| QUESTION from:Mark Culham, Protestant Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 5/21/1999: | |
| Prophet John Taylor reports in the History of the Church, volume 7, that Joseph Smith shot and killed two men at the Carthage jail before he himself was murdered. Can you identify these two men? | |
Who knows. If I were Joseph, and
my brother Hyrum was being shot, I
would too try to defend the
situation. I am sure that even
Jesus would not idly look on while
his disciples were being
murdered. He would do something
about it. Hyrum fell with a
mortal wound, and Joseph instantly
arose and fired the gun through
the door. Just maybe, there was a
glimmer of hope for his poor
wounded brother. He had to try.
Who wouldn't? Sometimes I think
that the critics of Joseph Smith
have no heart of feelings for
honor, family, or the godly
principle of self defense.The Book of Mormon teaches that we must defend ourselves and our families. Joseph Smith was defending his brother Hyrum. Alma 43:47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion. |
| QUESTION from:Harmony Peders, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 5/23/1999: | |
| I am just curious, while reading over the first discussion with an investigator this evening, he asked a question for which I could not seem to find a sufficient enough answer. Why would Heavenly Father have given Adam and Eve two conflicting commandments in the Garden of Eden? Why would he tell them not to eat the fruit and to bear children, knowing that they would have to break one of them? Also while reviewing the First Discussion, my investigating friend asked why it is necessary to use "thee, thou, etc." when we pray. He asked, "Isn't it showing respect just that we pray to Him at all?" and "Why would God insist that we pray a certain way?" I tried to explain that using "thee" instead of "you" was more respectful, created a deeper relationship and made us more awed by the glory of God, and that God probably asks us to pray like that more for our own benefit so we may learn respect and love rather than He just liked to be talked to that way. But it didn't seem to satisfy my inquisitive friend. So, if you have any helpful insights on these questions, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thankyou! | |
|
The answer is given in the Book of
Mormon. It is because of the need
for choice. The need for an
opposition in all things. If God
did not provide the opposition He
would be guilty of forcing His
will upon man, something that He
has never done and never will do.
He will never violate the
principle of free agency, because
it is one of the key principles
upon which He is able to be God. Lehi the ancient American prophet said:
2 Nephi 2:14 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.
As to the formal language to be used in prayers... Jesus set the example for us by showing us how to pray. I think it very appropriate to use special pronouns for God when addressing Him. If we think to use "sir" and "your honor" when addressing key people in authority over us, is it so wrong to show the proper respect due to our Father in Heaven? Calling Him as "you" just seems to show a much lower respect than we would give to a judge in a lowly court of law. |
| QUESTION from:Tammy Rae Smith, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 5/23/1999: | |
| Why is it taught that it is more difficult to repent without a body? Is it not the soul that repents? | |
|
The body and the spirit make the
mortal and immortal soul, and so
it is more difficult to repent
when one can not experience the
tear, the sorrow and the feelings
that come from the repentance
process. Jesus felt these things
when he took upon himself our sins
in the Garden of Gethsemane. It
was because of his body (flesh)
that he was able to bleed from
every pore and make that offering
possible. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul." (D. & C. 88:15-16; Alma 40:23.) |
| QUESTION from:Edward F. Perida, Born Again Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 5/23/1999: | |
| One of my LDS friends stated that Lucifer is Jesus' spirit brother in the preincarnation and that Elohim chose Jesus plan of salvation. Where in the world do you find that in scripture? Col.1:15-20 says that Jesus created ALL things visible and invisible, including Lucifer. Therefore Lucifer is Jesus creation not his brother. | |
|
We learn from the Book of Mormon
that the ancient American prophet
Lehi had read in the scriptures
that an angel had fallen from
heaven, and became the devil.
2 Nephi 2:17 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.
We also learn from the New Testament, that Jesus was the Son of God, and that He has a Father. If this is true, then Jesus also is a creation of the Father, who is also our Father. We are all His spirit children including Jesus Christ, who was chosen to be the sacrifice and savior for us all. Lucifer was also there, and was his brother, and Lucifer rebelled in the presence of God as the scriptures teach (Isaiah 14:12- 20), and he was cast out of heaven forever, banished along with the rest of the third part of the hosts of heaven there. These are now the evil spirits who also reside here in the earth, and are the ones who tempt us and deceive many in the world. Lucifer was a "son of the morning." This name-title of Satan indicates he was one of the early born spirit children of the Father. Always used in association with the name Lucifer, son of the morning also apparently signifies son of light or son of prominence, meaning that Satan held a position of power and authority in pre- existence.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw
in vision the Lord Jesus Christ,
and bore record as follows: 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.
25 And this we saw also, and
bear record, that an angel of God
who was in authority in the
presence of God, who rebelled
against the Only Begotten Son whom
the Father loved and who was in
the bosom of the Father, was
thrust down from the presence of
God and the Son,
26 And was called Perdition,
for the heavens wept over him--he
was Lucifer, a son of the morning.
27 And we beheld, and lo, he
is fallen! is fallen, even a son
of the morning!
28 And while we were yet in
the Spirit, the Lord commanded us
that we should write the vision;
for we beheld Satan, that old
serpent, even the devil, who
rebelled against God, and sought
to take the kingdom of our God and
his Christ--
29 Wherefore, he maketh war
with the saints of God, and
encompasseth them round about.
|
| QUESTION from:ron lane, Protestant Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 5/26/1999: | |
| Hello BOMA, In my previous question, I stated that, according to Joseph Smiths testimony,God told him that the BOM is accurate without any doubt, not only is each word correct but every character of each word is correct as well,and that there was absolutely no reason for any changes to be made to it.History of the Church, by Joseph Smith, Vol. 1, pages 54-55. And also, Joseph Smith stated: that the BOM was the most correct of any book on earth. History of the Church, Vol. 4, pg. 461. Your reply to me was: How credible are the authors of the book that you are getting your information from? What exactly do you mean by this? As the book that I am getting this information from is an exact copy of the original 1930 printing of the Book of Mormon and it contains the (corrections) that are now in the present Book of Mormon. There is no other book or information being used in this comparison whatsoever, except genuine L.D.S. writings. My question is this: Was Joseph Smiths testimony actually from the God of the universe, who knows all things, and changes not? thanks for your reply, ron | |
|
Before this statement becomes too
legendary and takes on too much of
a life of its own, I want to
clarify indeed what Joseph Smith
actually said concerning the Book
of Mormon: I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. (November 28, 1841.) DHC 4:461. No where do I read Joseph Smith talking about the perfectness of each word and each character as well! My how the truth gets stretched sometimes to fit a certain purpose. The statement you reference from the Church History does not state the things you mention, but the angel Moroni told the 3 witnesses who were beholding the GOLD PLATES that These plates have been revealed by the power of God, and they have been translated by the power of God. The translation of them which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you now see and hear." The translation process of Joseph Smith was indeed correct. Oliver's handwriting may have been imperfect, however. Also Emma's handwriting, and even Martin Harris' handwriting may have had imperfections in it (they were the scribes). I can allow in my reasoning mind the possibility that the publishers of the Book of Mormon may have had some typos introduced to the published record, or may have misread some of the cursive handwriting or just plain made some minor errors. Is it reasonable to assume that Joseph Smith was to use the Urim and Thummim again to retranslate the printed version of the Book of Mormon? Eventually, these small errors and typos got found out, and were corrected by the prophets in later years who had time and resources to go over the original written manuscripts. |
| QUESTION from:Sterling Warren Pangburn, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 1-17, wrote on 5/26/1999: | |
| Hi , I simply love this site... My question: Why didn't any of the Nephites celebrate passover or any other jewish holidays until Jesus vistied them? Wouldn't they have had at least a couple accounts or mention of these holidays? | |
|
They did. The Book of Mormon says
the people kept the law of Moses,
which includes the Passover [2
Nephi 5:10, Alma 25:15]. The Book
of Mormon was compiled from
hundreds of piles of metal plates
and records. Only a small
fraction of what was written ever
made it to the gold plates. There
is much of the historical record
that was not inluded, but we do
know that they lived the Law of
Moses.
|
| QUESTION from:Keith Donovan, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 5/27/1999: | |
| This is in response to Record 2858. Westley Turner asked about a mathematical/linguistic comparison of the Bible. He is not talking about chiasmus, which is useful to demonstrate the ancient origins of the Book of Mormon, but does nothing to show the truthfulness of the Bible, since it is already known that the Bible is ancient. What he is referring to is ELS (Equidistant Letter Sequences) made popular by several books like "The Bible Code" by Michael Drosnin. They use the Hebrew Masoric Texts of the first 5 books of the Bible, pick any starting point, then extract every 10th letter (or 3rd, 8th, 62nd, 124th, 1573rd, 10845th or any desired interval). Put the letters together and you can spell out things like "Yeshuia is Messiah" in Hebrew (using only consonants since ancient Hebrew had no vowels) and other messages about Christ in the Old Testament. Since these messages can only be found when looking at the texts using computers it "proves" that God must have directly written the Old Testament. The problem is that other groups have shown that you get what you look for. Using the same techniques you can find "Mohammed is Messiah" and even "Koresh is Messiah" or any message you want. Other groups have shown that the same technique works using Tolstoy's "War and Peace", instead of the Bible. If someone has tried this with the Book of Mormon, they will probably get whatever results they are looking for. You are better off listening to the prophets then trying to devise a prophetic numerolgy scheme. Try the site http://www3.zdnet.com/yil/content/m ag/9708/biblecode.html to start looking for more info. | |
|
Keith: Thanks for the info and the
links on this other matter, the
Bible Code and ELS. After reading
about how you can even get Bill
Gates with this technique to
appear in the Bible, it seems
silly. You can get just about any
message you want. Thanks again.
|
| QUESTION from:Rich Peterson, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 5/28/1999: | |
| Are Mary (the sister of Lazarus) and Mary Magdalene the same person? Are Shem and Melchezidec the same person? | |
|
It is not known. But we learn
through the Book of Mormon that
even the most wicked sinners can
repent and become prophets of God.
