Definitions

Definitions are everything. We read a word and by our "understanding of what it means," we come to a conclusion of its meaning.

That's because our understanding is influenced by

• Book learning
• What others have taught us
• What experience we have had
• Cultural understanding

The books "The God Who Weeps" and "The Christ Who Heals" by Terryl and Fiona Givens have made me aware that my understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is limited by my definitions of gospel language.

I need a paradigm switch, a new Webster's dictionary that gives me a new way to define the words that are the language of scripture. This new dictionary will have at its heart the foundations of love - abundant love.

First is the love of Heavenly Parents who want us to grow and progress and to become like them. And second is the love of Jesus Christ who volunteered to be the One who would help us to heal from all the wounds of mortality.

Their love is everlasting. They will continue to love us and help us as we progress through eons of time until at last we ourselves are capable of such love.

So in the light of all that love, let's read and find some gospel language. We'll let go of all the past understanding that reflects what the Lord meant when he said to Joseph "their creeds are an abomination".  We will even let go of some of what we have been taught at church for our definitions here, too often, have been a reflection of the Protestant culture that is so immersed in American culture that we don't see it for what it is.

Remember what John said in John 1:5 "Light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." For me that darkness represents the sad interpretation I've had all of my life a basic gospel principles; who the Father is, the role of Christ, the meaning of words like commandment, sin, evil, judgment, heaven, hell, etc.

I believe new definitions will allow me to read my scriptures and see Light where I once beheld Darkness. And most importantly to love my Heavenly Father and to not fear Him.