How did Alvin Smith get into the Celestial Kingdom if not baptized?
Question Gramps, How did Alvin got in the celestial kingdom even though he was not yet baptized and did not have any wife at that time? How is this possible? Thanks! Marcie Answer Dear Marcie, Joseph's oldest brother, Alvin, died in November of...
Will there be a final war in heaven after the second coming?
Question Gramps, Is there to be a final war in heaven after the second coming and Satan is no longer bound? Julia Answer Dear Julia, The book of Revelation tells us of the great war in heaven fought in the premortal existence: "And there was war...
Why do many Saints fold their arms instead of their hands while praying?
Question Gramps, Why do many saints fold their arms while praying instead of their hands? A convert of 22 years, I've never done it because no one could tell me why. I'd like to be able to tell other converts. Ingrid Answer Ingrid, I'll answer...
While on vacation, should we take a vacation from church as well?
Question Gramps, I've noticed a common theme of going on vacation and not partaking of the Sacrament even though it is feasible to do so. Is there ever a situation when we wouldn't take the Sacrament when on vacation? Should we take a vacation from church as...
Are we discouraged from asking questions not pertaining to our salvation?
Question Hi Gramps, I was just reading today and a question struck my mind. In my stake, we are discouraged to ask questions that do not directly pertain to our salvation, like trivia stuff for example. We were told to steer clear of those. Now my questions...
How can the Savior understand what it is like to fail?
Question Gramps, We know that the Savior was obedient to Heavenly Father in all things, he was tempted but did not head the temptations. In short, he was perfect. My question is: how can the Savior understand what it is like to fail? I try to live the...
My friends started a “school of the prophets.” Would this be considered the beginning of an apostate group?
Question Gramps, Some friends of mine organized a scripture study that they then turned into a school of the prophets, citing D&C 88. I joined in for a few sessions to see, but ceased to attend when they started performing the ordinances of washing of the...
Why isn’t the Proclamation on the Family a part of our canon of scripture?
Question Dear Gramps, Why is it that the Proclamation on the Family and the other one about Jesus Christ has not been added to our canon of scripture? Did it take years and years before the revelation on the priesthood by Pres. Kimball got added to the...
Is there homophobia in the LDS Church?
Question Gramps, Hi! I was reading a bit about Boyd K Packer and found mention of a discontinued pamphlet To Young Men Only and about how it contained some homophobia, as well as how some of his talks implied that people can choose to be gay or not. Now, this...
I’m gay. Is it fair to have to live my entire life with no one?
Question Hi Gramps; So, I'm gay. I'm not attracted to women at all. I am not going to get married to someone that I have NO attraction to, just to ruin her life also; it seems cruel for me to do so. It's also natural for us to pair off. I don't want to...
Is World War III imminent?
Question Gramps, I understand that President Packer gave a talk in 2011 saying that the young people still had plenty of time before WW3 would happen and that they would even have grandchildren before that time. I, of course understand that no one knows the...
Mormon? Sources? and Baptismal Authority? Oh my!!
Question Gramps, Are you a Mormon? Where are you getting your information? Is the Mormon church the only one with proper authority to baptize? Amanda Answer Dear Amanda, Thanks for your questions. If you follow the "About Gramps" link on the...
Can you help me with some concepts in Revelation that aren’t clear?
Question Hey, Gramps! I was studying the Book of Revelation, and there were some concepts that weren't very clear to me. Could you help?: Rev. 10:6 - "There should be time no longer" - is this a reference to the end of God's waiting for the end of the...
Why is the LDS Church the only one with proper authority to baptize?
Question Gramps, My question is this... my husband is a new convert and wonders where does it say in the Bible who has or where does the proper authority come from to baptize? He said he cannot find anything in the bible that says it. He wonders how the LDS...
Is there progression between kingdoms?
Question Gramps, Where in the scriptures or modern day teachings does it explain that there is no progression between kingdoms? For example, at judgment if a person is in the Terrestrial Kingdom can this person advance to the Celestial Kingdom? Nathan ...
How can I research church history spiritually but yet objectively or scientifically as well?
Question Hi Gramps! I'm a curious, empirical person and a devout RM attending BYU. I’ve researched Church history/doctrine and know by my nature that I will continue. I avoid biased material but include academic non-Church sources. I risk disaffiliation and...
Is what we know of God a contradiction?
Question Dear Gramps, I've heard and read that God is the same "yesterday, today, and forever." I have also heard that He used to be just like us on another Earth and then He became a God. These statements seem to contradict. Is the latter incorrect or am I...
What year was the first quad printed?
Question Gramps, What year was the first quad printed? Carri Answer Carri, What a wonderfully delightful bit of trivium you've stumbled upon. It was fun to research this. There was in fact an older quad printed once upon a time. ...
Is there no work, knowledge or wisdom in the grave?
Question Gramps, Ecclesiastes 9:10King James Version (KJV) 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. According to this verse in the Bible, there is...
When did the idea that you shouldn’t turn down a calling start?
Question Gramps, I want to know where it started that you're never supposed to say no to a calling in the church. Margaret Answer Margaret, The idea of not saying no to a calling comes from a very logical progression of facts on what we, LDS...
How can we pursue goals without getting caught up in pride?
Question Gramps, How can we make and pursue goals for accomplishments, such as education and career goals, without getting caught up in pride and a desire for worldly recognition? Many (not all) objectives and achievements, such a promotions or acceptance to...
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