Thought of the Day about Mormonism and Intelligence as the Glory of God

08 November

“Seeking learning is a lifelong pursuit and one that increases our ability to serve the Lord.” – LDS.org

stickman-thinking-3As I came across the above message put out by the Church I couldn’t help but think of those who are disabled.  Many of us either know of people or take care of those who aren’t able to function or live on their own because of an impairment.  Their intellectual capacity won’t ever meet the high demands of a secular society as they seem to be held prisoner behind the invisible bars of physical and mental “handicaps” they’ve been born with or that’s been imposed upon them by disease or accident.

It may seem from the outside looking in they’re not doing anything all day every day and we wonder why we can’t just shake them into reality.  Another thing we can’t know, maybe for our lifetime, is what’s going on in their head.  Are they communicating with God in an unknown language as Paul talks about in Romans 8:26 or as King David wrote about in Psalm 42:7-8?

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

How do we cast a broad net over a society of people and proclaim they’re not emanating the glory of God when they’ll never live up to unobtainable manmade standards?

What is the glory of God?  Do you know?

Is the Mormon god not glorified if you don’t have an IQ higher than 81?

How can someone be saved when they don’t comprehend they should be seeking a Gnostic-type salvation?

Most importantly, what does God say in His word?  All these questions began racing through my head after reading their bold statement and the statements of those who wrote in proclaiming this Mormon gospel.

The only measure for truth is His word so let’s take a look at what our Lord says!

The Hebrew word for glory is kabod.  It means the weighty importance and shining majesty which accompany God’s presence – 1 Sam. 4:18, Proverbs 27:3. The Israelites gave the highest honor of glory to the experience Moses had with God on Mt. Sinai – Exodus 3:1-6. The use of this word as a verb means to bring honor to someone and put in an honored place of reverence – Exodus 20:12, 1 Samuel 15:30.

Thus, we give glory to God through our praises of His benevolence on us and His enduring love toward us.

The Greek form of glory is doxa.  The Holman Bible Dictionary defines glory this way;

“The New Testament uses doxa to express glory and limits the meaning to God’s glory. In classical Greek doxa means opinion, conjecture, expectation, and then praise. New Testament carries forward the Old Testament meaning of divine power and majesty (Acts 7:2; Eph. 1:17; 2 Pet. 1:17). The New Testament extends this to Christ as having divine glory (Luke 9:32; John 1:14; 1 Cor. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:14).

Divine glory means that humans do not seek glory for themselves (Matt. 6:2; John 5:44; 1 Thess. 2:6). They only look to receive praise and honor from Christ (Rom. 2:7; 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:19; Phil. 2:16).”

Now that we have a clear understanding of what the word means let’s take a look at context! The Apostle John tells us the glory of God is exhibited in His Son –

John 1:1, 14; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

This explanation leaves no doubt as to what the glory of God is! But we can find more information of its significance in the missionary journeys of Paul.

After the apostle finished explaining his office of being an apostle to the saints in Corinth he went into his exhortation of who they were in Christ Jesus. While encouraging the young church to continue in their sincerity of work he reminded them to persevere even under the most difficult of circumstances as their sincerity would shine forth in the darkness of false teachers whose platforms certainly wouldn’t bear the light of truth.

He also reminded the new Christians that those who practice the evil deeds of handling the word of God deceitfully would be found out soon enough.

2 Corinthians 4:6; “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

This was a valuable lesson for the Corinthians as it was steeped in a myriad of various cultures being on an isthmus connecting the two major port cities of Lechaion and Cenchrae. Corinth had just been rebuilt in 44 BC by Julius Cesar after being totally destroyed by Mummius who had every single man killed and the women and children sold off into slavery.

The history of the city was very real to its inhabitants and Paul walked right into the dark hotbed of idolatry with the bright hope of salvation in Christ. The main cult at the time that overwhelmed all other philosophies was Aphrodite.

He assured them others would be saved when they see the glory of God emanating from their hearts because of their lifestyle. And what was their lifestyle? Honoring God by worshiping Him; honoring God by proclaiming His Son is the only way to salvation and honoring God by teaching the truth about who Jesus was! The glory of God (Jesus) can then be seen because the focus is on Him and not us!  His glory has absolutely nothing to do with any person other than Jesus and His glory certainly isn’t dependent upon how much stuff we know while living here on earth!

Why would someone’s degree in rocket science help maintain or carry God’s kingdom into the future?  What does that have to do with God?

Ask the Mormon in your life if he/she knows the truth about the glory of God – Jesus Christ!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

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