Comments for LDS Alive in Christ http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com ...declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Blown Away by Church History? Get Real! by Grey_Wolf_Leader http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2008/06/blown-away-by-church-history-get-real/comment-page-1/#comment-3986 Grey_Wolf_Leader Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:41 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=60#comment-3986 @Ismael: I think you are sadly missing the point of this entire argument Ismael. Mormons and Catholics do not have "faith" in and "testimonies" of their respective churches' histories. That is what Bitton was saying when he points out that many a Mormon historian sees no contradiction between history and doctrine. Rather, their faith is in the principles and doctrines which their respective religion happens to espouse, being the institutions from which they learned such things. Why do you think that these churches do not bother much with their history? <i>Because that is not what they are about.</i> They are educational institutions concerned with the perfecting of the saints through the gospel of Christ, not cliques of elite historians chronicling the mistakes and the poor choices of their predecessors. Meanwhile, since you mentioned logical fallacies, I think you should remember the most used and abused fallacy against the LDS faith the ad hominem tu quoque fallacy, that, in layman's terms, it is the classical "shoot the messenger, not the message" argument. Many an anti-Mormon use the fact Joesph Smith wasn't perfect to argue that somehow the principles and facts he preached wrote weren't true. The problem we have with secular intellectuals it that they typically make pronouncements and claims based on incomplete and often very biased resources. PS: By the way, the "authority" fallacy only applies to <b>unqualified</b> authority, not a mere appeal to authority. Issac Newton was a qualified authority on mathematics and physics, but not alchemy. @Ismael: I think you are sadly missing the point of this entire argument Ismael. Mormons and Catholics do not have “faith” in and “testimonies” of their respective churches’ histories. That is what Bitton was saying when he points out that many a Mormon historian sees no contradiction between history and doctrine.
Rather, their faith is in the principles and doctrines which their respective religion happens to espouse, being the institutions from which they learned such things.
Why do you think that these churches do not bother much with their history? Because that is not what they are about. They are educational institutions concerned with the perfecting of the saints through the gospel of Christ, not cliques of elite historians chronicling the mistakes and the poor choices of their predecessors.

Meanwhile, since you mentioned logical fallacies, I think you should remember the most used and abused fallacy against the LDS faith the ad hominem tu quoque fallacy, that, in layman’s terms, it is the classical “shoot the messenger, not the message” argument. Many an anti-Mormon use the fact Joesph Smith wasn’t perfect to argue that somehow the principles and facts he preached wrote weren’t true.

The problem we have with secular intellectuals it that they typically make pronouncements and claims based on incomplete and often very biased resources.

PS: By the way, the “authority” fallacy only applies to unqualified authority, not a mere appeal to authority. Issac Newton was a qualified authority on mathematics and physics, but not alchemy.

]]> Comment on Jared—My Experience with the Savior by Jared http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/jareds-my-experience-with-the-savior/comment-page-1/#comment-3984 Jared Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:03:30 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?page_id=42#comment-3984 Sandra, I have your email address. I talked with my wife about your situation and she said she would contact you this week. Sandra,

I have your email address. I talked with my wife about your situation and she said she would contact you this week.

