Comments on: Can God Give Us a Blessing We Don’t Deserve (other than the atonement)?

By: Clark Goble

Clark Goble — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 01:25:43 +0000

Excellent point Don. I was going to bring that one up but also I was actually going to do a little Nibley and suggest that we don’t *deserve* any of the blessings we’ve received. Some sin, some inability, always undermines our deserving. That’s not in the least to say we don’t do good nor that those good acts don’t deserve rewards. But it’s sort of like the murderer expecting to be rewarded for helping the old lady cross the road. Our negative deserts outweigh the positive ones.

When we start looking at blessings as if any of us deserve them, I personally think we’re looking at it the wrong way. That’s the beauty of the atonement and I think in a way Alma is an example of that.

Not that I’m the first to say that. Stephen and others mentioned this.

By: don

don — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 08:39:58 +0000

After sharing this blog with my wife she pointed out that Alma the younger certainly didn’t deserve his angelic visitation. It was a result of his father’s(and mother’s) and members prayers, not anything that Alma had done.

So again my wife “proves” me wrong!

By: Lisa M

Lisa M — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 07:12:50 +0000

I am quite sure that I have been on the receiving end of blessings that I in no way, shape or form have deserved.

I also believe that blessings are a tool for growth. We are given blessings to help us over come our flaws and imperfections and thus the tide pool for even more blessings.

On a side note: I am fairly certain that God has his own limitations. A set of guidelines and rules that he himself has to work with in. Don’t you sense that Heavenly Father is also on a mission or quest, with the creation of this existance?

By: Stephen M (Ethesis)

Stephen M (Ethesis) — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:58:59 +0000

Yes, as we don’t deserve any of them.

But more, what is a real blessing?

By: Eric Russell

Eric Russell — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 02:51:32 +0000

It depends on how you define blessings. If we speak of those blessings which are predicated on obedience to the law, then obviously we cannot obtain those blessings if we don’t obey.

But what is a blessing? Lots of things could be considered blessings – things that happen to all of us. The sunshine can be a blessing, as can the rain. And even frogs.

By: RoastedTomatoes

RoastedTomatoes — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 01:03:49 +0000

Don, I agree that God has limits. But I also agree with (what I take to be the spirit of) Steve EM’s comment: we don’t know very much about what those limits are. I think God sometimes lets us believe specific things because they help us progress more quickly, even if they don’t actually correspond too closely to reality. Limitations on God’s ability to freely bless us might be an example.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 01:02:19 +0000

I tend to think we aren’t worthy for any blessings, but though faith in Jesus Christ.

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:35:41 +0000

Don,
Also remember that got cannot be surprised:)

By: don

don — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:50:23 +0000

Steve EM,
God may be almighty, but He does have limits. He can’t create a rock so big He can’t lift it. Seriously, He can’t lie. He can’t change the atonement, if there was any other way then Christ’s prayer in the garden wasn’t answered.

I even think He must be obedient to the laws He created, or has made Himself subject to.

That’s why I made my original question.

By: Steve EM

Steve EM — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:47:07 +0000

What is it about orthodox LDS always putting arbitrary limits on the Almighty in some fashion? The Almighty is almighty (Can do whatever he wants). Get over it.