Lest haply we be found even to fight against God
In 1846, the main body of Saints left civilization and entered a trackless wilderness in search of Zion. Again today, we travel in a wilderness, this time one that deceitfully impersonates civilization. Recent handbook changes effecting the children of same-sex marriage partners have resulted in an outburst of criticism on the blogs, in social media, and in print. But let's remember that these handbook changes were made by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Some Church members, in openly criticizing these fifteen men, seem to have forgotten that God has placed upon them the mantle of His authority. And despite human weakness, and especially when they act in unison, they are authorized by God to guide modern Israel through the wilderness.
All of us should try to see more clearly the power of God resting upon His authorized servants. And each of us should consider more carefully the advice of a Pharisee named Gamaliel who counseled against criticizing the apostles, "lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Acts 5:38-39.)
posted by R. Gary on 11/30/2015 08:07:00 AM
2 Comments:
Nice post, but the "trackless wilderness" part doesn't really hold up. Lots of pioneers had preceded the Mormons west, such as Oregon pioneers and overland pioneers heading to California. The Donner-Reed Party preceded Brigham & Co. up to Little Mountain and down Emigration Canyon in 1846 and hacked out much of that trail that the Mormons followed when they discovered they could not make it down through Weber Canyon. In fact, there is a monument at the mouth of Emigration Canyon that honors the Donner-Reed Party. Ironically, it was the delay caused by hacking out that very trail that was in some part responsible for the DR party being late in getting to the Sierras where many of them perished.
Yes, sometimes the pioneers found existing roads and trails. But which road and which trail should they use? Is there a better word than "trackless" to convey the difference between the journey they made and the same trip made today with satellite GPS and road signs all along the way?
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