fatherofone Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Sunday in Elders Quorum we were discussing food storage, and someone mentioned that we needed to be ready to provide for our kids no matter what because after all they picked us to be there parents. My question is do you believe we picked our spouses, parents, and kids in the life before? I myself do not, my reasoning is that a lot of people are married multiple times anymore, so the question becomes which one did they pick. A lot of the times the ones that are married multiple times have blended families, so which parent did they kids pick, the biological parent, or the step parent? Just a couple of reasons why I don't believe we picked our families what are your thoughts?
Saints Alive Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Sounds like some Saturday's Warriors mythology to me. My thought is that it is either completely random or God placed us where he wanted us to be. I don't see how it would be wise or prudent for us to pick our circumstances when we had no clue what a mortal life would be like. 1
thesometimesaint Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 fatherofone:Who knows? Maybe we picked all of them, to be our parent, for a time. Personally I believe the Lord knows what he is doing and gives us the best opportunity to reach our full potential. Anywho, We won't be judged on what our parents did or didn't do, but on what we do. 2
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Sunday in Elders Quorum we were discussing food storage, and someone mentioned that we needed to be ready to provide for our kids no matter what because after all they picked us to be there parents. My question is do you believe we picked our spouses, parents, and kids in the life before? I myself do not, my reasoning is that a lot of people are married multiple times anymore, so the question becomes which one did they pick. A lot of the times the ones that are married multiple times have blended families, so which parent did they kids pick, the biological parent, or the step parent? Just a couple of reasons why I don't believe we picked our families what are your thoughts?My kids did not pick me...and this comment (by said member) is silly.
fatherofone Posted October 22, 2012 Author Posted October 22, 2012 fatherofone:Who knows? Maybe we picked all of them, to be our parent, for a time. Personally I believe the Lord knows what he is doing and gives us the best opportunity to reach our full potential. Anywho, We won't be judged on what our parents did or didn't do, but on what we do.I know, i am just curious about opinions
Calm Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 I wouldn't say picked, but I am prone to some cases at least of saying we were given a choice to accept or reject our placement. Not sure how widespread this is though.
DH Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) Sunday in Elders Quorum we were discussing food storage, and someone mentioned that we needed to be ready to provide for our kids no matter what because after all they picked us to be there parents.I think we should provide for kids just because they're kids, regardless of whether or not they picked us.As for whether or not they picked us, I don't know. Maybe so, maybe not, or maybe some did but others didn't. I don't know if I picked my own parents, but I do know that I love them! Edited October 22, 2012 by DH
Duncan Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) I think in a few cases people picked each other in the pre-mortal life. I do think God saw who we would pick under the circumsatnces we live and how things turn out.I hope God is arranging things because I have two tickets ot a comedy show on Thurs. night and I need someone to go with! So, I hope God makes it lickety split!!!! Edited October 22, 2012 by Duncan
Damien the Leper Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Sounds like some Saturday's Warriors mythology to me. My thought is that it is either completely random or God placed us where he wanted us to be. I don't see how it would be wise or prudent for us to pick our circumstances when we had no clue what a mortal life would be like.This is what came to my mind, as well. I only recently watched the movie a few weeks ago. My friend Kelsie informed me that I wasn't a true Mormon, or Ex-Mo in my case, if I hadn't seen the movie. I bit the dust and now I'm permanently scarred.
Damien the Leper Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 If I was picked...to mom and dad I say this:What the H-E-Double Hockey sticks were you thinking?!?
CV75 Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Sunday in Elders Quorum we were discussing food storage, and someone mentioned that we needed to be ready to provide for our kids no matter what because after all they picked us to be there parents. My question is do you believe we picked our spouses, parents, and kids in the life before? I myself do not, my reasoning is that a lot of people are married multiple times anymore, so the question becomes which one did they pick. A lot of the times the ones that are married multiple times have blended families, so which parent did they kids pick, the biological parent, or the step parent? Just a couple of reasons why I don't believe we picked our families what are your thoughts?I always took Acts 17:26 to refer to God's organizing or foreordaining us into earthly families, and probably with some concurrence on our parts.
