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Mormon imagery runs deep in ‘Twilight’
Religion News Service (Salt Lake Tribune) ^
| June 24, 2010
| Angela Aleiss
Posted on 06/24/2010 11:10:11 AM PDT by Colofornian
Los Angeles Ever since Bram Stokers Dracula began haunting the imagination in 1897, popular culture has identified Christian symbols crucifixes, holy water, communion wafers as weapons to ward off a blood-thirsty vampire.
The Twilight novels and film franchise have religious associations, too most of them from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As the films Twi-hard fans get ready for the third Twilight installment, Eclipse, to open in theaters Wednesday, few are likely to recognize the religious references in the film based on the novels by Stephenie Meyer, herself a Mormon.
People make up all these Mormon references just so they can publish Twilight articles in respectable publications like The New York Times, actor Robert Pattinson (Edward, the films central vampire character), told Entertainment Weekly. Even Stephenie said it doesnt mean any of that.
Its possible that Meyer never set out to weave LDS imagery into the Twilight background. Yet intentional or otherwise, its hard to ignore:
The storys teenage heroine, Bella, avoids coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco not unlike the Mormons Word of Wisdom health code. Bella also advises her father to cut back on steak, much like the LDS teaching to eat meat and poultry sparingly.
Feminists have questioned Bellas frequent cooking and cleaning household chores that reflect a strong Mormon work ethic and traditional roles for women. The official motto for mostly Mormon Utah is Industry, and its symbol is the beehive.
A crucial Mormon belief is that humans can become divine. In the Twilight series, the Cullen family of vampires once was human but now lives without death in a resurrected condition. Meyer describes the Cullens, particularly Edward, as godlike and inhumanly beautiful.
Mormons believe angels are resurrected beings of flesh and bone. The most familiar is Moroni, who stands high atop LDS temples, trumpet in hand. The Book of Mormon, the faiths trademark Scripture, says Moroni was a fifth-century prophet who visited church founder Joseph Smith. Smith described Moroni as radiating light and glorious beyond description.
Bella describes her vampire boyfriend, Edward, as an angel whom she cannot imagine any more glorious. Edwards skin sparkles in the sunlight, and he visits Bellas bedroom at night. But Mormon angels dont have wings; in the Twilight film, Edward sits in the science lab, the outstretched wings of a stuffed white owl just over his shoulders.
A unique LDS teaching is that marriages are sealed for eternity; spouses are referred to as eternal companions. Bella describes her relationship with Edward as forever.
Bella and Edwards marriage, and her quick pregnancy, underscore the Mormon emphasis on the family. But Bellas half human/vampire fetus nearly destroys her, so her distraught husband suggests an abortion and artificial insemination. Mormons permit abortions if the mothers life is in danger, and artificial insemination is an option for married couples.
Bella quickly vetoes abortion and artificial insemination, reinforcing the essential Mormon teaching of individual choice, or agency. Meyer has said that the apple on the cover of the first Twilight novel represents Eves choice in the Garden of Eden. The poster for Eclipse includes the line: It all begins ... with a choice. The patriarch of the vampire family, Carlisle Cullen, supports Bella when he explains that it wouldnt be right to make such a choice for her, to force her.
Bram Stoker probably never imagined that vampires would represent a religious doctrine. But more than a century later, Twilight shows that these nocturnal creatures can accommodate just about anything.
Angela Aleiss teaches film and religion at the University of California, Los Angeles.
TOPICS: Current Events; Other Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: beck; boo; dentalhygene; emokids; glennbeck; hollywood; imagery; ivanttosuckyourblood; lds; mormon; moviereview; occult; photosensitivity; rorschachtest; twilight
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
A crucial Mormon belief is that humans can become divine. The essence of New Age, right there. In fact, the essence of the satanic rebellion against God from the very beginning.
THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 132
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives. HC 5: 501507. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.
16, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 714, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 1520, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 2125, The strait and narrow way that leads to eternal lives; 2627, Law given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 2839, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation made to prophets and saints in all ages; 4047, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 4850, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 5157, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 5866, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.
1
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many
awives and
bconcubines
2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.
3 Therefore,
aprepare thy heart to receive and
bobey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.
4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting
acovenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye
bdamned; for no one can
creject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.
