marineland

There is a comparison between "blessed" and "more blessed" in 3 Nephi 12. Jesus invited the Nephites to feel the nail prints in his hands and feet so that they would believe (3 Nephi 11:14–15). The next chapter records Jesus as saying "therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am". While I don't consider it a blessing for believing in Jesus after seeing him and touching him, in this context "more blessed" means more of a blessing is pronounced because it is based on faith, not on sight and touch.

Governing over the population seems analogous to ruling over the population, no?

I thought the war in heaven was because Heavenly Father rejected Satan's plan to save mankind. I didn't see anything about him wanting to be a king over its inhabitants.

I'm into lesson 19 of the manual (Religion 275). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/12557_eng.pdf?lang=eng Page 89 - Remind students that before we came to earth, we participated in the Council in Heaven. “The central issue in that premortal council was: Shall the children of God have untrammeled agency to choose the course they should follow, whether good or evil, or shall they be coerced and forced to be obedient? “The scriptures make clear that there was a great war in heaven, a struggle over the principle of freedom, the right of choice” (Teachings: Ezra Taft Benson, 61). Was this the only war in heaven or were there smaller wars over issues discussed at other councils in heaven? Page 90 - Remind students that for centuries after Lehi arrived in the promised land, the Nephites were ruled by kings. Explain to students that the system of judges was appropriate and necessary to preserve freedom in Nephite society. From what I see in Mosiah 29, Mosiah is the last king before he decides to appoint judges to rule over them (verse 11). They would also have a dual rule - to judge them according to the law (verse 41) How does a good judge preserve freedom better than or equal to a good king? Would the United States have more or less freedom if the judges on the Supreme Court ruled over the people instead of elected Government officials?

Since they could not understand what was written on the plates, they had to solely rely on what Joseph Smith said. This could have been done without them seeing or touching the plates - like they also had to believe the First Vision account since they were not present.

Great. That works. Including @bluebell too.

Thanks. I'll try that. Sometimes I find it difficult if one person's comment is on page 2 and I am replying to someone on page 6. When I initiate the reply to page 6 and go back to the person on page 2 for example and click on that one's quote button, it seems to loose my initial reply to the person on page 6. I might be doing something wrong.

That's very helpful. How do you also include a quote made by one person when you are in the midst of replying to another person?

What proxied ordinances, for the non-Israelites who lived under the Law of Moses, are not required?

I'm into lesson 18 of the manual (Religion 275). Page 84 Introduction Mortal life is the time for us to prepare to meet God. Suggestions for Teaching Alma 34:32–34; 40:6–7, 11–14 After death, the righteous go to paradise and the wicked go to spirit prison What important doctrines about the purpose of life on earth did Amulek teach? (Students should identify several doctrines in this passage, including the following: This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God.) Since even the evil spirits that never entered mortality will meet God on Judgment Day, does this particular reference to mortal life mean proxied ordinances for the dead cannot prepare them to meet God in His kingdom; where its residents will have eternal life? Page 85 • What is the difference between the state of the righteous and the state of the wicked after death? (Although they may use different words, students should identify the following doctrine: Between death and resurrection, the spirits of the righteous dwell in paradise and the spirits of the wicked dwell in spirit prison.) Did the thief on the cross go to paradise with Jesus because his faith in Christ was counted for righteousness?

Is this a reference to those who are exalted (D&C 76:54-58)?

Another conspiracy guy. You obviously don't consider that people can borrow from other forum posters and add additional comments to them by including them without being the same person.

I don't see mercy extended to the tares in this church teaching. It is briefly talked about in points 8 and 9. Then another section starting with In Doctrine and Covenants 86, the Lord explains these additional details and gives more information on the first details has more about the tares.

It doesn't explicitly say that. But in LDS theology, eternal life is living life as God and his wife lives - eternal increase. This is only possible in believing and acting on correct doctrine. Those in the telestial kingdom, that do not repent, are the goats. So while 'Jesus' told Joseph Smith not to join any of these groups back then, would he approve of people joining those groups in our day?

The tares may appear to be members of the church to humans, but God knows they are not really members of His church. Judas was initially a member of the twelve, but he changed and lost his position. The parable of the wheat and the tares is about people in their state at the judgment. That's how I see it.