Why do I cry when I feel the spirit?

BJ, from Utah

Dear BJ,

To be in the presence of the Holy Spirit is a highly emotional experience. His spirit speaks to our spirit. When we get in touch with our spiritual selves so that the spirit rather than the desires of the flesh dominate our thinking and our feelings, there is the recognition that we are standing on holy ground, in the presence of Deity. In that sacred environment we tend to be overcome with emotion.

Gramps

I had a question come up in my 16-17 year old Sunday school class that I am having difficulties answering. We where talking about the two forms of death physical and spiritual, when one of my young students me asked about Adam and Eve and the two commandments given them in the Garden of Eden: – “…multiply and replenish the earth…” – “…do not eat of the tree of knowledge…” His question was why would God give Adam and Eve two conflicting commands (i.e. there was noway to keep both of them). I was not able to give him a very good answer and told him I would research it and get back to him. Thus this E-mail is part of my research. If any of you could send me any references or enlighten me we something other than that just thats the way it was, I would appreciate it. Thanks for your help in advance. Regards,

Russ, from New Jersey

Dear Russ,

Indeed the Lord gave to Adam and Eve conflicting commandments. He did that in order to establish their free agengy by requiring them to choose between two alternatives. Since the two commandments were opposed to one another, they had to decide which to obey, because they could not obey both of them. Thus they were forced to excercise their free agency in choosing between alternatives. Jacob clearly explains this circumstance in 2 Nephi 2:14-16.

. . . And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, . . . it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

Gramps

I am wondering what some of your thoughts are on marriage. I’m 20 years old and about to make that very important decision. We’ve dated over a year. Is it normal to get very scared as marriage becomes real and as I discuss it with my boyfriend? I know he is a man of God, so I don’t understand why I’m so scared. I know he loves me, but how do I know if I love him? Sometimes I wonder if it’s love that I feel, but I don’t understand why I wouldn’t love my boyfriend because he is such a good guy and completely worthy of taking me to the temple. What do these feelings mean?

Brittney, from Idaho

Dear Brittney,

You are talking about the most important decision that you will make in your entire life. (There! Does that make you feel any better?) This decision has far reaching consequences into the eternities, and it will affect generations to come. Because of that, not only is this decision one of deepest concern for yourself and your boyfriend, but it is of vital concern to your Father in Heaven, as well. He has a plan for you; your life here is not just left to chance.

It is not at all uncommon in the face of such decisions to entertain some doubts as to whether to go ahead or not. But if you lack some confidence in yourself to make such decisions, have instead confidence in the Lord. No doubt you have made this matter the subject of sincere prayer, and yet you still wonder what to do. Let’s talk for a minute about two concepts-faith, and the answers to prayers.

If you have faith, which in some sense is the opposite of doubt, you will act with confidence on the knowledge that you have. As you look objectively at your situation, it appears to be very positive-”I know that he is a man of God, and I know that he loves me.” Based on that knowledge and the impressions of your experience together, you can make a decision. Faith then would be to act on that decision. Once the decision is made, don’t revisit it unless the relevant circumstances change.

Now concerning the answer to prayer- Some people think that prayer is answered by a burning in the bosom, as in (D&C 9:8),

But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.That is true, but those kind of answers are generally reserved for things like translating the Book of Mormon and other sacred experiences where choices among alternatives must be made. The procedure, however, is appropriate in a general sense- you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right-but the answer may come in ways much more subtle than a burning in the bosom. A much more common way in which prayers are answered is given in D&C 8:2

Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

This means that we will think it’s a good idea (the mind) and that we will feed good about it (the heart). If that is the case in your situation, accept it and get on with it. The self doubts, nervousness and jittery feels you can attribute to the feeble attempts of the Adversary to dissuade you from an inspired course of action, and dismiss them.

Gramps

My mother is a member of the church, and she has taken out her own endowments, and my brother too, who went on a mission following this sacred event. She was also sealed to my deceased father and sealed to my brother also. My brother served his mission and is back. They have fallen away and don’t see this. My mother now listens to some guy on the radio who is preaching false doctrines and she believes his counselings and is applying these things to our teachings. She gets mad at me when I tell her she is wrong. Should I tell her bishop? I told her I believe she could lose her membership of the church if she doesn’t stop, am I right? She said she’s got friends and this would never happen! I have a testimony, I know there is a living prophet, my mom doesn’t like me and never did, it was tough being her child.

