Book of Mormon Quiz Time

[darkslider]

In 1841 Joseph Smith declared that the Book of Mormon was "the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 194).

In light of such a fantastic claim, it behooves an individual to take a serious look at the precepts found in the Book of Mormon. Take a few moments and test your knowledge of what Joseph Smith also called the "most correct book of earth."

1._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that Elohim (God the Father in Mormonism) was once a mortal man and that he was not always God?

2._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that God has a body of flesh and bones?

3._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that God is married in heaven?

4._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that men can become Gods?

5._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that temple participation is necessary to become exalted?

6._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach Jesus and Lucifer are brothers?

7._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach the blood of Christ does not cleanse certain sins?

8._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that a person can lose his salvation if he is not baptized on behalf of dead relatives?

9._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say there is more than one God?

10._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say males must hold either the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood?

11._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say you can't drink coffee or tea?

12._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that there are "three degrees of glory"?

13._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that the Holy Ghost is a son of God just as Jesus is a son of God?

14. ______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that God allowed the Nephites to practice polygamy?

15._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that if a man wishes to be saved he must have a woman by his side?

16._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that faithful members must wear sacred undergarments that have the power to protect them?

17._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that official church doctrine must be voted on by the general membership?

18._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that the Black race (seed of Cain) survived the flood because the devil needed a representation on earth?

19._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that God is the offspring of another God who, in turn, is the offspring of still another God, etc.?

20._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that the highest level within the celestial kingdom is the "Church of the Firstborn"?

Answers:

1. God a mortal man - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says God was once a mortal. In fact, it teaches that God was always God. Take for instance Moroni 8:18. It says God is "unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." Joseph Smith, however, taught, "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity, I will refute that idea, and take away the veil so that you may see" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345).

2. God has a body of flesh - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says God has a body of flesh and bones. On more than one occasion it clearly teaches that God is a God of spirit (see Alma 18:2-5, 24-28; Alma 22:9-11).

3. God is married - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches God is married.

4. Men becoming Gods - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says men can become Gods.

5. Temple participation - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions mankind must participate in temple ordinances in order to become exalted.

6. Jesus and Lucifer brothers - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.

7. Cleansing power of Christ's blood - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Never does the Book of Mormon hint that there are sins beyond the cleansing power of Christ's blood. However, second LDS Prophet Brigham Young taught, "There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man and woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.385). Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie wrote, "But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must have their own blood shed to atone for their sins" (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 92).

8. Baptism for the dead - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches baptism for the dead is a necessary ordinance. In fact, the Book of Mormon teaches if a person dies in his sins, the devil has sealed him his and this is the final state of the wicked (see Alma 34:34,35). However, 10th LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith stated, "If we wilfully neglect the salvation of our dead, then also we shall stand rejected of the Lord, because we have neglected our dead; and just so sure their blood will be required at our hands ...we cannot be saved without them" (Doctrines of Salvation 2:145,149).

9. Plurality of Gods - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches there is a plurality of Gods. In fact it strongly teaches there is only one true God (see Alma 11:26-29).

10. Priesthood - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood.

11. Can't drink coffee or tea - If you said it doesn't, you're right. This is taken from Doctrine and Covenants 89. Still, this health law never mentions coffee or tea specifically, only "hot drinks." Mormon General authority George Q. Cannon included soup in this prohibition when he said, "We must not permit them to drink liquor or hot drinks, or hot soups or to use tobacco or other articles that are injurious" (Journal of Discourses 12:223).

12. Three degrees of glory - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The celestial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms are never mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

13. Holy Ghost is a son of God - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Only Jesus and those who embrace Christ as their Savior are given that title in the Book of Mormon. Under the heading of "Holy Ghost," The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the Holy Ghost is a spirit man, a spirit son of God the Father."

14. God's approval of Nephite polygamy - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Jacob 2:27 makes it clear that the Nephites were to only have one wife and no concubines.

15. Must have a woman to be saved - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, Brigham Young taught, "No man can be perfect without the woman, so no woman can be perfect without a man to lead her. I tell you the truth as it is in the bosom of eternity. If he wishes to be saved, he cannot be saved without a woman by his side" (as quoted on page 245 of The Miracle of Forgiveness).

16. Protective Garments - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions "garments of the Holy Priesthood" yet temple Mormons are told that if they do not defile them, the garment will "be a shield and a protection" to them against the power of the destroyer.

