Respect and support

Originally posted by Regret
Although, it is not for us to decide who is "righteous" and who is not, at least not according to Christ.

Well I would agree that we shouldn't condemn or assume punishment on a person, but I do believe God does want us to discern who is righteous and who is not righteous. If we can't discern the righteous from the unrighteous, then it will be easy for us to be lead astray by evil doctrines.

I have to say, I was extremely blessed to have been raised in family, or specifically by a Mother, who knows the Truth. And attempted to instill this Truth in myself and my other family members. Had I not been instilled with this Truth, it would be extremely difficult to determine what Truth was in these final days. And even with having a fairly good grasp and knowledge of the scriptures, I still have much difficulties, doubts, and misunderstandings about some of the things that have been presented before me.

These coming years it is a lot more difficult to discern which doctrines an people are demonic and which one's are not, as evil seems to be working overtime in these final days. Still, there is one thing that always remains true amongst all the confusion, and that one thing is God's word. If you meditate and pray on it consistently Regret, it will never lead you astray.

Originally posted by Thundar
Well I would agree that we shouldn't condemn or assume punishment on a person, but I do believe God does want us to discern who is righteous and who is not righteous. If we can't discern the righteous from the unrighteous, then it will be easy for us to be lead astray by evil doctrines.

I have to say, I was extremely blessed to have been raised in family, or specifically by a Mother, who knows the Truth. And attempted to instill this Truth in myself and my other family members. Had I not been instilled with this Truth, it would be extremely difficult to determine what Truth was in these final days. And even with having a fairly good grasp and knowledge of the scriptures, I still have much difficulties, doubts, and misunderstandings about some of the things that have been presented before me.

These coming years it is a lot more difficult to discern which doctrines an people are demonic and which one's are not, as evil seems to be working overtime in these final days. Still, there is one thing that always remains true amongst all the confusion, and that one thing is God's word. If you meditate and pray on it consistently Regret, it will never lead you astray.

Originally posted by Regret
I was not speaking as to discernment of one or another, I was speaking to our attitude towards them. We may discern that another has erred, but we must love him and show him respect all the same.

It is an error to show disrespect, one should respect all of God's creations. One may respect another while not agreeing with them. I fail at times in this (at times I have been disrespectful to a few on this forum even), but I strive to overcome my weaknesses.

For the most part I agree, but we should demonstrate love and respect for the person, not for the opinion though...😉

And remember, sometimes loving and respecting someone isn't always about saying exactly what someone wants to hear. So even if my ego is wounded(which it has been many times within this forum and many other times in life..lol) I'd much rather suffer a bruised ego -- after receiving a brusque tongue-lashing and being corrected over possessing an evil opinion, as oppossed to not receiving any correction, and inadvertently conforming to the idealogy which the evil opinion supported. I think it's also important that we sincerely pray to God to instill us with a spirit of discernment, so we don't become lead astray by evil opinions.

All this being stated, some opinions do fall in the neutral zone -- neutral meaning, not really being "good or evil" -- but just related to personal preference. Many of us often times don't do a good job of respecting these types of opinions(myself included). Just look at the Comic Book vs Forum, and you'll see a ton of people flying off the handle over such neutral opinions like who'll win in a fictional battle of "Spider-Man vs Wolverine."

I seriously doubt God is going to judge anyone over whether or not they voted Spiderman or Wolvie(although he might judge wolverine888 or this guy I hear about so often named whobdamandog..I was reading some of their older comic book vs threads and these two guys went a little wild with their fanboyistic opinions)

Anyway, God is definitely a God about allowing as many choices as possible as well as freedom of expression. All this of course is tempered with loving moderation. The only problems that arise are when people leave out the "loving moderation" part, and take this freedom to the extreme thinking that it should also be applied to evil opinions - which in turn changes freedom of expression into anarchy. The other evil extreme is when someone becomes so obsessed with their correct opinion, they forget to temper the opinion with Love, and essentially become tyrannical.

Whenever I find myself sliding into these two zones with my opinions, it always helps me to remember the following verses --

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?

