The Latter-day Saint Thread v. 8.0

This is pretty lengthy, but it answers the initial question. Found in a search on lds.org from the gospel library:

Wow thanks!:clap:

Alex is sooo turning into a convert:evil::lol:

*sigh* The state this country is in... It must be the last days...

Someone mentioned that much of the mormon faith is based on a book called the book of mormon which is made of gold. Does that actually exist or has it been destroyed somewhere down the line?

Someone mentioned that much of the mormon faith is based on a book called the book of mormon which is made of gold. Does that actually exist or has it been destroyed somewhere down the line?

The Book of Mormon is a record of God's dealings with the people who lived in the ancient Americas. Prophets of the Lord engraved the original records on gold plates. On September 22, 1827, an angel named Moroni—the last Book of Mormon prophet—delivered these records to the Prophet Joseph Smith. By the gift and power of God, the Prophet Joseph translated the record into English. At the conclusion of the translation the plates were given back to Moroni.

More information about the Book of Mormon can be found here (http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-restoration-of-truth/the-book-of-mormon).

Brilliant answer. I have, well, nothing to add! Except that I know it's a true book of scripture.

The Book of Mormon is a record of God's dealings with the people who lived in the ancient Americas. Prophets of the Lord engraved the original records on gold plates. On September 22, 1827, an angel named Moroni—the last Book of Mormon prophet—delivered these records to the Prophet Joseph Smith. By the gift and power of God, the Prophet Joseph translated the record into English. At the conclusion of the translation the plates were given back to Moroni.

Oh ok thanks- I get that now

That website is very interesting- up until now pretty much all I knew about mormonism was through this thread, and before that I had absolutely no idea at all. Has it spread a lot outside the US? I don't think I've ever seen a mormon temple or even met a follower although perhaps I have and not realised.

Oh ok thanks- I get that now

That website is very interesting- up until now pretty much all I knew about mormonism was through this thread, and before that I had absolutely no idea at all. Has it spread a lot outside the US? I don't think I've ever seen a mormon temple or even met a follower although perhaps I have and not realised.

It has actually. In fact, the majority of the world's 13-million+ members actually live outside the US. You could've easily met quite a few Mormons and never have known. ;):eyebrows::D

There are, I believe, 128 temples right now, with more in the works. There are temples in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Pacific Islands, Canada, USA, Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America. :D I looked, but I didn't see any temples in Scotland, so you might not have seen one :hmm:

Wow 13 million, I hadn't realised it was such a large faith, although I must admit I have never really thought about it before.

I looked, but I didn't see any temples in Scotland, so you might not have seen one

That would indeed explain it. What do the temples consist of? Are the like traditional churches?

That would indeed explain it. What do the temples consist of? Are the like traditional churches?

I almost never get to answer questions in here, so I'll try but no doubt someone else will come along and give a better explanation:)

Temples are viewed as God's House (not literally) -- it's where we do sealings (marriage & adobtion), and baptisms for the dead (baptizing those who did not get the opportunity in their earth life -- is it taught that they must accept the church and their baptism on the other side of the veil for it to be binding).

They are much fancier than our church buildings:

Meetinghouse
http://www.abcoutah.com/portfolio/religious/Logan%20LDS%20Church.jpg

Salt Lake Temple (1)
http://www.tomandapril.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/temple-wallpaper.jpg

Salt Lake Temple (2)
http://messengerandadvocate.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/salt-lake-temple.jpg

Manti Temple
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/manti/gallery/images/manti_lds_mormon_temple1.jpg

As for what they consist of? I don't really understand the question.:hmm:

Another interesting fact about out temples would be that you have to have a sheet of paper called a Recommend to go inside. You get one just by having an interview with the bishop, and he mainly just asks you if you've been rightous and stuff:)

Here's (http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/membership-in-christ-s-church/temples-and-family-history)a great link to answer your questions about our Temples, Unconvinced.
And may I add that it's refreshing to find someone who knows nothing about our church. :) Usually people think they know more than we do, or have been so misinformed that they won't listen to the truth. I think the closest temple to you is in England.

I almost never get to answer questions in here, so I'll try but no doubt someone else will come along and give a better explanation:)

Temples are viewed as God's House (not literally) -- it's where we do sealings (marriage & adobtion), and baptisms for the dead (baptizing those who did not get the opportunity in their earth life -- is it taught that they must accept the church and their baptism on the other side of the veil for it to be binding).

They are much fancier than our church buildings:



Salt Lake Temple (1)
http://www.tomandapril.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/temple-wallpaper.jpg

Salt Lake Temple (2)
http://messengerandadvocate.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/salt-lake-temple.jpg




^ Ohh, hey, I'm getting married in that one! :eyebrows:...one day...I hope :blush::D

The pictures of the Salt Lake temple are amazing. I've driven past it a thousand times and it never fails to take my breath away.
It is most definitely the temple for me! :love::love:

I think you explained it really well ;)

^ Ohh, hey, I'm getting married in that one! :eyebrows:...one day...I hope :blush::D

The pictures of the Salt Lake temple are amazing. I've driven past it a thousand times and it never fails to take my breath away.
It is most definitely the temple for me! :love::love:

I think you explained it really well ;)

I don't:lol:

See, I'm the know-it-all at school in all my classes, but as soon as religion pops up, I go all "Um, err, yeah, so... Uh, mmm, huh-yeah.":rotfl:

Thanks though:)

Oakland temple > Salt Lake Temple! Muahahahahaha! :whistle: :)

Seriously though, what the temple looks like inside and out is irrelevant. The first Communist Block temple built in the late 1980's was smaller than most typical meeting houses and far more simple in artistry. What counts is being dedicated by the proper authority (apostle/prophet) and the work that is done inside.

