Posted on 01/31/2012 11:48:42 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
June 1986 I HAVE A QUESTION
I Have a question
I've noticed a trend for newlyweds to have elaboratevexpensive wedding receptions. Is this necessary particularly for a temple marriage?
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How can Jesus and Lucifer be spirit brothers when their characters and purposes are so utterly opposed?
Jess L. Christensen, Institute of Religion director at Utah State University, Logan Utah.
On first hearing the doctrine that Lucifer and our Lord, Jesus Christ are brothers may seem surprising to some - especially to those unacquainted with latter-day revelations. But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers. Jesus Christ was with the Father from the beginning. Lucifer, too, was an angel "who was in authority in the presence of God," a "son of the morning." (See Isa. 14:12; D&C 76:25-27.) Both Jesus and Lucifer were strong leaders with great knowledge and influence. But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer's older brother. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)
How could two such great spirits become so totally opposite? The answer lies in the principle of agency which has existed from all eternity (D&C 93:30-31.) Of Lucifer, the scripture says that because of rebellion "he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies (Moses 4:4.) Note that he was not created evil, but became Satan by his own choice.
When our Father in Heaven presented his plan of salvation, Jesus sustained the plan and his part in it, giving the glory to God, to whom it properly belonged. Lucifer, on the other hand, sought power, honor and glory only for himself (See Isa. 14: 13-14; Moses 4:1-2.) When his modification of the Father's plan was rejected he rebelled against God and was subsequently cast out of heaven with those who had sided with him (See Rev. 12: 7-9; D&C 29: 36-37.)
That brothers would make dramatically different choices is not unusual. It has happened time and time again, as the scriptures attest: Cain chose to serve Satan; Abel chose to serve God. (See Moses 5:16-18.) Esau "despised his birthright"; Jacob wanted to honor it. (Gen. 25: 29-34.) Joseph's brothers sought to kill him; he soughtvto preserve them. (Gen. 37: 12-24; Gen. 45: 3-11.
It is ironic that the agency with which Lucifer rebelled is the very gift he tried to take from man. His proposal was that all be forced back into God's presence. (See Moses 4: 1,3.) But the principle of agency is fundamental to the existence and progression of intelligent beings.; as we make wise choices we grow in light and truth. On the other hand, wrong choices - such as the one Satan made - stop progress and can even deny us blessings that we already have. (See D&C 93: 30-36.)
In order for us to progress, therefore, we must have the opportunity to choose good or evil. Interestingly, Satan and his angels - those who opposed agency - have become the opposition. As the prophet Lehi taught "Men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Neh. 2: 27.)
Although the Father has allowed Satan and his angels to tempt mankind, he has given each of us the ability to rise above temptation (See 1 Cor. 10:13.) He has also given us the grrat gift of the atonement. When the Lord placed enmity between Eve's children and the devil, Satan was told that he would bruise the heel of Eve's seed, but her seed would bruise his head (See Moses 4:21.) President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that "The 'God of Peace' who according to the scriptures is to bruise Satan is Jesus Christ." ( Answers to Gospel Questions, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957; 1:3.)
Satan would bruise the Saviors' heel by leading men to crucify Him. But through his death and resurrection, Christ overcame death for all of us; and through his atonement, he offers each of us a way to escape the eternal ramifications of sin. Thus, Satan's machinations have been frustrated and eventually he will be judged, bound, and castbinto hell forever (See Rev. 20: 1-10; D&C 29:26-29.)
In Hebrew, the word bruise means "to crush or grind." Therefore, the very heel that was bruised will crush Satan and will help us overcome the world and return to our Father. As we use our agency to choose good over evil, the atonement of Christ prepares the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven.
We can only imagine the sorrow of our Heavenly Father as he watched a loved son incite and lead a rebellion and lose his opportunity for exaltation. But we can also imagine the Fathers love and rejoicing as he welcomed back the beloved son who had valiantly and perfectly fought the battles of life and brought about the great Atonement through his suffering and death.
The Primary lessons in the manual never seem long enough. As a teacher, I always finishvbefore class time ends. What is appropriate for me to do?
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Why does D&C 104:1 say that the united order was an everlasting order until the Lord comes, yet it is not practiced today?