Laura, from New Jersey

Dear Laura,

Whether or not your mother and brother would lose their membership in the Church is a secondary issue. Membership is not the key, but rather obedience to the principles of the gospel. If they believe the false doctrine preached in the sectarian world, then they do not believe in the truths that are essential for salvation, and unless they repent their salvation is indeed in jeopardy.

Now, should you tell her that the is wrong? Do you think it will do any good? Perhaps a much better course would be, in spite of what you think your mother feels toward you, to show all the love, acceptance and support that you can. I don’t mean acceptance of her way of thinking, but acceptance of her as a person. Each one has a right to believe as they wish, and the influence that we have on others is much more powerful through our actions than through our words.

If you could show your mother that you love her in spite of your differences, she would be both pleased and honored, and would be much more amenable to share ideas with you than if an adversarial relationship existed. Further, it would be appropriate to plead with our Father in Heaven every day that he would soften your mother’s heart toward the gospel so that her testimony of the truth could be renewed. It may take some time. We shouldn’t expect immediate results, but the prayer of faith availeth much.

Gramps

I feel pretty discouraged when I pray in “someone else’s” behalf and the prayer never seems to get answered. I was listening to a talk radio show that discussed prayer and it was mentioned that God doesn’t answer prayers, we answer them ourselves in some way. Sometimes I wonder if God DOES answer prayers.

Shirley, from Colorado

Dear Shirley,

Let me ask you a few questions. Do believe that God exists and that he is the Father of the spirits of mankind?

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9).

Do you believe that the Bible, Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are the word of God?

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:15).

And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith (Alma 31:38).

And, as it is written–Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive (D&C 29:6).

Do you believe that Joseph Smith was telling the truth when he said,

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. (Joseph Smith History 1:13-14)

So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally

And do you believe that in answer to that prayer he

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 other–This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith History 1:17)

Or, do you believe in talk radio shows?

Gramps

questions:

1) In Leviticus, chapter 12, it refers to the time a woman was considered unclean after giving birth. Why was that length of time twice as long for the birth of a baby girl than for a baby boy?

2) Have you any idea what would be considered a reasonable amount of time for a person to be able to forgive and heal emotionally when their spouse has been unfaithful to temple marriage covenants and/or been abuse to the family?

Michelle, from Utah

Dear Michelle,

As to question No. 1, I have no idea.

As to question No. 2, the amount of time for such healing and forgiving would depend strictly on the individual, on how closely they live to the Lord in order to understand the great principle of forgiveness that he exemplified in his life and through the effects of his great atoning sacrifice. He said on one occasion, while hanging on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). And on another, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10).

Gramps

Have you ever seen Satan? Have you ever seen God or Jesus? If you are honest, you will answer, “no.” I have to ask myself whether or not Mormons should believe Joseph Smith did. The church doesn’t like us to talk about it, but he did have a reputation for telling tall tales. Why should Mormons believe him?

M.J.

Dear M.J.

Many derogatory things have been said about the Prophet, Joseph Smith. As a matter of fact, he was told by the Angel Moroni, whom he saw, “that [his] name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people” (Joseph Smith-History 1:33). If I were you, I would check my sources very carefully before I subscribed to such derogatory comments about the Prophet.

There are about ten million Mormons who not only believe that Joseph Smith actually saw God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, but who have themselves received witnesses from God that he actually did see them. You could also come to know these things, receiving a true witness of them from the Father if you sincerely desired to know, rather than trying in a vain attempt to prove that they are not so.

-Gramps

I’ve written before and I have another question. Is there an official church position in regard to tatoos? Before I joined the church I had one and am considering having it removed. Also, how about things like rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgery? I can see how it would be considered wrong but just wondered if there was any official statement. Thanks,

Tanya, from New Jersey

Dear Tanya,

If we consider who we are as children of our Father in Heaven, we come to understand that the body itself is a sacred organism, as it is made in the very likeness of God. It then becomes rather obvious that mutilation or desecration of the body in any form is a sacrilege and should be avoided. I would imagine that tattooing and body piercing (so much in vogue today) would be considered as defiling the body, against which Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 3:17.

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

In some cases, to correct deformities or other abnormalities, cosmetic surgery would seem to be an appropriate procedure. However, if a person would change his or her appearance merely out of vanity, the vanity itself would be the sin. I would imagine that the decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery would rest with the individual involved; and, as suggested above, may be justified in some cases and not in others.

