Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 202 - God wants you to stop acting like a harlot

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Hosea and Joel.  We discuss the applications of Hosea to "shame culture" and the promise of forgiveness.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 190 - Penitence and Justification

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to the rest of Psalms.  We discuss penitence and justification, and the ethical dilemma of godlessness.  Study with me!

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It's OK to Feel Ashamed

 One of the things I have always found fascinating is when different people see the exact same thing and come away with very different conclusions.

Imagine two people looking at a modern art piece in a museum.  One of them might say "I wish I could tell the artist that he is a master, and that this raw expression is moving and beautiful."  Another might say "I wish I could tell the artist gesundheit because it looks like he sneezed on his canvas.  I wish I could get people to pay thousands for my used tissues..."

Picture a mother and a toddler together when for the 4271st consecutive time, the tablet that the toddler is holding begins to play "...baby shark doo doo doo doo doo..."  Even though it's the exact same thing, the toddler's face is filled with glee as they listen to the catchy tune.  The mother thinks "I've heard more pleasing sounds coming out of the bathroom stall at the Taco Bell."

One more example: when I see a package of ramen noodles, I think to myself "There's a tasty and inexpensive meal option appropriate for breakfast, lunch, or dinner."  My wife, seeing the very same package, thinks "That's the reason my husband is going to die of malnutrition."

It's even possible for the same person to look at the same thing at different times, and come to different conclusions, or have different insights.  This makes studying the scriptures advantageous, or attending the temple, or receiving the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

One case in which this is true for me is in a parable in Matthew 22:

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:2-14)

 As a youth, I understood some of the details of this parable.  The King represents the Lord.  The servants are his prophets.  Those who were initially "bidden" were the house of Israel.

The confusion came in the final example.  A man, who was called to come, was not wearing a wedding garment.  The loving and forgiving Jesus Christ with which I was familiar, to my surprise, advocated not only making this man FEEL ASHAMED for (something as seemingly insignificants as) his apparel, but had him bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness.  I did not expect this, nor did I understand what it meant.

After additional study, I began to see the same parable in a new way.

First, the King remains the same throughout the parable - he is opposed, but not deposed.  It's really not about the King.

Second, the message of the servants is basically the same throughout the parable - prepare and come to the wedding.  Though there were differences in audience, or some of the details given with the invitation (looks like meat's back on the menu boys) these differences were insignificant.  The parable is not really about the servants so much.

The main differences in these examples is how the message of the servants was received.  These people essentially all received the same message, but they perceived it very differently.  THIS IS THE POINT OF THE PARABLE.

Why was it received differently?  These people were under different influences.  I would like to compare the influencers in this parable to the three great heretics of the Book of Mormon.

The first heretic is Sherem, who lived in the days of Jacob, the brother of Nephi.  This type of influencer is what Jesus referred to as a false prophet that "[comes] to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

This type of influencer is very quick to advertise their sheep's clothing.

Sherem said "Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you... ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way..." (Jacob 7:6-7)

Notice the Brother and the concern for the right way of God and the appeal to the scriptures...

In modern times, these false prophets are also quick to tout their sheep's clothing and convince others that they are "good members of the church."  They will enumerate callings they have had in councils and presidencies.  They will tell you that they were a DL, a ZL, or an AP on their mission.  They will tell you that they attend the temple, and hold a current recommend.  They do these to convince those they influence that THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE, or that THEY ARE ONE OF YOU... a "brother."

Once they have brandished their sheep's clothing, they always have the same goal - making light of the words and invitations of the servants of the King.

This can be in the form of "I'm a good person and I still ___(fill in the blank with something the prophets have explicitly condemned)____" or "We don't need to be ashamed if we have to prioritize one going to his farm, or another to his merchandise."  They make light of the invitation - which directly corresponds to the first group in the parable.

The thing is, it's actually OK to feel ashamed and embarrassed if you have not properly prioritized the message of the prophets.  In fact, the sooner, the better.

