Is anyone interested in this subject? Is it important? Is it too controversial to discuss in depth?
Let's risk it. As we have noted before, silence is golden---but sometimes it is yellow.
It is good and necessary on occasion to be bold, so that our "timid efforts" will not condemn us, so that people don't have to "wait till a dependable servant of God comes along," as President Thomas S. Monson has often urged (see Ensign, Nov. 2008, 62).
Two or three days before His climactic atoning sacrifice in Gethsemane, Jesus went upon the Mount of Olives. As He sat there, the disciples came to Him privately and asked Him questions. In His answers He warned them to take heed that no one deceive them.
Then, speaking of the last days---our days---He said, "For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets . . . that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant" (JS--M 1:22).
It is unlikely that "the elect according to the covenant" made in the temple would be easily deceived by a "false Christ" dressed in perhaps a long robe sporting a beard and long hair and claiming to be Jesus Christ.
We labor this point because the Savior does. He seems more than eager for us to be warned and forewarned so that we not be deceived.
"And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived", He went on to say on this occasion.
He is speaking of false ideas, of errant teachings, of misleading doctrine, of the precepts and philosophies of the world. All of this in harmony with His servant Nephi who warned on His behalf that in the last days "they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led [note: even the humble followers of Christ are led], that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men" (2 Nephi 28:14).
A false idea of Christ is a false Christ.
If we believe the idea that God's love is unconditional, that His regard for His children is constant, unequivocal, and dictated by His unending mercy to the extent that His justice cannot rob His mercy---then we believe in a false idea of Christ and in a false Christ. Such an idea is contrary to the revealed word of God.
We labor these points of false doctrine because they are so common among us. They are not harmless and of little impact. They represent a shaky foundation for our faith because they are false and unreliable. There is no salvation in a false idea.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes" is necessary "in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation."
The word correct is in italics in Joseph's original statement (see Lectures on Faith 3:2--4).
A brief illustration of how we can easily go wrong:
It is quite well known that the shortest verse in the Bible is, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). We must be careful, for a text without a context is a pretext, is an excuse---if used out of context---for the text to say anything we want it to say.
Why did Jesus weep on this occasion?
Even the best of us have been guilty on many occasions of wrenching this terse sentence---Jesus wept--- out of context and ending up with a false idea.
Our space and time are short here. We shall visit this point of doctrine in John 11 again at a later time. In the meantime, what is your answer? Why did Jesus weep on this occasion? And what has it to do with the false idea of God's "unconditional" love?
As Joseph said, "If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong [on matters to do with understanding the character of God], we may go wrong, and it be a hard matter to get right."
Best to give heed to the Lord and His prophets and His Holy Spirit. The world and the precepts of men have nothing to teach us on these sacred things.
General conference next weekend.
More later. . . . But first, let me have your thoughts on why Jesus wept. It is worth some time and attention.
Steve
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It seems that those who were mourning in the house of Martha and Mary thought Jesus was weeping for Lazarus, as they all were. After reading verses 32-33 and 39-40, I wonder if he was weeping because he felt that Mary and Martha had not really been listening to his teachings. In verse 41 he thanks his Father for hearing him. I think that performing this miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead was to teach his followers that Christ had power over the grave. He was reinforcing his teachings with something they would never forget.
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