tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46606439559284289452024-02-08T03:48:21.861-08:00Mormon Transhumanist Association ResponseA thoughtful discussion about the differences between Mormonism and Transhumanism.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-10117325702471931682012-04-17T14:07:00.001-07:002016-11-30T08:12:35.410-08:00Mormon Transhumanism Conference--Paper PresentedAt the recent Mormon Transhumanist Association Conference, I presented my paper: "<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CYuv6UJ6gqH_5FT_WYjHt3_5XASfCt2qg3HVlSgVPGE/edit">How Amazing is Grace: The Role of Jesus Christ in Mormonism and Transhumanism</a>.<br />
<br />
There was actually very little time for question or discussion with any of the talks, but I was pleased and somewhat surprised by the general respect for my perspective and even several positive comments about my talk. Even the guest keynote speaker, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giulio_Prisco">Giulio Prisco</a>, former board member and director of the World Transhumanist Association, told me he really appreciated my remarks.<br />
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I thought that was a bit odd because of how generally critical I was of some aspects of transhumanism.<br />
<br />
But then as the conference progressed and I experienced the incredible diversity of thought and ideas, I found myself in a culture of people who seemed to like different perspectives, who openly disagreed with each other without getting upset. I wasn't the only speaker with criticism of transhumanist perspectives, yet all reasonable views were welcomed.<br />
<br />
The topics were incredibly diverse: Some I disagreed with strongly, others I thought were pointless philosophizing about things not scientifically measurable, and some I learned a lot from and took copious notes. <br />
<br />
The format of 10-minute presentations with 1-minute Q&A kept things moving pretty quickly from one idea to the next, but didn't allow for a lot of discussion. That's why I especially enjoyed visiting at lunch and dinner with some people who had some extremely diverse perspectives.<br />
<br />
It seems to be a group of mostly techie-type people interested in philosophizing about possibilities, and exploring the merger between science and religion, but without much unified agreement on specifics of transhumanism. Even among people who call themselves "transhumanists," they're mostly just interested in scientific discovery, not necessarily all promoting human solutions to the resurrection. They loved to visit with each other and learn from each other, but aren't really unified enough to form any kind of significant movement.<br />
<br />
I still struggle to see how transhumanism adds significant additional value to people who already openly embrace science as strongly as many, perhaps most, Mormons do, and I'm much more interested in the practical matters of science and technology solving current world problems than in philosophical discussions of what might happen many decades to come.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-40075187829980708332011-11-22T00:17:00.000-08:002011-11-22T00:17:48.793-08:00Mormons and RevelationIn this commentary, <a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/hansen20111117">Mormonism and Transhumanism,</a> I found much to agree with, in its' critique of an apparently uninformed or largely mistaken commentary about Mormonism by a well-known literary critic.<br />
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Some of the comments drifted into the topic of revelation from God and following the prophet. <br />
<br />
I feel these concerns can be relevant to the topic of religion and science because sometimes those who reject religion have a false idea of what religion and communication from God means even to those with a strong faith in God.<br />
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Here's one disgruntled Mormon commenter:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Mistakes by men can be excused but not while they claim to be the one and only mouthpiece of God on the earth. Mormons believe that their "Prophet" has a special room in the Temple where he speaks face to face with God, that he has meetings in the Temple with Jesus Christ sitting at the head of the table conducting the affairs of the church. They believe via scripture that the prophets and apostles are perfect in that they can not be deceived. How then is it that there are so many examples of them being so very incorrect?</blockquote><br />
And my thoughts:<br />
<br />
I'm a practicing Mormon who have studied Church teachings for many years. You have a very different understanding of Mormon beliefs about revelation and God's communication to us and to our prophets than I or my Mormon family and friends.<br />
<br />
Prophets, anciently, or in recent history, have not claimed to be perfect, nor are they required to be perfect in order to accomplish God's work. Biblical examples of this abound. Remember Jonah? Peter? Their mistakes are even documented in scripture.<br />
<br />
Here's one outline of <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2004/09/eight-ways-god-can-speak-to-you?lang=eng">eight ways God speaks to us</a>, given by Dallin H. Oaks, one of the Church Apostles.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1999/09/personal-revelation?lang=eng">Another talk</a> Gives quotes from several former Mormon prophets, including Joseph Smith, describing the most common ways they receive revelation from God:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">"sudden strokes of ideas" --Joseph Smith</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">"a sudden thought that comes to your mind" --Harold B. Lee</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">"These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels more than one hears. . .<br />
"The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. …<br />
“Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening.” </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> --Boyd K. Packer</blockquote><br />
<br />
So, even prophets primarily get their revelation very similar to the way the rest of us can--and they, including Joseph Smith, encourage us to get our own answers and revelations from God. These answers can come through heavenly visitations, but those are extremely rare, even for prophets.<br />
<br />
Here's Brigham Young's advice on following the prophet:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (In Journal of Discourses, 9:150.)</blockquote><div>Having had some experience with the way the Church makes decisions about practical and structural matters for church organization, I know that scientific research, statistical analysis, pilot testing, and various other methods are often used. I believe these "scientific methods" are one of the ways of finding truth and sometimes the revelation might just be the "sudden strokes of ideas" of how to property design the pilot project or the statistical survey analysis to obtain the proper answers about truth. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And I'm fine with calling even that scientific discovery and practical experimentation process being a part of revelation from God.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-6473092813637802452011-11-09T09:27:00.000-08:002011-11-09T09:27:03.101-08:00Mormons Embrace Artificial Intelligence, ScienceI haven't posted much to this blog anymore, mostly because I feel like I've already covered the key issues,and don't have much more to add.<br />
<br />
However, on occasion, something crops up that seems to relate to this discussion.<br />
<br />
One concept that transhumanists like is the idea that computers will develop human-like capabilities.<br />
<br />
Recently, at LDS Church-funded and owned Brigham Young University, came this article: <a href="http://news.byu.edu/archive11-oct-computermusic.aspx">Student turning computers into composers.</a> We're still a ways off of a computer Beethoven in terms of the quality and creativity, but it's still pretty interesting for artificial intelligence.<br />
<br />
Also, BYU students beat teams from Harvard and Duke to advance to world finals at the <a href="http://news.byu.edu/archive11-nov-igemadvance.aspx">U.S. International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Regional Jamboree sponsored by MIT</a>. In this competition:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">"Teams participating in iGEM are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer. Then they use those and new parts that they design themselves to build biological systems and operate them in living cells."</blockquote>Fascinating!<br />
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Other BYU <a href="http://news.byu.edu/category.aspx?id=7">scientific research awards</a> include an electric vehicle land speed record, and an award for computer hacking.<br />
<br />
These efforts are not just created by people who happen to be members of the Church, they are officially funded by LDS Church tithing dollars, then promoted as public examples of excellent work.<br />
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When I read things like this, I struggle to see any elements of Church culture or practices that oppose the development and adoption of new technologies. Yet, encouragement to embrace technology seems to underscore the need for "Mormon Transhumanism." <br />
<br />
