Every answer can be found in the scriptures????

[_Scottie]

Growing up, it was touted time and time again that all the answers for every problem you could possibly encounter could be found in the scriptures.

However, I'm not sure what you could find to help you with drug addiction? How do scriptures help with an abusive father/husband? What about clinical depression?

Why would they say this? It's just an outright lie. Well, unless you fall back to "the scriptures tell you to pray to God, who will then help you", which is ridiculous apologetic garbage. If this is what they are talking about, then why say anything about scriptures at all. Why not just say, "Pray to God and He will help you with all of your problems"??

This is a dangerous teaching that gives the impression that you don't need professional help. Just turn to the scriptures and find the answer. There is no one source that can help you with every problem. Often times it's a life long journey of self discovery to overcome these. They aren't just magically fixed by reading some obscure scriptural verse.

[_Nephi]

I think this is something inherantly wrong with scriptures. People search them for answers to questions, and with such a large volume of data, one can certainly find not only an answer, but the answer they want within them. For instance, one can use Jonathan and David from the Old Testament as support for Gay Marriage if one reads it as such.

So to search scriptures for answers can bring bad results especially if a specific answer is desired.

[_bcspace]

They aren't just magically fixed by reading some obscure scriptural verse.

Having the answer doesn't necessarily make your problems go away. But implementing the answer might help. This is the fundamental flaw in your thinking here.

[_Scottie]

They aren't just magically fixed by reading some obscure scriptural verse.

Having the answer doesn't necessarily make your problems go away. But implementing the answer might help. This is the fundamental flaw in your thinking here.

Ok, but what makes you think you can even FIND the answer to every problem in the scriptures, let alone apply it?

[_Some Schmo]

You don't seem to understand (which is no surprise given the fact that you don't seem to be a magical thinker, thank goodness and nature). If you interpret the verses in a way that is congruent with the problem at hand, you can superimpose any meaning over them and they will solve your problem.

It's the same thing with prayer. You have a problem, you pray about it, a thought occurs to you, you deem that the answer, and voila! Prayer answered!

Of course, what's really happening is that you're just thinking through the problem on your own, and obviously, both scriptures and prayer are superfluous to the process... but hey, if you're trying to make a case for their utility, this reality isn't very useful. Again, part of the problem with religious types is that they give god (and god related crap) way too much credit and don't give themselves enough.

It's pretty sad when you think about it.

[_Infymus]

My neighbor got some of my mail today, so since every answer can be found in the scriptures...

I have been praying to see if I can smite my neighbor's head off. Then when the police come, I am going to get out my sword and sling and lop off their arms until I have a pile of arms.

Then I will ride my Tapir off into the sunset.

/with my mail
//smirk

[_Runtu]

They aren't just magically fixed by reading some obscure scriptural verse.

Having the answer doesn't necessarily make your problems go away. But implementing the answer might help. This is the fundamental flaw in your thinking here.

Ok, but what makes you think you can even FIND the answer to every problem in the scriptures, let alone apply it?

I used to know a woman who would pray about whatever issue and then open her scriptures to a random page. She would look on both sides to see if she could find a verse that worked. Seemed about as helpful as a Ouija board to me. I always thought the value of the scriptures was to teach lessons about serving God and your fellow beings, and of course, to draw closer to God. But the idea that there is an answer to every question and problem in the scriptures is foreign to me. From an LDS perspective, why would you need a prophet if all the answers were in the scriptures?

[_asbestosman]

Growing up, it was touted time and time again that all the answers for every problem you could possibly encounter could be found in the scriptures.

However, I'm not sure what you could find to help you with drug addiction? How do scriptures help with an abusive father/husband? What about clinical depression?

Why would they say this? It's just an outright lie. Well, unless you fall back to "the scriptures tell you to pray to God, who will then help you", which is ridiculous apologetic garbage. If this is what they are talking about, then why say anything about scriptures at all. Why not just say, "Pray to God and He will help you with all of your problems"??

You forgot to account for The Bible Code.

Joking aside, I'm not sure I've heard that the scriptures have all the answers except once from a JW when I visited their meetings. I think they used a scripture from Timothy that scriptures were profitible,

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

On the other hand, the Book of Mormon seems to speak directly against the idea that the scriptures contain all the answers:

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.

[_asbestosman]

From an LDS perspective, why would you need a prophet if all the answers were in the scriptures?

Because it wasn't raining nearly as much before Noah became the prophet.

[_bcspace]

Having the answer doesn't necessarily make your problems go away. But implementing the answer might help. This is the fundamental flaw in your thinking here.

Ok, but what makes you think you can even FIND the answer to every problem in the scriptures, let alone apply it?

Nothing. But verses like....

James 1:5-6
1 Nephi 3:7
Ether 12:27
D&C 88:63-64

...show that the answer to every problem can begin by reading the scriptures.