LaughingMan

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  1. Thats entirely true! Also, how quickly the membership is growing in Africa in general is astounding.
  2. Its more an auto-biography... a lot of times the bio's would have to be edited just as much as a novel!!
  3. Both valid points. I was merely broaching the possibility. Deeper thinking and consideration is something I enjoy, and enjoy sharing! There are so many things in the Church that we simply can't wrap our minds around. I read a great story recently, and if I recall correctly it was told by President Packer. It was about President McKay, and that they were having a meeting in the Celestial Room of the Salt Lake Temple. President McKay entered the room last, and was softly, as if to himself, repeating the words in the Endowment ceremony. All the Authorities in the room listened silently as he recited the words. As he finished, he chuckled softly, looked skyward and said "I'm *finally* beginning to understand." President McKay had been an apostle for roughly 60 years at this time. We ALL have a lot to learn!!!
  4. What I was saying that I consider both to be Deity, but that the Son, while a God Himself, is not on the same level as our Father in Heaven, who, as the Father, has been working and refining Himself, and growing for a longer period of time. If "They will continue to grow and progress just as we do" does this mean that you don't believe the Father or the Son are omnipotent, omnipresent and/or omniscient right now? What will they learn in the future? Thanks Speaking on a if/then philosophical level, from a limited mortal understanding such as we are given in our mortal minds and bodies, its a logical fallacy to be attempt to truly understand the full extent of the power, presence, and knowledge of an Exalted Being. We cannot accurately understand such things, because to understand them would put ourselves into a higher echelon of spiritual understanding than we are capable of understanding. It would be similar to a person from the bronze age witnessing technologies that we in modern society have harnessed. Such a person might well consider us to be Gods.
  5. Man oh man, I should've joined a few weeks ago so I could be in this thread from the very start!! I love discussions like this!!! Its a bit difficult to play catchup, so I'm just going to chime in here where Traveler left these tidbits and add things as they come to me! And, FWIW, these are all merely my own interpretations and conclusions as I have spent a great deal of my life pondering such things. Since we're using a mathematics analogy here, I feel like the calculus principle of magnitudes is delightfully applicable in attempting to possibly explain the differences between God the Father, and Jesus Christ. With magnitudes, two similar figures can have different total values. The number 1 could truly have a value of 1 (or 2,5,63, pick any number),or be greater or lesser, as I comprehend it. Its still the same number by definition but with different magnitude, its total worth (terrible word because I don't feel as though it accurately displays the intended sentiment, but I can't think of another word, and don't want to get off track with a thesaurus) can differ greatly. This is how I tend to consider the natures of God the Father, and Jesus Christ; both are Deity undoubtedly, however, due to experience, and eternal progression, the Father has an definitively higher magnitude. It is truth that we can be co-heirs, that we can share in the glory of our Father in Heaven and our Older Brother, however, due to the principle of eternal progression in which we believe, They will continue to grow and progress just as we do, so logically that should entail that we likely will not ever be in a position to be their equal, barring unknown circumstances that are entirely conjectural with our limited mortal knowledge of the Celestial experiences. The Godhead/Trinity (dependent on your personal belief) I feel is nearly identical in function and purpose to the First Presidency. They have the same purpose, and work together as One in functionality, but are inherently different persons. Also, I am of the belief that Heavenly Father and Jesus, in sharing Their glory with those of us who earn it due to our successes in our mortal test, further magnifies their Own glory. As another somewhat poor example, its similar to an artist who's entirely focused on their creations. He relies on his works to sustain his life, to feed him, clothe him, and house himself. If he is a poor artist, his work will not sell, and he will be without the things he requires, and go no further in life. However, if his product is good, his crafts are well made, accomplished and refined, his success raises him perpetually. His creations uplift his reputation, so to speak. (I told you it was a bad example, but perhaps look past those failing words! ) Lastly, (at least for this post) one last bit that is something I feel to be an interest thought, and personally one that I accept. With that being said, I am a person who comes to conclusions in regards to my personal beliefs in certain theological arenas, but definitely leave the door open for my own opinions to change... in essence, this is merely my current belief. I believe that Jesus Christ was the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh upon the earth. However, I feel that as much as that is truth, that Jesus was either the Firstborn or Secondborn of The Father among spirit children as well. The point in this being that I feel it was His Birthright to be the God of this world; to create this world, to be the God of this world, to lay down His life for the sins of His brothers and sisters and be our Savior and King, with God the Father in a supervisory and assisting role. (The reasoning between Firstborn or Secondborn being that Lucifer or Jesus may have been the eldest, but we do not know. It would be similar potentially however to Jacob and Esau, or Ishmael and Isaac.) Thats the end for now!
  6. I've considered this topic periodically for several years myself... Its likely one of those things that is currently beyond our mortal understanding, rather, the understanding that our physical selves can understand, which is what I've chalked it up to for the time being. However, I'm rather flexible in such things, so I continue to consider it from time to time... The only other conjecture that I might add to the discussion at this point is that personally, if the Holy Ghost had not yet had his mortal experience, seemingly the most appropriate time for him to accomplish that would be during the Millennium when Lucifer and his cohorts will be bound.
  7. I agree with Praetorian. Have a calm, educated discussion with your Mom. Assure her that its something you've thought deeply about, prayed about, and learned as much as you can. Try to not take it personally if things don't go well, and don't overreact, because in my experience much of the time people tend to blow things they're not expecting a little out of proportion only to be accepting of things later on.
  8. All great points, so far as I am concerned. In summation, I feel the Lord deserves our best efforts in all things; behavior, heart, kindness, understanding, devotion, energies, and resources... all personally, and in when it comes to building His Kingdom or his House.
  9. I fail to remember what the precise number, but once attendance reaches a certain number, Wards split... so the meetinghouse you're thinking of quite possibly has a few Wards or Branches meeting in it.
  10. Thank you to both of you... for all the reasons!!
  11. My Dad was born in extreme southern Idaho, and I have family all through the Salt Lake valley... its like my second home! I'd love to move out there as well, but variables won't likely allow it for at least a few more years.
  12. Here in Southeast Missouri... we get humid cold, and summers with mid-90's and 50% humidity... Much prefer the drier climate of say, Idaho or Utah or Canada myself!
  13. My Mom thought so too when she was an investigator... she'd investigated and attended nearly every Christian denomination before she met my Father, and none of them appealed to her for various reasons, some of which was the the natures of The Father and The Son and The Holy Ghost. =)
  14. Jody, before you get too pumped up about going to Germany () know that the General Authorities send you where you are needed.... I wanted to go the Russia (I love cold weather) and I was called to the Philippines (I hate hot humid weather!)