plainly see that you were referring specifically of me!

Angel comes from the Greek, and simply means "messenger". Jesus is known as the Angel of the Lord's Presence, showing that angels can be exalted beings. Michael the Archangel (aka Adam) and the other archangels are Celestial exalted beings. The only difference between angels will be the glory they receive.

I think the key point is being missed here. It isn't God versus god. It is an issue of becoming part of the divine council. It is a Godhead that we become a part of, where the Father and Son are the head of the divine council. The covenant is not an individual thing. Being a god/God is not an individual thing. It is a covenant of the group. In being sealed, we are not sealed all alone/by ourselves, but as a family that stretches forever in both directions. At the head of that family is our Heavenly Parents and those divine brothers and sisters that have led the way from the beginning, including Michael, Gabriel, their wives, etc. So, we shouldn't worry whether it is a big "G" or a little "g". The thing to focus on is that we are part of the covenant of the divine council/family.

Check with some of the other churches in the area to see if they have any projects needing to be done. Or see if they have any planned projects coming up that they could use some help with. This is a very good way to actually make a good impression on the area, if you are working as Christians with other Christians (or people of faith) to help them.

Gunter, in your introduction, you said you are a Mormon. Now you say you are not a Mormon. What gives? As to the priesthood ban on black people, it was initiated by Brigham Young. We believe in revelation, and several prophets over the years have looked into lifting the ban. However, the Lord did not lift the ban. President David O. McKay was very saddened that the Lord told him it was not yet time. When President Kimball and his apostles received the revelation in 1978, several of them described it as a major revelation from God. They were overjoyed by it, and quickly sent out notice to make the changes world-wide. Since 1978, there has not been a ban. We choose now to look forward, grateful for the revelation from God that lifted it, regardless of whether God first instituted it, or Brigham Young. As for your second question: we believe that God has ordained marriage between man and woman. God has established a pattern of family that will bring the greatest joy, including eternal marriage. Both the Old and New Testament speak out against homosexual behavior. As it is, we believe it is not recognized by God as being part of his pattern of true happiness. Our Church counsels us to be kind and generous to all people, including those with SSA. At the same time, it cannot tolerate any sexual behavior that is contrary to the commandments of God. We love the person, but reject any sins they may commit. A person cannot help innate tendencies: such as SSA, tendencies towards any other sexual desires, or towards drugs, gambling, etc. These things people are born with. We can determine what our behavior is going to be, though. This is where the Church speaks out against sinful behavior that threatens the concept of eternal families as God has prescribed through revelation. There are many people who struggle with SSA, yet live chaste lives. Many even marry persons of the opposite sex, have children, and lead happy lives - because they find they can still love one person of the opposite sex, while having an attraction to their own gender.

