LDS Questions about the Mormon faith

[Meticulous madness]

Originally Posted by mxmama

I do believe in God and Jesus, no doubts they're separate but united in purpose!

I do know He is actively involved in my life because I welcome Him.

I love this thread, everyone. There are a lot of great insights for the things of faith, which cannot be "backed up" here and now. And there are a lot of great references and links for the things that are known. As a member of this church my whole life, there is vast amount of the gospel that I have lived, loved and accepted without question (but never really taken the time or made the effort to do the research.) I think a lot of people know what I mean when I say this.

So, thanks for all the questions so far and thanks for all the answers so far!

I quoted this line from you, MX, because it HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS! I love it. The fact that God is actively involved in your life because YOU WELCOME HIM, is one of the best things I've ever heard anybody say. Hands down. It exemplifies how your belief in God is not merely a passive thought, but an active choice you make over and over (and no doubt receive blessings because of).

Obviously it was something I personally needed to hear (or read). Thank you.

[mxmama]

Originally Posted by Meticulous madness

It exemplifies how your belief in God is not merely a passive thought, but an active choice you make over and over (and no doubt receive blessings because of).

Your welcome!

And Thank you for describing it better!

Thats is exactly right. I literally invite Him over and over to help guide my feelings what to do everyday all day long.
I may not do exactly what I know I should as soon as I should, but my awareness will burden me if I'm out of line. Almost as if I cant move to the next thought.

I just cant function any other way.

[5ft Diva]

You're pretty amazing, mx. Thanks for your wonderful example of someone so faithful!!! And, MM, I say, "AMEN!" to your comments.

[bookworm]

OOOh, MX and MM, I got chills reading this- great stuff. I should use this if I'm ever asked to speak again in church (as if I could avoid it forever).

I think this applies to all our relationships (not just the one with God)- love, marriage, family, etc. all require actively involving people in our lives and welcoming them into our lives. I have friends that probably get sick of the fact that I never call- I have phone issues- but because they actively keep track of me, we are still friends. I need to do a little more in this area. Life is not about passive existence- it's about DOing! And so are relationships. But especially with God, we need to want Him there. Thanks for that point!

[mxmama]

Thanks
Thats the way I like to consider my relationship with God.


Its a VERY strong awareness of His constant presence and the need for His guidance.

There is still plenty of room for improvement and growth.
Some how I still manage to make a butt load of mistakes.

Its part of growing, and I think we do that until our death.



BW your right about working on other relationships like that. I never thought of it like that, but its so true. I think I need to do the same!

[Meticulous madness]

BW, I also like the connection you made about how we need to be more "active" with our other relationships as well (not just God).

"As I have loved you, love one another."

SUCH GREAT STUFF GUYS!

[smed]

I have keep thinking and thinking about all the topics that have been talked about on this thread. The one that keeps popping into my head is about repentance. Here is 4 steps of what we teach about repentance:
1-Feel sorry
2-Ask Forgiveness
3-Right the wrong
4-Don't repeat the wrong

These steps are straight from the website [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] I also found on the website these steps that better explain the above steps:

• “1. Recognize we have done wrong.
• “2. Covenant with the Lord that we will never repeat the sin we have committed and are repenting of. ‘By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.’ (D&C 58:43.)
• “3. Recommit ourselves to living a better life in all phases of the gospel.
• “4. Make restitution for the wrongs we have committed by—
o “a. Repenting in prayer to the Lord.
o “b. Confessing to our bishop … [if the sin is a major one].
o “c. Apologizing to those we have offended.
• “5. The depth of our repentance must be as deep as the sin we have committed. There is no easy way. It hurts, but it also cleanses.
• “6. Time is the next element of repentance and restitution.
o “a. Time to prove to ourselves, to our Lord, to our fellowmen that we have committed ourselves to a new way of life.
o “b. Time to study the scriptures and dedicate our lives to the commandments we learn we must live to be happy and have joy.
• “7. Complete forgiveness of ourselves and forgiveness without any feelings of retribution toward those who have offended us.
• “8. Finally, the greatest of all blessings: the forgiveness of the Lord. We no longer look back with depression and hurt, but forward to the future with hope and joy and love for God, self, and all mankind” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, p. 34; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, p. 26).


I hope this gives some better understanding and not more confussion. One thing to remember is that no one is perfect. We all have our free agency. Even us who are members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. We make mistakes all the time. (Don't tell my kids this but yes I make mistakes all the time.) We also know what to do to hopefully make it right.

[bookworm]

well said, Smed! I think that was excellent clarification on that point.

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by mxmama

Thanks
Thats the way I like to consider my relationship with God.


Its a VERY strong awareness of His constant presence and the need for His guidance.