Mormons already love and proactively support technology, biotech, artificial intelligence, curing disease, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-51740911832754591442011-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:002011-07-30T08:00:02.460-07:00Cultural Divergences and Learning from OthersChristopher and others made some more excellent comments to my last post. <br />
<br />
Christopher suggests:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;">I agree that Mormonism's doctrine embraces and promotes scientific and technological discovery. But we struggle with this culturally, and I think there is some cross-over in the sense that the cultural struggle is too often mistaken within Mormonism for doctrine. In other words, many Mormons mistakenly think that Mormonism's doctrine cannot be reconciled with science and technology. . .</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;">Finally, I agree that there is a risk that some transhumanist ideas, accepted without question, may erode some core Mormon principles. However, as Paul says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." The same may be said of nearly anything.</span> </blockquote>Here, Christopher makes two excellent points: 1) Mormon culture and doctrine don't always match 2) We can learn much from other teachings, but should study them out carefully and "prove all things."<br />
<br />
It seems we agree there are differences between transhumanism and Mormonism. That's basically all I'm trying to point out in this blog. I can also agree there are also points of overlap between the two.<br />
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Now, to discuss Christopher's other issues:<br />
<br />
1) Culture not matching doctrine<br />
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Yes, in the Mormon Church we have a plenty of challenges with cultural divergences from doctrine, or perhaps too strict or limiting interpretations of doctrine. <br />
<br />
However, in terms of cultural practices that don't match doctrine, embracing science and technology seem to be pretty low on the list. A large portion of our Quorum of the Twelve hold PhDs, a significant portion are professional scientists, as are numerous members of the Seventy. The Church directly funds at least tens of millions of dollars a year in scientific research at Brigham Young University, including physics, genetics, cancer, engineering, computer science, all the social sciences, and BYU requires a course on evolutionary biology for many science majors and teaches evolution as part of the required Biology general education class. <br />
<br />
The Church directly owns and operates hundreds of Internet URLs, and officially and proactively encourages members and wards to use the Internet, phones, and computers for numerous purposes: distributing general conference, ward websites and directories, family history, blogs, missionary work, managing finances, etc. The Church was one of the first organizations to use radio and TV, and TV was invented by a Mormon--Philo T. Farnsworth. Brigham Young sent workers from the Salt Lake Temple to help build the railroad, which was completed in Ogden, Utah. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://mormonscholarstestify.org/">Mormon Scholars Testify </a>site now has 276 testimonies of Mormon academics, and the Church's Brigham Young University is <a href="http://news.byu.edu/archive10-apr-phd.aspx">7th in the nation</a> for the number of alumni who earned PhDs in the past 5 years.<br />
<br />
Where's the cultural problem here?<br />
<br />
In my personal experience among Mormons, I see a very open cultural embracing of technology and scientific development. Perhaps my Mormon world is more surrounded by tech or science professionals than yours. I don't recall in recent memory meeting a Mormon who shunned technological development or scientific research.<br />
<br />
I have encountered a variety of thoughts about the merging of creation and evolution, but it seems to me Mormons are much more open to scientific insight on this issue than are other highly religious Christians.<br />
<br />
In my experience, there many other higher-priority areas in which our culture tends to separate from our doctrine. Sometime it might would be interesting to make a list and contrast our experiences. Most of these areas, though, it seems to me that our Church leaders at the highest levels are regularly trying counteract this culture with our actual doctrine. <br />
<br />
In most cultural problem areas I can think of, we'd probably be just as well off studying scriptures and the guidance and personal examples of Church leaders as we would promoting our own ideas. Science and technology is definitely one of those areas in which the Church and its' leaders are excellent examples, as I've shared above.<br />
<br />
2) Learning from others<br />
<br />
On the issue of learning from others, I question the value of creating a new group for all of these issues in which culture is not aligned with doctrine as well as it should be. For example, I believe we can learn much about Biblical study, grace, enthusiastic and joyful worship, and missionary work from evangelical Christians. Should we start an "Mormons Embracing Evangelical Christianity" group?<br />
<br />
I feel we can learn much about meditation and spirituality from Buddhism, we can gain an improved understanding of modesty, obedience, and respect for family life from Islam, we can learn respect for ancestors, eternal progression, and positive sensuality from Taoism. I have read and love the Hindu Baghavad-Gita for its' inspiration about life principles.<br />
<br />
We already seem to openly embrace C.S. Lewis and his insights--which I love, but one of my favorites for philosophical insights and understanding of life in general is Mark Twain. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are full of both wit and wisdom.<br />
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Does that mean the best solution is to create new joint groups to discuss and celebrate these additional learning opportunities? The Mormon Taoist Society? The Mormon Islamic Association? The Mormon Huck Finn Fan Club?<br />
<br />
Once you start merging the word, "Mormon" with another group's name or message, whether intentionally or not, you give the impression that there is full overlap between the ideas of the two groups. <br />
<br />
As a result, the areas in which you differ need to be clearly and openly delineated, or you just create more confusion. Still, in spite of your best efforts to communicate the differences, the mere joint name makes communicating those differences very difficult. <br />
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Hence this blog. I'm trying to highlight the differences I see.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-24963671576810328652011-07-19T23:36:00.000-07:002011-07-19T23:36:59.271-07:00Resurrection Technology, Morals, and God's Order<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In response to my last post, I received several very helpful and insightful comments. I genuinely appreciate and have learned from them. Thank you for sharing. I especially appreciated how many of these comments included affirmations of faith.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I understand it, here are the key themes from these comments.</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God generally respects our agency and allows us to learn for ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God uses natural law to accomplish His purposes, including creation, resurrection and other miracles--and the scriptures don't explain how he did this--just that He did it. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This use and understanding of natural law--ancient or modern--could be called "technology"</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God wants us to do things--to use our talents and abilities to become like Him, not wait around for Him to do it for us.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I actually agree with all of these ideas. Lincoln Cannon also responded with a </span><a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2011/07/why-should-theists-try-to-learn-how-to.html?showComment=1311141531811#c7403200190247202244"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">new post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> that was insightful and helpful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I believe in a God who has tremendous respect for our agency. Just as a parent or a soccer coach cannot help a child learn something by doing it for them, perhaps God wants us to learn how to figure things out, including resurrection, on our own? <br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />I support that basic concept. In fact one of my frustrations with working with parents of youth is that they try to do too many things for their youth and that stunts their children's growth.<br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />I believe that God uses and fully understands natural law and uses it to make things happen. I certainly won't claim an understanding of the methods or "technologies" he used to accomplish the resurrection or other miracles. </span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I actually love and embrace the development of new technologies and find it "miraculous" that we can now quite easily restore sight to many people, eradicate certain diseases, communicate instantaneously, and many other things. I also believe we can learn much about accomplishing the things God does through diligent research and experimentation.