Weekly E-mail Reminder

	HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #42 New Testament Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona Weekly E-mail Reminder “P U R E   R E L I G I O N” James ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1.) MISTAKING MOTION FOR SUCCESS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The opening thought of the last lesson suggested that "purpose is preferred to procedure." This lesson continues to convey the doctrine that true religion is measured by "spiritual clarity of conscience rather than by systematic calculated cadence." All too often in organized religion, people mistake motion for success. It is a human tendency to believe that "doing" things takes on more importance than the Godly purpose behind them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2.) JUDAISM CENTERED ON "DO’S" AND "DON’TS": ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- However, look for the similarities of the LDS concept of "fath and works." ". . . The Torah contains 613 mitzvot; 248 of them are positive . . . (the ‘do’ laws, e.g. Honor your father and mother) and 365 are prohibitions (the ‘don't’ laws, e.g. You shall not eat anything on the Day of Atonement)." ". . . Judaism (also) insists on belief, faith and good deeds (which are also called mitzvot); but by themselves they are not enough. The actual observance of the mitzvot, notwithstanding the fact that it may occasionally cause inconvenience, is a prime doctrine of Judaism." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3.) HOW CAN GOD ALLOW HIS CREATURES TO SUFFER? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ". . . Looking at opposites helps us to understand affliction, trials of faith, tribulation, and the difficulties of life. Hence, God in His wisdom lets us experience opposites so that we may learn to be more like Him . . . The rabbis of the Talmud believed that it is a great religious virtue to bear one's suffering ‘with love,’ i.e., patiently and without becoming rebellious." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4.) WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT SUFFERING? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " . . . Judaism absolutely forbids inflicting suffering on other people and even on animals. Also, no man may ignore the suffering of others but must do everything in his power to help remedy the situation. This applies to physical suffering, to poverty and to psychological suffering. Furthermore, no man has the right to enjoy himself if the rest of the community is suffering." ". . . poverty . . . on the one hand . . . an affliction which robs life of its joy . . . othe other hand, poverty tests a Jew's faith and induces him to be more pious. It also stimulates generosity and sympathy in others." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5.) DO JEWS EXPECT THE MESSIAH TO SUFFER? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "In traditional Judaism, the Messiah will be a human being --- albeit it a perfect one --- who will come and bring harmony to the world. He will not have a divine aspect other than having been chosen by God for his task. The Hebrew word for Messiah, mashi'ah, means ‘anointed’ and indicates that the Messiah has been chosen by God. The coming of the Messiah therefore has come to mean the redemption of the Jewish people and an end to its suffering and tribulations." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6.) SINKING TO NEW HEIGHTS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ". . . all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7-8) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (7.) "STAR OF DAVID," A REMINDER OF RECONCILIATION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once reconciled to God, adversity in life brings His peace. The Apostle James’ admonition to "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you," reminds me of the explanation Rabbi Stanley Wagner of Denver, Colorado gave of the "Magen David," two interloping triangles, one pointing up and the other pointing down. Dr. Wagner said, "It reminds us of our relationship to God and His relationship to us." Letting God’s spirit permeate our every action will lead us to living true religion, conveying a spiritual sweetness that enlivens our souls
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