Dan Brooks's Blog, page 25
April 24, 2014
Righteous Judgment
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24
In the Joseph Smith Translation you will find Jesus saying that we are to "Judge righteously" though next to no one understands what this really means. A laundry list of people I have met whole heartedly believe this means to judge the sins of others "that they may repent."
This could not be more wrong.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus is telling us that judging the sins of others is akin to criticizing the mote in your brothers eye while you have a beam in your own because we are all sinners. It's not your job to point out the sins of others, it's your job to deal with and correct you own sins.
What Jesus means by judging righteously is this; imagine you are a butcher and your thumb is on the scales, you can weigh down one side in your favor or you could weigh down the other side in favor of your customer. Weighing down the scale in favor of your customer is "judging righteously."
Or lets go with an example: In the Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll he writes about how he failed to judge righteously, or judge favorably as it has been known in Judaism for thousands of years, Swindoll was teaching at a Bible study conference and he noticed a man who kept falling asleep through his lectures day after day, Swindoll concluded the man must be a "Carnal Christian" meaning he spoke one way and lived another. Then on the last day the mans wife approached Swindoll after his lecture and told Swindoll that her husband was the one who wanted to go, it was his last wish, he had terminal cancer and even though his pain meds made him sleepy and embarassed him he still wanted to attend.
Swindoll felt like an ass. Because he had been so quick to judge unrighteously and his unrighteous judgement made him look and feel like a fool.
Judging favorably, judging righteously means that when you are moving furniture down the street and you see someone from church drive right on by without stopping you say "Maybe they were going to work or a Doctor's Appointment. Rather than, "Hey they kept driving just to avoid helping me!" Or worse. Judging righteously means when you don't get an invitation to a friends wedding you say "Maybe they could only afford to invite just a few people." Rather than, "They're not really my friend, they don't want me there, I'm not that important to them."
The point is in the courtroom of our minds the prosecution always has an easy job and the defendants are swiftly convicted and sentenced. And that is not the way it should work. I'm not saying to perform mental acrobatics to avoid consigning guilt but at least put up a worthy defense don't allow the courtroom of your mind to be some kangaroo court where all are guilty until and if proven innocent.
Judging favorably is something that is intrinsic to Jewish culture and something we gentiles know little about but this is where it is important because without this understanding you may walk away from certain General Conference talks or church talks with the impression that your job is to point out every sin you see. Which could not be further from the truth according to Jesus Himself.
You can't condone evil action but they are easier to forgive once you realize things like "Maybe he didn't realize how hurtful and harmful his actions would be." Or, "Maybe they didn't understand what the repercussions would be."
No one likes to be harshly judged and often the harshest judges are those who never received mercy themselves and have no idea how or why they even should extend it to others. The people who need mercy the most are the merciless.
There is an important difference between what The Lord meant when He said to judge righteously and what so many interpret as judging righteously.
In the Joseph Smith Translation you will find Jesus saying that we are to "Judge righteously" though next to no one understands what this really means. A laundry list of people I have met whole heartedly believe this means to judge the sins of others "that they may repent."
This could not be more wrong.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus is telling us that judging the sins of others is akin to criticizing the mote in your brothers eye while you have a beam in your own because we are all sinners. It's not your job to point out the sins of others, it's your job to deal with and correct you own sins.
What Jesus means by judging righteously is this; imagine you are a butcher and your thumb is on the scales, you can weigh down one side in your favor or you could weigh down the other side in favor of your customer. Weighing down the scale in favor of your customer is "judging righteously."
Or lets go with an example: In the Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll he writes about how he failed to judge righteously, or judge favorably as it has been known in Judaism for thousands of years, Swindoll was teaching at a Bible study conference and he noticed a man who kept falling asleep through his lectures day after day, Swindoll concluded the man must be a "Carnal Christian" meaning he spoke one way and lived another. Then on the last day the mans wife approached Swindoll after his lecture and told Swindoll that her husband was the one who wanted to go, it was his last wish, he had terminal cancer and even though his pain meds made him sleepy and embarassed him he still wanted to attend.
Swindoll felt like an ass. Because he had been so quick to judge unrighteously and his unrighteous judgement made him look and feel like a fool.
Judging favorably, judging righteously means that when you are moving furniture down the street and you see someone from church drive right on by without stopping you say "Maybe they were going to work or a Doctor's Appointment. Rather than, "Hey they kept driving just to avoid helping me!" Or worse. Judging righteously means when you don't get an invitation to a friends wedding you say "Maybe they could only afford to invite just a few people." Rather than, "They're not really my friend, they don't want me there, I'm not that important to them."
The point is in the courtroom of our minds the prosecution always has an easy job and the defendants are swiftly convicted and sentenced. And that is not the way it should work. I'm not saying to perform mental acrobatics to avoid consigning guilt but at least put up a worthy defense don't allow the courtroom of your mind to be some kangaroo court where all are guilty until and if proven innocent.
Judging favorably is something that is intrinsic to Jewish culture and something we gentiles know little about but this is where it is important because without this understanding you may walk away from certain General Conference talks or church talks with the impression that your job is to point out every sin you see. Which could not be further from the truth according to Jesus Himself.
You can't condone evil action but they are easier to forgive once you realize things like "Maybe he didn't realize how hurtful and harmful his actions would be." Or, "Maybe they didn't understand what the repercussions would be."
No one likes to be harshly judged and often the harshest judges are those who never received mercy themselves and have no idea how or why they even should extend it to others. The people who need mercy the most are the merciless.
There is an important difference between what The Lord meant when He said to judge righteously and what so many interpret as judging righteously.
April 22, 2014
What Goes Around
What goes around comes around it is said. This is the idea of karma, what you dish out you get hit with in return. Good or bad it is up to you but it is a reap what you sow mentality. And according to Christ it is true that with what measure ye meet it shall be measured against you.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:1-2
So whatever you put out into the world you will get back and whether or not its good is up to you, you will be judged by the same standard you judge others by. You will obtain mercy if you give mercy, you will be forgiven if you forgive.
This means, I think, that if you wish to be loved you must give love. But this by no means guarantees that your life will be painless and effortless, it just means over all what goes around comes around.
Faith without sacrifice loses its meaning and that's part of why I think people like Job, Jesus and others in scripture were truly good and righteous and still met with horrible ends. I think part of their calling was to sacrifice.
I remember a sci-fi tv show in the late 80s and early 90s that had an episode that took place in a karmic prison where whatever pain you inflict on someone else is instead inflicted on you. And their enemy was defeated by letting them try and kill them, the villain instead kills themself by this karmic feature in the prison.
If only it were seen as clearly as in the old tv show I mentioned because as it stands, just like acts of God, the proof of karma is too elusive it can be practiced, but not photographed.
