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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe Jesus plays only an initial role in our salvation?
I would say rather, that he plays an essential role in our salvation with with his death and resurrection.
It is also true however that he plays a continuing role in our salvation with his teachings and his example, and with his continuing guidance in our lives.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe the Bible is inspired by God?
Yes we do. And it therefore has great value for us.
And that holds true for all of the versions of the Bible that are currently popular.
Note, however, the key word "inspired".
It should not be confused with the notion some people have that it was dictated word for word by God.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe the Bible is inspired by God?
Yes we do. And it therefore has great value for us.
And that holds true for all of the versions of the Bible that are currently popular.
Note, however, the key word "inspired".
It should not be confused with the notion some people have that it was dictated word for word by God.
Answer to:
Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus Christ is the First Born Spirit Child of Heavenly Father?
Only begotten in the flesh, but also First Born in the spirit. Read your Bible.
Answer to:
Since there seems to be some confusion, what do mormons ACTUALLY believe is the relationship and nature of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
We believe the Father and the Son are literally Father and son (see Webster's Dictionary).
Answer to:
Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus Christ is the First Born Spirit Child of Heavenly Father?
D&C 93:21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;
This would have to be in the spirit, since it was before his mortal birth.
Answer to:
What is the relevance of Mormonism in the 21st Century?
Jesus Christ is as relevant as he has ever been.
As long as that is the case, we will keep following Him.
Answer to:
Can Mormons join the military?
We can and do as much as any other
Americans, and more than some.
Those who choose not to do so ought to remember that a strong military is the only thing standing between them, and forced enlistment in the military of an aggressor nation.
Answer to:
A small Kentucky church has chosen to ban marriages and even some worship services for interracial couples. Is this legal?
Legal, yes.
This does not mean they cannot marry, or attend worship services.
Only that this congregation will not take part in, or allow this on their premises.
But this congregation would do well to recall "judge not, that ye be not judged".
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Answer to:
Are there any major or minor changes in the Book of Mormon written in 1830 and the current Book of Mormon used in the Mormon Church now?
I've looked over the lists of "changes" provided in various places. I see division in to chapter and verse. I see correction of typographical errors. I see changes to reflect current language usage. I have yet to find any cases I consider actual changes in the meaning.
Answer to:
Is cheating acceptable if nobody finds out??
That can't happen.
God, and everyone involved in the cheating already know about it as soon as it happens.
If no-one else in this world ever finds out about it, that does not excuse it. It just delays some of the consequences.
Answer to:
Are there any similarities between Mormonism and a cult?
Every religion, and many groups having nothing to do with religion fit the dictionary definition of a cult.
All other definitions are hand rolled to suit the individual prejudices of their creators.
In general, "Cult" is a loaded word used as a synonym for bad/evil, without explaining what is bad/evil about it.
Answer to:
Mormons ? I have houseguests who are mormon. will they be offended if I have a cocktail for dinner tonight ? I know they don't drink.
Most won't mind. Although a few may not be entirely comfortable.
Still, the rare fanatic of any stripe (including Mormon) thinks their beliefs should be imposed on everyone. Note: Fanatics do not make comfortable neighbors.
Answer to:
has anyone heard the story of the book of Mormon from a Mormon and kept a straight face?
Yes.
Members of, and converts to the Church.
Answer to:
Mormons: Does the LdS church define murder as only the shedding of innocent blood?
Note the specific wording of the entire verse:
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27The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be...
Answer to:
Is authority from God essential to perform ordinances such as baptism or marriage?
Would you accept US currency printed without authority from the US Government?
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Why then would you think that a baptism done in God's name would be valid without authority from God?
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Answer to:
Why are Mormons so controlling and how is it they really think they will become a GOD? There is but one GOD
To us there is but one God.
But we seen no reason that, being his children, we cannot grow up to become like our father in every way, as indeed the scriptures tell us to do.
But we would be Gods of world we create as he created this one.
We cannot become Gods of this world. It is his, and his alone.
Nothing "controlling" about that.
Answer to:
Why Are Mormons the Third-Most-Hated Religious Group in America?
I think the question is loaded.
I don't feel hated, and suspect that if I were to walk around asking this question, the the most common answer I would get is "I don't hate any religion, so how could I hate any the third most?"
I do believe that we are one of the most miss-understood religions.
Some say we are not even Christians, most often because thy have been told that. Those who have...
Answer to:
Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?
Allowed? Yes. Who has the right to prohibit, and why?
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That said, It probably is not appropriate.
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Science consists of a set of direct and verifiable observations, and conclusion drawn logically from them. Creationism cannot be discussed in those terms (this doesn't mean it is wrong, just that they can't be discussed in the same venu.).
I would recommend a science class on creation begin...
Answer to:
Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?
Allowed? Yes. Who has the right to prohibit, and why?
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That said, It probably is not appropriate.
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Science consists of a set of direct and verifiable observations, and conclusion drawn logically from them. Creationism cannot be discussed in those terms (this doesn't mean it is wrong, just that they can't be discussed in the same venu.).
I would recommend a science class on creation begin...
Answer to:
Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?
Share your answer...
Answer to:
Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?
Share your answer...
Answer to:
Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?
Share your answer...
Answer to:
Don't you feel there is a totalyy different vibe to AB now? I don't know if I like it
Can't even find the things I used to use.
Don't like the way it is now set up.
This may actually put an end to my participation at AB.
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Answer to:
Why do Mormons eat pork and shellfish?
Because they taste good.
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However, I assume you are referring to the dietary restrictions given to Israel as part of the Law of Moses. Christ fulfilled that law and brought it to a close. It no longer applies.
Answer to:
Sealed for time and eternity. If a woman is seal and has a child. Dad dies and mom re-sealed to another. Where does the child go at death? The 1st dad or the re-sealing dad? What if the child becomes a god, how are families for ever?
As asked, the question does not arise.
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First understand a woman cannot be sealed to more than one man. A widow sealed to her first husband can remarry for this life only, and any children she has belong to her and the man she is sealed to.
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If the child becomes a god, they are still family, just as your earthly children are still you children even though they are grown, married, and...
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Answer to:
If the Bible says “for in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage." in the books of Matthew and Mark, why do Mormons "seal" themselves to spouses to be with in the resurrection?
Precisely BECAUSE "in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage."
Marriage, must take place BEFORE the resurrection.
And if it is to endure beyond this life it must be done by authority from God.
Answer to:
MORMONS True or False: 'The rapid growth of the LDS Church, even under persecution, proves that it is the true church' And please start your answer with a very clear and distinct "True" or "False" before you explain it.
False.
It is one of the qualities we might expect the true church to exibit, but it is not a defining characteristic. Nor is it unique.
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Answer to:
Are there limits to what God can do?
Yes there are limits to what God can do.
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Titus 1: 2
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
James 1: 13
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
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Answer to:
When do you think the LDS Church will again allow polygamy, as doctrinally the LDS theology states it is essential for our salvation?
Removed and replaced where it belonged as as comment.
Answer to:
When do you think the LDS Church will again allow polygamy, as doctrinally the LDS theology states it is essential for our salvation?
The LDS Church will allow polygamy again if and when God commands us to do so.
I'm not God, so I don't know if or when that would be.
But personally, I recommend you not hold your breath waiting for it to happen.
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Answer to:
A time honored Mormon analogy likens going outside the LdS Church for information about it to asking a Chevy dealer for information on a Ford. Therefore, the BEST source information is CLEARLY the Ford dealer. Do you agree or disagree with this analogy?
The analogy is a good one.
Have you ever tried to get a manual for your Ford from a Chevy dealer?
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Don't you consider yourself the sole reliable authority on what you believe?
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Answer to:
Mormons, what other religions besides yours, are Christian?
Any and all who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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Answer to:
Christ spoke of His church in the future tense: "upon this rock I will build my church" (Matt 16:18) referring to Pentecost (Acts 2:47) approx. 33BC. But the Book of Mormon claims the Christian church was established approx. 147BC (Mosiah 18:17). Why?
Not quite the same thing really.
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Jesus told the Jews that they had the scriptures, and if they believed in them they would believe in him because the scriptures testified of him.
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The Book of Mormon peoples had those same scriptures to just before the Babylonian Captivity. But they understood them better and called their church after his name because of it.
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When Jesus actually came...
Answer to:
The Bible in Acts 11:26 says that believers in Christ were FIRST called Christians after Paul's ministry in Antioch around approx. 34 AD. But the Book of Mormon in Alma 46:15 claims that people were FIRST known by this title in approx. 73BC. Why?
The Bible was written by men who did not know about the Book of Mormon peoples. What they wrote was correct to the best of their knowledge.
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Answer to:
Mormons claim that the atonement occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane rather than on the Cross. However, the Bible only mentions the Garden in 1 Gospel, the Cross in all 4, and then throughout the rest of the NT. If LDS Soteriology is true why is this?
The atonement began in Gethsemane where he took upon himself the sins of the world, and continued with his death on the cross. I don't think it was actually complete however until he was resurrected, and ascended to his Father, thus opening the way for us to be resurrected and return to our Father.
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Answer to:
Why is it important to find the true Church?
Because that is the one Jesus Christ guides, and to whom he has given authority to act in his name.
Answer to:
When Jesus returns, will he accept one particular Church, or will he accept all Christian Churches, as his Church?
He established one Church.
I can't see any reason he would accept as his, churches which he did not establish, and who cannot even agree with each other.
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Answer to:
Why do LDS celebrate Christmas?
For the same reason the rest of the Christian World does, as a celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior.
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Answer to:
The Book of Mormon story claims that descendants of the tribe of Manasseh (Alma 10:3) were made priests. But doesn't this contradict Numbers 3:9-10 in the Bible which says "And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons" (See also Num 8:6-26)?
The Levites were given in place of every firstborn male in Israel. But the rule was God's, and if God chooses to make or to allow an exception where there are no Levites, who is entitled to say he cannot?
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Neither Jesus nor any of his Apostles were Levites, to the best of my knowledge.
Yet Jesus posessed and game to his Apostles authority greater than any Levite.
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Answer to:
Please validate that this is accurate & true (by citing official LdS Church sources if possible): "Every person who ever walked this earth in his physical body...continues to walk it in his, or her, spirit body according to Mormon Doctrine." Latayne Scott
We do not teach that.
Why would you accept such a statement from Latayne Scott if he provided no citations from official sources?
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Answer to:
Please validate that this is accurate & true (by citing official sources if possible): "...the Mormon Church teaches that each person has a spirit body that is the same size and shape as the physical body." (Latayne Scott, "After Mormonism What?"; p. 82)
As an official doctrine we do not teach that.
Why would you accept such a statement from Latayne Scott if he provided no citations from official sources?
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Answer to:
Mormons: Please explain what empirical survey method(s) you used to compare the LdS Church with all other churches, and what evaluative method(s) of determining what truth means that you used to conclude that the Mormon Church is the only true Church.
Empirical methods are great for learning what people believe, and totally worthless for determining which, if any of them are correct.
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To reach a conclusion about which church belongs to God you have to ask God. Accept no substitutes.
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Answer to:
Mormons: How many times have you read the Bible all the way through? (that is, cover to cover, Genesis 1:1 through The Book of Revelation 22:21)
I haven't really kept score.
I can only say with certainty, at least twice in English and twice in Spanish.
That has been only a minor part of my study of the Bible however.
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Answer to:
There seems to be a plethora of Mormon Conspiracy Theories floating around. However, I can find little supporting evidence to either validate or discredit them. What hard, verifiable evidence can you cite to support or discredit these conspiracy theories?
None whatsoever.
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I only note that if the United States were to achieve the level of training, indoctrination, encouragement and loyalty to the country that the LDS Church does with its members it would be called patriotism and be considered laudable.
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And that if there is a conspiricy where the goal of the Church is to take control of the country and of the world, it has been, to date,...
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Answer to:
How can an epidemic stop without medical interventions (quarantine, chemotherapy, vaccines)?
An epidemic consists of an infection being transmitted from one individual to another. Each individual infected either dies or or overcomes the infection. In either case he is no longer a source for further infection. Some individuals in any large population will already be immune and never become a source for further infection.
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The epidemic stops when the people susceptible to it are...
Answer to:
Why, when you ask a religious person to proove there is a god, do they say, "proove there isn't"? Why can't they just answer the question?
Every logical structure is built upon a set of beliefs considered so self evident that they need no proof. In mathematics these are called axioms, so I'll call them that here.
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Next comes deductive logic and "proof".
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For a Christian the existence of God is axiomatic and does not require proof. Everything else we believe that relates to that fact comes under the heading...
Answer to:
How does the LDS Church explain DNA evidence that contradicts the Book of Mormon account?
The "DNA evidence" seems to be that there is a genetic connection between American Indians and Asians. But nothing to indicate that there is NOT a connection between the American Indians and the House of Israel.
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Without the latter, this can hardly be justified as "contradicting" the Book of Mormon.
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Answer to:
Joseph F. Smith: 'I have had impressions of the Spirit upon my mind very frequently, but they are not in the sense of revelations.' Then what is the point of having a designated 'LdS Prophet' who doesn't receive & utter 'revelations' for Christ's Church?
You misunderstand the task of the prophet, which is to guide the church in the way God wishes. Revelations such as you speak of are only a small part of that most of the time.
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It is a lot like driving a car in that respect. Sometimes you do some serious and obvious steering; winding roads, entrance and exit from highways, turns at intersections etc. But the vast majority of driving are...
Answer to:
Why do Mormons like Green Jello with carrot strips in it?
I get people on here all the time trying to tell me I am not a Christian because I don't believe everything they believe.
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Now are you telling me I am not a MORMON because I don't like Green Jello with carrot strips in it???
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Answer to:
How does the LDS Church explain DNA evidence that contradicts the Book of Mormon account?
Seems to me that they start out the "DNA evidence" by determining what DNA characteristics exist uniformly in the Jewish population and do not exist anywhere outside it.
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So what?
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First, they select the DNA characteristics the will use by eliminating any common to both the American indians and the Jews.
Second, he Nephites and Lamanites were Israelites, but they were NOT Jews....
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Answer to:
How do you know your Church is teaching correct doctrines?
By study.
By prayer.
And by the witness of the Holy Ghost.
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Answer to:
G.B. Hinckley describing his revelations: "They're very sacred to me. They're the kind of things you don't want to put before the world." Why? Joseph Smith regularly published accounts of his visions/revelations so why don't modern LdS Church Prophets?
Joseph Smith was doing the groundwork for the Church. Much of what he received WAS for general dissemination. But he also made it clear that he was receiving much that could NOT be passed on to everyone.
Answer to:
In a 4/12/1986 Deseret News statement Gordon B. Hinckley revealed that the LdS Church had acquired approximately 400 Mark Hofmann forgeries believed to be authentic. Doesn't this run counter to the LDS Church leadership's claims of prophetic discernment?
God will give us as much guidance and information as we NEED. Not necessarily as much as we might want.
As they say in math classes, the exercise is left to the student.
How could we learn and grow stronger and wiser if God did everything for us and gave us all the answers, unasked for?
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Answer to:
Do you think the Jaredites were black?
No.
Seems unlikely from the existence of prophets among them, and because it was not mentioned when they encountered Nephites at their very end.
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Answer to:
Can any of the Mormons out there explain the reasonableness of their faith using physical evidence and physical evidence alone? (i.e. no feelings, testimonies, or "burning bosoms" are allowed) [question "borrowed" with slight modification from Valche]
No more than Peter could explain his statement that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, by such evidence.
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The attempt to do so would be much like trying to prove the existence of the stars using only a barometer as evidence. Wrong tools cannot yield meaningful results.
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Answer to:
Why do anti-mormons make such abundant use of fallacies (i.e., the strawman, adhominim attacks, appeal to ridicule, appeal to tradition, etc.)
They have nothing substantial to offer so they use what they can find.
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Answer to:
Where are all the black Mormon missionaries?
I don't know any myself, but I'm willing to bet there are some.
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All I know for sure is that the First Councilor to our Bishop is black, and that he has served as a bishop in the past.
Answer to:
Do you hate it when people do not seem to understand the concept of "personal space?"
It bothers me when someone I am talking to gets too close (or too far away for that matter!)
But the problem is not a lack of awareness of personal space, but a difference in how much personal space we are comfortable with.
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Do you actually understand Personal Space?
It's rather an individual trait you know.
There are, however, recognizable cultural pattern.
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Watch a Frenchman...
Answer to:
I'm in Salt Lake right now, and I just noticed a lot of different symbols on the outside of the Temple such as the big dipper and like two hands shaking. What do they represent?
Are you really in Salt Lake?
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And when you say you "just noticed" these symbols, aren't you the least little bit concerned that someone will recall the similar questions you have asked about them in the past and call you a liar?
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Answer to:
Mormons, ExMormons, and Mormon Studies Scholars how would you respond to this assertion from famous Mormon Critic, Sandra Tanner: "...[The Book of Abraham] is one area where Smith's translations can be put to the test and he fails."
You have asked this question in slightly varying forms many times and the answer has not changed. The translation cannot be put to the test in this case because the original scrolls from which the translation was taken are missing. The descriptions given of them simply cannot be made to conform to anything now in hand.
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Answer to:
"The truth about my Mormon god was that he was weak and unable to save me unless I completely abandoned my sins. He was just a[n exalted] man that existed before me ..." Andy Pollard, former LdS Church Member. Thoughts?
God is not weak.
He has given you the power to choose.
Are your sins more precious to you than your salvation?
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If they are, quit whining and just accept the fate you have chosen.
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If they are not, let go of them before thy drag you down.
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Answer to:
I'm seeing a 16 year-old LDS girl whom I love, and I am thinking of converting so we can wed in the temple later. She says she can't be as serious and won't think about marriage. Is it bad to consider future marriage at this point?
First take a good look at the Church. Ask the missionaries to visit and teach you. Don't convert unless you decide to convert unless you decide it is the truth.
Then if you do join, that will be soon enough to think about more. It will also give her time to mature and become ready to consider it.
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Answer to:
When someone points out that that the axiom "Follow the prophet ... he won't lead you astray" sounds like blind obedience, Mormons will often respond that the members are to pray for themselves to know the truth. But isn't this oxymoronic, circular logic?
Not at all.
There is an important difference between knowing something MUST be true because of the source you got it from, and actually verifying it so that you know it is true independent of the source.
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And there is an equally important difference between knowing something is true, and understanding it.
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Study and prayer are the tools by which we bridge both those gaps.
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Answer to:
I dont smoke weed but my boyfriend does. I really have no problem with it at all. But now he wants to grow a plant in our apt to save money. I dont like the idea but he told me i was being selfish. what should i do?
Tell him he can grow whatever he wants to in the apartment. But also tell him that if he grows weed, then in order to stay out of trouble yourself you will take a picture of it and take it down to the police station and ask them if it is what you think it is.
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What happens next is up to the police, but as the one who brought it to their attention, you are in the clear.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that blacks and other non-caucasian people will not attain the highest level of heaven?
We believe that anyone may attain the highest level of heaven by obedience to God's commandments.
Answer to:
If Mormons do not believe that they work out their salvation by deeds, then by what measure do they attain different levels of heaven?
We are saved by grace.
But we are judged by our works.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in grace or do they believe they work out their own salvation?
We are saved by grace.
We are judged by our works.
Answer to:
Mormons: Is the glory of God intelligence? Why or why not? (and if you're not Mormon the equivalent question for you can be found here http://www.answerbag.com/ask/1791143)
D&C 93:36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/93/36#36
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Answer to:
How is J. Smith (Mormon) a blood relative of Jesus Christ?
They each had four common ancestors that we know of off hand; Adam, Eve, Noah and his wife.
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More importantly, they are both children of the same father, God.
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Answer to:
Should I feel bad about trying to point out how Mormons are a cult?
"answer" removed.
Inserted elsewhere as a comment, as originally intended.
Answer to:
Has God, or can he, change his mind? (See answer for clarification)
I don't see it as a matter of God changing his mind.
I see it as his people and their circumstances changing.
And God giving commandments suited to their needs and circumstances in each instance.
As an example, the law of Moses was a law designed to prepare them for the greater law which Jesus gave.
They were not ready for the greater law at that time, and if given it then they would...
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Answer to:
Am I supposed to believe that when Mormons had polygamous marriages there were no lesbian orgies going on?
You do have a dirty mind don't you?
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Answer to:
What is the secret to keeping friends?
Keep being a friend.
Answer to:
How are our sins removed?
We are told that Christ takes them upon himself and pays the price for them if we repent of them.
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I believe it. I don't understand it.
I hope to someday, but probably not in this lifetime.
Answer to:
Why do you think Mormonism has more questions asked abou it than any other Christian denomination, and Christianity has more questions asked about it than any other religion on AnswerBag?
Because the closer you get to God's truth the more Satan will encourage anyone he can influence to challenge it.
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You have doubtless noticed that the vast majority of "questions" in both cases are thinly disguised criticisms, and not requests for information at all.
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Answer to:
Where in the mormon scriptures (book of mormon,doctrine and covenants,or pearl of great price) say in the afterlife we will get our own planets to populate.
We are told time and again in scripture that we are children of God, and that we can become heirs, and joint heirs with Christ to all that the Father hath.
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In short, we can grow up to be just like our Father; Gods and Goddesses. As such we don't expect to "get" our own planets to populate; we expect to CREATE them, just as our Father does, worlds without end.
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Answer to:
Is the Mormon campaign to ban other people from marrying each other just a form of revenge for the federal government requiring Utah to ban polygamy before admitting Utah into the Union?
No. It is because homosexual behavior is not acceptable to God.
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Would you be happier if we went Biblical, Old Testament, Law of Moses, and lobbied for the Death Penalty for Homosexual Behavior?
Answer to:
What historical record/evidence do we have of the oath of vengeance that was in the LdS Temple Endowment Ceremony up to 1927? And please provide citations with your answer so we can confirm/validate the evidence you present in your answer. Thanks.
There are three that I know of off hand.
1) Your quote of the purported oath in a previous answer (3 out of 7) to your own question, with a footnote to where you got it:
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1790268
2) The article you cited when you asked that question:
http://en.fairmormon.org/Temples/Endowment/Oath_of_vengeance
3) The Wikipedia article you cited in a comment to another answer...
Answer to:
Can religious truth only be found in the one true Church?
No. Truth, often misunderstood and laced with errors, can be found in almost any church.
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But it can be found with the minimum of errors in the true church. And only in the one true Church is truth coupled with authority to act in God's name.
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Answer to:
Why don't mormons just admit that their faith is a corporation with a religious belief structure? No offense to mormons. But if your out there, why don't you? Are you brainwashed into believing the corporate rhetoric is reality? Use your integrity.
Because it is not.
Answer to:
What is behind the obsessive need for the mormons to document everyone's genealogy?
There is ordinance work we need to do for many of our ancestors, who, being dead, cannot do it for themselves.
For that we need to know who they are.
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Are you not the least little bit curious about your ancestors?
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Answer to:
Why do mormons act they are better than everyone else when people try to discuss their life choice? I mean is it written somewhere that they should be elitists? Does their bible tell them to be egotistical?
We have a better guide.
But there is nothing elitist about that.
We are more than willing to share it with all comers.
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I have the feeling though, that your complaint actually rises from the fact that you can't talk them out of their choices.
Answer to:
Should I feel bad about trying to point out how Mormons are a cult?
Bad, or just silly.
But only because they are not.
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Answer to:
What do you have to say to people who believe that being Mormon is a good way of life with a positive outcome but don't believe in a supernatural God? There are many people who truly have the Christmas Spirit but don't believe in Santa.
That's good as far as it goes.
But there is much more to it than that.
Without God you've really missed the whole point.
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Answer to:
Lyndon Lamborn accused the Bretheren of bearing testimony "in such a way that they are not calling upon, in general, an acurate, historocity of the Book of Mormon." In light of Elder Hollands recent testimony do you find his statement accurate?
>>Lamborn accused<<
The implication is that they deliberately do this for some nefarious reason. They do not.
It is simply irrelevant.
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When Paul testified that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, he did not cite scripture as his means of knowing that.
And Jesus himself said that Paul's knowledge did not come from any human agency, but from God.
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When the...
Answer to:
Why do many Mormons vehemently deny and/or evade the historical reality of the oath of vengeance that was in the Temple Endowment Ceremony from 1836 (approx) to 1927 (confirmed)? (NOTE: the Reference URL is to a Mormon Friendly validating source)
You seem to have misrepresented the facts.
The most you can justify from this article for the endowment ceremony is to claim an oath to pray and ask that the Lord take vengeance on the murderers of Joseph Smith.
Nor was the US Government targeted in this, as has been implied elsewhere.
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The 1836 date seems to come from the Kirkland temple dedication, not the endowment ceremony.
And that...
Answer to:
Latayne Scott: "I have found that a True Blue Mormon would argue with a sack of turnips if it fell off a Mormon truck." What does she mean by this? Does this match anyone's experience dialoging with, or attempting to reason with True Blue Mormons?
If a sack of turnips falls off a truck, no argument is going to persuade it get back on.
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I believe she is suggesting that we are doing something similar when we argue with ex-Mormons who have heard all we have to say in the past, and were not convinced.
And there is some justification in the statement.
But there are also some justifications for our choice:
1) A man or woman is not a...
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Answer to:
Heb 1:1&2 (JST) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son..." Doesn't this passage specifically state the need for a "Living Prophet" is over?
Not at all.
It states that God spoke in the past.
It states that God had spoken in those days by his Son.
It does not state that God ceased to speak after that.
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In fact the Book of Revelation, written after the ascension of Jesus Christ, refers to itself as "the book of this prophecy". If it is a prophecy, then its author was a Living Prophet after Jesus Christ.
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Answer to:
Can i still be a mormon even though i'm an alcoholic and a homosexual who also tends to use viagra?
If you are willing to repent of your sins, (including those) and be baptized, yes you can.
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Answer to:
ExMormons: Fellow ExMo Latayne Scott (in the first chapter of her book "After Mormonism What?") tells those working with in transition Born-in-Covenant Mormons to consider them "Addicted from Birth" due the pervasive nature of Mormon Culture. Thoughts?
If the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ do NOT govern your entire life then you aren't really committed to it are you?
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After this life, would your rather be committed to heaven or not. The choice is yours. God has given it to you to make for yourself.
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Answer to:
Are there any mainstream Mormons that practice polygamy? If there is any evidence that would be great.
A polygamous marriage is generally considered grounds for excommunication.
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I am not aware of any exceptions.
If there are any it would have to be in a culture where multiple wives is the socially accepted norm.
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Answer to:
If Lehi left Jerusalem in 600 BC why was it only in the first year of Zedekiah's reign that Lehi started prohesying? Shouldn't he already have left 3 years previously as Zedekiah's reign started in 597 BC?
I believe the dates are approximate, and calculated from the content of scriptures and referenced events.
And 3 years in 600 is a 0.5% difference, which I think constitutes a pretty good approximation.
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Answer to:
Is there any biblical (or non-canonical) evidence that celestial marriage was taught in the ancient days?
There is no clear record of it in the Bible.
At most we have a few statements such as "what God hath joined, let no man put assunder", which may or may not be related.
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We have the principle because it was clearly taught through modern prophets.
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Answer to:
I have decided to punch a kid who has always made fun of me. The only times I see him are at football and in school but I am afraid i would get in trouble if I did it at those places. What should I do?
Punch him and you loose.
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First, people won't see why, just that YOU attacked HIM.
You get in trouble, he doesn't.
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Second, he is trying to irritate you. Punch him and you give him unmistakable evidence that he succeeded. With that encouragement he will keep on doing it forever.
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Don't punch him, and keep your cool, and when he bugs you, you are the one who gets the...
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Answer to:
Is it true that all the mormon converts, up to just a few years ago, had to swear to avenge the blood of Joseph Smith against the U.S. Government? Or is this just an "old wives tale"?
No it is not.
"Vengeance is mine saith the Lord."
is as true today as it was when it was first spoken.
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Evidence that no such oath is required is twofold:
1) Few, if any, would join a church that required such a thing.
2) If it were true, only a few federal agents would need to "join the Church" to provide enough witnesses for an airtight case against the church as a...
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Answer to:
Why do people believe in any religion when every belief system can be scrutinized and found lacking by others?
When we must make a decision, and evidence is inconclusive, or cannot be agreed upon, we make the choice we believe best and live by it, at least until we find something that pleases us better, or more evidence comes to light.
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And make no mistake, even not belonging to any church is a choice.
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The same principles hold true in politics and every other aspect of our lives.
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Answer to:
Mormons: how do you respond when someone asks you "have you been saved"?
Not yet.
But I'm working on it.
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Answer to:
Is it ok to believe your own Church is the one and only true Church?
It is ok to believe that.
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Everyone who does, however, should ask themselves three questions from time to time:
1) Do I really believe that?
2) Why?
3) Is it really true?
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As long as you remain satisfied with the answers to those questions, LIVE the principles your church teaches with all your might.
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Answer to:
How much money do you have to pay when u become mormon?
There is no fee to become a member of the Church.
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Answer to:
Why do mormons print books calles such as: How anti mormons play word games to attack latterday saints? When they are the ones who are always playing word games?
We aren't playing word games.
So your question comes unstuck right there.
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This board is full of examples from those who are no friends of the church who twist precious truths to entrap the innocent. Should we leave them unaware?
Is that what the Savior did?
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Answer to:
I'm at level 22, and i want to go back down to level 1. how do i do that?
Delete the character and start an new one in its place.
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Answer to:
Does Joseph Smith's involvement in magic prior to the translation of the Book of Mormon make you uneasy? Or do you see it as the beginning of his God-given gift of prophecy?
You have nothing but rumors to base such an accusation on.
Answer to:
The results of the recently released Wordprint analysis of The Book of Commandments strongly indicate that was written primarily by Sidney Rigdon, with Oliver Cowdrey and Joseph Smith as secondary sources. Then why did Joseph Smith get credit for the BoC?
For precisely the same reason we give credit to Jesus Christ for his utterances recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
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Answer to:
ExMormons and Mormon Critics: John Dehlin asks this thought provoking question in the referenced Mormon Stories episode (use link): Since the price is so high for a Mormon who loses their faith isn't it better to leave them blissfully ignorant? Thoughts?
That was Lucifer's answer.
God rejected it.
I trust God.
Answer to:
Long time linguist Richard Packham recently presented new evidence that the Book of Mormon is clearly a 19th Century American (not ancient or foreign) literary work. How did your examination of this evidence (referenced) impact your opinion of this work?
Doesn't even pass the first test: Does it seem likely to be worth the time it takes to listen to it?
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Answer to:
Sidney Rigdon was driven to compile and write the Book of Mormon by two things: 1) Money and 2) To eclipse Alexander Campbell's 1826 Restorationist Bible (which was never completed) with his "better" Restorationist Bible. Did he succeed? Why or why not?
The question as asked can have no answer because it is based on a false assertion.
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Answer to:
Mormons: If death is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23), and Adam's and Eve's disobedience in eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not actually sin, then why did it introduce death into the world (Romans 5:12)?
The physical death is the natural result of eating the fruit,
Just as God warned them it would be.
It is not a punishment of God for Sin.
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However, Romans 5:12 refers to the spiritual death (the separation of ourselves from God).
The knowledge of good and evil, introduced by Adam, made sin (the choice of evil over good) possible, and we all sin, and those sins separate us from God.
Answer to:
Mormons: Just how and why were the "wonderful blessing" of mortality and a sinful world introduced, if it was not actually sin that Adam & Eve committed by partaking of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good & evil?
I consider a sin to be the choice of evil over good.
By that definition Adam's transgression could not be a sin, for without the knowledge of good and evil he did not have the ability to choose.
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But Sin entered the world through that choice because the knowledge of good and evil allowed men to make that choice, including the ability to chose evil (sin).
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Answer to:
Mormons: If Adam & Eve couldn't procreate prior to the fall then why weren't they counted transgressors before eating the forbidden fruit, for failing to fulfill God's commandment to do so in Gen 1:28? Wasn't that the GREATER of the two commandments?
There was no time limit on that commandment.
And they did indeed fulfill it.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that the Apostle John is still alive here on Earth?
I do. But you couldn't prove it from the Bible.
And I really don't see any what that it affects my behavior.
Answer to:
Mormons: If the fall was such a blessing, then when Adam & Eve heard God walking in the Garden, why did they suddenly feel guilty and afraid, and try to hide from Him? Why didn't they run up to God and rejoice in starting "the plan" with Him instead?
God was clothed and they were naked. Something they either had not noticed or placed no significance on.
But now with the knowledge of Good and Evil...
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I don't know just WHAT the all the differences are between those who HAVE a knowledge of good and evil and those who do not. (We have no cases of the latter to compare the former with.) But evidently this is one of them.
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As for...
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Answer to:
Mormons: If the fall was a positive thing rather than a negative thing then why did God place Adam & Eve under a curse for disobeying His command to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
One of the modern catch phrases is: "Short term pain for long term gain."
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It is called a curse because that is how it looks to short sighted mortals.
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God takes the long view. The "curse" gave mortals a suitable world in which to grow and develop their newly acquired ability to know good from evil and to choose between them.
