Couple of things on my mind this morning.
First off, yesterday at the gym I saw the pastor of a local Baptist congregation. He is at the gym most mornings working out and glad handing others in the gym, presumably those of his congregation. I know this man and have met him before on occasion. He has a very good reputation in the community as a man of God, and I respect him a great deal for his efforts to assist people both temporally and spiritually.
Yesterday he said something that amazed me. He said, after a brief introduction, that (and this is a direct quote) "we have a lot of ways, and there's sure to be something that you'll like." Now, I know he was trying to be friendly and solicitous. There was no malice in his demeanor or his tone. He was giving voice to the idea that is common among even very conservative Christians - that is that there are many ways to worship God and get to heaven. It is an appeal to the masses, looking for ways to broaden the net that is cast to catch souls.
But the first thought (literally) that struck me was the verse in the New Testament which states that "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me." If there really is one way, one truth, one life - or as Paul says in Ephesians, if there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism - then there really is only one way to the Father. It is through Christ. So the idea that there are many "ways" is repugnant to my soul and my understanding of the scriptures.
I did not give voice to any of this, but thanked him for his interest.
Later, discussing the occasion with my son who was with me at the time, I started to think about the audacity of someone who would presume to state that he knows of the ways to God. What gives him the authority to say this thing? According to my understanding, ordination to the ministry in most protestant religions is by a process which begins with a personal call - you feel in your heart that God has called you to the work; followed by a period of study, meditation, personal growth and cleansing, and training as a pastor - which includes both formal instruction and private training; and lastly, you are "ordained" by another pastor to the position. You may be required to obtain a license verifying that ordination and allowing you to legally act as a minister. But other than that, you're good to go.
How different this is from what we believe in our Church! How much more clear and beautiful is our organization. Adhering to scriptural precedent, we know that a man must be called of God, as was Aaron. Moses went into the mount and spoke with God face to face, receiving his calling directly from God Himself. But even this was not enough. He was ordained to the priesthood by his father in law, Jethro. This is what gave him the authority to preach the word and to act in the name of God. Before that time he did not preach. Aaron, Moses's brother, was called by God through Moses - who had authority to do such things.
There is one on earth only who has the authority to extend all callings, that is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has delegated some of that authority and shared some of the keys with a very few men and authorized them to call others to various positions according to the several stewardships involved. But he alone retains all the keys to act in all offices. I may act as the Bishop of the Baytown 2nd Ward, but that gives me NO authority to act beyond my authority and stewardship. I cannot call people to the 1st Ward, for example. Nor can I call people to Stake callings.
The manner in which this all happens is very transparent. When I was called, President Smith, acting under the delegated direction of the First Presidency, stood in a public meeting and said that I had been called. He asked for a sustaining vote (which amazingly was given!) and later ordained me to this position. President Smith was in turn sustained in another public meeting. We are given the opportunity to sustain the brethren - from the First Presidency to the local authorities of the Church - on a regular basis. Between Stake Conference, General Conference, and Ward Conference, it's about every other month that we are given this opportunity. Thus, there is no mystical call from an unseen source. It is not mysterious and ethereal. It is as clear as is the summer sun.
I wanted (later) to ask this good pastor from whence his authority was derived. From this personal call, no doubt, followed by the study and ordination. But this is NOT the way the Lord works. My twelve year old son has more authority to act in the name of God than does that man. My son can trace his authority directly back to the Savior Himself. He was called by God through Bishop Carraway, acting in his office at the time. Others are now called through me acting as the Bishop of our Ward and in the office that I hold.
All of this was brought on by the verse in Words of Mormon where he talks about many false preachers and teachers. I have no doubt that this good pastor feels that he is doing the best he can to do the work of the Lord. I also have no doubt that there is good that is being done. But he has no authority to perform in this manner, and he is acting on borrowed light. There will one day be an accounting required at his hands. That's not a responsibility that I want.
The second thing I was thinking this morning has to do with Mormon himself. I am so grateful for him. His efforts to communicate with us are truly prophetic and inspiring. The Book of Mormon - from this point on - include many of his asides, things that he's included or injected into the text so we can learn from his wisdom and experience and inspiration. They usually begin with the phrase "and thus we see" which is a kind of flag in my mind that signifies something particularly wonderful and insightful is about to come out. These jewels that encrust the glorious crown that is the Book of Mormon are probably the main reason to read the Book in the first place. What a wonderful blessing it is these 1600 years later to read these inspired words!
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