Building Faith in Jesus Christ

Transcription

1 Building in Jesus Christ Alma 30-35: Alma s efforts to BUILD faith VERSUS Korihor and the Zoramite s Anti- Christ efforts to DESTROY faith President Ezra Taft Benson: The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means: First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon is similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time. --President Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning, p. 3. Dealing with Anti-Christs: A Literary Foil on the Power of the Word Mormon situates the story of Korihor and the Zoramites (individual and group Anti-Christs) in the middle of a miraculous demonstration of the Power of the Word (Alma 5-29 Nephite and Lamanite Missions; Alma Mission to the Zoramites and Alma s counsel to his sons) Both Korihor and the Zoramites use the same philosophical Anti-Christ arguments that we are exposed to (and that are so successful today) which appeal to different applications of Naturalism, Metaphysics, Axiology, Epistemology and Relativism Naturalism Vs. Theism: Naturalist believe in a self-acting, selfperpetuating universe in which all changes conform to natural, observable law. There is no purpose to the creation of things. Korihor was a naturalist. Instead, Theists believe God created all things for a purpose (Moses 1:39) and is the author of all natural law and therefore ultimately controls all things in the physical universe. Alma was a theist. So are we. See D&C 88:7, 12-13, 42-43, 45, 47. Metaphysics: the study or science of the nature of reality what is real? Korihor and our secular culture were proponents of the idea that there is no supernatural or spiritual reality (Empiricism the scientific theory, =truth based on observation). Axiology: the study or science of morals and ethics. If there is no supernatural or spiritual reality (God), then ethics are situational and autonomous (individual freedom to decide)=moral Relativism. Epistemology: the study or science of how we acquire knowledge or truth (Revelation vs. pragmatism, rationalism, and empiricism). Korihor was a positivist: he believed the only valid way to obtain information was through the physical senses. Anti-Christs utilize these philosophies because over time they have proven to be so successful in destroying faith = Power of the Word in the negative. The metaphysical argument (positivism: only real if five senses can experience it) leads to a belief there is no god; that, in turn, has a powerful effect on one s axiology (paradigm of morals and ethics): if there is no God, there is no universal standard (moral relativism); this also dramatically effects one s epistemology: science or experience (empiricism) is the only reliable source of knowledge (vs. revelation). Interestingly and importantly, the result of Korihor s evil use of the word s power: Alma 30:50! 1

2 Experiment upon the Word Elder Oaks relevant explanation Alma 30: 15 applying empiricism to faith while disallowing any observable evidence beyond his own sight. Alma s response to Korihor: Alma 30:40-44 provides much observable evidence, pointing out that Korihor has none to disprove. Alma s response to the Zoramite rebellion: Alma 31:5; 26-35, 38 What did President Benson give as the greatest witness against Anti-Christs? Anti-Christ Heresies 1: Korihor (Alma 30:13-18, 23-28) 1. No Prophecy (Amos 3:7, Moses 1:6; D&C 38:2) 2. You cannot know of things you cannot see (Alma 32:21, Hebrews 11:1; Ether 12:6; D&C 8:2; 1 Cor. 2:10-11) 3. There is no Christ and no atonement made for sins. 4. Every man prospered according to his genius 5. Whatsoever a man did was right (no sin). 6. Death is the end of (2 Nephi 28:7-9) 7. There is no God Summary: There is no God no right or wrong no sin no accountability no need for a Savior no life after death eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die no need for an atonement. 30: :15 30: :17 30:17 30:18 30:28 Anti-Christ Heresies 2: Zoramites (Alma 31:13-29) 1. Bowing down to dumb idols 2. Dissenters from the church and God s people 3. Disobedient and perverters of the God s commandments 4. Praying to Satan-he is the god they describe: Spirit w/o body Taught them there is no Christ A belief in Christ leads their hearts far from Him. A belief they were better than their brethren 5. Did not believe in prophecy or revelation 6. Pride: hearts set upon material possessions and wickedness Problems: False worship through prayer, a disbelief in Christ, hearts set upon the things of this world. 31:1 31:2, 8 31: :15 31:16 31:17 31: :22 31:24-25 Learning True Doctrine True doctrine, understood, changes behavior. The study of doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel (Elder Boyd K. Packer, CR, Oct. 1986, p. 20). as a process Level 1: Hope Level Four levels of faith: Hope (investigator) Conversion or Sure Testimony Power Perfection Three steps in the process: Hope for things not seen that are true Action--willingness to do something to find out if it is true Confirmation--evidence or feeling level Hope--a desire to believe it is true (Investigator) Actionwillingness to try to find out Confirmation-- feeling or evidence Alma 32:27 Alma 32:27 Alma 32:28,

