just me wrote:That is what I get from your Moroni 7. I went and read just about the whole thing along with clicking the nice little word links to get more clarification on the words "good" and "evil." After doing so I am conviced that what it is saying is that no human is capable of being/doing good.
The contradiction contained within these scriptures is that on the one hand it is claimed that "by their fruits you will know them" and that WORKS basically show where our heart is or we can be judged by them.5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
On the other hand we are told that people can pray, donate, and do all manner of GOOD WORKS but still be EVIL because they didn't have "charity" or "real intent."
This is a contradiction.
Look at this:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the apoor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
If someone gives all they have even unto their very LIFE it is still counted for EVIL if they don't have "charity." That makes no sense.
I also have a problem with the fact ANYTHING and EVERYTHING "God" asks people to do is "good." People claim "God" told them to do nasty, disgusting stuff all the time. All the time. So, people write down in a book that their god told them to commit genocide (which there is no archaeological evidence of ever happening, by the way) and we are just supposed to believe that God commands genocide, therefore genocide, in this case, is "good." The same goes for Laban and Nephi.
Let's look at this passage:6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
It seems to be saying here that an "evil man" can do good works, but because he is evil or doesn't have "real intent" they DON'T count. How can any human ever live up to this standard?12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
What does this even mean? It sounds like it is saying that all good comes from God...but remember that if an evil person PRAYS it is not good and is counted for evil. ??? How does that even make sense?
This passage is implying that you are either all good or all evil. Those who sin do so on a constant basis.
But, maybe, just maybe, the key is at the end here. The only thing that is good is to serve and love god. So, anyone who doesn't believe in this brand of god is incapable of doing or being good. Everything they do, even "good works," are actually counted for evil and ignored by god.
More nuggets from Moroni:14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
Here we are issued a warning not to think evil comes from God and not to think good comes from the devil. How on earth can we tell? Is genocide "good" or is "praying without real intent" evil? That is what the scriptures tell us. However, that is not inuitive.15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
Here we are promised that it will be EASY and PLAIN to us what is good and what is evil. We are to judge according to this easy method given us.16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
Ok, so the LoC is given to every human that they might now good from evil and know it intuitively and as night and day. They will have a "perfect knowledge" of good and evil using this method.
Well, looking at history there doesn't seem to be a firm pattern of "good" and "evil" that we can fall back on. Killing people of your own tribe has typically been seen as wrong. Killing those outside of your tribe has been employed frequently. Infantacide has been used as a valid method of population control by many ancient cultures...today we are horrified by it and think it evil.
So, what exactly are these night/day, black/white good and evil works that every human knows through the Light of Christ? That is what I want to know. I also want to know why it isn't as obvious to me as it is supposed to be given what is claimed in Moroni 7.
OMG, I just thought of something else. Adam and Eve were not born with the LoC...knowledge of good and evil. Eating the fruit was what gave them the Light of Christ. Strange.
Sigh. "Works" are indeed determined by intent. When the Book of Mormon says that an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit, it means exactly that. It may produce "good fruit", for a time, but with the wrong intent. For example, I think that numerous Mormons seeking to gain "top dog" in the Celestial Kingdom, and particularly males who think they're going to some kind of "screwing heaven", are totally misguided, and have "wrong intent". I knew a faithful LDS man who really believed that he'd have 200 wives in the resurrection (he actually told me this), because of his "faithfulness". I'd honestly say that his dick-urges played a huge role in this. The Book of Mormon does not teach this, nor support it.