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We believe that, viewed from...
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Answer to:
Non-LDS Christians: Does the Bible say that Adam and Eve had to eat the from the the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in order to know how to "Be fruitful and increase in number"? (And please tell us your Denominational or Theological affiliation)
It does not say that they had to eat of the fruit to have children.
But neither does it say they could have children before they ate of the fruit.
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The only direct evidence for either would be a child conceived before they ate the fruit or a direct statement from God.
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Since neither is recorded, this question must be considered unresolvable from Biblical sources alone.
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I'm LDS,...
Answer to:
LDS - When you testify and say 'I know' - I'm always a little frusrated because it's nice to say 'I know' but WHY do you know what you do and HOW do you know it?
I mean that I know through the witness of the Holy Ghost.
Everything of real importance in connection with God lies outside the realm of physical proof. There IS no other way to know it.
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Answer to:
LdS: D&C 1:38 issues a stern warning for those who will not heed the voice of the prophets. However, doesn't Mormon History demonstrate that the LdS Church simply Excommunicates any Prophetic Voice - even any LOYAL voice - that challenges the Status Quo?
There is only one Prophet at a time authorized to speak for God in our age. This is a pattern established by God. Any other claiming to speak for God as a prophet is, by definition, not loyal.
Answer to:
Can the LDS God give contradictory commandments?
God gave apparently contradictory commandments to Adam and Eve.
1) Do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
2) Multiply and fill the earth.
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They could not have children without the fall.
But since God knew the fall would take place, the contradiction is only apparent.
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God can and does give commandments fitted to the circumstances of those receiving them.
...
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Answer to:
For those mormons that know about the critics very reasonable claims ablout the Book of Abraham- How can you know the arguments/evidence and still believe it to be scripture? I'm not attacking- I just have doubts.
The critics claims do not seem to be reasonable.
The materials they would use as evidence do not match in any particular the description given of the scrolls from which the Book of Abraham were translated.
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The arguments and so called evidence have no bearing on the question.
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Answer to:
What kind of things does the Book of Mormon talk about? I'm curious as a Christian
It is the history of a branch of the House of Israel led out of Jerusalem and directed to the American continent just before the Babylonian captivity.
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It gives both history and revelation given to them by God, as the Bible does for the Jews.
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As such it stands with the Bible as a second witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Lord, Savior and Redeemer.
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Answer to:
"...if the devoted Mormon actually considers all of the facts at his disposal, he or she may feel some pain and, if honest with him or herself, will reluctantly acknowledge that the Mormon church is not at all focused on Jesus." Thoughts?
My thoughts are that the statement is utter tripe.
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Answer to:
Why wasn't there any religious excitement in Joseph Smith's hometown until 1824 yet he states that there was a religious revival in 1820 - at the same time he has his 'First Vision'?
There was.
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Sadly for the critics, this claim has not stood up to historical scrutiny. Joseph states that about 1820, religious excitement affected the Palmyra area. The Palmyra newspaper reported many conversions in the area so rife with religious activity it has been called “the burned over district” by historians.
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Joseph often attended these so-called...
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Answer to:
Why did Joseph Smith have so many wives when the Bible expresses the importance of faithfulness in marriage and sexual morality?
Why did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), King Saul, King David and King Solomon?
Their lives and their wives are part of what the Bible expresses.
(I originally included Isaac, which was incorrect.)
Answer to:
Why are Mormon people so nice?
The short answer: we try to live the commandment "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
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Answer to:
In 1966 Marion G. Romney asked, "Is Socialism the United Order?" He concluded that the answer was, "No!" However, the concepts and history that he cites in his address clearly said, "Yes!" to me. What do you think: Is the United Order Socialism?
Absolutely not.
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Socialism is founded on force.
It disregards the will of the individual and denies the right of choice.
This the fundamental concept of the plan proposed by Satan before the world was, and rejected by God.
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The united order is founded on the free agency given by God to man, which is the fundamental concept of God's plan for his children.
It functions on the...
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Answer to:
If fundamental LdS Church doctrine states that, "God and Christ never turns their back on us, but it's us that turn our back on them" then why does the LdS Church excommunicate loyal dissenters and other forms of Loyal Opposition?
Mister_IT:
I've waded through quite an number of citations and accusations you have made, and have yet to find even one where the material substantiates to my satisfaction what you claim for it.
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I'm not going to spend the time to wade through this one to see where your train of logic jumped the track.
Particularly when the presentation is audio and I can't simply scan...
Answer to:
How do we know the Bible is complete? We know it contains God's word, but does it contain ALL of God's word? How do you know?
We do not.
In fact we can be certain that it is not.
The Bible itself speaks of a number of works the writers considered authoritative which are not in the Bible.
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And the apostles tell us that Jesus said and did far more than was written.
Answer to:
If fundamental LdS Church doctrine states that, "God and Christ never turns their back on us, but it's us that turn our back on them" then why does the LdS Church excommunicate loyal dissenters and other forms of Loyal Opposition?
There is no place in any organization for those who
undermine the organization itself.
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Excommunication strips them of the air of legitimacy that membership gives them so that they cannot use it to persuade others.
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If they choose to repent and help build up the kingdom rather than tear it down the way to return is always open.
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Answer to:
Mormons: If man can become God and God was once a man, and all other Gods before him were first men, who created the first man to become God? In other words, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
The answer to that question is covered in in the course "Mysteries 101 (things to ask when I get there)
The prerequisite for which is the successful completion of the "Mortality 100 course (you're living it now).
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It is important to know that God understands what we are going through, having gone through it himself.
And it is important to know who we really are and what our...
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Answer to:
When we go to live with God, will we look like Him?
We already do.
We still will.
Answer to:
What quotes can you find that support the Church of Jesus Christ as a “Christian” religion? (Note: I will participate in answering this question.) ;-)
"Christian : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ."
See http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Christian
This is a direct quote of the primary definition from the dictionary.
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" 1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
" 3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind...
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Answer to:
Mormons: Please tell us who was the "Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" during the Apostolic Age? Was it Peter? Paul? James the Brother of Jesus? John the Beloved? Or another one of the Apostles?
God does not change from age to age.
But what he does changes to deal with human circumstances.
In the so called "Apostolic Age" travel and communication was slow and uncertain. Thus there was a need for multiple prophets to guide and instruct the church.
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In these latter days God has given us such marvelous means of communication and travel that the words of a single prophet...
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Answer to:
To be eligible to serve on a (religious) mission, I must pay off other debts by a maximum age limit. How will I (legally) pay off $60,000 in loans within three years?
There is no maximum age limit for a mission.
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If you are talking of going on a mission at age 19 (the earliest age for a mission, and the age at which most of our missionaries go out) then I can't think of any way you could get $60,000 in loans by age 16.
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Sounds like this is a fake question intended only to stir up controversy.
Answer to:
Jesus is God according to scripture.Do you have any evidence He wasn't?
John 20: 17
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
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Quite clear.
Not Him, our God.
Rather His God and Our God.
They are not the same person.
Answer to:
I am aware that Mormons are not sure whether God has a wife or not, but do Mormons think he does?
I know of no revelation that says he does.
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But, I believe that God's commandments are to help us become like him.
We are told that Marriage is one of his commandments.
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If marriage helps us to become like him, it seems logical to conclude he is married.
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Answer to:
What do you think about Mormons?
I like them.
I intend to remain one of them.
And if all of us go to Hell as some say we will,
Then we will turn the Devils out and make a Heaven of it.
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Answer to:
Can we we REALLY trust The Book of Mormon when LdS scholar Royal Skousen has pored over the available original manuscripts & identified about 600 corrections that have never appeared in any standard edition & about 250 of them affect the text’s meaning?
I trust the Book of Mormon.
It is you and your assertions without evidence that I don't trust.
Answer to:
Does it matter if we have the truth, as long as we worship God in our own way?
It matters.
The whole point of believing in God is that he will lead us in the direction that will give us the greatest happiness, and he does it with the truth.
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Following him in our own way is good, but won't get results as good and following him in HIS way unless the two match exactly (the truth).
Answer to:
How do you explain the Teachings of Joseph Smith, “We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.... he was once a man like us” (p345) in light of Psalm 90:2?
I don't really see any conflict.
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Psalms, and indeed the entire Bible says very little about anything before the creation of the Earth or after the resurrection.
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God was, is and will be the ONLY God through all that time. I take such phrases as "from everlasting to everlasting" to refer to that span.
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Joseph Smith was talking of a time still earlier than that. This is...
Answer to:
What will happen to those who die, not believing in God?
Everyone get's an adequate opportunity to learn about and accept God and Jesus. If not in this life, then between death and the resurrection.
God determines what is adequate, but just hearing about them is not the same thing.
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Answer to:
Is there any biblical reference for the teaching that Jesus and Satan were spiritual brothers?
Yes there is:
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Isa. 14: 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
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Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
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Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and...
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Answer to:
Are there any Mormons in foxholes?
If you are asking do we serve in combat branches of the military, the answer is yes. And in about the same proportions as other citizens of this and other countries.
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Answer to:
What is your opinion on polygamy?
You characterized Polygamy and "a violation of nature".
To some it seems to come quite naturally, and in some cultures is the norm.
So it is NOT a violation of nature.
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Now you are calling it immoral, which is something quite different. And it does not imply, nor is it implied by "violation of nature".
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Haul out your reasons for considering it "immoral"...
Answer to:
Bill Maher said on his show that Mormons believe that the only way a black person can go to heaven is as a slave. Is this true or was he just making a joke?
How do you tell if it was inexcusable ignorance, a joke in extreme poor taste, or an attempt to prejudice his listeners against the church.
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In any case, it is not true.
Answer to:
What is your opinion on polygamy?
My thoughts are that God has permitted polygamy in the past, but prohibits it at this time.
Whatever his reasons are I expect they are good ones.
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Answer to:
If the Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ, then why do we find so much archeological evidence for the Bible and the stuff written around Jesus time and we find none for the Book of Mormon?
The archeological evidence for the Bible is more limited than you may realize, with only 55% of the places it names actually identified. And most of those because of continuous language and cultural matrix where the current names are recognizable as being essentially the same as the biblical names. Written records that still survive outside the Bible are also an important part of the...
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Answer to:
Mormons: "We tend to reject theories and rumors -- and facts and truths -- that challenge our worldview and embrace those that affirm it." (Gregory Rodriguez, LA Times Columnist) How do you think this impacts your LDS Theology and/or World View?
Our world view is built up from years of rumor, theory, fact and truth. Confirming information is easily incorporated. Conflicting information is much more difficult to integrate, and must be confirmed and the conflict resolved before this can be done at all.
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This is a phenomenon common to all men and women, and amply demonstrated on this forum by both me and you.
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Answer to:
Does the Holy Spirit inspire all ministers in all Churches, if they claim to be Christian?
The Holy Spirit inspires ANYONE who needs more wisdom than he has, and has the faith to ask God for and to receive it. This includes, but is not limited to ministers of all churches.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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Answer to:
I am 10 years old and I'm a Christian, but I learned in school that evolution took place. I asked God to help but maybe an email or comment would do the trick. Would you comment?
The teaching of Creationism has been prohibited in schools and teaching of Evolution required. This is political, and has nothing to do with fact.
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I personally believe the scriptures as far as they go (they don't really go very far, most detail is left out entirely).
I also believe science and evolution as far as it can be proven (but Darwin's Theory of evolution goes far beyond...
Answer to:
"It's clear that the key quality that the General Authority looks for in promoting members into leadership is compliance not competence." Former Mormon Bishop and Stake Missions President, Bob McCue. Thoughts?
My thoughts are that Mister McCue's statement and his behavior are at odds with one another.
If he was incompetent as a Bishop and Stake Mission President, should we be taking his word for anything?
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If he were compliant wouldn't he still be a member of the church?
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Jesus came back to the earth in the 1800s? And if so, how does that jibe with the prophecies in Revelation about Jesus' return?
Jesus did indeed visit and instruct Joseph Smith in the 1800s, just as he visited and instructed his apostles shorty after his resurrection, and Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.
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These visits are not to be confused with the prophesied "second coming", which is yet to occur.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Christmas is a pagan festival and if so why do they take part in the festivities?
Christmas is a celebration of Christs birth.
The addition of elements drawn from pagan customs does not change that, and these elements do not have the meaning to us that they did to the pagans.
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To the pure all things are pure.
Answer to:
Do Mormons consider The Bible or the Book of Mormon to be the higher authority?
The Bible and Book of Mormon stand equal, the witness of two nations that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the savior of the World.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe Mary was a virgin when she gave birth?
We do believe Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to her first child, Jesus.
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She was no longer a virgin when she gave birth to her remaining children. They were the natural children of her husband Joseph, conceived in the usual way.
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Answer to:
"...the Mormon Church impedes the development of real friendship by keeping people so busy that the only relationships one has time to nurture are those related to church callings." Bob McCue, former Mormon Bishop and Stake Missions President. Thoughts?
I am not, and never have been that busy.
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You're just jealous because you can't get the members of your church to accept callings and serve God as readily as Latter-day Saints do.
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Answer to:
Are Mormons polytheistic, monotheistic, or what?
We worship only God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.
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Count him for yourself.
I come up with just one.
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Answer to:
Did Joseph Smith use Psychedelic Substances
to Facilitate Visionary Experiences? More to the point, did hallucinogens facilitate Joseph Smith's visions & those of early Mormon converts? The referenced link (below) says, "Yes!" Thoughts?
It doesn't say any such thing.
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It says:
1) Experiences similar (from his point of view at least) to those experienced by the early Latter-day Saints can be produced with hallucinogenic plants.
2) IF Joseph Smith used such plants that could explain the results obtained.
3) Three such plants existed in the area where Joseph Smith lived and traveled.
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The bulk of the document...
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Answer to:
The great question of Book of Mormon critics since 1830: How did Joseph Smith "pull off" the seer stone in the hat trick in "translating" the Book of Mormon?
"by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof"
Title page of the Book of Mormon,
middle of second paragraph.
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Answer to:
Do you think Mormons are not Christians? Why?
No, I don't believe that.
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The teacher they choose to follow is Jesus Christ.
That alone makes them Christians.
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The differences between what they make of his teachings and what others make of them does not change that in the least.
Answer to:
How can we be sure we have found the right Church?
Ask God.
Only he can tell us for sure.
Anyone on earth could lie to us and we would have no EARTHLY way to know.
Answer to:
What is it, that the mormons call "Lamb's blood?
The only thing I would call "Lamb's Blood" would be blood from a lamb.
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What ever prompted you to ask such a question?
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Answer to:
Did Adam sin, when he partook of the forbidden fruit?
Depends on your point of view I suppose.
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I think it interesting that this commandment was given in the form common to a warning. Adam and Eve were told what the fruit would do to them, and natural consequence, not a punishment from God.
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This is exactly like a mother warning her children not to play in the street because they will be run over by a car.
Answer to:
Why do some Christians have such a hate attitude toward Mormons?
Most do not have a hate attitude toward us.
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When you encounter those few that do, and they ARE relatively few:
Matt. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Hell is an escapeable place, And that once your time is served you get to go to Heaven?
Maybe it is, maybe not.
But I don't want to go there even temporarily.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe African-Americans can go to heaven?
Absolutely. God loves ALL his children and wants as many home with him as are willing to come.
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Answer to:
Should I stay or should I go? Married 22 yrs., 6 mo. ago discovered husband had affair/s for last 6 yrs., unprotected. Says he loves me, wants to keep marriage & family. Last 6 mo. he's been doing all the "right" things. Six years is a longggg time!
Twenty two years is an even longer time.
For 16 years he was yours alone.
For 6 years he strayed, but didn't leave you.
For 6 months he has toed the line and says he loves you and wants to stay with you and your children.
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I think it would be an awful shame to throw it away without giving it another chance.
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Now ask yourself and him what you BOTH need to do to make your marriage...
Answer to:
Is it true that Brigham Young believed that it was acceptable to kill people to atone for their sins?
I believe he did favor capital punishment for some crimes, but as a civil matter.
Such punishments fall outside the province of the church.
Answer to:
Did Jesus Atone of all sins?
No.
Only those we are willing to repent of.
The atonement has no power to cleans us of sins we refuse to let go of.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe the Bible is inspired by God?
Yes we do.
All 66 of the books included within its covers.
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Answer to:
Are there different kinds of Mormons?
The term "Mormon" is a nickname given to the church by its enemies in the early days. There are a number of denominations lumped under this nickname which have separated themselves from the largest one, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City Utah.
Answer to:
Christians: I'm told that a common presupposition among some Mormons is that the Christian doctrine of unconditional grace leads to a life of sin, immorality, and license (aka chronic violation of God's Law). Are you living such a life? If not, why not?
I don't believe such a thing, and have never met another Mormon who did.
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I WILL say that unconditional grace would ALLOW a life of sin, immorality and license and still allow salvation without repentance.
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I will also say that the Christians I have met, both LDS and Non LDS have shown no inclination to live such a life as a result of that doctrine. They may give different...
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Answer to:
How many Mormons are Free Masons? or How many Free Masons are Mormon? They're kinda one in the same, aren't they?
One in the same? No more than the Baptists and the Lions are.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons pray to Jesus?
No.
We pray to God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, just as Jesus himself told us to do. It's right there in your Bible.
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Answer to:
If the Bible says “for in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage." in the books of Matthew and Mark, why do Mormons "seal" themselves to spouses to be with in the resurrection?
This is an ordinance that has to be done in this life, but once done with authority from God is good for all eternity.
For those who have died without it, it can be done by the living acting as proxy.
In the resurrection they cannot do it for themselves.
Answer to:
Mormonism..respecatable religion or crazy cult?
Judging by behavior and results, a respectable religion.
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Answer to:
Why is the LDS church pushing vampire pedophilia books on my children?
Do you still beat your wife?
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Answer to:
Doesn't the recent theft of DVD documentaries comparing Mormonism and Christianity distributed in Gilbert, AZ negate the common LdS refrain: "We do not try to force our beliefs on anyone. We also don't go around attacking the beliefs of other religions."
No.
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The logic of your question escapes me.
Loss of the documentaries does not force our beliefs on anyone.
Loss of the documentaries does not attack the beliefs of other religions.
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Most disturbing however is the sly insinuation hidden in this question that this was a theft carried out by the LDS people under instructions from the Church leaders.
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Answer to:
Why did the Mormons settle in Utah?
They were driven out of the then United States by mob violence.
They sought a new home where they could live in peace, with the freedom to practice their religion that the country should have protected and did not.
The Prophet was shown the valley of the Great Salt Lake in a vision, and identified it as "the right place", rising from his sickbed in a wagon to do so.
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Answer to:
Why do some Mormon parents not like their children dating non-Mormons?
Mormons, and anyone else serious about their religion, do not want their children to marry outside their faith.
Dating is a first step toward that.
Best avoided from the very outset.
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Answer to:
Was Joseph Smith arrested for "money digging"?
He was accused of a number of things including that one, arrested for a few of them, possibly that one.
But no satisfactory proof can be shown that he was ever convicted of anything.
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Let us then consider the man innocent until proven guilty.
Answer to:
Did joesph smith wrote the book of mormons according to the bible
The Bible doesn't say.
Answer to:
Can you explain the mormon religion to me?
I have proven it to my satisfaction.
Answer to:
Is the living prophet is more vital to LDS church members than the Bible or Book of Mormon?
A living prophet is the spokesman for God, revealing what he wants us to know and to do.
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The scriptures include the written record of what LIVING prophets have said in the past.
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How can the word of God be more important than the word of God?
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in a "different Jesus" from that of other Christians?
We believe in the Jesus, born a little over 2000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem, Son of Mary, and Joseph (as the world believed), who was crucified by the Romans at the behest of the Jewish rulers on the charge that he was fomenting rebellion against Rome. The one whose life, teachings and activities are documented in the New Testament of the Bible
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That is which Jesus we believe in.
...
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Answer to:
Does God actually recognize all Churches as His Church, or is He partial to only one? If so which one?
No way he could recognize all of them as his. There is too much of what he taught that they can't agree on for that.
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The only church he would recognize would be one he established and guided.
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In our time, that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Answer to:
What is a "Mormon Stumper"?
There aint no such animal.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in the Immaculate Conception?
We do not.
The doctrine:
In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."
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Latter-day Saints...
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Answer to:
How can you be a "Christian" and be pro-choice?
How can you be a Christian and NOT be pro-choice.
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But remember that when a woman gets in to bed with a man she has MADE a choice. Should she be permitted a second choice after that? What of the baby's right to choose?
(Noone has the right to commit murder, and noone questions that. The only legitimate question is "when has life begun? When does it become a baby?")
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...
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Answer to:
There are so many christians with different opinions about what is said in parts of the bible. How do i know what is truth?
The Bible is God's book.
And it contains an invitation you may take advantage of to know what is truth:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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So study the matter, examine the evidence, go as far as you can with reason.
Then ask God to take you the rest of the way to understand the...
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Answer to:
I talked with a mormon woman once and asked her how the church could let one of their members run a criminal organization in the area I live. She said "WE ARE TAUGHT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER". I said Ya- but this guy is dealing drugs etc.
As well ask the governments of city, state and nation of which he is a citizen the same question.
The answer in every case will be they don't.
Answer to:
If you have to be baptized to enter Heaven, how do you explain the thief on the cross, where Jesus told him "today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."?
You have to be baptized to enter heaven.
(there is more to that, but we need not go in to that now.)
You do not have to be baptized to enter paradise.
That was where Jesus went while his body was in the tomb.
And that is where the thief went.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Jesus is God?
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who is his Father and ours.
Answer to:
You can'tmake a claim unless you have proof, agree or disagree?
You can make any claim you can put in to words.
Lack of proof will not stop you.
The claim can even be irrational.
And it can certainly be false. (For examples see Used Car Salesman and Politician).
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If you want people to BELIEVE you however:
Rationality helps; being true helps; so does proof.
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But beware.
Sometimes proving something people don't want to believe will get you...
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Answer to:
I heard Mormons believe in Aliens, and that aliens tie into their religion. Is this true?
D&C 76: 24
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
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Now the inhabitants of these other worlds could be called aliens. I prefer to simply call them sons and daughters of God, like ourselves.
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But they really don't have anything to do with us here in this life other than...
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Answer to:
"The Lord Will Never Permit the Living Prophet to Lead the Church Astray" (heading in the 1982 Manual for LdS college students) "We will not lead you astray. We cannot." (LdS Apostle, M. Russell Ballard addressing BYU students circa 1994) Thoughts?
Authorities in the church can and do make mistakes and get off track. These positions are learning opportunities as well as leadership positions. And we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes.
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But God, like any earthly teacher, corrects error at the time and in the manner of his choosing. We are never left to be lead away by error. God does not permit it.
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Answer to:
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done." Improvement Era message to [Mormon] Ward Teachers circa 1945. "When the [LdS] Prophet speaks the debate is over." LdS Church First Counselor, Eldon Tanner in a 1979 article. Thoughts?
The Church is not a democracy, where authority derives from the governed.
It is a theocracy, with authority derived from God.
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We have the right and responsibility to bring matters of concern to our leaders. They have the responsibility to make the decisions at their level. Our responsibility after that is to carry out the decision and seek to understand it, and to trust God to see that...
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Answer to:
"...it is 'surely wrong' to see Mormonism as a Christian derivative in the way that Christianity is a Jewish derivative, because the LDS faith is 'in radical discontinuity with historic Christianity.'" (Mormon America, p. 324) Thoughts?
The Jews of Jesus time would have been horrified to hear you call Christianity a "Jewish derivative". The considered it heresy and blasphemy.
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Rather like the attitude you take toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Answer to:
"Relative to size, no American denominational family, not even the Baptists, has given rise to so many schisms and churchlets as the followers of [Joseph] Smith." (Mormon America, pp. 341&342) Why do you think this is?
The only comparable "denominational family" is the Catholic church, which has given rise to quite a large number of unauthorized protestant denominations.
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The Catholic church is not responsible for and need not explain the existence or doctrines of apostate sects.
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And we are not responsible for and need not explain the existence or doctrines of apostate sects.
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Answer to:
"...it is 'surely wrong' to see Mormonism as a Christian derivative in the way that Christianity is a Jewish derivative, because the LDS faith is 'in radical discontinuity with historic Christianity.'" (Mormon America, p. 324) Thoughts?
Christianity does not derive from Judaism.
It derives from Jesus Christ, and in it's present version, from the opinions and doctrines of men presented as if it came from Christ.
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The LDS faith does not derive from this altered Christianity.
It derives directly from revelation originating with God and Jesus Christ.
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It is, therefore, a restoration of the church established by Jesus...
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Answer to:
"It seems clear that support for the Mormon doctrines of a corporeal and limited God, eternal progress, and deification can not be found in Eastern Orthodoxy, the early church fathers, or the... writings of C.S. Lewis." (Mormon America, p. 318) Thoughts?
They fell of the track several centuries ago.
But even if they hadn't why should we worry about what they DON'T say?
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Answer to:
"As a missionary tool, for public relations reasons, a Bible that the world at least tentatively accepts - such as the King James Version - has advantages." Joseph Smith Translation expert Robert Matthews on why the LdS Church doesn't use it. Thoughts?
The LDS church DOES use the inspired translation...as footnotes and appendices to the King James Version.
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Matthews is correct, however, in pointing out that the King James Version is the most widely accepted English language version of the Bible, and that its use greatly facilitates any discussion of religion and scripture between members and non-members.
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Answer to:
I ask this question in relation to http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/7595711
What religions will deny the presence of family members at a wedding simply because they are not adherents? What religions will split a family?
Something worth thinking about is that the temple wedding ordinance is actually attended by very few people. The couple being married. The person performing the ceremony, and a few witnesses, usually drawn from family, but not including the entire extended family.
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The social part of an LDS wedding is the reception, at which all are welcome, member and non-member alike.
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This differs from...
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Answer to:
Can the non-Mormon parents of an adult Mormon child attend a temple wedding when it's their child being married?
Something worth thinking about is that the temple wedding ordinance is actually attended by very few people. The couple being married. The person performing the ceremony, and a few witnesses, usually drawn from family, but not including the entire extended family.
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The social part of an LDS wedding is the reception, at which all are welcome, member and non-member alike.
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This differs...
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Answer to:
Women are so complicated, should i just give up? I've never been on a date. I'm expected to know too much i'm 22 should I just give up?
None of us understand them either.
Don't let that discourage you.
If you don't play you can't win.
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You will find that women "expect" you to know more than you do all your life.
They will never tell you what you are "expected" to know.
The only rule on what you should know is:
whatever the girl you are with expects you to know right now.
No too girls...
Answer to:
Did Joseph Smith serve the devil?
He did not.
And that is the first major difference between him and you.
I see from your profile that you are a liar, just like your father Satan.
Answer to:
Do you believe as I have heard some say that the bible is nothing more than a book of fairy tales?
Not at all.
I believe it to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that the only people they can be absolutely open with are fellow Mormons?
Like anyone else, we are most open with our friends.
Being members of the same church makes that a bit more likely, but does not guarantee it. Nor does belonging to different churches make it impossible. My best friend does not happen to be a member of the church.
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Answer to:
Do some Mormons still have polygamous relationships?
If you are talking about "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", the answer is you cannot be a member in good standing and practice polygamy at the same time.
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The term Mormon is more generic however, and might be applied to anyone who considers the Book of Mormon to be sacred scripture, revealed through Joseph Smith. This includes a number of spin off denominations,...
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Answer to:
How come there are so many warnings about the Mormon church?
Satan has always concentrated his greatest efforts on anything and everything from God.
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He sought the fall of Adam and Eve, and God, with foreknowledge, used his efforts to forward his own plans.
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He sought the death of the Savior to block the plan of salvation and to destroy his Church. Again God knew what he would do and used it as an essential part of his plans.
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In our times he...
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Answer to:
Do You Really Believe You Can Become a God?
Yes.
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In fact, according to the Bible and Jesus Christ, I already am one.
Answer to:
Why are people so against Mormons when Mormons never say anything bad about everyone else? Can't beliefs just be beliefs without someone judging us?
We are working toward it, but to say we "never" offend may be claiming more virtue than we currently posses.
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However, I do think that a remarkable number of people spend an extraordinary amount of their time seeking occasion against the Church.
Answer to:
Does going to Church regularly really make one better than otherwise?
It is a tool which will help you become better if properly used.
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If not used properly, you might as well go fishing.
Answer to:
When the Bible and the Book of Mormon contradict each other, which one do Mormons use?
When God and Jesus Christ contradict each other, which one do Christians follow?
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True, that is a meaningless question, since they NEVER contradict each other.
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And the first question is equally meaningless for precisely the same reason.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that God is capable of making mistakes (such as errors in writing the Bible which had to be later corrected by Joseph Smith)?
God does not make mistakes.
It seems safe to assume that God does not allow mistakes of any real significance made by his servants to enter scripture uncorrected.
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However, men (some well meaning and some with unrighteous agendas) have tampered with the texts of Bible documents since they were written.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe Joseph Smith sits on the left-hand side of God?
We don't teach any such thing.
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Answer to:
If the Lord had a Church on earth today, what would it look like?
I could tell you, but you wouldn't believe it.
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Answer to:
WHY CANT THE WORLD DEMOLISH POLIGAMY?
Because the entire world does not find it objectionable.
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Answer to:
"...it is quite difficult...to say exactly what Mormons believe, because they are likely to believe very different, even contradictory doctrines." (Harold Bloom, "The American Religion", p. 113) Thoughts?
On the one hand we are criticized for having different opinions among us, and on the other hand we are accused of being a brainwashed, all-exactly-the-same cult.
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This illustrates the truth of the proposition that "Man who walk in middle of road get hit by cars going both ways."
Answer to:
There are a large number of people that believe in God and profess to be Christian, yet the Jehovah's Witnesses make a claim that only they are "in the truth," is there specific information, that once heard grants you access to be able to claim "truth"?
Satan (the father of lies) claims "truth".
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Men claim "truth".
In religion I believe this is generally done without any intent to deceive.
But are they right?
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James 3:5-7 gives us a promise which is a way to check it out.
So if you think something might be true, but aren't wise enough to be sure, ask God.
He knows.
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Answer to:
Mormons: My mormon friend told me that when African people become religious, they physically become lighter (yes, their skin), do you guys really believe this?
He was pulling your leg.
And doing it in very poor taste.
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Answer to:
How come so many people dislike Latter-Day Saints? (Mormons)
A Mormon (that's a nickname originally given by enemies) is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
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We are Christians with beliefs about God and Jesus Christ, where we came from, who we are, and where we are going that differ from the majority of Christian denominations.
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Many find these differences intolerable.
Perhaps they fear we are right, which would mean...
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Answer to:
For '773491': Do Mormons really believe that they will populate a planet in the afterlife or something like this? I heard this from my religion teacher (she's nuts though, so I don't trust her at all). It's hard to do research on this...
We believe that God creates worlds and populates them with his children.
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We believe that God is our Father, and that if we follow his directions we can grow up to be just like him.
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That implies that at some future time we could be doing just what he is doing, just like him.
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Answer to:
I have noticed that when some people say that they don't believe in God and I talk to them, I realize that what they really don't believe in is in religions. Isn't theological nonsense the reason why many humans stay away from believing in God?
Yes it is.
That is why Satan has fostered so much theological nonsense.
His hope is that most will never encounter God's own church, which is NOT nonsense.
Failing that, those who encounter it will be sufficiently confused not to recognize it.
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Answer to:
In Protestant Theology we a saying: "In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity." What are the 'essentials' in LdS Theology? What does your Ward do with those who depart from them?
Protestants who actually believed that would all belong to the same denomination because a non essential should never be sufficient to divide a church in to two or more denominations.
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Answer to:
Why is it the Mormons believes having black skin is a curse from god?
Why is it that so many people believe death is a curse from God?
(answer this one and you have the answer to both.)
Answer to:
"..only a handful or two of Mormons, past or present, have been authentic religious critics of their own faith, and most of those have been expelled by the church ...or departed on their own." (Harold Bloom, "The American Religion", p. 80) Why is this?
You either accept that the church is God's, and follow him, or you get out.
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Why would God tolerate those who question his authority?
He has never done that before, beginning with Lucifer, a son of the morning.
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And why would anyone wish to remain in a church he does not accept as being God's? If it isn't his, no amount of reform can make it his.
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Answer to:
Why do so many non mormons find it imposible to believe that Joseph Smith told the truth and was right and then they believe things in the bible like Moses parted the red sea? Smith doesn't seem so crazy when compared to stories in the bible now does he.
Simple.
They grew up with the story of Moses, and a Bible full of other prophets, all receiving revelation from God.
But those prophets are all safely dead and in the past, and are therefore no threat to the "established order of things". Where "established order of things" = what "we, the establishment (self appointed, thank you) have decided the Bible means"....
Answer to:
Could God be a woman?
No.
Answer to:
If money is the root of all evil, does this mean that we are all evil as we all have some money?
1 Tim. 6: 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows
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And the question becomes: Do we all LOVE money more than we love God and our fellow men.
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I think not.
