Good And Evil

[Guest MrsS]

Aristotles posted this on another topic, I used this same 'story' when I was teaching Primary a few years ago.

I got the story from http://lpintop.tripod.com/laurasinspirationalpages/id17.html Laura's Inspirational Pages

Two Wolves

An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life:

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope,

serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."

I used this for a lesson in Primary ~ I likened the evil wolf to Satan and the good wolf to the Holy Ghost. Then asked the children how could we "feed" the good wolf ~ the Holy Ghost?

How can we feed the good wolf that is battling the evil wolf inside of us??

[Aristotle]

[Guest Syble]

So you needed a whole new thread to repeat what was already put out? Why not say all of this on the other thread?

[Aristotle]

So you needed a whole new thread to repeat what was already put out? Why not say all of this on the other thread?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[Guest Syble]

<div class='quotemain'>

So you needed a whole new thread to repeat what was already put out? Why not say all of this on the other thread?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

LOL So they say!

[Guest MrsS]

So you needed a whole new thread to repeat what was already put out? Why not say all of this on the other thread?

That one was in the General Discussion, I have put it in Gospel Discussion, because I am taking it into a gospel oriented sphere.

Thank you for your concern though Syble. Perhaps you can relate how you feed the good wolf in you? How do you feed the Holy Ghost that resides in you?

[Guest Syble]

<div class='quotemain'>

So you needed a whole new thread to repeat what was already put out? Why not say all of this on the other thread?

That one was in the General Discussion, I have put it in Gospel Discussion, because I am taking it into a gospel oriented sphere.

Thank you for your concern though Syble. Perhaps you can relate how you feed the good wolf in you? How do you feed the Holy Ghost that resides in you?

Let me hear how you do it and then maybe I will feel like sharing.

[Palerider]

a good way to start is Compassionate Service......always brings happiness and a smile to someone who needs it.......

[prisonchaplain]

Perhaps you can relate how you feed the good wolf in you? How do you feed the Holy Ghost that resides in you?

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Jesus offers to "sup" with those who will let him in. Prayer, of course--direct conversation with God. Studying Scripture to show ourselves approved, workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God. Not tiring of doing good works. These are some broad gospel board answers.

On the General Discussion side: Get enough sleep, exercise, think on good things (i.e. God things).

BTW, even this string on a very straightfoward, seemingly noncontroversial topic, seems to have personalities trying to outdo each other. Is the Heavenly Father pleased?

[sgallan]

think on good things (i.e. God things).

There are no good things besides "God things" in your reality?

[prisonchaplain]

think on good things (i.e. God things).

There are no good things besides "God things" in your reality?

Correct. However, there's no doubting that good things come from sources that are not God-advocates. When the Israelites left Egypt their neighbors gave them many treasures. Some rather "ungodly" people run companies effectively, resulting in many jobs. Then, of course, sometimes there are good outcomes from wicked deeds. And, of course--and I suppose this is your key point--'godless heathens' often do wonderful things.

My contention--and I think most Mormons are with me on this--is that the image of God is in us. So regardless of one's view of how much the Fall of Adam and Eve effected our "sin natures"--that image, however broken, is still in us.

[sgallan]

I suppose I should just stop doing good things then....

.... but I won't.

Interesting perspective though. No wonder there are so many religious wars. Everybody thinks the other person has no value. Killing somebody with no value is not all that hard.

[prisonchaplain]

Interesting perspective though. No wonder there are so many religious wars. Everybody thinks the other person has no value. Killing somebody with no value is not all that hard.

If the image of God is in all of us, then all of us have value. There are no "untouchables" in Christianity, no "Samaritans." As Brother Andrew pointed out, those Michael Savage calls Islamo-facists are, in fact, God seekers. So, rather than stamp out the ungodly, better to encourage them by example, by dialogue, and by the love of God in us. Unfortunately, you've obviously been the target of some brutish attempts at "sharing the love of God."

[sgallan]

Most wars are caused by the irreligious, attempting to impose their self-perceived authority and control over another. I have found that most arguments are caused by the same type of people.

Of course you would find this. You are a partisans. It is the nature of partinship to find that which supports your particular position.

The irony is how surprised the war monger is when Christians fight back!

I'm not suprised. Christians are no more special than anybody else when it comes to wars (and this included athiestic societies). They are just humans, and humans have always found excuses to war and fight with each other.

