tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38465796372296085772024-03-14T00:15:07.520-06:00ScriptureSightInsight to help you get the most out of your gospel study.Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-64018317345492286132020-04-26T07:16:00.002-06:002020-04-29T09:52:31.773-06:00A Hidden Threat to The True Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KkXqFN4a0UM83QryZ6ACuJtATi4osCG6ufgDERlRm_Fbp2qxk4c4uHF98E2fiOTlFModSq-mfZAiTkw_oTg9zftpEv8NPGmsk7GVSWw_HmLWKfI3rPgwgQiSkf17AX6V3-2bMbcQSAKk/s1600/rexburg-idaho-temple-storm-clouds-1096114-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KkXqFN4a0UM83QryZ6ACuJtATi4osCG6ufgDERlRm_Fbp2qxk4c4uHF98E2fiOTlFModSq-mfZAiTkw_oTg9zftpEv8NPGmsk7GVSWw_HmLWKfI3rPgwgQiSkf17AX6V3-2bMbcQSAKk/s640/rexburg-idaho-temple-storm-clouds-1096114-wallpaper.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Many people who think they are following
the gospel of Jesus Christ are instead following </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Moral Therapeutic Deism, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">a watered-down creed that
requires little by way of commitment or conversion. This counterfeit gospel
makes personal happiness and "nice-ness" the only virtues that matter and imagines a God
whose only job is to love and serve us and then to let us all into heaven
without asking anything of us. Moral Therapeutic Deism is a danger to the true church because it
can lead to stunted faith and spiritual starvation. This vacuous way of thinking is also causing young people to leave organized religion in droves all
across America. What can you and I do to prevent this popular
"self-made" religion of complacency and convenience from taking root
in our own hearts and homes?</span><br>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Recent
national studies have suggested that more young adults are leaving the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now than ever before.</span><a href="file:///D:/ReligiousStuff/Blog%20Posts/DRAFTS/Blog_Moral%20Therapeutic%20Deism.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[i]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> This worrying development follows a larger
trend across the country, in which particular groups or demographic cohorts
(such as Millennials and Generation Z, or young men without a college degree,
etc.) have been observed to be increasingly rejecting traditional religion, and
moreover appear to be leaving these religions in droves. Seeing this, some have
declared that “Religious commitment is in sharp decline, almost free fall.”</span><a href="file:///D:/ReligiousStuff/Blog%20Posts/DRAFTS/Blog_Moral%20Therapeutic%20Deism.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[ii]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Others have observed that “Almost every organized religion is
experiencing losses in this new climate.”</span><a href="file:///D:/ReligiousStuff/Blog%20Posts/DRAFTS/Blog_Moral%20Therapeutic%20Deism.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[iii]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> While the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints has not experienced the dramatic losses which other American
churches have faced, it is clear that we are not immune to this trend. Even the
highest leaders of the Church have acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction
among many people with organized religion.</span></div>
</div><a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-hidden-threat-to-true-church.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-81471998576795533722020-04-25T08:10:00.000-06:002020-05-02T12:32:10.838-06:00Call For Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabnvgXK97fcCIz1xdUe9HGOLTrQMfMMwn29YVv3ixC1xCOs79U9T3AnOHCaTDOZ_EqyG1EKAakqTYNIbDIueRb3tMyPs6EyYqhbtun3i-V-Ia_dwtRuMuqcMRREibASCA3i64iJ61Lzk1/s1600/Questionmarkgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="362" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabnvgXK97fcCIz1xdUe9HGOLTrQMfMMwn29YVv3ixC1xCOs79U9T3AnOHCaTDOZ_EqyG1EKAakqTYNIbDIueRb3tMyPs6EyYqhbtun3i-V-Ia_dwtRuMuqcMRREibASCA3i64iJ61Lzk1/s640/Questionmarkgirl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a gospel or scripture related question? Is there an aspect of church doctrine which confuses you? Chances are, others would like to know the answer too!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Submit your questions in the comments below, or send a message to this page, and (if I select your question) I will provide an in-depth answer to your question in an article on Scripturesight, based on careful research of the scriptures and the teachings of the general authorities.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Please keep questions appropriate and on-topic (and gospel-centered). No anti-mormon rants, please.
It's OK to ask questions! After all, good, thoughtful questions are an important part of the searching, pondering, and praying that make up meaningful scripture study! To see why, check out my article on the subject:
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2013/04/scripture-master-tip-4-its-ok-to-ask.html" target="_blank">Scripture Master Tip #4: It's OK to Ask Questions!</a>
</span><br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this blog are wholly those of the author, and do not represent the official opinions or positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or any other church.Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-1086950285670993492019-06-27T13:14:00.003-06:002020-03-10T17:06:22.554-06:005 Things the Missionaries Are Too Nice to Tell Members to STOP Doing<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkZscfb29NP5PxK23VHxtWZCxW3GKDp7NZzSUGQCS1jhmgVS-XxrQS1dzuXI-94kF2Gx1js3LGB8vtxicb4SS558FjfW0o8BlMadrPUvNUFmdXxtqkN29TNGOQpKZoAvj6OT7GVjvT5Bj/s1600/STOP_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1389" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkZscfb29NP5PxK23VHxtWZCxW3GKDp7NZzSUGQCS1jhmgVS-XxrQS1dzuXI-94kF2Gx1js3LGB8vtxicb4SS558FjfW0o8BlMadrPUvNUFmdXxtqkN29TNGOQpKZoAvj6OT7GVjvT5Bj/s640/STOP_sign.jpg" title="Creative Commons STOP sign by Bidgee is licensed under CC-BY-3.0" width="592"></a></div>
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<br></div>
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Too often we as members tend to treat
missionaries like children. Because we assume many missionaries are immature
goof-offs, many members do and say things that denigrate the missionaries,
their work, and their devotion to building the Kingdom of God. We aren’t always
willing to do our part to help the missionary work go forward. The missionaries
are often too nice to tell us what we are doing wrong, but there are at least 5
things the members do which many missionaries wish they would stop. Changing
these attitudes and habits would do much make their lives easier, and help the
work to progress unhindered.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<b><br></b>
<b>One: STOP Treating the Missionaries Like Children<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Members generally love the
missionaries, but even the ones who love them the most can occasionally be kind
of patronizing. They often forget that the missionaries they love so much are
legally (and also in terms of emotional, and intellectual maturity) adults. They
often just want to joke or play around with the missionaries, and they can’t
understand why a missionary may not always want to goof around with them. Many
who have children who go on missions often forget that their child is in fact
no longer a child. They send them care packages filled with candy (which they
love) and toys, which they cannot use and they don’t have the space to store or
transport. Moreover, certain toys are often banned in the mission because they tend to
distract missionaries from the work. However, my main objection has to do with
the fact that sending toys to a missionary just shows that many people do not truly
consider their missionary to be a responsible adult, and in their minds he or
she is still a kid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2019/06/5-things-missionaries-are-too-nice-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-37865575015197740082019-05-19T12:19:00.000-06:002019-05-21T10:03:47.450-06:00How the Book of Mormon Contains the Fullness of the Gospel<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCG_VmvXXzm7icl0dRjSNvVEx0jzfmIDRZ_cv0p_EmY2LbKlJKNP58X2blRVEeupK4k5WgRqZHYjtYRfkUj4tQVg5qiOt4EJzXa19fLE_t10pfsLcrV5COuhkzhnyB0uK2cPhSQTRa-cV/s1600/book-of-mormon-45563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCG_VmvXXzm7icl0dRjSNvVEx0jzfmIDRZ_cv0p_EmY2LbKlJKNP58X2blRVEeupK4k5WgRqZHYjtYRfkUj4tQVg5qiOt4EJzXa19fLE_t10pfsLcrV5COuhkzhnyB0uK2cPhSQTRa-cV/s640/book-of-mormon-45563.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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The introduction to the Book of
Mormon states that it "contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel,"
a concept and phrase that is also found in a number of scriptures in the
Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 20:8-9). This phrase occasionally causes
some confusion among those who read it. Many suppose that a “fulness” must mean
that the Book of Mormon must contain a comprehensive catalog of all LDS doctrines,
beliefs, and teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This often leads
some to wonder why the Book of Mormon does not deal with certain key doctrines
of the faith, such as baptisms for the dead, celestial marriage, or exaltation.
