Something God says about how to survive as a soldier

[catatonic]

According to the President of Apostles in my Church, 81 years old:

I mention another plain and precious insight that did not come with the first reading in the Book of Mormon. When I was 18 years old, I was inducted into the military. While I had no reason to wonder about it before, I became very concerned if it was right for me to go to war. In time, I found my answer in the Book of Mormon:

“They [the Nephites] were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

“And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.

“And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion” (Alma 43:45–47).

Knowing this, I could serve willingly and with honor.

Boyd K. Packer - Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I interpret this to mean that if you fight for these things, and you don't commit the first offense or second offense, you will survive. The offenses are these:

Alma 48: 14
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught anever• to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

[infidel]

Why did the soldier slap Jesus?
So Jesus would turn the other cheek!
Or put another way so he could get to the other side.

[catatonic]

Why did the soldier slap Jesus?
So Jesus would turn the other cheek!
Or put another way so he could get to the other side.

How did the crazy people get through the forest?
They took the psycho path.

[racer5.0stang]

According to the President of Apostles in my Church, 81 years old:

The title to this thread is "Something God says about how to survive as a soldier." Then you provide a quote that your President of Apostles has stated. So, would it be safe to assume that your President thinks that he is God? How is it that he is President of Apostles? To be an Apostle, one must have seen Jesus at some point in their life. So this man along with others has seen the Son of God. Or maybe it is nothing more than a title that they have given themselves.

[Ali]

The title to this thread is "Something God says about how to survive as a soldier." Then you provide a quote that your President of Apostles has stated. So, would it be safe to assume that your President thinks that he is God? How is it that he is President of Apostles? To be an Apostle, one must have seen Jesus at some point in their life. So this man along with others has seen the Son of God. Or maybe it is nothing more than a title that they have given themselves.To see God, just look in the mirror, dude.

[racer5.0stang]

To see God, just look in the mirror, dude.

What is that supposed to mean?

[catatonic]

It means Ali believes, "God is self" or "God is consciousness" or something. Ali is pro'lly saying God's not in charge and can't be found so you're in charge. I don't want to offend Ali but I don't believe this anymore although I used to believe something like that.

An apostle is a special witness of Jesus Christ. Boyd K. Packer has been called by Jesus Christ (roll your eyes right about here if you don't believe me) to be a special witness of the truth and of him. Jesus Christ leads our Church through revelation. But in this case, when I said "What God says,..." I was referring to scripture. We hold the Book of Mormon to be scripture. We are not adding to or subtracting from the Bible because the Book of Mormon is not the Bible. When he and I were quoting scripture up there, we claim that the Holy Ghost has confirmed to us that this is indeed the word of God spoken by disciples of Jesus Christ who prayed and fasted earnestly as well as were obedient to know what to write. I am simply trying to tell the truth here like most try to tell the truth.

:D

[SobaViolence]

To see God, just look in the mirror, dude.

(y)

[Ali]

It means Ali believes, "God is self" or "God is consciousness" or something. Ali is pro'lly saying God's not in charge and can't be found so you're in charge. Something like that... I'm a firm believer in doing things for yourself, and for others, rather than relying on a god to do it. I also believe that we are a part of god because god is the aggregate of all things, as opposed to a bearded white male in the sky, a seperate entity. We are god and god is us - and everything else.

See?

[catatonic]

I pretty much have agreed with you for many years, and Mormonism teaches that you should do many, most pro'lly, good things of your own free will without ever being told to do them (whoever's commanded in all things is a slothful servant), and Christ prayed that we could be one with God. As for God being the aggregate of all things, Mormons take a different approach than some and say that God isn't the Universe and there are laws of the Universe that God has to live by. I don't know if that's correct doctrine or just the mainstream belief. Fortunately, I can say that Mormonism teaches that you can become a God of your own world.

[racer5.0stang]

Fortunately, I can say that Mormonism teaches that you can become a God of your own world.

Lucifer said the same thing and look where that got him.

Isaiah 14:12-16

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms

To place yourself on the same level as God is blasphemy in itself.

Isaiah 45:6

That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

[racer5.0stang]

We are god and god is us - and everything else.

If you are god, why didn't you stop the hurricane from destroying the Gulf Coast?

What basis do you have for this belief?

An apostle is a special witness of Jesus Christ.

In the bible, the only people called apostles are the ones who actually saw Jesus. So these false witnesses err I mean apostles that you are referring to have seen Jesus?

We are not adding to or subtracting from the Bible because the Book of Mormon is not the Bible.

No, but you are saying that the bible is incomplete or inaccurate. Basically you are saying God didn't do it right the first time around.

[bopst]

To see God, just look in the mirror, dude.

works for me!

