Thank you for your post. I am honored that you have taken time to respond. I am an individual that is very driven with logic. I find, especially in the Gospel of John, the logic Jesus uses in dealing with the Scribes and Pharisees to be of great interest and importance – usually pointing to a singular conclusion quite different than what is generally excepted by those in authority at the time. It is also interesting to me that his logic and suggestions greatly inflamed the Scribes and Pharisees.DarkJedi wrote: ↑03 Sep 2022, 18:04I agree with Old Timer here Watcher. By your own admission your questions are loaded, and clearly designed to bring us to one answer - your point of view. The flaw is that some of your questions could have different answers than what is taught in Sunday School. For example, I don't necessarily believe we're fallen from grace and that's not the meaning of the fall of Adam. Either way, I believe the so called fall was necessary and planned and part of what we all knew and agreed to in the premortal council, and it was not a horrible tragedy.Old-Timer wrote: ↑02 Sep 2022, 22:00 Also, if the purpose is to try to preach a particular view or just a mental exercise with doctrines as the foundation, this is not the right forum. This is a support group, not primarily a place merely to discuss or debate doctrine. Doctrinal discussions occur, but it should be in the context of our mission.
That said I also agree with Roy. I hope and believe my reunion with my Heavenly Parents will be a wondrous event beyond mortal description. The God who weeps does so not because we have offended God with sin but because of that which we have had to endure.
I will try to explain some of my logic. As a scientist I find that our universe is very hostile towards mortal life as we understand it. It appears to me that mortal life is a great exception in our universe and not and inevitable evolutionary conclusion. I say this as a believer in evolution - that all life on earth has evolved from a single source. The problem is that for all our efforts we only have proof of life here on earth and even though life exists here - over 99% of the species that have existed here have become extinct. Even our earth is extremely hostile towards mortal life as we understand it. Everything living here will eventually die. There is, I believe, a preponderance of evidence that nothing in this universe is consistently merciful towards any mortal life as we understand it. Death, which appears to be the ultimate non merciful result to mortal life as we understand it – is inevitable and without any exception. This is why I believe we have fallen from grace.
However, I do not believe all is lost. I believe that our intelligence continues beyond death of our mortal self. I believe you agree, judging from what I understand of your posts. I believe the greatest and most honest support we can offer to each other is that there is reason for joy in the obviously difficult journey we are taking as mortals. I suggest we begin by becoming thankful toward G-d for all our mortal life opportunities. I understand you are an individual of authority in this forum. I am considering your suggestion that I no longer post on this forum and I am very thankful and intend to provide my best support while I am allowed to post.