Others assume that this statement about the fulness must represent some kind of
exclusivist truth claim, or a shot at the truth of the Bible. I believe that
this confusion stems from a misconception concerning what the gospel actually
entails, and a misunderstanding about what the Book of Mormon is actually
supposed to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-book-of-mormon-contains-fullness-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-78798026513175062232019-03-24T20:57:00.000-06:002020-05-02T13:05:57.478-06:00A Deeper Reading of Paul's Epistle to Philemon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLrNXkPG7_ZDknylvNIfO1GUAGwkHOimnMshGrmFNmtw_VkMsBFhOrh39XHBxpPxgaS9J75PtVETyciVizML_T-qyCMqdZc3ioYoSD9-dn012F4-v4r5l3bRj9oUqiC_QnuwV3w4KVBw8/s1600/Philemon_and_Onesimus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLrNXkPG7_ZDknylvNIfO1GUAGwkHOimnMshGrmFNmtw_VkMsBFhOrh39XHBxpPxgaS9J75PtVETyciVizML_T-qyCMqdZc3ioYoSD9-dn012F4-v4r5l3bRj9oUqiC_QnuwV3w4KVBw8/s640/Philemon_and_Onesimus.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;"> This article is a follow-up to an earlier one in which I argued for an allegorical reading of Philemon, which you can find <a href="https://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-hidden-atonement-allegory-in.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a> In this piece I evaluate my earlier claim, and also consider alternate readings of Paul's Epistle.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Evaluating An Allegorical reading of
Philemon<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Several years ago,
I applied my own allegorical reading to Paul’s Epistle to Philemon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did this without any real understanding
that allegory is just one “sense” in which scripture can be read, and moreover
that there are different types of allegory within the overall “spiritual”
sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to evaluate the
strengths and weaknesses of my allegorical reading of Philemon, I will
employ the four senses of scripture as outlined in classical (medieval)
exegetical thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the process, I
will strive to answer the following three questions:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What other meanings have been (or can be)
gleaned from the text? Do the other senses or readings of scripture play a
meaningful role in the text? Finally, does my allegorical reading of Philemon
lead me to neglect certain dimensions of the text?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In answer to these questions, I assert the
following: First, that the most common meaning that has been gleaned from the
text generally relies on a literal sense of the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philemon is most often held to be exactly
what it appears to be on the surface: a letter from an apostle to a Christian
slaveholder, designed to persuade him to be reconciled to a runaway slave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, more recent interpretations point
out that Paul may have intended a moral reading concerning the equality of
Christian brotherhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, while the
literal sense of the text has been accepted in the past, newer commentators
have posited that the moral sense ought to be applied to the text instead (or
at least as well) (as in the case mentioned above).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, an exclusively allegorical
interpretation of Philemon has some drawbacks, including the fact that it may
lead one to neglect or overlook the valuable moral sense of the text.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-deeper-reading-of-pauls-epistle-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-25424430007700806022018-08-12T14:11:00.000-06:002020-03-10T17:11:58.439-06:00Scripture Master Tip #22: Context is Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATTNOxJJlH98vTrTCeyvfpplZ_hgg6cmzbvh2LqOuxbhW5wl8b8JpxONp9FX6tFEnnWm4rWG8ph2-e5XjG3X2ZqvL25_i8G6flYCFhIWSLy9sf0NBv2MTRYVs14uLj0Ox7ebKqNvS3vS2/s1600/christ-calling-fishermen-1212783-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATTNOxJJlH98vTrTCeyvfpplZ_hgg6cmzbvh2LqOuxbhW5wl8b8JpxONp9FX6tFEnnWm4rWG8ph2-e5XjG3X2ZqvL25_i8G6flYCFhIWSLy9sf0NBv2MTRYVs14uLj0Ox7ebKqNvS3vS2/s640/christ-calling-fishermen-1212783-wallpaper.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<br>
Context is everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Find out who is speaking (or writing), and to whom it is that this
person is speaking or writing. Find out when (roughly) the passage of scripture
that you happen to be studying was written, and try to find out where it was
written as well. It’s hard to understand anything when you take it out of
context, and you might even enjoy the discoveries that you make as you delve into
the ancient cultures and environments that formed the backdrop (and informed
the writers) of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, The
Pearl of Great Price, and (less anciently) The Doctrine and Covenants.<br>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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"It will greatly help you to
understand scripture if you note – not only what is spoken and written, but of
whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with
what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows." (Miles
Coverdale (1488-1569), in his introduction to his Bible translation (the first
complete English translation of the Bible to be put into print).<br>
<br>
“All scripture should be studied in context” (Bruce R.
McConkie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Witness for the Articles
of Faith</i>, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985, 686).<br>
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It is also important to gain an understanding of the context
of a scripture passage within the chapter, book, or book of scripture in which
it is found, and also to compare it to the what is taught in the rest of the
standard works and the teachings of living prophets. Furthermore, it is also
crucial to place what you read in the scriptures within the larger context of
the gospel as a whole. Doing so will help you to gain a better grasp of
scripture, doctrine, principles, and the gospel overall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Context clarifies and deepens
understanding of the stories, teachings, doctrine, and principles in the
scripture text… [and] gives life and relevance to the doctrine and principles
that are found in the [scriptures]” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New-Teacher
Training Resource: A Teacher-Improvement Companion to the Gospel Teaching and
Learning Handbook</i> (2016).<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are at least three senses that are important when
discussing the importance of context in studying the scriptures (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scripture Study—The Power of the Word Teacher
Manual</i> (2001), 30–32).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Immediate Context<o:p></o:p></div>
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Context Within the Text<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Larger Gospel Context<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2018/08/scripture-master-tip-22-context-is.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-90306940720734031602018-08-03T12:44:00.001-06:002020-04-08T16:34:28.501-06:00When to Follow a Fallible Prophet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSBH2KrQEvboeHctr3VWypQfwXEIUc-mh7Nhm7PL-jkuI4qf0cPtpzYcjFkHzEdrZNfgI1pyyY3OLqupBRyEKauRQuBXDUx9f4d9vtLSiZhDv-6MBLBw8AEOb1Jp1u7raFAbNTMNLGXca/s1600/first-presidency-2018-official-portrait-2041914-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSBH2KrQEvboeHctr3VWypQfwXEIUc-mh7Nhm7PL-jkuI4qf0cPtpzYcjFkHzEdrZNfgI1pyyY3OLqupBRyEKauRQuBXDUx9f4d9vtLSiZhDv-6MBLBw8AEOb1Jp1u7raFAbNTMNLGXca/s640/first-presidency-2018-official-portrait-2041914-wallpaper.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q1: If prophets are
fallible (as I believe they are, same as every other imperfect mortal in this
world) then how can people trust in their EVERY word as if from God?</b><br>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A1:</b>
<br>
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This very question is why it is so important to learn how to
gain a confirming witness of the truth via the personal witness of the Holy Ghost. The Holy
Ghost will bear witness of truth, especially the truth of prophetic counsel.