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />My primary worry about transhumanism as a means to resurrection is that a belief that we can figure it out on our own tends to take Christ out of the picture. <br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />If we can figure it out ourselves using only the scientific method, why do we need Christ? Where is the need for faith? What about grace? How about an order and type of resurrected body based on God-like righteousness and moral action?<br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />The scientific method doesn't require Christ, faith, grace, or righteous and moral action. It makes no distinction among the moral values of the experimenter. Pure scientific experimentation allows Kim Jung Il to develop a nuclear weapon, just as easily as it does the U.S. It allows Saddam Hussein to develop the same biological weapons that we can develop.<br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />Yet, the scriptures are clear that the resurrection will be ordered based on the moral behavior of the people being resurrected. Yes, everyone will be resurrected--but not all in the same order, and not to the same level of perfection. <br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" />How does a process based entirely on the scientific method ensure that kind of order? Who or what ensures that order is based on moral judgements? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I fully support agency, technology, and the use of natural law to accomplish God's purposes. However, I worry that suggesting we can resurrect ourselves tends to decrease our faith in Christ as the one who broke the bands of death, and who will do it in the future. I also feel more comfortable with Him being the judge as to who gets resurrected first and to what degree of perfection, and not some scientific committee of peers.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-18154911989268962382011-07-17T23:37:00.000-07:002016-11-30T08:17:10.025-08:00Ancient Technologies: Resurrection and Immortality<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some of the most cutting-edge goals of modern science are actually extremely old technologies. For example, the ability to live forever and the ability to bring back people from the dead is almost 2,000 years old.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perhaps God will choose to use modern science and technology, like DNA sequencing or other tools, as one of the means to assist in resurrection, but He certainly does not need to, and has not used them in the past. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this post, below, I've compiled a few references about Jesus Christ's resurrection, which is the center point of Christianity, including the Mormons, or the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. None of these references suggest or hint at them being a parable or analogy as an inspiration for later science. Numerous early Christians were tortured, beaten, then continued preaching this same message--that Jesus came, died, and was resurrected. Those are hardly actions of people defending something that was nothing more than a symbolic myth or parable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course, these references are in the realm of faith, not science, so they are not provable using the scientific method--although we do have plenty of circumstantial and anecdotal evidence. But, I struggle to see how you can believe in the resurrection of Christ 2000 years ago and also subscribe to the transhumanist idea that we will eventually use technology improvements to accomplish the same thing.</span><br />
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<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.6?lang=eng#5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Matt. 28:6</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (See also </span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.6?lang=eng#5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Luke 24:6</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">), </span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/16.9?lang=eng#8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mark 16:9</span></a><br />
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<ul class="index" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li eid="21777" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5</span></span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.6?lang=eng#" id="footnote6" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=28&noteID=5a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.</span></blockquote>
<span class="entry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 13px;"><blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">6</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is not here: for he is </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.6?lang=eng#" id="footnote7" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=28&noteID=6a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">risen</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, as he said. Come, see the place where the </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.6?lang=eng#" id="footnote8" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=28&noteID=6b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lord</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> lay.</span></blockquote>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.</span></blockquote>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">8</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.</span></blockquote>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="9" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">9</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">¶And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.6?lang=eng#" id="footnote9" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=28&noteID=9a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="entry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.He is not here: for he is </span><span class="keyWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">risen</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">," </span></blockquote>
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<li eid="21779" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="entry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 13px;"><div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/nt/luke/24.36">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#38" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Luke 24:39</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote20" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=36a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">stood</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in the midst of them, and saith unto them, </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote21" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=36b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peace</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">be</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> unto you.</span></blockquote>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/nt/luke/24.36">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="37" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">37</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="38" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">38</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do</span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote22" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=38a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">thoughts</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> arise in your hearts?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="39" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">39</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote23" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=39a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">handle</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> me, and see; for a </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote24" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=39b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">spirit</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> hath not </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote25" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=39c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">flesh</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and bones, as ye </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote26" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=39d&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">see</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> me have.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="40" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">40</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">his</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> hands and</span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">his</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> feet.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="41" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">41</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And while they yet believed not for joy, and </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/24.39?lang=eng#" id="footnote27" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=24&noteID=41a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">wondered</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="42" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">42</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.</span></blockquote>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"><blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="43" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">43</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And he took </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">it,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and did eat before them.</span></blockquote>
