THIS BLOG ATTEMPTS TO SHOW HOW SCIENCE IS CATCHING UP WITH REVEALED RELIGION
THIS BLOG IS AN ATTEMPT TO PUT ALL THE COOL STUFF THAT I BUMP INTO ABOUT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AND EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO IT INTO ONE LOCATION. THE CONTENTS WILL BE FROM AN LDS PERSPECTIVE. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING IN HERE, I DO NOT PARTICULARLY CARE TO ARGUE, UNLESS YOU CAN ADD TO THIS BODY OF WORK. I HAVE AN OPEN MIND, THAT IS WHY I READ STUFF FROM ALL DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND SEEK LEARNING FROM THE BEST BOOKS. I JUST AM NOT HERE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT - BUT TO PUT IT OUT THERE WHERE OTHERS CAN PERUSE/PURSUE IT. I TAKE PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HONEST SEEKERS OF TRUTH AND BELIEVE THAT SCIENCE IS REVEALED RELIGION'S BEST ALLY. YOU WILL SEE ALOT OF TOPICS IN THIS BLOG THAT SHOW SCIENCE BACKING - AND SLOWLY CATCHING UP WITH - REVEALED RELIGION. ENJOY!!
Monday, April 18, 2016
WHY DO WE NOT SEE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, SO MUCH TODAY
This is a fantastic scathing report (this guy cuts to the quick, better than I can):
Can someone please read Deuteronomy 4: 15-19 and then explain to me WHY it's okay that we have erected a statue of Jesus Christ in temple square in SLC, UT and ones of Moroni on top of our temples. And WHY we have these statues big and small in our homes of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and other figurines?
According to God's WORD, this is a BIG NO NO! Please correct me if I am mistaken.
For those who have eyes to see, the spiritual gifts are in operation today, just not for everyone as it has always been. We have been asked to pray for them and as we do they will come according to the will of the Lord. I have seen all of the spiritual gifts promised in my patriarchal blessing manifest in my life as needed by the Lord's kingdom and as sought for by myself. I have seen the gifts of administration upon leaders in the church both local and general. I have been blessed by those with the gifts of knowledge and of teaching. I have been healed by priesthood blessings as have many of you. We can cast evil influences out of our lives if we will just do so and think about asking for that to happen. What seems to be in shorter supply is a dramatic manifestation of these gifts. Pres. Nelson in his talk in priesthood meeting this past conference charged the brethren to turn to the Lord to learn how to have more priesthood power. We are limited in that we are comfortable relying on the arm of flesh and/or we are distracted by Babylon (getting and spending and endless entertainments). All of us are guilty of having a divided heart as to the things of the world and the things of the spirit. I have recently been re-reading Visions of Glory and have pondered as Spencer did on the increase of priesthood power that descended on the righteous saints after the arm of flesh and worldly pursuits were removed through the earthquakes, plagues and invasions. But also it seemed that it was time for these gifts to be had in greater fullness because the earth was changing from it's telestial condition into a terrestrial state. Spencer remarks many time that they were in the process of receiving a fullness of the priesthood or an upgrade of spiritual power. So, in part, I believe that part of unveiling the spiritual gifts in their fullness has to do with the Lord's timing. In the meantime there is nothing that prevents any of us from praying for specific gifts to be functional in our own personal lives.
To Anonymous I believe the key lies in Deut. 4:19 where it states, "shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them."
I don't recall anyone bowing down to worship the statue of the Lord, or Moroni, or any other image, whether in statue or picture form. These are not idols, but three-dimensional representations of persons who are commonly seen in many paintings, pictures, and other two-dimensional representations. I don't recall any scripture outright forbidding the use of statues or three-dimensional objects.
There are scriptures that warn against worshiping and serving the works of men. And too often people become obsessed with, and begin to worship their works, or the works of others.
The issue is what are you worshiping? Where are you focusing your life? What, or who, do you serve?
Too many spend too much of their time, money, and strength pursuing (or you could say "worshiping" or "idolizing") things which have no worth. These things include the obsessive pursuit of wealth, entertainment, sports, or any other endeavor that we serve which takes us away from what is really important.
I'm not saying any of these are bad in and of themselves. Wholesome recreation and entertainment can be rejuvenating. Sports are likewise helpful. Wealth can be used in righteous ways. It is the obsession that is bad.