However, sometimes that witness doesn't come until after the trial of your
faith. Following the prophet is not blind obedience. It's acting in faith, as
informed by the spirit.</div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
“We listen to the Lord’s prophet
with the faith that his words are “from [the Lord’s] own mouth.” Is this blind
faith? No, it is not. We each have a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of
the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. By our own will and choice, we
raised our hand this morning, declaring our desire to sustain the Lord’s
prophet with our “confidence, faith, and prayer[s]” and to follow his counsel.
We have the privilege as Latter-day Saints to receive a personal witness that
President Nelson’s call is from God” (Neil L. Andersen, The Prophet of God,”
<i>Ensign</i>, May 2018, 25).<br>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“</span>We can tell when the speakers are ‘moved upon by the Holy
Ghost’ only when we, ourselves, are ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost.’ In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from
them to us to determine when they so speak.” (J. Reuben Clark, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Are the Writings or Sermons of Church
Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Scripture?</i> [address delivered to seminary
and institute of religion personnel, 7 July 1954], p. 7).<br>
<br></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
It is true that not every word a prophet speaks comes
directly from God, but their counsel and opinions often have great value. A
Prophet's human failings do not mean that they do not have authority and keys
that make them worth listening to and heeding. God will always use imperfect servants,
because we are all He has to work with. A Prophet's fallibility does not negate
the importance or the truth of his teachings.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q2: But what a
prophet teaches isn't always true...In that case, is it still wise to heed
their words?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A2:</b> Be careful
not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just because there have been
instances in which prophets have made mistakes, that doesn't automatically make
it unwise "to heed their words." Fallibility does not equal or imply
deception, intent to deceive, or even simple unreliability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div><a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2018/08/when-to-follow-fallible-prophet.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-6357474755431085702018-07-30T11:47:00.001-06:002018-07-30T12:08:54.490-06:00Avoiding Spiritual Thorns<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmA3ABnmsKSI5zHN7dbRsCyx9LVYIckjI5ERaaeE70VWGjf87BlN07hzpm48CnWqUdy1pEB62KgpNcdL3fyBV0O6uUSvRP073i-PDmm2HNNOBK5QpSAuarTrJhZWPDTr0LEwqQB3E8KQQ3/s1600/Thorns_Smilax_excelsa_thorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmA3ABnmsKSI5zHN7dbRsCyx9LVYIckjI5ERaaeE70VWGjf87BlN07hzpm48CnWqUdy1pEB62KgpNcdL3fyBV0O6uUSvRP073i-PDmm2HNNOBK5QpSAuarTrJhZWPDTr0LEwqQB3E8KQQ3/s640/Thorns_Smilax_excelsa_thorns.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: Димитър Найденов / Dimìtar Nàydenov</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm reading the parable of the sower in Mark Chapter 4, and I
was struck by the things which Christ describes as "thorns" which can
spring up and choke the word once we have heard it: </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The cares of this world</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The deceitfulness of riches</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The lusts of other things</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This parable is a warning to all of us who have heard the
word. Do we allow our preoccupation with success, advancement, wealth,
achievement, and recognition or approval to interfere with our efforts to nourish and
nurture the word of the Lord in our hearts and our lives?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What are the lusts of other things? Do we spend too much
time watching TV, or on social media? Are these things interfering with habits
which foster the development of a relationship with God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps it is time to examine our lives to identify those
noxious thorns which have sprung up to choke the spiritual life out of us
almost without our even knowing it.<br /><br />For more on how to get rid of spiritual distractions, see my article:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2013/04/scripture-master-tip-12-get-rid-of-all.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Scripture Master Tip #12: Rid Yourself of All Distractions</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-2884659737620902832018-07-05T12:17:00.007-06:002022-08-11T07:31:31.699-06:00Are Temples Too Extravagant?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOvGQQOyhNPZ2WuPpWU5qxGvflJSGrk22mC69cAKoz4jhwxCASU_GzxHo4ZadeuZj6l7ACH_EFmzdY_AYdRjRLjpygBNMtOrK7RDG6bMGymia6ESv-r73fA9hW-hwKof21nWCMW9nBl7b/s1600/SanDiegoTemple_MissionPhoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOvGQQOyhNPZ2WuPpWU5qxGvflJSGrk22mC69cAKoz4jhwxCASU_GzxHo4ZadeuZj6l7ACH_EFmzdY_AYdRjRLjpygBNMtOrK7RDG6bMGymia6ESv-r73fA9hW-hwKof21nWCMW9nBl7b/s1600/SanDiegoTemple_MissionPhoto.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
I served my mission in San Diego, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temple there is one of the most beautiful
and striking temples in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due
to its beauty, and its location near a major freeway, the temple has become a
well-known landmark in San Diego. In one part of one area in which I served
people could see the temple from their front doorstep. It made for an
interesting backdrop for tracting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Accordingly, I must have had some variation of the following
conversation at least a thousand times on my mission:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would knock on a person’s door, and as
soon as they found out that we were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they would tell us that they had
visited the temple during the 1993 open house, and they would compliment us on
the beauty of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
they would inevitably proceed to complain that they felt that such a beautiful
building was unnecessary, and that we ought to be using that money to help the
poor instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people would also
complain that we ought to let everyone go inside the temple, and not just
certain members.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2018/07/are-lds-temples-too-extravagant.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-11566966922838578982018-06-07T11:36:00.000-06:002020-04-30T11:40:16.737-06:005 Christian Classics Every Latter-day Saint Should Read<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNA1MV9LqL_RrfmFSK-YAvelOSnYfC5FbeuC_PYRhHaWh66rVCd8tI-Vy9QS1tMY_EWDimnhTw43HocdOAJn0x1wI0rDjOE-TGDTvTVI-clgJpemYvCfQwK4FRU1qGQUoSgH9kmRapVAi/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNA1MV9LqL_RrfmFSK-YAvelOSnYfC5FbeuC_PYRhHaWh66rVCd8tI-Vy9QS1tMY_EWDimnhTw43HocdOAJn0x1wI0rDjOE-TGDTvTVI-clgJpemYvCfQwK4FRU1qGQUoSgH9kmRapVAi/s640/Cover.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I have personally amassed an
extensive library which consists of books on many subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular, I have collected many books on
religion, both by LDS authors, and also by non-LDS authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a millionaire, and thus I can’t
afford to buy every book I come across (as my wife occasionally has to remind