3 Level 2: Conversion Level 3: Power I desire this truth Actionwillingness to live the truth Confirmation: evidence on a behavioral level Ether 12:4 Ether 12:4, Alma 32:41 Alma 32:42, Ether 12:27 I have the truth and desire to use it to become like God Action: willingness to do whatever God requires Confirmation: evidence Ether 12:6; 1 Nephi 4:6 1 Nephi 4:10, 18 1 Nephi 7:17; Ether 12:12-19; Moroni 7:26, 37 Requirements for an experiment on the word 1. Humility 2. Realize seeing is not believing 3. Believe (give place for) His Words 4. The Work of 32: , The gospel must be taught so clearly it cannot be misunderstood. This is what I was teaching last class: 1. Obedience to God's commandments is required for salvation (D&C 18:46, 25:15 and 56:2) and as part of our covenant relationship with the Lord. Commandments and covenants are mercies because they show us the way to happiness, how to develop Christ-like qualities, and they keep us safe from the damning and damaging effects of sin. We are accountable to God and will be judged based on our obedience or lack thereof. 2. Blessings are based on obedience (D&C 130:21); cursings come to the disobedient. In the scriptures, a curse is the application of divine law that allows or brings judgments and their consequences upon a thing, person, or people primarily because of unrighteousness. Curses are a manifestation of God s divine love and justice. A cursed state is experienced by those who willfully disobey God and thereby withdraw themselves from the Spirit of the Lord. 3. When we are obedient, it is through His Son s enabling grace, and that is why King Benjamin said we are unprofitable servants: he enabled our lives, agency, and empowers us to do good by his grace, the Spirit, and etc. 4. Because of our weakness (human frailties) and imperfect obedience, instead of receiving justice for our deeds, the demands of justice are continually met in our behalf, and God "turns away judgments and bestows mercies" because of His son (the atonement of Jesus Christ), but only for those have a broken heart and contrite spirit (are willing and anxious to keep our covenants and repent when we don't) 2 Nephi 2:7. Thus, God is continually bestowing mercy either through his enabling grace and attendant blessings or by turning away judgments (cursings) in our behalf, because of His Son s perfect atonement. We are all entitled to and deserve justice; but instead, God continually bestows mercy and turns away judgments for the faithful because of His Son. OH IT IS WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL TO ME. Belief in Christ: Alma 33-34: What is the word Better question: Who is the word? See 33:23 in relation to verses Alma 34:5-6 Alma 34:8-16: the need for an infinite atonement 3