How many people spend their Sundays, Monday evenings, and many other hours of the week watching TV, sports, or other things which probably do not meet the statement, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
As an example, unless it is related to your profession, what good does memorizing a bunch of useless sports statistics do you? Do these stats make you a better person, or would you be better off memorizing and pondering scriptures?
Who, or what, you serve is indicated by where you spend your time, money, and energy. Servants spend most, if not all, of their strength, energy, and life in the service of their master.
So, looking at it in this regard, for many people their trophies, racks of sports hats and other memorabilia, TV, computer, cars, etc. become their idols of worship. They serve these idols because these are where they focus their time, energy, and resources.
Similarly many look to celebrities in sports and entertainment to essentially guide their lives. They essentially worship and idolize these people and those images which represent them. They even serve their idols by purchasing the items which are promoted and endorsed by their idols. Many try to become like their idols of worship by emulating their idol's manner of speech and/or actions. And often these worshipers will believe everything their idols says, even when they have no authority or expertise on the subject.
So, back to those statues. Are they used as reminders, to help our minds and hearts reflect on and ponder what is important, or are those images being worshiped and served?
Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris BUT I don't agree with you. You say there is no scripture from God telling us it's forbidden to make statues. It's right there in the FIRST COMMANDMENT.
Once again in case you missed it, God says, "Thou shalt not MAKE unto thee ANY graven image, or ANY likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
THEN He says not to bow down to them. Right there He says to NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES OF ANY LIKENESS OF ANYTHING FROM ABOVE AND BELOW first and foremost.
And He never put in a clause saying "But if you're gonna erect a statue of me, sure fine, just make sure you sculpt My best side being as you can duplicate my glory."
The ONLY statues He authorized BY REVELATION were those of the Cherubim in the ancient temple and the Serpent on the pole held by Moses.
There is no way anything made by man could even begin to properly represent the full essence of God.
Why call me Lord and do NOT the things I say? The hour is coming when the Father seeketh those to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth for He seeketh such to worship Him.
Things have changed a lot since Joseph Smith, Jr. first restored the true Church of God upon the earth. Like the absence of fire coming down from Heaven in acceptance of our temple dedications since the time of Kirtland. Things like that happen when ordinances are changed even after Joseph Smith said NOT to change them in the least.
I choose to take God at His Word and understand why He's coming to do some house cleaning before He takes care of the rest of the world.
Mortal reasoning and excuses are a dangerous thing.
The Heavens and the Creations made by HIM declare the Glory of God. Guess He meant it when He said no graven images made by OUR HANDS in the likeness of ANYTHING HE MADE, including HIS SON.
How hard is that to understand and obey? Apparently for some it is.
He changes NOT, and doesn't make concessions for those who skirt around His commandments. No wonder He'll sweep around His own front door first when He returns.
Can someone please read Deuteronomy 4: 15-19 and then explain to me WHY it's okay that we have erected a statue of Jesus Christ in temple square in SLC, UT and ones of Moroni on top of our temples. And WHY we have these statues big and small in our homes of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and other figurines?
ReplyDeleteAccording to God's WORD, this is a BIG NO NO! Please correct me if I am mistaken.
It is simple: the law of Moses ended with the crucifixion. Now we obey another law, a law that permits religious artwork.
ReplyDeleteFor those who have eyes to see, the spiritual gifts are in operation today, just not for everyone as it has always been. We have been asked to pray for them and as we do they will come according to the will of the Lord. I have seen all of the spiritual gifts promised in my patriarchal blessing manifest in my life as needed by the Lord's kingdom and as sought for by myself. I have seen the gifts of administration upon leaders in the church both local and general. I have been blessed by those with the gifts of knowledge and of teaching. I have been healed by priesthood blessings as have many of you. We can cast evil influences out of our lives if we will just do so and think about asking for that to happen. What seems to be in shorter supply is a dramatic manifestation of these gifts. Pres. Nelson in his talk in priesthood meeting this past conference charged the brethren to turn to the Lord to learn how to have more priesthood power. We are limited in that we are comfortable relying on the arm of flesh and/or we are distracted by Babylon (getting and spending and endless entertainments). All of us are guilty of having a divided heart as to the things of the world and the things of the spirit. I have recently been re-reading Visions of Glory and have pondered as Spencer did on the increase of priesthood power that descended on the righteous saints after the arm of flesh and worldly pursuits were removed through the earthquakes, plagues and invasions. But also it seemed that it was time for these gifts to be had in greater fullness because the earth was changing from it's telestial condition into a terrestrial state. Spencer remarks many time that they were in the process of receiving a fullness of the priesthood or an upgrade of spiritual power. So, in part, I believe that part of unveiling the spiritual gifts in their fullness has to do with the Lord's timing. In the meantime there is nothing that prevents any of us from praying for specific gifts to be functional in our own personal lives.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI believe the key lies in Deut. 4:19 where it states, "shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them."