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew7:17-20
Your fruits refers to you works and your words since both are indicative of the contents of your heart. Jesus said it's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you but what comes out. And in the age of information people hide behind their screens to say the most horrible things to others. Yet Jesus himself treated all with love and we are commanded to love others as He loved us, it's the only additional commandment Jesus gave us.
Karma accounts for much but we are subject the the repercussions of the free will of others so it's not always about karma.
And just because your past may be ugly doesn't mean your future can't be beautiful. We can all take a step in a different direction starting now and moving forward. Saul persecuted the early Christians and he took part in the murder of Stephen the first Christian martyr yet Jesus personally intervened on the road to Damascus and Saul became Paul and wrote 2/3 or the new testament and became the most prolific missionary perhaps ever.
We can change our karma. We can't change who we have been, but we can control who we become. We can love so we are loved, we can forgive if we desire forgiveness, we can be merciful so that we may obtain mercy.
If God can forgive Paul for murder, if Jesus can forgive the adulteress for being caught in the act, if He can forgive King David, if He can forgive Cain then how much more can He forgive your sins?
No matter how ugly your past may be, you don't live there anymore, you live in the present which is a gift with which you can work miracles if you choose.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:1-2
So whatever you put out into the world you will get back and whether or not its good is up to you, you will be judged by the same standard you judge others by. You will obtain mercy if you give mercy, you will be forgiven if you forgive.
This means, I think, that if you wish to be loved you must give love. But this by no means guarantees that your life will be painless and effortless, it just means over all what goes around comes around.
Faith without sacrifice loses its meaning and that's part of why I think people like Job, Jesus and others in scripture were truly good and righteous and still met with horrible ends. I think part of their calling was to sacrifice.
I remember a sci-fi tv show in the late 80s and early 90s that had an episode that took place in a karmic prison where whatever pain you inflict on someone else is instead inflicted on you. And their enemy was defeated by letting them try and kill them, the villain instead kills themself by this karmic feature in the prison.
If only it were seen as clearly as in the old tv show I mentioned because as it stands, just like acts of God, the proof of karma is too elusive it can be practiced, but not photographed.
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew7:17-20
Your fruits refers to you works and your words since both are indicative of the contents of your heart. Jesus said it's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you but what comes out. And in the age of information people hide behind their screens to say the most horrible things to others. Yet Jesus himself treated all with love and we are commanded to love others as He loved us, it's the only additional commandment Jesus gave us.
Karma accounts for much but we are subject the the repercussions of the free will of others so it's not always about karma.
And just because your past may be ugly doesn't mean your future can't be beautiful. We can all take a step in a different direction starting now and moving forward. Saul persecuted the early Christians and he took part in the murder of Stephen the first Christian martyr yet Jesus personally intervened on the road to Damascus and Saul became Paul and wrote 2/3 or the new testament and became the most prolific missionary perhaps ever.
We can change our karma. We can't change who we have been, but we can control who we become. We can love so we are loved, we can forgive if we desire forgiveness, we can be merciful so that we may obtain mercy.
If God can forgive Paul for murder, if Jesus can forgive the adulteress for being caught in the act, if He can forgive King David, if He can forgive Cain then how much more can He forgive your sins?
No matter how ugly your past may be, you don't live there anymore, you live in the present which is a gift with which you can work miracles if you choose.
April 20, 2014
The Atonement
In the final day of Christ's life on Earth, He was beaten and crucified suffering the pain of the Atonement not just for all of us but for each of us.
When He was being nailed to the cross Ge begged God to forgive the men who had beaten Him and were crucifying Him "for they know not what they do."
What if this also applies to us? Not knowing the pain and power of our own sins we just make mistakes but some take a wrong turn and just keep going.
When the soldiers came for Jesus Peter cut off the ear of one of them. Did Jesus also resort to violence? No. He practiced what He preached and showed His enemy love by healing him.
Jesus served each of us through the Atonement and He went like a lamb to His own slaughter. He was the lamb of God after all.
All of Jesus' teaching were tested in His final hours. He asked that if it were possible to let the bitter cup pass Him by. But in the end He prayed that The Lords will be done rather than His own.
Unlike Pope Benefict, He refused to just quit His mission despite the harshness of it. He was willing to take upon Himself the suffering resulting from each of our sins.
Jesus seems to have been willing to lay down His life for the good, for the betterment of every person, all His brothers and sisters , every child of God.
God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son to save it rather than condemn it. And Jesus so loved each of us that He laid down His life and suffered the pains of His Atonement.
The Atonement is not something that takes place at one singular moment in time, it is continuous and ever present so that as we make mistakes and we misstep we may be forgiven and granted the pardon Christ Himself paid for in blood.
Now none of this can be proven. We have, at best, second hand accounts of everything regarding Jesus.
So while it may be easier to believe it is simply made up, what does that prove? That faith in Christ is unfounded? Maybe so. Faith by it's very definition is unprovable.
But what is the cost of discipleship? Isn't living as Christ did, extending love and forgiveness to the very people who murdered Him, harder than the cost of believing it never happened?
Because if Christ forgave and bore the burden of that forgiveness of the world doesn't that mean each if us should extend that forgiveness to our enemies?
Aren't we as His disciples tasked with being unconditionally loving as He was to all He met?
Here's what He said about the two greatest commandments:
When He was being nailed to the cross Ge begged God to forgive the men who had beaten Him and were crucifying Him "for they know not what they do."
What if this also applies to us? Not knowing the pain and power of our own sins we just make mistakes but some take a wrong turn and just keep going.
When the soldiers came for Jesus Peter cut off the ear of one of them. Did Jesus also resort to violence? No. He practiced what He preached and showed His enemy love by healing him.
Jesus served each of us through the Atonement and He went like a lamb to His own slaughter. He was the lamb of God after all.
All of Jesus' teaching were tested in His final hours. He asked that if it were possible to let the bitter cup pass Him by. But in the end He prayed that The Lords will be done rather than His own.
Unlike Pope Benefict, He refused to just quit His mission despite the harshness of it. He was willing to take upon Himself the suffering resulting from each of our sins.
Jesus seems to have been willing to lay down His life for the good, for the betterment of every person, all His brothers and sisters , every child of God.
God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son to save it rather than condemn it. And Jesus so loved each of us that He laid down His life and suffered the pains of His Atonement.
The Atonement is not something that takes place at one singular moment in time, it is continuous and ever present so that as we make mistakes and we misstep we may be forgiven and granted the pardon Christ Himself paid for in blood.
Now none of this can be proven. We have, at best, second hand accounts of everything regarding Jesus.
So while it may be easier to believe it is simply made up, what does that prove? That faith in Christ is unfounded? Maybe so. Faith by it's very definition is unprovable.
But what is the cost of discipleship? Isn't living as Christ did, extending love and forgiveness to the very people who murdered Him, harder than the cost of believing it never happened?