Recall how the prophet Jonah felt ashamed that he had not followed the invitation of the Lord... but only after being caught in a storm in the Mediterranean Sea, jeopardizing the lives of those who were with him.  And then, Jonah had nothing but shame and remorse when he was in the belly of the whale.  Fortunately, his shame helped him become humble enough to accept the invitation of the Lord.  And the people of Nineveh were spared because they quickly felt shame for offending the Lord.  They sat in sack cloth and ashes, and received mercy for properly prioritizing the message of the servant.

The next heretic is not chronologically second, but he fits the parable in this place better.  It's Korihor, who contended against Alma the Younger.

Korihor absolutely misrepresented himself, but not with the use of sheep's clothing.  He did not try to convince members of the church that he was "one of them."  He instead tried to convince them that being a sheep was altogether bad.

Korihor's goal was to pit the people against the servants by misrepresenting them.  He fashioned himself as someone who cared about the "abuses" of the servants of the King:

"And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.

Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be." (Alma 30:27-28)

People intuitively understand that it is acceptable to fight in defense - to defeat the bad guys.  This is true of Captain America smashing Thanos, Batman punching the Joker, or a person defending their home against an intruding robber.  The idea that Korihor pushes is that the servants of the King bear a harmful message.  He misrepresents them as the bad guys, and convinces others to entreat these servants spitefully... just as the remnant in the parable.

Of course, his own motivations were to break the law of chastity. (Alma 30:18)  It is just as Jesus taught... a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.

There are individuals today who raise similar concerns about the messages of the servants of the King - apostates who persuade people that they are in a "cult" if they accept a God that makes them feel ashamed at all.

The truth is, it's OK to feel ashamed if you have fallen under the influence of these apostates.  It's OK to be embarrassed, and to make a change.

Consider the example of Parley P. Pratt, one of the great missionaries in this dispensation.  He became upset with the prophet Joseph Smith over some of the financial difficulties in Kirtland.  He wrote a letter condemning the prophet, thinking that he was in the right.  Eventually, instead of focusing on the faults of the servants, he broke free of this influence by looking inward:

"Parley thought it over. When he had written his letter to Joseph, he had told himself that the letter was for the prophet’s own good. But Parley knew he was fooling himself. He had not called Joseph to repentance in a spirit of meekness. Rather, he had lashed out at him, seeking retribution.

Parley also realized that his feeling of betrayal had blinded him to Joseph’s own hardships. Speaking out against the prophet and accusing him of selfishness and greed had been wrong.

Ashamed, Parley decided to return to Kirtland with Thomas and the other apostles. Once they arrived, he went to the prophet’s house. Joseph was still recovering from his illness, but he was getting stronger. Parley wept when he saw him and apologized for everything he had said and done to hurt him. Joseph forgave him, prayed for him, and blessed him." (Saints V1, Ch 24, p 284)

Feeling ashamed of his own faults was a transformative moment for Parley.  He went on to become one of the greatest apostles of this dispensation.

The final heretic corresponds to the last man in the parable of Jesus, who came to the marriage without a wedding garment.  This man was named Nehor.  He believed in a truly insidious falsehood - insidious because it is based on a large amount of truth.

The truths in Nehor's doctrine include the following:

• God loves you, and wants you to be with him
• God made you, and you are his child
• God is merciful

Of course, these truths resonate with people - particularly people who have felt the sweet peace that comes from forgiveness of sins.

The problem is the conclusion that is drawn from these truths - THERE IS NO SIN - GOD WANTS YOU TO COME AS YOU ARE.

The problem with this idea is that it denies the three great pillars of our faith:

1. The Creation
1. If we were enough as we were, already living in the presence of God, there would have been absolutely no reason for a creation, or any kind of investment from God in a mortal experience.  The creation only has meaning if we needed to become more than we were.
2. The Fall
1. Tendencies of people to be cruel, carnal, sensual, and devilish at times are present in every society that does or ever has existed.  But if God "made us that way" then he would have never had cause to have the children of men live outside of the presence of God.
3. The Atonement
1. If sin is not really a problem, then God could just look the other way, or give teaching.  He would certainly not have sent His Son to suffer an unimaginable price in order to redeem humanity.