To answer your other question, Unconvinces, as to what the temples consist of, I assume you mean what goes on inside. The answer, as mentioned in earlier posts, can be divided up into two parts: work for the dead and for the living.

Work for the living includes:
1. Temple Marriages: these are for "all time an eternity," not just "until death do you part" for regular marriages). A couple that is married in the temple are sealed together forever (unless they get a divorce) during the marriage ceremony. Any children they have together afterwards are automaticaly sealed to their parents without need of future sealings (see below).
(Note, we also able to conduct regular marriages as well. These usually are between a member and a non-member or between two members where one or both are not yet ready to enter the temple (i.e. still working on some problems in his/her life or they don't want to wait the prerequisite year after baptism if they joined recently. A friend of mine did this before they obtained a temple sealing six months later. Hehe). These can be done anywhere, as with any wedding in other churches for the most part).

2. Sealings: This is a "marriage" for those who were married outside the temple. It binds the couple together as well as to any children they have had since their marriage. For instance, my parents joined the church when I was 2 or so and were sealed together as a couple a few years later. This was immediately followed by a sealing between them and my two brothers and I as a family.

3. Endowment: This is an ordinance a step further than baptism. We make further promises to the lord. Elder Talmage (a former leader of our Church) stated the following:
“The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King—the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions."
For more info (including the above quote), check out this page from the LDS website (sorry, I am not sure how to convert that into a "here" link): http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d 82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=707672712fddb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

(note: Baptisms and confirmations for the living can be done anywhere. With respect to baptisms, it should preferably be done within a church with a baptisimal font. If no such font is available, we can conduct the ordinance using a lake, swimming pool, a river, etc. wherever the body can be completely immersed. Confirmations can be done anywhere, but also usually done in a church).


Work for the dead includes:
1 Baptisms
2 Confirmations
3 Sealings
4 Endowment

All of the above works for the dead are done by proxy. The individual who is getting their work done still has to accept the gospel on the other side in order for it to "take affect," as mentioned above.

Hope this helps answer your question.

The temple rox. I would only add that the goings-on in the temple are not "secret", as some nay-sayers might say, but "sacred", hence the requirement of the temple recommend. They want to make sure those who enter the temple are prepared and willing and worthy to participate in those ordinances, so they require an ecclesiastical interview. I watched the Mt. Timpanogos temple being built from groundbreaking to finish from our deck all those years ago, and it's still my favorite one.

http://www.geocities.com/rgpassey/pages/mttimpanogos/timp2.jpg

The temple rox. I would only add that the goings-on in the temple are not "secret", as some nay-sayers might say, but "sacred", hence the requirement of the temple recommend. They want to make sure those who enter the temple are prepared and willing and worthy to participate in those ordinances, so they require an ecclesiastical interview. I watched the Mt. Timpanogos temple being built from groundbreaking to finish from our deck all those years ago, and it's still my favorite one.

http://www.geocities.com/rgpassey/pages/mttimpanogos/timp2.jpg

I remember the Timpanogos temple being finished and walking through it with my family, when I was young. :hmm: Or perhaps that was the Bountiful. The two look very similar. I believe they let the public walk through parts of the temple, before it's dedicated, to see what it looks like on the inside, Davey, so if they ever build one in Scotland, you should definitely go.

My family was also sealed, rather than being married in the temple. When I was 16. :) It's one of my best memories, the moment I realized we were an eternal family. *tears up just thinking about it* :)

Davey, so if they ever build one in Scotland, you should definitely go.

Hehe I will certainly try. Thanks for answering questions everyone, its really interesting to find out about other faiths and how they are carried out, especially one I have never really come across before :)

I remember the Timpanogos temple being finished and walking through it with my family, when I was young. :hmm: Or perhaps that was the Bountiful. The two look very similar. I believe they let the public walk through parts of the temple, before it's dedicated, to see what it looks like on the inside, Davey, so if they ever build one in Scotland, you should definitely go.

My family was also sealed, rather than being married in the temple. When I was 16. :) It's one of my best memories, the moment I realized we were an eternal family. *tears up just thinking about it* :)

My other six siblings come from all over the world. We were sealed in the Timp. temple -- I'm not adopted, everyone else is though:love::D

Lauren & Sean - from Haiti
Maia - from Kansas
Caleb - Greek
Dylan - California
Genevieve - Taiwan

I watched the Mt. Timpanogos temple being built from groundbreaking to finish from our deck all those years ago, and it's still my favorite one.

http://www.geocities.com/rgpassey/pages/mttimpanogos/timp2.jpg

I live about a block away from that temple!!:)

:evil:Muha ha ha


My parents say that I will get to go and see the new Davis temple before it's dedicated... I hope so:)

bye cos

Since the thread is dead, and since I'm bored, interesting little tidbit:

If you go to page 119 (911 backwards) in the Doctrine and Covenants, there is revelation that was given on September 11th of 1831. It talks of the importance of forgiveness, verses 9-11, particularly:

9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.


;) Thought it was interesting.

