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| This is something that has been troubling me, and I wonder why people do things like this. I was walking to the student center yesterday to get something to eat before my next class when I saw this guy holding a sign that, from a distance, you could read the words "Satan's Children".
This isn't the exact sign, but it's something along those lines.
I was intrigued by this, and wanting to know his explanation for doing this on a college campus, I started talking with him. I asked him what had happened with the Apostles and Prophets in the Bible and why there are none today. Right off the bat, he told me that they weren't needed.
"Well, why?" I asked.
"Because it was all fulfilled with Jesus' dying on the cross. There was no need for them after 70 AD when they had started to preach the Gospel to everyone."
"Who is your favorite Apostle?"
"Paul."
"Was he one of the original Twelve chosen by Jesus?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Someone had to take Judas' place after he killed himself."
It was obvious that he did not know the scriptures. "May I see your Bible, sir?" I asked.
"Well, um, it's an electronic Bible on my PDA."
"Well, break it out. I want to show you something."
"My batteries are dead," he blurted quickly. I didn't need it, anyway, but it would have helped. I pointed out that at the end of Acts 1, Matthias was called to fill Judas' vacancy. It was obvious that he was losing ground fast, and he had to come up with something. And it was clear that he had heard that there needed to be prophets and Apostles today. "Are you Mormon?"
"I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, yes."
He scoffed and turned away, "Then I shouldn't even pay attention to you. What you believe is a cartoon."
A cartoon? Really? By this time a crowd had gathered and he started yelling at them while holding his sign and pointing at me, "REPENT ALL OF YOU OR ELSE YOU WILL BECOME LIKE THIS MORMON HERE!!" Now that was just going too far. It was at this point that he started yelling out what his interpretation of what I believed as well as that of Muslims, Jews, and basically anyone who didn't agree with him. Everyone who did not subscribe to his doctrine was going to Hell. This was not true Christianity. By what authority did he have to do this? None. Simply because he thought that he had read the Bible and he thought he knew it.
I couldn't hold back any more and stepped up to face the gathering crowd, "This man is telling you what you all believe. He is telling you what I believe. He has no idea what I believe. Let me tell you." And I did. I told the crowd that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that God is our Eternal Father, Jesus the Christ is His Son and the Savior of the world. That through the grace of God, we have Apostles and Prophets, the same foundation that was established in ancient times when Christ Himself set up the Church as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-14. I also told them that there was no reason to take my word for it, that if they wanted to know who was telling the truth to go to a 3rd source, or rather, THE Source. The Source of all Truth, God Himself.
While I was speaking, the man with the sign kept calling out "LIES!", but I took comfort in the fact that there were people who were there crying out "Let him talk!". It's kind of funny, because in hindsight, I probably should have told him that I would much rather be a "Mormon" and know that I was going to Hell, than to be whatever he was and not know where the hell I was going. But then hindsight is always 20/20.
So the question I ask is this: Is this "true Christianity", to subscribe everyone to Hell who does not agree with your doctrine? To stand on a hill in front or in a school and tell them to repent simply because you have "read" the Bible? Where does that put people like Ghandi, or Buddha? What about those who have died without even hearing the name of Jesus? I'm sorry, but I REFUSE to believe in a God that is so heartless and distant enough to not care about the affairs of Man but is close enough to throw them into the deepest hottest parts of Hell for the slightest sin. My God is far more Just and Loving than that. How else should we look to our Father?
EDIT: I found out recently that the man was escorted off campus in handcuffs, not because he was doing that, but because he shoved the officer who asked him to leave. | | |
| This is mainly in response to GodlessLiberal's blog on the supposed "inerrancy" of the Bible. So, I'm going to break it down, point by point, and hope that it helps clear things up...on both sides.
Where in the bible, if anywhere, Does the Bible say it is the Word of God?
It doesn't. Just like with all things to do with the spirit, they can only be discerned spiritually.
How do you know this applies to the Bible as we know it today, and not some other collection of books? For example, how do you know it refers to the gospels of John, Mark, Luke and Matthew, and not the gospel of Simon, Thomas, and Peter?
It very well could, although Simon and Peter were the same person, but I can understand the mixup there. Anyway, all save for Mark and Luke were Apostles chosen by Jesus of Nazareth. But again, these can only be understood through the spirit. Think of it this way. Suppose I had never tasted salt before in my life, but you have. How would you tell me how it tastes? You can't use the word "salt", since I have no idea what it tastes like. You can tell me what it's not, but not what it is. It's one of those things that must be experienced for yourself.
What's to keep someone from writing whatever they want, or altering existing stories to fit their need, then using this passage to prove God wrote it? Today, of course, we could compare with other versions of the Bible, but what about hundreds or thousands of years ago? Did God correct the mistakes and strike down the blasphemers?