5 For all who will have a
ablessing at my hands shall abide the
blaw which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.
6 And as pertaining to the new and
aeverlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my
bglory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.
7 And verily I say unto you, that the
aconditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations,
boaths,
cvows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and
dsealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is
eanointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by
frevelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this
gpower (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this
hpower in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the
ikeys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.
8 Behold, mine house is a house of
aorder, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
9 Will I
aaccept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?
10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not
aappointed?
11 And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father
aordained unto you, before the world was?
12 I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandmentthat no man shall
acome unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.
13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by
athrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall
bnot remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.
14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.
15 Therefore, if a
aman marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.
16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in
amarriage; but are appointed angels in
bheaven, which angels are ministering
cservants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.
17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are
aangels of God forever and ever.
18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that
acovenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.
19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man
amarry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and
beverlasting covenant, and it is
csealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of
dpromise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the
ekeys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto themYe shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit
fthrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depthsthen shall it be written in the Lambs
gBook of Life, that he shall commit no
hmurder whereby to shed innocent
iblood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their
jexaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the
kseeds forever and ever.
20
Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from
aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them.
Then shall they be bgods, because they have
call power, and the angels are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my
alaw ye cannot attain to this glory.
22 For
astrait is the gate, and narrow the
bway that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the
clives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.
23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that
awhere I am ye shall be also.
24 This is
aeternal livesto
bknow the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath
csent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.
25
aBroad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the
bdeaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they
creceive me not, neither do they abide in my law.
26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the
aHoly Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they
bcommit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be
cdelivered unto the buffetings of
dSatan unto the day of
eredemption, saith the Lord God.
27 The
ablasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall
bnot be
cforgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit
dmurder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be
edamned, saith the Lord.
28 I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the
alaw of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was.
29
aAbraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.
30
aAbraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loinsfrom whose
bloins ye are, namely, my servant Josephwhich were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the
cstars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.
31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of
aAbraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.
32 Go ye, therefore, and do the
aworks of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.
33 But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham.
34 God
acommanded Abraham, and Sarah gave
bHagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises.
35 Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord,
acommanded it.
36 Abraham was
acommanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not
bkill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for
crighteousness.
37 Abraham received
aconcubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and
bJacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their
cexaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.
38 David also received
amany wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.
39
aDavids wives and concubines were
bgiven unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the
ckeys of this power; and in none of these things did he
dsin against me save in the case of
eUriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath
ffallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I
ggave them unto another, saith the Lord.
40 I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an
aappointment, and restore all things. Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word.
41 And as ye have asked concerning adultery, verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man
areceiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy
banointing, she hath committed
cadultery and shall be destroyed.
42 If she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with another man, she has
acommitted adultery.
43 And if her husband be with another woman, and he was under a
avow, he hath broken his vow and hath committed adultery.
44 And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent and hath not broken her vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then shall you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, to take her and
agive her unto him that hath not committed
badultery but hath been
cfaithful; for he shall be made ruler over many.
45 For I have conferred upon you the
akeys and power of the priesthood, wherein I
brestore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time.
46 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you
aseal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you
bbind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you
cremit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.
47 And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will
acurse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God.
48 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you
agive any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.
49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be
awith thee even unto the
bend of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I
cseal upon you your
dexaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your
efather.
50 Behold, I have seen your
asacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your
bsacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I
caccepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.
51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to
aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.
52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith,
areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.
53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been
afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.
54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and
acleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be
bdestroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.
55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an
ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of
beternal lives in the eternal worlds.
56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid
aforgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to
brejoice.
57 And again, I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out of his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy him; for
aSatan bseeketh to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and behold, and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham, thy father, even unto his
cexaltation and glory.
58 Now, as touching the law of the
apriesthood, there are many things pertaining thereunto.
59 Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was
aAaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that
bsent me, and I have endowed him with the
ckeys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit
dsin, and I will justify him.
60 Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God.
61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthoodif any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse
aanother, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.
62 And if he have
aten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.
63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to
amultiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be
bglorified.
64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.
65 Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take
aHagar to wife.
66 And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen.
41
posted on
06/24/2010 1:01:53 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: I still care
But as far as this article goes, I think its a stretch.Oh?
Which comparisons do you find to be fAULTY?