[SobaViolence]

No, but you are saying that the bible is incomplete or inaccurate. Basically you are saying God didn't do it right the first time around.

the new testament is technically the second time around. The Jewish bible/Old Testament/Torah was his first attempt, or so goes the mythology.

the Koran is the third, perfect and final message from god.

the Jews receieved the Law, Christians the Scriptures and Muslims the Koran(The Submission)

[checkyourprez]

If you are god, why didn't you stop the hurricane from destroying the Gulf Coast?


If God was God why didnt he stop the hurricane from destroying the Gulf Coast?

[SobaViolence]

nice (y)

[catatonic]

Lucifer tried to overthrow God in this world, we are trying to become Gods in our own world without overthrowing God because God told us we could; we would not be above Him.

The apostles were meant to be replaced with new apostles after they died but they couldn't meet together to appoint new ones. That's why the great apostacy took the true church off the earth. We believe we restored it back in it's place, with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists... just the same organization as the old church.

[infidel]

I wonder if 2000 years from now when archaeologists dig up a copy of the Lord of the Rings or a similar work of science fiction if they will base a religion on it like christens did with the Bible?

[checkyourprez]

I wonder if 2000 years from now when archaeologists dig up a copy of the Lord of the Rings or a similar work of science fiction if they will base a religion on it like christens did with the Bible?


fucking A. eggsactly what i was thinking.


i think a lot of people who believe in god, if it were 100% proven to them that there is no god (which all signs point to. but 99% still aint 100%), their world would just come crashing down. literally too much to handle for them. the basis for them being here (in their minds) would vanish in an instant and probably fuck them up.

[racer5.0stang]

the new testament is technically the second time around. The Jewish bible/Old Testament/Torah was his first attempt, or so goes the mythology.

No, the New Testament is the continuation of God's plan, not the second attempt.

If God was God why didnt he stop the hurricane from destroying the Gulf Coast?

If God is God why did he create and allow the hurricane or any other natural disaster to occur?

Lucifer tried to overthrow God in this world, we are trying to become Gods in our own world without overthrowing God because God told us we could; we would not be above Him.

Isaiah 45:21-22

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me.

We believe we restored it back in it's place

I thought Jesus is supposed to do that not man.

Answer this question for me please: According to your beliefs, is it enough for someone to believe in Jesus and receive salvation or must he/she be a member of the Mormon church? And what happens to this person if he/she does not believe in Jesus and/or join the Mormon church when he/she dies?

i think a lot of people who believe in god, if it were 100% proven to them that there is no god (which all signs point to. but 99% still aint 100%), their world would just come crashing down. literally too much to handle for them. the basis for them being here (in their minds) would vanish in an instant and probably fuck them up.

The same will happen to the people who refuse to believe that God does exist and that he sent his Son to die for our sins and all we had to do is believe.

[Schmeltz]

The same will happen to the people who refuse to believe that God does exist and that he sent his Son to die for our sins and all we had to do is believe.


Prove it. Get down off your sanctimonious pulpit and give us some hard lines. You got nothing.

[catatonic]

Isaiah 45:21-22

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me.
Isaiah 44:8 makes it clearer. Notice the Bible never says there is no God besides me but only there is no God beside me... "I know of none." Wesley Clark exploited people's ignorance of "besides" and "beside" quite effectively.



I thought Jesus is supposed to do that not man.


If you're referring to the restoration of the Church, Jesus did direct it.


Answer this question for me please: According to your beliefs, is it enough for someone to believe in Jesus and receive salvation or must he/she be a member of the Mormon church? And what happens to this person if he/she does not believe in Jesus and/or join the Mormon church when he/she dies?


Those who would have accepted the gospel if they had had enough time and the right situation will have the opportunity to have the work done for them while they are dead in our temples. Thus, Mormonism is fair to everyone, but it takes a lot of work for us to do all the work in the Temple and we could use your help!


The same will happen to the people who refuse to believe that God does exist and that he sent his Son to die for our sins and all we had to do is believe.

Yes, if they wouldn't have accepted it had they enough time. The proof is the Book of Mormon says so and there is too much evidence the Book of Mormon describes an ancient civilization in ways that Joseph Smith couldn't have known about if he wasn't translating it by the gift and power of God.

[Schmeltz]

will have the opportunity to have the work done for them while they are dead in our temples.


Whoa! Your temples are full of dead people?!?


there is too much evidence the Book of Mormon describes an ancient civilization


Odd. I've studied ancient civilizations and never come across a single jot of this allegedly ample evidence. But I guess if L. Ron Hubbard could figure out the aliens, Joseph Smith could figure out the ancient civilizations.

[checkyourprez]

If God is God why did he create and allow the hurricane or any other natural disaster to occur?



shucks, i think ya got me...

