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Monday, August 5, 2013

“Doctrinal Correctness vs. Political Correctness” (essay)

 
“Doctrinal Correctness vs. Political Correctness”
 
cji 8/6/13
 
Secular leadership in the various religions of the world appears to be leaning to the political correctness of their progenitors. Even in Islam this is the case – as after Mohammed none stayed the course of his doctrinal teachings but all sought the political leadership and secondary the spiritual responsibilities. After the apostasy of the Church organized by the Savior while on this earth – most of the leadership of the reformed churches – Catholicism, Judaism, even Baal and others of the 1st to the 10th century were all based on political correctness and not with anything doctrinal.
 
This drive along the worldly highway of Babylon is both incorrect and not in way part or parcel of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It starts with the basics of the teachings of the Savior and the Prophets of the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon and all other Scriptures of which the has or will receive at some future date. (Author’s note: Historians know that there were about 3,400+ books of Scriptures omitted from the KJV.) Thus where many churches of today – omit some or all of the basic Scripture already available – what could they possibly do with anymore?
 
Some churches use only the first five books of the Old Testament – others only the first four books of the New Testament. Some claim to use all of the Scriptures but only as they interpret them to read – changing and revising as they go. Augustine, Origen and others of their day – disregarded whatever they could not understand and then mixed in the teachings Greek Philosophy and Rhetoric (which they were all both teachers and students).
 
In the ERA of Reformation – the idea of taking something living from something dead – thus calling what the apostasy left behind to be living and not spoiled. This would be like taking a fresh mountain stream – running it through the barnyard where the animals defecated – and proclaiming the stream still pure and thus palatable. Personally I would not drink or partake of such a product! 
 
The idea of being politically correct is one of the main reasons the Savior and the Apostles were each murdered (sentenced to death by the tribunals of their day). Throughout history (recorded) to be politically correct has been a ‘key-note’ of the plan of the adversary Satan. Thus, by using the desire for power and wealth to replace the need to do right!  The agency of anyone could then be forfeited to the will of the Satan and not the Lord.  His plan allowed for excuses for one doing this action or that one. No more was doing the right thing for the right reason all of the time was no longer to be taught as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This in turn replaced the Ten Commandments (and the 603 from the Old Testament) as being only suggestions and not to be fully complied.
 
In addition, many of the great reformers discarded in part or whole of some books of the Bible – verses within the various books contained – and even to having placed the books in the Bible (New Testament) out of chronological order. As an example the Book of Revelations was not last book written but is treated as though it was! Indeed each Book found in the Bible are separate and individual without setting a precedent on any of the other books but to testify of the truthfulness of the Doctrine and Gospel of Jesus Christ! 
 
How often do religions claim there are no more revelations (i.e. referencing the Book of Revelations). Indeed the same verse which they quote over and over again is found in other books of the Scriptures. Yet over and over without the gift of revelations (i.e. the Heavens are closed or ‘we need no more revelations) have changed, revised, rewritten and otherwise altered the Scriptures. Indeed there are over 26,000 different editions of the Bible in usage today (Two ministers did a study of the number of revisionist Bibles – they studied the period before 1880 and then post 1880 – their work was published in 1981. This book was loaned to a friend who since has never returned it.)
 
Other reviews of the Bible and its many revisionist versions have been complied over the last four decades which compare and contrast the good and bad of what is presented. Still more research will show the battle for and against the truth of the Bible is being polled in the world (sadly the secular vote is against the Bible).  There are many who can disprove the parts and pieces of the Bible by taking any of the myriad editions and comparing it against another. Two verses which disagree with each other – certainly cannot be true!
 
Major churches have divided over a different interpretation of the same verse of Scripture (would guess this occurs out of context) and gone their separate ways some going with one side and others the other side. Just as it took place in the Pre-Existence! And in every man/woman made church in the history of this our world. Why is it so hard to comprehend what our Father, his Son, and all of the Prophets and Apostles have passed down to us as Scripture? Could it be because those who claim the loudest nothing can be changed or added to or even explained – do just that in their revisions, writings, sermons? The Scriptures are to be taken literally – and there’s really only one Church on this earth which takes the Scriptures literally. This Church takes the Old and New Testament – and all other Scriptures revealed to them over the ages. It does not believe the heavens are closed or that there is no more revelation. Yet, the contention of the world stemming from Political Correctness trumps Doctrinal Correctness. Wherever money is exchanged for preaching – then the world is involved – and there will be no consensus of doctrine truths and Greek philosophy.
 
How do we define truth? Truth is defined as simple common sense – clear, concise and irrefutable!  Just as a theorem in mathematics has to be arrived at – but will always come to the same understanding – truth in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is found in the same way – only with different methods.  To find the truth in the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires the usage of; prayer, research, faith, application, covenants, study, listening, and then finally believing what you find and have had the confirmation of the Spirit (to which all have) to the confirmation of the Holy Ghost which all members of the Lord’s Church have been given by proper authority. Nothing of worth is earned without dedication and the ability to endure!
 