Alma was an example of how people
can be deceived in their sins, and
then turn their hearts completely
towards God in the right way.
Alma 36:16 And now, for three days
and for three nights was I racked,
even with the pains of a damned
soul.
17 And it came to pass that as
I was thus racked with torment,
while I was harrowed up by the
memory of my many sins, behold, I
remembered also to have heard my
father prophesy unto the people
concerning the coming of one Jesus
Christ, a Son of God, to atone for
the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold
upon this thought, I cried within
my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of
God, have mercy on me, who am in
the gall of bitterness, and am
encircled about by the everlasting
chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I
thought this, I could remember my
pains no more; yea, I was harrowed
up by the memory of my sins no
more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what
marvelous light I did behold; yea,
my soul was filled with joy as
exceeding as was my pain!
Paul/Saul is another great example from the New Testament on how people can change and later receive Celestial Glory. We should not think that there is no way that Mary (if indeed she was the adultress) could have repented sufficient to be worthy of the Celestial Kingdom, and thus the presence of Jesus Christ. Some may have assumed this in their writings, but they are wrong when one considers the Celestial state of Alma and Paul, etc. Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah." (D. & C. 84:14.) There were generations between Melchizedek and Shem. |
| QUESTION from:Goran Radic, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/2/1999: | |
| Hi! I have been born and raised in a country that was under a communist regime until I was sixteen years old. I was brought up to love that country and to defend it with all I had. Even so, it broke apart and now I'm found living in another, smaller country with newly founded capitalism/democracy ruling system. So what I was wandering was, do the brethren, when they speak against communism speak as prophets or just as U.S.A loving citizens and patriots. After all, I've lived in it and communism wasn't half-way so demonic as it sounds in the statements and current system isn't a bed of roses either. I am aware, that current system might eventually work out better (because it is more soundly based). Another thing I was wondering about is upholding the constitution of USA. Is it required of Americans only or are all the members of the Church obliged to do it. That would in my opinion be especially hard for the Saints in Serbia. Yes, America is the promised land and I am willing to move to New Jerusalem, once it is built (or to help build it, it's the same to me) but I am also aware that USA have made a lot of really bad decisions in recent history and that the country is being led by not-so-honest people (the most obvious case is pres. Clinton). Unfortunately I have no (voting) power to change what I don't like in the US government, so do I still have to upkeep it? Anyway I'm thankful for all that America has given us, starting with Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, to all the other prophets and all the wonderful young missionaries and older missionary couples and all the faithful members in the States, whose contributions are helping immensly the Church to grow, where it otherwise, because of the small numbers of the people and their relative poverty couldn't. Thank you. | |
|
They most definitely speak as
prophets. All we need to do is
look to the Book of Mormon to
verify this. The very actions of
active Christians in this book
teach us how we must act in
preserving freedom of religion,
freedom of being able to choose
the right. Under a communist
regime (aka Gadianton Robbers),
force is the rule of law. Godless
government where atheism is the
adopted state religion. The late
Elder Bruce McKonkie wrote in his
recent book The Millenial
Messiah:
Next Moroni turns the key so that
all who have ears to hear can
understand what the secret
combination is and can identify
those who build it up. "For it cometh to
pass," he says, "that whoso
buildeth it up seeketh to
overthrow the freedom of all
lands, nations, and countries."
This is a worldwide conspiracy. It
is now entrenched in many nations,
and it seeks dominion over all
nations. It is Godless, atheistic,
and operates by compulsion. It is
communism.
"And it bringeth to pass the
destruction of all people, for it
is built up by the devil, who is
the father of all lies; even that
same liar who beguiled our first
parents, yea, even that same liar
who hath caused man to commit
murder from the beginning; who
hath hardened the hearts of men
that they have murdered the
prophets, and stoned them, and
cast them out from the beginning."
(see Ether chapter 8)
The Millennial Messiah, p.66
You should love your country, and do all within your power to embrace the truth and reject the false philosphies of man, such as socialism and communism. They have been clearly spelled out in the Book of Mormon by those prophets, as well as our own, as tools of the devil to take away our freedoms. Don't be distracted by our current and corrupted government and use that as your yardstick of what the constitution stands for, any more than you would read the Book of Mormon and become disallusioned over the eventual fate of the Nephite and Jaredite nations who fell. True, we are in the process of falling, even at the brink, but we can yet save things! We can do our part.
I am only one,
We should uphold all that is true
and which came from God, no matter
where we are. The Constitution of
the United States is not a
political document. It is a banner
to the world, an example for all
to follow. The Lord set it up, not
man. Jesus Christ said:
D&C 101:79 Therefore, it is not
right that any man should be in
bondage one to another.
And for this purpose have I
established the Constitution of
this land, by the hands of wise
men whom I have raised up unto
this very purpose, and redeemed
the land by the shedding of
blood. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, I am obligated to uphold all truth, no matter where it is or where it came from. I am equally obligated to fight against untruth, lies, and deceit which is caused by the craftiness of the devil. Brigham Young said:
To me it is more rational for an
intelligent being to embrace
truth, than it is to mix up a
little truth with a great deal of
error... If we live in a country where freedom of worship is infringed in any matter, then we must work to change that. We must get involved to change our country. Indeed, I am personally involved in trying to change my country (the USA) back to what it was when it was founded under the influence of God, by upholding the Constitution, a truthful document, which by its very nature condemns communism and tyrrany. We must all do everything in our power to uphold that which is good and true. Captain Moroni did, and he was praised by Mormon: Alma 48:17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. |
| QUESTION from:Neal Konneker, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 6/5/1999: | |
| Alma 37:23 refers to "Gazelem" , apparently a title or the name of someone. Who is Gazelem or what is the significance of the title if that's what it is? | |
|
Alma 37:23 And the Lord said: I
will prepare unto my servant
Gazelem, a stone, which shall
shine forth in darkness unto
light, that I may discover unto my
people who serve me, that I may
discover unto them the works of
their brethren, yea, their secret
works, their works of darkness,
and their wickedness and
abominations.
Two of the names which identified the Prophet Joseph Smith himself were Gazelam and Enoch. (see D&C 78:9; 82:11; 104:26, 43, 45, 46.) It may be that Gazelem is a variant spelling of Gazelam and that Alma's reference is to the Prophet Joseph Smith who did in fact bring forth part at least of the Ether record. Or it could be that the name Gazelem (Gazelam) is a title having to do with power to translate ancient records and that Alma's reference was to some Nephite prophet who brought the Book of Ether to light in the golden era of Nephite history. (source: Mormon Doctrine) |
| QUESTION from:Claudia Katte, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 6/6/1999: | |
| Hi, I have got one question for you: I've been baptized only 4 weeks ago and now I am asked to give a speech during Sunday service. The subject is : Come to Christ. Can you give me some advice on what verses in the scriptures I could refer to? I am not yet very firm in the scriptures and would appreciate your help. Thank you. Claudia Katte | |
|
Several Book of Mormon era
prophets spoke on this matter.
Jacob the brother of Nephi said:
Jacob 1:7 Wherefore we labored
diligently among our people, that
we might persuade them to come
unto Christ, and partake of the
goodness of God, that they might
enter into his rest, lest by any
means he should swear in his wrath
they should not enter in, as in
the provocation in the days of
temptation while the children of
Israel were in the wilderness.
8 Wherefore, we would to God
that we could persuade all men not
to rebel against God, to provoke
him to anger, but that all men
would believe in Christ, and view
his death, and suffer his cross
and bear the shame of the world;
wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon
me to fulfil the commandment of my
brother Nephi.
Amaleki wrote: Omni 1:26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. Moroni wrote:
Moroni 10:29 And God shall show
unto you, that that which I have
written is true.
30 And again I would exhort
you that ye would come unto
Christ, and lay hold upon every
good gift, and touch not the evil
gift, nor the unclean thing.
31 And awake, and arise from
the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and
put on thy beautiful garments, O
daughter of Zion; and strengthen
thy stakes and enlarge thy borders
forever, that thou mayest no more
be confounded, that the covenants
of the Eternal Father which he
hath made unto thee, O house of
Israel, may be fulfilled.
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and
be perfected in him, and deny
yourselves of all ungodliness; and
if ye shall deny yourselves of all
ungodliness and love God with all
your might, mind and strength,
then is his grace sufficient for
you, that by his grace ye may be
perfect in Christ; and if by the
grace of God ye are perfect in
Christ, ye can in nowise deny the
power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the
grace of God are perfect in
Christ, and deny not his power,
then are ye sanctified in Christ
by the grace of God, through the
shedding of the blood of Christ,
which is in the covenant of the
Father unto the remission of your
sins, that ye become holy, without
spot.
