Wow, this is a lot to bite in to, but I'll make an attempt!
| QUOTE |
| 1. No acts/actions are inherently evil or sinful. |
This is definitely a tricky one, but I would say "false" to this. I agree that some actions that are usually sinful aren't inherently sinful. The best example I can give for this is killing someone. To Nephi it was counted as righteousness. In most circumstances it is not. The scriptures are full of justified, even commanded killing, especially the Old Testament, so it can't be said that the act in and of itself is sinful. However, I think there are actions that are always evil and never justified--in other words, that there are never righteous motivations of heart that lead to the action. Mental or physical abuse is one example. I cannot fathom any situation or state of mind and heart in which abuse would ever be considered good or justified. So this one example alone leads me to assume that there are some actions that are inherently sinful.
| QUOTE |
| 2. No acts/actions are inherently good or Godly. |
Again, I disagree. I see what you're saying about the possibility of acts we consider good being performed unrighteously, such as prayer in some cases(the Zoramites are a good example). However, I think there are acts that are inherently good. In contrast to the abuse example, simple kindnesses and uplifting actions toward others wouldn't be counted for evil, in my opinion. But I do agree that what it really comes down to is the heart, the spirit of the action. I just believe that an "evil" or indifferent state of heart or being would never generate certain loving actions.
| QUOTE |
| 3. Righteousness is not about doing certain good acts. 4. Wickedness is not about doing certain evil acts. |
I agree with these points. Ultimately, righteousness and wickedness are determined by our hearts. Like you said, we can go through the motions of good acts and not be righteous. And wickedness isn't determined so much by the evil acts performed as much as the evil heart that results in the evil actions. But this can get complicated when we use the terms righteous and wicked to refer to a person's state of being rather than to the actions themselves. We make these judgements based on our observation of a person's actions, but we don't know the heart. And, realistically, everyone is guilty of some form of wickedness because we all sin. So how many wicked acts does it take for a person to be considered wicked? And how many righteous acts does it take for a person to be considered righteous? Is there some balancing act of eternal judgement? If so, we definitely have no comprehension of it, so it is easier for us to focus on the righteousness and wickedness of actions rather than of heart. Even in the process of analyzing our own hearts and judging our own righteousness or wickedness, we are imperfect, unobjective observers. I believe we are capable of a great deal of emotional and spiritual self-deception, but our actions are what they are.
| QUOTE |
| 5. We cannot become perfect/righteous by focusing changing our actions. 6. We can become perfect/righteous by focusing on changing our intentions/motivations. 7. Acts do not bring perfection no matter the reason we do them. (Not the act, but the motivation for doing the act. sincere vs. insincere, love vs. obedience) |
I understand the point you are trying to make about actions ultimately needing to be performed with the right heart to result in a state of perfection and righteousness, but I think you are missing the progression part of the equation. How do we get to that point except by the actions that provide the opportunity for the Spirit to gradually perfect our hearts.
| QUOTE |
| Hel. 3: 35 - Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. |
Our hearts don't change by "focusing" on our intentions. Our hearts change when we choose to perform actions (regardless of initial motivation) that are specifically designed to humble us and allow the Spirit access to our hearts. We may not pray or fast or go to church or perform an act of service out of perfect or "righteous" intent. We may simply be going through the motions out of fear, obligation, or simple obedience. HOWEVER, as we choose to do those things at all, for whatever reason, our hearts are provided greater exposure, in a sense, to the influence of the Spirit. And perhaps obedience to the letter of the law will provide a foundation for conversion to the spirit of the law, as the Lord intended with the children of Israel.
| QUOTE |
| 8. If our hearts/motivations/intents are changed to do good because we are good then we have become perfect? (Not sure on this one, help me out...) 9. Actions taken because of our own positive internal motivation express the degree of perfection we have already obtained. 10. Actions taken against our internal desires/motivations show us where we need to improve, either by changing our hearts or by changing our actions so that they agree. (Internal conflict going on here.) |
Well, I think when all of our actions are in perfect harmony with the will of the Lord and the promptings of the Spirit we can only be operating with a perfect heart. However, I don't think that always coincides with our own internal motivations, regardless of how "positive" we judge them to be. As I was saying above about the fallible nature of self-analyzation, if we focus on our internal motivations rather than on the will of the Lord as revealed by His servants and, ultimately, the Spirit, we are bound to fool ourselves about our need for improvement in some areas. The idea isn't to bring our actions in line with our internal desires. The idea is to bring our actions in line with the will of the Lord. And sometimes (most times?) our internal desires do conflict with His will and "righteous" action is internally painful if we are struggling with an unrighteous heart. Those are moments when we are told to simply obey and have faith that the testimony (or change of heart) will come eventually.
And I think that's as much as I can chew for tonight! Great topic!
Read More Comments
Mormon News: