D&C 56

I have certain scriptures that are pivotal to me - of critical importance and I use them to judge or evaluate other scriptures.

Moses 7 is one such pivotal scripture and John 3:17 is another.

In Moses 7 we find God weeping and when Enoch asks how and why God weepsiphon the short answer he is weeping because of how mankind is treating one another "wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing the shall suffer?"

God is angry because of their choices but his response is too weak because he knows their choices cause suffering!

John 3:17 follows the beloved verse God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Then comes the qualifier - the pivotal verse:

For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.

The following verses in John chapter 3 explain that those who reject light suffer through their choices. Condemnation is the natural site of bad choices. Jesus came to save us from these bad choices - to show us a better way.

Using these verses as my standard I reject scripture that portrays God is wrathful, punishing the center. The God I love knows we cause our own suffering and he is sad for us but is hopeful that his perfect plan will allow us to learn from our mistakes and come home where he is waiting, longing for our return.