Jesus Opposes Equality

Equality

For many, this is the most important ideal to which a society can ascend.  Even before the Constitution was written, the Declaration of Independence boldly asserted that the fact that all men are created equal is self-evident.

Since then, many people have fought, and even died, so that all people, regardless of race, gender, station, or faith, would enjoy equal protection under the law in the United States.

Of course, the idea of equality is not new.  Even in Biblical times, it was accepted that God was "no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34)  When it came to the atonement money collected by Moses, the standard was half a shekel whether rich or poor. (Exodus 30:15)

These facts make it easy for some to believe that equality is always a good thing.  It is not.

The book of proverbs spends a great deal of time highlighting the inequality of the wise and the foolish.  Consider this passage that explains the inequality between the slothful and the industrious: "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich." (Proverbs 10:4)

The inequality between God's treatment of Israel and Egypt is a critical theme in the Exodus.  Ten devastating plagues came upon the Egyptians, but they were not had in the land of Goshen where the Hebrews dwelt.  The city of Jericho was leveled to support the invading forces of Israel.

Even among the house of Israel, not all were equal.  The priests had the authority to bear the Ark of the Covenant, and when Uzza put forth his hand to steady it, God killed him. (1 Chronicles 13:7-10)  Korah pointed to equality as a justification for protesting the rule of Moses over Israel in the wilderness, but God opened the earth up and swallowed him and his followers. (Numbers 16)

Of course, some people who, like Korah, are overzealous in their love of equality, would suggest that the Old Testament does not count, and that Christians should get a better understanding of how to live from Christ himself.

What these individuals fail to understand is that Jesus seems to oppose equality.

Consider the explanation Jesus gave for why he taught in parables:

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matthew 13:11-12)

In his parables, he emphasized inequality.  Consider the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30), the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  In his parable of the sower, Jesus compared different kinds of people to different kinds of ground... and even the good ground produced various amounts of fruit. (Matthew 13:3-9)

While he had power to do miracles wherever he went, access to his power was restricted by faith. (Matthew 13:57-58)  To a Canaanite woman who plead for his help, Jesus declared "It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs." (Matthew 15:26)

Even the most zealous proponents of equality in all things will note the differences in how he evaluated the rich and the poor.  Consider the statement "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:23-24)  The parable of the rich man and Lazarus echoes the same sentiment. (Luke 16:20-31)

For someone who is lauded by some as the champion of equality, Jesus certainly seemed to oppose it.

How can a person reconcile the inherent goodness that can be perceived by correcting the injustices in society, with the source of all goodness seeming to perpetuate inequality?

A large part of the issue comes from the ambiguity in the term equality.

There is a huge difference between equality of outcome and equality of opportunity.  A favorite example that has been used by multiple sources, including Ben Shapiro, is seen in the salaries of professional athletes.  I do not have the abilities of a Lebron James, so even if I put in the same amount of practice, I should not expect the same outcome in terms of income for my basketball performance.

A similar distinction can be seen in conversations about gender equality.  There is absolutely a sense in which men and women are equal.  The Family: A Proclamation to the World clearly states

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, emphasis added)  

The sense in which men and women are equal partners obviously does not mean they have the same primary roles... since primary roles were described just above the affirmation of equality.  In this sense, equality has more to do with accountability for the well being of their children.  No mother should withhold from her children because "it's their father's job to do that," anymore than a father should neglect his obligations because "their mom isn't doing enough."  Both parents must ensure that their children are raised in love and righteousness, and that their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met.  This sort of equality may mean that a wife needs to help her husband emotionally so that he can be productive, or that a man might need to reinforce his wife's guidance in the home.

This sort of equality does not try and deny gender roles.  It is perfectly appropriate if female models make more money than male models, or if male athletes make more money than female athletes... because in a large number of important qualities, men and women are different, and it is prudent for men and women to play to their strengths.

Another sort of equality that seems to confuse some people is equality of access to God.  While it is true that Jesus loves every person, and that each of us is a beloved son or daughter of God, he speaks to us in different ways, and gives us different strengths and weaknesses.

Even in the New Testament, Paul compared the different types of individuals to various parts of the body:

"For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 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? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. 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. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 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. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 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. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:14-31)

Rather than conflating legitimate inequality with injustice, people have an obligation to do the best they can with what they have been given.  The man given five talents should work hard to gain five more.  The man given two talents should work hard to gain two talents more.  The man given one talent should not bury it or envy those that have more... he should work to do the best he can with what he has received.

