savior006

Dear Gramps, Thank you for your answers! It is great to have a resource like this to get answers to things that I have been searching for years. This time I have a few unrelated questions. The first relates to questions previously asked about Satan and Christ and their influence in other worlds. I had heard at one point that our world was the only world wicked enough to crucify Christ, but will be the only one righteous enough to receive Him again. Is this true? And where can I find any documentation about it? The second question I have is about the waters. Missionaries are told many stories of other missionaries that have died because they got too close to water and that Satan has control over the water, so missionaries should stay away from water (such as rivers, oceans, lakes). I have found very little documentation about this. Rev.8: 10-11 talks about the curse on the waters and History of the church v.5: 56 talks briefly about it as well, but I think I'm missing some information. Could you please give me some more leads/answers if you have any? I have more questions, but I will save them for later :) Thanks. Jana Lee

Dear Jana Lee,

We hear from time to time that this is the only world that was wicked enough to crucify their Savior. Yet I can find no authoritative reference to substantiate that remark. It is true that the Savior chose to work out his mortal sojourn on the most wicked of all worlds (See Moses 7:36).

However, I would suggest that the reason for that would be that He descended below all things (D&C 88:6). If he had made his great sacrifice on some other world, the people could have said, “He withstood all the evil here, but if he had been born on that other world...”

Also, I doubt the authenticity of the statement that this will be the only world righteous enough to receive him when he comes. It’s true that the wicked will be destroyed at his coming, but those worthy of a terrestrial glory who are living when he comes will remain, although they will not recognize him as their Savior. Of all the infinite number of worlds, it’s difficult to imagine that this wicked world could attain to such righteousness at his coming.

As you know, missionaries serve under regulations that would be considered rather severe by those who are not acquainted with the work. However, as they are called on the Lord’s errand, and their service is so vital to the eternal salvation of our Father’s children, they are encouraged to dedicate all their time and talents to the work of the Lord. A weekly preparation day is provided, however, so that essential duties not primarily related to the missionary work itself may be accomplished. This is not primarily a recreation day, although conservative recreational activities are permitted and even encouraged.

However, not only is swimming prohibited, but also other activities that may be either dangerous or not within the spirit of their calling. Missionaries should be particularly circumspect about activities “on the waters,” as there is indeed both scriptural and historic precedent for avoiding unnecessary exposure.