tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post2576251429558494824..comments2024-03-24T03:21:55.744-06:00Comments on Life On Gold Plates: "Born-Again Mormon" Review, Part 6: Believing MormonismBHodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01751807169882645742noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-84237441675650355052009-07-03T11:59:30.668-06:002009-07-03T11:59:30.668-06:00Cool, good to hear, Floyd.Cool, good to hear, Floyd.BHodgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751807169882645742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-8053710489877314422009-07-03T04:33:31.659-06:002009-07-03T04:33:31.659-06:00I'm reading the blog-series too. My conversion...I'm reading the blog-series too. My conversion was so dramatic that I've called myself a born-again Mormon since the early 70's.Floyd the Wonderdognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-7479060936679538942009-07-02T23:22:05.886-06:002009-07-02T23:22:05.886-06:00Jared, thanks for piping in.Jared, thanks for piping in.BHodgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751807169882645742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-2802447159560152142009-07-02T23:19:00.119-06:002009-07-02T23:19:00.119-06:00Thanks, Robert. Though I don't say it right ou...Thanks, Robert. Though I don't say it right out, this was the worst book on Mormonism I have ever read. At least Deb Laake and Martha Beck were good writers.BHodgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751807169882645742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-6315647088642778562009-07-02T22:06:13.361-06:002009-07-02T22:06:13.361-06:00Grace and works can be task masters to those who a...Grace and works can be task masters to those who are seeking to follow Christ.I've concluded that thinking in terms of grace and works is counter productive. It makes our burden heavy. <br /><br />The message of the scriptures is to accept and follow the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ doesn't mention the terms grace and works.<br /><br />The doctrine of Christ can be stated as follows:<br /><br />1. Faith in Jesus Christ<br />2. Repentance<br />3. Baptism for remission of sin by proper authority<br />4. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost<br /><br />All of the above steps are designed to put us in a position to acquire the gift of the Holy Ghost.<br /><br />The problem that McCraney observed, and stated well, is what happens when members forget to seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost and strike out on a program of pulling themselves up by their "boot straps". This leads to the problem that Brother Robinson addressed in his books.<br /><br />Members need to keep their eyes focused on fulfilling their baptism covenant and acquire the gift of the Holy Ghost--then they will be taught what they need to do. Nephi puts it this way:<br /><br />For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:5<br /><br />Keeping the commandments doesn't sanctify followers of Christ! Fire and the Holy Ghost sanctify followers of Christ!<br /><br />The question we should be asking ourselves is: do I have the Holy Ghost? The way to know if you have the Holy Ghost is by the manifestation of the Spirit. What are the manifestations of the Spirit? Obtaining answer to your prayers in the ways the Lords outlines in the scriptures. D&C 8,9,46 and etc. <br /><br />Everything depends on acquiring the gift of the Holy Ghost.Jaredhttp://ldsaliveinchrist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-36548047997632739622009-07-02T18:15:10.561-06:002009-07-02T18:15:10.561-06:00Good work, Blair. I read the book a few years ago,...Good work, Blair. I read the book a few years ago, and found it annoying beyond belief.Robert Boylanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01252989841442658670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-89951740395710518252009-07-02T13:11:26.633-06:002009-07-02T13:11:26.633-06:00Thanks, Kent, you're likely the only one actua...Thanks, Kent, you're likely the only one actually reading the whole dang thing! :)<br /><br />In terms of burdens, I think as Mormons we expect "trials" and so forth as a part of mortality. We call it "the test," and a "probationary state." It isn't the garden of Eden, it is the "lone and dreary world," while on the other hand we believe Christ is available to help bear the load. There is an interesting paradox between God's command to Adam that by the sweat of his brow he would get his bread, and Christ's instruction to "consider the lilies of the field." I am still trying to reconcile these views. I am currently relying on the old Ecclesiastes bit about seasons for every purpose under heaven, etc. but it seems there must be more to it than that. <br /><br />You mention pride, and I do think that is one possible burden we are all carrying around to some extent. The nastiest thing about pride is that we have a really hard time recognizing it in ourselves.BHodgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751807169882645742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960447.post-2838972784247023972009-07-02T13:01:05.363-06:002009-07-02T13:01:05.363-06:00Really this is a fantastic series you are doing. I...Really this is a fantastic series you are doing. I was speaking with my wife about "casting our burdens on the Lord" last night and how we actually go about doing that.<br /><br />I mentioned to her that for me I see casting my burdens on the Lord and yoking myself with Christ as being the same simple act of faith. It is leaving my projects, desires, plans, etc. in Christ's hands and committing myself to His work as it is revealed to me. It is a submission of my will in a sense, to His. <br /><br />Obviously, stress and burdens are good for us in moderation; they teach us compassion and help us sacrifice for others. For me we don't have a choice about being burdened in this life, just which burdens we will choose. <br /><br />Blair, do you think that carrying heavy, debilitating burdens is the result of pride or not? Christ said his yoke was easy and his burden light.Kent (MC)http://www.mormonconferences.orgnoreply@blogger.com