 |
Dear
Gramps, |
Dear
Robert J.
It’s
curious how far afield we can get, when people contend with one another over
the scriptures.
The
Nephites on one occasion were contending with one another in the land of
Bountiful with respect to the appropriate manner of baptism.. The Savior,
announced by the Father, appeared to them and taught them the true doctrine of
baptism. He commanded that there should be no disputations among them on the
points of his doctrine, and then He said--
For
verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of
me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up
the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another
(3 Nephi 11:29.)
The
scriptures are understood by the administrations of the Holy Spirit, and when
contentions arise the Holy Spirit retires, and men are left to their own
deices. I feel sure that you can answer your own questions about what degree
of wrath would be acceptable in the Lord’s eyes. However, let’s examine in
detail the points that you bring up. What do you think was the intention of
James when he counseled that we should be slow to wrath? As we read on from
that verse he tells us that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God. Do you think that James would suggest that a little wrath is all right
when he tells us that wrath does not work righteousness? I think that James
1:20 would clarify the contention that arose over verse 1:19.
Although
we are commanded to abide by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth
of God, it is realized that none of us is perfect. Brother Brigham did not
state that we should never feel wrath (The fact didn’t state it does not
mean that he condoned it.) What he stated was that we should never give
expression to our wrath. So indeed, if we cannot control our feelings and feel
angry toward another, we should nevertheless control our words and never give
vent to our unkind feelings.
Now
concerning the Savior showing wrath against the moneychangers in the temple, I
believe that if you read that scripture you will find nothing there indicating
that the Savior was wrathful or angry. You may make that interpretation if you
wish from the fact that He drove out the moneychangers and others who were
polluting the temple. The Lord is undoubtedly capable of feeling all of the
emotions characterized by the children of men. We read that:
the
wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people
with a very great plague
(Numbers 11:33.)
And
[when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it];
and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and
consumed [them that were] in the uttermost parts of the camp
(Numbers 11:1.)
Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that
[is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the
water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:
for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me (Exodus 20:4-5.)
There
can be no question that God is a perfect God, having all his emotions and
feelings in perfect control. If He expresses any of the emotions that we are
counseled not to express, we must know that those emotions are expressed in
perfect righteousness and for holy purposes, that the unrepentant wicked may be
punished according to the justice of God, for indeed He is a just God, and He is
the judge.
Gramps