How Can I Help My Disgruntled Missionary Friend?
Dear Gramps: Carlos is from Mendoza, Argentina. His dream became a cold reality when upon contacting BYU he was denied and informed that just because one serves a mission, one does not have the guarantee of attending such a school. He was devastated and returned to...
Should a bishop give welfare assistance to someone who is on strike?
Question Aloha Gramps, I am currently the Relief Society President of our Ward in the Mormon Church and my husband and I had an interesting talk the other day about how our tithing money is spent. The State of Hawaii is currently experiencing a teacher’s strike and...
Would it be against church practice to have a Tongan kava ceremony at a wedding reception?
Gramps, My sister is getting married in June. Her fiancé is Tongan, and his family feels very strongly that we need to have a traditional Kava ceremony at the reception. We are desperately trying to find out if it is OK as part of the ceremony. I know that General...
Are interracial marriages acceptable?
Dear Gramps, I would like to know about interracial marriages. It can be confusing on the different views people take. Are they acceptable? Are they not? John, from Kansas City, Kansas Dear John, The Brethren have discouraged interracial marriages. I would expect that...
Do spirits have tangible forms that we as mortals can feel and see?
Dear Gramps, Do spirits have tangible forms that we as mortals can feel and see? Do our spirits look the same after we die as in the flesh? I understand that we can test to see if they are evil as they will try to shake our hands but true messengers will not. So it...
How can the Holy Ghost dwell in righteous people if He can be in only one place at one time?
Dear Gramps, If the Holy Ghost is supposed to dwell in righteous people, how can he if he can only be in one place at a time? I’ve heard about his “influence” being everywhere present like the sun’s rays. Also our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Please explain...
How does one “give their burdens to the Lord”?
Dear Gramps, How does one “give their burdens to the Lord”? My husband had a nervous breakdown in April and lost his job in July due to behavior resulting from the severe depression that lead up to the breakdown. He has not worked since April and we have not received...
Why should one kneel while family prayer is being said?
Dear Gramps, My husband and I are recently active yet we have always prayed together. Our prayers have always been while we lay down to sleep. Recently (as we become more active) I’ve felt prompted that we should kneel to pray. Is this about obedience, or respect or...
What is a “Mormon Apologist”?
Dear Gramps, What is a "Mormon Apologist"? Susie, from Kansas City, Missouri Dear Susie, The dictionary definition of the word, apologist, is one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something. So a Mormon apologist would be a defender of the faith....
How could Levi have been worthy to hold the priesthood when he was responsible for the murder of Shechem?
Dear Gramps, I am having a hard time understanding how Levi (one of the 12 sons of Jacob) was worthy to receive the priesthood portion of the inheritance. I have just finished reading Genesis 34 where it appears that Levi and Simeon have committed murder to avenge the...
Should I confront those who make disparaging remarks about our adopted black son?
Dear Gramps, One of my sons is black. My husband and I overheard a couple last week during Sacrament meeting saying how they would never adopt a black baby because they don’t have values, and they are like “animals”, etc. I want to confront them, but I’m pretty sure I...
What are the three trumpet sounds that will be heard before the coming of the Savior?
Gramps, Could you please explain in detail, along with your opinion of the three trumpet sounds before Christ’s coming? I realize it will not be all at once, but I’m also sure it will be a scary thing even for the saints who are living righteously. In your opinion,...
Why did God create Eve from Adam’s rib instead of a different bone?
Dear Gramps, Why did God create Eve from Adam’s rib instead of a different bone? Molly Dear Molly, The biblical account of Eve being taken from Adam’s rib is completely allegorical. One may interpret the allegory in various different ways, but as far as I know there...
How were the original family relationships maintained over the bridge of 200 years?
Gramps, Through the Book of Mormon up to the time of Christ’s visit, there were “-ites” – Nephites, Lamanites, Jacobites, etc. Then there were no “ites” for almost 200 years. And then there became “-ites” again. I have read that the division was religious the second...
My husband says that he doesn’t love me. What am I to do?
Dear Gramps, I married my husband in the temple and a short time after that he told me that he didn’t love me. I felt that I should leave him because of the way he felt and he said to me not to leave that he would work on trying to love me. Years down the track he is...
What is the first step to take to return to activity in the Mormon Church?
Gramps, I was sealed to my husband and children in 1999. Shortly thereafter, we moved to a rural area with a small church membership. We slipped away from the church due to frustration of driving so far to meetings. I became lonely and depressed and violated my...
What exactly is involved in obtaining a change of heart?
Dear Gramps, What exactly is involved in obtaining a change of heart? And what can insure it remains permanent? Sometimes I feel like a yo-yo, saint and sinner, going back and forth and never quite being one or the other. How do I know I am on the right track? Robert,...
Could you please explain to me the meaning of Doctrine & Covenants 46:19-25? Are some still able to talk in tongues, etc?
Dear Gramps, You have references D&C 46:10-26 in many of your answers. Could you please explain to me what verse 19-25 mean to us? Are some still able to talk in tongues, etc? Melissa, from Midvale, Utah Dear Melissa, All of the gifts of the gospel mentioned in...
I am terrified of sharing the gospel with non-members of the Mormon Church. What can you do to help me?
Dear Gramps, I have been a member of the Mormon Church for 12 years and have a strong testimony of the gospel, but am terrified of sharing it with non-members. No one in my family is a member of the Church and the few times the subject has come up they get pretty...
Can you help me get over the feelings of love I have for a person with whom my relationship has ended?
Dear Gramps, I’m Negar from Iran. I’m 22. I brakage in love and after three years dissent, I can’t forget my love and like be a new person. Help me please. Egar, from Karaj, Iran Dear Negar, These early romances are often very difficult to get over, but there is one...
How do you think the Lord would feel about a person who had weight loss surgery?
Wanda wrote: How do you think the Lord would feel about a person who had weight loss surgery? Would it be desecrating the body or the use of a modern day miracle? Locale: Long Beach CA Dear Wanda, I think that it would be neither. Rather than desecrating the body,...
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