me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I therefore do my best to buy only
those books which I consider to be classics on their subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, even among my (admittedly) large collection
of excellent books, there are certain books that stand out above the rest. Many
of the best books in my library are written by LDS authors, but some of them
are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I have noticed in the past that
some members of the LDS church tend to view books on religion written by non-Mormon
authors as being somewhat suspect, or of being of less value than a book
written by an LDS author. However, it is worth noting that many of my most
beloved books by non-LDS authors are widely recognized as classics by people of all faiths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you
may recognize some of the authors mentioned on this list, as their writings are
often quoted over the pulpit at General Conference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It is true that books which come
from outside our tradition may contain ideas that do not wholly jibe with our
particular teachings, but that doesn’t mean that there is no benefit to be
derived from reading such books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In scripture, we are instructed by
the Lord to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even
by study and also by faith” (see D&C 88:118).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one of the articles of our faith we hold
that “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,
we seek after these things” (see A of F 1:13).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Here is a list of some of those
“best books,” which I can personally attest are filled with things that are “virtuous,
lovely, or of good report [and] praiseworthy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This list does not constitute a blanket endorsement of all of the
doctrines or ideas contained within them (especially over and above the
doctrines and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is much that is
good and true in these books, which can be used to help us to better understand
our own faith, and which can uplift and instruct us, as we read them under the
guidance of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2018/06/5-christian-classics-every-mormon.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-1364445809827381232017-12-19T12:54:00.000-07:002017-12-19T17:59:00.117-07:00How Can An Eternal God Have Once Been A Man?<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4deR4F1ADQkQ0yheGu8G8BPxE_CXQzQvdrrf8TlYeDw747v-XrXhxGmKBP2L0lav3TIN3RUZeF8UL76Q5ZIDa3DMMBUIZigoVa70NRh0-z21xAalWZtoRvEnLtuoWIdJjBUAl6UedXWoj/s1600/the-first-vision-82823-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1219" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4deR4F1ADQkQ0yheGu8G8BPxE_CXQzQvdrrf8TlYeDw747v-XrXhxGmKBP2L0lav3TIN3RUZeF8UL76Q5ZIDa3DMMBUIZigoVa70NRh0-z21xAalWZtoRvEnLtuoWIdJjBUAl6UedXWoj/s640/the-first-vision-82823-wallpaper.jpg" width="486"></a></div>
This question was posed in an online group regarding the LDS doctrine that “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!” (Joseph Smith, <i>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</i>, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938, p. 345). Below it I have included my response in three parts.<br>
<br>
<b>Question:</b><br>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Premise 1:</b> God
does not change<br>
<b>Premise 2:</b> God is
eternal<br>
<b>Logical conclusion:</b>
God has always been god and could not have once been man because that would
have involved him not being god eternally and changing into god.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What is the flaw in this argument?</blockquote>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/12/how-can-eternal-god-have-once-been-man.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-12323618451090004662017-12-01T15:24:00.001-07:002022-05-26T08:31:17.594-06:00Why Only Jesus Could Be The Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i3hLXMC_OxVs42DZyQ5z_cufx-H9-8wXq9cL4prdFbJJ81NY6cxxoOQ3IUG2CN-XH8tznOZ2rzISSf4b0PIRvE2_0yQPiE7ZuPiXomrgbxdHthjS5DGa9-xxUp0r451_GxxZi7FWPhSj/s1600/Jesus_NailPierced_Hands_Better.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i3hLXMC_OxVs42DZyQ5z_cufx-H9-8wXq9cL4prdFbJJ81NY6cxxoOQ3IUG2CN-XH8tznOZ2rzISSf4b0PIRvE2_0yQPiE7ZuPiXomrgbxdHthjS5DGa9-xxUp0r451_GxxZi7FWPhSj/s640/Jesus_NailPierced_Hands_Better.jpg" width="448"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Q:</b> Was Jesus the
only one who could have been the Savior? Was it possible for someone else to have been the Messiah?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A:</b> Jesus alone
was anointed as Savior because He was the only one who had the right to be the Christ (or the Messiah). He could claim that right because it was His by birthright and by
righteousness, and also by covenant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jesus was chosen from before the foundations of the world
to be the Christ, the Anointed One…<b>He
was the birthright son, and he retained that birthright by his strict obedience</b>”
(<i>The Life and Teachings of Jesus and his
Apostles</i>, 15).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ’s claim to the Messiah-ship is actually fairly well established
in scripture (particularly in the Bible).
Here is the case for Jesus’ unique and exclusive claim to the title of “The
Christ” as well as to the responsibility and blessings that come with that
title. <o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/12/why-only-jesus-could-be-christ.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-44400500618557865892017-11-21T10:12:00.000-07:002020-05-05T10:48:08.805-06:005 Scriptures that Testify that God is Real<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioshWrebyB82dfJp27HAjllJEWUaKvbZ_3wUdxn7GHPoi49NfCGSwtS2sAnZ_AnTTabuzvciGnOzculrhYoomQRDfSHz7P8XUpW_HJR2ZozsPjhfjD5FpzooCXw3RryoAd9LA0vnuAhYUr/s1600/God_the_Father.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="700" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioshWrebyB82dfJp27HAjllJEWUaKvbZ_3wUdxn7GHPoi49NfCGSwtS2sAnZ_AnTTabuzvciGnOzculrhYoomQRDfSHz7P8XUpW_HJR2ZozsPjhfjD5FpzooCXw3RryoAd9LA0vnuAhYUr/s640/God_the_Father.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">{{</span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:PD-US" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: monospace, monospace; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Template:PD-US"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.5pt;">PD-US</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.5pt;">}}</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Countless people throughout time have wondered: “Is there a
God?” There are nearly as many opinions on this subject as there have been
people who have lived on this planet.
For this reason, many people feel confused or uncertain about whether or
not God exists, and if so, what that actually means for us humans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people have rejected the notion of the existence of a
God or a higher being altogether. Still
others acknowledge that there may indeed be some kind of higher being who
exists in the universe, although they do not know who or what this being may
be, or what form he/she/it may take.
Others choose to reserve judgment for a number of reasons, including
waiting for more evidence (one way or another) to present itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is that many of those who search for God tend to
reject scripture out of hand as a reliable source of evidence. I imagine that this is because they assume
that religious texts are essentially biased.