This is not to say that true injustice should be accepted.  Cases of criminal behavior... theft, fraud, murder, etc, should be criminal for all individuals.  People with greater affluence should be held to the same standards of conduct as those who have none.  It is wrong to falsely accuse a poor man who is unable to defend himself or to falsely accuse a wealthy man who many be more likely to settle financially.  This is the sort of equality that is self-evident... and that is the kind of equality that persuaded great men to declare independence from European monarchs in past centuries.

This is not the same as the equality touted by some contemporary zealots.  The quest to make people "equal" in the French Revolution robbed many of life and liberty.  The same can be said for socialist movements in Russia, China, and Venezuela.  Societies should extend equal protection under the law, because this equality is compatible with freedom, but societies cannot force equal outcomes for individuals without robbing people of their freedom.

Ultimately, Jesus did not even preach equality.  He preached humility.  A humble man is less concerned with the success or position of others... a humble man is grateful for what he has, and does his best to do what is right and help those around him.  A humble man lays up treasure in heaven, regardless of how many around him revel in treasures on earth:

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)

Satire: Scandal hits religious leadership, church is doomed

<Satire>

Religious leaders in the temple have been caught in a huge scandal that rocks the very foundations of their faith...

The two leaders were not only ignoring the rules of temple ceremonies, but also seduced women into sleeping with them.

The abuse of power is made worse because of the way that the head of the church has handled the situation, giving them nothing more than a verbal reprimand, possibly because of their close relationship.

The scandal has undoubtedly damaged the credibility of the church in ways that have never before been seen, and it seems unlikely that the church can recover from it.  How can faithful members ever trust in church leadership after such a blatant disregard for ethics?

"If God were in charge of this church, he would never have let these men do this..." said Katie, a concerned member. 

"Even if God killed the two temple workers, and the prophet who ignored their behavior, I don't think I could continue being a member of the church," said Big Mike, who has left the church over the incident.  "I mean, I thought they were supposed to be called of God to begin with..."

Inexplicably, some members of the church seem to defend their leaders.

"No I don't think that the actions of Phineas and Hophni in 1 Samuel 2 are the end of the faith... it's not even the end of 1 Samuel," said one apologist.

When pressed about the favoritism shown these leaders at the highest levels, they could only offer this weak excuse: "God literally removed and replaced Eli over this... did you read 1 Samuel 4?"

"This is the kind of cherry-picking that has soured many people toward the church," said Big Mike.  "They want to answer a problem in one area of scripture using the stuff around it..."

We expect fair-minded individuals to flee from the hypocrisy of faith and throw their support behind those who truly serve others... government bureaucrats.

</Satire>

The time that God sacrificed one of the tribes of Israel

The Old Testament manual for Gospel Doctrine gives only one week to the entire book of Judges.  Certainly it's true that there are only so many weeks in a year for Sunday School, and that it is impossible to have a comprehensive study of the Old Testament, but it breaks my heart to see some of the best stuff get little more than a cameo appearance (if anything at all).

Of course, there are other reasons for skipping some of these items.  Depending on the class, not everyone may be interested in hearing about Ehud assassinating Eglon, the overweight king of Moab. (Judges 3:15-30)  There may be some people who would rather skip over the story of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite nailing the head of Sisera to her tent floor.  On the other hand, these stories are some of the most entertaining in all of the Bible.

Perhaps one of the more difficult stories to present is that of the tragedy of Gibeah.

There was a Levite, whose concubine had cheated on him, and in her shame returned to her home in Bethlehem.  The Levite went after his wife.  He spoke kindly to her, and they were reconciled.  (Judges 19:1-4)

Eventually, the Levite took his wife and his belongings, and traveled north.  After traveling for some time, the servant of the Levite asked that they stop in Canaanite-controlled Jerusalem.  The Levite desired to travel further, hoping to stay in land controlled by the Israelites.  Eventually, they came to the city of Gibeah, a possession of the tribe of Benjamin.  (Judges 19:10-14)

This makes sense, because the Levites were meant to be supported in their spiritual roles by other tribes that received a land inheritance.  The Benjamites should have felt an obligation to help this Levite, but when he tried to find lodging, but the men of Benjamin would not help him.  At last, a man of Ephraim saw him, and offered him lodging and shelter.

