The Lord Maketh No Such Thing Known To Us
Since coming to the Bloggernacle over two years ago, I’ve read many post and comments where writers relate that they are active members, keep the commandments well enough to maintain a temple recommend, read the Book of Mormon, prayed about it, and still haven’t received a witness of its truthfulness by the power of the Holy Ghost as promised.
Here is an example of one brother stating his frustration:
Bloggernacle Stories of Lost Faith
In the two years I’ve been participating in the ‘nacle tales of lost or failing faith is a constant, and enduring leitmotif (Mormon 9:20). On occasion, someone will relate how they had a Spiritual experience that resolved their difficulty with church history or one of the other confounders of faith. But they are rare, receive few comments, and are quickly forgotten.
It seems many ‘nacler’s are stuck in the twilight zone of shrunken faith by choice, and when this carte du jour is challenged by someone (like myself) who can relate miraculous encounters with the things of the Spirit, they are instantly marginalized by the defenders of the status quo.
Experience the Gospel Instead of Just Intellectualizing It
The doctrine of Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, teaches church members how to experience the gospel; not just learning it for the sake of understanding.
The gospel is experienced when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is more important to experience the gospel than it is to understand it. When we experience the gospel we understand it on a whole different level as compared to study alone.
What I've just said may sound like I've got things backwards; after all, doesn't one need to understand the gospel before they experience it? Yes, there needs to be some basic understanding of the gospel. The following definition from Preach My Gospel, page 5, explains what one needs to know.
A Question for the Bloggernacle: Where’s the Beef?
When I first became aware of the word Bloggernacle, I saw two words merged--blog and tabernacle, and in my mind's eye, I envisioned church members using blogs to teach and discuss the gospel. I decided to see for myself and visited the Bloggernacle for the first time two years ago.
I was aware of a strong anti-mormon element on the internet and was looking forward to spending time with the saints in the Bloggernacle. I have to admit I wasn't prepared for my first encounter with the Bloggernacle.
The Doctrine of Christ vs. the Moral and Ethical Teachings of Men
The Power of Moral and Ethical Principles
It's exciting to read about great men and women of the past. I remember in 8th grade reading about George Washington and other men of renown who brought America into existence. I also remember the thrill I felt watching movies about brave men and women overcoming insurmountable difficulties and achieving hero status. The early pioneers are an example. The sacrifices that members of the "Greatest Generation" made during the dark days of the depression and World War II are awe inspiring. Paul Harvey, who died recently, had a radio program called, "The Rest of the Story". It was always interesting to learn the "rest of the story" about men and women who had achieved much in this life because of their grit and determination.
The history of the world is filled with examples of men and women of dignity who gave their yesterdays so that we can enjoy the days we live in. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.
I Am No Respecter of Persons
Heavenly Father has revealed many things about himself. Among these revealed truths we learn one of His chief characteristics---"he is no respecter of persons". The Lecture on Faith teaches in order, "to exercise faith in God we must first have 'a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes'." The prophet listed six of these and number five says: "God is no respecter of persons, meaning that all his children in all ages will be taught the same gospel and granted the same privilege to enjoy its blessings."
What does this bit of knowledge mean to you and me? What use can you put this knowledge to, this very hour, to help you acquire greater faith?
A Few Thoughts on My One Year Anniversary in the Bloggernacle
I've cruised, posted, and written in the Bloggernacle for one year. It's been an interesting experience.
My initial goal in coming to the Bloggernacle was to mingle with LDS who are seeking to fulfill their baptismal covenant by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I assumed that with the vastness of the internet's reach I'd find multiple sites where church members discussed things of the Spirit and shared spiritual experiences in a meaningful way. However, I quickly learned that most LDS who post and comment in the Bloggernacle have other priorities.
LDS author James Farrell observed:
Wrapping Our Minds Around an Idea-Choose Your Ideas Carefully
Wrapping our minds around an idea is one of the joys of life. It is fulfilling to wrap our minds around an idea and then apply our new idea in some fashion and see the results. However, at times the results can be unsettling. Ideas can seemingly wrap themselves around our minds and create misery for ourselves and others. The Lord told us there is opposition in all things and this includes the pursuit of learning.
Conservative, Liberal, and Intellectual Mormons
The Bible teaches the gospel net gathereth of every kind, in other words, the Lord sure has a lot of variety in His church. This is true of the Bloggernacle. We're a diverse group; a microcosm of early 21st century American Mormons.
For most of my church life I've thought of members as being either active or inactive. Now I view members as being liberal vs. conservative Mormons, Iron Rod vs. Liahona Mormons, and the latest is new order Mormons. And then there are subsets in each category. I'm not going to get into the details of the various notions behind the designations. In keeping with the KISS principle I'll say that there are three main groups of church members based on their descriptions of themselves: conservative, liberal, and intellectual.
One Part Faith, Seven Parts Doubt-A Recipe to Reduce Faith and Maintain Doubt
The ratio of faith to doubt is what I have on my mind as I write. Faith and doubt are topics that make up much of what is written in the Bloggernacle. I got to thinking the other day about the ratio of post and comments in the Bloggernacle that feed our faith and/or our doubt. I don't have any idea what the actual ratio is, but I came up with 1 to 7. It seems to me that for every post and comment that builds faith there are 7 that foster doubt.
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Recent Posts
- Exercising Faith When Dealing With Health Problems—My Ten Year Journey
- Friday Quiz: The Purpose of the Atonement
- Friday Quiz: It Is By Grace That We Are Saved, After All We Can Do
- Worthiness is a Process (the gospel is here to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable)
- Friday Quiz: Does the Book of Mormon support the Biblical account of the flood?
- Friday Quiz: Basic Gospel Doctrine Question (I’ll bet you’ll be surprised by the answer)
- Listening, Two Way Prayer–For the Intellectual Mormon Too
- Friday Quiz: Book of Mormon Question–Men Who Would Be Kings
Recent Comments
- Jared on Are God’s Promises Being Realized in Your Life?
- Adam Valdez on Are God’s Promises Being Realized in Your Life?
- Jack on Exercising Faith When Dealing With Health Problems—My Ten Year Journey
- Jared on Exercising Faith When Dealing With Health Problems—My Ten Year Journey
- Christina on Exercising Faith When Dealing With Health Problems—My Ten Year Journey
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