However, this forces them to look for evidence that is inconclusive at
best. There are many who point to the
workings of the natural world, and of creation as evidence of a divine
presence, but there are just as many people who point to the same evidence to
say there is not a god. There are some
who try to use a process of logic to reason their way to God, but once again
there are many who would argue that logic suggests that there is no God. Even some religious people might argue that
God is beyond our ability to grasp through human reason alone. I mention all of this in order to demonstrate
the evidentiary value that scripture can have in an honest and open-minded
investigation into the existence of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/11/5-scriptures-that-testify-that-god-is.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-64635056079992580512017-11-09T11:37:00.001-07:002017-11-09T12:29:39.612-07:00Thy Grace Is Sufficient For Me: A Psalm of Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk6CfRMyBPMG1QmTa-ETNSjwvQoFuzHeYdg4l-MvxEKrhfMcYvhoh8o71ZaHbLHgsE-M-Tta3oITYCDUwKQ4u4IkaVt7F7ecNSKnhRI-4CargRSyPQxPbiAN8n8aUdGvXLX0mbuwpEBR-/s1600/ArtBook__064_064__JesusCarryingALostLamb____.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk6CfRMyBPMG1QmTa-ETNSjwvQoFuzHeYdg4l-MvxEKrhfMcYvhoh8o71ZaHbLHgsE-M-Tta3oITYCDUwKQ4u4IkaVt7F7ecNSKnhRI-4CargRSyPQxPbiAN8n8aUdGvXLX0mbuwpEBR-/s640/ArtBook__064_064__JesusCarryingALostLamb____.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
This is my amateur attempt at producing a psalm. I posted this rather personal work in order that I might uplift and inspire others to grow closer to God. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!<br>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord, thy grace is sufficient for me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In thy mercy thou givest me rest<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord, as thou takest my burdens upon thee<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou makest my burdens light.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou forgivest me my transgressions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My sins are blotted out through thee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy lovingkindness and thy mercy are without end<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And cannot be exhausted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord God, thou art my master<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I deliver myself to thee<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am thy servant<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou settest me free<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy yoke is easy, and thy burden is light<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gladly do I take up my cross<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happily do I follow thee<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In following thee I find my life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In serving thee I gain dignity<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou makest me thy particular treasure<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No longer am I a slave to sin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never again will I transgress<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou makest me thy child<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No longer am I a servant in thy house<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am thy son, give me thy spirit<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cry unto thee, Abba, Father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou guidest me when I am lost<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou art my light in obscurity<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By thy word I set my steps<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By thy teachings I build my life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In grief I seek thee Ebenezer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my adversity thou hearest my cry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou art my support in sorrow<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My balm and surcease in suffering<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou art my companion in adversity<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In thy footsteps I tread the path of woe<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou hast descended unto hell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In thy suffering thou hast reclaimed my soul<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou art the captain of my salvation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will follow thee in all things<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou leadest the way<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thine example is my guide<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou teachest me to love mine enemies<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To do good to those that despitefully use me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In love I fulfill thy royal law,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through love I approach thy throne.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through thy grace I approach thee with boldness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy redemption sanctifieth me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By thy merits hast thou justified me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou hast brought me before the mercy seat<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stand before thee revealed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy word is quick and powerful<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou hast discerned the thoughts and intents of my heart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Purify thou me Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleanse thou my innermost soul<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give unto me clean hands and a pure heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I give unto thee my heart and my will<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I surrender unto thee the weapons of my rebellion<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thou desirest not gold or silver<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy treasure cannot be bought<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy salvation is a pearl without price<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would give all to obtain it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thy grace is sufficient for me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In thee I am made whole<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The riches of thy blessings defy my capacity to receive them<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My gratitude is not sufficient to the bounty of thy grace<br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/11/thy-grace-is-sufficient-for-me-psalm-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-14727921846070193472017-08-03T12:37:00.001-06:002020-09-26T11:25:10.251-06:00How do I Distinguish the Holy Ghost from My Own Thoughts?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQtEcEljtKaVa1A3NOuynPW-_n-BDy3K7AgyJidOBoMRiybMs2E647fH5AtW55D6nEt_CERUI3afPc2yt6y3WAYcRh2KMoiaRZF1i1QqP82QZDoPOwtnxZgSJWm5Q7kGk1_oBR6rd45a/s1600/Listening.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQtEcEljtKaVa1A3NOuynPW-_n-BDy3K7AgyJidOBoMRiybMs2E647fH5AtW55D6nEt_CERUI3afPc2yt6y3WAYcRh2KMoiaRZF1i1QqP82QZDoPOwtnxZgSJWm5Q7kGk1_oBR6rd45a/s640/Listening.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Q: How do I tell the difference between promptings from the
Holy Ghost and my own thoughts?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A: For some reason, this is a question which preoccupies
members of the church, especially the youth and young adults. I have heard some variation of this question
in countless settings throughout the church.
I have heard it in seminary and institute classes, I have heard it
during ward youth activities, and during Sunday school and priesthood
classes. I also noticed that this
question cropped up in every single face to face session the general authorities
have held with the young adults in the church.
Clearly, there is a burning desire to learn the answer to this question!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it is a good sign that so many want to know how to
better recognize that voice of the spirit.
It shows that people across the church are thinking about this question,
and seeking to better know the Lord.
However, I do think it is a little strange that there should be so much
confusion among members of the church.
Presumably, if they are members of the church, then they have been
baptized and they have received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands. Since we are therefore entitled to the companionship of the Holy Ghost
to guide, instruct, and direct us in our lives; surely Latter-day Saints must
be experts when it comes to receiving and recognizing the spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Why All the Confusion?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given the particular facility the gift of the Holy Ghost
ought to bestow upon members of the church, why is it (clearly) so difficult
for us to tell the difference between the voice of the spirit and other
influences?<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/08/how-do-i-distinguish-holy-ghost-from-my.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-83758147912572870442017-07-13T15:04:00.001-06:002021-08-11T09:12:20.480-06:007 Mistakes Even Good Members Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixEBh5gmluQYwNTCJy-eWDP1gfvdZCPHpINnTkBZEVIVi-Y5lesfeWosMqUyau5G4zMqvWYS7bu2vytYV5ON-Wc8whx2ZOQx6ru0wCad9KOLIlgcBXQBJBB_yoKPY2PPSLs8RFvHmE0jG/s1600/Banana_Slip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixEBh5gmluQYwNTCJy-eWDP1gfvdZCPHpINnTkBZEVIVi-Y5lesfeWosMqUyau5G4zMqvWYS7bu2vytYV5ON-Wc8whx2ZOQx6ru0wCad9KOLIlgcBXQBJBB_yoKPY2PPSLs8RFvHmE0jG/s640/Banana_Slip.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the whole, Latter-day Saints are good people. Most of us do our best to try to live the
gospel. Most of us try to be Christ-like and obedient to the Lord. Unfortunately, even the best of us tend to
fall into traps of bad thinking without even being aware of it. This flawed thinking can interfere with our
ability to fully live the gospel. These mistakes can keep us from experiencing
the full blessings and joy that come with gospel discipleship. More often than not making these mistakes can
actively make us miserable. On my blog I
answer gospel questions, and in real life I talk to people of all walks of life
about religion, and I have noticed a few common problems that even the best of
us may have to overcome in order to progress in the gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Riding
the Line<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was a young man, I was taught a parable in my Aaronic
priesthood Sunday classes about truck drivers and staying away from the line:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A man was interviewing new drivers for his transportation
company. The route was very dangerous and went along several steep cliffs
through a mountain pass. The interviewer asked each man how close he could
safely drive near the edge of the cliff. The first man responded, “I could
drive within six inches of the edge.” The second man responded, “I could drive
within two inches of the edge.” The third man responded, “I would stay as far
away from the edge of the cliff as I possibly could.” (<i>Aaronic Priesthood Manual</i>, lds.org).<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/07/7-mistakes-even-good-mormons-make.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-72517934663201485712017-03-04T11:32:00.002-07:002018-08-11T13:01:32.114-06:00The Dangers of the Checklist Church<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTWYph9W9KZX07CyX-ZjiYDQpnMbB6n-W-_3IOGj4z_xDe3emv3ju877drqYNA5wzoM98Sz6L0bH2AtdKweCeOmer7-wRVgvAcRblVS2ByGiCAvxuGC7kdc7d6ieAl1pdiXto5xoSQXRi/s1600/checklist-2077022_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTWYph9W9KZX07CyX-ZjiYDQpnMbB6n-W-_3IOGj4z_xDe3emv3ju877drqYNA5wzoM98Sz6L0bH2AtdKweCeOmer7-wRVgvAcRblVS2ByGiCAvxuGC7kdc7d6ieAl1pdiXto5xoSQXRi/s640/checklist-2077022_1920.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">I
am a convert of 9 years, and in that time, I have noticed something that
bothers me. In particular, I've seen this happen to a couple friends, to two of
my own cousins, and even my husband.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">They grow up totally devout Mormons,
learning to go to primary, young men/women's, serve a mission, get married, go
to the temple, etc. But then sometimes people hit a snag. The church says
"you must do A,B,C,D and then you get to go to heaven.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I've seen some people get to
"C" and because of something beyond their control, they can't do that
thing. (For example, not qualifying to go on a mission for medical reasons)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">For example, one person had a
hard time finding a wife. He's only 27 and he acts like his life is over
because he's not married yet. My cousin didn't go on her mission and the guy
she was with left her, and now she's lost like she has no purpose.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">It's like they suddenly don't
know what to do with themselves. Like their life just ended. Like they had a
map of what to do and the map is messed up so they fall into this really sad
and really pathetic depression. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">Personally, I don't want my
kids exposed to that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't want my
son to be depressed and feel like a failure because he didn't follow the
A,B,C,D plan to a T. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching what this
stuff is doing to my friends and family is so sad. My cousin literally just
sits in her room crying and feeling sorry for herself because she didn't
qualify for a mission. AND ITS NOT EVEN HER FAULT! She's even becoming apostate
over it!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">I'm so close to pulling my
kids out of church and just teaching them at home. I don't want my kids
mentally screwed up because of this church and the ridiculous pressure and expectations
put on these kids.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook" , "serif";">Am I wrong? Does anyone else
see this?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not wrong to be concerned and
repelled when you see your friends and family suffering from feelings of
inadequacy, depression, and guilt at what they perceive to be their failure to
adequately live up to gospel requirements.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your friends are not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many Mormons who are doing their best to follow God’s commandments can
sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer weight and number of things they have
been asked to do as members of the church. Some, like your friends, may wrestle
with feelings of inadequacy and failure when they don’t manage to measure up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Around the Church I
hear many who struggle with this issue: “I am just not good enough.” “I fall so
far short.” “I will never measure up.” I hear this from teenagers. I hear it
from missionaries. I hear it from new converts. I hear it from lifelong members….