Because if Christ forgave and bore the burden of that forgiveness of the world doesn't that mean each if us should extend that forgiveness to our enemies?
Aren't we as His disciples tasked with being unconditionally loving as He was to all He met?
Here's what He said about the two greatest commandments:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
And here is the one new commandment Jesus gave: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35
Jesus loved us unconditionally despite our sins. He never cast the first stone even when He had every right to. He forgave instead of condemned, He loved us instead of hating us or treating us with contempt. He gave His life in the name of God rather than taking lives in the name of God .
We can be that loving, forgiving, peaceful and compassionate. We have the iron rod of scripture to guide us and even if we stumble along the way we can still move forward.
April 17, 2014
Gifts Of The Spirit
Spiritual gifts are defined by wikipedia as:
"In Christianity, spiritual gifts (or charismata) are endowments given by the Holy Spirit.[1] These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church.[2][3] They are described in the New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12,[4] Romans 12,[5] and Ephesians 4.[6] 1 Peter 4[7] also touches on the spiritual gifts.[1] The gifts are related to both seemingly "natural" abilities and seemingly more "miraculous" abilities, but all spiritual gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit.[3] The two major opposing theological positions on the nature of the charismata are cessationism and continuationism (see also Cessationism versus Continuationism).
Spiritual gifts are distinguished from other graces of the Holy Spirit, such as the fruit of the Spirit and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, in that the charismata are to be used for the benefit of others while the fruit of the Spirit and other gifts result in personal sanctification.[8]"
In 1 Corinthians 12 the scriptures define it this way:
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
So while the spirit may bestow the gift of tongues for one person another may receive the gift of healing and yet another the gift of prophecy. The gifts are up to the spirit to distribute as it will to whom it will. There are no gender restrictions.
I found a lengthy quote from an article on spiritual gits I'd like to share here. "Prophecy is a spiritual gift with which the Holy Spirit gifted women in the New Testament. First Corinthians 11:5 says that prophesying women were active in the worship service. Female prophets were among those the Holy Spirit gave to the New Testament church (Acts 21:9 "And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." ). Scripture explains that though not every person is a prophet (1 Cor 12:29), any person (male or female) can be gifted by the Holy Spirit to prophesy (1 Cor 14:31). Furthermore, prophets are authorized to judge the authenticity of utterance gifts (1 Cor 14:29). Thus, those who prophesy have authority in the supernatural gifts. Since the Holy Spirit gifted women in the New Testament with prophecy--perhaps the highest of supernatural gifts--it follows that all the rest of the supernatural gifts are available to women as well."
Women possessed many spiritual gifts like the most cherished and the one bearing the highest degree of authority which is prophesying. So as stated above, women are by rights and implication of scripture, entitled to any and all spiritual gifts.
In the modern church since the 1940's women have been forbidden and excommunicated for using these spiritual gifts because any and all spiritual gifts have been confused with priesthood authority and abilities.
This definition of Priest and priesthood comes from biblestudytools:
"Old Testament Priesthood. The primary word for "priest" in the Old Testament is the Hebrew masculine noun kohen [ehoK], for which we have no certain etymology. It occurs approximately 750 times and can refer to priests of the one true God or of other supposed gods that other nations and sometimes also the ancient Israelites themselves worshiped (for the latter, see, e.g., Genesis 41:45 Genesis 41:50 ; 2 Kings 10:11 2 Kings 10:19 ). Related terms are the verb kahan [ ;h'K ], "to act as (or become) a priest" (23 occurrences), the feminine abstract noun kehunna [h"Nuh.K], "priesthood" (14 occurrences see Exod 29:9 ; 40:15 ; Num 3:10 ; Numbers 18:1 Numbers 18:7 ; 1 Sam 2:36 ; Ezra 2:62 ; Neh 7:64 ; 13:29, ; referring to the exclusivity, perpetuity, and responsibility of the Aaronic office of "priesthood" cf. Num 16:10 ; for Korah's rebellion against the Aaronic exclusivity, and Joshua 18:7 ; for the "priesthood" of the tribe of Levi as a whole), and the Aramaic masculine noun kahen [eh'K] "priest" (8 occurrences, all in Ezra 6-7). Another Hebrew word, komer [r'm'K], "(idolatrous) priest, " occurs only three times in the Old Testament ( 2 Kings 23:5 ; Hosea 10:5 ; Zeph 1:4 ) referring exclusively to priests of foreign gods."
Here we have the official LDS definition: "The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38)."
No where in scripture are the rites and ordinances performed by the Priests and the miracles and wonders worked by Jesus' disciples, as in acts, confused. Anyone can be blessed with the gifts of the spirit by the spirit. Of all Jesus' miracles His healing miracles were the most potent throughout the ages given the horrible quality of medical care through the ages.
Women are entitled to use their spiritual gifts and should be encouraged to develop them. As we all should develop our gifts that were given to us for a reason and to respect that reason we can nourish and develop the gifts of the spirit.
Rites and ordinances may be in the domain of the priesthood but spiritual gifts are something very different precisely because they are available to all. Children may even possess them. Or rather they may manifest in childhood and be developed throughout life.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit bestows gifts of the Spirit to whoever it may, it is not up to us to deny others the use of spiritual gifts. Joseph Smith had this to say about women performing blessings of healing:
"In Christianity, spiritual gifts (or charismata) are endowments given by the Holy Spirit.[1] These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church.[2][3] They are described in the New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12,[4] Romans 12,[5] and Ephesians 4.[6] 1 Peter 4[7] also touches on the spiritual gifts.[1] The gifts are related to both seemingly "natural" abilities and seemingly more "miraculous" abilities, but all spiritual gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit.[3] The two major opposing theological positions on the nature of the charismata are cessationism and continuationism (see also Cessationism versus Continuationism).
Spiritual gifts are distinguished from other graces of the Holy Spirit, such as the fruit of the Spirit and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, in that the charismata are to be used for the benefit of others while the fruit of the Spirit and other gifts result in personal sanctification.[8]"
In 1 Corinthians 12 the scriptures define it this way:
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
So while the spirit may bestow the gift of tongues for one person another may receive the gift of healing and yet another the gift of prophecy. The gifts are up to the spirit to distribute as it will to whom it will. There are no gender restrictions.
I found a lengthy quote from an article on spiritual gits I'd like to share here. "Prophecy is a spiritual gift with which the Holy Spirit gifted women in the New Testament. First Corinthians 11:5 says that prophesying women were active in the worship service. Female prophets were among those the Holy Spirit gave to the New Testament church (Acts 21:9 "And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." ). Scripture explains that though not every person is a prophet (1 Cor 12:29), any person (male or female) can be gifted by the Holy Spirit to prophesy (1 Cor 14:31). Furthermore, prophets are authorized to judge the authenticity of utterance gifts (1 Cor 14:29). Thus, those who prophesy have authority in the supernatural gifts. Since the Holy Spirit gifted women in the New Testament with prophecy--perhaps the highest of supernatural gifts--it follows that all the rest of the supernatural gifts are available to women as well."
