All or Nothing

[Connie]

“The harsh reality is that mankind must choose between opposites, between light and darkness, between truth and falsehood, between righteousness and unrighteousness, between happiness and misery. All of these choices are really simple. How delighted the adversary is when he can divert men from deciding about these first things and keep them busy with second, third, and fourth things.” -Neal A. Maxwell

“We cannot practice one principle of Jesus Christ, apart from all his other principles, and have full happiness. -Neal A. Maxwell

“One may well ask if it is necessary to choose between such absolute extremes, and wonder if there is not some more moderate approach to the problems. By the very nature of things, there is no third way – as the early Jewish and Christian writers remind us repeatedly in their doctrine of the Two Ways. According to this oldest and best-established of teachings (though quite unpopular with the conventional Christianity and Judaism of our time), there are Two Ways lying before every person in this life, the Way of Light and the Way of Darkness, the Way of Life and the Way of Death; and every mortal every day of his life is required to make a choice between them. Unfortunately for our peace of mind, any compromise between the Two Ways is out of the question, since they lead in opposite directions. As the wise Heraclitus pointed out long ago, “The up-road and the down-road are one and the same.” Which one you are on depends entirely on the way you are facing.” -Hugh Nibley

“Satan's masterpiece of counterfeiting is the doctrine that there are only two choices, and he will show us what they are. It is true that there are only two ways, but by pointing us the way he wants us to take and then showing us a fork in that road, he convinces us that we are making the vital choice, when actually we are choosing between branches in his road. Which one we take makes little difference to him, for both lead to destruction.” -Hugh Nibley

“There is a clause in the will stating that if the heir neglects any of the franchises, he will forfeit them all. What am I doing with genealogy, temple work, Sunday School, priesthood, home teaching, scripture study, and all my meetings? I simply can't do them all; I cannot begin to do justice to them. Why not? Because I am, as my grandfather used to say and not entirely in jest, too taken up with the cares of the world...” -Hugh Nibley

“The whole tenet of the dualism of Babylon and Zion, the Two Ways, is that one does not move gradually and easily from a sinful to a righteous life. One forsakes sin completely, or one does not forsake it.” -Hugh Nibley

“(we can only think of one thing at a time) It is precisely this limitation that is the essence of our mortal existence. If every choice I make expresses a preference, if the world I build up is the world I really love and want, then with every choice I am judging myself, proclaiming all the day long to God, angels, and my fellowmen where my real values lie, where my treasure is, the things to which I give supreme importance. Hence, in this life every moment provides a perfect and foolproof test of your real character, making this life a time of testing and probation.” -Hugh Nibley

These quotes would seem to suggest, to me, that it is "all or nothing," "black and white." And yet i'm hesitant to define the telestial kingdom as "nothing." Does anyone have any thoughts or insights on this?

[Honor]

This is what came to my mind. When thinking about this from a parent's perspective, wouldn't you encourage your children to aim as high as possible, and not to do it casually? Take, for instance, something like a college education. I wouldn't say, "Well dear, earning a degree would be nice, but I don't want you to feel pressure from me." Chances are, a child wouldn't have much hope of seeing it's importance unless it is apparent that it is important to you. Our vision should always be singular to the ultimate goal. Of course we're not perfect, but that isn't an excuse to aim for anything less.

The beauty found in the gospel is when we feel the mercy of the Lord - the sweet peace that comes from repentance. The danger comes when we try to make a game plan and factor in that Heavenly forgiveness. If we are always expecting to be cut some Heavenly slack, our motivation isn't exactly going to be what it should. Mercy is only HIS to give, not ours to ourselves before we even make an attempt.

For all intents and purposes, I believe we are to be making our choices in life as if it is all or nothing.

Edited March 14, 2009 by Honor
:) Thanks Yellowlight!