17. Doctrine to be voted on - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Never were the words of the Book of Mormon prophets sustained by the believers in the Book of Mormon in order to be considered official teaching.

18. Seed of Cain - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, third LDS Prophet John Taylor said, "And after the flood we are told that the curse that had been pronounced upon Cain was continued through Ham's wife, as he had married a wife of that seed. And why did it pass through the flood? Because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth as well as God" (Journal of Discourses 22:304).

19. God having a father and grandfather - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, Joseph Smith claimed, "If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that He had a Father also" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg.373).

20. Church of the Firstborn - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Such an expression is never used in the Book of Mormon.

How did you do?

[silverfox]

Right. But what does the BoM say about obeying prophets? Isn't that what the church uses to justify their bull$hit? I am no longer familiar with scriptures and such from the B0M (woooooohoooooo) but I can remember being directed to scriptures about obeying prophets.

[elder_nomo]

Dark -
I got a really high score. Of course that's only because after about question 3, I started to notice a little pattern (heh heh) ;)
This is priceless. Thanks for posting!

[free thinker]

Dont go confusing us with the facts man!!!! :cool:


free thinker

[hitchiker]

In 1841 Joseph Smith declared that the Book of Mormon was "the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 194).

In light of such a fantastic claim, it behooves an individual to take a serious look at the precepts found in the Book of Mormon. Take a few moments and test your knowledge of what Joseph Smith also called the "most correct book of earth."

1._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that Elohim (God the Father in Mormonism) was once a mortal man and that he was not always God?

2._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that God has a body of flesh and bones?

3._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that God is married in heaven?

4._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that men can become Gods?

5._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that temple participation is necessary to become exalted?

6._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach Jesus and Lucifer are brothers?

7._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach the blood of Christ does not cleanse certain sins?

8._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that a person can lose his salvation if he is not baptized on behalf of dead relatives?

9._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say there is more than one God?

10._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say males must hold either the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood?

11._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say you can't drink coffee or tea?

12._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that there are "three degrees of glory"?

13._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that the Holy Ghost is a son of God just as Jesus is a son of God?

14. ______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that God allowed the Nephites to practice polygamy?

15._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that if a man wishes to be saved he must have a woman by his side?

16._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that faithful members must wear sacred undergarments that have the power to protect them?

17._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that official church doctrine must be voted on by the general membership?

18._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that the Black race (seed of Cain) survived the flood because the devil needed a representation on earth?

19._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say that God is the offspring of another God who, in turn, is the offspring of still another God, etc.?

20._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it teach that the highest level within the celestial kingdom is the "Church of the Firstborn"?

Answers:

1. God a mortal man - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says God was once a mortal. In fact, it teaches that God was always God. Take for instance Moroni 8:18. It says God is "unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." Joseph Smith, however, taught, "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity, I will refute that idea, and take away the veil so that you may see" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345).

2. God has a body of flesh - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says God has a body of flesh and bones. On more than one occasion it clearly teaches that God is a God of spirit (see Alma 18:2-5, 24-28; Alma 22:9-11).

3. God is married - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches God is married.

4. Men becoming Gods - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never says men can become Gods.

5. Temple participation - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions mankind must participate in temple ordinances in order to become exalted.

6. Jesus and Lucifer brothers - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.

7. Cleansing power of Christ's blood - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Never does the Book of Mormon hint that there are sins beyond the cleansing power of Christ's blood. However, second LDS Prophet Brigham Young taught, "There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man and woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.385). Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie wrote, "But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must have their own blood shed to atone for their sins" (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 92).

8. Baptism for the dead - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches baptism for the dead is a necessary ordinance. In fact, the Book of Mormon teaches if a person dies in his sins, the devil has sealed him his and this is the final state of the wicked (see Alma 34:34,35). However, 10th LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith stated, "If we wilfully neglect the salvation of our dead, then also we shall stand rejected of the Lord, because we have neglected our dead; and just so sure their blood will be required at our hands ...we cannot be saved without them" (Doctrines of Salvation 2:145,149).

9. Plurality of Gods - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches there is a plurality of Gods. In fact it strongly teaches there is only one true God (see Alma 11:26-29).

