The gathering of Israel, of which you are a part, is taking place throughout the world, and it is important that people strengthen the stakes in which they live:

D&C 115:6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.

The stakes will help protect us when the wrath is poured out upon the earth by God. The so-called "tribulation." The prophet Ezra Taft Benson taught:

We will live in the midst of economic, political, and spiritual instability. When these signs are observed-unmistakable evidences that His coming is nigh-we need not be troubled, but "stand in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come" (D&C 87:8). Holy men and women stand in holy places, and these holy places consist of our temples, our chapels, our homes, and stakes of Zion, which are, as the Lord declares, "for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth" (D&C 115:6). We must heed the Lord's counsel to the Saints of this dispensation: "Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord" (D&C 133:10).

Members of stakes are to be models or standards of righteousness. Stakes are to be a defense (see D&C 115:6). They do this as they unify under their local priesthood officers and dedicate themselves to do their duty and keep their covenants. Those covenants, if kept, become a protection from error, evil, or calamity. (El Paso Texas Regional Conference, 25 January 1986.)

If you want to go on a mission, pray for it. The resurrected Christ taught the Nephites:

What this Book of Mormon prophet teaches us is that the Lord will redeem his people _from_ their sins, and not while in their sins. Speaking to the people on another occasion, the prophet Amulek had a public discussion with a prominent lawyer, Zeezrom, about this very matter:

Alma 11:32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God?

33 And he said unto him, Yea.

34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people--as though he had authority to command God.

36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

The actual scripture passage taken in its entire context makes it clear that Alma was speaking of a spiritual realm that had a good side (paradise) and a bad side (spirit prison). We all know that nothing evil can dwell in the presence of God, so this place is not heaven. It is not the place where God dwells. It is a temporary "holding place" for the spirits of God awaiting their resurrection. There are a LOT of the servants of God there, or in other words, angels. There are also the angels of Lucifer there separated from the righteous (see D&C 138).

The question might be, "who causes the spirits of the children of men to go to this place after they die?" God does. God's servants, or the representatives of God take the spirit to this place. This is the light that so many have talked about who have had a "near death experience." So in a sense, they meet God by virtue of meeting His representatives who take them to the Spirit World after death. But it is not the final judgement, and it is before the resurrection. Here is the scripture passage:

Alma 40:11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection--Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil--for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house--and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

I would not think that way. There are many false gospels, religions, and teachings in the world, which can be dated back many millennia. Age does not make a document true. Only God can tell us whether something is true, and that is why we encourage all who would, to pray about the Book of Mormon after sincere study of the book.

Moroni 10:3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down unto the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

Mormon 8:1 BEHOLD I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

3 Nephi 12:48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Why would Jesus command us to do the "impossible?" It is because it is possible, with God's help. They can do this for us. So you see, it is not an evil desire.

So what was Satan's mistake? Rebellion. Insurrection. War. Greed, and complete and total selfishness and ingratitude for the God who gave him life. He fought God, rebelled, and powerless, he was cast out. The heavens wept over them. (see also Revelation 12)

D&C 29:36 ...behold, the devil ... rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;

What if we looked for evidence of the City of Enoch (which got translated into heaven). We will never find any. So should we disbelieve the Bible because of a lack of evidence for these people, even a city?

Even though there are evidences of the ancient American civilizations corresponding to the Book of Mormon peoples, that is not the message of the book of books. It is that Jesus is the Christ. It is a standard for the House of Israel. Here is what the Lord said to Nephi about it:

2 Nephi 29:2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel;

The book of Mormon words do hiss forth, even as Isaiah prophesied they would:

Isaiah 5:26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

2 Nephi 29:3 And because my words shall hiss forth--many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

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 I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

I suppose that when viewed with a certain level of cynicism, it may all be viewed this way. But let me explain how I see it.

The Bible is what led Joseph Smith to his relationship with God. It got him inspired and taught him to pray (see James 1:5). He did and he was subsequently called as a prophet of God by God and His Son. Who would say that the Bible was not a wonderful book?! It is! I love the Bible. It has led many people to God over the years.

