InCognitus Posted March 5, 2020 Posted March 5, 2020 29 minutes ago, teddyaware said: There is no doubt whatsoever that procrastinating the day of repentance is extremely risky business, becoming riskier and riskier as one’s knowledge of the truth and the imperative need for repentance increases. But consider the following scenario... Let’s suppose that prior to any visitation by an angel that Alma the younger had been accidentally killed as he went about anxiously engaged in his unholy business of seeking to destroy the Church of God. Do you believe that if he had suffered those exquisite pains of hell immediately after his death that it wouldn’t have been possible for him to sincerely come unto Christ for rescue, forgiveness, the clearing of his conscience, and the sure promise of eternal life because of his soul’s redemption? Of course he could have come to Christ and received forgiveness. But would that get him into the celestial kingdom? I can't answer that. If it is simply a matter of changing our mind and repenting later, then what is the point of the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms?
Ahab Posted March 5, 2020 Posted March 5, 2020 2 minutes ago, InCognitus said: Of course he could have come to Christ and received forgiveness. But would that get him into the celestial kingdom? I can't answer that. If it is simply a matter of changing our mind and repenting later, then what is the point of the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms? They are for people of either telestial or terrestrial glory. The glory of God is intelligence, and while the glory of our Father is celestial, and our Lord is that glorious/intelligent too, there must needs be some place for people who refuse to be that intelligent. We accept more and more intelligence as we accept more light and truth from our Lord and our Father in heaven through the power of the Holy Ghost. Ever notice how some people don't seem to catch on to some things that are both true and good? That's because they haven't seen the light yet, or had their minds illuminated through the power of the Holy Ghost. And it's not because our Lord or our Father are refusing to tell us. We can have that intelligence placed right in front of our eyes and still not see it when we do not want to see it. We are the ones who determine how much light and truth we are open to and will receive. God won't force us to believe something. All he can do is try to teach us and it is up to us to accept what he is trying to teach us.
Calm Posted March 5, 2020 Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, Sunslight said: Why is it that we get so hung up on the moment of death as the point of eternal judgment? Or, first or second chances? A lot of early church members came from a Protestant background and I think that influenced writing and perceptions that is still working its way out how members often interpret scripture and teachings. Edited March 5, 2020 by Calm
Islander Posted March 8, 2020 Posted March 8, 2020 Baptism is a public act of contrition that evidences a change of heart, a repentant heart and an admission that we believe the Gospel of Christ. We recognize our fallen nature before God and bow ourselves before Him, saying that we believe Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. It is a symbol of cleansing, the death of our old self and the rising of the new (re-birth), and profession of faith in the saving blood of Christ. Let's not get hung up on the ritual (like Israel of old). These ordinances are to signify to our heart and mind the course to follow and the promises we have made. The Lord has provided additional knowledge and insights into His work and kingdom and we learn that through the ordinance. It is a "mechanical frame" for our mental process but the idea is that it finds and takes root in our hearts. Now, if the conversion is true (and many are false, shallow ones that will not endure) it will not fail to bare fruit. If it is true that God has given us a new heart and a new spirit, although we may stumble (and we ALL do) we will continually seek repentance. And be driven by the desire to be an instrument in the Lord's hand for the building up of His kingdom. He is interested in our hearts; that we do His work and His will driven by the pure love of His Son that should dwell within us (cf Moroni 7:42-48). 1
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