marineland

True to the Faith mentions "Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without it, you would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior. With it, you are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Nephi 2:27)." You are free to choose and act, but you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow. Choices of good and righteousness lead to happiness, peace, and eternal life, while choices of sin and evil eventually lead to heartache and misery. Adam and Eve chose death.

The title "Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Manual" and its distribution by the church is harmful and misleading if its content is incorrect.

How do you define agency?

From what I read in 2 Nephi, there was opposition before the Fall and they had agency (the ability to make choices). p.s. the manual is approved and printed by the church.

I'm into lesson 4 of the manual (Religion 275) now. There's a section on page 16 that list all the effects which resulted in the Fall. Invite students to study 2 Nephi 2:19–25 and make a list of the effects of the Fall—the things that happened to Adam and Eve after they partook of the forbidden fruit. Then ask students to write items from their lists on the board. (Note: Looking for lists within a scripture passage is a scripture study skill you might teach with this passage; see Gospel Teaching and Learning [2012], 23.) The list should include the following: Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden; they brought forth children; they entered a probationary state; they became lost and needed repentance; and they experienced opposition, which allowed them to experience good and evil and use their agency wisely. I had a question about the last one - "and they experienced opposition, which allowed them to experience good and evil and use their agency wisely". Didn't Adam and Eve experience opposition before the Fall in that all the allowable trees were permissible to eat but the forbidden tree was in opposition? Did Adam and Eve have agency in the Garden but they were not able to use it either wisely or foolishly before the Fall? Tony

I'm into lesson 3 of the manual (Religion 275) now. There's a question asked on page 11 - Why do you think King Benjamin taught that no matter what we do, we are still “unprofitable servants” of God? Does “unprofitable” mean we are unworthy even if we do everything we are commanded to like I found Mosiah 2:21 says? Tony

I was just wondering if all the 15 apostles are also considered prophets or if there is just one prophet at a time for this church.

I'm into lesson 2 of the manual (Religion 275) now. There are several references to the living *prophet* and living *prophets*. Is there only one or are all the 15 currently living apostles considered prophets? Ephesians 4:11 mentions "some apostles and some prophets". What's the difference in how things are in this church? Tony

Do you believe 3 Nephi 18:5-9 excludes the people in the crowd from passing the bread and the wine?

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I started reading this manual of the church. I have a question about a teaching of Ezra Taft Benson in lesson 1. "Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior. They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. What does "Christian world" mean? Can someone even be considered a Christian if he or she denies the biblical teachings of Christ's divinity, his miraculous birth, his perfect life, and his resurrection? Tony

Regarding this passage: “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 8). Does this mean the 10 virgins are only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and not of any other churches?

Sexual temptation is a two-way street.

I am Christian, but not a member of your church. When I read that article, it says the ten virgins are members of Christ's church (which I assume is only the LDS Church from other church teachings). Based on these words, it seems to be a literal 50%. “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 8).

The Seminaries and Institutes of Religion Curriculum Services picked the title for that chapter. The parable cited was applied to the Second Coming of Christ.