Joyful

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  1. As I was reading through the posts and speculations, I started to get the feeling that this life wasn't so dire after all. I can see how easy it is to take a single scripture and take it out context, even from the Book of Mormon! However, I remembered those scriptures you quoted from Alma, and our time on earth is critical, and with eternal consequences. We could forever speculate, and subtly be lead into a false sense of security. I appreciate your post. Perhaps, I am one of the lesser minds.
  2. Here is a passage from the "Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple" manual that may provide yet another perspective. It is speaking about sealings, but I think it can be applied to all ordinances performed in the temple. https://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple "It is a generous Lord who has authorized us to do this. On these occasions, when we are not so personally involved, we may listen carefully to the words of the ordinance. Similarly, of course, by returning frequently to officiate for those who have passed on, we may refresh the mind and the spirit on the endowment experience." (p. 16) So there are many reasons, but this passage highlights that it is for us, for our benefit because God is such a loving and generous God. Having the opportunity helps me remember my covenants, because I'm such a forgetful being. This is such a sacred thing, and I'm so grateful that the Lord is letting me do that. This is a family-oriented gospel. We need each other.
  3. The world (and the web) is filled with a lot of noise. Two talks from last week's general conference come to mind that might help address some of the concerns. I highly recommend watching the videos and listen to these Apostles speak. The first one is a talk from President Uchtdorf: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/receiving-a-testimony-of-light-and-truth Here are some quotes: ". . . if you want to recognize spiritual truth, you have to use the right instruments. You can’t come to an understanding of spiritual truth with instruments that are unable to detect it." " . . . you must search the word of God. That means reading the scriptures and studying the words of the ancient as well as modern prophets regarding the restored gospel of Jesus Christ—not with an intent to doubt or criticize but with a sincere desire to discover truth." ". . . when you are trying to verify the truth of gospel principles, you must first live them. Put gospel doctrine and Church teachings to the test in your own life. Do it with real intent and enduring faith in God." “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God,” [Paul] wrote to the Corinthians, “for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” "I suggest that this personal testimony of the gospel and the Church is the most important thing you can earn in this life." "By the same token, if we remove ourselves from the light of the gospel, our own light begins to dim—not in a day or a week but gradually over time—until we look back and can’t quite understand why we had ever believed the gospel was true." "The Savior promised that if you seek, you will find." The second one is from Elder Andersen:https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/joseph-smith Quote: "Years ago I read a Time magazine article that reported the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Martin Harris, that conflicted with Joseph Smith’s account of finding the Book of Mormon plates. A few members left the Church because of the document. Sadly, they left too quickly. Months later experts discovered (and the forger confessed) that the letter was a complete deception.You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God’s prophets."