That's a very good question. The answer is that there wouldn't be anything to stop what you described from happening, in fact, IT DID HAPPEN, which is the reason why there are so many Christian denominations out there that can't seem to agree on much of anything at all. We all have our free will (I call it "agency"). That is the one thing that even God will not mess with. He gives us the right to choose for ourselves. He won't tamper with that.
To answer the second half of that question, there are still mistakes in the Bible today. The Bible is not perfect, and those who claim that it is are not well versed in the Bible and have no idea what they are talking about...which in turn makes them an idiot. So I'll side with you on that one. Do I believe the Bible to be the word of God? No. I know it is (referring back to the salt analogy from before). The same way I know that the Book of Mormon is true, that there is a LIVING prophet and LIVING Apostles today. It's the same way that I know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
The Bible, The Koran, The Book of Mormon, and other books are supposedly the word of God. Many other works are supposedly inspired by God, gods, godlike aliens from the Pleiades, etc. Why should I accept your favorite, and not one of the others?
In order to believe The Book of Mormon, you have to believe the Bible. It's a must. The Koran, the Torah, etc., I'm not so sure. But the Bible and the Book of Mormon go hand in hand.
GodlessLiberal, you go on an entire rant in a section called "Bible Inerrancy". I'm not even going to touch that, since I agree with you. The Bible is not complete, it is not perfect. Again, I say, anyone who says otherwise is an idiot and a fool. There is no reason that we need to turn to a source other than God for knowledge that He exists. I like what Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter when it came to this; he said, "...when it comes to religion, question with boldness". Essentially, if there is a God and we seek after Him, He's not going to hide, He is going to make sure that you find Him, He will leave breadcrumbs EVERYWHERE. But we have to want it. He's not going to force us to do or to look for something that we don't want to do.
What do you find inspiring about the atrocities that constitute much of the old testament?
There are many things that can be learned from all scripture. Or even if you just look at the Bible as a history book, then it's a good source of what to do and what not to do. Ever hear of the saying that those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it?
What do you find inspiring about the new testament's message of eternal damnation for those who fail to embrace exactly the right set of beliefs?
There is more to it than that. But I guess I can see where you're coming from on this issue. As a member of the LDS (Mormon) Church, I get that a lot. Especially when I was up in the Seattle area as a full-time missionary for two years. It is easy to get caught up in the "hellfire and damnation" aspects of what is taught. But like I said, there is more to that. God's entire purpose is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". With that there are things that must be done. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we now have that gift. When we die, we will rise again with a perfect body, no longer prone to sickness or death. However, if we chose while we were alive here to be disobedient to the commandments, then we won't have eternal life, even though we will have immortality, if that makes sense. If you need me to clarify anything that's said in this post, let me know. I'll do my best to clear things up.
If AIDS is God's punishment to Gays for anal intercourse, does that mean lung cancer is God's punishment for smoking? If so, do you plan to picket Aunt Mildred's funeral carrying signs saying "God hates Smokers?"
I don't really think that AIDS is a punishment for being gay, there are just as many straight folks who have it. Although, is it really a good idea to smoke either? If you're religious or not, you would think that you would want to take care of yourself so you're not gasping for air every time you walk up a flight of stairs. Although I will admit, the signs are a little extreme.
You have two other questions regarding gays that I'm going to skip over. The first, is a little redundant and irrelevant and the second is another post in and of itself.
Why did God sacrifice Himself to Himself so that He could correct a mistake He made Himself?
Hahahahahahaha!!! Ah, yes, the good ol' Trinity question! This is a good one, I should try asking that myself to the Trinitarians out there. The fact of the matter is that the Father and Jesus are separate in nature and being. There is no such thing as a 3-in-1 Triune God but a 3-in-3 Godhead. The Father has His role, the Son has His, and the Holy Ghost has His. Each are separate and distinct but are one in purpose and unity. They are what all teams should aspire to be.
How does the crucifixion count as an appropriate sacrifice? Jesus spent a few hours, maybe a day, in agonizing pain; but it was no greater pain than millions of others have suffered. If Jesus really is God, then He knew exactly what was happening, and exactly how long it would last. When it was done, He supposedly ascended to heaven and became the all-powerful ruler of the universe. This is infinitely greater compensation than even the faithful will receive, and infinitely less torture that the damned will receive.
This is something that a lot of mainstream Christians do not understand. The sacrifice did not start and end on the cross. It started in Gethsemane, the night before the crucifixion and ended three days later with the Resurrection. It is three-fold. There is a scripture in The Book of Mormon that says this "Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy". The Atonement, or Jesus' sacrifice, helps us fulfill that joy. Again, it has to do with our choices and the intents of our hearts. There's only so much I can say on this matter. Some things you need to figure out for yourself.