17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

18It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

Originally posted by Thundar
For the most part I agree, but we should demonstrate love and respect for the person, not for the opinion though...😉

And remember, sometimes loving and respecting someone isn't always about saying exactly what someone wants to hear. So even if my ego is wounded(which it has been many times within this forum and many other times in life..lol) I'd much rather suffer a bruised ego -- after receiving a brusque tongue-lashing and being corrected over possessing an evil opinion, as oppossed to not receiving any correction, and inadvertently conforming to the idealogy which the evil opinion supported. I think it's also important that we sincerely pray to God to instill us with a spirit of discernment, so we don't become lead astray by evil opinions.

All this being stated, some opinions do fall in the neutral zone -- neutral meaning, not really being "good or evil" -- but just related to personal preference. Many of us often times don't do a good job of respecting these types of opinions(myself included). Just look at the Comic Book vs Forum, and you'll see a ton of people flying off the handle over such neutral opinions like who'll win in a fictional battle of "Spider-Man vs Wolverine."

I seriously doubt God is going to judge anyone over whether or not they voted Spiderman or Wolvie(although he might judge wolverine888 or this guy I hear about so often named whobdamandog..I was reading some of their older comic book vs threads and these two guys went a little wild with their fanboyistic opinions)

Anyway, God is definitely a God about allowing as many choices as possible as well as freedom of expression. All this of course is tempered with loving moderation. The only problems that arise are when people leave out the "loving moderation" part, and take this freedom to the extreme thinking that it should also be applied to evil opinions - which in turn changes freedom of expression into anarchy. The other evil extreme is when someone becomes so obsessed with their correct opinion, they forget to temper the opinion with Love, and essentially become tyrannical.

Whenever I find myself sliding into these two zones with my opinions, it always helps me to remember the following verses --

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?

17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

18It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

Doctrine & Covenants 121:39-45

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

The advice, can be applied to any form of authority, not just priesthood (e.g. the term "priesthood" could be changed to "parental authority" and the advice would be good for parents.)

Originally posted by Wonderer
It is important to me that we don't criticise and judge others, in fact, we must respect and support all other religions.

This is a call to all religions out there to be respectful, tolerant and supportive to all other religions.

The most important things in life are love, kindness and compassion and helpfulness and I feel we can all try to practice this more. There is all too much fighting in the world between religions and it is totally unnecessary.

I wish all you other religions out there great happiness and peace in your heart and the wisdom not to go out on a mission to criticise other religions.

We are all human and we fail many times in our attempts not to judge those who think different than we, but we can at least try harder to create harmony between all religions. 🙂

Wonderer, this is a commendable post, but just as oil and water does not mix neither does Truth and falsehood. You see, according to the Bible Jesus the Christ of Nazareth states that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. So, let us just assume (for discussion sake) that this is true. This means that all other paths to God are false, incorrect, and untrue paths to the Father. Since other paths are untrue then that implies that those religions are invalid in terms of being avenues whereby people can ultimately get to the Father. In short, what would be the point in investing one's life in something that keeps one from getting to the Father? I am in favor of harmony, love, kindness, compassion and helpfulness, and we should all practice this more, but we are all sinners by nature and birth. The sin problem that all people are born with must be dealt with first. We must be born again. Our sins must be washed away by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Being good in itself is commendable but it is not the answer to humanity's sin problem. It would be better to get saved from sin first, then our good works will actually count for something in the life to come. Does this make sense brother? Do you follow me?

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
Wonderer, this is a commendable post, but just as oil and water does not mix neither does Truth and falsehood. You see, according to the Bible Jesus the Christ of Nazareth states that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. So, let us just assume (for discussion sake) that this is true. This means that all other paths to God are false, incorrect, and untrue paths to the Father. Since other paths are untrue then that implies that those religions are invalid in terms of being avenues whereby people can ultimately get to the Father. In short, what would be the point in investing one's life in something that keeps one from getting to the Father? I am in favor of harmony, love, kindness, compassion and helpfulness, and we should all practice this more, but we are all sinners by nature and birth. The sin problem that all people are born with must be dealt with first. We must be born again. Our sins must be washed away by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Being good in itself is commendable but it is not the answer to humanity's sin problem. It would be better to get saved from sin first, then our good works will actually count for something in the life to come. Does this make sense brother? Do you follow me?

yawn