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Answer to:
A LdS Missionary film strip from the 1960/70's said: "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good. Only if you are unafraid of the truth can you find it" Then why do most Mormons seem to be afraid to consider evidence that doesn't support Mormonism?
We are not afraid.
We ARE mortal, and have a limited time to study.
We seek to use that time wisely.
We spend the most time with sources that have satisfied us as being reliable in the past.
Sources that have proven spurious in the past will generally be ignored as unreliable, and therefore a waste of valuable time.
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Indeed some sources seem to keep throwing red herrings at us in order...
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Answer to:
As a Christian, if you were approached by a stranger who told you that he was Jesus, that he was on earth to prepare the way for his 2nd coming and that he wanted your assistance, what proofs would you require him to provide before you'd believe him?
A witness from the Holy Ghost.
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Answer to:
Is there anyway to know when Jesus will return to Earth?
No
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Matthew 24:3,36
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
. . . (signs of the times are given in these intervening verses.)
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
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Answer to:
Do you believe that jesus will come back to earth?
Yes. And with the same body he left with.
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Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
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Answer to:
Would you prefer to board an airplane designed by engineers using principals of science or one designed by someone who was inspired by god?
Genius has been described as 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. The engineers put a lot of hard work in to the design of an airplane. But where do you suppose the inspiration came from?
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Answer to:
In the referenced letter (please use provided link) Bruce R. McConkie claims that individuals who hold to some of the views of Brigham Young, will be damned (p. 7). Doesn't that make Brigham Young a false prophet?
He said that false doctrines, if held to, will eventually lead them to damnation.
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And he said that a prophet does not function in the office of prophet every moment. Sometimes they teach their own beliefs, and sometimes those are wrong.
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Brigham Young would only be a false prophet if he taught incorrect doctrine and claimed it came from God as revelation. This, he never did.
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Answer to:
If Mormonism claims to be "Biblical" - even going so far as to say it's the superior & "restored" form of both Judaism and Christianity - then why does LDS Theology contradict the Bible?
Having studied the Bible, I find no contradictions between it and LDS theology.
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Unfortunately I do not find this to be true of the views of many outside the Church when compared to the Bible.
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Answer to:
Is salvation really free? If so why?
Salvation is free. It is the gift of God through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
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Preparing yourself to RECEIVE that gift however will cost you a great deal of time and effort. And will require all the help God can give you.
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He will let you in to his Kingdom, free of charge. Admission has already been paid for by Jesus Christ.
But he only grants admission to those who are fit to be...
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Answer to:
Why are some people so very fanatic when it comes to their religious beliefs?
A devout religious person is very insistent on living his life according to his religious beliefs. These people are generally fairly comfortable with what they believe and do not feel threatened by by the opinions of those who do not agree with them.
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A religious fanatic is someone who believes that he and everyone around him must their lives according to his religious beliefs. They are...
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Answer to:
Why do non-Mormons keep on suggesting that Mormons do not eat tinned food. True, Joseph Smith didn't eat timmed food, but then again, there wasn't much tinned food around when he was with us.
Beats me.
This is the first bit of NEW misinformation about us that I have heard of in the last 40 years.
Answer to:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be THE Church of Jesus Christ. However, others have claimed that the Mormon Jesus isn't the same Christ that other Christian Churches worship and follow so this is deceptive. Who's right?
If someone told you the current president of the United States had six fingers on his left hand you would not say that "isn't the same Barac Obama that other Americans have for a President". You would say they were wrong about the number of fingers he has on his left hand.
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With Christ, what is said concerning our difference of opinion ABOUT Christ depends entirely on what...
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Answer to:
Why is it the Mormons believes having black skin is a curse from god?
We believe that the Negros are the descendants of Cain, and that the black skin is the mark God placed on Cain after he murdered his brother Able.
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In the early days of the Church we were prohibited from ordaining Negroes to the priesthood. But we were told that this was temporary, and the time would come when this restriction would be lifted.
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That happened in 1978. All worthy male...
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Answer to:
Is there scriptural evidence in the Bible that we can become a god/goddess?
John 10: 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
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So, not just "can become" but already "are".
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Answer to:
LdS like to point to the competition between Christian groups as signs of a Great Apostacy. But what about this from a secular journalist: "...competition, I think, keeps American religion enduringly fresh." Thoughts?
Jesus remark in that area was that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
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If two groups have doctrines sufficiently different that they make separate denominations of themselves, one or both HAS to be out of line.
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Christianity is divided in to hundreds of such denominations.
Answer to:
How should a girl start a nite of sex
(moved to be a comment)
Answer to:
Why is LDS so secretive about their activities if they aren't doing anythig wrong?
Open to you perhaps, but not without qualifying conditions of some sort, even if you accept them so naturally that you never recognize them as conditions.
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And the same is true for us.
Answer to:
Why is LDS so secretive about their activities if they aren't doing anythig wrong?
We are not secretive.
Why are you so nosey?
We do not choose to hold up the private or the sacred for scoffers to ridicule.
Do you?
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Answer to:
If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it?
Addition of punctuation, division in to chapter and verse, corrections of printing errors and other errors of men, and a smattering of adjustments to deal with changes in English Language usage.
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While it is obvious that a translation to another language will be entirely different in order to preserve the meaning in another language, it is less obvious, but every bit as actual that the...
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Answer to:
What is the foundation of the Mormon belief in additional scripture?
The foundation of the Mormon belief in additional scripture is the Book of Mormon and other revelations given by God in recent times.
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This is also consistent with the Bible which says that God is unchanging, and demonstrates a clear pattern of ongoing revelation (scripture, in its simplest definition, is revelation which has been written down).
If God does not change, but revelation has...
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Answer to:
Ronald V. Huggins, a Mormon Studies Scholar, has observed: "...one can say that the best Mormon history, the most accurate Mormon history, is written by those who are on the outs with the LDS Church or on its margins." Why do you think that this is?
I think this is because those histories are the closest matches to what he wants to believe.
Answer to:
Is is right to have a Dad and 3 sisters and they never call or help out in anyway and I only make $22,000.00 a year. They dont even try to bring over a jug of milk and the oldest is 8 years older than me. Is this right?
How often do you call them to see how they are doing?
Do you look for opportunities to do things for them?
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They may think you don't WANT more contact.
They may not want to hurt your pride by giving you a handout.
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Answer to:
Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon is the "keystone" of Mormonism. However a Modern Mormon Studies Scholar notes, "Practically speaking, 'I believe because I want to believe!' is the true keystone of Mormon faith and culture." Thoughts?
It's called "faith".
And God and Jesus Christ both seem to think rather highly of it.
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Answer to:
Does the LDS Church still regard the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price as Holy Scripture even after several prominent Egyptologists proved it was an ancient funeral scroll?
No such thing has been proven.
They can't even prove they have the original scroll.
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And yes, we still regard the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price as Holy Scripture.
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Answer to:
Respected scholar, Tyler Stoehr describes the three prevailing camps in modern LdS Theology as "sola scriptura", "the prophetic tradition", and “sticking power” (see link for full descriptions). Mormons in your opinion which one is right and true?
We follow prophets.
That is what we have always done.
You do too whether you realize it or not.
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What prophets have written, that has subsequently been accepted by the church as scripture, constitutes the actual "doctrine" of the church.
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We also follow the leadership of the prophets in matters which are not actually doctrine. This tends to confuse those outside the church....
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Answer to:
If Mormonism is true then the Bible is false. If the Bible is true then the Book of Mormon is false. What's your thought?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (vulgarly referred to here as "Mormonism") testifies that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.
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Having read, studied and compared the two books extensively and having found no conflicts, and having listened to and researched supposed conflicts and found them...
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Answer to:
Those who believe in the BoM: I prayed to God, honestly and fervently, asking if the BoM was true. The Holy Spirit gave me a definite, flat-out no. So, what makes your answer better or more correct than mine?
I read and studied the Book of Mormon, then prayed to God, honestly and fervently, asking if it were true. The Holy Ghost gave me a definite, flat out yes.
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Your answer came to me second hand, from you, while mine came to me first hand, from God, which is why I give it more weight.
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I invite all those who want to know for themselves not to rely on your testimony or mine, both of which...
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Answer to:
Did you know that Mormons massacred 120 people in cold blood on September 11, 1857?
I know that some of the people who did it were Mormons, and some were Indians.
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Generalizing to Mormons as a class is not right. Most were not involved and would have tried to stop it rather than participate had they known of it in time (Including all the general authorities). We consider it an atrocity, just as you do.
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Answer to:
Why do Mormans stalk and harass a member of their own family members who refuse to join?
If you know "Mormons" (spelling) who do that, we would have to know them ourselves to guess why.
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If you are asking why ALL Mormons do that, there is no answer. Most don't do any such thing.
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Answer to:
What is the Mormon Church's stance on the existence of dinosaurs?
It does not take one.
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The concern of God and of the Church is with the salvation of man. Neither takes a stance in matters with no bearing in that.
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The existence of dinosaurs does not.
And neither God nor the Church has ever taken a stance about which fork you should eat your salad with.
Answer to:
My mormon relatives believe their physical bodies need to be intact so they can be resurrected at the coming of Christ. Is this what all mormons believe?
No it is not.
Poor John the Baptist would be running around without a head.
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The complete destruction of the physical body is no obstacle at all to the power of God.
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A preference for keeping the body intact may be presence, but this is personal, and not a matter of doctrine.
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Answer to:
Why has the Leadership of the LDS Church not filed a libel lawsuit against all those who preach false doctrine about what the Church believes? If they have the truth on their side as they claim then what are they scared of?
Having the truth on their side, and confidence in their God, they are not "scared" of anything; not even those who falsely speak evil of the church.
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And, contention being of the Devil, they see no need to add fuel to the fire.
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This is not the sort of battle that can be fought and won in the courts. It must be fought and won in the hearts of men.
Answer to:
Why is it, when you show a Mormon the truth in regards to their religion (False) they freak out and walk away without discussion. Could it be they are so taken, they cannot believe anything from the "Outside" of their religion?
Why is it when you disagree with a Mormon's beliefs, you can't accord them the same privilege?
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Have you the honesty to understand that what they believe makes every bit as much sense to them as your beliefs do to you?
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Answer to:
Are the Freemasons an Occult according to the video I've provided? If so, what does that say of Joseph?
It says only that these people are against him.
I assume that's why you chose it.
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Answer to:
Can a mormon go to hell? please watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOHB1l_d8w
1) Only once in the entire video does she name the church she says she belonged to, and calls it "Mormon".
Assuming she is actually talking about us, the name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". "Mormon" is a nickname given to us by non-members, and has no official standing.
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2) She says the church she belonged to did not...
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Answer to:
Do you think the LDS church is a religious organization, or just another business selling Christianity?
Religious Organization lead by Jesus Christ.
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Answer to:
Mormons what do you think of the members of the LDS Church whose behavior could lead one to the conclusion that they venerate and worship Joseph Smith more than they venerate and worship Jesus Christ?
If they give that impression, then they need to be more careful.
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Being fair however, everyone I've seen claim to be "lead" to such a conclusion appeared to me to be straining at the bit and just looking for an excuse to believe such a thing, or at least justify a claim to believing it.
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The simple fact of the matter is that Joseph Smith leads us to Jesus Christ, and his...
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Answer to:
When the Head of the Mormon church said "True knowledge comes from what you feel inside. Evidence isn't important" Is that how a True follower of Christ should be?
Sounds to me as if you have, at the least, taken the statement out of the context which would make it understandable. Perhaps you have misquoted him.
Perhaps you have paraphrased what you want to think he said.
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If you can show us where he is supposed to have said this so that we can read it for ourselves, then we can further discuss this. But not with just a bald statement of...
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Answer to:
Since the concensus for the age of the Universe is 13 billion years or so, and it took 6 of them to make like in our solar system, do you think this is why most don't agree there's other life out there? not enough time as elapsed?
That's a "have you stopped beating your wife?" question.
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What makes you think most don't agree there's other life out there?
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And if the time elapsed was sufficient here, why not in a huge number of other places in our universe as well?
They have had just as long.
Answer to:
The Mormon church says it gave since 1985 1.115 billion in assistance(Cash and material). This works out to $3.75 per member per year(1.115/13,508,509 (members)/22 (years) do you think this is good or shouldn't they be doing more?
This is what the Church as a legal entity has given.
And it represents primarily disaster relief when massive and immediate reaction has been needed if I am not too badly mistaken.
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The church encourages all its members to love their neighbors and to give aid as they are able where it is needed.
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I believe what the members of the church have given is by far the greater amount both in...
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Answer to:
Respected scholar, Tyler Stoehr, sympathizes with the common complaint that: "defining LDS doctrine [is] being like nailing Jell-O dipped in olive oil to a wall" Why do you think that so many people - scholars and non-scholars alike - feel this way?
This answer removed because I intended it to be a comment elsewhere.
Answer to:
Why does the Book of Mormon state that Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10) when history and the Bible state that he was born outside of Jerusalem, in Bethlehem?
Why do you say "in" when Alma 7:10 says "at"?
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Bethlehem, a suburb of Jerusalem, it most definitely "at" Jerusalem when from a point of view half a world away, and speaking to a people with virtually no knowledge of the old world internal geography.
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Specifying the Bethlehem, and the exact location and name of the inn, and the precise location and layout of...
Answer to:
Respected scholar, Tyler Stoehr, sympathizes with the common complaint that: "defining LDS doctrine [is] being like nailing Jell-O dipped in olive oil to a wall" Why do you think that so many people - scholars and non-scholars alike - feel this way?
The doctrine of the Church is rock solid and immovable, and embodied in the scriptures and actual revelations received by the prophets.
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Their problem is that they are trying to define other things we believe as doctrine, which they are not. And of course we refuse to commit ourselves to calling them doctrine.
We won't do it because they are NOT doctrine.
They want us to so that they...
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Answer to:
Latter Day Saints Members: What do you feel is the biggest misconception that non-LDS have about LDS members? Have you done anything to dispel that notion?
The biggest misconception is that we are not Christians.
This misconception is deliberately fostered and spread by enemies of the church, and many are fooled in to believing, it and never checking it for themselves.
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After my son's funeral several of my co-workers who attended commented that they had not known we were Christians. They had been fed, and believed the lie until the first...
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Answer to:
Church of Latter Day Saint Members : How do you feel when other Christians claim you are not Christians?
Leaves me feeling puzzled. The statement makes no sense.
It DOES, however, persuade many people never to look at us for themselves. That is hitting below the belt.
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I've asked some of those who say it how they define Christian so it includes them but does not include us.
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The answers I get either have to virtually name us, saying in essence "You are not Christian because you...
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Answer to:
My boyfriend and his family are Mormon. I am not and my family is completely against Mormon beliefs. We are serious about one another and are in love. Should I convert?
Investigate the Church. Then convert if you would want to even if you didn't know him. But don't commit yourself to a church you don't believe in. That would only cause both of you AND your children problems down the road.
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When you investigate, you may find that what your family is against are what non-members TOLD them Mormons believe. But that what we actually believe...
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Answer to:
Shouldn't schools educate our children about evolution? Is there really anything more important?
Loved science in school.
But I learned enough there to know when to say "STOP! we don't know enough yet to let us speculate meaningfully beyond this point. Now we must gather more data before we can go on."
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The theory of evolution goes beyond that point and teaches it as if it were proven fact. That is a setup for a fall.
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Answer to:
If people are a part of nature, then why do we call what people build and invent, "Unnatural"? If we are part of nature, then so is anything that is a biproduct of our existance, right?
We ARE part of nature, and what we do is part of nature, but only man has the tools to disturb or destroy the natural balance of things.
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To avoid that we must also use wisdom and caution in our choices. The consequences if we do not can be severe.
Answer to:
So I've heard that there "isn't anything new under the sun", so does that mean we've always existed at some point? Has every living thing always been, even though we may have just now seen it brought to life?
Actually it is recognition of the fact that ideas people come up with their ancestors could too. What we think of and do usually has been thought of and done by others in the past whether we are aware of it or not.
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So when a great new fashion comes out, check your grandparents attic first. You may not have to spend a cent to be in fashion!
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And when you have or hear a great new idea,...
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Answer to:
At a certain point in our lives we come to the conclusion that some things that we thought were rock solid are not...that some things are no longer possible to achieve. Does that bother you or do you just accept it as a natural part of life?
It bothers me to a degree.
But until I can accept it and move on, I'm wasting my time and energy on something I cannot change.
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Better I should accept and move on.
Gives me more time and resources to use for the things I CAN do.
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Answer to:
If you don't believe in a creator or spiritual part of our nature, how do you explain our common urge to do the right thing, even at our own peril (against what evolution would suggest we do)?
A purely selfish individual would never burden himself with offspring, or waste time caring for them if they occurred. A species composed entirely of such individuals dies out very quickly, even though its individual members are long lived once they survive to the point of being able to care for themselves.
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If the individuals of a society are selfless, caring for one another, the...
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Answer to:
How does natural variation affect evolution?
Put simply, the variations that survive best in a population are the parents of the next generation, passing along their genetic characteristics and no other.
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And it is not just affecting evolution, it is part of the basic definition, which is essential:
1) Mutations occur in a population for a variety of reasons, and can be passed down to future generations.
2) Those mutations that...
Answer to:
Shouldn't schools educate our children about evolution? Is there really anything more important?
Evolution is just a theory, and not very important in their day to day lives. The problem is that while evolution does, demonstrably take place, the theory has been extended so far beyond the proven as to become meaningless speculation.
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How to deal with the world they live in and the people in it are far more important. Math, Science, Social Studies and religion (almost any religion) will...
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Answer to:
From a Mormon Studies Scholar describing the history of LDS Theology: "Today's doctrine is tomorrow's heresy, today's heresy is tomorrow's doctrine." LDS Scholars and Latter-day Saints why would he say such a thing?
He is confusing Doctrine and Beliefs.
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Doctrine is that which has been revealed by God.
It is not discarded.
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Beliefs include both doctrine and opinion. The latter, no matter how well informed, no matter how popular, are NOT doctrine, and can be replaced at any time by revelation, or by better informed opinion.
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Answer to:
Where in the Bible can I find the verse that says all 66 books are inspired by God?
If you ever find one you may know by its presence there that the Bible has been changed by men, for the 66 books of the Bible were written long before they were combined in on cover as the Bible, and none of them, therefore, can refer to the Bible as a whole, or all 66 books. It simply did not exist and had not been conceived of when they were written.
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Answer to:
Does the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible? If so, how can it be said to be inspired by God?
I have read both repeatedly and studied both for years.
I have examined many claims of conflicts. I have never found anything I considered a conflict.
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I HAVE found quite a number of significant conflicts between the doctrines of many Christian denominations and the Bible.
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Answer to:
Mormons correctly point out that Rev. 22:18-19 applies ONLY to that book of the Bible. However, Joseph Smith both took away and added to the Book of Revelation in his "Inspired" Translation of the Bible. So isn't he now plagued & disinherited by God?
What Joseph Smith "took away" from the Book of Revelation were the things others had "added to" it over the centuries. What he "added to" it were the things others "took away".
Therefore, Joseph Smith is not under condemnation, but those responsible for the changes he corrected are.
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Answer to:
Mormon Studies Scholar, Luke P. Wilson: "The contradictions between the Book of Mormon and the Bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the Book of Mormon as Latter-day scripture supplemental to the Bible." LDS do you agree or disagree? Why?
I have read both straight through several times and studied both without finding any conflicts. This includes close examination of every case others have TOLD me conflict.
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Not a bad record considering that the Bible itself has several internal conflicts.
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Answer to:
Mormons are you TriTheistic, Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or Henotheistic? I've heard Mormons claim to be one, the other, and/or all four! OFFICIALLY which one is it and why?
Officially:
The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1.We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
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Make of it what you will, label it if you want to.
The Church itself does not.
But note that only one of the 3 is called God in that statement.
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Answer to:
I am trying to understand the miracle of Mormon salvation. You can not be saved till you are perfect, you can not be perfect till you are saved. How does that work?
You never heard that from any authoritative church source and you never will.
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Perfection is a goal given us by Christ.
He is the ONLY one who has ever achieved it without help.
The rest of us have his help if we ask for it and strive with all our might for that goal.
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We strive to do all we know how, ask for his help and leave the judgment up to him.
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Answer to:
Do Mormon Missionaries lie to and/or withhold the truth about the controversial claims of Mormonism to those investigating the LdS Church?
We do not lie.
We do withold advanced concepts for the same reason first grade teachers withold the truth about tensor calculus; until a proper knowledge base has been laid their students to not have the tools to understand advanced concepts.
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Answer to:
Mormon Critic, Tom Donofrio: "In the end, the Mormon defenders are talking to themselves. All of the endless round and round debates are simply sparring practice for a mind that must remain beefed up against the pummeling of reality." Thoughts? Responses?
Not so.
We are not talking to ourselves. We know the truth.
We are not talking to our critics. They won't accept the truth.
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We are talking to the large numbers of people who will accept as true the statements made by our critics if no answer is given.
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And we invite all of them to pray to God, who is their father as well as ours, to help them discern the true from the false.
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Answer to:
Where in the Bible is the LDS Theological claim that Adam & Eve had to "fall" in order to lose their sexual innocence, leave the Garden of Eden and thus "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." (Gen 1:28) supported?
Back to the tired notion that the Bible contains all the word of God? It does not. The Bible itself makes that clear.
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More is contained in the Book of Mormon and the other standard works. And more may be revealed at any time through the living prophet.
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And nothing in the Bible conflicts with this idea.
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Answer to:
LDS, Are you saved according to 2 NEPHI 25:23..· Have you done “all” you can do for salvation? Isn’t there something else you can think of that you haven’t done for salvation? At what point have you done enough to be sure that you will be saved?
You've missed the point. This verse is not about determining when you are "saved".
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It is saying that salvation comes after all we can do, and comes not because of what we have done, but as a gift from God given to those who will make that effort.
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Don't concern yourself about whether you have done enough, only about what more you can do, then do it.
Ask God for...
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Answer to:
What's one thing you hate to spending money on?
Food.
But what can I do?
My family won't EAT anything else!
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Answer to:
Why do some people ask question they dont have imformation on already.is it wrong for easterners to beleive you should ask a question you already know.its a from a teachers point of view if you should only ask question you should know.do you agree?
It isn't even POSSIBLE to frame a question about something you know absolutely nothing about.
(Try it sometime and you'll see what I mean.)
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Asking a question when you are sure of the answer already serves no purpose except as a teaching tool, to provoke thought, and challenge preconceptions we aren't even aware of.
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When we ask a question to learn, we use what we know...
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Answer to:
Does reality exist outside what your mind processes as "real"? Do we have mental control over what we see, experience, and define as "real"?
I believe that it does, and that the degree to which the mind correctly perceives and interprets those perceptions determines our ability to effectively interact with "reality", including each other.
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Treat it any other way at your own peril.
But remember, you can't afford to be wrong.
Answer to:
Can we find another, less pejorative word than "cheater" to define men and women who have relationships outside their marriages?
Here are a few we could try:
Adulterer
Oath Breaker
Sneak
Abuser
Or, if you don't want to be called a cheater, don't cheat!
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Answer to:
My boyfriend and I have started to discuss moving in together. We have been together 1 year this July and plan to move in together by July of 2010 when we are together two years. Is it a good idea or bad to move in together before marriage?
Bad idea.
Moving in together should follow the commitment to each other contained in marriage. If you aren't ready to commit you shouldn't be playing with it.
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You can't "try it out" beforehand because the commitment changes EVERYTHING. Kind of like simulating a parachute jump. The simulation tells you virtually nothing about what it will be like to step out the...
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Answer to:
Mormons, Alma 37:38, dated at 73 B.C., speaks of the people using a “compass.” However, such an instrument was not invented until about A.D. 1100. How could there be a divinely inspired translation of a word describing something that did not exist?
The term translated to is a closest equivalent, and neither more nor less out of place than the use of the term "habergeon" ( a medieval jacket of mail) is in the Bible.
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Answer to:
Some believe that Deut. 4:2 and Rev. 22:18-19 mean that nothing should be added to the Bible. How do these scriptures relate to the Book of Mormon?
Deut. 4:2 says not to change Deuteronomy and Rev. 22:18-19 says not to change Revelation. Neither says anything about the rest of the Bible.
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The Book of Mormon, a completely separate book from Deuteronomy, Revelation and the Bible falls entirely outside the two actual prohibitions and the unwarranted extension of them. It is not a change to Deuteronomy, Revelation or the Bible.
Answer to:
Bill McKeever: "...why do so many Mormons insist we throw the more controversial teachings of their past leaders onto the ash heap of mere opinion?" Mormons how would you answer Mr. McKeever's question if he were standing in front of you?
Teaching the opinions of men and forgetting they are opinions, not revealed truth from God is how Christianity in general has gotten in trouble.
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Answer to:
Latter-day Saints/Mormon Studies Scholars do you think that the "Lost 116 pages" will ever resurface?
Doesn't matter.
If they resurface they have undoubtedly been tampered with. And since they were not re-translated (by commandment of God) they cannot be compared to the re-translation to show they are not the same, thus destroying their value to the original thieves and their heirs.
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Answer to:
Mormons believe that Native Americans descended directly from Ancient Israelites. Native Aerican historians believe the Native Americans migrated from parts of Asia an Russia How do Mormons explain this discrepancy.
The Book of Mormon documents two groups coming to this continent, but does not preclude others.
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I prefer to treat this just as I do the controversy between the Biblical account of creation and Scientific theories on the subject.
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I believe there are truth and there are errors on both sides of each question. But when we see the whole picture we will see that the views of the contestants...
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Answer to:
Black Mormons Darius Gray and Margaret Young have documented how the Priesthood ban was based on nothing but innuendo, folklore, and prejudice. Why doesn't the LDS Church admit this, apologize, and posthumorously endow all past worthy LDS black men?
The ban was a commandment from God.
We are not ashamed of God and wouldn't it be strange to claim his commandments came from some other source, or apologize for keeping them?
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We ARE glad it has been lifted, and, as always, are doing all we can to complete ordinance work for ALL who were not able to complete their own in life.
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Answer to:
The Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 5:16-20) says that the "brass plates" should "go forth unto all nations, kindreds tongues". So, where are they?
1) The physical medium on which the records were made need not be presented to everyone in person for them to be said to have come forth. Only the content would need to do so to fulfill that prophecy. Indeed, most people, unable to read them, would find the original plates far less useful than a translation in to a language they could understand.
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2) They can yet come forth in any fashion...
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Answer to:
Why do Americans have to learn to speak Spanish just because there are a lot of them in America but when Americans go to Mexico they don't have to learn English?
English is a required subject in the Mexican School systems. Most of them remember enough of it to understand far more than you realize. That is why so many tourists who go to Mexico and say insulting things about them in their presence because "they don't understand English" find them so unfriendly.
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Answer to:
What is your opinion on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? (A.K.A. Mormonism?)
I am a member, by my own choice.
'Nuff said.
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Answer to:
If Jesus was God and could not do sin, what was the aim or sense of temptations (Math.4)? Did he have the choice to obey Satan?
God has the choice and the power to do Good or Evil in every instance. We love, trust and follow him because he always CHOOSES to do good.
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If he had no choice, he would not be good, just as water is not "good" because it runs down hill rather than up hill.
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Answer to:
What was Jesus' real name? (Pretty clearly he wasn't born with the name Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Nazareth, etc.)
Sticking to the English version of the names, his NAME was Jesus. He had no last name as we know them. They were not used in that time and place.
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At home, additional identification might be given by calling him the son of Joseph. But that was not actually part of his name.
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Away from home he was often identified further with "Of Nazareth. But again, that was not part of his name....
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Answer to:
What is your favorite Psalm in the Bible?
PSALM 23
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Answer to:
Is the Bible a reliable source of the word of God, or is it too corrupted by human meddling to serve as a verbatim source of what God "really" said?
You miss the point. Even where it is a perfectly accurate record of what God said it is still the word of someone far more intelligent than you and I are. To correctly understand it we still need to pray and ask for his help.
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And where it has been corrupted by human meddling, prayer and the help God can give us can still get us past that to understand the truth men have tried to hide.
Answer to:
Who(believing that it is a good idea) is willing to force their beliefs on others just because they're true and what do you think justifies your word against the person your trying to convince?who doesnt believe this is a good idea. im just curious.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
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Answer to:
What is a Quasi-Catholic? Is it someone who believes the fantasical elements of Catholism, like beliefs on life, death, heaven, hell and purgatory, but not the strict rules of no abortions, being against gays etc.
No. The prefix "Quasi" indicates "bearing a resemblance to". A Quasi-Catholic individual or organization would not BE Catholic, but would bear a strong resemblance to the Catholic church and its members.
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Answer to:
Why do some people think Catholics aren't Christians? The Catholics were the ones who established the Church of Jesus Christ. They assembled the Christian Bible. AB even puts them under Christianity. So how could they not be Christians?
Catholics have chosen Jesus Christ and his teachings as their guide. That is all it takes to make them or anyone else a Christian. Catholics are Christians.
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Some people are so narrow minded, arrogant, and self centered that they consider only themselves and those who believe as they do to be Christians.
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They are in for a rude awakening in the resurrection.
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Answer to:
Since Jews are followers of Moses and Mormons also follow Moses, are Jews and Mormons one in the same, or are Mormons a branch of Christianity?
You know better than that!
Mormons follow Jesus Christ.
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Answer to:
I recently heard this quote and loved it: “Catholicism teaches an infallible Pope, yet few Catholics seem to believe it; Mormonism teaches a fallible prophet, yet few Latter-day Saints seem to believe it.” What are your thoughts?
The Pope and the Prophet are both men, and fallible.
But when God speaks through the prophet that word is indeed infallible. And you will find that the Latter-day Saints believe it.
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Answer to:
With all the different Churches in the world today, can they all be sanctioned by the Lord?
God is not the author of confusion.
He will never establish more than one church, and does not sanction an that he has not established.
All others are counterfeits sold to men by the adversary.
And his purpose in doing so is to sow confusion and lead good people astray.
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Answer to:
LDS, an enduring conspiracy theory about Mormonism is that the Council of Fifty was never dissolved - it just went underground and is waiting for the US Gov't to fall so the LDS First Presidency can take over and establish a Theocratic Gov't. Responses?
Can you seriously imagine 50 men planning to take over from the US Government, but willing to wait a few generations for it to fall by itself?
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The notion boggles the mind.
They would have to have God like patience.
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Answer to:
Mormons: IF Monson was shown to be a false prophet (theoretically) what would be done about it? Would the Church take action? What would you do personally?
God would not permit a false prophet at the head of his church. Therefor a church with a false prophet at it's head would thereby be proven not to be God's.
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I would continue to use the church as my general guide, as I have never found any other whose doctrine makes better sense or leads to greater happiness, but I would loose the assurance that it could be relied on.
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Answer to:
Do you think god made us so we'd worship him or enjoy ourselves. (I think of myself as god when I'm playing "The Sims" and I wouldn't want my people I create to worship me, I'd want them to enjoy theirselves and learn from their mistakes).(just a thought)
Among us we say:
"God is that man might be.
man is that he might have joy."
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God's commandments are a reliable guide to maximizing our joy over time.
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Why would an all powerful, all knowing entity need our saccharin adoration?
WE need to worship God. Gratitude and love can be learned in that way.
Otherwise we may become selfish and wrapped up entirely in ourselves.
...
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Answer to:
I can understand why a Biblical God wouldn't want people practicing "occult" activities, but what is the rationale for being against the Harry Potter books simply because they're about magical people?
These people have accepted the label of magic, but are not wise enough to judge people by their fruits, which their Biblical God told them to do.
Mostly this is their loss.
But they can also be scary neighbors for the rest of us.
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Answer to:
Why do people like books? is it because its a cheap movie or because people read a book because they wanna be one of the people in the book or is it something else?
I read for entertainment and for information.
I enjoy movies, but books cost less, are easier to use, more readily available, and a snap to pause as long as you like, and require no expensive, bulky equipment to use.
And the scenery and special effects may be spectacular, but are limited by the cost and the technology.
Books, powered by the imagination, have no such limitations.
Answer to:
What do you guys think of people that "jump on the bandwagon", a term that means "Do certain things just because they're popular." ex. Reading books because of the movie coming out, people liking a certain movie star because of them returning to work, etc
I think of them no more than necessary.
I've never found them to be the important people in my life.
Answer to:
Mormons-one of you just said this to explain why some people have different colour skin-"God had a very good reason for marking a certain group of people in order to allow another group of people to avoid them." Do you agree?
I know of of only one case where God gave that as a reason.
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And while I am sure God has a very good reason for all he does, there are two assumptions I think we should be careful not to make:
1) That any specific thing that happened was DONE by God.
He may simply have allowed it to occur.
2) Don't be too sure we understand WHY even when he tells us he did somehing.
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Answer to:
How can you be saved just by believing, doesn't the Bible teach more on the issue of salvation?
Jesus didn't think so.
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Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Answer to:
If the believe in god was determined with 99.9999% confidence to stem from a gene in the body, would you become an atheist or assert that the devil is trying to trick us? Or something else?
I would not change.