34 And now I bid unto all,
farewell. I soon go to rest in the
paradise of God, until my spirit
and body shall again reunite, and
I am brought forth triumphant
through the air, to meet you
before the pleasing bar of the
great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge
of both quick and dead.
Amen. |
| QUESTION from:Kari Ann Ripplinger, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 1-17, wrote on 6/6/1999: | |
| When Abinadi was preaching to king Noah, he said that because the Lord would take on a body of flesh, he would be called the Son of God. It sounds a lot like he is saying that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the same person. I have learned that they are seperate beings. Could you please explain this to me? | |
|
Mosiah 15:1 AND now Abinadi said
unto them: I would that ye should
understand that God himself shall
come down among the children of
men, and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son-- 3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son-- 4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. This can be taken two ways. That they are the same being, or that they are two separate beings acting as one God. It is the latter. When Jesus was baptized, He heard the Father out of heaven bearing record of His Beloved Son. Also the Holy Ghost witnessed to the event. There are three beings in the Godhead. They are collectively called "God." God the Father is not God without the Beloved Son who is the Savior. God the Father can not save us without a Savior also acting with Him. This is because of the two laws of mercy and justice. If God were to forgive our sins out of His great mercy (assuming there were no Savior), then He would rob justice. Mercy can not rob justice or God would cease to be God.
Alma 42:24 For behold, justice
exerciseth all his demands, and
also mercy claimeth all which is
her own; and thus, none but the
truly penitent are saved.
25 What, do ye suppose that
mercy can rob justice? I say unto
you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God
would cease to be
God.
So a Savior is absolutely
necessary. It takes the complete
unison of the holy beings in the
Godhead to make salvation
possible, else justice would have
to take is toll and we would all
be damned. But Jesus paid the
price of justice when He suffered
in the garden of Gethsemane for
all of our sins and bled at every
pore.
3 Nephi 11:11 And behold, I am the
light and the life of the world;
and I have drunk out of that
bitter cup which the Father hath
given me, and have glorified the
Father in taking upon me the sins
of the world, in the which I have
suffered the will of the Father in
all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that
when Jesus had spoken these words
the whole multitude fell to the
earth; for they remembered that it
had been prophesied among them
that Christ should show himself
unto them after his ascension into
heaven. We have numerous accounts in the scriptures, bible and Book of Mormon where Jesus prayed directly to His Father, establishing the fact that they are not the same being, but two beings acting as one God...a team. |
| QUESTION from:Karl Edward Hand, Born Again Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/6/1999: | |
| I do believe that lots of mormons are christians because I have heard them say the gospel. I'm also sure a lot of people who call themselves orthodox or protestant arent really christians. However, I was talking to mormon missionaries, and they didn't have an answer to this question, so I thought I'd ask you. The bible told me that Jesus died for my sin, and that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord" in faith will recieve grace and be saved, because" (from acts) It is by grace you are saved, through faith, and not of works so no one can boast" (from ephesians or galatians i can't remember" They didn't disagree with that but said you had to be saved by mormons or somehow it wouldn't work. Why would Mormonism then teach that you need to become a mormon (even if it is in the next world that you do it) to be saved? I just worry that if you put your faith in a religion instead of Jesus and Calvary, then that faith can't save you! Your brother in Christ Karl Hand | |
|
Karl:
I can assure you that we do not
place our trust in a religion, any
more than the blind man Jesus
healed would trust in clay spittle
and the pool of Shilom (see John
9). It was only because Jesus
asked it that the man did those
things and was healed of his
blindness. We are no different in our faith that Jesus Christ has commanded that one must be baptized and receive the ordinances in order to be saved. We don't trust in the ordinances or works, but we trust in Jesus Christ who commanded it. If we don't receive the ordinances, we of ourselves, forsake the blessing of salvation in the highest degree: Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom of God. Even though salvation comes to all in one degree or another, the highest degree comes to those who were faithful enough to be completely obedient to all of Jesus' commandments. Those who are completely obedient are invited of Christ to partake of all that He and the Father have to offer. Eternal Life.
2 Nephi 31:16 And now, my beloved
brethren, I know by this that
unless a man shall endure to the
end, in following the example of
the Son of the living God, he
cannot be saved.
17 Wherefore, do the things
which I have told you I have seen
that your Lord and your Redeemer
should do; for, for this cause
have they been shown unto me, that
ye might know the gate by which ye
should enter. For the gate by
which ye should enter is
repentance and baptism by water;
and then cometh a remission of
your sins by fire and by the Holy
Ghost.
18 And then are ye in this
strait and narrow path which leads
to eternal life; yea, ye have
entered in by the gate; ye have
done according to the commandments
of the Father and the Son; and ye
have received the Holy Ghost,
which witnesses of the Father and
the Son, unto the fulfilling of
the promise which he hath made,
that if ye entered in by the way
ye should receive.
19 And now, my beloved
brethren, after ye have gotten
into this strait and narrow path,
I would ask if all is done?
Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for
ye have not come thus far save it
were by the word of Christ with
unshaken faith in him, relying
wholly upon the merits of him who
is mighty to save.
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.
21 And now, behold, my beloved
brethren, this is the way; and
there is none other way nor name
given under heaven whereby man can
be saved in the kingdom of God.
And now, behold, this is the
doctrine of Christ, and the only
and true doctrine of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, which is one God, without
end. Amen.
|
| QUESTION from:DG, Non-Denominational Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 6/8/1999: | |
| I appreciate your site. I have learned (am learning) a lot. I am currently investigating the Church. I have a question concerning unpardonable sins. First, if I committed an unpardonable sin at a time in my life when I was "of the world," is there no chance of forgiveness from Heavenly Father? I read in D&C 42:18 that he who kills shall not have forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come; but for stealing and lies there is a chance for repetance. Not so for murder. I terminated a pregnancy when I was young and stupid rationalizing that it was "legal" in our country so I broke no law. Now, almost twenty years later I am discovering the degree of sin that it is, an now am consumed with guilt and concern about my spiritual life. Consequently, today I am happily married with beautiful children. The person I am today could never do such a thing. Is there scripture to address this? Question #2: If I can earn forgiveness, how will I know that I'm forgiven when I don't feel forgiven, I feel haunted. Thank you. | |
|
That scripture in the D&C refers
to the members of the Church, who
have already been enlightened
sufficient to know better. There
is another scripture to address
this situation. It comes from the
Book of Mormon and addresses the
extent of the Atonement of Christ
to people who have since come to a
knowledge of the truth. It speaks
of repentance and how the Lord
grants forgiveness, even though it
may require extra sacrifice and
faithfulness and unselfishness.
Anciently, the Lamanites committed
plunder and murder primarily in
ignorance of their Redeemer, and
when they came to a knowledge of
the truth, they repented. They
were willing to give up their
lives rather than fight. That is a
pretty unselfish position to take.
It shows their hearts were very
penitent and contrite and humble.
Here is part of the story. Their
King said:
Alma 24:10 And I also thank my
God, yea, my great God, that he
hath granted unto us that we might
repent of these things, and also
that he hath forgiven us of those
our many sins and murders which we
have committed, and taken away the
guilt from our hearts, through the
merits of his Son.
11 And now behold, my
brethren, since it has been all
that we could do, (as we were the
most lost of all mankind) to
repent of all our sins and the
many murders which we have
committed, and to get God to take
them away from our hearts, for it
was all we could do to repent
sufficiently before God that he
would take away our stain--
12 Now, my best beloved
brethren, since God hath taken
away our stains, and our swords
have become bright, then let us
stain our swords no more with the
blood of our brethren.
13 Behold, I say unto you,
Nay, let us retain our swords that
they be not stained with the blood
of our brethren; for perhaps, if
we should stain our swords again
they can no more be washed bright
through the blood of the Son of
our great God, which shall be shed
for the atonement of our sins.
14 And the great God has had
mercy on us, and made these things
known unto us that we might not
perish; yea, and he has made these
things known unto us beforehand,
because he loveth our souls as
well as he loveth our children;
therefore, in his mercy he doth
visit us by his angels, that the
plan of salvation might be made
known unto us as well as unto
future generations.
15 Oh, how merciful is our
God! And now behold, since it has
been as much as we could do to get
our stains taken away from us, and
our swords are made bright, let us
hide them away that they may be
kept bright, as a testimony to our
God at the last day, or at the day
that we shall be brought to stand
before him to be judged, that we
have not stained our swords in the
blood of our brethren since he
imparted his word unto us and has
made us clean thereby.
16 And now, my brethren, if
our brethren seek to destroy us,
behold, we will hide away our
swords, yea, even we will bury
them deep in the earth, that they
may be kept bright, as a testimony
that we have never used them, at
the last day; and if our brethren
destroy us, behold, we shall go to
our God and shall be saved.
17 And now it came to pass
that when the king had made an end
of these sayings, and all the
people were assembled together,
they took their swords, and all
the weapons which were used for
the shedding of man's blood, and
they did bury them up deep in the
earth.
