Travis

Why is faith in Jesus Christ so important? Why does God not simply reveal all things to everyone, making faith unnecessary? Does God intentionally obscure information to pressure a choice between faith and unbelief? If so, why? Let's start with Alma 41 for answers to these questions. At the last day we will all be raised, or resurrected, to a state consistent with the desires of our heart while in this life. If "the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good...and if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil...The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil" (v. 3-5) God already knows our hearts. He knows our inmost desires. We, however, do not know our own hearts. But because of our experiences in mortality, the true desires of our hearts will be revealed by the choices we make and we will come to know who we truly are at the core of our beings. Abinadi speaks to this in Mosiah 16:1 "The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just." So what does this have to do with faith? Lehi speaks directly to this question in 2 Nephi 2:16, 27 "Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other...wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil." By not revealing all things to us fully, which would eliminate the need for faith, God provides a context for us to be "enticed by the one or the other" so we can, in truth, choose for ourselves. So we can answer the questions above clearly: Yes, God does withhold knowledge, pressuring us to make a choice between choosing righteousness or wickedness based on desire. Because we must make that choice, over and over again throughout life, without all the knowledge of God, our choices become a reflection of our true desires for good or evil, rather than a selfish race for the prize or fear of punishment. Those who genuinely "hunger and thirst after righteousness" will be led by the promptings of the Holy Ghost, which requires faith, to follow Christ. The good news is, we get to choose! We are not coerced by God. We have every reason for optimism and hope! If we examine our hearts and consistently push ourselves to choose good and seek God, He will send the Holy Ghost to enlighten our minds, direct our path, and help us grow into truly Christlike beings! Without the need for faith, this simple and beautiful process would not be able to play out. As I reflect, I feel to exclaim with Lehi "behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." (2 Ne 2:24)

@WiseSerpent1 Thank you for demonstrating projection

@ferrell_travis It was a bad post

I’ve tried to stay out of this little controversy, but I will say this: Every criticism I’ve seen of this particular story appears to be based on projection. People are filling in the gaps in this short story with personal biases. Let’s respect this couple and the choices they’ve made. Let’s give them the grace we hope for. Let’s applaud them for striving to live their covenants in the best way they know how in their unique circumstances. Let us love them as Christ does. That is all.

@WiseSerpent1 @DaveAlvord He didn’t address mine

@ferrell_travis @DaveAlvord I think you should address his point

@JasontheLayman Said no Latter-day Saint ever…

Light has no affiliation with darkness. The fruit of Mormonism is propaganda and lies.

@TheCaptTenneal @Everyday_Powers Reread the OP

@ferrell_travis @Everyday_Powers Lol, this is the longest deflection post I've ever seen. The fact that the vast majority is critical of the post is as opposite of splitting hairs as anything can be.

@SLStoddard @BoeufEtLiberte Reread the OP

@ferrell_travis @BoeufEtLiberte I think you did Brother

@Everyday_Powers @BYUFlorida I can diagnose the difference. Doing so is beside the point of my OP. That is the nuance you refuse to acknowledge, or can’t see.

@BYUFlorida @ferrell_travis Agreed. That's no good. We should not call names or intentionally insult people. That doesn't invalidate criticism of the PR department. The original poster can't diagnose the difference.

@Thenameisal92 The story does not say “it’s good for women to work” but that is how you interpreted it. Projection.

@ferrell_travis no I didn't, I just disagree. I don't think people are projecting gaps into the couple's story necessarily, they just don't like how the church is now highlighting and pushing the message that it's good for women to work

@JabronicusFinch You are literally projecting your priors in your response. That was my point.

@ferrell_travis I disagree with it and am criticizing it.

@JabronicusFinch You missed the point of my post

@ferrell_travis That is such bad faith. There is almost no criticism geared toward this young man. It's all directed to the PR department advocating for anti Christian outlets as the norm. The church as an institution hides behind PR and policy to move the cultural goalposts.

@DaveAlvord You just proved my point

@ferrell_travis When was the last time you saw the church social media glaze some priesthood holder for providing for a wife and kids. It’s like that choice is invisible and can’t be mentioned. It’s just weird, even tho it’s the ideal in most circumstances.

@Thenameisal92 You missed the point

@ferrell_travis It’s not abt the couple, it’s about the messaging. Everyone is choosing to misunderstand the objections. I’ve seen tons of really insightful and thoughtful and respectful objections to this messaging

@BoeufEtLiberte You missed the point

@ferrell_travis We're not criticizing the couple--we're criticizing the employee who decided to run this story and present it the way she did.

@Rultpwr @Everyday_Powers

@ferrell_travis @Everyday_Powers now that's projection lol

@Rultpwr @Everyday_Powers And sometimes the two are inextricably linked

@ferrell_travis @Everyday_Powers you probably should, since President Oaks gave a talk about judging people vs situations

@Utah_Grump You missed my point entirely

@ferrell_travis I don’t have to respect false teachings and doctrines. There is only one correct way to build a family. “There’s not one 'right way' to build a family or a future. For us, this is ours. And it’s sacred.” — Nate

@powerlock9502 Not a relevant distinction for my point

@ferrell_travis No one cares about the story. They care about the church posting it.

I’m not going to split hairs about people criticizing the post vs the couple. Moot point. If you were that couple it wouldn’t matter if a criticism was framed as directed towards the church social media team. It would still feel personal, and rightly so. And this is irrelevant to my primary point about projection.

I'm 100% willing to flip on this. I have not seen a single person criticize this couple. What I've seen is people saying the church probably should highlight examples that's don't work if everyone did it. If you could show me any personal criticism of the couple I'll condemn it with you.

Obedience is the first law of heaven, so I agree with you there. Loyalty is a manifestation of love for God. If one believes the Church is led by Christ (which many do), then loyalty to His Church aligns with the “great commandment” to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. So again, I agree. As for tithing, while it is an important commandment and a tangible test of faith and obedience, I don’t believe it receives greater doctrinal emphasis than many other principles, nor does it qualify as one of three primary fundamentals. The scriptures and Church teachings consistently present the first principles and ordinances of the gospel as faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Tithing is expected and reinforced, but elevating it alongside loyalty and obedience as the core trio overstates its place.

Loyalty, Tithing & Obedience = THE fundamentals of The Church.

@NoblestCalling I mean that sincerely. Realized after posting it might read as sarcastic.

@NoblestCalling Thank you for stating the obvious

Some of you are being really weird about the church post