Saints Alive Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 If we did pick our parents, why would anyone pick non-mormon parents or if not picking mormon parents gives you a free pass why would anyone pick mormon parents?
fatherofone Posted October 22, 2012 Author Posted October 22, 2012 lots of good thoughts, and like a lot of you I believe God put us where and when he wanted us
David T Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) Sunday in Elders Quorum we were discussing food storage, and someone mentioned that we needed to be ready to provide for our kids no matter what because after all they picked us to be there parents. My question is do you believe we picked our spouses, parents, and kids in the life before? I am aware of some whose patriarchal blessings presented the concept that while this does happen, it is not 'the rule'. Edited October 22, 2012 by David T
cinepro Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Just a couple of reasons why I don't believe we picked our families what are your thoughts?The idea that our families were arranged in the pre-mortal existence is absurd. This idea would mean that before Adam and Eve got here, you could go to the spirit world and line up all the billions of spirits in a huge (biological) family tree. But think of how that "tree" would work on Earth. Every baby born of fornication, adultery, rape or incest would have been pre-ordained as such. So a baby born from adultery would be organized in heaven with their father and the woman that is different than his father's wife. Awkward! And then you have the people who will be single and/or unable to have kids. How nice to be lining up in this big family tree and have Heavenly Father explain that you will be a genetic dead-end on Earth.Obviously at some point a spirit has to be chosen to be born, but the idea that it can be done beyond a generation in the pre-existence is just unworkable.
thesometimesaint Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) cinepro:I don't believe it to be absurd. God sees the end from the beginning. We don't. Theologically we are foreordained to become Kings and Queens; Priests, and Priestesses to the most high God. If we become such is up to us.We won't be judged on what our parents did or didn't do. We are not the problems we are presented with, but what we do in response to them. So the child born out of wedlock isn't responsible for that. They are responsible for what they do in response.BTW. Leonardo De Vinci was born out of wedlock. But he isn't remember just for that .http://myfivebest.co...n-a-love-child/ Edited October 22, 2012 by thesometimesaint
altersteve Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 God, of course, chose our parents for us. But I don't think it's crazy to believe that He let us have some input in the decision. We probably were given the opportunity to at least sustain our parents after the decision was made.
RobertAC Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 I know, i am just curious about opinionsIt's hard to say. My family was often disfunctional, and relationships were rocky. However, there are times that I sense that someone has come into my life for a reason and that I have known that person for a lifetime (or more!).
Garden Girl Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 I don't believe we choose... there are just too many variables involved...I don't even believe we agree at some point... who would agree to be born to an abusive parent, or into hunger and deprivation in a slum, or underdeveloped country where famine and disease are rampant.However it works, I don't understand it... there's too much heartache and suffering associated with many children born into various circumstances that it takes every ounce of my faith to trust in the Lord and believe that these little ones will one day be blessed and comforted.GG 1
Saints Alive Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Maybe every time a couple "gets busy" there is some kind of a lottery and if you win and choose to be born your mother becomes pregnant, if you decline then nothing happens.
Thunderfire Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 In my opinion, we didn't pick our parents, spouses, or children in heaven. Yet I do believe that God knitted us together in ways known only to him. He knew our strengths and weaknesses (having created us this way), giving us potential for growth in the giftedness of those he knitted us together with. Regardless of multiple marriages, harmful relatives, and all the problems families face. There is always some form of blessing (or lesson) involved even if we do not recognize it now.
Garden Girl Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Maybe every time a couple "gets busy" there is some kind of a lottery and if you win and choose to be born your mother becomes pregnant, if you decline then nothing happens.Nah... GG
swfarnsworth Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 I don't think God placed us on earth at arbitrary times in arbitrary locations, but I wouldn't go nearly as far as to say that we chose our family members in the preexistence. In addition to other complications already mentioned, it would suggest that people who never get married in life either chose someone that wouldn't be accessible to them in life (someone not alive during the same time period, etc.) or wanted to be single. It also implies that there is such a thing as a soul mate.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 If I was picked...to mom and dad I say this:What the H-E-Double Hockey sticks were you thinking?!?When it comes to parents...be forgiving, we are just finding our way in the dark. PA PA's are perfect. Dad's not so much.
Calm Posted October 23, 2012 Posted October 23, 2012 I don't believe we choose... there are just too many variables involved...I don't even believe we agree at some point... who would agree to be born to an abusive parent, or into hunger and deprivation in a slum, or underdeveloped country where famine and disease are rampant.However it works, I don't understand it... there's too much heartache and suffering associated with many children born into various circumstances that it takes every ounce of my faith to trust in the Lord and believe that these little ones will one day be blessed and comforted.I can see the Lord saying along the lines of "this is a horrible life I am sending you to, but if you accept it you can be certain in the knowledge that while you may not be able to feel me there, I will be by your side every step of the way and when it is over, I promise my Atonement will turn every moment of pain and suffering into one of joy and meaning for you and all who love you as I do". Perhaps then we might be brave enough to say "Thy Will be done".
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