Gramps,

When does Armageddon begin? Is it at the beginning of the opening of the seventh seal or at the end of the sixth seal?

John

Dear John,

What’s the difference? In the sequence, A-C, after A is before C. However, if we have A-B-C, and B would be a given time interval, then your question would make sense. However, such exact time lines are not generally given in the scriptures.

Gramps

——————–

Gramps,

Why did Jesus have marks on his hands feet and wrists from being crucified after he was resurrected?

John

Dear John,

Undoubtedly those sacred marks were permitted to be retained to demonstrate and verify that the person who stood before his audience was indeed the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who had been cruelly put to death in the most public of demonstrations, and as no other person in history before him had done, he was made alive again–an immortal being. We read in Luke 24:39

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have

And there is an extended passage in Doctrine and Covenants 45:48-53 which demonstrates that He will carry those marks until he appears in the glorious resurrection, and demonstrates to the Jews that it was indeed him whom they had crucified.

And then shall the Lord set his foot upon this mount, and it shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens also shall shake. And the Lord shall utter his voice, and all the ends of the earth shall hear it; and the nations of the earth shall mourn, and they that have laughed shall see their folly. And calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed; and they that have watched for iniquity shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God. And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.  

Gramps 

—————–

Gramps,

When serving your country in the army are you punished for the killing of other soldiers? Also are you punished for the killing of civilians during war?

Dear John,

It is a righteous act to defend one’s self, one’s family, and one’s country from unrighteous oppression. Some of the greatest military leaders were the greatest prophets of the Lord. At times they were specifically instructed by the Lord to be merciless in destroying their enemies. Witness the command of the Lord to Saul, when He sent him against the Amalekites. (1 Sam 15:2-3).

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.  

In my patriarchal blessing, that I received on the same morning that I enlisted in the US Army Air Force at the beginning of World War II, I was told, “seek not to shed blood wantonly, but do your duty to defend this land as a land of liberty and a land of righteousness.” 

Gramps

————-

Gramps,

Is it ok to join the Freemasons? Like Joseph Smith Did?

John

Dear John,

There is no proscription in the Mormon Church against joining the Freemasons. However, neither is there ay purpose. The Mormon Church Priesthood and Auxiliary organizations with the opportunities for service and fellowship there should provide the most acceptable avenue for those two aspects of human behavior. Further, one is the organization of God and the other is the organization of men, since both have similar philanthropic goals and purposes, it would seem highly preferable to maintain one’s loyalty and reserve one’s time for activity in the Lord’s kingdom.

Gramps,

———————

Gramps,

Is it ok to date several months before turning sixteen years old?

John

Dear John,

You are apparently aware of the counsel of the General Authorities of the Mormon Church to young people not to date until after their sixteenth birthday, and you are asking me if it is all right, do disobey that counsel? Of course not!! It is the rankest folly to try to put your own carnal interests at more value than the words of the prophet of the Lord, and it will inevitable lead to two great difficulties. One, the Lord will not hold guiltless anyone who knowingly violates the commandments and counsels of his servants, the prophets; and two, you will suffer the natural consequences of acting foolishly against the advice of those who counsel you in the Lord’s kingdom.

Gramps

—————–

ÂÂ