Thoughtful answers from Gramps

Thoughtful answers for everyday questions, curiosities, and challenges.

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Should we kneel when we pray?

Should we kneel when we pray?

Dear Gramps, I have questions about kneeling while praying. Our family prays together regularly in a reverent manner but we seldom kneel. As we are converts this isn’t something we did in the past and we are unsure when to kneel although we hear reference to kneeling...

What is the etymology of the word forgiveness?

What is the etymology of the word forgiveness?

Gramps, What is the etymology of the word forgiveness? Sherry, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada   Dear Sherry, The word forgive comes from the following sources— Saxon–forgivan. Gothic–fragiban. German–vergeben.Netherlands–vergeeven. Danish–forgiver. The...

Why was Jesus born from a virgin?

Why was Jesus born from a virgin?

Question   Dear Gramps, Why was Jesus born from a virgin? Why not just a woman who had all ready given birth to a child, or did Mary pray for it perhaps? Tina   Answer Dear Tina, The mortal mission of Jesus Christ was of such a nature that it could never...

Why don’t we now have a patriarch to the church?

Why don’t we now have a patriarch to the church?

Question   Gramps, Why don’t we now have a patriarch to the church? I understand that there are patriarchs in most areas of the church and that there probably isn’t the need for a roving patriarch, however, as it was: a) a calling wherein he was sustained as a...

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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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