I suspect that we do not have the entire account regarding what happened next, but we know the following details:

• Some of the men of Benjamin wanted to assault the Levite
• Though they did not take hold of the Levite, they did get the Levite's concubine
• They brutally assaulted this woman to death

The Levite was so horrified by the behavior that he took the body of his concubine and cut it into twelve pieces, then distributed the pieces of her body with an account of what had happened to the elders of Israel throughout the land, pleading for justice against this horrific crime. (Judges 19:29)

The Israelites were so shocked by the depravity of the men of Gibeah that they came to Benjamin and demanded that the guilty men be produced so that justice could be meted out.  To their surprise, the tribe of Benjamin thought to protect the guilty.  (Judges 20:11-14)

The men of Benjamin numbered about 26,000, and the armies of the other tribes number 400,000.  (Judges 20:15-17)

The Israelites were not eager to have a civil war, and so they consulted the Lord and received a confirmation that Benjamin would pay for this crime.  (Judges 20:23)

The fighting lasted multiple days, but ultimately, the armies of Israel prevailed and destroyed all of the tribe of Benjamin except for 600 men. (Judges 20:47-48)

The tribe of Benjamin never really recovered.  Certainly they were given something of an opportunity when Samuel anointed Saul the son of Kish from Benjamin to become King of Israel, but Saul and his sons lost the kingdom, and the tribe of Benjamin ended up little more than a family of aids for the tribe of Judah.

It is easy to look at this sort of story and wonder why God did not prevent this tragedy.  The Levite and his wife might have been safer in Jerusalem.  The father of the concubine was willing to provide for the Levite longer.  They might have been guided a different way.

Instead, God allowed these awful men to take hold of this woman and brutalize her... why?

While the question is speculative, it cannot be said that God did not care about this nameless concubine, or that the woman brought it upon herself through her sins...  God loved the woman, and he has forgiven people who were guilty of her mistakes.  Additionally, God went to great lengths to win justice for the crimes perpetrated against this woman.

Generations later, the other ten tribes would be lost in the conquests of the Assyrians, and Judah would be put in exile in Babylon with the triumph of Nebuchadnezzar... but the tragedy of Gibeah really represents the first tribe to be lost... and not just lost, but sacrificed, by God, to get justice for a the concubine of a travelling Levite.

We don't know all the circumstances surrounding this event... we don't even know the name of the Levite or of his concubine... but we know that in the end, good triumphed over evil, justice prevailed over injustice, and tens of thousands who fought against the outcome were slain.  I think this is a profound thought...  If God was willing to sacrifice (basically) an entire tribe of Israel for a nameless concubine, will he not equally value the welfare of our neighbors, our colleagues, and our children?  

I believe God pays very close attention to how we treat one another.  In the end, justice will be a very personal thing for the Lord.  Jesus himself taught, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 45:40)

I suppose one of the most compelling reasons for studying the tragedy of Gibeah, is so that we do not repeat it.  Every man and woman should be vigilant, and if the tendency to be cruel or to be selfish appears in us, it is on that individual to go to Christ..."denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12)

Eve did not lie to God

This year, LDS Gospel Doctrine classes are delving into one of my favorite places... the Old Testament.  I absolutely love this often overlooked and frequently misunderstood portion of the holy scriptures.

One of the first lessons of the year is based on the fall of Adam and Eve.  Many in our class plainly expressed that there are many things about this story that we do not know (which is true).  We do not know the length of time that they lived in the Garden of Eden.  We do not know the size of the garden.  We do not know what the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil looked like.

Of course, there are some things that we do know... some of the most essential elements of the story.  We know that Adam and Eve were naked, and that they were unaware of this fact (Genesis 2:25).  We know that there was a tree with fruit that would somehow give knowledge to those who ate of it (Genesis 3:6).  We know that Satan was present (Genesis 3:1, Moses 4:5-6).  We know that the consequences of Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit involved being cast out of the Garden of Eden, and the introduction of death (Genesis 3:16-24).

There are things that many people infer in the story.  We infer that Adam and Eve were married (Genesis 2:22-24, Mark 10:2-9).  We infer that eating the fruit did bring wisdom to Adam and Eve.  We infer that life was difficult after they were cast out of the Garden of Eden.

The most popular speculations that are made involve Eve.

Some people have suggested that had only Eve resisted the temptations of the devil, that all of humanity might have dwelt in the perpetual paradise originally created by God.  They infer that Eve was the source of pain and toil.  Many modern prophets have refuted this conclusion... and other sources of scripture show that the fall was a necessary step in God's plan of salvation for his children.