It must be confirmed by the witness of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. We have so many OTHER scriptures that explicitly define the personality of the Godhead, that they are three separate and distinct beings, that there can be no misunderstanding what the word "one" in the Book of Mormon must mean. It means unity in purpose, glory, and status as the collective Elohim who rule the worlds without number.

2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Consider what the Apostle John wrote in his revelation called Revelation:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

D&C 77:11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel-- twelve thousand out of every tribe?

A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.

There have been many who have been ordained unto this Holy Order of God, namely, the Melchizedek Priesthood, from all ages of time...not the least of which are those from the Book of Mormon record from ancient America:

You are to honor your parents, keep the law, and wait until you are 18 years old if necessary. You should also pray to the Lord, ask for His help and intervention...seek His will on the matter. He will comfort you. Alma taught us that the Lord will be there for us, when things are difficult:

Alma 31:31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.

I too have felt weaknesses, and from time to time the inability to get things done as I want to do... I have recognized this as a temptation, and also I have learned from the Book of Mormon that the Lord gives us weaknesses, to keep us humble. The Lord said to Moroni:

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

If you want something, but are caught in weakness preventing you from getting it done, then it is time to really come to the Lord in all humility, acknowledging all weaknesses, and asking/pleading for help to overcome them. He will help.

The fall of Adam caused death to come into the world, yet we believe that this is not a punishment for all of us, but is the plan of salvation. We are all supposed to come here to earth to live by faith, and not in the presence of God directly. It was planned that way so that we could develop faith. Adam and Eve chose to eat it of their own free will, and the consequece of their choice came as a result of their disobedience in eating of the forbidden fruit.

Their children were not guilty of anything at their birth, they were alive in Christ as is taught in the Book of Mormon by the prophet Mormon (see Moroni 8). All little children are alive in Christ, and are perfect and saved from the Fall, by virtue of the Atonement of Christ. God taught the prophet Mormon these words of Christ:

Moroni 8:8 ...little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin, wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them...

No, the Book of Mormon prophets knew the truth, that children are not guilty because of their parents, but because of the Fall of Adam we all needed a Savior, a Redeemer, to save us from death (from the Fall, and from our Sins). God provided for that. We will all be resurrected (saved from the Fall) and we all have opportunity to become clean from our sins by repentance (through the Atonement of Christ).

This much we know, there was an ancient Apostasy from the Church of Jesus Christ; authority of the priesthood was lost... and in the "dark ages" of time there was much wickedness on the earth, and the devil reigned with power over the hearts of men. Good was crushed, even vigilantly guarded against. We have the bilical record to know how bad the devil had control over the Scribes and Pharisees, that they even crucified the Lord Jesus Christ! Amazing wickedness!! Is it any surprise that the devil would seek to continue this wickedness into the dark ages?

Even the remnants of the original Church of Jesus Christ were affected as leaders were systematically removed and re-staffed by men who were lacking authority of God, by political leaders (such as Constantine who was a sun- worshipper) who changed the "christian" church and appointed new "bishops." This Apostasy, or falling away, was prophesied in the Bible:

2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come (2nd coming of Christ) except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.

The great and abominable church is none other than the church of the devil. He is the founder of it. It includes anything that fights against the Lamb of God. This includes any organization on the earth today that essentially fights against Christ and His Church. Political factions that are anti- Christ (the U.N. is godless BTW), worldly entities that make smut and evil entertainment, corporations and people that run them whose only goal is to make money sometimes at any moral cost and who promote amoral lifestyle, and even the church of satan himself in all of its filthy darkness. All of these collectively make up what is discussed in the Book of Mormon as the church of the devil. For he is the founder of all these things, which fight against Christ and His gospel. In Nephi's vision, the angel taught:

1 Nephi 14:10 ...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.

11 ...she had dominion over all the earth...

12 ...the Church of the Lamb of God...its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters...

