I couldn't help but think about a few things that I had read this week while reading about the upset on the news.
Here are a few verses from 2 Nephi 28:9-15, that I thought were applicable:
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord
12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
It seems to me that pride is the root of the problem. To quickly take offense and lash out at something that is at first glance difficult to understand is certainly a sign of pride. To me is seems that those who don't understand this change in the Handbook are saying in a sense that they know better than God and his servants. They are pitting their will and knowledge and experience against that of the all knowing Creator.
President Benson has said: "We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.
The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works."
The Lord doesn't mince words when he talks about what will happen to people who distort good and evil.
2 Nephi 28:16-19
16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.
This verse kind of sums up what has happened. There are lots of people who are angry with that which is good.
20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
An another popular lie that is has widespread believers is this:
Satan would have people believe that truth is relative. There isn't a right and a wrong per say, and anyone who stands up and pronounces their belief in what they believe is right is automatically labeled as a bigot or hater. It is unfortunate that so many people have fallen for this lie. God's truth doesn't change. It really isn't big news that the Church doesn't support same-sex marriage. We believe in traditional families. We believe marriage is between a man and a woman. So it it only makes sense to me that these changes in the Handbook have come out.
For anyone who thinks that the church is finished with such updates, that the Handbook is complete, and that we don't need any more counsel about this subject, read this:
2 Nephi 28:27-32
28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.
To me that means that the Lord isn't finished with updates and additions and revelation. He has so much more to give us. If we are grounded in our testimonies of Jesus Christ, we will receive such information with gladness, learn wisdom, and He will give us more. Clearly the Lord wants us to know of His ways. I also felt the Lord's mercy in these verses. There will be misunderstandings and confusion at times, but He will be merciful to all those who struggle. Even though they may not believe in Him and His ways, he certainly hasn't stopped believing in them. The same goes for us. Even though we may not understand why people understand or don't understand this new development, we must try to be merciful and kind.
Lastly I want to share a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "What is Truth?"
"Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We are expected to ponder, to search, to evaluate, and thereby to come to a personal knowledge of the truth."
If all those who are frustrated with the change in the Handbook would take this to heart and take a little initiative to find out for themselves whether or not the change is inspired of God, then much of the negativity that has been spewed about would stop. But this kind of sincere desire to know the will of God takes humility which is the opposite of pride. As long as pride is coursing through the veins of the people of this world there will be little room to know what God would have us do."Brigham Young said: “I am … afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security. … Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates.”
I have personally tried to find out for myself. I don't have a complete understanding but, " I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things (1 Nephi 11:17)" I know that if I continually petition the Lord for understanding and confirmation doing my best to be humble in my efforts, the Lord will give me that confirmation. I know that He lives and loves me and all of His children. I know that this life is a test and that we are asked to do things that sometimes don't make sense or we don't understand, but if we move forward in faith, we will be blessed.
For more clarification check this out:
https://youtu.be/iEEMyc6aZms
3 comments:
Love this Crystal! I feel much the same way and am glad to hear your voice of reason amid so much confusion. Hope your family is well!!
This is really great! Thanks for sharing this!
Awesome, I want to share this with my family, my sister is going through this kind of issue and I am going to share this with her. Thank you very much
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