A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**Man Helped by God on Earth.** It was not intended, in the plan of
salvation, that man, though in forgetfulness, should wander alone and
helpless through the earth. Rather was it intended and made necessary
that men should gain experience by actual contact and contest with the
earth and earthly forces, under the watchful care of beings of
superior intelligence, who would help as demanded by man's free
agency. In an intelligent world it could not well be otherwise. In
fact, without the help of superior intelligence, the earth would be
chaotic instead of orderly. The Great Plan is founded on intelligence,
guided by a God of intelligence, and has for its purpose greater
intelligence.
Avenues of communion with God have been pointed out, but many men are
impervious to divine messages and need earthly help to understand the
will of God. The Church, the community of persons with the same
intelligent faith and desire, is the organized agency through which
God deals with his children, and through which such help may be given
man. Through the Church, God's mind may be read by all, at least with
respect to the Church community. Moreover, the authority to act for
God must be vested somewhere on earth. The Church holds this authority
for the use of man. Besides, it is the common law of the universe that
when intelligent beings are organized, as of one body, they progress
faster, individually and collectively. The Church as an organization
represents God on earth and is the official means of communication
between men and God.
**The Plan of Salvation for All.** In the Great Council the
earth-career was planned for all the spirits there assembled who
accepted the Plan. The earth and whatever pertains to it, are for all
and not for the one or the few. This means that man must not go
through his earth-life independently, doing as he pleases, living
apart from his fellowmen and accepting the Great Plan in his own way.
By his own free agency he became a member of the hosts of the earth,
and by his own promise, given in the Great Council, he must live in
accordance with definite rules to be enforced by God. The Church is
the community of those who, having accepted the Plan, desire unitedly
to work out their mutual salvation under the settled authority of God.
The purpose of the Great Plan can not be wholly fulfilled until all
have heard the Gospel. The Church as a body undertakes to carry out
this purpose. Only when the Church is not organized on earth, may
individuals who know the Great Plan, stand alone; but even in such
case it is the bounden duty of those having the knowledge, to give
themselves to the converting of others, so that the Church may be
organized.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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