After reading the letters to the editor in the November 20, 2010 edition of the Herald Journal I feel strongly compelled to share with you some of my feelings and the truths I have learned.
As a a follower of Jesus I have the responsibly to follow the his teachings. I receive additional inspiration when I follow the these teachings. " That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."" And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;""He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all. " (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24-26)
When I learn a new teaching I hold myself accountable to follow the new teaching. I have no obligation to compel another of my brothers and sisters to follow these additional teachings. We have another brother Lucifer who sought to compel us to follow that what is right, just and true and to remove from us the power of free will.. For this sin Lucifer was banished from Heaven in the pre-earth life. (see Book of Moses; Book of Abraham; Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained; John Milton)
I have friends and family who have chosen other lifestyles then my own. I have desired to be a shepherd and lead them to the teaching of Christ. I have tried in the past to drive them as a sheep herder. These attempts were only partial successful. “ "He that complies against his will
Is of his own opinion still. Which he may adhere to, yet disown, For reasons to himself best known (Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) ,A Vindication of the Rights of Woman )
Shepherding is a long and slow and difficult process. Jesus suffered in Gethsemane and died on a cross at Calvary because he would not compel the Jews and Gentiles of his time to accept him as their King and Redeemer. “All the dangers of Jesus came from the priests, and the learned in the traditional law, whom his parents had not yet begun to fear on his behalf. ….. Because they would not be such, he let them do to him as they would, that he might get at their hearts by some unknown unguarded door in their diviner part. ' I will be God among you ; I will be myself to you.—You will not have me ? Then do to me as you will.' (George Macdonald, Hope of the Gospel p. 58-62)
“A mother does not give her child a blue bow because he is so ugly without it. A lover does not give a girl a necklace to hide her neck. If men loved Pimlico as mothers love children, arbitrarily, because it is theirs, Pimlico in a year or two might be fairer than Florence. Some readers will say that this is a mere fantasy. I answer that this is the actual history of mankind. This, as a fact, is how cities did grow great. Go back to the darkest roots of civilization and you will find them knotted round some sacred stone or encircling some sacred well. People first paid honour to a spot and afterwards gained glory for it. Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her.” (G.K. Chesteron,Orthodoxy)
Do we love our fellow men are just seek to compel them to be just right and good. Telling someone they are loved even when we do not agree with them is not changing a standard. Setting a policy that I will treat my sisters female companion with the same love and respect that my sister has shown to my female companion is not changing a standard it is being truly Christlike. “But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)
With my deepest love and respect
Steven Bassett
P.O. Box 82
Franklin Idaho 83237
435-764-7493
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