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Mormon Theories Or Mormon Doctrine - Page 2

Any truly converted member of the Church will never find the basic doctrines of the Gospel boring. To them, those doctrines are "alive" and add continual perspective to life's challenges.

I believe that when we find theory or speculation more exciting that truth, we have begun to take our God-given knowledge of gospel truths for granted. What could be more exciting that being able to say that we know a thing, and that we KNOW that we know that thing, and that the knowledge originated from God himself. That is incredible! THAT, to me, is exciting. And that others can hear my words and gain that same knowledge is even more exciting.

Elder Ballard said in the 2004 October General Conference:

and in that same talk said:

Are the theories swirling around in relation to gospel doctrines interesting? You bet they are. Are they exciting? Of course. But for me, the gospel itself is more exciting, because it has power, and theories do not. Just my feeling.

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I don't think I could have said this any better. To me there is nothing more exciting than sure knowledge. That does not mean the theories are useless or false. Many are based in truth and through study and collaboration with the Spirit we can gain that sure knowledge of the truths in the theories.

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TheQuietMan, I agree with your first part of "more" exciting. At first I thought you said exciting only but then I saw the word "more" and I fully agree with that.

In my opinion, unless you have had your Call and Election Made Sure (discussed in the LDS Mature board) you BELIEVE, you do not "KNOW". You move by FAITH unless you have received the sure word of prophecy.

I know in the Church we like to say we "know" a lot but unless we have received a direct witness ourselves, we BELIEVE (strong belief, you name it) but still BELIEVE. It is when that BELIEF becomes KNOWLEDGE (by witnessing these things first hand) , we can then say we KNOW.

In my opinion, of course.

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There are other ways to receive a witness and have an assuredness of knowledge without having your C&E. I agree that for the most part we are all believers rather than knowers. However, there are some things I do know for myself due to sacred experiences and personal revelation.

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I do not believe that the Lord expects us to verify the truth of every verse of scripture, or even every doctrinal principle, in order that we can claim authentic knowledge of those principles. For example, in the 18th section of the D&C Christ says that we can testify that we have heard His voice and know his words merely by reading them in the scriptures (specifically speaking of the revelations written in the D&C) see D&C 18:34-36. And that, because those words were given by His power, without which we would not have them and could not, therefore, read them.

Truly, all that is needed for one to say that he knows the Church is "true" or that the Savior indeed lives today, is a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that those specific things are indeed true. With that knowledge, the person guided by real faith (which is evidence of truth (Heb. 11:1)) can progress from one knowledge to the next, not by asking about each specific principle, but by living them and applying them.

I, personally, have not prayed for direct confirmation that every principle of the gospel I've ever learned is true. But I do KNOW that they are. Why?

I can answer in the same way that Jacob did in the Book of Mormon:

(Jac. 4:6)

While I have not had occasion to command mountains or seas to obey me, I have commanded other earthly things in the name of Jesus and through the authority of the priesthood, and they have obeyed. And that because, like Jacob, I have received multiple witnesses of varying kinds, which have made my faith unshaken.

The reason why some progress quickly in the gospel while others languish is the simple fact that the former are able to move forward with faith, expecting to receive a witness of all things at the appointed time, while the latter spend an inordinate amount of time seeking for things they cannot understand.

Edited: TheQuietMan on 21st Oct, 2008 - 12:56am