Thoughtful answers from Gramps

Thoughtful answers for everyday questions, curiosities, and challenges.

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How do I live the commandments without exception?

How do I live the commandments without exception?

Question   Gramps, How do I live the commandments without exception? Neil   Answer   Neil, Imagine walking through a grand buffet—your eyes are drawn to the dishes you like, skipping past those you’d rather avoid. It’s a relatable approach to food, but...

Have all of the Priesthood keys been given to man on earth?

Have all of the Priesthood keys been given to man on earth?

Question   Gramps, As you know, the prophets have taught us multiple times, one talk in particular by Elder Oaks in the April 2014 conference, that some priesthood keys have yet to be given to man. Yet, in the temple recommend interview, we are asked if the...

Is it okay to be involved with energy healing?

Is it okay to be involved with energy healing?

Question   Gramps, I saw a thread on a social media page about energy healing or therapy. I just wondered if there is a legitimate church policy or stance on its use or involvement?  Dave   Answer   Dave, Energy healing encompasses a wide range of...

Why should I be my brother’s keeper?

Why should I be my brother’s keeper?

Question   Gramps, Why should we care how others live their lives?  Nathan   Answer   When Jesus was asked to identify the greatest law, He responded candidly: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy...

Why did Nephi create two different sets of plates?

Why did Nephi create two different sets of plates?

Question   Gramps, We know that Nephi created two different sets of plates. The large and small plates. Why did he do this? Couldn't it have just been on one set of plates? Jim   Answer   Jim, After the perilous journey from Jerusalem and arrival in the...

Are prayers by Latter-day Saints more powerful?

Are prayers by Latter-day Saints more powerful?

Question   Gramps, Are prayers by Latter-day Saints more powerful than prayers by members of other religions? Doug   Answer   Doug,  Prayers offered by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follow a pattern that is both structured...

Where did the manuscript for the Bible come from?

Where did the manuscript for the Bible come from?

Question   Gramps, I have started to reread the Book of Mormon again this year, and early on, the Nephites are able to obtain the plate of brass, which "they were the record of the Jews, a record of many of the prophesies from the beginning down to and including...

Is there ever a justification for lying?

Is there ever a justification for lying?

Question   Gramps, In the Book of Mormon, it is recounted that a previous Lamanite was recruited by the Nephites to trick the Lamanite guards into drinking strong wine, thereby helping rescue Nephite prisoners.  He, of course, lied that he was an escaped...

On what will we be judged during the final judgment?

On what will we be judged during the final judgment?

Question   Gramps, On what will we be judged during the final judgment? Marilyn   Answer   Marilyn, While scripture sometimes describes the event as a grand courtroom with books opened and the Judge upon the throne (see Revelation 20:12), modern...

Why is Sunday the Sabbath of the Lord?

Why is Sunday the Sabbath of the Lord?

Question   Gramps, What is the accurate explanation of why Sunday is the day of the Sabbath of the Lord? Ken   Answer   Ken, The origin of Sabbath observance goes back to the very beginning of the scriptural record. In Genesis, God Himself set the...

What price did Christ actually pay?

What price did Christ actually pay?

Question   Gramps, One of our hymns mentions Christ paid the price for sin. What price did he actually pay? Cheryl   Answer   Cheryl, The earliest Christians and modern believers alike have seen in the Atonement a wellspring of hope that sin and death...

Did early Latter-day Saint women hold the priesthood?

Did early Latter-day Saint women hold the priesthood?

Question   Gramps, Did early LDS women hold the priesthood? Roy   Answer   Roy, When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830, religious authority and the concept of priesthood were in flux and developing. In 1842, Joseph...

Is the welfare system in the Church ever abused?

Is the welfare system in the Church ever abused?

Question   Gramps, It seems the church welfare system is highly abused.  Poor people get baptized and assume it is there for their use.  Consistently and forever.  Some people seem to use this as their only tie to the church.  As a ward leader, this bothers me...

What does it mean to be a pure Israelite?

What does it mean to be a pure Israelite?

Question   Dear Gramps, What does it mean t be a pure Israelite? Thank you, M.S.E.   Answer   M.S.E., The words “Jew” and “Gentile” originate in ancient Israelite history. Biblically, a “Jew” refers to descendants of the kingdom of Judah, while...

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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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