This whore of all the earth in all of its shades of gray and even the filthy black, the devil being the founder of it, is anything, any organization or person(s), even churches, that would fight against the Lamb of God.

It's black and white on this matter. It's about getting on Jesus Christ's true team, or the devils...there is no in between. The devils team is full of gray shades, he'll take what he can, even if he can't make a son of perdition out of everybody. He'll settle for Terrestrial Kingdom, if it means being cut off from the Father in Heaven who cast him out of heaven after the war in heaven.

v.23 ...that book, is none other than the Bible. It contains great worth to the gentiles in the world. It is helping prepare many of the gentiles throughout the world for attaining at least the Terrestrial Kingdom (vs the Telestial), and hopefully through a more complete conversion which includes accepting and believing the Book of Mormon, the Celesial Kingdom of God.

There is exaltation and eternal life only by full faith in Jesus Christ as our only hope of salvation, and by accepting Him through His ordinances (such as baptism, temple, etc.), which are only to be found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How can it be said more boldly? It is the truth. There is a true prophet of Christ living today. He is currently Gordon B. Hinckley, and it started with Joseph Smith whom Christ and His Father personally called in the sacred grove in 1820.

There were many parts of the Bible which were removed by wicked and conspiring men during the dark ages. Even the Christian Church during that time was affected by this great apostasy, and its leaders did these things: changed the word of God. Nephi received a vision (in 600 BC) that this would take place, so the Lord knew it, and planned for it. There was a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ planned for the last days, and the Lord provided the Book of Mormon which supplements those truths which remained in the Bible. Together, they are a powerful force for good, and go hand in hand as was prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37:15-17, which says that the stick of Judah (the Bible), and the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) would be joined together in one hand. It is so. Our "quadruple" combination scripture is a testament of the fulfillment of this prophecy, and we hold the Bible and Book of Mormon in one hand, along with the D&C and PofGP.

2 Ne. 2:22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

2 Ne. 2: 22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

Remaining forever means no death, and no death means no evolution is possible. They would have remained forever, and had no end. It seems so clear to me what the scriptures teach about this. There can be no mistake, and even the Bible Dictionary says the same thing.

How is it explained? How can it be possible that there are mounds of evidence "proving" evolution is true? First of all, there are theories, and not evidence when it comes to evolution. It is called the "theory of evolution" and not the "fact of evolution." It was an idea that was postulated by a man based on a relative few findings, and it makes sense to those who do not believe the scriptures on the matter of the Fall of Adam, and of Adam being the very first man as the scriptures teach.

D&C 130: 20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-

D&C 130: 21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Many people obey the law of work, even smart work, and they earn a good living by their industry, because the Lord blesses for that reason. But it is not forever.

Others obey the law of quality and quantity family time, and by virtue of that, the Lord blesses them with close and strong families. But they are not forever families by that alone.

Others obey the law of gospel study and adherence to the laws of Jesus Christ, and they individually or as a family reap the blessings that the Lord gives out for obedience to that, which is peace and joy. But it is not necessarily the _gift_ of the Holy Ghost!...which is a _constant_ companion.

I will be the first to say that the Latter-day Saints do not have the corner on close or strong families. It is a function of what people do to achieve this. People and families who truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ which is plain in the Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon, are golden contacts who would readily accept the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when it is presented to them. If they don't, it is because of some sin, the most common being pride. The prophet Nephi taught of our day:

2 Ne. 26: 20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.

2 Ne. 28: 12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

2 Ne. 28: 13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.

2 Ne. 28: 14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

2 Ne. 28: 15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.

18 But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.

19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well-and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

So in answer to your question, your Grandmother has felt the Spirit sufficient to motivate her to strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your family too. The GIFT of the Holy Ghost comes after baptism by the laying on hands, the Melchizedek Priesthood ordinance that Christ taught to His disciples.

But it is PRIDE that keeps good people from joining the Church. The Book of Mormon prophets knew of the pride that would exist today and they wrote:

Morm. 8: 36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. Moro. 8: 27 Behold, my son, I will write unto you again if I go not out soon against the Lamanites. Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction except they should repent.

