Scripture Study

Persuasion, Correction, and Righteous Influence; a How To

The following is an excerpt from a post to the MormonVeg email list that I helped moderate several years ago. After a major upheaval over post topics, conflicting opinions, and accusations of apostasy (in both directions), I wrote a studied response which really summed up my feelings about righteous influence and persuasion, while respecting an individual's agency.

Originally posted Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:22 am, I have added some links and edited a little here and there to apply the message generally.

My Impression of the Writtings of Paul the Apostle

Time: 8:04-8:34 Study: TG Marriage I was reading some of Paul's writings (i.e. 1 Cor 6 & 7) and I just thought that I should record my impressions. I am not impressed by Paul's writings, usually. There are some which impress me, like Galatians, but I usually feel confused by his writings; as if I am reading a whole lot of opinion mixed with some revelations and apostolic counsel. There is lots of commanding and rule making which is a sign of a falling people who are not taught personally by the Spirit.

Why No Marriages In Heaven?

Time: 9:00-9:37 Study: D&C 132:16; TG Marriage 132:16 – Why do marriages not take place in heaven? I am going to study the nature of marriages. For total union (cleave unto, one flesh)

• Moses 3:24

The New and Everlasting Marriage Covenant

Time: 7:47-9:35 Study: D&C 132 132:3 – Those who are given the law must obey. What a serious preface. I can think of no other law of happiness with a similar weight attached. Why? Is this the most difficult, challenging (unselfish) commandment there is? This commandment safeguards eternal increase, the “fullness of [His] glory”.

Why a Marriage Sealing is the Highest Earthly Ordinance

Time: 8:22-9:20 Study: TG Sealing

• Matt 16:19 – Sealed in heaven and earth. [This is also the power to unite heaven and earth by unifyng the social structures to the point of celestializing earth.]

Being a Prophet, But Not "The Prophet"

Time: 8:37-9:33

Gratitude and Health Living the Foundation of Greatness

Time: 14:15-16:20
Study: Daniel

Gratitude and Health & Wellness

The Bishop [J. Craig Roberts] asked me to speak about these two topics and their relationship to one anther. At first glance they seem entirely unrelated. However, Daniel was a perfect example of both and I believe that his effectiveness as a servant of God relied, in part, upon his strict adherence to these practices:

My Ten Action Points for a Successful Marriage

Time: 9:40-10:30
Study: “The Women in Our Lives,” Pres. Hinckley, Ensign November, 2004, p. 82

My Ten Points of Action

Science Can't Discover Truth Alone

Time: 9:01-10:02 Study: D&C 49-50

Will Coriantumr Get Into Heaven?

Time: 11:45-12:08
Study: Ether 13

Will Coriantumr get into heaven? I think that he actually could. By living to see such a stark fulfillment of prophecy, he could have been moved to repentance. There are signs throughout the narrative that he was not an evil man. He was a hard-hearted warrior. Great remorse would follow him, but not necessarily condemnation.

I also wonder if any Jaradite blood continued with the Mulekites who found him?