Scripture Central

People at times criticize the Church, claiming it unreasonably restricts lifestyle and free choice. This point of view, while understandable, is truth turned upside-down. There is no freedom without choice and there is no choice without knowledge.

Agency is expanded, not restricted by knowledge of truth. The greater the knowledge, the broader the agency and the greater the freedom. One cannot, for example, choose an eternal family, to be sealed to one’s spouse and children without the knowledge of sealing ordinances, priesthood, and the Restoration. One cannot choose to live the law of chastity without understanding the law and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Many people do not understand and, therefore, they are not free to choose.

The Lord reveals knowledge, line upon line, precept upon precept gently expanding agency commensurate with one’s capacity to understand and obey.

Only by gaining knowledge are people “placed in a state to act according to their wills.” Otherwise, there is no decision to be made, no choice, no agency, no freedom—only the bondage of ignorance.

Welcome to “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” To view the resources connected with this episode, visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/findingchrist.
Please like and comment on this episode and subscribe @scripturecentralofficial so you can more easily see the rest of the videos and resources in this course.
Whether you're using this course for personal enrichment or to help with "Come, Follow Me," we hope it will be valuable in your studies.

Lynne's Handouts: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/job-1?searchId=a8dd520af9cccb105ecead9705857c1e2d90a7fcec95388137b247b4cc8521c8-en-v=fadf3b9 In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems & Heroines, Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson explores the often-overlooked women of the book of Job, revealing powerful lessons about family, faith, loss, and God's abundant blessings. While the book is best known for Job's unwavering faith through immense suffering, Lynne highlights the important role of Job's daughters and what their story teaches about women's value in the Old Testament.
Before Job's trials, his three daughters regularly joined their seven brothers in joyful family feasts, demonstrating a close-knit family where the daughters were fully included in family life. Their happiness was tragically cut short when a great wind destroyed the eldest brother's house, claiming the lives of all ten children in one heartbreaking moment. Lynne discusses how this devastating loss deepens our understanding of Job's grief and steadfast trust in God despite unimaginable sorrow.
The episode also focuses on Job's remarkable restoration. After the Lord blessed Job once again, he became the father of three daughters—Jemima, Kezia, and Keren-happuch—whose beauty was renowned throughout the land. More significantly, Job granted his daughters an inheritance alongside their brothers, a rare and extraordinary act in the ancient biblical world. Lynne examines how this unusual decision reflects Job's righteousness, integrity, and generosity, while illustrating the abundant blessings God poured out upon him in the latter part of his life. Join Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson as she uncovers the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual insights surrounding the women of Job.
Discover how these faithful daughters illuminate themes of covenant family, equality before God, hope after tragedy, and the Lord's power to heal, restore, and bless those who remain faithful through life's greatest trials.

When someone leaves the Church, especially when many leave, people wonder, “What do they know that I don’t?” 
A better question to ask is “What do I know that they don’t?” 
Some claim Church culture is driving people away, that members feel unseen, disconnected, empty, unheard, unnourished, and unfulfilled by their involvement, and the solution they say is a transformation to a more open, inclusive, transparent, loving, and tolerant culture wherein more people can comfortably gather.
The ultimate question is not: “Do I fit in, feel loved, accepted, and comfortable?” The ultimate question is: “Is the Church true?”
None of this is to say we should stand idly by as people walk out the door with broken and lonely hearts thinking, “there is no place for me here.” But belief trumps doubt.  
If you view the church from the institutional perspective, then the arguments for leaving make sense. If you view it from the kingdom of God perspective, they fall apart.  
From the institutional point of view, reason would suggest leaving or stepping back if, as an institution, it does not meet your criteria, your expectations, and your judgment of what the Church should be. 
But if you see the Church as the kingdom of God on earth with sole authority to administer the ordinances of salvation to God’s children on both sides of the veil, endow them with power to engage in His work and thereby bring them back to Him, then you will stay come what may.

Welcome to “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” To view the resources connected with this episode, visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/findingchrist.

Please like and comment on this episode and subscribe @scripturecentralofficial so you can more easily see the rest of the videos and resources in this course.

Whether you're using this course for personal enrichment or to help with "Come, Follow Me," we hope it will be valuable in your studies.