There is still plenty of room for improvement and growth.
Some how I still manage to make a butt load of mistakes.

Its part of growing, and I think we do that until our death.



BW your right about working on other relationships like that. I never thought of it like that, but its so true. I think I need to do the same!

Today in church one of our lessons was on receiving revelation from God and this particular post reminded me of the things we discussed. Revelation is the guidance Heavenly Father gives us and it comes because we are aware of His presence in our lives and we're living our lives in a way that keeps our hearts and minds open to Him. I'm so grateful that He still speaks to us today and that He is not some figment of our imagination. He lives and He loves us!

[mxmama]

I have another question.
Does the LDS faith believe that heaven is limited to a certain number of people?

Not certain "types" of people, but an actual amount of people that can go.

I think I read something about 3 levels of Heaven, so does any of those levels have a limited amount space?

[natickgirl]

No. Our Heavenly Father wants ALL of His children to return to Him. There is room enough for anyone & everyone who "qualifies" by giving a sacrifice of a "broken heart & a contrite spirit" and who keeps the commandments.

We will each go to the most appropriate place for us. Those who are most righteous & obedient obtain the highest degree of exaltation.

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by natickgirl

No. Our Heavenly Father wants ALL of His children to return to Him. There is room enough for anyone & everyone who "qualifies" by giving a sacrifice of a "broken heart & a contrite spirit" and who keeps the commandments.

We will each go to the most appropriate place for us. Those who are most righteous & obedient obtain the highest degree of exaltation.

Can I just add, most righteous and obedient to Heavenly Father's commandments...just for clarification.

[mxmama]

Originally Posted by 5ft Diva

Can I just add, most righteous and obedient to Heavenly Father's commandments...just for clarification.

I guess that means self righteousness doesn't count then

Just kidding, I know!

[5ft Diva]

Well, it could be taken as that, so I wanted to clarify. Mormon's do not think they are better than anyone else.

[natickgirl]

Thanks for the clarification.

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by natickgirl

Thanks for the clarification.

[Erudite]

I am SO late in reading this stuff. You all are amazing! It's great to see so many working together to create greater understanding. I hope you don't mind me throwing in a couple of thoughts.

For the location of the plates, see the final page of the "Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith" at the beginning of the Book of Mormon, 2nd paragraph under the stars, near the end. "When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day..." BW was right about who has them.

On the use of the term "God" in the scriptures, consider that this is a title, not a specific individual. If "God" is a title, any number of individuals can hold the title and what "unchangeable" refers to how the individual has to act once the title is attained. When the title is attained, the individual who has attained it has met certain requirements in order to hold the title...and those who hold the title are, in fact, unchangeable. One of those requirements is that the individual follow certain laws in perfect compliance. The way to learn to follow those laws in perfect compliance is to have practiced and practiced. Someone mentioned that the "God" we know had lived a perfect life on some other planet and thus attained the title. That doesn't have to be the case, because we believe that we ALL can have the title of "God" at some point, but none of us are perfect now. Our lack of perfection now, doesn't mean that we won't get to the point that we do live in perfect compliance with the laws. That's where the atonement comes in...it makes up for our lack of perfection in order that we can continue working toward that perfection. We take advantage of the atonement through repentence which requires change toward better compliance with the laws of God...do you see the eternal round going on? Do you also see, MX, how led you are in your questions? You've asked them in a certain order to brings specific understanding to a variety of sets of knowledge.

And in saying the above then...it becomes necessary to clarify which "God" is being discussed in any given sense. Many have given their beautiful testimonies of God the Father and Jesus Christ as separate beings. We DO believe there is just one GOD watching over us...He is the Father of our spirits and thus we call him Heavenly Father. He has the title of "God" as well. We also believe that Jesus Christ is one of His sons, who atoned for our sins. Jesus is also the primary "mover and shaker" in creation of the Earth and the delivery of the gospel in all scripture and to His church on the earth today (revelation). He also has qualified himself, by His perfect life and perfect compliance with eternal laws to be called "God" and He is called that throughout scripture, even before He actually lived. And that can create some confusion understanding who is being referred to at any given time, because in using "God" it could refer to more than one individual...though I daresay it generally doesn't. Most scripture references to "God" actually refer to the Son, but it doesn't really matter all that much because they both want, teach, and command the exact same things (which is one of the requirements to get the title "God").

For those of you who are already LDS, if you want a new way to think of titles, consider that the term "the first day" is a title, not a day in the sense that we think of it, in the phrase "and the morning and the evening were the first day." That's super deep and rather sacred and I won't be able to explain that further if you don't already know what I'm talking about. I merely give it as a "hmmmm" thought.

I find the gospel beautiful and wonderfully symmetrical. I hope I've helped here!