Updating preach my gospel?

[Avatar4321]

Thought I saw something about an update to the manual. Any truth to this? 

[JAHS]

Church Releases New and Improved Version of "Preach My Gospel"

"A reduction in the number of key indicators that missionaries record and report and changing references to home and visiting teaching to ministering are examples of updates to the online version of “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service.”

The update was announced in a June 22 letter from the First Presidency that went to General Authorities and Area Seventies, general auxiliary leaders, presidents of missions and missionary training centers, presidents of stakes and districts, and bishops and branch presidents.

The updates reflect changes in Church and missionary programs as well as current Family History products and policies. The updates are available electronically on the Gospel Library app and lds.org online."

 

[Kenngo1969]

Huh.  That's interesting.  I wonder if this means the antis are going to keep pace by coming out with a new version of their manual, Impeach My Gospel.    

"Ken, was that supposed to be ... funny?"   

Yeah, OK.  You had to be there, I guess!   

[CV75]

45 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Thought I saw something about an update to the manual. Any truth to this? 

Yes, it's called "Well, My Gospel Got Preached, But..."

[HappyJackWagon]

Looks like the update just came out. Among other things, the manual includes the November policy which proclaims individuals in SSM to be apostates and bars their children from baptism and other ordinances.

http://www.kuer.org/post/lds-church-quietly-doubles-down-controversial-gay-policy#stream/0

So those of us keeping track of a countdown until the November policy is rescinded, it appears we will be waiting a while.  

[Hamba Tuhan]

5 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

So those of us keeping track of a countdown until the November policy is rescinded, it appears we will be waiting a while.  

Maybe you could try a hunger strike? 

Edited August 11, 2018 by Hamba Tuhan

[kllindley]

7 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

November policy which proclaims individuals in SSM to be apostates

This is in Preach my Gospel?

[Hamba Tuhan]

12 minutes ago, kllindley said:

This is in Preach my Gospel?

It would almost certainly have to be as missionaries are the ones who not only teach investigators but determine their qualifications for baptism.

ETA: All I could find is the following: 'The law of chastity ... prohibits any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a legal marriage between one man and one woman'. Sorry.

Edited August 11, 2018 by Hamba Tuhan

[Nevo]

I see President Nelson's fingerprints all over the new version. For starters, all references to "the Atonement" have been changed to "the Savior's Atonement" or "the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (see https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng). There are also several changes to the Plan of Salvation lesson. Some are pretty interesting. 

(I am shamelessly stealing Ryan Dahle's double-column table layout from the other thread.)

Preach My Gospel (2004)

Preach My Gospel (2018)

The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires.   Through the resurrection all people will become immortal—they will live forever.   Immortality is a free gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked.         Eternal life is not, however, the same as immortality.       Eternal life is a gift of God given only to those who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ.         It is exaltation, which means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment.   Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial kingdom. They will live in God's presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun.                       People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon.   Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars.

The Resurrection, Salvation, and Exaltation When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the Resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires. Salvation Through the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection all people will be saved, or gain salvation, from physical death. They will be resurrected and become immortal—that is, they will live forever. Immortality is a free, or unconditional, gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked. People may also be saved, or gain salvation, from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him. Eternal life and exaltation are not the same as immortality. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 10).       Exaltation Exaltation, or celestial glory, is the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is a conditional gift. President Nelson has taught, “Those qualifying conditions include faith in the Lord, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and remaining faithful to the ordinances and covenants of the temple” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” 9). Exaltation means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Judgment and Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to their desires and their deeds done on earth, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment. Celestial Kingdom Those who have repented of their sins, received the ordinances of the gospel, and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will be saved in the celestial kingdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 137:10). In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun. The celestial kingdom has three heavens or degrees (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1) and only those who have an eternal marriage, sealed by the Holy Spirit, can enter into the highest, which is exaltation (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:2). They will live in God’s presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. Those in the celestial kingdom who do not have an eternal marriage can enter into another “heaven” or “degree” in the celestial kingdom, but in that place they are ministering angels who “remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, … angels of God forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:17; see also Doctrine and Covenants 131:4; Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92). Terrestrial Kingdom People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or in the world to come but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80). Telestial Kingdom Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life or accept the gospel in the world to come will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–86).

Edited August 11, 2018 by Nevo

[cinepro]

Quote

Those in the celestial kingdom who do not have an eternal marriage can enter into another “heaven” or “degree” in the celestial kingdom, but in that place they are ministering angels who “remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, … angels of God forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:17; see also Doctrine and Covenants 131:4; Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92).

It never ceases to amaze me that there will be spirits who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom but just don't want to "have an eternal marriage" and instead opt to be ministering angels.

Also, there are three degrees, not just two, so it should also explain what the other degree is.

[carbon dioxide]

2 minutes ago, cinepro said:

It never ceases to amaze me that there will be spirits who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom but just don't want to "have an eternal marriage" and instead opt to be ministering angels.

Perhaps they don't want to deal with all the work.  Plus they may just be happier being single than stuck with someone. 

[Hamba Tuhan]

25 minutes ago, cinepro said:

It never ceases to amaze me that there will be spirits who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom but just don't want to "have an eternal marriage" and instead opt to be ministering angels.