18 And this they did, it being
in their view a testimony to God,
and also to men, that they never
would use weapons again for the
shedding of man's blood; and this
they did, vouching and covenanting
with God, that rather than shed
the blood of their brethren they
would give up their own lives; and
rather than take away from a
brother they would give unto him;
and rather than spend their days
in idleness they would labor
abundantly with their hands.
19 And thus we see that, when
these Lamanites were brought to
believe and to know the truth,
they were firm, and would suffer
even unto death rather than commit
sin; and thus we see that they
buried their weapons of peace, or
they buried the weapons of war,
for peace.
I believe that anyone who truly turns their life over to the Lord and does His will always, that they will be happy and gain a forgiveness of sins. I believe that once you receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost through baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that you will be comforted. Until then, you may receive the Holy Ghost from time to time, but He will not always be with you as will be the case upon receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands. |
| QUESTION from:ronnie malin johnson, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 50+, wrote on 6/8/1999: | |
| tell me more about living the gospel in your home | |
|
The prophets have placed some very
great guidelines for this very
thing on the official church web
site. It is found in the Family
Guidebook: http://www.lds.org/en/3_Family_Gu idebook/0_Family_Guidebook.html In this guide, teaching the gospel is addressed, as well as family worship services, priesthood blessings, etc. |
| QUESTION from:Amber Scott, Baptist Christian, Age 1-17, wrote on 6/8/1999: | |
| Hi! First of all, I would just like to let you know I mean no disrespect at all. Religion is a serious matter. I'm just exploring all sides of religion and how they came about. But Mormon is completely new to me. I would like to quote the verse "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life". (John 3:16) Does the Mormon religion go by this? Do you not belive that once you have accepted Christ into your heart and truly belive that he died on the cross for everyone's sins that you are saved and there is a place for you in heaven, though that place and it's greatness will depend upon your faithfullness and obedience in God throughout your Life? Please tell me a little about your views according to your religion on this question.Thank You. | |
|
Yes, we believe that a belief in
Jesus Christ as well as a life of
works that show that belief will
land one in at least the
Terrestrial Kingdom of God. This
would be an honorable person that
believes in Jesus Christ. There
are three kingdoms of glory in
heaven, prepared for the differing
degrees of obedience and
faithfulness among all of God's
children (see 1 Corinthians 15 and
D&C 76 for more info). Those that are not only good people who believe in Jesus Christ, but were also obedient to all of His ordinances, and who were also valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ (you know, willing to be a missionary!), will inherit the highest degree of glory, even the Celestial Kingdom of God. This is a place where those who followed Jesus Christ at any cost. Such as Peter, James, and John, and other faithful saints who gave their all to their belief in Christ, and were willing to die for it. |
| QUESTION from:GERALD L. JACKSON, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 50+, wrote on 6/9/1999: | |
| What does the Bible teach about Jesus Christ that the LDS Church doesn't believe? | |
|
Nothing. We believe the Bible to
be the word of God, as far as it
is translated correctly, and we
have a correct translation in the
KJV combined with the JST. We also
believe the Book of Mormon to be
the word of God.
|
| QUESTION from:Virgil Cooper, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 50+, wrote on 6/9/1999: | |
| Does the Church have a position on cremation? I'm considering this in lieu of burial. Thank you! | |
|
Since the organization of the
Church in 1830, Latter-day Saints
have been encouraged by their
leaders to avoid cremation, unless
it is required by law, and,
wherever possible, to consign the
body to burial in the earth and
leave the dissolution of the body
to nature, "for
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt
thou return" (Gen.
3:19). President Spencer W. Kimball wrote, "The meaning of death has not changed. It releases a spirit for growth and development and places a body in...Mother Earth" (p. 45).
In due time the mortal body
returns to native element, and
whether it is laid away in a
family-selected site or buried in
the depths of the sea, every
essential part will be restored in
the Resurrection: (see also EOM, Cremation) |
| QUESTION from:Karl Edward Hand, Born Again Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/9/1999: | |
| This is becoming quite a dialogue, I hope you won't mind. In your last answer you refered to the correct authority. Isn't the Lord Jesus Christ ehough authority? I was baptised (immersion) by a person who was a believer, and Jesus gave believers authority eg. to tread on snakes and speak in new tongues, and comminsioned them to preach and baptise. Salvation dosen't come through works (else grace is no longer grace)- but for the sake of the argument say baptism was nessecary to be saved - then everyone who believes and recieves salvation could administer baptism. I don't believe God even notices which church we go to! I believe God looks at the heart. I don't see how a whole religion could apostasize when God looks at the heart of each individual, not at the overall crowd? Even when Isreal fell out of God's favour, Our Lord preserved a remnant! God Bless You Richly, Karl Hand | |
|
Authority matters if Christ
commissioned servants to do his
work, as he did with the 12
Apostles when he commanded them to
go into all the world and
baptize. If they were told to
baptize, and not others, is it OK
for others unauthorized to
baptize? That is the question on
the need for authority. We know that the Jews at the time of Jesus questioned his authority. "By what authority doest these things" was a common question. (see Matt 21:23-27) They also said to him, in essence, Abraham is our father, who are you? Jesus pointed out to them who he was when he said, Before Abraham was, I AM, and of course they did not accept it because their hearts were hardened. They picked up stones to kill him. (see John 8:58) What his means is that the
authority issue is not new to the
"mormons." It mattered much to
the orthodox Jews of the Sanhedrin
then, and it continues to matter
now to those who believe Christ
commissioned servants as the bible
teaches. The Book of Mormon also
confirms this. This is one of the
important missions of the Book of
Mormon: to establish the truth of
the first, even the Bible. The
prophet Ezra Taft Benson said: So Karl, there are two issues at hand here, the need for personal authority, and the occurance of the Great Apostasy where this authority was lost. You claim authority can be in the heart, and we claim that it is passed on by the laying on of hands, as Christ did to his apostles, and as his apostles did to others in the Church. The church was a very important organization then for God is a God of order. Here is but one example of how authority was given by those in charge, and that it was done by laying on of hands:
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look
ye out among you seven men of
honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the
whole multitude: and they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and
of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and
Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon,
and Parmenas, and Nicolas a
proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the
apostles: and when they had
prayed, they laid [their] hands on
them.
8 And Stephen, full of faith
and power, did great wonders and
miracles among the people.
58 And [the council] cast him
out of the city, and stoned [him]
Stephen had authority. He was
rejected by those who thought they
had authority. Authority comes
directly from Christ. |
| QUESTION from:Tim Gilson, Non-Denominational Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/12/1999: | |
| Hello, My question concerns the book of Ether chapter 15 verses 30-31. Could you please tell me what these verses are trying to say? If Shiz's head is cutt off, how could he raise up on his hands and also how could he struggle for breath? Thanks for your time and help. May God bless you even more than He already has! | |
|
Now here's an interesting
question, one that doctor's have
said is impossible. I would say
that I agree on the surface, but
let's keep in mind the state of
being that these last two warriors
were in, especially Shiz. They
were possessed of devils and evil
spirits. They were consumed with
hatred, even drunk with it. Satan
ruled them to the very end. How does Satan cause a person to be lifted up, or bound, etc.? He has some power over elements. It is very possible, even likely, that his influence was involved in the final motions of Shiz. |
| QUESTION from:Jacqui Vowles, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 50+, wrote on 6/12/1999: | |
| If Eve was taken from Adam's side her genetic makeup must be the same as his presumably except for the X chromosome how is it that there is such a variety of human genes today???? | |
|
It appears that the Lord
introduced these things after the
fact, like when Cain was cursed.
And at the Tower of Babel when the
languages were confounded and it
appears that people of the same
race got the same language. Lots
of languages. Lots of races. We also have the record of the Book of Mormon where the Lord changed the skin color of Laman and Lemuel and their families when they proved to be a true enemy to the Lord. The bottom line: the Lord can change our looks in an instant. |
| QUESTION from:mike davenport, Other Religion, Age 50+, wrote on 6/14/1999: | |
| I'm currently stuck in alma 11:4- 10 and need some help. How does one go about making change for a limnah of gold? | |
|
Well, you need to give me one shum
of gold, one seon of gold, and one
senine of gold. Or you could give me three seons of gold and one senine, or you could just give me seven senines of gold! The choice is yours. |
| QUESTION from:chris milliner, Baptist Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 6/16/1999: | |
| How old was Jesus when he was baptised? How old was Jesus when he started preaching? Thank you!! | |
|
About 30 years old.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people
were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized,
and praying, the heaven was
opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost
descended in a bodily shape like a
dove upon him, and a voice came
from heaven, which said, Thou art
my beloved Son; in thee I am well
pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to
be about thirty years of age,
being (as was supposed ) the son
of Joseph... |
| QUESTION from:Roy Oscar Koser, Protestant Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 6/17/1999: | |
| Why not Mohhammad, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, Baha'u'llah, Felix Menalo, etc; all these people have made claims and claims have been made by their followers to be God's chosen servant to restore truth that was lost and that the Bible is not all one needs to know for salvation? The reason I ask is that after studying all of them I can see that they are in more agreement with each other in that they disagree with historic Christianity on a lot of the same issues. | |
|
The issue is not whether or not
these people are good, for they
are. But it is one of whether they
have the fulness of the gospel,
priesthood and ordinances of Jesus
Christ. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints bears
His name. It contains the fulness
of the priesthood, restored
directly from heaven by angels,
and is lead by Apostles and
Prophets the same as was the
original Church of Jesus Christ,
which was lost due to Apostasy in
the dark ages. http://www.lds.org/en /4_Global_Media_Guide/Overview.html The Book of Mormon is the great test to know if Joseph Smith was indeed God's prophet of the Restoration. If this book of books is true, then Joseph was a prophet of God. |
| QUESTION from:Kyle Balderson, Protestant Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 6/17/1999: | |
| What issues are you most concerned with addressing when witnessing to Christian with a Reformed perspective of the doctrines of grace? Thanks! | |
|
The most important issue it would
seem to me is "authority." We
fully acknowledge that there was a
reformation and a period of
enlightenment where the Lord moved
on great honorable people, such as
Martin Luther, etc. We believe
that all of this took place so
that the world would progress
towards that point in 1820 when
the Father and Son Jesus Christ
appeared to Joseph Smith and
called Him as a prophet. It takes
time for all of these things to
happen, it took hundreds of years
of preparation. If Joseph Smith
had received this vision and
calling in 1300, or some other
year in the dark ages, he would
have been hung for sure,
immediately. No one had a Bible
then, and the people were
oppressed. The world was not
prepared nor was there a country
in which freedom of religion was
assured. Only later in America
was the Restoration possible,
after God called honorable men
like George Washington etal to
found a new Constitution and
Country. The Restoration of the
Priesthood and Authority of God
followed. That is the issue. Not
whether the people were good or
not in the Reformation, for they
were good! But there was one step
more the Lord intended to take and
which He did take in 1820 to 1830
when all things were restored, and
even the Book of Mormon was
brought forth. Now the real
question is, are people willing to
receive it?
