Avatar4321 Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I am starting another thread about JD. I was just thinking that perhaps we should, as a group, start praying for the Lord to touch him and bring him to repentance so that he doesn't get excommunicated, and instead of being a detractors, he could be a great asset and bringing people back to the faith.perhaps of we united in this effort, the Lord may intervene in a positive way in his life before the next step happens.what do you guys think? 2
bluebell Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 Generally, I think praying for the welfare of another is always a good idea. 3
VideoGameJunkie Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I think it's a good idea, but he has led so many people away from the church already. Shouldn't he have to answer for what he's done? You go to other Mormon websites like New Order Mormon and Mormondiscussions and they label him as a hero.
Avatar4321 Posted January 23, 2015 Author Posted January 23, 2015 We should all have to answer for what we've done. But Christ took our sins upon us so we don't have to if we repent. I'm sure some thought Paul and alma the younger should pay for what they did as well. I don't think anyone is upset that the Lord had a different plan 3
VideoGameJunkie Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 Well it doesn't look like John is willing to repent, but anything is possible.
carbon dioxide Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) I am starting another thread about JD. I was just thinking that perhaps we should, as a group, start praying for the Lord to touch him and bring him to repentance so that he doesn't get excommunicated, and instead of being a detractors, he could be a great asset and bringing people back to the faith.perhaps of we united in this effort, the Lord may intervene in a positive way in his life before the next step happens.what do you guys think?The problem is we can't pray that God will do something that is against his agency. That is one of God's gifts to us. We all have the agency to accept or reject and God can't interfere in that. The only person who really can ask God to soften his heart is John himself. Edited January 23, 2015 by carbon dioxide
Duncan Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I think it's a good idea, Alma the Father prayed for his son to repent and hey, what do you know?! 4
Ironrod Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I feel it's always a good idea to pray for those who are falling away. We have no way of knowing if he has lost his way or is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He may need something that makes sense to him to latch onto, or may have sinister motives. Who are we to judge? Let's hope for the best, fight the good fight as Christian soldiers, keep the faith and muster on. The devil is ever vigilant. We must be as well. 2
VideoGameJunkie Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 Maybe we can all find a way to contact him on his site and plead with him to repent and show that the people of the church care for his eternal soul.
Hamba Tuhan Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) We should all have to answer for what we've done. But Christ took our sins upon [Himself] so we don't have to if we repent. I'm sure some thought Paul and alma the younger should pay for what they did as well. I don't think anyone is upset that the Lord had a different plan Amen and amen! Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,For friends at first, are friends again at last. -- Joseph Smith Jnr Edited January 23, 2015 by Hamba Tuhan 2
Calm Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 Pray for his extended family that they may find peace and the comfort of the Spirit in the midst of the media circus. There are many who would most likely very much appreciate such prayers. 1
Boanerges Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I think it's a good idea, but he has led so many people away from the church already. Shouldn't he have to answer for what he's done? You go to other Mormon websites like New Order Mormon and Mormondiscussions and they label him as a hero.If you read boards like New Order Mormon and StayLDS you'll also find lots of people who are willing to swear Dehlin has helped them stay. The reason he is a hero is because he has helped many to see that they can be active and still not have to believe everything. I think his mistake is public statements like those on his webpage. I don't disagree some have left because of him and I do believe he is currently apostate, I'm not sure if excommunication is the answer. That said, yes, I think it's good to pray for him as it is good to pray for others. God will never interfere with his agency, though.
