Monday, February 22, 2016
Proving Grounds
A couple quotes from Denver Snuffer at the Big Cottonwood Canyon "after the conference discussion":
"If God has gone to that trouble, why should we think each fellowship ought to be a copy of the next? Why would we impose uniformity upon one another when God does everything BUT uniformity? It is true there is one Lord, one faith, and only one baptism, but each believer comes to Him as an individual. Every soul has unique gifts, and individual weaknesses. Each struggle for faith is a struggle for that individual alone. WE become one through Him, not through trying to make ourselves uniform. He is the only common ground for very distinct individuals to come into unity. I do not believe any two fellowships should be put together with a cookie cutter that says, "this is what you must do and this is what you must not do," when the needs are so diverse from one to another. There ought to be diversity. There ought to be uniqueness. There ought to be recognition in terms of what each group has in contributions and what each group has in terms of needs. It ought to be flexible enough to do that."
"God bless you all. God’s hand is moving again. This is going somewhere. It will eventually culminate in the fulfillment of the prophecies. The trouble is whether we do it or whether it is left for another generation depends on what we do. I don’t think religious enthusiasm or religious fanaticism produces it. It’s kindness to one another. It is taking seriously the things that God asked us to do and in a meaningful way being self sacrificing and trying to help and lift other people. Because at the end of the day Christ summarized all the law and all the prophets in loving God and loving your fellow man. Which goes back to the first question that was asked about all you quirky people liking one another. Well, that’s the right challenge. If you want to see Zion get a little closer, then love one another."
Also consider:
http://denversnuffer.com/2014/03/your-only-hope/
Is Zion unlikely? If we carry on in the same manner that we have since this restoration revival has re-booted, then I would agree. As I have visited with fellowships in different areas, I am saddened to have witnessed those within our own movements who lack such patience, understanding, meekness, and charity for one another. I have witnessed it on this very group. What good does estrangement and enmity between each other accomplish? I understand there is a natural man and differences in understanding inevitably arise. However, shouldn't we, the so called "remnant" know better and thus act accordingly? It is not only disheartening, but embarrassing and disgusting. How can we participate in gathering in the elect of God and those in the highways and byways when we exercise such blatant disregard for each other? How can we soften the hearts of others if ours are hardened? How can we convince them of the truth if we are laden with sin and error? We need to be more meek, tender, and lowly of heart. If we have the knowledge of what is required and not act in accordance with that requirement, then we are fools, condemned by God, and don't deserve to participate in ushering in Zion. How can we sit at the table with the fathers or with the church of the firstborn if we can't even love one another?
I pray that we are not so vain, prideful, or idolatrous to think we have done all we can. I pray that we are not waiting for manna to fall from heaven or that another strong man will strike the rock for us so that living waters will flow down. We must do the work and make the effort. If the requirement is to get on our knees like Enos until we receive the answer, then so be it. If we ask what more we can do to be perfect and the Lord tells us to sell all, give to the poor, and take up our cross, then so be it. We must keep striving forward and seeking with ceaseless supplications to heaven and follow every word of His command by the power of the Comforter. If we can do that, Zion will come. Until then, it is all vanity.
Compare with the most recent blog post by Denver:
"[We rejoice at] "the willingness to aid in the building of the 'House of the Lord,' we are grieved at the conduct of some, who seem to have forgotten the purpose for which they have gathered. Instead of promoting union, appear to be engaged in sowing strifes and animosities among their brethren, spreading evil reports; …We feel to advise taking the word of God for our guide, and exhort you not to forget you have come up as Saviors upon Mount Zion, consequently to seek each other's good, -to become one: inasmuch as the Lord has said, 'except ye become one ye are none of mine.'" (Times and Seasons, February 15, 1842, Vol. 3, No. 8, The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ, to the Saints of Nauvoo.)
It is easy to fail. Just gather people who will contend with each other and there will be failure EVERY time. It makes sense to try something new rather than repeat the pattern that will never work. First, provide an opportunity for those who are interested to display who they are, whether they can live peaceably with others. Once we know one another's hearts then the Lord can gather only those who will avoid contentions, jealousies, strifes, envyings, and jarring. Like the pattern in Abraham, first men are "proven" and then they are gathered, or spared."
-From: http://denversnuffer.com/2016/02/how-to-fail/
I have personally seen unnecessary contention and false reports in my own fractured fellowship. Some things are worth talking about. But some of the dividing for differing opinions on gospel topics, the false assumptions and reports, or tiny complaints about others that turn into trying to paint them as villains and ones to avoid in Sunday meetings, should end.
Snuffer also discussed recently that some topics are left un-explained for a reason. I think this is why... so some can put on their divisional, contending and destructive-to-zion tendancies or weaknesses on group display. I hope we can all do better.
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