-Gramps

What is the Church’s belief on Suicide? A Catholic friend of mine recently took his own life and his wife and child asked me what our church believed is his fate. Their Priests said because he took his own life he was going to hell. How can I help this family?

Michael, from Washington

Dear Michael,

In the first place, I believe that the only way that you could help your Catholic friend in such a circumstance as this is to have the missionaries teach him the truth about heaven and hell, about the three degrees of glory, and about the loving mercy of our Father in Heaven in providing all the blessings for His children that they are capable of receiving. The deep grieving of the adherents of the secular religions over what appears to be the tragic loss of loved ones is understandable in view of their mistaken beliefs of the nature of God and man, and of the great plan of salvation.

Concerning the Church’s view on suicide, Let me quote from a message of the First Presidency–

“There is another evil that is growing amongst the peoples of the world that is not unfelt amidst the Latter-day Saints. It is the crime of self-murder. Suicide should be made odious among the people of God, it should be emphasized as a deadly sin, and no undue feelings of tenderness toward the unfortunate dead, or of sympathy towards the living bereaved, should prevent us denouncing it as a crime against God and humanity, against the Creator and the creature. It is true that the exact enormity of the act is not defined with minute detail in the Holy Scriptures, or the limits of its punishment given; but to believers in the God whom we worship it has always been regarded as a sin of great magnitude” (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.3, p.88 – p. 89.)

And from President Spencer W. Kimball–

“Suicide is no escape. Suicide can only add another great crime to those already committed. It cannot alleviate any distress but can double or treble or quadruple it. It does not postpone the day of retribution nor of sorrow very long, for one plunges immediately from time into eternity, from mortality into the spirit world, and he goes with all his faculties, his mentality, his attitudes, his weaknesses, and his strengths” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.187.)

Withall, we should be careful in making judgment. While we can easily differenciate between righteous and unrighteous actions, we may not always be in a position to judge if a person is responsible for his actions. We read in Samuel that

“The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7.)

-Gramps

Is there any official Church statement or quote from the brethren concerning talking about Church doctrine outside of Church sanctioned meetings. It seems I heard something like this, that it is requested so we don’t start talking about things we shouldn’t or start making speculations, etc.

Steve, from Utah

Dear Steve,

If we weren’t to talk about Church doctrine outside of Church sanctioned meetings, we might as well leave all the scriptures and official Church publications in the church buildings. We could assign missionaries different class rooms in which to teach, and the members could bring the investigators there to be taught. They could progress from one classroom to another for each of the six lessons, then proceed to the baptismal font to be baptized. We could then swear them to secrecy to never mention outside of the Church building what they had learned.

Perhaps, however, you didn’t mean Church doctrine, but rather speculations about doctrinal issues. To speculate about doctrine suggests that we are talking about things that we don’t really understand, and are guessing at what they may mean. If this is what you refer to, it would probably be a good idea not to propound any ideas, whether religious or not, unless we felt that we knew what we were talking about. The amazing amount of misinformation that is passed around about Church doctrine and practice is more than evident by the many questions we entertain in this column.

-Gramps

I remember in talking about Satan having dominion over the waters, who said this? and someone else saying that in the last days even the airways will will be cursed. Do you know who said this?

Dear Linda,

On 9 August, 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith, with ten elders of the Church, began a journey from Independence, Missouri to Kirtland, Ohio. The Prophet recorded the following about this experience in his journal:

“Many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine’s Bend, Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, saw the destroyer in his most terrible power, ride upon the face of the waters; others heard the noise, but saw not the vision” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, Vol 1, p. 206.)

Following the recording of this account, on August 12, the prophet received the revelation identified as Section 61 in the Doctrine and Covenants. Part of that revelation refers specifically to the power of the Adversary “upon the waters.”

Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters. Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart. . . . And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all, that you shall forewarn your brethren concerning these waters, that they come not in journeying upon them, lest their faith fail and they are caught in snares; I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree. Wherefore, let those concerning whom I have spoken, that should take their journey in haste–again I say unto you, let them take their journey in haste. And it mattereth not unto me, after a little, if it so be that they fill their mission, whether they go by water or by land; let this be as it is made known unto them according to their judgments hereafter. (D&C 61:14-22).

