So, what would be the LDS conception of sin, and, more importantly, what is yours? What would be, in your opinion, the distinction between sin and virtue?
Best wishes, 2RM.
Sin
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Rose Garden
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Re: Sin
I don't think I'm qualified to give an LDS perspective on sin. Mine is quite out there and definitely not LDS.
I think sin is a state of mind. I think that when people believe there is a right and a wrong and they do wrong, they are sinning.
But I believe that if a person sincerely believes something is right, and they do it, then they aren't sinning. This is not the same as justification. It has to be sincere.
I think you can go beyond sin. In other words, I believe you can get to a state where you no longer believe there is a right and wrong in choices of behavior and it becomes more a system of what is effective and what is not. So you are seeking to do what is effective for your chosen course. Nephi killing Laban is an example of this.
I think sin is a state of mind. I think that when people believe there is a right and a wrong and they do wrong, they are sinning.
But I believe that if a person sincerely believes something is right, and they do it, then they aren't sinning. This is not the same as justification. It has to be sincere.
I think you can go beyond sin. In other words, I believe you can get to a state where you no longer believe there is a right and wrong in choices of behavior and it becomes more a system of what is effective and what is not. So you are seeking to do what is effective for your chosen course. Nephi killing Laban is an example of this.
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2ndRateMind
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Re: Sin
Ah, but how can we know what is in line with God? By the scriptures? But how do we confirm the scriptures for ourselves, and render them transparent and accountable to the common man?
Cheers, 2RM.
Cheers, 2RM.
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2ndRateMind
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Rose Garden
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Re: Sin
Good questions. Jesus said turn the other cheek and then overturned tables and whipped the money changers. Either he's the biggest hypocrite of all, or there is something we need to understand.2ndRateMind wrote:Ah, but how can we know what is in line with God? By the scriptures? But how do we confirm the scriptures for ourselves, and render them transparent and accountable to the common man?
Cheers, 2RM.
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a_member
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Re: Sin
Sin requires testimony. Sin, IMO, is specifically and willfully doing (or not doing) something that a person knows is wrong via the spirit of God. Hence the Lamanites could be "stung" when remembering their murders, but not be accountable for them in the same way as, say, David. Hence the Atonement is the ultimate rejection of the stone-throwing mentality, the impulse to shame "sinners" in various ways and point fingers. The Atonement is in some measure specifically for people who have testimonies of right and wrong but still disobey the very same commandments for which they have a witness.
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Fiannan
- Level 34 Illuminated
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Re: Sin
Disagree completely. The veil that separates us from what we knew and felt in the pre-existence still leaves a moral compass. All people have a very basic sense of right and wrong and will be judged accordingly.a_member wrote:Sin requires testimony. Sin, IMO, is specifically and willfully doing (or not doing) something that a person knows is wrong via the spirit of God. Hence the Lamanites could be "stung" when remembering their murders, but not be accountable for them in the same way as, say, David. Hence the Atonement is the ultimate rejection of the stone-throwing mentality, the impulse to shame "sinners" in various ways and point fingers. The Atonement is in some measure specifically for people who have testimonies of right and wrong but still disobey the very same commandments for which they have a witness.
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Thinker
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Re: Sin
At the root, sin is incorrect thought and consequent e-motion and action.
At times, I've considered that sin is based on intention, but I've changed my mind - I think it's based on both intention and consequences.
I believe that just as there is a law of cause and effect - I also believe that there is a spiritual law of cause and effect.
A type of karma - "he who lives by the sword will die by the sword" etc.
IE: Even if we just intend to do something, but we don't do it... the intent - the emotions are inside of us and affects us - like placebo effect.
Yet, even if we intend to do something but fail to do it - the consequences are evident - if we fail to eat properly, we may get sick, etc.
Jesus healed by correcting harmful thoughts/emotions... and people thought he was being blasphemist, and he responded, basically, whether I say your sins (harmful thoughts/emotions) are forgiven, or arise and walk - it is the same.
At times, I've considered that sin is based on intention, but I've changed my mind - I think it's based on both intention and consequences.
I believe that just as there is a law of cause and effect - I also believe that there is a spiritual law of cause and effect.
A type of karma - "he who lives by the sword will die by the sword" etc.
IE: Even if we just intend to do something, but we don't do it... the intent - the emotions are inside of us and affects us - like placebo effect.
Yet, even if we intend to do something but fail to do it - the consequences are evident - if we fail to eat properly, we may get sick, etc.
Jesus healed by correcting harmful thoughts/emotions... and people thought he was being blasphemist, and he responded, basically, whether I say your sins (harmful thoughts/emotions) are forgiven, or arise and walk - it is the same.
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freedomforall
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Re: Sin
What is sin?
1 John 3:4
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
This also goes for those who think Adam did not sin. Since he transgressed...he sinned.
1 John 5:17
17 All unrighteousness is sin:
Mosiah 4:29,30
29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
James 2:10,11
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
1 John 3:4
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
This also goes for those who think Adam did not sin. Since he transgressed...he sinned.
1 John 5:17
17 All unrighteousness is sin:
Mosiah 4:29,30
29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
James 2:10,11
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