You don’t have married people in your ward who whinge about their spouses or claim they can hardly wait till their kids grow up and leave home???

[Nevo]

I find it interesting that the sentence "They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify" was dropped from the new version. Is the italicized part now seen as doctrinally questionable? It does seem to be at odds with the "the tentacles of Divine Providence" doctrine, which has been gaining prominence over the past 20 years or so.

[Duncan]

2 hours ago, Nevo said:

I find it interesting that the sentence "They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify" was dropped from the new version. Is the italicized part now seen as doctrinally questionable? It does seem to be at odds with the "the tentacles of Divine Providence" doctrine, which has been gaining prominence over the past 20 years or so.

There's this article as well from Elder Bednar

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/faithful-parents-and-wayward-children-sustaining-hope-while-overcoming-misunderstanding?lang=eng

[kllindley]

8 hours ago, Nevo said:

I see President Nelson's fingerprints all over the new version. For starters, all references to "the Atonement" have been changed to "the Savior's Atonement" or "the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (see https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng). There are also several changes to the Plan of Salvation lesson. Some are pretty interesting. 

(I am shamelessly stealing Ryan Dahle's double-column table layout from the other thread.)

Preach My Gospel (2004)

Preach My Gospel (2018)

The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires.   Through the resurrection all people will become immortal—they will live forever.   Immortality is a free gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked.         Eternal life is not, however, the same as immortality.       Eternal life is a gift of God given only to those who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ.         It is exaltation, which means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment.   Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial kingdom. They will live in God's presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun.                       People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon.   Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars.

The Resurrection, Salvation, and Exaltation When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the Resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires. Salvation Through the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection all people will be saved, or gain salvation, from physical death. They will be resurrected and become immortal—that is, they will live forever. Immortality is a free, or unconditional, gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked. People may also be saved, or gain salvation, from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him. Eternal life and exaltation are not the same as immortality. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 10).       Exaltation Exaltation, or celestial glory, is the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is a conditional gift. President Nelson has taught, “Those qualifying conditions include faith in the Lord, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and remaining faithful to the ordinances and covenants of the temple” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” 9). Exaltation means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Judgment and Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to their desires and their deeds done on earth, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment. Celestial Kingdom Those who have repented of their sins, received the ordinances of the gospel, and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will be saved in the celestial kingdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 137:10). In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun. The celestial kingdom has three heavens or degrees (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1) and only those who have an eternal marriage, sealed by the Holy Spirit, can enter into the highest, which is exaltation (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:2). They will live in God’s presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. Those in the celestial kingdom who do not have an eternal marriage can enter into another “heaven” or “degree” in the celestial kingdom, but in that place they are ministering angels who “remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, … angels of God forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:17; see also Doctrine and Covenants 131:4; Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92). Terrestrial Kingdom People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or in the world to come but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80). Telestial Kingdom Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life or accept the gospel in the world to come will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–86).

It's so cool to see a living prophet teaching and clarifying eternal truth when the Church has the need! Thank you for sharing.

[Nevo]

4 hours ago, Duncan said:

There's this article as well from Elder Bednar

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/faithful-parents-and-wayward-children-sustaining-hope-while-overcoming-misunderstanding?lang=eng

Thanks for reminding me of this. Well, that shoots down my theory I guess.

[bluebell]

8 hours ago, cinepro said:

It never ceases to amaze me that there will be spirits who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom but just don't want to "have an eternal marriage" and instead opt to be ministering angels.

Also, there are three degrees, not just two, so it should also explain what the other degree is.

It would be really interesting to hear something about the middle degree in the Celestial Kingdom.  Maybe that's where they'll stick all the polygamists.  

[RevTestament]

11 hours ago, Nevo said:

I see President Nelson's fingerprints all over the new version. For starters, all references to "the Atonement" have been changed to "the Savior's Atonement" or "the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (see https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng). There are also several changes to the Plan of Salvation lesson. Some are pretty interesting. 

(I am shamelessly stealing Ryan Dahle's double-column table layout from the other thread.)

Preach My Gospel (2004)

Preach My Gospel (2018)

The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires.   Through the resurrection all people will become immortal—they will live forever.   Immortality is a free gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked.         Eternal life is not, however, the same as immortality.       Eternal life is a gift of God given only to those who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ.         It is exaltation, which means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment.   Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial kingdom. They will live in God's presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun.                       People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon.   Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars.

