The above post was in response to this:
Just to be clear, I am not aware of some list of careers that the church encourages its members to go into. Im just speaking as a member myself, we are counseled to serve others and prayerfully make decisions like marriage and career choices, wherever that brings us. Maybe in certain areas like Utah, the culture leads people to those careers. Who knows. Also drinking coffee is one piece of counsel in a larger health code called the word of wisdom, and we do believe that disobedience to this by smoking, drinking beer, coffee, or whatever is listed in the health code is sinful because it is disobedience to Gods counsel. We believe in keeping those commandments to detail because it is a fundamental belief to us that God gives us commandments for our benefit to learn and grow, and that we can repent because of Christ when we mess up (as everyone, mormon or not, will at some point).
Also, while we dont believe in a heaven and hell the same as the rest of Christianity, I'm not aware of seven levels of heaven. Also, the belief is not so simply that we earn our way into heaven. We believe that there is no way we could just earn our way into heaven, Jesus Christ is our only hope to live with God. Our faithfulness permits us to live with God. Ultimately what allows us to enter rest in heaven with our loved ones and God is Christ's perfect life, suffering, and atonement for everyone who has ever lived which allows everyone to grow and be the best they can be. also, visit mormon.org or read the bible and book of mormon for more insight! That wpuld be much better than my post or any other post on letsrun
Anyways just wanted to give some insight, maybe it even helps in undwrstanding Shaq's decisions. I was actually kind of diaappointed to see him retire, would have been cool to see more...[/quote]