What Is The "Truth"?

[HeatherAnn]

Try as I might, there isn't much here I feel inclined to argue about.

Possibly one modification is that I do have a testimony of authority in the gospel. Having experienced a little, I can tell you that the mantle is very very real and has little to do with how far one has advanced personally.

Thanks, Mf.

I'd like to examine that modification.

The word, "mantle" is one of those Mormon jargon words I wished we'd just say like it is.

I could just imagine an investigator, searching the definition for mantle & going... Mantle:

1. a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape. 2. something that covers, envelops, or conceals: the mantle of darkness. 3. Geology . the portion of the earth, about 1800 miles (2900 km) thick, between the crust and the core. Compare core¹ ( def. 10 ) , crust ( def. 6 ) . 4. Zoology . a single or paired outgrowth of the body wall that lines the inner surface of the valves of the shell in mollusks and brachiopods. 5. a chemically prepared, incombustible network hood for a gas jet, kerosene wick, etc., that, when the jet or wick is lighted, becomes incandescent and gives off a brilliant light.

Mantle, when used in this context is meant to be like the baton runner's pass to each other.

If a runner is handed the baton & then sits in the bleachers with the audience, they're not fulfilling the "mantle."

Essentially it's the baton, not the runner that determines which running team wins.

Nobody stays in the same calling (volunteer unpaid church job) for their entire life (although top general authority stay in their remaining life & are paid).

So, when someone says, "I felt the mantle"... they mean, "I felt the responsibility & power, associated with that calling."

Ahab made an excellent point - that progress is part of that mantle.

If you get called & set apart (laying on hands by priesthood for that calling), that is not the mantle, but more like blueprints of intent.

As Jesus said as he laid his hands to heal... "Be it according to your faith." And "Faith without works is dead."

God & spirituality are about progress... The mantle is magnifying one's calling - progressing both practically & spiritually.

Usually, receiving the mantle, or responsibility & power of one's calling by magnifying it... does not require a resume, although often previous callings are considered.

Authority is power... spiritual power in this case. Spiritual power can only exist with the spirit, developed by ACTIVE faith - progress.

Edited September 1, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[LeSellers]

The word, "mantle" is one of those Mormon jargon words I wished we'd just say like it is.

I could just imagine an investigator, searching the definition for mantle & going... Mantle:

1. a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape.

2. something that covers, envelops, or conceals: the mantle of darkness.

3. Geology . the portion of the earth, about 1800 miles (2900 km) thick, between the crust and the core. Compare core¹ ( def. 10 ) crust ( def. 6 ) .

4. Zoology . a single or paired outgrowth of the body wall that lines the inner surface of the valves of the shell in mollusks and brachiopods.

5. a chemically prepared, incombustible network hood for a gas jet, kerosene wick, etc., that, when the jet or wick is lighted, becomes incandescent and gives off a brilliant light.

Mantle, when used in this context is meant to be like the baton runner's pass to each other.

If a runner is handed the baton & then sits in the bleachers with the audience, they're not fulfilling the "mantle."

Essentially it's the baton, not the runner that determines which running team wins.

Nobody stays in the same calling (volunteer unpaid church job) for their entire life (although top general authority stay in their remaining life & are paid).

So, when someone says, "I felt the mantle"... they mean, "I felt the responsibility & power, associated with that calling."

The term is not LDS jargon, it has biblical precents. Particularly here

9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Previously, Elijah had used the mantle to part the waters himself. His mantle, passed on to Elisha, was the symbol of the office and of the power that went with it.

If an investigator were to look, he'd not find the dictionary much help (and we all have that experience from time to time), but that does not make the usage exclusively LDS, at least not in terms of origins.

Lehi

Edited September 1, 2011 by LeSellers

[mfbukowski]

I feel I must reiterate that the mantle of authority gives one abilities beyond one's own. It is real.

[Calm]

The term is not LDS jargon, it has biblical precents. Particularly here

Previously, Elijah had used the mantle to part the waters himself. His mantle, passed on to Elisha, was the symbol or the office and of the power that went with it.

If an investigator were to look, he'd not find the dictionary much help (and we all have that experience from time to time), but that does not make the usage exclusively LDS, at least not in terms of origins.

Lehi

Depends on the dictionary...check out an dictionary of idioms:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Mantle

2. such a garment regarded as a symbol of someone's power or authority he assumed his father's mantle