Posted on 02/21/2011 3:07:25 PM PST by Paragon Defender
By Elder Victor D. Cave
Area Authority Seventy
Victor D. Cave, "Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Empty House", Ensign, Mar. 2003, 45–47
True repentance is not merely eliminating the negative but replacing it with positive attitudes and actions.
As Jesus traveled through the cities and villages of Galilee performing miracles, a man who was possessed with a devil was brought to Him; the man was also blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him, causing many to be amazed and wonder if He was the promised Messiah (see Matt. 12:22–23). When certain Pharisees heard that Jesus had done this, they said, “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils” (Matt. 12:24). Jesus dismissed their ridiculous logic and taught, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men who receive me and repent: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven unto men” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matt. 12:26).
A group of scribes challenged this teaching, saying, “Master, it is written that, Every sin shall be forgiven; but ye say, Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven. … How can these things be?” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matt. 12:37). Jesus then gave what has become known as the parable of the empty house:
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none; but when a man speaketh against the Holy Ghost, then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth him empty, swept and garnished; for the good spirit leaveth him unto himself.
“Then goeth the evil spirit, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last end of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matt. 12:38–39).
A person who commits sin without repenting does not have the protective influence of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, an evil spirit enters and dwells therein, thus leaving him “unto himself.”
The spiritual danger pointed out by this parable is real. Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) has explained: “When a man is baptized for the remission of sins … by the power of the Holy Ghost; when he becomes clean, and pure, and spotless before the Lord; … if he then sins against the Holy Ghost and loses the Spirit of the Lord as his companion, he is left in a fit condition to be swallowed up in every form of evil and iniquity. The house that was once swept and garnished, that was once a fit habitation for the Holy Spirit of God—that house is now vacant. The Spirit of the Lord will not dwell there longer, and the spirit of evil returns—returns to a vacant house, with a force and vigor exceeding anything of the past.” 1
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) has explained how this principle applies to the process of repentance:
“The devil knows where to tempt, where to put in his telling blows. He finds the vulnerable spot. Where one was weak before, he will be most easily tempted again.
“In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. He must make them. … He must eliminate anything which would stir the old memories.
“Does this mean that the man who has quit smoking or drinking or had sex pollutions finds life empty for a time? The things which engaged him and caught his fancy and occupied his thoughts are gone, and better substitutions have not yet filled the void. This is Satan’s opportunity. The man makes a start but may find the loss of the yesterday’s habits so great that he is enticed to return to his evil ways, and his lot thus becomes infinitely worsened. …
“Many who have discontinued bad habits have found that substitution is part of the answer, and have conquered a bad habit by replacing it with a good or harmless one.” 2
True repentance, then, is not merely eliminating the negative in our lives; it also must involve replacing the negative with positive attitudes and actions.
This reminds me of a lagoon in French Polynesia. It is one of the largest lagoons of its kind in the world. It is of beautiful turquoise color because of its white sandy floor. The water level lowers and rises ever so slightly with the ebb and flow of the ocean tides. The lagoon is peaceful and calm, but the pass through which the tides rush is treacherous and filled with sharks that await an easy meal. One day a few tourists swam too close to the pass and began to be dragged toward danger. The peacefulness of the lagoon had led them to be careless and lazy in keeping themselves from the sharks. Gradually they had floated on the soft current toward the pass. Eventually they went too far and found themselves beyond the point where their own abilities could save them. Outside help was necessary, so a speedboat was sent to rescue them.
As the swimmers in this lagoon should have done, we need to put forth a consistent, positive effort every day in order to remain in safe waters. We need to develop good habits that can replace old, bad ones. Satan desires that we become lazy and complacent. Daily scripture study and prayer, service, repentance, and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost can keep us safely in the spiritual waters of the Lord.
Many of us may already find ourselves in serious spiritual danger and in desperate need of rescue. Jesus Christ, like the operators of the speedboat, has power to save lost souls. Let us all, whether we feel we are in safe waters or not, swim to Him, our Savior and Redeemer. Then the “good spirit” will never leave but will always be with us (see D&C 20:77).
More on this topic: Spencer W. Kimball, “God Will Forgive,” Ensign, Mar. 1982, 2–7; Delbert L. Stapley, “Good Habits Develop Good Character,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 20–22.