Either my beliefs are solidly based in the best information I have available,
or it's in the genes and I CAN'T change it!
Same behavior either way.
Answer to:
When does the teacher become the student?
As a teacher I always learned as much as I taught.
I really don't see how it can be any other way.
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Answer to:
I was part of a discussion with a few people and this guy said that anyone who needed religion was weak. I don't know why but I havn't been able to forget it. Do you agree or disagree?
I disagree.
He needs religion. He just doesn't realize it.
Eventually he will either accept it or regret it.
Answer to:
Christians: If someone, in the course of their lifetime, is never told about Christianity or Christ, will they still ascend to Heaven? How does God judge them?
Their spirits will have the opportunity to receive the Gospel and accept Christ in the spirit world before they are resurrected. They will be judged according to that choice, and on how well they obeyed such law as they knew in life.
Answer to:
Can you honestly say you know a couple that has been married for over 30 years? Did you ask them how they stayed together so long? Do you believe you can have a relationship that will last this long?
I and my wife. Married August 10, 1970 we are 38 years and counting. And we were married for Time and Eternity. No "Til death do us part" automatic divorce clause in there.
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How?
1) We love each other.
2) Commitment. We never ask about our marriage: Will this work? but rather "What must we do to MAKE this work." and we do it, together.
3) It's never...
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Answer to:
Know about the Bible? Where were the some of the New Testament books found? hint: "???? ??? scrolls"
I assume you are talking about the scrolls found in a cave near the Dead Sea. Though they too are copies, no more the originals than any other "New Testament" document known to exist today.
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Answer to:
Know your Bible?....is the Father in Jesus or Jesus in the Father?
According to Jesus, both.
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Answer to:
Partner & I are inactive LDS. I want to go back, he isn't sure. In the 8 months we haven't been to church, we moved in together & now engaged. We can't leave house or responsibilities that come with it. IF we go back, will this affect Temple marriage?
If "moved in together" includes premarital sex, that does indeed affect temple marriage.
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Answer to:
If a mormon has neglected to pay tithing for a period, must he pay "back tithing" before he is considered a full tithe payer and go to the temple, or can he repent for not paying, and start fresh?
No.
He will be counseled to pay a full tith from that point forward. He will be considered a full tith payer again when he has been doing it long enough to show a clear pattern of obedience to this commandment.
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They will actually be advised against paying "back tithing". To God it isn't the money that is the important thing. It is the obedience to his commandments. And...
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Answer to:
Does a "disfellowshipped" member need to pay "back-tithing" before full membership is restored, or can he repent and get a fresh start?
No.
Even a member in otherwise good standing, if he has stopped paying tithing will be counseled to simply begin here and now to pay a full tith from this point forward.
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A returning prodigal would be treated no differently.
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Answer to:
Two questions: Have Mormons, now or at anytime, 1)been taught that God was once a Mortal Human before becoming God, and 2) That Jesus is in fact not the Living God..I am a devout Christian and want to know if Mormons are my brethern.
It is not actually the doctrine of the Church, but is a quite commonly held belief among the members.
God speaks to men about THIS world almost exclusively.
And he has been the only one in charge from the beginning, and will remain the only one til the end.
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1 Cor. 8: 5-6
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)...
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Answer to:
Mormons: Since Joseph stated publicly, "I have often been asked who would succeed me as the prophet to the church. My son Joseph will be your next prophet." Why did Brigham ignore the Prophet's mandate? Why didn't he ever abdicate to Joseph Smith III?
If he said such a thing it may simply have been that he assumed it to be so.
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The choice, however, belonged not to Joseph, but to God.
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Called to serve as his Prophet Brigham could not abdicate for any reason except a commandment from God.
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Answer to:
Mormons: Why aren't the Sections in Doctrine & Covenants arranged chronologically? And is an edition that lists them chronologically available?
They were assigned numbers in the order they were added to the book, which was not always the order in which they were given to the prophet. After that, changing the order to chronological would put the sections out of numeric order, making a reference harder to find.
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Adding the chronological list Glen mentioned is looks like the best way to deal with that problem.
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Answer to:
How difficult is it to get in to BYU as a Non-LDS?
No more difficult than it is as an LDS member.
Just more expensive, for the same reason a state school in another state will cost you more than it does a resident.
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Answer to:
LDS Apologist: "Prophets are not suddenly divine. They are subject to their own bias, mistakes, misconceptions, and world-views..." Mormon.org: "...follow the prophets, and you can enjoy the assurance of being in harmony with God’s will." Which is true?
I really don't see a conflict and don't spend much time worrying about it.
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If what he tells us is the revealed word of God we know it will be correct.
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If it is his own opinion, then it is the opinion of someone much better informed and in closer harmony with God than I am.
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His calling is to lead, and it is OJT with a vengance. If he has no latitude to make mistakes and...
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Answer to:
You're a restaurant owner. Someone makes a pretty expensive carry out order. He picks it up. An hour later his wife comes in with a major attitude, saying she wants her money back because her husband ordered the wrong thing. What do you do?
First thing I would do is ask her what he was supposed to order. Angry about getting the wrong thing, she should be able to reel off the correct order without hesitation. If she can't it may be a trick. If she does, offer to fill the correct order and have it ready when they return with the incorrect one. No cash refund.
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Answer to:
My co-worker who sits next to me, speaks spanish all the time to another co-worker, makes me uncomfortable. I think it is rude. Anything I can do?
Learn Spanish.
Use their conversations to practice your skills in listening mode.
Depending on what they say, you may have something to report to your boss (they'll never know how he found out!)
Or if it's innocent, after six or seven months casually throw in a comment in Spanish just to see the shock when they realize you understand every word and begin frantically reviewing...
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Answer to:
Is it acceptable to bring into church my hell's angels friends?
If they come for the right reasons it would surely be acceptable to God.
Whether it would be acceptable to your church is quite another matter. People can be far less accepting than God is.
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Answer to:
Why does Christianity place so much emphasis on Paul, and his letters. He never even met Jesus and a lot of his teachings reflect his own prejudices and values. I believe most of these are contrary to how Jesus would have dealt with issues.
They don't place emphasis on Paul and his letters.
The fact that these constitute such a large part of the new testament guarantees that a large part of what is used from the new testament comes from them, thus giving the appearance of unusual emphasis where there is none.
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And we have it in the Bible that he met him on the road to Damascus.
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Answer to:
Why does mainstream Christianity teach that one can lose his or her salvation anyway?
Depends on what you mean when you say "saved", "lost" and "salvation". The definitions vary widely among Christian denominations, and often among the members of a single denomination.
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And that is where a lot of the controversy among Christians comes from: Because they are using the same words, they can argue endlessly about who is "right" and never...
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Answer to:
What is Christianity? Is it what Catholics teach, or Protestants, Mormons or is it what Christ taught? I ask because I see so many state things that have nothing to do with Christianity yet that is what they call it.
Christians: All those who have taken Jesus Christ as their guide and their example, and try to live according to his teachings and his example.
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And those who are NOT Christians would not want to be called such, since Christ is not who they are trying to follow.
Answer to:
Mormons: Citing a 1994 SLC Tribune article, Bill McKeever asked, "Blood Atonement - If It Was Never Taught, Why Do So Many Mormons Believe It?" How would you respond to this intriguing question? (see link reference for Mr. McKeever's full article)
The Church teaches the Word of God as it has been revealed.
Though such ideas as Blood Atonement have been conceived and widely passed about among the members of the church they do not have the status of revealed truth, and are not included among the official teachings of the church.
That is true even if the notion originates with the prophet or one of the Apostles. Revelation, though it...
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Answer to:
D&C 10: "...whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church." Doesn't this indict ALL Churches - and the CoJCoLdS too?
Perhaps.
But I think the idea was not to condemn the transgressor, but rather to encourage repentance.
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Answer to:
Since most coupons have an actual dollar value of one 20th of a cent, If I collect $20,000,000.00 worth of coupons, how can I cash them in to be the worlds first coupon MILLIONAIRE?
Sell them to a scrap paper recycler.
Answer to:
Can everyone be a millionaire? What would the world be like?
About the same.
Money has no inherent value. It is worth only what can be bought with it.
Making everyone an instant millionaire would not change the supply of goods and services available, it would only change the price tag on them.
Answer to:
Mormons what does "concubines" mean in D&C 132?
A concubine is an acknowledged member of a household filling the same general role as a wife (principally sex an childbearing), but having a lower social standing than a wife does.
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Answer to:
How does a Wasp sting differ from a Bee sting?
The wasp stinger is smooth and can be used repeatedly.
The bee stinger is barbed and does not come out, but continues to pump venom in to the wound even when the stinger and venom sack have been torn away from the bee's body.
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Answer to:
I thought that mormons believed God was once a man, But in an interview with time magazine, the prophet of the church Gordon Hinckley said they dont teach this. was the prophet lying?
This was a comment, dropped in the wrong box.
Answer to:
Can compassion be learned?
Yes it can.
Every baby starts out with none at all.
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Some adults stay as selfish and self centered as an infant all their lives.
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Others learn this quality and many others.
The Gospel teaches it.
And Practice, practice and practice are our three greatest learning tools.
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And there is positive feedback.
Being compassionate makes you feel good.
And that good feeling helps you become...
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Answer to:
This is my sanctuary. has anyone else told thier S/O that AB is off limits or at least knowing your username?
No.
And I can't think of anything better calculated to make them curious!
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Answer to:
LdS in "How The Manifesto Changed The Church" (https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/audio/SL90085.mp3) M. Quinn states that post and pre-1890 Manifesto LdS have NOTHING in common - they are in fact, completely different Mormons/People/Cultures. Why is that?
You assume there was such a change.
I don't believe there was.
Without that, "why" is meaningless.
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Answer to:
What was Jesus the Christ's surname?
Surnames as we know them were not used then, and have not been the usual thing throughout history.
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A name might be given with additional identifying information such as the fathers name or the home city or town. In many places the social groups are small enough that no such additional identification was needed most of the time.
Answer to:
What gender do yo think God is and why?
Our Father in Heaven?
Male of course.
Answer to:
LDS, good thoughts, good words and good deeds through free agency sum up Zoroastrianism. They also have a unique Priesthood. In short, Mormonism seems like the North American incarnation of Zoroastrianism! Why are there so many stunning parallels?
With so many to choose from how could anybody avoid being parallel to something?
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We follow our guide, Christ, and don't worry about who or how many or why others have walked similar paths.
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Answer to:
How should a girl start a nite of sex
Married
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Answer to:
I want to become Mormon, yet my family is not the most open to the religion. How should i go about becoming one?
If you are under age, talk to them about it.
If your parents will not allow it, accept that for now.
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If you are of age, or when you become of age, the decision is yours alone to make. Treat your family and their feelings with all the consideration and gentleness that you can, but the decision is yours to make and to live with, not theirs.
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To act on the decision, tell any Mormon you...
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Answer to:
I am a teen interested in nudism. Do you think it would be ok to ask my siblings if I could be nude around them? I want to try to get use to being naked infront of others and I figure family is a safe place to start.
Family is perhaps the most permanent relationship you will have in your entire life. If you try it there and it doesn't work out the results could strain that relationship the rest of your life.
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Much safer to try it in a nudist camp with strangers who already accept the idea. You only have to deal with YOUR feelings about it and reactions to it.
And if you don't like it you can...
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Answer to:
Mormons, is Theodemocracy still a tenet of LDS Theology? If not, when and why was it abandoned? If so, it is still framed and held to as Joseph Smith envisioned and articulated it?
I never heard the term before.
The church is governed by God.
That would make it a theocracy.
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In a democracy the government is by the will of the people, with compliance enforced on dissenters.
It sounds as if the same is true of a theodemocracy, with the additional proviso that the leaders in turn should be guided by God (by whatever name they call him.), thus making it a government...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in "God the Mother"?
We are told by God that marriage is necessary to become like him. That being the case the logical conclusion is that he must have a wife, who would be our mother as he is our father.
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God himself has not said one way or the other, either in scripture or through living prophets.
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Many, perhaps most, of us do believe it, but it must be considered logical conjecture, not God given doctrine.
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Answer to:
Why do people think of God as a spirit?
Because the Bible says he is a spirit.
They discount the possibility that he might be much more than that.
Answer to:
Why do people know God as a father?
First because the scriptures tell us he is OUR father.
Second because he has a Son, Jesus Christ.
Answer to:
Know your Bible? Where was Jesus born?
In a stable in Bethlehem in Judea.
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Answer to:
Know your Bible? What kind of fruit did Adam and Eve eat from? (careful!)
The fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
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Answer to:
Know your Bible? How many people were crucified with Jesus? (besides Jesus)
Two thieves.
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Answer to:
Are your bills more than your income.
Actually, they are not.
That would result in bankruptcy.
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But I DO have a chronic case of "Too much month left at the end of the money!"
Answer to:
Mormons claim that the atonement occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane rather than on the Cross. However, the Bible only mentions the Garden in 1 Gospel, the Cross in all 4, and then throughout the rest of the NT. If LDS Soteriology is true why is this?
Perhaps only Luke of all the apostles noticed this.
Or perhaps he alone understood and thought it worthy of mention.
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What but the weight of the sins of the world could cause him such suffering? It was apparently greater than that he underwent on the cross when he paid with his life for those sins.
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Answer to:
The LDS Web Site says, "...because the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith." But Paul said, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross..." Why don't Mormons 'glory in the cross' too like Christians do?
Paul was actually making a point about circumcision.
There were some Galatians in the church who thought all Christians should be circumcised. Paul was saying that was unimportant, that only Christ and what he had done were.
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Your question includes its own answer.
Christ said "I am the resurrection and the life".
His death was necessary to the atonement.
But his resurrection...
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Answer to:
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." -Robert Frost. People say that we should all live like this but if we all decided to do this, wouldn't we all end up taking the same road?
No. But we would shortly find it difficult to determine which road was the less traveled by.
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The message here however is: Don't just take the popular decision. Make your own. It makes a difference.
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Answer to:
During what year did Joseph Smith stop teaching that Jesus was God and start teaching that Jesus and God were separate individuals?
Joseph saw them side by side, separate and distinct individuals, in the original vision in 1920.
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Answer to:
Christians, I'm an atheist, but I'm always thinking about whether God is real, I would like to be a christian, but would like for you to help convince me. Can you give me passages in the bible, historic references, anything proving that God is real?
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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We can't convince you.
But there you have an invitation from God himself.
Ask him.
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Answer to:
If it were possible to take ALL weapons out of existence, would you?
No
That would require killing everyone and destroying the universe. And I'm not willing to go that far.
Virtually anything, including the human body, can be used as a weapon.
Answer to:
What's so wrong with being brutally honest?
Just the fact that the brutality is so often unnecessary and unkind.
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Answer to:
Mormons, LDS Apologist Michael Ash says the late David O. McKay, a GA for 64 years and a "prophet" for nineteen years, "never believed [the gospel] for most of his life." How did this chronic unbeliever become the President of the LDS Church?
Indeed, his record as a GA and prophet is evidence in and of itself that David O. McKay believed it for all that time, and before that as well.
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Before I accept your take on what Brother Ash wrote I would have to read it in context. I suspect its actual meaning is quite different from the one you ascribe to it.
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Answer to:
In the referenced letter (please use provided link) Bruce R. McConkie claims that individuals who hold to some of the views of Brigham Young, will be damned (p. 7). Doesn't that make Brigham Young a false prophet?
Brigham Young taught a false idea ONCE.
Thereafter he always taught correct principles on the SAME subject (not "on other matters")
In short, he let go of the false doctrine as soon as he found out it was false.
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The real problem is not in making a mistake (as he did), but in clinging to it and continuing to teach it to others (which he did not).
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe all other religions are based on false doctrine?
Yes.
The one key doctrine all other religions teach that is false is that they have authority from God to act in his name.
Beside this, any other doctrinal question is insignificant.
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Answer to:
In the referenced letter (please use provided link) Bruce R. McConkie claims that individuals who hold to some of the views of Brigham Young, will be damned (p. 7). Doesn't that make Brigham Young a false prophet?
Perhaps it would if Brigham Young had represented the idea as being given by God.
But he didn't do that.
So no, it doesn't make him a false prophet.
Answer to:
In the Book of Mormon it describes how God told Nephi to slay Laban. (1 NE 4: 1-38) Does that indicate that Murder, Robbery, Identity Theft and Kidnapping are acceptable to Mormons if they believe that God told them to do it?
Life belongs to God. It is his to give or take.
And he told Nephi the reason for doing what he commanded.
Recall that God commanded Israel to slay entire nations according to the Bible, and it was not accounted murder.
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Keep in mind also that Laban had already robbed Nephi and his brothers and attempted to have them murdered.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Adam was God?
Brigham Young apparently thought so once.
Apparently he discovered this was incorrect.
He never said such a thing again, but indeed taught the opposite.
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This is counter to present church doctrine.
A few still believe it anyway.
However, at least one person who persisted in teaching it was sharply rebuked for it by a general authority.
Answer to:
Was Brigham Young a prophet of the Mormon Church? If so did he teach the Adam-God doctrine?
Brigham Young was indeed the second Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormons.)
Please note however, that while God speaks through a prophet, that when not speaking God's words the man who holds that office can and does speak his own. And those can be and sometimes are wrong.
I know of only one case where Brigham Young said such a thing....
Answer to:
In the referenced letter (please use provided link) Bruce R. McConkie claims that individuals who hold to some of the views of Brigham Young, will be damned (p. 7). Doesn't that make Brigham Young a false prophet?
But Brigham Young did NOT hold to those teachings. He left them behind when he learned they were not true.
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It is those who discover he once taught them, and who adopt those teachings AND REFUSE TO GIVE THEM UP who are so condemned.
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And repentance is an eternal principal by which even those persons can be saved if they will let go of such false doctrine and accept correct doctrine in...
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Answer to:
LdS: What happens when someone who is legally practicing polygamy wants to join the LdS Church? Are they allowed to keep their current wives and families?
>Next still OD-1 was discretely ignored until 1904,<
Really? What are you referring to?
>it isn't a full, complete, or final answer to the question.<
You are right. It firmly closes the door on polygamy where it is illegal, but stops with that. But then, it was given in response to accusations that the practice was continuing despite laws prohibiting it.
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Mind you, I...
Answer to:
I think that we all agree that we are not always going to agree. Why not simply say," I disagree with your answer" and then state your position? Some responders seem to be abusive and insulting and I don't understand why that is. Do you know why?
Because Satan loves contention and will foster it at every opportunity?
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I try to take the attitude and behavior you suggest.
I repeatedly find myself being sucked in to the other attitude and mindset without meaning to, and often without realizing it's happening.
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Perhaps "The Devil made me do it" is the best explanation.
But I try to remember it was ME that gave him the...
Answer to:
Resolved: "Via the doctrine of 'progressive' or 'ongoing' revelation Latter Day Saint movement rejects propositional truth in favor of relative truth." How do you respond to this resolution? And please state if you are LDS or non-LDS in your answer.
LDS
Can give only limited response to it until you tell me what you mean by "propositional truth" and "relative truth".
We believe that God reveals what we need to know when we need to know and are ready to receive it.
The absolute truths known to God do not change.
But we change, and that changes what we are ready to receive.
You begin a child with such concepts as...
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Answer to:
Did god withdraw his spirit from christ on the cross?
Yes he did.
The situation was unique.
The atonement was a task that only Jesus could do,
And this part of it he had to do entirely on his own.
This was, perhaps, the first and only time he had ever been so alone, and he cried out in his extremity "My God my God, why has thou forsaken me?"
But I believe he knew and understood the necessity for it.
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I repeatedly asked for all those corrupt scriptures & am given no examples. So, I guess we can put that one to rest and accept the Bible as Not Being Corrupt, Right? By the way, is the Book Of Mormon only published in English, or is it translated?
JwafatE, after reading your answer to your own question all I can say of you is to cite this scripture:
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Matt. 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
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Can one be a Christian and not believe or read the Bible? or Is it essential that all Christians know scripture & use it as their standard to acceptable living in the eyes of God?
There WAS no Bible when Christ's disciples were first called Christians. So yes, it is possible.
And even those who cannot read a book can become Christians.
Answer to:
I repeatedly asked for all those corrupt scriptures & am given no examples. So, I guess we can put that one to rest and accept the Bible as Not Being Corrupt, Right? By the way, is the Book Of Mormon only published in English, or is it translated?
Liar.
You were given examples and attempted to blow them off with nonsensical twists of illogic.
Now you lie, saying you were given no examples.
What we can put to rest is the whimsical notion that the Bible is without error.
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To enlighten your ignorance, the Book of Mormon has been translated in to almost every language.
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Answer to:
"Religion is the opiate of the masses" - Discuss =)
Satan and those who follow him can take control if they can convince enough of the people of that.
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It is not true however.
Those cases where the principles taught by religion are actually followed show results all out of proportion to, and in fact incompatible with a mere mind numbing drug.
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LdS: What happens when someone who is legally practicing polygamy wants to join the LdS Church? Are they allowed to keep their current wives and families?
Sounds like a trick question to me.
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No answer is needed or likely to be made by the church unless someone can first be found who is "legally" practicing polygamy.
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It doesn't happen in this country, but perhaps it could in another country. I'm sure the ruling can and will be made if that situation arises. I'm not sure it would be mentioned here, as it is...
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I am unable to follow today’s LDS teachings when its foundation (Joseph Smith story) is so flaky and easily seen as nothing but a big fat lie. That the Mormon faith has grown to its present size with so many intelligent people really bewilders me. How?
It is because Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, his story is true, And the Holy Ghost has testified to many of us to the truth of that.
Answer to:
LdS, my RLDS friend tells me that Joseph Smith III was the rightful heir to his Father's office(s). And by not later ceding the Presidency to JSIII (and by sanctioning polygamy) Brigham Young lead the Utah LdS Church into apostasy. Why is this wrong?
Joseph Smith III was never heir to the office of President and Prophet, only the son of the man God had called to that office.
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The Presidency of the church never belonged to Joseph Smith. It belonged to God and was and is his to fill as he sees fit.
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God called Brigham Young to that office through the Quorum of the 12 apostles, the highest remaining earthly authority after the death of...
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Answer to:
How often are you in a hurry?
Most of the time.
The rest of the time I'm usually waiting forever for something.
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Answer to:
My roommates keep turning the thermostat down to 67, all day, even at night. I hate the cold, live in Florida, and turn it up to 75 or 80 when they go to sleep. What do I do to get it through their minds that it's too damned cold?
First get it through your head that to them it's too hot.
Then and only then will you be ready to discuss a compromise with them.
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Do you think everyone from Adam till the end of the Mellennium, has a knowledge of Jesus &had a chance to accept him? How could his work be finished? God would be unjust if He condemned millions of His children to Hell through no fault of their own.?
No they have not.
But each and every one WILL have that knowledge and opportunity before they come to judgement.
Those who did not have it in this life will have it in the next, before the resurrection.
God is Just and Merciful. None will be condemned without that chance.
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BYU Professor Elouise Bell has observed "...without it [loyal opposition] we cause ourselves and others needless grief and may actually hinder what we would advance." Do you think that the LDS Church will ever tolerant loyal opposition within it's ranks?
The function of a loyal opposition is to see that all sides of a question are considered by men who are by definition fallible. And among men this is indeed a necessary function.
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Where God (who is NOT fallible) governs, there cannot, virtually by definition, be any such thing as a "Loyal" opposition.
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Mormons: If Apostasy is, "The formal religious disaffiliation or abandonment or renunciation of one's religion," don't the CoJCofLdS Apostacies of 1837 & 1844 qualify as a "Great Apostasy" equal to or greater than the one condemned in the First Vision?
The Great Apostasy was a complete falling away. There can be no greater apostasy.
And the apostasies you speak of were lesser, involving only a fraction of the members.
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Answer to:
Before he died Thomas S. Ferguson claimed that Apostle Hugh B. Brown told him privately that he had come to the conclusion that the Book of Abraham was false and was in favor of the LDS Church giving it up. Brown later denied this. Who should we believe?
A court of law would consider Ferguson's claim hearsay, and not accept it as evidence.
Why should we treat it any differently?
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Why do Mormons insist that Ezekiel 37:15-22 is about two books instead of about two kingdoms as god Himself explained in verse 22?
Because it IS about two BOOKS that are the RECORDS of two KINGDOMS.
The Bible is the stick (scroll), record, of Judah.
The Book of Mormon is the stick (scroll), record, of Ephraim.
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In Genesis 3 the serpent tells Adam and Eve "you will be like God." Isn't this the same thing that is taught in Mormon Exaltation?
No.
He further said "knowing good and evil."
And in that respect and that one only they did indeed become like God."
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Exaltation is the full meal deal.
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Latter-day Saints, why were the original Joseph Smith Articles of Faith modified in 1881 and 1902 to form the current Articles? And do you foresee them changing from their current form via a future revision?
You assert they were changed.
I'll need to see the specific changes.
And I do hope you have sources I can accept as authoritative.
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Then we can see if the changes matter.
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Answer to:
"The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" follows the "We believe..." convention/formula/language of creeds. Some non-LDS Scholars and Theologians have asserted that it IS in fact a creed. So why isn't it called a creed?
The Articles of faith were written by Joseph Smith in answer to the question "What do Mormons believe?"
How else, then, should they be phrased.
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They are, however, a thumbnail sketch of our core beliefs, written to give others a basic understanding of the church, and were never intended to be a complete list of all the things we believe.
Nor could they be, as the prophet may be...
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How can Mormons be christian, when they do not teach anything Christians teach, the way Christians teach them?
Seems to me that this question is of the
"Do you still beat your wife" variety.
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Looked at in that way it can only be answered:
Since Mormons ARE Christians then they DO teach everything in EXACTLY the way some Christians teach them.
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QED
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Answer to:
When was the last time someone said to you "i love you"?
Today, in 4 separate occasions, from my mother, my sister, my wife and my daughter. (8 if you count the fact that I said it to each of them as well)
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"... the Bible hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, people’s interpretation thereof has changed, quite a bit. :-( ..." Where are all these corrupted versions of the bible that s only valid if interpreted correctly? Can you cite one verse that is incorrect?
Oh? The Bible hasn't changed?
Which one? (There are several different ones in English alone. And translations in to hundreds of different languages.)
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Try writing EXACTLY the same thing in any two languages for one page, much less 66 books. It can't be done.
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And we don't have the originals of any of the documents that went in to the Bible. Only copies of copies of copies.
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Answer to:
A jerk at a party called me a "Femi-nazi" because I asked him why he thought it was weird that women could be good golfers. Any ideas on how to punish the clown?
If this was a private conversation that nobody else was listening to, a good response would be to yell at the top of your lungs "YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?!?!?"
Then if people ask you what happened simply say "It was too bizzar, I simply can't repeat it. I don't want to think about it."
Then get far away from him and watch him try to explain his way out of THAT!
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I know that I am asking a loaded ?, but why are some Americans so anal about gay marriage..It works in other areas of the world and nobody cares. Separation of church and state should be manditory...therefore why does anyone care who one sleeps with?
>Separation of church and state should be manditory.<
What ever gave you that idea?
The First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits Congress from regulating religion (which they have done in spite of it.)
It does not say, nor did it's authors intend, that the religious beliefs of Congress and the citizens should play no part in government. (A practical impossibility in any case,...
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It's been said, "In the end, the Mormon defenders are talking to themselves. All of the endless round and round debates are simply sparring practice for a mind that must remain beefed up against the pummeling of reality." Is this true? Why or why not?
It is not true.
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First, in presenting my beliefs and studying the scriptures to answer challenges I gain a greater understanding of the scriptures and the Gospel.
That alone makes it worthwhile for me.
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Second, there are silent watchers on the board who may accept as true any idea for which no alternative is presented thinking "if it weren't true, someone would have said...
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Why was polygamy practiced in the LDS Church? When did it official start in this 'dispensation' and by whom was it taught?
Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord concerning the multiple wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon.
He was given section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants in reply, explaining it and commanding the practice in this dispensation.
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Our "Guide to the Scriptures" says:
PLURAL MARRIAGE: The marriage of a husband to two or more living wives. It is lawful...
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Is there a purpose for our being here on earth, if so what are we supposed to accomplish here?
We are here for two purposes.
First, to obtain physical bodies.
Second, walking by faith, to learn to govern the body, with it's appetites and passions in an environment where we can make mistakes and learn from them without being condemned. And to learn to love and help one another along the way.
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You know the scriptures in the bible have never been wrong,can scientist say that?if you say that the bible has been wrong,can you show me where?
Here are two cases where it disagrees with itself.
No other proof than this is needed:
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---------Paul’s Vision on the Road to Damascus:
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Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
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Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the avoice of him that spake to me.
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...
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My husband's mother and my father just declared commonlaw. His being my step brother now is hard for me to swallow. I don't know what to do! I think the only way for me to be happy is to leave my husband and start over. Please help! (
You did nothing wrong in marrying him.
What your parents did after you were married does not change that.
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Laws that prevent brother from marrying sister exist to prevent genetic problems that can result when mother and father have the same parents themselves.
You and your husband are NOT brother and sister, and have no genetic parents in common.
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But if you think THIS is hard for YOU...
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Answer to:
What acid consists of only two elements
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrogen and Chlorine
Answer to:
Ezra T. Benson spoke out against Socialism. However, Joseph Smith practiced Socialism in the "United Order" and it was resurrected in Theocratic Utah. How could Benson take such a strong anti-Socialist stance in light of Mormon History and LDS Scripture?
To answer your original question exactly as asked: Ezra Taft Benson could take such a strong anti-Socialist stance in light of Mormon History because he understood the difference between the United Order, which the church has practiced, and Socialism, which it has never practiced.
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This is an understanding you obviously do not have,
and apparently do not want.
Answer to:
If you knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was the only true church on earth today, would you join?
We've asked them questions of this sort in the past, and the answer is invariably that most of them cannot let go of their precious prejudices and preconceptions long enough to read it carefully, imagine themselves in that situation, and answer honestly.
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Answer to:
Do the Mormon Church's teachings make you feel uncomfortable?
Only when they remind me that some of the things I do and do not do are wrong.
Being reminded of our own flaws is NEVER comfortable!
Answer to:
My boyfriend sees me as his savior since ive been there for him even though he has physically and emotionally abused me. i feel guilty when i want to get away because i feel like he needs me (he has anxiety disorder). how do i leave?
You put one foot in front of the other and don't look back.
He doesn't need YOU. He needs psychiatric help.
YOU need to get away from the abuse.
You don't deserve it and there is no reason to put up with it.
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Answer to:
What is the best way for a male manager at work place to resolve the conflict between two junior female staff?
Call both of them in, and a suitable witness.
Lay out the problem and the effect it is having in the workplace.
Then tell them they will have some time to work it out between them, but the conflict will go.
The only question is whether they will go with it.
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What do you think people fear the most?
Fear itself.
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Answer to:
Ezra T. Benson spoke out against Socialism. However, Joseph Smith practiced Socialism in the "United Order" and it was resurrected in Theocratic Utah. How could Benson take such a strong anti-Socialist stance in light of Mormon History and LDS Scripture?
To the uninformed there is a superficial resemblance between socialism and the United order. The inner realities of the two however, are as different as night and day.
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Socialism is imposed by force on people who have no desire to live under it.
The United Order is voluntary, not imposed by force.
That makes all the difference.
The saints were not ready and able to live it when it was...
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LDS how do you feel about the temple scene in the HBO "Big Love" episode that aired on Sunday March 15, 2009? Here's a link to a clip if you missed it http://www.beyondmormonism.com/bobo.wmv or you can use the one below.
Had they let others in their very presence would have been a disturbing influence.
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And when they left they would have claimed it was a sanitized version put on specifically to try to fool them, and that the actual thing was obviously being done elsewhere under a blanket of deepest darkest secrecy.
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Answer to:
Will there ever come a time when we will not be able to repent for our sins?
For the majority of us we cannot repent after final judgment.
But there are also rare cases such as Judas, who's opportunity to repent ended with his betrayal of Jesus.
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If someone were to kidnap, rape and murder my daughter... and I expose that person... Am I a hater of that person? Am I an Anti- of that pers? Or am I a concerned and justified parent in my actions?
Nifty way to slander while avoiding slander charges.
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Answer to:
LDS how do you feel about the temple scene in the HBO "Big Love" episode that aired on Sunday March 15, 2009? Here's a link to a clip if you missed it http://www.beyondmormonism.com/bobo.wmv or you can use the one below.
If accurate, it does not belong on public display against our wishes.
If not accurate, it should not be represented as such.
Yes I know if it is accurate.
And no, I won't say.
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How would you feel about someone putting bedroom scenes purportedly from your life on public display against your wishes?
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Answer to:
If Joseph Smith wanted to permanently silence William Law why didn't he sue him for libel and/or slander instead of having the Nauvoo Expositor printing press proclaimed a public nuisance and destroyed by the Town Marshall on June 10, 1844?
This was a time and place where the saints were being physically attacked. Joseph was being accused of one thing after another, though they could never get a conviction. The community in general was against them and ready to believe what the Expositor printed with or without evidence.
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Not an atmosphere where a conviction for libel was likely, however justified.