I don't recall anyone bowing down to worship the statue of the Lord, or Moroni, or any other image, whether in statue or picture form. These are not idols, but three-dimensional representations of persons who are commonly seen in many paintings, pictures, and other two-dimensional representations. I don't recall any scripture outright forbidding the use of statues or three-dimensional objects.
There are scriptures that warn against worshiping and serving the works of men. And too often people become obsessed with, and begin to worship their works, or the works of others.
The issue is what are you worshiping? Where are you focusing your life? What, or who, do you serve?
Too many spend too much of their time, money, and strength pursuing (or you could say "worshiping" or "idolizing") things which have no worth. These things include the obsessive pursuit of wealth, entertainment, sports, or any other endeavor that we serve which takes us away from what is really important.
I'm not saying any of these are bad in and of themselves. Wholesome recreation and entertainment can be rejuvenating. Sports are likewise helpful. Wealth can be used in righteous ways. It is the obsession that is bad.
How many people spend their Sundays, Monday evenings, and many other hours of the week watching TV, sports, or other things which probably do not meet the statement, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
As an example, unless it is related to your profession, what good does memorizing a bunch of useless sports statistics do you? Do these stats make you a better person, or would you be better off memorizing and pondering scriptures?
Who, or what, you serve is indicated by where you spend your time, money, and energy. Servants spend most, if not all, of their strength, energy, and life in the service of their master.
So, looking at it in this regard, for many people their trophies, racks of sports hats and other memorabilia, TV, computer, cars, etc. become their idols of worship. They serve these idols because these are where they focus their time, energy, and resources.
Similarly many look to celebrities in sports and entertainment to essentially guide their lives. They essentially worship and idolize these people and those images which represent them. They even serve their idols by purchasing the items which are promoted and endorsed by their idols. Many try to become like their idols of worship by emulating their idol's manner of speech and/or actions. And often these worshipers will believe everything their idols says, even when they have no authority or expertise on the subject.
So, back to those statues. Are they used as reminders, to help our minds and hearts reflect on and ponder what is important, or are those images being worshiped and served?
Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris BUT I don't agree with you. You say there is no scripture from God telling us it's forbidden to make statues. It's right there in the FIRST COMMANDMENT.
DeleteOnce again in case you missed it, God says, "Thou shalt not MAKE unto thee ANY graven image, or ANY likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
THEN He says not to bow down to them. Right there He says to NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES OF ANY LIKENESS OF ANYTHING FROM ABOVE AND BELOW first and foremost.
And He never put in a clause saying "But if you're gonna erect a statue of me, sure fine, just make sure you sculpt My best side being as you can duplicate my glory."
The ONLY statues He authorized BY REVELATION were those of the Cherubim in the ancient temple and the Serpent on the pole held by Moses.
There is no way anything made by man could even begin to properly represent the full essence of God.
Why call me Lord and do NOT the things I say? The hour is coming when the Father seeketh those to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth for He seeketh such to worship Him.
Things have changed a lot since Joseph Smith, Jr. first restored the true Church of God upon the earth. Like the absence of fire coming down from Heaven in acceptance of our temple dedications since the time of Kirtland. Things like that happen when ordinances are changed even after Joseph Smith said NOT to change them in the least.
I choose to take God at His Word and understand why He's coming to do some house cleaning before He takes care of the rest of the world.
Mortal reasoning and excuses are a dangerous thing.
The Heavens and the Creations made by HIM declare the Glory of God. Guess He meant it when He said no graven images made by OUR HANDS in the likeness of ANYTHING HE MADE, including HIS SON.
ReplyDeleteHow hard is that to understand and obey? Apparently for some it is.
He changes NOT, and doesn't make concessions for those who skirt around His commandments. No wonder He'll sweep around His own front door first when He returns.