AboutDrew Williams Expertise Are Mormons "Christians?"
What is the truth about Mormons and drinking coffee, coke and alcohol?
Why don`t Mormons watch "R" rated movies?
Are there still Mormons who practice plural marriage?
Why are Mormons married in a "Temple" and why are only a few people allowed to attend?
What's the difference between a "Mormon" and a "Latter-day Saint?"
Experience I am the author of the book: "Complete Idiot's Guide to Mormonism" (Penguin), which has now been read by more than 10,000 people. I have spoken on topics pertaining to the history of Christianity and Mormonism around the world, and have taught Mormon doctrine for more than 20 years, and am a former Methodist (practicing Baptist), convert to the Mormon Church. Without sounding "preachy," I can help clarify points of concern regarding Mormons as Christians, and can help others understand principles of belief behind the Mormon Church--as well as speak somewhat concerning the context of the New Testament (and the Book of Isaiah).
Organizations LDS Church
Publications New Era, The Friend, Wall Street Journal, Computer World, Internet Week, others.
Question What does God says about competition and how should you compete?
Answer Henry, great question.
Please allow me to share a passage of scripture with you from the New Testament book of Matthew (chapter 25):
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he agave five btalents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and areckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou adeliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful aservant: thou hast been bfaithful over a few things, I will make thee cruler over many things: enter thou into the djoy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and afaithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an ahard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was aafraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and aslothful servant, thou knewest that I breap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with ausury.
28 Take therefore the atalent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be agiven, and he shall have babundance: but from him that hath not shall be ctaken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
31 ¶ When the aSon of man shall come in his bglory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all anations: and he shall bseparate them one from another, as a cshepherd divideth his dsheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his aright hand, but the goats on the left.
This is a classic passage, in which the Lord himself is teaching about how, when we are given talents (in whatever field we happen to be perceived as having a "natural skill"), the Lord expects us to take those talents into our lives and truly excel at them. However, in God's kingdom, and from an eternal perspective, the Lord is not looking at "compeition" as being mutually exclusive, where there is only one winner. Rather, God expects us to do the very best WE can do as individuals, and--in contrast--as we excel in what we do, we engage with others who are doing the same. The point of it all is to magnify our callings in life.
A game of football, for example, allows the players to really push themselves, and to allow each person to test himself and his abilities on a field of challenge. Some cases, the individual will rise above his own expectations and achieve a level of greatness that is staggering to the whole world--like Michael Phelps has. He won 8 gold medals--true enough. But on one of those occasions, it required the help of three others, with whom he was able to collaborate his own talents to contribute to an even greater achievement for all four.
God wants us to be the best people we can be, and an occasional test of our resolve is healthy--and as Jesus said: "profitable"
