Dear Gramps, Since my early years, my mother would often tell me that Satan controls all waters, which is why missionaries aren’t allowed to swim while serving. I served a mission in Arkansas a few years back and remember quite vividly several not-so-righteous Elders and Sisters at a member’s home swimming. Is there a scriptural reference to Satan’s having control? Thanks! s/Tom, Santa Fe Springs, California [answer]

Gramps, I am a member but I have always wondered what the church has said about abortion. Thanks Gramps! Ashley [answer]

Gramps, Why don’t we in the church ever talk about “Mary,” the mother of God.  She is rarely mentioned? Shirley, from Colorado [answer]

Gramps, Is outer darkness reserved for apostate LDS? The discussion here is the definition of “knowing the Holy Ghost.” Graham, from British Columbia [answer]

Dear Gramps, Non-members I talk to often ask about the plural marriages performed back in the “old days.” Usually they ask about the “why,” why was there such a command given and why was it discontinued. Up until now I never thought about asking anyone that knows better than I do, I just thought about an answer that seemed logical to me: the command was given to a time when so many of the early members of the church had been killed and their families had been left without a provider, protector and so on. It was discontinued when the persecutions stopped and nobody was killed anymore. Could be that I’m wrong, but that’s why I’m asking you about it. Thanks, Aunty Mimmi, from Germany [answer]

Gramps, I’m a new convert to the church as of a year ago. How do I explain the Lord not allowing blacks to hold the priesthood until 1978? I have a strong testimony of the Church. But it’s hard to explain to my family who are born again Christians. What do I say gramps in your opinion? Thanks for your answer. Josh, from California [answer]

Dear Gramps, I was wondering if the church has ever made an official statement about R-rated movies? I've always thought that we are not supposed to watch them, but I've heard that not watching R-rated movies is just a guideline--like not drinking caffeinated soda--and not a commandment. Thanks in advance!! Love, Thalia, State College, PA [answer]

Dear Gramps, During Moses’ time, the Israelites were misled constantly. It was explained to me that they held the Aaronic Priesthood (which gives the authority to baptize) but only Moses held the Melchizedek (as did Jethro). So when Moses died (or translated) and they lost the Melchizedek Priesthood, they lost the Holy Ghost and were constantly misled. My question is, if every person has some form of a conscience, why is it necessary to bestow upon them the Holy Ghost if it seems they already have it to some degree? Chris, from Maine [answer]

Dear Gramps: I have a question about Tithing. I know that we are all supposed to tithe. What about those people who are faithful members of the Church, keep the Word of Wisdom, attend all their meetings, complete all assignments and do all to help others but really find that they cannot afford to tithe. I know it's said that those who tithe are blessed but if a person truly gives what he or she can to the Church but it is not a full tithe, does this person have no chance of going to the Temple? Thanks, SVYAS858 [answer]

Dear Gramps, My question is on repentance.  How does one go about it?  My question arises because in a recent meeting of the stake priesthood (I attend a University student stake) the president advised those who had committed any form of fornicative sin to see his bishop. Also I am taking a celestial marriage course in institute and in the last lesson the teacher mentioned that many people have marriage problems and it comes out that when interviewing with the bishop they were not truthful about the intimate relations within their relationship. Could these people have realized the problems on their own and gone before the Lord in prayer and confessed their sins and be repentant? Malik, from Utah [answer]

Gramps, I have two questions. The first deals with repentance. I have been reading in the Miracle of Forgiveness and haven’t been able to find any list or documentation as to what sins should be reported to the Bishop in order for complete repentance. It does mention sexual sins but I am wondering if there is a more complete list of sins that need to be taken to priesthood leaders. My next question deals with death. Do we believe that there is a time for people to die? For instance are we allotted a certain amount of time on earth? The missionaries in Iowa, was it their time to go? Children who die at an early age, is it just their time? I’m looking for some doctrine on this. I know that in D&C 59:21 that it says that God’s hand is in everything and that there is a scripture that says if you are not appointed unto death then you can be healed through faith. What is your opinion? Anonymous, from Utah [answer]

Gramps, My daughter is the Primary President of a small Ward. The membership is limited for calling counselors. She is wondering if a male could serve in that calling. We have not ever heard of this, but wonder why not? Males have served as teachers, as pianists . . . so why not as Counselors? She and the Bishop have not found an answer to this. Thank you. Nellie, in Oklahoma [answer]

Gramps, Do we pay our tithing from our gross income or our net income?  In other words, 10% of income before taxes, medical benefit premiums, retirement, etc. are subtracted, or 10% after these things are deducted? I want to be honest with the Lord. Thanks. Anonymous, from Idaho [answer]

Dear Gramps, It is my understanding that all saving ordinances are to be done on this earth. If that is true, then that means that Adam had to have been baptized by someone. Who could that have been done by? It would have to have been by a resurrected being wouldn’t it? So did our Father in Heaven do this himself? Who else in that point in time could have done it besides the Father? FH, from California [answer]

Gramps, I have been told by a “well meaning” neighbor that anyone who chooses to not have children will not reach the celestial kingdom. Is this true? Marge, from Utah [answer]

Gramps, I recently went to a Know Your Religion, the speaker said that the reference of the “1/3 host of Heaven” that was thrust down with Satan was not meant to be taken literally as many in the church have taught it. He said that it meant a “part of “ or certain amount, that it could have been a 1/3 of something / anything, but not literally 1/3 of all the Fathers spirit children. FH [answer]

Gramps, I heard that when plural marriage was practiced by the church in the early days, that in order to do that, one had to be approved by the President of the church. Is this true? If not, then who then had the authority to decide that? From what I understand, no one could just decide this on their own, it had to be approved. FH, from California [answer]

Dear Gramps, How does a person who is self-employed determine what their increase is in order to calculate tithing?  Some friends of mine who own their own business tell me that they pay tithing only on their personal draws, but it seems to me that if we are blessed with the means to buy better equipment for our business we should pay tithing on that. But, on the other hand, those who are employed by a company have all of their desks, computers, office supplies supplied by their employer and do not pay tithing on those things. Or do we just wait until we sell our business and pay tithing on the proceeds?  What do you think? Andi, from New Mexico [answer]

Dear Gramps, How can I define the value of prayer to a nonmember who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Her prognosis is not good. She asks the question...If we lived with Heavenly Father before coming to this earth, and He knows the end from the beginning and He knows what is going to happen to us (I guess she feels that He knows she is going to die from this cancer) what is the use of others praying for her to get better? Lynne, from New Zealand [answer]

Dear Gramps, My husband and I are expecting. If we have a son, we have chosen that that we will not circumcise him. My aunt disagrees with our choice to keep him intact because she says that LDS boys are supposed to be circumcised in preparation for the second coming of Christ. Somehow she believes that in order for the “sons of Levi to again offer a sacrifice in righteousness unto the Lord,” part of that qualification of righteousness includes that they MUST be circumcised. (Which doesn’t make sense, because my whole family is either Ephraim or Manassah anyway, not Levi). Excuse me, but I thought this debate was settled by Paul—that it was more important to be “circumcised of heart,” and further clarified in the Book of Mormon (Moroni 8:8). Is there an official Church stance on circumcision? And will the sons of Levi REALLY have to be circumcised in order for their sacrifice to be accepted by God? Anonymous [answer]