Are You A Hebrew Or Are You A Roman?

The Romans Vs The Hebrews...

We have been compared to the Roman Empire (for those living in America) but we have been established with Judeo-Christian values. This is an "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" sort of lifestyle has been described once before by Nephi. The difference between the two societal differences are in stark contrast with one another but in some ways similar.

One can philosophize and have prosperity as a Mormon and there were probably some good Romans who lived well. I can understand why any good Hebrew boy or girl might look upon the fun that is being enjoyed (and quite so it would appear) by the "Life is a party" crowd because this had described me too, once upon a time. I for one regret to admit that there was something appealing enough about the 'great and spacious building' that I stood in the door way and nearly set my back towards that which I was raised to believe forever once upon a time in my life...but the voice of the spirit had called me back.

The thought of living life for one second without my Heavenly Father and home became unbearable that I made the choice to set right EVERYTHING that was making my life wrong, up until this point. Now I know I am not going to move mountains by sharing this or anything else about my own re-conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ but if you want to talk with me privately regarding the peace that I now feel and what joy this brings me and to my soul, then I would be honored to spend this quality time with you.

If what I have written you here at this point in time has touched your souls in any way, then please P.M. me about that. I testify to you that in overcoming the world, the Lord has helped me to overcome the darkness that living a life apart from that which I came to know as the Lord's true gospel on the earth and his love for me is what allowed me to repent and come unto him. Thanks again to him, I have been given the gift of hope. If I could give anyone a gift of any kind, then it would be this same gift of hope to you.

This I share with you in his sacred name,even the name of Jesus Christ whom I now feel worthy to make mention of, Amen.

Who Would Go To Heaven?

Who would go to heaven if nobody was capable of dying?

There's the question of the ages. When folks die early or are cut down in their prime, it leaves many of us on earth to wonder what is to become of them, why didn't God save them? Didn't I pray enough? There must be no God since he did not save my brother, etc... I think we all struggle through certain thoughts but the simple fact remains. Be you and Atheist, an Agnostic or a devout Christian, I find it's true across the board in the sense that...

"Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die!" - Bob Proctor If death is the natural progression that spirit creatures must travel, having first traversed a brief sojourn on earth occupying tabernacles of flesh and blood respectively, then one should celebrate death vs fear it. Celebrate it if one looks forward with an eye single to the glory of God, naturally. If a man is a good man or a woman equally as faithful to the laws and covenants that he or she were capable of doing while on earth, then it will be well with that man or woman. We are also explained well to the truths that for he or she that is found with charity, it will be well with him or her. That charity can cover a multitude of sins, but I digress... so who would go to heaven? The only people who can go to heaven are those that can die.

This might sound strange rolling off of the tongue but it is 100% true. Now it is not that death is the magic. The body that we now live in is designed to pass on. Blood, blood borne pathogens, free radicals, radiation, and many other factors contribute to our very short lifetime but it was to happen for a reason. If we could not die, our bodies could not then be changed from mortal to immortal. We could then not be raised from corruption and then slip into an incorruptible tabernacle; one that could never die, one like that of Jesus the first fruits of those who have lived after death. Part of God's plan of happiness for us is that we should die... but most specifically, that 2 aspects of us should die. Our life, our sinful ways or our imperfections should eventually die off, and our current bodies should die off so that the latter could also be true. Our bodies and spirits could then be renewed.

In the words of Yoda, almost prophetic, we hear this... “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” - “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”

Much good or much evil has been done with the loss of a loved one. I have seen an entire new generation of kids grow up without the knowledge of God and his plan of happiness for his children simply because he thought God to be unfair for letting someone die before he was currently willing to let him go. Hence, yoda made sense on this one. We must be prepared to let people go much like others must do the same for us. Where we are going from here will have been worth it. It will have seemed silly to attempt to hold people back all things considered. Let's not go out look for quicker ways to die but just know that our days may be long upon the land and the Lord won't take us before he feels it's time. He is both fair and just. Rejoice!

Passages of Scripture to reference:

"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:29

"...I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25