tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post7759642101267210124..comments2023-11-02T07:25:45.884-05:00Comments on Mormanity - a blog for those interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "No Justice, No Faith"? The Danger of Misunderstanding God's JusticeJeff Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-60082035375305683542012-01-16T23:18:03.058-06:002012-01-16T23:18:03.058-06:00We can become perfect - with God's help. The A...We can become perfect - with God's help. The Atonement of Jesus Christ can be accessed to erase past mistakes (justification), while the Gift of the Holy Ghost plays an essential role in changing our nature such that we stop making mistakes (sanctification).<br /><br />It seems difficult to me personally, but that's because I struggle with giving up the things of this world, and also with trusting God more than my own reasoning. I believe there's a "tipping point" beyond which the process accelerates, which is when one receives the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ.Popsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-35717254148162356932012-01-16T18:58:11.165-06:002012-01-16T18:58:11.165-06:00God's justice comes in the end, when all will ...<i>God's justice comes in the end, when all will recognize that they have been treated and judged fairly, though out individual circumstances in mortality vary wildly.</i><br /><br />I agree that we will all be judged in the end, but if the God's holy standard is perfection how can a focus "on getting in shape" help us...unless we are actually able to become perfect?Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15483013394635750710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-73491688995711864882011-12-29T09:50:10.401-06:002011-12-29T09:50:10.401-06:00I think we become obsessed with the concepts of ju...I think we become obsessed with the concepts of justice and fairness in our circumstances in this life to the degree that we expect to receive our reward in this life. But this life isn't the reward!<br /><br />To use an analogy, this life is more a football season, with practices and games, than it is a post-season awards banquet. Right now the focus is on getting into shape, sharpening our skills, running drills, building team chemistry, and becoming automatic in our responses to different game-time situations. Now is when go into games and find out where we need more work, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. If the coach makes me run wind sprints, it isn't because he's unfair -it's because I need it to become a successful player. The player who is obsessed with "fairness" in football practice is the one who doesn't get it and most likely won't develop his potential.Popsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-26293647164467781782011-12-25T23:22:49.692-06:002011-12-25T23:22:49.692-06:00Excellent suggestions, Eveningsun. Very thought-p...Excellent suggestions, Eveningsun. Very thought-provoking works.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-35214964992299639092011-12-24T09:19:58.026-06:002011-12-24T09:19:58.026-06:00I would also suggest everyone with an interest in ...I would also suggest everyone with an interest in theodicy read Voltaire's <i>Candide</i> and Eleanor Porter's <i>Pollyanna</i>.<br /><br />-- EveningsunAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-12211644478434253342011-12-23T13:59:11.193-06:002011-12-23T13:59:11.193-06:00I agree, Eveningsun, that the story of Job is an i...I agree, Eveningsun, that the story of Job is an important one relative to this post.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-889978264361633402011-12-22T22:19:52.287-06:002011-12-22T22:19:52.287-06:00Actually, life is fair. We all experience the tri...Actually, life is fair. We all experience the trials that are necessary to become who a loving Heavenly Father wants us to be. We can either be thankful for those trials and turn our hearts to God, or be bitter and turn from Him. For some the trials are hardships, sickness, sorrow... for some ease and wealth, or perhaps both at different times. Regardless of your personal trial, it is how you handle it (way to go Obadiah) that matters.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477650475194486213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-35762214147184012252011-12-22T10:32:30.281-06:002011-12-22T10:32:30.281-06:00Writes Jeff, This mortal world is filled with inju...Writes Jeff, <i>This mortal world is filled with injustice, unfairness, and randomness. But there is a God who not only exists but who loves us. However, nowhere is it written that we will find fairness and equality in this life.</i><br /><br />Well, the idea of earthly justice <i>is</i> written into the Bible, if only to be shot down.<br /><br />Writes PapaD, <i>I am moving toward the conclusion that there is a reason we have a story with an element called "The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" and not just "The Tree of Knowledge." <br /></i><br /><br />I would humbly suggest that the go-to story here is that <i>other</i> Babylonian/Jewish literary masterpiece, the Book of Job. I would further suggest reading the Raymond Scheindlin version. Excellent translation, notes, and introduction.<br /><br />I think any serious discussion of the question of divine justice can't just stick with the standard "pie in the sky when you die" argument, but also has to wrestle with the way that idea is complicated by the Book Job.<br /><br />-- EveningsunAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-49119547107536841972011-12-22T09:23:32.140-06:002011-12-22T09:23:32.140-06:00"There may often be little or no justice here..."There may often be little or no justice here in mortality, but this does not weaken the need for faith." <br /><br />Indeed, this is one of the main reasons why faith is necessary - that we can't see and understand why things happen as they do. <br /><br />I get the human need to understand - to figure out things - to claim knowledge. I don't dispute that it is a good pursuit, when coupled with faith and its openness to humility. However, I am moving toward the conclusion that there is a reason we have a story with an element called "The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" and not just "The Tree of Knowledge". <br /><br />I'm still working that out in my mind, so I won't go into further detail here, but it relates directly to this post.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-6415825138237420132011-12-21T22:48:10.801-06:002011-12-21T22:48:10.801-06:00What an insightful post!
I have experienced same...What an insightful post! <br /><br />I have experienced same-gender attraction for as long as I can remember. I've begun to see lately how the Lord wants me to live my life in such a way to be a help to others BECAUSE OF (and not merely despite) my afflictions. I experience great struggles in my quest to find a spouse, etc. but those injustices in this life will be made up for and have a divine purpose.<br /><br />My best,<br /><br />Obadiah<br />http://gaymormoninsights.blogspot.comObadiahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02135334616357252056noreply@blogger.com