Other people, in the spirit of correcting the perceived injustices against our first mother Eve, have suggested that not only should Eve be held blameless, but that she was a mastermind who comprehended that God's plan would require them to gain wisdom, and to have children out of the Garden of Eden.  They suggest that Eve was not tempted by Satan... but that she saw through his ruse into the deeper meaning of partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

This is also bunk.

Satan, who did not go through the process of birth and had memory of premortality, still "knew not the mind of God" (Moses 4:6).  Yet we are supposed to think that Eve, who did not realize that she was unclothed, somehow knew everything perfectly?

I have heard impassioned voices in many wards try to infer that the innocence of our first parents did not mean they were ignorant of the workings of God's plan.  It has been suggested that Eve searched for alternatives to taking of the fruit, thus proving her foresight.  Of course, for members of the LDS church, this would not explain why Adam was ignorant of the reasoning behind sacrifice, or why they only expressed joy in their circumstances after the gospel was revealed to them (Moses 5).

Most importantly, Eve did not lie to God.

God asked for an explanation of Eve's actions, and received from her this simple statement:

"The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." (Genesis 3:13)

There was no "I partook to fulfill thy plan" or "I partook that mankind might be" or "I partook because there were no other solutions to give us knowledge and allow us to have children."

Here, Eve answered God honestly.  She had been tempted to do something she did not understand, and she did it.

Adam gave a much more complex answer, because there was more complex reasoning behind his action:

"The woman thou gavest me, and commandest that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree and I did eat." (Moses 4:18)

His course of action was motivated by a desire to stay with his wife.  He had a choice between avoiding the fruit, or remaining with Eve, and, thanks to Eve, he chose the latter.

The consequences of the fall of Adam and Eve are profound, and persist even to the present day.  It is central to the plan of God that we be born under the effects of a curse that bars us from the immediate presence of God, and allows us the freedom to choose for ourselves between good and evil.  Eve certainly does not deserve blame... but she does not deserve credit either.

There was only one who knew all of the parties involved in Eden... only one who knew the consequences of every choice... only one who knew what Satan, and Adam, and Eve would do, before they even thought of doing it themselves.  It was the one who planted the garden.  It was the one who created the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  It was the one who engineered the entire plan.

Only God knew.

Much as it is today... people have a tendency to give credit and lay blame where they are not due.  Other people may do harm, but the effects of the most heinous acts are, at their very worst, temporary.  Other people may do good, but at their very best, they are still flawed.  We are not so much smarter than our first parents, and we have difficulty overcoming temptations, mistakes, and problems on our own... but the same one who planted the Garden of Eden also knows of us, and his Holy Son Jesus Christ, who broke the curses of sin and death for Adam and Eve, can crush the obstacles that bar us from fulfilling our divine destiny. 

"...there is none good but one, that is, God..." (Matthew 19:17)

Why was God so scary?

Many people view the God of the Old Testament as a vengeful and angry being who only softened after thousands of years to change his tune to one of "love thy neighbor as thyself."

I have already spoken somewhat on this topic, but I would like to explore another aspect of the question in this post.

A fundamental principle in Christianity is the omnipotence of God.  God has the ability to portray himself in any way that he would like.  Non-threatening features that made Baymax lovable in Big Hero 6, and an environment filled with rainbows, unicorns, and bacon might really demonstrate that God cares about us, and that he wants us to be comfortable, happy, and safe.

When there are accounts of encounters with God, even when they contain symbolic representations, comfort and bliss are rarely seen.  Consider the experience of Isaiah:

"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." (Isaiah 6:1-4)

Six winged angels flying around a smoke-filled room as God sat on a lofty throne probably did not convey the idea that it was time to relax and discuss happy things.  By what Isaiah said, we know that he was worried about being so close to the Lord.

"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5)

Naturally, God could have provided consolation and shown his prophet a sign of his love, mercy, and affection in this moment of fear.  Instead, he sent one of the seraphim to place a hot coal on Isaiah's mouth to purge him of sins.  Of course, this was not the end of the frightening aspects of Isaiah's vision.  After Isaiah volunteered to speak to the people, he was given the message the Lord wished to deliver.

"Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." (Isaiah 6:9-10)

God asked Isaiah to tell the people to stop listening to him so that he would not have to bless them.  Of course, because we know that God is loving, and wants to heal us, we can infer that this must have been a temporary message to encourage people to return to him.

"Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land." (Isaiah 6:11-12)

So, maybe not just a short-term rebuke?

Even with knowledge of the fall of Judah to Babylon and the return to Judah under Persian rule, this situation still prompts a person to ask, "why was God so scary?"

There are several reasons for the manner of presentation that the Lord used:

1. God is trying to protect us from things that are actually scary.  The idea of a devil is not just a metaphor representing negative aspects of human behavior... there are actual beings in the unseen world that seek to do us harm, and that are only vulnerable to divine power. (JSH 1:14-17)  Pretending that everything is fine and that there are no problems is disingenuous.

2. Life requires dealing with difficult and painful issues.  It is natural to seek comfort in times of difficulty, but the greatest heroes from humanity did not gain honor and respect by becoming comfortable in trying times, but by rising to meet the challenges that they faced.  This is not to say that God wants people to be miserable, but that sometimes, it is more important to stand up for righteousness than to feel comfortable in wickedness.  Dealing with frightening and uncomfortable truths can help people meet their potential.

3. Nobody is conceited when six-winged Seraphim put hot coals on their mouths.  Jesus frequently encountered people who thought they were better than they actually were.  Some of them were persuaded to be humble by gentle admonitions to repent, but some required harsher language.  Jesus exposed the ignorance of those who tried to outsmart him, the weaknesses of those who pressed him for special guidance, and even to the leader of his chosen Apostles said "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:23)  A bit more humility is probably the most effective thing that God can help us acquire by presenting himself in ways that are confusing or frightening.  At some point, each person should realize that it is OK if they don't understand everything, or have worries, concerns, or troubles.  The person who sticks with God allies themselves with someone who does understand everything, and has power to overcome obstacles we do not yet even comprehend.

Ultimately, the idea that God is frightening or confusing disappears from the hearts of those who persist in following his guidance.  Consider how Isaiah later declared:

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54:7-8)

In the end, God does love us, and wants what is best for us.  Do not let anything sway you otherwise.

The point of pointless suffering

The story of Job is one of the most confusing stories in the Old Testament.  God and Satan seem to make a bet on the faithfulness of a man being dependent upon his circumstances.  In this seemingly cruel "experiment," Job was stripped of his possessions, many of his family were killed, and he was afflicted with terrible pain.

Modern Christians seem to be fond of platitudes such as "everything happens for a reason," or "he never said it would be easy, he only said it would be worth it."

These ideas initially seem to fall apart in the situation of Job.  He just suffered for no apparent reason.  His friends turned against him in accusation to add insult to injury.  In the end, his problems all went away and he was blessed, but for what reason were these things done to begin with?

The same questions are frequently asked regarding modern tragedies.  When children suffer from diseases beyond their control, or people are afflicted with poverty and hardship through no fault of their own, people wonder why God, who is supposed to love us, would allow these difficulties if he were truly omnipotent.

Toward the end of the story of Job, God asks him a set of rhetorical questions to illustrate the point that Job has relatively no power and but little understanding.  In Job 38, the Lord asks the following:

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7)

Instead of offering words of comfort and consolation, or reason and explanation, the Lord highlighted Job's ignorance.  Why?

People get so involved in their current circumstances that they tend to forget the investment that God made when he forged the earth and sent humanity to live on its surface.  He speaks with power because he is conveying the idea that the circumstances of life are not an accident, and there is no person whose birth or existence on this world is based on a whim.  These questions allude to a truth that is fundamental to understanding the difficulties of mortality:

"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Combined with the understanding that we have from other prophets, that humans are the offspring of God (Acts 17:26-29), this means that there was a time in which we sang together before the foundations of the world... and that we shouted for joy.  Contemporary prophesy teaches the cause of our joy was our Heavenly Father's grand plan of happiness: a course that could lead his children to become "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17)

As we were, it would have been impossible for us to inherit the gift of eternal life.  We needed to become more... to undergo a physical and spiritual rebirth (John 3:3-5).  The challenges of life are specifically designed to alter us, and purge us from the ungodly (Malachi 3:2-3).

The details of how circumstances can help us prepare for the kingdom of God are frequently beyond our immediate comprehension, but a complete understanding is not necessary (1 Corinthians 13:12).  What is necessary is having enough faith and desire to do what is right regardless of the circumstances (Hebrews 11:6).