Book of Mormon Lesson 33: “A Sure Foundation” Helaman 1–5 In his book, “An Other Testament”, Joseph Spencer explains the gradual deterioration of both Nephite politics and religion. Beginning with the second Nephite king after Nephi, we find that issues of pride and sexual conquest become issues of religion and possibly politics, as it reflects the problems we later find with King Noah and his priests. Nephite politics began with descendants of Nephi as the kings of the nation. When King Mosiah II encountered Zarahemla and the Mulekites, major changes entered into the story. Mosiah finds there are now others who claim the right to rule, such as Mulekites descending from King David and the Jaredite remnants among them descending from Jared. Mosiah saw the need to change the government to judges. This allowed for elections among the lower judges, but retaining the main power by having the chief judge (initially always a descendant of Nephi) selected by appointment. This system would work until the chief judgeship fell into others’ hands. We find that the religion also changes over time. Where the priests originally were under charge of the king, we now find the chief judge and the high priest became separate entities. We see the religious followers falling into sin: pride, contention, and violence against others. The steady decay of both government and religion is evident, even as Alma, Helaman, and others try to fix them. The periods of good government and religion become shorter and shorter, while the periods of apostasy and evil increase. While Alma the Younger and Helaman the Elder saw a period of rebellion, where attempts were made to destroy the faith (Korihor), and overthrow the government (Amalickiah), the works of evil move on to a new method: the Gadianton Robbers. By the time we are introduced to Kishkumen and Gadianton, their clandestine group became so powerful that it included one of the sons of governor/chief judge Pahoran. With his passing, three of his sons seek the judge seat. While they are all descendants of Nephi, this seems to be the first time an election is required. The election goes to Pahoran II, and his brother Pacumeni supported him. On the other hand, Paanchi sets out to assassinate his brother with the help of his secret band. We will find that such intrigue was done by the Jaredites long before, and now we see that the tradition continues. Once assassination of the chief official occurs, all the standard rules are tossed out. The Gadianton band was both a political and religious organization. They believe in God, as we read, “they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran” (Helaman 1:11). They believe in God, and make their oaths accordingly. The intensity of their beliefs are such that they believe murder is approved by God when necessary. Perhaps this is their interpretation of Nephi’s slaying of Laban in secret, used to justify their own actions? As it is, we could view them as an ancient Ku Klux Klan society, where they consider their actions approved of God, The Klan saw it appropriate to use terror, such as burning crosses on people’s lawns, and even hanging black people from trees as an example to others. Sadly, when we look underneath the white hooded robe of the KKK, we often find men that went home to their nice families and ate dinner, attended church on Sunday, and served the local charity. In the 1920s, the KKK had their heyday in Indiana. Upwards of ⅓ of the men in Indiana were Klansmen, and they succeeded in electing one of their own as governor. While Gadianton’s clan must flee when Kishkumen fails to assassinate Helaman, we will later see their power increase until they also have members as chief judge among the Nephites. Gadianton and his Robbers “And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi” (Helaman 2:13). So powerful will this secret combination become, that Mormon tells us that it will eventually absorb the entire Nephite nation, and destroy them. The secrets and combinations of the Gadiantons will soon spread forth, engulfing the entire Nephite and Lamanite nations. They will first become so powerful that they will become a third nation in the land, contesting for power from both Nephites and converted Lamanites. Eventually, though, they win. Who was Gadianton? From his name, we can determine he was a Mulekite/Jaredite. The “ianton” suffix was used by the Jaredites, and only appears among the Nephites after King Mosiah I discovered Zarahemla. His secret practices are the same ones used by Jaredites long before (Ether 8). In Ether 8 we see that Akish is enticed to assassinate the king. That his name is similar to Kishkumen, (also an assassin) is not a coincidence. The name “Kish” is obviously a Jaredite name as well. The wicked Jaredite clan also swear by “the God of heaven” in establishing their oath. This secret combination will also lead to the destruction of the Jaredites as a nation. Population Issues In Helaman 3, we find that over-population became a serious issue. With over-population, many people had to leave the land of Zarahemla and seek other lands to develop. Among the ancient Mayan people, their methods of agriculture required major movements every few generations. The jungles may seem fertile, but they aren’t. Generally, all the soils are poor for agriculture, with most of the nutrients in the trees, brush and undergrowth. Mayans would clear an area and farm it until it became infertile, then clear another area near the city. Eventually, the fertile lands would be so far from the city, they were forced to move, often leaving an area abandoned for generations. Over-population tends to increase crime and other problems. As resources shrink and the population increases, there is ever more competition to maintain a