The Culture of Christ — A November Thought
- bryceggorrell
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
"It is not in harmony with the Gospel spirit that God, except in special cases, should reveal things that man by the aid of his natural powers may gain for himself."
John A. Widtsoe, Joseph Smith as Scientist, chapter 1
"[Theology] is the science of all other sciences and useful arts, being in fact the very foundation from which they emanate. It includes philosophy, astronomy, history, mathematics, geography, languages, the science of letters, and blends the knowledge of all matters of fact in every branch of art and research... All that is useful, great and good, all that is calculated to sustain, comfort, instruct, edify, purify, refine or exalt intelligences originated by this science, and this science alone, all other sciences being but branches growing out of this, the root."
Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, chapter 1
"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
Articles of Faith 1: 13
"The Lord has not been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However, the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive."
L. Tom Perry, Family Traditions, April 1990 General Conference
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I've encountered others with strong beliefs regarding certain celebrations common in our secular society. These and others are prone to wonder about their place, purpose and propriety.
Far from being dismissed, these questions are worth considering.
Are there worthy ways of celebrating cultures, histories, and practices without disparaging them? Of course there are.
Much of what the world decries as "cultural appropriation," the Lord and His servants call "gathering together all things in one, in Christ." (Ephesians 1: 3-14)
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Not everything done by a wicked person is evil.
Practices found among "Pagans" may be found to be alright for the righteous.
Example:
Most, if not all, leaders and members of the Nazi regime drank water out of glasses during the 1920s-40s. This was and is a widely practiced part of everyday life for many other wicked people as well.
Does this mean we should shun the practice ourselves? Does this mean we cannot righteously drink glasses of water?
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In various ways, many people throughout Christendom take this time of the year to remember their deceased ancestors. Furthermore, some engage in practices that express their desires for what they can do to spiritually benefit these loved ones, and help them progress along on their heavenly journey.
Does the Church of Jesus Christ teach or do anything about helping our ancestors progress spiritually after their death?
Has the Lord revealed anything in these latter days about mortals having the ability to influence their kindred dead, by assisting them on their heavenly journey?
Of course He has.
Do I believe in doing something on Earth which can open the gate leading to eternal life for those who have already embarked into the world of the disembodied?
Of course I do.
Have others been inspired with yearnings toward these same ends?
Of course they have.
Though couched in different language, which easily calls to mind abhorrent aberrations and the attending accusations of absent authority, these ideas have found their place among the celebrated observations of many Christian believers, such as Allhallowtide, including All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), and, yes, Halloween (All Hallows' Eve).
Of course, some purposes and intentions have been lost, twisted, or otherwise corrupted.
Most clearly visible may be the secular observation of Halloween, which has devolved into a celebration of the macabre, the occult, or of various pop-culture institutions.
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Many cultures are deeply flawed when it comes to death and dying. Many don't see it, talk about it, or deal with it directly, unless and until they have to. Even then, many deathcare systems sanitize the experience for the mourners to an unhealthy level.
As a result, many are not very good at knowing how to support another experiencing grief from a loss and can face great difficulty dealing with death and grief in their own life.
We ought to inspire others with a higher and holier sense of purpose, and use the tools placed in our hands to craft a culture of concern for our deceased ancestors.
Though some indulge in shocking displays meant to inspire fear or the glorification of violence, we can take opportunities to glory in our family history, and the stories of those who have died. This focus on death is not to be "creepy" or disrespectful. We should think about death and dying as it ties us together in a common bond of mortality, shared among all in this portion of our heavenly journey.
An increased awareness and love for these dearly departed is of central significance for the great letter-day work now preceding the Second Coming of the Lord. (Malachi 4: 5-6; Doc. & Cov. 128; 138)
Of course, changing culture calls for courage, just like every other worthy endeavor.
Will you join me in pushing others just a little higher in our observances, to encourage righteous purposes at the forefront?
It is our special responsibility, to bring the blessings of salvation to all the families of the Earth—for the living, and the dead. (Abraham 2: 7-11; Doc. & Cov. 128: 19)
We can do it.
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