That statement about the airways being cursed is a new one on me.

-Gramps

I have heard that in the Council Room of the Twelve Apostles (which is in the Salt Lake Temple, I believe), there hangs a portrait of every prophet of this dispensation… but at the head of the table, alongside the portrait of Joseph Smith, there is a portrait of Hyrum.

Question 1: NOBODY I have asked locally knows which portraits these are, and I would really like to know which exact images are there, and who the artist(s) is/are.

Question 2: If indeed, Joseph and Hyrum are the duel key-holders to this dispensation, and hold a shared position of honor, why is Hyrum so little mentioned? I know he is honored, just by the fact that his posterity have played major roles in leading this church even to the present day (Elder Ballard is his descendant.) You can therefore understand why I was very pleased to see the Feb. 2000 Ensign feature about Hyrum. The only other real resource about Hyrum is the book by Brother Corbett… but there is not a source to be found on the Internet, not a web page, nothing, which specifically deals with the life of Hyrum Smith. I guess I just want to know why he isn’t honored more, or spoken of more, like Brigham and Joseph and Parley P. Pratt and all the other early “greats.”

Kate, from Michigan

Dear Kate,

Hyrum, who chose to remain out of the limelight in service to his brother and to the Church, probably would have wanted it that way, and perhaps the Lord is acceeding to his wishes in the matter.

As to portraits of the prophets in the Council Room in the Salt Lake Temple, I could not tell you. However, there are portraits of both Hyrum and Joseph in the grand hallway on the first floor, both apparently executed by the same artist.

-Gramps

I am pretty worry, because in all my friends’ patriarcal blessing it’s written that the Lord prepares a good husband for them n’ that one day they gonna get married. But in mine, there is nothing about that. Does it mean that I won’t get married?

Gloria, from the Univsity of Geneva

Dear Gloria,

Not at all!! The patriarchal blessing is a revelation of God to the person receiving the blessing. It may be used for instruction, guidance, direction and comfort in one’s life. However, all the blessings mentioned in a partriarchal blessings are conditioned upon the faith and obedience of the recipient, and a patriarchal blessing never pretents to be a predictor of all things. Much will happen in your life that is not mentioned in your patriarchal blessing. And those things what will happen will be the result of your own faith, diligence and obedience, or they will be the result of the lack of those life-giving qualities.

So, if you live a life of faith and obedience, and appeal to the Lord for his guidance and direction in achieving the worthy goals to which you aspire, God will surely help and guide you in bringing them about.

-Gramps

I do have a question for you! I remember being taught at some point that as LDS we were discouraged from being organ doners. If this is correct (and I might have just heard something wrong) could you please tell me why? Are there scriptures or have the prophets said something to this effect? Thank you in advance.

Margaret, from Utah

Dear Margaret,

If you have been taught that the Church discourages organ donation, you were being taught the opinion of some individual. Here is the statement from the General Handbook of Instructions on organ donation. “Whether an individual chooses to will his own bodily organs or authorizes the transplant of organs from a deceased family member is a decision for the individual or the deceased member’s family. The decision to receive a donated organ should be made with competent medical counsel and confirmation through prayer” (General Handbook of Instructions, 11-6).

-Gramps

In my Patriarchal Blessing there was not a tribe mentioned. Do you know what this means? Thanks

Lorraine, from California

Dear Lorraine,

It has no significance. Normally, one’s tribe is mentioned in a patriarchah blessing. It would not be out of place for you to visit your patriarch, and ask him if it would be appropriate for him to declare your lineage as an addendum to the blessings.

-Gramps

Bob, from Utah

Dear Bob,

Certainly at least some of the General Authorities receive a compensation for their services, as may be needed to sustain themselves and their families. However, although it could be said that they are employed in the ministry, nevertheless, they are all administrators. The lay ministry of the Church consists of its bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents and all those who under their direction preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. None of them receive a salary for their services, and all service is provided on a voluntary basis.

To accuse the church of not having a lay ministry because of the few general administrators who receive a compensation is no more logical than to claim that the sectarian churches do have a lay ministry because there may be here and there an individual priest or pastor who donates his services to their church.

-Gramps

Last month I was baptized into the LDS church. I would like to know if it is appropriate for an LDS family to display in their home a picture of The Last Supper. I notice that this is not a picture sold in the local LDS bookstore.