The Resurrection, Salvation, and Exaltation When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the Resurrection, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires. Salvation Through the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection all people will be saved, or gain salvation, from physical death. They will be resurrected and become immortal—that is, they will live forever. Immortality is a free, or unconditional, gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked. People may also be saved, or gain salvation, from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him. Eternal life and exaltation are not the same as immortality. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 10).       Exaltation Exaltation, or celestial glory, is the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is a conditional gift. President Nelson has taught, “Those qualifying conditions include faith in the Lord, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and remaining faithful to the ordinances and covenants of the temple” (“Salvation and Exaltation,” 9). Exaltation means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy. ... Judgment and Kingdoms of Glory During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to their desires and their deeds done on earth, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment. Celestial Kingdom Those who have repented of their sins, received the ordinances of the gospel, and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will be saved in the celestial kingdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 137:10). In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun. The celestial kingdom has three heavens or degrees (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1) and only those who have an eternal marriage, sealed by the Holy Spirit, can enter into the highest, which is exaltation (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:2). They will live in God’s presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. Those in the celestial kingdom who do not have an eternal marriage can enter into another “heaven” or “degree” in the celestial kingdom, but in that place they are ministering angels who “remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, … angels of God forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:17; see also Doctrine and Covenants 131:4; Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92). Terrestrial Kingdom People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or in the world to come but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80). Telestial Kingdom Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life or accept the gospel in the world to come will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–86).

I largely have no issue with those changes, but feel somewhat differently than what is expressed about the Terrestrial and Telestial Kingdoms. What it implies about the Terrestrial kingdom is that none accepted the gospel who go there. I do not read the scriptures that way. 

D&C 76:74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.

It further says that those in the Terrestrial kingdom are not valiant in their testimony. To me this indicates that some in the Terrestrial Kingdom accept the gospel in Spirit Prison, but are not valiant in their testimony, so inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom. 

Further the changes indicate that those in the Telestial Kingdom did not accept the gospel in the World to Come. To me this wording is confusing. I would change it to they did not ever accept the gospel in the world nor in the Spirit World.

[The Nehor]

11 hours ago, cinepro said:

It never ceases to amaze me that there will be spirits who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom but just don't want to "have an eternal marriage" and instead opt to be ministering angels.

Also, there are three degrees, not just two, so it should also explain what the other degree is.

I suspect there are some people whom no one will want.

[HappyJackWagon]

On ‎8‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 10:20 AM, bluebell said:

It would be really interesting to hear something about the middle degree in the Celestial Kingdom.  Maybe that's where they'll stick all the polygamists.  

Of course polygamists seem to believe that the highest degree is for plural marriage, not a wimpy little monogamous eternal marriage. We monogamists would be stuck in the middle, but hey, it's still pretty good, right?  

[Kenngo1969]

On 8/11/2018 at 11:44 AM, The Nehor said:

I suspect there are some people whom no one will want.

Well, hopefully, all of us "clean up pretty good" after the Resurrection.  

I don't know exactly what God's Eternal Plan is for me, either, but I don't think the Omnipotent, Omniscient, All-Loving Lord of the Universe is gonna have to tell any of us, "I know you were expecting something more, or something better, or at least something ... different ... but ... sorry.   I know this means it sucks to be you, but, this is the best I could do."

There will be more than a few surprises beyond the veil: "Wait a minute!  That's not the same guy I passed every day as I was going to work who was sitting on the corner and who had a cupful of thermometers in one hand and a cup for loose change in the other ... is it?"  Well ... it is and it isn't!  

Edited August 13, 2018 by Kenngo1969

[stemelbow]

Quote

Terrestrial Kingdom

People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or in the world to come but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80).

Telestial Kingdom

Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life or accept the gospel in the world to come will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–86).

So which is it?  Is it those who do not accept the gospel in the world to come will be in the Terrestrial or with they find themselves in the Telestial Kingdom?  

Every single person who has ever lived has repented of something.  No one, I'd suggest, who has ever lived has repented of all that he/she has done to another let alone to God.  

This always makes me curious how this is to play out.

[The Nehor]

8 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

Well, hopefully, all of us "clean up pretty good" after the Resurrection.  

I don't know exactly what God's Eternal Plan is for me, either, but I don't think the Omnipotent, Omniscient, All-Loving Lord of the Universe is gonna have to tell any of us, "I know you were expecting something more, or something better, or at least something ... different ... but ... sorry.   I know this means it sucks to be you, but, this is the best I could do."

There will be more than a few surprises beyond the veil: "Wait a minute!  That's not the same guy I passed every day as I was going to work who was sitting on the corner and who had a cupful of thermometers in one hand and a cup for loose change in the other ... is it?"  Well ... it is and it isn't!  

I envy you that confidence. I believe in the gospel but I strive to live the gospel righteously and do not feel I am blessed in all things, both temporally and spiritually. I pay my tithes and offerings generously but I would not describr my state as being that of someone who is having so much blessing poured upon him that there is no room to receive it. I hope the blessings of the next world do not end up seeming like that same kind of hyperbole.

[Jeanne]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

I envy you that confidence. I believe in the gospel but I strive to live the gospel righteously and do not feel I am blessed in all things, both temporally and spiritually. I pay my tithes and offerings generously but I would not describr my state as being that of someone who is having so much blessing poured upon him that there is no room to receive it. I hope the blessings of the next world do not end up seeming like that same kind of hyperbole.

I love this.  For whatever may seem to be deprived in this life...you speak truth of hope for next.  This is humility and a realistic take on those blessings.

[The Nehor]

8 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

I love this.  For whatever may seem to be deprived in this life...you speak truth of hope for next.  This is humility and a realistic take on those blessings.

But......that was one of the most depressing things I have ever said on this board. Very confused......