Since the thread is dead, and since I'm bored, interesting little tidbit:

If you go to page 119 (911 backwards) in the Doctrine and Covenants, there is revelation that was given on September 11th of 1831. It talks of the importance of forgiveness, verses 9-11, particularly:

9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.


;) Thought it was interesting.

That's awesome:lol: -- who knew? How did you find that? I'm gonna have to show that to kids in sunday school tomorrow.........

I'm so sorry. I felt the COMPELLING need to post this for y'all!:rotfl:


What if Dr. Seuss wrote the Book Of Mormon?

Nephi:
Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I've never sworn
This is Lehi, he's my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad
And who is this? Why this is Sam.
Sam:
Yes, this is Sam; Sam I am
Laman:
That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am
Sam:
In a tent, my father dwelt
Laman:
And it's so hot, I think I'll melt
Lemuel:
Our father's brain is out of whack
Laman:
Yeah, it's too hot, I'm going back
Lehi:
Then go and get the plates, my dear
Laman:
On second thought, I'm staying here
Nephi:
You said you'd leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel:
That Nephi always gets his way
Laman:
Here we are in this damp cave
Sam:
We would not be here if you'd behave
Nephi:
I will go and I will do
There's the angel, that's my cue
Laban's had too much to drink
Now he'll lose his head, I think
Nephi:
Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam:
We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Laman:
Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel:
I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman:
We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi:
Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi:
A tree, a tree, I see a tree!!
The fruit is white, the fruit is free!
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see!
Laman:
We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel:
We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman:
We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel:
We do not think that it will float
Laman:
No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel:
We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman:
We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel:
And we won't eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes you rent
Laman:
We'd rather have a can of spam
L&L:
We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam:
You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may I say
Laman:
Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see
L&L:
Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You've saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am!



:D -- Hope you like it!!

Hehe...it is sort of funny. You know Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon?

Yep, I knew that. She graduated from the same university I'm currently attending. I'm a bit annoyed with her actually.

Yep, I knew that. She graduated from the same university I'm currently attending. I'm a bit annoyed with her actually.

So am I...


Not terribly, but enough

So am I...


Not terribly, but enough

I'm not terribly fond of her either actually. Mostly for the fact that she wrote Twilight, which I am not at all fond of.

I'm curious, though, are you guys annoyed with her for different reasons?

By the way, I read one of the talks in the Ensign today, Christian Courage- The Price of Discipleship. It was excellent, I'd really recommend it to everyone, particularly lately. ;)

I'm not terribly fond of her either actually. Mostly for the fact that she wrote Twilight, which I am not at all fond of.

I'm curious, though, are you guys annoyed with her for different reasons?

By the way, I read one of the talks in the Ensign today, Christian Courage- The Price of Discipleship. It was excellent, I'd really recommend it to everyone, particularly lately. ;)

Well, Twilight is not a story that conforms with much of our church standards... i.e., Edward sneaking into Bella's bed at night, etc.

And all the girls love Edward, which irks me... It's impossible to get a good crush in around here!!:lol:

*hem hem* Let's not let the topic wander to Twilight. This isnt the place for it and we already have a thread for that.

Thanks.

*hem hem* Let's not let the topic wander to Twilight. This isnt the place for it and we already have a thread for that.

Thanks.

k, sorry:(

So... Random LDS Fact of the Day:

There has never been a single LDS asian female that surfed salt in Nevada -- ever. Sorry, that was so random:lol:

I thought you'd all be interested that Joseph Smith's full, unmodified journal in being published (not by the Church).

The church is certainly promoting it on their website though! (article (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/landmark-publication-launches-inaugural-volume-of-joseph-smith-papers-now-available))

EDIT: IT IS ACTUALLY BEING PUBLISHED BY THE CHURCH

Elder Wirthlin passed away last night. He was 91. :sad:

I loved listening to him speak in conference.

story here (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4956387)

:sad: I am glad he passed away peacefully, that he wasn't in any pain or anything. I am going to miss him. He was one of my favorite speakers. I loved his humor and the love you could feel from him. I am so glad I was able to hear him speak one last time. His talk in conference was very special to me. :sad::huggles::huggles:

And his Utes just finished a 12-0 season. So he went out on a high note.

And his Utes just finished a 12-0 season. So he went out on a high note.

Yes. I heard on the news:(

If you think about it, he's gonna go to heaven anyway though, so it's not all sad:)

And yes. The Utes have had that season.

You knew Elder Wirthlin used to play football for the Utes, back in the day, right?

You knew Elder Wirthlin used to play football for the Utes, back in the day, right?

yep

This thread is dead again.........


I listened to the Christmas Devotional up in Salt Lake!:clap:

It was GREAT!!:D

hello????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????

:whistle:

Anyone? About the Christmas Devotional? Or anything at all??!

Sorry, been busy. Patience, Eagles, patience ;)

I watched the Christmas devotional from our stake house with my best friend. I loved it. President Eyering always makes me laugh. His family pageant sounds really cute, especially the part with Samuel the Lamanite and the wicked people trying to knock him off the wall :rotfl:
I really really loved the entire thing. It really helped me get into the Christmas spirit.

After the devotional was over, my stake had a Christmas sing-along, which was more like a play, but still pretty fun.

