A very respectful non-member attended my gospel principles class not too long ago. He was a great benefit to the class because he asked sincere questions about things that we don't talk about enough. For example, he told the class that it offends him how we say that we are the true Church of Jesus Christ. In his opinion, he said, all roads lead to Heaven.
In response, I asked him, "If I offered you a root beer float and you declined, because you don't like root beer, have you been wronged?"
Every person should either believe that their church is the true church, or they should be attending somewhere else. So why are people offended by our belief?
The answer can be found in an analysis of what "all roads lead to heaven" really means. That phrase is just code for moral relativism or that there is no universal truth. Everyone can do as they please because everyone is right. In other words, "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us...and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 28:8-9)
But when someone shows up declaring universal truth, it obligates us to change our behavior. That's why it offends some people; not because they disagree but because they don't want to change.
Jesus Christ lives. There is truth. If a person doesn't want His gospel because they prefer a tradition they are more comfortable with or is more convenient for their lifestyle; they should not be offended any more than a person who prefers Pepsi over root beer.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
In response, I asked him, "If I offered you a root beer float and you declined, because you don't like root beer, have you been wronged?"
Every person should either believe that their church is the true church, or they should be attending somewhere else. So why are people offended by our belief?
The answer can be found in an analysis of what "all roads lead to heaven" really means. That phrase is just code for moral relativism or that there is no universal truth. Everyone can do as they please because everyone is right. In other words, "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us...and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 28:8-9)
But when someone shows up declaring universal truth, it obligates us to change our behavior. That's why it offends some people; not because they disagree but because they don't want to change.
Jesus Christ lives. There is truth. If a person doesn't want His gospel because they prefer a tradition they are more comfortable with or is more convenient for their lifestyle; they should not be offended any more than a person who prefers Pepsi over root beer.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