The difficulties that came upon Job were not without purpose.  In his extremity, he learned that he could hold to what was right and true even when it was excruciatingly difficult.  He trusted that, no matter what, God would make things right in the end:

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation" (Job 13:15-16)

Ultimately, the question for each Christian is "will I follow the Lord only when it is convenient?"  If faith is conditional, it is not strong enough to bring the changing power of Jesus Christ.  As he explained, only those who hear and do that which he taught will have a strong enough foundation to weather the tempests of life (Matthew 7:24-27).

In the end, the purposes of all things will be understood, and those who, like Job, keep faith regardless of circumstances, will be as they were before the foundations of the earth... they will sing together and shout for joy!

The Prophet said something I don't like... now what?

God has used prophets in nearly all his dealings with mankind.  From Moses to John the Baptist, and from the Apostle Peter to the Apostle Paul, God has spoken words of counsel, comfort, and correction through his chosen servants.

Sometimes these messages are received, but frequently, these words are rejected.  Prophets are asked to speak unpopular things.  Who wants to hear that they are bad and in need of repentance, especially when there are those who will quote a couple scriptures and tell you about how much you deserve good things?  Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, observed this tendency:

"Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him." (Helaman 13:26-28)

In modern times, people have found fault with any number of policies.  Prophets who have advocated for defending marriage between a man and a woman (The Family: A Proclamation to the World), or who have warned of the perils of socialism (Ezra Taft Benson), or who have counseled against civil disobedience (Kentucky County Clerk issue).

Of course, prophets are not infallible... they are men, and all men except Jesus Christ have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Jonah was swallowed by a whale, Moses was reprimanded for handling situations with his family and with Israel, the brother of Jared was chastised for hours because of the infrequency of his prayer, and Isaiah confessed that he was a man of unclean lips.

That having been said, when a prophet speaks as instructed by God, it is intended that their counsel be received and accepted.  Jesus himself taught:

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward." (Matthew 10:41)

While there are false prophets, God tends to be a bit more careful about what his actual prophets are permitted to say.  Consider this lesser known story from the book of Kings:

"And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Beth-el: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee. And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Beth-el, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord." (1 Kings 13:1-5)

At first, this story is fairly straightforward.  Jeroboam the son of Nebat had forsaken the worship of the Lord for political reasons, and a prophet of Judah spoke the words that God had given him.  He had been commanded not to eat or drink, and to travel in a particular way, and because he had done exactly as he had been commanded, the power of God was made manifest.

Recognizing the power of the Lord, Jeroboam asked that the prophet pray for his hand.  When he had, Jeroboam's hand was restored.  Unfortunately, Jeroboam's belief stopped when he had what he thought he needed.  The prophet of Judah began his journey back, and here is where the story takes an unexpected turn:

"Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth-el: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father... 

"And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.

"He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

 "And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came unto the prophet that brought him back: And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.

"And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase." (1 Kings 13:11-24)

Because God expects his children to follow his prophets, he carefully ensures that they represent him properly.  As Wilford Woodruff taught, "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty."  This means you don't have to worry that the Prophet is leading you down the wrong path.

So if the Prophet of the Lord has said something that makes you feel uncomfortable, or suggested an idea that is not in harmony with your political or social beliefs, or has advocated for anything else that you don't like... it's a good bet that following the prophet is the best way to feel better about it.  

God did not send you to earth only to hear pleasant things, or have a leisurely life, but to help you reach your ultimate potential.  The path of Christ was never meant to be easy, why should the words of his prophets always be easy to hear?  He himself said: "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38)

Those who have heeded the counsel of Christ's prophets and apostles, whether they liked it or not, will be those who are prepared for his return.

(Not Professional) Wrestling with God

After his mother had helped him impersonate his brother Esau, Jacob had received a great blessing from his father Isaac.  Anticipating the fury of Esau, Jacob followed the instructions of his parents to flee to the land of Padan-aram.  In his flight, he stopped at a place where he had a vision from the Lord.  He promised that if the Lord would help him to eventually return to his father's house in peace, that he would serve the Lord faithfully. (Genesis 28:20-21)

The Lord did indeed prosper Jacob, and when he departed from the house of his Father-in-law Laban, he was a wealthy man with servants, flocks, herds, and a large family.  Notwithstanding the blessings that he had received, he was afraid that Esau would kill him and his family.  He had prepared numerous gifts, and also divided his procession so that some of his family would be spared if the worst should happen.

