I believe in objective right and wrong. I believe in the universal moral imperative. I believe that the definition of these things cannot be contained in mere words and that we must rely on faith, intuition and the guidance of the holy spirit to reach these lofty goals. I believe that when achieved, only the evil and the ignorant are capable of denying success. I believe that failure is indistinguishable from not trying at all. It's an all or nothing reality.
That said, the closest anyone has come to voicing the universal moral imperative is the Golden Rule. Confucius wrote it down centuries before Christ was born. One of the five pillars of Islam is charity. When Jesus said, I am the Way, he was not saying, kiss my ass or sit out in the cold. He was saying that his example was the one we should follow if we sought everlasting salvation, indeed, there is no other example as perfect as his.
Mormons, and I am one, believe that even the most ignorant among us will not be denied a chance to come to the way. No soul is lost because of time or chance. Each person as an individual can find the way, and through finding it, find everlasting salvation. The billions of souls that preceded Christ's birth aren't condemned to Hell by their lack of foreknowledge. They await their own opportunity to find the way.
Other sheep I have, that are not of this fold... John 10:16
This scripture has been used in every which way, but regardless of who it applied to when it was written down, it is clear that everyone would have the opportunity to return to their Heavenly Father and the rewards therein. I am satisfied to accept that there is one way to find God, I believe that it is not enough to say that Christ is that way and rely on faith alone to prove it so.
I believe that we must emulate Christ as much as possible and repudiate those inevitable mistakes we will make along the path. Only through this work will we find the way, and return to our Father. I believe that every individual, living or dead, will be shown this example at some point, either by Christ or one of the prophets or sages that have also recognized that there is a universal moral imperative and encouraged their people to find it and abide by it.
I do not say these things because they are right. I do not say these things because those who read this should believe. I say these things because I believe them, and I am proud of believing them. To do any less would be a crime on my conscience.
The way
Date: 2006-01-24 08:03 pm (UTC)That said, the closest anyone has come to voicing the universal moral imperative is the Golden Rule. Confucius wrote it down centuries before Christ was born. One of the five pillars of Islam is charity. When Jesus said, I am the Way, he was not saying, kiss my ass or sit out in the cold. He was saying that his example was the one we should follow if we sought everlasting salvation, indeed, there is no other example as perfect as his.
Mormons, and I am one, believe that even the most ignorant among us will not be denied a chance to come to the way. No soul is lost because of time or chance. Each person as an individual can find the way, and through finding it, find everlasting salvation. The billions of souls that preceded Christ's birth aren't condemned to Hell by their lack of foreknowledge. They await their own opportunity to find the way.
Other sheep I have, that are not of this fold... John 10:16
This scripture has been used in every which way, but regardless of who it applied to when it was written down, it is clear that everyone would have the opportunity to return to their Heavenly Father and the rewards therein. I am satisfied to accept that there is one way to find God, I believe that it is not enough to say that Christ is that way and rely on faith alone to prove it so.
I believe that we must emulate Christ as much as possible and repudiate those inevitable mistakes we will make along the path. Only through this work will we find the way, and return to our Father. I believe that every individual, living or dead, will be shown this example at some point, either by Christ or one of the prophets or sages that have also recognized that there is a universal moral imperative and encouraged their people to find it and abide by it.
I do not say these things because they are right. I do not say these things because those who read this should believe. I say these things because I believe them, and I am proud of believing them. To do any less would be a crime on my conscience.