Women possessed many spiritual gifts like the most cherished and the one bearing the highest degree of authority which is prophesying. So as stated above, women are by rights and implication of scripture, entitled to any and all spiritual gifts.
In the modern church since the 1940's women have been forbidden and excommunicated for using these spiritual gifts because any and all spiritual gifts have been confused with priesthood authority and abilities.
This definition of Priest and priesthood comes from biblestudytools:
"Old Testament Priesthood. The primary word for "priest" in the Old Testament is the Hebrew masculine noun kohen [ehoK], for which we have no certain etymology. It occurs approximately 750 times and can refer to priests of the one true God or of other supposed gods that other nations and sometimes also the ancient Israelites themselves worshiped (for the latter, see, e.g., Genesis 41:45 Genesis 41:50 ; 2 Kings 10:11 2 Kings 10:19 ). Related terms are the verb kahan [ ;h'K ], "to act as (or become) a priest" (23 occurrences), the feminine abstract noun kehunna [h"Nuh.K], "priesthood" (14 occurrences see Exod 29:9 ; 40:15 ; Num 3:10 ; Numbers 18:1 Numbers 18:7 ; 1 Sam 2:36 ; Ezra 2:62 ; Neh 7:64 ; 13:29, ; referring to the exclusivity, perpetuity, and responsibility of the Aaronic office of "priesthood" cf. Num 16:10 ; for Korah's rebellion against the Aaronic exclusivity, and Joshua 18:7 ; for the "priesthood" of the tribe of Levi as a whole), and the Aramaic masculine noun kahen [eh'K] "priest" (8 occurrences, all in Ezra 6-7). Another Hebrew word, komer [r'm'K], "(idolatrous) priest, " occurs only three times in the Old Testament ( 2 Kings 23:5 ; Hosea 10:5 ; Zeph 1:4 ) referring exclusively to priests of foreign gods."
Here we have the official LDS definition: "The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38)."
No where in scripture are the rites and ordinances performed by the Priests and the miracles and wonders worked by Jesus' disciples, as in acts, confused. Anyone can be blessed with the gifts of the spirit by the spirit. Of all Jesus' miracles His healing miracles were the most potent throughout the ages given the horrible quality of medical care through the ages.
Women are entitled to use their spiritual gifts and should be encouraged to develop them. As we all should develop our gifts that were given to us for a reason and to respect that reason we can nourish and develop the gifts of the spirit.
Rites and ordinances may be in the domain of the priesthood but spiritual gifts are something very different precisely because they are available to all. Children may even possess them. Or rather they may manifest in childhood and be developed throughout life.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit bestows gifts of the Spirit to whoever it may, it is not up to us to deny others the use of spiritual gifts. Joseph Smith had this to say about women performing blessings of healing:
“someone apparently reported to Joseph that the women were laying their hands on the sick and blessing them. His reply to the question of the propriety of such acts was simple. He told the women in the next meeting “there could be no evil in it, if God gave his sanction by healing.., there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water.” He also indicated that there were sisters who were ordained to heal the sick and it was their privilege to do so. “If the sisters should have faith to heal,” he said, “let all hold their tongues.”
April 16, 2014
Women Gave Blessings
In a sunstone article there is ample proof LDS women used to routinely bless, heal and anoint the sick and afflicted.
"Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power." -Eliza R. Snow Women's Exponent 1884
"Eliza Snow, in 1884, then echoed the language of Joseph Smith in his 28 April 1842 instructions to the Relief Society: "thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances [of healing the sick] by our sisters with the manifestation of His healing influence.""Brigham Young of all people had this to say about it: "Why do you not live so as to rebuke disease?" he demanded. "It is your privilege to do so without sending for the Elders. "He laid down some practical advice; if the child is ill of a fever or of an upset stomach, treat those symptoms by all means, beware of too much medicine, and remember that prevention is better than cure. He ended by addressing himself specifically to mothers: "It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith." Having enough faith to heal was clearly, for Brother Brigham, "practical religion" like having enough food on hand." And finally we have the word from Joseph Smith himself: "There could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water...If the sisters have faith to heal, let all hold their tongues."Women giving blessing, healing and anointing the sick and afflicted was common place in our church from it's inception to the early 20th century. Spiritual gifts are gifts of faith by the spirit and not the same as priesthood authority. Now if for half the history of the Church women were permitted and even encouraged to minister to and bless and heal and anoint the sick and afflicted what changed? Why was it ok according to Joseph Smith and not ok later on?Starting in the 1920's church leaders grew increasingly stricter lines between priesthood powers and spiritual gifts. That is when the modern "understanding" of pretty much any spiritual gift being under the umbrella of "Preisthood powers."Mary Magdalene in Early Christianity was called "The Apostle to the Apostles." She and other women were also allowed to minister to and bless and heal the sick and afflicted. Mary was considered a saint in her own right and early on what became known as orthodoxy relied on Peter as the true heir to Christ's church whereas Mary was the true heir according to the gnostics.
So in every era there seems to be a divide or a line drawn between men and women so that clear cut gender roles allow people to find comfort in their routine. It also convieniently allows for men to always be in a position of power over women rather than men and women being viewed as equal partners or for a husband and wife to be as one. It is more like a cop and their partner in that they both have authority but one outranks the other and the one who is higher ranking socially is always the man.
Now in scripture spiritual gifts are different from what the priesthood is defined as. In scripture the Priesthood is a spiritual authority to perform rites and ordinances that require that authority. But anyone could display spiritual gifts of healing and even miracles if they have the faith necessary.
1 Corinthians 12 is a great example:
12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."
Just because one persons spiritual gifts are different and even in doubt as to whether or not they are in fact of God does not mean that they are false and just because they are not as "impressive" does not mean they are unimportant gifts.
It is a loss if we deny the spiritual gifts of women, half the population, because they are as important as any other demographic of our church and community.
Jesus never talked in terms of demographics, He simply looked at all He met as sons and daughters of God and gave the help needed by each person.
The church, or body of Christ, is made up by millions of members and we ought to recieve the spiritual gifts of each member as an important contribution. Women may make larger strides in our community if we return to allowing women to exercise their spiritual gifts and to nourish and strengthen them by exercising them with regularity. Spiritual gifts should not be confused with being solely the property of the Priesthood. They are not one and the same.
Spiritual gifts are gifts of the spirit by faith and priesthood authority is something else entirely. Why was Joseph Smith ok with women using their spiritual gifts yet our modern church is not? Are women no longer entitled to use their faith to heal and bless? Why was it ok once but forbidden later? I'm not alone in saying that if anyone has the faith to heal they ought to be allowed to do so especially if God has granted His approval by granting the healing process. Joseph Smith said it was good for anyone male or female to heal, Brigham Young said the same.
"Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power." -Eliza R. Snow Women's Exponent 1884
"Eliza Snow, in 1884, then echoed the language of Joseph Smith in his 28 April 1842 instructions to the Relief Society: "thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances [of healing the sick] by our sisters with the manifestation of His healing influence.""Brigham Young of all people had this to say about it: "Why do you not live so as to rebuke disease?" he demanded. "It is your privilege to do so without sending for the Elders. "He laid down some practical advice; if the child is ill of a fever or of an upset stomach, treat those symptoms by all means, beware of too much medicine, and remember that prevention is better than cure. He ended by addressing himself specifically to mothers: "It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith." Having enough faith to heal was clearly, for Brother Brigham, "practical religion" like having enough food on hand." And finally we have the word from Joseph Smith himself: "There could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water...If the sisters have faith to heal, let all hold their tongues."Women giving blessing, healing and anointing the sick and afflicted was common place in our church from it's inception to the early 20th century. Spiritual gifts are gifts of faith by the spirit and not the same as priesthood authority. Now if for half the history of the Church women were permitted and even encouraged to minister to and bless and heal and anoint the sick and afflicted what changed? Why was it ok according to Joseph Smith and not ok later on?Starting in the 1920's church leaders grew increasingly stricter lines between priesthood powers and spiritual gifts. That is when the modern "understanding" of pretty much any spiritual gift being under the umbrella of "Preisthood powers."Mary Magdalene in Early Christianity was called "The Apostle to the Apostles." She and other women were also allowed to minister to and bless and heal the sick and afflicted. Mary was considered a saint in her own right and early on what became known as orthodoxy relied on Peter as the true heir to Christ's church whereas Mary was the true heir according to the gnostics.
So in every era there seems to be a divide or a line drawn between men and women so that clear cut gender roles allow people to find comfort in their routine. It also convieniently allows for men to always be in a position of power over women rather than men and women being viewed as equal partners or for a husband and wife to be as one. It is more like a cop and their partner in that they both have authority but one outranks the other and the one who is higher ranking socially is always the man.
Now in scripture spiritual gifts are different from what the priesthood is defined as. In scripture the Priesthood is a spiritual authority to perform rites and ordinances that require that authority. But anyone could display spiritual gifts of healing and even miracles if they have the faith necessary.
1 Corinthians 12 is a great example:
12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."
Just because one persons spiritual gifts are different and even in doubt as to whether or not they are in fact of God does not mean that they are false and just because they are not as "impressive" does not mean they are unimportant gifts.
It is a loss if we deny the spiritual gifts of women, half the population, because they are as important as any other demographic of our church and community.
Jesus never talked in terms of demographics, He simply looked at all He met as sons and daughters of God and gave the help needed by each person.
The church, or body of Christ, is made up by millions of members and we ought to recieve the spiritual gifts of each member as an important contribution. Women may make larger strides in our community if we return to allowing women to exercise their spiritual gifts and to nourish and strengthen them by exercising them with regularity. Spiritual gifts should not be confused with being solely the property of the Priesthood. They are not one and the same.
Spiritual gifts are gifts of the spirit by faith and priesthood authority is something else entirely. Why was Joseph Smith ok with women using their spiritual gifts yet our modern church is not? Are women no longer entitled to use their faith to heal and bless? Why was it ok once but forbidden later? I'm not alone in saying that if anyone has the faith to heal they ought to be allowed to do so especially if God has granted His approval by granting the healing process. Joseph Smith said it was good for anyone male or female to heal, Brigham Young said the same.
April 15, 2014
He Meets Us Wherever We're At
When Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved Him, Jesus used two different words for love in Greek. One word Agape means unconditional pure love and the other , Philia, means brotherly love.
The first time Jesus asked He used Agape and Peter responded in the affirmative but used the word Philia instead. Jesus asked again using the word Agape and again Peter used the word Philia.
The last time Jesus asked He used the word Philia and again Peter confirms with the word Philia.
Jesus was trying to guide Peter but Peter was oblivious. So instead of chastising Peter Jesus meets Peter where he was not where he should've been.
Jesus showed unconditional love to all He met and would show each of us the same. We are never so lost we can't be found and wherever we may find ourselves Jesus will meet us where we are and guide us to where we are meant to be if we let Him.
Not much is known about Simon the Zealot other than him being an Apostle. Jesus took a Zealot under His wing, how much more will He do for you?
Whatever a persons heinous sins are, they may not be forgiven by those around them but if they repent sincerely Jesus will.
The first time Jesus asked He used Agape and Peter responded in the affirmative but used the word Philia instead. Jesus asked again using the word Agape and again Peter used the word Philia.
The last time Jesus asked He used the word Philia and again Peter confirms with the word Philia.
Jesus was trying to guide Peter but Peter was oblivious. So instead of chastising Peter Jesus meets Peter where he was not where he should've been.
Jesus showed unconditional love to all He met and would show each of us the same. We are never so lost we can't be found and wherever we may find ourselves Jesus will meet us where we are and guide us to where we are meant to be if we let Him.
Not much is known about Simon the Zealot other than him being an Apostle. Jesus took a Zealot under His wing, how much more will He do for you?
Whatever a persons heinous sins are, they may not be forgiven by those around them but if they repent sincerely Jesus will.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14
Matthew was a tax collector, perhaps the very one in this parable but the repentant sinner went away justified before God yet the self-righteous holier-than-thou Pharisee was not. Some one who paid his tithes, fasted and prayed still missed the mark according to Christ.
If the Pharisee weren't so certain he was better than everyone else he might have been moved to listen to the spirit rather than himself.
No one is perfect, so we all need forgiveness. Those who know that and pray for that forgiveness will be forgiven. Ask and you shall recieve.
No matter how long you are lost when you are found the Heavens will rejoice as the prodigal sons father did when his long lost son was found.
Jesus is waiting for all to come to him. And when we do we will pick up where we left off and be guided to where we need to be. Being lost is sometimes the only way to find yourself and when we do we can be open to finding the Christ who has already found us even when we could not find ourselves.
Jesus meets us wherever we're at. He waits eternally for us to find Him. He's found each of us we need only find Him. He didn't just die for all of us , He died for each of us.
April 13, 2014
Seeing Through His Eyes
Christ never saw a prostitute or a leper, He never saw someone who was worthless, He never saw a thief or an adulteress. All He ever saw were sons and daughters of God struggling to live up to their divine inheritance. When we can look at anyone and see the face of the God in whose image they were made then we can say we are seeing through the eyes of Jesus.