Barbara, from Washington

Dear Barbara,

Congratulations on your new membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a new member, let me suggest something to you about this column. We are happy to give our opinion on matters that people write in about, and we will attempt to answer your question; but this column is nothing more or less than the opinion of one individual, without any authoritative connection to the Church. (In fact, it was started merely as a family affair, to try to answer some of the questions of my own grandchildren, but has grown like Topsy to something unrelated to its original purpose). If you have any concerns as you begin your travels in the Lord’s kingdom (and, by the way, it will be an exciting and eye opening journey, whose destination is even beyond our own imagination) the place to go for the answers to all your questions is to your own bishop. He has been ordained and set apart with special gifts of discernment, and is actually the Lord’s representative to the members of his ward. He will give you authoritative answers to all your questions.

Now to an unauthoritative answer- There are no restrictions in the Church to displaying in the home any representation of the Savior or of his activities. There is no doubt in my mind that the great artists and the composers of great music were inspired by the Lord in their work, and have done much to elevate and ennoble mankind; and we can be lifted toward God by our appreciation of their great work.

-Gramps

I am always arguing with my mother on The Book of Mormon and other LDS issues. She is a nonmember who tries to prove that Joseph Smith is a fraud and that the whole church is a fraud. I love her arguing because it makes my testimony stronger every day. My question is that last night I had a dream that we were arguing about Joseph Smith and she told me he was in it for the money and that is the only reason he conned every one. I told her that he wasn’t in it for the money. I said “He was born a poor man and he died a poor man.” After waking up this morning I could not believe how real this was. But I keep questioning my dream. Did he die a poor man? I am not sure if he did. But if he did then I will be calling my mother to let her know.

Jesse

Dear Jesse,

The Prophet Joseph was in no way a wealthy man. He had only three years of formal schooling because of the necessity of working to help support his family. He was told by the Lord in a revelation that gaining wealth was not his strength. He was told that in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling (D&C 24:9). He was in debt at the time of his death. In fact, In January 1851 a judgement was entered against his heirs requiring foreclosure on the property that he had owned in order to pay off his debts. (Dallin H. Oaks and Joseph I. Bentley, BYU Studies, Vol. 19).

-Gramps

My husband and I teach an adult institute class on the History of the Church. Someone asked us what happened to Hyrum Smith’s five children that he had by his first wife Jerusha. Jerusha died and then Hyrum married Mary Fielding who was the mother of Joseph F. Smith our sixth president of the church. Can you help us?

Dina in Colorado

Dear Dina,

Actually, Hyrum and Jerusha had six children. The following information is from–

Smith, Lucy Mack. “The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by his Mother.” Edited by Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996.

Children of Hyrum Smith and Jerusha Barden Smith (died Oct. 13, 1837, at Kirtland, Ohio),

1) Lovina, Born Sept. 16, 1827; died Oct. 8, 1876

2) Mary, Born June 27, 1829; died May 29, 1832

3) John, Born Sept. 22, 1832

4) Second Hyrum, Born April 27, 1834; died Sept. 21, 1841

5) Jerusha, Born Jan. 13, 1836

6) Sarah, Born Oct. 2, 1837; died Nov. 6, 1876

Children of Hyrum and Mary Fielding Smith, his second wife.

1) Fourth Joseph F. Born Nov. 13, 1838

2) Martha Ann Born May 14, 1841

-Gramps

I was wondering, what is the church’s stand on hypnosis? Or do they have one? Is it okay to use to overcome bad habits? Would you be making yourself vulnerable to someone else’s suggestion, thus your free agency? I’m just not clear on this. Would it depend on the idividual, the situation, and a prayerful decision? Any enlightenment on this would be appreciated. Thanks,

LN, from Utah

Dear LN,

Hypnosis is often used in the entertainment world, frequently to invoke embarrassing situations that are supposed to be perceived as humorous. I would recommend staying completely away from all such demonstrations. However, in the hands of trained and responsible professionals hypnotism can be a valuable tool in restoring memory, influencing the involuntary response system, and in treating certain ailments. In a letter addressed to Dr. Leslie Cooper on 7 October 1974, Church Commissioner of Health, Dr. James O. Mason, noted that the First Presidency had cleared the following statement on hypnosis: “The Church regards the use of hypnosis under competent, professional supervision for the treatment of disease as wholly a medical question. The Church advises members against participation in hypnosis demonstrations.”

-Gramps