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The Scars of Eternity

http://www.mormonmentality.org
posted by Doc 729 days ago | status: queued

DKL is a man that seems to have the problem of pain figured out. Well written, thought provoking post.
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Sorry, I think this piece is a bit self-indulgent and doctrinally off-base, with regards to both physical and spiritual scars. We are not going to spend a single second in the celestial kingdom wishing we had retained emotional or physical scars that have been healed through the atonement.
written by TedB 728 days ago
    Ted,

    I am curious, what do you think is the purpose of some of the apparently inordinate suffering that goes on in the world. What purpose does being born in a war torn miserable country and living out a short terror and atrocity filled life as so many of God's children do, really give them. While I agree Christ heals us, we agreed to having to go through all this for a reason. We could not progress without experiencing this life. That seems to indicate to me that the experience itself is important for something. It seems inherent in the doctrine of eternal progression. What do you think the purpose is if everything bad is going to be erased by the Savior.
    written by Doc 728 days ago
I think you misunderstand me. A scar is something that did not heal properly. Everything is going to be healed Perfectly! That does not erase its memory nor the lessons learned. But to say I will carry spiritual scars into eternity and continue to weep over them in any way other than in gratitude suggests that the atonement is not perfect. Maybe this feels like semantics, but the post you link to really seems to suggest that he would like to continue to feel the pain of transgression and weakness in the next life -- not just remember the lessons and the joy in our deliverance. Not trying to flame here, I just think this is off-base.
written by TedB 719 days ago
Not to worry, I didn't take it as a flame. The idea is just interesting to me. When Christ descended below us all and thus became perfect, conquering death, it seems to me that his suffering served real purpose. You know, the whole knowing the bad to recognize the evil bit with the complete understanding and perfect judgement he now possesses.

It seems to me that likewise their must be purpose in our suffering. It molds us and forms part of who we are. Certainly it the the atonement that allows us to become more and not ruined, dominated and shattered by our mistakes, but our pain and experience can also create something Godlike within us, Empathy.
written by Doc 719 days ago
    I agree -- Christ suffered so that he could succor. His empathy is perfect because of what he experienced. I don't know what that means for us and our own sins though. Even in eternity, I am not going to be a Savior in the same way that Christ is my Savior. I'll be someone Saved, though... Hm. Something to think about.
    written by TedB 715 days ago

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