Neal Rappleye
Jasmin Rappleye
Stephen Smoot
Hales Swift
You can listen to or download the August 4 broadcast of the Interpreter Radio Show below. It will also be included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). The hosts were Neal Rappleye, Jasmine Rappleye, Stephen Smoot and Hales Swift. They were joined in studio by Spencer Marsh and Jaxon Washburn. Topics include a discussion of Early Return Missionaries and the FAIRMormon conference and the upcoming Come, Follow Me lesson #33 on 1 Corinthians 1-7. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Call in to 801-254-1640 with your questions and comments during the live show.
Original air date: August 4, 2019. This recording has been edited to remove commercial breaks.
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Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:39:49 — 11.4MB) |
The Interpreter Radio Show is a weekly discussion of matters of interest to the hosts, guests, and callers of the show. The views expressed on the Interpreter Radio Show are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Interpreter Foundation, nor should statements made on the show be construed as official doctrinal statements of the Church.
Regarding Christian unity:
Indeed, the early Christian church had ongoing points of disparity right from the earliest times. The various Catholic Churches eventually came up with their own “correlation committees” as they evolved and attempted to define themselves. Then Martin Luther opened-up possibilities for change, and new evolution. I think Paul would not have been surprised to see so many interpretations of the Bible, all the years that have transpired since the Reformation. (And don’t we all agree that the Reformation was all part God’s plan to recover his children? When you really think about it, isn’t it amazing how much continuity actually exists between the different churches after 2000+ years?
Having spent my whole life in the LDS Church, I’ve felt at least a bit uncomfortable with the ways we tend to distance ourselves from what I see as the rest of the Body of Christ. We have our mission in the Last Days, and they have theirs. We don’t have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit by any means. While we are joined with Christ by covenant, I believe Heavenly Father recognizes sincere covenants made by those of other Christian denominations, and blesses them just as he does us—according to our needs. Indeed, covenants within the Priesthood are necessary, but it’s not over until it’s over (which is a very long time!). The rest of Christianity is playing a vital role in spreading the gospel, even if it isn’t in completeness. It certainly isn’t all priestcraft and Satan’s deceptions (think Moroni 7). We are too small and too peculiar to tackle the world on our own.
It will be helpful, moving forward, as members move away from congratulating ourselves on how important our role as the “birthright son” is in carrying the gospel forward in preparation for Christ’s coming— and start to acknowledge how incredibly wonderful it is that there is more than one place to worship Christ, and more than one fit for people who are so diverse. As one whose testimony and hope in Christ was facilitated at least as much by Christians without the Restored Church as much as within, I will always be grateful for those “parts of the Body”. I’m also grateful to see how my extended family members grow in Christ within their own denominations and Christian worship practices. They have taught be so much of the grace that is within Christ.
It is so easy for members to come off a bit smug when we focus on how we have what others don’t, and how our mission is essential. (I didn’t feel that coming from you today, though.) But when we’re talking amongst ourselves as members, don’t we already know so well how we are the “torch-bearers”, without repeating it to ourselves when making comparisons to other Christians, all the while failing to acknowledge what they have to offer? Do we even understand their interpretation of the scriptures and their gospel perspectives? Do we really respect them?
Is it possible that Paul would not be necessarily dismayed by the variations and diversity in Christianity, were he here today? The LDS Church was not going to reach out to the hippies in Southern California back in the ’70’s. The “Jesus Movement” was not our mission, yet so many Bible believing, faithful Christians came from those pastors. We don’t have much success in proselytizing Evangelical Christians not just because they have strong opinions, but because they don’t feel the void of a life without Christ. True seeds, when cultivated in genuine faith, will grow until we all come together in the unity of Christ. We have as much to learn from them as they do from us. In the end, it’s all going to come together. It’s all the unfolding of the Gathering.
Forgive the length, I’m not good at being succinct.
Thank you for your show, I do appreciate you and your guests insights very much. I look forward to watching the conference on Roku over the coming weeks.
I wonder if I’m talking to myself here, no posts here. I hope this perspective is a worthwhile one to share.
Hey there, echoing Jasmine, eyebrows aren’t low utility by any means. Stop and consider for a moment how we use them in expression and communication? 🙂