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.