Of course the man in the parable of Jesus was called but he was not chosen.  The Doctrine and Covenants gives further clarification on why this is:

"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." (D&C 121:34-36, emphasis added)

The man at the parable remained speechless because he did not think he should have to feel ashamed.  Like Nehor, who boldly defended himself after attacking and murdering aged Gideon, he thought he had done no wrong because he had been called.

The truth is that it is absolutely appropriate to feel ashamed and embarrassed when we do not receive the words of the servants of the Lord, or when we do not heed their messages.  In fact, Jesus expects, and even asks us to feel shame... it was he who taught the Nephites to sacrifice "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." (3 Nephi 9:20)

The offering of a little shame can help us achieve humility, which can be transformative.  How can we expect to change into who we are meant to be, if we do not realize that we have need to improve?  How can we fulfill our potential without feeling some degree of the things in our lives that need to be changed?

A little shame transformed Saul of Tarsus into the apostle Paul, and the rebellious Alma and the sons of King Mosiah into some of the greatest missionaries in the Book of Mormon.

Jesus gave his parable out of love.  He is warning you to examine yourself for influences that might interfere with how you perceive him and the calling that comes from his servants.

Jesus never said "come as you are..."

Jesus said "COME FOLLOW ME."

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 114 - How To Run The Church Of Jesus Christ

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to D&C 20-22.  We discuss the background of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 113 - The Worth Of An Enemy Is Great In The Sight Of God

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to D&C 18-19.  We discuss how a person can be lower than the dust of the earth, and at the same time of great worth in the sight of God.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 112 - How To Deal With A Two-Edged Sword

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to D&C 14-17.  We discuss a different take on the Word being a two-edged sword.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 83 - Resurrection is not happiness

The Come Follow Me curriculum for this week covers Alma 39-42.  We focus on the invitation to repent, the spirit world, and the resurrection.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 79 - Neutrality is not a goal

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Alma 23-29.  We talk about neutrality, the price of penitence, and zeal, as the people of Ammon bury their weapons.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast ep 77 - The Order of Nehors

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Alma 13-16.  We look at High Priests, the Order of Nehors, and the Aftermath of Ammonihah.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 75 - Religion is more important than politics

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Alma 5-7.  We discuss how Alma prioritized religion over politics, how the gospel message of repentance changes society for the better, and how Christ will make everything right.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 73 - You are not your sins

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Mosiah 25-28.  We discuss how scriptures strengthen the church, how unbelievers bind people to their sins, and Alma the Younger.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast ep 71 - Abinadi the Judgmental

This week our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Mosiah 11-17.  We discuss the reign of King Noah, the coming of Abinadi, and what God is allowed to say to us.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 62 - The Doctrine of Christ

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 2 Nephi 31-33.  Here, Nephi teaches with crystal clarity the doctrine of Jesus Christ.  We discuss faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring on the covenant path.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 61 - A Marvelous Work vs Priestcraft

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 2 Nephi 26-30.  We discuss the marvel and wonder of the Book of Mormon and the restoration, and compare it to Nephi's predictions of priestcraft.  Study with me!

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Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 60 - Only the penitent man shall pass

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 2 Nephi 11-25.  We dive into Isaiah passages to study the temple, coming troubles, and the need for penitence.  Study with me!

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I can forgive you... as long as someone gets tortured and killed for what you did

The most fundamental aspect of Christianity is that Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world.  Because of his sacrifice, humanity can be redeemed.

The atonement of Christ is not a secret, and sects ranging from the most energetic protestants and evangelicals to the most stoic and reserved orthodox disciples are usually not shy about expressing their total reliance on the sacrifice of Jesus.