[Guest Syble]

Most wars are caused by the irreligious, attempting to impose their self-perceived authority and control over another. I have found that most arguments are caused by the same type of people.

Of course you would find this. You are a partisans. It is the nature of partinship to find that which supports your particular position.

The irony is how surprised the war monger is when Christians fight back!

I'm not suprised. Christians are no more special than anybody else when it comes to wars (and this included athiestic societies). They are just humans, and humans have always found excuses to war and fight with each other.

There are two identifiable sides to everyone. Even those who don't believe in God believe there is good and evil in the world.

It is which side we choose to build up that makes us good or evil.

[Guest MrsS]

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

How can we feed the good wolf that is battling the evil wolf inside of us??

To feed the good wolf Joy: I would do good deeds, i.e. compassionate service such as Palerider stated. When you selflessly give of your time and talents to those who are in need, you bring joy to them, to your self and to Heavenly Father.

To feed the good wolf Peace: I would turn the other cheek, be the peace maker at all costs. Before I said or did anything, I would imagine that Jesus Christ is right next to me. I would banish the adversary from me and my loved ones at every prayer.

To feed the good wolf Love: I would follow the commandment: John 13: 34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

To feed the good wolf Hope: How do you define hope? How do I have hope in my life? I read the scriptures. I read the writings of the living prophets, apostles, etc. My Mom and Dad always told me that I was born the eternal optimist. I have equated that to mean that I am eternally hopeful. I live my life in a righteous way so that despair is banished. I "danced" with the devil for 29 years, and he almost won. I stood on blind faith, took the one step forward towards the light, and hoped that Heavenly Father would catch me. He did.

To feed the good wolf Serenity: OK, have to look this word up. serenity n 1: a disposition free from stress or emotion 2: the absence of mental stress or anxiety.

To keep my life free from stress, anxiety; read the scriptures, walk with Christ, keep satan and his minions out of my life and heart. Listen to wholesome music, associate with good people. Do what I know is right. Give my employer a full and honest days work for a full and honest days wages. Be honest in all my dealings with my fellow man.

To feed the good wolf Humility:n 1: a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride; "not everyone regards humility as a virtue" 2: a humble feeling. The same things as for Serenity.

To feed the good wolf Kindness: n 1: the quality of being warm-hearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic 2: tendency to be kind and forgiving 3: a kind act. Compassion to my fellow man. Be it my neighbor, friend, co-worker, boss, sibling. Irregardless of their faith, nationality, etc. The Golden Rule is apt here: Do unto others as you would have done onto you.

To feed the good wolf Benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. Live my life in harmony with Christ's teachings. To do that I must read the scriptures, the words of the living prophet, the first presidency, the apostles. Obey the commandments and stand true to the covenants that I have made. Be a 'Missionary Member' without being a zealot.

Prison Chaplin said: BTW, even this string on a very straightfoward, seemingly noncontroversial topic, seems to have personalities trying to outdo each other. Is the Heavenly Father pleased? hmmm.gif

That is the bad wolf, we must not feed it.

sgallen said: think on good things (i.e. God things).

There are no good things besides "God things" in your reality?

Yes, in my reality all good things come from God. All bad things are created and nurtured by Satan. That does not mean that you have to believe in God. I am also not saying that your beliefs are Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. They are different from mine. You have your agency, I have mine. We can agree to disagree on whether there is or isn't a God.

Prison Chaplin said: My contention--and I think most Mormons are with me on this--is that the image of God is in us. So regardless of one's view of how much the Fall of Adam and Eve effected our "sin natures"--that image, however broken, is still in us.

Perhaps you could pm me and we could discuss this image thing. I would like to know what you mean. I think of image as like a reflection in a mirror or a photograph. This one has me in a quandary.

sgallan said: I'm not suprised. Christians are no more special than anybody else when it comes to wars (and this included athiestic societies). They are just humans, and humans have always found excuses to war and fight with each other.

sgallan, in this you are so right! The battles as recorded in the Bible and The Book Of Mormon are quite bloody, and all mangled up in Good vs Evil ( Followers of God vs Followers of Satan) and in the Book of Mormon there are so many of them. Entire nations are wiped out!

Aristotles said: Most wars are caused by the irreligious, attempting to impose their self-perceived authority and control over another.