I missed going to temple square for FHE with my ward last night :sad::sigh: Stupid math final was scheduled for the same time. I'm hoping I'll have a chance to go later this month though. :D

I live about a block away from that temple!!:)

:evil:Muha ha ha

You live relatively close to me then... And closer to most of my friends than I am.

Anyway, I haven't been in here for awhile. How is everyone?

This is in danger of turning into a chat thread - which is not its purpose. You may want to consider starting an LDS social group where you can chat and keep up with each other's lives, etc.

Last night I went to see the annual Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert in SLC. There were some minor kerfuffles that prohibited us from getting into the conference center, but it was broadcast in the Tabernacle. Did anyone else happen to see it? The guest soloist was the incredible Brian Stokes Mitchell, and the guest narrator was Edward Hermann, who gave a stirring recount of the story behind "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". It was really awesome.

Last night I went to see the annual Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert in SLC. There were some minor kerfuffles that prohibited us from getting into the conference center, but it was broadcast in the Tabernacle. Did anyone else happen to see it? The guest soloist was the incredible Brian Stokes Mitchell, and the guest narrator was Edward Hermann, who gave a stirring recount of the story behind "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". It was really awesome.

I didn't go, but my friend's dad is in the choir, so she went and took our friend from work, and they both said it was amazing. :)

I thought I'd just drop in to un-vent a little bit since no one's been in here for while. :D

I turned 14 recently and I'm a Mia Maid now! :clap: But it was really aggravating at first because since my birthday isn't before January 1, I had to stay in the Deacon/Beehive class. I've been in Young Women's for two years, and I didn't really want to be stuck in there with 12-year-olds that just barely got into the Youth prgram. So my lovely, wonderful father talked to the Bishop and he said I could move up. Yaaaay!!! :clap: Now I can be with my friends! :D

And when I went to the class on Sunday, one of the Teachers brought cookies. And then this other one decided to set up a schedule so that every week someone is in charge of bringing a treat. YUS!! :drool: :D

I also just wanted to say how thankful I am for all you. It's really great to be able to talk to some fellow members of the Church on CoS. :huggles:

I thought I'd just drop in to un-vent a little bit since no one's been in here for while. :D

I turned 14 recently and I'm a Mia Maid now! :clap: But it was really aggravating at first because since my birthday isn't before January 1, I had to stay in the Deacon/Beehive class. I've been in Young Women's for two years, and I didn't really want to be stuck in there with 12-year-olds that just barely got into the Youth prgram. So my lovely, wonderful father talked to the Bishop and he said I could move up. Yaaaay!!! :clap: Now I can be with my friends! :D

And when I went to the class on Sunday, one of the Teachers brought cookies. And then this other one decided to set up a schedule so that every week someone is in charge of bringing a treat. YUS!! :drool: :D

I also just wanted to say how thankful I am for all you. It's really great to be able to talk to some fellow members of the Church on CoS. :huggles:

:clap::clap: That's awesome! My little sister became a Laurel a few months ago. Pretty soon she'll be in my ward :wow: Strange thought.

Did anyone get a chance to see that CES fireside on Sunday? I completely forgot about it, but I heard it was really good.

:clap::clap: That's awesome! My little sister became a Laurel a few months ago. Pretty soon she'll be in my ward :wow: Strange thought.
Oh yeah, you're in a singles ward, aren't you? :lol: Yeah, I bet it is weird to think about your sister joining you soon!

Did anyone get a chance to see that CES fireside on Sunday? I completely forgot about it, but I heard it was really good.'
Awww, I didn't even know about it! :( Wish I could've seen it. But there's a youth fireside this Sunday, so that'll be fun. :)

There's a dance next Saturday...my first one...and my mom is making me go. :shrug:

I reeeeeally wish I was in Seminary. It sounds so fun! And a couple of my friends are already in it, and I am so jealous! But I'll bet my dad is glad that he doesn't have to get up at the crack of dawn to take me until next school year. :lol:

I posted it in the Latter-day Saint group as well, but I just had to post it here. I read an article in the Ensign today, about the symbolism behind the parable of the Good Samaritan. I really really enjoyed it, I couldn't stop reading!

Figured I'd post a small excerpt. The entire article can be found here (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d 82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=062a3c7842470110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1).

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves …”

A certain man. Early Christians compared this man to Adam. This connection may have been more obvious in ancient languages than in modern translations. In Hebrew, the word adam means “man, mankind,” “the plural of men,” as well as “Adam” as a proper name.5 Thus, Clement of Alexandria rightly saw the victim in this allegory as representing “all of us.” Indeed, we all have come down as Adams and Eves, subject to the risks and vicissitudes of mortality: “For as in Adam all die …” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Went down. The early Christian writer Chrysostom saw in this phrase the descent of Adam from the garden into this world—from glory to the mundane, from immortality to mortality. The story in Luke 10 implies that the man went down intentionally, knowing the risks that would be involved in the journey. No one forced him to go down to Jericho. He apparently felt that the journey was worth the well-known risks of such travel on the poorly maintained roads in Jesus’s day.6

From Jerusalem. Jesus depicts the person as going down not from any ordinary place but from Jerusalem. Because of the sanctity of the holy temple-city, early Christians readily saw in this element the idea that this person had come down from the presence of God.

To Jericho. Jericho was readily identified with this world. At more than 825 feet (250 m) below sea level, Jericho is the lowest city on earth. Its mild winter climate made it a hedonistic resort area where Herod had built a sumptuous vacation palace. Yet one should note that the traveler in the parable had not yet arrived in Jericho when the robbers attacked. That person was on the steep way down to Jericho, but he had not yet reached bottom.

