64 replies to this topic

[Ron Beron]

katherine the great, on 01 December 2011 - 12:06 PM, said:

There seem to be a variety of opinions on this topic.  I was at BYU when Elder McConkie basically blasted Brother Pace for teaching that we can have a "personal relationship" with the Savior.  I thought it was ridiculous then and I think it's ridiculous now.  Jesus Christ died for us--each of us.  What could possibly be more personal than that?  I think it boils down to how we interpret the saying.

While on the face of it it does seem to be ridiculous, but there has to be something deeper in the thought pattern of those GA's commenting on it.  As for me, there is a relationship that I would consider personal because, after all how personal is salvation anyway. I think that Elder McConkie was probably deriding the flippancy of some in addressing this relationship.  I am reminded of those who asked when I was young, "Have you found Jesus?"  I always wanted to ask, "Why?  Is he lost?"

[KevinG]

I also think Elder McConkie was reacting to the less than reverant "Jesus movement" that advocated having the Savior as a personal pal.  I am just as uncomfortable with the heavy metal t-shirts graphically portraying Christ bleeding on the cross, or pop music services intended to attrach a more casual audience to worship.  In the end it is a delicate balance keeping respectful tradition, worshipping in a way God instructs and not causing offense that would drive others away.

For you Ron:

[katherine the great]

Ron Beron, on 01 December 2011 - 04:49 PM, said:

, "Have you found Jesus?"  I always wanted to ask, "Why?  Is he lost?"

  I like that!

[Ron Beron]

DaddyG, on 01 December 2011 - 05:09 PM, said:

I also think Elder McConkie was reacting to the less than reverant "Jesus movement" that advocated having the Savior as a personal pal.  I am just as uncomfortable with the heavy metal t-shirts graphically portraying Christ bleeding on the cross, or pop music services intended to attrach a more casual audience to worship.  In the end it is a delicate balance keeping respectful tradition, worshipping in a way God instructs and not causing offense that would drive others away.

For you Ron:

Very good...thanks.

[followerofemmanuel]

Ron Beron, on 25 November 2011 - 12:20 AM, said:

I have been bothered by the insistence of some EV's that we can have a personal relationship with Jesus.  The scriptures state that we should have a fellowship with God and Jesus, but an relationship?   It seems, at least to me, that this falls within blasphemy since it would be impossible for us to comprehend the nature and personality of Jesus and secondly, because we would need to have relationship not specifically to the son, but to our Father.  In I Cor. 2:14 Paul states that, "The unbeliever (or natural man) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."  There are two assumptions that have to be made here.  One, that we have the spiritual "necessities" to understand Jesus or God.  And, two, should we seek after a personal relationship with Jesus when He tells us that we need to give all glory to the Father?
Bruce R. McConkie touched on this a few years back when he wrote in Sunstone 6:6/59 (Nov 81)

So, what exactly is our relationship with the son.  My personal belief is that he is our mediator with the Father, but I seek a fellowship or at-one-ment with the Father based on the strength of the spirit and faith within me.  
What is the opinion out there?  I'd be interested in knowing how all feel about this.

I think that having a personal relationship with God begins when we realize and remember our need for Him, acknowledging our sin and depravity, and our hope and faith in our savior.  Heavenly Father desired to have relationship with us before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.  In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden and talked directly to Him.  We know that their sin caused us to need a savior.  Heavenly Father again demonstrates his desire to be in relationship through Jesus death on the cross and his atonement for our sins.

For me understanding that I have a relationship with our saviour means helps me to set my priorities, guides my decisions, inspires me to try and live my life in away that would please him, causes me to remember to spend time with him through prayer and through learning about him in scripture.  As with all relationships we need to be intentional otherwise distance can set in and you can loose priorities. I aggree that we should be irreverrant in any way but balancing that thought, he is not distance and has shown that he desires to dwell with us.  Psalm 139.  Well anyway, thats my humble contribution.  Great discussion!