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:3-12
Following Jesus means to act as He did, to see others as He did and in doing so we will have the light of life burning within us. And we will be like a lighthouse in a storm guiding those struggling in the storm that this world can so often be, just as Jesus was Himself to those He met.
Jesus did not condemn the adulteress, He forgave her and only asked that she sin no more and do more with the life He had spared. Jesus spared us all by giving us the gift of the atonement. This ever continuing gift means that we can leave our past in the past and move forward into an eternal future.
Jesus said we are in servitude to sin when we sin.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:32-36
Jesus has made us free of our sins, so we are free indeed. Jesus didnt just die for all of us, He died for each of us. We are free to build up the kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven. We are no longer in bondage to sin, no longer captive to it's whims. But Jesus did say a man cannot serve two masters so the question is which master do you wish to serve because whatever we do is in service to one or the other. The one who sent His son to set us free or the one who puts you in bondage to spite the true master?
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24
Money belongs to mammon but the Earth and Heavens belong to God. His Temples are holy but the Earth is His first Temple and the people in it are all His children. The Roman coin Jesus said belongs to Ceasar bore his image yet every human being bears the image of The Lord. And when we can see that potential that Jesus saw in all He met we are on the path to being Christ-like.
Knowing that each person wants happiness, kindness and love is easy. Treating them with respect isn't always easy but it is part of what it is to see through Christ's eyes. No one is born evil, that is a learned behavior. I remember when my youngest brother was 3, ya know what he hated then? Naps and bedtime; end of list.
When people become hardened of heart or become self serving often it is because the only person they could rely on to be there for them was them no one else was there for them. The meanest people are the ones who need love and acceptance the most because they likely never experienced kindness themselves thus the bitterness.
Meeting hate with love is counter-intuitive to how most people think but that is exactly how Jesus wanted us to act when forced by someone to go one mile Jesus asks us to go the extra mile for them. Jesus asks us to turn the other cheek when struck. Both those actions are responding to hate with love like Jesus begging God to forgive the soldiers who beat and crucified Him. Jesus healed the soldier whose ear was cut off by Peter rather than striking that soldier to get away. Jesus practiced what He preached and He asks that we practice what He preached as well.
This behavior may take time to get right, you've got the rest of your life to get as far as you can and that's all anyone can ask of you but this behavior must emanate from the inside out because even if you can fake it, that would defeat the entire purpose.
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:6-14
Once we fully take in this living water which I think is the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus, we all will have the living water springing up within us like a well that never runs dry. The teachings of Christ must do more than just be taught, they must be lived and when they are they light that eternal light within us and we will see only sons and daughters of God when we look at others. We will easily forgive those who wrong us, we will turn the other cheek when slighted, we will go the extra mile for those who force us. We will act like Christ because we will be Christ-like.
Seeing the hope and the hurt, seeing the highs and lows a person has gone through in their lives when you look in their eyes and to see their potential greatness, to see the divine spark buried under the grime of this messy life is to see through His eyes. I think that is a glimpse of how Jesus saw each and every person He met in His time. Isn't that how you want to be seen and don't all the other children of God deserve the same?
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:3-12
Following Jesus means to act as He did, to see others as He did and in doing so we will have the light of life burning within us. And we will be like a lighthouse in a storm guiding those struggling in the storm that this world can so often be, just as Jesus was Himself to those He met.
Jesus did not condemn the adulteress, He forgave her and only asked that she sin no more and do more with the life He had spared. Jesus spared us all by giving us the gift of the atonement. This ever continuing gift means that we can leave our past in the past and move forward into an eternal future.
Jesus said we are in servitude to sin when we sin.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:32-36
Jesus has made us free of our sins, so we are free indeed. Jesus didnt just die for all of us, He died for each of us. We are free to build up the kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven. We are no longer in bondage to sin, no longer captive to it's whims. But Jesus did say a man cannot serve two masters so the question is which master do you wish to serve because whatever we do is in service to one or the other. The one who sent His son to set us free or the one who puts you in bondage to spite the true master?
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24
Money belongs to mammon but the Earth and Heavens belong to God. His Temples are holy but the Earth is His first Temple and the people in it are all His children. The Roman coin Jesus said belongs to Ceasar bore his image yet every human being bears the image of The Lord. And when we can see that potential that Jesus saw in all He met we are on the path to being Christ-like.
Knowing that each person wants happiness, kindness and love is easy. Treating them with respect isn't always easy but it is part of what it is to see through Christ's eyes. No one is born evil, that is a learned behavior. I remember when my youngest brother was 3, ya know what he hated then? Naps and bedtime; end of list.
When people become hardened of heart or become self serving often it is because the only person they could rely on to be there for them was them no one else was there for them. The meanest people are the ones who need love and acceptance the most because they likely never experienced kindness themselves thus the bitterness.
Meeting hate with love is counter-intuitive to how most people think but that is exactly how Jesus wanted us to act when forced by someone to go one mile Jesus asks us to go the extra mile for them. Jesus asks us to turn the other cheek when struck. Both those actions are responding to hate with love like Jesus begging God to forgive the soldiers who beat and crucified Him. Jesus healed the soldier whose ear was cut off by Peter rather than striking that soldier to get away. Jesus practiced what He preached and He asks that we practice what He preached as well.
This behavior may take time to get right, you've got the rest of your life to get as far as you can and that's all anyone can ask of you but this behavior must emanate from the inside out because even if you can fake it, that would defeat the entire purpose.
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:6-14
Once we fully take in this living water which I think is the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus, we all will have the living water springing up within us like a well that never runs dry. The teachings of Christ must do more than just be taught, they must be lived and when they are they light that eternal light within us and we will see only sons and daughters of God when we look at others. We will easily forgive those who wrong us, we will turn the other cheek when slighted, we will go the extra mile for those who force us. We will act like Christ because we will be Christ-like.
Seeing the hope and the hurt, seeing the highs and lows a person has gone through in their lives when you look in their eyes and to see their potential greatness, to see the divine spark buried under the grime of this messy life is to see through His eyes. I think that is a glimpse of how Jesus saw each and every person He met in His time. Isn't that how you want to be seen and don't all the other children of God deserve the same?
April 10, 2014
Walking On Water
One of Jesus' most infamous acts was when He walked on water. He invited Peter to come out onto the water with Him and when Peter came out on the water he only lasted moments before he began to sink in doubt, and in the water. Jesus lifted him out and asked "Why did you doubt?"
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:24-31
Haven't all of us started out head strong and determined in faith only to sink in doubts after a short time? Many do not want to admit the doubts until they get to the point of a faith crisis. Many others just shelve the doubts since they don't know what to do with them.
For me I had to study them out to come to a better understanding. Rock Waterman helped me stay in the faith and not study my way out of it. Because he stands by whatever doctrine comes from scripture and surprise surprise so much of what we have in modern Mormonism does not have a solid foundation anywhere in scripture.
