Socialized Salvation

TheDiscipleMD

There are many fine and well-meaning people who support the philosophy of economic and cultural socialization. In their minds such a society would benefit the whole and leave none behind. And perhaps it appears that way. In a perfect world it might be so. Yet, a conversation I recently had with a good friend got me to thinking once again on this subject.

He pointed out that the plan of socialized salvation was rejected in the pre-existence by us and that the author of that plan was none other than Lucifer. Nevertheless, from the scriptures we learn that 1/3 of Heavenly Fathers children embraced it. (Rev. 12:4) There was such harsh disagreement over the plan presented by Christ, and the plan presented by Lucifer that a war broke out in heaven. (Revelation 12:7) The war of ideals became so fierce that Satan and those who supported his plan were cast out by God to the earth. (Rev. 12:9)

They were cast out because they supported, not a plan of merit and personal progression, but a plan of socialized salvation. We read in Moses:

”…That Satan… is the same which was from the beginning and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. But, behold, my Beloved son said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down. And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive, and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.” (Moses 4:1-4)

Note that Satan played to our emotions, even then, when he told us, “One soul shall not be lost.” His plan of socialized salvation was that no one would be left behind. I’m sure that sounded good to many. Everyone would be saved. Who wouldn’t be for that! Yet, the Lord explained that such a plan would “destroy the agency of man.” Thus it would have frustrated the “plan of happiness” that our Father wanted for us. That plan included our ability to progress according to our desires.

There is however, a marked difference between this life and the pre-mortal. Namely that some souls come forth into this world unable to fend for themselves because of physical, mental, or emotional handicaps. Thus, we need to be ever vigilant that we do not become, as the prophet Agur stated in Proverbs:

“…a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.” (Proverbs 30:14)

There is no question that this life is a proving ground. The scriptures teach us that we need to do all that we can to gain salvation. “Faith without works is dead”, declared Paul. (James 2:14) Yet we also know that it is only through the grace of God that we are saved. (Eph. 2:8)

The poor will always be among us and the Lord has consistently charged us to look after them and care for them. Neglecting to do so will bring us under condemnation! So, while we might argue as to how we should organize ourselves regarding the poor, the clarion command of God is clearly that we need to do it.

 

 

 

 

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