Fell. It is easy to see here an allusion to the fallen mortal state and to the plight of individual sinfulness: “Yea, all are fallen and are lost” (Alma 34:9).

Among thieves. The early Christian writers variously saw the thieves (or robbers) as the devil and his satanic forces, evil spirits, or false teachers. The Greek word for “robbers” used by Luke implies that these thieves were not casual operators. The traveler was assailed by a band of pernicious highwaymen in a scheming, organized society that acted with deliberate and concerted intent.

“… which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

Stripped him of his raiment. Early Christians sensed that Jesus spoke of something important here. Origen and Augustine saw the loss of the traveler’s garment as a symbol for mankind’s loss of immortality and incorruptibility. Chrysostom spoke of the loss of “his robe of immortality” or “robe of obedience.” Ambrose spoke of the traveler being “stripped of the covering of spiritual grace which we [all] received [from God].”

The attackers apparently wanted the traveler’s clothing, for no mention is made of any wealth or commodities he might be carrying. For some reason, the robbers seem interested in his garment, something brought down from the holy place and something they envy and want to take away.

Wounded. This term was seen as a similitude of the pains of life, travails of the soul, and afflictions due to diverse sins and vices. Indeed, the enemies of the soul leave wounds (see Jacob 2:8–9). Transgression has real effects (see Alma 41:10).

Half dead. The robbers departed, leaving the person precisely “half dead.” We may see in this detail an allusion to the first and second deaths. The person had fallen, had become subject to sin, and had suffered the first death, becoming mortal. But the second death, the permanent separation from God, could still be averted (see Alma 12:32–36).
“And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.”

By chance. The arrival of the Jewish priest was “by chance,” not the result of a conscious search. His presence there was not by anyone’s plan.

A certain priest … and likewise a Levite. The early Christian commentators all saw the priest as symbolizing the law of Moses. In their minds the problem was not that bearers of the Old Testament priesthood did not want to help fallen man, but that the law of Moses did not have the power to save him. Indeed, the law of Moses was only a type and shadow of the Atonement that was yet to come, not its full efficacy (see Mosiah 3:15–17).

The Levite was seen as representing the Old Testament prophets, whose words the Lord came to fulfill (see Matthew 5:17; 3 Nephi 15:2–5). A lesser class of priests, the Levites did chores in the temple. At least this Levite came close to helping; he “came” and saw. He may have wanted to help, but perhaps he viewed himself as too lowly to help; he also lacked the power to save the dying person.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine …”

Samaritan. The early Christian writers unanimously saw the good Samaritan as a representation of Christ. Chrysostom suggests that a Samaritan is an apt depiction of Christ because “as a Samaritan is not from Judea, so Christ is not of this world.”

Jesus’s audience in Jerusalem may well have recognized here a reference by the Savior to Himself. Some Jews in Jerusalem rejected Jesus with the insult, “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan?” (John 8:48). Because Nazareth is across the valley north of Samaria, these two locations could easily be lumped together. And just as the Samaritans were viewed as the least of all humanity, so it was prophesied that the Messiah would be “despised and rejected of men” and “esteemed not” (see Isaiah 53:3).

As he journeyed. It would appear that the Samaritan (representing Christ) was purposely looking for people in need of help. The text does not say that he arrived by happenstance. Origen noted that “he went down intending to rescue and care for the dying man.” The Savior came purposefully with oil and bandages “to bring redemption unto the world” (3 Nephi 9:21).

Compassion. This important word speaks of the pure love of Christ. The Greek word says that the Samaritan’s bowels were moved with deep, inner sympathy. This word is used in the New Testament only when authors wish to describe God’s divine emotions of mercy. It appears prominently in the parables of the unmerciful servant, in which the Lord (representing God) “was moved with compassion” (Matthew 18:27), and of the prodigal son, in which the father (again representing God) saw his son returning and “had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Likewise, the Samaritan represents the divinely compassionate Christ, who suffered so “that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people” (Alma 7:12).

Bound up his wounds. Some early Christians said that the bandages represented love, faith, and hope, “ligatures of salvation which cannot be undone.” Others saw the bands as Christ’s teachings, which bind us to righteousness. Latter-day Saints would add that the rescued person is bound to the Lord through covenants (see D&C 35:24; 43:9).

Oil. An olive oil lotion would have been very soothing. While most of the early Christian writers saw here a symbol of Christ’s words of consolation, Chrysostom saw this as a “holy anointing”—which may refer to several priesthood ordinances, the healing of the sick (see James 5:14), the gift of the Holy Ghost (often symbolized by olive oil), or the anointing of a king or a queen.

Wine. The Samaritan also poured wine onto the open wound to cleanse it. Late Christian writers saw this wine as the word of God—something that stings—but the earlier Christian interpretation associated the wine with the blood of Christ, symbolized by the sacrament (see Matthew 26:27–29; 3 Nephi 18:8–11). This wine, the atoning blood, washes away sin and purifies the soul, allowing God’s Spirit to be with us. In addition to rendering physical help, a truly good Samaritan administers the saving principles and ordinances of the gospel as well. The atoning wine may sting at first, but its effects soon bring healing peace.