Why is truth so difficult to attain? This is because the secular world dismisses truth as unimportant. Lying, cheating, justification, hedonism, and wrong doing in general require a lack of comprehension of truth. Thus, the secular world feels it could not exist with a firm understanding or the usage of truth. Satan firmly believes this and uses this to color truth with embellishment – surface arguments – contention – ill-feelings – and best of harsh laughter.
 
Therefore we find that Doctrinal Correctness is the antithesis of Political Correctness. Whereas Doctrinal Correctness is based on truth – Political Correctness is based on rhetoric. To be Doctrinal correct one must put away the things of the world (i.e. not have them as the sole definition of their lives) and put on the full armor of God! This would include full obedience to the Will of the Father. Further to be truthful, honest, virtuous, steadfast, clean in mind and spirit, or in other words striving to follow the Savior and at some point to become like him and his Father (John 1:12; Matthew 5:48; John 17:14; John 17:22)!
 
The worldly or secular reject any similarities we might have to Heavenly Father and or Jesus Christ (our Savior) – instead seeking to define in creeds – incomprehensible images and beliefs; or the teaching of evolution (which has occurred but not as they understand and teach it as fact – it was a theory which has never been proven and according to Darwin may never be found as truth), worshipping men and women (as John R. Tunnis said in the 1930’s that soon our athletes (and actors/actresses) will be more worshipped than with be the Father or the Son. (Note: this was before the abolition of the blue laws and the Sabbath Day was held sacred.)  Worshipping of those who’ve nothing but wealth and power – good looking or very talented – is the worldly way of determining gods and goddesses!
 
Music, TV, movies, liberal teachings and some conservative teachings, books, video games, iPods, ipads, cell phones, digital photography – all which may have had a good intent – are now found more and more to be negative, lustful, greedy, and generally induce a lowering of speech, values, morals, truth, honesty, virtue, and a clean mind. Our nation and others around the world have less and less agency and more and more government (or authoritarian) manipulation of our lives and those of our loved ones (2nd Great Commandment). Surly we’ve learned the intrinsic value of the secular world have little or nothing to do with Doctrinal Correctness and everything to do with Political Correctness.
 
We find that the antichrists (1 John 2:18) now have control of the means of education, TV, movies, radio, music and games which are available to all age groups of our population. There have always been antichrists – some with the form and shape of decent persons – while others just are downright evil on the surface. Beguiling the attention without causing one to simply turn-away – is the common entry onto the stage of our lives. Taking small steps until too late one realizes they’ve gained the strategic footholds needful to take over. This is the primary usage of rhetoric (give the people what they want and they’ll give you what you want).
 
Thus did Socrates’ drink the Hemlock for refusing to give up truth for rhetoric! One forgets that it was his peers who forced this upon him with the multitude of the citizens where he lived. They wanted him to be like them and thus condone their behaviors, teachings and philosophy all based on altered truths – presented as the new truths. This occurs daily in our nation and around the world – especially in getting one to compromise what is right – either by force or gentle guile – like drowning it doesn’t happen all at once – even when held under the water by another.
 
Each day we’ve choices to be made – it has been my experience that one should make important choices well ahead of time – and thus when a situation presents itself (they always do) – we already know what we’ll do. Thus when being seduced by advertising, a friend, predator, TV, movie, music or other negative influence we like Joseph run to get away as quickly as we can. We must remember even though Joseph ran away he was convicted by the lies of Potiphar’s wife and went to prison. What did he do in prison – he made it better – and ultimately became 2nd only to Pharaoh in Egypt! He understood fully the Scriptures and the Doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (he had been taught by his parents in the right way to go).
 
How will we make good choices if we don’t understand why they’re important? Surly the secular world is not going to teach anything except political correct doctrines of their own – making them seem as good as either truth or righteousness ( i.e. go to church on your Sabbath Day – but then go to the beach – or a movie – or an athletic event).  Have sex whenever you want with whoever you want – (they’ve now laws for this protection). Read and study (if you can) but only what the schools of men/women teach. If you can’t read or write – someone else will take your tests – and music will teach you what you need to know. Commit crimes – just don’t get caught – you’ve the right to be entitled by society – and even then society will take the blame for you.
 
One can see that not knowing why to make good decisions leaves little room for making them – just to be laughed at or ridiculed. Yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires one to make good decisions if they want the rewards covenanted for are to be theirs.
 
What rewards or what covenants? Before addressing this we’ve to acknowledge what the politically correct have done to the Scriptures (those who still use them) and present as what our mission here on earth is to achieve. To do this each reader should go on-line or to their local church of attendance and read the creed for your church.  Remember a preacher, minister, deacon, priest, rabbi, cleric, or other person who leads your congregation can say whatever they want (this is the license of rhetoric) but what is in your creed is what counts – nothing else! (Once you’ve done this return to reading.) 
 
