The Problem of Evil

[Cerebrum123]

The Bible does say to be baptized, BUT it is not NECESSARY to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a sign that one is "reborn" but it is not necessary for salvation either. Remember the thief on the cross? He did not have the Holy Spirit nor was he baptized (as far as we know) yet Jesus told him that he (the criminal) would be with him (Jesus) that day in paradise. LDS teachings puts requirements where they do not belong.

In regards to the priesthood, in traditional Christian faith, authority is found in the Bible and the Bible alone - not in a person who carries the title of the priest. A human priest is inadequate. That is why that model was done away with when Christ came. He is our priest; our mediator and he "holds all the keys of the priesthood." In LDS teachings are you able to come before Jesus Christ and pray to him on your own or do you have to go through the priests? If you do not have to go through the priests, then what is their purpose?

He will reject the thief on the cross example for one of two reasons, 1 we don't "know" that he wasn't baptized, and 2, the LDS believe in "proxy baptisms for the dead" so he can just claim that he was baptized after death by some Mormon.

[jethrorlz]

He will reject the thief on the cross example for one of two reasons, 1 we don't "know" that he wasn't baptized, and 2, the LDS believe in "proxy baptisms for the dead" so he can just claim that he was baptized after death by some Mormon.

Oh...well there goes that example...

[jethrorlz]

I'd like to address more along the lines of the topic of this thread.

Does the Bible teach that the whole concept of evil will be erased from existence at some point?

Did the concept of evil exist before Adam and Eve were placed in the GofE?

Will the concept still exist after the end of the world?

First, one must make distinctions or define terms. Evil, as I understand it, is the result of sin. Sin is the result of disobedience towards God. Sin was not something that was created, just like love, hate, or passion. These are feelings and emotions. To sin is to make a decision that overtly disobeys something that God commanded. To answer the question, I guess that would depend on when Satan was rebuked from Heaven (according to traditionally Christianity). In eternity past, I would say no. The Trinity has existed in eternal past and there is no sin/evil with the Triune Godhead.

The Bible says that in the New Kingdom that will be established after the second coming of Christ, there will be no pain, no sorrow, no tears. So no, I don't believe that evil will exist in the New Kingdom to come.

[One Bad Pig]

I am currently fighting cancer. I have been for almost 2 years now. It is a life and death struggle at times and I have been very near death several times. At times it is "all I can do" to hold on, to cling to life, to show a brave face to my children and my wife, to trust God that he knows what he is doing, to trust that God loves me though I have suffered a great deal at times, to keep hope alive though so many hopes have been dashed. But after all this, after I can do and have done and all my struggling, I know for a fact, like I know the feel of the sun on my face, that it is by His grace that I am yet alive, and if I remain on this earth to finish raising my family, and seeing them through the difficulties of their formative years, it will by the grace of God, in the final analysis, that my life is spared as I would desire it to be.

Similarly, after all my spiritual struggling, my repentance, my impatience and my patience, my frustrations and my peace, my service to my family, my prayers, by expressions of love to family and loved ones, my expression of love to my Father in Heaven, my appreciation for Jesus Christ and his atonement, my charities, my bearing witness of God's power, etc. After all these things that I can do and have done, and continue to do, yet in the final analysis, I know for a fact that it is by God's Grace that I am saved.

With this attitude, there's hope for you yet!

[nrajeff]

With this attitude, there's hope for you yet!

He still believes the things about God and Jesus and Smith that you brand false, un-Christian heresies that will cause God to send such believers into hell forever.

[Cow Poke]

He still believes the things about God and Jesus and Smith that you brand false, un-Christian heresies that will cause God to send such believers into hell forever.

That doesn't keep us from being impressed by his positive attitude regarding his physical condition, Jeff.

[One Bad Pig]

He still believes the things about God and Jesus and Smith that you brand false, un-Christian heresies

I know.

that will cause God to send such believers into hell forever.

I think I'll let God decide who goes to hell.

[nrajeff]

That doesn't keep us from being impressed by his positive attitude regarding his physical condition, Jeff.

Then the "There's hope for you yet" comment was in reference to.....?

[nrajeff]

I think I'll let God decide who goes to hell.

If only all anti-LDS people could be so magnanimous and be really, honestly sincere when they said it.

[Cow Poke]

If only all anti-LDS people could be so magnanimous and be really, honestly sincere when they said it.

I've said it all along!

[Cerebrum123]

I agree with OBP on that one, and I am sincere too. However, I do NOT like the idea of Joseph Smith getting to decide who goes to the "best" heaven.

[Cow Poke]

I agree with OBP on that one, and I am sincere too. However, I do NOT like the idea of Joseph Smith getting to decide who goes to the "best" heaven.

Let not your heart be troubled. Smith isn't going to be checking anybody's ID at the gate.

[Cerebrum123]

Let not your heart be troubled. Smith isn't going to be checking anybody's ID at the gate.

Yeah, I know, just don't understand why ANYONE could think that was a "good thing".
Just like it bothers me that Muslims believe that they will get 72 eternally virgin women to be with in heaven. Basically makes "Allah" a (this I don't think will be moderated, but if it is I apologize in advance) "pimp".

[Cow Poke]

Just like it bothers me that Muslims believe that they will get 72 eternally virgin....

I thought that was 72 Angry Virginians!

[Cerebrum123]

I thought that was 72 Angry Virginians!

Um, no. Some of the speculations on what Muslims are going to be doing in heaven are rather disturbing, and these are by MODERN Islamic scholars, and all they seem to be thinking about is how beautiful(they think about some other rather disturbing topics I'd rather not bring up as well) these virgins are, and other um.... unusual ideas of how their own bodies will be in heaven.