42
posted on
06/24/2010 1:02:43 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Hot Tabasco
And she (gasp!) cleans house! Feminists said so! Mormon!!!!!!!!!!!!
To: I still care
The message continally is sent that if you find the love of your life, you will end up physically hurt.
I've heard of things like that!
THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 132
5157, Emma Smith is counseled (commanded) to be faithful and true; 5866, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.
51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.
52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.
53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.
54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and acleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be bdestroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.
55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of beternal lives in the eternal worlds.
56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid aforgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to brejoice.
|
Whatever HAPPENED to Emma???
Eliza was a devout Mormon. At age 38, she became Joseph Smith's 14th plural wife (in addition to Smith's lawful wife, Emma). In 1842, after learning Eliza was pregnant, Emma Smith beat Eliza with a broomstick and knocked her down a flight of stairs, causing Eliza to miscarry Smith's baby.
Wow!!
I guess ol' Emma got VAPORIZED by GOD!!!
We know that multiply him thing sure didn't work out!
44
posted on
06/24/2010 1:05:15 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: mnehring
Ramses the Damned is actually full of Southern Baptist imagery. The Mayfair Witch books are also a warning on the dangers of mixing religion and politics.
45
posted on
06/24/2010 1:08:41 PM PDT
by
LanPB01
To: Raider Sam
Are Mormons the only ones who dont drink, smoke or eat red meat?
HMMMmmm...
THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 89
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.
19, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 1017, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 1821, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.
1
A aWord OF Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the
aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and
bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days
3 Given for a principle with
apromise, adapted to the capacity of the
bweak and the weakest of all
csaints, who are or can be called saints.
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of
aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of
bconspiring men in the last days, I have
cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this
word of wisdom by revelation
5 That inasmuch as
any man adrinketh bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea,
apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7 And, again,
astrong drinks are not for the belly,
but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the
abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome
aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with
aprudence and
bthanksgiving.
12 Yea,
aflesh also of
bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used
csparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be
aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or
bfamine.
14 All
agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15 And
athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
16 All grain is good for the
afood of man; as also the
bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground
17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments,
ashall receive
bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;
20 And shall
arun and not be
bweary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the
adestroying angel shall
bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
46
posted on
06/24/2010 1:08:44 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: nickcarraway
Not exactly. From Wikipedia:
“Inspiration and themes
According to the author, her books are “about life, not death” and “love, not lust”. Each book in the series was inspired by and loosely based on a different literary classic: Twilight on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, New Moon on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Eclipse on Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, and Breaking Dawn on a second Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.[16] Meyer also states that Orson Scott Card and L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series are a big influence on her writing.[13]
Other major themes of the series include choice and free will.[13][17] Meyer says that the books are centered around Bella’s choice to choose her life on her own, and the Cullens’ choices to abstain from killing rather than follow their temptations: “I really think that’s the underlying metaphor of my vampires. It doesn’t matter where you’re stuck in life or what you think you have to do; you can always choose something else. There’s always a different path.”
Meyer, a Mormon, acknowledges that her faith has influenced her work. In particular, she says that her characters “tend to think more about where they came from, and where they are going, than might be typical.” Meyer also steers her work from subjects such as sex, despite the romantic nature of the novels. Meyer says that she does not consciously intend her novels to be Mormon-influenced, or to promote the virtues of sexual abstinence and spiritual purity, but admits that her writing is shaped by her values, saying, “I don’t think my books are going to be really graphic or dark, because of who I am. There’s always going to be a lot of light in my stories.”
47
posted on
06/24/2010 1:09:20 PM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: Raider Sam
None of the bullets relate directly to Mormons, or Mormonism or anything of the sort. You have to want it to be true to say that.
48
posted on
06/24/2010 1:09:48 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Larry Lucido
Now mix that idea with a bunch of OLD toys; and ya got yerself a $109 million opening weekend!!
49
posted on
06/24/2010 1:11:40 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Colofornian
I just don't see how this is out of the ordinary.
Robert A. Heinlein's beliefs started liberal (in the modern not-good sense) and moved to strong individualism and self determination over the years. His books practically slap you in the face with those corresponding personal beliefs over the time. A quote from his character Lazarus Long can be considered a quote from him, and Jubal Hershaw in Stranger in a Strange Land is basically him.
