Is it okay to get a tattoo for medical reasons?
Question I know the church doesn't approve of tattoos, but what about one that is done for medical reasons? Michael Answer Dear Michael, The church understands and accepts medical necessity as a valid reason to do things that otherwise would not...
Natural phenomena
Dear Gramps, I was curious about a phenomenon called volcanic winter. My understanding of it is that when a big volcano like the one in Yellowstone National Park, erupts, it spews ash up into the atmosphere, spreading around the globe and killing plant life and...
How were Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery able to baptize each other before being ordained?
Question Gramps, John the Baptist confered the Aaronic Priesthood on the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15th 1829. After baptizing each other they ordained each other to the office of a Priest in that Priesthood, which office gives them the...
Older members of the Elders Quorum
I am a High Priest Group Leader and among my group I have older members who are from the Elders Quorum.They have been told that if they feel more comfortable meeting with the High Priests instead of with the younger Elders Quorum because of their age, they can do. ...
Could you explain what Olaha Shinehah is?
Question Gramps, In Doctrine and Covenants section 117 we read: "Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the...
What does it mean to honor thy father and thy mother?
Question Gramps, What does honor thy father and thy mother mean? When I say no to my parents, they always quote that. Please tell me what that means. Liam Answer Dear Liam, What you are not saying is what you are saying “no” to. Are you saying...
Holy Ghost getting a body?
I have been taught by every church leader I know that every soul has a chance to get a body to come to earth to be tested. This including Heavenly Father and Jesus. Why, then, does the Holy Ghost not get this opportunity? I know that "he would not be able to dwell...
DNA and age of the earth
I've read that DNA can be used to estimate how many generations there have been since our most recent common ancestor, presumably Adam. These studies indicate he lived at least 100,000 years ago, and yet, D&C 77 says (and you said in another question) that the...
Pre-existence
Hi Gramps, We are born into life and we take on the appearance and the traits of our parents and ancestors. We are all brothers and sisters, but how much of our original spiritual character survives through all the genetic and environmental influences from birth to...
Should we rejoice if our enemy is dead?
Since we got the surprising news about Osama Bin Laden's death we all rejoiced. But I remembered a scripture not to do this kind of thing. "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles." Proverbs 24:17 Should we forgive or...