Satan has somehow managed to make covenants and commandments seem like curses
and condemnations. For some he has turned the ideals and inspiration of the
gospel into self-loathing and misery-making” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be Ye
Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” <i>Ensign</i>,
Nov. 2017).</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is unfortunate, because your friends and many others
like them don’t need to feel like failures who cannot hope to measure up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They don’t have to feel like they are stuck, or like their life is over
when something doesn’t happen the way they think it is supposed to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your friends are laboring under some
misconceptions about how the gospel is meant to be lived, and this wrong
thinking is making them miserable for nothing.<br>
<br>
From where I’m standing, there are two problems: First, they (and you)
seem to be proceeding from the assumption that there is a checklist (A, B, C…)
that we have to follow to a tee if we are going to go to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, they also assume that getting into
heaven is the whole point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, as you
may have noticed, the problem with this checklist mentality is that it almost
immediately starts to fall apart when things in life don’t go according to
plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serving a mission, marrying in the temple, paying your
tithing, and so forth are all important things, but none of these things is the
ultimate goal of gospel discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Accordingly, the church does not teach that you have to follow a rote list
of A, B, C, and D to get into heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
the church does teach is simultaneously simpler and also more complex and
elegant than that.</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-dangers-of-checklist-church.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-40200432067378493482016-11-13T16:34:00.001-07:002018-08-13T10:48:36.205-06:005 Scriptures to Help You Overcome Temptation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEdTriNIEJ6XVlrJnYyUE7KLUKKVY4tqieL4y56LJldgX1vWzij1M7s5RWehg0AQUfdEcU5Zgx3Q6TngbaYGSmRdXqMI3NTKRE9zVeJQdFL-qDoJCQS3m5E8i8iSIarQLVhx-gLnsolFM/s1600/mormonad-in-case-of-temptation-1118248-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEdTriNIEJ6XVlrJnYyUE7KLUKKVY4tqieL4y56LJldgX1vWzij1M7s5RWehg0AQUfdEcU5Zgx3Q6TngbaYGSmRdXqMI3NTKRE9zVeJQdFL-qDoJCQS3m5E8i8iSIarQLVhx-gLnsolFM/s640/mormonad-in-case-of-temptation-1118248-wallpaper.jpg" width="502"></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>3
Nephi 18:15, 18-19 Verily, verily, I say
unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and
ye be led away captive by him. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must
watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have
you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the
Father in my name;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Savior is the only one who ever lived who was perfectly
righteous. Even though he was tempted in
all the same ways that we are, he never gave in, and he faithfully followed His
Father in all things, and he lived a wholly sinless life (see Hebrews 4:14-15). This makes Christ the unopposed champion of
resisting temptation. Not only do we
have his powerful example of obedience to guide us, but he also left us valuable
teachings concerning how best to resist temptation and how to avoid it when possible. Given Christ’s sinless life
and example, it makes sense to look carefully at the things he taught about
resisting temptation. Namely, he exhorted
His disciples to “watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why is it that constant prayer so effective a remedy in
staving off temptation? One answer has to
do with the fact that the devil never sleeps.
He and his angels have nothing better to do than to try to lead you
astray, and he is obsessed with your destruction. I don’t know what it feels like to be sifted
as wheat, but if Satan wants to do it to you, you can bet it’s not pleasant. The only way to combat an enemy that never
rests is to turn to God, who will never rest in providing and guiding us in the
way to joy and salvation. God is more
powerful than the devil, and his voice can dispel the seductive tendrils of
temptation. We need Him in our lives,
and prayer is the way for us to access God and His power. That is why the devil works so hard to get us
to neglect the habit and practice of prayer in our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div><a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2016/11/5-scriptures-to-help-you-overcome.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-13564631347527810282016-11-05T11:45:00.001-06:002020-04-30T11:39:32.218-06:00Why the Church has the Right to Speak Out on Political Issues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvWLHhfOJvmDGYkVLEWhFq7mTbqptaqa0-3RyMfy0UIO2ATD5Nx2EU0CW8rssah8GQmP8PP0LHr1ygTL6nqM4KGeiDlb5hnkOP4iBKntGwkJia9_0tMl_d0aMMynDqRLQI6j994Vc813F/s1600/salt-lake-temple-769668-wallpaper%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvWLHhfOJvmDGYkVLEWhFq7mTbqptaqa0-3RyMfy0UIO2ATD5Nx2EU0CW8rssah8GQmP8PP0LHr1ygTL6nqM4KGeiDlb5hnkOP4iBKntGwkJia9_0tMl_d0aMMynDqRLQI6j994Vc813F/s640/salt-lake-temple-769668-wallpaper%25281%2529.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
Q: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it typical for
the church to [speak out] for or against voting for something [specifically in
letters regarding impending state votes on the questions of doctor-assisted
suicide and the legalization of recreational marijuana]? Does the church feel
like the congregations can't make informed decisions on their own without out
an official statement? Do they believe that…we have to be spoon fed our
opinions?<br>
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A:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church does
not endorse any particular candidate or political party, however:</div>
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<br></div>
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“The Church does… Reserve the right as an institution to
address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant
community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the
Church” (Official Statement on Political Neutrality, http://www.mormonnewsroom.org).</div>
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This has been the case throughout the church’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, the church expressed support
for the so-called (and much praised) “Utah compromise” (Utah senate bill 296)
which contained language designed to protect LGBT individuals from
discrimination, while also protecting and preserving religious freedoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of California Proposition 8, the
church sent a letter to congregations in California encouraging members to get
involved in efforts to pass the proposition, but the church was not directly
involved, nor did it donate any money to those efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less recently, church leaders encouraged
members to speak out against ratifying the proposed Equal Rights Amendment in
the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many other
examples of the church urging members to speak up on one issue or another on “issues
that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that
directly affect the interests of the Church.”</div>
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Note the careful wording in the passage quoted at the top of
this article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church reserves the
right to “address” issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the recent
letter about marijuana, the strongest language used by the first presidency is
that they “urge” the members to speak up in opposition to the legalization of marijuana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Note that nowhere in the letter is anyone
specifically told to vote one way or another). That’s because such letters
constitute counsel rather than commandment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As such, they do not represent any kind of direct mandate to the members