</span></span></li>
<li eid="21779" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#19" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">John 20:20, 27-28</span></a></li>
<li eid="21779" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="20" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">20</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when he had so said, he shewed unto them </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">his</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#" id="footnote18" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=20&noteID=20a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">hands</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#" id="footnote19" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=20&noteID=20b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">saw</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the Lord.</span></blockquote>
</li>
<li eid="21779" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">27</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#" id="footnote25" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=20&noteID=27a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">thrust</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> into my side: and be not </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#" id="footnote26" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=20&noteID=27b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">faithless</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, but </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/20.20?lang=eng#" id="footnote27" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=20&noteID=27c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">believing</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">28</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.</span></blockquote>
</span></span></li>
<li eid="21786" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.3?lang=eng#2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Acts 1:3</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a></span></li>
<li eid="21786" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To whom also he </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.3?lang=eng#" id="footnote3" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=acts&chapterUri=1&noteID=3a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">shewed</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> himself alive after his </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.3?lang=eng#" id="footnote4" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=acts&chapterUri=1&noteID=3b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">passion</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.3?lang=eng#" id="footnote5" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=acts&chapterUri=1&noteID=3c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">pertaining</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> to the kingdom of God:</span></blockquote>
</li>
<li eid="21787" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 Nephi 11:13-16</span></a></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.13">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">13</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And it came to pass that the </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote20" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=13a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lord</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> spake unto them saying:</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.14">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote21" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=14a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">thrust</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> your hands into my side, and also that ye may </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote22" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=14b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">feel</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote23" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=14c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">God</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of Israel, and the God of the whole </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote24" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=14d&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">earth</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, and have been slain for the sins of the world.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.15">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">15</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote25" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=15a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">did</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.16">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">16</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.17">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">17</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng#" id="footnote26" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=11&noteID=17a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">worship</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> him.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many other people were also resurrected:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Matthew 27:52</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">52</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And the </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote52" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=52a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">graves</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> were opened; and many </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote53" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=52b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">bodies</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote54" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=52c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">saints</a> </span></span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote55" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=52d&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">which</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> slept </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote56" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=52e&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">arose</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="53" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">53</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/27.52?lang=eng#" id="footnote57" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=matt&chapterUri=27&noteID=53a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">holy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> city, and appeared unto many.</span></blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 3 Nephi 23:9</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">9</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote7" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=9a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Samuel</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote8" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=9b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">many</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote9" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=9c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">saints</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> who should </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote10" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=9d&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">arise</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">11</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote11" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=11a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">written</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">this thing, that many </span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote12" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=11b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">saints</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="12" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">12</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4660643955928428945&postID=1815491198926896238" name="13" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">13</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be</span><a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23.9?lang=eng#" id="footnote13" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=23&noteID=13a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">written</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">; therefore it was written according as he commanded.