]]> Comment on Jared—My Experience with the Savior by Sandra M Lima http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/jareds-my-experience-with-the-savior/comment-page-1/#comment-3983 Sandra M Lima Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:43:13 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?page_id=42#comment-3983 Hi Jared, maybe I was inspired to write to you for some answers to my prayers. Who is your wife's doctor? I have been treated as having RA, but it never really shows in my blood, I have all the symptoms , and they put me in chemotherapy, and I couldn't deal with every week. Now I am taking several medications like your wife, and having lots of side effects. And in the morning I can not walk. It's very hard to endure when we are suffering physically and emotionally. I have a wonderful family, and they are doing 40 days fasting in my behalf. How this work? Every day one member the family is fasting and praying for me, when one is finishing the other one is starting the next day. Yesterday I went to the Temple and promised Heavenly Father, That I am going to do 100 endowments during this year. Everyday I wake up early in the morning, pray and read my scriptures before doing anything else. I m trying to do everything I can to be cure from this diseases. I love to serve others and hope continue to do that. Please give me some advise. Thank you very much, Sandra Hi Jared, maybe I was inspired to write to you for some answers to my prayers.
Who is your wife’s doctor? I have been treated as having RA, but it never really shows in my blood, I have all the symptoms , and they put me in chemotherapy, and I couldn’t deal with every week. Now I am taking several medications like your wife, and having lots of side effects. And in the morning I can not walk.
It’s very hard to endure when we are suffering physically and emotionally. I have a wonderful family, and they are doing 40 days fasting in my behalf. How this work? Every day one member the family is fasting and praying for me, when one is finishing the other one is starting the next day.
Yesterday I went to the Temple and promised Heavenly Father, That I am going to do 100 endowments during this year. Everyday I wake up early in the morning, pray and read my scriptures before doing anything else. I m trying to do everything I can to be cure from this diseases. I love to serve others and hope continue to do that.
Please give me some advise. Thank you very much, Sandra

]]> Comment on Jared—My Experience with the Savior by Jared http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/jareds-my-experience-with-the-savior/comment-page-1/#comment-3982 Jared Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:12:40 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?page_id=42#comment-3982 Hi Sandra, You left a lot of topics that I would like to respond too. First, I'm not amazing, God is. Second, Rheumatoid Arthritis is a real pain!. I know, my wife was diagnosed with it in 2011. It took a while to get a definite diagnosis. Apparently, it takes an MIR that shows bone loss before a R Arthritis doctor will reach a conclusive diagnosis. He put her on several medications and she found some relief but was concerned about possible side effects. We sought the Lord's help. Found a doctor who uses diet, exercise and supplements to treat RA. The diet was 6 weeks and not a lot of fun. I did it with her. She started a Yoga class and takes a hand full of supplements every day. She stopped taking the prescription drugs months ago and is currently symptom free. Third, I'm so very sorry about the challenges your experiencing with your children. We have also experienced the pain only a parent can know when some of our children have left church activity. We accept their decision and are staying very close to them. We are living in a period of apostasy and I think it will only get worse. I wrote something on this subject that might be of interest to you. <a href="http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2011/02/are-we-living-in-the-day-prophesied-by-heber-c-kimball-2/" rel="nofollow"> Click Here</a> Fourth, dealing with trails can be confusing for many Latter Day Saints. We're taught that if we live the gospel we'll be blessed. We are blessed, but we are also tried! I have found comfort when in the grip trails by reading the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon. In addition, I've found that the counsel of the prophets to serve others is a way to manage our own trials. I recently met a lady who has dealt with a staggering number of trails all her life long. She is a source of strength to me. When I feel down about my trials I gain strength from her because my trails in comparison are small. Hi Sandra,

You left a lot of topics that I would like to respond too. First, I’m not amazing, God is.

Second, Rheumatoid Arthritis is a real pain!. I know, my wife was diagnosed with it in 2011. It took a while to get a definite diagnosis. Apparently, it takes an MIR that shows bone loss before a R Arthritis doctor will reach a conclusive diagnosis. He put her on several medications and she found some relief but was concerned about possible side effects.

We sought the Lord’s help. Found a doctor who uses diet, exercise and supplements to treat RA. The diet was 6 weeks and not a lot of fun. I did it with her. She started a Yoga class and takes a hand full of supplements every day. She stopped taking the prescription drugs months ago and is currently symptom free.

Third, I’m so very sorry about the challenges your experiencing with your children. We have also experienced the pain only a parent can know when some of our children have left church activity. We accept their decision and are staying very close to them.

We are living in a period of apostasy and I think it will only get worse. I wrote something on this subject that might be of interest to you. Click Here

Fourth, dealing with trails can be confusing for many Latter Day Saints. We’re taught that if we live the gospel we’ll be blessed. We are blessed, but we are also tried! I have found comfort when in the grip trails by reading the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon. In addition, I’ve found that the counsel of the prophets to serve others is a way to manage our own trials. I recently met a lady who has dealt with a staggering number of trails all her life long. She is a source of strength to me. When I feel down about my trials I gain strength from her because my trails in comparison are small.