To: C19fan; Godzilla
./src on/Do Mormons believe a thirst for blood is part of being in a "resurrected condition"?/src off/ Is this a veiled reference to Blood Atonement?
Where JESUS' blood is NOT sufficient to atone for some sinners sins; but that their OWN blood must be shed too??
51
posted on
06/24/2010 1:13:53 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: mnehring
And SOME of them say...
BITE ME!
...and they are NOT mad at anyone!!
52
posted on
06/24/2010 1:15:41 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Paragon Defender
Seriously though your anti-Mormon obsessive behavior was already over the top.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the otherThis is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, Never mind, all is wellI am well enough off. I then said to my mother,
I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.
And, continuing thru the years, the high ranking leaders of that Organization have done the same!
Joseph Smith continues: "for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible" (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:12). "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).
Questions put to Joseph Smith: "'Do you believe the Bible?' [Smith:]'If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do'. When asked 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons'? [Smith replied] 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).
Brigham Young stated this repeatedly: "When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness" (Journal of Discourses 5:73); "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Journal of Discourses 8:171); "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:199); "And who is there that acknowledges [God's] hand? ...You may wander east, west, north, and south, and you cannot find it in any church or government on the earth, except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.24); "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).
Orson Pratt proclaimed: "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).
Pratt also said: "This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses, vol.18, p.44) and: "But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be ...But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance" (Journal of Discourses, 18:172).
President John Taylor stated: "Christianity...is a perfect pack of nonsense...the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.167); "Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom." (Journal of Discourses, 10:127).
James Talmage said: "A self-suggesting interpretation of history indicates that there has been a great departure from the way of salvation as laid down by the Savior, a universal apostasy from the Church of Christ". (A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.182).
President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness." (Doctrines of Salvation, p.266). "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the 'Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.282).
More recent statements by apostle Bruce McConkie are also very clear: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); "virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269); "Gnosticism is one of the great pagan philosophies which antedated Christ and the Christian Era and which was later commingled with pure Christianity to form the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the early days of that era." (Mormon Doctrine, p.316).
President George Q. Cannon said: "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" (Gospel Truth, p.324).
President Wilford Woodruff stated: "the Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord, and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p.196).
There are 59,998, uh 52,998 RATS! 51,998 more just like US; out there poundin' them doors for a couple of years!!
53
posted on
06/24/2010 1:20:36 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: antiRepublicrat
Robert A. Heinlein's beliefs started liberal ... And then there was L Ron Hubbard...
54
posted on
06/24/2010 1:23:37 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Elsie
(In case ya missed it...)
It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.
When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.
55
posted on
06/24/2010 1:26:08 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: All
Each book in the series was inspired by and loosely based on a different literary classic: Twilight on Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, New Moon on Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, Eclipse on Emily Brontës Wuthering Heights, and Breaking Dawn on a second Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Nights Dream.[16]I have read Austen and all the Bronte sisters and you are no Austen or Bronte.
56
posted on
06/24/2010 1:27:14 PM PDT
by
C19fan
To: Elsie
Not interested in biting you or reading the series. But thanks for the invitation.
57
posted on
06/24/2010 1:34:35 PM PDT
by
Monkey Face
(I wear a yellow ribbon for my army hero grandson, and for the intrepid CG explorer!)
To: Elsie
And then there was L Ron Hubbard... I've read some of his fiction (well, the fiction he labeled as fiction and not religion), and the Scientology isn't there as strong as some people let on. It certainly doesn't work as a recruitment tool. He's also nowhere near as good as Heinlein.
Ah, memories coming back. Hubbard's books were mainly just a dumb good ride, while I actually learned things from Heinlein. It was one of his books where Lazarus Long was burning cash back behind his bank and almost got lynched for it where I first learned about monetary policy, and how a greedy, ignorant populace using the power of government can screw it up.
To: Elsie
It’s not that the comparisons are faulty. It’s that they aren’t the theme of the book.
I just don’t see the theme of Twilight as akin to Mormonism.
I do see the theme of Twilight very akin to dysfunctional relationships.
59
posted on
06/24/2010 2:02:39 PM PDT
by
I still care
(I believe in the universality of freedom -George Bush, asked if he regrets going to war.)
Comment #60 Removed by Moderator
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