Now, why in the heck am I, a Mormon, blogging about what I do not subscribe to -- nor do I believe is how this event will actually take place? Well, that's a good question.
Fact, Mormonism does teach that the earth and life, as we know it now, will come to an end. However, we don't believe that this is going to definitely happen tomorrow -- or that we will ever know the exact day that the end of the world will happen.
The Savior Himself taught, as recorded in Matthew 24:36
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
And also in Matthew 25:36
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
So, I'm not saying it's not going to happen sometime, I'm just saying nobody knows -- not even Jesus Christ. Well, if you believe what the Bible actually teaches -- and I do. In fact, the only person who knows the actual day of His Second Coming (which is what Mormons believe to be the world wide event to signify the end of the world as we know it now) is the Father.
Nor am I here to make fun of those who actually believe that these things are literally going to begin happening on May 21, 2011. I am a bit concerned though, because I personally do not believe that God is going to be lifting up, indiscriminately, His chosen people, tomorrow -- or anytime in such a manner.
No, the teachings of Mormonism as I understand, give us great reason to believe that it is we that qualify ourselves to be considered "chosen". We believe that as we individually come unto Christ, according to God's commandments, that we therefore qualify to be considered "chosen".
Like so many of us who first heard the reports that "the world is going to end on May 21, 2011", we of course chuckled because we knew it was nothing but a good joke. Or perhaps we just passed it off as another quack-christian making silly predictions -- again? Well, a lot of people still believe this. But as I began to realize that not only do many people world-wide take this very seriously and truly believe there is substantial evidence to support this end of world theory -- at the same time the scoffing and mocking of the unbelieving is equally disturbing.
My observations of this contrast between the believing versus the non believing have caused me to recognize an ancient pattern, literally happening in our day - of which the faithful need to take note. I've been careful not to make jokes about what's currently happening with such predictions, and not because I don't think there is some humor in it all - I do. But something inside of me has a problem with, even if it's not really happening right now, mocking God -- or in some way feeling that I would be. Particularly when I see and hear all around me those who have little to no reverence for Christianity and God, not only joking around but using this as an opportunity to literally mock His people, in general.
We are living in a world that portrays good people of faith, as religious zealots. Such people, whose opinions, should have no place in the public arena of politics, etc... with their faith based beliefs. A people who believe in an erroneous being who tells them how to live and what to do. A people who refuse to think for themselves and are willing to be led by charismatic leaders, supposedly inspired. A people who would believe the world is coming to an end tomorrow, because a religious leader told them so. Basically, idiots.
Well that doesn't sound so good, does it? But these unkind descriptions and assumptions of good people of faith, are fact. And unfortunately, they are becoming more and more widely accepted by those in mainstream society.
It's going to require a great deal of faith for Christians to continue to stand up for what we believe to be right, in a world that if possible, would like to disregard us all together. That may sound extreme, but I don't believe that it is. The world in general has already disregarded God, Himself. Too many choose to ignore even His existence -- which then allows them to disregard morals and absolute right and wrong.
I think we need to be careful that we are not found on the wrong side of God, even in joking or humorous ways. Better yet, these kinds of situations give us opportunity to not only proclaim our beliefs, but to actually teach others what we do believe.
From a Mormon perspective, we know what's happening right now with these uninspired predictions and incorrect prophecies. And yet, we need to understand that although funny to mainstream society, there are some very good people, worldwide, that are being affected in ways we can't calculate.
Our God is a God that we can trust, completely. He has given those who follow His Son, in the manner He prescribes, the Gift of the Holy Ghost -- whereby we can know the truth of all things, as we seriously study the scriptures and pray for understanding. Yes, we are living in the LAST DAYS, and yet we don't know exactly when He will come again. But we do know that whether it is in our life-time or not, that each one of us will meet Him, be it here or on the other side of the veil. Each day is a day of preparation for that great meeting. The only preparation that will make us ready, is that which is daily in the way we live our lives. This is the peace that the world cannot and will not know. It is His peace and it is a great comfort and gift to all true followers of Jesus Christ.
Harold B. Lee said this:
"All that we teach in this church ought to be couched in the scriptures. It ought to be found in the scriptures. We ought to choose our texts from the scriptures. If we want to measure truth, we should measure it by the four standard works, regardless of who writes it. If it is not in the standard works, we may assume that it is speculation, man's own personal opinion; and if it contradicts what is in the scriptures, it is not true. This is the standard by which we measure all truth."I'd love to hear your thoughts....
tDMg
Kathryn
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Dallin H. Oaks - Preparation for the Second Coming
Preparation for the Restorations and the Second Coming: "My Hand Shall Be Over Thee".
Prophetic references to the last days from an LDS perspective
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