LDS Freedom Forum

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

How have you learned to not interpret the scriptures your own way ? Why seem so many to receive interpretations through the Holy Ghost and still differ in certain teachings ? Can there be a couple of interpretations that are all right? What are your thoughts and experiences ?

Simon wrote:2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

How have you learned to not interpret the scriptures your own way ? Why seem so many to receive interpretations through the Holy Ghost and still differ in certain teachings ? Can there be a couple of interpretations that are all right? What are your thoughts ?

I try.

Several reasons, they are confused or deceived, they have seen only a portion of the truth and only apply that, they are right, God has a specific plan that is unique to them to further his will, and I am sure there are other reasons.

Yes, there can be a couple of interpretations that are both right. To illustrate: Two people read "Thou Shalt not steal". One sees robbing a gas station as steal, another sees taking money out of the cash register without permission for their own use as stealing. Both interpretations are correct, and there is no conflict. Where conflict arises is when one person says, "stealing is only robbing a gas station and no other interpretation is correct because God told me robbing a gas station is stealing. Except, that isn't what God said. He didn't preclude stealing out of a cash register by saying robbing a gas station is stealing, he only said robbing a gas station is stealing. This is what I would term as cherry-picking. The WHOLE of the gospel unified. If you find contradiction it generally is due to a lack of understanding or confusion of the whole and generally means you are wrong about something.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts.

Thank so much ravan for your input.

I always admire how the prophets in the Book of Mormon seem to be of "one opinion", and how there is a oneness even with a timframe from the Jaredites to Moroni. I sometimes feel we lack that oneness, often times also with interpretation of scriptures. I think most of us know Denver Snuffer and John Pontius. They both seem so inspired, and I find much truth within their teachings, nevertheless, even those two do not share every view about doctrine. John Pontius wrote on his site that he once met with Denver, and that he was a nice guy who had a good spirit about him, but that they do have different views on certain matters. Denver said the same about one of John's books ( believe it was about Zion ) ....

So, even when men are inspired, have revelations and visions, it can be difficult to find a same consense. But I believe that mayby we need that to have a reason to turn to the Lord ourselves, and not to depend on another man too much. Just a thought.

Maybe the dividing line is between those who have had the heavens opened unto them, and those who have not?

log wrote:Maybe the dividing line is between those who have had the heavens opened unto them, and those who have not?

True, but both claim to have the heavens opened to them.. which makes it difficult

Simon wrote:

log wrote:Maybe the dividing line is between those who have had the heavens opened unto them, and those who have not?

True, but both claim to have the heavens opened to them.. which makes it difficult

Pontius claimed to have the heavens opened to him?

log wrote:

Simon wrote:

log wrote:Maybe the dividing line is between those who have had the heavens opened unto them, and those who have not?

True, but both claim to have the heavens opened to them.. which makes it difficult

Pontius claimed to have the heavens opened to him?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought I came across statements that indicated that... But if he did not, that surely makes a huge difference.

Any one passage can have several messages. There is the surface narrative describing how people in the past have dealt with issues relating to God and God's response. Then there is the message that deals with us personally and how we may learn from the passage and apply the message in our life. Then there is the application to a a people, or a nation. Then the application to a church. Then there is the possibility that the message is also prophetic or represents a repeating pattern. The message can also point to a spiritual truth, the narrative can be symbolic of a spiritual event not described in the narrative. A passage can contain a clear use of some words and how they are used in scripture. This may unlock other scriptures that may not be so clear. Then some scriptures must be greatly modified when seen in the larger context. Like the temporal laws or the laws of Moses. They are literal for those in the law but symbolic in nature when someone has moved past the temporal law. Other than these few ways to interpret scripture it is pretty simple. Just ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Thanks for sharing Frank. Well, the Lord has promised me that I would understand the scriptures when I study them, mayby this is one of the reasons Denvers writings sound so plausible to me. I guess my main intend with this post is to share experiences how we all can more come to being one in understanding the scriptures. The most plausible answer is to use the holy ghost, but mayby we can share more practical ideas how we can reach such unity, how we can dicern between personal impressions and true inspirations. Seems like the interpretatin of scripture has almoust always been a difficult task to humankind. Mayby there are hints and ideas how we can improove on that.

One experience I have had often, is that when I read a scripture, pondered about it and came to a conclusion what it ment, I often experienced that the Lord confirmed my "impression" not just with feelings, but also that I shortly after that experience I came across a book, talk e.t.c. that confirmed excactly what I found out as true. This is just one of many ways, but it's the way it all started for me.. With Denvers books it was the same kind of experience, even though I got even more answers than I expected to find. But isn't it often that way when the Lord response ?