the_last_gunslinger

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  1. I live in Michigan and remember when the gay marriage thing was put to a vote in 2004. I was 18 then, and it was my first election.
  2. I love Jesus Christ Superstar, especially the 1973 version, but the 2000 one is okay as well. I don't get from it that they are depicting Christ as a fame-seeking celebrity. That's the fear harbored by Judas (technically the primary character in the play) and that's the way the disciples viewed him, thought Christ himself never seemed to embrace that, and was in fact flustered and pained throughout because his followers kept missing the point of his message. If I had any gripe at all about their depiction of Christ's last days, it's that they heavily emphasized his human side and left it ambiguous as to whether or not he was actually divine. As for the Book of Mormon musical, I've heard things about it, it's probably funny, but I don't have any strong desire to see it. Though if they ever turn it into a movie (which I hear they are considering) I think it would be pretty funny to stand outside the movie theater with one of those shirts that says, "The Book was Better."
  3. Moroni 9:6 "And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God" I find this one helpful whenever I find my resolve wavering, when I start to feel discouraged about whether or not living the gospel is really having a positive effect on anyone.
  4. I've been carrying on several religious themed discussions on another religious forum, one which is primarily evangelical in nature. It's been pretty fun and I think I've done a pretty good job of representing my faith well and have been able to thoroughly answer many queries put forth by other members. One member in particular, however, is bound and determined that he can disprove Joseph Smith's prophethood merely by looking at his own words. He quoted over and over again something he said, and looking up the quote, I see it came from the King Follett discourse. Below is the paragraph from which it was taken. The bolded part is what this person quoted. He contends that since persecution didn't cease, and since Joseph Smith was gunned down a short time later, this proves him to be a false prophet by his own admission. He makes the connection that we will know Joseph is a servant of God because persecution against him will cease. What do you guys make of such an assertion? I'm usually pretty good at debate, but for some reason, I'm having some trouble formulating a response to this particular query, partly because I've never heard it before and partly because I'm just not seeing his point exactly. Any input will be thoroughly enjoyed.
  5. Tennyson is my favorite poet. I'm partial to Arthurian legend, so I am quite fond of Tennyson's "Le Morte d'Arthur.
  6. Reading these posts is kind of depressing me a little. I've been a member for 16 years (1997) and have never had a calling.
  7. 100 percent oppose it. I don't feel comfortable with the idea of being forced to perform service.
  8. For clarification, when you refer to Peagans, is that in reference to "Neo-Pagans" and other earth based religions? Just out of curiosity, how old is this Book of Shadows? I've looked into Neo-Paganism from a purely academic standpoint and in my readings, the earliest ones were done in the mid twentieth century due in large part to the work of Gerald Gardener. A Book of Shadows is also typically not a history of famous practitioners, but rather a personal tome containing specific rituals, events and personal histories that are of interest to the individual. As to whether or not it is inappropriate to read such materials, that's pretty much dependent on the promptings you may receive from the Spirit. If you feel that you are being warned of such materials, then I would heed that advice. I've never experienced such warnings before and personally don't believe any danger comes from an academic study of such materials.
  9. I don't believe so either, but an understanding of the concept is still important so we fully understand what the text says. The Book of Moses states that Moses spoke with God, and understanding divine investiture merely affords us the knowledge that it was indeed Christ given authority to speak as if He were the Father. It doesn't do much, however, in helping me understand the notion of God's glory being too great for Man to bear when it is in fact Christ that conversed with Moses.
  10. The first chapter of the Book of Moses details how Moses was transfigured by the Lord so that he could stand in His presence , for no mortal man may behold the glory of God without withering away and dying. But we also know that the God of the Old Testament is the Pre-Existent Jesus Christ, acting under the Principle of Divine Investiture. If this is the case, I guess I'm having a little trouble understanding the need for Moses to be transfigured if he wasn't actually in the presence of God the Father, but was instead conversing with Jesus Christ. What are we to understand of the glory of God in this context? Did Christ possess such glory prior to his mortal sojourn, or was the glory of God still manifest, yet channeled through Christ? I guess more than anything else, my question speaks to the relationship between the Father and Son prior to the Meridian of Time, and as to Christ's status as (a) God prior to his life, death and resurrection. Sorry if my question seems a bit muttled. I'm still not sure if I know exactly what I'm asking. Hopefully its clear enough to be properly disseminated.
  11. the_last_gunslinger

    Lakers

    Should have hired Phil Jackson.
  12. It's true, Sarah Palin never made the comment "I can see Russia from my house." She did say, however, in an interview with Charles Gibson, who was asking her what insight she can offer in regards to Russia, and she answered, "They're our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska." It's not quite the same thing, and I think it was said more tongue in cheek, but it has similar implications.
  13. There's also the notion of Priesthood keys, the right to organize the true church. I think it's conceivable that some may have had the priesthood, but did not possess the keys to organize the church or act in a prophetic calling. So they may have still retained their authority, but with no direction, or "permission" it was essentially pointless.
  14. I don't mark in my scriptures; I've always been a little uncomfortable doing so, not just because their scriptures, but because I can't stand marking in any book. I just bought a new leather Bible and Triple and it came to nearly 100 dollars. I'm going to keep them completely unmarked. For me, I usually have a small notebook that I jot thoughts and scriptural passages, but whatever works. I find markings unsightly, others find them very helpful.