This is the very reason that the Nephite nation fell. Pride. Mormon says that all have it, save a few. It creeps up on people. It causes them to think that they are better than the next guy. It causes them to think that they have no sin or guilt. It is the reason that people compare themselves with others, to say as the ancient Amalekite said to the prophets who brought them the gospel:

Alma 21: 5 Therefore, as Aaron entered into one of their synagogues to preach unto the people, and as he was speaking unto them, behold there arose an Amalekite and began to contend with him, saying: What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people as good as thy people?

Pride.

3 Ne. 12:21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God; Read more of what the resurrected Savior said about anger... Jesus did not address the question of what to DO to such people. It is a secular government question now, and every country is different. There is no established "global" authority.

In a world where ecclesiastical authority reigns (not our current world), such a murderer would be judged worthy of death, such as in the days of Moses where such authority was in place (see Numbers Chapter 35

We do not have ecclesiastical authority, but when Jesus Christ comes again to rule and reign, He would have that authority, but I believe all the murderers will be gone by then. The earth will be burned at his coming (see D&C 29:9

What do the scriptures say about holding judges accountable, such as the judges that would be sent to serve on the ICC, should it be ratified by treaty, judges sent potentially by wicked nations, even nations that are hostile towards one another? We see the power that even our own Supreme Court has, can we imagine the power of a Global Supreme Court on crime (the ICC)? Can this be trusted?

The Lord LIKES the Constitution of the United States of America, a banner to the world. He would be pleased if this were extended to all the world, as He states in scripture. The ICC is unfortunately, contrary to the Constitution, or rather, a very different structure and standard altogether. Here is what Jesus Christ said about the Constitution:

D&C 98: 5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

D&C 101: 77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

D&C 109: 54 ...may...the Constitution of our land...be established forever.

I do not doubt that this woman felt this way, but it in no way represents the whole of the Church, but a very specific experience of one person. We as LDS are just people with feelings too. I can imagine that if one of my non-member friends specifically told me that they would never convert, that this could be interpreted that they are not interested in being a friend. It could also be a challenge. It could be the frank truth. The best thing that we can do is to be friends to everyone.

Personally, I have limited time, and when I find time for friends outside of the time that I need to spend with my wife and children, it has got to be spent well. If there are people who openly tell me that they are not interested in my faith, then I am OBLIGATED to keep searching for the Lord's elect. Time is precious, and the work is urgent. If that person interprets my behavior as ostracizing, then that really is their misjudgement. I want to help people come unto Christ. There is a harvest taking place as we speak.

12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God. 13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken. (see Alma 17)

We see that Ammon was able to work with the right people, not just anyone, but the right people that lead to the greatest harvest! He worked the orchard smart.

A missionary seeks people out, and moves swiftly to where the harvest is, and does not harvest where there is no fruit, or where people do not express an interest. I do not feel it my calling or duty to spend my days hanging around people who are not interested or are against my faith; I can do so much more good finding people that will be befriended into the gospel of Jesus Christ. It really is a matter of priorities in how we will spend out time.

If the people of the world are truly the CROP, and as Jesus compares them to a HARVEST, then we should spend our time trying to make a good harvest for Jesus Christ, we labor in His field! It is better to lay up treasures for Him than to work with a plant that won't grow, does not respond to water, or a plant or tree that bears no fruit after a reasonable season. We want to collect "fruit" for the Lord! This is not ostracizing the tree, because we'll probably notice the tree again when it has some fruit to harvest, rather, this is about moving to better part of the orchard, and working with the parts that are ready to harvest!

There appears to be the most available physical evidence in Central and South America with all of the ancient ruins that beg for a Nephite civilization to be associated with it! FARMS does have some very strong points in their studies and findings, hardly that of what fools would speak.