</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, He promised three of the Nephite apostles they would never die:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28.7">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #486fae;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #486fae;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 Nephi 28</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28.7">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng#" id="footnote6" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=28&noteID=7a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">never</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> taste of </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng#" id="footnote7" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=28&noteID=7b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">death</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng#" id="footnote8" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=28&noteID=7c&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">powers</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of heaven.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28.8">
<blockquote>
<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng#" id="footnote9" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=28&noteID=8a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">mortality</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng#" id="footnote10" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=3-ne&chapterUri=28&noteID=8b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">immortality</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/22px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28.8">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The ancient resurrection is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity and the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">If the resurrection happened, how does God still need us to gradually use scientific means to eventually enable us to accomplish the same thing he's already done "many" times nearly 2,000 years ago?</span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-49288020435881369532010-06-07T10:57:00.000-07:002016-11-30T08:17:23.757-08:00Elder Oaks and Science, Revelation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Dallin H. Oaks </span><a href="http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/fundamental-premises-of-our-faith-talk-given-by-elder-dallin-h-oaks-at-harvard-law-school"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">spoke recently at Harvard </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">about the basic principles of the LDS faith, in a way that I found very interesting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some excerpts, first about Jesus Christ and His role in both resurrection and eternal life:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Because of His resurrection all who have ever lived will be raised from the dead. He is the Savior whose atoning sacrifice opens the door for us to be forgiven of our personal sins so that we can be cleansed to return to the presence of God our Eternal Father. </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And about the process of finding truth:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We seek after knowledge, but we do so in a special way because we believe there are two dimensions of knowledge, material and spiritual. We seek knowledge in the material dimension by scientific inquiry and in the spiritual dimension by revelation.</span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here's his quite interesting description </span>of revelation, one of the "distinctive elements of our faith"<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Personal revelation—sometimes called “inspiration”—comes in many forms. Most often it is by words or thoughts communicated to the mind, by sudden enlightenment, or by positive or negative feelings about proposed courses of action. Usually it comes in response to earnest and prayerful seeking. “Ask, and it shall be given you;” Jesus taught, “seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). It comes when we keep the commandments of God and thus qualify for the companionship and communication of the Holy Spirit. </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I found it interesting to note this clear description of revelation as providing feelings or inspirations, quite different from the process of obtaining truth through scientific inquiry.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-79504344338465061052010-06-02T00:06:00.000-07:002016-11-30T09:00:22.779-08:00Historicity mattersI don't think this particular article has much to do with Transhumanism, but I came across this article: <br />
<a href="http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=2&num=2&id=29">"The Book of Mormon, Historicity, and Faith," by Robert L. Millet,</a> that I feel makes a lot of sense.<br />
<br />
A similar article <a href="http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/transcripts/?id=30">by Elder Oaks is here</a>.<br />
<br />
For me, the idea that Jesus actually lived and was resurrected, and that Book of Mormon events actually happened, are important to my faith.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-58278969432460395622010-06-01T23:15:00.000-07:002016-11-30T08:19:05.765-08:00Differences are not just semanticsIn a previous post about the differences, I don't want to dismiss the importance of actual challenges beyond semantics. To summarize, here are key doctrines of Mormonism that seem to contradict assertions of transhumanism:<br />
<br />
1) Eternal Life requires spiritual obedience to commandments and God's grace and forgiveness, not advanced scientific discovery: <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/14/7b">Doctrine and Covenants 14:7</a>: "And, if you <sup>a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/14/7a" mark="a" title="Ps. 19: 11 (9-11); Prov. 7: 2; Mosiah
2: 22; D&C 58: 2." type="A">keep</a> my commandments and <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/14/7b" mark="b" title="TG Steadfastness." type="B">endure</a> to the end you shall have <sup>c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/14/7c" mark="c" title="D&C 6: 13; D&C 88: 4; TG
Eternal Life; TG Exaltation; TG God, Gifts of; TG Man, Potential to
Become like Heavenly Father." type="C">eternal</a> life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (Also <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/6/13#13"> D&C 6:13)</a><br />
<br />
2) Resurrection is a result of, and patterned after Jesus Christ's resurrection, not man's scientific work, as I have already discussed in my <a href="http://mormontranshumanism.blogspot.com/p/doctrinal-and-logical-response.html">doctrinal and logical response.</a><br />
<br />
3) Final, Eternal Judgement based on benevolence or love for others, but also on proper performance of certain ordinances given by those with proper priesthood authority.<br />
<br />
If, as transhumanism seems to suggest, the final, eternal judgment doesn't matter or won't require dramatic, powerful intervention after we die, then why do we need obedience to certain commandments or ordinances, such as baptism, temple marriage, etc., that really have very little to do with increased benevolence? Sure, baptism is a covenant to essentially be benevolent ("mourn with those that mourn"), but becoming benevolent posthumans certainly wouldn't require full immersion and certain proper words spoken by someone who has proper priesthood authority. (See <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/11">3 Nephi 11:24-38</a>).<br />
<br />
The transhumanist emphasis on man's work seems to me a proud proposition that suggests we don't need God and that His commandments are not necessary or relevant. If we can resurrect ourselves--or, incredibly, even grant ourselves forgiveness, eternal life and future creative ability--through scientific progress, who needs God or His commandments or ordinances?<br />
<br />
Since pride is the <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d8ff27cd3f37b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____">"universal sin" and "The great stumbling block to zion"</a> that scriptures and modern prophets have repeatedly warned against, I'm more concerned that we have a tendency to become too proud, than that we might have a tendency to reduce our interest in scientific discovery. Plenty of worldly pressures will encourage scientific progress to continue, regardless of religion.<br />
<br />
However, few forces exist other than scriptural and prophetic warnings to restrain the unbridled pride that can lead to our downfall. So, in my religious practice and belief, I'd rather emphasize our dependence on God, rather than our ability to do everything, including resurrection and eternal life, by ourselves.<br />
<br />