|
| QUESTION from:Colin Hale Wright, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/21/1999: | |
| I wanted to know if Alma was a baptized member of the church when Abinidi testified of to him there in the courts of King Noah. I had that question because he had the power to baptze when he left. If it is true than Abinidi didn't have any converts he just activated an inactive. Thanks | |
|
Alma had the authority to
baptize. There is no record nor
realistic opportunity for Abinadi
to give it to him, so he must have
already had it. Abinadi was
reactivating those who already
knew better, those who called
themselves Priests, but had fallen
away from God. Alma repented.
|
| QUESTION from:Rev. Daniel L. Bauer, Protestant Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 6/25/1999: | |
| What do you say to evidence that has recently been researched that the book of mormon was not entirely written by Joseph Smith.Also the fact that two of the three wittnesses later claimed they never saw the gold tablets? | |
|
Dear Reverend Bauer: I would say
that research SHOULD show that the
Book of Mormon was not written by
Joseph Smith. There are too many
unique new names, places, facts,
and inter-mingled accounts for one
person to be so inventive and
brilliant in making it up. He
translated the writings by the
gift and power of God, writings of
several other prophets in ancient
America, writings which were
compiled and abridged by the
prophets Mormon and Moroni. The three witnesses never recanted their testimony of witnessing the plates and the angel Moroni, so it is not a fact as you say, but it is a fact that they fell away into apostasy due to pride, etc.
David Whitmer, one of the
witnesses who fell away from the
Church recorded: "I also testify to the
world that neither Oliver Cowdery
nor Martin Harris ever at any time
denied their testimony. They both
died reaffirming the truth of the
divine authenticity of the Book of
Mormon. I was present at the
deathbed of Oliver Cowdery, and
his last words were, `Brother
David, be true to your testimony
to the Book of Mormon.' He died
here in Richmond, Missouri, on
March 3, 1850. Many witnesses yet
live in Richmond, who will testify
to these facts, as well as to the
good character of Oliver Cowdery."
|
| QUESTION from:Dave Harper, Catholic Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/30/1999: | |
| I am seriously involved with a Mormon girl (21) who is quite strong in her faith. I do not share her beliefs, but I do not want to contravene them, either. She is not interested in sex before marriage; can you tell me what is considered acceptable by the LDS church before marriage? | |
|
Absolutely nothing of that nature
is acceptable or allowed. Are you
strong in your faith? If so, then
you would also believe the same
way. It is a commandment of the
Lord to not commit adultery,
fornication, or to lust after a
woman in your heart, lest you
commit adultery in your heart. We
have to always watch and be
careful, pray always, lest we fall
into temptation. The Savior taught
that satan desires to sift us as
wheat.
BTW, here is an interesting exerpt
from a book entitled A Marvelous
Work and a Wonder: Many years ago a learned man, a
member of the Roman Catholic
Church, came to Utah and spoke
from the stand of the Salt Lake
Tabernacle. I became well-
acquainted with him, and we
conversed freely and frankly. A
great scholar, with perhaps a
dozen languages at his tongue's
end, he seemed to know all about
theology, law, literature, science
and philosophy. One day he said to
me: "You Mormons are all
ignoramuses. You don't even know
the strength of your own position.
It is so strong that there is only
one other tenable in the whole
Christian world, and that is the
position of the Catholic Church.
The issue is between Catholicism
and Mormonism. If we are right,
you are wrong; if you are right,
we are wrong; and that's all there
is to it. The Protestants haven't
a leg to stand on. For, if we are
wrong, they are wrong with us,
since they were a part of us and
went out from us: while if we are
right, they are apostates whom we
cut off long ago. If we have the
apostolic succession from St.
Peter, as we claim, there is no
need of Joseph Smith and
Mormonism: but if we have not that
succession, then such a man as
Joseph Smith was necessary, and
Mormonism's attitude is the only
consistent one. It is either the
perpetuation of the gospel from
ancient times, or the restoration
of the gospel in latter
days." LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Ch.1, p.3 |
| QUESTION from:Chris Smith, Non-Denominational Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 6/30/1999: | |
| What is Reformed Egyptian, and why can I not find one single person who can show me or even describe this language? (JS said he transcribed the book of Mormon from this NON existant language) When Mrs. Harris took away the transriptions from Mr. Smith and ask him to transcribe again, just to show her he was the "Real Deal" he refused, Why? Don't answer that one, you've have to be an an arrogant self-serving hypocrit not to get it! Finally, we all at some point are vulnerable to deception by satan, but the Mormons, God Bless them, are so duped, no one yet who I know who is a Mormon ( and I live on the boarder of VT)even knows the history of JS....Boy are they surprised when I tell them the TRUTH! | |
|
It is a "written" language term
coined by the Nephites, so we
don't know exactly how it works,
except that it is a modified form
of the written Egyptian. It was
not claimed to be their "spoken"
language, but was a method to
inscribe efficiently upon the gold
plates. The gold plates record was
kept preserved by the Lord, and He
still has it, so of course there
is no other example to look at.
Several scholars (e.g., Sidney Sperry, John Sorenson, and John Tvedtnes) suggest that the language of the Nephites was Hebrew, written in Egyptian characters. The practice of representing one language in a script commonly associated with another language is very common. Yiddish, for instance, which is basically a form of German, is routinely written in Hebrew characters. Also consider Swahili which can be written in either Roman or Arabic scripts. Judeo- Arabic, as written for instance by Moses Maimonides, was medieval Hebrew written with Arabic letters. In fact, almost any textbook of colloquial Arabic or Chinese or Japanese aimed at Western learners will use the Latin alphabet to represent those languages. Language and script are essentially independent. Turkish, which used to be written in a modified Arabic script, has been written in Latin letters in the Republic of Turkey since the 1920s. However, in the areas of the old Soviet Union, it is now usually written in Cyrillic (Russian) characters. And this list goes on. So this phenomenon of changing the script with which one writes a language is by no means unusual. I am not saying that this is what happened, but it is plausible. What would be so unusual about this Reformed Egyptian writing upon the plates, given that this kind of thing is fairly common and routine? It seems to me that it is merely a code, like a shorthand, which was much more efficient in space for writing than was Hebrew, which they spoke. |
| QUESTION from:Vicente Garcia, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 6/30/1999: | |
| I have recently become acquainted with a man who i have the utmost respect for. He knows the Bible very well and spends every day of his life doing missionary work trying to bring people to Christ. He is not a member of any Church. He disagrees with all churches and mainly because they encourage people to work. He himself has no monetary income but relies on God to provide for his temporal needs. He believes the Bible teaches that we should not work in this corrupt society. He uses Gen 1:29-30 and 2:16-17 to show God gives us everything for free (sun, air etc.) Jesus does as the Father John 5:17-20. How can I best explain the LDS viewpoint using the Bible and natural evidences. He uses Romans 1:20-21,23,25 and says we can prove there's a creator by the tree's,sun etc. He claims God always uses proof. He wants to see proof that God wants us to work in this corrupt society? He is a great guy and will make a great member of the church and has attended on a number of occasions. He has no problem with the B.O.M. or Latter Day Prophets but will not accept their words until proved in he Bible. Thanks for your anticipated help. | |
|
King Benjamin, the prophet in the
Book of Mormon set the example of
work:
Mosiah 2:14 And even I, myself,
have labored with mine own hands
that I might serve you, and that
ye should not be laden with taxes,
and that there should nothing come
upon you which was grievous to be
borne--and of all these things
which I have spoken, ye yourselves
are witnesses this day.
24 And he also commanded them
that the priests whom he had
ordained should labor with their
own hands for their
support.