After making his initial preparations, a very unusual event is described:

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." (Genesis 32:24-30)

Initially, the account states that he wrestled with a man.  At the end of the passage, he says that he has seen God face to face.  One of the most fundamental aspects of this wrestling match is that it somehow involved communion with God.

Additionally, Jacob said that he would not let the man go unless he received a blessing by him.  Obviously, Jacob would not have done this with just a stranger.  He knew that this individual had power to help him.  But if he recognized the man as an agent of God, then why attempt to wrestle?  Why make demands?  Should he not have bowed himself down and obeyed?  Was not this the righteousness with which Abraham was credited when he would not withhold Isaac from sacrifice?  Why the wrestling match?

The words of Jesus provide clarity on the subject in the form of this parable:

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." (Luke 18:1-5)

The idea of the parable of the unjust judge is that God hears the persistent cries of his children.  This is something to which many people can relate.  A child might go through a phase where they desire something, but by the next week, the thing is forgotten and they have moved onto other things.  Even for adults trying to make better financial decisions, it is common to hear counsel to wait on purchasing decisions to avoid impulse buying.

Ultimately, what seems to be a confusing story in the old testament with wrestling matches is actually guidance for understanding the question "why isn't God answering my prayer?"

Certainly specific requests demonstrate a level of thought about a given request or issue, but remembering it every day, or multiple times each day, represents a completely new level of sincerity.  Given enough time, if it is still important, and if an asker still believes that God can answer their prayer, a person can demonstrate they are not wanting God to fulfill their whims.  They are seeking something more earnestly.

Although theses are not the only requirements that accompany receiving answers to prayer, it is clear that it made a difference for Jacob.  When he finally met his brother Esau, they embraced one another and wept.  The promises of God had been fulfilled, and there was peace between Jacob and Esau.

Sincerity, diligence, and faith go a long way to helping prayers ascend to God.

Don't throw it out because it's old...

Modern religion for many Christians is defined by the Bible, and most particularly, the New Testament.  Certainly the coming of Christ represented a revolutionary change to the religious tradition of the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel... and it is right that even fundamental practices should be altered at the arrival of the Messiah.

For some, this change means the contents of the Old Testament can be mostly ignored: the old law is done away, and life and salvation come through Christ.  There are numerous teachings of Apostles regarding new stances toward food restrictions, animal sacrifice, and the need for baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Even among Latter Day Saints, the Old Testament is perhaps the least popular portion of canonized scripture.  This is unfortunate, as Latter Day Saints have access to the Book of Mormon.  Unlike the lengthy chronological pause between the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon provides a seamless transition between the two times, and gives additional context to the changes that came with the coming of Christ.

From the very opening chapters in the Book of Mormon, the importance of Old Testament prophecy is established.  In the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, King of Judah, Lehi sees a vision with a pillar of fire. (1 Nephi 1:6)  The parallel between this image and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites at night is unmistakable. (Exodus 13:21)

Additionally, when Lehi had gone into hiding in the wilderness to avoid becoming a victim to the Godless people of Jerusalem, he sent his sons back at great peril to obtain the writings of the Old Testament.  (1 Nephi 3)

These events from the very opening pages of the Book of Mormon seem to indicate that just because something happened before Christ, does not mean it is unimportant.  In fact, a recurring theme in the Book of Mormon is that while God pleads with his people to repent and return to him frequently, that there are serious consequences for those that reject his saving power.  It is both ironic and tragic that the Nephite people escaped wickedness and destruction in Jerusalem only to return to these things in the promised land.

Ultimately, the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon represent testimonies of the blessings that come from turning to God, and the tragedies that come from rejecting him.  The New Testament may bring new practices, unique teachings, and fascinating perspectives... but in the end, there are still lessons to be learned from ancient prophets.

Thine is the Kingdom

Fæder ure,
þu þe eart on heofonum,
si þin nama gehalgod.
Tobecume þin rice.
Gewurþe ðin willa on eorðan swa swa on heofonum.
Urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg.
And forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum.
And ne gelæd þu us on costnunge,
ac alys us of yfele. Soþlice.

The words here may seem unfamiliar...  This is English, but it is English as it existed a thousand years ago before William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings.  This is the Lord's Prayer.

Modern English has done away with the old second person pronouns almost entirely.  There is little chance of hearing some one in the United States speaking to another with the words thee, thou, thy, or thine.  Exceptions to this rule includes prayer and the scriptures.