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1.) There are four "I have a question's" on this page. In that regard, this is an excerpt. Given that the focus of this is on but one of the questions, I did not click "excerpt."
2.) When you go to google or the Google homepage and type in "lds.org" it says "Official site. Online scriptures and library, media contact information, online distribution center,..."
3.) This is at the official LDS site, and at this official LDS website is an Ensign article from June 1986. 25 years old. No decleration here that this is heresy according to the lds church, and 25 years is enough time to have tossed all of the one question as well as the answer "How can Jesus and Lucifer..." given here from that June Ensign issue if LDS considered it heresy or didn't believe in it. It could have been toosed long ago, to leave the other three questions to post to lds.org, so that it never even made it here to lds.org.
4.) Before anyone calls me a bigot, let it be known that I heard no cries of bigotry from conservatives when I talked about the Chicago Sun-Times article " I have a deep faith," a 2004 interview with Barack Obama about his belief that there are many paths to God/Heaven, and what he was asked about the scripture " I am the Way, Truth, Life. No man comes unto the Father but by me." Obama said it all depends upon how you interpret that scripture. I vehemently disagree with that answer. And Jesus supposedly being a brother to Lucifer - I also think that issue must also be explored, and is not believed in by most Christians. 5.) When a certain talk radio host talked about Obama's Black Liberation Theology, and whether he adhered to it, I don't remember conservatives saying that was religious bigotry or shouldn't be brought up for discussion. If that can be talked about, why not this? Why not both?
“Lucifer” means light-bearer or something like that. They used to call old fashioned matches which struck on anything lucifers and the name used to be applied to the planet Venus. I am not aware of any relationship between the planet Venus and Jesus.
Wrong. According to the Bible, Jesus is not a created being but Satan, a fallen angel, is.
What say you?
If conservatives here had no problem with me talking about “I have a deep faith” and Obama’s spiritual beliefs in that news piece (beliefs which I believe to be false) then surely this Mormon belief is acceptable to raise, too, right?
If Talk Radio can opine on Black Liberation Theology ( which I had no problem with them talking about) then why not explore this Mormon theological belief and talk about it, too?
I think the whole question is bogus. I get the feeling the questions to a site like this are setups. They make them up out of whole cloth so they can discuss the issue.
Anybody ever met two brothers that are complete opposites?
The real question is, how can the church teach that they are brothers when the Bible says Satan is a fallen angel, a created being, and Jesus is God with us?
I agree. Lucifer is a created being.
This Mormon belief is false, just as Obama’s belief in that Sun Times article are false.
I have no problem with this thread. If I don’t like the subject of a thread, I ignore it. If the thread argues an opinion different then mine on a subject on which I have a strong opinion, I’ll jump, head first, into the deep end and let the chips fall where they may.
And forgive me for mixing metaphors. My chips got soggy when I jumped in.
The Mormon church had 25 years to toss this “bogus question” from that Ensign issue. They never even had to let it in that issue, leaving the other three questions to make it to the lds.org official site. They let all four questions come into the official lds.org site.
They believe in this false doctrine.
It really depends on how much the corrupt political establishment are tired of BamBamKennedy, Romney is the perfect transition to 'save' US... Why would not the liberals want to necklace our demise in a Republican name? Wonder which state Romney will mount a 'white horse'?
Surely a certain talk show host who kept talking about Black Liberation Theology would also talk about this, too? I had no problem with him talking about BLT, just as I have no problem talking about this.
Surely the statement Fair and balanced is correct, right?
Lucifer is a created being. Jesus is not.
That’s why Mormons are not considered Christians or to be it more generously Non-Nicene Christians.
Correct. Jesus is Divine, uncreated. Lucifer was a created being.
Mormonism is incompatible with the true test - the Nicene Creed - and with the word of God, too.
They can't, next question please.
Gordian knot cutting, :)
Then why do Mormons believe this and have this on their official site if they supposedly don’t believe this doctrine?
Obama was asked about his beliefs in that 2004 interview. Obama has been hiunded with questions about Black Liberation Theology.
Should Romney be asked about his beliefs as well?
Fair and Balanced approach, right?
...Begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father...
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