Here are some more scriptures from
the Bible that teach that work in
our "corrupt society: is the plan
of the Lord. We have to make a
living to properly support our
families. 1
Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not
for his own, and specially for
those of his own house, he hath
denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the
carpenter, the son of Mary, the
brother of James, and Joses, and
of Juda, and Simon? ...
Acts 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves
know, that these hands have
ministered unto my necessities,
and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all
things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.
1 Corinthians 4:12 And labour,
working with our own hands: being
reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer it:
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole
steal no more: but rather let him
labour, working with [his] hands
the thing which is good, that he
may have to give to him that
needeth.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye
study to be quiet, and to do your
own business, and to work with
your own hands, as we commanded
you;
|
| QUESTION from:YB, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 7/1/1999: | |
| Hello BOMA! I love this site. An investigator asked me how it's possible that Joseph Smith (a mortal man who is not perfect) was able to see God the Father and Jesus in the forest? There's a scripture in the bible that mentions that no person can withstand the sight of God unless they're perfect. I love you all and thank you very much. | |
|
The scripture in the Bible speaks
of Moses talking to God face to
face (Exodus 33:11), but doesn't
explain how this was possible. A
companion scripture in the Pearl
of Great Price, Book of Moses
teaches:
Moses 1:1 THE words of God, which
he spake unto Moses at a time when
Moses was caught up into an
exceedingly high mountain,
2 And he saw God face to face,
and he talked with him, and the
glory of God was upon Moses;
therefore Moses could endure his
presence. And this is how it was possible. God did it. So, in the case of Joseph Smith, it seems obvious that God did this change to Joseph so that he could endure Their presence. Thanks! |
| QUESTION from:Carol E. Danz, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 7/2/1999: | |
| My kingdom for this answer!!: We know that the power of the Holy Ghost was evident throughout ancient scripture (old testament), and even baptism. However, is there ANY concrete (rather than suggestive) evidence of the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST being administered in ancient times? I dare you to answer this one!! :) | |
|
Nephi taught that the Holy Ghost
is the gift of God to all those
who diligently seek Him, as well
as in times of old!
1 Nephi 10:17 And it came to pass
after I, Nephi, having heard all
the words of my father, concerning
the things which he saw in a
vision, and also the things which
he spake by the power of the Holy
Ghost, which power he received by
faith on the Son of God--and the
Son of God was the Messiah who
should come--I, Nephi, was
desirous also that I might see,
and hear, and know of these
things, by the power of the Holy
Ghost, which is the gift of God
unto all those who diligently seek
him, as well in times of old as in
the time that he should manifest
himself unto the children of men.
18 For he is the same yesterday,
today, and forever; and the way is
prepared for all men from the
foundation of the world, if it so
be that they repent and come unto
him.
19 For he that diligently
seeketh shall find; and the
mysteries of God shall be unfolded
unto them, by the power of the
Holy Ghost, as well in these times
as in times of old, and as well in
times of old as in times to come;
wherefore, the course of the Lord
is one eternal round.
Jacob, the brother of Nephi, later
taught the Nephites not to reject
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to
enter in at the strait gate
(baptism).
Jacob 6:8 ...Will ye reject the
words of the prophets; and will ye
reject all the words which have
been spoken concerning Christ,
after so many have spoken
concerning him; and deny the good
word of Christ, and the power of
God, and the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit,
and make a mock of the great plan
of redemption, which hath been
laid for you?
9 Know ye not that if ye will
do these things, that the power of
the redemption and the
resurrection, which is in Christ,
will bring you to stand with shame
and awful guilt before the bar of
God?
10 And according to the power
of justice, for justice cannot be
denied, ye must go away into that
lake of fire and brimstone, whose
flames are unquenchable, and whose
smoke ascendeth up forever and
ever, which lake of fire and
brimstone is endless torment.
11 O then, my beloved brethren,
repent ye, and enter in at the
strait gate, and continue in the
way which is narrow, until ye
shall obtain eternal life.
|
| QUESTION from:Kirsten Wilder, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 7/3/1999: | |
| When Christ died, did darkness cover the land for three days or for three hours? (Luke 23:44 and 3 Nephi 8:19,23) | |
|
It happened differently on the two
hemispheres of the earth. 3 days
of darkness over here, and 3 hours
and other penalties to those in
Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon
prophet Nephi prophesied of the
future for him, and told what
would happen 600 years hence:
1 Nephi 19:10 ...the God of
Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob, yieldeth himself,
according to the words of the
angel, as a man, into the hands of
wicked men, to be lifted up,
according to the words of Zenock,
and to be crucified, according to
the words of Neum, and to be
buried in a sepulchre, according
to the words of Zenos, which he
spake concerning the three days of
darkness, which should be a sign
given of his death unto those who
should inhabit the isles of the
sea, more especially given unto
those who are of the house of
Israel.
11 For thus spake the prophet:
The Lord God surely shall visit
all the house of Israel at that
day, some with his voice, because
of their righteousness, unto their
great joy and salvation, and
others with the thunderings and
the lightnings of his power, by
tempest, by fire, and by smoke,
and vapor of darkness, and by the
opening of the earth, and by
mountains which shall be carried
up.
12 And all these things must
surely come, saith the prophet
Zenos. And the rocks of the earth
must rend; and because of the
groanings of the earth, many of
the kings of the isles of the sea
shall be wrought upon by the
Spirit of God, to exclaim: The God
of nature suffers.
13 And as for those who are at
Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they
shall be scourged by all people,
because they crucify the God of
Israel, and turn their hearts
aside, rejecting signs and
wonders, and the power and glory
of the God of Israel.
14 And because they turn their
hearts aside, saith the prophet,
and have despised the Holy One of
Israel, they shall wander in the
flesh, and perish, and become a
hiss and a byword, and be hated
among all nations. |
| QUESTION from:Jessica Smith, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/4/1999: | |
| Why don't we (LDS) celebrate Passover now? | |
|
It was fulfilled in Christ.
Nearly a
millennium and a half after
Jehovah gave the Passover to
Israel, he himself, tabernacled
among men, was preparing to
celebrate the feast, to fulfil the
law given to Moses, to become the
Paschal Lamb, a lamb without spot
and blemish whose shed blood would
offer to all men spiritual freedom
and deliverance from the bondage
of sin.
Arrangements for this final
Passover of our Lord's ministry, a
Passover to be known ever after to
the Church as the Last Supper,
were made by Peter and John as
directed by the seeric vision of
Jesus. The Supper itself must have
been in the home of a disciple,
for the two apostles had but to
mention the Master's desires and
the upper room was made available.
This was the final approved
Passover. Following the sacrifice
of Christ as a Paschal Lamb this
old ordinance was to cease and
other symbols (those shown forth
in the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper) were to find approved
usage among the Lord's people. Now
the only proper celebration of the
Passover is in the spiritual sense
of which Paul speaks: "For even Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast,
not with old leaven, neither with
the leaven of malice and
wickedness; but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and
truth." (1 Cor. 5:7-8.)
|
| QUESTION from:Phillip Edwards, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 7/4/1999: | |
| My general question concerns when a person can acquire a Celestial Inheritence. Though my studies of the Bible and the Book of Mormon I have found that this life is our time to do or accomplish those things necessary for to inherit Celestial Glory. In speaking with my friends I find that this is not only an unpopular theory but one that not everyone is willing to accept. Most people who disagree claim that a persons failure to accept gospel truths may be directly related to their ignorance or pre- tainted early beliefs. With all the various ways which the LDS Church has used to get the message out to the people (television, missionaries, internet, etc.) it would appear to me that this claim of ignorance holds little or no water. Please help me understand. Do we have a second chance after this life? | |
|
The gospel is being preached in a
much more major way in the spirit
world at the present time. All of
the spirits who ever lived in the
flesh and are not resurrected are
there. Even those who are
resurrected are either there or
are connected to it. Beginning
with Jesus Christ's visit to the
spirit world as documented in D&C
138, we learn that he established
this missionary effort. The
faithful Elders of Israel will
continue to preach repentance to
those in that place after their
labors here in the flesh. Yes,
there is a chance for all. A
second chance? That is not the
case. We can't reject the gospel
here after having had the
opportunity, and then gain the
Celestial Kingdom by accepting it
there in the spirit world. D&C 76
spells out these conditions. It
teaches that they are those who
would receive the Terrestrial
Kingdom... the souls who
afterwards receive the testimony
of Jesus Christ, but who rejected
it in the flesh.