What did you learn about rewards and covenants? If you learned little then most likely you are among the majority who learned the following: 1) The Father and the Son – are indescribable (and then they try to describe them). That if we die we’ll become administering angels without bodies. The rest various from creed to creed but it is important to understand what it is you believe as you’re staking your mortal test results on what is dictated that you profess as your standard for behavior.
Mortality according to the Scriptures (using the Bible only) is a probationary window preparatory for our 3rd Estate. Our 1st Estate was in the pre-existence with Father and the Son – learning the Plan of Salvation and voting for it! This is important for if you didn’t vote for it you would not now have a physical body – rather you’d be like Satan and his minions who followed him (1/3 the host of heaven) without ever having a physical body of their own. (Note: read about the pigs and others that had devils removed from them by the Savior with new understanding.) We’re here for several reasons: 1) to gain a physical body; 2) to be tested in choosing good or evil; 3) to obey all of the Commandments, laws and statutes found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; 4) to be Baptized by one having authority to act in the name of the Father and the Son (to date no school of divinity, university, state laws or federal laws – have other than a worldly authority); 5) receive the gift of the Holy Ghost – again by one having the authority to act in the name of the Father and the Son; 6) to go to the House of the Lord with our eternal companions to be Sealed for time and all eternity; 7) do as much of our genealogy as possible; 8) teach the truth; 9) be obedient to James 1:27; and 10) live to be worthy of the Celestial Kingdom (per the teachings of the Prophets and Apostles, esp. Paul!
 
Thus there is a reason for being doctrinally correct at all times – yet most of the world has little or no knowledge of any this material. Instead they leave their spiritual life in the hands of a paid professional – who teaches them on various days of the week from the Scriptures what they’re to believe and why – and attends to the material affairs of the church or whatever they term their place of worship. For this they’re paid – sometimes provided housing, vehicles and other needs. In return they teach the approved doctrine of those paying for their services.
 
(Author’s note: In the past when I’ve questioned many in this profession – I was told I asked too many questions – and when researching their answers found them not to be doctrinally correct. For almost twenty years – 1956-1974 I was thrown out of every church I attended for simply asking questions – researching the answer – and pointing out the inconsistencies. Where I was just supposed to accept their various answers without question never entered my mind – as this would be putting my eternal salvation in their hands and thus my agency.)
 
In Revelations 3:21 – we’re told, “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Overcometh what? The world and the secular doctrines of political correctness we’re to overcome. This we read in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Therefore which side will we choose is very important in in our lifetimes (mortality) it is of eternal importance! And it is our choice regardless of what the world teaches as being politically correct.
Over the span of many years I’ve noticed a distinct class of persons have avoided or not joined any organized religion (which is where I had almost arrived at in 1973). Why didn’t they join – they were all intelligent – articulate – well read – leaders in their fields of endeavor – and all had been exposed to religion from their youths? One common occurrence maybe best summed up by Thomas Jefferson when he was asked about church attendance, “If the Savior were to come to earth today and see/hear the teachings of the various churches – he would recognize none of them,” (paraphrase)! It appeared this was true with Albert Einstein and Darwin as well – thus what was the key to even just these three? It has become apparent that when one reads and studies the Scriptures on their own – and then listens/reads or otherwise partakes of the worldly churches there is little in common between them.
 
The Scriptures are clear and concise as they’ve been translated initially – and the teachings of the secular world are in the teaching of these same Scriptures are confounding, confusion prone, and inconsistent. Anyone who seeks truth knows that if it isn’t clear, concise, making common sense and consistent from Prophet to Prophet – Apostle to Apostle – Father and the Son – for almost all Scripture is the writings of one of the above and from the Father or the Son – then most likely it isn’t truth – but instead only rhetoric!
 
To sum up one must consider what is most important to them – the world and the various peer groups, i.e. to be politically correct; or to be apart from the world and find important the doctrinal correct guides in their life. Doctrinal Correctness verses Political Correctness – you cannot have both – either one or the other the same as the two ways – either you’re on the road to Zion – or on the road to Babylon – there are no detours, curves or alternative choices. The why of the importance is in what one chooses to believe – either the Scriptures absolutely literally – or the rhetorical interpretations of the secular world? One would guess it is important to choose wisely!
 
c/ork
 
 
 
“Literal Truths”
 
cji
8/6/13
 
Balancing the scales of literalness
seeking common sense in reason
listening, pondering, researching
praying, studying things out within
reading all and not just a part here
taking things in context openly
placing oneself with the Savior
or with the Prophets or Apostles
hearing what is being said plainly
feeling the promptings of the spirit
touching upon the things of God
knowing we literally are His child
thus enjoying and comprehending
literal truths found in the Scriptures!
 
Copyright © 2013 – cji