standard way of life. Such over-population causes inner city blight, stress on the family unit, over-crowding, stress on resources, etc. Gangs arise to replace the family unit, and sometimes even becomes the political, religious and law of the land. So it was in the days of Helaman, forcing a massive exodus of many people to the land northward. It was time to move to the suburbs. Such crowding today leads to the decimation of civilization in many of our cities. Chicago has hundreds of thousands of gang members throughout the city. Half of those in prison today are incarcerated on drug-related crimes. The family’s destruction began in the inner-cities and now moves to suburbs as they also become crowded. Struggle in War and Conversion With the death of Helaman, the judgment seat goes to his eldest son, Nephi. Moronihah finds himself having a major war, as dangerous as the wars his father Moroni encountered. Because of the divisions and events occurring, the land of Zarahemla is lost to the Lamanites. Only after much effort is Moronihah able to regain half the original Nephite lands. Obviously, the Lamanites are also struggling with over-crowding and have little choice but to militarily take over new lands - something often occurring in Mayan history. As did Alma, Nephi gave up the judgment seat in order to preach. He and his brother Lehi went forth preaching the gospel, hoping it would bring repentance and a restoration of the promised land to the Nephites. In Helaman 5, we see that their father counseled them, explaining why they received the names of their first forefathers in the land. Helaman seeks a restoration of the original glory of the Nephite people, both politically and religiously. They first preached unto the Nephites, hoping for them to repent, and had good success. Only once the Nephites were back on the right path, did Nephi and Lehi enter into the land of Zarahemla. Here they sought two purposes: to religiously bring the dissenters and Lamanites in the area to repentance (religious), and to hopefully have the land restored to the Nephites (political). Finally, they went to the land of Nephi - the original land of their forefather Nephi. Being cast into the same prison that the sons of Mosiah were cast into, we see a connection. Ammon and his brethren converted a large portion of the Lamanites. These became very faithful people, burying their weapons of war as a covenant of peace. Now, with Nephi and Lehi, an even larger conversion occurs among the Lamanites, beginning in this same prison. As their forefathers Lehi and Nephi saw the Vision of the Tree of Life and the light and power of God, these brothers will now experience the power of God, as well. Heavenly flames engulf them but do not harm them. The Lamanites watching them are amazed and terrified so they cannot move. Even as the previously converted servant Abish helped the Lamanites believe in Ammon several generations before, so now Aminidab (a Nephite dissident) will be the key to leading the Lamanites to the light. Both represent the special guide to those seeking a spiritual experience. A voice speaks to the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters. They hear the voice three times, a special number in angelology. Later, the Nephites will hear God’s voice three times before the resurrected Jesus descends to them (3 Ne 11). In this same vein, this is their special experience with Nephi and Lehi. Seeing Nephi and Lehi’s faces as those of angels suggests a few things. First, they are transfigured before God, even as Moses on Sinai or Abinadi before Noah had faces that shone brightly and that frightened those around them. Aminidab leads the Lamanites to look upon Nephi and Lehi, even as the brothers look into heaven speaking with God. Seeing their glowing faces prepares them to be taught by angels. Once just a lowly prison, it now becomes a holy place. In LDS terms, the Lamanites are having a temple experience - returning into the presence of God and his divine council of angels. Even as their forefathers Lehi and Nephi experienced the Vision of the Tree of Life, a symbol of the temple endowment, we now see something similar going on here. Father Lehi and Nephi had spiritual guides through their experience. Aminidab was the guide for the Lamanites. As father Lehi recalled wandering through mists of darkness, now the Lamanites find themselves in those mists as well. As father Lehi prayed for the darkness to leave, so the Lamanites also cried to the Lord, whereupon the darkness leaves them. Lehi’s partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life fills him with joy. The Lamanites are surrounded by the holy flames as Nephi and Lehi walk among them. They also are filled with unspeakable joy. Nephi explained that by the power of the Holy Ghost, angels spoke (2 Ne 32:2-3). Now, Nephi, Lehi and the Lamanites are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with the tongues of angels. They all saw the heavens open and angels descend, even as Lehi saw in his first vision (1 Nephi 1). They have been invited to join the divine council of angels, even as father Lehi was centuries before. Conclusion We see two different groups of people in this lesson: Gadiantons and Divine Beings. Those who follow Gadianton believe they are doing God’s work, even as they murder and rob. Such leads eventually to utter destruction. The converted Lamanites found out that such was not God’s way. God would have all of us humble ourselves to our knees, cry unto the Lord, and turn ourselves towards the true light. In doing so, we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, speak with the tongue of angels, and be invited to join the divine council of God. Bibliography “An Other Testament”, Joseph Spencer: www.saltpress.org