Ahab Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I am starting another thread about JD. I was just thinking that perhaps we should, as a group, start praying for the Lord to touch him and bring him to repentance so that he doesn't get excommunicated, and instead of being a detractors, he could be a great asset and bringing people back to the faith.perhaps of we united in this effort, the Lord may intervene in a positive way in his life before the next step happens.what do you guys think?Okay and for future reference you can consider me to have already started praying that everyone, including JD, will do his best to get right with the Lord and start correcting their errors as soon as they become aware of them. 1
The Nehor Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 But if he repents and is exalted that will make me less special. 1
ERayR Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 We should all have to answer for what we've done. But Christ took our sins upon us so we don't have to if we repent. I'm sure some thought Paul and alma the younger should pay for what they did as well. I don't think anyone is upset that the Lord had a different planExcommunication may be the best way to clear the slate and give him a fresh start. Prayers that he can find his way back would be in order. 1
Tacenda Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) He needs his ward to be behind him. According to him they pretty much knifed him in the back. I listened to the Trib Talk, you can watch it from the Mormon Stories site. He said his family were active clear till June of last year when all these things were coming to a head. I guess members in his ward were little spies or tattle tells and would monitor his FB etc. I may have this wrong, only listened once, but they haven't been nice apparently. Maybe they should have thought to pray and love him back to the fold. But that's just his version of the story. Edited January 23, 2015 by Tacenda
pogi Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 But if he repents and is exalted that will make me less special. Wether JD makes it or not, you will always be a special spirit to me Nehor! Your parents should have put you in the class for "special people" long ago so that you could realize today just how special you are
ERayR Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 He needs his ward to be behind him. According to him they pretty much knifed him in the back. I listened to the Trib Talk, you can watch it from the Mormon Stories site. He said his family were active clear till June of last year when all these things were coming to a head. I guess members in his ward were little spies or tattle tells and would monitor his FB etc. I may have this wrong, only listened once, but they haven't been nice apparently. Maybe they should have thought to pray and love him back to the fold. But that's just his version of the story. Tacenda How can you stand behind some one who is in apostasy? You have his story. He seems to think of anybody who doesn't agree and support him as enemies out to get him. How do you know they weren't nice to him. Talk about gossip. 1
Garden Girl Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 The problem is we can't pray that God will do something that is against his agency. That is one of God's gifts to us. We all have the agency to accept or reject and God can't interfere in that. The only person who really can ask God to soften his heart is John himself. I agree that God will not interfere with our agency... but the Spirit can prompt us... I know when I was inactive and my mom was on her knees in my behalf that her prayers were answered in that I would receive promptings... it was my choice through my own agency if I heeded and acted on those promptings... GG 1
Guest Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I am starting another thread about JD. I was just thinking that perhaps we should, as a group, start praying for the Lord to touch him and bring him to repentance so that he doesn't get excommunicated, and instead of being a detractors, he could be a great asset and bringing people back to the faith.perhaps of we united in this effort, the Lord may intervene in a positive way in his life before the next step happens.what do you guys think?It is always a good idea to pray for others no matter how they might act or receive it. But in this parties case, he is so publicly out on so many issues and is not going to lose his platform. Any time (and correct me if I am wrong) someone makes public letters from Priesthood leaders, the outcome is always the same. Pride is what causes us to do such things and becomes the the reason that will not let us let "it" go. But, I will pray for any of my brethren...I would let pride or my feelings get in the way.
Glenn101 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Prayer is usually the only influence that we may have in the lives of those who have strayed from the Gospel path. And it is something that we need to persevere in. We do not know how long Alma the Elder and King Mosiah prayed for their sons, but the results were dramatic. I knew a elderly lady when she was on a mission who talked about a son who had gone inactive right after he had returned form his mission. For twenty years she prayed daily and put his name on the prayer rolls in several temples regularly. After twenty years, the son returned to full activity. It is not our place to judge John Dehlin or attempt to discern his motives. That is God's realm. He will deal with John justly and lovingly. It is our place to really love John and all others who are having doubts and pray for them as fervently as we would pray for ourselves or any of our near family or friends who have strayed or are having doubts. (My opinion.) Glenn 3
Tacenda Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) ERayR, I'm pretty sure there are ward members that were nice. But just think how you'd feel if even a few were against you since a ward is suppose to be like your family. Edited January 24, 2015 by Tacenda
Calm Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Yes, kind of like how some of the ward members probably felt when they found out Dehlin was perfectly okay with helping people out of the Church. Edited January 24, 2015 by calmoriah
ERayR Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 ERayR, I'm pretty sure there are ward members that were nice. But just think how you'd feel if even a few were against you since a ward is suppose to be like your family. Even Christ does not support (save) you IN your sins. If I were in apostasy why should even a few follow me in my apostasy? For those who are not close personal friends the expectation should be that they distance themselves from the apostasy. Apostasy is contagions.
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