Mormon Direction

There are some who believe and feel within the Christian communities that we are not to judge other beliefs or faith. When something is said about someone’s beliefs or faith, the retort given is “we cannot judge them”. This can be especially disconcerting when the matter at hand has to do with determining the value or truth of another person’s faith or beliefs. It seems by this, that nothing can be said or determined in order to avert false beliefs and false faiths, that we would then, by this restriction of not judging another, would likely have to accept false beliefs or faiths.

It is true, in the Bible, that we are to be careful about judging one another, as per Romans 2:1, but this passage does not prohibit judgement, it clarifies bad judgment. In Romans 2:1, Paul is speaking to the Romans and as anyone should see, the context which Paul is addressing are bad judgments from wicked people. In another part of the Bible, John 7:24, we are to make righteous judgment. So what of this concern by some that we are not to judge the faith or beliefs of another? In particular, if these faiths or beliefs are subject of condemnation?

The idea or philosophy that we are not to judge others because that belongs to God, goes against the Bible itself. The dilemma occurs when a person fails to understand the scriptures and what God has really done in what he has revealed to us. Poor interpretation, poor understanding, abiding in false doctrines or personal philosophies cannot and will not allow that person to properly understand the word of God, his gospel and what God has given as his will through revelation.

This shortcoming of many, both in and out of the Church, causes many to falter and fall from faith and even fail a good relationship with God. Failing in a good relationship with God occurs when a person falls to false beliefs, doctrines or personal philosophies that are of the world and because of these things, a relationship of God is affected and diminished (John 8:47), all because that person is not able to exercise God’s judgments against false beliefs, doctrines, philosophies and ideas!

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Over the years attending this Church, I have seen and heard some people volley strange ideas and precepts. Some I recognized were created by what the world calls “New Age” and others are simply a wild idea that got out of hand. I wondered why these people, who attend this Church which provides the doctrine of God, having prophets write and speak on many subjects, still run off with some wild ideas? 

I saw that this is not an unusual thing. When this Church began with the prophet Joseph Smith, the same thing happened. People began to expound all sorts of unusual beliefs and doctrines that did not come from the Lord. Some, who did not have the authority from God, believed that they can receive revelation for the Church. This occurred in the early Christian Church as well, so this phenomenon is something that is expected.

When a person shares a true inspiration from the Lord, what he/she says carries the spirit of truth in it. Those that are open to this spirit will receive it with feelings and thoughts of, “Umm, never thought of it that way”, spurring contemplation or deeper thought. These pearls seem to be infrequent, but what is more prevalent are ideas and precepts that are way out of line.

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