Stewards of God's Grace: Part 5

My Favorite Un-scripture

​In the movie Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter celebrates Alice's "Unbirthday." I like to think we have "unscriptures" - you know, the ones we mentally adjust to better fit our version of things.

Take a look at this:

Version 1

     I, the Lord, am bound 
     when ye do what I say;
     but when ye do not 
     what I say,
     ye have no promise.

(D&C 82:10)

But sometimes here's how I wish it read:

Version 2

     I, the Lord, am bound
     when ye do what you say;
     but when ye do not
     what you say,
     ye have no promise.

As a missionary, we loved living Version 2.  At night we would plan our next day of proselytizing and kneel down and pray, "Dear Lord, Elder Sasquatch and I are going to fast tomorrow, and we are going to talk to someone each time we ride the bus, and we are going to stand on our heads in the lake district . . . and all we ask is that in exchange for our efforts, You open doors and hearts so we can teach three lessons . . . "

And the next day sometimes we got lucky . . . and sometimes the Lord failed us. 

Wait a minute, is that what happened?  Is it the Lord's fault when He doesn't come through for us after we've done what we said we'd do?

   "Why haven't I found me a spouse yet, when I have worked so hard and done [x], [y], [z]?! 
   "Lord, you haven't healed me even though I have tried [a], [b], [c]?!"

How often in our lived experience do we do what God actually says? Versus what we think he said, or wanted him to say, or what we were told by others he said? 

Spiritual Telephone Game

Have you ever tried having faith in something you've been told through the grapevine?  I have.  "Well, my father knows a Seventy who told him that an apostle said that President [So-and-so] promised if we [paid tithing] [had family home evening] [lived the word of wisdom], then we were guaranteed [x] [y] [z] blessings!"

And we're off to the races.

We will only see fruit if the seed was His

I recently read on a blog: "Understanding Christ’s love and compassion is a worthy and essential pursuit, because as long as we persist in creating, finessing, perfecting, and imposing rules on ourselves — and others — to earn that love, we will project a false, harsh God, one who does not love, unconditionally, but who commands that we bury our heads in our arms, on the desk, because we used a pen, when the rules say to use a pencil."

(Carolyn Henderson, "Silly Little Rules," accessed at https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/commonsensechristianity/2014/10/silly-little-rules.html)

​But it seems so unfair when we have tried so hard and prayed for so long.  Doesn't the Lord reward effort?

The Lord Loves Effort

Speaking of "effort."  A lot of people lately are saying that "the Lord loves effort." 

I think I know what they mean: hard work is a virtue; diligence is commendable; and so on. 

​But how does this notion of "effort" relate to the problem of "zeal without knowledge?"

   They have a zeal of God,
   but not according to knowledge.

   For they being ignorant
   of God's righteousness,
   and going about to establish
   their own righteousness,
   have not submitted
   themselves unto the righteousness
   of God.

(Romans 10:2-3)

Is the statement "the Devil loves effort" also true?  Because doesn't Satan love it when people make grand efforts "to establish their own righteousness"?

I mean, those were hard-working Pharisees whom the Lord did not compliment but condemned, despite their efforts.

   Ye are beginning
   to labor in sin,
   which sin appeareth
   very abominable 
   unto me, yea, 
   and abominable 
   unto God.

(Jacob 2:5)

Didn't the Lord say that his disciples would be known by their effort?

On the other hand, in our churches we love effort!  We praise those who contribute their time and talents and treasure to the bake sale, the Christmas party, the putting up and the taking down of chairs.  We celebrate those who are visible, busy and effortful, don't we?   

Ah, but there's the rub.   Taking pride in our "efforts" is like thinking we are playing on the Lord's team, when we are actually scoring for the devil.

   Except the Lord build the house,
   they labor in vain that build it:
   except the Lord keep the city,
   the watchman waketh but in vain.

   It is vain for you to rise up early, 
   to sit up late.

(Psalm 127:1-2)

Interesting.  Here the psalmist puts the focus on the Lord's effort, not ours.

After all, aren't our efforts called "filthy rags" by Isaiah?

   But we are all as an unclean thing,
   and all our righteousness
   are as filthy rags;
   and all we do fades
   as a leaf.

(Isaiah 64:6).

Spiritual Narcissism 

When we're busy doing the things "we" say, we are likely distracted from doing the things the Lord has said and asks of us today.  Making things about "us" takes our eyes off God. 

And what if focus on our efforts is not pleasing to the Lord?

   For who in the heavens
   can be compared 
   unto the Lord? 

   Who among the sons
   of the mighty 
   can be likened
   unto the Lord?

   O Lord God of hosts,
   who is strong Lord
   like unto thee? 
   or to thy faithfulness
   round about thee?