10. Priesthood - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood.

11. Can't drink coffee or tea - If you said it doesn't, you're right. This is taken from Doctrine and Covenants 89. Still, this health law never mentions coffee or tea specifically, only "hot drinks." Mormon General authority George Q. Cannon included soup in this prohibition when he said, "We must not permit them to drink liquor or hot drinks, or hot soups or to use tobacco or other articles that are injurious" (Journal of Discourses 12:223).

12. Three degrees of glory - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The celestial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms are never mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

13. Holy Ghost is a son of God - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Only Jesus and those who embrace Christ as their Savior are given that title in the Book of Mormon. Under the heading of "Holy Ghost," The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the Holy Ghost is a spirit man, a spirit son of God the Father."

14. God's approval of Nephite polygamy - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Jacob 2:27 makes it clear that the Nephites were to only have one wife and no concubines.

15. Must have a woman to be saved - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, Brigham Young taught, "No man can be perfect without the woman, so no woman can be perfect without a man to lead her. I tell you the truth as it is in the bosom of eternity. If he wishes to be saved, he cannot be saved without a woman by his side" (as quoted on page 245 of The Miracle of Forgiveness).

16. Protective Garments - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never mentions "garments of the Holy Priesthood" yet temple Mormons are told that if they do not defile them, the garment will "be a shield and a protection" to them against the power of the destroyer.

17. Doctrine to be voted on - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Never were the words of the Book of Mormon prophets sustained by the believers in the Book of Mormon in order to be considered official teaching.

18. Seed of Cain - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, third LDS Prophet John Taylor said, "And after the flood we are told that the curse that had been pronounced upon Cain was continued through Ham's wife, as he had married a wife of that seed. And why did it pass through the flood? Because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth as well as God" (Journal of Discourses 22:304).

19. God having a father and grandfather - If you said it doesn't, you're right. However, Joseph Smith claimed, "If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that He had a Father also" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg.373).

20. Church of the Firstborn - If you said it doesn't, you're right. Such an expression is never used in the Book of Mormon.

How did you do?
you have shown a wonderfull point , the bom is true doctrine , everything else mormons believe in is false , actually as i read the book of mormon by itself , with no attachment to any church , i feel an abiding grace coming from it , this is with understanding that all the stories have something to do with J S life , in that reguard he was a prophet

[kreleia]

How did you do?

Well, I have to admit, I was worried at first. My "quad" has sat collecting dust for years, and anything with the words "Deseret Book" embossed, engraved, or otherwise noted on a book cover has been secreted away to my eBay pile. And this chair, being so comfy around my derrier, did seem to hold me to it.

But then I thought, "Wait. They taught me well. I bet I can do this from memory!" And behold, I did spiritually gird up my loins, took and deep breath and began.

And low! The spirit of the Lord was with me, and did open my heart! For I did test unto a perfect score!

Seriously - what a great little "quiz!" This one merits passing on. Maybe to the TBM family members... with the answers omitted until their responses are received. :rolleyes:

Okay, I'm not that mean.

[darkslider]

Seriously - what a great little "quiz!" This one merits passing on. Maybe to the TBM family members... with the answers omitted until their responses are received. :rolleyes:

Okay, I'm not that mean.


I am. I emailed it to my very TBM mother.

I figure, "Hey, if she can waste my time with a bunch of 'Yeah We are Mormons' emails, why can't I throw a little something towards her?'"

[why me]

Dark...I don't want to play devil's advocate here but I think I need to. I didn't take the quiz because I am not a scriptorian but I did read the answers. I think that a TBM would claim that revelation is an ongoing process and is given to suit the times. Of course I don't really know how a tbm would answer but this could be one explanation. Also the BoM is an abridgement according to Mormon doctrine and so some of the original 'fullness'went by the wayside, to be revealed to JS at a later date. Now I can't say that I believe this but it is one possible explanation, as I think out loud. Flotsom, what do you think?

[pokatator]

9._______ Where in the Book of Mormon does it say there is more than one God?

9. Plurality of Gods - If you said it doesn't, you're right. The Book of Mormon never teaches there is a plurality of Gods. In fact it strongly teaches there is only one true God (see Alma 11:26-29).

Great post! I'll respond to one question to illustrate how I can easily prove the BofM doesn't contain all these things.

I have taken the index of my combination BoM, D&C, PofGP and looked up subjects and read all the verses of a particular subject. Under the several headings listed for God, I am able to find every verse that references “One God” or something like it that may provide more information about one God.