Of course, that doesn't at all dismiss our need to work diligently to protect and preserve the earth, find cures for diseases, help the poor, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-35729044325511472782010-05-26T21:58:00.000-07:002010-05-26T22:23:47.820-07:00More interesting, productive questionsIf we want to really embrace and utilize science and technology to further God's work, here are some possible lines of inquiry that seem more productive to me than trying to enable resurrection and eternal life. These are just possibilities.<br />
<ul><li>How can we reduce poverty around the world, and within the United States, especially in chronic inner-city poverty, without encouraging dependency? The solutions might be technical, but probably also involve plenty of political and sociological sciences.</li>
<li>How can we more effectively distribute vaccines, clean water, and other health-promoting tools that are already available so that more people throughout the world can access them?</li>
<li>How can we use new media, Internet, and other technology tools to reduce misconceptions and promote the true understanding of Christ's teachings?</li>
<li>What can we do to promote, create, and utilize clean sources of energy so that our planet can be preserved? How can we refine recycling techniques to reduce costs and make the effort more profitable?</li>
<li> What behaviors and foods, vitamins, and minerals can help us stay healthy, increase longevity? </li>
<li>Various kinds of medical and chemical research into curing and vaccinating against all kinds of diseases.</li>
<li>How can we more effectively enable rapid and deep learning among a variety of learning styles? </li>
</ul>The idea of this list is that we have plenty of work to do to accomplish God's work to love and care for others, to improve our health, increase life expectancy, and increase our benevolence. If God needs us to use our own science and technology research to enable resurrection, we have plenty of work to do before we get to that point. <br />
<br />
Many of these efforts are currently within reach, and we're making some real improvement in many areas, but are digressing in others. Many of these also have current and very real ethical implications--let's discuss and make progress on those issues.<br />
<br />
Let's use our active faith to discuss and solve current problems that will change lives and accomplish God's work to improve the human condition.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-8986069684657943142010-05-26T10:04:00.000-07:002010-05-26T10:04:22.841-07:00What difference does it make?Lincoln asks what practical difference it makes whether we embrace logical and philosophical explanations for human effort making all kinds of good things happen. He promotes the active faith involved in Mormon Transhumanism as promoting good works. <br />
<br />
It is a good and perhaps fundamental question. I do really like his thoughts about an active faith and the concept of fully utilizing technology and scientific opportunities, and promoting the best of human effort.<br />
<br />
I'll try and describe here the difference it makes for me.<br />
<br />
When it comes to the resurrection and atonement of Christ, I personally enjoy the feeling of faith and the awe at the miraculous and things that are not fully explained. I can more easily love and embrace the concept of "My Heavenly Father," than I can "posthuman capacity." Perhaps we're talking about the same thing, but it's just more tiring and less enjoyable for me to try and explain my entire faith scientifically or logically. <br />
<br />
When I pray to my Father in Heaven, I like to imagine a real, tangible person who through some miraculous process I don't (nor do I try to) understand, loves and understands me just as he loves and understands the billions of other people who must be praying to Him as well. I love the feeling that "I am a child of God," and that my literal Spirit Father loves me so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son to enable His love and grace to overcome all my weaknesses and sins to allow me to eventually live with Him forever. I'll desperately need this mercy because I cannot possibly approach the perfection He envisions for me through my own efforts.<br />
<br />
Even with His grace, I want to and need to work hard and do my best to develop my personal capacity, and I agree with the emphasis on stretching to reach for our fullest human potential. But, often I fail, or feel weak, or need help or inspiration from a source beyond my own, or I just feel I've reached the limits of my personal capacity. At those moments, I love feeling the comfort inside that comes when I ponder and pray and sense His infinite love for me. It's a special, loving peace that sometimes includes tingles or special emotions that are hard to explain. I feel comforted, loved, motivated to do better, and want to reach out to help others. Sometimes I have sudden ideas or thoughts that help people or help solve personal problems. At those times, I just want to enjoy and feel the miraculous wonder of His Mercy and Grace without trying to explain it all through logic and philosophy. It’s an unexplained, sometimes not fully logical, but emotional connection to not just the “Christ within me” but with a real, powerful and awesome personal Heavenly Father who loves me.<br />
<br />
Yes, I love learning, scientific discovery, and using technology to do good. However, all the logical and scientific jargon about "positive futures," “posthumans,” "posthuman capacity" and "engineered resurrections" explaining how everything could work takes away a part of the peaceful, loving feeling I get when I wrestle with difficult issues in prayer as I pour out my soul to my Heavenly Father. Maybe it’s just semantics, but the semantics make a difference to me.<br />
<br />
Put simply, I want to feel the love. <br />
It's harder for me feel love from or for numerous unknown "posthumans" who happened to use their own genius to eventually develop the capacity to create other worlds.<br />
<br />
Too much logic, philosophy and scientific explanation of miracles such as mercy, resurrection, and grace can rob me of some of those special feelings that are central to my religious experience.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-68414553968012666092010-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:002010-05-26T21:39:16.267-07:00Lincon Cannon response continuedIn Lincoln Cannon's Blog <a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2010/04/continued-response-to-mormon.html">he continues a response</a> to some of my comments about the Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation.<br />
<br />
First, let me share where we agree. I fully agree that: 1) Science and technology have been and should be embraced by the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. Scientific discovery is one important means of discovering truth. 2) I see no problem with attempts at scientific understandings of, say creation and evolution, geology, biology and medicine, etc. I agree that these discoveries may contribute toward "positive futures," and support our full efforts to embrace scientific progress toward improving the human condition and extending life. <br />
<br />
Lincoln reinforces these points through several quotes from early church leaders about how knowledge, truth, and wisdom can come through science and the arts. At the same time, he admits that science does not describe a means for all persons to be resurrected, even though he agrees that universal resurrection is a requirement in LDS doctrine.<br />
<br />
Having thought about and re-read his response a few times, I feel we're actually not too far off of each other, except by emphasis and degree, and perhaps by language choice. The effort to explain everything through logic and philosophy can grow tiring, however.<br />
<br />
For example, he proposes that the resurrections occurring 2,000 years ago at the time of Christ may have happened because either other “posthumans” made it work, or our future descendents will eventually acquire the ability to use science to go back in time and change the past. To me, that's a mind-twisting exercise with far-reaching tentacles that reminds me I'm grateful "Back to the Future" was just a fun movie.<br />
<br />
What about the resurrection of Christ Himself? Was that a feat of time travel and changing history? According to Christian doctrine, which Mormonism strengthens in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ was a real person, who thousands of witnesses saw die and buried. Then, after he was resurrected within less than 36 hours after being buried, numerous witnesses saw that he was risen and ate with, saw, touched him personally, and listened to his teachings. After that, hundreds of these witnesses lost their lives defending their testimonies that this actually happened. It wasn't just some "Christ in us" force that we all have inspiring us. He was a real person that many people knew, saw, and felt. The Book of Mormon and latter-day revelation could not be more clear about that point.<br />
<br />
I’d rather just enjoy some miracles, particularly this most important one, as miraculous. I don’t feel this exercise of faith is superstitious just because I don’t make an effort to explain it scientifically. I can find plenty of evidence in my own feelings, and in other historical witnesses to back up my faith without creating a full explanation for how it happened. <br />
<br />
In sum, here are the key views that I hold from LDS doctrine, which I feel still contradict the concept of transhumanism, even after Lincoln’s <a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2010/04/more-continued-response-to-mormon.html">second response</a><br />
<br />
