why me wrote:Dr. Shades wrote:Why didn't a light burst from the heavens to prevent John the Baptist from being beheaded?
You definitely have mob organizer talent.
Maybe, if you were alive back then, you and William Law would have been good friends.
GAZ, there is little gained in reliving a glorified past, or in ardor of a nonexistant future in an imagined heaven. Such beliefs originated in a time of unfettered imagination and very little knowledge of life sciences. For what it's worth...
Roger
Jacob 2:23-28:
[23] But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
[24] Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
[25] Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
[26] Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.
[27] Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
[28] For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'[a]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 22:32 Exodus 3:6
In regards to a glorified past: I don't think anyone in the Church looks to the past to glorify it. Members of the Church look to the past to understand what works and what doesn't. We look to Joseph Smith so that we can copy what he did so that we can get the same results. We do the same with scripture, the difference being that Joseph Smiths experiences are a little closer to our time. Active and involved members get the bonus of reading the current prophets experiences to use as an example.
RM: Do you, and other members, really want to do--"copy"..what Joseph Smith did? I think anyone can subscribe to the Ensign, or go on line to read "...the current prophets..."
In regards to the future: The LDS faith has a very unique perspective to offer those who adhere to its teachings. We share with people the idea that they lived before they came into this life, that they are literally children of deity.
This perspective gives members a personal knowledge of their inner potential. The idea that they can acheive all things and become eventh as their Father in Heaven.
RM: That IS an "idea". Nothing more. The knowledge that some (actually all) have is that of knowing the "idea" not that the "idea" is valid and true. There is much secular literature on human potential that inspires people to aspire. Some even achieve. Becoming a God does not appeal to everyone. That it does to some is satisfied by the Mormon "idea". And of course the rituals that surround the "idea" giving it material to which believers of the "idea" can take hold of to substantiate, in their minds, the "idea". at some believe it and others don't, bears not a bit on its authenticity.
The Doctrine & Covenants teaches members of the Church how Christ himself had to learn and refine his own views, just as we do. We learn that the gift of the Holy Ghost can assist us in educating our concience, can help us to refine our character and adhere to truths concerning our attitudes and behavior.
RM: Really? :rolleyes:
You place an unwarranted value in modern life sciences, which commonly seek to justify sinful behavior by calling it natural, which always seeks to blame others for our bad behavior because of the enviorment we were raised in.
RM: Heart transplants? Smoke free environments? Compulsory education? Hate laws? Human rights? Understanding the causes and consequence of child abuse? "Sinful"?? Do you honestly think/believe family environment does not effect families and the children therein??? The church seems to think so!!
The gospel of Jesus Christ opens our eyes to our moral agency, and its refining effect on our soul through long term proper choices. In a world where instant gratification reigns supreme it seems a strange thing to set our sights on a future day where our self sacrifice will pay dividends in eternity. For those who seek to refine their spirit instead of their lusts it is no real mystery though.
RM: Just what are you sacrificing? Is this a "poor me" lament? I never saw my LDS life as a sacrifice of anything. I was well rewarded for every dollar and hour I donated--feely, without a grumble. Be assured GAZ I enjoyed the best of the church for drcades. I might still be "there" if it was all that it pretends. Which is impossible to accept in all honesty. Enjoy while you need to. But don't stay forthe wrong reasons. Respectfully, Roger
