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Question

 

Gramps,

How do you reconcile Hebrews 12:6, which says that God scourges every son that he receives (and scourging had a particularly barbaric meaning at the time), with D&C 121:42-43, which says that no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood other than by persuasion, meekness, gentleness, long suffering, and love unfeigned?  Please don’t try to say that D&C 121 is for man while Hebrews 12:6 is for God, because D&C 121 should be trying to tell us how to be like God.

Fred

 

Answer

 

Fred,

I’d like to introduce you to a new word:  Context. From the same section in the D&C that you referenced, just a couple verses down.

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

 

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.  D&C 121: 43-44.

I’ll also introduce you to an old Chinese fable.

A child went up a farmer’s fruit tree to eat from his tree.  The farmer discovered him and asked him kindly to get out of the tree.  The child refused.

 

The farmer then took a rock and threw it at the boy.  The boy then relented.  He climbed down and never returned to bother the farmer again.

 

–The lesson: When kind methods of persuasion are ineffective, unkind methods usually follow and find success.

Reproving is at all levels.  And I know that in my life, the Lord has reproved me with mild scolding at times. And at other times, what could be akin to throwing a rock at me just to get me to do the right thing.  And wouldn’t you know it?  The Lord knew what He was doing all the time.

So, let me introduce you to another word: Humility.  Know it.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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