As if using the pronouns is not difficult enough, older verb conjugations are found throughout the King James Bible.  Most verbs associated with thou receive an est ending, and even those associated with the more familiar third person pronouns he, she, or it receive an eth ending. 

Reading through scriptural passages using these older forms of English can be challenging at best.  Many people have wondered why we do not move to a more easy to understand version of the Bible, or why we are not content with saying you, your, or yours in prayers... after all... don't they mean the same thing?

Even among the LDS faith, there is a common paradigm among members that God ought to be treated as a friend.  If we do not speak to our friends in middle English, why would we speak to God in such a way?  Let me assert that this philosophy is totally wrong.

It seems to me that a person who says that God is their friend is recklessly bold.  People like Moses, the sons of Mosiah, and Joseph Smith were called "servant" (Numbers 12:7, D&C 5:2) and "instruments" (Mosiah 27:36).  What man will claim he is closer to God than these men?  Perhaps there are those that think they will bump fists with Christ when he comes again... but I believe that when he appears "every knee shall bow, and every tongue swear... (Isaiah 45:23).

If I found myself before the literal throne of God, I would probably not say anything at all.  He knows every stupid thing I have ever done, and every stupid thing I have ever thought, and were I in that situation, what would be hidden from his all-seeing eye?  He, the most powerful being there is, has exerted effort to help me, and I have not always even accepted his help.  If I did find the courage to speak, I would certainly want to find words that would be uniquely suited to a conversation with the Most High...

Fortunately, the English language provides us with some archaic pronouns that can still be used to indicate a sincere and humble desire to be close to Almighty God: thou, thee, thy, and thine.  These words also help to identify the words in the Bible as more than common speech, or a philosophical view of the life of Jesus.  The language denotes that it is the word of God.  He has rightly said "for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

In his most powerful sermon ever, Jesus spent some time explaining that there is a right way to speak to God... and that in time, those that ask shall receive, those that seek shall find, and to those that knock, it shall be opened (Matthew 7:8)  Though we do not quote it for every prayer, there are valuable lessons in the example that he gave when he said "after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13).

The Old Testament

There are many in the world of Christianity that seem to feel the Old Testament is no longer applicable because it has been "fulfilled."  These people are wrong.

In Ecclesiastes, the preacher says "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new?  It hath been already of old time, which was before us."  (Eccl 1:9-10)

Particularly for a member of the LDS church, the importance of the Old Testament should be clear.  When Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni, the scripture passages he recollects in Joseph Smith History include those from Isaiah, Malachi, Joel, and a passage from Acts that quotes an Old Testament event involving Moses.  The Book of Mormon begins in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the Old Testament King of Judah.  This means the bulk of the Book of Mormon stories and teachings are Old Testament... and proves that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah.

I despise the phrase "God of the Old Testament."  It is the same God that reigns today.  People get the idea that the "God of the Old Testament" was a vengeful and angry God.  I do not wish to dispute that.  I do wish to dispute the idea that he changed his views in the New Testament.  Otherwise, where were the lollipops and hugs when Ananias and Sapphira were killed for lying to the apostles?  Or, perhaps when Jesus made a whip and drove the money exchangers from the Temple, he did so in a kind voice...

The truth is, Jesus Christ has cause to be angry.  He lived a perfect life, but he suffered unspeakable pain.  His did no crime, but was killed as a criminal.  He sent his chosen apostles to teach people how he could help them, and instead of receiving the apostles teachings, they murdered them and twisted their words.  He directs his prophets today to teach people to do simple things like pray, and read his words...  Instead, more and more people only call on his name to curse bad drivers, and describe his words as being "outdated", or "fulfilled".  He is practically begging us to receive the very thing for which we should be begging him.

As many new and exciting technologies and scientific advancements as there are in the modern age, there is still truth in the words of the preacher....  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be...  The same lust that caused King David to fall, the same stubbornness of Jonah, the same wrath with which Cain slew Abel, the same sense of loss and pain that Job felt, the same cynicism with which Pharaoh viewed Moses...  These things prevail in modern society.  And the solution to the troubles of our time is the same today as it was anciently.  In the Old Testament, Hezekiah, King of Judah, called upon God to save him from the peril of Sennacherib's forces, and found salvation.  Contemporarily, those that call upon Jesus Christ in faith can be redeemed.  The "God of the Old Testament" is not gone... he is coming to save us all.