The other day I chanced upon the following quote which is related to what I expressed at the end of my last post:
"Religious organizations instinctively develop teachings, practices, and cultures that tend to keep its members at early stages of spiritual development dependent on the organization. These stages are characterized by obedience, conformity, loyalty, a narrow view of morality, and external religious conduct. Though helpful at first, a focus on these qualities can become limiting and restrictive once an individual’s full spiritual potential begins to unfold. In theory, the purpose of a church organization is to guide one into an actual knowledge of God, which leads to spiritual rebirth and entrance into the Kingdom; however, in practice, churches ultimately hinder this transformative awakening and knowledge so that the organization can maintain its primacy. The human consequence of this organizational tendency is boredom and frustration since children of God with infinite, divine potential—who are ready to mature into the wonderfully mysterious and exciting stages of divine relationship and knowledge—are continually retained at the first grade of gospel teaching, while their souls ache for graduate instruction in the mind and heart of Christ."
Philip McLemore, "Hindering the Saints: Taking away the key of Knowledge", Sunstone Magazine, September 2012.
I agree that the Church must give its first concerns to the
newly converted. They were the lost sheep who have just been found, and one must ensure their entry into the Church is nurtured.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of
the Word, that ye may grow thereby" 1 Peter 2:2. In 1 Corinthians 3:2
St Paul says: "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
What Paul points to is the developmental needs of the
individual. One cannot feed people meat until they are able to digest it. Digestion is important, for spiritual nourishment becomes a part of our being. If we are given something we are not mature enough for, we will get spiritually ill or be led astray.
McLemore says above "Though helpful at
first, a
focus on these qualities can become limiting and restrictive once an
individual’s full spiritual potential begins to unfold." Yet, how can 'the Church', determine whether someone is ready for meat? Only the individual can determine this. The real issue, is how such individuals are fed.
As I noted in my previous post, the Church embodies the sacramental path. An alternative (for some) and related path, is the spiritual path of development. St
Paul's works are rife with statements directed to those 'with ears to
hear', but the path to the unveiling of those mysteries is a solitary
path. The path of the Church is a communal path, in that it takes place
within a community - the ecclesia, the Church.
As for those wishing to walk the path to the mysteries in
search of 'meat' Snuffer continues "As to those who seek for more, they
are properly left in large measure to there own study....".
The spiritual path that can be trodden independently to, or in conjunction with, the sacramental path. In many ways, the spiritual path is more appropriate for the modern human being (hence the reason why traditional churches are bleeding members as they leave to seek alternative paths, or loose their faith altogether and embrace atheism).
It is unfortunate then, and this is the point McLemore makes, when people in authoritative positions attempt to place limits on other peoples personal approach to the Divine. Guiding is one thing, passing judgment on another's relationship to our Heavenly Father is another. This will be the subject of my forthcoming post on Personal Revelation (Part Two).
OM
I'll add my further witness to the above - that it is all true. The modern day CJCLDS only teaches the basics. Much less than during Joseph's day, yet, even Joseph said that the Church's mission was to teach the "preparatory gospel".
ReplyDeleteOne can keep on going to Junior High School, but they won't advance any further than what they teach if one does so unless they advance further elsewhere or on their own.
Personally, I spent my time - after my conversion to the gospel when I was 14 - learning everything that I could while still a teenager. By then, I could run circles around most other members as far as general gospel knowledge was concerned. Going on my mission was a "break" in my gospel learning so to say.
To learn more, after this point, one must study that which is not taught in Church manuals, general conferences, etc. currently. I say currently because much more WAS taught in general conferences and Church meetings in the 19th century, but the teachings were 'dummied down' in ensuing years. And, of course, more can also be found through searches of extra-scriptural works, deep study of the Temple endowments, pondering upon all of these things, and receiving personal revelation to aid in putting these things together.
Thing is, MOST LDS members aren't willing to do these things. They really aren't "interested" in doing such, for the "things of the world" is where their interest lies. They really aren't candidates for exaltation for they seem to only strive for being "good men and women", a Terrestrial level of being. There is so much more to learn, see, understand, and live for, yet they seem to only care for the "mess of pottage". So be it. One day they may have their eyes opened, but they are not ready yet.
Don't worry about the masses - God doesn't grade on a curve. As Joseph taught - "We've got to learn to be Gods ourselves". Jumping through the few hoops the Church sets up just isn't going to cut it. Joseph taught that it is folly to think that we could receive the same rewards of Abraham and other greats without doing their works ourselves.
Salvation is proscelyted. Exaltation must be sought out individually.
Take care!
jamesthejust15@yahoo.com
Thanks for your reply, and please forgive my somewhat late response. Long story. I wonder if people are really not interested, or whether they have just not been taught to actually 'seek'? We are told from the pulpit to follow the Brethren rather than the Lord directly. Perhaps this has made the Church spiritually lazy? Then again, perhaps people are just afraid; scared of the sacred and what it really means. Perhaps they are afraid of facing themselves, adn all their human weaknesses, and would rather listen to inspirational stories and be told 'all is well in Zion' than to be told to "ask, seek, and knock" or to "take up your Cross" and actually follow the Lord. Perhaps we now see Baptism as mere play acting, rather than conveying a lesson.... or perhaps people are just spiritually lazy. However, there are those genuine folk who are just not ready to go deeper. For them, the Church has a role. For the others, the Church may well prevent people coming to Christ. Heavy words, but the truth is often not pretty.
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