Bill “Papa” Lee Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 It has always been taught that Matthew 20: 16… (Also among EV congregations)“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen”. …applies to the Jews who rejected the Gospel of Christ. So the gospel went forward to the gentiles and then in the last days would return to Israel “proper”. Israel has even enacted laws forbidding other faiths from doing “Door to Door Evangelism”. The LDS Church had to agree to this in order to receive permission to build a BYU campus in Israel. As such it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. I understand why Jews feel the need to remain a strong people, but the latest uproar (going on for a few years now) has also insured that they will be last in salvation as we understand it. Does the latest statement from the First Presidency forbid even Jews who are members from submitting names of family members? I have friends who are Jews, but also Mormons. I get it, I understand it, but I am conflicted by it as well. I also fear some are willfully submitting names to the Temple to encourage this drama to continue. Are we to respect the “laws of the land” over the “laws of God”?
Calm Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) It has always been taught that Matthew 20: 16… …applies to the Jews who rejected the Gospel of Christ. CFRDoes the latest statement from the First Presidency forbid even Jews who are members from submitting names of family members? I have friends who are Jews, but also Mormons.The policy is still direct line family members can submit names, the latest DN article makes that clear. Edited February 22, 2012 by calmoriah
Flyonthewall Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Not sure if this fits your CFR, but 1st Nephi 1342 And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the aJews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the blast shall be first, and the cfirst shall be last. 1
volgadon Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Israel has even enacted laws forbidding other faiths from doing “Door to Door Evangelism”. The LDS Church had to agree to this in order to receive permission to build a BYU campus in Israel.Umm, no. The law forbids proselyting minors without explicit, written parental consent and offering financial incentive for conversion.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 Umm, no. The law forbids proselyting minors without explicit, written parental consent and offering financial incentive for conversion.So we LDS or the only ones in Israel with a gag order?
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 CFRThe policy is still direct line family members can submit names, the latest DN article makes that clear.21 years of Baptist upbringing and 33 years as a Latter-day Saint. I don't know how to narrow it down less that this...
volgadon Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 So we LDS or the only ones in Israel with a gag order?We actually don't have a gag order. Legally, as a citizen, I could go and proselyte our church dooor-to-door. It is out of obedience to our church's agreement regarding BYU that members of the church in Israel don't. Even if they have no ties to BYU itself.
Maidservant Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 For the record, that saying is a template that God uses many ways to apply to many things. And the parable that particular verse is attached to, again, has multiple layers of meanings, which may or may not apply to the situation of the Jews presently.Also consider that the promises of the Lord and the appellation of the Jews in scripture covers more of the house of Israel than the tribe of Judah (all the tribes had the same covenant and promises); as well, it is a mistake in my opinion to think that the state of Israel equals all references to Jews or house of Israel in the scriptures and prophecy.I have stopped caring about "latter-day prophecies", ha ha, even though we had them with our bread and butter, so to speak, grow up in our house. A couple of reasons. Number one, so many of them are upon us now, let's just live what is. Number two, I think that prophecies or no prophecies, the plan of salvation is the same for everyone. Have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, endure to the end, love your families, be good to your neighbors, etc. I am sure that the Church will continue to work with any nation, whether Israel or any other, to have the best possibility of the spread of the gospel in balance with respect to that country's culture and laws. Number three, some of the things I used to read I no longer think mean what I once thought and now that I am seeing things actually happen, they fit in to other places in the text I never would have thought of. So says me. And which it looks like here that you had a personal study "a ha!" moment, which is cool. Just today I was reading in Isaiah, and I saw, wow! that describes colonialism perfectly in those two verses! But I doubt I could convince anyone else, ha ha.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 We actually don't have a gag order. Legally, as a citizen, I could go and proselyte our church dooor-to-door. It is out of obedience to our church's agreement regarding BYU that members of the church in Israel don't. Even if they have no ties to BYU itself.So would you be breaking this rule if you did...not laws of the land but Church policy. I never thought to ask if you were part of BYU staff.
Recommended Posts