]]> Comment on Jared—My Experience with the Savior by Sandra M Lima http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/jareds-my-experience-with-the-savior/comment-page-1/#comment-3981 Sandra M Lima Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:40:42 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?page_id=42#comment-3981 I was very touched by all your experiences. I am having so many trials, and sometimes it is very hard to understand why? Specially when we are trying to keep all the commandments and live the best we can. How can we keep our faith alive when we experience so much pain? How can we really know if Heavenly Father listens to our prayers? I have been faithful all my life, married in the Temple, raised four beautiful children, sent them on their missions, and see my two sons married in the Temple , and now they are totally inactive , and at the same time I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis that I can hardly move. Thank you very much for your advise, I think you are amazing!! Sincerely, Sandra Lima I was very touched by all your experiences. I am having so many trials, and sometimes it is very hard to understand why? Specially when we are trying to keep all the commandments and live the best we can. How can we keep our faith alive when we experience so much pain? How can we really know if Heavenly Father listens to our prayers? I have been faithful all my life, married in the Temple, raised four beautiful children, sent them on their missions, and see my two sons married in the Temple , and now they are totally inactive , and at the same time I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis that I can hardly move.

Thank you very much for your advise, I think you are amazing!!
Sincerely, Sandra Lima

]]> Comment on Using the Book of Mormon to Communicate with Heavenly Father by Kris http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2012/01/using-the-book-of-mormon-to-communicate-with-heavenly-father/comment-page-1/#comment-3977 Kris Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:14:23 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=2564#comment-3977 Please continue to post your experiences and findings. Please continue to post your experiences and findings.

]]> Comment on What Does it Mean to Be Baptized by Fire and the Holy Ghost? Part 1 by Donald Taylor http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2010/07/what-does-it-mean-to-be-baptized-by-fire-and-the-holy-ghost/comment-page-1/#comment-3975 Donald Taylor Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:59:58 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=1574#comment-3975 Yes, this is so. To paraphrase, Jesus say, You baptize with water; I Baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost. It is surprising that the understanding the second Baptism, which results in the remission of sin, has become one of the great mysteries in the Church. I found this doctrine for myself by looking at the steps needed for exultation. D&C section 19 says that we should teach nothing but repentance to this generation, and also includes a short reference to Baptism by Fire. The Book of Mormon and all the sacred scriptures, including the NT, are full of this teaching; for example, see Peter and Paul talking about "Receiving the Holy Ghost" but you have to know what you are looking for, and there are a number of synonymous phrases that refer to the same event; water baptism is the symbol for emersion in the spirit. The best example is Lorenzo Snow's story about his second baptism, which he received several weeks after water baptism. Thank you for posting this valuable information. Yes, this is so. To paraphrase, Jesus say, You baptize with water; I Baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost. It is surprising that the understanding the second Baptism, which results in the remission of sin, has become one of the great mysteries in the Church.
I found this doctrine for myself by looking at the steps needed for exultation. D&C section 19 says that we should teach nothing but repentance to this generation, and also includes a short reference to Baptism by Fire. The Book of Mormon and all the sacred scriptures, including the NT, are full of this teaching; for example, see Peter and Paul talking about “Receiving the Holy Ghost” but you have to know what you are looking for, and there are a number of synonymous phrases that refer to the same event; water baptism is the symbol for emersion in the spirit. The best example is Lorenzo Snow’s story about his second baptism, which he received several weeks after water baptism. Thank you for posting this valuable information.

