Punitiveness and the TBM

[_moksha]

Something has bothered me for a while, so I want to get some feedback about it.

For TBMs, obeying the will of Church Authorities is of utmost importance and I respect that. However, when it
comes to the matter of God, they always speak of God's justice and seldom his mercy. God's punitive side
always shines forth, which is reflected both in their insistence that horrendous actions ascribed to God in the
Old Testament were literal and that it is proper for leaders to echo harsh judgment as God's earthly tribunal.

My version of Christianity is based on worshiping a loving God. I think the message of the New Testament
was one of mercy tempering justice, if not outright trumping it. I want the Church to be on a loving course rather than a punitive one. I want a God that showers us with love unconditionally like an idealized parent, rather than a taskmaster handing out demerits.

I have heard TBMs tell me that I cannot custom order God and that you have to take what you are given, and yet I find my interpretation more to my liking and with an equal likelihood of being an accurate description of the Divine. Putting one's faith in the hands of that which is worthy of praise makes more sense. I find myself asking the question regarding what inner qualities are inherent in being a TBM that make the punitiveness of God more appealing. Am I deficient or blessed for not having those qualities?

Am I up in the night? Does this put me at irreconcilable odds with today's TBM? Can I just exist in peace, in a minority Mormon status?
.

[_Joseph Antley]

LDS authorities "seldom" speak of God's mercy? Really?

I enjoyed this short video put out by the Church recently: Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ.

[_zzyzx]

So Jo, is the Atonement of Christ Universal or is it conditional? Are there some 'sins' that are beyong Christs atonement and suffering? Is this why the bloodthirsty MormonNazis believe in the Death Penalty?

[_Joseph Antley]

So Jo,

I don't go by "Jo".

is the Atonement of Christ Universal or is it conditional? Are there some 'sins' that are beyong Christs atonement and suffering?

The merciful effects of Christ's Atonement are open to everyone who chooses to accept it.

Is this why the bloodthirsty MormonNazis believe in the Death Penalty?

I was under the impression that this section of the forum was reserved for intelligent and polite discussion.

[_moksha]

LDS authorities "seldom" speak of God's mercy? Really?

I enjoyed this short video put out by the Church recently: Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ.

You are right, there are messages about mercy and love. Presidents Monson and Eyring both spoke of this in their conference talks. Still my impression remains that many TBMs look to their faithfulness as earning a just reward and they like the prodigal son are quick to speak of heavenly demerits given to those who do not likewise conform and seek to distance themselves from their prodigal Brethren. I would like to see them be ambassadors of God's love and good news, rather than harbinger's of a tough love plan. Does that make any sense?

[_zzyzx]

So JoBabe, you can't answer the questions, can you?

[_Joseph Antley]

So JoBabe, you can't answer the questions, can you?

Maybe you should say "please."

[_John D the First]

I don't really spend a lot of time worrying about God's judgement or feeling the need to make that judgement known to others. Neither do I feel terribly out of place in a church that is more punitive.

I do worry about my behavior, but it normally focuses on whether I am reaching my potential as a child of God and whether I am being the best person I can be for my family and loved ones. In each of these cases good choices are their own reward and bad ones are their own punishment--such is the case in eternity as well. God seeks to mitigate it as much as he can. That, at least, is the interpretation of LDS theology that I have gleaned from my time in the church.

[_moksha]

John, that that idea of migrating as many as possible sounds like God as a caring parent.

[_Dr. Shades]

[MODERATOR NOTE: zzyzx, this is the Celestial Forum. Please do not refer to Joseph Antley in a creative or insulting way. Please also refrain from such terms as "MormoNazi" and things like that.

Respectful and polite discussion in this forum only, please.]