Mormon Direction

God directs us to perform good works. He warned us that we should not fool ourselves, that what we sow so shall we reap. We find these teachings in the Bible and Book of Mormon (Alma 5:41 / Alma 7:24, 27 / Titus 2:7 / Titus 3:8 ). Yet, we see so many Christians preach, complain and debate against this Church that salvation is not by works, but only by faith and this Church in turn shows the same Bible others preach from to show that faith is dead without works and so also, works is dead without faith ( James 2: 17, 20, 26 ), both must coexist for salvation.

We know, at least most of us, that God always promotes good things as this is what draws us closer to him and all good things glorifies him. Of course, all good works cannot manifest unless the person performs them with integrity, honesty, sincerity and humbleness. This says, for example, when a person chooses to give money for  a charity only as a tax break, but otherwise does not care for the charity, is not performing good works. There is no sincerity, honesty, integrity or humbleness in his or her act (2 Corinthians 9:7 ).

What God speaks of here in good works is the spirit of it. The sincere and cheerful act of good works promotes a good spirit. Applied generally to all things we do, says that quality work, with honesty, sincerity, diligence, care, produces good results. These good results are usually seen immediately and these good results, that bear the seal of quality good work, which is also the spirit of good work, will continue to reveal itself in value and goodness for sometime after. As a result, many can benefit from this value and goodness long after the work was done. A standard of good works serves all, even to serve as a beacon for those who need guidance and light in their works as well.

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A while back, I posted an article about the use of the word “cult” against the latter-day Saints usually named as Mormons. That article ( http://mormondirection.com/2009/04/27/cult-misuse-use-of-the-webster-dictionary/ ) spoke of the misuse by people, even ex-mormons.

To add to that posting, here is an interesting video on YouTube displaying the meaning of a cult, the actual meaning and usage. How the video shows how the world at large, which includes the Anti-Mormons, their own cult like practices, but because the world at large condones and even promotes it, then such cult like practices are acceptable. It is the true religious and faithful practice of the Latter-day Saints that others dislike, as people in the world at large, which includes the Anti-Mormons and Ex-Mormons.

Interesting, we Latter-day Saints advocate the one true gospel, a single set of doctrines from Jesus Christ, even the revelation of Jesus Christ (D&C 84:1 / Galatians 1:12 ), yet the world at large advocates diverse doctrines that are not from Jesus Christ, but from worldly men.

This YouTube video is good and any truly reasonable person would agree.

View the video just below, or click this link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqr_09-Z5fU&feature=player_embedded

I always enjoy the truth, because it always gives light.

Amen

Yesterday, as I finished paying for some groceries at the cash till, another lady behind me went next. The lady asked for some cigarettes and the cash till clerk asked the lady for some identification, since she looked young. As the lady was getting her identification to prove her age, the cash till clerk stated in a guilty type of tone as she tried to excuse herself, saying, “Sorry, but I have to cover my butt“.

This struck me as very interesting and odd.

In Canada, it is law in most of the provinces that a person must be 19 years of age to purchase cigarettes and all merchants are under law to confirm that age by proper identification or risk a hefty fine. The purpose of this law is to reduce the use of tobacco by younger persons. Since it is law, where is the reason to be guilty or feel bad to ask another for proper identification when the there is legal right and authority to do so?

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The Lord, through his Church, instituted long ago the need to establish and maintain “official doctrine”, a standard and measuring rod by which the Church is governed and salvation is taught to all the faithful. Official Doctrine is what the Church teaches and sustains as from God. This doctrine, as part of its official stamp, must be in harmony with all other laws and ordinances of the gospel (the four standard works).¹ This says that anything endorsed by the Church as official doctrine must harmonize with the revealed gospel. Anything that is not in harmony with the revealed gospel is rejected. The current four standard works held by this, the Lord’s Church are The Book of Mormon, Holy Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The “official doctrine” applies to everyone in the Church, no matter the authority, position or status. Therefore, even the president of the Church is subject to this rule.

“You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works. ”Every man who writes is responsible, not the Church, for what he writes. If Joseph Fielding Smith writes something which is out of harmony with the revelations, then every member of the Church is duty bound to reject it. If he writes that which is in perfect harmony with the revealed word of the Lord, then it should be accepted” ²

Over the century that this Church has existed, many leaders of this Church published articles, made speeches and made some profound statements. Was it all doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? That depends if what they said stands in harmony with “official doctrine”. Does the doctrine or principle expressed sanctify the soul or lead us closer to God? If it does, then it can be accepted as among the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints.³

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