<b>Resurrection </b>requires faith, and is controlled and ordered by God’s moral judgments of people's behavior, not their access to scientific knowledge or technology. The LDS embracing of technology and science does not extend to resurrection, and scientific knowledge is not currently close to a real solution for resurrection for all, particularly for persons whose remains have been completely obliterated. Lincoln shares some of the same quotes I used about resurrection being a priesthood ordinance. I interpret those statements as reinforcing the idea of resurrection being an orderly event based on the moral and loving behavior of those being resurrected, and also reminders that science and technology are at most minor aspects of the means of resurrection.<br />
<br />
<b>Exaltation or Eternal Life</b>, requires faith, and involves sin, mercy and grace, and is available only to the righteous. <a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2010/04/continued-response-to-mormon.html">Lincoln suggests</a> that: ". . .the Affirmation suggests the same nearly universalist perspective on salvation. Personally, I hold to a nearly universalist perspective on salvation, and observe a naturally enforced correspondence between benevolence and empowerment at play in the universe and our interaction with it." <br />
<br />
If his “universalist perspective on salvation,” means that almost everyone will attain Eternal Life with God, or exaltation, that concept contradicts several scriptures about God’s judgment, and the pattern of the Book of Mormon in which the more part of the people were destroyed. It also contradicts much of my life experience with many people who don’t have any real interest in striving for eternal life. Thankfully, though, I'm not the judge, and I do hope and work towards the goal of everyone reaching eternal life. <br />
<br />
Finally, I just feel that this emphasis on explaining everything scientifically and logically may be intellectually interesting, but does not contribute much to our path to be like Him, and it ignores feelings, emotion, and faith that are vital components of religion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-71827636874773031162010-04-26T10:49:00.000-07:002010-04-27T14:54:44.919-07:00Questioning Assumption of BenevolenceHere's one prominent scientist, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100425/sc_afp/scienceastronomyextraterrestrialhawking">Stephen Hawking,</a> who agrees with the scientific probability that aliens may exist, but is extremely nervous about contact with them. <br />
<br />
This viewpoint underscores my concern with the benevolence portion of The New God argument, which assumes humans will advance through scientific progression to become powerful "posthumans" who are benevolent, and create future worlds for benevolent means. <br />
<br />
Surely, the elimination of evil and the rewarding of good in the eternities to come will require some kind of dramatic, external power and judgement from a loving Heavenly Father, beyond what is realistic through natural, scientific progression.<br />
<br />
Scientists such as Hawking recognize the realistic possibility that life can evolve into serving selfish or even sinister means.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-89819110760475327512010-04-26T10:44:00.000-07:002010-04-26T11:32:48.122-07:00New God Argument Challenges<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lincoln Cannon gives a </span><a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2010/03/transcript-of-new-god-argument-at-smpt.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">New God Argument</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, which suggests an interesting logical proposition about how humans could use scientific and technological development to eventually become immortal, "posthuman" and even create other worlds with other humans. While I fully support science as a method of progressing both spiritually and physically, I see some real challenges with the leap to eternal conclusions in this argument.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps this is just a philosophical argument for the existence of the same Heavenly Father I believe in, but I see some logical fallacies in the benevolence argument. I also don't see what this philosophical exercise adds to existing testimonies of both people and physical evidence--</span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/30/44#44"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"All things denote there is a God",</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and I worry that it creates a proud distraction from the true nature of God.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Immortality and the ability to create is only one aspect of the Mormon conception of God--that He once was a man, died and was resurrected, then eventually created us, and the He is now working actively to encourage us to follow Him and eventually create worlds into the future </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/76/50,58#50" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">D&C 76: 50, 58</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/132/20#20" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">D&C 132: 20</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. However, this description leaves out another, more important characteristic of God: that He will distinguish between good and evil and reward only the good and benevolent with eternal live and future ability to create, as I will show below.<br />
<br />
The Transhumanist benevolence argument suggests "posthumans" are benevolent because humans have managed, most of us, to survive so far, and therefore we will then naturally and gradually progress toward benevolent, loving "posthumans," who then have the power to create other worlds. <br />
<br />
This line of thinking seems tenuous at best--especially the assumption that only benevolent "posthumans" will continue and create into the future. Humans are well-known for doing a terrible job of separating good from evil and rewarding only the benevolent with superior scientific and technological power. Examples abound--say, the Internet--are the best website developers using their skills for only benevolent ends? What about biotech or pharmaceutical companies, etc? The American medical system, although the most scientifically advanced, is one of the worst in the developed world at almost every public health measure that one might find in a truly benevolent system. <br />
<br />
In a number of ways, for at least several decades, on earth we have the current technology and resources to provide plenty of food, shelter, and basic medical vaccinations to the entire planet. Yet, we've not managed to do so. In fact, many of the actions and resource choices of the most technologically advanced of us, as in using corn for ethanol or massive spending on military actions, have made the situation worse that it was before for the poorest people around the world. Many of our inner cities in the United States, surrounded with technological powers, have educational attainment, health quality and life expectancies that are now worse than they were 20 years ago.<br />
<br />
One would be hard-pressed to promote benevolence and compassion as a primary characteristic of the most powerful current scientific or technological human organizations. Hitler had much more advanced technological power than other heroes of true compassion, such as Mother Theresa. <br />
<br />
This pattern for normal human behavior is described in </span> <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/121/34-46#34"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">D&C 121:39 </span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.</span></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The New God Argument offers no realistic mechanism for distinguishing between those with good and evil motives, and leaves us to assume that the battle between sinister and benevolent "posthumans" will continue in a similar pattern that exists among humans. The argument appears to hope that "posthumans" will be as benevolent as our God is, but offers no evidence that this can be accomplished through normal, humanist processes.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, Scripture and and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints describes a God that will distinguish between good and evil, and reward only the good and benevolent with eternal life, as in </span> <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/31-34"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew 25:31-34</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">31 ¶ When the </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/31a" mark="a" title="TG Jesus Christ, Son of Man." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Son</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of man shall come in his </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/31b" mark="b" title="TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming; TG Millennium." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">glory</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">32 And before him shall be gathered all </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/32a" mark="a" title="TG Nations." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nations</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: and he shall </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/32b" mark="b" title="TG Jesus Christ, Judge; TG Judgment, the Last; TG Separation." