Francine

That means that for about 1400 years, the Church of Jesus Christ did not exist. In other words, the gates of hades prevailed against it. That means Jesus Christ could not keep his promise to Peter that the gates of hades would never prevail against his Church.

I think Jesus would say of those who reserve the title "Christian" to themselves, "Verily, verily, they have their reward."

If life is what is most precious in God's sight, then even the life of a murderer is precious in God's sight. A penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole is a sufficient deterrent, and even if it is slightly less of a deterrent, it is not so much less a deterrent that it justifies taking a second life. Plus there is the possibility that we execute an innocent man.

Since we are talking about the martyrdom of the Apostles in the Middle Eastern Church, not the Church comprised of Nephites and converted Lamanites, I am referring to the Christian Church of the Eastern Hemisphere that remained unified until the Great Schism was finalized in 1054 AD. There were other schisms afterward, but they do not aid in identifying this Church.

I do not consider it unfortunate that the apostles were killed. By keeping to their testimony of our risen Lord even through torture and death, these martyrs fertilized the ground with their blood, and from it sprang a Church so vibrant and true that it overthrew and supplanted the greatest empire that had ever been seen on the face of the Earth.

Because I view the requirement of a murderer atoning for his sin by the shedding of his own blood to be the equivalent of a human sacrifice, much like the way Isaac was to be offered to God as a burnt offering. Blood for blood, life for life. Isaac was an anti-type of Christ, and after Christ was offered up, I believe the requirement to shed a murderer's blood for atonement was abrogated.

Thank you. I was given a Book of Mormon by the missionary girls but not a D&C.

Major life changes like this can really put things into perspective, as far as what is important and what is not. I don't think Mormons, nor non-Mormons, will be in much of a mood for arguing about silly things like doctrine, for a few days at least.

That's very sad. I'm not a member of the CoJCoLDS but he seemed like an awesome old gentleman.

But you can suffer for the redemption of others, as Paul did. Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church

If these were plain and precious parts of the word of the Lamb, why was the premortal existence of the spirit of man and baptism for the dead not restated in 3 Nephi? Presumably it would have been retained by the Nephite Christians, even if the Middle Eastern Christians abandoned and lost these doctrines.

I do not believe the keys of apostolic authority were removed from the earth with the death of the last apostle, St. John. Paul and Barnabas, for example, were commissioned as apostles to the Gentiles by members of the original twelve, and they were not of the original twelve: Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

On the contrary, it is written (Luke 13:29-30) And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

It is written, (Hos.6:6) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Before Calvary, God's justice said that man atoned for the shedding of man's blood with his own blood. Now men have recourse to the atonement of Christ's once and for all sacrifice of his own blood on the cross. Jesus was the final human sacrifice for sin.

I thought the Lord prepared his own way for the Second Coming, and he will come like a thief without further preparation.

Alma 34:33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

On the contrary, it is written (Hebrews 2:11-12) "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."