What is the Church’s stand on hypnosis?
Question Dear Gramps, I was wondering. What is the Church's stand on hypnosis? Or do they have one? Is it okay to use to overcome bad habits? Would you be making yourself vulnerable to someone else's suggestion, thus compromising your free agency? I'm just not...
If we are punished for our own sins and not for Adam’s (or Eve’s) transgression, then why is it that we must work by the sweat of our brows and in sorrow bear children?
Dear Gramps, If we are punished for our own sins and not for Adam's (or Eve's) transgression, then why is it that we must work by the sweat of our brows and in sorrow bear children? Chip @deseretonline.com Dear Chip, When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, the...
What is the church’s position on the death penalty?
Question Dear Gramps, What is the church's position on the death penalty? If the atonement was made for all, why is it necessary for the church to believe in sustaining the law for the death penalty rather than taking a position against it, as it seems...
Why are we cautioned against the use of face cards?
Dear Gramps, I hope you can answer a question that has always elicited a horrified expression from others before, but no one has ever been able to answer it in the 36 years that I have been an active member of the church. Why, in particular, are we cautioned against...
Why do we celebrate Christmas in December?
Question Dear Gramps, I was wondering why we celebrate Christmas in December instead of in April when Jesus Christ was really born? Ann Answer Dear Ann, No definite date has been established for the birth of the Savior. Our notion that he was born...
What is the distinction between the mark and curse when it comes to color of skin?
Gramps, I very much appreciated your insight to the individual who asked about the curse on Cain. I had not before understood the distinction between the mark and the curse. This reminded me, however, of another subject with which I am uncomfortable, and that is the...
What is the rationale for being “buried in the earth” instead of cremated?
Dear Gramps, The questions that I have had the last few years regarding cremation were answered in your past questions. However, I am hoping that you will be able to provide additional insight to help me more fully understand. It seems to me that whether a body decays...
How can I define the value of prayer to a nonmember diagnosed with cancer?
Dear Gramps, How can I define the value of prayer to a nonmember who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Her prognosis is not good. She asks the question...If we lived with Heavenly Father before coming to this earth,...
Why does genetical research show that American Indians are of Asian descent and not Hebrew?
Gramps, How do you explain the remarkable coincidences between Ethan Smith's (minister to the Cowdery family) view of the Hebrews written in 1825 to Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon written in 1830? Also, why does genetical research show that American Indians are of...
Why was the tabernacle so elaborately decorated for Brigham Young’s funeral?
Question Gramps, We were in Priesthood meeting last Sunday and our lesson was the last one in the Brigham Young manual. My question is in regards to the picture of the tabernacle where Brigham Young's funeral services were held and it was elaborately decorated for...
