Exceptions To The Rule

[Guest]

I only recently realized that I had too often focused on the exceptions rather than the rule.  I had criticized others for doing so.  But to realize that I'm doing it myself -- a lot more often than I care to admit -- makes me really think about how I approach my positions on things.

...

I just deleted a huge post that had a ton of examples in life and in many ongoing debates where the primary point of contention is really: How important is the exception?  But it was just too long.  I'll just leave it at that.

[Guest]

OK, I had trouble putting together what I actually was thinking earlier when I started this thread.  I think I get it now.

I had acknowledged that there are usually exceptions to the rule.  I also figured that the more important or serious the commandment, the more likely there would be an excuse to allow an exception.  I'm not so certain about that anymore.

So, what justifies claiming that we are an exception to the rule?  What justifies us claiming that our situation deserves special dispensation for not following a commandment?  This has been mulling in my mind for many months.

As far as my hypothesis regarding the seriousness of a commandment vs being an exception -- I believe this to be untrue.  I am now of the opinion that the seriousness of the commandment speaks to "how forgivable" something is.  But that is not the same as "an exception."  To be an exception would mean that due to factors beyond your control, the commandment simply doesn't apply to you.  Being forgivable, by definition, means that you've done something wrong to begin with.

So, really, what I've been asking is "How can we tell if certain factors qualify us as an exception?"  I'd say this is very rare indeed.  One example is that it has been revealed that the mentally handicapped need not be baptized.  That is an exception.  We all understand that.

"I'm just too tired."  Is that an exception?  No.  It's an excuse.

"I'm really tired, but I'll do whatever I can." That is an exception.  i.e.

Quote

I acknowledge my weakness.  And it may very well prevent me from performing whatever task the Lord has asked of me.  But I will at least put my best effort forward.  I may mess it up.  I may not complete it.  But it won't be because I didn't try.

Everyone has various weaknesses.  But if we let those weaknesses be the excuse to not even try to obey, then we are being disobedient.  If we try and we fail miserably, then we are being obedient.  And we will be forgiven for failure, while being blessed for the effort and obedience.

What this means to me:

I had mentioned before that I tend to have very bad social skills in church related situations.  And that is true.  I also said how badly I've done with many situations like fellowshipping and home-teaching.  I've also failed miserably in so many other callings, that it is really depressing.  But now I realize what is going on. 

I have succeeded in many areas of my life.  But this has always been an area where I have failed.  I've often complained and criticized those who fail at things that seem so easy to me.  But I didn't recognize that my areas of failure were to teach me to sympathize and empathize with others who fail.  I've been blessed with talents to accomplish the missions the Lord has prepared for me.  But I had to have a healthy dose of failure to not only teach me humility, but to be able to find compassion for my brothers and sisters.

I have prayed about removing this weakness.  And it just never seemed to even get one iota better.  But after this epiphany, I'm realizing that it is not intended for this to go away.  It is to be my constant weakness throughout mortality to continue to teach me compassion.

I have often thanked the Lord for my blessings.  Now I thank Him for my weaknesses.

[Colirio]

By accepting that you are an "exception," your excuse will be over ruled. 

 

But, expect that most every rule has an exception. Accept it. 

 

Edited January 14, 2019 by Colirio

[Guest MormonGator]

Bertolt Brecht wrote a play called wrote a play called "The Exception and the Rule". Casting aside that it's secretly a socialist propaganda piece, it's actually not a bad play. 

Edited January 14, 2019 by MormonGator

[Anddenex]

2 hours ago, Carborendum said:

So, what justifies claiming that we are an exception to the rule?  What justifies us claiming that our situation deserves special dispensation for not following a commandment? 

What this means to me:

I had mentioned before that I tend to have very bad social skills in church related situations.  And that is true.  I also said how badly I've done with many situations like fellowshipping and home-teaching.  I've also failed miserably in so many other callings, that it is really depressing.  But now I realize what is going on. 