Hello my classy friend. I respond when your gang pushes their anti-Mormon propaganda. I give some articles showing what we really believe and some sources for folks to look up the supposed “issues” brought up.
And non of you have ever brought up a single “issue” that hasn’t been addressed a thousand times over many years. You all only have the same old stuff... regurgitated and reformatted. Still not a valid issue in sight... day after day.... week after week.
Have a great night!
Interesting. I heard the name had something to do with the flying imams, but I never really got the connection. Now I get it. Thanks. :-)
Thank you for your perspective. Many people have been brought up in diverse Christian beliefs. Understood that you and yours consider LDS teachings non-Christian. Please demonstrate how Christ instructed us to castigate both Jews and Gentiles as unbelievers that are unworthy of His redemption. Further expounding upon the damnation of Islam, Zen Taoism, and all other “heathen” faiths will earn bonus points.
Precept upon precept, and principle upon principle mean NAUGHT.
Demonstrated love for one another is reciprocal.
Do you even realize how astonishing is your assertion that exposing what Christians would see as blasphemous comments from your leadership is not a valid issue? When you post, drone bees come to mind, directed but not independent, drone bees. Sorry, that's just the lasting impression your denials leave with me. And perhaps that's why I continue to post the despicable blasphemous quotes hallmarking Mormonism.
...she tried to compare us to the flying Imams, but wrote it as 'Inmans'. Since then we've been compared to flying pigs, pigs in need of hosing off, fools, anarchist, liars, devils ... and a whole list of stumbling accusations which have only spurred us on to greater research so we can bring the direct blasphemous quotes of Mormon leadership to the FREEREPUBLIC exposure they so richly deserve... [MHGinTN]
Actually, last April I had to set the record straight among us Inmans on how this came about...and will have to do so again [all of our memories get a bit fuzzy on a few details]
But MHGinTN, one of the original Flying Inmans, is certainly correct about the mudslinging aimed our way -- especially the pig references given to us by one of the Mormon FReepers.
So, I've divied this post into five parts (if ya wanna pass on a legacy, ya gotta know the heritage!):
* "The Flying Inman" clarification intro
* Explanation of the Original "Flying Inman" designation
* A good-sport response from our original tag-producer
* My comment to Lds from last May 30, 2010 -- our three-year anniversary
* An early notification to set aside May 30, 2011 -- Memorial Day -- as a "remembrance" day for the spiritual warfare that goes on these threads and elsewhere as we wage a war with the enemy of our souls for beloved Mormons everywhere!
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Explanation of the Original "Flying Inman" designation:
(What follows is the April 22, 2010 explanation I gave -- followed by Plutarch's response. Plutarch is not Lds -- yet gave us the original nickname. And I've included his response below...he's a good sport!)
...the "Flying Inman" designation was given by an Episcopalian -- not a Mormon. (Albeit a Romneyfied Episcopalian). See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1841913/posts?q=1&;page=101
Just as "Christian" was a derisive term first bestowed upon them by their opposition @ Antioch (see book of Acts), "Flying Inmans" was meant to be yet another derisive term used by a self-confessed FR "Romneybot" (his, Plutarch's term, not mine)... (And it was GF who immediately noted back then that Plutarch was essentially comparing us to "terrorist wannabes").
In that infamous post, Plutarch said (to Colorcountry & six others of us he copied): "I regard the claims of Mormonism as theological. Didn't you claim to eschew theological discussion on political threads a few posts back? Henceforth, you and your co-FR-theologians shall be known as the FR Flying Inmans, because in a secular setting you make a big fuss out of religion..."
Now in partial defense of Plutarch, there was a bit of "play" involved in this gesture...it wasn't what I would call 100% mean-spirited. In fact, Plutarch, when it was pointed out that he mispelled "Inman" then wrote: Far be it from me to call people names. That would be mean. The FR Flying Imam appellation is just a nickname, you know, like what GWB bestows on reporters and everyone else. It don't mean nothing. If those of you whose negative posting on Romney derive from your theological disagreement with Mormonism want to call yourself something positive, such as Crusaders for Truth, go ahead. I support Romney, so I guess I am a Romneybot.
So if...
...a self-confessed "Romneybot" designated us as "Flying Inmans"...
