An update

Time prevents me from writing as much as I want. I intend to write a series of topics that will serve as a foundation for the next stage or incarnation of this blog (yes, even blogs have multiple lives!). As this blog is currently aimed at those unfamiliar with deeper spiritual matters, I am having to build a foundation upon which to delve into more esoteric topics that I believe LDS Church members desire.

Mormon Christianity tentatively touches many profound subjects, but does so in a way that neither truly educates nor enlightens.  Truths are (unintentionally) distorted, and those distortions become 'dogma' that captures the individual - you are not free when you live with dogma. You may not hear the word dogma in church, but you do hear 'doctrine'.  Its the same thing.

The spirit is alive. Period.  It cannot be reduced to a set of 'principles' without losing something of its essence, or life.  If it sounds simple, thats because there is a whole lot more you are missing. Life is complex, it is difficult to understand, it takes strenuous efforts to uncover one truth, then another, then another...and then there is plenty more you still do not know. 

Anyway, I hope to introduce you to aspects of life that will provide a more fuller understanding of our temporal and spiritual existence.  I'll probably revise a few of the posts on here to ensure that all the necessary concepts and ideas have been laid out.

OM

Idolatry

Today was fast and testimony meeting. What I heard was firstly, how much the church was 'true', secondly, how great it is to be led by prophets. At a distant third was reference to Our Lord and His sacrifice and what it meant for the speaker. What is wrong with this picture? Why do members idolize a temporal institution and a man? Why does The Lord come in a distant third? Is this now the Church of Thomas Monson?

Tithing and Consecration

It is easy to turn to the scriptures and say: this is what it says, so we ought to follow this to the letter. Of course, the scriptures say many things, and we habitually pick and choose what to follow literally.  Take, for example the doctrine on tithing. The revelation on tithing we have (D+C 119) states quite clearly that we ought to pay a tithe on our surplus property.  All these pointless debates over net or gross can be dispensed with by turning to the written revelation itself.  However, again, context is important. We ought not be Pharisees and become rigid doctors of the law. We ought to strive to uncover the message in tithing – it’s not about ‘fire insurance’ or ‘learning how to sacrifice’.  Look at the revelations on consecration. Think about the two together.  Think about what the Lord was wanting us to think about when we implemented these.  Our failure to learn consecration resulted in giving us a watered-down version (tithing).  Until we learn the lesson of tithing, we cannot follow consecration proper.  Tithing is not a ‘lower’ law – it is part of consecration, and points to its deeper meaning. But tithing is also easier to follow and implement. If done correctly, our thinking will naturally be led to a deeper understanding of consecration, allowing us to realise its purpose as a natural part of our spiritual development.  The ‘little season’ refers to a change in our thinking – or in biblical terminology, a repentance process. Only until our own season has changed within are we prepared to understand and undertake the tasks the Lord would have us do.