Integration and Sytematization

In the gospel we learn that, “All truth can be circumscribed into one great whole.” The scriptures define truth as knowledge of things as they are, were, and will be. In other words, a proposition is only true if it corresponds to reality.

I believe that we should extract canonical principles from the gospel and compare them to the principles of all other disciplines. Systematizing gospel principles will bring clarity, while a process of integration will allow us to more easily find and resolve contradictions between thoughts and ideas.

This is one thing that I will attempt to do on my blog:

gavinjensen.com/blog

I will not write on Spiritual Sphere anymore. I hope that you will check out my latest posts on gavinjensen.com

The Zeroth Article of Faith

The first 4 articles of faith logically depend on the previous article. Faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Article 4) are brought about by the Atonement (Article 3) which was necessary because of our sinful nature and the fall of Adam (Article 2) which we must overcome to live again with Heavenly Father(Article 1).

If there were to be an even more basic article to precede article 1 what would it be? It would describe those things that are more basic than the God. What is more basic than the God? It is reality with its eternal laws. These eternal laws take primacy over God. God's power comes from his knowledge of these laws. The glory of God is intelligence (D&C 93:36). If intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge, then what does God have knowledge of? He has knowledge of reality.

God's commandments compose a map that allow us to navigate a reality that He understands perfectly. The apostle D. Todd Christofferson in the April 2010 conference said, "[God's] Commandments are the voice of reality." This same idea was echoed by Benjamin Franklin when he said, "Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is harmful." The words "sin" and "wickedness" are defined as those choices that never bring happiness in reality. These constraints are not set arbitrarily by God. They are set by a reality which has primacy over God.

Why is this such a big deal to talk about? As far as I know, Mormon theology is the only religion that holds such a view of reality. If we did have a zeroth article of faith then it would be something like: "We believe in reality (that existence exists)," or, "We believe in eternal laws," or, "We believe that reality has primacy over consciousness." I think that most people automatically assume this but many are confused by the philosophies of men. The explicit articulation of this point provides a firm foundation to (1) understanding the gospel, (2) understanding reality, and (3) avoiding confusion.

Ontological Frameworks

Mormon theology holds a unique ontological framework. What is an ontological framework? Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations. The ontological framework of Mormon theology asserts that reality exists and God is subject to that reality.

The ontological framework of traditional Christianity, Islam, and Judaism asserts that God created reality out of nothing. I once heard a rabbi say that everything that exists is simply a thought in the mind of God. They believe that consciousness has primacy over reality:

The ontological framework of eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism is that God and reality are the same and that man is working to become one with God by reaching Nirvana, or nothingness.

There are many other variations of ontological frameworks. Atheism would be an ontological framework that simply denies God though they generally believe that reality still has primacy over consciousness. Understanding the ontological framework of a religion or belief system is to understand the most basic premise or starting point of that religion. From a logical or systematic viewpoint, the ontological framework is the most important belief to get right because as Aristotle said, “A small error in the beginning will lead to a huge one in the end.”

The Most Fundamental Premise of Mormon Theology

The most fundamental premise of traditional Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is that reality is contingent upon God. This means that consciousness (God) has primacy over reality. What does primacy mean? It means that something comes first. In this case God comes first and then reality comes second. God created reality "Ex Nihilo" meaning 'out of nothing'. According to this assumption, God can change the laws of the universe and the laws of morality. This view assumes that God has complete omnipotence to do whatever He wants.

The Greek Pagan religions assumed the opposite. They believed that God was contingent upon reality. In their system of belief, reality has primacy over consciousness (the gods). The gods could only do their work within reality. They could not change the laws of the universe. In other words, they were not omnipotent but subject to reality.

Eastern religions in general assume both premises. They believe that God is the universe and that we are all part of God. God has primacy and reality has primacy. They generally accept contradictory premises.

Where does Mormon Theology fit in?

Mormons agree with the Greeks! Reality has primacy over consciousness. God is contintingent upon reality. This is why traditional Christianity thinks that Mormons worship a different God. It is because we do! The Mormon conception of God is very different from traditional Christianity (which was influenced by Platonism).

According to Mormon theology, there is no such thing as immaterial matter (D&C 131:7-8). Therefore God is made of matter. He cannot create or destroy matter. He cannot create or destroy intelligence. He can learn of what reality is like and work within the constraints of natural laws (D&C 93: 29–34). This belief assumes the primacy of reality over God.

The glory of God is intelligence (D&C 93:36). According to traditional Christianity, the glory of God is His power. Now if God really has all power to do whatever He wants, then intelligence and knowledge is meaningless. God would not have to know anything since He could just will things to be however He wishes. He would not need knowledge about gravity for instance since He could just will it to cease existing. In Mormon theology God's power comes from His intelligence. He has all power that can be had—in other words He can do whatever can be done within the constraints of eternal laws because He perfectly understands the eternal laws.

