We got into a discussion in institute class about the good vs. evil nature of our actions. What it broke down to was: Are there things that we do in our lives that God really doesn't care about either way? Or is God concerned about everything we do, from what we eat for breakfast to what blogs we read. I favor the latter but I was interested in getting some opinions from our readers. I think most of the people that read this blog are religious, but if you're not, answer the question in accord with whatever moral beliefs you have, if you feel like it.
I'm also using this question to judge the feeling of our readers about discussing spiritual matters on the blog. Show me how interested you are in such things by responding or not!
That's all.
I think wen we die we are accountable for our thoughts, deeds, and actions. Our Father in Heaven listens to our prayers, and there is a plan that is divinely intervened and guided in each of our lives.
ReplyDeleteOur free agency lets us decide what we do with the details but I know that we honor and glorify them when we place those centered values into each of our decisions. Whether or not we eat Cheerios or oatmeal is trivial to his concern, I think, but just part of the fun earthly experience. But then again, each decision we make contributes to another decision and ultimately guides our path.
Thanks for posting this! You two are great mediators!
For my part, I'm not sure the question is answerable as it stands--too many issues of semantics. I think it's hard to really define everything that "concerns" God or everything He "cares" about. It may be best to approach it from your initial perspective: how do we really break down the good vs evil nature of our actions? Where does eating Cheerios fall? For that (and you may have already addressed this in your class), and particularly for Mormons, one of the best answers comes from Mormon himself (via Moroni) in Moroni 7:
ReplyDelete12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
Sounds reasonable to me.
I've always thought that God is more interested in growth and general direction (i.e. two steps forward, one step back) than in the details, although that doesn't mean the details aren't important and don't, in the end, determine what kind of people we are (like what we do when nobody's looking). If a decision, even a GOOD one, takes me in a not-so-desirable direction (reminds me of Good, Better, Best general conference talk), it is a poor decision. Same goes for what some may consider bad decisions (the story of Nephi killing Laban comes to mind). And of course, I've seen many poor decisions (my aunt who got pregnant out of wedlock) end in beautiful results that you would never want to undo (8 wonderful children). I think that part of God's power comes from the ability to make beauty of ashes and create goodness, meaning, and purpose out of almost all decisions, even bad ones.
ReplyDeleteI think most decisions are gray, or are between good and better, breakfast food included!
Exactly. It really depends on the context. Seemingly innocuous acts, like eating breakfast cereal, for instance, or washing a car, can actually mean something quite a bit different if the cereal was all your family had left to eat or if the car was stolen. (I know Tim has a lot experience with both.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing up my terrible poverty and personal crime waves that riddled my youth Mario. I really like the comments so far. It was interesting that the Good, Better, Best talk was brought up in the class discussion too. It makes me think of the story in D&C 61 where Joseph Smith and the Elders of the church are trying to figure out the best way to get to the east to preach the gospel. In verse 22 the Lord says that it doesn't matter if they go by sea or by land to get there. It doesn't matter how exactly they get there, as long as they get there.
ReplyDeleteTaking the example of breakfast, the end of eating is to maintain our body, which is a gift from God. He doesn't care which food exactly we eat, but he does care that we are working towards the goal of taking care of our body. So I think between the healthy foods, it probably isn't important to God which one we pick, but if we are consistently eating unhealthy, that matters to God and takes us in the direction of evil Mario referenced.
I was once told that God cares about everything that we care about, including John Mayer. If I am, for example, incredibly passionate about my choice of breakfast cereal and my life will be altered by that choice, or even really if it just makes me happier then I think the Lord does care. Not that it will directly change the course of my life but that I am happy. Just like everyone has been saying, It's the "spirit of the law"" the the Lord cares about, not always the "letter of the law".
ReplyDeleteHe cares about our well-being and our happiness and if that happens to include what we're listening to on the radio, then I'm sure he just cares that it's making us happy and bringing us closer to the spirit.
I think our Heavenly Father does care about the "trivial" things in our life, in the same sort of way we care about the trivial thing in our own children's lives. He loves us and wants us to be happy and when we find joy in good things, whether it be cheerios for breakfast or reading a good blog story, he is happy for us. He has love and concern for us and wants us to grow and thrive and find joy in our lives, whether it be large or trivial ways.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that is definitely something I was thinking about too. Even though I haven't seen my child yet, I imagine I'll care a bunch about what he eats for breakfast and what kind of toys he has, not just because I worry, but because I care.
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