Do the Scriptures contain commandments?

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm. I’m intrigued by this conversation for another, though related, reason.

It seems as though many of us are approaching scripture as “man’s interpretation of their interaction with God.”

I think that makes sense, and it seems to be the sanest way to approach scripture. But I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t make me uncomfortable at times, wondering if I’m not just “making God in my own image.”

I want God to be “X,” and so when I’m confronted with scriptural evidence that depicts Him as “Y,” I go ahead and disregard that scriptural evidence…or rationalize it away as the “interpretation of men”…or whatever. I recognize that to a certain extent everyone does this in every religion and from every perspective, but should there be a balance in there somewhere?

[Anonymous]

We should always be “uncomfortable at times” and question our direction. Comfort leads to stagnation. I mean that on both ends of the spectrum, in both faith and in doubt.

[Anonymous]

katielangston wrote:

But I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t make me uncomfortable at times, wondering if I’m not just “making God in my own image.”

You are. So is everyone else. How could you not? Do you have any mechanism you can think of to remove this problem? You’re essentially asking that we not be human. The closest thing to this humans have is mathematics. That is, I can represent something in mathematics and there is no way for it to mean something other than what it says. There is no coloration by experience, and no room for interpretation (although there is certainly different applications). But I’m afraid God doesn’t speak math (at least not to me). Perhaps the Adamic language is equally unambiguous .

Should there be a balance? I dunno, I don’t see how there could be. We see things through the lens of our experience. If you are raised Mormon you will tend to ignore “Y” when “Y” contradicts “X” if “X” is a Mormon teaching. Each group has logic that supports its conclusions (and I mean every group). Question those logical steps too closely and there will be holes and hidden assumptions. But this is the way life is. Science is the same way, it just has a more rigorous standard, and more agreed upon methods of logic. Is there balance in the universe? I dunno, I don’t see how there could be.

I will add that there may be notions of morality and civility which we all agree upon (call them absolute truths). They may be the balance you are looking for. But then again, it might just be evolution showing it’s wise face!!

[Anonymous]

katielangston wrote:

I want God to be “X,” and so when I’m confronted with scriptural evidence that depicts Him as “Y,” I go ahead and disregard that scriptural evidence…or rationalize it away as the “interpretation of men”…or whatever. I recognize that to a certain extent everyone does this in every religion and from every perspective, but should there be a balance in there somewhere?

Katie,

I guess my original questioning on this topic were along these lines, because in my view, there is very little “scriptural evidence” of anything specifically. How can you prove that God is “X” or “Y”? It is all personal experience.

It is as Euhemerus put it:

Euhemerus wrote:

We see things through the lens of our experience. If you are raised Mormon you will tend to ignore “Y” when “Y” contradicts “X” if “X” is a Mormon teaching. Each group has logic that supports its conclusions (and I mean every group).

We make God according to our own experience. We interpret commandments according to our thoughts, even if those thoughts are to rely on the trust in the brethren.

If you actually go to the scriptures…there is not much evidence I see that specifically declares any commandments, apart from the 10 commandments and the 2 great commandments. There are only people’s interpretations that turn scriptural teachings into specific commandments we live by in the church today.

Quote:

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

D&C 58:26

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