Jan
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Submitted by Jeffrey on Tue, 2010-01-26 13:27
The following is an excerpt from a post to the MormonVeg email list that I helped moderate several years ago. After a major upheaval over post topics, conflicting opinions, and accusations of apostasy (in both directions), I wrote a studied response which really summed up my feelings about righteous influence and persuasion, while respecting an individual's agency.
Originally posted Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:22 am, I have added some links and edited a little here and there to apply the message generally.
...I just want to challenge everyone to remember our covenants as Latter-day Saints. We are here to lift one another's burdens, strengthen the feeble knees, and in short, to be like Jesus Christ in every way possible. He is a merciful savior first and foremost. He is a perfect example of D&C 121:37-45 (I am notating a copy of it below).
Though this warning was given specifically to the priesthood, it certainly applies beautifully to any dealings between us, and everywhere else for that matter. Especially since we tend to believe we are the ultimate authority on our own opinions.
37...but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
This verse teaches me that anyone who exercises control, dominion, or compulsion upon me in any way, be it physical, mental, verbal, textual, visual, spiritual, etc.—except in a specific, righteous way defined hereafter—offends the Spirit and nullifies their authority. It doesn't matter if they are right or wrong, a prophet or an apostate. All authority is null and void if certain righteous conditions are not met. Sadly enough, the chances are great that we are guilty of these offensive actions ourselves;
39We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Verses 41 through 44 enumerate the only righteous conditions for control, dominion, or compulsion. Ironically, we tend to see control, dominion, or compulsion as completely insidious and evil. A righteous form of control is guidance and just rules; of dominion is wise and loving leadership, as a steward; and of compulsion is motivation or empowerment by example and just consequences. The difference is in our use of the following attributes. No power or influence can or ought to be used, unless we use: There is a place for correction and reproof, but only under two conditions (D&C 121:43). Does anyone else notice that there is no provision to correct someone if you are right? Correction and reproof are only permissible if the Spirit prompts you to do so, regardless of your own opinion or knowledge. I think we forget this far too often, and thus unwittingly exercise unrighteous dominion our selves. I have been guilty of that myself. Even as I type this up, I see that this has happened far too much in my dealings with others. Even when I love someone enough, I don't have place to correct them without the motivation and guidance of the Spirit. Allowing someone to continue in their ways without our correction is a test of our own faith in the omniscience of God. But I also believe that when we have sufficient love, and the other attributes in place, God will prompt us more often in when and how to righteously persuade our fellows unto truth and righteousness. And we will be doing it God's way. And finally, we are reminded to Just imagine what wonderfully distilled truths await us if we can just exercise righteous dominion with one another. Otherwise, we're just squabbling in the parched dirt, waiting for the millennium to get here and prove us right! Which assumes the millennium will make that much of a difference in our individual characters or make truth any more apparent than it could be today. Anyway, enough of a lengthy email. My Sunday sermon is over. This community has been a great support and fellowship to me. I just hope we will take this challenge to heart and can thus be blessed with added strength to build one another, and the Kingdom of God on earth. The original post is in the MormonVeg archives, which are for members only (free to join up).when moved upon by the Holy Ghost
(a sacred responsibility, like Nephi killing Laban, Abraham sacrificing Isaac)an increase of love (an increase of love above what they already felt while you were correcting them, I might add), lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