   The heavens are thine,
   the earth also is thine:
   as for the world
   and the fulness thereof,
   thou hast founded them.

(Psalm 89:6, 8, 11)

​Who?  Not me.

A Message From Our Advocate

No, I am not selling ads on my blog.  I just like lawyer commercials.  And Bill Shatner. 

I also like lawyer jokes.  Here's one:

   An attorney tells his client: “I have some good news and some bad news.”
   “What’s the bad news?” asks the accused.
   “The bad news is, your blood is all over the crime scene, and the DNA tests prove you did it.”
   “What’s the good news?”
   “Your cholesterol is 130.”

Zeezrom: A Study in Lawyercraft

The Book of Mormon does not pull punches.  It hits pretty hard at lawyers.  Here's a real winner:

   I say unto you,
   that the foundation 
   of the destruction 
   of this people
   is beginning 
   to be laid 
   by the unrighteousness
   of your lawyers
   and your judges.

(Alma 10:27)

Why do lawyers have such a bad reputation?  Because the stereotype is that they'll do anything to squeeze money out of a turnip.  Like Zeezrom.  In his great contest with Amulek, we read:

   It was for the sole purpose to get gain,
   because they received their wages
   according to their employ,
   therefore, they did stir up
   the people to riotings,
   and all manner of disturbances
   and wickedness, that they might
   have more employ, that they might
   get money according to the suits
   which were brought before them.

(Alma 11:20)

I cringe at the part where Amulek accuses Zeezrom:

   I say unto you,
   thou lovest 
   that lucre
   more than
   him [God].

(Alma 11:24)

An unrighteous lawyer is one who uses their position to "stir up" the people in order to "get gain."  Contrast that with our lawyer, Christ, who has no need of our money. 

​He represents us pro bono.

What Kind of Lawyer is Jesus?

​Jesus is our “advocate,” which means that before the tribunal of God He is our defense attorney. 

   And if any man sin,
   we have an advocate
   with the Father,
   Jesus Christ
   the righteous.

(1 John 2:1)

Seeing as how we are all guilty, it is a tough job.  

As heaven's court-appointed public Defender, Jesus stands at our side while we are arraigned before the pleasing bar of God.  In fact, this remarkable scene is described in scripture by none other than the Lord Himself: 

   Listen to him who is the advocate
   with the Father, who is pleading
   your cause before him,

[Now this next part is where Christ reveals our legal defense, so take notes if you are pre-law or if you hope to go to heaven]

   Saying—Father, behold the sufferings
   and death of him who did no sin,
   in whom thou wast well pleased;
   behold the blood of thy Son
   which was shed, the blood of him
   whom thou gavest that thyself
   might be glorified.

(D&C 45:3-4)

Huh?  What just happened? 

I thought judgment was about me, when in fact, our defense Lawyer stands up and tells the Judge: “Your Honor, if it please the Court, let the accused go free because I am innocent.”  

How unexpected!  Instead of the trial being about us, Jesus shows the trial was always about Him!

Ironically, there is no discussion of our guilt (it is presumed) and there is no mitigating evidence presented of our good works (you may discard Exhibits ‘A’ thru ‘Z’ you have been keeping in your back pocket). 

Our Wonderful Counselor continues:

   Wherefore, Father, spare these
   my brethren that believe on my name,
   that they may come unto me
   and have everlasting life.

(D&C 45:5)

Now the courtroom finally takes notice of us standing there next to Jesus.  Have we believed in Christ and have we come unto Him?   If so, we are . . . well, not exactly acquitted (for we were guilty as sin), but in Christ’s name we are pardoned.  

   In all their afflictions
   he was afflicted.
   And the angel of his presence
   saved them; and in his love,
   and in his pity,
   he redeemed them.

(D&C 133:53).  

So What Did the Lord Say?

Okay, now we've set the stage for us to have a heart-to-heart.  Let me ask you this question:

   Why do we defend and uphold inequality?  

Sure, I bet there are great reviews for Babylon's bed-and-breakfasts on Trip Advisor, and their gelato is out-of-this-world-amazing (from what I've seen on Instagram), but weren't we aiming for Zion?  

Why are we settling for something well below the Celestial standard?

I might have an answer. 

What if the reason we're dragging our feet 200 years after a bright light shone from heaven was

   Because [our] hearts are set
   so much upon the things of this world,
   and aspire to the honors of men,
   that [we] do not learn this one lesson--

   That the rights of the priesthood
   are inseparably connected
   with the powers of heaven,
   and that the powers of heaven
   cannot be controlled
   nor handled only upon
   the principles of righteousness.

