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Levels Of Spirituality - Page 4

Recently I had to deal with a Brother in the Church who was very hyper and irate because he could not get something done his way. It reached the stage that we had to tell him to clam down. You can see the person was without a vision for the work when he proclaimed, 'If I do not have 'x' then I will not do 'y''.

It seemed as though he would be the kind of Jonah, wherein regardless of being in a whale's belly, would choose to still look for escape. You can always tell the level of spirituality of a person by the Spirit that emanates from them, around them, and in them. It has nothing to do with education or physical appearance, hence the meek shall inherit the earth.

Spirituality Levels

"It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by acting upon that knowledge."
-- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 46

Levels Of Spirituality Studies Doctrine Mormon

"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful
possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will
happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be
doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem
unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences."
-- "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-113

Page 4 Spirituality Levels

"Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

"Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don't be upset because someone can't sew as well as you, can't throw as well as you, can't row or hoe as well as you.

"We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (see Mark 12:30-31)."

(Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Virtue of Kindness," Ensign, May 2005, 28)

Spirituality Levels

There have been some great points brought up in this thread but one thing kept coming to my mind and it was pretty much what this quote is saying in my opinion. I really liked it.

Should we be judging anyone elses spirituality? I understand it is human nature to compare but really, would we not be guilty of the greater sin by judging another? I really liked the list that Nighthawk gave and I think that is what we should be focused on...Where WE are at on that list...not sister or brother whatshisname.

The Lord tells us we will be judged with the same way that we judge others. I don't want that at all--I need all the help I can get. When I have times that I start to judge or think of someone else's spirituality I try and remember the following quote:

We are not put here to see through one another, rather to see one another through

If we allow ourselves to be led by the spirit we might find we are the instrument to help them progress spiritually or even better yet, they are the instruments to teach US the characteristics that we need to progress to the next level.

Message Edited... Persephone: It is not necessary to quote the entire post of the user above you. See Constructive Posting Policy.

Levels Of Spirituality

In some cases we actually do, you may not have realized it, but that is covered in depth in another Thread. If you are a Bishop you may have to do it regularly, if you are a parent you will find yourself rating who your children interact with as it can lead them to various paths. If you are studious, you may wish to ascertain who is giving you the information. It is not that you consider yourselves better or worst or "judging", it is about discerning whether you are good to receive help or give help, take information or correct it and so on.

Levels Spirituality - Page 4

Nothing wrong with judging, it is when we judge unrighteously that it becomes a problem and we are counseled against it. For instance a new member can approach me to discuss the deeper doctrines even though he doesn't know the basics very well. Upon judgment, I decide not to discuss the matter because I think the topic may be too controversial after judging his knowledge of the Gospel or his/her personality. It is NOT that I think I am better than him/her, it is NOT that I look down upon the person but judging help us how to deal with certain situations and in the example given even protect someone's testimony.

Levels Spirituality Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 4

Elder Oaks (a justice of the Utah Supreme Court and an Apostle) discussed two types of Judging in one of the best talks on Judging I have ever heard.

"Judge not" and Judging

Intermediate Judgements and Final Judgments.

He councils against making judgments on a persons standing before God and their ultimate judgement.
He states

He further stated.

I am of the belief that Judging anothers spirituality either to their condemnation or the belief that someone is sure to be heavenbound can be detrimental to our spiritual development as well as theres. We do not know their life or if there is a desire inside to change.

Intermediate judgements include Individuals who must, within there stewardship, make judgements pertaining to church membership (Bishop) or a Father who must Judge a child in order to help that child improve.

We also have to make judgements in order to protect our Family. Brother Oaks uses this example:

So there is some Judging that we should leave to Christ and some that must be made by Mortals, within certain bounds.