to vote one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means
that you are left to reason for yourself as to what the right course of action
should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if they could force the
members to vote a certain way, the brethren would not do it.</div>
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“Some may believe that reason is not free when religious leaders
have spoken, but I doubt that any religious leader in twentieth-century America
has such a grip on followers that they cannot make a reasoned choice in the
privacy of the voting booth. In fact, I have a hard time believing that the
teachings of religions or churches deprive their adherents of any more autonomy
in exerting the rights of citizenship than the teachings and practices of labor
unions, civil rights groups, environmental organizations, political parties, or
any other membership group in our society.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Values
and Public Policy,” address given 29 February 1992, Brigham Young University
Management Society, lds.org).</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2016/11/why-lds-church-has-right-to-speak-out.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-6896460528173722562016-10-13T08:27:00.000-06:002016-10-13T11:21:19.659-06:005 Scriptures to Help You Overcome a Faith Crisis<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ether 12:6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I
would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not
seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness
until after the trial of your faith.</b></div>
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If you are experiencing doubt, or even a crisis of faith,
don’t despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All who desire a witness
of the truth of the gospel must endure a trial of faith (or several).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of that trial is the expectation that we
are to strive to cultivate faith before we obtain evidence that our faith is
not in vain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Paul goes so far
as to preach that faith is, in itself, the evidence which we seek:</div>
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Hebrews 11:1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.</div>
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The apostle Peter taught that our faith will be refined if
we maintain it even as we experience the fires of doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we love God, and believe in him, even
“though now ye see him not,” we are promised that we will receive our sought
after witness, the end (or object) of our faith. If you will stay faithful,
even when “ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations [and trials]” (see
1 Peter 1:6), your faith will be rewarded, and you can "rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory.”</div>
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1 Peter 1:7-9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whom
having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2016/10/5-scriptures-to-help-you-overcome-faith.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-36292682560418496052015-06-22T15:30:00.001-06:002022-06-25T08:31:55.657-06:00God's Truth Is The Truth, Even If You Disagree With It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59XJKM2w8P0giN-rHQDBoEj6ghaC1bmz482TOvrymF84jU1q8d9rmbz5jjHSzAc899eVdcWC4SOUtrKYryGap8pKBdGGQITqcYXTT-N9SLtz51IMaE0GWLqmHyEwDzgBs96lOuI2rJR8n/s1600/AngelMoroni_Sunblast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59XJKM2w8P0giN-rHQDBoEj6ghaC1bmz482TOvrymF84jU1q8d9rmbz5jjHSzAc899eVdcWC4SOUtrKYryGap8pKBdGGQITqcYXTT-N9SLtz51IMaE0GWLqmHyEwDzgBs96lOuI2rJR8n/s640/AngelMoroni_Sunblast.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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I have noticed lately that there are many in and around the
church who expect that everything that comes from God should be something with
which they agree, and if they do not already agree with a teaching or doctrine
of the church, then they assume that it must not come from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are those who reject Christianity
and/or a belief in God, because they cannot reconcile their own beliefs with
those which are taught in the scriptures or by church leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are members that persist in
disobedience to prophetic counsel because they cannot bring themselves to
listen to counsel with which they do not agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many insist that they would obey a given commandment if only they
understood it, or they claim that they will live it just as soon as they gain a
testimony confirming that such a commandment is true.</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2015/06/gods-truth-is-truth-even-if-you.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-83731407501922087812015-05-23T14:58:00.000-06:002018-06-21T08:36:13.923-06:00Answers to Hard Questions About The Fall of Adam<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A7dcK71UT8wCh_7OXHNQD9eZeAhIgc36D5i6rcFP3Z5oFn1kL6zaaP-72Cue1NSNkOxgeAoE9FXh_Wn3HrocKMlTOKMlnBFFEhHSuSpJC3WAVBzbTXRUL7p4FVxrR0xghg5dpW1OVwOZ/s1600/adam-eve-stainedglass.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A7dcK71UT8wCh_7OXHNQD9eZeAhIgc36D5i6rcFP3Z5oFn1kL6zaaP-72Cue1NSNkOxgeAoE9FXh_Wn3HrocKMlTOKMlnBFFEhHSuSpJC3WAVBzbTXRUL7p4FVxrR0xghg5dpW1OVwOZ/s640/adam-eve-stainedglass.jpg" width="464"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Why does the Fall
matter?</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have noticed that many people find the story of Adam and
Eve, and their fall from the Garden of Eden, to be a puzzling chapter in the
story of our shared Judeo-Christian faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many find it hard to account for because it doesn’t seem to fit with
modern notions of the origin of our species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others struggle with the difficulties that arise over what seem to be
difficult doctrinal issues surrounding the fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have even heard Mormons refer to certain
aspects of the fall of Adam and Eve as “deep doctrine” as if it is some
incomprehensible mystery which cannot fully be understood or explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even those who accept the importance of the
Fall of Adam and Eve sometimes struggle with the full significance and meaning
of the fall, because the fall is so complex in its ramifications, and the full
meaning of the events and symbols used in the accounts of the fall can be
confusing and may even be perceived as contradictory to our limited
understanding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Due to these and other difficulties, some are tempted to dismiss
the fall as a mere fable, and one that is no longer relevant to us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this could not be further from the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As modern day prophets have
repeatedly pointed out, it is crucial that each of us gain a good understanding
of the events and significance of the fall of Adam and Eve, and to do so is
actually fundamental to fully celebrating one’s faith.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just as a man does not really desire food until he is
hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he
needs Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ
until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon
all mankind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ezra Taft Benson, “The
Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ensign</i>, May 1987, 85).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The simple truth is that we cannot fully comprehend the
Atonement and Resurrection of Christ and we will not adequately appreciate the
unique purpose of His birth or His death—in other words, there is no way to
truly celebrate Christmas or Easter—without understanding that there was an
actual Adam and Eve who fell from an actual Eden, with all the consequences
that fall carried with it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Jeffrey R.