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And this sod had the...
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Answer to:
If you were suddenly called to be the leader of your Church, be it Prophet, Minister, or Pope, what, if anything, would you change immediately?
Absolutely nothing.
Before I change anything I want to know why it is the way it is first.
A leader always has information available to him/her that is not readily available to the rank and file.
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Answer to:
You get a hefty promotion with a bonus. Later your super or boss calls to tell you it was a mistake and will have to be undone. Before he/she can do that he/she suffers a heart attack and dies. No one else knows your promotion was wrong. Do you keep it?
If the new super or boss decides it needs to be undone he/she will see that it happens.
But it is his/her decision to make now, not that of the previous super/boss.
I wait and see what happens.
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Answer to:
In your opinion: Is wanting to do something the same as doing it? Seems like I come across a lot of ppl that get this confused.
I assume you mean doing something wrong.
I think there are several steps here, all different but related. In ascending order they are:
1) Being presented with a temptation.
2) Feeling tempted.
3) Wanting to do, but restrained by the knowledge that it is not right.
4) Wanting to do, but restrained by fear of consequences.
5) Wanting to do, awaiting only the opportunity.
6) Doing
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Answer to:
I am LDS and have come across a quote that confuses me: - a reference to the "unforgivable sin" what does this refer to.
Murder is referred to as the unforgivable sin. It can, however, be pardoned.
The only sin which is worse is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is both unforgivable and unpardonable.
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In all honesty... I am curious..Are you saved through the Grace of Jesus Christ or the Faith in Mormonism? It has been stated by the LDS church, a personal relationship with Jesus is rediculous - Only those who believe LDS doctrine, are truely saved...
We are saved by grace. Not by anything we can do.
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But there are things we must also do if we are to be saved. The doctrine to tell us what we must do, and the authority to do critical parts of it are present in the LDS church, and nowhere else in this world.
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Answer to:
The fact of the matter is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts truth from any source. Is this a true statement?
If and when we can determine that it IS the truth, we do.
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Time and experience show however, that some sources are more likely to produce truth than others.
God, speaking through his prophets, and the witness of the Holy Ghost are the only absolutely reliable sources.
Others sources produce truth so seldom, and in such manner as is designed to mislead, that no investigation of what they...
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Answer to:
What literal or spiritual "Rock" does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints stand on? What is the pivital point that is beyond reproach or denial, that is the absolute truth of this religion?
Revelation from God.
The same Rock Jesus was referring to when he stated HOW Peter knew he was the Son of God.
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Matthew 16:15-18
15 He saith unto them, But whom say aye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it...
Answer to:
The Earth is square. Disagree? Prove me wrong!
Show me the corners or consider yourself proven wrong.
Answer to:
My church believes you should tithe 10% of your gross earnings. I try to be generous with my time, talents and money to help others & give to the church, but it takes almost all of my take home pay to get through the month. So, how do you do it?
I find that when I pay tithing it is easier to live on the remaining 90% than it is to live on 100% when I do not pay it.
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The only explanation I can find is that God keeps his promises. Otherwise it defies rational explanation.
And yet it is an observed fact.
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Answer to:
Will the earth last forever?
Not even scientists are foolish enough to believe that.
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Answer to:
When the Bible says the earth was created in six days, does that mean literally six 24 hour days?
The Bible seems to suggest that a day with God is 1000 years to men.
However, day as used in this context seems to refer to a period of continuing and related activity, regardless of how much time actually passed.
That interpretation would set no time limit on creation whatsoever, and would not even require that the "days" were all of the same length.
We still use the term in that...
Answer to:
When Jesus returns will he be a Rabbi with earlocks and wearing a beard and a skullcap? I heard The Reverend John Hagee say so in a sermon last week. I read my Bible every day, but had not even thought about that...what do you think?
During his earthly ministry Jesus did not allow himself to be constrained by Jewish doctrine.
When he comes again I don't imagine he will allow his appearance to be constrained by modern Jewish customs either.
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Does the Bible say there will be no Prophets on earth, in the last days?
No it doesn't.
God has said he will do nothing without telling his servants the prophets.
A belief that there will be no prophets on earth in the last days implies a belief that God will do nothing in the last days.
And that would be an enormous change for an unchanging God.
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Answer to:
There's a rumor going around about a law that might be passed saying models that weigh under a certain amount have an eating disorder and can't work for them.Do you agree with this?
Sounds ridiculous to me.
Such a law would make it impossible to model clothing for children or little people.
And its not something the government has any business regulating. They have their finger in too many pies already!
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Answer to:
Okay so an 'aquantance' says that jockeys (horse jockeys) only have to weigh a certain amount. i say thats important, but they also have to be pretty small..whos right?
Neither weight nor size is actually required for a jockey, but the less weight the horse is carrying the faster he can run, and smaller people generally weigh less.
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Answer to:
Why do some Mormons hate seeing questions being asked on AB about LDS Church History? I say this because typically within minutes of asking a question - be it speculative or factual - about LDS Church History it gets negged regardless the subject or topic
Experience has taught us that in most cases the questions are not asked to clarify a point, but rather to pick a fight. We have better uses for our time.
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Obscure points of possible doctrine are another red flag usually indicating someone who wants to pick a fight.
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We respond much better to those who actually want to learn something significant about what we believe, and are willing to...
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Answer to:
Why do meteorologists seem to only call sunny, hot, cloudless, blue-sky weather as "good" or "perfect" and they call rainy, snowy, windy,cloudy weather as "bad" or " weather 'to-suffer-through-to-get-to-the-perfect-sunny-weather-again ' "?
Guess they just don't like wearing coats or carrying umbrellas.
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Answer to:
LDS claim that when Joseph Smith, "...told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth" that didn't mean that it was "perfect." Candidly I've never understood how "correct" doesn't = "perfect". Can someone explain this?
Most correct means fewest errors.
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Answer to:
J. Smith said, "I was answered [by God] that I must join none of them [non-LDS churches], for they were all wrong…their creeds were an abomination in [God’s] sight" (JS History 1:19) Isn't this the same kind of "bashing" that LDS complain about?
No. Just a simple statement of fact.
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This was God speaking.
He is the ultimate authority on which church is his.
And he should know what is an abomination in his sight.
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Answer to:
Do you like giving people your opinion?
Now that is a question guaranteed to get a biased answer.
Who is going to give you an answer?
Only people who like to give their opinion will answer.
Answer to:
What's your opinion on sarcastic people?
They can wind up being very lonely.
And with good reason.
Of course some of them are so wrapped up in themselves that the never even notice how people avoid them.
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I think that excuses like "my dog ate my homework" and "my sister did it" are really lame i mean no one is going to believe that for sure but do you think they could actually come in handy someday?
You generally won't be believed if you say such things.
Which is really awkward if your dog DID eat your homework.
Or if your sister did it.
(Has anyone here ever actually had their sister eat their homework?)
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Answer to:
What size of breasts to men prefer?
Contemplating a reduction, not really sure what size to go down to, this is the only "tie-breaker" I could think of. =]
Men's preferences vary as much as breast sizes do.
If you decide to do it, do it because it pleases you.
(For example: If they are uncomfortably large that would be a good reason.)
Whatever you decide, there will always be men who prefer them that way, including if you decide to leave them as they now are.
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And ALWAYS remember, an man who chooses you only (or even mainly) for the...
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Answer to:
On social issues, I agree with liberal viewpoints. But activists make me sick. The whole "one person can make a difference" idea is simply disgusting to me.
Why is that?
Actually, one person can make a difference. It may be a very tiny difference, but its cumulative. And the things a billion people can do will never happen if they are all convinced they personally cannot make a difference and therefore don't try.
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And the tiny difference one person can make may make all the difference for someone in desperate need of it.
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Your disgust with the...
Answer to:
Does anyone know the author of a couple of novels about a device that encloses things in a shinny, silver, frictionless bubble within which time is frozen until the bubble ceases to exist at a predetermined time later? the bubbles are indestructible.
The author is Vernor Vinge.
The two books using this device that I know of are:
"The Peace War"
"Marooned in Realtime"
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Answer to:
Do you know your Bible? If Jesus died on Friday night and rose Sunday morning....how did He spend the three days in the tomb as prophesied?
He was in the tomb on Friday (though not the entire day).
He was in the tomb on Saturday (the entire day).
He was in the tomb on Sunday (though not the entire day).
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Count them, 1, 2, 3 days that he was in the tomb, just as prophesied.
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Answer to:
How does God feel about gay marriage?
He is against it.
Answer to:
Do you completely trust anyone?
God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Ghost.
My wife in 4th place because she isn't always right.
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Answer to:
Since the time when Brigham Young taught that both the moon and the sun were inhabited by people, has the Mormon Church ever found scientific evidence of that to be true (Journal of Discourses, 1870, v.13, p.271)?
I don't have access to the Journal of Discourses, so I can't look and see what was said. It might make better sense in the original than in the reports rendered by scoffers.
In any case, remember, each prophet is also a student, with God as his teacher. Students make mistakes, and learn from them. And the teacher lets them make mistakes because that is a major learning tool.
...
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Answer to:
If someone came up to me and said they spoke to God I would want some kind of evidence. So why should I believe what Joseph Smith said since there isn't any evidence that he ever spoke to God? I am dead serious. If there is evidence please let me know.
There IS evidence.
Don't take the man on his own word alone.
Ask God.
There are promises from him in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon that prayers will be answered, and that through the power of the Holy Ghost you can know the truth of all things.
So if your seriously want to know, take God at his word as recorded in scripture and ASK him.
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Answer to:
Since the Bible’s test to determine whether someone is a true prophet of God is 100% accuracy in all his prophecies (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), has the LDS Church ever reconsidered its teaching that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were true prophets?
We will consider it if you will admit that God gave a false prophecy when he said that Adam and Eve should not eat the fruit "for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (They lived nearly a thousand years after eating it!)
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Answer to:
Why does the Mormon Church still teach that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God after he made a false prophecy about a temple being built in Missouri in his generation (Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5)?
Joseph did dedicate the temple lot, though the temple has yet to be built there.
And generation can be a somewhat slippery term as used in scripture, just as the term day can be.
But, if you take it literally as those living at the time this scripture was written, then I must ask:
How do you know they have all passed away?
Can you prove it?
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Answer to:
Question for Mormons or ex-Mormons: Were you ever taught, as I was, that Bigfoot is ACTUALLY Cain from the Genesis story, and that a general authority actually met him while on a horseback ride?
I don't know who taught you that.
But I'll bet the DATE was the first day of April!
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Answer to:
The hbo show big love is going to show one of the characters doing an "endowment" hbo claims it will be done respectfully, is it possible to show portions of the endowment respectfully? would it be ok if they left out certian parts?
I don't see how you could possibly "respectfully" publicly show any part of a ceremony that is sacred and private to someone else.
Seems to me that doing so conveys a considerable lack of respect for their feelings.
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Answer to:
Mormons, it's been said, 'Belief trumps evidence' in regards to how people approach religious faith. If there WERE an evidence that would cause you to abandon Mormonism what would it be?
A witness from the Holy Ghost that that was the case would do it.
I can't imagine anything else that would.
Of course, there are doubtless an awful lot of things I can't imagine, and most anything could be hiding in there.
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Answer to:
What is the Mormon belief regarding forgiveness of murder?
We are told that murder cannot be forgiven,
but that is can be pardoned.
In this it is second only to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which can be neither forgiven nor pardoned.
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Answer to:
What are the Mormons beliefs regarding angels?
They are people who have lived or will live on this earth at some time. They are, like mortals, sons and daughters of God. If they have lived, they may also be resurrected beings.
In their function as angels they are messengers from God.
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Answer to:
Why do mormons have masonic beliefs
We don't have masonic beliefs.
We have correct beliefs.
If some correct beliefs have survived from the past with the masons, then they would naturally match.
But theirs are not the source for ours.
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Answer to:
LDS is using the practice of, "Milk before meat" (as advocated and demonstrated by BYU Professor Robert Millet in the embedded video and link below) with those investigating the LDS Church is deceptive? Please explain why or why not.
Not deceptive. Just necessary.
Line upon line, precept upon precept,
until they are ready to understand the meat.
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Just like teaching mathematics. Start kids out with Calculus and it not only doesn't work, it leaves the poor kids terribly confused.
First you must teach basic arithmetic, then build up the next level and so on until the they know enough to understand what you are...
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Answer to:
What is your favourite children's song of all time?
Hey Daddy (There's a Dragon in the Driveway.)
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And I've lost my recording of it and forgotten the artist's name.
Would sure like to get it again.
Answer to:
There's this girl in my school who calls me bad names. She says I shouldn't be wearing l skirts all the time and i shouldn't be hangin out with boys and her bf so much. She says im ugly but most people say im pretty, even her bf did. Why am I being harass
You said it yourself.
Her boyfriend said you are pretty.
Sounds like he likes you in skirts too.
She sees you as "hanging out with her bf"
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She feels threatened,
and you are the ENEMY!
Answer to:
Can an American join the Canadian military?
That sort of thing can change at any time.
I do know it has been done in the past.
Answer to:
Honest and innocent question: If a good, hard working job was offered to a homeless person, would they seriously take it?
Some will, some won't.
That's the difference between
a Hobo (he'll work)
and a Bum (he won't).
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Answer to:
I think the best way to jumpstart our economy is for our government to print lots of money, and then give away say, a million dollars to each household in the form of a tax rebate. Everybody will be happy. Do you agree?
Its been tried. It won't work.
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Before our present government we had a "Continental Congress".
They had no power to tax, so their only way to get money was to print it, as you suggest.
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The result was an economic collapse characterized best by the phrase "Not worth a Continental (dollar)"
The observation that "If you want to buy a wagon load of groceries...
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Answer to:
Do you eat ice cream from a bowl, cup, cone, or what?
Yes.
And for me "what" includes"
Out of the box
As a topping on cakes or pies
From a plate
With my fingers (frozen hard and sliced, carton and all)
Floating in a drink (Ginger Ale or Root Beer can really be good)
And I'm still open to new ideas!
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Answer to:
In the past 8yrs 401,328 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were either excommunicated or withdrew their names from Church records (not including those that became less active). Isn't that figure a little worrying?
The great majority of those are new members who decide this isn't for them after all, or who will not live within the Gospel on major points.
They are significantly outnumbered by those who have joined the church in the same period.
And the Church continues to grow.
Only if it begins to shrink will you have something to crow about.
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Answer to:
LDS, Article #7 of the Articles of Faith says, "We believe in the gift of tongues ... interpretation of tongues, and so forth." It's clear from the historical record that the Early Mormons spoke in tongues. So why don't modern Mormon speak in tongues too?
What makes you think they don't.
We simply don't shout and wave it about.
Like all other gifts from God Tongues is given where there is a need to communicate the gospel to those whose language the speaker does not know.
It may pass almost unnoticed because the important thing and the truly impressive one is the message, not how it is delivered.
With only rare exceptions the Gifts...
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Answer to:
Why would a Mormon missionary, that I invited into my house, tell me that all of my loved ones are burning in Hell because they were not Mormon? Why would he be shocked because I snapped and threw him out? Is this really the best way to convert others?
Your reaction was entirely understandable.
So was his.
This HAS to have been a brand new missionary, 19 years old full of himself more than full of the gospel, confident he personally can convert the world, and tactless as teenagers so often are. I'll bet he was shocked! Put his foot so far down his own throat he was chewing on the belt buckle before he knew what hit him!
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What he...
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Answer to:
How can Mormons be christian, when they do not teach anything Christians teach, the way Christians teach them?
Mormons are Christians because they accept Jesus Christ as their guide and teacher.
Anyone else who does that is also a Christian.
Errors in what is taught and how it is taught don't change that. If it did there would be only one Christian; Jesus Christ himself. Noone else is or ever has been error free in what and how they taught at all times.
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Answer to:
What the official name for Mormon church?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Answer to:
In the 1990s, the Church of Jesus Christ standardized the official names of all of its U.S. temples as [City] [State/Province] [Country]—except for one: the Salt Lake Temple. Does this bother you?
Not in the least.
Its a matter of convenience.
It was most convenient to standardize naming.
But in the case of that one temple, because people were so familiar with it by that name, it was most convenient to leave it alone.
Answer to:
Who, in your opinion, is the greatest Christian living on earth today?
I think it best to let that one lie:
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Mark 9:34-35
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Answer to:
When I was Mormon, I was taught that what the Book of Mormon calls "the great and abominable church which is the whore of all the Earth" is actually the Roman Catholic Church. Was this taught in your ward? Has this changed, as other LDS beliefs have?
The Book of Mormon never said that. It says:
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1 Ne. 14:10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.
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Thus the...
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Answer to:
Why do some Christian groups frown on the Catholic church when it is the chuirch that gave birth to virtually all Protestant denominations, including the fundamentalist groups? This tension has costs lives and continues to divide.It seems pointless.
We are dealing here with something near and dear to the heart of Satan. He loves dissent, division and confusion. And he does whatever he can to create it at every turn.
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Answer to:
Why are there so many Mormonism question on AB? There seem to be more than any other Christian denimination or sect, including much larger groups like Catholics and Protestants.
God does his work and Satan opposes it.
And its never a peaceful process.
It wasn't when Jesus established his church in the meridian of time.
It isn't now that he has re-established it in these last days.
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Answer to:
My bf is mormon. i want to know what the difference is between "being sealed" or having an "eternal marriage" by being married in the temple is different from a normal ceremony where you light a UNITY candle that "seals" the marriage and make it "eternal"
Calling a marriage eternal doesn't make it so.
That requires authority.
The priesthood is the required authority.
The temple is where we are permitted to use that authority for that purpose.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe God is a human man on another planet, and that they will become other gods someday?
We believe God WAS a man once, but that he is much more than that now.
We believe that as his sons and daughters it is possible for us to grow up to be just like him, Gods creating worlds and populating them with our spirit children just as he has done here with us.
Answer to:
Does belonging to a church make you a Christian?
No more than sleeping in a garage makes you an automobile.
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The measure of a Christian is not what he's in,
It's what's in him.
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If he has chosen Christ as his guide and teacher, he's a Christian, with or without a church.
If not, he's not a Christian, no matter what he masquerades as.
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As a practical matter I simply take a man's word for it.
If he...
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Answer to:
Does an individual have to belong to a Church to be a Christian?
I define anyone who has chosen Christ as his guide and teacher to be a Christian.
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There are, however, people who insist you believer pretty much what they believe before they will accept you as a Christian.
Answer to:
LDS why do you think that much of Joseph Smith's Theology mirrored Emanuel Swedenborg's? Reference: https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_mira&Itemid=35&searchword=swedenborg&filter=all&searchphrase=any&constraint=none
If Emanuel Swedenborg read and correctly understood the scriptures then I would expect the truth, as revealed by God through Joseph Smith to run a fairly close parallel.
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Answer to:
For current or former Mormons: According to doctrine, did the God of this world create the souls of its inhabitants, or have our souls ALWAYS existed?
D&C 93:29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/93/29-30,36#29
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Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what is meant by this.
But it sounds to me as if we have always existed just as God has, and our spirits were not created by him. That in turn would imply that his...
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Answer to:
Is there anything else other than a stimulus bill, or massive tax cuts thats could have a big enough impact to turn the economy around
Stimulus packages won't do it. Where do you think that money comes from?
Tax cuts won't do it. Just slow the descent a little.
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We just elected a new President as our leader.
What we need is for him to LEAD!
Declare war on the "economic situation"
Sound the trumpet and lead the charge!
Get Americans to demand and buy American made goods.
Foster a mindset where a...
Answer to:
My boyfriend says he loves me and sees a future for us, but also that he needs time to think. Is he going to break up with me? Should I leave him alone or try to talk to him?
Could be he does indeed love you and is thinking marriage as a possible future.
If so, he may have begun to realize just how big a commitment that is, and started to panic and ask himself if he is really ready to make and keep that kind of commitment.
If so, I wouldn't wonder that he needs time to think.
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I suggest: be there for him, but don't pressure him.
Invite him to talk,...
Answer to:
Are there different kinds of Mormons?
Sounds like you're re-discovering a well known fact:
There ARE two kinds of people;
Those that divide people in to two kinds,
And those that do not.
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Answer to:
Historian and author Edward Leo Lyman says San Bernardino, not Los Angeles, could have become the dominant city in Southern California, if Brigham Young hadn't issued the 1857 Mormon recall. Do you agree? Why or Why Not?
Navoo Illinois was a booming community with a rapidly growing population. A major reason for the reaction against the church at that time, and the mormons being driven out of the state entirely, was fear of the growing political power of a church with "unacceptable" beliefs.
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Had San Bernardino remained a "Mormon" city, the same kind of reaction and violence might have...
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Answer to:
Do you feel that Brigham Young make thing by recalling all the Mormons from the San Bernardino "Calif. Colony" in 1857 and why? I'm interested in having a thoughtful dialog on this MOST intriguing question.
It's not quite clear just what you are asking.
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I do think the recall made sense in several respects.
1) The California colony was in relatively close proximity to non LDS communities, with the potential to develop the same conflicts that had already occurred in the east. Time, and a lack of conflict was needed while the world learned to see the church as a harmless, if strange, new...
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Answer to:
It's been unscientifically estimated by Mormon Studies Scholars that 60-70% of Ex-Mormons become Atheists or Agnostic after leaving the LDS Church. Some later become Theists of some flavor but most do not. Why do you think this is?
I think they left the church looking for a "better" one, and didn't find it.
("Better" in this context being one they find more pleasing to them.)
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Answer to:
If men can go to the beach without a t-shirt, why can't women go topless?
Social norms in our present society.
It is acceptable for men. Not for women.
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Such social norms vary with the society, and even within the society over time.
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A century ago, full coverage suits, including tops, were the norm for men as well as women in this country.
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The main reason apart from these customs for not walking around naked are the protective and decorative functions of...
Answer to:
If little people (dwarfs) have a special lobby to help make things more friendly to their size, why don't large people ('6"2< or so) have a special organization to lobby for their needs? Couldn't we find people to go to manufacturers and fight for us etc.
They have such a lobby because the created it.
People like us, 6' 2" and over don't have one because we have not created one.
Seems fair enough to me.
We certainly could do as you suggest.
Are you volunteering to lead the effort?
Answer to:
Does anyone need a bible to believe in God and why Jesus died for us all?
How would you know God and Jesus even existed without a Bible or some equivalent? (Even an oral tradition)
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Answer to:
No offence meant. Just questions to get your thoughts – is John 17:3 right or wrong, did Jesus say “THEE the ONLY true God” or should it have been “ME the ONLY true God?"
"Thee" is correct.
There are a number of other places where he makes a clear distinction between himself and God.
(My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.)
(Why call me good? None is good save God.)
(I ascend to my God and your God.)
(If it be thy will let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.)
And others that evidence the separation as...
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Answer to:
Hal Lindsey had predicted in his book "The Late, Great Planet Earth" that the Rapture was coming in 1988 - one generation or 40 years after the creation of the state of Israel. Does this failed prophecy make him false prophet per Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
Prophecy is information revealed by God.
A prophet is the person who receives that revelation.
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He was not proven a false prophet when his prediction failed because he did not claim to have received it from God. (Not prophecy, and not a prophet.)
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It was a man made prediction based on available data, and was simply wrong.
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Answer to:
If a man lived on a deserted island all his life and never heard of God, Jesus, nor the bible, can he be saved?
Absolutely.
If he did not have the opportunity to receive and accept the Gospel in this life he will have it in the next, before the resurrection.
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Answer to:
What are your Beliefs on Jesus. Did he live? was he gods son? was he just a mad man?
He lived.
He was the Son of God.
He lives.
He is the Son of God.
Answer to:
Was jesus a little selfish to say that he was the only son of god or was he given the title and just had to live with the burden?
Jesus was the only begotten Son of God in the flesh.
Spiritually we are all sons and daughters of God.
Answer to:
Why did Jesus say: "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified? So Jesus was and is a man only?
God is also known as "Man of Holiness".
And Jesus is the Son of "Man of Holiness".
Or in this shortened form, simply The Son of Man.
Answer to:
Why did Brigham Young once state, “How many Gods there are I do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds...." when Isaiah 44:6 says “I am the first, and I am the last; beside me there is no God."?
For us and for our world God is the First, Last and only.
Your mortal father held a similar position as Dad, first, last and only, in the family where you grew up.
You don't deny there were other Dads in your neighborhood, but that didn't confuse you or compromise Dad's unique position in your family.
There are Other worlds than this one with other Gods.
But that does not...
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Answer to:
What is the foundation of the mormon belief of there being more than one God (Eternal Progression)? And, how do mormons handle passages like Isaiah 43:10, 44:6,8 where God says he knows of no other Gods?
In those passages, and indeed in almost all scriptures, God is speaking of this world and what relates to it.
Within that framework He is the only true God there is, has ever been, or will ever be.
Our eternal progression, and becoming Gods, for those able to handle the job, occur outside that framework.
It is really just like the family you grew up in here on the Earth. If your brothers...
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Answer to:
If in LDS Theology Gods are individuals who have passed through mortality and have progressed to Godhood, how has one person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit - attained Godhood without getting a body? (Acts 5:3&4)
The Father is our God.
Though members of the Godhead, neither Jesus nor the Holy Ghost are. They are the Father's representatives, one with him in purpose and doctrine, and acting with full authority from him.
Jesus is our savior and intercessor with God, but commanded us to pray to the father in his name, not to him.
The Holy Ghost is our witness from God of all that God tells us...
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Answer to:
Islam and Christianity are known for converting the world to their religions, why don't the Jews try and convert gentiles?
They are the Lord's Chosen People.
The Gentiles are not.
Answer to:
What makes mormons christian by thier theology?
From “THE 13 ARTICLES OF FAITH”
Written by Joseph Smith in response to the question “What do you believe?”
And now a part of our scriptures”
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1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of...
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Answer to:
Who are the "Latter Day Saints"?
The "Latter Day Saints" are the members of
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", commonly nicknamed the Mormons, after the Book of Mormon.
Answer to:
Why do some (but, thankfully, not all!) Latter Day Saints seem to so clearly see the sins of "Gentiles" against Mormon people and the LDS Church but seem blind to their sins against "Gentiles" and their Churches?
Note that that blindness occurs on both sides.
And it does because the wrongs we suffer have much greater immediacy for us (all human beings) than those we inflict.
But the devil does love contention and discord, and will foster it whenever, wherever and however he can.
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Answer to:
I am SO ticked off at AB right now! Every once in awhile, I will prepare what I think is a really good answer, only to find that AB hangs up or something and will NOT post it. Then I have to rewrite the entire thing! Grrrrrr! Any suggestions?
I prepare long answers in Word.
Any other text editor would work also.
Then copy and paste it in to the AB answer or comment box.
If it hangs up, nothing is lost and I can try again.
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Answer to:
If Mormons believe in the same god, and they just have different rules. Why do parents make a big deal about mormons and why are they concidered so different then christians? i mean whats wrong with them?
Same God.
Different beliefs ABOUT him.
And I can't tell you why we are considered so different FROM Christians; we ARE Christians.
Only explanation I can see is they are afraid we might be right, and the thought scares the whey out of them.
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Answer to:
Why is it that mormons have so many different books? whats wrong with just the bible? that confuses me... im just tryin to understand :D thanks!
Here is the answer, as explained in the Book of Mormon:
2 Nephi 29:6-9
6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that...
Answer to:
Do you believe in "spreading the wealth around"?
Give me some wealth and I'll be glad to start spreading it around.
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But if you mean taking it from those who have worked for it without their permission and giving it to those who have not, that is robbery, except when a government does it. (It may still be robbery then, but you'll never get a conviction in one of the government's courts!)
Answer to:
If a foreign nation invaded The United States, would the American people put up any resistance?
The American people are pretty unhappy right now and can't find a way to attack their problems.
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Give us a nice armed invasion to focus on and we will not only chew them up here, we'll follow them home and clean house there!
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Answer to:
A Question to all relegions....Do you consider A city of Mecca and Ka'aba to be a holy place Since Abraham raise its basis and most prophets have pilgrimage to it at least once?
I do not consider the city to be a holy place.
However, to me, the beliefs of others, even when I do not share them, are worthy of respect.
And for that reason I would treat their holy city with respect.
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Answer to:
I was told mormons don't believe that other gods exist . . . but I thought they believed they could eventually achieve god-hood? How am I to reconcile this?
Not quite. We believe other gods do and will exist.
But to us there is but one God. Others are real, but irrelevant. Outside the framework of this world.
Those of us who become gods will do so outside that framework also. We can become gods, but not in or of this world.
Answer to:
Mormonism teaches God has a body of flesh and bones and was once a man on another world. Is it Christian or not?
The Bible deals with this world, and says virtually nothing about before the world was created or after its end.
God's existence as a mortal took place outside that frame in both time and space. No conflict.
Answer to:
Mormons, D&C 130:22 says: "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also" Why does God need or want such a thing? What good are any of these bodily systems to an omnipotent being? (He doesn't need eyes to see, does he?)
All the things God does for us are designed to help us become more like him.
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He gives us the resurrection, which gives us a perfected and immortal body. If that makes us more like him, then he must have one.
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Answer to:
MY BOYFRIEND KEEPS GOING THROUGH MY PERSONAL THINGS(PURSE,PHONE,CAMERA ETC.) TRYING TO FIN D OUT THINGS OR CATCH ME DOING SOMETHING WRONG OR TO C IF I'M LYING!HE ASKS FOR THE TRUTH THEN USES IT AGAINST ME OR GETS A NASTY ATTITUDE WITH ME. NEED ADVICE
This is your clue that this is not a good choice of boyfriends. And since people generally expect others to act the way they do themselves, it probably means he can't be trusted.
Dump him and look for one who can and will trust you.
Any relationship not built on mutual trust is built on sand.
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Answer to:
The belief in a living Mother in Heaven is implicit in LDS Theology. This has been acknowledged by LDS Church Leaders and Theologians throughout Mormon History (and this is so today as well). Why then do many Mormons angrily and vehemently deny this?
DO they now?!?
Funny, in 62 years I've never met one who did.
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Answer to:
Do you feel that Brigham Young made the right decision by settling the Saints in Utah rather than sticking to the original plan and continuing westward to California or Oregon? Please explain why.
Whatever the original plan may have been, Brigham Young was shown the place where the saints were to go in a vision. When he saw the Salt Lake Valley for the first time he identified it as "the right place.
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So Brigham Young did not make the decision.
God did. That being so, I cannot doubt is was the right decision.
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Answer to:
D&C 129 gives a test by which you can know whether someone claiming to be an angel from God is telling you the truth: you offer to shake his hand, and if you can feel his hand, that proves he is an angel. How does this prove they're a true angel from God?
You have the correct link.
Why didn't you read the whole section?
It's only 9 verses, and verse 8 is your answer.
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Answer to:
The Book of Mormon mentions a harlot named Isabel (Alma 39:3; c. around 73 B.C.). "Isabel" is a name that only came into use in France and Italy during the late middle ages (c. AD 1300–1499). How could it occur in the Book of Mormon during Alma's life?
It probably didn't.
But names have meaning.
Isabel is Hebrew in origin, and means "My God is a vow"
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/search.php?p=qsearch&s_gender=1&s_copt=2&i_search=Isabel
A name used in the Book of Mormon with the same or very similar meaning could be translated to Isabel.
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Answer to:
D&C 137:7 says that all those who die without having heard the gospel will automatically inherit the celestial kingdom. Why then is it necessary to do temple work for them, the purpose of which is to enable them to enter the celestial kingdom?
You left out the middle of the sentence:
"who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry,"
which is important.
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The ordinance work still has to be done (even Jesus, who was perfect, had to be baptized), and before the end of the world all necessary ordinance work will be done.
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This particular vision was the first introduction to ordinance work for the dead,...
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Answer to:
I had a dream that I was walking in a mall loaded with with people while only wearing a bath towel, does anyone know what that could mean? I did not seem worried about it in my dream, just wondering about what it could mean?
It means you're perfectly normal.
Everyone has dreams like this once in a while, of discovering they've gone out in public in their underwear, or nothing at all!
Welcome to the human race wacky and wonderful as it is.
Answer to:
Did The Mormon god have literal sex with Mary to produce Jesus?
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
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Apparently not.
However, it should come as no surprise if a God able to create a man from the dust is also able to cause a virgin to conceive a child who is...
Answer to:
Mormons, why does God need our "mother in heaven" to produce spirits?
How would we know that?
We don't even KNOW that she exists!
Our reason for believing she does (or they do) is that we are told the man is not complete without the woman, and except as married partners they cannot enter in to the highest degree of heaven.
We believe all the commandments God gives us are to help prepare us to be like him. If we are commanded to marry, and this makes us...
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Answer to:
When anyone talks about the trinity they always mention the idea of Jesus being or not being God. Where in the bible is the trinity mentioned and why is the Holy spirit or Ghost never talked about? Where in the Bible is the holy spirit called God?
The term trinity is never used in the Bible.
God is the Father
Jesus Christ is the Son
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit
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Though they are 3 separate individuals, these three are one in purpose and doctrine.
