Deseret News | Reunion with God not immediate, Y. prof says

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Reunion with God not immediate, Y. prof says

Clark AFB | 12:53 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

What in the world is this guy teaching? I think there needs to be a little peer review before these guys get up and talk. It get a little embarrassing at points.

Skeptic | 6:59 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

How do we know any of this stuff? Somebody come back and tell us about it? It says this and that in some or another book but there's a good chance it's all hooey. So, no proof needed, this guy can yammer on all he wants, unchallenged.

JAYEG | 7:05 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

The LDS Church is, of course, entitled to it's own particular beliefs regarding God, the nature of God, and God's will for His children.

That doesn't mean that everyone else must subscribe to those teachings.

I am a lifelong member of the LDS faith...and I believe that we are ushered into the Lord's presence as we lay our mortal by.

Why? Because I believe that God is omnipresent. He is everywhere.

And even if, as the LDS Church believes, that we must await the judgment before we receive our assignments for eternity...I believe that we are still in His presence.

Besides...if what the LDS Church teaches about God being a loving and eternal Father is true...what Father would refuse to see a child who has just returned home?

Comments continue below

Don't Agree | 7:08 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I don't agree with this guy and I'm a faithful Latter-day Saint. I believe the righteous will be received into the arms of Jesus upon their death. Jesus is the creator of this world and he is part of the Godhead, so why wouldn't their be a reunion with "God". Is he talking about Heavenly Father???

Adamson | 7:10 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I think this article is poorly written. It blends what direct quotes from Dr. Merrill and the reporters interpretation. I would honestly consider revising it and make it more clear what he said. And the purpose of the article. Are you claiming that he is teaching principles that are against the doctrine of the church?

At any rate I think this article is too short to give us a clear view of what Dr. Merrill is actually trying to say. I hope no one pre-judges him because of an article that might not be fully representing what he said and the background.

The author of the article wrote a short analysis one one point of his whole lecture. You read this article in 2 minutes and the whole lecture was over an hour. I don't think you have the right to judge him based on what a reporter stated that quickly. And for all you know that was peer-reviewed.

Today with Jesus | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

"TODAY you will be with me in Paradise."(Luke 23:43)
That same evening Jesus appears to his diciples(Luke 24:39)Behold my hands and feet that is myself,Handle me and see",but that morning,Mary says,"touch me not,"The only answer is sometime during the day Jesus went to heaven and in fulfillment of the type,pressented the blood upon the mercy seat in heaven,and(1Peter3:19)He proclaimed or declared not preached(ekeruzon)to the spirits in prison,victory over the cross,and doom for the hearers,Noah and his wicked contemporaries.
Jesus could have done all this in a twinkling of an eyes. Married to a Mormon

Truman | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Gee, it must be wonderful to know God's mind while the rest of us are wrestling with if there is a god.

Tell me the truth here ok? | 9:49 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Some of this may be right, when ancient prophets wrote that not a hair of a person's head would be lost, that's really what they meant, when your in the ground six feet under, your hair and nails keep growing, so it's there, it's the rest of your body that lays there and rots away, and that's not a pretty sight, no matter what the undertaker puts in your veins, to slow this act. Then your "sprit" goes through a tunnel of light, after your "brain stem" snaps and your dead, to a sprit prison, held there, until you say "I want to go to Heaven", and then someone on planet earth, goes to the Temple, and does a baptism for the dead, for your name, and you, then you go up in front of Jesus for "JUDGEMENT", to see if HE'LL let you in the door without a doorknob on it, (but wait a minute, if your baptize again, your pure like Jesus Christ is, right, that should be the key to that door), then why does this "JUDGEMENT" have to come into play at all?. Your now pure. RIGHT?.

Question | 9:56 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Where was God when the small ball of pure energy exploded into becoming the universe, was He inside the ball of energy.

Yrag Notyalc | 10:21 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Are some of you suggesting we will follow the exact path and timing in returning to the Father as did the Savior? If so, it is to assume that death, erases the shortcomings which have not been fully repented of in this life and no time is allowed for further refining. Are we forgetting the Savior was perfect prior to, while he lived upon the earth and continues to be so now, allowing him status to have always been in the presence of the Father. Upon death, is there not a period of time within another sphere/s whereby, based upon our degree of worthiness, we might develop "toward" perfection? Paradise and the Spirit World and Exaltation vary and must be properly earned. This appears to be pretty elementary and I am sure the full context of the subject remarks will bear it out.

