Jesterss

Well I must say this is why I came to this forum, because even though it may not represent "the full authority of said church" it is easier for those of the faith to be more straight forward and provide an answer that others may have been dancing around when there are no obligations being enforced.. And that I respect.. Not really the answer I wanted but at least straight forward and honest.. but then again, we definitely never receive everything we want.. Thank you to those who participated and provided the feedback.. I appreciate it

So basically as far as biblical explanations are concerned, there is no answer, the answer is based solely on the Book of Mormon and what Joseph Smith taught? I guess that explains why the missionaries told me to pray about it and ask if Joseph Smith is true..

I am asking for understanding.. If it be to correct me, so be it, as Vort did in his first post about my misunderstanding or given of wrong information by prior mormons...I have accepted that correction and moved forward but with the same intent of trying to understand the deep driven logic behind marriage, and marriage temples.. which you have neglected to address.. I understand you feel that "rebuke" may be a derogatory term or act of aggression but my simple stating of Titus was not meant out of aggression of an argument, as I clearly stated directly above that... only of thought of biblical exegesis.. Sorry if I have come off as "over-bearing".. please overlook my fault there and try to discuss an understanding.. See there's a difference between sharing testimony and sharing your thoughts on what you believe I came here for. You already took the defensive approach by asking me how would I prove my faith.. I would prove my faith by discussing religion with anyone, any subject, at any time.. That's how.. If you have faith or stand for a testimony, wouldn't you assert what that testimony is, then explain why you believe it?.. That's all I expect.. There's no need to prove to you that there is a God, we both can agree upon that.. The Old and New Testament's of the bible are our foundation.. rhetorical? I'll assume it wasn't. But I'll back my position that there is a God and he is supreme because I have seen miraculous things and I have read of miraculous things performed by him and through him. A historical Jesus did exist and that Jesus told us about God and how we can become a son of God. Would you be interested in renting a video to watch? It's not anti-mormon or anything of that sort. It is called "The Star of Bethlehem" it's a documentary done using astronomy and the accuracy of Jesus.. It's pretty cool. I would also suggest watching the documentary called "Mountain of Fire" (you can YouTube that one for free) I explained why I was here.. To receive an answer and understanding through biblical exegesis to explain to me your belief system and why you believe it... Through passages... pretty simple really.. I came here to search for an answer still, so are you going to provide one or just assume that I'm not willing to listen?.. As Gwen may feel that I'm here just to stir things up but that is not my intentions, my intentions are to discuss a topic that I started in search of an answer from your side (that of the mormon belief system).. The answers I have received from mormon missionaries are that upon Luke 18:29-30, they say that Jesus is talking to his disciples so it is ok for them to be single.. I took that as an "answer" but not a full answer.. Because I think asked about 1 Corinthians 7, and the only answer I received on that was that I need to pray that Joseph Smith was a true prophet... So do you care to shed some light on the actual subject? My wife doesn't discuss religion with me because she says its too deep and she doesn't really have an answer... it's just the way she was raised.. which is why if you read what I posted initially you would understand my line of questioning here..

To gwen: I understand your concerns, and the phrase I used may not have been the correct one when referring to the sealing power. But it was more of the "idea" rather than the actual statement of your faith. It's something that some missionaries have stated with me before. And I replied back to vort clarifying my stance regarding this. As for my last quote from titus, I believe it is important for everyone who stands for a belief to be able to fully back their position of such faith or belief. Whether it is you or i who rebuke, I don't think that's the relevant point of it. It's for clarity and sound doctrinal propaganda. Not personal agendas.

Also: you said that I was wrong when Jesus referred to his own body as the temple but John 2:19 tells us that indeed, jesus refers to his body when he tells the Jews to destroy this temple, and in three days i will rebuild it.

So here's the Bible quote we are both speaking of: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” So you say that it is simply a "Sealing power" that was given to Peter. Well we both can agree that is true. Peter received some sort of sealing power. But then you go straight to saying that the sealing power can be used for marriages. Essentially equating to keys that bond marriages eternally.. Sealing power was used by you. But we both agreed that Peter didn't use the only Temple that existed. Therefore did not "seal marriage in a temple". I suppose if you say that he "could" have performed these marriage ceremonies of eternal sealing then I can't really argue against that directly. But we do have Paul who discusses it very heavily.. Where does it teach that Paul was unmarried? 1 Corinthians 7:8 Now to the unmarried[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. That teaches that Paul was unmarried... and that those who have not married, should remain as he as, single, devoted to the lord only. because a married man is worried and concerned of the world, but a single man is worried about the kingdom of heaven.. More evidence please? I don't see how I was wrong... If Paul says it's better to remain as he is and stay single, why then is it BEST to be married and especially in the mormon temple if Paul himself remained single?.. As it is my belief that Jesus was also single..

Ok, I come with a loaded question. That I will not deny, but then again, aren't all questions? If we have doubts we always have a reasoning... Well let me explain my story and my question and hopefully I get many attempts at an answer.. I'm non-denominational, my wife is mormon.. my wife's mom, brother, 3 sisters, and all their spouses are mormons... I've talked to 5 missionaries in person, and countless missionaries on mormon.org/chat... I've talked with my mother-in-law and 2 brother-in-laws.. 1 brother-in-law has asked a local bishop... nobody has an answer... So let's get to the question.. Basically, why do Mormons believe in the eternal family?.. My understanding is that mormons believe that in order to reach the highest level of heaven, you must be married, and it must be done in a mormon temple.. WHY? My further understanding of the mormon faith tells me that it's because Jesus bestowed upon Peter the "Keys of Eternal Bondage".. SO what does that mean?.. Did Peter go and marry people in the temple in Jerusalem (the only existing temple? was that peters job?) No, we all know Peter's job was to be a missionary of Jesus and be his greatest Disciple that the church would be built upon, because Peter was to be the rock of Jesus' church. How then was Peter the rock? He roamed the country, far and wide to preach the good news of Jesus to everyone who would listen.. So then if he was this far from the temple, how then could he marry people in a temple and send them into marriage with eternal bondage without a temple?... Well, I guess the answer to that is it's definitely not possible... we have to agree on that.. so then it also takes us to trying to understand what church it was Peter was building for Jesus. Was it a physical church or congregation? Highly unlikely as Peter was a traveler and belonged to no such affiliations.. He was given one of the greatest gifts of his earthly life of being a disciple of Jesus. Following Jesus, listening to every word he said and everything he did.. So he could mimic him and preach of the wonderful things Jesus did and has yet to do... Jesus himself said the temple was his body.. not a physical temple.. So what were these keys of bondage?... But the good word of jesus!!.. Peter was bonding us to Jesus! and those who didn't believe in his words, didn't believe in Jesus, so he loosed them here on earth! But those who listened, Peter was able to bond with the words he spoke of Jesus.. So maybe you disregard that entire paragraph and you don't agree.. OK.. So let's look at 1 Corinthians 7.. AN ENTIRE CHAPTER dedicated by Paul to the excellence of singleness!.. Luke 18:29-30, 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Ok sure, maybe in Luke he is talking to his disciples, but that doesn't explain Paul stating the exact same thing and how it's better to be single than to marry!.. So wherein is it better to marry or even required of by God or Jesus?.. I don't think you can rightfully in your heart or mind say that it's the answer... But this is a forum, so let the discussion begin!!... Please don't take offense to any of this.. Titus 2:15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.