thesometimesaint Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 'that's not cricket!" without the time to ponder it yet, it's a first reaction to call foul on the death of Laban. Not only the circumstances but the manner are starkly abhorrent. Yes, Laban was an evil man, yes it probably could never have been a 'fair' fight as Laban would not likely submit to any such rules, yes sleeping evil is still evil and yes a divine instruction might broach no examination only obedience, but geez.Maybe "This was not expected" should probably have been my only comment here. but geez. That is a natural reaction to how most people now view self defense. Things were a little less complicated back some 3 millennia ago.
Calm Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 'that's not cricket!" without the time to ponder it yet, it's a first reaction to call foul on the death of Laban. Not only the circumstances but the manner are starkly abhorrent. Yes, Laban was an evil man, yes it probably could never have been a 'fair' fight as Laban would not likely submit to any such rules, yes sleeping evil is still evil and yes a divine instruction might broach no examination only obedience, but geez.Maybe "This was not expected" should probably have been my only comment here. but geez.Which would likely be a common gut reaction of Americans even in Joseph Smith's time.Which makes it interesting when one learns of the cultural biblical context legally allowing for such executions as well as a story told by Hugh Nibley where in his college course, a couple of Arab students had questions about it as well...only their question was "what took him so long?"There is quite a bit of scholarship on this issue if you are interested.
johnNewingtonn Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 Calmoriah, appreciate the input, this was only a gut reaction. I know and am glad that the Book of Mormon is not all bunnies, tickles and butterfly's. The Bible also has rough content from that stark time. It is what it is. It's probably a good sign that it does not issue the way I, in my time and frame of reference, would expect. I'll admit I pictured Laban would end in a massive sword fight, maybe an Angel or two jumping in, but this is not LOTR after all. Nor did Nephi relish what he did, but he did it out of obedience and trust. 1
rpn Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) When you come to the "it is better that one man should perish, than that a nation dwindle in unbelief", you realize how important the Lord thinks scriptures to be. Edited June 25, 2014 by rpn 1
mtomm Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 I hope you enjoy your journey into Mormonland. Perhaps you'll like it and want to stay! You are certainly welcome here, member or not.
Wants2know Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 "Have you read the Book of Mormon yet?" Avatar4321 I need to give more than a Yes, or No answer here. My nature and my weakness is that I doubt too much and I'm in no way a risk taker.I found, very much unexpectedly, your messages on Roku.Not wanting it, nor seeking it, these have somehow awoken my long dead soul.For the first time in many years I'm praying, thinking about spiritual things, feeling fulfilled by the very inspired words of your Church, a Church that ironically hardly existed and even then only in the most remote sense, in my world. I observed the works done by your Church and clearly they are a statement for the good.It's also easy to discern the very high expectations and dedication required by your Church of it's people, still, it our society I view these very positively.And of course, there are those talks which never cease to inspire. All is good to this point. But if I were to read the book, and then doubt it, or disbelieve it, the positive things would be over.It seems much more reasonable to not risk losing. I avoid the many critical websites. Still I know that there are many who apparently find cause to exploit doubts, and they surely know much more than I do, or perhaps ever can, concerning the Mormons. The fault is not in your book, but in myself.Cynicism is not a strength but a weakness and is a fault. Also Mormonism is not entertainment, or casual, you represent the most dedicated and disciplined adherents to your beliefs. Sacrifice and Responsibility is a major element in your beliefs. At the age that you go on Missions, I spent my efforts playing with cars I question myself and my ability to live up to that standard. I haven't regularly attended church on my own in my adult life, and as a child only did as it was what my parents did. All in all, a very poor show I'm afraid.I know more than one current Mormon who has told me they had similar cynicism, and found when they got around to reading it, found themselves struck by such truths that their next thought to themselves was " uh oh... now what do I do". Embrace your fears... where it takes you might just be worth it!
johnNewingtonn Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 Thank You all, this also; Kenngo1969 shared this with me "Doubt is a choice", an interesting and enlightening perspective which simultaneously empowers and demands responsibility. And from 'one time saint' "Welcome to the glass menagerie", and insightful blurb with deeper connotations, inferring that we choose whether or not to be fragile and can self-magnify our perceived weaknesses. It's amazing that every word spoken by each of you is weighty and meaningful. '...has such people in it'
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