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Everything posted by JLHPROF
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Leaving aside the apocalyptic doomsayers I still think it's fascinating how few latter-day saints actually believe we're anywhere close to the end of the world. Somewhere we stopped being a millennialist Church. The idea that building Zion for the Lord's imminent second coming and the New Jerusalem doesn't seem to fit our current perspective much. Do we even believe we're living in the literal last days anymore? Matthew 24 describes a timeline for the end but it's anybody's guess how far along it we are. It's the warning at the end I think best describes our current attitude. Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
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They can. The Church is an earthly organization. The orders of the priesthood are not. I don't recall reading about Moses, Abraham, Enoch etc being members of the Church. Priesthood authority presides over and runs the Church. The Church organization doesn't preside over priesthood. It's President Nelson's priesthood authority and keys that run the Church, not his title as Church President. Brigham Young had it right: “I do not care who leads the Church, even though it were Ann Lee, but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the Keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject."
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How you interpret God incarnate makes all the difference.
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Trib Article Re: Movement to "Save" the Provo Temple
JLHPROF replied to smac97's topic in General Discussions
Well they're not required but I was just curious if anything had been said about their reduction in use. Some of the smaller temples are much less recognizable as temples without them, looking like fancy stake centers. (Obviously the bigger ornate temples are still recognizable without them). This one looks so much like a traditional Church house. Very excited to tour the Taylorsville one next year - below (and of course the Manti renovation which I'm praying is as nice as St. George). -
Christ is the only path to God the Father so I think it's impossible to speak of one without the other. But I also think in our adoration of our Savior we sometimes slip into sectarian habits that contradict the Savior's instructions. Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. The Savior knew it was his Father's kingdom, his Father's will, his Father that answers prayers, and his Father that was good. He just did the will of his Father and inherited everything from him. Sometimes I think our members would rather be more Protestant and pray to Christ since they are Trinitarian. It contradicts the Savior's instructions to me.
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I would say it probably doesn't matter since you don't need to be a member in order to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think there are ordinances where it makes a difference, like ordaining to an office before conferring priesthood.
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Trib Article Re: Movement to "Save" the Provo Temple
JLHPROF replied to smac97's topic in General Discussions
Question - are we done with Moroni statues? Looking at renderings of temples under construction and he's very absent. Lot's of spires and domes. -
Trib Article Re: Movement to "Save" the Provo Temple
JLHPROF replied to smac97's topic in General Discussions
Portland is beautiful. Seattle comes from the same architectural era as the London Temple, which I have a soft spot for since my parents were married there. -
Trib Article Re: Movement to "Save" the Provo Temple
JLHPROF replied to smac97's topic in General Discussions
Never been a big fan of the UFO design but at least they had character. The replacements are so cookie cutter as to lose all impact. I felt that way about the new Saratoga Springs temple. A couple of months later and literally the only thing I remember of the building was the beautiful blue color used. We lost something when we removed all architectural symbolism from temples. It was a joy to tour the renovated St. George Temple and see the depth of thought and inspiration put into its design. So grateful it wasn't destroyed in the renovation process. -
Because it's an eternal principle that all truth be established by two or more witnesses. God is truth (among many other things). 'The Scriptures inform us that “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." If any man does not know God, and inquires what kind of a being he is,–if he will search diligently his own heart–if the declarations of Jesus and the Apostles be true–he will realize that he has not eternal life; for there can be eternal life on no other principle.' -Joseph Smith
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It's easy once you realize some of these are offices, not individuals. There are multiple individuals with the office of Jehovah. Multiple Adams. Multiple Christs (although only one for our world). Eloheim is plural. Scripture refers to the Gods. Trying to reduce to three individuals causes confusion. Trying to reduce further to a single individual causes traditional trinitarian beliefs. Once you realize polytheism is the truth it's so much simpler because it eliminates most contradictions.
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Compliments to the Orem Utah Temple Open House Staff
JLHPROF replied to Thinking's topic in General Discussions
That one was so fast I felt out of breath after. St. George was a much more spiritual calming experience despite the huge crowds. -
Compliments to the Orem Utah Temple Open House Staff
JLHPROF replied to Thinking's topic in General Discussions
We've never bothered with tickets. They don't check them and they don't turn anyone away. In the past little while my family has attended both Saratoga Springs and St. George. Looking forward to Manti next year too. -
What is the official doctrine of why no children in the Garden?
JLHPROF replied to Calm's topic in General Discussions
Does the direction the Church "moves" have any effect on what is or is not real? Or did someone get a revelation I missed declaring Adam and Eve as mere archetypes. Especially when prophets have actually seen them. -
What is the official doctrine of why no children in the Garden?
JLHPROF replied to Calm's topic in General Discussions
It stated the creation (organization) of man and woman is strictly figurative. Not their relationship. Which actually furthers the idea of Brigham Young that there has only ever been one way people are created. The same way as us. Adam, Eve, Christ - nobody was ever conceived in any other way. -
Good question. In the Kingdom of God organization with its attendant leadership council who succeeded Joseph? Brigham then John Taylor. The last time the council even met was 1884. President Nelson may hold the authority as head but the Church is still not the Kingdom. Two separate organizations.
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This is part of the problem - equating the Church with God's kingdom on earth. The Church and the Kingdom have never been the same organization. Even going back to the life of Joseph Smith they had different leadership councils, different restoration dates, and different missions and callings. In the later 19th century not all gospel functions were viewed under Church organizational purview (post manifesto plural marriages for instance). And when the Millennium finally begins the legal entity known as the Church today will likely be superceded by the government of Christ's kingdom millennial reign.
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Are our chapel designs supposed to reference this concept that dates to the first decade of the Church? When did we begin using actual chapels as a Church?
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I think it will. But it will be our societal culture that brings it about. God won't alter his pattern.
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You could dismiss a lot of scripture and prophetic teaching using that excuse. I don't think discussing potential prophecies that may be beginning to be fulfilled in front of us is politics. There ARE two major parties. The names match the prophecy. They are at war in a sense. There are a large number of independent voters not in either party. So far I think it's fulfilled. What's the next part? Do we think it could happen soon? This isn't politics any more than D&C 87 is pro-North propaganda. It's what we expect prophets to do - warn us.
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I'm not one to put stock in unverifiable prophecies and random hearsay but I've been thinking lately about just how eerily accurate the Hancock Prophecy is turning out to be. Does anyone know anything to promote or question its authenticity? I have long expressed doubts in the accuracy of his famous vision but this record continues to match history in ways Hancock couldn't have predicted. The bold parts seem to be well under way, the underlined part probably coming soon. How many elements would need to come to pass before we began watching for the rest. Any thoughts?