Nice dance, Woody.
What do you think happened during those 40 days? Why is the Bible silent as to what occurred then?
Based on what you have stated (if I understand it correctly), I pretty much have nothing to worry about as far as my salvation goes. If I'm one of the elect, there's nothing I can do about it, I'm going to be saved at the last day because I'm one of the elect. If I'm not one of the elect, there's still no point in worrying about it, because there is no action that I can take that will change that already-decided-upon result. My free will (if I have any such thing) doesn't affect the outcome.
Welcome to the Church of Que Sera, Sera.
The one thing I don't understand is this: if there's already a final version of the list containing the names of the people who get let in to the Big Celestial Harp Band and Throne Dancing Brigade, and who don't, why do we even need a historical record of the teachings and resurrection of the Savior? It would seem that it would be important for me to know about it if my knowing about it would cause me to take actions that might change the outcome, but you've already told me that my actions don't matter one way or the other. If I'm one of the good guys, I'll be drawn onto the correct path; if I'm not, no amount of trying to get on the path will do any good.
So, what's the point of worrying about it one way or the other?
Completely wrong. Your free will is critically important to the outcome. Here is a truism: man will freely do what man wants to do. I wanted to cry out in my hopelessness for Christ to save me because I had already been born of God, just as the Bible says. It had pleased God to reveal Christ within me, just as the Bible says. Therefore, he turned for me my mourning into dancing and put off my sackcloth for gladness to the end that my glory may sing praise to Him and not be silent. Oh, Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
In the same manner, you can freely chose to come out of the LDS and embrace a saving faith relationship with Christ.
The one thing I don't understand is this: if there's already a final version of the list containing the names of the people who get let in to the Big Celestial Harp Band and Throne Dancing Brigade, and who don't, why do we even need a historical record of the teachings and resurrection of the Savior?
Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, just as the Bible says!
It would seem that it would be important for me to know about it if my knowing about it would cause me to take actions that might change the outcome, but you've already told me that my actions don't matter one way or the other.
No, it is important that you do confess and enter a saving relationship with the REAL Jesus, just as the Bible says.
If I'm one of the good guys, I'll be drawn onto the correct path; if I'm not, no amount of trying to get on the path will do any good.
If you are not chosen by God you will never freely want to enter a saving relationship with him, just as the Bible says. The Word of God will have had its intended effect, just as the Bible says.
So, what's the point of worrying about it one way or the other?
Because those who seek, knock and ask will find Him, just as the Bible says. Ponder this verse:
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, whereunto He called you by our Gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.