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This simultaneous individuality and unity have been misunderstood and transformed in to something illogical and incomprehensible, and labeled "The Trinity".
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The...
Answer to:
If all we spirit children desperately wanted a body, what about the Holy Ghost, who doesn't have (and apparently never had) a body?
(1 Ne 10:17–19; 31:17; D&C 8:2–3; 39:20–24; 68:25–28; 121:46; AoF 1:4)
I consider it reasonable to suppose that he WILL receive a body when his work as the Holy Ghost is done.
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As you have said, having a body is a desirable thing. I can't conceive of a member of the Godhead being left out of the rewards given to those who choose to do right.
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Answer to:
Since there will be no temptation in heaven, doesn't that mean that we will have lost our free agency, since we can no longer choose to sin?
(D&C 29: 36; D&C 64: 18; D&C 93: 31; D&C 101: 78; Moses 4: 3; Moses 7: 32)
Here in mortality we are in a learning state and need to be made aware of the choices we must make (tempted).
In heaven we will be fully aware of the choices available to us, and able to choose either good or evil, but willing to choose only good.
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Answer to:
What evidence is there to support the total apostasy of the early Christian church, eventually leading to the Joseph Smith restoration? Also, If the TOTAL apostasy never occured, doesn't this mean that no restoration was necessary?
Oops! Moved this. It was meant to be a comment.
Answer to:
What is something a vegitarian can't or won't eat?
They don't eat animal tissues. That includes meat, fish and poultry.
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Some do eat animal products such as milk, cheese and eggs.
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Answer to:
In your view Jesus is / was; A. one equal part of the Trinity B. the Son of God but a separate entity to God C. a preacher working under God’s direction D. a preacher working under his own direction E. not a real person / historical figure
Jesus was the Son of God. A separate entity from the Father, Teaching doctrine that originated with his Father and acting under his Father's direction, and with full authority from him.
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Answer to:
I have a paper to write about protestant faith. Could someone tell me the difference between mormon belief and protestant believe?
Mormons believe their was a total apostasy from the church Jesus established, and that the authority to act in God's name was lost beginning with the death of the apostles.
And that in our time God and Jesus have called a prophet, restored the authority, and reestablished his church on the earth.
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Protestants believe that the authority was never lost, but that the church has lost...
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Answer to:
Guys only: Is it possible for a guy to really love a woman and still cheat on her for one night stands that mean nothing to him? I don't think this is possible, but others say I am wrong.
No.
That's not a man in love.
It's an animal in rut.
Not the same thing at all!
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Answer to:
Do you think there should be a test before you join answerbag to make sure less crazy people join?
Perhaps there should be.
But who gets to define what's crazy?
Answer to:
Isn’t it strange how on answerbag "Atheism" is a sub-heading under Religions. Surely it should be a sub-heading under Social Sciences?
Not at all. It is a religious choice mutually exclusive with each and every established religion. Not just a social theory that may or may not overlap religion purely by chance.
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Answer to:
What did Joseph Smith really do to warrant so much hatred toward him and the Church he Restored?
He restored the truth and the authority to act on it to the world.
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When Jesus came, Satan raised all his followers against him in an attempt to stop God's work and keep the truth from God's children.
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When Joseph Smith began his work, Satan did the exact same thing for the exact same reason.
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Answer to:
How do clouds move in the sky?
Downwind
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Answer to:
I think im a failure, i let my parents down alot... i feel even more depressed than the usual... theres so many things going wrong! .. how is someone supposed to deal with all this?
You posted this under suicide.
You think you've let your parents down a lot?
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THERE IS NO BIGGER LETDOWN THAN HAVING YOUR CHILD COMMIT SUICIDE!
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The first thing you need are friends. Not the "let's party" kind. The real thing. Friends you can let your hair down with knowing they will still be your friends. Friends who will tell you you've got problems, but...
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Answer to:
Do you think it is wrong for an atheist to go out with someone who's dad is a priest?
No, and it's not wrong for a Democrat to go out with a Republican. But if its going any further than that some differences need to be worked out before they cause real heartache. If that can't be done, leave it lie.
Answer to:
Don't you think that since atheist are in the minority they might have it wrong?
Yes, they might have it wrong.
But if so, I don't think it has anything to do with their beliefs loosing a popularity contest.
Answer to:
According to Christianity, must one be Christian to go to heaven? If so, are you telling me Buddha went to hell? If not, will a nice, kindhearted, honest, hard-working atheist have a better chance of getting into heaven than an aggressive, mean Christian?
One must accept Christ (with all that that implies) to get in to heaven. Everyone will have an adequate opportunity to do so. Those who then reject him are not refused entry to heaven, they have refused to enter heaven.
Note: Not everyone gets that opportunity in this life. Those who don't will get it in the next life before they are judged.
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I doubt very much that Buddha did or...
Answer to:
Are christians better than atheists?
Better off.
Not better.
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Answer to:
Why are atheists so unhappy?
Because they are at an insurmountable disadvantage.
When we both die, if I am right, I can tell the atheist "I told you so!"
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If the atheist is right he can't say that!
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Answer to:
If you could get rid of inexpensive assault rifles world wide, or nuculear weapons, which would you choose?
Hate is the killer. Assault rifles and nuclear weapons are just the tools. Eliminate BOTH and hate would still find a way to kill. Rocks, bare hands, whatever is to be had.
Answer to:
Do you think waiting to be financially stable is a good reason to wait to get married? or do you think its just another excuse? if 2 people love each other why not get married right away? if they already have been together for at least a yr?
In this economy?
The word for someone who waits to be financially stable before marrying is:
BACHELOR
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Answer to:
Which reason is most important to you that keeps you from cheating? 1. Because you love your spouse/significant other. 2. You are married and it's against the law and could get in big trouble. 3. Just want to do the right thing. Or any other reason?
I love my wife.
And all that springs from that would take a lifetime to list.
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Answer to:
If you and your spouse were very much in love would you cheat just to see if you could get away with it?
Never!
Like cracking a beautiful bell.
It would never ring true again.
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Answer to:
If you knew for a fact that you could get away with it would you cheat on your spouse or significant other?
Absolutely not.
I love her.
Answer to:
If you knew for a fact that you could get away with it would you cheat on your spouse or significant other?
I would choose not to.
Answer to:
Would a person who has never even considered whether there is a God or not be an atheist or an agnostic?
He would be an agnostic.
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An agnostic has not decided whether he believes in God or not.
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An atheist has decided he does not believe in God.
(Fortunately for him, God is more tolerant.)
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Answer to:
Some believe that Deut. 4:2 and Rev. 22:18-19 mean that nothing should be added to the Bible. How do these scriptures relate to the Book of Mormon?
Those verses are the equivalent of copyright notices for Deuteronomy and Revelation.
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Putting those books in a library (Bible) with 64 other books does not extend the copyright to the rest of the library.
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And it says nothing at all about books such as the Book of Mormon, which are outside of the library entirely.
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The all too common misinterpretation of these scriptures to not only...
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Answer to:
The Book of Mormon says that for there to be happiness, there must be "opposition" (2 Nephi 2:11) - in other words, there must be evil to appreciate good. But how then can we be happy in heaven, where there will be no evil and no temptation?
Evil and temptation will still exist. But they will not be in heaven because noone there will choose them over what is right and good.
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God is not perfect because he never feels temptation. He is perfect because his mastery over temptation is absolute.
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Our goal is to become like him in every respect, including that one.
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You left out sorrow. Surely God feels that when his children...
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Answer to:
Why is that Mormons practice their religion even though they deny their own history, when they deny on their mistakes?
We don't deny our history or our mistakes.
But many lies have been told about us, not the least of which is "they are not Christians". These we deny.
And some of what others call OUR history is not ours at all. It belongs to apostates, splinter groups, and misguided members acting outside all proper (and sometime rational) boundaries. We don't deny this history. We...
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Answer to:
Concerning security camera's in the home - is it legal or illegal in the state of Florida to have security camera's which can record sound as well as video?
If they are sold openly there its a good bet you can use them legally there.
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Ask Law Enforcement before you order them on-line or through the mail.
Answer to:
In a private conversation between two individuals,one being myself, can I record the conversation in secret as proof that they are breaking the law and rules of an organisation? (U.K.)
In the US a court order is required to secretly listen to or record telephone conversations.
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Ask your local Law Enforcement authorities about this one.
Answer to:
My neighbor and I both have wireless video & audio cameras on our homes. Some how he has tapped into our camera and is listen and recording everything we do or say in our garage area. Is this legal?
I don't believe its legal, but unless you have a way to prove it there may be nothing you can do about it but shut down your cameras, or replace with a wired system.
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Talk to the police. They can tell you for sure, give you the details. Make suggestions on what it might take to prove it, and help you file a complaint.
Answer to:
I lost my social security or misplaced it either way what do i do? becuase i know is a big deal
Go to the Social Security office with your Birth Certificate and Driver's License and social security number and they will have a new card sent to you.
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I'm not entirely sure of the ID requirements, or whether you actually need to supply the SSN, so call ahead and ask them exactly what you need.
Answer to:
My ex-boyfriend broke up with me, telling me I was too "comfortable." He's 30! When do guys start wanting a girl who is nice, honest, loyal, and who doesn't play games?
When they grow up.
Some never do.
Answer to:
Why all guys who i met like and care about sex and body more than the personality? does it something natural come with love "i don't think so". I really don't know is the problem in me or in them?? Maybe I don't understand them!! guys i need help.
Those guys are thinking with their balls instead of their brains.
Satisfying appetites without thought is perfectly natural from birth. Learning to value and seek what really matters and control appetites is what growing up is all about. And a lot of men never really grow up.
The problem is in them.
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If ALL the guys you meet are like that maybe you need to get out of the playground and...
Answer to:
Does the human body really need iodine?
Yes it does.
Iodized salt was created because the average diet at that time often did not supply enough iodine to maintain health.
Answer to:
What is your greatest need?
To love and to be loved.
Without that life isn't worth anything.
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Answer to:
What is the greatest human need?
To love and to be loved.
That need is greater than the need for life itself.
And many cases are on record where life is willingly given up for love.
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Answer to:
Us humans need the earth but the earth does not need us humans. Do you agree?
Any ecosystem can be thrown in to disarray by the addition or removal of a single species.
There is NO species more completely involved with the earth's ecosystem than man.
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Yank the earth out from under us as we now are and we would not survive more than a minute or two.
If we suddenly vanished the earth would survive, but there would be a long period of adjustment.
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Personally, I...
Answer to:
So, what exactly is the difference between scientific creation and Biblical creation?
Scientific creation is a study of the facts we have or can discover and verify in an effort to find out what happened.
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Biblical creation is "We know what happened. The guy who did it told us. But he didn't give us any of the details, so we don't know anything about HOW he did it."
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I expect that when we know it all we will see how the two fit together like two...
Answer to:
Is it possible to stay with only ONE person your WHOLE life (NEVER slept with another man/woman, only them) ? Would they eventually get "bored" and see what it's like with another person? Can it work? (no need for anybody else, or an "experience" ?)
It is possible. It can work.
Mind you, I can only say with certainty that it has worked for me for 38 years, and the temptation to stray seems to grow weaker rather than stronger.
I can't say with absolute certainty that this will be so for my entire life until my life is complete, but it seems most likely.
And once I'm dead I can't very well answer questions can I?
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Answer to:
Can a man go thru life being faithful to one woman?
Absolutely yes.
I can only speak with certainty for one man, myself.
But I have known many whose fidelity I have never had cause to doubt.
And I suspect that the great majority of those who agree with me are also basing their answer on first hand experience.
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Answer to:
Why life of woman longer more than man?
In this we seem to be like automobiles.
A woman's body is built for endurance and long life, like a station wagon.
A man's body is built more for greater peak performance, sacrificing lifespan and resilience to get it, like a race car.
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Answer to:
Is it true a woman sacrifices more than man in life?
That depends on which man and which woman.
In each case, some are willing to sacrifice much,
while others are supremely selfish.
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Answer to:
What is the most important discipline a human can practice?
Self discipline.
you cannot expect to master anything else anything until you master yourself.
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Answer to:
I have 2 step children from my husbands 1st marriage. We just had a son of our own. His ex wife has also had 2 more children with her new husband. My question is which set of kid are whole siblings and which are half?
Labeling them for convenience
1 & 2 Your 2 step children (husband and ex)
3 & 4 His ex wife's two new children (ex and new husband)
5 Your new son (husband and you)
1 & 2 are full siblings (both parents the same)
3 & 4 are full siblings (both parents the same)
1 & 2 are half siblings to 3 & 4 (only mother in common)
1 & 2 are half siblings to 5 (only...
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Answer to:
Joseph Smith was always being visited by angels. He had no hesitation about telling his followers about the visitations. What have the general authorities of the Modern LDS Church (say, the last hundred years) told us about their angelic visitations?
And then there is Moses, who spoke with God face to face as a man speaketh with his friend.
But what of HIS successors?
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Looks like our situation has good precedents recorded in scripture.
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Answer to:
Mormons. Are they right for adding another book to read from?
They say they didn't add it. God did.
Anybody care ask if he has the right to do that?
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There is no valid reason to suppose that God will ever stop speaking to his children except when they are unwilling to listen to him.
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All through the Bible he did it that way.
And he is unchanging.
Answer to:
Does anyone else have a secret crush on the YouTube "Book of Mormon Reader"? She is one smokin' hot Mormon babe! Personally I can't think of more pleasant way to get through this book!
Pleasant, but no, I don't have a crush on her.
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The trouble with this question is that the only truthful answer you can get is "no".
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Anyone who says yes is either lying about having a crush on her, or has taken it out of the "secret" category by telling you about it.
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Answer to:
Have you ever missioned for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Where did you serve and when?
I served a mission in Northern Mexico, 1966-1968.
Answer to:
The number of ways a jury of 12 can be selected from 25 people
25!/(12! * 13!)
Which works out to 5,200,300
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Answer to:
Why do the stupidest questions have the most points?
Intelligent questions require us to think.
That is hard work, which is why so few people do it.
Any idiot can answer a stupid question, and most idiots do.
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Answer to:
Was there nobody in History more qualified than Joseph Smith to see the face of God? If so, then why did NOBODY in History, not even the person you mention see the Face of God, and Joseph Smith did?
Assuming you mean just in recent times.
Perhaps God wanted someone who would accept what God told him and follow his instruction.
Not someone who would want to tell God how things should be done.
Answer to:
Would you rather kill someone on accident or on purpose? My husband said on accident so he wouldn't feel guilty. I said on purpose so I wouldn't spend the rest of my life thinking, "If only I hadn't looked away from the road, etc."
On purpose. That I would only do if there was good and urgent reason.
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But I sincerely hope that I will never kill at all.
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Its not as hypothetical as you might think.
Ask anyone who has ever been a soldier in combat.
Ask a police officer.
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Answer to:
Hypothetical situation: While driving, you hit someone on the road and that person died. S/he was not supposed to cross the road in the first place, the light was green (for you) and it was not the proper place to cross the road. Would you feel guilty?
Absolutely.
No amount of logic could prevent that for me.
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Recently I hit a tree down in the road in an ice storm at night and damaged a company truck.
The company says it was not preventable.
Logic agrees.
But still in the back of my mind are the thoughts "if I had been going slower", "if I had been watching more closely", "if i had stopped for the night...
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Answer to:
Do you think it is fair for athletes who live in the USA to compete for another country in the Olympics? My thoughts are if you live here, then you ought to play for the USA.
I would say you should if you are a US citizen.
Not everyone who lives here is.
And not all US citizens live here.
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Answer to:
Do you think its okay for athletes born in one country to compete for another country during the Olympics?
I think they should be citizens of the country they represent. Where they were born should not make a difference.
Answer to:
Do you think it's okay for one person to shoot another person (without having them die) and not have to be accountable for it with the exception of apologizing?
Intentionally, I think not. Things change a bit for the unintentional, but not usually that far.
But sometimes...
Example: The person shot sneaks down and hides behind a target in a shooting range and stays there totally concealed until someone comes in and begins practicing.
Only revealing himself when actually hit.
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If I were the poor sod with the gun I would apologize anyway. But...
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Answer to:
Why do people try to say GOD wrote the Bible?(you can get offended, but it's ink and paper I don't think GOD would ever have written something that is supposed to be so valuable on something so expendable.)
With the exception of the Ten Commandments, God didn't write any of it himself (those were written on stone).
Everything else is a record made by men of what God said to them, what they saw God do, and a history of the people to whom it was said or done.
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We consider the revealed word of God to be supremely important however, and his regardless of who wrote it down.
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We consider the...
Answer to:
I am not raciest at all,but I just dont get why there can be black churches,black tv channels,black history month and so on,but if white people made up a white church or something that was for white people,then blacks get mad and say whites are raciest?
Because white supremacists created a stereotype that haunts us to this day.
Blacks haven't done that, or at least not to anywhere near the same degree. Yet.
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Answer to:
Why is there Black history month, and latino heratage month....but no German, polish, or russian heratage month, or even just a white pride month?
Mostly because the Blacks and Latinos showed the gumption and went to the trouble of creating them.
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If you want one for your special group, get busy and follow their example!
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Answer to:
Scenario: A christian couple adopts a baby. When the child becomes older and realizes his situation is different because his friends families have different religions, he wants to change belief. What are the childs rights?
Even a child can and will believe what he believes.
The parents have the right to exercise some control over the child's behavior as part of their responsibility to prepare him to become an adult. If that's a problem, be patient. Your time will come.
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Once he is legally an adult, every person has the right to choose his own affiliations. When your time comes, make the break as...
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Answer to:
Instead of all different Christian religions arguing over who's beliefs are right, why don't they just all agree that at least they are all practicing and aren't denying Christ? Shouldn't they do the "christian" thing & support others whatever they pract?
Should perhaps.
But error is hard to watch and not correct. (Ever see someone's pronunciation or grammar corrected in public!)
And each denomination sees the different beliefs of all the others as errors.
The rest is human nature.
Answer to:
It is one thing to not agree with another church's beliefs but why do so many so called christians think they have a right to tell mormons they are not christian just because their beliefs are different from their own
The logic is simple, and goes like this:
I am a Christian.
His beliefs are Very different from mine.
Therefore he must be something else, not a Christian.
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Most people get at least a little defensive, and even judgmental when their beliefs are challenged.
Mormons, incidentally, are no exception to this rule.
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Once upon a time the shovel and the rake got in an argument. Each claimed to...
Answer to:
If there is only one Bible why is that the different religions see it so many different ways ? This is a constant arguement between me and my friend I am a christain attending nondemonation and he is Church of Christ he states his way is the only way HELP
They look at it with the intelligence of men.
What it contains is the word of God, and he is far more intelligent than we are.
Without his help we get all the differing interpretations you see in the world today.
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If you want to understand the Bible, read:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given...
Answer to:
There are many Religions in the world, many claiming to be 'the only true Religion'. How can you you tell if yours is the right one? (No offense intended and I apologize in advance if anyone finds it offensive).
For the Christians:
The solution is in the Bible, to which all Christians look for guidance:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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We recommend that all men and women seek help to answer that question at the source of all knowledge. You have before you the invitation and the promise direct...
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Answer to:
Since Christianity is [divided] into many contradictory Churches-each one has fundamental differences among them, and each one claim to be the "true inheritor" of the one church allegedly established by Christ, in which one is the "Holy Spirit" working?
The solution is in the Bible, to which all Christians look for guidance:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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We recommend that all men and women seek help to answer that question at the source of all knowledge. You have before you the invitation and the promise direct from God.
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Answer to:
With so many different ones - how can an interested person choose a 'true' christian church?
The solution is in the Bible, to which all Christians look for guidance:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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We recommend that all men and women seek help to answer that question at the source of all knowledge. You have before you the invitation and the promise direct from God.
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Answer to:
Why are there so many different Christian Churches in the world today? And which one is the true Christian Church? Can they all be true?
God is a God of order, and not the author of confusion.
He will teach only one doctrine.
No two Christian denominations today have precisely the same doctrine.
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The conclusion must be:
They cannot all be true.
No two of them can be true.
At MOST one must be the true church.
The only alternative to that is that none of them are.
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Joseph Smith found that he could not decide which...
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri?
President Brigham Young and others reported that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri,
[See Journal of Discourses, 10:235; Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors (1964), 481, 545–46; Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 Mar. 1857].
Answer to:
If God is such a loving god, why does he send more than 70% of the world's population into hell. Think about hell before you answer me, have you ever burnt yourself? Imagine that way worse for ever and ever without an end. Who deserves that?
Very few will go to hell.
There are degrees of glory in heaven other than Our Father's presence.
Most will wind up there.
Cain and Judas and a few like them will go to Hell, where their torment will be AS a lake of fire and brimstone. (metaphor indicating degree of torment, not a literal description of it.)
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Answer to:
We are told we need to have faith, in order for God to do miraculous things for us, by fundamental Christians! How much faith did Lazarus have when Jesus raised him from the dead?
I don't believe that was an issue.
Jesus had sufficient faith, (knowledge and Power actually) to do the deed.
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Answer to:
Is there any human being that ever actually deserved the punishment of eternal torture by fire and brimstone?
Cain and Judas are both said to be such.
And actually the scriptures use the lake of fire and brimstone as a metaphor for the degree of torment, not a literal description of it.
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Answer to:
Does anybody actually have any real point against abortion? As in, legitimately thought out. I'm interested in hearing it.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence
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The right to Life is an endowment from God, not ours to take away.
The matter hinges entirely on the question of just when life begins....
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Answer to:
How many wives did Joseph Smith have?
I don't know, but when I die and go to heaven I'll ask him.
Answer to:
Is it ethical to stay in a marriage after love is dead?
To stay is not unethical.
You are keeping promises you made.
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Allowing love to die,
That is what is unethical.
A promise broken.
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Love is like a plant though.
It takes constant nurture to keep it alive and well.
And it only takes one to murder it.
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Answer to:
Loyalty. Is it unethical to move loyalty to another sports team just because the current team you're rooting for isn't doing well?
Nothing unethical about it unless you break a commitment you have made by doing so.
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But you'll probably take some criticism for it anyway.
Answer to:
'True altruism doesn't exist.' Can anybody challenge this statement?
Altruism: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.
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Mothers and fathers exibit this property toward their children.
Men and women who attempt rescues at severe risk to their own safety exibit it.
Men and women who have given their lives, knowing that was what they were doing, to save others, are excelent examples.
Jesus Christ was the prime example. He knew in advance...
Answer to:
Is there a way to connect to the Internet on my laptop in my car? I log a lot of interstate time, so Wi-Fi hotspots are worthless.
I am writing this from the sleeper in a Semi. I'm a Long Haul driver.
I have a connection through SPRINT which allows me unlimited internet usage. Cost is $60 per month, and the card that plugs in to a laptop to make it work was a one-time $60 purchase.
Works about as well as a cell phone. Should, since it is actually another phone line on my account using the same signal to...
Answer to:
I was in my car and pulled over to check something on my laptop, and all of the sudden my internet fired up. Now from time to time, I will stop in this place and check my email, etc. Am I stealing someone's wi-fi?
Access is easily limited by those who want to limit theirs.
Since no such limits are present I would take that as implied permission.
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Answer to:
What is an acceptable method for Baptism?
The method used in the Bible and Book of Mormon, and revealed as being correct in our age by a living prophet, is baptism by immersion by one having authority to administer in the ordinances of the gospel.
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Somewhere between the time of Jesus and the present, baptism by sprinkling was introduced within the Catholic Church. They and some others believe it to be a form of baptism acceptable...
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Answer to:
'Ex' and 'New Order' Mormons estimate that between 60-70% of Latter Day Saints become atheists after leaving the LDS Church. Does this sound accurate? If so, why do you think this is? sources = www.exmormon.org, www.postmormon.org, www.newordermormon.org
As stated, that claims that 60-70% of Latter Day Saints leave the church and become atheists.
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I assume however that this should read that 60-70% of Latter Day Saints who leave the LDS Church become atheists.
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While I can't vouch for those figures, I would suppose that someone doing that left the Church believing they would find something that satisfied them better, and, finding non,...
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Answer to:
Question to Latter Day Saints: “How important is it to you that the claims of Mormonism are really true?”
If they are true then I am on the right road back to my Father in Heaven.
It doesn't get any more important than that.
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Answer to:
If good things come to those who wait, why do we have to wait so long to see good things?
Sounds like the fellow who prayed
"Lord, give me patience. And give it to me NOW!"
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(Don't we all feel that way at times?)
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Answer to:
Can taking a aspirin or two per day lead to problem's down the line?
Besides its properties as a pain killer and muscle relaxant, aspirin reduces the ability of the blood to clot. This can help prevent heart attacks.
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The down side is it also makes bruising easier and more severe, nosebleeds more likely and severe, and can make even relatively small cuts more dangerous.
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Fortunately such effects are not permanent. They go away over time if you stop...
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Answer to:
If being gay is a sin, why did God make people like that?
The same question could be asked of being a mass murderer or serial killer. Is what they do a sin?
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God put us here and gave us free agency. He also offered us guidance on what we need to do to be truly happy in the long run. Following that guidance may be harder for some than for others.
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We all have natural urges that we need to control. Lacking that, we would take a dump right...
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Answer to:
How can anyone explain the following, contradicting verses of the Bible? They are "2 Kings 2:11" and "John 3:13". I'll post the verses inside.
Notice that Jesus ascended (only he had the power to do so).
Elijah was TAKEN up by God. Which required no such power on Elijah's part.
The same is true of every other such case, and must be for us also.
Jesus had within himself the power to ascend.
All others must be taken by the Power of God. Which is something outside our control.
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Answer to:
Are Elijah and Jesus the same person? "Elijah went up to heaven" -2 Kings 2:11 and "None but Christ ever ascended into heaven" - John 3:13
No they are not.
Notice that Jesus ascended (only he had the power to do so).
Elijah was TAKEN up by God. Which required no such power on Elijah's part.
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Answer to:
Does the Bible contradicts itself? In 2 Kings 2:11 it states that Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, but yet in John 3:13 it says only Jesus have been to heaven... confused!!! :(
Notice that Jesus ascended (only he had the power to do so).
Elijah was TAKEN up by God. Which required no such power on Elijah's part.
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Answer to:
Why does Jehovah say that besides me there is no savior in Isa 43:11, yet the Bible says Jesus is our Savior?
Jehovah of the Old Testament is the same person as Jesus Christ in the New Testament. What is said of him is equally true by either appellation.
Answer to:
Is it better to tell your wife she's right about something, even though you believe she's wrong? Why? Is it enough to simply want to keep peace in the house, or should there be some nobler motivation?
To keep your marriage brimming
With Love in the Loving Cup,
Whenever your wrong, admit it.
Whenever your right, SHUT UP!
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Answer to:
So, the guy who stood me up Saturday showed up today... claims he was "unwell" . Exactly how Unwell must one be to be unable to operate a telephone?
Give him another chance.
If it happens again apply the maxim:
"Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me!"
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Answer to:
Do you think Mormons are not Christians? Why?
Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are both Christian denominations.
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A Christian is one who accepts Christ as his guide.
The definition does not require that the Christian be CORRECT in all of his beliefs.
Nor does it require that he be correct in ANY of his beliefs.
It only requires that he follow Christ to the best of his understanding and ability.
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I have looked at the...
Answer to:
Is the seer stone of Joseph Smith still retained by the First Presidency of the LDS?
I believe the stones entrusted to Joseph Smith with the Golden plates were returned to the care of Moroni when the plates were.
Answer to:
Have you ever performed magic?
Yes
I'm a computer programmer.
Once I found a program doing something all the manuals said it would not do.
I experimented until i discovered that inserting a single blank line consisting of a single space character just before the problem line made the problem go away.
I haven't a clue what the mechanism causing the problem was or by what mechanism the solution worked its magic....
Answer to:
Does real magic exist?
Depends on your definition of magic.
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The "I don't know how it works, but it does" kind is all around us in our daily lives. We call it science and let it go with that. SOMEONE understands how it works (maybe) but I don't and it does work consistently.
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The "There IS no how-it-works, it just does" variety is a contradiction in terms, and cannot exist.
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I...
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Answer to:
HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM: X+7/X - 12/3X-4
This is an expression, not an equation.
It can only be simplified, not solved.
As we simplify, it becomes progressively:
X+7/X-4/X-4 (simplify third term by 12/3X)
X+(7-4)/X-4 (combine terms with the denominator X)
X+3/X-4 (subtract 7-4)
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Answer to:
Is it possible to be saved, by just accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Savior?
Yes it is. Just don't make the common mistake of giving lip service: "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior" or similar phrases and thinking your finished and may count yourself saved.
Matt. 7: 21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
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If you truly...
Answer to:
I am 18 and i have 2 children. My parents dont want me or my children father to see each other i am depresssed and sometimes feels to kill myself i need help tell me what should i do?
Sometimes it is the hardest thing of all for PARENTS to grow up and recognize their children as adults with wants and wishes of their own and let go of the reigns of control they have used to protect them in their childhood.
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Gently explain that you are grown, and a mother in your own right. Ask them to trust that they have raised you well, and prepared you to handle responsibility, and to...
Answer to:
I want to convert to Mormonism as soon as I turn 18. But my parents do not want me to convert and I must obey the commandments (honor your mother and father). What should I do?
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Follow what you believe to be right.
Honor father and mother by doing as gently as possible.
Explain quietly that you love and respect them, but this is what you believe is right, and you are the one who must live with the choice.
Hopefully...
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Answer to:
What do Mormon garments signify?
They are a symbolic of covenants we have made with God in the temple. And that is about as much as we are willing to say outside the temple.
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Answer to:
How can I be the perfect boyfriend? I tried my best in my last relationship and it went to the crapper. I'm not the type who showers their s/o with compliments and cute things, its not like me. Is there anyway I can get over that?
Put on a mask for her and you will have to wear it all your life, or fail later. Neither is a happy situation.
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You wouldn't cut a puzzle piece to make it fit where it doesn't belong. Don't do it to yourself or to her.
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This girl may be the one, she may not. Find out, then enjoy it or move on as required, and with no regrets.
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If she isn't, just keep looking....
Answer to:
Can a relationship last if there is an expectation for the s/o to be perfect?
No relationship can last long that way. One will feel guilty for having normal human weaknesses and the other will always be disappointed and critical. Three sure killers for any relationship.
But it can be rescued if BOTH learn that imperfections are normal for EVERYONE, and take to heart "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
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Answer to:
If someone converts to Mormonism, is s/he expected to be perfect or is there room for error at the beginning (i.e. you had a coke)?
Not immediately, and not in this lifetime.
Perfection is our goal, but even apostles and prophets, both ancient and modern have remarked on their own imperfections. What is important is not so much where you are as which direction you are moving ... most of the time.
Answer to:
Why do Mormons emphasize part of the Word of Wisdom and ignore the part forbidding the eating of meat except in winter, cold or famine? (Doc. & Cov. 89:12,13).
Purely my own speculation mind you, not doctrine.
Poor means of sanitation, and lack of refrigeration made meat a dangerous choice of foodstuffs in that age. Winter provided refrigeration, and winter scarcity and famine could make even risky foods preferable to starvation.
Today, modern sanitation and refrigeration removes most of the risk once common in using meat for food.
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Answer to:
Why would God put us on earth?
1) To give us physical bodies, making us more like him.
2) To give us a learning period where we can walk by faith, learning gradually, and because it is by faith and not certain knowledge, having the opportunity to repent of our mistakes and learn from them before we are judged.
3) To discover ourselves, learning who and what we are when we are not constantly in his presence.
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We are...
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Answer to:
Why do people think of evolution and creation as mutually exclusive?
Well, you see, it's like this:
------------------------------
Six Wise Men of Hindustan
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There were six men of Hindustan,
to learning much inclined,
Who went to see an elephant,
though all of them were blind,
That each by observation
might satisfy his mind.
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The first approached the elephant,
and happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
at once began to bawl,
...
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Answer to:
Using the number 4 exactly 4 times and the operations *, -, + and / make number sentences that equal 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
0 = 4 - 4 + 4 - 4
1 = 4 - 4 + 4 / 4
2 = 4 / 4 + 4 / 4
3 = ( 4 + 4 + 4 ) / 4
4 = 4 + (4 - 4) * 4
5 = (4 * 4 + 4) / 4
6 = 4 + ( 4 + 4 ) / 4
7 = 4 + 4 - 4 / 4
8 = 4 + 4 + 4 - 4
9 = 4 + 4 + 4 / 4
Great question. I gave you +2 but someone else already gave you -2. Bummer, and unfair.
Made me sweat to figure out the answer!
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Answer to:
What is the method or procedure to determine someone’s exact age?
Subtract the date/time of their birth from the current date/time.
Date alone may be used if that is precise enough for your purpose.
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Answer to:
Do you think God has a sense of humor [assuming you believe in God]?
Absolutely!
One time I was exasperated with my children I prayed for patience.
A short while late we got the chance to adopt 2 children who were half brother and half sister. I won't say I'm sorry we did. We aren't. But raising them AND our natural children has been one WILD ride!
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I now have the patience I asked God for.
Does God have a sense of humor?