Te: Question | 10:34 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Standing back, holding the match to the fuse, of course.

John Pack Lambert | 11:16 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I have always personally disagreed with the Church's stance on this doctrine. I believe that we will be reunited with the savior immediately upon death.

Re; Yrag Notyalc | 11:46 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009

(Romans 8:1 )There is no condemnation(judgement unto death)to them(the saved) which are in Christ Jesus."
But their will be judgments upon Christ's return for "Beleivers"works,but mostly condemnation for non-beleivers. In the parable of The Rich man and Lazarus(Luke 16:19-31)Lazarus goes to Abraham's bosom(side)paradise,and it is curtains for the rich man,v.26 no one can pass or cross from hell(hades)
Upon Christs return bad news for this rich guy.

Thomas | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Gary, you're going to have to be more cryptic than that.

My comment about the above: speculation is useless. We'll find out when we get there.

Anonymous | 3:02 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Why do we need a prophet when we have these self-appointed professors to spout and teach us their own gospel?

Not Buying This Nonsense | 3:03 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

May I suggest there will never be a reunion with God, since God does not exist.

Truth Revealed | 3:34 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

"Many Christian denominations hold that immediately following death, a person is welcomed into the presence of God."

This is a typical straw man argument made by BYU "scholars" to give the illusion that LDS theology has something unique and valuable to offer that other religions don't have.

It is not only "bad" scholarship, it is dishonest!

First of all, there is NO official Church doctrine on this issue. None. You may find individual quotes by various and sundry Church members and leaders, but NOTHING that is official Church doctrine.

And second of all, there is NO official Church doctrine taught by OTHER Churches that is even remotely similar to (and as simple-minded) as the nonsense Merrill spewed!

Do not be deceived.

Earl 43 | 4:21 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I doubt that Professor Merrill intended this to be a statement of official Church doctrine. It is his opinion, based on his own study and understanding of the scriptures and other sources. It is food for thought and a challenge for further study.
Also, for "Not Buying This Stuff," why is it a problem for you if others, through their life experience and study, have concluded that there is a God who is our father, loves and cares about us, as taught in the scriptures? Of course the scriptures are not sufficient proof that there is a God. But science isn't sufficient proof that there is not a God. If you want to know about the earth, study the earth. If you want to know about God, study the things God, our Heavenly Father, has given us. Both studies are enlightening. Neither detracts from the other.

RE: Truth Revealed | 4:57 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Attacking or belittleing someone elses beliefs is NOT proof yours.

although you DON OT make known any of your beliefs nor substaniate anything you said.

All that is left is a sour opinion,

by person who feels the need to mock others.

Although I do think we should give MUCH more wieght and creedence to what prophet says, than to what an anonymous blogger posts.

RE: Anonymous | 3:02 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I believe the scriptures say we are supposed to "EDIFY" each other.

The scholar can only teach what they have learned an gleamed from their studies,

in this case, the his studies of the scriptures and the prophets, etc.

He is simply teaching or passing on his best understanding.

THAT'S how ALL Scholars work.

They build on past "scholars" works.

YOu can make the same generalized comment in any area of study,

for example: who needs newton and einstein, when you have hawking.

JAYEG | 5:21 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

True, Thomas...speculation really proves nothing...but then again...speculation is fun, and it is the human thing to do.

Where would the human race be today if men didn't watch the birds and speculate on the possibility of flight?

michaelm | 8:01 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

I am no scholar and I do not have an opinion about the Doctor's positions but I do travel often and have attended church all over and people have never taught that the wicked and good will be hanging out together in the same place. The basic plan of salvation or of happiness diagrams and charts in all the books explain that the righteous will be in paradise while the wicked are in spirit prison. That the wicked and those who have not yet received the gospel will be taught by visitor from paradise who will come and go while the people in the prison will be restricted in what they can do or go. I don't know what the real thing will be, nor does it seem any of the commenters here do either. Just lots of immature and narrow minded finger pointing on all sides.

As for the Question and the big bang, we LDS mostly believe that God not only created this universe but countless others too. I for one believe this until I see for myself otherwise. Regardless of your positions and interpretations none of you really have any idea.

Anonymous | 6:31 p.m. Aug. 19, 2009

michaelm,

Sounds like cliquishness, segregation, elitism, arrogance, and fascism to me.

Sick

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