Keeping Up Appearances

Nephi's brothers and their families had a difficult time perceiving the true condition of the Jews from whom they fled.  They insisted in their own hearts, even long after they had left, that the Jews were a righteous people.   

"And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words..." (1 Ne. 17:22).

What made it difficult for Laman and Lemuel to see clearly was the simple fact that the Jews were a religious people.  Many of them kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses.  Would not this appear to be a righteous people?  Laman and Lemuel were blinded by appearances.  Their erroneous perception of reality caused them to twice 'bear testimony' of something that was false - "we know" the Jews are righteous.  What they "knew" blinded them, because it was false.    

When Joseph Smith learned in 1820 about the prevailing religious culture of his day, the Lord explained that mens' hearts were far from Him.    

"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were and abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: 'they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof'" (JSH 1:19).

Is it possible that the Jews, though keeping up outward appearances, had allowed their hearts to drift from God?  Is it possible that men in Joseph Smith's day, who had a form of godliness, possessed hearts not set on finding their Lord?  Is it easy for men to recognize when the commandments of men are taught as doctrine?  Do men wittingly deny the power of godliness?  

I continue to be astonished that latter-day Saints don't ever wonder whether we have fallen to such a condition.  We are not allowed to wonder such a thing.  We are full of fear, and know it not.  We claim God's priesthood, but we undertake to cover our sins.  We think we are chosen, but our hearts are set so much upon the things of this world.  We claim revelation, but reveal nothing.  The heavens have withdrawn themselves, and the Spirit of the Lord is grieved.  We should be ashamed, but are proud.  We should humble ourselves, but we cannot hear the voice of God because we are busy marching to the beat of Babylon.  Yet there are a few who are humble, who have not gone astray (2 Ne. 28:14).     

In teaching both the multitude and his disciples, Jesus said:

"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.  

"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

"And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matt. 23:2-8).

The problem of which Christ spake is a condition of the heart.  The scribes' and the Pharisees' works were performed so as to be seen of men.  They loved the chief seats, and royal treatment.  They could not help but love their greetings in the markets, and to be called Rabbi.  They loved too much the glory of being the teacher, and not being taught by the Lord; of being the leader, not a follower of Righteousness.  They appeared to do the works of righteousness, but their hearts were not set upon Christ.  They were full of priestcraft (2 Ne. 26:29).  Because they exalted themselves they shall be abased (Matt. 23:12).

Christ's words struck at the heart of the whole matter (Matt. 23:13-39).  The leaders were blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel; who "make yourselves appear unto men that ye would not commit the least sin, and yet ye yourselves, transgress the whole law" (JST Matt. 23:21).  These guides made the outside of the cup appear clean, but within were full of excess and extortion.  

How is it that a man may keep up all outward appearances and yet be deemed "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" by Christ (Matt. 23:28)?      

Contentions in Sorting Through History

In the last post we looked at the importance of being able to discern between what is true and false in our history.  By looking at historical context, by comparing and exhausting various available sources, and by considering scriptural prophecies we can build the most accurate view. 

Most members of the Church do not do this well at all.  The small (but growing) body of members who do, though their conclusions may be varied, typically develop views that are not welcome by the larger body of Latter-day Saints.  Why is this true?  Why can’t we have open dialogue with each other about these things?  Is it fear?  Who planted that fear in our hearts (2 Tim 1:7; Moro 8:16)?

So now, there’s a growing disparity among the body of those claiming a belief in the restoration.  There is a gap that has grown larger now than it has ever been before in the history of Mormonism.  This gap gives rise to contentions, and neither side is innocent of fueling them.  If it were for no other reason but this, we are far from being Zion (4 Ne. 1:15).  

There are those who choose to maintain a casual disinterest in our history, and those who have undertaken an aggressive mining effort to dig up every last detail.  Within both of these groups you will find faithful members of the Church.  Within both of these groups you have folks trying to follow the counsel of the leaders, and trying to serve God and his children.  In both of these groups you will find those who are kind, as well as those who are unpleasant.     

Members of the Church have varied interests, motives, and comfort levels.  You should recognize this and be slow to pass judgment upon others, regardless of the path you’ve personally chosen to pursue. 

If you’ve chosen, say, in the past two years to become interested in Church history, your views about most things Mormon have almost definitely developed into something they were not before your undertaking.  You will, at some point in this discovery, find that it is easy to look at others in your ward, family, or work place as uninformed, and uninterested.  It will be easy for you to pass judgment.  Your discoveries in Mormon history, though a blessing to you, will also put you on trial.  Your tendency may be to revert to the same wretched, impatient, non-charitable fool you used to be before you worked on overcoming those natural tendencies the first time around, years ago.  Your new understanding has made you proud (2 Ne. 9:28-29, 42).  Like all trials past, you must learn to become more like Christ.  Serve others and teach them with patience.  Teach those who will hear your testimony (Mosiah 18:3).     

On the other hand are those who have no interest in studying Mormon history.  If you’re not interested in Church history, realize that there are other people who study it and know it better than you do. 

You may consider how foolish it is that your Christian friend from work insists upon defending his ill-founded claims and creeds with an appeal to the Bible he’s hardly read.  You should choose to be different than him.  What you’ve learned about Church history in Sunday school manuals is often times only part of the story, and is certainly not as thorough a treatment as can be received through diligent personal study.  Don’t proudly and angrily defend something you know nothing about.  If you think you understand an issue, share your understanding. Help others come to a true understanding through persuasion, and long-suffering.  You may choose to believe as you do, but there’s no need to fuel contentions.  There’s no need to pass unwise judgment upon others, or to harbor ill feelings toward them.        

Don’t judge harshly those who are interested in what you are not.  Don’t view them as faithless because they temporarily entertain doubts about some of the difficult issues they have chosen to confront in their honest search for the truth of a matter, and because you find those certain aspects of history easy to believe.  If you knew what they knew, you may be worse off than them – and you may find them coming to your rescue.  Be kind, and seek to understand.

With the onslaught of information becoming available on the internet and elsewhere, you must realize that you are going to be confronted with issues that have heretofore been unknown to you.  Others will face this challenge too.  Your parents, children, and ward members are currently having this experience.  The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve are aware there are many people presently leaving the Church over matters of history (see Marlin K. Jensen interview).  They are struggling to find a way to help present history in a more forthright manner.  It shouldn't be from enemies to the Church that we get some of our most accurate retellings of events from our past.  

Everybody reacts differently to the discovery of events that challenge their present assumptions, traditions, and beliefs.  Some will fold and retreat into a private, lonely recess.  Others will become highly critical, and vocal, and even mean spirited in their efforts to expose their discovery.  Your acceptance of the truth will put you in a position to support the hands that hang down.  You will be capable of providing comfort to those who stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:9).  You’ve covenanted to do so.

As you see these things going on around you, remember that "we believe" God is going to continue to reveal "many great and important things," and you have an obligation to discover the truth of these matters (AofF1:9).  The gospel of Jesus Christ welcomes ALL truth.  Some truths will hurt your heart, and initially confuse you, because they will come into conflict with your present assertions, and expectations.  People you love and respect will reject the truth, and will attempt to persuade you of their own views.  Take the Spirit as your guide.  Choose to not be destroyed by the truth, but to welcome it in humility.