Now, don't think that I am a big fan of FARMS, I have read many of their publications... but if I had any suggestion at all for the FARMS scholar, it would be to give more credence and faith in the early statements of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Brigham Young concerning these things. These three most assuredly favored the United States area as viable Nephite territory. We know that Joseph Smith identified certain Nephite Cities and events in North America that scholars are trying to place in Central America. We also have the account of where the plates and records are literally (the New York Hill Cumorah) according to Brigham Young's statement concerning what Oliver Cowdery told him. It would lead us to believe that the Book of Mormon Nephite civilization took place as much in North America as it did in Central or South America.

Here is the extent of Book of Mormon geography in the Book of Mormon:

Alma 22: 32 And now, it was only the distance of a day and a half's journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land Desolation, from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward.

Ether 2:16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.

17 And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish. Read more from this account at LDS.ORG

Now we can theorize as to the reasons for the hole. We have the hind-sight of knowing a little about submarine technology to understand some of the logical reasons. It should be remembered that they were "couped up" in these small vessels for a long time.

Ether 6:11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.

People need water to bathe and wash. The animals that they brought with them need to eat and there needs to be a place for all of the refuse to go. A hole in the bottom, pressurized, would be a perfect way to dispose of things, and to keep things clean for the entire year of being couped up in a small room.

I can only imagine all of the other wonders that a hole into the bottom of the ocean waters would provide in scenic views. If there were whales or fish nearby, these would be visible.

Now, this is only my imagination! It may be an entirely different scene. There may be some very sophisticated mechanisms and systems involved in the openings on the top and bottom of these vessels. We know that the record states that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish;

Well this is really a good question, and one that all of us could think about. My Patriarchal Blessing says that I am of the Tribe of Joseph, specifically through Ephraim. That would seem to indicate that I have pure blood lines back to him, and maybe I do. But my genealogy would indicate something a little different. My direct ancestors came from Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, England, Ireland. That's a mix. I'm sure most all are very mixed, includings those from Brazil. Genealogy is such an interesting and fascinating thing! Visit www.familysearch.org to search for some names using the Church's pedigree chart features. There are so many combinations possible in our ancestry. This makes the blood lines less pure and more fuzzy. Possibly the lineage is the "majority" lineage that is pronounced upon us.

As for the Lamanites, this is no different. There are many mixtures. There were many Nephites who dissented to the Lamanites, and even vice versa. Lots of mixing between the Nephite and Lamanite blood lines over time during the Book of Mormon era alone.

Alma 43: 4 For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became Lamanites;

Alma 43: 13 ...and thus the Nephites were compelled, alone, to withstand against the Lamanites, who were a compound of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, and all those who had dissented from the Nephites, who were Amalekites and Zoramites, and the descendants of the priests of Noah.

Here's the easy answer: We are of the House of Israel. The Lamanites are of Lehi's and Ishmael's blood lines, plus their wives, wherever they are from. Its a mix from the beginning. Lehi was Manasseh, Ishmael was of Ephraim. And Laman and Lemuel both took wives from Ishmael's family,, as did Nephi and Sam, so they were all 50/50 from the start, but direct descendents of Joseph. (see 1 Nephi 7)

We are speculating here. First of all, we don't know or even teach that God our Father was once a man who sinned. It is not an official Church doctrine that He was even once a man. I believe it is true, and it has been taught by General Authorities (ie King Follet discourse), but it is not taught as a doctrine, or else it would exist in the official canon of scripture. One day it may be, but it is not there now. That being said, we can speculate only on that particular issue.

Why did not Jesus sin? Well, what happens to people who are born into darkness, blinded by the craftiness of men, taught falsehoods, and not taught in the ways of the Lord> People under those conditions transgress and sin, and make mistakes. Not one of us is sinless, because to some degree we have made mistakes. But not Jesus...

