Thoughtful answers from Gramps

Thoughtful answers for everyday questions, curiosities, and challenges.

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Who did Adam and Eve’s children marry?

Who did Adam and Eve’s children marry?

Question   Gramps, One question I have often wondered about is the marriages of Adam and Eve's children. They must have married their siblings. Is this true? Alverne   Answer   Alverne, At the very heart of this question is a reading of the Bible and...

How can one serve a mission if not worthy?

How can one serve a mission if not worthy?

Question Dear Gramps, Today I found your site by something more than coincidence. I have been a member for most of my life but like others have strayed away from the flock. I served in the Armed Forces when I should have gone on a mission, and during that time when I...

Will all be physically perfected in the hereafter?

Will all be physically perfected in the hereafter?

Question Gramps, When we're taught that we'll be perfected in the hereafter, does that apply to all 3 glories or just Celestial? Grant   Answer Grant, The resurrection applies to all of mankind that ever lived on the earth, regardless of personal righteousness....

Is there an appointed time to die?

Is there an appointed time to die?

Question Dear Gramps, I remember reading somewhere that a righteous person won't die before their appointed time. Is this correct doctrine? It would bring great comfort to a friend of mine whose daughter recently died. Thanks so much!  I really appreciate the time you...

At what point does the Spirit cease to strive with us?

At what point does the Spirit cease to strive with us?

Question Gramps, The Book of Mormon states in may verses that the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. With every good or bad decision an individual, family, nation, or world makes we move ourselves in a direction for good or evil. A good decision gives...

What is the Church’s stance on Harry Potter?

What is the Church’s stance on Harry Potter?

Question   Gramps, I heard that President Uchtdorf endorses Harry Potter. I am troubled to think that an Apostle would endorse Harry Potter. Is that true? Has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a stance in terms of Harry Potter? Malea  ...

Repentance

Repentance

If I am trying to repent of trying to overcome anger and have not over come at death, is this where Christ intercedes for me? Eathyl _______________ Eathyl, Absolutely. The fact is we all will fall short of perfection, and the atonement is in place expressly for this...

Non members and celestial glory

Non members and celestial glory

Can non members of the church attain celestial glory from Spirit Prison? Stephen ____________ Stephen, Yes they can, and I have no doubt that quite a few will. The requirement for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom is that the individuals commit to the covenants of...

Homosexuality and Gender Change

Homosexuality and Gender Change

My 21-year-old announced he was gay in his early teens. It took years for us to get to a place where we agreed to love each other while agreeing to disagree. We had finally succeeded in his understanding it was a matter of respect to not bring it into our home when he...

Heirs of the Terrestrial Kingdom

Heirs of the Terrestrial Kingdom

Dear Gramps, In D&C Section 76, it details a vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon of the three degrees of glory. Verse 72 describes one possible condition that will lead to inheritance of the Terrestrial kingdom, i.e., those who die without law. Yet...

What is the origin of the Salt Lake City Temple?

What is the origin of the Salt Lake City Temple?

Question   Gramps, Can you tell me the date that construction on the SLC Mormon Temple was begun and when the work was completed? Cole   Answer   Cole, Groundbreaking for the Salt Lake Temple was done on  February 14, 1853. The cornerstone was laid on...

Can Satan be in the presence of God?

Can Satan be in the presence of God?

Question   Gramps, When reading Job, Satan presented himself before the Lord. We know that no unclean thing can be in the presence of God. We also know that Satan is cut off from the presence of God. How then could he present himself to God? Any insights? Robert...

How does the Lord look upon suicide if very depressed?

How does the Lord look upon suicide if very depressed?

Question How does the Lord look upon suicide if a person had been very depressed? Lori   Answer Dear Lori, The final judgment bears some similarities to a panel of judges for Olympic diving. The diver is judged on two things: 1) how well the dive is performed,...

Premortal Ordinances

Premortal Ordinances

Dear Gramps, In reference to Alma 13, particularly verse 8, how could the Spirits in the pre-earth life receive or give ordinances. In this case of the priesthood, I assume to be the ordinance of laying on of hands. -Opie ____________ Opie, We know very little about...

Helaman 2:13-14

Helaman 2:13-14

Hi Gramps, It mentions that the Gadianton Robbers will be the eventual down fall of the Nephite people, I understand that. My question is in verse 13. I believe this is Mormon talking who says that "in the end of this book" then in verse 14 it says not in the book of...

Tv on the Sabbath Day

Tv on the Sabbath Day

Is there any statement from church leaders regarding the viewing of television on the Sabbath? While serving a mission we were told to leave that open to individual interpretation of those we taught, but that we should teach the specifics that are laid out in the...

In-Vitro Fertilization

In-Vitro Fertilization

What is the church's stance on in vitro fertilization?  Also, what should be done with the left over embryos? Amber _____________________ Amber, The Church's stance on in vitro fertilization has been recorded in the Church Handbook of Instruction Vol 2, section...

John 19:23 Christ’s robe

John 19:23 Christ’s robe

Hi Gramps- I love your site. I've read several questions over the years, but never asked. I was reading the New Testament today and read John 19:23 and was struck by "...now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout." Is there a significance to how the...

Is it wrong to be a vegetarian?

Is it wrong to be a vegetarian?

Question Gramps, I've been a vegetarian for five years. Today in seminary, the teacher told us that we have to eat meat and that vegetarians are bad. Do I absolutely have to eat meat? I really don't want to. Leah   Answer Leah, Our health is important to us...

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This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. The views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of those users and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org.

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