Ministering in Unity
Unofficial and unauthoritative opinion on doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concerning the Nature of God, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, the Apostasy and Restoration, and Priesthood Authority.
Posted by David B at 10:02 AM 0 comments
President Russell M. Nelson said, "I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.... Looking at the Book of Mormon through those lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise. I recommend it to each of you."
The Book of Mormon is:
— "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." Its major writers — Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni — and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eye-witnesses of the Lord.
— A record of his ministry to people who lived in Ancient America.
— True, as attested by the Lord himself.
The Book of Mormon affirms:
— The individual identity of Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
— The necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy.
The Book of Mormon refutes notions that:
— Revelation ended with the Bible.
— Infants need to be baptized.
— Happiness can be found in wickedness.
— Individual goodness is adequate for exaltation. Ordinances & covenants are needed.
— The Fall of Adam tainted mankind with "original sin."
The Book of Mormon fulfills Biblical prophecies that:
— "Other sheep" shall hear his voice.
— God will do "a marvelous work and a wonder," speaking "out of the dust."
— The "stick of Judah" and the "stick of Joseph" will become one.
— Scattered Israel will be gathered "in the latter days" and how that will be done.
— The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph is the American hemisphere.
The Book of Mormon clarifies understanding about:
— Our premortal existence.
— Death. It is a necessary component of God's great plan of happiness.
— Post-mortal existence begins in Paradise.
— The resurrection of the body, reunited with its spirit, becomes an immortal soul.
-- Our judgment by the Lord, will be according to our deeds and the desires of our heart.
— How ordinances are properly performed: e.g. baptism, sacrament, confer the Holy Ghost.
— The Atonement of Jesus Christ.
— The Resurrection.
-- The important role of angels.
-- The eternal nature of Priesthood.
-- How human behavior is influenced more by the power of the word than power of the sword.
The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:
-- Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born.
-- Temples were built and used by people in ancient America.
-- Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.
-- Nephi (600-592 B.C.) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America.
-- Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost.
-- The Light of Christ is given to each person.
-- The importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things.
-- Warnings about "secret combinations."
Posted by David B at 8:34 AM 0 comments
Job vs. Career vs. Family vs. Christ vs. Meaning
Men vs. Women on agreeableness. Peterson teaches women assertiveness training. Ruth thinks most men could use agreeableness training.
Should gay couples raise children?
Crime and Aggression
Over-empathy
Pareto Distribution = Matthew Principle
Bible Series: Temple and Ressurection
12 Rules for Life
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Elder Joseph Fielding Smith stated emphatically that “no person is ever predestined to salvation or damnation. Every person has free agency.” Similarly, the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob taught that “one being is as precious in [God’s] sight as the other.” (Jacob 2:21.)
The problem with the idea of predestination, as C. H. Dodd put it, is that it “sets the ground of a man’s hope of salvation entirely outside himself.” Elder James E. Talmage also denounced the concept of predestination, saying that it makes us merely “automatons,” acting out a predetermined destiny decreed by God. (Eldon R. Taylor, Ensign, Dec. 1990)
Posted by David B at 3:32 PM 0 comments
...it pleases me to take from this passage the opportunity to discuss doubt, God, and the will of God; for I hear that here and there among the nobles and persons of importance vicious statements are being spread abroad concerning predestination or God’s foreknowledge. For this is what they say: “If I am predestined, I shall be saved, whether I do good or evil. If I am not predestined, I shall be condemned regardless of my works.” I would be glad to debate in detail against these wicked statements if the uncertain state of my health made it possible for me to do so. For if the statements are true, as they, of course, think, then the incarnation of the Son of God, His suffering and resurrection, and all that He did for the salvation of the world are done away with completely. What will the prophets and all Holy Scripture help? What will the sacraments help? Therefore let us reject all this and tread it underfoot.
Posted by David B at 12:33 PM 0 comments
http://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2017/08/tribalism-in-america-like-the-world-has-never-seen/
“when you believe resources are scarce you begin to look at others as rivals in competition for those resources.” —Jon Stewart, “the Shop”
D&C 104:17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.
We live in an inequitable capitalist society based on supply and demand or scarcity. God knows that even in a fare free-enterprise economy, that certain people will be born with greater opportunity and talent than others. However, the key to living with “all things common” (NOT in common) is to explore and put into practice practices that provide greater equality of opportunity and incentivize the free-will giving of those blessed with abundance to those in need.
However, we see individuals in the world amassing more and more wealth that not only exceeds what they need, but exceeds what they could even want. Despite the consumer guilt the media directs towards working people, consider the millions of acres of farm land used to produce coffee, tea, hops, tobacco, opium, etc that provide little nutrient or medicinal value but are grown more for recreational use.
The US is blessed with abundant natural resources. We shouldn’t need to exploit the 3rd-world for their resources and cheap labor. We don't need our mega-capitalists creating “banana republics” by buying up land in Bolivia for quinoa, or land in Malaysia for red palm oil. Middle men love to buy low from poor producing nations and sell high to rich consumer nations.
Most don’t realize the US has no national rail system. Consequently it cost more to ship goods across country than to import from ovetseas. 1. The US needs to create a national rail system. 2. We need to drill our own oil in ANWR, 3. We need to mine our own rare-earth minerals in Limhi Pass, Idaho, 4. We need to better produce and consume locally. 5. Use automation instead of slavery, 6. Instead of building and controlling our own production facilities overseas, patent-holders could license technology to developing nations allowing them to build their own independent production and manufacturing for their own people.
Posted by David B at 5:09 AM 0 comments