If the individual consents to a search, the security guards can do the search. Otherwise, they wait the police.

He's an adult. Let him make his choice, and then you sustain him in it. You don't have to live with her. But if you cause a situation, you will cause pain for your Dad, you and others, making you the bad person (and not her). You may be surprised; she may just make a wonderful wife for him. None of us is flawless, and the Lord is the one who is supposed to be the Judge, not us.

Bluedreams, There are two things going on here, and while they may be related, are not the same thing. SSA is a DNA innate nature. Not all people with SSA end up being gay, showing the behaviors, etc. While many use the terms interchangeably, this is the wrong thing to do, and we shouldn't allow such to be made equivalents. There is a difference between someone who has a natural tendency towards any addiction and being an addict, for example. I come from a long line of alcoholics, however I am not an alcoholic myself. I am convinced that I do have the tendency towards it, though. "Gay" is generally accepted as the choice made to act upon SSA. You'll note that in his speech, Johanson says he has SSA, but is NOT gay! To equate them is to doom all people with SSA to only one choice. But there are alternatives, as long as we do not allow words to become meaningless, because we lump them all together.

SSA and being gay are two separate things. Being gay is a choice, while SSA is not a choice. Being gay is a behavior, based upon sex. SSA is a natural inclination some people have to others of the same sex. Joshua Johanson, who has SSA, just spoke about this at the recent FAIR conference. You can read his talk here. He and others, who have SSA, have been able to choose alternatives to just "being gay." And that is the key to this. There are some things under your control and power. Do not relinquish that power, simply because the world says you have no control over any of it. Instead, prayerfully look at the alternatives, and decide which is best for you and God. There are some men with SSA who have found they can fall in love with one woman (and vice versa). They live a very happy life, even though the person still has SSA.

You may want to consider a Kindle or Nook ereader. There you could have all the scriptures, and many more books that you can read and study from. They have nice leather covers for them, as well.

I do not think I'm wrong in this. Elder McConkie stepped out farther than the prophet on many occasions. We've moved away from some of his statements. The Book of Mormon and Bible teach us to follow Christ and develop a relationship with him. I do not believe Elder McConkie had the right to speak so authoritatively on this, as I do not think he had the right to speak so authoritatively on the 7 Deadly Heresies. How many of you are going to give up a belief in evolution, simply because Elder McConkie called it a heresy? Should we ignore Talmage, Widtsoe and other apostles, simply because Elder McConkie had an opinion, and pushed it hard?

BTW, this discussion sadly reminds me of an inside joke a stake president and Institute director I knew as a YSA used to have. When someone would quote a GA, the other would say, "has he been dead long enough?" Sadly, we hold onto the words of dead prophets and apostles more than the words of living ones. Yet, we are supposed to give heed to the living words first. Elder McConkie has been dead for almost 30 years. He has been superseded on some teachings, people.

Finrock, you are welcome to do as you wish. I also sustain Elder McConkie (or did) as an apostle during his lifetime. I sustained him to be a witness of Christ, hold keys of priesthood, etc. That said, only the Prophet has the right to establish what is doctrine, not an apostle. D&C actually states that. That most of Elder McConkie taught, we still believe in the Church, shows that he was correct on most things. That he admitted he was wrong on the priesthood ban, is also part of the record, showing that he did step beyond the doctrine on some things (like saying blacks would not get the priesthood until the Millennium, or talking about the curse of Cain, etc). That the Church takes a different tack in regards to grace, salvation and exaltation than what Elder McConkie and church leaders of the early to mid 1900s taught, is easy to see. The Church grows. We have living revelators that trump Elder McConkie, Brigham Young, and everyone else in the past. For example, Elder Richard G Scott in Mar 2012 Ensign tells us: "• While participating in temple ordinances, consider your relationship to Jesus Christ and His relationship to our Heavenly Father. This simple act will lead to greater understanding of the supernal nature of the temple ordinances.." Here we have an apostle telling us to consider our relationship with Christ. Are we going to listen to a dead apostle over a living one? As much as I love Elder McConkie, I do not place him on a pedestal. He memorized scripture, but sometimes did not understand it as well as modern prophets and apostles do. So, Finrock, I'm going to follow a living apostle over the words of a dead one. I would encourage anyone else to do the same.

Literacy is so under-rated in America.....

The reason why Elder McConkie was controversial is because he tried to push his personal beliefs as doctrine. He does to an extent in this speech, which he did as an attack on some things taught by some BYU professors. There is no apostle nor prophet today telling us to avoid a relationship with Christ. In fact, the Book of Mormon and New Testament focus on our relating with Christ, as the way to get to the Father. Elder McConkie was a great apostle. But he occasionally stepped over the bounds, and this is one area I think he did.

