Mormon Direction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (others call the “Mormon” Church) sent a representative, Elder Pieper, to Third Congress of Traditional and World Religions which convened at Astana, Kazakhstan, 1-2 July 2009. He presented a paper to the congress that emphasised a collective effort and focus that would result in blessings for all mankind (you can read the entire news article >>here).

Elder Pieper offered three principles which the world religions can follow,

1. The right to choose ones worship
2. Friendship to all denominations and
3. A unified approach to the world’s challenges where possible.

After reading this article, I immediately felt impressed that God was speaking to worldly religions and groups. The principles depicted are of God and when given to the diverse religious groups at this conference, it cannot be anything less and nothing else but God speaking throug Elder Pieper.

Peace is the central message. Principles given are designed for peace. There is no special interest in Elder Pieper’s message, it was given to all people at the conference to glorify God and bless all mankind. The message did not condemn anyone or their beliefs, but gave clear grounds and principles by which even they, the worldly religions, can please God. For it pleases God to see peace as the foremost goal in every man and womans heart and to live and practice that peace.

The message given by Elder Pieper also speaks against religious intolerance. The freedom to choose which religion to follow is one of the paramount principles listed. This means each person has the right and freedom to accept or reject Christianuty and take up any other religion and the principles allow for that freedom. This means that those who take up bashing religions or another religion is working against God and no person can claim the right to do that by the Bible.

As Elder Pieper gave the basic principles of peace, how many will accept those principles for the benefit of peace and to bless others? The results, of course will be seen in the fruits of their works.

Let us briefly look at the focus of people in religious circles and what makes they faithful or not.

A person who reads the scriptures and from what is read, makes the effort to follow the teachings found in God’s word. Whether this be from the Bible or both the Bible and Book of Mormon, this person shows to be a good person doing good things. Assisting others, helping the hungry and needy, volunteers to groups that helps others as the sick, handicap, the less fortunate. Never seeking contention or endless argument or debate, but seeks edifying discussions that serves to strengthen or sustain good faith. Whether a member of this Church or not, this person shows the “spirit” chosen for their life and daily focus. For a good part of their daily life, they are peaceful and cheerful.

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May this new year of 2009, bring peace, hope, charity and truth.

Blessings to all.

Mark

There are many other Christians who speak against the use of feelings in regards to faith and the discernment of truth. Some Christians use the Bible to deny the idea that impressions from the Holy Ghost are felt based on the idea that we cannot trust feelings. Others denounce the idea of feelings because it has no basis in fact or logic, claiming that feelings about Mormonism is far too subjective.

Bible passages used by others to discredit the use of feelings are, Proverbs 3:5 ; 14:12 ; 28:26 and James 2:24, to name a few. It appears that religious beliefs about feelings fall into two basic camps. The ones who deny feelings to promote facts and logic and the other camp that declares feelings as a means to determine if they are saved. Either way, when reading the beliefs of these two camps, I see that there is no real understanding of the scriptures and what God teaches about feelings.

Many of the members of this Church are converts and some of these converts came from both camps, the “fact” camp and the “feeling” camp. It is reasonable to believe that either convert would likely experience some degree of struggle with their past beliefs in the face of the doctrines and teachings of this Church. With the ties to their past still affecting them, it can be difficult to make the transition. The “fact” believers would have to learn the spiritual truth (facts) about feelings and the believers from the feeling camp would need to learn and develop a better perspective of “feelings” in reference to spiritual truth and the gospel.

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Remember long ago in smaller communities of how the towns people get together to give of their skill, time, money and materials to help a neighbour in need of repair to their house, or help build a needed barn, or build a local church? What of those countless hours and materials put in by women’s groups to help the needy? Is this not the same “spirit” promoted by others who care about their community or care for others?

What of the “organizations” that exist that canvass for financial support for the homeless, the hungry, the destitute in other countries? What of your “tax dollars” spent by the government when sending aid to devastated areas to supply food, water, clothing, housing and medical supplies?

All of these examples show the principle of consecration, the giving of one’s substance to others in need. It shows the principle of sacrifice, to give one’s own time at no cost, to give in any way to those in need. These are the basic principles of the gospel and God’s people have practiced these principles for centuries from the Old Testament times to the current day.

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One of the challenges of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is whether a particular doctrine or practice is believable or acceptable. I have read and heard so many claims by ex-Mormons of how they were fooled or blinded to some of the doctrines or activities of the Church.

Some of the common complaints surround tithing, lack of answers to prayers, Adam-God Theory, Blacks previously refused the priesthood, men oriented church, and so on. When I looked at these claims or complaints and the stories behind them I see that they are just personal, which means that their issues are specific to them. For some things the Church has done, such as restrict Black men from the priesthood, are true, but making personal issue out of these things certainly does not gain the ear of the Lord neither does it gain any help or witness from the Holy Ghost. Why is this? It is because making personal issue is the act of contention which is the spirit of contention and such is not of God.

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One day, while in Church, a bishop, stake president or one of the General Authorities of the Church says or does something that upsets you or that you take issue with it. Before you know it you are at odds with the Church and even resign your membership.

Taking issue is dangerous to the health of your faith.
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