Scriptures from all periods of time have references to this doctrine.  Consider the following:

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed...
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:4-5,10-12)

The doctrine is confirmed in the New Testament as well:

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18)

The Book of Mormon is also clear on the need for the atonement of Christ:

"And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." (Alma 42:15)

The concept was explained by Jesus himself in one of the most famous verses ever:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Because of its familiarity, Christians tend to take it for granted, and the faithless tend to treat it as false, and the reasoning behind this event is lost.  It is worth closer inspection.

Our Heavenly Father has issued a series of laws, the violation of which condemns an individual to perpetual outcast from the presence of God (Alma 11:37).  To escape this condemnation, God extends mercy to the penitent, but only because his son was subjected to unspeakable torture and then subsequently brutally slain at Golgotha.

If God loved his children and wanted to pardon sins, why would his forgiving power require the savage torture and slaughter of someone else?

Of course, the problem with this assessment is that it is based on our perception that sin is little more than an error in judgement, and that the consequences of these actions do not produce unseen effects.
Consider the invention of the shoe-fitting flouroscope.  This device represented a new application for x-rays, and blasted the feet of the user with radiation so that the bones as well as the outline of the shoe were visible to promote better fitting shoes.  As more information about radiation was discovered, links between the use of such devices and bone cancer were discovered.  Though the immediate effects were not visible, over time and with increased understanding, the negative consequences were exposed.

Similarly, those who indulge in behaviors that contradict the commandments of God and the counsel of his prophets may not seem to have any immediate negative consequences, but our current inability to see and understand the spiritual aspects of human life make it impossible for us to understand the negative impact of sin on a spirit.

What we could not see or understand, Jesus Christ could.  Though angels attended him as he endured the cruel process by which he could heal the spiritual damage of sin, he prayed earnestly for another way to do it (Luke 22:42).  Blood oozed through his skin as he was subjected to pressures and pains beyond human comprehension (Luke 22:44).  Ultimately, he had to endure the pain on the cross without any help (Matthew 27:46).

Forgiveness of sins was never a matter of pretending like it did not happen... It involves repairing spiritual damage.  It requires restoring matter that, unlike mortal flesh and blood, is permanent.  This is not a cheap experience, and cannot be simply done on a whim.  It required a specific and deliberate process, that could only be performed by one person... the son of God himself.

"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him..."  "that he might bring us to God..." "to bring about the plan of mercy..." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

More than sparing himself excruciating pain, he wanted to help you, and I, and all of us realize our potential.  He paid the price to heal us.  Even now, he sends his prophets to plead with us to use his power.  For all those who come to him, he will give gift he purchased with such a great price... the miracle of forgiveness.

Didn't the prophet say the same thing last conference?

When I attended singles wards, after Priesthood sessions of conference, it was common for us to be asked by women what the prophet had said, or what had happened in conference.  Of course, they were rarely satisfied with answers such as “keep the commandments.”  The mature and responsible thing to do would have been to pay closer attention to the messages to give a better accounting, but in an effort to prolong conversations with women, I would respond that the church was planning to send proselyting missionaries to Iran, or that a Temple had been announced in Jerusalem, or some other completely false but faith-promoting rumor.

Ultimately, prophets and apostles really were persistently asking us to keep the commandments.  Whether that meant moral cleanliness, magnifying our callings, studying the scriptures regularly, or repenting of our sins, the overall message was always familiar and repetitive. 

In our last conference, (April 2013) we again heard the words of prophets and apostles.  There were no earth-shattering doctrines announced; while new temple locations were given, they did not include the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  We do tend to hear similar information each time we listen to the prophet speak. 

Certainly the most obvious reason for repetition is that members of the church are not doing this well enough.  The repetition is frustrating to some people.  After all, isn’t the definition of insanity to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results? 

Of course one thing to note is that conference does not contain any Jedi mind tricks.  No prophet or apostle waves their hands and says “these aren’t the droids you’re looking for… oh and do your family history…”  The church leaders are not saying the same things each conference to control you… they are trying to persuade you… to plead with you to change yourself.  They expect you to find ways to heed the call to come unto Christ from your own unique circumstances and background, and provide tools to help you do it.