Doubting your doubts does not answer the questions that gnaw at you, learning more and praying for guidance is what helped me so that is what I'd recommend. I needed to come out the other side and the more I learned about the early history of the Church and its leaders it became a matter of who's side of it I was willing to accept and much of it is unorthodox but it's what works for me and ultimately all of it goes back to faith in Jesus as our Savior.
Many can accept Jesus as our Savior but many cannot and others can accept Jesus but not Joseph Smith and everything that was revealed to him. And that's ok, don't ever accept something because some say you are supposed to and that if your personal revelations disagree with others that doesn't always make you misguided or mean you are led astray.
But for those that have some degree of faith, consistent prayer and meditation can help develop us spiritually. As well as acts of service as in my last post.
Think of the good sides and the bad sides of ourselves and think of them as wolves fighting for control of you. The one who wins is the one you feed. So if we want to be better and more spiritual and develop and nourish our spiritual gifts then we must nourish them with acts and prayers that are deeply spiritual. Sometimes we can lose our faith by simply forgetting to develop it and like an unused muscle our faith atrophies.
Job is one of the best examples in scripture of what it means to really have faith. He had it all, wealth, property, a wife and children. Then Satan came and took it all away and covered Job with sores. Job did have a "why has thou forsaken me" moment but he never lost his faith in The Lord.
Faith is what has gotten me through some of the hardest moments and issues in my life and that has held true for many others as well. It is what keeps you moving through the storm instead of giving up and succumbing to it. It is what kept Peter above water walking towards Jesus. It's what raised Lazarus from the dead, it's what brought back Jesus from His crucifixion. It is stronger than death and it is what we must not only have in The Lord but those close to us as well. It is as important to have faith in those you love. Because those you love are the people that make up your family by blood or bond they are your family.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:24-31
Haven't all of us started out head strong and determined in faith only to sink in doubts after a short time? Many do not want to admit the doubts until they get to the point of a faith crisis. Many others just shelve the doubts since they don't know what to do with them.
For me I had to study them out to come to a better understanding. Rock Waterman helped me stay in the faith and not study my way out of it. Because he stands by whatever doctrine comes from scripture and surprise surprise so much of what we have in modern Mormonism does not have a solid foundation anywhere in scripture.
Doubting your doubts does not answer the questions that gnaw at you, learning more and praying for guidance is what helped me so that is what I'd recommend. I needed to come out the other side and the more I learned about the early history of the Church and its leaders it became a matter of who's side of it I was willing to accept and much of it is unorthodox but it's what works for me and ultimately all of it goes back to faith in Jesus as our Savior.
Many can accept Jesus as our Savior but many cannot and others can accept Jesus but not Joseph Smith and everything that was revealed to him. And that's ok, don't ever accept something because some say you are supposed to and that if your personal revelations disagree with others that doesn't always make you misguided or mean you are led astray.
But for those that have some degree of faith, consistent prayer and meditation can help develop us spiritually. As well as acts of service as in my last post.
Think of the good sides and the bad sides of ourselves and think of them as wolves fighting for control of you. The one who wins is the one you feed. So if we want to be better and more spiritual and develop and nourish our spiritual gifts then we must nourish them with acts and prayers that are deeply spiritual. Sometimes we can lose our faith by simply forgetting to develop it and like an unused muscle our faith atrophies.
Job is one of the best examples in scripture of what it means to really have faith. He had it all, wealth, property, a wife and children. Then Satan came and took it all away and covered Job with sores. Job did have a "why has thou forsaken me" moment but he never lost his faith in The Lord.
Faith is what has gotten me through some of the hardest moments and issues in my life and that has held true for many others as well. It is what keeps you moving through the storm instead of giving up and succumbing to it. It is what kept Peter above water walking towards Jesus. It's what raised Lazarus from the dead, it's what brought back Jesus from His crucifixion. It is stronger than death and it is what we must not only have in The Lord but those close to us as well. It is as important to have faith in those you love. Because those you love are the people that make up your family by blood or bond they are your family.
April 9, 2014
Answered Prayers
I saw an insurance commercial today and as sad as it may seem it was actually moving. Watch the video at the link above and you will find it impressive as well.
Basically it's about a man who while going about his daily routine stops and donates to a young girls school fund, helps an old lady push her food cart across the street and leaves bananas(I think) on a woman's door nob without ever revealing his identity or getting any credit for his deeds.
He is being kind when no one seems to notice him, he is being good for the sake of being good which to me sounds more like righteousness than anything. He is good to people who can do nothing in return, he is getting nothing out of it except the thrill of doing right by people who need it.
My wife and I have some friends that we rarely see but stay in touch thanks to facebook. Last weekend one of them said she wasn't sure how they were going to get groceries when they didn't have the money for it. So my wife and I went to the store and bought them a ton of food. I told our friends husband "don't worry about paying us back just pay it forward when you get the chance." I got a big fat hug after that. It felt so good to pay it forward when we had been in the same situation months back.
When you are able to help someone who can in no way repay you that is true service and the joy in their gratitude is immense. Knowing you made a difference is priceless.
Jesus gives us several examples of how we are asked to serve:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said in John 13:34 "A new command I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
He also said "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
So the foundation of the laws of God is love. Then the commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us ought to be paramount in what it means to truly be one of His disciples. It is key in living righteously.
And what good is love if you don't share that joy? What good are your talents if you don't put them to good use?
Many people wouldn't give money to the homeless people they see on their way to work or throughout their daily routine because they don't have enough. Thing is people often feel that way no matter how much money they have. And so many people hoard their wealth but Jesus said "Where your treasure is your heart will be also." So if you treasure your loved ones then that's where your heart will be, conversely if you treasure the sum in your bank account that's where you're heart will be as well.
One thing I've tried is to pray as to how to help when I'm asked for help or money. I have a friend whose wife used to go out with friends and do service work during the holidays. One year she and her friends picked up a thanksgiving dinner with all the fixins to go and give to someone who was in need of it She prayed about it and pointed out an apartment building as they drove by and then parked and walked through the apartment until she felt guided by the spirit to one particular door.
When the door opened it was a woman with 3 or so children who graciously accepted the meal and gave a heartfelt thank you to each of the women who brought the food. She then said she had been in the middle of a prayer that they would find a way to have a meal since their fridge and cupboards were bare. Right as this lady finished her prayer there was the knock on the door from my friends wife and her friends.
Sometimes I think we can be guided by the spirit to answer the prayers of others in our daily routine. And thereby spread the love we have to share so that we wont have to go without. We don't have to pray for a miracle if we are willing to be the miracle. Gandhi said we should be the change in the world we would like to see. And that's just it, we can be the difference when we make a difference.
We can be the implements The Lord uses to answer prayers.