“… and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

Set him on his own beast. Christ, fulfilling prophecy, bears our infirmities (see Isaiah 53:4; Alma 7:11). The Samaritan’s beast was thought to symbolize Christ’s body. Being placed on his beast is to believe that God became flesh, bore our sins, and suffered for us.

Inn. For the early Christians this element readily symbolized the Church. An “inn” was “a public house open to all.” A public shelter is comparable to the Church of Christ in several ways. A wayside inn is not the heavenly destination but a necessary aid in helping travelers reach their eternal home.

Took care of him. The Samaritan stayed with the injured person and cared for him personally the first night. He did not turn the injured person over too quickly to the innkeeper but stayed with him through the dark hours. As Origen commented, Jesus cares for the wounded “not only during the day, but also at night. He devotes all his attention and activity to him.”
“And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

On the morrow. Early commentators saw here the idea that Jesus would rise on Resurrection morning. Christ ministered in person to His disciples for a short time. After His Ascension, He left the traveler to be cared for by the Church.

The host. Accordingly, early commentators saw the host, or innkeeper, as Paul or the other Apostles and their successors. If the inn refers to the Church in general, however, the innkeeper and his staff can represent all Church leaders and workers who are entrusted by the Lord to nurture and care for any rescued soul who seeks healing.

When I come again. The Christ-figure openly promises to come again, a ready allusion to the Second Coming of Christ. The Greek word translated “to come again” appears only one other time in the New Testament, in Luke 19:15, referring to the parable of the Lord who would return to judge what the people had done with the money they had been given. That linkage markedly strengthens this allusion to the Second Coming.

Repay or reward. Finally, the innkeeper is promised that all his costs will be covered: “I will reward you for whatsoever you expend.” Perhaps more than any other element in the story, this promise—in effect giving the innkeeper a blank check—has troubled modern commentators who understand this story simply as a real-life event. Who in his right mind would make such an open-ended commitment to a strange innkeeper? But when the story is understood allegorically, this promise makes sense, for the Samaritan (Christ) and his innkeeper already know and trust each other before this promise is given.

Oh yeah, you're in a singles ward, aren't you? :lol: Yeah, I bet it is weird to think about your sister joining you soon!

'
Awww, I didn't even know about it! :( Wish I could've seen it. But there's a youth fireside this Sunday, so that'll be fun. :)

There's a dance next Saturday...my first one...and my mom is making me go. :shrug:

I reeeeeally wish I was in Seminary. It sounds so fun! And a couple of my friends are already in it, and I am so jealous! But I'll bet my dad is glad that he doesn't have to get up at the crack of dawn to take me until next school year. :lol:

There's a dance coming up in February but it's in a different (ward? Stake? I'm not a member of the LDS church) The dances are so much fun. I'm 17, the first one I went to was with my friend, well she's now my best friend but it was in November? Decemberish? It was a really fun experience. Everyone was really nice and the music was so much better than school dances (at least the ones at my school) She's like addicted me to the dances but not only that. I like being around Mormons, it might be wrong of me to say this, and I hope I don't offend anyone but, I'm christian and I am lost beyond all being lost and it seems to me that though most Christians preach and believe in virtue , to me it seems that for the most part only LDS members truly practice it.

I've had a lot of fun experiences being around LDS church members. They make me feel warm and welcoming and see God in a different way, almost as if filling in that hole in my heart that I can't seem to fix. Which has been a recent problem for me since like May of 08.

Last week the 10th we took a tip to another (Stake?) for an event. We did Missionary Training. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. It make me feel like taking up a mission (even though I don't belong to the church). The event itself was 8hrs plus a 2-4 hour drive back but it was sooooooooooooooooooo worth it!




But yeah, you'll have fun at the dance you'll meet a lot of nice and fun loving people. I never regret going to any of the church events held in my ward. It might very well end up changing my life for the better in the near future :) My friend says I spend so much time with her and her church friends that I may very well end up converting, which I think I may, I'm not too sure yet ^^

There's a dance coming up in February but it's in a different (ward? Stake? I'm not a member of the LDS church) The dances are so much fun. I'm 17, the first one I went to was with my friend, well she's now my best friend but it was in November? Decemberish? It was a really fun experience. Everyone was really nice and the music was so much better than school dances (at least the ones at my school) She's like addicted me to the dances but not only that. I like being around Mormons, it might be wrong of me to say this, and I hope I don't offend anyone but, I'm christian and I am lost beyond all being lost and it seems to me that though most Christians preach and believe in virtue , to me it seems that for the most part only LDS members truly practice it.

I've had a lot of fun experiences being around LDS church members. They make me feel warm and welcoming and see God in a different way, almost as if filling in that hole in my heart that I can't seem to fix. Which has been a recent problem for me since like May of 08.

Last week the 10th we took a tip to another (Stake?) for an event. We did Missionary Training. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. It make me feel like taking up a mission (even though I don't belong to the church). The event itself was 8hrs plus a 2-4 hour drive back but it was sooooooooooooooooooo worth it!