Oh yes! Be...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in creationism, intelligent design, or evolution?
Mind, this is my personal opinion, not to be taken as the view of the Church, but so far as I know not in conflict with its doctrines.
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I believe God is the supreme intelligence, and that he deliberately designed and created our world. I also believe that he has used evolution as a part of the process.
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I believe that, like the famed blind men who went to see the elephant, when all the...
Answer to:
Has a convert to Mormonism ever ascended to the Presidency of the LDS Church within his lifetime? If not, what is the highest level within the Mormon Hierarchy that a convert has so advanced thus far?
Second President:
Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801, in Whitingham, Vermont. In 1835, three years after he joined the Church, he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As successor to Joseph Smith, he led the migration west in 1846–47 to the Rocky Mountains and founded Salt Lake City. He was sustained as President of the Church on December 27, 1847.
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Third President:
...
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Answer to:
If adam and eve were the first humans and they gave birth to two boys, who did they have sex with to create the next generation? are we all the final product of the original incest according to the bible?
Able was killed by Cain. No progeny.
The world population comes from the Sons of Adam and Eve marrying their Daughters.
Genesis 5:3-4
3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own alikeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
4 And the days of aAdam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
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Answer to:
I don’t remember meeting even one Afro-American at my LDS church. Why not? Moreover, in LDS-related videos, there are hardly any Afro-Americans in them at all. Why, and what IS the LDS’s stance towards Afro-Americans?
The churches stance on race (all of them) is that all are God's children. And Jesus admonition: "Love one another as I have loved you."
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Answer to:
What happens inside a mormon temple,
Sacred ordinances.
Among them: Baptism for the dead, Endowments, Marriage.
And that is as much detail as you will get from any reliable source.
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Answer to:
Did Mary stay a virgin all her life?
I see no reason in the Bible to suppose that Mary was not a perfectly normal human woman, or that she did not do, with her husband, what normal human women do once the restriction placed on her by commandment from God was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus.
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Brothers to Jesus are mentioned, which seems to support that view as well.
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The Catholic Church seems to have locked themselves in to...
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Answer to:
Do you think that everyone could benifit from seeing a counselor?
Not everyone, and not just any counselor.
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I know of counselors that do more harm than good. And they are much too common.
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And I have known people a COUNSELOR could benefit from seeing.
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Answer to:
The bible literally says "thou shall not kill" in the english version. But then christians say it MEANS thou shall not murder. BUT the bible says to kill people for adultery, working on the sabbath, or planting corn next to wheat. Is this a contradiction?
I believe the same thing as recorded in Jewish scriptures from which the old testament was taken use a word which does indeed translate "murder".
A lawful execution is not murder, so there is no contradiction.
Thankfully, the commandments to kill for those reasons were part of the Law of Moses, fulfilled and brought to a close by the Savior.
Since that time we are given the chance...
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Answer to:
If a scholar finds significant differences between current English Biblical passages & those written in Aramaic or Hebrew in verifiable older versions of the Bible (e.g. a Hebrew Tanakh), how do Christians reconcile which is the accurate "inspired" word?
We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly.
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We also believe that many plain and precious truths have been taken out of it. And because of this many stumble.
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Answer to:
A CES manual says, "There is no book big enough or good enough to preside over this Church."
(Teachings of the Living Prophets" section 4-4)
So why doesn't the LDS Church throw away their scriptures and just, "Follow the living Prophet"?
The truths of God never change, but the views we have of them may be different depending on many things.
These three images are the same object, only different views.
(The left is a square that got cut off. The right a circle, also got cut off.)
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Answer to:
Christians: Was Jesus Christ's death more important than his life?
His birth, life, death and resurrection are four critical parts of as single whole.
Its not possible to rate one as more important than the others.
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Just like the engine, transmission and drive train in your car. If any of them doesn't work the whole car is useless.
Answer to:
What is most important in life?1-money 2-sex 3-popularity 4-power 5-luxury life 6-jesus christ 7-god 8-if other than what?
Love.
And the word of God given to us through Jesus Christ by word and by example will help us learn to love if we are willing.
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Answer to:
Is bible and Jesus Christ is useless for USA society?because sex before marriage and wine is life of usa.
The Bible is a warning to those who make themselves part of that society.
Like the label on a bottle of poison, they can pay attention to it or suffer the consequences.
It is useless to them only if they ignore it.
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Answer to:
A CES manual says, "There is no book big enough or good enough to preside over this Church."
(Teachings of the Living Prophets" section 4-4)
So why doesn't the LDS Church throw away their scriptures and just, "Follow the living Prophet"?
For the same reason that textbooks are used in the classroom. Much can be written there and learned from them. The teacher remains necessary to guide study and help the students understand the text.
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The same is true of the Scriptures and the Prophet.
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If we could have only the Scriptures or the Prophet we would choose the Prophet. We are grateful to God that he has given us both.
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...
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Answer to:
Is the King James version of the Bible the ONLY Bible translation one should use?
By no means.
It is probably still the most readily available and commonly used translation IN ENGLISH. But that does not necessarily best (though I prefer it) much less the only acceptable translation.
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And it is useless to those who do not read English.
They should use a translation into their own language.
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Answer to:
How long should you wait for a prophecy to be fulfilled before declaring the prophet/prophecy to be false? "When a prophet speaketh...if the thing follow not, nor come to pass...the LORD hath not spoken..." (Deut. 18:22)
It depends, I suppose, on just who you want to declare a fake, and just how badly you want to do it.
If you are trying to convince anyone other than yourself, it also depends on how soon you believe they can be convinced that its not GOING to happen.
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Answer to:
Can you name ONE thing in the Bible that has been proven?
Everything in it of any real importance has been proven over and over and over again.
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Answer to:
Do you think that some people answer question in a way that they know will get them points, even if it isn't really how they think or feel?
Yes I do.
Give them the points.
It may be the only thing that makes them feel worthwhile.
Answer to:
Ok, you know what i don't get here is? why do people read your questions/answers on AB and deduct points just cause they don't like what they read when it is a valid concern and not stupid?
They don't like it, but can't think of anything to SAY against it.
The negative rating is the last refuge of the speechless.
Answer to:
Is it just me are do ppl on AB give the worst answers ever, not very helpfull people....................
There is a lot of chaff.
And some only seem to come looking for an argument.
But there are some real gems too.
Keep sifting.
Answer to:
Would you say Church Leaders are more lenient with Church discipline when pregnancy is the result of sexual sin, even when the father holds the priesthood/is endowed?
I doubt it is actual leniency for that reason.
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A pregnancy is liable to make both mother and father more likely to regret the sin and repent however. And since the truly repentant are not excommunicated, it could come out looking like leniency to those who don't have all the facts.
Answer to:
In the 'Guide to the Scriptures' Excommunication is followed by Apostacy&Rebellion&says that excommunication only occurs when someone has chosen to live in opposition of the commandments. Does this mean they have rebelled and apostasised from the Church?
Seems to me that living in opposition to the commandments IS rebellion and apostasy, so the answer would have to be yes.
Answer to:
What is something that it NOT very fun to do naked?
Picking blackberries.
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Answer to:
LDS Bishops hold annual "Tithe Settlement" meetings with Ward members to ensure that they're paying their full tithe. Is the "full tithe" based on gross or net income? And please cite official LDS Church sources not just personal opinion or conjecture.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The Lord reaffirmed that law in modern revelation, commanding his people to pay “one-tenth of all their interest annually” and declaring that “this shall be a standing law unto them forever” (D&C 119:4).
…
In the Lord’s commandment to the people of this day, tithing is “ ‘one-tenth...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe all other religions are based on false doctrine?
It would be closer to the truth to say that we believe all of them have false doctrines in their foundations.
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Answer to:
What exactly do Mormons believe? I'm christian, and I would like to understand the mormon religion a little bit better.
The websites and resources mentioned in other answers are excellent.
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But, as a place to start, here are 13 articles of faith written by our first prophet, Joseph Smith, when he was asked that very question:
-------------------
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541
1 We believe in God, the...
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Answer to:
Ya the last question was answered in 1 minute but my question still hasn't been answered and its been over 10 min. whats the deal?
Somebody asked another question after you did and got an answer in 1 minute.
So yours is no longer the last question.
Answer to:
Do you agree that ethics is situational?
I disagree that the ethical system is groundless.
I said nothing about the quality of your mind.
I said that none of your knowledge has been given you by the Holy Ghost. (Evident from the fact that you do not believe in him.) But did not say that you have no knowledge.
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Now I WILL say something about you:
You are rude, sarcastic and argumentative.
You apparently asked you question to...
Answer to:
Are the Harry Potter movies cursed?
Good movies, all of them.
And the heroes would make great role models for anyone.
Answer to:
Are the Harry Potter movies responsible for the moral decline of our children?
Absolutely not. Quite the opposite in fact.
The heroes have all the moral and character qualities a want my children to take for their own.
Answer to:
Is American media responsible for the decline in moral values in America? Why or why not?
All to often the media contributes to the decline.
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But as for who is RESPONSIBLE? We are, every time we do something unethical, or allow something unethical to pass unremarked.
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Neither the Media nor the Devil can MAKE us do it.
WE make the choice ourselves, no matter what the enticement.
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Answer to:
Do you agree that ethics is situational?
Most questions of ethics can't even be formulated meaningfully without stating the situation to one degree or another.
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For example: Is it wrong to pick up money off the floor, and keep it without telling anyone you found it?
Can't be answered until we know if it is YOUR money or not. Which is part of the situation.
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The one case I can think of that is NOT situational is:
Is...
Answer to:
If i believe there is a god, do i still need to go to church to worship.? i know several people who are religion and don't go. Is this wrong?
I go to church to share fellowship with others, to strengthen them and to draw strength from them by worshiping together. But it is not the only time or place I can worship.
I consider it a commandment from God to go to church, so for me it is necessary.
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I believe that what is necessary for each of us is to actually live as we believe God wants us to do.
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It then boils down to whether...
Answer to:
Is it wrong to believe in god?
No it is not.
Don't let anyone tell you there is.
Stick to your guns unless YOU change your mind for reasons that satisfy YOU.
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Answer to:
What is wrong with NOT believing in god?
The obvious answer any Christian would give is that he does exist and your opinion is incorrect.
Which, of course, is a point on which we disagree.
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Apart from that, there is absolutely nothing wrong with not believing.
Don't let anyone tell you there is.
Stick to your guns unless YOU change your mind for reasons that satisfy YOU.
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Answer to:
I understand that Mormons consider themselves to be montheistic; although they believe in many gods, the worship only one - Jehovah, the God of this world. If this is the case, why to they refer to themselves as the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS?
We worship God, the Eternal Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ, who is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, our Lord and Savior, and our Mediator with the Father.
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The Church bears his name because it is his church, established by him through his prophet, and Jesus stands at its head. Most importantly, it bears the name it does because that is what he commanded us to call it:
...
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Jesus is God?
Jesus is God, the creator of the world. The Jehovah of the Old testament. But in all of this he acted under the direction of, and in complete harmony, indeed unity with his Father.
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But he also makes a clear distinction between himself and God (meaning God the Father).
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.",
"Jesus...
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Answer to:
What would u do if i told u u could do anything u wanted to me?
Get as far away from you as possible.
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Answer to:
Whether you agree with war or not, do you think it is fair to disrupt a homecoming parade (where soldiers returning from a long stint in a war zone are allowed to march through their regiment's home town) by holding a protest?
Absolutely not.
And those who will do it generally find numerous other ways to annoy and offend their neighbors as well.
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Answer to:
Is it appropriate for a non military to salute
It steps somewhat outside military custom, but is generally not considered improper.
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Military personnel do not salute when out of uniform or uncovered unless formally reporting to a superior.
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Prisoners are not permitted to salute.
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Answer to:
How come it is that a black person can say the N-word but if a white person says it its offending, disrespectful and racist? (even though the word itself means "penny-pincher")
When used by whites it carries a load of offensive associations, regardless of the speaker's intent.
When used by a black the associations are those of shared background, which robs it of all such associations.
Answer to:
I just had someone tell me that no matter how neutrally a question about racism is worded, that simply asking whether something is racist or not makes one biased...even racist. Do you agree?
I would disagree.
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I would also point out that such a statement, judged by the standard it suggests, is itself racist.
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Answer to:
Should there be any shame in admitting that I am proud to be a white man.
Shame? No.
But it does seem a bit silly to be proud of something you had absolutely no control over.
Answer to:
Why is there "White vs Black"? everywhere?
It isn't everywhere.
But where it is, it gets more than its proper share of attention.
The rest of us continue quietly getting along with each other just fine. But without making a fuss about it.
Answer to:
What determines what percent of a certain nationality you are...i.e....1/2,1/4
The calculation is based on the percentage of your ancestry who were that nationality.
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There are two flaws which make it largely a joke:
1) Ancestors nationality is determined by where they were living as far back as you have traced it.
2) The assumption that because they were living there they are 100% that nationality.
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Thus a person who knows only that his father came from England...
Answer to:
Do you think black people are being cheated because February as "Black History Month" is the shortest month of the year?
Not at all.
The original decision was made by by a Black for the month’s significance, not for its length.
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From http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html
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”We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson.”
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“Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because...
Answer to:
If the Mormon Church were the only true Church on earth today, what would you do?
Join it!
But it is.
And I have.
Answer to:
Is the Mormon Church the true religion?
You can get arguments and evidence for both sides.
Only God can prove the truth to you either way.
If you really want to know, Contact the church, ask them to send the missionaries to teach you about it, and pray about what they teach you. If it is true God will testify to you that it is. If not, you may depend on God to let you know that.
I will testify to you that I have done this and...
Answer to:
Is the Mormon religion considered a Protestant religion?
Not at all. It might be called a Restorationist church.
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Protestants are those whose began with the belief that the Catholic Church is the church which Jesus founded in his lifetime, but that it has corrupted or departed from one or more of the correct principle it should be following.
Their response was first to protest these departures, and only when that did no good to form separate...
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Answer to:
In his Sunstone presentation 'Nauvoo In The 1840s: Conflict Between The Mormons and The Non-Mormons' Mormon Roger D Launius documents how throughout their history Mormons have villainized (even demonized) BOTH internal and external critics. Why is this?
My experience has been that critics of the church tend to villainize (even demonize) Mormons.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that Adam was God?
We do not.
Remember this when you cite the Brigham Young statement to the effect that God the Father was the same one that was in the Garden of Eden.
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Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden bin the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
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There were then, three in the...
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Answer to:
If Mormon's are Christians than how can they believe that God was once an exulted man? And who is his father, if there is only one God in Christianity?
You grew up in a home with one father. He was THE dad.
There were dads in the homes all around you. Your Dad had a dad where he grew up, and you (if a man) can, or may already have become a dad.
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These other dads, including yourself, do not affect the uniqueness of your Dad. They cause no confusion in your mind.
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We are all Gods children in this world. He is unique in this world, and...
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Answer to:
OK, so the Heavenly Father has a physical body. Did He come down to Earth, get His body, then return to Heaven, or did He always have it? I've heard it both ways, and would like to know which is right.
We believe that he received it, as we do, beginning in a mortal life like ours, but on another world that existed before this one.
He already had his body when he created this world.
Answer to:
Is it true the church believes God the father has flesh and bone just as we do? Does this imply that God the father lived a life as a man?
We do believe that he does.
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It makes sense too if we assume that everything God does for us is to help us become more like him. He has given us the resurrection, which gives us back our physical bodies. If he had none, that would make us LESS like him, not more.
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The quote often used about God being spirit, and those who worship him having to worship in spirit is often used to prove...
Answer to:
Does man have the power to let God be true?
Man does not have the power to make God be anything but true.
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Man's belief or disbelief only affect man himself by opening him to what God can do for him, or closing him off from it.
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Answer to:
Genesis 6:4 says the "Sons of God" took human women and had sex with them. How many sons does God have?
Actually the phrasing in that verse is a bit tricky.
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The "Sons of God" as used here refers to mortals who were righteous followers of God (Jesus was using "children" in the same sense in this exchange:
John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.)
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The...
Answer to:
Can anyone present any objective evidence that LDS Temple Garments have saved a Mormon from harm? I define "objective" as from a disinterested non-Mormon source. And, if possible, please provide verifiable citations so the data can be verified.
Those who choose not to believe would still find reasons not to. Who would believe the miracle of the loves and the fishes if it were to happen today instead of long ago.
The miracles God performs for us today are largely a private matter between him and us. We may share our private experiences, but they aren't really meant for impressing others.
If the stories cause a few sincere...
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Answer to:
"I really love my wife and of course I never want to hurt her, but is it moral to cheat on her if I'm 100% sure that she won't know (and therefore she won't be hurt)"?...
You will know.
If that doesn't make all the difference then you don't really love her.
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Answer to:
I found a genuine genie lamp and used the first two wishes. You can use the third. What will you wish for?
I wish for the genie to love me completely and unselfishly.
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Answer to:
What is 1+1=?
1 + 1 = 10 (in base 2 [binary])
for any higher base
1 + 1 = 2
Answer to:
NEED HELP ANSWERING THIS QUESTION: A piece of stone ornamentation falls from a historic building. The fall is modeled by the function s(t) = 250 - 16t2 where s represents the height after t seconds. After 3 seconds, what is the height of the fallen objec
As written I read the equation as:
s of t (s as a function of t) equals 250 - (16 * t * 2)
and the answer is 154
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(Just multiply the three terms where t = 3 and subtract from 250)
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If that is not what you were asking then there is a problem with the notation and you need to explain what you meant.
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Just as a matter of interest, notice that the formula applies only while the object...
Answer to:
NEED HELP ANSWERING THIS QUESTION: A piece of stone ornamentation falls from a historic building. The fall is modeled by the function s(t) = 250 - 16t2 where s represents the height after t seconds. After 3 seconds, what is the height of the fallen objec
Assuming that the notation s(t) means s as a function of t
the answer would be 154
If its anything else, you need to explain the notation you are using.
Answer to:
Why does God withdraw all blessings from someone who is excommunicated but lives the commanmdments and wants to do what's right? Isn't that like casting them out and leaving them without any help?
When used in connection with excommunication the blessings withdrawn are the formal ones the individual has been entitled to by Covenant with God. Thus the benefits of Baptism, Priesthood etc. are lost.
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Those blessings offered to all God's children freely and without formality are still open to them. Thus they can expect kindness on their part to be rewarded, Sincere prayer to be...
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Answer to:
If all Latter Day Saints in a family achieve Celestial Kingdom exaltation and receive their own planet how can they "be together for eternity"? What if all their in-laws also Celestial Kingdom exaltation and receive their own planet(s)?
I don't believe communication and travel are any problem for Gods. They can do that and still have all the closeness they desire.
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Answer to:
When we give into tempation the Holy Ghost withdraws from us. Isn't this when we need his help most?
Yes, that's when we need his help the most.
But it is also when we have withdrawn from him, rejecting his help. He will not go where he is not wanted.
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God and the Holy Ghost will stand by and render guidance and assistance when we truly want it again and ask for it, but they will not bludgeon us over the head with it when we are not receptive.
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We are granted free agency, the...
Answer to:
What do mormons believe?
Joseph Smith was asked that very question, and responded by writing the following 13 "Articles of Faith" which are now included in "The Pearl of Great Price", one of our scriptures.
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1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s...
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Answer to:
Where does the word "Mormon" come from?
Mormon as a name for us was originally applied as a derogatory epithet intended as ridicule my those opposed to the church, and derived from the title of the "Book of Mormon".
It is not, never has been and never will be the name of the church, which, by commandment from the Lord is specified as "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".
However, due to wide usage...
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Answer to:
Can anyone present any objective evidence that LDS Temple Garments have saved a Mormon from harm? I define "objective" as from a disinterested non-Mormon source. And, if possible, please provide verifiable citations so the data can be verified.
I know of none (and I am a member)
I have heard a number of stories to that effect, but find it noteworthy that I have never heard the general authorities say that that is what they are for, or indeed say that they accept any such story as a bona fide miracle. They take no stand.
The Latter Day Saints do not merely believe in miracles, they take many in stride as frequent occurrences. They...
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Answer to:
On what grounds do Mormons perform a Baptism for the dead?
Baptism is a required ordinance for salvation.
The dead, having no bodies, cannot be baptized.
We, the living, can perform this saving ordinance as proxies for the dead.
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The grounds on which we do this are commandments from God given through living prophets.
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The spirits of the dead will be given the opportunity to receive the gospel and accept or reject it the same as those who...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe in another Jesus?
We believe in a Jesus who is the Christ, the only begotten of the Father, and our Lord and Savior.
We believe in the Jesus whose words acts and teachings are recorded in the New Testament.
But we believe some things ABOUT him that are different from what many Christians believe, and we understand some of his teachings differently than they do.
That gives many of them heartburn to the point...
Answer to:
What was most annoying last week?
The tree that jumped out on the parkway and bit my truck during the ice storm last week!
Answer to:
In another AB question I discovered that there's no precedent for mandatory tithing in either the Bible, LDS Scripture or Mormon History. On what basis do the Church General Authorities require it and how do they justify this stance?
The Doctrine and Covenents (D&C) is one of the three books which the LDS accept as scripture, in addition to the Bible.
The following verses therefore are LDS Scripture, and lay out the law of tithing as clearly mandatory.
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D&C 119: 3-5
3 And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.
4 And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all...
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Answer to:
Can the phrase "mind over matter" be applied to Metaphysics as well?
Technically, every time I move its a case of my mind controlling the matter of which my body is composed.
Don't know if that can properly be considered metaphysical however.
Answer to:
Why do Mormon's ask poeple to pray about the B of M to see if it's true, they don't ask people to pray about the Bible? Mormon's use James 1:5 for this. James was written to Christains not those questioning faith, the Bible says test a
We do that because it is Gods word, and only he can testify to you that that is so. Our testimony gives you only enough reason to suspect it is, and to ask Him.
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Most Christians already accept the Bible as the word of God, so we don't mention that. But if you stop and think about it, how can you KNOW if you don't ask God? Could be the biggest hoax ever. And some people believe...
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Answer to:
"LDS Temple Recommend Question #9 asks: 'Are you a full-tithe payer?' Where in the Bible does it say that 'a full-tithe' is required to enter the Temple?"
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/49303061_005.do?GCID=C15754x009
Malachi (Mal.) 3:8
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
While the temple is not mentioned here, clearly God considers "tithes and offerings" a serious matter.
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Answer to:
Does my freedom to swing my fists ends where your face begins?
Target my face and your freedom to swing your fist will end at your wrist! (as will your arm.)
Answer to:
Would you rather be a tramp with lots of friends or a rich person with nobody to love or like you?
If that's really the choice, then a tramp with lots of friends.
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Of course I'd rather be rich with lots of friends.
But then if you're rich it can get mighty tough to tell who your friends really are.
Answer to:
Guys: what would the absolute perfect woman look like? (height, weight, hair/eye color, skin, all that good stuff and more.)
For me, exactly like my wife.
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Answer to:
Should I allow my husband to e-mail his ex-girlfriend if its innocent conversation?
Trust and mutual respect are the only foundation a good marriage can be built on.
Either learn to trust him or divorce him.
Answer to:
What is your attitude toward the world?
We live in it an have to deal with it every day.
But because we are seeking longer range goals than the world does, we often act differently. This makes us look peculiar to the world. We can live with that in order to achieve those goals.
Answer to:
What is the Mormon religion's attitude towards the Baha'i faith?
Joseph Smith was asked: What do you believe?
He wrote 13 Articles of Faith to answer that, which are now included in the Pearl of Great Price as part of our Scriptures.
Article 11 answers this question:
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
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Answer to:
Why do some Christians have such a hate attitude toward Mormons?
Mostly it is fear, conscious or unconscious, that somehow we might be right. That would mean they have been on the wrong track their entire lives, and that thought is intolerable.
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From our point of view it is that the adversary opposes God and his work in every possible way. Influencing people to hate, fear and work against it is his favorite.
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Answer to:
Some people criticize the Church of Jesus Christ for “believ[ing] the Bible… as far as it is translated correctly,” then turn around and also criticize it for using a version *they* believe is translated incorrectly. Is this hypocritical?
Not hypocritical.
Just illogical.
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Answer to:
Solve for y: y + 4=-8/5(X-3)
y = -8/5(X-3) - 4
Answer to:
Does God have a physical body? Or is he only a spirit without a body?
Sorry. Put in as an answer what I meant to be a comment on another answer.
Answer to:
I just want to know how three distinct and separate individuals (persons) can be called one God... Cause really it makes no sense to me...
We believe that they are three distinct individuals physically. Jesus seemed to think so saying such things as "Why call ye me good? None is good save God", and "My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me.
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But don't look for differences in what they teach. There are none. In that there is an utterly inhuman degree of unit. Call it a divine oneness.
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Answer to:
If light is the fastest thing in the universe than say if the sun just poped out of existance we should still see it for roughly 8 minutes but would we still be rotating around its orbit or would the earth instantly vear off course
The question does sound interesting.
But the same people who tell us the speed of gravity is approximately the same as that of light also tell us that a mass, any mass, cannot simply cease to exist.
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The question, then, should probably be treated as a meaningless noise, and any answers not even theoretically subject to experimental verification.
Answer to:
The Earth rotates about its axis because living things need an Alternation of Light and darkness. Question is: Is this an hypothesis or not?
Actually its just nonsense.
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We know of living things which exits in darkness their entire lives. So the alternation of light and darkness is not a necessity for life.
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More importantly, even if that alternation were necessary for life, the earth rotates because the forces that formed it gave it that motion. To support life is not its reason for existence nor for anything it does or does...
Answer to:
What is square root of 5 to the power of 2?
The 5 to the power of 2 is 25.
The square root of that is 5 and -5
Both answers are correct.
Squaring either gets you back to 25.
Answer to:
What is something you would have seen on a city street in the 1900's that you wouldn't see today?
Hippies
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Answer to:
Can a person be a true follower of Jesus Christ but not be viewed by the world as being a Christian?
Yes.
But then, its not what the world thinks that matters.
And Christ, you may be sure, knows you for what you are.
Answer to:
According to the Christian religion, if someone confessed and asked for forgiveness prior to committing suicide, could they do that, and after killing themselves, still go to Heaven?
Even Christ's blood cannot wash out a sin if you won't let go of it.
Have you let go of a sin you commit AFTER asking for forgiveness?
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Answer to:
What is Christianity? Is it what Catholics teach, or Protestants, Mormons or is it what Christ taught? I ask because I see so many state things that have nothing to do with Christianity yet that is what they call it.
To me being Christian is a matter of WHO you are trying to follow. If that is Christ, then you are a Christian even if every detail of everything you believe about him is dead wrong.
Its in the intent.
If absolute correctness is a requirement we're all sunk without a trace.
Answer to:
It is one thing to not agree with another church's beliefs but why do so many so called christians think they have a right to tell mormons they are not christian just because their beliefs are different from their own
Oops. Put something here by mistake.
Answer to:
I'm LDS and I consider myself pretty well versed with a lot of the doctrine, however I was wondering if someone has a source that I can't find. Was it an absolute necessity that Lucifer rebel in the preexistence? A quote from authority would be good.
2 Nephi 2:16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
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That's the key verse, but the surrounding context is worth reading for greater understanding.
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Noone had to rebel, but the plan of salvation could not go forward until someone would. Lucifer filled...
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Answer to:
Can you make a sentence using no words at all?
One of the dictionary definitions of "sentence" is "a mathematical or logical statement (as an equation or a proposition) in words or symbols"
So a good example of a "sentence using no words at all: is
X + Y = 7
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Answer to:
Can you make a sentence using no words at all?
Yours was a sentence using "no words at all", and this is another.
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Answer to:
Why do marketing companies see the need to always include at least one African-American in nearly 100% of network commercials? One of my friends thinks this is to avoid unwanted criticism from the black community. Do you agree?
Criticism from Blacks? yes
Pressure from the government? yes
But mostly because they believe they will get more sales by making their adds more attractive to more people.
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Answer to:
Why aren't other ethinc groups represented in commercial as much as African-Americans? Why is there more of a pull in the black community to have placement in all TV adds and other ethnic groups don't?
They are the largest ethnic group.
You get the most sales with adds targeted to please the most customers.
Answer to:
Other than Native Americans and Africans, are there any other ethnic groups that Mormons believe have specific physical features because they were cursed by God?
Scriptures identify only those two. We'll stick with what they do say. What they don't say is just speculation.
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Also, note that we believe that the Negroes are the descendents of Cain, and that a dark skin is the mark that God placed on Cain TO KEEP HIM FROM BEING KILLED AS A MURDERER.
No doubt God cursed Cain, but was the mark really the curse?
Answer to:
What is the purpose of tithing?
Most answers will be about what is done with tithing.
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I think the PURPOSE of tithing is to make us comfortable with giving up things that get in the way of what we really want.
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Love of money has been called the root of all evil. Loving money and seeking after it can grab all our attention and make us mean and selfish.
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Paying tithing breaks that stranglehold and makes is free to...
Answer to:
Why would a Mormon missionary, that I invited into my house, tell me that all of my loved ones are burning in Hell because they were not Mormon? Why would he be shocked because I snapped and threw him out? Is this really the best way to convert others?
If that really was one of our missionaries, his mission president would be just as shocked to hear him say such a thing. Call the mission home, tell the president. He'll have a few choice words to say to the fellow if he can be identified.
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He will also make sure that all his missionaries know better than to say such things. Not just because its bad for the missionary work, but...
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Answer to:
It has been said "Real Christians do not need to go to church." The only time I recall Christ going to 'church' he overturned a load of market stalls. So why do so many people think they "have to go to church"?
Christ didn't need any help to follow Christ's teachings.
I do. Church helps.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith, Mormon or Moroni?
We RESPECT all of them as prophets of the Living God.
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We WORSHIP only God, The Eternal Father, in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Answer to:
Should we consider mormons to be christians just because they claim to believe in Christ?
We should consider anyone to be Christian, just because they claim to believe in Christ.
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Being Christian is not about having only CORRECT beliefs, or none of us would qualify. It is only about who we choose to try to follow. Thus even even Southern Baptists and Catholics qualify. And so do Mormons.
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Answer to:
Why is it that mormons think its okay to mix church and state? Here in Utah they have classes in school (requied class) "siminary" my children being real Christians were treated badly for not going to the "Cult class" as they called it.
Seminary is not a required class, not part of the school curriculum, and not held on school grounds.
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Those who treated your children badly have an attitude problem that should be corrected. I suggest you talk to the seminary instructor. He or she will have a few sharp words to say to them about it.
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Your reference to your children as "real Christians", as if the Mormon youths...
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Answer to:
Christians; how do you explain this: Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Mark 10:18
Simple. God the Father, and his son Jesus Christ.
The Oneness of Father and Son was not physical but of another nature, which oneness he requested for his disciples also:
John 17: 11, 21-22
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be bone, as we are.
...
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Answer to:
Mormons-one of you just said this to explain why some people have different colour skin-"God had a very good reason for marking a certain group of people in order to allow another group of people to avoid them." Do you agree?
The Book of Mormon records that the Lamanites (ancestors of today's American Indians) were cursed by God for their wickedness with a dark skin in part to make them undesirable mates for the Nephites, who were still righteous.
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The Bible records that a mark was placed on Cain to protect him from being killed as a murderer. We believe that mark to be a black skin, his descendents to be...
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Answer to:
Instead of all different Christian religions arguing over who's beliefs are right, why don't they just all agree that at least they are all practicing and aren't denying Christ? Shouldn't they do the "christian" thing & support others whatever they pract?
It's the fear that if you are right I would have to be wrong that does it.
Proving that you are wrong so that I can keep on believing I am right is how I defend myself.
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They should (my opinion) agree that all are seeking the same goal, and that even those who have wandered off in to the bushes are still fellow seekers.
But often the fear is just too strong.
Answer to:
It is one thing to not agree with another church's beliefs but why do so many so called christians think they have a right to tell mormons they are not christian just because their beliefs are different from their own
Anyone will act to defend beliefs he holds dear when confronted with beliefs which conflict with his.
I believe the reason is a niggling fear in the back of the mind that the other guy just might be right. This is intolerable, and we react in defense of our precious beliefs.
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Our (Mormons) beliefs seem to arouse that fear more strongly, and in more people than do those of any other...
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Answer to:
Can the phrase "mind over matter" be applied to Metaphysics as well?
It's tongue in cheek I know, but a lot of the stress in my life I like to say I deal with by exercising my powers of Mind over Matter.
If I don't Mind, it doesn't Matter.
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Answer to:
How much potential do you think the human mind is capable of?
Capable of becoming the mind of a god.
Just like our Father in Heaven.
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Answer to:
What isn't the human mind capable of?
Understanding itself.
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Answer to:
Where is the instruction manual on understanding women?
Its in the minds of the women.
Its different for each one.
It changes every time you check it.
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A man walking along a beach finds a bottle and starts to rub off the dirt. A genie pops out and:
Genie: Thank you for releasing me. As a reward I will grant you one wish. Anything your heart desires.
Man: A bridge to Hawaii.
Genie: That's so hard! The environmental impact...