It is with a kind voice and with a gentle tone that President Monson said: “The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

Naturally, all of us have various challenges with this request.  Probably the majority of people that watch conference keep a large number of commandments, but they may struggle with a few, or even feel that a few are ‘unrealistic’.  Consider the Israelites as they approached the land of Canaan.  Moses sent twelve spies into the land.  Unfortunately, ten of them decided that they were not spies, but a feasibility committee.  Though they reported that the land flowed with milk and honey, they also reported that the people of the land made them feel like grasshoppers because of their size.

Keep in mind, the same God that had smitten Egypt with blood, frogs, lice, flies, the death of their cattle, boils, hail and fire, locusts, darkness, and the destroying angel, and delivered them from what was arguably the most powerful army in the ancient world by miraculously dividing the waters of the red sea, and then swallowing the chariots of Pharaoh, was the one that had sworn he would give the land to them.  Still, they were convinced that they could not possess Canaan because there were “big” people there.

Of course, it is easy for us to say that they were short-sighted.  The same short-sightedness may been seen in us though when a priesthood leader extends to us a calling or assignment.  For some people, they transform into their own “feasibility committee” and find numerous reasons why the same God that through his prophets has declared whom he calls he qualifies may not be thinking through the situation.  Certainly in some circumstances, leaders are able to follow the Spirit more accurately when they have all the information, but ultimately, we believe that a man must be called of God, by prophesy.  Those of us who have been baptized have sworn a covenant to keep the commandments.  Accepting, fulfilling, and magnifying callings are fundamental to this commitment.

Fulfilling assignments allows members to cooperate one with another in the great work of the Kingdom of God.  Even if there seems to be little value, little appreciation, and large amounts of work required, the prophets have never made a secret of the rewards that accompany obedience.  As President Monson said, “The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

Of course, it is not always a big, intimidating calling that represents the biggest challenge.  There are some people that go to great lengths to provide meaningful service, but are more easily beset by smaller obstacles.

Consider the story of Naaman, the Syrian captain.  He had been stricken with the terrible disease leprosy.  He became desperate to find healing.  One of his servants was acquainted with a Hebrew prophet named Elisha, and suggested that he might be able to help.  Naaman prepared a caravan with gold and silver and apparel to go and meet the man of God.  When he drew close to the land of Israel, instead of meeting the captain personally, he sent his servant Gehazi to meet him bearing only a few simple instructions: bathe seven times in the River Jordan.

At first, Naaman felt insulted.  He had not even been permitted to speak to the prophet directly, in spite of his journey and his prestige.  Furthermore, he preferred the fountains of his own country to the filthy water in the Jordan.  He went to leave for his home when one of his servants suggested that if the prophet had bid him do some great thing, he would have done it.  Why should he neglect this simple task?

Persuaded by the wisdom of his servant, he went to the River Jordan.  He dipped himself into it again and again as Elisha had instructed.  After the seventh time, when he arose from the water, he found that no trace of the disease remained with him.  He had been completely cleansed of the disease.  (2 Kings 5)

There are also examples demonstrating the consequences of ignoring the simple commandments.  We learn in the Book of Mormon that there were many Israelites that would not look at the brazen serpent that Moses had set up to be healed of their wounds because it was so simple, and that they perished for their neglect. (1 Nephi 17:41)

Certainly among the most basic tasks that are recommended by the prophet is daily scripture study.  Perhaps Harry Potter has more drama than 2^nd Nephi.  Perhaps it seems unimportant that Arphaxad begat Salah who begat Eber who begat Peleg who begat Reu who begat Serug who begat Nahor who begat Terah.

