Based on this address by Elder Christofferson
Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to
interact with some pretty diverse beliefs. Everything from fatalistic atheists
to exploring pagan to devout Christians to neglectful apostates and many others
in between.
And it has been fascinating!
In my search for truth, I look at each of these beliefs for
parallels and consistent themes as well as the variants that wander from the
unified elements. Did I mention this has
been fascinating.
What it seems to come down to is differences as to where one
draws the line. The line where one adopts
certain points and questions others. The
line where one takes responsibility for their own choices and blames (or gives)
to others. The line where one supports
an idea but the response is . . . shall
I say . . . different. And sometimes
inconsistent (That’s a polite way of saying twisted). This line is what provides such a variety of
ideas in the Great Debate.
It is a very defining line.
Recently, an apostate LDS turned “Christian” was campaigning
to “save the misguided mormons”. As I
looked at what they left for what they adopted, I realized the line made life
much more convenient for them. I wonder how many mormons have falsely understood the line of grace - confused which part is mine and which part is yours. (Refer also to Brad Wilcox talk on "Grace is Sufficient". It is awesome!) If
responsibility lies only on Jesus, then the objective (in this case –
salvation) becomes so much easier. I have to wonder how much of belief or drawing the line is based on
convenience.
It certainly is more convenient to say there is no God at
all when one is confused and can’t understand something or feels they’ve been
dealt with unjustly. It certainly is
more convenient to worship things that can be seen and felt and touched rather
than operate on faith that the unseen hand of Deity is somehow involved. It certainly is more convenient to play and
focus on the fun in life rather than dedicate oneself to a life of purpose and
covenant.
Interestingly, one side of this line holds on to points that can’t or won't be sacrificed – such as being humane, or faithful to spouse, or their Savior,
or . . . whatever is hardwired in the individual's make-up as true.
But there are dangers in this line drawing. If one plays the blame game (where others - government - God - or - ‘Jesus’ is
responsible for our situation) the result is disempowerment in our choices and
if the line is wrong, justice still must be served somehow.
If one picks and chooses their moral compass as they would
choose what to put on their plate at a buffet table, it doesn’t somehow mean
the other dishes didn’t exist, nor does it mean they are not responsible to
eat nutrient dense truths along with the dessert truths. That may be a poor analogy but you get the
idea.
If one has a foundational truth, but over prioritizes and/or
omits others, that doesn’t make the other truths null and void.
One thing is certain.
The line is extremely important.
There are true truth. There are
absolutes. Drawing a line that doesn’t
include a belief in gravity, doesn’t prevent one from falling down to the
earth. Drawing a line that doesn’t
include a belief in justice, doesn’t prevent justice being served. And drawing a line that doesn’t include a
belief in walking by faith, doesn’t prevent the necessity of it.
Conversely, there are also absolute lies and deceptions. And so a line has to be drawn somewhere.
So while drawing your line in the
sand, it is extremely important to search out and be as consistent as possible with the genuine line between truth and error.
