Think Celestial?

[Traveler]

Because I have chosen a profession in the category of engineering and science, I have delt a lot with atheists and agnostics.  Strange as it may seem – I have often found it easier to deal with advances in the sciences with atheists and agnostics than those of the religious stripe.   Perhaps the most outstanding examples of such principles are in the creation or origins of our universe and the principles of evolution of intelligent life.

However, there is another principle that I believe is central to religious thought that is even more of a profound conundrum.  I believe this principle is tied directly to a profound piece of advice given by our current living prophet – to think Celestial.

Here is the conundrum as I see it.  As a religious person draws closer to G-d through faith, belief and worship – it seems that in most religious cases – the less they are expected to contribute towards divine society and behaving like G-d.  Keeping in mind that the best example of G-d that we have is Jesus Christ.  There is a notion that if we believe in Christ – it does not matter that much what we say or do.  We are saved – not by any effort of ourselves but only if we believe in Christ. 

It seems to me that such thinking is counter productive to the principle that the closer to G-d a person becomes through faith, belief and worship – the more like G-d that their thinking and behaviors ought to become.  In the vernacular of LDS theology – this means thinking, believing in and behaving Celestial.  

Many have the notion that because they belong to the correct “religion” G-d will forgive them more that an non believer or someone of a different religious sect that makes greater effort to be kind and loving (G-d like) towards others. (This is very much at the core of the concept of being saved by grace or works.)

In short – to whom much (of light and truth) is given much is expected.  That those that are associated with the correct doctrines of religion – should not more be expected – especially at that great and final judgement day?  The more light and truth we have the better we better (Celestial) we ought to be thinking.

 

The Traveler