Friday, August 3, 2012

Living Revelators

A friend of mine on facebook shared a post about Chick-fil-A and asked how a group of people could hate another group (when did the definition of "hate" change, by the way?).  Someone responded with "Leviticus 18:22."

Not the best response, I agree.  Because it didn't speak to the concern of the post (about "hating" a group of people).

So someone else responded "if you believe in Leviticus 18:22...do you also believe in Leviticus 20:13?"

It's a legitimate question.  How does someone who believes in the Bible respond?

An understanding of the law of Moses is a good start...but it's not enough.  A belief in the Holy Bible alone is also insufficient.  A belief that God no longer speaks to man places a well-intentioned Christian in a difficult position when trying to argue the relevance of biblical values in today's world.  Why would a loving Father in Heaven, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, speak to one group of people in one part of the world for thousands of years...and then go silent?

If you had/have children, would you be an active part of their lives until the age of 15 and then simply abandon them?  Never to visit them or interact with them again until they were 72?

I testify that God lives; that Christ was literally resurrected on the third day and is alive today.  And that His Gospel is still actively practiced in His Restored and Living Church.

He speaks to men and women today just as he did for thousands of years.  He speaks to His children as a whole through a living prophet - Thomas S. Monson.  And He speaks to us individually as we seek Him through scripture study, prayer, and meditation.

Why do I believe the principle taught in Leviticus 18:22 but no longer abide by the law given in Leviticus 20:13?  Because of living revelation.  The Doctrine of Christ is eternal and the same yesterday, today, and forever.  But the world we live in today is very different than the world that existed 4,000 years ago.  It's different than the world that existed 500 years ago.  It's different that the world that existed 12 years ago.

The philosophies of man have no foundation absent the inspiration of the Spirit.  Living revelation through prophets, scriptures, prayer, and meditation have kept me spiritually safe during my 34 years on this earth and have provided guidance and direction in a world that argues there is no evil and there is no God.

Confusion, inequality, and judgment abounds in the world we live in today.  The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.  Light and truth forsake that evil one. (Doctrine & Covenants 93:36-37)

Those who seek truth will find God.  Those who find God will be filled with love.  For God is love. (1 John 4:8)  And all of the serious issues of our day could be handled better...

1 comment:

Laurel said...

I. love. your. brain.

But, even more than that, I love your heart and I miss you.