Literal or Figurative…

I listen to a lot of podcasts. A variety of subjects from straight up history to current events. They range from 5 minutes to nearly 2 hours in length. And I listen to each and every one on 2X speed. 

I was listening to one such podcast, Mormon Matters, when I heard a concept for the very first time. Did you know there are members of the church that don't believe The Book of Mormon is a literal history of the Nephites and Lamanites? I mean, I guess it makes sense there would be some. They believe the book is inspired scripture and can benefit the reader and improving their lives, but it didn't actually happen. It's all figurative. This view was tied with another new idea for me; God, in his mercy, speaks to everyone differently. That each dispensation of knowledge came to the inhabitants of the earth in whatever language and customs were most prevalent to the receiver, thus giving all religions equality in their roots. (Not saying I disagree with this premise). However, some of the participants, shared the belief that any of the other churches would be fine. It doesn't matter which religion you ascribe to because in the end if you are faithful to His voice you will be saved, because it's all figurative. Allowing man to choose whichever church best fits his circumstances. 

I can think of several scriptural references that counter this and a voice in my head screaming, "Untrue! Untrue!" 

I want to tackle this at least a little bit. Let me first say I am not a religious scholar. I have absolutely no authority in the matters of official church policy or teachings. This is solely my opinion and personal belief. 

The Book of Mormon, Figurative?

To believe all the people of South America and the North American are each a literal decedent of Lehi or Ishmael or an original inhabitant of Zarahemla or even the people of Jared, would probably be wrong. I suspect that since the great flood there have been many migrations to this continent. When the Jaredites arrived, most likely there was a people already occupying the land. They of course multiplied and had divisions and many nations arise. The record of the Jaredites is so abridged no one could know if other people were in the land. It would also be a mistake to believe that every last person was killed off during that last war, written about in their record, in both North and South America, only to be repopulated by Lehi and his people. 

A careful reading of The Book of Mormon gives evidences of other people and cities already in the promised land when Lehi arrived. The war chapters show The Book of Mormon takes place in a relatively small area, making it possible for it hold a literal record of the Nephites.  

A Figurative God?

Now I whole heartedly believe that God speaks to us individually. He taylors his voice for each of us. Giving counsel in a way that we will most recognize it. He also will speak to each civilization in the way of their understanding. Thus making the restored gospel somewhat unique from all other time periods. All had priesthood ordinances and temples (including sealings and baptism). The differences are largely cultural. The Lord communicated with the prophets of old the same as he does now. Not necessarily face to face, in person, requiring us to interpret his voice. This being the reason there are so many divisions of religion, so many broken lines of authority and so many different beliefs between members of the same church. 

With that in mind, to see all this and believe that it is all figurative is understandable. After all, mankind is left to discover the voice of God on their own and to learn to become obedient to it without angelic visitation teaching them how. At least not until after the trial of your faith according to scripture. However, if it's all figurative how can you have a trial of faith? It what way can you be tested? How can you be certain? Where does the figurativity end? Is God a figurative construct to convince people to just get along? If so, then why bother with religion at all? Be happy with your agnosticism.  

This much I know, God is real. He teaches his children through His Holy Spirit. Learning what His voice sounds like and following its precepts is the first of our many tests, to prove whether we will choose Him or the evil one. Once on the path, holding fast to the word of God, as given by the Spirit and verified through the voice of his prophets, will lead to the next trial and so on and so forth until at that day your faith has been sufficiently tried that nothing will be withheld from your sight. Everything is given by degrees, built upon a foundation little by little.  No one has ever had a last life changing experience based solely on the idea of God. It took commitment, a conscious effort to listen to and obey the word of God.

Nathan

After a Long Silence…

It has been an incredibly long time since I last wrote here. It is my hope that I continue coming back here to post frequently. I decided that I needed this outlet to help keep things in perspective. 

The following is based on something I read in Following the Light of Christ into His Presence by John Pontius. This book has forever changed the way I perceive the Holy Ghost and what it means to become perfect "even as my Father in heaven is perfect." I find that my understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ is broadened and moved deeper into my soul. A good number of you may look at this and say, "Duh!" That's ok because after I discovered it that's exactly what I said to myself. 

What is the Holy Ghost? How does he speak to us? Growing up I seemed to grasp the answers almost automatically, without really understanding what they were. 

There are three distinct voices in my head. Myself, always questioning and doubting; the Holy Spirit, always pointing out the good, the true and pushing for improvements in me; and the tempters, real quick to convince me that what was suggested by the Spirit isn't practical or is a waist of time and effort.

While I was younger I naturally gravitated to the Holy Spirit's voice. That is not to say I recognized it as his voice or followed it every time, as I am sure my parents can attest. As I got older I thought I knew what the Spirit was and how he communicated with me. Then while serving a mission my first companion, the one who was training me, played a joke that made me question and even doubt that feeling. At that time, and most of my adult life, I believed the spirit was only a feeling, a burning in the bosom and nothing more. If I felt that burning then that was the spirit. That is what I followed for confirmation that the church was true. For confirmation that I should serve a mission.

It never occurred to me that anything else was associated with the Spirit.

So while yes there are feelings that the Spirit brings, there are also thoughts that pop into the mind, that are good. Sudden realizations of understanding. Recognizing truth when you hear or see it.

Reading the scriptures with this new insight into the Spirit, has opened my mind with a new understanding. When Nephi says he was having a conversation with the Spirit of the Lord, it may have been exactly like mine. I, the student, asks the Teacher, the Spirit, a question. To which, the Spirit gives answer. I have resolved many concerns in this way, while not recognizing the source.

The counsel from the church is to compare what the Spirit tells you with what the prophets have said, i.e. Scriptures and living prophets, so you know whether it is of God or not. The tempters have gotten very good at imitating the Holy Ghost and can and do lead people astray. I can only suppose, that by following this model, I will eventually find the subtle differences between the voices and see the counterfeit for what it is. That over time, with great practice, the good will be easily heard and followed.

Nathan