I might compare these attempts to read the scriptures to Naaman dipping himself in the Jordan River the first six times.  Persistence will eventually lead to eye-opening experiences.  To this day, nothing is as bold or powerful as Elijah calling down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel and humiliating the priests of Baal.  The confidence of David shouting down Goliath, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego holding their ground in the face of Nebuchadnezzar and his fiery furnace gives me confidence.  The humility of Gideon who wanted to be certain that he was doing what the Lord wanted when he fought the Midianites persuades me to seek the will of God in my dealings.  I understand the feeling that Joseph Smith had when he was moved by James 1:5 as much as I understand why the people were astonished at the power of Jesus Christ himself after he delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Perhaps the most remarkable use of scripture is that of Jesus Christ himself when he was tempted by Satan.  Though he was the God that had given the law and inspired the prophets, he answered every request of the devil with words from the Holy Scriptures.  He used them as a shield against evil.

It could be said that “The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

Seeing the importance of commandments large and small inevitably causes us to reflect on our pasts.  Only Christ lived every commandment without mistake.  Repentance is a principal as old as time.  Prophets have always been instructed to call people to repentance… and have even gotten into trouble when they have not.

Consider the experience of Jonah.  He was called by God to go to Nineveh and proclaim repentance.  Perhaps he thought that it was a dangerous task, but whatever his reason, he decided to run away.  He boarded a ship for Tarshish as if he could flee from the Lord.  Of course he could not.  God sent a terrible tempest that threatened the ship and its passengers.  Reluctantly, the others on board cast Jonah off the ship.  A great fish swallowed Jonah, and after three days, spit him out on the land again.  God again called Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, to which Jonah responded obediently.  He warned Nineveh that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed.  To Jonah’s surprise, they did repent, and they were spared.

God knew the value of the people of Nineveh even if Jonah did not immediately see it.  He has never sent his prophets to mince words regarding the importance of returning back to him.  Said Lehi to Jerusalem: repent or be destroyed.  Said Jeremiah to Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah: repent or be destroyed.  Said Isaiah in the reign of Manasseh: repent or be destroyed.  Said Moses to the children of Israel: repent or be destroyed.  Said Noah to the world: repent or be destroyed.  Warned the apostles to the fledgling church: repent or be destroyed.  Of course we know that when Christ returns, it will not be to have a big discussion.  Those that do not repent, will be destroyed.

In spite of our proximity in the fullness of times to the return of Jesus Christ and his victory over evil in the earth, he surprisingly does not send his prophets to warn “repent or be destroyed.”  I do not recall President Monson warning about how our enemies will invade… our old men will bury our young men… our mothers will bury their infants...  I recall no warning of plagues, famines, droughts, and disasters as consequences for sin or for failing to repent in time.

The perception that conference seems to be dull, repetitive, or redundant is largely shaped by context… but only the context of other conferences.  In the context of all time… it becomes clear that Jesus Christ is sending his prophets to say something new and different before he returns…  He sends them to say ‘please try a little harder’, ‘please be a little kinder’, ‘please be more forgiving’, and ‘please believe that God loves you.’  He sends them to say ‘please take advantage of Christ’s sacrifice.’

Essentially, Jesus Christ, the most High God that is coming in power and glory to reign and establish a paradise that has not been known since the days of Eden, is begging us to accept the very thing for which we should be begging him.

It is my hope that we will do as he asks… that we will be receptive to his pleadings… that we will magnify our callings… that we will diligently study our scriptures… that we will sincerely repent of our sins… that we will truly keep his commandments to take advantage of the promise of his living prophet:

“The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

 

With all the love in my heart, you're going to go to hell...

"Judge not that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

The passage about judgement is often quoted.  Some use the passage to persuade others to express Christian love and fellowship toward others.  Some use the passage ironically to condemn those that they believe are guilty of judgement.

Regardless of the purpose, the use of the passage has increased in society over the past several decades.  People are in generally more concerned with how people view one another than ever before.

I have had several individuals express particular concern over a certain demographic is treated.  Many people are worried about the feelings of individuals that struggle with a particular problem, and are worried that they are frequently and wrongfully judged.  Of course the group to which I am referring are those that struggle with smoking.

I know of people that are very kind, generous, God fearing, and virtuous, but that struggle with the terrible habit of smoking.  Many of these people go out of their way to try to keep the odor of tobacco away from those of us who find it distasteful.  These individuals can be sensitive to the disapproving looks of others.  There are some of these who feel ostracized even when they are honestly putting forth effort to stop this expensive and unhealthy habit.

