I am not sure that any personal story I could come up with would be of any interest to any of you, and of course would not be any of your concerns.
However, I am personally convinced that the test will consist of what ever it takes to try you to the core of your being - not a test that will be impossible or perhaps even that much if given to another person. I believe it will consist of you needing to put the will of God ahead of everything else. Which means that you will need to know and understand the will of God. Abraham was told to sacrifice his own son - opposite of what he believed, but the will of God. Nephi was told to kill Laban - against all he believed ,but the will of God. Joseph Smith was told to give and receive no apparent rewards or results - against all that a person might expect, but the will of God. Polygamy - against all that the people believed - but the will of God - at that time. My own ancestor told to give up the faith and denounce the Prophet or the mob will kill him on the spot. Refused and had the gun misfire several times and then fire when aimed aside. Willing to do, and face, anything to follow the will of God. The saints were allowed to build and build and build with the result of being driven out time and time again. In SLC again threatened with being driven out by Johnson's Army they were told to put straw on the buildings and leave the city to the army. Against all that Brigham Young had told them of their new home - but again the will of God. I am sure that with reflection you could come up with additions to the list. As far as this life being a nightmare? (as was suggested) - that does not seem like a loving Father at all. I think that this life is a wonderful experience and every challenge only adds to the fun. And the small challenges are only there to prepare us for the big one. George ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stacy Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 12:55 PM Subject: Re: [ZION] Having One's Calling and Election Made Sure and ... > What would such a test consist of? Physical > endurance? Brainwashing? Torture or something less diabolical such as > integrity? What about martyrdom? Can we have any stories? > > Stacy. > > At 11:36 AM 07/13/2003 -0500, you wrote: > > >At 10:03 AM 7/13/03 -0600, George Cobabe wrote: > >>Come on folks - this is an easy list. You can do all of this and still have > >>time left over for all the rest you might want to do. > >> > >>Your exaltation depends more upon your acceptance of the atonement, which no > >>one has mentioned so far, than ANYTHING else you do. All the rest is > >>fluff - important fluff - but fluff compared to the necessity for accepting > >>and understanding the Atonement. > > > > > > > >That's what I was saying (in different words, of course). > > > > > > > >>[snip] > >> > >>One of the points that ought to worry you that is not on your list is the > >>idea that you will be tried to the limit of your ability. Just like Abraham > >>was tested so you will be tested - differently but as severe. Just as > >>others that we can list have been tested so will you. > >> > >>How can you expect to be in the presence of such men and women unless you > >>have a similar heritage of proving yourself? > > > > > > > >Again, something I was trying to get at. > > > > > > > >--Ronn! :) > > > >I always knew that I would see the first man on the Moon. > >I never dreamed that I would see the last. > > --Dr. Jerry Pournelle > > > >/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// > >/// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// > >/// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// > >/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >--- > >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. > >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > >Version: 6.0.489 / Virus Database: 288 - Release Date: 06/10/2003 > > //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // > /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// > /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// > //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// / > > > > ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