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">separate</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> them one from another, as a </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/32c" mark="c" title="TG Shepherds." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shepherd</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> divideth his </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/32d" mark="d" title="TG Sheep." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sheep</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from the goats:</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">33 And he shall set the sheep on his </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/33a" mark="a" title="D&C 29: 27." type="A"><span class="searchword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">right</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="searchword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hand</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, but the goats on the </span><span class="searchword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">left</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">34 Then shall the King say unto them on his </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/34a" mark="a" title="Moses 7: 56 (56-57)" type="A"><span class="searchword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">right</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="searchword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hand</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Come, ye </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/34b" mark="b" title="TG Blessings." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blessed</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of my Father, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/34c" mark="c" title="TG Exaltation; TG Reward." type="B"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">inherit</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> the </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/34d" mark="d" title="Luke 12: 32; Rev. 22: 5." type="A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">kingdom</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> prepared for you from the foundation of the world:</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This concept is repeated in numerous other places--emphasizing that "no unclean thing" can dwell with God, such as: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_ne/10/21#21" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 Ne. 10: 21</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/11/37#37" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alma 11: 37</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/26#26" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alma 40: 26</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/27/19#19" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 Ne. 27: 19</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Further, this separation, primarily occurring at the second coming of Jesus Christ, is consistently described as a dramatic, disruptive, not evolutionary, event that all will witness as He descends from the clouds of heaven and the righteous are caught up to meet him, and He will then Judge the world. See </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/isa/45/23#23" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Isa. 45: 23</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/dan/7/13#13" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dan. 7: 13</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/matt/26/64#64" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matt. 26: 64</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">; </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/luke/21/25-28#25" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luke 21: 25-28</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/rev/1/7#7" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rev. 1: 7</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; white-space: normal;"><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gs/s/3_ne/27/14-18#14" style="color: #40639d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 Ne. 27: 14-18</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My belief and hope is in a God and an eternal future that involves the ultimate victory of love and benevolence, and disallowing sinister and selfish people from the opportunity to create future worlds. I'm convinced this will require a dramatic, disruptive intervention from God in order to transform our current patterns of progress.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The key of my belief in God is this hope for a peaceful, loving eternal future and an ultimate victory of good over evil that only God can provide, and I don't see how that is realistically possible without some dramatic interruption of the natural human progression. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The transhumanist "New God" as simply a "posthuman," developing naturally and scientifically from humans, seems to me more likely to be Hitler than Ghandi or Mother Theresa. The Heavenly Father I understand would reward Mother Theresa with eternal life and future creative ability, regardless of her access to or interest in scientific progress, and would prevent Hitler from creative power in spite of his technological and organizational abilities.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-83344526339243853412010-04-23T05:43:00.000-07:002010-04-23T05:54:44.115-07:00Lincoln Cannon MTA response--affirmation 1Lincoln Cannon, <a href="http://lincoln.metacannon.net/2010/04/response-to-mormon-transhumanist.html">on his blog</a>, has responded to my <a href="http://mormontranshumanism.blogspot.com/p/doctrinal-and-logical-response.html">doctrinal and logical response</a>. Interestingly, his initial response, does not effectively dispute my core arguments. I'll respond to these in sections, as he has done.<br />
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To keep my remarks in context, I have no problem with asserting that faith and science are valid means of finding truth, and firmly believe both can and do work together. For example, I believe science has contributed much to our understanding of the creation process on this earth, a point that revelation gives only an outline of phases and an order and purpose for creation. I'm fully convinced, through science, that the process must have taken millions of years and involved gradual changes. I'm also thrilled to see the Church using technology to further God's work on earth in many ways. <br />
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Science, due to its nature, is a much slower method of gaining truth than direct revelation, but it can work very well. For example, revelation taught us <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/89">in 1833</a> that tobacco was bad for the body and that we needed lots of grains, fruits and vegetables, yet science took at least 100 years or more after that to come to the same conclusion. <br />
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My concern throughout this discussion is not about whether science is compatible with religion or whether science and technology are now used now and can and should be used to promote "positive futures." I fully agree with that. My problem is that the Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation (MTA) asserts that essentially science can do some things, such as forgiveness of sin, that, in fact, belong in the realm of faith, not science. The level of emphasis of the MTA is on what man and science can do, not a humble reliance on God, His will, and His word. <br />
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On this key point, Lincoln essentially agrees with me--that our goal should be the unification of our wills with God and Christ. But in his agreement with me, he relies on his own personal beliefs, not those of the MTA, and admits that<br />
<blockquote>"the MTA does not advocate specific positions on the extent to which positive human futures, whether we describe them as "salvation" or "exaltation", depend on God and Christ." </blockquote>That's the core of my concern. Scripture and Mormon Doctrine are abundantly clear that God and Christ are absolute requirements for exaltation, which is a clearly-defined state of cleanliness from sin as a result of Christ's atonement, not just a generic or undefined set of "positive futures." On the other hand, Mormon Transhumanism advocates science not just as a means of understanding truth, but as a means for exaltation. Those are two dramatically divergent viewpoints. <br />
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I'll get to our discussion of the next two affirmations in future posts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660643955928428945.post-10038047690962706482010-04-19T08:01:00.000-07:002010-04-19T08:01:20.492-07:00Discussion encouragedPlease review the blog purpose and the doctrinal and logical response pages. <br />
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I would look forward to comments and discussion about these ideas. Of course, to be substantive, any responses should give sources for any facts or quotes mentioned. <br />
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I will make my best attempt at responding to comments and feedback on this blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4