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there is on top of the negative odor, a spiritual aspect to the the practice, as it is prohibited by divine commandments called the word of wisdom.  For people in the LDS church, the smell of cigarettes is the smell of sinful behavior.  There are some who find the look of disgust on the faces of others to be a sign of judgment.  Of course, every person who gives such looks of disgust are themselves guilty of sins, even if they are not detectable by scent.  A good Christian should not assume that more obvious sins are the same as more obvious condemnation.

On the other side of the coin is the person who is accused of being judgemental when in fact, they may be making no spiritual assessment at all.  I have had close friendships with individuals who used cigarettes, but not even my friendship can remove the foul odor that lingers on the breath and clothing of those that smoke.  My belief that smokers are good people can't remove the expression of repulsion from my face.

There are those that do not find the odor of cigarettes to be distasteful.  In such a case, imagine an individual that has explosive diarrhea leaking out of their clothing...   how should a Christian express love and a spirit of inclusion to such a person who is extremely repulsive?  Even if the Christian is able to purge their thoughts of any judgmental thoughts such as that person should control them self better or that person is not appropriately caring for their bodies, what if they are unable to force a smile and give the sensation that the person who smells like an outhouse is truly welcome? 

Back to the cigarettes, is a person being judgmental if they avoid coming into a home that is filled with smoke?  Are they being judgmental if they avoid letting their children go to such a home because of concerns about second-hand smoke?

What is the right approach to tell someone that their behavior or status makes you uncomfortable without giving the impression that you are saying "with all the love in my heart, you're going to go to hell" ?

Christ spent his time among publicans and sinners, much to the disapproval of the Pharisees.  Of course, when asked about his company, he responded as follows:
"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:11-13)

From this passage we get the implication that he was not simply "hanging out" with people, but he was asking them to change their behavior, or to call sinners to repentance.

Additionally, Christ did not seem ashamed to tell people that they were wrong, or even worse off than others.  Consider the following:
"... Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."  (Matthew 21:31-32)

Deriving appropriate behavior exclusively from Christ may be more challenging than it initially appears.  Jesus Christ will actually be the judge of all people, and he will have all the appropriate knowledge and authority to accurately threaten people with hellfire and damnation.  The rest of us are not always entitled to the same degree of perception.  Perhaps this is the purpose that Christ emphasized loving neighbor as self, turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, and demonstrating discipleship through love.

That having been said, disciples are not to tolerate sin.  Joshua's armies in the Old Testament were not successful against the people of Ai until Achan and all his household were killed and their remains burned because they had kept some of the spoils of Jericho. (Joshua 7)  The spirit of forgiveness seemed lessened in the New Testament case of Ananias and Sapphira when they misrepresented their income and did not give as much of their substance to the apostles as they should have. (Acts 5)

Ultimately, the concept of judgment is complicated.  Christians have an obligation to be benevolent and welcoming, but also an obligation to stand for truth and righteousness.  I suggest that the exact way to act in every case cannot be boiled down to a formula.  To one person or group it may be appropriate to say repent or be destroyed.  To another it is appropriate to say God is merciful and he will forgive.  An individual effort must be made to stand against wrongdoing, just as individual effort must be made to welcome, forgive, and express love to those that may be guilty of wrongdoing.  In such efforts, following the conscience is the best way to determine the approach that expresses love toward fellow children of God and encourages repentance of unacceptable behavior.

In the end, God wants all people to love one another and to repent of wrongdoing.  It is possible to hate the sin and love the sinner, because it is what he does.  The message for the person who is quick to judgement is to be more loving.  The message for the person who accepts any behavior to be inclusive is to stand up for what is right.  The message for the person who feels upset because other people are judging them is to try not to take all reactions personally, and to try to follow their conscience in efforts to improve themselves.  God does not judge so that he can condemn mankind to hell... he's trying to save us all.