...in an FR thread headlined "Romney Beginning to Look Like GOP Front-Runner"...
...well consider the source. Ask yourself, "Hmm...which 'camp' do I favor...the 'Romneybots' or those who stand in strong opposition to him?"...
...and then ask, "Who did more than their fair FR share in '07-'08 to head off Romney remaining as that "front-runner" than the 'Inmans?"
...I'm glad you brought this up. The FR Flying Inmans have grown significantly in less than three years. And with another Romney campaign threatening our party and our land, perhaps we need a special FR anniversary posting day set aside to "honor" Flying Inman contributions...
Therefore, in Royal FR Plutarchian fashion ("arch" is Greek for "ruler"), and to use as close as possible the original official designation language, "Henceforth, in honor of all past, present and future co-FR-theologians who are known as the FR Flying Inmans, who indeed have made a big fuss out of the mainstreaming of Romney and Romney's religion, I hereby designate May 30 as 'Annual FR Flying Inman Day.'"
...Plutarch, we thank thee for thy designation May 30, 2007...
******************************************************
A good-sport response from our original tag-producer
Source: Plutarch's side of the story :
"Gee, who would have thunk this Flying Imam thing would have taken on such a life! It is deeply embarrassing that I misspelled Imam. The thing is, the dig was not really about anything political or religious, but more about FR posting etiquette. My objection was to posts on threads with a purely political topic that were animated by undisclosed non-secular concerns, and a penchant for these posts to hijack threads. If you guys want to have religious discussion, have at it, there are threads for that. I just got peeved by these discussions breaking out on political threads. I have neither political nor religious disagreements with any of this merry band. I trust you are all conservative, and I'm just not interested in the religious stuff. [Plutarch, April, 2010...Thanks for your input, Plutarch]
**************************************************
My comment to Lds FR posters from last May 30, 2010 -- our three-year anniversary:
Happy Flying Inman Remembrance Day!
Three years ago today, May 30, 2007, the “Flying Inman” designation was bestowed upon us. We honor three years’ of self-sacrificial service all day today!
(By designating today as Flying Inman Remembrance Day, we take nothing away from the brave men and women who serve us in our armed forces. They, in fact, flesh out what it means to engage in warfare. They give us a living word picture of what spiritual warfare is all about, even in victory. Our armed forces, when they defeated the Japanese and Germany, didn’t gloat over them...didn’t treat them beyond what justice deserved...and in fact, was merciful to the point of rebuilding their lives and economies. So, too, we celebrate our victory in Jesus Christ.)
We want to make it plain to those who follow Joseph Smith: YOU are not our enemies! YOU are our prize! We desire for you to accompany us to heaven!
We love Mormons. And I appreciate you Mormons who have sacrificed of your time to converse with us! …[I named six specifically} the rest, we appreciate you!
We love you, often with a tough love, but yes, still a love. Aside from anything you DO, you are esteemed greatly in Heavenly Father's eyes. He loves you. He looks forward to a reconciliation, and a putting away of any barriers that may block the way.
Please understand while our skirmishes are with those who would lock you and others into legalism, our REAL battle isn't with flesh and blood at all. As aMorePerfectUnion indicated, spiritual forces undergird certain doctrines. That's why the apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, mentioned "the doctrines of demons."
Those doctrines haven't remained in the ethereal floating around. They've been translated into false prophets' works and words.
We disagree on much. But relationships are important. And we want to honor you, by hearing you out, and by providing a platform for you to express your convictions. That's what a "Free Republic" is all about!
Finally, we thank Free Republic, JimRob and its moderators for the fine service they provide for America!
Colofornian
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Utah Binger was so nice to offer a Sunday, May 30, 2010 sunrise service. Certainly Utah Binger's hosting JimRob the third weekend of July 2011 makes for a fine weekend to consider goin' to honor our Free Republic host on a month set aside to a Free Republic Independence celebration.
Also, as you set aside some time on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011...
...to honor our veterans of war...
...and to ponder their endurance, strategic tactics and self-sacrifice...
...consider applying that to our spiritual lives as well!
[And...don't forget...it will also double this year as Flying Inman Remembrance Day! Join us online for fellowship & discussion!]
