December 31, 2010

It's New Year's Eve. I started reading Ether 4:11-12 and was caught up by the word "good." Christ says that "whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me." I looked up the footnotes to the word "good" and was most interested in Moroni 7:12-17. I know I have pondered over these verses before, but tonight I think something new struck me. And that is the reminder and realization that one of Satan's goals is to make that which is evil appear to be good and that which is good appear to be evil. I think I have encountered confusion on this point before, wondering if some things are "good." And some part of verse 16 and 17 in Moroni 7 helped to guide me in my judgements. It says that "every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ... is of God." And "whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, ... is of the devil." The "good" and "evil" comes to a point here: that is basically believing in Christ versus not believing in Christ. As simple as the concept seems, it is hard for me to grasp since I have close family members who absolutely do not believe in Christ. I think of them as "good" people still and am puzzled by this question: can someone be a "good" person while intentionally denying Jesus Christ? According to the way in these verses that is given me to judge, by choosing to deny Christ, it means that those I love who have chosen that path are, in fact, being led by the devil. And that is hard for me to accept, but I do because I believe the scriptures to be true. I hold so much hope that one day their hearts will be softened once again to the Spirit of Christ and they will believe in Him. But until then, I need to recognize that however well-meaning their intentions, they are not led by the Spirit of Christ, and that is the Spirit which I am choosing to follow.

September 22, 2010

Tonight I read more of Korihor in Alma 30:12-20. I am amazed at how much of his same teaching is mainstream prevalent in today's society. For example: "Every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime." I also found it interesting in verse 18 that it says his "teaching did lead away many women... and also men..." I thought it was interesting it mentions women being led away first. Does that mean that more women were led away than men? Why would these teachings resonant more with women than men? That indicates, I think, some feminist thinking in their day that could have been similar to our day as well. Another of Korihor's teachings is: "ye cannot know of things which ye do not see." That is definitely a prominent belief today. I see a rising tide of atheism, with that belief as a standard credo. Well, I believe we can know about things we can't see, and it's through FAITH. That's what the debate today is on too. So many people believe faith is bogus. Well, I hold to my faith and I try to strengthen it by obedience. I have seen blessings in my life as a result of doing so, and I believe I will see more... in this life and the next.