SoSick, Sorry what i believe offends you but as you said, its not personal. I don't think of you as an apostate SoSick. Or a speck of dirt. I don't think that way about anyone. This is not meant to be insulting. Or critical. If you want to know what I think, I have great respect for you and Bex and Russ and the folks on here AND LindaLou....I get a kick out of talking to all of you. Even RAZD! : ) I giggle and really do enjoy being on here. In fact I'm on here too much!!! Everyone on here is intelligent and, I believe, a seeker of the truth! And I've learned a lot on here! If anything what I believe elevates every one I come in contact with as much much more than even they believe themselves to be. But you and Bex have things very clear as far as I can see with regards to how you view the Bible and its interpretations as far as I also believe. I haven't disagreed with anything said so far. We really aren't different other than on a few points. Big points, granted - but not contradictory to your core beliefs. Please don't be offended at how we believe. I will try and explain it if you are ok with that. (How we see the apostasy). And our views on the afterlife. I really am not the judgmental type.
I am trying to answer your questions and am glad you're even asking. Knowing you and your personality as much as I can say that from being on this site, at least, you are kind of .....dry...??? on the way you approach things for lack of a better word. You're straightforward...honest. Please lets take into consideration our states of health here, too. I am about 1-2 days away from starting....and overwhelmed about some things I am frankly avoiding doing here at home. (Have a hard time focusing till i start).

Actually the prophecy was given to the entire continent, though. But the book is written for all peoples in that it contains the "plainness" of the Gospel. The original settlers from Lehi's family were believed to have settled in southern SA originally. The plates were finally buried in NY but the people pretty much moved around through the whole area at least in time. The group that came over from the Tower of Babel time were in NA if I remember right. My point was that the people from SA have more concentration of their population of blood albeit intermixed a lot. We have a Peruvian kid at school and he looks the eitome of a "Lamanite." Droves means - yes - the church is very very strong down there. I can get current figures on that if you really want to know. It is a world wide church. All members names are known to the church headquarters whether they be members in UT or Africa. The church is growing in Africa as well. Not too much in Europe right now for some reason, though, but it is slowly. Folks over there seem a little more grounded in tradition or something.

Anyway - sorry SoSick. The hmmms... as though rediculous are what got to me. However, i can understand that its a lot to swallow too. Maybe this forum isn't the best place to talk about it. One word, (or two..) though, about our missionaries. Males can go on missions when they are 19 (although some aren't quite ready at that point) but they literally pay for their own missions and dedicate 2 years (in case of males) of their lives during their prime - putting off school, working, marrying, DATING... When girls turn 21 should they decide to go out - they spend 18 months doing the same. They have to feel pretty strong about what they believe to do that. They aren't perfect...they deal with a lot of crap. They're young - but you have to admit that is pretty admirable. At the very least imagine the growth and discipline of completing dedicating your life to nothing but studying and teaching the Gospel! I would hope if you do encounter them you will at least treat them with kindness. My non-member aunt in St. Louis allowed them to give her a priesthood blessing when she was in the hospital. I called the mission office there. I couldn't go see her at that time and was climbing the walls. Anyway - she called them her little "Mormon Missionary Gentlemen." I honestly thought they were geeks at first (I was 15) dressed in their suits and then grew to put them on a pedestal. I will never forget the ones that taught me. Now I see the ones out as kids - they are young and could be my kids, but I have so much respect for them.

Please understand for right now that the main difference with our church is that we believe that Christ's original church has been restored with the actual authority of the Priesthood which had been lost. The priesthood will not be taken from the earth again...ever.

I should probably not turn this into a forum for discussing my church....but I'm not offended by your questions. They are good ones. I'm still happy to answer them. Sorry I got a little testy. Gotta go help my husband with some things.

I love you SoSick. I mean that sincerely. I do hope you will also search out some of our websites.