Why can’t I get back the testimony I had before I departed from virtue?
Dear Gramps, I joined the church 27 years ago at the age of 17 after a number of very profound spiritual experiences. I also received a powerful, specific witness one night that the Book of Mormon was true, which spirit rested upon me for about 20 minutes and reduced...
What do I have to do to be in the Celestial Kingdom with my daughter after my death?
Dear Gramps, What do I have to do to be in the Celestial Kingdom with my daughter after my death? She died at the age of two. Emily, from Arkansas Dear Emily, What you would need to do depends on where you now are, but you supplied no information on that point. So...
How did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon?
Question Gramps, I would like to know the exact way the Prophet Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. For instance, I read that at first he used a seer stone instead of the Urim and Thummim which he placed in his hat and buried his face into the hat to block...
Does foreknowledge imply predestination?
Gramps, If God knows all things, then He knows what choices I will make. If He already knows, then (to me) there is really no choice or agency to choose on my part. I must be following His choices, not one’s I choose. If He knows the end from the beginning, then He...
What are the three degrees of glory in the celestial kingdom?
Hi Gramps, I am the Young Men President in our Ward in the Mormon Church and a question came up that I don’t know the answer to. The question is; other than needing to be sealed to your spouse to reach the highest glory within the Celestial Kingdom, what are the...
Is it true that we are never tempted beyond that which we ca bear?
Gramps, I was always under the impression that the Lord would never tempt us above what we can bear. However, after reading Alma 13:27-28 it seems to read that if we are not continually repenting and humbling ourselves then we could be given temptations beyond what we...
Does a man lose his priesthood when excommunicated from the Mormon Church or is it just withdrawn?
Dear Gramps, When a man is excommunicated from the Mormon Church, does he lose his priesthood, or just have the right to use it withdrawn? We know he cannot participate in church meetings, partake of the sacrament, hold callings, etc., but is the right to preside in...
What does the scripture mean that says “take my yoke upon you?”
Question Dear Gramps, Could you possibly explain what is meant by the following phrase (I’m paraphrasing) “Take upon the Lord’s yoke for it is light.” Thank you, Charlene Answer Dear Charlene, As I’m sure you know, a yoke is a bar or frame by which two draft...
Testimony of a repentant homosexual.
Dear Gramps, I am what you would call an repentant homosexual”gay” man. It has taken long years of being in and out ot the gospel. I am now 48 and a temple recommend holder and do all I can to serve our God. Sexuality I have learned is to be kept in the bounds the...
How can 1 Nephi 3:7 in the Book of Mormon and D&C 124:49 be reconciled?
Dear Gramps, Is there ANY way to reconcile 1 Nephi 3:7 in the Book of Mormon with D&C 124:49? Wouldn’t this last scripture have given Nephi and his brothers an excuse NOT to keep trying to obtain the Brass Plates from Laban? At what point in our own lives do we...
