DonBradley

Actually, I have to agree with Portals to Paris about the Levi Richards reference. Hyrum is explicit in saying in this sermon that if an angel commanded polygamy it would have to be an angel of the devil, since (Hyrum says) Jacob 2's prohibition on polygamy "was given for a perpetual principle." Suppose Hyrum understood Jacob 2:30 to be a loophole for divinely commanded polygamy. In that case, he clearly would not have thought the prohibition was a "perpetual principle" - how could it be if it had a loophole built into it? And if he thought verse 30 was a loophole for God to command polygamy, why would he assume that any angel who commanded polygamy--as the built-in loophole allowed--would have to be an angel of the devil? Hyrum clearly did not, at this point, see verse 30 as polygamy loophole. Don

I would imagine most of this increased harassment is directed at those who are trans-identified and is probably happening 1) because the number of persons in this category is rising rapidly (-more trans people means more trans people who can be victims of harassment) and 2) there is increasing pushback against trans-identification.

Bingo! Yes! Exactly! Remember that they would want you to be safe far more than they would care about other issues.

Dario, I'm up late but headed to bed. It's after 1:00 AM in Utah. That gives me a better idea of the situation - thanks! I think you will be okay. Just remember that if things are really getting dangerous enough that you fear for your safety, then you should go someplace else and let others know how bad the situation is. Talking with a bishop, as others have suggested, is a great idea. Get some sleep. And, when you can, try to mend the situation with your housemates. Don

Also, it's like 7:20 AM in Portugal? I'm wondering if now that it's day time you can go someplace else for a while, while things cool down in the house you've been at.

Who were you fighting with in the house you're at? Was it a physical fight? Do you think your parents would you let temporarily stay with them? Sorry for peppering you with questions--I just want to understand so we can make sure you're okay!! Don

Dario, I'm concerned. I just prayed for you and will continue to pray that you will safe, both physically and emotionally. Help me understand what's going on. I only visit the board occasionally, and I don't know the back story. Are you physically safe right now? Your grandmother kicked you out, so where are you living now? Does your family know your concerns about your safety? Who do you have in Charneca that you might be able to turn to? If you want to chat and you're on Facebook, you can message me: https://www.facebook.com/onandagus1 Don

Pyreaux, Great questions. You're right, of course, that the Hebrew Bible makes a distinction here. The whole idea of the Messiah is that he is "the anointed of the LORD"--i.e., "the anointed of YHWH." Recognizing that "the LORD" in the KJV means YHWH, we can substitute YHWH in all passages that use "LORD." One such passage is Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because YHWH hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" Jesus applied this passage to himself at the beginning of his ministry in Luke 4: 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of YHWH is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of YHWH. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. Jesus thus declares himself to have been anointed by YHWH. Another such passage is Psalm 110:1: "YHWH said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Jesus also used this passage in relation to himself: Matthew 22: 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 YHWH said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? Jesus thus presents David's reference to "my Lord" as referring to the Messiah-- to whom YHWH said, "Sit thou on my right hand...." To argue that Jesus is sitting at his own right hand would seem every bit as silly as the "Trinitarian" [sic - modalist] views Latter-day Saints often refute, which would have Jesus sitting at his own right hand when Stephen sees the Son seated beside the Father. YHWH--as referred to here--is not the Son/Messiah but the Father. However, Jesus also identifies himself with YHWH, as in John 8: 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM [YHWH]. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. So, rather than the simple equation of Elohim with the Father and YHWH with the Son, it would appear that both the Father and the Son are identified in scripture with YHWH. Don