Mormon Doctrine, pg. 505; “Latter-day Saints are sometimes described, because of an assumed overemphasis on works, as living in “fear and trembling.” The phrase is Paul’s (Phil. 2:12). Actually, Mormons aspire to follow Paul’s teaching and practice to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause,” but that anxiety is related to freedom and responsibility (see D&C 58:27). They strive to find and fulfill their callings and fear to fall short of the divine purpose in their lives. They are constantly charged to magnify their callings and not to be weary in well-doing.”
Philippians 2:11-13; “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
I remember being so afraid of God (Heavenly Father) that I would shut myself off from Him. I remember being taught that if I wanted to know Him I had to be afraid of and fear Him.
Work out your own salvation means to allow Him who has “wrought all our works in us” to continue allowing Him to change us, to work in us to become more holy.
Fear of God isn’t meant to be sure you’re scared to death of Him. Revere Him. Be in awe of Him. Have a healthy respect for Him, knowing He is God and you will never be.
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