[Traveler]

“The harsh reality is that mankind must choose between opposites, between light and darkness, between truth and falsehood, between righteousness and unrighteousness, between happiness and misery. All of these choices are really simple. How delighted the adversary is when he can divert men from deciding about these first things and keep them busy with second, third, and fourth things.” -Neal A. Maxwell

“We cannot practice one principle of Jesus Christ, apart from all his other principles, and have full happiness. -Neal A. Maxwell

“One may well ask if it is necessary to choose between such absolute extremes, and wonder if there is not some more moderate approach to the problems. By the very nature of things, there is no third way – as the early Jewish and Christian writers remind us repeatedly in their doctrine of the Two Ways. According to this oldest and best-established of teachings (though quite unpopular with the conventional Christianity and Judaism of our time), there are Two Ways lying before every person in this life, the Way of Light and the Way of Darkness, the Way of Life and the Way of Death; and every mortal every day of his life is required to make a choice between them. Unfortunately for our peace of mind, any compromise between the Two Ways is out of the question, since they lead in opposite directions. As the wise Heraclitus pointed out long ago, “The up-road and the down-road are one and the same.” Which one you are on depends entirely on the way you are facing.” -Hugh Nibley

“Satan's masterpiece of counterfeiting is the doctrine that there are only two choices, and he will show us what they are. It is true that there are only two ways, but by pointing us the way he wants us to take and then showing us a fork in that road, he convinces us that we are making the vital choice, when actually we are choosing between branches in his road. Which one we take makes little difference to him, for both lead to destruction.” -Hugh Nibley

“There is a clause in the will stating that if the heir neglects any of the franchises, he will forfeit them all. What am I doing with genealogy, temple work, Sunday School, priesthood, home teaching, scripture study, and all my meetings? I simply can't do them all; I cannot begin to do justice to them. Why not? Because I am, as my grandfather used to say and not entirely in jest, too taken up with the cares of the world...” -Hugh Nibley

“The whole tenet of the dualism of Babylon and Zion, the Two Ways, is that one does not move gradually and easily from a sinful to a righteous life. One forsakes sin completely, or one does not forsake it.” -Hugh Nibley

“(we can only think of one thing at a time) It is precisely this limitation that is the essence of our mortal existence. If every choice I make expresses a preference, if the world I build up is the world I really love and want, then with every choice I am judging myself, proclaiming all the day long to God, angels, and my fellowmen where my real values lie, where my treasure is, the things to which I give supreme importance. Hence, in this life every moment provides a perfect and foolproof test of your real character, making this life a time of testing and probation.” -Hugh Nibley

These quotes would seem to suggest, to me, that it is "all or nothing," "black and white." And yet i'm hesitant to define the telestial kingdom as "nothing." Does anyone have any thoughts or insights on this?

Most often the children of G-d are divided into 3 groups. Note the pre-existence the reference to a one third part of heaven – indicating that heaven was divided into three parts. Note that following the flood mankind was divided into three parts in the sons of Noah. Note that in the resurrection there are 3 kingdoms.

Most divide the children of G-d into two groups – the redeemed and the damned. The flaw in extending this thinking is that it overlooks that the black or white issue is based on the law given. To every law that exists there are only two possibilities – to obey and live the law or to break the law.

We all live under law. The lowest is enslaved by law and have not freedom. The next are capable of living only under a lesser law. The g-dly are capable of mastery of all law and therefore are liberated by law.

The Traveler

[Connie]

Thank you, both, those are some good insights. :)

[Guest Alana]

Perhaps it's like when you're in a dimly lit room for a while. You can see the light and see things in it and perhaps are satisfied and comfortable. Then you go outside at noon and the sun is sparkling and bright. Once you go go back in to the dimly lit room, it looks like you've walked into a completely dark room and can't see anything. That doesn't mean the light isn't there in the room, but it's nothing compared with the brilliance and illumination of the Sun.

[PastorBob]

Some sects, particularly some Catholics, actually teach that adherence to extremes is a sign of demonic possession; it is said to be how Satan's mind works - if he cannot have everything, he will have nothing. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." meaning that if he cannot get total control, he will leave.

To escape dualism, when anything soever arises, it must be united with its opposite, so that they cancel each other out, leaving the Truth, which was previously invisible behind the cloud of duality.

[Moksha]

If the two shapes become disjointed

they will just flop over.