   That they may be conferred upon us,
   it is true; but when we undertake
   to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride,
   our vain ambition, or to exercise control
   or dominion or compulsion upon the souls
   of the children of men, in any degree
   of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens
   withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord
   is grieved; and when it is withdrawn,

   Amen

   to the priesthood or the authority
   of that man.

   We have learned by sad experience
   that it is the nature and disposition
   of almost all men, as soon as they get
   a little authority, as they suppose,
   they will immediately begin to exercise
   unrighteous dominion.

   Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

(D&C 121:35-37)

There's the answer.  (What is the percentage of "almost all men"?) 

The natural man seeks celebrity.  To enjoy the things of this world.  The natural man desires honor and control.  To gratify his pride, he exercises vanity and ambition, seeking to be in charge of others, which makes him appear "successful."   He acts to "compel" the souls of men and women, usually to serve his self-interest.  And during all of this, there's a big cover up!  His sins are buried under non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements.  

Now, let's re-read the above text and apply it to Christian churches: 

   Because their hearts are set 
   so much upon the things of this world, 
   and aspire to the honors of men, 
   that they do not learn this one lesson--

   That the rights of the priesthood 
   are inseparably connected 
   with the powers of heaven, 
   and that the powers of heaven 
   cannot be controlled 
   nor handled only upon 
   the principles of righteousness.

   That they may be conferred upon us, 
   it is true; but when we undertake 
   to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, 
   our vain ambition, or to exercise control 
   or dominion or compulsion upon the souls 
   of the children of men, in any degree 
   of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens
   withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord 
   is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, 

   Amen 

   to the priesthood or the authority 
   of that man.

   We have learned by sad experience 
   that it is the nature and disposition 
   of almost all men, as soon as they get 
   a little authority, as they suppose, 
   they will immediately begin to exercise 
   unrighteous dominion.

   Hence many are called, but few are chosen.​

A More Excellent Way

The Good News is that we have a Shepherd.  We are not wandering around all alone.  We don't have to figure this out ourselves.  He has shown us a better way:

   No power or influence
   can or ought to be maintained
   by virtue of the priesthood,
   only by persuasion,
   by long-suffering,
   by gentleness
   and meekness,
   and by love unfeigned;
   By kindness,
   and pure knowledge,

   which shall greatly enlarge the soul
   without hypocrisy, and without guile.

(D&C 121:41-42)

According to this text, the problem we need to overcome is "hypocrisy" and "guile."

We all know what hypocrisy is, but what is "guile"?  How is guile an issue for churches?  "Guile" means "astuteness, often marked by a certain sense of cunning or artful deception; deceptiveness, deceit, fraud, duplicity, dishonesty."

There are two ways to interpret D&C 121:41 because of the ambiguous comma.  I am not a grammarian, but here is how I read it:

Version 2

   No power or influence 
   can or ought to be maintained 
   by virtue of the priesthood[.][Full stop.]
   [Power or influence
   can be maintained]  
   only by persuasion, 
   by long-suffering, 
   by gentleness 
   and meekness, 
   and by love unfeigned;
   By kindness, 
   and pure knowledge.

See the difference?  Sometimes people think that priesthood authority can righteously be exercised if they pad it with persuasion, long-suffering, and so on, like those attributes are the whipped cream and cherries on top of their Authority Banana Split.  

But what if Joseph was saying that priesthood authority cannot be wielded as a power or influence over others?  What if he was saying that when we attempt to use our "little authority" to pull rank, that is de facto unrighteous dominion?

Was Joseph saying that the ONLY power or influence we possess is by means of persuasion, long-suffering, by gentleness, etc. 

The Debate is Over

Either way we read it, the notion that "when [an authority figure] speaks, the debate is over" is anathema (see, "The Debate is Over", Ensign, August 1979).  Such an idea mocks our moral agency.  

Picture this:  if my wife were a ballroom dancer, and I objected to her skimpy leotard and sexy dance routines, and me standing up and declaring, "As Head of this household, I forbid you from dancing the Tango and Cha Cha at the festival.  The debate is over!"

We would not countenance that kind of behavior from someone who is supposed to love us.  

Lords vs. Stewards

What if we viewed ourselves as "stewards" rather than as lords?

The title of this series "Stewards of God's Grace" comes from St. Peter, who taught:

   And above all things
   have fervent charity
   among yourselves . . . 
   as every man hath received
   the gift, even so minister
   the same one to another,
   as good stewards
   of the manifold grace
   of God.

(1 Peter 4:8, 10)

I think we can learn something from Peter, who was the chief apostle, and who warned us:

   Feed the flock of God
   which is among you,
   taking the oversight thereof,
   not by constraint,
   but willingly;
   not for filthy lucre,
   but of a ready mind;

   Neither as being lords
   over God’s heritage,
   but being ensamples
   to the flock.

