I would like to explore the notion of "not casting your pearls to swine" and seek to better understand what that really does, or doesn't mean.
I decided to start a conversation after wondering to myself: "Was the publishing of the Book of Mormon casting pearls to swine?" I ask this, because anyone can pick it up whether they are truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness, or not. They can take it up, and mock it, and yet... is it not sacred? But then, on the other side of it, think of all the thousands, or millions of people who may not have received its truth had it not been made available to the general public, for people to find?
My good friend, and moderator on the board, Servant (Gary) who began as a Pentecostal (at the time) picked up a Book of Mormon in a doctor's office as he was waiting to be seen, and received confirmation that it was the word of God.
And I wonder about how that also applies to the sharing of insight and personal revelation in published books, or on a message board, etc.
I believe it may be an important concept for servants of the Lord to examine. Not only so that we do not share what we shouldn't, but also...that we may not withhold what should be published, so that others who are hungry can find it, whether we ever personally meet them or not. It says in the last days, knowledge shall increase... I don't think that is a bad thing. Perhaps the Internet, and other publications is one of the ways God is using to get knowledge to those in far away places, who hunger and thirst for this.
So, I grabbed up enough of the surrounding text to get a little context for our Scripture. Here is the Scripture:
From Matthew chapter 7:9-13 (Inspired Version)
Some initial questions I wish to raise, which I think need to be answered in order for us to fully understand what Jesus intended here.
1. What does he mean by "mysteries" or what constitutes a mystery, what isn't considered a mystery? What is the dividing line here?
2. What does he mean when he says: "For the world cannot receive that which ye yourselves, are not able to bear"
3. What does he mean when he says: "lest they turn again and rend you."?
4. What is the main problem here?
* "lest they trample them under their feet."
-or-
* "lest they turn again and rend you."
or both?
I believe it may be important to keep this scripture in context.
He is speaking to his disciples about their commission to go abroad into the world. This means he is specifically talking about non-believers, or those they will be preaching the gospel to.
This counsel begins in verse 9, where he starts his counsel basically giving the same counsel he gives in the D&C "preach nothing but repentance."
This is, of course, a directive for those who first need the sincere milk of the gospel, and need to be baptized and come into the covenant. I don't believe it is a directive for what should be taught or preached among the mature members of the church, who have been weened from milk, and are ready for meat.
Any thoughts?
I decided to start a conversation after wondering to myself: "Was the publishing of the Book of Mormon casting pearls to swine?" I ask this, because anyone can pick it up whether they are truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness, or not. They can take it up, and mock it, and yet... is it not sacred? But then, on the other side of it, think of all the thousands, or millions of people who may not have received its truth had it not been made available to the general public, for people to find?
My good friend, and moderator on the board, Servant (Gary) who began as a Pentecostal (at the time) picked up a Book of Mormon in a doctor's office as he was waiting to be seen, and received confirmation that it was the word of God.
And I wonder about how that also applies to the sharing of insight and personal revelation in published books, or on a message board, etc.
I believe it may be an important concept for servants of the Lord to examine. Not only so that we do not share what we shouldn't, but also...that we may not withhold what should be published, so that others who are hungry can find it, whether we ever personally meet them or not. It says in the last days, knowledge shall increase... I don't think that is a bad thing. Perhaps the Internet, and other publications is one of the ways God is using to get knowledge to those in far away places, who hunger and thirst for this.
So, I grabbed up enough of the surrounding text to get a little context for our Scripture. Here is the Scripture:
From Matthew chapter 7:9-13 (Inspired Version)
Quote:This is Jesus speaking specifically to the Apostles.
9 Go ye into the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you.
10 And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet.
11 For the world cannot receive that which ye yourselves, are not able to bear; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn again and rend you.
12 Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
13 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
Some initial questions I wish to raise, which I think need to be answered in order for us to fully understand what Jesus intended here.
1. What does he mean by "mysteries" or what constitutes a mystery, what isn't considered a mystery? What is the dividing line here?
2. What does he mean when he says: "For the world cannot receive that which ye yourselves, are not able to bear"
3. What does he mean when he says: "lest they turn again and rend you."?
4. What is the main problem here?
* "lest they trample them under their feet."
-or-
* "lest they turn again and rend you."
or both?
I believe it may be important to keep this scripture in context.
He is speaking to his disciples about their commission to go abroad into the world. This means he is specifically talking about non-believers, or those they will be preaching the gospel to.
This counsel begins in verse 9, where he starts his counsel basically giving the same counsel he gives in the D&C "preach nothing but repentance."
This is, of course, a directive for those who first need the sincere milk of the gospel, and need to be baptized and come into the covenant. I don't believe it is a directive for what should be taught or preached among the mature members of the church, who have been weened from milk, and are ready for meat.
Any thoughts?