2 Nephi 19:6 For unto us a child is born, onto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

2 Nephi 31:21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen

Alma 11:44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

3 Nephi 11:27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

3 Nephi 11:36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

Mormon 7:7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choir above, unto the Father, unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

Mosiah 3:8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Mosiah 15:1-5 And now Abinadi said unto them; I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.

And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son–

The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and the Son–

And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.

And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.

Mosiah 16:15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen

Alma 11:38-39 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him; Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?

And Amulek said unto his; Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;

Alma 11:26-29 Basically the same as Alma 11:38-39

Helaman 14:12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.

Helaman 16:18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?

Ether 4:7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may be become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared was, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.

3 Nephi 9:15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

The last sentence of “The Testimony of Three Witnesses”: And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is on God. Amen

D&C 20:28 Which Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen

D&C 50:43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

D&C 93:3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one–

In doing this kind of study of the BofM, I find that the BofM and the Bible are in agreement on many subjects. Actually I think the BofM scriptures are plainer and more numerous than the Bible on the Christian view of the Trinity or One God subject and many others, such a "progressive God?" etc.

When you use something like this on the fair-lds boards, or in conversation with a Mormon, etc. they always refer to outside sources, such as, Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, or The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith by Joseph Fielding Smith, for clarification. But if you present something like Darkslider did with a question(s), as he did, that exposes these outside sources as different from the BofM, then they claim that these sources are not official canon or official “Church Doctrine”. A Catch 22+++.

When the mishies visit me I stay right in the BofM and I go to the index of my quad and I let them pick a subject, that is only place I need to go with them. They get confused very quickly. They can’t explain anything without the outside sources, then they are caught in their own Catch 22. They don’t last very long and usually don’t return.

Thanx for the great post.

[peter_mary]

Dark...I don't want to play devil's advocate here but I think I need to. I didn't take the quiz because I am not a scriptorian but I did read the answers. I think that a TBM would claim that revelation is an ongoing process and is given to suit the times. Of course I don't really know how a tbm would answer but this could be one explanation. Also the BoM is an abridgement according to Mormon doctrine and so some of the original 'fullness'went by the wayside, to be revealed to JS at a later date. Now I can't say that I believe this but it is one possible explanation, as I think out loud. Flotsom, what do you think?

Actually, Why_Me, you're talking about Mormonism's rock-solid "escape clause" on anything that appears inconsistent with what Joseph or Brigham or anyone else ever taught: "We believe in continuing revelation, and what has been revealed by the living prophet is more important than what was first revealed by a dead prophet." I believe Ezra Taft Benson said: "I wouldn't give a rat's ass for the words of a dead prophet...give me the words of a living prophet anyday." Okay, that was a paraphrase, but he really did say, while an apostle, that he would take the words of a living prophet over those of a dead one every time.

This escape clause ensures a ready-made, though seldom thought-through response to Dark's questions and the myriads of others that could be appended to his list.

Bottom line is simply this: When people have determined to believe something, they will ALWAYS find a rationale to continue believing. The consequences of failing to believe are often too disconcerting, resulting ::gasp!:: Postmormonism! Nobody wants to go there...

Peter_Mary

[why me]

Actually, Why_Me, you're talking about Mormonism's rock-solid "escape clause" on anything that appears inconsistent with what Joseph or Brigham or anyone else ever taught: "We believe in continuing revelation, and what has been revealed by the living prophet is more important than what was first revealed by a dead prophet." I believe Ezra Taft Benson said: "I wouldn't give a rat's ass for the words of a dead prophet...give me the words of a living prophet anyday." Okay, that was a paraphrase, but he really did say, while an apostle, that he would take the words of a living prophet over those of a dead one every time.

This escape clause ensures a ready-made, though seldom thought-through response to Dark's questions and the myriads of others that could be appended to his list.

Bottom line is simply this: When people have determined to believe something, they will ALWAYS find a rationale to continue believing. The consequences of failing to believe are often too disconcerting, resulting ::gasp!:: Postmormonism! Nobody wants to go there...