Do you see why the Lorenzo Snow couplet, derived from a burial sermon offered by Joseph Smith, is blasphemous toward God Who created the universe and all that there is? Do you understand why people find it deceitful that your ‘prophet’ leader, Hinckley sought to purposely mislead people by telling an interviewer that he didn’t know much about the ‘god was once a man and gained the attributes of godhood’ and that ‘he didn’t know that we believe that’? Do you realize that Hinckley actually delivered a message to the General Council regarding the Snow couplet, in close time proximity to his deceiving the interviewer?
Bravo! Thanks for the correction. I shall now rearrange my ‘Inman sanctuary’ to reflect the more accurate History. Sorry, Resty, you will no longer get the notoriety I’ve been sending to you. ... Perhaps we can get the High Priestess of The Napkinists to relate the rise of our splinter cult?
Your reply indicates a fear of the unknown and unfamiliar. May you and your loved ones be blessed and rewarded in life, throughout your endeavors.
Thanks, Colofornian. I enjoyed the read and reminisce.
And just WHY should I do this?
It seems to be an IDEA of yours.
Plaese; check your bible again and seek if the word REBUKE is missing.
The MORMONism that you 'proclaim' HAS been shown to be heresy - over and over again.
Have a nice eternity.
The problem with YOU, PD; is that you cannot bring up a single 'issue' and discuss it.
“I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to 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.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother,
Joseph Smith continues: "for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible" (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:12). "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).Questions put to Joseph Smith: "'Do you believe the Bible?' [Smith:]'If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do'. When asked 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons'? [Smith replied] 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).Brigham Young stated this repeatedly: "When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness" (Journal of Discourses 5:73); "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Journal of Discourses 8:171); "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:199); "And who is there that acknowledges [God's] hand? ...You may wander east, west, north, and south, and you cannot find it in any church or government on the earth, except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.24); "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).Orson Pratt proclaimed: "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).Pratt also said: "This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses, vol.18, p.44) and: "But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be ...But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance" (Journal of Discourses, 18:172).President John Taylor stated: "Christianity...is a perfect pack of nonsense...the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.167); "Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom." (Journal of Discourses, 10:127).James Talmage said: "A self-suggesting interpretation of history indicates that there has been a great departure from the way of salvation as laid down by the Savior, a universal apostasy from the Church of Christ". (A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.182).President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness." (Doctrines of Salvation, p.266). "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the 'Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.282).More recent statements by apostle Bruce McConkie are also very clear: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); "virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269); "Gnosticism is one of the great pagan philosophies which antedated Christ and the Christian Era and which was later commingled with pure Christianity to form the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the early days of that era." (Mormon Doctrine, p.316).President George Q. Cannon said: "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" (Gospel Truth, p.324).President Wilford Woodruff stated: "the Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord, and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p.196).
Ha!
We actually cull things from his infamous List-o-Links® and SHOW folks how 'good' they are, and he ignores THAT!
PD should have "HEY! Look over THERE!!!" copyrighted!
And THIS is what is WRONG with MORMONism today: it seems that NONE of the members know from whence they sprang!
That's where we INMEN come in - as HISTORY teachers for the folks who were sleeping when they got touched by that old dude with the OIL!
Do you see why the Lorenzo Snow couplet, derived from a burial sermon offered by Joseph Smith, is blasphemous toward God Who created the universe and all that there is?
Do you understand why people find it deceitful that your ‘prophet’ leader, Hinckley sought to purposely mislead people by telling an interviewer that he didn’t know much about the ‘god was once a man and gained the attributes of godhood’ and that ‘he didn’t know that we believe that’?
Do you realize that Hinckley actually delivered a message to the General Council regarding the Snow couplet, in close time proximity to his deceiving the interviewer?
Surely you are not trying to hold US accountable for what some senile old coot was babbling; are you??)Your newness in these threads indicates a lack of background of the things we speak of.
Please; withhold your judging of us until you come up to speed a bit.
Thanks for the reminders, Colo...I hereby designate Colofornian as the Official Flying Inman Historian and Scribe. Those Inmans NOT in favor, reply via snail mail.
I guess I missed Plutarch's info re the reason for the appellation..sorry, Plutarch, it's hard to seperate the Romney supporters from the mormons.
I didn’t know all that either, having been an Inman for just over a year. I would have guessed it was Resty who named us :-)
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