Hi Z, welcome aboard! A Mission in Missouri? When? You said:
I think you're extrapolating WAY more from these simple statements than was intended or even than can be rationally derived.
I'll go for the most obvious one first. Elder Bednar says in conference that without the atonement "I could not stand before you this morning." I'm 99% sure that he is here refering to his ability to stand as an apostle and give the word of the Lord by revelation to the church. Not his general ability to stand on his feet. So no, he's not saying the atonement gives everyone the ability to stand up, but that without the atonement he would not have been able to progress spiritually to the point that he'd be able to serve as an apostle.
Maybe more than intended... But, "...rationally derived."? Really? I'm irrational? Could be my "rationality" is beyond your "rationality"? :-) Happens al the time between folks with varying degrees of vision... Certainly i'm "extrapolating". I'm inferring that what DB states as limited to the 'Lord's-annointed' is self aggrandizement and expresses exclusivity with "God" and his superiority in the ranks. IMSCO, that is. He is simply a man with responsibilities, one amongst millions. IF/when he excels it is by the same efforts and energy through which anyone excels.
Come on Z, i'm very near smart enough to know that "...stand before you..." meant, 'present myself before you'... But thanks for the "heads-up" ;-)
I respectfully suggest DB was/is unaware that the atonement IS Universal--like oxygen--AND does, "...give(s) everyone the ability to stand/present-themselves..." in every & all circumstances, in the world where "God" is no respector of persons. We might not agree on that, but... Of course one has to prepare themselves; we all merrit the consequence of our actions... You say further:
How is this provocative? Its standard church doctrine, though I guess its not discussed that often. The church teaches that even Christlike characteristics like charity and faith are not things we can develop independantly but are given to us as gifts from God through the power of the atonment. In that as we accept Christ and his atonement we can lean on his strengths to make up for our failings, in both our righteousness and our weakness of character. Thus we can tap into Christ's charity and his faith like we can tap into his righteousness, through the atonement. So in these ways the atonement enables us to become more like Christ and more righteous than we ever could without it. I hope I explained that clearly enough. And yes, that has always been something that is available to all sincere Christians, not just TBMs.
"This" calls forth/provokes thought, as we are now exchanging. IF the church teaches that we cannot develop "charity...independently" then they are misrepresenting the message/teachings of Jesus. Yes, you explained that "clealy enough" to astound me! Where could such thinking be spawned? And, that you added prejudice & discrimination to your imaginings, "...available to all sincere "Christians", is the ultimate insult.
ALL things are available to ALL people! Not just to "Christians". Maybe ya might want to rethink your stand/presenting?
Thanks for being provoked :-)... Warm regards, Roger