Deseret News | Author's universal truths translate to Mormonism

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Author's universal truths translate to Mormonism

Thanks for thoughtful essay | 12:48 a.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Thank you for sharing Henri Nouwen’s wonderful metaphorical language, which is like that of the Biblical writers. Much of the Bible is written this way, allegorically, and is not meant to be taken literally or as a true history.

I don’t, however, believe your assertion that submission to authority breaks down our lust for power. I believe it breaks down our free agency. Teaching religious followers to be unquestioningly obedient has backfired throughout history, and has hampered the advancement of humankind.

Nouwen’s belief that “truth has to speak to every human heart to be of true value,” is a profound statement worthy of contemplation.

Cat | 8:23 a.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Beautiful. I'm going to have to pick up his stuff.

To Thanks for the thoughtful essay - I don't believe that that we are supposed to be unquestionigly obedient to all authority in all areas, but that we turn certain amounts of trust in certain over to certain individuals. When a bishop or stake president is releaced, we still recognized their service, but we don't have to do what they suggest in regards to church matters and we never have to do what they say in any other matter unless we want to. We are supposed to listen to church leaders with a discerning heart so that when they give us messages from God to us we can hear them and know of their truth. Sometimes Bishops don't do what they're supposed to do and that is unfortunate when people get caught up in that kind of a situation. I hope I've explained what I mean well enough.

RE: Thanks for a thoughful essa | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 5, 2009

This is a fulfillment of the Passover. The "Angel of death " passed over the houses,which were protected by the blood of the lamb.
(1 Cor 5:7) Purge out... the old leaven that ye may be a new lump...for even Christ our Passover is sacrified for us.
"But he was wounded for our transgression,he was bruised for our iniquited.. and with his stripes we are healed(Isaiah 53:5)
..Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ,as a lamb without spot(1Peter 1:18-19)

Comments continue below

Mike | 11:29 a.m. Aug. 5, 2009

So what Nouwen says in his book is just what we believe. Don't see where his book would be an additional faith builder for me or anyone who is an active Mormon. All we need are the scriptures as we now have them.

Glenn | 12:06 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Has Nouwen been baptized yet?

Jenna | 12:29 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Unfortunately, the metaphor of the breaking and blessing of bread is not just a metaphor for how to live a spiritual life as a Latter-day Saint or a Catholic.

Islamic terrorists feel "taken by God" and "that God has claimed him as his own."

They "have his pride broken down, his appetites, his selfishness -- everything that hampers spiritual growth."

"Fasting and chastity break down their natural desires" so they can give their lives for Allah.

Their giving of money [Tithing] "breaks down their attachment to money."

Their "submission to authority breaks down our lust for power."

And their suicidal "service" breaks their quest for glory. "Allah Akbar!" they shout just before the firey explosion!

They, too believe "The world must eventually be abandoned."

So why don't you religious people abandon the world already and leave it to us secularists and atheists? We will take good care of it for as long as possible while you all "high to Kolob" or something!

Is it any wonder religions that believe the world must be abandoned are most likely to destroy it?

RE: Jenna,True Christianity | 3:15 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,but have not Love,I gain nothing. love is patient,love is kind. it does not envy,it does not boast,it is not proud,it is not self seeking, it is not rude,it is not easily angered,it keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil,but rejoices with the truth. It always protect always trust,always hopes.Love never fails: Wherever love appears put your name, We all have a challenge. "metaphor of bread and wine"Roman Catholics(a significant variation though) and Lutherans beleive in the real presence of the body and blood of Our Lord and Savior.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, Lord have mercy on us.

We have abandoned | 4:32 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Jenna, the ski slopes are more empty on Sunday, and we don't crowd the night clubs, they are all yours. Enjoy and partake, live it up, but in 10 years you will probably come our way because after life beats people up, and age starts pulling the human body slowly down to the grave, people amazingly start asking questions about life and they begin to look for a better world in the next. You will come around, we were all young and secular like you at one time. Nobody was more liberal than me 10 years ago and now at ripe age of 36, nobody is more conservative. Secularism without morals blinds the eyes and darkens the mind.

RE: Jenna | 4:55 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

We STILL must live IN the world.

even though we TRY NOT to become OF it.

Honesty | 4:57 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Absolutely profound, and profoundly beautiful.

Jenna | 6:00 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

To We have abandoned,

I am 49.

duh.

Jordan | 8:42 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Was he baptized LDS?

ramper | 9:36 p.m. Aug. 5, 2009

Re: Mike

What touches people's hearts spiritually comes from many sources. The scriptures are the main base for me but I get re-focused many times from great talks, books, etc. from those many sources. You may not see the need for any other source for illumination but maybe others do.

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