]]> Comment on Desperately Seeking the Holy Ghost by john http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2009/03/desperately-seeking-the-holy-ghost/comment-page-1/#comment-3963 john Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:26:37 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=441#comment-3963 Your testimony is touching. Your assumption that the Lord is not to allow His Church to fail is correct. However, all indications are, that Most of it's members will fail when the time comes for separating the Sheep from the Goats in order to build Zion. For Zion can only be built by those who are Pure in Heart. Specktator is right. Only it will be the PEOPLE who fail. The feelings you experienced as being a second class citzen of God are common among many who have experienced similar things with their own associations with self righteous members who feel that the Blood of Ephriam Alone constitutes exceptionalism in the eyes of God. The Pharasies believed the same concerning their Own Blood. How correct were they ? In time God has promised to correct this conditon and is what I think is being referred to in the 85th & 112th sections of the D&C, as well as many Biblicle referrences to this effect contained in latter day prophecy...Isaiah being the chief among those prohecies concerning our day & the Lord's Covenant People. Isaiah doesn't paint a very pretty picture of us. Those like yourself, the Lord promises to Redeem in time. The vast majority will be Cast Out when the Lord sends His Final Prophet & Servant to clean the Lord's House of Unrighteous & Self righeteous deterents to the building the City of Zion in preparation for the Lord's Return....Not likely someone from the ranks of the staus quo as per Isaiah. They have all become Modern Day Pharasies that need a Good Kick in the A___! God Bless You & those of us like you. Your testimony is touching. Your assumption that the Lord is not to allow His Church to fail is correct. However, all indications are, that Most of it’s members will fail when the time comes for separating the Sheep from the Goats in order to build Zion. For Zion can only be built by those who are Pure in Heart.

Specktator is right. Only it will be the PEOPLE who fail.

The feelings you experienced as being a second class citzen of God are common among many who have experienced similar things with their own associations with self righteous members who feel that the Blood of Ephriam Alone constitutes exceptionalism in the eyes of God. The Pharasies believed the same concerning their Own Blood. How correct were they ?

In time God has promised to correct this conditon and is what I think is being referred to in the 85th & 112th sections of the D&C, as well as many Biblicle referrences to this effect contained in latter day prophecy…Isaiah being the chief among those prohecies concerning our day & the Lord’s Covenant People.

Isaiah doesn’t paint a very pretty picture of us. Those like yourself, the Lord promises to Redeem in time. The vast majority will be Cast Out when the Lord sends His Final Prophet & Servant to clean the Lord’s House of Unrighteous & Self righeteous deterents to the building the City of Zion in preparation for the Lord’s Return….Not likely someone from the ranks of the staus quo as per Isaiah. They have all become Modern Day Pharasies that need a Good Kick in the A___!

God Bless You & those of us like you.

]]> Comment on A Ten Question Quiz on Basic Gospel Principles by Jared http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2011/07/a-ten-question-quiz-on-the-first-principles-of-the-gospel/comment-page-1/#comment-3959 Jared Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:42:23 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=2305#comment-3959 K-Jo-- Good question. I hope the following info helps answer your question. "We sometimes speak of baptism for the remission of sins. The remission, if you will read the scriptures carefully, comes through the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost." Boyd K. Packer, "The Gift of the Holy Ghost: What Every Member Should Know", Ensign, Aug. 2006, 46-52. There are several places in the Book of Mormon that help answer this question. Enos was the son of a prophet, Jacob, Nephi's brother. He didn't receive a remission of sins until many years after his baptism. He wrote: And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. (Book of Mormon | Enos 1:2) K-Jo–

Good question. I hope the following info helps answer your question.

“We sometimes speak of baptism for the remission of sins. The remission, if you will read the scriptures carefully, comes through the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.” Boyd K. Packer, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost: What Every Member Should Know”, Ensign, Aug. 2006, 46-52.

There are several places in the Book of Mormon that help answer this question.

Enos was the son of a prophet, Jacob, Nephi’s brother. He didn’t receive a remission of sins until many years after his baptism. He wrote:

And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. (Book of Mormon | Enos 1:2)

]]> Comment on A Ten Question Quiz on Basic Gospel Principles by K-Jo http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2011/07/a-ten-question-quiz-on-the-first-principles-of-the-gospel/comment-page-1/#comment-3956 K-Jo Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:56:49 +0000 http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/?p=2305#comment-3956 Jared, The 4th article of faith says: baptism by emersion for the remission of sins. I am just wondering about that since you said that remission of sins comes upon the receipt of the Holy Ghost. Jared,

The 4th article of faith says: baptism by emersion for the remission of sins. I am just wondering about that since you said that remission of sins comes upon the receipt of the Holy Ghost.

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