Let Us Reason Together

I was struck deeply in the reactions to Paul’s teachings from the people of Thessalonica in comparison to the people of Berea in Acts 17. When Paul enters Thessalonica we read that he went and reasoned with the people in the synagogue. The scripture states, “they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:1-3). 

A powerful principle that jumped out at me was how God and His messengers reason with us. Many Jews were looking for a political Messiah, the anointed one, to deliver them from Rome. Most had rejected Jesus, because He was there doing things they were not expecting from the Messiah. Paul had to reason with them, show them in the scriptures, that Jesus was this Messiah they had been looking for. He had fulfilled the prophecies from the law and the prophets in what we now call the Old Testament. 

In Thessalonica they did not understand this principle of reasoning. The majority of the people tried to cast Paul out before listening to him. They rallied the mob of lewd men of the baser sort to persecute them and set all the city in an uproar against them (Acts 17:5).  In Berea they searched their scriptures more diligently to see if Paul was right, that Jesus was this Christ, the anointed one. The record states, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). It’s powerful that they listened and then went and studied for themselves. When we receive new doctrine and things we never had supposed, do we go to the scriptures or do we immediately cast it out because of our unbelief of what is being taught? I would suggest that as things are continually brought to light, for good or evil, if we cast everything out that doesn’t fit with our present paradigm, then we will be damned in our progress. On the other hand, if we are willing to take everything to the Lord, even if we are certain it isn’t what we currently believe it to be, and compare it with the words of scripture then we will know the truth or error of those things presented to us. In speaking of the last days, Jesus said, “whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived,” (JS-Matthew 1:37). 

Feasting on a meal gives our tongues something to taste and our stomachs to digest. Reasoning gives our minds something to think on and our hearts to feel. Let us reason together that we might receive all light and truth until the perfect day when all is revealed. 

Additional thoughts on reasoning together:

Sometimes we shy away from this principle of reasoning with one another. It is important to remember how the Lord shares light and truth with us. We learn in the Doctrine and Covenants that God communicates to us in our minds and our hearts. “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2). The mind and the heart are a great check and balance to one another. When both align we can have confidence that God is truly guiding us through the power of the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith taught, “This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge...it is calm and serene…” (https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-november-1838-31-july-1842/543 or TPJS page 149).

All through scripture the Lord sends His messengers to reason with His children. They testify from their personal experiences and the truths found in the word of God. “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus warned, “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24). Lack of knowledge leads one into errors of thought and action. Jesus, the ultimate example, used scripture to fight off Satan when He was tempted (Luke 4:2-13).

In speaking of his servant in the last days, Jesus said this, “the kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider” (3 Nephi 20:45). We will hear things that we hadn’t heard before. We will be shown things we had not realized before. We must be willing to consider things that go against our grain, that are not smooth sayings. If we are willing to reason things out in the scriptures and go to the Lord humbly, seeking His will alone, He will guide us along. He will reason with us and the Spirit will burn precious truths into the fleshy tables of our hearts. 

It’s interesting to me how we view humility. Sometimes we think humility is submitting to traditional views of our culture or beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation. In my opinion, true humility is a willingness to truly believe the scripture that states, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). If we really believe this, then we are willing to dissect our beliefs that we may have always believed. In my experience, I’ve had to reevaluate what I have previously thought in order to receive greater light and knowledge. There are layers of light and truth and the Lord gives us what we can handle. The law of Moses is good for a time to be a schoolmaster but eventually an elementary education doesn’t satisfy and we look for more. We have to be willing to explore again and again those things we thought we understood perfectly in order to come to a more perfect understanding. Then we have to be open that He may still give us more at a future time. The ways of God are beautiful and perfect. We have to have a sure foundation in Jesus Christ and Father. If we do, it doesn’t matter what false beliefs or traditions we have to unravel because our rock is our Redeemer. He is our sure foundation as all other foundations may or will eventually crumble. 

What I Have Learned from Saul Who Became Paul

I have been studying Saul turned to Paul and it has reminded me of the strong feelings I had about him while I was attending Ricks College. It was there I sensed the Lord was trying to teach me greater truths but it was requiring a breaking of the lesser laws that I had sacrificed so much to live. I was in turmoil seeking to understand the will of God for me. I had a profound experience as my professor of my C.S. Lewis class counseled with me in an interview. That professor’s name is David Ward. He is a great blessing in my life. Somehow in the conversation Saul came up. I don’t know what he said but I do remember what the Spirit burned into my soul. It was that Saul was completely dedicated to what he thought God wanted him to do according to the law. He wasn’t a murderer, he was a student of the law of God and was willing to do anything to live the law as he knew it. I believe this is why Jesus Christ appeared to him and called him to a greater work, because Saul was dedicated to what he knew to be true. 

A couple strong principles I feel have blessed me as I ponder Paul. One, when we are faithful to what we believe to be true and our hearts are pure, God rewards that faith, even if we are wrong. Truly the Lord looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The second is the Lord will correct us in profound ways if we are truly seeking to do His will, even if we are slightly off in our quest. Sometimes we are so fearful about being deceived we are paralyzed and can’t move forward in faith. If we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, then we can know that He will correct us when we stray and we won’t lose out on the blessings He offers us through His redeeming blood. What a freeing principle when we really let this sink into our minds and hearts and act with faith in Christ!

Who Does the Lord Upbraid and Who Does He Visit

I was in Mark 16 this past week studying and pondering and noticed a few things that were very inspiring about the Lord.

In James 1:5-6 we learn that the Lord does not upbraid, to find fault with or scold, those that lack wisdom and ask of God. He wants us to ask, knock and seek answers from Him.

In Mark 16:14 the Lord appears to the eleven and upbraids them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. He is referring to the witnesses of Mary Magdalene, to whom He appeared first, and of the two He appeared to in another form as they walked and went into the country (Mark 16:9-13).

It is so interesting that the eleven apostles were unbelieving but a woman and two other disciples were able to see Him and testify that He lived again. A couple key principles; 1- the Lord can appear to anyone that He desires to visit, 2- one doesn’t need to be an apostle to be a witness of the resurrected Lord, 3- those that are witnesses can be commanded to share their witness with others and 4- many will not believe on the witness of those who testify of the risen Christ.

I have noticed that the Lord doesn’t seem to be angry or upset with those that ask questions and seek further light and knowledge. In fact, He commands us to do so. He does upbraid, or find fault with or scold, those that are unbelieving and hard in their hearts. We ought to seek the Lord, to have our own personal witness of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I testify that He lives and is a real person, a loving God who visits His people in grace. I invite all of us to listen to the witnesses of others and allow these witnesses to increase our faith in boldly approaching the Lord for ourselves, to know of a surety that He lives.