Thursday, March 21, 2013

Book of Mormon Conspiracy Stories

Furthering my experiment upon the word to liken the scriptures unto us, I came across an interesting conspiracy theory last night. Right at the end of the Book of Helaman there is a bit explaining the convoluted theory the unrighteous Nephites came up with to reject the prophecies of the coming of a Savior, Jesus Christ. A part of that seemed awfully familiar to the current political scene. Try thinking of this passage in terms of the "lame-stream media" and "welfare state" and "dependency" on government. I guess you also have to be really creative to think about things like the safety-net (Medicare, Social Security, "general welfare*," and even Obamacare) to be things that are "good" rather than stealing free agency. I know it may be a stretch, but give it a try:
And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.
And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. Helaman 16:21-22
All I'm trying to say is that someone "left of center" can wrest the scriptures to their own destruction as well as those far right of center have been doing for so many years. What are my solutions? While I think it's fine to consider principles of the scripture in contemplating our modern condition, rationality and reasonable discussion to find the common ground would be a better way to exercise our civic duties. It would be best if we left partisan politics out of our scriptural interpretations and vice versa. (Oops, there I go talking about the "left" again.)

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* "General welfare" actually not being that great of a stretch as it is specifically mentioned in both the original intent of the Constitution as set out in the Preamble and as an enumerated power of Congress through the rather broad taxing power in Art. I, Sec. 8, Clause 1 (as amended by the XVIth) and as recently recognized by Chief Justice Roberts in the Obamacare case.

1 comment:

  1. All members need to read this. Actually, the First Presidency really should say the same thing from the pulpit.
    During the presidential campaign the wrong use of scriptures to support one's side was rampant. And it got old, fast.
    And after Romney lost it was worse!

    ReplyDelete

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