[...] Because of some “anti-Mormon literature” picked up by the AP from the LA Times regarding DNA and the Book of Mormon, a discussion ensued at work yesterday. [...]

But there certainly are scientiests who discuss methods and conclusions which back Simon’s assertions, who have no knowledge of the debate at all.

…and no, the Dalai Lama does not mean ‘if it feels good do it’. He means (as far as I can speak for the man) if there’s no harm to be done, things which make you feel better, or which make the world a better place – regardless of their truthfullness – care things which can be embraced and enjoyed.

“…adversity has an interesting effect: it tends to bring out either the best or the worst in people. So rather than leave us drifting along in the same path, our Father shakes things up a bit. He puts some adversity in our way and gives us the chance to choose whether we will be better or worse because of it.” (#31)

I think both of those could be true. I really hated that job anyway, but the money was kind of necessary considering I have a mortgage to pay and a baby on the way. Hopefully I can choose to “be better … because of it” and “put [myself] on a path to obtain a better job or receive higher blessings.”

Now consider that ALL of us need to repent. So when experiences come along that are the result of interventions, seen and unseen, of God (and I’m not saying every experience does result from such an intervention), are we being “punished” for our sins? In a way, I think. We’re being given a chance to react to something either by becoming better or becoming worse.

In some cases, of course, the calamities result in death, ending our chance to repent. Is that a punishment? I don’t know. I know that we need to repent before it’s too late without ever knowing for certain when “too late” will be. The uncertainty of life and the calamities we see around us may be meant to help us remember that.

Either/or, both or neither. Regardless, God had a hand in it. It could be to put you on a path to obtain a better job or receive higher blessings.

D&C 59: 21 “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.”

And maybe give thanks for it, 1 Thes 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Somes calamities and pestilence are a result of a people’s collective iniquities and abominations, as stated by Abinadi and many OT prophets.

As in the case of the Lamanites destroying the Nephites, I don’t think God had to cause or initiate anything. He merely removed his hand of protection from the Nephites, and let things proceed on their own.

His removal of protection was one of the first things I thought of on September 11, 2001.

And to the person who’s going to point out that the victims of Sept 11 were not sinners who deserved to die, I agree with you. And, let us remember the words of our own modern prophets: The innocent suffer along with the wicked in all tragedies.