etz Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) Presented without citations; you can find them throughout the Gospels and 3rd Nephi. We are to love God, we are to love our neighbors, we are to make no oaths, we are to not swear that something is true, we are to be forthright in our speech rather than speak evasively, we are to make no preparations for tomorrow, we are to build up no storage of goods nor money nor food nor substance for ourselves, we are to do alms to the poor, we are to give to everyone who asks, we are to forgive every debt owed us, we are to lend to all comers without asking for our stuff back, we are to not ask for our stuff back from those who take it, we are to sell our possessions and distribute the proceeds to the poor, we are to avoid the desire for possessions, we are to refrain from lust, we are to pray always, we are to be merciful, we are to not resist evil, we are to turn the other cheek when struck, we are to comply with those who compel us, we are to concede to our opponents even before they take legal action against us, we are to let those who sue us have what they sue us for, we are to refrain from judging, we are to refrain from condemning, we are to love our enemies, we are to bless those that curse us, we are to do good to those who hate us, we are to pray for those who spitefully exploit these things against us and use us, we are to send back good for evil done to us, we are to forgive every offender even until seventy times seven, we are to not expend effort to preserve our own lives, we are to do every last thing we want done to ourselves to others, we are to wholly walk in these ways as God wholly walks in these ways, we are to both do and teach all these things, and if we do these things we are the church and family of God, and if we do not do these things we are not the church and family of God. Remember: the true church are all those that repent and come unto Christ (D&C 10:67-68). Repent means to cease from all sin and keep all the commandments of God. Baptism was your public witness before God and men that you were willing - that is, desirous - to keep the commandments of God. When you took the sacramental bread, you performed this witness again - that you were willing - that is, desirous - to keep Jesus's commandments which he has given you. Why, therefore, not teach and keep these things? As Jesus said: Quote 15 ¶If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. Is it not time to be up and doing? Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
The Nehor Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 4 minutes ago, etz said: Is it not time to be up and doing? No, I think I am going to take a nap. 1
pogi Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 Several of these commands were directed to his apostles specifically and not to the general membership.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) The commandment to sell one's possessions and distribute the proceeds to the poor was a general command, given to his disciples (Luke 12:33, see v. 22). He gave it again to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21), and he gave it also to the Pharisees (Luke 11:41). It was why Judas rebuked Mary, and ultimately betrayed Christ. The commandment to not lay up resources - food, goods, money, substance - for ourselves also was given to his disciples (3 Nephi 13:29, Matthew 6:20). Inasmuch as we style ourselves to be disciples of Christ, they are therefore our commandments as well. Other than those, what are your concerns? Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 "we are to wholly walk in these ways as God wholly walks in these ways[.]"
Sleeper Cell Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 53 minutes ago, etz said: Presented without citations Also presented without context. 2
pogi Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 You have laid out the letter of the law well, now what is the spirit of the law?
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them, for this is the law and the prophets."
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 If you think to violate the letter by appealing to the spirit, is the spirit you follow the same which gave the letter?
pogi Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 I am still waiting for your explanation of the spirit of the law. "The law and the prophets" is not the spirit of the law. 1
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 I ponder on the example of Nephi. 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. I notice Nephi did not ask his father what the spirit of the commandments was. He simply went with a will to do that which he acknowledged the Lord had commanded. I remember the three records of them who asked after the "great" commandments, or the spirit of the law - Matthew 22:34-40, Luke 10:25-37, and Mark 12:28-34. You also have their record before you.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 5 minutes ago, pogi said: I am still waiting for your explanation of the spirit of the law. "The law and the prophets" is not the spirit of the law. Open your ears. 3 Nephi 14:12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. 3 Nephi 15:9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life. 10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me. Doctrine and Covenants 93:26 The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth[.] Doctrine and Covenants 93:2 And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world[.] I repeat: 3 Nephi 14:12 is the spirit of the law.
pogi Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) Good job on D&C 93! What is he talking about there? Edited January 15, 2017 by pogi
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) And, to link all this - if you would learn the spirit of the law and what the Golden Rule means, do what he has commanded. D&C 20:77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness [or: testify] unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing [or: desiring] to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
pogi Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 16 minutes ago, etz said: He is talking about himself. Specifically, he is talking about the light of Christ which lightens every man. The spirit of the law is not "do unto others....", that is more letter. When we align ourselves with the light of our conscience, we are edified and receive more light; here a little and there a little. Nobody has a fullness of light in this life, and as such no man is perfect in love or in law. If we are letter pushers to the point of contention, the spirit of the law is not in us. The spirit lifts others from where they stand in all patience and long-suffering, in non-judgement and compassion.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 Nephi and John are witnesses against you. 1 minute ago, pogi said: Nobody has a fullness of light in this life, and as such no man is perfect in love or in law.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) Jesus: Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Nephi: 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. John: 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 A few more. John (again): 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) And let's look more at D&C 93. 26 The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; 27 And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. 28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. Interesting. Where does the opposite idea, that no man is or can be perfect, that none have nor can have a fulness of light in this life, which we hear preached all the time, come from? Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) And what excuse, really, can there be for objecting to the keeping of the commandments of God, particularly when one has entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments, and witnessed that covenant publicly by baptism and partaking of the sacrament and going through the endowments? JST Matthew 5 Matt 5:21 Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so to do, he shall in no wise be saved in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach these commandments of the law until it be fulfilled, the same shall be called great and shall be saved in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:22 For I say unto you, except your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
Lemuel Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 If it was really important we'd be hearing about it in General Conference.
etz Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. God is not a respecter of persons. Edited January 15, 2017 by etz
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