It seems obvious that Jesus was prepared to be the Savior of the World, from the foundations of the world, and it was not left to chance. For instance, he knew he must be "about His Father's business" and told his mother Mary that very thing when he was only 12, 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.(see Luke 2:49-50). In other words, it was not Mary and Joseph who taught Jesus that he must be about his Father's business. They had no idea what he was talking about. So who taught Jesus? Either his real Father, God the Father, or the angels He sent. Jesus was taught. Jesus knew. He was not left to figure out his role by accident or chance. He was strengthened by angels, even during his Atonement. He was not alone.

In the Book of Mormon we learn of the great prophet Nephi, son of Helaman, who was ministered to by angels on a daily basis:

3 Nephi 7:17 ...And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.

18 And it came to pass that [the Nephites] were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.

19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people.

20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus.

Angels did minister unto him daily. Angels give strength to the valiant who are called upon to do extraordinary things. Joseph Smith received a large portion of the ministering of angels, to help him with his calling, and to keep him focused, on the straight and narrow. Numerous other prophets have had the same things. To help them, not to flatter them. Jesus Christ received the same, visits from angels, and even during his great Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was strengthened by an angel. He did not do it alone, Jesus was helped.

Luke 22: 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

The statement which Jesus Christ made to Joseph Smith is scripture, and as such is doctrine, and is true. Possibly there is a negative reaction to the word "corrupt" which seems harsh at first blush, but the dictionary defines the word as follows:

1. Containing errors or alterations, as a text: a corrupt translation.
2. To taint; contaminate.
3. To change the original form of (a text, for example). (source: Websters)

These changes can be very small. They can seem very insignificant. But nevertheless, if the original Church of Jesus Christ and portions of His scipture have been changed even a little bit from what he first established, then to call that corrupt seems very appropriate. It is not an insult.

There indeed was an apostasy from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, during the so-called dark ages. This was prophesied in scripture (see link below) The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi saw this time period and wrote about his vision of it:

1 AND it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms.

2 And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said: I behold many nations and kingdoms.

3 And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.

4 And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church.

5 And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.

6 And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.

7 And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine- twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots.

8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.

9 And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity.

24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.

25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.

28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.

29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest-because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God-because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.

Gen. 1: 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:

At this point, when they were placed in the Garden, they were childless, and would not have had any children unless they partook of the fruit. All things would have remained in the same state in which they were created, according to the words of the prophet Lehi:

2 Ne. 2: 22 22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

From these two scriptures it becomes perfectly clear what the scriptures teach. There were no humans on the earth before Adam and Eve. God placed them here. And they had no children until 4000 BC when the record began and the genealogy is revealed.

People used to say the earth was flat. Mistakes in science theory have been known to occur, not the least of which is the totally false concept of organic evolution, which is still taught today by uninspired teachers. Even though dates have been measured in the scientific method, there may be other factors involved not known to science as yet, which may lead to erroneous conclusions.

I have complete and total trust in the scriptures, the word of God, and as Nephi encouraged, I want to place my trust in God and not in the arm of flesh.

2 Ne. 4: 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

2 Ne. 28: 31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

To your question about the vicious circle of evil: solving the "problem" of evil is something that is not a problem to God. God is in control over the Universe, and suffers no threat from intelligences with an evil nature. He will always win in spite of arrogant and selfish intelligences yet to be born, who will seek His power and rebel against Him. The majority of the Universe and all the elements in it have chosen to obey God, and forever will. He is most definitely in control of it, for it is running like clockwork! When you "count" the trillions of stars, planets and numerous creations out there that are in control and order, and compare this to any that are in control by satan and his type, the score is a trillion to zero. God will keep "winning." We live today because of His designs. Evil is a necessary part of God's plan. If He was to eliminate all evil, there would be no opposition, yet we know from scripture the reason that opposition must exist. Lehi taught his son Jacob:

2 Nephi 2: 11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first- born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.
14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.
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.
17 And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.
18 And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore he said: Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.

