Jonathan CV

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  1. It appears to me that DC 138:58-59 is the primary law of the universe: "The dead who repent will be redeemed...heirs of salvation." That last term includes the Tele-stial Kingdom of Heaven. If this is true, then the only unforgivable sin is failure to repent. "Forgiveness" means allowed out of hell, into heaven; redeemed, saved, get out of jail free. I think the unpardonable sin is essentially to continue in knowing, understanding, unrepentant, deliberate rebellion against the rightful, honorable authority of the Almighty. Continued. Paul in Hebrews 6:4-6 states that there are cases where it is IMPOSSIBLE "to renew [some] unto repentance." I believe that several apostles of the restored church have cautioned against sinning beyond one's CAPACITY to repent. Not beyond some deadline, not refused repentance. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to be allowed into the Kingdom (C, T, or T) if you are in continuing sadistic rebellion against the King and His willing subjects. Thank God.
  2. I am very uncomfortable with the ubiquitous policy, both in and out of the church, of working the highly accomplished members of the group until they drop, in an attempt to make the organization run smoothly. The "weak and simple", of course, remain so. Elder Packer's personal secretary told me that she had often heard him express similar feelings. I have read numerous of his sermons over the years wherein he recounted calling on the less accomplished people to give talks - with remarkable results. I have had the same experiences callings, talks, and assignments to new and less-active members, and even non-members, as I'm sure you have. So I'm puzzled. On LDS.org, 3 Sept 2018, there was an article published that says, "the perfecting of the Church as an organization was not the Lord’s primary purpose." (The True Church: “For the Perfecting of the Saints”, Elder J. Devn Cornish, General Authority Seventy) President Eyring has made that point, too. The quote I wish I could find may be in his 2017 talk, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/the-lord-leads-his-church?lang=eng I wish our accomplished choir director would be given 2 or 3 willing, inexperienced assistant choir directors to train and mentor. A friend and I were Sunday School Superintentants before we were old enough to drive legally. The weak and simple can be called upon, for sure. Recently I heard someone in WC say, "We are not just trying to create callings." That astounds me. I don't understand that attitude at all, in light of President Hinkley's oft quoted trilogy of needs - which other apostles have expanded to include all members. How can we grow to and staff another ward without developing the talents and skills of our weak and simple members through callings? A faithful, ex-bishop of our ward has often called for 2 teachers in every class (at least a mentor and an understudy.) My discomfort likewise arises when I hear frequent pulpit calls for volunteers. This is not the way laid out for us in our Handbooks. There is no mention of volunteers at all that I know of in HB2 - except for 2 instances, both of which are referring to non-members. Members, I think, are to be called upon by assignment, as a rule. I have found the Saints, and many, many people who are not members or are inactive members, to be happy to give honest service when asked face-to-face, even on the spot. If a plan, like our recent HPG leader's simple member sign-up sheets, allows them to tell us where they are generally available on a weekly, morning, afternoon, evening basis over the next weeks or months or "until further notice", many who can not commit to a regular calling do respond favorably, and faithfully. I am consecrated to sustain my leaders. Like our ward, I love and appreciate the bishopric, and our other leaders, teachers, etc. I know they fervently seek inspiration. I love to serve, but I am very uncomfortable leaving willing, less proficient people unused. To me, that seems like a dis-service - both to them and to my Father in heaven. In addition, I cannot generally sustain pulpit calls for volunteers. My intent is not to avoid service, but to serve in a way that builds people toward exaltation, eternal life, as our leaders have unitedly urged in their training about Ministering in 2018. Ministering – The objective is Eternal Lifeg.doc