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Dear
Gramps, Does the New Testament story of Christ clearing the temple fit as
scriptural justification for dealing with bad situations through violent
acts? It appears that Christ was doing what we might call “losing his
temper” in that episode. The people doing business in the temple made no
physical threat to the savior, yet he reacted with violence to protect his
home. What does this say about both physical and verbal violence in our
homes? Anonymous, from Nebraska |
Dear
Anon.,
The
Savior was the only perfect man who ever lived. Probably there is no one other
than him who has never “lost his temper.” The fact that he chased the money
changers from the temple does not mean that he was not in perfect control of
himself, nor that his actions were not perfectly justified and in agreement with
his Father in Heaven.
We
could never justify any violence on our part or abuse of another from anything
that the Savior ever did. He is the lawgiver. Laws for the conduct of man were
made by him, and he has thoroughly instructed us in how we should behave. He is
above our judgment. He is not subject to our criteria of righteousness; we are
subject to his. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it
is required to forgive all men (D&C 64:10).
Gramps