Difference between revisions of "Moro 7:6-10"

Revision as of 02:40, 7 February 2006

We might expect that an emphasis on intent would be used to caution people against judgments based on works. As is often pointed out, people who may do something that looks good without the right intent. Instead Mormon seems to be using this discussion of intent to explain why or how he judges his audience by their works. How are judgements based on works compatible with the idea that what makes an action good or evil is the intent?

Real intent: Webster's 1828 dictionary defines real as "1. Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; 2. True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit or factitious; 3. True; genuine; not affected; not assumed." These 3 definitions are all similar to each other. Interestingly, there is another definition listed with a different connotation: "5. In law, pertaining to things fixed, permanent or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as real estate, opposed to personal or movable property." This suggests that transient intentions, no matter how fervent, may not qualify as real intent.

The teaching of these verses has similarity to that of 1 Corinthians 13:3. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes that he could give everything he has to the poor, but if he doesn't have charity/love, doing so provides no benefit. Here, according to Mormon, the key is to have real intent. Without the right intent, praying or doing good provides no benefit. There is also similarity to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:1-2: Those who give help to others for the right reasons have a reward from their Father in heaven, but those who do so for earthly glory are not similarly rewarded. Moreover, King Benjamin says in Mosiah 4:24-25 that those who would give to the needy if they had the means, are not condemned like those who have the means but do not give. All these teachings emphasize having the right intent, regardless of our doing, or not being able to do, good works. (See also 1 Sam 16:7.)

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 == Questions ==
-* ''Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions''
+=== Verse 6-10 ===
+* We might expect that an emphasis on intent would be used to caution people against judgments based on works. As is often pointed out, people who may do something that looks good without the right intent. Instead Mormon seems to be using this discussion of intent to explain why or how he judges his audience by their works. How are judgements based on works compatible with the idea that what makes an action good or evil is the intent?
 == Lexical notes ==