Holland, “Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ensign</i>, May 2015, lds.org).</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2015/05/answers-to-hard-questions-about-fall-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-88316973013104123382015-04-14T11:17:00.000-06:002017-07-17T15:18:01.266-06:00How the Jewish Festivals are connected to Christ in the New Testament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkG0Lc7-7sCuH9qHLAGJkTSbUM3E2pUTaVvkVZDgra8eK93NuwsrNsS_6QoIYwKBNIg6HAIfNW8JEyYA5qAaMcUE3MHs7FjIgrIHB1xKrZnF2h2j9_-WP8eT4fpsAe7fSXxO2GWpVrCWK/s1600/TempleHerod_Courts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkG0Lc7-7sCuH9qHLAGJkTSbUM3E2pUTaVvkVZDgra8eK93NuwsrNsS_6QoIYwKBNIg6HAIfNW8JEyYA5qAaMcUE3MHs7FjIgrIHB1xKrZnF2h2j9_-WP8eT4fpsAe7fSXxO2GWpVrCWK/s1600/TempleHerod_Courts.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Jewish Feast Days Associated With Important Events in
the Gospel of John</span></u></b></div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">What follows is a copy of my collection of quotes on the subject (along with a few of my own notes), and as such, there is very little original content included here. Nevertheless, I thought that it might be of interest to my readers.</span> </span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“One evangelist, the author of the
Fourth Gospel, stands out as having a special interest in the Temple…As is so
often the case in this text, what this evangelist seeks to provide is a radical
rethinking of early Christian affirmations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the process, he appropriates imagery connected with the temple as a way
of affirming his understanding of the significance of Jesus.</span></div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A major vehicle for further connecting
Jesus with the temple is the evocation of Israel’s sacred calendar, invoked at
key points in the first half of the gospel” (Attridge, 2014).</span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Attridge, H. W., (2014). The temple and jesus the high
priest in the new testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Charleswoth,
J. H. (Ed.), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus and temple: Textual
and archaeological explorations.</i> Minneapolis: Fortress Press.)</span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYooqq1zRmHMUrH3iRZ7eSkl79I2WH_QU5Zsev91l8q00VM6HTaWPVoRojx-gipgZ_JoapKY8kVaZjceNKfWE12sywZFcTWHaEvJSxqfQgp3f1lUvs_mqoyJz0xgphCOcpivaFpdZyLoRS/s1600/WeddingatCana_StainedGlass.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYooqq1zRmHMUrH3iRZ7eSkl79I2WH_QU5Zsev91l8q00VM6HTaWPVoRojx-gipgZ_JoapKY8kVaZjceNKfWE12sywZFcTWHaEvJSxqfQgp3f1lUvs_mqoyJz0xgphCOcpivaFpdZyLoRS/s1600/WeddingatCana_StainedGlass.jpeg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">John 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passover
#1 Turning of water into wine at Cana & the first cleansing of the temple
immediately precede Passover</span></b></div>
</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Four cups of wine mixed with water were
drunk at different stages of the [Passover] feast (compare Luke 22:17, 20; 1
Cor. 10:16, the cup of blessing)” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LDS
Bible Dictionary</i>, “Feasts,” https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/feasts).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br></span></div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-jewish-festivals-are-connected-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-87958685690183939402015-04-11T12:05:00.000-06:002017-08-15T10:56:03.513-06:00The Parable of the Talents and Predestination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<![endif]-->“No one is predestined to receive less than all that the
Father has for His children.” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why
Family,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2015, lds.org).
<br>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Parable of the Talents which Jesus taught to His
disciples in Matthew chapter 25 can be fairly instructive when considering the
question of foreordination and election, and how it governs our placement in
this world and our relationship to each other.</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Parable of the Talents teaches the importance of
exercising righteous stewardship with those things that the Lord gives to us
while we are in our second estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though
each servant in the parable received differing amounts to start with, they were
each expected to wisely manage the talents with which they had been entrusted, in
order that the wealth could grow and increase in their care before they had to
return what they had been given to the master.</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all start out with differing gifts in life, and some are seemingly
given greater advantages and blessings in this life than others, such as being
born into the covenant, or living in a country where freedom and prosperity
reign instead of tyranny and strife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
also come into life with certain abilities and talents which are innate, or which
we developed during our life before we came here, and it may seem that some
have received more natural talent or advantageous opportunity than others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div><a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-parable-of-talents-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846579637229608577.post-44001357893789220632015-04-09T13:01:00.000-06:002019-06-03T10:41:08.960-06:00How Gospel Legalism is Holding Latter-day Saints Back<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWarsaBRV7wSVEwNzR2vjyv3Bsc61zEDSos1sgOKO95VdjX9U25HeI8fpoaIPTnHb76YqXgQnlEXQk4K9jwIYKUOU3D5bkOAt1y5S-mn7SBlWoothDu0R142dmL2Qz2VglSjRuvDo-4nu/s1600/ten_commandments_tablets_dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWarsaBRV7wSVEwNzR2vjyv3Bsc61zEDSos1sgOKO95VdjX9U25HeI8fpoaIPTnHb76YqXgQnlEXQk4K9jwIYKUOU3D5bkOAt1y5S-mn7SBlWoothDu0R142dmL2Qz2VglSjRuvDo-4nu/s1600/ten_commandments_tablets_dark.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="color: red;">WARNING: This post contains several mentions of a word and subject which is probably unsuitable for children. </span><br>
<br>
I spend a great deal of time writing, speaking, and
answering questions about religion, so I tend to encounter the whole spectrum
of doubts and problems (as well as the best that we have to offer) as I
get to know people across the world and the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have interacted with other Latter-day Saints on questions
of religion, I have noticed a certain tendency that I find especially disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Specifically, I have noticed that some Latter-day Saints like to ask some variation of the “Is [blank] a sin?” question, which is
usually accompanied by phrases like “It isn’t expressly forbidden by the
general authorities,” or, “it isn’t spelled out in the scriptures (or the
policy or manuals of the Church),” with the implication that unless it is
spelled out explicitly as a sin, then it must be OK to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have also noticed that the same people often also ask about what the minimum requirements are for any given commandment in order to get into heaven, or avoid hell. These individuals tend to be preoccupied with what exactly constitutes a sin in the eyes of God and the church. </span>This attitude can only be called legalism,
and it can be very dangerous.</div>
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<br></div>
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“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Legalism:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Noun</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>usage: strict conformity to the letter of the
law rather than its spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(http://thesaurus.infoplease.com/legalism,
n. d.)</div>
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<br></div>
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Case in point, the following question was posted in a
Facebook discussion group for Latter-day Saints in order to solicit responses for a
podcast:</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got into a downright weird conversation with someone on
whether or not the LDS Church teaches masturbation as breaking the Law of
Chastity.</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His defense was that there isn't a section in the Aaronic
Priesthood Manual or some such work (you know - the Fifth Standard Work) about
masturbation and so it isn't a sin” (Joe Rawlins, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Facebook post</i>, April 9, 2015).</div>
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<br></div>
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In response, one person stated that she has never viewed a
proscription against masturbation to be part of the law growing up, and that
she still doesn’t, and then she posted a link to the Wikipedia definition of
the Law of Chastity (as taught by the LDS church).</div>
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<br></div>
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Another person posted a talk from President Spencer W.
Kimball which specifically stated that the law of chastity forbids “all sexual
relations outside marriage,” including masturbation, to which the first person
replied that she did not see anything expressly forbidding the practice in the
youth booklet.</div>
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<br></div>
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Several individuals argued back and forth about whether or
not pornography addiction is an actual or fictional condition, and others made
statements criticizing the church’s stance on the subject as being a relic of Victorian
era hang-ups about sex, and/or misconceptions about the sin of Onan (as it is
often referred to) in the Bible, even going so far as to post a link to an
article from Wiktionary defining onanism (see Genesis chapter 38 if you really
care to know more).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a protracted argument among several individuals concerning the severity of the sin, and its ranking in comparison to the severity of certain other sins. Of course the crux
of the entire argument had to do with the fact that teachings forbidding the practice
of masturbation are not clearly spelled out in scripture.</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This whole argument is an example of the irritating legalism
that has crept into the attitude of many church members:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"If it isn't specifically spelled out,
then I don't have to do it, and if it isn't expressly forbidden then I can do
as I please."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, more subtly,
ranking or defining sins so that some seem less severe than others, or finding ways to fulfill the bare letter of the law without concern for the spirit of the law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legalism is a problem for members of the
church because it can cause us to miss the whole point of the gospel (and commandment
keeping) and the atonement of Jesus Christ, and cause us to become lost in a
maze of petty bickering over tiny points of the law. Worse, "by looking beyond the mark" (see Jacob 4:14) we may cause ourselves (and others) to "stumble" and "fall" because of confusion over what is and isn't sin.</div>
<a href="http://scripturesight.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-gospel-legalism-is-holding-latter.html#more">Read more »</a>Michael Maierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16160643740612185751noreply@blogger.com4