4 His Mercies Infinite and Eternal (p. 21) Sometimes remembering that in its original form, the Book of Mormon was not divided into chapters and verses, can be a more helpful way to extract pertinent meaning. An example of how reading the text this way is helpful is found in Alma Alma 33:3-23 Alma 34: He is merciful and mighty to save! The behavior that was hurtful was their refusal to ask for mercy in the name of the Son! Correct Worship through prayer Do Not Procrastinate (p. 23) Alma 33:1-10; 34:17-29: when, how and who to pray to. Alma 34:30-41: do not procrastinate the day of your repentance-work out your salvation with fear and trembling before God and be patient in afflictions and endure to the end in faithfulness Those who hear the gospel in mortality and do not accept it but lead otherwise honorable lives will inherit the terrestrial kingdom. Those who do not have the opportunity to hear the gospel in mortality but accept it in the spirit world can inherit the celestial kingdom. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon s vision of the three degrees of Glory Joseph Smith learned through another revelation that all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God (D&C 137:7). Those who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh (D&C 76:74) are those who heard the gospel in mortality and rejected it. If they afterwards received it (v. 74), that is, in the spirit world, they will go to the terrestrial kingdom. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught the foolishness of believing that a person can reject the gospel in this life, accept it in the next, and still inherit celestial glory. This life is the time and day of our probation. After this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. For those who do not have an opportunity to believe and obey the holy word in this life, the first chance to gain salvation will come in the spirit world. If those who hear the word for the first time in the realms ahead are the kind of people who would have accepted the gospel here, had the opportunity been afforded them, they will accept it there.... Those who reject the gospel in this life and then receive it in the spirit world go not to the celestial, but to the terrestrial kingdom. ( The Seven Deadly Heresies, in Speeches of the Year, 1980 [Provo, Brigham Young University Press, 1981], pp ) 4

5 President Joseph Fielding Smith said: If a person is in every way worthy of the blessings and was denied them while living, then any time after death the ordinances may be performed. If the person had every opportunity to receive these blessings in person and refused, or through procrastination and lack of faith did not receive them, then he is not entitled to them, and it is doubtful if the work for him will be valid if done within one week or 1,000 years. The Lord has declared that it is he who endures to the end that shall be saved, and he who rejects or neglects these blessings until death, when he has had the opportunity, is not worthy of them. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:179) For whom will such temple work be efficacious? Principles of agency pertain on both sides of the veil. There, in postmortal realms, personal choice and accountability will be of paramount importance. Not all will accept these ordinances. Not all that would choose to do so may be worthy to receive them. Scriptures indicate that individual faith, repentance, and obedience will be required to consummate this vicarious work. (Elder Russell M. Nelson, The Spirit of Elijah, Ensign (CR), November 1994, p.84) Result of Alma 31:5 approach Alma 35:3-6 (see also 7-13 cr 3 Nephi 11:29) the experiment failed. Why? (see requirements for the experiment to work) Alma 35:14 Why? Elaine Shaw Sorensen (BYU Nursing Faculty) shared the following PROFOUND insight in Alma the Testimony of the Word (M. Nyman), Seeds of : a Follower's View of Alma 32, pages Latter-day Saints seem naturally inclined to focus upon their works. This propensity to rely so heavily on works that document obedience seems to be an outgrowth of our present technological, behavioristic society, which places so much emphasis on observable achievement. Increasingly encumbering and complex, family, career, and even Church activities can disperse attentions toward multiple distractions among tasks and programs. Illusionary time and goal management techniques, if not grounded in a basic Christian nature, can further contribute to task-based rituals and repetitions in life. By extending ourselves laterally outward in noisy worldly ways, we risk becoming swallowed up in the proud illusion of progress (Alma 31:27), when what we need is to extend quietly inward toward humility and upward toward God. As with the apostate Zoramites who lacked the essential humility that leads to faith, the achievements and prosperity that embellish our lives become meaningless trappings of mortality with no eternal significance without faith. Doing home teaching, earning a scout merit badge, or doing other assigned acts of service can become little more than offerings on the Rameumptom (Alma 31:21), if our hearts are not earnest and our daily nature not Christian. Business measures success by outcomes. In education the technical training model promotes a behavioral tradition that results in specific performances. Sometimes, as the Zoramites, we also desire to offer the set of rules in our spiritual lives, with the documented trail of our good actions coupled with prosperity, as evidence of our place on the path to exaltation. Such emphasis upon works tends to give a sense of control. We find reasons for blessings and see trials as consequences of failure. We seek training for exaltation. Such behaviorism works for things that are concrete, visible, and rule-driven. Behaviorism alone does not work, however, for those elements that are spiritual in nature: discernment; finding meaning; longing after goodness; having ethical awareness and moral courage; loving learning; having concern for excellence; having love, charity, or humility; becoming godly. Alma called the learning of these principles "wisdom" (Alma 32:12). 5