I have succeeded in many areas of my life.  But this has always been an area where I have failed.  I've often complained and criticized those who fail at things that seem so easy to me.  But I didn't recognize that my areas of failure were to teach me to sympathize and empathize with others who fail.  I've been blessed with talents to accomplish the missions the Lord has prepared for me.  But I had to have a healthy dose of failure to not only teach me humility, but to be able to find compassion for my brothers and sisters.

I have prayed about removing this weakness.  And it just never seemed to even get one iota better.  But after this epiphany, I'm realizing that it is not intended for this to go away.  It is to be my constant weakness throughout mortality to continue to teach me compassion.

I have often thanked the Lord for my blessings.  Now I thank Him for my weaknesses.

So, what justifies claiming that we are an exception to the rule?  What justifies us claiming that our situation deserves special dispensation for not following a commandment? 

There are two aspects in scripture that justify an exception that I am aware of:

1) The Spirit of the Lord (Nephi) -- which is by far the authority with an exception

2) Ox in the mire (at times though the oxe in the mire is merely the interpretation of man, rather than disobedience or exception) -- Is it lawful to good on the Sabbath? This tells me at times the "Ox" at times is simply our misunderstanding of God's commandments (which then isn't an exception, it is part of the rule)

I have succeeded in many areas of my life.  But this has always been an area where I have failed.  I've often complained and criticized those who fail at things that seem so easy to me.  But I didn't recognize that my areas of failure were to teach me to sympathize and empathize with others who fail.  I've been blessed with talents to accomplish the missions the Lord has prepared for me.  But I had to have a healthy dose of failure to not only teach me humility, but to be able to find compassion for my brothers and sisters.

This quote reminds of the following statement from Elder M. Joseph Brough this past general conference:

Quote

I was forever changed upon hearing these words from Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoken in the midst of his struggle with leukemia. He said, “I was doing some pensive pondering and these 13 instructive and reassuring words came into my mind: ‘I have given you leukemia that you might teach my people with authenticity.’” He then went on to express how this experience had blessed him with “perspective about the great realities of eternity. … Such glimpses of eternity can help us to travel the next 100 yards, which may be very difficult.”

And it just never seemed to even get one iota better.  But after this epiphany, I'm realizing that it is not intended for this to go away.  It is to be my constant weakness throughout mortality to continue to teach me compassion.

How do you interpret/understand this statement in light of Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

 

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Anddenex said:

How do you interpret/understand this statement in light of Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

That's what I was getting at when I prayed for this to go away.  I was ready to have it become a strength.  But that wasn't what this was to become for me.  Or at least, I believe it might be applied in a different way.

Instead of that "weakness becoming strong", I believe that this weakness will be the catalyst for something else to become strong (e.g. compassion from hardship).  It's not that the weakness or hardship will go away.  It is that by having the weakness or hardship, another weakness may be made strong.

[Midwest LDS]

2 hours ago, Carborendum said:

That's what I was getting at when I prayed for this to go away.  I was ready to have it become a strength.  But that wasn't what this was to become for me.  Or at least, I believe it might be applied in a different way.

Instead of that "weakness becoming strong", I believe that this weakness will be the catalyst for something else to become strong (e.g. compassion from hardship).  It's not that the weakness or hardship will go away.  It is that by having the weakness or hardship, another weakness may be made strong.

You're post reminds me of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" a weakness intended to keep him humble in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

"7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I agree with your sentiment. I believe sometimes God leaves us with weaknesses not to punish us, but to lead us to rely on him more than we would without them. 

Edited January 14, 2019 by Midwest LDS

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Midwest LDS said:

You're post reminds me of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" a weakness intended to keep him humble in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

"7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I agree with your sentiment. I believe sometimes God leaves us with weaknesses not to punish us, but to lead us to rely on him more than we would without them. 

You know, I've read the NT several times.  But I don't remember ever reading that passage.  Interesting.  But yes.  That is exactly how I feel.