Gods control of life and death?

[hordak]

So before i asked the question how much control does God have over death. Lots of mixed opinion but I came to the conclusion it couldn't be 100% as murder and suicide(?) are seen as sin and couldn't be completed if God controlled it.

So now for philosophical discussion how much control does God have over birth?

I have 2 and 99/100ths children:D (11 days til number 3). First 2 were conceived when "needed" (becoming a father changed me for the better) but not "wanted" (both are birth control babies,0.3% and 0.6% failure rates ) then when we wanted, but didn't need more we didn't get pregnant followed by a conception after we were ready again.

However we all know girls who get pregnant who don't "need" a child ( The Maury Povich show comes to mind), And Families that try so hard without success but are helped out by medical science/ or adoption that are great parents.

I recall being taught in primary that i picked my family (should have went with the Rockafellers:D ) but i don't know if that is doctrine or speculation.

So what say you? Is pregnancy a "crap shoot" or a regulated event?

[pam]

Good question Hordak..I've wondered about this myself many times. Looking forward to the answers.

[Traveler]

It is my personal belief that in the “pre-existence” we planned out our mortal life with the same or more degrees of freedom than we have in this life. I believe that we made choices based on opportunities we had earned and been granted and needs or callings that had been laid out. All of these things were done with parameters and knowledge not as available to us during a fallen mortal state. For example; it appears to me that in general, wealth was realized as a risky and detrimental choice and poverty as a more beneficial and less risky choice.

Because our mortal fallen probation was understood to be a very short duration, I believe many planned to take risks that would reap eternal dividends for them personally. It is quite possible that many got greedy with the risks they planned which gave Lucifer and his followers grave concern and contributed to their excuse to rebel against G-d and the agency granted to man. In addition it may have been possible that some, knowing that there would be an atonement, took advantage and decided to “experiment” with possibilities, which also added to Lucifer’s concerns and rebellion.

So in short – I believe G-d’s knowledge is complete and that he knows all things that will take place because of his plan and our plans. I really do not think anything is a surprise to him. I also believe that we exercised 100% control over things that would affect us and that we are responsible for who we are and what we do.

BTW - I would add that as far as I know the LDS doctrine is unique in believing that we existed and had agency and freedom over ourselves in planning and making the choice to come to earth as a fallen mortal individual with faith in the redemption through Christ.

The Traveler

[Dravin]

I'd say a crap shoot. While I've known people who have felt they should have X number of children (and I don't have a problem with that idea) I'm not sure I believe that it would be impossible for them to conceive more than that.

As far as people who want children but can't have them, well the Fall gave us some imperfect bodies and a part of that is the process of reproduction is imperfect. Just like if I had a genetic disorder I'm more inclined to think its the result of flawed beings creating a flawed tabernacle and God didn't 'fudge' things to make sure I got it. He knew I would, being omniscient, but that doesn't mean he exercised power to make sure two specific pairs of chromosomes met up creating my mortal tabernacle instead of any others.

I could be misunderstanding the question though.

[lestertheemt]

Well......................being one who has infertility, I really really wish I had the answers. Apart of me wishes (and hopes) that a loving Heavenly Father sat down w/ me w/ my Savior by my side and expressed HIS love when this trial was put before me. Telling me that this would be hardest thing that I would have to experience in this life and that it would not only test me physically, emotionally, but test me to the very core of my existance. That it could (and would) crumble my faith and that it could and would affect my marriage.

Somewhere down deep in my soul I know I choose this and only on the day when all knowledge is returned will I understand WHY.

Getting back to the question at hand I believe he is in complete control.

[eponabri]

I agree with Traveler... That it's both a matter of destiny and free will. I believe that God guides us in the direction we could go, but then leaves it up to us as to how much we will learn and experience.

I was told we could never have children after we lost our first one in the 5th month of pregnancy (30 years ago), but we ended up having a son and then a daughter. We lost two more children. Then my daughter died when she was 16.

Naturally, when you loose children, you question everything, including God's hand in it. Was it God's will? Why would God choose to take your children away from you?

We've come to the conclusion that it's not because we were being punished. It's just part of our destiny and the destiny's of our children. I have no doubt I will see them all again and we all will have other lifetimes together, just as we have had past lives together.

"If you believe in forever, then life is just a one night stand."

[Justice]

I have explained my opinion of this many times on this forum, using the eample of weather. So, I won't bore again with my opinion. Unless, that is you don't remember and you're curious...

[Seanette]

I have explained my opinion of this many times on this forum, using the eample of weather. So, I won't bore again with my opinion. Unless, that is you don't remember and you're curious...

Contrary to what my post count might suggest , I'm pretty new around here and haven't seen this.

Can you stand to post it again?