filovirus

I am on the fence about it. Here is Joseph Smith's teaching about the washing of feet, found on the the church website here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/washing-of-feet?lang=eng Washing of Feet During the Last Supper, Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and washed the feet of the disciples.1 Some Christian groups followed this New Testament precedent, washing feet as a token of humility or brotherhood.2 A revelation to Joseph Smith in December 1832 required participants in the School of the Prophets to participate in the washing of feet. The Lord commanded the elders to “clean your hands, and your feet, before me” as witness that they were “clean, from the blood of this, wicked generation.”3 Joseph Smith and other members of the school first participated in this ordinance during the school’s first session in January 1833.4 As the construction of the Kirtland Temple neared completion, Joseph Smith explained to members of the school that the “ordinance of washing of feet” was a restoration of the New Testament practice “calculated to unite our hearts” and prepare the elders for an endowment of spiritual power.5 He further taught that the ordinance needed to be performed in a place “aside from the world.”6 Accordingly, on March 29 and 30, 1836, about 300 priesthood holders from the Kirtland area, including Joseph Smith and other Church leaders, met to wash one another’s feet.7 I get what they're trying to show, but the washing and anointing of feet is an ordinance that Jesus did not do for every person. At least according to the LDS church doctrines.

I found some more info. https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2024/1/30/24055436/church-announces-new-seminary-life-preparation-lessons Some quotes from the article: And then they go into more detail in a broadcast from Jan 26. It can be watched here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2024/01/full-session?lang=eng

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-seminaries-life-preparation-lessons?fbclid=IwAR0Kq9_wIWSqiGMq4pbjKtlIqbIXmSsKwO2zJzpbOFkwtAuP7B-ijC1PkqA This looks interesting and much needed. Looks like only some areas in the US for this year and then a world wide rollout for 2025. I have two kids that will be in Seminary next year.

I was able to get a question to him yesterday: My question: "Do the murals at San Bartolo have any impact on BoM historicity? A member of the Community of Christ posits that they depict Ammon and King Lamoni." I found this book, written and researched by David B. Brown of the Community of Christ. https://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Among-Maya-David-Brown/dp/0359373437 His answer: "Sort of. I would shy away from declaring that they had Book of Mormon figures, but they do show that there was writing during Book of Mormon times. It also shows that the Maya script was evolving--dare we say becoming "reformed" by the time it arrives on the stone monuments some 500-600 years later where more can be read. There are some of the earlier glyphs that can be read, but not all."

I was not allowed to knock doors on my mission. El Salvador. I never knocked one door unannounced. My son in Mexico is not allowed to knock doors. He had a month in Arizona waiting for his VISA, he was not allowed to knock doors there either. Knocking doors is not very productive. But, nothing wrong with it otherwise. The occupants have their agency to turn them away, or let them in. Seems like the bishop abused the congregants lack of agency with his personal soap box.

Are you claiming the scriptures are just the constructs of men? God has a history of covenanting with his people. From the OT, to the NT, to the BoM. I'm not sure why he would suddenly stop now. I guess if you don't believe the scriptures are the word of God, you have a point. Can people within the church not be good to each other? I'm not sure what you mean by this. I believe that there will be more people in the highest kingdom of heaven who were never LDS, or even Christian, than vice versa. But eventually, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and acknowledge his authority.

Here is the definition of thwart: prevent (someone) from accomplishing something. Not sure where you got the idea that it means they believe. And yes, I do think many people are trying to "thwart" the CoJCoLDS from accomplishing its goal to bring all unto Christ. They sow disbelief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its power to save (covenants and all). They sow discord among many within the church so that there is internal conflict. They sow distrust in the prophets and their testimony of Christ. And then when a believing member starts to have doubts, previously there have not been a lot of options to turn to. Bishop? Maybe. Church Essays? They don't go into depth. Many of these questions are not discussed in the church setting. So they go to tik tok. Mormon subreddit. Youtube. All to try and find answers. And there are more anti-LDS posts on all of those sites than pro-LDS posts. So the fact that the church is teaching how to help people who have fallen prey to the insidious nature of many is a good thing.

Does it matter? Either way, the CoJCoLDS is finally addressing the problem that people can have serious doubts that have consequences for their eternal promises. It is giving us guidance on how to reach out to those with tough questions.

People can be good while believing in any number of things. And truth can be found in every corner of the earth, not just inside the LDS religion. However, the CoJCoLDS offers things that no other religion or place on earth offers at this moment. Namely, the sealing power from heaven in the form of priesthood, and a method to make sacred covenants with God that lead to blessings in the hereafter. Many people are actively or even subtly trying to thwart people's access to these promises by creating an atmosphere of doubt and denial.

Might I suggest going to your EQP and asking him to set aside time at the beginning or end of EQ meeting to discuss some of these difficult issues? Or maybe even a whole lesson on a topic you are having trouble with. This seems like the best place to raise some of these issues in a controlled environment without hijacking any of the meetings.

Not putting it down. I go to FAIR to find facts that are layed out very well. And the depth of what FAIR has to offer is immense. I find that Mormonr takes a more middle-ground approach that leans apologetic.

Honestly, this is a much-needed advance for the CoJCoLDS. I am guessing that many members don't know where to go when a loved one comes to them with serious questions about the church. And before this, there wasn't a lot of guidance. The fact that it will be easy to find, and addresses several concerns that have popped up with the advent of the internet, will make this invaluable. After 10+ years of not addressing the questions, I am seeing the church going from a purely defense mode to actively promoting an offensive strategy. All the podcasts that follow along with the "Come Follow Me" lessons are starting to tackle the hard questions as they come up. Within the last 3 years pro-faith YouTube channels are emerging to fight back. Websites with a little more nuance than FAIR are gaining more and more popularity, such as mormonr. I like that the church is more open. No more arguments that the Church is trying to hide things. And to top it all off stating that faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel as outlined in scripture comes forefront to all these secondary questions is how it should be.

I was under the impression that Don Bradley thought only the first 4 plural marriages, after Fanny Alger, were pregnant at the time of their marriage to Joseph. Both he and Brian Hales have plenty of first-hand accounts that Joseph did consummate some of the marriages after those first ones.

Spanish is "Expiacion". Dictionary defines the English equivalent word expiation as: the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement. But no, there is no play on words in the Spanish version.

D&C 138 sure shows that Adam and Eve were real people. I don't know how the church would move from that thinking. 38 Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all, 39 And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.