|
| QUESTION from:Doug Newell, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/7/1999: | |
| I remember hearing a story about Joseph Smith being at the Hill Cumorah and it opening up to reviel a room in which the records Mormon compiled the Book of Mormon where kept. Is this a true story and if so how?? I was under the impression that the Hill Cumorah mentioned by Mormon was not the same hill in which Moroni hid the plate in present day New York. Is the story I heard just a fable? | |
|
It is a true story, literally
true, and Brigham Young related it
as follows:
When Joseph got the Plates, the
angel instructed him to carry them
back to the Hill Cumorah, which he
did. Oliver Cowdery says that when
Joseph and he went there, the hill
opened, and they walked into a
cave, in which there was a large
and spacious room. He says that he
did not think, at the time,
whether they had the light of the
sun or artificial light, but it
was as light as day. They laid the
Plates on a table. It was a large
table that stood in the middle of
the room. Under this table there
was a pile of plates as much as
two feet high, and there were
altogether in this room more
plates than many wagon loads. They
were piled up in the corners and
along the walls. The first time
they went there, the Sword of
Laban hung upon the wall, but when
they went again, it had been taken
down and laid upon the table
across the Gold Plates. It was
unsheathed, and on it was written
these words, "This Sword will
never be sheathed again until the
kingdoms of this world become the
Kingdom of our God and His
Christ." You have heard the theories of many who have speculated that the Hill Cumorah was actually in Meso America, and could not be in New York. This was based on the information pertaining to geography, which is sketchy in the Book of Mormon, and more especially the references to the "narrow neck of land" which many have speculated is the Panama area (about a days journey for a Nephite). The fact is, there is much more to indicate that the final battles took place in the New York area, since Joseph Smith prophesied of one righteous warrior named Zelph who was discovered by "Zion's Camp" on 3 June 1834. Modern prophets concur that the United States was where the final days of the Nephite/Lamanite battles took place. To say otherwise is to have conflict with what Joseph Smith said. The prophet Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: In the face of this evidence coming from the Prophet Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, we cannot say that the Nephites and Lamanites did not possess the territory of the United States and that the Hill Cumorah is in Central America. Neither can we say that the great struggle which resulted in the destruction of the Nephites took place in Central America. If Zelph, a righteous man, was fighting under a great prophet- general in the last battles between the Nephites and Lamanites; if that great prophet- general was known from the Rocky Mountains to "the Hill Cumorah or eastern sea," then some of those battles, and evidently the final battles did take place within the borders of what is now the United States. Did you know that there is a narrow neck of land between two great seas in North America? And these two seas would be Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Two massive bodies of water separated by about a days journey for a Nephite (about 20 miles). The Book of Mormon specifically says "seas." |
| QUESTION from:tsylvester, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/8/1999: | |
| I am confused on the gathering of Israel in the last days. Does this mean that many of the Jews in Israel will be converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Are there any signs that this is happening at this time? I appreciate your response on this. | |
|
The scriptures indicate that Judah
will be converted in mass after
the Abomination of Desolation as
spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
and detailed in Zechariah 12, 13,
and 14. Jerusalem will be sieged
again, and all nations shall
gather together against it,
probably through the mechanism of
the United Nations. Half of the
Jews will go into captivity,
during this time of "peace
keeping."
Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather
all nations against Jerusalem to
battle; and the city shall be
taken, and the houses rifled, and
the women ravished; and half of
the city shall go forth into
captivity, and the residue of the
people shall not be cut off from
the city.
Daniel 8:25 And through his policy
also he shall cause craft to
prosper in his hand; and he shall
magnify [himself] in his heart,
and by peace shall destroy many:
he shall also stand up against the
Prince of princes; but he shall be
broken without
hand. Could this be a "peace keeping" mission to force the Jews into submission? How else does one destroy many people "by peace?" And the Lord tells us how long this will last through His prophet Daniel: Daniel 12:11 And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days. This is the 3.5 years exactly before the coming of Christ in power and great glory. During this 3.5 years there are two of the Lord's prophets who will be in Jerusalem. John saw that they would be in the great city, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8) and wrote:
Revelation 11:3 And I will give
[power] unto my two witnesses, and
they shall prophesy a thousand two
hundred [and] threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees,
and the two candlesticks standing
before the God of the earth.
This is the same 3.5 year period that they will prophecy (when 1/2 of the Jews are taken into captivity), again referenced from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, the thing that the orthodox Jews now practice. These two prophets will have power to turn water into blood, stop the rain, cause plagues, etc. like in the days of Moses. It's coming again! When we see these things, Jesus Christ is only 3.5 years away, because after this time is done, and the prophets are taken up into heaven (REV 11:11-12), Jesus will come to the Mount of Olives, a great earthquake happens, and the rest of the bad guys are in trouble, including the unfaithful saints. When Jesus comes at this time of calamity,
D&C 45:51 ...then shall the Jews
look upon me and say: What are
these wounds in thine hands and in
thy feet?
52 Then shall they know that I am
the Lord; for I will say unto
them: These wounds are the wounds
with which I was wounded in the
house of my friends. I am he who
was lifted up. I am Jesus that was
crucified. I am the Son of God.
53 And then shall they weep
because of their iniquities; then
shall they lament because they
persecuted their king.
54 And then shall the heathen
nations be redeemed, and they that
knew no law shall have part in the
first resurrection; and it shall
be tolerable for them.
55 And Satan shall be bound,
that he shall have no place in the
hearts of the children of men.
56 And at that day, when I shall
come in my glory, shall the
parable be fulfilled which I spake
concerning the ten virgins.
57 For they that are wise and
have received the truth, and have
taken the Holy Spirit for their
guide, and have not been deceived--
verily I say unto you, they shall
not be hewn down and cast into the
fire, but shall abide the
day. Surely at this point, the Jews will be converted in mass numbers. |
| QUESTION from:Lauran Bonitta, Born Again Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/8/1999: | |
| When did Jesus visit the America's. Prior of or after his ascension?? Read Acts 3:20-21 and 3rd Nephi Please get back to me, I've asked this question to 10's of LDS and they are unable to respond. thank-you for your time, Lauran | |
|
It was most definitely AFTER His
ascension, one of which took place
only 3 days after his death, just
after he spoke to Mary
Magdalene:
John 20:17 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.
18 Mary Magdalene came and
told the disciples that she had
seen the Lord, and [that] he had
spoken these things unto her.
And so we have the biblical record that Jesus came to His disciples on several occasions after this event, proving that Acts 3:20 can't mean what some think it means (that Jesus would stay in heaven until the 2nd coming). He most surely came back, and told his Apostles to thrust their hands into his side and see that he was of flesh and bone. If Mary could not touch the risen Lord immediately after His resurrection, why was it OK for the Apostles to handle and see that He was indeed a physical being of flesh and bone just shortly after? He must have ascended to the Father! Now I admit that there is some room for semantics here, indeed there is a common use of the term "Ascension" to mean the final time Christ ascended to heaven from the Jews 40 days after His resurrection. But does this final ascension necessarily have anything to do with the Nephites or the other lost sheep of the House of Israel which He most assuredly visited? (see John 16:15) It seems logical that Jesus Christ could have visited the Nephites and other tribes of Israel during the same 40 day time period. He was not constantly with the Jews during that time. Where else was He? We have the Book of Mormon record to let us know, in part. |
| QUESTION from:Brian J. Hepworth, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/9/1999: | |
| I heard from a Pastor of a church that there is no evidence for the Book of Mormon, he even said that the Smithionian Institute denied the Book of Mormon. Is there any evidence for the Book of Mormon. Thank you for your help. Brian | |
|
Is there any physical evidence for
the Bible miracles? If not, then
why do people of many faiths
believe in them? Did Jesus walk on
water, and is there any evidence
for this? We have the word of the
Bible only, and that is not a
physical evidence to me. I believe
because of the Spirit. If others
do not believe because of the
Spirit, then their belief is
wrong. (see John 10:1). Jesus
said: D&C 50:19
And again, he that receiveth the
word of truth, doth he receive it
by the Spirit of truth or some
other way?
20 If it be some other way it is
not of God. The evidence of personal testimony is what is important to me, and to anyone who would know with any surety. We have got to get the testimony of faith to receive our evidences from the Lord. He is willing to give us a powerful testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost, if we humble ourselves, repent, and come unto him with faith in Christ. The prophet Moroni defined this process in the Book of Mormon. Speaking of the process to know whether the Book of Mormon is the word of God or not, he said:
Moroni 10:4 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.
This is evidence. The evidence that one can be sure of. It is very possible to be deceived by the physical evidences of the world, as the prophet John wrote in Revelation when he said:
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth
great wonders, so that he maketh
fire come down from heaven on the
earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that
dwell on the earth by [the means
of] those miracles which he had
power to do in the sight of the
beast; saying to them that dwell
on the earth, that they should
make an image to the beast, which
had the wound by a sword, and did
live.
So much for physical evidence. It can deceive. Jesus taught Peter that he was blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal to him that Jesus was the Christ, but rather His Father which is in heaven! (Matt 16:17) |
| QUESTION from:James Gruver, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 7/10/1999: | |
| Referring to record 3038 which asked: Do we have a second chance after this life? I was comforted by your response: A second chance? That is not the case. We can't reject the gospel here after having had the opportunity, and then gain the Celestial Kingdom by accepting it there in the spirit world. D&C 76 spells out these conditions. It teaches that they are those who would receive the Terrestrial Kingdom... the souls who afterwards receive the testimony of Jesus Christ, but who rejected it in the flesh. As a follow up question: Does the spirit world allow more than one chance? | |
|
Well, here in this life we get
typically get multiple chances to
accept the gospel. I know of some
people who went through over a
dozen sets of missionaries before
making the commitment. They had
multiple "chances." As to the situation in the Spirit World, it can only be guessed as to whether people get more than one chance there to accept things. I personally think that it is a lot like here. There is a missionary movement taking place there in huge scale compared to ours. Jesus commissioned His prophets there to begin it 2000 years ago, and there is a "bridge" between the spirit prison and paradise (see 1 Peter 3:18-20, and D&C 138). The gospel is being taken to those who are in darkness and sin, in hopes that they will repent and follow Jesus Christ. The prophet Joseph F. Smith (son of Hyrum Smith who was martyred at Carthage) has a vision on these things and declared:
D&C 138:57 I beheld that the
faithful elders of this
dispensation, when they depart
from mortal life, continue their
labors in the preaching of the
gospel of repentance and
redemption, through the sacrifice
of the Only Begotten Son of God,
among those who are in darkness
and under the bondage of sin in
the great world of the spirits of
the dead.
