tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post1576010324389913164..comments2023-08-03T08:08:27.776-07:00Comments on Karen's Poetry Spot: The Vision by Joseph Smith Jr.Karen Ahlstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08494601453714239376noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-51183167240419414702008-09-27T16:07:00.000-07:002008-09-27T16:07:00.000-07:00Thanks for all the photos and news! It's fun to s...Thanks for all the photos and news! It's fun to see Eliza be. We couldn't get any of the video to work though:( is it because I am on a mac?Miriam Stayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420471978588624597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-18582137967967888692008-09-26T23:50:00.000-07:002008-09-26T23:50:00.000-07:00Marci,I think that once again, the problem comes f...Marci,<BR/><BR/>I think that once again, the problem comes from not knowing what we'll actually be doing in the afterlife. What is the point of a family? What binds us together? What does a family that is Sealed together look like in the afterlife? Will my kids be living with me at my house? or will I be living with my brothers and sister at Mom and Dad's house (which is what I imagined in Primary)? And if so, then what about their spouses and children, and won't Mom and Dad be living with their parents and siblings? None of these scenarios really makes sense.<BR/><BR/>If we don't know enough to define what a forever family looks like, then how do we differentiate it from one that's not sealed? <BR/><BR/>I personally think (and this is KAREN'S OPINION rather than anything I have a source for) that celestially sealed husbands and wives will go off and start new worlds and teach new spirit children what they need to learn to grow up into gods. That the sealing of parents to children is mostly symbolic -- just as animal sacrifice was symbolic of Christ's atonement -- this is symbolic of the way parents and grandparents care for their children and children care for their parents and grandparents, and how all of those relationships teach us the Christlike unconditional love we'll need to be good Heavenly Parents.<BR/><BR/>I think that people will be able to see and associate with their family and friends in the afterlife in whatever kingdom they end up in, but that without the purpose of creating new eternal families of spirit children, a mother or spouse or sibling will be no more important an associate than a good friend is.<BR/><BR/>Also, remember that the people who end up in the lower kingdoms are people who don't want the responsibility that comes with being in a higher kingdom. Maybe these same people won't want to take the time and energy it takes to keep relationships going when there is no common goal to work towards (like raising children in a troubled world).<BR/><BR/>I think we will be very surprised when we get to the other side, both by who, and how many people really are saved and make it to the celestial kingdom, and by what heaven is really going to be like.Karen Ahlstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08494601453714239376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-25116533510033031632008-09-23T06:12:00.000-07:002008-09-23T06:12:00.000-07:00Well said, Karen! I could tell that you put a trem...Well said, Karen! I could tell that you put a tremendous amount of effort into making this post. I’d like to comment on one small part. Moses 1:39 has long been a favorite of mine. Yes, there is much that each of can do and needs to do, but when it comes right down to it, Heavenly Father tells us that it is HIS Work and HIS Glory to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. It’s not our work--it’s HIS! He wants each of us to succeed, and is in there pulling for each of us, if we will only do what he says!<BR/><BR/>We’re missing the boat when we don’t follow what he tells us to do. Many people think that following commandments is too restrictive, but doing so actually gives us more freedom here and now. Barbie gave me a good example once when she said that if we keep our bodies clean & pure, for instance, we will be free from the heartache, misery and expense we could have from being infected with STD’s. <BR/><BR/>Following Heavenly Father’s commandments brings us safety and joy in this life, and unlimited possibilities in the life to come. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing.<BR/><BR/>Love, KatheyKatheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12415822375877762820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-27577677326638527642008-09-23T04:56:00.000-07:002008-09-23T04:56:00.000-07:00I really enjoyed this post. On the way home from ...I really enjoyed this post. On the way home from Grandpa's funeral I prayed to be able to share the gospel with someone and ended up sitting next to a young man who had just served a "mission" for his church down in Australia. Since death was on my mind we talked a bit about the after life. He didn't have any clear cut views about what happens when we die and seemed to think I was a crazy person when I explained a little bit about my views of death. <BR/><BR/>I do want to throw out another question. A very dear friend of mine is a wonderful Catholic. When I discussed the three degrees of glory with her she was almost a bit offended that I would say that her family wouldn't be a family in the next life if they hadn't accepted certain ordinances and covenants. If she and her family members all end up in the same kingdom of glory how are they not a family? Even if they weren't officially tied together, wouldn't they still be able to call each other mother, daughter, father? They might not be able to eternally increase, but how are they not still in the same roles they were in on earth?Marcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050061682998256014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-15563971491857426102008-09-22T23:01:00.000-07:002008-09-22T23:01:00.000-07:00I love how you say at the end of the 2nd to last p...I love how you say at the end of the 2nd to last paragraph that being kind, loving our families, etc. is "clinically proven" to give us happiness and peace. It's true--but the clinic is not just this earth life. And the "proof" isn't just enjoyed during mortality. Happiness and peace (great as they are--and as absent as they are from the lives of most people around me) are not the supreme blessings Heavenly Father's plan affords--he wants to give us all that he has, and that we must receive by covenant. In order to be as he is and go where he is, we must do as he does. Or as Bruce McConkie wrote in the Doctrinal NT Commentary: To know God is much more than to talk about God, it is "to think what he thinks, to feel what he feels." The only way we get there--thinking and feeling as he does is through the practice of discipleship. This requires commitment and communication, time, effort, sacrifice--all the things that mortal relationships require of us, but with that added element of reverence reserved just for him. I think you did a great job of explaining what's often between the lines of some people's understanding. Thanks for inviting me to comment--it was good motivation for me to read closely and consider what you said. MarcelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145150938922509338.post-69511428580616904442008-09-22T20:59:00.000-07:002008-09-22T20:59:00.000-07:00Thank you for writing this out. I really apprecia...Thank you for writing this out. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. All of it makes a lot more sense. It helped too to talk to my husband and my mother-in-law. Anyway, you are an awesome friend and a very good writer!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com