So many Christians use Jesus to justify their standards that really have nothing to do with how Jesus lived.
Read the Bible. Read the Book of Mormon. Both books focus on the life of Jesus Christ and his works. Think really carefully about how they describe him.
Can you think of any verses like this?
"Now, the Son of Man walked into the mall, and he beheld a sick tank top, and he fleeth the temptation to reveal his shoulders"
"Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, 'Verily, thou must shun all discourse on sciences, particularly theories of evolution, which thing is abominable above all else.'"
"The Holy One of Israel entered into the city, and he saw that there were many among them which were rocking out and he wept for their music, for their hearts were sinful."
No.
There are no scriptures like that.
Jesus served. He focused on the things that were important. You know, like saving mankind.
Do we want to be so absorbed in what we're wearing that we cannot focus on who we can serve? Do we want to be so afraid of introducing doubt that we refuse to learn and discuss anything? Do we want to be so busy worrying about such small things that we ultimately lose sight of God's grace and his missions for us as individuals?
No.
Please. Stop being so concerned about these things and be more concerned about the things of God.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Putting Duty First
The choice to be a statesman is the choice to put your civic duties above your own personal feelings and religious persuasions. There is an admirable element to the story of the man or woman who fights with all their might to make their nation live more virtuous lives, courageously refusing to bend on anything. Mostly, though, this is a foolish and unworthy way to serve.
In order to run smoothly a country needs its officers to be doing what they have agreed to do. Everybody is assigned a job, and is expected to do their best to fulfill it. Just as a family must have parents and children doing their jobs to run effectively, a government must have all different levels fulfilling their assigned responsibilities. Everybody pulling different directions based merely on their own definitions of morality will tear apart an organization and result in basic functions being left undone.
Compromise is key to all discussions, especially on a large, governmental scale. If every person feels justified in being rigid in their personal beliefs compromise is impossible. The great innovations that could have been realized never come into existence. When people are blinded by their need to justify their own position they are not looking for improvements that could be made in the system.
Statesmanship is (most of the time) a choice. If the duties you receive as a formal leader violate your own religious convictions, you need to resign and let somebody else take on your capacity. This year the United States federal government legalized same-sex marriage. This decision, regardless of personal opinions, needs to be upheld by officers all over the nation. However, recently Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite the official legality. She could have just resigned, but chose to utterly defy her duties and responsibilities instead. This action should be condemned.
On a personal, individual level each human on this earth should hold tightly to their beliefs. Nothing is more admirable than an ethical, courageous individual who refuses to let go of their religious convictions. But to be a statesman is to be something more. It is to be a moral person who also has the strength to sacrifice pushing his will on others for the good of the nation.
In order to run smoothly a country needs its officers to be doing what they have agreed to do. Everybody is assigned a job, and is expected to do their best to fulfill it. Just as a family must have parents and children doing their jobs to run effectively, a government must have all different levels fulfilling their assigned responsibilities. Everybody pulling different directions based merely on their own definitions of morality will tear apart an organization and result in basic functions being left undone.
Compromise is key to all discussions, especially on a large, governmental scale. If every person feels justified in being rigid in their personal beliefs compromise is impossible. The great innovations that could have been realized never come into existence. When people are blinded by their need to justify their own position they are not looking for improvements that could be made in the system.
Statesmanship is (most of the time) a choice. If the duties you receive as a formal leader violate your own religious convictions, you need to resign and let somebody else take on your capacity. This year the United States federal government legalized same-sex marriage. This decision, regardless of personal opinions, needs to be upheld by officers all over the nation. However, recently Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite the official legality. She could have just resigned, but chose to utterly defy her duties and responsibilities instead. This action should be condemned.
On a personal, individual level each human on this earth should hold tightly to their beliefs. Nothing is more admirable than an ethical, courageous individual who refuses to let go of their religious convictions. But to be a statesman is to be something more. It is to be a moral person who also has the strength to sacrifice pushing his will on others for the good of the nation.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Choosing True Love
To love is not to possess. The type of love that is jealous misses the point. If one has to be afraid that their love is going to die because of some outside influence, this love is lacking.
Can any love truly be called that which is not built on trust?
If you cannot handle your friend being close with somebody else, maybe that person shouldn't be your friend. Or you can take a deep breath and release that jealousy.
If you are constantly suspecting your significant other of cheating on you, maybe you need to take some space and re-evaluate. Maybe you need to choose trust. Talk with him/her, yes. But trust. Communicate from a place of love and faith.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..."
1 John 4:18
Choose not to fear. Choose to love so much that fear has no room in you. Fill yourself with light.
Can any love truly be called that which is not built on trust?
If you cannot handle your friend being close with somebody else, maybe that person shouldn't be your friend. Or you can take a deep breath and release that jealousy.
If you are constantly suspecting your significant other of cheating on you, maybe you need to take some space and re-evaluate. Maybe you need to choose trust. Talk with him/her, yes. But trust. Communicate from a place of love and faith.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..."
1 John 4:18
Choose not to fear. Choose to love so much that fear has no room in you. Fill yourself with light.
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