These are all just bodice ripper novels in a new format. They tug at people emotionally, yet give nothing of real value. It would be like having a diet of frosting. Nice and sweet and yummy, but your body will eventually die from lack of real nutrition. Our nation is dying from lack of real education, knowledge, intellectual and spiritual growth. We deserve to be handed our backsides on a platter by the Chinese and others. When we return to the bar of God, how are we going to answer the question: what did you do with your life? I watched slimy people on television fooling around or doing violent things, while eating bon-bons? Doesn't D&C 130 tell us that the amount of intelligence and knowledge we gain in the life will rise with us? Imagine the thousands of hours wasted on entertainment that we could have used learning a new talent. Okay. Enough of my rant. Go back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

Sadly, this inattention that so many LDS parents give to their children is destroying the next generation of Mormons. We are only one generation away from not existing as a Church. These parents are dooming their children to misery. I've come to the conclusion that parents who neglect their children do not really love their kids. They just placate them, so they don't have to deal with them.

I also am a Nibley-phile. In fact on the Millennial Star blog, we're doing a book club on An Approach to the Book of Mormon. Each Sunday, I post the next chapter's notes. Currently, discussion on chapter 2 is up, and I'll post my notes on ch 3 on Sunday.

Book of Mormon Lesson 32: “They Did Obey … Every Word of Command with Exactness” Alma 53–63 As noted in the last lesson, I will not be discussing the war itself in detail. There is an excellent book , “Warfare in the Book of Mormon” by William Hamblin and Stephen Ricks, that details this very nicely. Highly recommended, and is free to read online. The sons of Helaman The Ammonites, those Lamanite converts that swore to never take up weapons of war again, were ready to break their covenant of peace, in order to help rescue the Nephites. The prophet Helaman, however, would not have them break their covenant. Instead, a different solution was brought forth. The children had not made the oath to bury their weapons of war. Note here that the Ammonites could not really be called pacifists, as they are willing to recognize the necessity of arms to defend oneself and home. But their covenant was instituted for a higher and different purpose. As Lamanites, they were divided and continually seeking to to get gain and power over one another. Of the incident of Ammon and Lamoni, Brant Gardner explained that it fit nicely in with Mayan culture. The king struggled to maintain his power, while others subtly awaited the moment to overthrow him. One method to weaken the king was to scatter his flocks, which represented wealth and power to those who not only owned flocks, but could afford servants to watch over the flocks. Any misstep on the matter by the king could lose him his throne, as power hungry enemies were involved in the scattering of the flocks, who had access to the king’s court. When Jesus visited the Nephites, he noted two doctrines: the doctrine of Christ and that of Satan. “26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. 27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. 28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been. 29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. 31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. 32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me” (3 Nephi 11:26-32). Satan’s doctrine is contention. He seeks that all mankind be in disarray, contending one against another, even as Lamoni and the Lamanites, prior to conversion. The Doctrine of Christ, however, is the opposite of Satan’s doctrine. It is a doctrine of unity, of being one. I won’t go into the details of how we are to become one here, but will discuss it when we study 3 Nephi 11. For now, it is enough to know that “Being One” is the number one thing in Christ’s doctrine. Imagine a warlike people laying down and burying their “weapons of war, for peace” (Alma 24:19). Rather than following the doctrine of contention, seeking to get gain, destroy, and eliminate one’s enemies, the Lamanite converts now sought to be one. Together they would make a covenant that they would not break, even in times of desperate war. Yet, they also would not leave the Nephites to fight on their own. They gladly deliver their sons to Helaman to defend the Nephites. In the fierce battles ahead, not a single one of them dies, even while many Nephites fighting with them die. What difference was there between a believing son of Helaman and a believing Nephite? The “sons of Helaman” were taught by their mothers the importance of unity. They are diligent in obeying the commands of Helaman and God. They fight as a unit. They believe as one. There is no disunity, no contention, no struggle between them. How about for the Nephites? In the lesson, we read that the Nephites suffer because they are not getting supplies nor reinforcements. An exchange of patriotic letters between captain Moroni and chief judge Pahoran reveals dissension among the Nephites. Kingmen have taken control of the central government in Zarahemla. They are corresponding with the Lamanites, and conspiring against Pahoran and Moroni. Even righteous Nephites, like Pahoran, are confused as to what they should do regarding the uprising. There is political dickering and diffidence abounding, even among some of the leaders. We often chuckle at how Moroni was so stern in his letter towards Pahoran, and then Pahoran sort of shuts him up in the return correspondence. Yet, the fact remains that Pahoran has fled Zarahemla, yet done nothing about it. He has never bothered to mention to Moroni before that there is trouble brewing in the capital city. He never mentioned before that he had to flee for safety. While he was gathering men from around the country to him, he still was not sending any of them to aid Moroni and Helaman. Pahoran has allowed contention to spill throughout the land, dividing the nation from within, and leaving it on the verge of destruction from without. Such contention caused the Nephites to lose cities and lives. It spread chaos throughout the land and the ranks of the army. I can only imagine that Nephite armies that suffered from wounds, disease, starvation, and facing an overwhelming opposing force, would lose faith and desert in droves. Such would likely join the Kingmen in seeking a peaceful solution with the Lamanites (one of surrender). Yet, among all of this death, destruction, contention and fear, we find this one anomaly: the sons of Helaman. They courageously fight. Never do they run from a battle. Because they are united, they create order wherever they go. That order brings forth the additional power and grace of God, keeping them alive and successful, even against huge odds. So, mothers (and fathers) of latter-day youth, what are you teaching your children? Are you teaching them about the covenant of unity with God? Are you teaching powerfully enough to save them from the contentions and evils of the spiritual warfare they face everyday? Teancum Teancum has always been one of my favorite characters in the Book of Mormon. He was fearless. Just as Helaman’s stripling warriors were united and effective in battle, so too were Teancum’s soldiers. When the Lamanites first invaded and headed to the land of Bountiful, it was Teancum’s small army that stopped them cold. While other armies and fortresses caved to the overwhelming Lamanite forces, Teancum faithfully trained his men. They were prepared long before they went into battle. They fought as a unit, with order and structure. While many were involved in the wars, one man did more the end the war than any other. Teancum, as captain of his army, went quietly into the Lamanite camp and slew Amalickiah. Later, he would again sneak through their camp to find Ammoron asleep. In losing his life, Teancum ended a war that likely would have continued for several more years, simply because Ammoron would not have allowed it to end. Possibly as controversial as the dropping a nuclear bomb on Japan, the assassination of another nation’s leaders is a topic of discussion today. Is Teancum’s slaying of two Lamanite kings/Nephite dissidents any worse than Nephi slaying Laban? One thing we do learn from this long and tragic war between the Nephites and Lamanites, war is terrible and there really never are any winners. Even though the Nephites maintained their freedoms, it was done at huge cost in human life, destroyed crops, and the psychological trauma left upon much of the people afterward. In such instances, we need to do as Helaman did after the war ended. “And Pahoran did return to his judgment-seat; and Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church. Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God. And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land” (Alma 62:44-46). Only the atonement of Jesus Christ can heal those who are broken and hurt because of war and other tragedies. Reestablishing the Church created for people a spiritual hospital, where their deepest wounds could be healed in Christ. Bibliography “Warfare in the Book of Mormon” by William Hamblin and Stephen Ricks: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/ “The Case for Historicity”, Brant Gardner, 2004 FAIR Symposium: http://en.fairmormon.org/Template:Video:Gardner:2004:The_Case_for_Historicity

