So Many Questions

[cro-magnon]

Here's a few questions:

If we did not come from early humans, why did God create beings smart enough to make tools, brandish weapons, and then remake Adam and Eve?

Does the church deny all evolution, or only that of humans? If we didn't come from apes, why are we, to an almost uncanny degree, so similar to them?

If God is white, is it bad to be black? Will people with celestialized bodies stay black, or turn white? Why could blacks not hold the priesthood in the early days of the church?

I drink every once in a while, maybe 1 day every 6 months. I've never confessed it, I just really like the taste of Blue Moon Belgium-style Ale. I never get drunk, I just like it. It's delish. Does that mean I haven't been worth for the years I've been doing this?

I don't want to hear some crap about "us not being meant to understand all things in this life," if God didn't want us to search after answers to questions, he wouldn't have made us so inquisitive.

[Dravin]

You are much more likely to receive an answer if you ask one question at a time, discuss it to some sort of conclusion and then ask another question. I'm not saying you have a hidden agenda but the shotgun question approach is a favorite tactic of those who aren't interested in answers but simply criticism of our beliefs. And ignoring that particular aspect for a moment your questions aren't particularly simple or connected so they're likely to result in a traffic jam of a thread.

So just my helpful suggestion (not a command) is to ask a question from those you have, discuss it and then either start a new thread for the next one on the list (if you post them all as separate threads all at once you run into the same situation except instead of a traffic jam of a thread you just end up with most of them fading while one or two become active topics), or post the next one in this thread.

That said, I'll give you my quick perspective on your questions:

If we did not come from early humans, why did God create beings smart enough to make tools, brandish weapons, and then remake Adam and Eve?

Does the church deny all evolution, or only that of humans? If we didn't come from apes, why are we, to an almost uncanny degree, so similar to them?

I don't believe the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel rule out evolution as a 'creation tool' of sorts.

If God is white, is it bad to be black? Will people with celestialized bodies stay black, or turn white?

No it's not bad to be black anymore so than it's bad to be a redhead (I've never seen a depiction of God as a redhead), or female. As far as celestial bodies and their physical features, it's not particularly known descriptions are limited, and we don't know to what degree our physical features differ from what we were in the next life and to what degree they remain. For instance, someone who is 5' 6" but had the genetic potential to be 6', will they be 5' 6" or 6'? Or is it something independent of genetics because for it to be dependent of genetics requires gene arrangement and parenthood to have been predetermined so that it ends up to match our spirits, and to what extent is it dependent, for example some may hold a child with trisomy-21 will have the same color hair and general features but not have the distinction features associated with their genetic disorder.

I drink every once in a while, maybe 1 day every 6 months. I've never confessed it, I just really like the taste of Blue Moon Belgium-style Ale. I never get drunk, I just like it. It's delish. Does that mean I haven't been worth for the years I've been doing this?

Worthy of what? There is no binary worthy status. For instance you won't be worthy of a Temple Recommend (keeping the Word of Wisdom is a prerequisite) but you're certainly worthy of the God's love. So the question as it stands is incomplete for any sort of comprehensive answer.

I don't want to hear some crap about "us not being meant to understand all things in this life," if God didn't want us to search after answers to questions, he wouldn't have made us so inquisitive.

Oh I agree. The caveat of course is that sometimes the place those answers may be found is on our knees in prayer and not either:

1) And internet message-board.

2) The revealed doctrines and teachings of the Church.

You're welcome to ask but just keep in mind we may not have an answer for you.

Edited November 13, 2011 by Dravin

[Guest Ivo_G]

God is white

not that it really matters that much to me but who says God's white? i can't recall any scriptual references to that extent (i can be wrong of course) + in the case of Jesus, i think, we can be pretty certain that he wasn't all that white

[skippy740]

The 'search' button is my friend. I use it on Google, lds.net, lds.org and askgramps.org. You just might find some answers... if you go searching.

[bytebear]

God's countenance is white. He is a being of light which contains the full spectrum of color (i.e. white). But that really has nothing to do with skin color.

As to evolution, we have two sources of truth: God and science. We don't think they are mutually exclusive. But we also know that we don't have the full picture of either. Clearly science changes as we learn more, and our own Articles of Faith says that God will yet reveal more truth. So we have an incomplete picture. We can fill it in with theories, like God created the Earth from matter that contained fossil records unrelated to his creation, or perhaps he used evolution to eventually create a body which fits the parameters to be housed by a human spirit. There are probably dozens of varying theories but the reality is we just don't know. The church does not condemn people for holding theories, and many church members strongly believe in evolution, with no spiritual ramifications whatsoever. (it is when they begin teaching theirs is the only correct answer that things get sticky - and that's true of pure creationists too or people who might claim that Adam was a space alien from Vega and even then you have to be pretty vocal and belligerent to get the attention of the church.).

