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I wanted to discuss our view on God relating to love and understanding versus rules and regulations. I know those of us on this website have widely varying views on this topic. Some are believers and some are not. For those of us who do believe, what are our speculations as to the nature of the divine regarding this question?

My own view is that ours is a God of love and understanding. Many of my fellow Mormons insist that God is about rules and regulations that must be obeyed and that through the totality of their obedience they can ultimately meet with exaltation in Heaven. They seem to also say that God is about love and understanding but only if the conditions imposed by the rules and regulations are first met. My difficulty with this is that it seems like a God of love and understanding would be infinite in both of these qualities and thus would understand the complete human condition together with our weaknesses and would be merciful and kind without a need to be continually placated.

So what are your views regarding this aspect of the divine?

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As a Catholic,

My difficulty with this is that it seems like a God of love and understanding would be infinite in both of these qualities and thus would understand the complete human condition together with our weaknesses and would be merciful and kind without a need to be continually placated.

I agree with this. My God judges all according to what they do with what they have been given. This is an unjust world. The justice comes in the afterlife. The Mormon god administers Mormon justice in this life. He is indeed a harsh god.

moksha wrote:My own view is that ours is a God of love and understanding.

I can go with that.

Many of my fellow Mormons insist that God is about rules and regulations that must be obeyed and that through the totality of their obedience they can ultimately meet with exaltation in Heaven.

I don't think that's what God is about but Law is one of the keys to receiving exaltation. Nothing to do with God being picky and damning you for breaking a rule. It's damning yourself by becoming a creature incapable of being exalted.

They seem to also say that God is about love and understanding but only if the conditions imposed by the rules and regulations are first met.

I've had to repent many times in my life. I've also been rebuked by God many times in my life. I have never had both happen at the same time.

My difficulty with this is that it seems like a God of love and understanding would be infinite in both of these qualities and thus would understand the complete human condition together with our weaknesses and would be merciful and kind without a need to be continually placated.

This is a flawed understanding of what I understand the gospel to be. We're not placating God by obedience. We're recreating ourselves through our thoughts, words, and deeds. God's anger serves a purpose other then God salvaging any kind of ego. The loss of blessings is, in a strange way, a blessing. It's a warning that we are going the wrong way.

Hell is not something God created so he could vent his negative emotions. It's the product of what people are. The rules are to keep you from being a damned thing. The love and understanding of God are shown when he is willing to punish, rebuke, and censure.

So what are your views regarding this aspect of the divine?

He's a stickler for all four.

Did you ever have one of those teachers in school who had so many rules that no one could remember them all? People were constantly getting busted for stupid things. Sometimes people would be punished for something they didn't even know was a rule. The teacher had all these little punishments that just made life Hell. No one liked this teacher because it was like living under a microscope. There was no freedom to just relax and be you. You could be punished for just about anything. That's the Mormon God.

Some people are hoary thunderers, others are muffins. Their view of God will reflect their own personality.

That's the Mormon God.

I don't think you'll find many LDS with that view. For most of us, the yoke is easy and the burden is light. If you honestly love God and love your neighbor, there's no need to spell out every little detail.

I think God has a few rules (love your neighbors, don't kill your brother even if you think he deserves it, do unto others, etc).

I also think that God has nothing to do with the pages and pages and PAGES of rules the Church has invented.

God is about love and respect, not power and authority.

harmony wrote:I think God has a few rules (love your neighbors, don't kill your brother even if you think he deserves it, do unto others, etc).

I also think that God has nothing to do with the pages and pages and PAGES of rules the Church has invented.

God is about love and respect, not power and authority.

You think that because you're a nice person, and you've made your god in your own image. Brigham made a god in his own image, and that god was quite an unpleasant fellow.

Maybe Hairy Thunderer?

Old Testament: Hoary thunderer.

New Testament: Cosmic muffin.

Pick your book. You can't have both.