warnerfranklin

I'm currently in the military. I don't think everyone should be required to serve. The job is difficult enough without having to deal with people who don't want to be there. Should there be some kind of service for people to become full citizens and have the right to vote - well that is debatable. Robert Heinlein made such an argument in his book Starship Troopers. The argument he made did have many valid points, but the society in that book was semi-fascist, so different set of circumstances. The military is a good place for young people looking for some life experience, marketable skills, and a chance to belong to something bigger than themselves.

“We don’t share the gospel or go on a mission so we can go to the Celestial Kingdom. We share the Gospel so others can to the Celestial Kingdom and have the privilege of spending eternity with our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ben Arkle.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/faithbased/2007/12/southern_baptists_vs_the_mormons.html I couldn’t find the article I quoted, apologies. But I found a related one. Hope that helps!

“God’s word doesn’t change, but our ability to understand it does.” ”Line upon line. Precept upon precept.” “....If you believe not these words, believe in Christ...” 2 Nephi 33:10 From the time I first heard of the Church until I became a member was 36 years. I am thankful that Saints I came into contact with had the wisdom to understand that I was operating with incomplete information and helped me become the best Christian I could be with the information I had. That this man is going as far as he can is to be commended. That he is trying to create peace between us and those who are often hostile towards our faith is to be applauded.

“You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears.” Matthew 17:7 ”...If you believe not these words, believe in Christ...” 2 Nephi 33:10 He recognizes our faith for what it is because he has honestly studied it. He is helping people believe in Christ. Both are to be commended. There is a reason why the Southern Baptist Convention has instructed their pastors to tell their congregations to not open their doors to our missionaries. It’s becauze their own studies have shown that for every LDS member who joins their church 26 Southen Baptist become Latter Day Saints.

I think CS Lewis explained this conundrum of people choosing Hell when he wrote in his book The Great Divorce: ”In the end there will only be two types of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and to those whom God says, ‘Thy will be done.’ All who are in Hell have chosen it and without that same self choice there would be no Hell.” It is pride. The setting up of self as God. Pride is why Satan and his followers threw away glory because he wanted to be first. Sadly, many would prefer to, “reign in Hell” than to serve and be joyful in heaven.

Welcome back. Go talk to the Bishop and see what is required to regain your membership. God bless!

I don’t worry so much about whether or not this or that is a sin. Most of those items are self evident. But when it comes to more mundane actions like watching this TV program or having that conversation I like to ask myself, “Does this draw me and others closer to or further from Christ?” A camping trip with family - most likely closer. That R-rated movie - most likely further when I keep the above in mind I find that I am more patient, much less likely to come across as being judgmental, and generally more likely to stay on the right path with my walk with Christ.

I would point out to her the examples and mercies that Christ shows women in the gospel. I would point out the commandments that Paul gives to husbands and young men on how they are to treat women. The above is important to point out because it explains why during the 1st century AD that women were the majority of converts in the early Christian Church. In Christianity they found a belief system that actually treated them as a beloved child of God who was to be honored and valued. When one contrasts Christianity with the pagan faiths of the time, faiths that promoted the infanticide of baby girls, the selling of young women into temple prostitution, etc. there really isn’t any comparison If that isn’t sufficient then move along as you are dealing with someone who probably more interested in using scripture to back up their political view than she is in finding Christ.

I have seen what you mean when people try to walk the fence. I call them “fire insurance Christians”. The question we should ask ourselves isn’t “Is this a sin?” It should be, “Does this bring me and others closer to Christ?” And then act accordingly. Elder Holland once said, “You can everything you want in this life or you can have something better.” Sadly, many choose the former.

A good lesson! Might I recommend the following: God shows His love for us in this: that while we were yet sinners Christ died fo us. Romans 5:8 ”Being a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable in others because God forgave the inexcusable in you,” CS Lewis , Mere Christianity I think the above two demonstrate that it is helpful that we remember what we too were once covered in warts, but our father saw us not as we were but as who we can be President Eyring tells a wonderful story about how, when he was a Bishop, that he had to counsel one of his ward members who had just been busted for drunk driving. As he tells the story he relates that he was going to tear into this guy, but before the meeting started the spirit allowed him to see this person as our Father saw him. The experience changed the whole tenor of the meeting.

2 Corinthians and D&C.

“People tend to become that which they imitate.” CS Lewis ”Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 It is not mockery, it’s our being obedient to the Lord.

I think they’re interchangeable and since neither are suggestions....

The only thing I miss since becoming LDS is a nice hot cup of tea with lemon on a cold winter day. And don’t suggest herbal tea. That stuff taste like someone mowed their lawn and then bagged the clippings. 😉