09 September 2010

Book Burning and Personal Revelation

I'm sure you've all heard about the pastor calling for the burning of Korans. I could write a diatribe against this pastor and his hate-mongering, but I won't. Partly because the issue seems to have mostly blown over now, but also because there are probably plenty of people who have said what I want to say in far better words than I would be able to use. Instead, I want to focus on the fact that this man claimed that if he got a sign from God we would not burn the books.

As a Mormon, I believe in personal revelation. I believe that God can and does communicate with people still. I have had too many experiences to count when I have received some sort of personal revelation. Sometimes this revelation has been small, sometimes large. Revelation has come to me in a variety of ways - by small thoughts in my head (maybe what one would call an epiphany), by feelings, by reading something that answers a question I've had, by conversations with people, and even in dreams. While I certainly cannot say that I have ever had a one-on-one conversation with my Heavenly Father, I can state with certainty that He has communicated to me throughout my life through various means.

With that said, I wondered what this pastor would consider to be a "message from God." Was he looking particularly for a personal visitation? Did he expect to hear a voice calling him by name? Or was he looking for something a little more subtle? Because I would think that a personal request from numerous political and national leaders including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and General Petraeus could perhaps be viewed as a message from God. I think God often communicates to us through other people. Sometimes that communication is a word of comfort offered by a person that speaks directly to your soul. Sometimes other people offer a voice of warning (e.g. If you do this you will be putting thousands of American troops at risk!), that could be viewed as a direct message to you or I from our Heavenly Father.

I guess that's my question - what kind of communication was this guy looking for?

4 comments:

Ana said...

His sign ALREADY happened. September 11th 2001.

Also this guy has serious mental issues.

Unknown said...

I think he was waiting to be struck dumb then suffer an ignominious death. (Korihor) Or to be smitten and die. (Sherem)

Unknown said...

Sorry, Nehor was ignominious death. Korihor was trodden down by Zoramites. All I'm sayin' is: it's not smart to ask for a sign...

michael ann said...

this makes me miss you and your comments in church, they were always my favorite :] haha