[racer5.0stang]

Isaiah 44:8 makes it clearer. Notice the Bible never says there is no God besides me but only there is no God beside me... "I know of none." Wesley Clark exploited people's ignorance of "besides" and "beside" quite effectively.

Isaiah 48:8

Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.

Where in this verse does it talk about beside or besides?

Oh, well maybe you are referring to the verses that I posted. I don't see the complication here. Try this verse:

Isaiah 45:5,6

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.


Doesn't sound like there are any other gods out there. Maybe you should try accepting the truth instead of trying to take the verses out of context.

If you're referring to the restoration of the Church, Jesus did direct it.

Well this time period that we are in must be the millenial reign, right? If that is the case why isn't there peace and where is Jesus?

Those who would have accepted the gospel if they had had enough time and the right situation will have the opportunity to have the work done for them while they are dead in our temples.

WOW. You guys are right up there with snake handlers and punch drinkers. Maybe you will catch a comet and fly away. I take it that your people do not believe in hell. Jesus must have been wrong about that one too, huh.

Thus, Mormonism is fair to everyone, but it takes a lot of work for us to do all the work in the Temple and we could use your help!

I am more interested in finding and understanding the truth, than indulging myself in a lie.

Yes, if they wouldn't have accepted it had they enough time.

By this statement, you are saying that God is captive by the time in which we exist. 2 Peter 3:8 clears that up:

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The proof is the Book of Mormon says so and there is too much evidence the Book of Mormon describes an ancient civilization in ways that Joseph Smith couldn't have known about if he wasn't translating it by the gift and power of God.

Yeah, because people back then were pretty stupid and there were no books, school, or teachers to educate themselves with.

Did they ever find those golden plates? Must have been the opium.

I wonder if 2000 years from now when archaeologists dig up a copy of the Lord of the Rings or a similar work of science fiction if they will base a religion on it like christens did with the Bible?

The Divinci Code will be another sacred find.

Prove it. Get down off your sanctimonious pulpit and give us some hard lines.

John3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Revelation 20:12-15

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

[Schmeltz]

That's not objective proof, racer, that's just excerpts from a widely interpreted religious text. I asked you to bring something of merit to the game, not just your personal belief system.

[catatonic]

There are no dead bodies in our temples Schmeltz unless someone happens to die going through.

Isaiah 48:8

Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.

Where in this verse does it talk about beside or besides?

Oh, well maybe you are referring to the verses that I posted. I don't see the complication here. Try this verse:

Isaiah 45:5,6

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.


Doesn't sound like there are any other gods out there. Maybe you should try accepting the truth instead of trying to take the verses out of context.

No. Look at the context in both of those verses. He is talking about no God ruling with him.



Well this time period that we are in must be the millenial reign, right? If that is the case why isn't there peace and where is Jesus?

No. This is the last days before it, as evidenced by the predictions of the last days coming true which also gives evidence of the Bible.

WOW. You guys are right up there with snake handlers and punch drinkers. Maybe you will catch a comet and fly away. I take it that your people do not believe in hell. Jesus must have been wrong about that one too, huh.

Actually, this is to show that God will be fair. Otherwise, it's not fair that a Chinese person who never hears about Christianity automatically goes to hell. No, he has a chance.


I am more interested in finding and understanding the truth, than indulging myself in a lie.

I have not lied. Mormons could actually use your help.


By this statement, you are saying that God is captive by the time in which we exist. 2 Peter 3:8 clears that up:

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

No, not God, us.

Yeah, because people back then were pretty stupid and there were no books, school, or teachers to educate themselves with.

NonMormon scholars from around the world today say that the Book of Mormon is credible.

Did they ever find those golden plates? Must have been the opium.

Weak argument. According to the religion, they shouldn't find the gold plates.

[yeahwho]

You can never be too rigid about your beliefs, is that the idea?

[Ace42X]

I am more interested in finding and understanding the truth, than indulging myself in a lie.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That is priceless! "Finding and understanding the truth" - then howcome you don't know anything about anything? What have you been doing all your life if you are interested in finding and understanding the truth?

The closest I have ever seen you come to that is finding and understanding new ways to reinforce your preconceptions... That's very different.

[Funkaloyd]

This is the last days before it, as evidenced by the predictions of the last days coming true which also gives evidence of the Bible.
I was going to write out a long reply, noting that pretty much every Christian movement since Paul has had believers who thought that they were living in the "last days", but it turns out that somebody (and a Christian at that) has already done that for me: http://www.dtl.org/dtl/treatise/end-near-1.htm

It didn't happen 10, 100, 1000 or 1900 years ago, and it's not going to happen now.

[Funkaloyd]

You'd be better off not bothering preparing, enjoying a few more days in life, and trusting that Jesus isn't going to be a dick when he comes.