Knowing these things, it then must be some other goal of God to create all these earths and populate them with His spirit children. If the goal is not to eliminate all evil in the Universe (because even God can't/won't change the nature intelligence _against_ its will...He does not force), then what is God's goal and purpose in creating all these things? It is explained in the scriptures, this account to Moses, one of His prophets in ancient times:

Moses 1:36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.
37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
38 And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come, and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

I have always felt a little funny about asking Heavenly Father to bless my food, unless I thought there was something wrong with it. I have always felt within my heart to thank Him for my blessings, and for the blessing of having food to eat. Feeling thankful seems to be the most important part, and what the scriptures teach. Nowhere in the scriptures do we get the teaching that we should ask God to bless our food...being thankful is what we are taught to be, to have gratitude. "Please bless the food/refreshments" can often be a trite phrase that carries little sincerity, along the lines of "help us to go to our classes in safety," etc. Being thankful is one of the most important attitudes we can develop. As President Hinckley has recently said, Be Grateful.

Nephi found food for his family, and rather than "bless the food" they humbled themselves and thanked the Lord for it:

1 Ne. 16: 32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

2 Ne. 9: 52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

The answer is that no, a woman does not "have" to do that to get into heaven. But if a woman or a man has any serious problem with the revealed will of God on this matter in ages past, that person must get their heart right towards God, and not be found counseling God. That there are more righteous women than men is intelligent speculation based on what can be seen in the church buildings across the world. Take a survey for yourself. Are there more single women in the congregation than single men? Not always, but generally speaking, yes there are.

In the last days, this is only going to get worse (who knows, because of war? because of wickedness? gangs?). Nephi records the writings of Isaiah in his own writings, and shows how Isaiah prophesied of what would take place in the "last days" prior to the coming of Christ, concerning the matter of "polygamy:"

2 Ne. 14: 1 1 AND in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.

Read the rest of the prophecy here...

Does a woman "have" to do this to get into heaven? From the scripture, it sounds like the majority of women will choose it, because they will understand it...but no, to come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into the Celestial Kingdom where God the Father dwells does not require this, but requires the following:

D&C 76:50 And again we bear record- for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just-

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given-

52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

From the Topical Guide we have lots of scriptures that refer to this as well:

TOPICAL GUIDE TITHING
(see also Family, Managing 
Finances in; Offering; Tenth; BD 
Tithe)

Gen. 14: 20 (Heb. 7: 2; Alma 13: 
15) gave him tithes of all. 
Gen. 28: 22 I will surely give the 
tenth unto thee. 
Click here 
to see 15 more scriptures on 
Tithing...

But I don't believe that you really are objective on this, by any stretch of the imagination. You have a love for and revere the Bible as the word of God, despite all of the imperfect men/scholars (ie non-prophets) that it came through, with things missing, etc. Have you never searched these things out? It is not my intent to rip apart the Bible on these things, in fact, I won't, but you should at least know that you are incorrect to imply that these things don't exist. Search and you will find. The Bible is not consistent from language to language. I taught the gospel in Korea for 2 years, and the Bible there (the only one available to us) read different meanings in certain passages, as we read what the men who translated it into Korea wrote, it came across much different. Some key points were actually missing!! I can say from my experience that the Bible is not consistent from language to language. Meanings get changed, sometimes by well-meaning scholars, and, I believe, sometimes with sinister and wicked intent. Is this the Lord's will? I don't think so. So what of it? Why not focus some of your energy on the Bible and all the "faults" that exist in the various and inconsistent translations, like the KJV, NIV, Good News, etc. etc. There are so many different "translations" of the Bible. Which one is correct? I can't tell from an intellectual exercise only. How can you? Again, I am suggesting that you convince yourself that the Bible is not a whole lot worse off on the very questions you pose about the Book of Mormon. If it is, and indeed it is, then there really seems to be no basis for your concerns about a printers error on King Benjamin, as it now stands.

You speak of the "70" that translated the Bible in Jesus' time. I speak of the thousands of other versions which have since followed, and which are not consistent with each other. So many Bible translations and versions to choose from, in lots of different languages. The Book of Mormon has one valid and current version, the ONE published today, and all language translations overseen by prophets.

Surely, it can be seen that these things can't