But yeah, you'll have fun at the dance you'll meet a lot of nice and fun loving people. I never regret going to any of the church events held in my ward. It might very well end up changing my life for the better in the near future :) My friend says I spend so much time with her and her church friends that I may very well end up converting, which I think I may, I'm not too sure yet ^^

Thank you so much for posting that! That made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :D I love the church. :love: And you're right, all the youth activities are soooooooooo much fun!! :D

I already have one of my friends addicted to church dances even though niether of us have been to one yet. :lol: I tool her to Mutual last week and we learned how to swing dance with the guys. The next day at school, she kept talking about how fun it was. She really wants to go to the dance, but she's not 14 yet, so she can't. :(

:lol: That Mutual activity is the only church activity she's ever been too, but now she wants to come to all of them. She was saying how she wanted to sleep over at my house on Saturday and come to church with us the next day. But the dance is on Saturday, and she can't go, so that wouldn't work out. And once, I mentioned Girls Camp, and she was like, "I wanna go I wanna go!" And on Facebook one of my LDS friends posted a video of us at a Fireside at the Bishop's house and she commented on it and said, "When was this? I wanna gooooooooo!" :lol:

If you ever do join the church, I promise you, it makes life so much better. I don't know what I would do without the church. Where would I be if the church didn't have such high standards? Some people may think that our standards restrict us, but really, they give us freedom. They protect us from making harmful descisions that would impact our lives in a negative way. This church brings me closer to the Savior. It's not just my religion, it's my life. It's who I am. I know that this church is true. And I hope that someday you can know that too. :)

Thank you so much for posting that! That made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :D I love the church. :love: And you're right, all the youth activities are soooooooooo much fun!! :D

I already have one of my friends addicted to church dances even though niether of us have been to one yet. :lol: I tool her to Mutual last week and we learned how to swing dance with the guys. The next day at school, she kept talking about how fun it was. She really wants to go to the dance, but she's not 14 yet, so she can't. :(

:lol: That Mutual activity is the only church activity she's ever been too, but now she wants to come to all of them. She was saying how she wanted to sleep over at my house on Saturday and come to church with us the next day. But the dance is on Saturday, and she can't go, so that wouldn't work out. And once, I mentioned Girls Camp, and she was like, "I wanna go I wanna go!" And on Facebook one of my LDS friends posted a video of us at a Fireside at the Bishop's house and she commented on it and said, "When was this? I wanna gooooooooo!" :lol:

If you ever do join the church, I promise you, it makes life so much better. I don't know what I would do without the church. Where would I be if the church didn't have such high standards? Some people may think that our standards restrict us, but really, they give us freedom. They protect us from making harmful descisions that would impact our lives in a negative way. This church brings me closer to the Savior. It's not just my religion, it's my life. It's who I am. I know that this church is true. And I hope that someday you can know that too. :)

I haven't been to Girls Camp I know one of my friends she went over summer and said it was so much fun.

They may think that the standards are strict, but, I like the standards of they church. I mean there is nothing wrong with living a mondest and virtuous life. Even though I don't go to the church it makes me think about things that I do and the choices that I make.

I went to Young Womens on Wednesday (21st) and it was really interesting. I was lost half the time because they were talking about the Return to Virtue and things I didn't understand. Then they talked about Virture and the 7 Values and I liked it. It was really insightful.

I think slowly I'm beginning to know that the church is true, I still have my doubts because I'm really unsure about a lot of things but I'm getting there. I have my B.O.M so I'll be doing some reading soon ^^

I haven't been to Girls Camp I know one of my friends she went over summer and said it was so much fun.
Yeah, it's a lot of fun. :) You go hiking and swimming and all sorts of fun stuff. And there's a lot of crafts to do too. But there's also the spiritual side to it; every night we have devotionals when our youth leaders teach us a little lesson and there's also a testimony meeting at the very end when all the girls get to bear their testimony if they want to. It's a really great experience every year. You get to meet new people, and your testimony is strengthened too. :)

They may think that the standards are strict, but, I like the standards of they church. I mean there is nothing wrong with living a mondest and virtuous life. Even though I don't go to the church it makes me think about things that I do and the choices that I make.
That's exactly how I feel. The standards of the church may seem strict to other people, but they help you make good choices. Living the standards helps you to live a good, righteous life. And even though some of the standards may not make sense to you at first, they are there for a reason.

For example, one of the standards of the church is to wait to date until you are 16. The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet for the youth of the church also encourages the youth to go in group dates when they first start out and to be careful not to steady date until they're ready.I didn't really understand why it was a good choice to do that until recently. In health class we are learning about social relationships and dating. The health book doesn't say anything about waiting until you're sixteen to date, but it does talk a lot about being responsible about dating and it suggests that you talk with your parents before you start dating because they might want you to wait until your older or set a curfew and stuff like that. The health book also encourages group dating, just like the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet does, and it says that if you want to date just one person then you should talk to your parents about it. Because all of this stuff is in my health book, now I understand a little bit more why we have those dating standards. :)

Another thing the book talks about a lot is practicing abstinence. Remaining sexually pure is a very important standard of the church. And I find it really interesting that a lot of the things we were talking about in health class are standards of the church. Like I said, we have these standards for a reason. :)

I went to Young Womens on Wednesday (21st) and it was really interesting. I was lost half the time because they were talking about the Return to Virtue and things I didn't understand. Then they talked about Virture and the 7 Values and I liked it. It was really insightful.
Yeah, we've been talking about a Return to Virtue a lot in Young Women's too lately. It's because virtue has just recently been added to the list on YW values, along with faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity. I find it really insightful, too. Before now, I hadn't really considered what virtue really means. When some people hear the word virtue, the first thing they think of is chastity, but to me it means a lot more than that. To me, virtue is being pure in mind, body, and spirit. A virtuous person is kind, thoughtful, generous, honest, uplifting, positive, and righteous. And I guess that by talking about a 'return to virtue,' they are saying that we young women need to become virtuous.