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Answer to:
How can i bypass the proxy server at work?
Sounds to me like a good way to get fired.
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Answer to:
What proof or evidence can LDS give about the origins of the Book of Mormon?
Oops. Put a comment in the wrong box!
Answer to:
What is a cult in your opinion? Are there any religions represented on AB that fit the criteria?
Actually Cult is a null word with respect to religion.
Check the dictionary. Every religion and sect thereof is a cult by definition. So are a good many groups both formal and informal that have nothing to do with religion.
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Answer to:
If thers is only one God, one religion. Will that God accept those of other religions who are sincere? And what about people who have never heard even the name of Jesus?
Some have not had the opportunity to hear.
Others have heard, but not understood and therefore not accepted.
All will have the opportunity to hear and fully understand his message and join his church, if not in this life, then in the life to come.
Those of other religions who are sincere?
There is no better example of such than Saul of Tarsus.
He was killing as many Christians as he...
Answer to:
Do some Mormons consider themselves prophets, seers and revelators?
Doesn't hurt a bit.
And I don't see any of it going against my religion.
And I have no intention of trying to change God's word.
Every point I have made, I have proven to my own satisfaction.
I don't require your approval or your permission to believe it.
If I am misguided in any particular I pray and believe that he will set me straight in his own good time, as...
Answer to:
If thers is only one God, one religion. Will that God accept those of other religions who are sincere? And what about people who have never heard even the name of Jesus?
Some have not had the opportunity to hear.
Others have heard, but not understood and therefore not accepted.
All will have the opportunity to hear and fully understand his message and join his church, if not in this life, then in the life to come.
Those of other religions who are sincere?
There is no better example of such than Saul of Tarsus.
He was killing as many Christians as he...
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Answer to:
How can God only accept those who accept Christ into the kingdom of heaven when there are children all over the world who never even have the opportunity to accept or learn about Christ? I struggle with this question daily.
Easily.
It has to do with WHEN they must accept him.
They must do so before they are judged.
Those who did not have that opportunity in this life will have it the next, before judgment. During the three days his body was in the toomb, that is where Jesus was; setting up the same sort of teaching program among the dead that he had instituted among the living.
Only those who have...
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Answer to:
What Bible verses give promising suggestions or evidence that all children do indeed go to Heaven, whether they accepted Christ or not? (You can use non-Protestant books & other apocrypha if you’d like.
Matt. 19: 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
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Answer to:
What proof or evidence can LDS give about the origins of the Book of Mormon?
Inside the Book of Mormon, following the introduction is the testimony of three witnesses who saw an angel descend from heaven, who showed them the plates in some detail, and that they heard the Voice of God declare that they were translated by the gift and power of God.
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This is followed by the testimony of 8 more witness that they were shown the plates by Joseph Smith, and allowed to...
Answer to:
Do Mormons consider The Bible or the Book of Mormon to be the higher authority?
The Bible and the Book of Mormon are two witness to the fact that Jesus is the Christ.
The Bible is an old prize fighter who has taken a lot of beatings. He mumbles a bit, and is a bit vague on some things, but the Main Message still comes through loud and clear: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Our Lord, Savior and Redeemer.
In that, the Bible and the Book of Mormon stand side by side,...
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Answer to:
Who is the author of the original Book of Mormon?
There were many authors. They identify themselves in the books they wrote (The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, is a series of distinct books.)
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When it was first published, Joseph Smith was listed as author, as only the author can hold copyright to a work. A translator cannot.
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Later, with the ownership firmly established as belonging to the church, the reference to him as author was...
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Answer to:
What happened to the original plates of the Book of Mormon?
In the introduction to the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith, Speaking of the plates and Moroni, the Messenger who had delivered them in to his care, says "When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.”
Answer to:
Who was actually the first person in the 1800s to refer to the hill where the Book of Mormon plates were discovered by Joseph Smith as the Hill Cumorah?
In the Book of Mormon, Mormon 6:6 describes the plates being hidden in the Hill Cumorah. When Joseph Smith, translating it, spoke those words to his scribe, he became the first person in modern times to refer to the hill by that name.
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Answer to:
Matthew 5:17-18 says quite clearly that Jesus demands Christians follow Old Testament law completely, to the smallest possible point. Why don’t they?
The Law of Moses existed to teach and prepare men for the coming of Christ. His coming fulfilled that law and brought to an end, with its many rituals and strict immediate penalties.
He did NOT fulfil the underlying commandments, but rather strengthened and broadened the definitions, as shown in the verses you cite.
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Thus with the woman taken in adultery Jesus said "Neither do I...
Answer to:
Have you been born again?
Yes
But not in the way you are probably thinking of it.
I have been baptized (born of the water)
And received the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (and of the spirit)
Which is what Jesus was talking about when he said we must be born again. See John 3:3-5
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Answer to:
Are emotions more powerful than logic?
No. Logic, or reason, is far more powerful.
Emotion are there from birth, and are actually the driving force for all that we do and say.
An infant runs on pure emotion. He has not yet learned to reason.
The process of growing up is largely about bringing the emotions under the control of reason.
By governing our emotions and the impulses that spring from them we help to make the emotions...
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Answer to:
If god is omniscient and can see the future, why would he create beings that would fail him and bite the apple in the garden of eden?
They did not fail him. He knew what would happen, and he knew it was necessary for our salvation. Otherwise he could simply have left that tree out of the garden.
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Answer to:
Did god put adam and eve in the garden of eden, knowign that they would eat the apple, and be cast out?
Yes, God knew.
That Adam and Eve do so was a necessary part of the plan of salvation.
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Answer to:
What's the difference between happiness and pleasure, and which is better to aim for?
Happiness is long term and has greater actual value. Pleasure is short term and may not even be good for you.
Answer to:
Be totally honest now .... If you found $10,000 in a paper bag would you hand it in or keep it?
I would turn it in.
Answer to:
What is the name of an item whose existence defines it's purpose, for example a sign hanging low over a walkway that says, "watch out for this sign" where if it wasn't there, it wouldn't need to be there. Paradox. Is there a more specific word?
Stupidity. (on the part of the fellow who would put up such a sign).
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And it really happens!
I'm a truck driver. We have a system called Qualcomm that lets the company send us messages while we are on the road. It beeps loudly when one arrives, which can be quite a distraction.
And they keep sending us messages while we are driving to "avoid distractions!"
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Answer to:
What is an example of a paradox?
Lots of excellent examples here. But it is well to remember that every paradox contains a flaw.
Examples:
1) "This statement is false."
Fails to recognize that the statement has no inherent true or false value.
2)"Kill my grandfather to prevent my own birth."
Ignores the evidence presented by your existence that any attempt to do that is doomed to failure.
...
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Answer to:
What's a good example of pandemonium?
The New York Stock Exchange on Black Tuesday.
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Answer to:
What is the point of giving someone negative points for giving there honest opinion even if it's not the same as yours, I don't understand the negative part?
Some people simply feel very threatened by an opinion different from their own, and waste no opportunity to try to convince THEMSELVES that these opinions are unimportant, and can be safely ignored.
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Answer to:
Do guys actually look for girls like their mom?
Not deliberately. But if they are happy with their mother, then a lot of the ideas they have unconsciously about what a woman should be and do come from her.
So the tendency is to do just that, without ever realizing why, or even that they are doing it.
Answer to:
How do I testify my christain faith, to a devoted Mormon? I mean mormons are usually the nicest people around, but they seem to have a reason to prove you wrong about your faith. I'm just concerned about my Mormon friends eternal destiny.
Just go ahead and do it. Your friend won't mind.
But be prepared for your friend to return the favor.
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If you both have open minds you can discuss religion freely, and, if nothing else, come away better friends than before and understanding each other better than ever.
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LDS.org is an excelent resource to see what we believe (Yes, I'm a member too). (you wouldn't depend on...
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Answer to:
Nowadays, are most young people of this generation marrying for the wrong reasons? It does seem that way. I mean look at the divorce rate.
The real reason for the divorce rate is lack of commitment.
They marry and say "let's see if this works" and quit at the first major hurdle.
They SHOULD marry and say "This will work" and put everything they have and are into making it work.
When they reach the first hurdle, and every one thereafter, they need to close ranks and pull together to meet the challenge.
...
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Answer to:
Is honest truth devoid of beauty?
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
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It is indeed beautiful.
Answer to:
Does education affect freedom?
Absolutely.
That is why dictatorships work so hard to limit education.
The better educated and informed people are the harder it is to deprive them of freedom and keep them under control.
Answer to:
Why, in a democracy which grants us virtual freedom, are we forced to receive an education?
In a democracy the people govern.
We choose not to be governed by the uneducated.
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Answer to:
What is time paradox?
Other answers have correctly stated the paradox.
I think, however, that the paradox resolves itself if we note that any attempt to kill your parents before your birth has already taken place in your past, and failed.
This does not change simply because it is you who made that attempt, or because you have not yet reached that point in your own personal experience.
Since no successful...
Answer to:
What does paradox mean
Actually a paradox is a place to park a pair of ships.
Answer to:
If we are all children (sons and daughters) of God, and Jesus was/is the Son of God, does that mean everyone has the potential to be like Jesus?
Clearly.
Jesus is like his Father.
Jesus commanded us "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
And he would never give us a commandment we did not have the potential to fulfill.
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Answer to:
If Peter, the Apostle were to be resurected today and preach in the churches, do you think he would use the New Testament scriptures in his sermons?
I think he would teach now as he did then, from his own personal experience, and the knowledge given him by God through revelation.
Answer to:
What's your defination of 'obligation'?
An obligation is any responsibility I take upon myself of my own free will.
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Never confuse it with the things everyone else feels you absolutely must do.
Answer to:
Were the Nazis right to euthenase disabled people?
No. The attitude is basically selfish: they are inconvenient for me.
From the self interest standpoint, support them in it, and something you are, do or say could be the next inconvenient thing they want to get rid of.
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Answer to:
If something is objectively true, does it have to fall within the realm of science, and does the fact that something does not fall within the realm of science prove its relativism?
Science is organized knowledge, and every truth lies within its scope.
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The limitation is in the tools we have to verify its truth.
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Many diseases are caused by tiny organisms.
But until the invention of the microscope we had not tools to verify that truth.
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If men say something is not science, what they actually mean is we have no tools to test and see if it is true.
Or, all too...
Answer to:
Is perception reality?
No. Perception is not reality any more than the picture on your TV are the events themselves.
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We get our internal picture of reality through perception. The inaccuracies in our picture of reality from faulty perception of faulty interpretation of what we perceive can get us in trouble with reality.
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When such distortion become severe enough the person is judged insane.
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Answer to:
Was the world rotating faster ( day and night ) during Adam's life time as compared to our present time which may be a lot slower . Would this explain the reason for his age reaching 930 years old.
Not at all likely.
If you check the genealogy, age of the father when a son is born etc. (I did once) you find that Adam was contemporary with about 11 generations of his descendants. No conceivable variation in length of day or year can explain that. Only the idea that he actually lived that long does so.
Note also that ages stayed in that range up to the flood, and dropped to more modern...
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Answer to:
Christians, The bible tells us not to take away words or scriptures from the bible, or God will take that persons part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City, do you believe people have done this anyway?
The Bible does not say any such thing.
The Book of Revelation says such about CHANGING the Book of REVELATION.
Deuteronomy makes a similar statement about what is contained in it.
Each is equivalent to a modern copyright notice, and the inclusion of such books in an anthology (Bible) does not extend the copyright protection to the other 44 books of the anthology. And they definitely do not...
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Answer to:
Money cannot buy you true love or true friendship. Yet the 'lack' of money can be a source of great distress. Poverty usually does not win friends or love, either. What are your thoughts on this paradox?
The Irish say that Money cannot buy happiness, but it does quiet the nerves.
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And that bit of whimsy goes right to the heart of the matter.
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Answer to:
Can you explain the paradox of the following sentence? “This sentence is false.”
The paradox is that of the two choices:
1) If it is false then it must be true.
2) If it is true then it must be false.
In each case the conclusion contradicts the premise, showing the premise is not correct.
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The fallacy is in the assumption that these are the only tow premises possible. Begin with:
3) The statement is neither true nor false. Then the content of the statement is...
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Answer to:
Do you ever worry that you will fall off the face of the earth?
Taking that literally, then in 2 ways.
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1) With an initial velocity in an appropriate direction of at least 7 miles per second, inertia will then keep you going indefinitely, thus "falling" up out of the earth's gravitational well well.
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2) Down any suitable hole or crevasse. Thus you are no longer technically on the "face" of the earth. You are under its surface.
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Answer to:
Ok I need help. I have to do a report on the Salem Witch trials, But I havent been able to find any REALLY good resorces online. Does anyone have any info on the subject or know of a good website that I could use?- Thank you!
I think the most significant thing about the events is, that while the behavior of children provided the seed, it was in the minds of supposedly responsible adults that the seed took root and grew to monstrous proportions.
These four sites are all worth a look:
http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/texts/transcripts.html
http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/
...
Answer to:
Is Rush Limbaugh worth the four hundred million dollar, eight year contract which he just signed?
The people who offered him the contract apparently think so. Though they don't really say why.
If he generates that much revenue then he is to them.
Which has nothing to do with the value of his opinions.
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Personally, I have no use for him.
Answer to:
Why can't people on earth believe the 31,000 scientists that president bush hired to find the cause of global warming? (they all concurred that man was'nt responsible for global warming) so why cant people believe it? I proved they were right
I look at the evidence and see cyclic examples of global warming and cooling. That cycle has us currently going from an ice age to a warmer period.
Without being able to prove it, or feeling any particular need to, I suspect that this cycle explains nearly all of our "Global Warming".
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Still people (including me) usually believe what they want to believe, and pay attention only...
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Answer to:
Can someone please explain to me how evolution makes sense?
Mutations from chemicals and radiation take place all the time. Most kill the organism. Some make no real difference. A few make the organism better able to survive under some circumstances.
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Conditions also change, and the organisms with the best survival characteristics for those circumstances will survive in greater numbers and produce the most offspring.
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The most obvious example I...
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Answer to:
Have you ever wished you could change things from the past? And if so...how do you think that would have affected the outcome of your present?
You would run head on into the people who like things the way they are, and would promptly change them back.
Some of the changes would be so important to some of the people that the result would be murder. Literally.
Answer to:
Whats the difference between an atom bomb and a nuclear bomb?
No difference. They are the same thing.
Atom Bomb is the archaic term however, not often used now.
Nuclear Bomb is simply the more commonly used expression now.
Answer to:
Do you think that a world free of nuclear weapons would be a better world? Would you like to sign the Global Zero petition? (link in question)
Not really. They are only a tool for violence, and without them men who want to will still find plenty.
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And a successful Global Zero petition would only mean that only those who choose not to sign will still have them.
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Or are you proposing that we all get together and attack such people with conventional weapons to either kill or control them? Dead is dead either way.
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Answer to:
Does it pay to be honest?
Yes it does.
The fact that this is not always true IN THE SHORT TERM is what causes the confusion about it.
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Answer to:
I would rather be killed than kill another person. what do you think?
Most of the time I would agree.
But if you start shooting at me I WILL shoot back!
Answer to:
Can you choose to believe? Something is either mentally acceptable or not. Even if a friend convinces me otherwise, now I have no choice but to accept. Where's the choice? Even ambiguous things like God. If you believe, you cannot choose not to.Nor vice v
We use logic for two purposes:
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Primarily to convince ourselves (and others) that what we CHOOSE to believe, is in fact true.
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And to a far lesser extent, to discover new things.
(Which we may then choose to believe or deny.)
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You may silence a man temporarily by proving that what he believes is wrong.
But watch carefully and you will often find that he still believes because he...
Answer to:
Is there really such a thing as random?
That is what Chaos Theory is all about:
The idea that all things conform to patterns, and that those that appear not to, actually conform to patterns to complex for us to recognize.
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Answer to:
If someone was drowning and it was garuanteed you could save them but only by giving up your own life at the same time would you save them?
It would depend on the person I was to save.
And while I hope and believe I would for the right person,
I'll never actually know until it happens.
Answer to:
Under what conditions can a choice made by an individual in the present affect an outcome for that same individual the in the past?
It cannot. Past outcomes are history, and cannot be changed.
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You might try, by cheating on a bet and winning.
Then later reveal that you cheated, changing the win to a loose.
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The change, however, does not take place in the past, but in the present and future.
Answer to:
I has been said "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe,it can achieve " ,what are your thought on this?
A wise and useful concept, and quite true.
As long as you remember "No absolute statement is ever entirely true. Including this one." (Robert Heinlein - Notebooks of Lazarus Long)
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Answer to:
If perception is reality, and I'm not perceiving a doctor repairing my broken arm, was my broken arm repaired by a doctor?
Reality exists first.
Perception only makes us aware of reality.
Perception without preexisting reality is illusion, imagination, hallucination or insanity.
However, if we start, as you did, with the assumption that "perception is reality", then no, your broken arm was not repaired by the doctor because I do not perceive you, therefore you and your broken arm are not real.
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Answer to:
Wisdom- Does it come with age or experience?
The old experienced fools are legion.
So it's neither age nor experience.
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I think it's more likely to come with thought, reflection, and a willingness to learn and to change ourselves.
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Most of us, most of the time, keep butting our heads against the same walls. Never stopping to look around for the doors.
Answer to:
How many Mormons are aware of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and how does the church go about explaining it?
I'm aware that the members of a wagon train were massacred by a mixed band of Indians and LDS members without the knowledge or consent of the general authorities, which they would never have gotten.
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I am also aware that the people of the wagon train were believed to have poisoned a spring, causing the deaths of some Indian horses, and the Indians who subsequently ate them.
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I am...
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Answer to:
Last month Pope Venedict XVI said the current global financial crisis "is proof that the persuit of money and success is pointless and wealth meant nothing". Yet Vatican's own wealth reveals estimates of $10 to $15 billions. What's your take on this?
Money itself is not evil.
Neither is the possession of it evil.
The love of money, however, can become a fatal trap.
If you cannot turn and walk away from your money without regret or hesitation when circumstances require, then money is no longer your servant, but has become your master.
You must break the bonds or it will displace everything of real value in your existence.
And having...
Answer to:
Does suicide bother anyone? i want to kill myself and i want to know if it will bother anyone.
It would bother me.
Please don't.
You have already affected the lives of everyone who has ever known you. Keep on.
I can't promise it will be easy.
I do promise it will be worth it in the long run.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe the water and bread of the Sacrament are the literal body and blood of Jesus?
No.
They are symbolic, and taken IN REMEMBRANCE of his blood and body.
If we believed they were literally his body and blood, eating them would make us cannibals.
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Answer to:
Religious liberty must always include the liberty not to be religious. Do you agree?
Absolutely
It's a multiple choice question that MUST include "none of the above" to be complete.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe the Bible has stood the test of time without needing additional scripture?
If you mean is the Bible sufficient as is, and by itself then the answer is a clear and resounding NO.
The existence of hundreds of Christian sects with conflicting doctrine, and all drawn from their own interpretation of the Bible makes that self evident.
Otherwise there would only be one interpretation, one doctrine and one church.
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Answer to:
Are college logic courses difficult/What do they consist of?
College logic courses can be a lot of fun.
But they do require you to think, which can be hard work.
Which is why so few people do it.
They come in two flavors:
Deductive: Using the known facts to derive and prove new insights. For example: If Nancy is Henry's mother and Nancy is Jane's mother then Henry and Jane are brother and sister.
Inductive: Using known facts to...
Answer to:
What is personal logic behind cleptomania?
Kleptomania is an out of control appetite.
It has no personal logic.
The kleptomaniac steals because the urge is there. Thoughts about why come after the act to sooth conscience.
Answer to:
Do ethics and logic always agree?
Actually, ethics and logic are not even the same breed of cat. They simply cannot be compared.
.
Ethics is a question of "is it right or is it wrong". Logic may be useful in making that decision, or it may not.
.
Logic is a deductive process to get new understanding from existing information. It can be applied to a question of ethics as easily as any other type of question.
....
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Answer to:
If you do not believe in God, does that automatically mean you believe in evolution and the big bang?
When I don't believe in something, it simply means i don't find the evidence convincing.
It's easy enough to not believe in all of the above at the same time.
It only requires that you not find the evidence of any of them sufficient to convince you.
Answer to:
Do you believe in evolution? Or do you believe God made the earth? Which one is more believable? Big Bang Theory or God creating man out of dust?
Evolutionists often believe they know more than they actually do. Most of it is unproven theory.
Creationists often fail to notice that no details of creation are given, only a broad outline. And that a day need not be a 24-hour period, but can be any period, long or short, that can be identified by people living or events taking place then. (e.g. In My day we ...)
What we actually know of...
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Answer to:
I havent read the bible, but how can the virgin mary be a virgin when she gave birth to jesus?
How God did it (the details) we don't know. His knowledge is vastly superior to ours.
But we can do it today using artificial insemination.
And I really doubt that is the only possible way.
Answer to:
Do Mormons believe Mary was a virgin when she gave birth?
We do.
Both the Bible and Book of Mormon testify to that fact.
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We also believe that God is the literal father of Jesus in the sense that fatherhood is understood on earth.
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We believe that this was accomplished by God, not by setting aside the laws of nature, but by using a vastly superior understanding of nature to accomplish his purposes.
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Answer to:
How do you get respected by society?
Forget about getting society to respect you.
So live that you can respect yourself.
Then look around you, and you will find that those whose respect is worth having respect you.
And those who do not respect you are the ones whose respect you couldn't care less about.
Answer to:
Ok people I'm bored! Give me some algebra problems to solve!
Given that x = y
Prove that 2 = 1
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x = y
x^2 = xy
x^2 - y^2 = xy - y^2
(x + y)(x - y) = y (x - y)
x + y = y
y + y = y
2y = 1y
2 = 1
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What is wrong with this proof?
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Answer to:
A local radio station has coverage within a radius of 40 miles. They would like to extend their coverage to have a radius of 60 miles. What would be the additional area covered, in square miles, if they were able to extend their listening radius? (Use 3.1
If you mean use 3.1 as the value for Pi, then the answer is:
Area of the larger circle minus area of the smaller circle
= 3.1(60*60) - 3.1(40*40)
= 3.1 (3600-1600)]
= 3.1 * 2000
= 6200
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Answer to:
Some believe that Deut. 4:2 and Rev. 22:18-19 mean that nothing should be added to the Bible. How do these scriptures relate to the Book of Mormon?
Revelations says nothing can be add to or taken away from THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS, which is only one of the 66 Books in the Bible.
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The Book of Mormon neither adds to nor takes away from Revelations, but is a book in its own right, independent of both Revelations and the Bible.
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Answer to:
What is the best way to find out who your ancestors are?
Start by asking living relatives for all they can tell you. (You will need that, if for no other reason, to take you back far enough that records become public. Those for people that may still be living (about 100 years) are generally restricted.
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Then go to: http://www.familysearch.org/ (It's free)
where you will find an astounding amount of information at your fingertips. These...
Answer to:
What is science fiction?
True Science Fiction is that class of fiction whose only rule is "never violate scientific fact" (Theory is fair game}.
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Unfortunately, over the last few decades:
Fantasy began to be grouped with Science Fiction.
The category began to be called Fantasy and Science Fiction.
The proportion of Fantasy began to increase (it's easier to write, as there are NO...
Answer to:
Do you recognize the names of fictional folklore heroes like Johnny Appleseed or Paul Bunyon? Others? How did you learn them?
Many of them. Some from stories I heard as a child. Others from stories i read as a child, teen or adult.
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Answer to:
If YOU came with Instructions what would they say?
Keep refrigerated.
Answer to:
How can infinity of anything exist in reality? It wouldn't fit in the universe, would it?
It would if the universe itself is infinite.
Answer to:
Two dice are rolled, one at a time. Find the probability of rolling a 5 on the first die and a 2 on the second. Round to the nearest whole percent.
The probability is 1/36
Which rounds to 3%
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Answer to:
Two ordinary, 6-sided dice are rolled and the total score is noted. Find the probability of getting one or more sixes.
11/36
There are 25 rolls with both dice coming up other than 6.
The remaining 11 possible rolls all contain at least one 6.
Answer to:
1) If two dice are rolled one time, find the probability of getting these
results:
i. A sum of 6
ii. Doubles
iii. A sum of 7 or 11
iv. A sum greater than 9
v. A sum less than or equal 4
i 5/36
ii 1/6
iii 2/9
iv 1/6
v 1/6
Answer to:
Is it possible to prove that God does exist?
You can prove it to your own satisfaction. I have.
But proof proceeds logically from a set of basic assumptions. To prove anything to someone else, all the assumptions used in the proof must also be held by the person you wish to prove it to.
Since the assumption that God does NOT exist is often one of the basic assumptions believed by an atheist, you will never be able to prove it to them.
Answer to:
Is it illogical to posit that (1) one believes in the possibility that God exists and (2) one believes it is impossible to prove or disprove the existence of God - or are these statements reconcilable logically?
These two are logically compatible.
However, I've spoken to quite a few people who seem to have no trouble believing two contradictory statements at the same time.
For example:
1) God The Father and Jesus Christ are the same person.
2) God The Father and Jesus Christ are two separate people.
Answer to:
Why is the letter x used so often in algebra?
Long standing habit.
Everyone who studies mathematics is first introduced to problems with a single unknown x.
They quickly learn to think of it as the natural symbol to use for an unknown.
When introduced to equations with two or more variables the habit still often carries over as the symbol for the first unknown.
Answer to:
What will be the sum of first 100 odd numbers?
That would be the odd numbers from 1 to 199.
Take the number in pairs, the smallest and largest (1 + 199), the next largest and next smallest (3 + 197) etc.
Each pair will add up to 200.
There will be 50 pairs.
Your answer will then be the value of each pair multiplied by the number of pairs (200 * 50)
This can also be represented as ((100*2)*(100/2)) which simplifies to (100*100), your...
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Answer to:
How do you find the sum of the first 9408 odd numbers?
That would be the odd numbers from 1 to 18815.
Take the number in pairs, the smallest and largest (1 + 18815), the next largest and next smallest (3 + 18813) etc.
Each pair will add up to 18816.
There will be 4704 pairs.
Your answer will then be the value of each pair multiplied by the number of pairs (18816 * 4704)
This can also be represented as ((9408*2)*(9408/2)) which simplifies to...
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Answer to:
The sum of twice a number and 5 is 39. find the number.
17
Answer to:
Twice a number added to sixty is 120. what is the number
30
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Answer to:
What does the x mean in the problem: 5-6x=3t+2(4+10x)
the x is an unknown.
Solved for x the equation becomes: x = -3(t+1)/26
Answer to:
My friend was raped by her boyfriend and now shes pregnant...she doesnt want to have the baby but she dont want to have an abortion because she has had one in the past. She doesnt want to be with him anymore. What should she do?
1) Charge him with rape, not just for herself, but to protect other women from him.
2) Get counceling. This is an enormous shock. She doesn't have to face it alone and shouldn't.
3) Have the baby and put it up for adoption.
4) If he hasn't been arrested, or is out on bail there is one more thing she can do: Get a restraining order to keep the former boyfriend away. It...
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Answer to:
Where can one purchase a LDS/Morman Hymn Book?
http://deseretbook.com/store/search?x=0&y=0&query=hymn+book
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This link jumps you straight to a page where they are listed for sale.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that women are less than men in the eyes of God?
OK sungazer:
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Your heart and your lungs fulfill drastically different roles in your body. Both are equally critical to your survival.
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Your Doctor and your Mechanic fill different roles in your world. Is one really less necessary than the other for life as we know it.
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A man cannot bear children. A woman cannot father them.
Both are equally essential to having a child.
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Enough?
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Answer to:
Which religion is true?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
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That said, on to something we might actually agree on:
There can be only one (or none).
God is not the author of confusion, and the existence of two or more churches, both actually founded by God, would cause confusion.
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The notion that two churches teaching conflicting doctrine can both be authorize and watched over by God is obviously...
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Answer to:
It is one thing to not agree with another church's beliefs but why do so many so called christians think they have a right to tell mormons they are not christian just because their beliefs are different from their own
There are two reasons why people say Mormons are not Christians.
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1) They feel threatened. If they can convince themselves that that is true, then they never have to deal with fears that the Mormons may be right.
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2) If they can convince others that that is true then they can prevent them from even considering what Mormons believe or have to say.
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Once people accept such a statement...
Answer to:
Why in the LSD church, the Mormons use either archaic languages and than say it needs refined or they use a completely new language that needed to be learned and than taught to their children (so called reformed egyptian)? What are they hiding?
Reformed Egyptian was used in writing the original plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated.
You undoubtedly heard of it in connection with that.
We don't use it ourselves.
The only archaic language we use is the Court English used in the Bible. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in to that form, probably because he though of it as the language of scripture.
We...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that women are less than men in the eyes of God?
Who told you "Mormon women live lives of drudgery."?
And why did you believe it without checking?
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Or perhaps you have us confused with one or more of the reorganized sects or apostate communities.
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I have known thousands of LDS (Mormon) women. The handful who were living lives of drudgery were doing so for reasons having nothing to do with the Church.
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"Roles can be...
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe that women are less than men in the eyes of God?
Not at all.
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The roles men and women fulfill are often different, but we were meant by God to work together in equal partnership.
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Roles can be equal without being identical.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons study the Bible?
We do.
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We consider it an essential part of what God has revealed to man. An it is the testament of an entire nation that Jesus is The Christ.
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The Book of Mormon is the testament of another nation that Jesus is The Christ.
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Together they fulfill the Biblical admonition:
"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
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Answer to:
Do the Mormons really discourage their members from drinking coffee?
That is correct.
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The reason we do so is a revelation from God telling us that Hot drinks, strong drinks and tobacco are things we should not consume. The prophet has further told us that the drinks referred to are specifically: Coffee, China teas (herbal teas are ok) and alcohol.
While there has been much conjecture on the subject, the simple fact is that God has not told us why these...
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Answer to:
What exactly does blaspheming the Holy Spirit mean? Is it thinking bad things about God, or not believing in Jesus? can true Christians still ask questions such as "why does God allow suffering etc?"
The Holy Ghost testifies to us of the truths of the Gospel and the divinity and mission of Jesus Christ.
Initially, this gives us faith.
As we become ready to receive it we can reach a point where the Holy Ghost can give us Knowledge of this.
This Knowledge is a thing different in kind, not just degree, from faith.
Very few of us reach that point in mortal life.
Peter did. He Knew...
Answer to:
Can you believe that you can become a God and still be a Christian?
I worship God who is my Father in the name of Jesus Christ who is my savior, and the only begotten of our Father in the flesh.
God being my father, I find nothing strange about the notion that I can grow up to be just like him.
Nor do I find anything in Christs teachings that conflicts with this idea. Quite the contrary in fact.
It's exactly like the earthly relationship, where...
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Answer to:
Do You Really Believe You Can Become a God?
Yes.
God is my Father.
I hope to be able to grow up to be just like him.
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Answer to:
My boyfriend and his family are Mormon. I am not and my family is completely against Mormon beliefs. We are serious about one another and are in love. Should I convert?
If you convert, it should be for yourself, not for him.
They will be glad to have the missionaries teach you, and then you will be able to make an informed decision.
A shared religion acceptable to both will be a joy for life. Anything else will only cause pain.
Note: This is also true if HE converts to YOUR church.
By the way, I am a Mormon myself.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith, Mormon or Moroni?
We worship God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, as Jesus himself commanded us to do.
We respect these servants of God and thank them and God for what they have done to help us on our way to Him.
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Answer to:
Do mormons really belive they are going to be a God of there own planet one day?
We do believe that.
On earth, children grow up, form households of their own and have their own children, just like their parents, and without taking their parents place.
If we are the children of God, then what is more natural than that we should grow up, become as he is, and do what he does, having spirit children of our own and creating worlds for them just as he has done for us.
...
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Answer to:
Does "God" exist? If you believe so do you also believe that all other religions are false?
Yes and Yes.
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Answer to:
Do Mormons believe all other religions are based on false doctrine?
No, they were based on sound doctrine.
But the Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) has the constant attention of those authorized by God to teach in his name and weed out error and false doctrine before it can take root and grow strong.
Other religions do not have that advantage.
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Answer to:
Do you think Mormons are not Christians? Why?
Mormons are Christians.
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Christians are those who accept Christ as their guiding authority, and attempt, to the best of their ability, to pattern their lives according to his teaching.
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This does NOT require that a person CORRECTLY understand ANYTHING Christ said.
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In fact, if a completely correct understanding of what Christ said is required in order to be a Christian, then there are...
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Answer to:
Why do Mormons find it necessary to go door to door recruiting people into their religion?
The Gospel is the most valuable thing we have.
Naturally we are enthusiastic about it.
Naturally we desire to share it.
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Answer to:
If a Mormon were to be asked by one of the LDS general authorities to kill somebody because it was Gods will would they do it?
Not because anyone told me it was God's will.
That would be sufficient only to get me to go to God in prayer and ask if it was his will.
It would take a mighty clear answer from God to convince me that it was.
Even then, I have a long history of keeping God's commandments poorly or not at all.
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