Edited November 13, 2011 by bytebear

[Vort]

Here's a few questions:

Here's a few answers.

If we did not come from early humans, why did God create beings smart enough to make tools, brandish weapons, and then remake Adam and Eve?

If pigs had wings, would we pick buckshot out of our bacon? If hands were feet, would we get athlete's finger?

Translation: No matter what they say, some questions are just plain stupid.

Does the church deny all evolution, or only that of humans? If we didn't come from apes, why are we, to an almost uncanny degree, so similar to them?

Did you quit beating your wife yesterday, or are you still at it, you cad?

Translation: When you base your question on a false premise, it does not make sense.

If God is white, is it bad to be black? Will people with celestialized bodies stay black, or turn white? Why could blacks not hold the priesthood in the early days of the church?

If God is a cucumber, is it sinful to use a peeler?

Translation: Seriously, if you can't ask honest questions, please just go away.

I drink every once in a while, maybe 1 day every 6 months. I've never confessed it, I just really like the taste of Blue Moon Belgium-style Ale. I never get drunk, I just like it. It's delish. Does that mean I haven't been worth for the years I've been doing this?

Did you make a solemn covenant with God that involved avoiding ale? If so, you are a covenant-breaker. If you consider lying to God as a thing that makes you unworthy, then yes, you are and have been unworthy.

Translation: No, this one doesn't really need any translation.

I don't want to hear some crap about "us not being meant to understand all things in this life," if God didn't want us to search after answers to questions, he wouldn't have made us so inquisitive.

You may not want to hear that certain crap, but based on your "questions", it is clear you wish to bathe in crap up to your eyebrows.

[cro-magnon]

@Darvin Thanks! I'm not anit-mormon, just very curious. Very comprehensive answers.

@Ivo_G I've heard pretty incontestably that God is white. Not least every 'inspired' painting or depiction of him is a portrait of a white man. I also believe your founders words who is said to have seen God in person are "Whose brightness and glory defied all description."

@skippy740 With as much information on Black as your have in your signature, you refuse to share insight here? I've read online, in other threads (the search feature on this forum is crap), and all over. I ask the question again because I'm obviously not satisfied with what I've found, and am looking for new insight.

@bytebear Thanks for your insight. This has nothing to do with Mormonism really, I'm still troubled by the fact that God created man in his own image, but first tried a few failed attempts at almost-men.

Here's another question. Why did Joseph Smith need to have sex with young girls? Or anyone for that matter. I've heard it said that the mormons practiced polygamy because so many men had been killed, and women left as widows, but why couldn't they just support them as opposed to have sex with them? Doesn't it trouble anyone that your founder had sex with young girls, and his wife? I can't find a satisfactory answer to this question.

[annewandering]

Gee and you really didnt come off that strongly as a mormon baiter til the last post.

[skippy740]

cro-magnon,

You are not showing the signs of a person searching for truth and answers. You are looking for a reaction by the 'boldness' of your questions.

An earnest seeker of truth would post each question in a separate thread and have a reverent way to ask each question... so as to show respect for those of whom you are asking.

You are getting the answers that posts like yours deserves.

[pam]

No it never bothered me that Joseph Smith had sex with his wife.

[Traveler]

@Darvin Thanks! I'm not anit-mormon, just very curious. Very comprehensive answers.

@Ivo_G I've heard pretty incontestably that God is white. Not least every 'inspired' painting or depiction of him is a portrait of a white man. I also believe your founders words who is said to have seen God in person are "Whose brightness and glory defied all description."

@skippy740 With as much information on Black as your have in your signature, you refuse to share insight here? I've read online, in other threads (the search feature on this forum is crap), and all over. I ask the question again because I'm obviously not satisfied with what I've found, and am looking for new insight.

@bytebear Thanks for your insight. This has nothing to do with Mormonism really, I'm still troubled by the fact that God created man in his own image, but first tried a few failed attempts at almost-men.

Here's another question. Why did Joseph Smith need to have sex with young girls? Or anyone for that matter. I've heard it said that the mormons practiced polygamy because so many men had been killed, and women left as widows, but why couldn't they just support them as opposed to have sex with them? Doesn't it trouble anyone that your founder had sex with young girls, and his wife? I can't find a satisfactory answer to this question.

Cro-magnon,

As an Engineer and scientist – I will take a shot at your questions:

#1. The sacred scriptures tells us that G-d created all men. The creation of humans is a scientifically observable event. Creation of higher life forms like humans takes place through two individuals of opposite sex of the same species with what is sometimes called sex. This is a bad term because the extent of the term goes far beyond creation of life and includes activities completely useless to maintaining a species. It would not be inconsistent for G-d to genetically engineer the “first” man through the process of evolution that is so consistent and obvious in the wide spectrum of existing and observable species. If one is to assume a non-consistent and unobservable method – they are under obligation to produce substantial proof to make their claim viable.

