John W. Redelfs wrote: --- The idea that he made all the laws included those by which he progressed to become a God is a Protestant idea. It is akin to creating something from nothing, which of course is impossible even for God. ---
One of the problems we encounter in discussing such ideas is the inertia of a massive Catholic and Protestant lexicon, which intrudes everywhere with false ideas and distortions of the truth. The "omni" words are overburdened in this sense, and it would probably simplify things if we just abandoned them and coined our own "ideosyncratic" terms with our own unique definitions. Joseph Smith's teachings clearly indicate that our spirits were coeternal with God, from before the beginning of time, but that God instituted the laws in the premortal world which constitute for us the plan of salvation. These are the natural laws to which I make reference. "God himself," the Prophet says, "finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, powers, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits." (Teachings, p. 354.) Thus the plan of salvation (of redemption, and of exaltation) comprises all of the laws, ordinances, principles, and doctrines by conformity to which the spirit offspring of God have power to progress to the high state of exaltation enjoyed by the Father. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 575.) He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;(D&C 88:41-42) --- Mij Ebaboc ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