I think slowly I'm beginning to know that the church is true, I still have my doubts because I'm really unsure about a lot of things but I'm getting there.
Me too. :) I've grown up in the church, and so for my whole life I've been kind of 'living off of borrowed light,' if you know what I mean. I've only known that the church is true because my parents tell me that it's true. But now I'm getting my own testimony and I know that the church is true for myself. I still have a lot of spiritual growing to do, but I'm getting there too. ;)

I have my B.O.M so I'll be doing some reading soon ^^
:huggles: The BoM is awesome! I've actually only read it through all the way once by myself, but I really enjoyed reading it and I know that it's true. Some stories and verses in the BoM really hit me hard, and in some parts I even started to cry. :D

ETA:

Forgot to say, I went to that dance a few weeks ago and you're right, it was awesoooooooooooooome! :D It was only a little bit awkward, but maybe that awkwardness will go away after I've been to more dances. Anyway, it was soooooooooo much fun! :love: I'm on the commitee to help plan the next one, and I can't wait to get started! :D

Yeah, it's a lot of fun. :) You go hiking and swimming and all sorts of fun stuff. And there's a lot of crafts to do too. But there's also the spiritual side to it; every night we have devotionals when our youth leaders teach us a little lesson and there's also a testimony meeting at the very end when all the girls get to bear their testimony if they want to. It's a really great experience every year. You get to meet new people, and your testimony is strengthened too. :)

Yeah so I've heard. It's too bad that I won't be able to go :(...I'm getting up there in my later teenage years ;) ^^


That's exactly how I feel. The standards of the church may seem strict to other people, but they help you make good choices. Living the standards helps you to live a good, righteous life. And even though some of the standards may not make sense to you at first, they are there for a reason.

For example, one of the standards of the church is to wait to date until you are 16. The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet for the youth of the church also encourages the youth to go in group dates when they first start out and to be careful not to steady date until they're ready.I didn't really understand why it was a good choice to do that until recently. In health class we are learning about social relationships and dating. The health book doesn't say anything about waiting until you're sixteen to date, but it does talk a lot about being responsible about dating and it suggests that you talk with your parents before you start dating because they might want you to wait until your older or set a curfew and stuff like that. The health book also encourages group dating, just like the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet does, and it says that if you want to date just one person then you should talk to your parents about it. Because all of this stuff is in my health book, now I understand a little bit more why we have those dating standards. :)

Another thing the book talks about a lot is practicing abstinence. Remaining sexually pure is a very important standard of the church. And I find it really interesting that a lot of the things we were talking about in health class are standards of the church. Like I said, we have these standards for a reason. :)


Mhm I wish schools would take that approach to teaching about sex because really they only graze the details of how to practice abstinence if not at all. I had to take health last year, my junior year because I've never had it in high school as of then, and it's normally a freshman class but wow, they barely go through anything in that class, and they really need to because we have a lot of pregnant girls at my school. One of them got pregnant while she was in the 8th grade. It is really sad. :(


Yeah, we've been talking about a Return to Virtue a lot in Young Women's too lately. It's because virtue has just recently been added to the list on YW values, along with faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity. I find it really insightful, too. Before now, I hadn't really considered what virtue really means. When some people hear the word virtue, the first thing they think of is chastity, but to me it means a lot more than that. To me, virtue is being pure in mind, body, and spirit. A virtuous person is kind, thoughtful, generous, honest, uplifting, positive, and righteous. And I guess that by talking about a 'return to virtue,' they are saying that we young women need to become virtuous.

Yeah that's what they were saying. They are going to be doing a presentation or something of the sorts on it sometime this month and I really want to go if I can :) I have to figure out when it is going to be first lol. I really do like going to the church and Young Womens even if it is only a little bit ^^


Me too. :) I've grown up in the church, and so for my whole life I've been kind of 'living off of borrowed light,' if you know what I mean. I've only known that the church is true because my parents tell me that it's true. But now I'm getting my own testimony and I know that the church is true for myself. I still have a lot of spiritual growing to do, but I'm getting there too. ;) Yeah that is why I've been so unstable about my spiritual life because I've grown up in the chruch that I go to now and something just doesn't seem there, like I'm "thirsting" for something more than what I get there =/. I'm almost pretty sure that by the time I graduate I'll have figured out which church is the one I belong to.


:huggles: The BoM is awesome! I've actually only read it through all the way once by myself, but I really enjoyed reading it and I know that it's true. Some stories and verses in the BoM really hit me hard, and in some parts I even started to cry. :D
I haven't read it all the way through, I've read certain parts of Moroni though, but that's just about it. I always know where it is in case I decide to start reading.


ETA:

Forgot to say, I went to that dance a few weeks ago and you're right, it was awesoooooooooooooome! :D It was only a little bit awkward, but maybe that awkwardness will go away after I've been to more dances. Anyway, it was soooooooooo much fun! :love: I'm on the commitee to help plan the next one, and I can't wait to get started! :D

My first dance was awkward too lol. But after a couple more dances you'll get used to it. The second one becomes less awkward and things slowly become more comfortable. It may take a few dances, but you are 14 so you have LOTS more dances to look forward to :)

New thread here (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=119413).