Can you or anyone else come up with an official LDS (or even other Christian) teaching equating committing adultery in your heart with the actual deed? The following verses indicate causation instead.
Why do you need any more? Isn't that one enough?
You don't have one as far as I can tell. Matthew 5:28 doesn't equate the thought with the deed.
I know I was taught it all throughout my young mens and seminary days.
The teaching caused me quite a bit of emotional damage.
Statements like that make me doubt you ever attended Seminary or even were ever a member. The alternative explaination is not pretty either.
Can you or anyone else come up with an official LDS (or even other Christian) teaching equating committing adultery in your heart with the actual deed? The following verses indicate causation instead.
Here's Elder Oaks, in conference:
What were these grossly wicked "whoredoms"? No doubt some men were already guilty of evil acts. But the main focus of Jacob's great sermon was not with evil acts completed, but with evil acts contemplated.
Jacob began his sermon by telling the men that "as yet, [they had] been obedient unto the word of the Lord" (Jacob 2:4). However, he then told them he knew their thoughts, that they were "beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable . . . unto God" (v. 5). "I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts" (v. 6), he added. Jacob was speaking as Jesus spoke when He said, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28; see also 3 Nephi 12:28; D&C 59:6; 63:16).
The Savior’s standards illuminate all pages. One of the Ten Commandments in its original form said, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Ex. 20:14.) Incorporated within the Doctrine and Covenants, fittingly, is the added warning against mental adultery which Jesus first gave in his earthly ministry in the Holy Land: “And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out.” (D&C 42:23.)
President Kimball put is simply in The Miracle of Forgiveness:
Indeed, even the thought of adultery is sinful, as Jesus emphasized: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matt. 5:27-28.)
Perhaps you could tell me what your interpretation of that verse is?
I did. Third post from the bottom, first page. Now are you going to show us the official LDS teaching that supports your claim?
I'm not sure what you mean by "causation". Would you be so kind as to detail your understand in more than 5 words?
Also, are you saying that Mathew is not considered an official LDS teaching? I'm not sure "BC's interpretation of Mathew" is really considered official LDS teachings.
If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it. - Abman
I find this place to be hostile toward all brands of stupidity. That's why I like it. - Some Schmo
I certainly agree that this is part of a higher law and that it's sin to lust in your heart, but I'm still waiting for evidence of equating the thought with the deed.
Would you be so kind as to detail your understand in more than 5 words?
Would you be so kind as to show where in 5:28 or the surrounds that equates the thought with the deed?
Also, are you saying that Mathew is not considered an official LDS teaching?
Didn't say that at all.
I'm not sure "BC's interpretation of Mathew" is really considered official LDS teachings.
I'm quite sure there is no LDS teaching about Matthew 5:28 equating the thought with the deed.
"Equated"? BCS, please tell us your interpretation of "equate" and an application of "equating" 'equatables'...
I wonder IF the word relate might be a better term? It appears Jesus related the thought, lusting after a woman, to the physica act of adultery--the deed. That seems clear to me. If it matters at all. Which it doesn't.
"Why," you ask? In this case Jesus was jesting his favourite target, the self-righteous Pharasees. Wise & mortal man he was, Jesus knew the ways & wiles of humanity, and simply drew upon that to humble the prideful... Sort of, "...like come on guys, you expect so much of others, while yous guys enjoy fantacies like the rest of us...but hey, it's OK. At least it don't make babies, eh ;-)"
I think we could relate, or equate, that with his reaction to the same kind of guys who wanted a stoning-party when they brought an actual deed-doer to him, and cast her at his feet. Did he cheer them on? He shamed them. Then told her to, "...go and don't do it again..."
That's the Jesus to emulate. Not the one mythologized by Christianism as the Greatest Magician of ALL time. Teach the principles that could make the world a place of cooperation and mercy here now, human with human. Face the reality--set aside the fantacy--there is no "God" of love or mercy. There is simply a force that we don't totally understand that keeps things in orbit and that effects us through the sciences of nature & nurture to aspire to do good. Like he said, "...go and DO likewise..." After my near-death experience I tend to, if I think it, i do it...
Enough already, already...
Ranting Roger :-)
Have you noticed what a beautiful day it is? Some can't... "God": nick-name for the Universe...