#2 All things came from the same source – which is G-d. Evolution does not imply that man came from apes but that man and apes likely had the same source. Your question is asked in ignorance.

#3. All beings of light will appear white regardless of individual skin pigments. To imply G-d may be “black” is to ignore the possibility that G-d is a being of light. Thus again you question is asked in ignorance.

#4. Not drinking for LDS is a matter of sacrifice and covenant with G-d. If you are not interested in making a sacrifice or covenant with G-d – it does not matter if you drink or not.

#5. By definition a false witness is a allegation of slanderous nature made without proof. Anciently under the Law of Moses such a witness was considered false unless there were at least two witnesses. If you have such witnesses that Joseph Smith has sex with little girls I would ask you to prove it here and now – otherwise I will point to your post as a lie of slanderous nature and ask that you be banned from this forum.

The Traveler

Edited November 14, 2011 by Traveler

[rameumptom]

God made us to search for answers, but not necessarily find those answers in this life.

Your questions are not that important when it comes to spiritual issues. Who really cares if there were people prior to Adam and Eve? Evolution exists, we just do not know how far that statement goes, and probably will not know in this lifetime.

Who knows what color God is? Who cares what color God is? I know people in this world who have adopted kids of other races, and they get along just fine. As for priesthood, who knows what reasons things are done for. We can only guess. As it is, why did Jesus tell his apostles not to preach the gospel to any Gentiles as all? Seems much worse than only holding back on the priesthood to me.

I won't judge you for what you do or do not drink. That's God's place to judge. And he delegates it to his bishops. That you do not take seriously commandments given by God's prophets, perhaps God will not take seriously your request to enter into his kingdom?

[Blackmarch]

Here's a few questions:

If we did not come from early humans, why did God create beings smart enough to make tools, brandish weapons, and then remake Adam and Eve?

I'm not sure i follow here.

Whether or not God used evolution 100%, 99%, 50%, or 0% doesn't really matter... don't know how you'd find out either without revelation.

Did adam and eve come before or after them? Were A&E identical to modern humans? What level does an animal need to be to be "Man"?

supposing the way things came about as you say the reason could be was that what was needed for the final step, altho that would put a differentiation- early human vs modified human.

as great as it would be to have all the information regarding these available, it isn't... and even DNA fossil study doesn't shed a lot of light on this.

Does the church deny all evolution, or only that of humans? If we didn't come from apes, why are we, to an almost uncanny degree, so similar to them?

the church itself does not teach against or promote evolution. You will find the whole spectrum of belief regarding it within the LDS church.

If God is white, is it bad to be black? Will people with celestialized bodies stay black, or turn white? Why could blacks not hold the priesthood in the early days of the church?

They could not hold the priesthood because the authority instituted that. Why it was instituted, we don't know.

As for how skin color will be when celestialized I don't know, however Descriptions of God, and Christ are along the lines of being brighter than the noon-day sun, now if that actually refers to the skin pigment then it's a whole different ballpark of "white" than anything we are accustomed to.

I drink every once in a while, maybe 1 day every 6 months. I've never confessed it, I just really like the taste of Blue Moon Belgium-style Ale. I never get drunk, I just like it. It's delish. Does that mean I haven't been worth for the years I've been doing this?

Your worth is what you make of yourself. If you mean will you be allowed to partake of all the same covenents and blessings from those who have been commanded not to without repenting or changing? Imo, I doubt it.

I don't want to hear some crap about "us not being meant to understand all things in this life," if God didn't want us to search after answers to questions, he wouldn't have made us so inquisitive.

I don't care for that crap either, however on the flipside we are not going to be handed things on a platter, we have to seriously work to get them. Most of the things you want in this thread, we have not been able to get yet. Edited November 14, 2011 by Blackmarch

[Gramajane]

I think most of the "questions" you had have been adequately answered, so here are a couple of side notes.

This one to the last "question" about a prophet " having sex with a young girl and his wife"

(which I think is a totally bogus and leading question, and out of context or proof etc!!!)

--- Still it came into my mind that I believe King David had many wives, and didn't they even encourage him to take a much younger wife as he was growing old? Does it seem to bother other Christians that the very Christian religion has in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, plural marriage?? It seems not? The Bible even says that God himself said HE gave the **wives** of Saul to David, and was one of the reasons why David had no reason to go after a married woman, Bathsheba?

--- another side note-- about the "red head"-- I understand that in some ancient documents it has been found that Jesus hair color was quite unusual, with more of a auburn color- hazelnut I think it was described as? Maybe those were natural highlights? Still, I understand that there is a whole group who believed that Jesus had two wives, Mary and Martha, and that they were taken out of the country by Joseph of Armithea (sp), to Scotland (with the stone/pillar that was used for coronation of kings, and is where red heads came from. --- of course this is NOT LDS doctrine- but interesting to some, especially redheads ;0