Peter_Mary

Thats it. That was why I brought it up. If I am honest, my thoughts are as follows: All will be found out when I die but not before. I can hope for the best now and then....I can argue, debate, discuss, dialogue about the scriptures but death and only death will contain the answers about god or no god. :)

[peter_mary]

Thats it. That was why I brought it up. If I am honest, my thoughts are as follows: All will be found out when I die but not before. I can hope for the best now and then....I can argue, debate, discuss, dialogue about the scriptures but death and only death will contain the answers about god or no god. :)

I remember using this same tried and true evasive technique: "I guess I don't get to understand this issue in this life, but I know God will make it all clear to me in the hereafter."

Wow. :duh

Talk about an intellectual cop-out! But then again, when you are raised under the mindset that "God's ways are not man's ways," (and I'm just CERTAIN that whatever Prophet uttered that MEANT to say "man or woman's ways." :D ), it's an easy trap to fall into. It assumes from the beginning that God's ways are too complex, and that they might appear irrational to people.

At this point in my life, it's far more intellectually satisfying to say, "God's ways could not be irrational," and assume that if I don't seem to be able to make sense out of something, it's because I haven't spent the time doing the research, understanding all the pieces, and that in fact, given enough time, I could understand all things rationally. And in a weird way that all my Christian friends will no-doubt stone me for, that very train of thought led me to the "ain't no need for no God" mindset. God was always the stop-gap for everything that we couldn't explain. He/she was the proverbial black box, into which went all these rational pieces, and out of which came a miracle, and we could see it happening, but couldn't explain it.

Yet we continue to shine our lights or reason and understanding into more and more of the inner workings of that black box, and illuminating it to the mind. In so doing, we can see the pedigree of God-making...and it began with us, not with Him. Anyway, that's how THIS son of perdition landed out here in outer darkness...

Peter_Mary

[dogzilla]

Yet we continue to shine our lights or reason and understanding into more and more of the inner workings of that black box, and illuminating it to the mind. In so doing, we can see the pedigree of God-making...and it began with us, not with Him. Anyway, that's how THIS son of perdition landed out here in outer darkness...

Peter_Mary

I think of it more in terms of walking around and picking up rocks to see what slithers out from underneath. The more creepy crawlies I see, the more I understand about truth and the "truths" that desperate people cling to when reality is just too much to accept and bear at the moment. (Yes, I believe that Christians are deluded and desperate. So stone me already. :o )


Of course, Peter_Mary won't stop with the shadow puppets in his outer darkness over there. . . Hey! Will ya cut it out, shining that light in my face? I see your shadow German Shepherd, ya big lug. :p

[peter_mary]

Of course, Peter_Mary won't stop with the shadow puppets in his outer darkness over there. . . Hey! Will ya cut it out, shining that light in my face? I see your shadow German Shepherd, ya big lug. :p

Dang...and I hadn't even brought out my "Nessie" puppet yet. Next up, Bill O'Reilly! (With any necessary appologies to Free Thinker and any other of my friends of a more conservative nature...)

Peter_Mary

[free thinker]

I remember using this same tried and true evasive technique: "I guess I don't get to understand this issue in this life, but I know God will make it all clear to me in the hereafter."

Wow.

Talk about an intellectual cop-out! But then again, when you are raised under the mindset that "God's ways are not man's ways," (and I'm just CERTAIN that whatever Prophet uttered that MEANT to say "man or woman's ways." ), it's an easy trap to fall into. It assumes from the beginning that God's ways are too complex, and that they might appear irrational to people.

At this point in my life, it's far more intellectually satisfying to say, "God's ways could not be irrational," and assume that if I don't seem to be able to make sense out of something, it's because I haven't spent the time doing the research, understanding all the pieces, and that in fact, given enough time, I could understand all things rationally. And in a weird way that all my Christian friends will no-doubt stone me for, that very train of thought led me to the "ain't no need for no God" mindset. God was always the stop-gap for everything that we couldn't explain. He/she was the proverbial black box, into which went all these rational pieces, and out of which came a miracle, and we could see it happening, but couldn't explain it.

Yet we continue to shine our lights or reason and understanding into more and more of the inner workings of that black box, and illuminating it to the mind. In so doing, we can see the pedigree of God-making...and it began with us, not with Him. Anyway, that's how THIS son of perdition landed out here in outer darkness...

Peter_Mary


Brilliant!!! Bravisimo!!

This is what I like about outer darkness!! It's the people you meet. The things you read!!

Free Thinker takes a breath and sighs a grateful sigh.


free thinker