We can't very well be good examples if we act like "lords over God's heritage", can we?

What does it mean to be a "steward" of God's grace?

Gardeners of Grace

If a thing comes from God, then we are merely "stewards" of it.  We cannot "own" something that is not ours. 

   A commandment I give unto you
   concerning your stewardship
   which I have appointed unto you.
  
   Behold all these properties
   are mine, or else your faith
   is vain, and ye are found hypocrites,
   and the covenants
   which ye have made unto me
   are broken;

   And if the properties are mine,
   then ye are stewards;
   otherwise ye are no stewards.

(D&C 104:54-56)

Being a steward is like being a gardener.  We take God's grace and nourish it, tend it, grow it, share it.  

Consecration

What if this idea of stewardship, which we usually think of in terms of our earthly possessions, applied to authority as well? 

I have not talked about "consecration" before on this blog.  But I invoke it now in discussing authority. 

We cannot have things in common unless we have authority in common, otherwise there will always be inequality as those with more authority aggregate greater privilege and possessions. 

The consequences of establishing elevated positions in the body of Christ is the cautionary tale of Christian history.

   That you may be equal
   in the bonds of heavenly things,
   yea, and earthly things also,
   for the obtaining of heavenly things.

   For if you will that I give unto you
   a place in the celestial world,
   you must prepare yourselves
   by doing the things
   which I have commanded you.

(D&C 78:5, 7)

But what if the role of stewards in God's vineyard was not to consolidate and amass authority, but to compost it and distribute it evenly around the trees?    

   And thus they labored,
   with all diligence,
   according to the commandments
   of the Lord of the vineyard,
   even until the bad had been cast away
   out of the vineyard, and the Lord
   had preserved unto himself
   that the trees had become again
   the natural fruit; and they became
   like unto one body;
   and the fruits were equal.

(Jacob 5:74)

What if the point of having churches was to create equality among believers, so that grace can "abound"?  

What if God's plan was to take feet, and eyes, and noses, and big fat bums, and make them all "one" in the body of Christ?

   And the eye cannot say
   unto the hand,
   I have no need of thee:
   nor again the head
   of the feet,
   I have no need of you.

(1 Cor. 12:21)

Monkey Wrench

Throwing a "monkey wrench" at something means to "sabotage or frustrate a project or plan." 

What is the biggest monkey wrench that Satan could throw at God's plan to treat each other equally?

   That there should be no schism
   in the body; 
   but that the members
   should have the same
   care one for another.

(1 Cor. 12:25) 

Could the devil bankrupt Christian churches of God's grace by creating inequality, status and rank in the body of Christ?  
​
   And it came to pass
   that the servant
   said unto his master:

   Is it not the loftiness 
   of thy vineyard--
   have not the branches
   thereof overcome the roots
   which are good?

   And because the branches
   have overcome the roots
   thereof, behold they grew
   faster than the strength
   of the roots, taking strength
   unto themselves.

   Behold, I say, is not this
   the cause that the trees
   of thy vineyard
   have become corrupted?

(Jacob 5:48)

State of the Vineyard Address

Satan's big con is to trick us into using authority to stratify, classify and divide the members in the body of Christ.  He likes to assign titles to "important" people."  He delights in the pride and envy that accompany systems with "haves" and "have-nots." 

Jesus, on the other hand, lambasted the Pharisees who were obsessed with such things:

   They make broad
   their phylacteries,
   and enlarge the borders
   of their garments,

   And love the uppermost
   rooms at feasts,
   and the chief seats
   in the synagogues,

   And greetings in the markets,
   and to be called of men,
   Rabbi, Rabbi.

   But be not ye called Rabbi:
   for one is your Master,
   even Christ, 
   and all ye are brethren.

(Matt. 23:5-8)

What an amazing deception Satan has pulled off.  He has fooled us into thinking the hanging gardens of Babylon are actually God's landscaping. 

We have created a hierarchy of institutionalized inequality in our churches and call it God's handiwork; when Jesus expressly forbade such a thing!

   Jesus called them to him,
   and saith unto them,
   Ye know that they
   which are accounted to rule
   over the Gentiles 
   exercise lordship over them;
   and their great ones exercise
   authority upon them.

   But so shall it not be among you.

(Mark 10:42)

I think now we're getting a better idea of what the Lord meant when he said:
​
   They draw near unto me
   with their lips,
   but their hearts
   are far from me;

   They teach for doctrines
   the commandments of men,
   having a form of godliness,
   but they deny the power
   thereof.

(JS-H 1:19)

We wonder how we got here. 

​Is it because we have not chosen to love one another, as Jesus loved us?