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I just finished listening to President Nelson's book the Heart of the Matter. I've never had so many mysteries unfolded to me. I've never felt more purpose in my life and grateful for everything, even my problems. For me, the words of this modern prophet were far more instructive, uplifting, edifying than any scripture. Maybe the fact that conferences in times past didn't resonate with me and led me to fill my mouth with arguments said more about my own maturity at the time. I don't know. But I've found both strength and joy in this. Was it Marx that called religion the opiate of the people? I've tried opiates for pain, methamphetamine to get me through school. They don't even compare to the what the gospel does for my mood, or my mental capacity. He who shall save his life shall lose it, and he who shall lose his life shall save it. It really is true. God can make more out of the lives of most people than they can do for themselves.

Ajax, given the effect religion has on you, you might want to have a designated driver take you back and forth to church.

Moksha wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 12, 2024 5:12 am

Ajax, given the effect religion has on you, you might want to have a designated driver take you back and forth to church.

Those who lack a relationship with Christ may seek temporary thrills, but they miss out on the lasting joy and fulfillment that comes from spiritual connection and faith. Schmo would probably say that my faith and beliefs are a mental health disorder. And yet exactly the opposite is true. There is no mental, physical, nor spiritual health without Jesus Christ.

And after 32 years of driving, I've never had more than fender bender, and those occurred during my faith crisis.

As you were experiencing spiritual events while listening, did you notice a difference between the portions where he was lying about his life? Like his whopper about how many surgeries he had performed? Or his lie about the heart-lung machine development, or the lies about cardiopulmonary bypass?

Just curious to what extent God allows the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Satan (i.e. the Father of Lies) to dwell within the same space and heart.

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 12, 2024 6:52 pm

As you were experiencing spiritual events while listening, did you notice a difference between the portions where he was lying about his life? Like his whopper about how many surgeries he had performed? Or his lie about the heart-lung machine development, or the lies about cardiopulmonary bypass?

Just curious to what extent God allows the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Satan (i.e. the Father of Lies) to dwell within the same space and heart.

And the darkness comprehendeth it not.

ajax18 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:06 am

And the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Paul H. Dunn, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Davy Crockett comprehendethed it.

Moksha wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 7:39 am

ajax18 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:06 am

And the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Paul H. Dunn, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Davy Crockett comprehendethed it.

For the natural man understandeth not the things of the spirit for they are foolishness unto him.

God is good. But only those with spiritual eyes can see the truth in that state statement. You're missing out on real joy, and not just in eternity but right now. I'll be forever grateful to President Nelson for helping me see this.

The man I once was could not have found the truth in this words. Now this hymn puts me in tears of joy because I see how true it is, every word of it. I praise the Lord and worship, and yet I'm the one who is happy and strengthened because of it.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/med ... s&lang=eng

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!

Join the great throng,

Psaltery, organ and song,

Sounding in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord! Over all things he gloriously reigneth.

Borne as on eagle wings, safely his Saints he sustaineth.

Hast thou not seen

How all thou needest hath been

Granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy way and defend thee.

Surely his goodness and mercy shall ever attend thee.

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do,

Who with his love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath breath, join with Abraham’s seed to adore him!

Let the “amen”

Sum all our praises again,

Now as we worship before him.

ajax18 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:06 am

And the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Is this your way of saying that you didn't understand what he was saying when he was lying, because a veil of darkness came over your mind? How long after the darkness because of his lies would it take before the Spirit was allowed to manifest again?

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 4:34 pm

ajax18 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:06 am

And the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Is this your way of saying that you didn't understand what he was saying when he was lying, because a veil of darkness came over your mind? How long after the darkness because of his lies would it take before the Spirit was allowed to manifest again?

Dr. Steuss fault finding in the Lord's chosen prophet is a hard way to live. Obviously if President Nelson were lying, embellishing, or perhaps even misremembering something I don't think that's right, nor do I think he would agree with it. But I don't believe that he did. And honestly I'm not going to bother to investigate it either. It wouldn't change the eternal principles and truths that he taught that have brought the spirit, joy, and strength of the Lord back into my life.