by Evan Rowell
GUEST COLUMNIST
Several weeks ago I found, placed inside my mailbox, a DVD. It had many appearances of being published by the LDS Church, a fact that even the most simpleminded among us would realize, once the content of the DVD was discovered, was meant to deceive.
As I stood with this DVD in my hands, the spirit of the Lord fled from me. I immediately discarded it and have yet to view its content. It wasn't until later that evening on television news that I learned what it was and what it attempted to do.
I understand that this is old news but it represents a prime example of how fear, uncertainty, confusion, and worst of all, pride, can cause some to deviate from their own tenants of belief.
The world is full of wonderful people who adhere to a wide range of religious philosophies. The vast majority of these people are good and honest individuals who strive to understand the teachings of God and devotedly -- if not stubbornly, Mormons included -- seek to put into practice what they preach. These are admirable people and they have my utmost respect because they possess integrity of conscience.
Those of an overzealous nature can be found in every religion. They are generally caring people who, being frustrated by failure to sufficiently draw others to their philosophies, resort to tactics that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They rationalize that the intended results warrant that the Lord should approve and that a little sin in the pursuit thereof is acceptable. I am deeply saddened by this reality and that so many wonderful people are influenced.
Fortunately there are those who, having faith in Jesus Christ and His ability to see righteousness through to victory without resorting to trickery, would never consider straying from abject obedience to the commandments of God regardless of excuse, desire, or potential accomplishment.
I recall an incident a while back where President Gordon B. Hinckley was asked what he thought about someone, apparently a good man, who was setting up shop near Temple Square teaching concepts that clashed with LDS doctrine. I was impressed so deeply with one portion of the situation as I read about it that I will never ever forget it.
In the course of events President Hinckley was asked: "What do you think of this man and what he teaches?"
President Hinckley's response was nothing less than perfect in its purity and emulation of what Jesus Christ might have said. He responded by saying, "If he teaches men to do good then let him teach."
The spirit truth and wisdom was strong as I read of this prophet's response to such a simple question. For me the situation was not unlike that which Christ faced when his enemies tried to trap him by asking whether it was right for the Jews, whose nation had been taken over by the Roman Empire, to pay tribute to the Caesar. Christ's response was pure in its wisdom and a classic example of how the spirit can provide in all situations without the need of deception. After contemplating for a short while, Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." This simple answer thwarted the designs of these wicked men seeking to entrap Christ.
Jesus Christ, as he taught from the humblest of back roads to the synagogues, never attempted to lambaste or condemn those who sought to do well. He simply had a truth to teach and He went about teaching it to any that would hear.
Honesty in dealing with others is a law given of God. The Lord has provided the means for us that his goals can and will be met and we must stay within those guidelines. Failure to do so is to seek to council God. It is an unwise individual or a severely misguided soul who would attempt such a thing.
I have great confidence in the intelligence of the general population's ability to see the error in attempting to justify unrighteous means by the ends thereof because the ability to discern between good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and wickedness, light and darkness is inherent in everyone. Indeed, it is a gift from God. I am quite confident that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is more than sufficiently geared to deal with such obstacles and will reign victorious in the end.
Allow me to quote Luke. "No man, when he hath lighted a candle putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light" (Luke 11:33). And, "If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light" (Luke 11:36).
There is no part dark in the Gospel of Jesus Christ neither is there need to use deceptive practices to get your message across to others if indeed your message is truly approved of God.
Stand proud of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never shrink, be afraid, or be ashamed to stand boldly and proclaim the Gospel, whatever your interpretation. If it be right, the Lord will support you and bring your message to those with ears to hear and you will be blessed for your efforts.
Tooele City resident Evan Rowell is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although his views in no way represent the official stance of the church. He may be reached by e-mail at evandr2@faithandevidence.com.