Please reconcile these two statements: "Without evil, there can be no good", "God is all-good."
There must be opposition in all things. We can't appreciate happiness without sadness. We can't know good unless we know evil. Honestly, there is nothing to reconcile here. God is able to recognize evil. Does He give in to it? No. Otherwise He would cease to be God. That's part of what makes Him God. Being able to recognize evil and not have it affect Him.
Please reconcile these two statements: "With God, nothing is impossible", "You can't be saved unless you accept Jesus as your savior."
Everyone will be resurrected. However, unless you enter in through the gate, which is baptism by immersion by someone with the proper authority (which is part of accepting Jesus), you will not have eternal life (or life in God's presence).
The other questions you wrote I thought were either redundant, since I covered those inadvertently already, or they were just ridiculous, even though I laughed when I read them. In any case, I hope this has helped answer some questions, even if it wasn't from a "Bible Thumper". | | |
| It's funny how people tend to just blow this day off. I don't think people realize the true significance this day has on humanity as a whole, whether you are religious or not. Unlike most of my entries since I've been back from my mission, this particular topic I can't trace back to a single moment to care about it so much like the others have. This has been a gradual climb, almost as if it was growing in my heart my entire life. But I'm getting off track here...
Easter is a day, I feel that should be celebrated more than Christmas. You can cue the collective gasps....now. Let me explain why: For most of the Christian world, Christmastime is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether or not his birth was really in December, it's hard to tell. Although there is more evidence that points to 6 April. Just saying. Anyway, while I do not mind the excitement that Christmas brings, in fact I welcome it, I am bothered by how commercialized it's gotten and how we seem to forget the real reason we celebrate it.
I want to go through those eight days that will live forever, in a Reader's Digest kind of way. On Sunday, the Savior was heralded into Jerusalem while riding a donkey, being praised as a king, as was foretold by prophecy. Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin, a council of Jews made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, had finally found a way to "convict" Him, but they wouldn't dare, since the people looked up to this guy.
On Monday, He went to the temple and drove out the moneychangers, crying out in righteous indignation, "Ye have made [my house] into a den of thieves". Tuesday, He taught the disciples as a whole. Wednesday, pulling the Twelve Apostles aside, told them that the time was soon at hand, He would be delivered into the hands of evil men and put to death.
Thursday, a room was prepared for the feast of the passover. The Savior started the first sacrament and showed the Twelve how to administer it. He washed their feet in loving service. By this time, Judas Iscariot, one of His own had left and had received 30 pieces of silver, a small amount of money, even by their standards, to betray Jesus of Nazareth into their hands.
Midnight came, and taking only the three senior Apostles (Peter, James, and John) with Him, went to the Garden of Gethsemane for three agonizing hours. It was here that the Atoning sacrifice was begun. Here where the Savior felt every pain imaginable. So much that He bled from every pore. Drop upon drop upon drop of blood fell to the ground as if it were nothing but sweat.
When it was finished, the mob came, and with a kiss, Jesus was taken prisoner and tried illegally before the Sanhedrin. Then taken back and forth between Pilot and Herod before finally the governors submitted to the crowd crying "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
He was beaten, scourged, and forced to carry a plank of wood up a hill, but He bore it. He was nailed to a cross, but he bore it. He hung for six hours, and bore it before giving up the ghost. The work He was sent to do as a mortal was finished.
He was buried in a tomb outside of Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives. A stone was rolled in front. A dark, dark Friday it was. Saturday passed without a sound. Then Sunday came...
Mary Magdalene, and three other women came to the tomb to change the wrappings on the body. When they arrived, it was gone. A man in white sat on the stone that was rolled away and told them "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here but IS RISEN..."
Imagine the impact of those words: "He is not here but is risen..." What does that mean for us? How do we symbolize the resurrection, which should be the true hope of our faith? Not just that the Savior took upon Himself all of our sins, which is wonderful, do not misunderstand me, I do not mean to undermine that in anyway shape or form, but that He rose from the dead so that WE WILL RISE AGAIN, never to die. Our bodies will become just like His; glorified and perfected. Physical ailments gone, physical deformities repaired, all will become right and whole. That is the victory that Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the CHRIST, won - victory over sin AND death.
I think sometimes we forget that if it wasn't for Easter, like President Gordon B. Hinkley said, there would be no Christmas. It would just be another birth. But it wasn't. And because of Easter we celebrate Christmas. So I ask us all, should we not place just as much emphasis on Easter in our hearts and lives, if not more so, as we do with Christmas? | | |
| There is something to be said about the disintegration of this nation today. Really, I find that if two problems, I believe, were reversed from the trend they are now, we would have no worries. Think hard about what those two issues are...Give up? Sex and family unity. Now, you have to remember that this is coming from an LDS perspective, but the principles are the same, or at least should be everywhere else across the western world.
