What scripture would you put on our buildings?

[Rain]

I'm taking a free Harvard online class called, "Christianity Through Its Scriptures". One of the exercises had me wondering about the question in the title of this thread.  Here is the exercise:

 

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Here is an example from our own location: a photograph of Emerson Hall, which currently houses Harvard University's Department of Philosophy. The inscription on the facade of the building reads, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" This is a quotation from Psalm 8:4 in the Bible. Consider: How might this scripture be interpreted given its context? How might this place be interpreted or experienced given this scripture over its entrance?

I thought it was a very interested question and the scripture could be interpreted in so many ways depending on your background.  

I was very interested in one of the comments from another student in class: 

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Putting this psalm at the front entrance, I believe, was to allow those who enter the chance to reflect. There are many interpretations I've read before submitting my response - some see it as words of encouragement, others as a warning. Still others describe it as a challenge for them to do their best. This allows for students to shape a personal connection with the field of philosophy through direct reflection, and perhaps gives them a "mantra" of sorts to think upon.

Personally, I take it as a vow. I see the phrase as a contract that says: "By entering this building, you are committed to fostering curiosity, and engaging with others mindfully."

So speaking to the bold:

1. What verse would you put on our buildings?

2. What would your interpretation of if be using this form (or something like it): "By entering this building, you are committed to..."?

[bluebell]

1) I would choose 2 Nephi 25:2

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

2) Maybe something like "We enter this building to learn more about our Savior, become more like Him, and to help others do the same".

[The Nehor]

But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.

And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen 

[Calm]

I remember there being an inscription on the library at BYU that I thought highly appropriate and that I liked. I think it was “the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth”.

I may have a plaque made for my house after we get done with the purging and upgrade just to mark the occasion (and hopefully mark a commitment from all of us to maintain it well):

“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God (D&C 88:119).”

Except I might leave out fasting because neither myself nor my daughter can fast for health reasons.  

[Rain]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.

And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen 

OK, but what do you answer for question 2?

[mfbukowski]

James 1:5

 

[filovirus]

Exodus 39:30 is already on the temples. “HOLINESS TO THE LORD”.

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, Rain said:

OK, but what do you answer for question 2?

It is a nice shibboleth because someone will talk about how inspiring that scripture outside is while most will chuckle at it.

[Kenngo1969]

12 hours ago, Calm said:

I remember there being an inscription on the library at BYU that I thought highly appropriate and that I liked. I think it was “the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth”.

I may have a plaque made for my house after we get done with the purging and upgrade just to mark the occasion (and hopefully mark a commitment from all of us to maintain it well):

“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God (D&C 88:119).”

Except I might leave out fasting because neither myself nor my daughter can fast for health reasons.  

You can maintain the spirit of fasting even if you are unable, actually, to fast.  I think it is analogous to what King Benjamin told those who do not have sufficient means to give to the poor because they are poor themselves:

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Mosiah 4:24

And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give. And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.

 

 

[provoman]

Romans 12:19 

[mfbukowski]

On 5/2/2022 at 6:15 AM, Kenngo1969 said:

You can maintain the spirit of fasting even if you are unable, actually, to fast.  I think it is analogous to what King Benjamin told those who do not have sufficient means to give to the poor because they are poor themselves:

 

Good point for diabetics.

We have one or two in the ward.

(Like everyone.... the First World disease... ) 

 

 

[Scott Lloyd]

On 5/1/2022 at 5:40 PM, Rain said:

I'm taking a free Harvard online class called, "Christianity Through Its Scriptures". One of the exercises had me wondering about the question in the title of this thread.  Here is the exercise:

 

I thought it was a very interested question and the scripture could be interpreted in so many ways depending on your background.  

I was very interested in one of the comments from another student in class: 

So speaking to the bold:

1. What verse would you put on our buildings?

2. What would your interpretation of if be using this form (or something like it): "By entering this building, you are committed to..."?

“Come and see.” 

— John 1:45-46. 

Edited May 3, 2022 by Scott Lloyd

[Durangout]

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

[JAHS]

 

1. What verse would you put on our buildings?
"Come unto Christ and be perfected in him," (Moroni 10: 32)

2. What would your interpretation of if be using this form (or something like it): "By entering this building, you are committed to..."?
"Worshipping God the Father and Jesus Christ and loving and serving each other"

[Rain]

On 5/6/2022 at 12:03 PM, JAHS said:

 

1. What verse would you put on our buildings?
"Come unto Christ and be perfected in him," (Moroni 10: 32)

2. What would your interpretation of if be using this form (or something like it): "By entering this building, you are committed to..."?
"Worshipping God the Father and Jesus Christ and loving and serving each other"

Thank you!  It's really interesting to see what people think when they combine the 2.  For example I completely agree that your #2 fits #1, but I think some wouldn't automatically think of "loving and serving each other".

[Rain]

On 5/6/2022 at 12:03 PM, JAHS said:

 

1. What verse would you put on our buildings?
"Come unto Christ and be perfected in him," (Moroni 10: 32)

2. What would your interpretation of if be using this form (or something like it): "By entering this building, you are committed to..."?
"Worshipping God the Father and Jesus Christ and loving and serving each other"

Ugh.  Accidentally downvoted.  Tried to switch it and it is still showing downvote for me, but I know from discussing this kind of thing, for others it may not show that so hopefully it is ok. 

Edited May 10, 2022 by Rain

[Rain]

On 5/3/2022 at 10:16 AM, mfbukowski said:

Good point for diabetics.

We have one or two in the ward.

(Like everyone.... the First World disease... ) 

 

 

Actually, many diabetic refugees are approved to come to the US in part because they can be helped here where in the camps they couldn't.

[Rain]

On 5/1/2022 at 8:45 PM, filovirus said:

Exodus 39:30 is already on the temples. “HOLINESS TO THE LORD”.

What would you put on our meetinghouses and what would be your answer to #2?

 

 

[pogi]

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2 Peter 1:11

For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Or:

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Psalm 34:3

O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

 

For singles wards:

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1 Thes 5:26

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

 

[CA Steve]

I like the words of the prophet John.

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Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace
You

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one