If we assume that consciousness has primacy over reality, then it follows that intelligences do not follow eternal unchanging laws but are laws unto themselves. This is the goal of Satan. He seeks not to be governed by law, but seeketh to become a law unto himself. In other words, he wants to choose how to act and he wants to choose the consequences of his actions (D&C 88:34-39). Satan did not seek to take away our agency by forcing us to conform to reality. He sought to take away our agency by taking away the consequences of choices. Therefore the fundamental falsehood of the great apostasy is the belief that God is a law unto himself—in other words, that God's nature is the same as what Satan desires but can never have.

The scriptures say that the great and abominable church was founded by Satan (1 Ne 13:6). That church is comprised of traditional Christianity, Islam, Judaism. Each rests on the premise that God is a law unto himself. All other beliefs rest on this premise. If you change this foundation—the rock of reality—then you pervert all other beliefs of the gospel. What more cunning thing could Satan do to cause confusion than to turn the fundamental premises of the true church upside down?

God's Love is Conditional

God has a perfect love for everyone. This love is universal and infinite.

God's love even extends to Satan.

However, God does not love all of His children equally. God has higher levels of love for those who keep His commandments. Therefore, God's love is conditional.

God's blessings are also conditional with a few exceptions—such as immortality. Eternal life is the greatest reward reserved only for the obedient.

According to Russell M. Nelson,

Understanding that divine love and blessings are not truly “unconditional” can defend us against common fallacies such as these: “Since God’s love is unconditional, He will love me regardless …”; or “Since ‘God is love,’ He will love me unconditionally, regardless …”

These are important concepts that are greatly misunderstood in the church. One can even find plenty of quotes from other apostles and church leaders that seem to contradict these principles. The scriptures are quite clear on the matter:

• “If ye keep my commandments, [then] ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)
• “If you keep not my commandments, [then] the love of the Father shall not continue with you.” (D&C 95:12)
• “If a man love me, [then] he will keep my words: and my Father will love him.” (John 14:23)
• “I love them that love me; and those that seek me … shall find me.” (Prov. 8:17)
• “God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34–35)
• The Lord “loveth those who will have him to be their God.” (1 Ne. 17:40)
• “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)

Philosophy can strengthen our testimonies.

Contrary to the beliefs of some, philosophy is not antithetical to the gospel. Philosophy will expand our understanding of the truths found in the gospel which in turn will strengthen our testimonies. Below is a collection of quotes to support this view.

“This people have embraced the philosophy of eternal lives, and in view of this we should cease to be children and become philosophers, understand-ing our own existence, its purpose and ultimate design.”
—Brigham Young Journal of Discourses (JD), Vol. 9, pgs. 190-191

“I am a witness that ‘Mormonism’ is true upon philosophical principles. Every particle of sense I have, proves it to be sound natural reason.”
—Brigham Young JD 2:8

“I was led to reflect that there is no act, no principle, no power belonging to the Deity that is not purely philosophical.”
—Brigham Young JD 8:115

Philosophy, like thinking, is inherently good. It is only bad philosophy, or bad thinking that becomes a stumbling block to light and truth.

The Family Team

Families are composed of individuals who should work together towards an eternal goal. Each individual needs to do their part in reaching the goal, but at the same time there must be a unity in the family that allows the family to be treated as one entity.
In describing the relationship between husband and wife the Lord said: "...and they shall be one flesh." (Gen. 2:24). It doesn't seem to me that the Lord only intended husband and wife to be "one flesh", but also children. The family resembles the Godhead in the essence that it is one in unity and purpose, but separate individuals. It can also be similar to a sports team. Each player has a role, and each role must be carried out in order to keep the team progressing. The father presides as the patriarch, provider and protector while mother nurtures. Both father and mother share the responsibility of teaching the children correct principles, but that doesn't mean that the children can kick their feet up and relax. Elder Richard J. Maynes taught: "when children love and support their parents by learning and practicing the principles their parents teach, the result will be the establishment of a Christ-centered home." Children act as a support and sometimes even an example in the family to uphold the Lord's standards. These duties shouldn't shouldn't aggrandize, or belittle any member of the family, but should instill a sense of purpose, and motivation for all to reach the eternal goal. These duties never diminish, or disappear. Even though a son or daughter becomes a husband or wife doesn't mean they no longer have a tie to their mother or father. They have just increased their responsibility.
This constant unity and striving toward an eternal goal will add to the fulfillment of our lives. In the same address Elder Maynes stated: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ taught, and we should obey; in fact it is in our best interest to do so.
Satan is contrary to happiness. Our eternal happiness is not one of Satan’s objectives. He knows that an essential key to making men and women miserable like himself is to deprive them of family relationships which have eternal potential.