58 The dead who repent will be
redeemed, through obedience to the
ordinances of the house of God,
59 And after they have paid
the penalty of their
transgressions, and are washed
clean, shall receive a reward
according to their works, for they
are heirs of salvation.
60 Thus was the vision of the
redemption of the dead revealed to
me, and I bear record, and I know
that this record is true, through
the blessing of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, even so.
Amen.
|
| QUESTION from:Kevin Lund, Non-Denominational Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 7/13/1999: | |
| Were there migrations to the America's prior to Lehi's, and if so what geographical locations did they come from and what were the dates, what is the best reference material to study in this area of interest? | |
|
Yes, there were others, such as
the Jaredites who came thousands
of years before, and the Mulekites
who came about the same time, but
migration is probably not the
proper word. The Lord brought all
these people to this land. The
Book of Mormon prophet Lehi
taught: 2 Nephi 1:6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. Many people have studied much to find out the kind of questions you ask. As far as the "best" reference material, I can't make a specific recommendation because I have seen too much diversity in opinion to come to any certain conclusions based on the study. Some scholars are not as friendly as they ought to be towards differing conclusions. |
| QUESTION from:Patrick Nichols, Catholic Christian, Age 18-24, wrote on 7/13/1999: | |
| I always hear that LDS folks accept the Holy Bible as the Word of God along with all the rest of your scriptures. But one issue that you guys regard as so special and so important to your faith, to your personal salvation, and to your Church is the "sealing" act supposedly attained within a temple marriage. I've read in MANY LDS sources that the couple is bound for the rest of eternity. I've even hear that they can have "spiritual children" in Heaven. Don't get mad, but Our Lord specifically mentions the validity of human marriage in the after life. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Christ, speaking of marriage as it applies to those in Heaven, says- "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in Heaven," THAT is Holy scripture.I would love to hear somebody try to harmonize that with temple marriages. -nero | |
|
Nero:
Your interpretation of the
scripture is incorrect. It means
that after one is resurrected that
it is too late to do a sealing
ordinance. It is part of our
doctrine that sealing ordinances
must be done by mortals, for
themselves, or by proxy a mortal
can be sealed for a spirit yet to
be resurrected... but marriage in
heaven is forever. Jesus gave
Peter the sealing power which we
now also have in use in the
temples of God by virtue of the
Restoration of all things: Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. It is by the power of the Priesthood of God that these things are done. Marriage for all time and eternity is done in the temples of God, and it is something that we can read about in the scritpures. It is the binding on earth by these priesthood keys and having it also bound in heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ also gave this power to Nephi in the Book of Mormon days. He declared:
Helaman 10:6 Behold, thou art
Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I
declare it unto thee in the
presence of mine angels, that ye
shall have power over this people,
and shall smite the earth with
famine, and with pestilence, and
destruction, according to the
wickedness of this people.
7 Behold, I give unto you
power, that whatsoever ye shall
seal on earth shall be sealed in
heaven; and whatsoever ye shall
loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven; and thus shall ye have
power among this people. |
| QUESTION from:Wouter Smekens, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/13/1999: | |
| In an email answer my correspondent Alice wrote me:...Well, I'm glad you like my page :) So your a Mormon? The Book of Mormon talks about Jesus? That's, like, a second Bible right? Does it teach about the whole salvation through Jesus Christ thing, and asking forgiveness?... Well, I'm not baptized yet: I still have to get divorced! The reason why I emailed this young lady, on whichs site I came by accident, was because the pictures of her family showed that they are very warm and good people. I thought to advise you on what to answer her? Thank you for all the work you do, God blesses you! Wouter | |
|
Yes! The Book of Mormon teaches
about salvation through Jesus
Christ only, and that we can be
forgiven of our sins because of
Him! It is the good news, the
gospel. Here are some scriptures
from the Book of Mormon pertaining
to this:
Omni 1:26 And now, my beloved
brethren, I would that ye should
come unto Christ, who is the Holy
One of Israel, and partake of his
salvation, and the power of his
redemption. Yea, come unto him,
and offer your whole souls as an
offering unto him, and continue in
fasting and praying, and endure to
the end; and as the Lord liveth ye
will be saved.
Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say
unto you, that there shall be no
other name given nor any other way
nor means whereby salvation can
come unto the children of men,
only in and through the name of
Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
18 For behold he judgeth, and
his judgment is just; and the
infant perisheth not that dieth in
his infancy; but men drink
damnation to their own souls
except they humble themselves and
become as little children, and
believe that salvation was, and
is, and is to come, in and through
the atoning blood of Christ, the
Lord Omnipotent.
19 For the natural man is an
enemy to God, and has been from
the fall of Adam, and will be,
forever and ever, unless he yields
to the enticings of the Holy
Spirit, and putteth off the
natural man and becometh a saint
through the atonement of Christ
the Lord, and becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble, patient,
full of love, willing to submit to
all things which the Lord seeth
fit to inflict upon him, even as a
child doth submit to his father.
20 And moreover, I say unto
you, that the time shall come when
the knowledge of a Savior shall
spread throughout every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people.
21 And behold, when that time
cometh, none shall be found
blameless before God, except it be
little children, only through
repentance and faith on the name
of the Lord God
Omnipotent. |
| QUESTION from:Allison Marie Teetsel, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 1-17, wrote on 7/14/1999: | |
| Is Ishmael in 1Nephi the same Ishmael in the Bible? | |
|
There are many instances of the
name of Ishmael in the Bible from
the days of Adam on down to the
days of Jeremiah. It seems common
enough even in the biblical
record, that it probably was not
necessarily the same Ishmael.
|
| QUESTION from:jackie duarte, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 7/14/1999: | |
| I would just like to know what your belief on aguirying a secure and personal relationship with Jesus resulting in salvation. Also spiritual warfare and the affects on humans. And one more question, What is your belief on the end of time here on this earth. Thank you In Christ always, Jackie | |
|
My belief on getting a secure and
personal relationship with my
Father in Heaven through His Son
Jesus Christ, is to become
sufficiently humble. Humility
goes a long way to becoming like a
little child, the thing which
Jesus taught us we must do to
inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus
Christ taught the Nephites:
3 Nephi 11:37 And again I say unto
you, ye must repent, and become as
a little child, and be baptized in
my name, or ye can in nowise
receive these things.
38 And again I say unto you,
ye must repent, and be baptized in
my name, and become as a little
child, or ye can in nowise inherit
the kingdom of God.
Spiritual warfare is taking place right now. All of us are affected in one way or another by it, for good or evil. We need to decide which side we are fighting for, Jesus or His adversary. In the millennium when Satan will be bound, there will be no such warfare. I believe the end time of this earth is not known precisely, as Jesus said that no one knows the day he will return, except his Father in Heaven. |
| QUESTION from:cole, Protestant Christian, Age 25-34, wrote on 7/15/1999: | |
| I understand that Mormons believe in many Gods. Doesn't the Bible make it clear that there is only one God? Isaiah 43:10 says, in part, "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Also please seeIsaiah 44:6,8 Isaiah 46:9, among many others including Isaiah 45:14, "...there is no other; there is no other god." If God Himself says there is no other God or god, then we have no right to call Him a liar by saying that there are other Gods or gods. I would love to hear from you on this issue. Thank you! | |
|
The word GOD in the Bible, for the
most part, is ELOHIM in the
original Hebrew. The Hebrews knew
what it meant when the word ELOHIM
was used. It is a plural noun. In Genesis it reads: Genesis 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. God = Elohim They said let US create man in our image.
'elohiym {el-o-heem'}
Hebrew: noun masculine p
Possible Definitions:
1) (plural)
1a) rulers, judges
1b) divine ones
1c) angels
1d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular
meaning)
2a) god, goddess
2b) godlike one
2c) works or special
possessions of God
2d) the (true) God
2e) God
|
| QUESTION from:Jamie M., Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 1-17, wrote on 7/16/1999: | |
| In 3 Nephi 13:9-13 it says "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen." So what i don't get is this what we are suppose to say when we pray privately or should we pray more personally???? | |
|
What we learn from this example
that Jesus set, is WHO we are
supposed to pray to, that we
should acknowledge that the Father
is holy, all things come from him,
and that we can pray for
blessings. Pray more personally, of course, but know who we pray to and what kind of things we should pray for, etc. |
| QUESTION from:Dennis Carter, Latter-day Saint Christian, Age 35-49, wrote on 7/16/1999: | |
| There are many Latter-day Saints that never had the opportunity to marry in this life for a multitude of reasons. Assuming one such a I have described is worthy of an eternal mate, just when does the sealing occur if not in this life. It can't happen in the Spirit World, only other |