Temple recommends are valid for 2 years, after which both bishop and stake president interview the person again. You do not have to wait for it to expire to renew it. I think there may be reasons for a temple recommend to expire. However, laziness in our spiritual duties is a sign that we are being a foolish virgin. While your stake president's statement is not doctrinal, we should not ignore it or think he's completely wrong in his assessment. BTW, when your stake president says "heaven" he obviously means exaltation. Baptism is all that is necessary for the celestial kingdom, and there's no renewal required for it (although the Sacrament does allow us to renew). Much of this idea comes from many LDS still holding too tightly to the old understanding of salvation that was taught in the early to mid 1900s. There was a belief we had to earn salvation. Fortunately, the Church since Pres Benson has been moving back to studying and understanding the teachings of the Book of Mormon, which gives us a better understanding of salvation, exaltation, grace, atonement, justification and sanctification. We aren't exalted based on whether we have a current temple recommend, but based on the level of sanctification we've received. Yes, having a temple recommend allows us to attend the temple, which is instrumental in our sanctification process. But being one day late in getting one's recommend renewed probably will not risk one's exaltation.

Did the dog attack you with the cane, also?

I went on a blind date once. She was so darned ugly that I had to put my eyes out...

Repentance is always a great reason for all to rejoice. BTW, which base are you now stationed at?