What I say below, I believe, but cannot say for certain it is true. At the end of this, you shall see why I place such a qualifier on what I say.
Truth is not the domain solely of prophets. All men can seek it. Those of Christianity have a scripture, James 1:5, which says if any lack wisdom, let them ask of God, for God gives to all men.
Those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a scripture, Moroni 10:6, which says that by the power of the Holy Ghost, a person can learn the truth of "all things." The average person, then, is not limited in what truths can be revealed to him.
And, they have another scripture, Alma 26:22, which says, "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing -- unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed."
In the day of William Tyndale, the scriptures were not available to the masses, and, they were not in English that people could read them even if they had been available. The common man was not thought worthy of having the scriptures, but was to receive them only through the priests and church leaders. Tyndale changed that, he translated the Bible into English. And, he was burned alive for what he gave the world.
"If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a body who drives a plough to know more of the scriptures than you do," he once said.
But, that true religion gives the common person access to truth, and to the knowledge of heaven, it does not give him the same access that a prophet has. The common person may but wonder if understands a truth. The common person might be correct in his revelation, or might be wrong. He (or she) is fallible. A prophet, called of God and speaking in a setting where doctrine is disseminated, will be correct.
Nor has God given the common person right to declare doctrine. He has established a church, and therefore speaks through that church.
In the day of William Tyndale, the scriptures were not available to the masses, and, they were not in English that people could read them even if they had been available. The common man was not thought worthy of having the scriptures, but was to receive them only through the priests and church leaders. Tyndale changed that, he translated the Bible into English. And, he was burned alive for what he gave the world.
"If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a body who drives a plough to know more of the scriptures than you do," he once said.
But, that true religion gives the common person access to truth, and to the knowledge of heaven, it does not give him the same access that a prophet has. The common person may but wonder if understands a truth. The common person might be correct in his revelation, or might be wrong. He (or she) is fallible. A prophet, called of God and speaking in a setting where doctrine is disseminated, will be correct.
Nor has God given the common person right to declare doctrine. He has established a church, and therefore speaks through that church.
No comments:
Post a Comment