Basically it's about a man who while going about his daily routine stops and donates to a young girls school fund, helps an old lady push her food cart across the street and leaves bananas(I think) on a woman's door nob without ever revealing his identity or getting any credit for his deeds.
He is being kind when no one seems to notice him, he is being good for the sake of being good which to me sounds more like righteousness than anything. He is good to people who can do nothing in return, he is getting nothing out of it except the thrill of doing right by people who need it.
My wife and I have some friends that we rarely see but stay in touch thanks to facebook. Last weekend one of them said she wasn't sure how they were going to get groceries when they didn't have the money for it. So my wife and I went to the store and bought them a ton of food. I told our friends husband "don't worry about paying us back just pay it forward when you get the chance." I got a big fat hug after that. It felt so good to pay it forward when we had been in the same situation months back.
When you are able to help someone who can in no way repay you that is true service and the joy in their gratitude is immense. Knowing you made a difference is priceless.
Jesus gives us several examples of how we are asked to serve:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said in John 13:34 "A new command I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
He also said "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
So the foundation of the laws of God is love. Then the commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us ought to be paramount in what it means to truly be one of His disciples. It is key in living righteously.
And what good is love if you don't share that joy? What good are your talents if you don't put them to good use?
Many people wouldn't give money to the homeless people they see on their way to work or throughout their daily routine because they don't have enough. Thing is people often feel that way no matter how much money they have. And so many people hoard their wealth but Jesus said "Where your treasure is your heart will be also." So if you treasure your loved ones then that's where your heart will be, conversely if you treasure the sum in your bank account that's where you're heart will be as well.
One thing I've tried is to pray as to how to help when I'm asked for help or money. I have a friend whose wife used to go out with friends and do service work during the holidays. One year she and her friends picked up a thanksgiving dinner with all the fixins to go and give to someone who was in need of it She prayed about it and pointed out an apartment building as they drove by and then parked and walked through the apartment until she felt guided by the spirit to one particular door.
When the door opened it was a woman with 3 or so children who graciously accepted the meal and gave a heartfelt thank you to each of the women who brought the food. She then said she had been in the middle of a prayer that they would find a way to have a meal since their fridge and cupboards were bare. Right as this lady finished her prayer there was the knock on the door from my friends wife and her friends.
Sometimes I think we can be guided by the spirit to answer the prayers of others in our daily routine. And thereby spread the love we have to share so that we wont have to go without. We don't have to pray for a miracle if we are willing to be the miracle. Gandhi said we should be the change in the world we would like to see. And that's just it, we can be the difference when we make a difference.
We can be the implements The Lord uses to answer prayers.
April 7, 2014
Ordain Women
So Ordain Women is a hot topic these days and a big enough deal to be directly addressed, even if dismissed, by our GA's. So I would like to lay out the merits of each case so that an informed opinion may be drawn.Here is what Joseph Smith had to say about women healing the sick by the laying on of hands:
"Respecting the female laying on hands, he further remark’d, there could be no devils in it if God gave his sanction by healing— that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water— that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be heal’d by the administration." Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book page 36
Mary Magdelene was known as "The Apostle to the Apostles" in the early Christian community. Women were at that time allowed to perform blessings and healings and to minister to whoever they felt moved to minister to.
What the Ordain Women group is asking for is that our prophets, seers, and revelators pray and ask for permission to ordain women as the 1978 revelation allowed black men the priesthood for the first time in our Church after about 130 years of being denied temple rites and ordinances.
And from the book Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie there is this excerpt:
Priestesses. See CALLING AND ELECTION SURE, CELESTIAL MARRIAGE, ENDOWMENTS, EXALTATION, KINGS, MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, PRIESTHOOD, PRIESTS, QUEENS. Women do not have the priesthood conferred upon them and are not ordained to offices therein, but they are entitled to all priesthood blessings. Those women who go on to their exaltation, ruling and reigning with husbands who are kings and priests, will themselves be queens and priestesses. They will hold positions of power, authority, and preferment in eternity.
So women will hold the priesthood and be queens and priestesses in eternity just not in the here and now. But why not build up the kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven? Why deny women the priesthood, that they will receive in the hereafter, in the here and now?
Deny that there is sexism in our culture and even in our church I think is dangerously delusional. But then so is over playing it. If we are to come to any agreement we must first have open and even painfully honest talks about how sexism influences the decisions of our leadership and how women are not afforded equal authority in our church precisely because of their being denied the priesthood while on Earth.
There is an article detailing why some women will not be a party to the Ordain Women movement. Please read that link to hear out the opposition to the Ordain Women movement. The basis is simply that men and women have different roles and that those roles are eternal. But I don't buy that gender roles are Biblically mandated or rather I reject the gender roles as defined in scripture because I don't feel that women are property or that I want my brother to marry my wife after I die. I feel that those roles are arcane and at times just wrong. Like demanding a rape victim marry her rapist.
Isn't this where we are supposed to carefully consider all information and pray about it to attain further clarity and receive through personal revelation an answer to our queries? Now not all personal revelations will agree or find the same answers but this I feel is a follow your own truth where ever it leads you. Even if others are mislead if you follow the spirit where ever it leads you then you have nothing to fear and others who disagree are responsible for their own reactions and words.
I have yet to receive anything in the way of any answer on this but I do see the merits of the arguments for and also against but I have a soft spot for the Ordain Women movement. I don't see the harm in asking for them to pray on it, I do see a problem with our leaders refusing to do so. The reason is that aren't prophets, seers and revelators supposed to prophesy, see and reveal? How is this any different from the push to get our leadership throughout the 60's and 70's to do the same for black men?
Here's what Apostle N. Eldon Tanner said in 1967: "The church has no intention of changing it's doctrine on the Negro. Throughout the history of the original Christian church, the Negro never held the priesthood. There's really nothing we can do to change this. It's a law of God."
And here we have Dalin H. Oaks this last weekend "They(women) are not free to alter the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the priesthood."
Sounds like the same argument right? That's because it is. Except that Spencer W. Kimball was allowed to correct one error that it turns out was not a divine decree but rather a matter of policy decreed by Brigham Young. You can find my post about that here and the LDS.org article saying much the same here.
So we have the church currently teaching something very different about the priesthood now than in 1967. I have to wonder if there will be a time when something very different is preached about women and the priesthood.
Maybe women should have it and maybe they shouldn't but what's the harm in asking, in starting a dialogue? I have to wonder why the hostility toward the Ordain Women group, but the biggest problem I see is what people say and how they treat anyone who disagrees with whichever position one takes on this issue. It solves nothing and only creates more animosity and hurt.
Ordain Women is asking for more than just the priesthood; they're asking to be on the same footing as men in regard to where we go from here as a church, a role they do not have so long as not having the priesthood bars them entry into such lofty positions within our church.
The push for gender equality I can and do support.
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