Travis

Latter Day Saint of the Church of Jesus Christ

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

Why is faith in Jesus Christ so important?
Why does God not simply reveal all things to everyone, making faith unnecessary?
Does God intentionally obscure information to pressure a choice between faith and unbelief? If so, why?

Let's start with Alma 41 for answers to these questions.
At the last day we will all be raised, or resurrected, to a state consistent with the desires of our heart while in this life. If "the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good...and if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil...The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil" (v. 3-5)

God already knows our hearts. He knows our inmost desires. We, however, do not know our own hearts. But because of our experiences in mortality, the true desires of our hearts will be revealed by the choices we make and we will come to know who we truly are at the core of our beings. Abinadi speaks to this in Mosiah 16:1 "The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just."

So what does this have to do with faith? Lehi speaks directly to this question in 2 Nephi 2:16, 27 "Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other...wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil."

By not revealing all things to us fully, which would eliminate the need for faith, God provides a context for us to be "enticed by the one or the other" so we can, in truth, choose for ourselves.

So we can answer the questions above clearly:
Yes, God does withhold knowledge, pressuring us to make a choice between choosing righteousness or wickedness based on desire. Because we must make that choice, over and over again throughout life, without all the knowledge of God, our choices become a reflection of our true desires for good or evil, rather than a selfish race for the prize or fear of punishment.

Those who genuinely "hunger and thirst after righteousness" will be led by the promptings of the Holy Ghost, which requires faith, to follow Christ.

The good news is, we get to choose! We are not coerced by God. We have every reason for optimism and hope! If we examine our hearts and consistently push ourselves to choose good and seek God, He will send the Holy Ghost to enlighten our minds, direct our path, and help us grow into truly Christlike beings! Without the need for faith, this simple and beautiful process would not be able to play out.

As I reflect, I feel to exclaim with Lehi "behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." (2 Ne 2:24)

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

How did I poison the well? Where did I engage in ad hominem? Every comment I’ve made touching on this book has been grounded and supported by specific rationale.

I’ve even said I have no problem with the book or with anyone wanting to read it. I only have a problem with inappropriate generalizations beyond the scope of the book.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@stackerco I’m not asking you to persuade me, I’m pointing out that your argument consists of assertions and ad hominem.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@stackerco So very persuasive…

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@stackerco Do you realize you just proved my point?

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@sapereAudeKant6 @stackerco Of course. But that wasn’t the topic of discussion.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

A biography is specifically about one person’s life. It doesn’t attempt to tell you how to extrapolate and form conclusions about a broader society because of that person’s life.

People do that to be sure, but not because the biography asserts such conclusions (if ever I find a biography that does do that, it will be the last book from that author I ever read).

Besides, I don’t waste my time reading biographies about random anonymous people. A person who had a significant impact on the course of history or lived a life I want to personally emulate I’ll read. Otherwise, who has time for it?

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@jeremylynnkidd @RykerJackson97 @stefeskander I’m glad I’m not alone here…

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@bigtunaskipper @jesse_k_fox Is this book a biography?

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@ellipsislacuna @stackerco The generally accepted definition. The opposite of evil.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

I don’t know. There is certainly some truth to these observations, but “deepest fault line” seems to be a significant overstatement.

I think the deepest fault line is between those who truly believe the apostles are every bit as much apostles as those of old, those who believe prophet, seer, and revelator carries all the weight and heavenly sanction and authority now as it ever has in the past,

and those who do not.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@synthenergy This post is a great example.

Not “no true Scotsman” just an observation.

I’m not claiming superior knowledge. That is your inference.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

You misunderstand my point. God is good so obedience to Him will always be aligned with what is good. This is not circular.

Yes this is predicated on belief in God and a recognition of good as implicit in His divine nature.

But it is not predicated on everyone else agreeing. God is real and God is good regardless of how many people believe.

Faith in God is not a logical fallacy.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

I did explain. Obedience to God is also what is good. Because God is good and He will never do anything that is not good. One does not have to choose between following Jesus Christ and good. They are one and the same.

Asserting one has to choose one or the other is the false dichotomy.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

@mcristo1844 @stackerco Both. False dichotomy.

[Travis @ferrell_travis]

The purpose of the Book of Mormon is to the convincing of all people everywhere that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God. It is meant to stand as a second witness to what we have in the Bible and to confound all false doctrines which are the product of human philosophy mingled with scripture.

Other scriptures we have are primarily for the additional edification and instruction of those who are already converted to Jesus Christ. As Paul says, milk before meat. The Book of Mormon together with the Bible contain the milk of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That doesn’t mean the other books are secret. Anyone with an internet connection can access them directly on https://t.co/uEsIa4N5Mr.

But if we are to follow the example of Paul, milk is most often most appropriate, so that is what we lead with. We aren’t trying to have spicy conversations. We are trying to convert all people everywhere to Jesus Christ.

Those of us who know the Book of Mormon understand it can help anyone anywhere, regardless of current spiritual maturity, to draw closer to Christ.

That is why we emphasize it.