I remember my first three years of high school. It wasn't that long ago considering I graduated in 2005, but still. It was my freshman year when I realized that the, ahem, "fashions" that not only the girls but the guys were wearing as well. I think the only time I saw more skin was when I was at the beach, and this is what they were wearing to school! What they were wearing to start on the road to being productive members of society! I couldn't believe my eyes! I had never seen this in a public school before, not even in the movies.
Eventually, it became the norm for me and I got used to seeing it everyday. But the fact that it needed to be changed stayed in the back of my mind. But what could I do? I was only a teenager, and not even one of the kids who stood out too much...Or so I thought. Then the answer came.
Throughout an active LDS teenager's high school years, they take a religious education class sometime during the day. For those who live in Utah, Idaho, and some places in Arizona, it's part of the regular school schedule. In places like in Southern California where I grew up, you know, outside the "Mormon" bubble, it's in the morning before school. It's called "Seminary". It was toward the end of my Junior year that my seminary teacher made the announcement. The school board was going to be meeting and this was our chance to speak up. Immediately, I jumped at the opportunity.
I remember getting home from school that day and telling my parents about it. They gave me a "why didn't we think of that?" look and immediately my dad started talking about how his students dress (both my parents teach at the college level) more modestly than those at my high school. He also mentioned how many schools would require a dress code for things like the Grad Night trip to Disneyland.
The day to speak to the school board came and it was a success. They asked me if they should consider getting uniforms for the schools. I told them that there would be no need to if the dress code was just enforced. They thanked me and the three other kids from my seminary class and discussed it. But we all know how fast it takes political boards to finally take action. It took an additional two times going before the board and saying, "do something now!" before they did. Finally something was done. Two weeks into my Senior year, I saw signs throughout the halls reminding people to follow the dress code. As a result, there were fewer dropouts than the years before and people were starting to understand why they were there.
Now the question you may be asking yourself is this: "What does this incident have to do with sex or family unity"? Think about the situation. What did I see my Freshman year? Paul taught "What? (and I can imagine him being very angry while writing this) Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Cor. 6:19). When you see the LDS temples scattered across the globe, what do you see on the outside? Beautiful architecture, a place that seems to shine and bring a sense of hope against the bleak world that surrounds it. When you just stand on the grounds, whether you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, you have a sense that there is something very sacred that goes on within those walls. Should we not treat our bodies the same way?
Today the idea of free sex, particularly outside of marriage, is running rampant. It's destroying our personal lives, destroying our families, and ultimately destroying our nations and freedoms. Pornography has become a stain that has eaten away at this, making sex outside of marriage seem more and more desirable, than that of following God's law of chastity (which is complete abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity to your spouse after, which marriage can only be between a man and a woman). But what do we see today? Many laugh and scoff at this law. There is almost nowhere to turn for refuge. We see it in magazines, books, movies, TV, the internet, even walking down the street. "Where can [we] turn for peace?" (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints #129) The answer lies at home with the family.
Unfortunately, this is starting to degrade as well. Fewer and fewer homes are escaping the destructive pains of divorce. Many children are growing up without fathers, without mother, sometimes without both. There is a reason why they are supposed to be together. "...For this cause shall a man leave father and mother," and do what? "and cleave unto his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh" (Matt. 19:6). The Savior's words are clear: husbands "cleave" (or stay) with your wives. Love and support them. Be there for them and comfort them when they need it. And even when they don't! (Believe me, they love that. Don't know why, but they do). Wives, they same goes for you. Fathers and Mothers, raise your children in love and teach them correct principles so that they can govern themselves. If you do not teach them what is right, regardless if they fail to follow what they are taught, then you have failed. Now I know this sounds harsh, but our current situation calls for it. Teach them what is right. Teach them to be honest, teach them to be chaste and virtuous. Teach them to love. Remember that teaching your children correct principles is really the only thing you can do in raising your children. Remember to live the principles you teach as well.
After looking at some of the greatest civilizations in the world like Babylon, Greece, Rome, etc., you wonder how and why they fell, and they fell hard. There was a common link that is often overlooked that led to their demise: the disintegration of the family and promiscuity of it's people. Must we always repeat our mistakes? When will we learn? When our homes are nothing but ashes? I say, "No". Similar to what I said to the school board, I say to you: There is no reason to fall so long at the code is lived. And what is that code? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it cannot be enforced by any other way besides "gentleness, [kindness], and love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41). Will it be easy? No, but it will be worth it. And we will see our civilization last for another generation. | | |
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