Thoughts about reincarnation

[TripletDaddy]

Hasn't the pre-mortal judgment already taken place? Didn't that happen before we came to earth (or followed Satan)?

I'm not aware of any official judgment that took place, although I understand your point.

I guess, in a sense, the 1/3 have already been "judged" and doomed.

The remaining 2/3.....I would imagine that there were all sorts of folks that ultimately decided to stick around. Differing levels of behavior, belief, obedience, etc.

[Levin]

I think the "mortal life is what matters" thing is largely cultural and is based on a desire to get people to be good / do good works.

I must have a different edition of the BofM than you. Amulek and Alma seem to have something to say about this in my version.

[LA Ute]

It's also possible that SU was Karl Maeser in a prior life, and now he is here trying to atone for what he did then.

[Moliere]

This makes more sense to me than to think that I was once a horse and now I am a man. Although, my once being a horse would certainly explain a few things..........not THAT sickos! I'm talking about my ability to run really fast. Plus I love to snack on apples!

Maybe gay men were actually women in another life and they never shed the attraction to men. Just saying....

[SeattleUte]

I have undertaken an experiment. My two youngest kids are now old enough that I can ask them seriously if it feels to them as if they've been on earth before or if this is the first time. They are ages 5 and 7. I think that these kids' relative absense of religious programming, relatively recent proximity to birth, relative overall innocence and good command of the language make these ages ideal for asking this question (the five year old is a girl, so she has the faculties to address the question on roughly equal footing with her brother).

I have been careful to ask the question flatly and absent facial expression so as not to appear like I expect any particular answer, and to not respond with any emotion or indication of agreement or disagreement.

They are adamant that they feel this is not their first time on earth. I have asked the question three times and received the same answer.

[creekster]

I have undertaken an experiment. My two youngest kids are now old enough that I can ask them seriously if it feels to them as if they've been on earth before or if this is the first time. They are ages 5 and 7. I think that these kids' relative absense of religious programming, relatively recent proximity to birth, relative overall innocence and good command of the language make these ages ideal for asking this question (the five year old is a girl, so she has the faculties to address the question on roughly equal footing with her brother).

I have been careful to ask the question flatly and absent facial expression so as not to appear like I expect any particular answer, and to not respond with any emotion or indication of agreement or disagreement.

They are adamant that they feel this is not their first time on earth. I have asked the question three times and received the same answer.

You know there was once a guy that had a horse that could count. People would ask him simple math problems (4+5, for example) and the horse would tap out the correct answer with his hoof. It was amazing. THe owner was watched closely and no one could ever see the owner make any signal to the horse of any type. When the owner wasnt present, however, the horse not only didnt get teh answer, he wouldnt even tap his hoof. Apparently the horse was receiving non-verbal cues from his owner which were so subtle no one could see them.

Surely you think your children are as smart as a horse?

[PaloAltoCougar]

I have never subscribed to the notion that we will be judged solely by what we do on Earth.

Wasn't what is now commonly called The Plan of Happiness in the Church referred to earlier as The Plan of Eternal Progression? I don't care much for the new term, as I think the former (if indeed it's former) is a far more inspiring descriptor. While I can accept that what we do here on earth has eternal implications, I can't accept that we're locked in forever by what happens here.

BTW, I think this Church video on the preexistence is especially compelling:

[YOUTUBE]cZhd_mxSm3c[/YOUTUBE]

[Viking]

My oldest seems to have an "old soul". It's as if she's not really a child, just going through the motions.

[SoCalCoug]

Wasn't what is now commonly called The Plan of Happiness in the Church referred to earlier as The Plan of Eternal Progression? I don't care much for the new term, as I think the former (if indeed it's former) is a far more inspiring descriptor. While I can accept that what we do here on earth has eternal implications, I can't accept that we're locked in forever by what happens here.

BTW, I think this Church video on the preexistence is especially compelling:

[YOUTUBE]cZhd_mxSm3c[/YOUTUBE]

Wow, it's amazing. Watching that video, I got the very clear, very distinct impression that I'd been there, to the past lives pavilion, before.

Wait - I have. It was filmed at the Fluor Building in Irvine, where my dad worked for many years, and where I worked for three summers.

[SteelBlue]

There was a great "multiple mortal probations" thread on CG back in the day. I remember being surprised that it had been taught by more than a few in the early days of the church.

[SeattleUte]

Wasn't what is now commonly called The Plan of Happiness in the Church referred to earlier as The Plan of Eternal Progression? I don't care much for the new term, as I think the former (if indeed it's former) is a far more inspiring descriptor. While I can accept that what we do here on earth has eternal implications, I can't accept that we're locked in forever by what happens here.

BTW, I think this Church video on the preexistence is especially compelling:

Well, isn't this essentially reincarnation? The only quibble is the venue.

[il Padrino Ute]

Only an idiot would believe in incarnation.

[clackamascoug]

Or... we exist in billions of different dimensions at the same time. Each dimension results in different experiences, which when totally combined give us an "eternal perspective." After all, how else do you explain the Saviors Atonement on this earth, accounting for all the "different earths" He's created. This hypothesis explains how we can live one life, and have billions of other life experiences to draw upon as data points on the other side.

I know it's the same old song and dance, but at times it does make a lot of sense.

[CardiacCoug]

I have undertaken an experiment. My two youngest kids are now old enough that I can ask them seriously if it feels to them as if they've been on earth before or if this is the first time. They are ages 5 and 7. I think that these kids' relative absense of religious programming, relatively recent proximity to birth, relative overall innocence and good command of the language make these ages ideal for asking this question (the five year old is a girl, so she has the faculties to address the question on roughly equal footing with her brother).

I have been careful to ask the question flatly and absent facial expression so as not to appear like I expect any particular answer, and to not respond with any emotion or indication of agreement or disagreement.

They are adamant that they feel this is not their first time on earth. I have asked the question three times and received the same answer.

Christ Hitchens would not approve of this superstitious and very unscientific anecdote / line of reasoning.

[SeattleUte]

Christ Hitchens would not approve of this superstitious and very unscientific anecdote / line of reasoning.

You don't say.