It is also the religious aka Christians attempting to impose their beliefs and authority and control over another. I don't have the time to research, and give you references ~ I am thinking about the settlers on the Mayflower coming here ~ for religious freedom, only to insist on everyone worshipping as they did. In other words, forcing their religion on others. As sgallan said: "They are just humans, and humans have always found excuses to war and fight with each other."

When we only feed the good wolf, then the evil wolf will wither and die and with him goes the wars, contention, selfishness, hate, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

[Guest MrsS]

<div class='quotemain'>

Of course you would find this. You are a partisans. It is the nature of partinship to find that which supports your particular position.

Correction: I am a truthseeker; a truthseeker seeks [and finds] the truth.

It is also the religious aka Christians attempting to impose their beliefs and authority and control over another.

Are you speaking of the Christians who come to a forum such as this and attempt to impose their beliefs onto the LDS?

No Ari, I am not speaking of that. You are the one who takes things out of context and brings contention to this board. Please re-read the entire paragraph ~ here it is for you:

It is also the religious aka Christians attempting to impose their beliefs and authority and control over another. I don't have the time to research, and give you references ~ I am thinking about the settlers on the Mayflower coming here ~ for religious freedom, only to insist on everyone worshipping as they did. In other words, forcing their religion on others. As sgallan said: "They are just humans, and humans have always found excuses to war and fight with each other."

Ari, read the bold part. Why do you always take the offensive? In this case you are so off the mark you should really be embarassed! Instead of attacking bits and pieces of everyones posts, why don't you give, in detail, how you feed the good wolf that is in you?

[Guest MrsS]

To the rest of the Forum: I apologize for going off-topic, even though it is my topic. I also apologize to you, the rest of the Forum, for bringing this outburst to the public view, yet it was slammed on me via public view. ~ MrsS

[Guest MrsS]

I noticed you used the word "they". Is your worldview pretty much based on a "us versus them" perspective? Is this another value from your faith? Or just you?

Sgallan,

Let me answer this as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. NO, it is absolutely NOT a value from our faith.

Again let me post what the LDS values are: this is from the Articles of Faith

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

ALL of the things that feed the Good Wolf aka The Holy Ghost!!!

Please do not judge all LDS by Ari and Syble. Judge LDS by Heather, LaurelTree, Ray, BenRaines instead.

[sgallan]

Please do not judge all LDS by Ari and Syble. Judge LDS by Heather, LaurelTree, Ray, BenRaines instead.

I don't. Most LDS I am friends with are very cool. I could see Ray turning to the 'dark side', but the rest are way cool. The posters mentioned remind me of the LDS snowbirds we have come to Parker. They are what scared my daughter (literally) at some point. And chased my wife away from the religion.

A little story about the kid..... they really did scare her somehow. About 9 months ago a couple of missionaries came by. I am always polite and kind to those kids. Gave them some food and water. Turned off the TV. Stuff like that.... as those are the rules. Just being polite. I told them I was non-religious, in a firm way, and they followed the rules and didn't attempt to debate me. Good kids. I explained in general terms about my wifes demons. But somehow my daughter had an attitude about them.... "why are they here dad?" It suprised me because I sure have nothing against the LDS in this area. I think it was something when my wife took her to church a couple of years ago. And a general memory of hers. Anyhow, I put out that little fire by explaining the Missionaries were sharing something very special to them.... their faith. And what they were doing was an extraordinary show of that faith. That settled the situation down.

[Snow]

I cleaned up this thread a bit my moving the irrelevancies to the similar thread in the General Discussion Forum

[Aristotle]

This doesn't sound at all like a gospel discussion.

[Outshined]

It started out that way, but some have been determined to turn it into an argument...

[Aristotle]

It started out that way, but some have been determined to turn it into an argument...

Yes, some have... sad indeed...as demonstrated thus:

The reason I joined was because of the disciplinary action that Heather and the board Mods have taken against you, Ari & Setheus and the rest. I was impressed, and to me it represented good morals on the board. Then you were allowed to come back, but you had to be on your best behaviour. IF this is your best behaviour, I am shocked that they allowed you back in the first place. You are contentious, viscous, evil. You jump to conclusions, you misread even the most simple and straightforward of sentences. TO ME that equates out that you are guilty of what you are protesting. You are also pompous, self-righteous, judgmental and TOTALLY un Christ-like. In My Humble Opinion of course.

[Outshined]

Yes, some have... sad indeed...as demonstrated thus:

She certainly is not the only one.