There
are too many distractions. We're like small children whose eyes are
captured by every shiny object passing before us. We lose focus.
The Gospel has a core we don't even understand. We think we're
getting somewhere when we debate environmental issues in light of
Mormonism, or immigration policy, or conservative versus liberal
political solutions, or dress, grooming, word of wisdom, and ten
thousand other irrelevancies.
Until the core is corrected and our souls are saved, no amount of
energy or focus devoted to the periphery will get us anywhere.
How are you saved? How are you born again? What ordinances are
required? Are they symbols? If symbols, what do they symbolize? What
critical things must a man know to be saved? What does it mean "a man
cannot be saved in ignorance?" What does it mean to have "life eternal"
through Christ Jesus? Since Alvin was saved in the Celestial Kingdom
before the Gospel was restored, what does Section 137 really mean? What
about the rest of the revelation from which Section 137 was drawn? Since it involves salvation of a man who died before the fullness of the
Gospel returned, how applicable is that section to the condition we find ourselves in today?
Until we understand the core, there is no topic on the periphery worth giving any attention.
Until we understand the core, there is no topic on the periphery worth giving any attention.