Last Saturday night my wife shared her notes from Deseret Book’s “Time Out for Women” conference with me. While I hope to share more notes with M* readers after she types them up, one key point stood out from a talk given by LDS author John Bytheway.
My wife asked me what I though God’s favorite scripture might be. There are so many good scriptures that could qualify as His favorite, but the answer given by John Bytheway made sense to me–the sacrament prayers (here and here).
Why would these be God’s favorite scripture? Discuss.
I don’t give much deep credence to John Bytheway. He’s a great youth speaker, but beyond his cute stories, I just don’t think there’s much there.
Why the Sacrament prayers would be more important than the Lord’s prayer, or the Intercessory prayer, or the prayer Jesus did among the Nephites, where it was not utterable by man, is beyond me.
@Rameumptom
I knew I could count on someone to be a BIG fan of John Bytheway. 😉
Here is what my wife had listed in her notes as some of the reasons why this would be God’s favorite scripture:
-Repeated often (weekly)
-Spoken while kneeling
-Heads are bowed and eyes closed
Hi Brian D.
There are other reasons why those things happen other than that it’s God’s favorite.
Repeated weekly (we need it weekly).
Spoken while kneeling (it symbolically represents our humility).
Heads bowed and eyes closed (um, scripturally I know of no command to do these things–it’s not part of the ordinance).
@psychochemiker
Heads bowed and eyes closed (um, scripturally I know of no command to do these things–it’s not part of the ordinance).
Very true, but it shows reverence and respect during the ordinance.
Good insights. Thanks for sharing.
I think it would be God’s favorite scripture because it is the only scripture where we actively re-commit to Him our promises to Him and He re-commits to us His promises to us on a weekly basis. It is like a minnie reminder of the Plan of Salvation rolled into a short prayer where we think about the whole purpose of our life and the infinite sacrifice of His Son and the goal we have to be with Him again.
It is of course impossible to know the mind of God, but we can instead speculate on “the favorite scriptures that God wants people on the Earth to know and ponder in our times.” That is probably what is meant by “God’s favorite scriptures.”
In addition to the Sacrament prayers, I think Moroni 10:3-5 might qualify.
Also, Moses 1:39 and John 3:16.
By the way, I could predict that John Bytheway would not be popular among Bloggernacle regulars, but your everyday teenager really enjoys him.
@Geoff B.
I’m always leery and guarded when it comes to paid firesides and conferences like these. My wife said it was a huge spiritual uplift, which I don’t doubt, but I have a hard time supporting people who make their money on the fireside circuit.
I understand your point. Not how I would want to make a living. However, my philosophy is: if it adds value, and uplifts people, and people are willing to pay for it, no problem. If we’re going to be suspicious of people like John Bytheway, we need to be suspicious of the following people:
–People who make money giving speeches (of all political and religious persuasions).
–People who make money putting on inspirational seminars.
–All people who run “for profit” web sites.
–All people who write books.
–The Brethren, who do not have other jobs and are compensated for leading and directing the Church (isn’t their job to inspire and lead people?).
I am NOT saying that John Bytheway is comparable to the Brethren. I have actually never been to any of his talks and only heard snippets here and there. I can tell you that there are many, many young men and women who appreciate him and whose testimonies are helped by him.
My only point is that people rush to condemn people for making money on the fireside circuit, but I don’t think they’re thinking through all of the implications of such a position. Yes, firesides are usually free, and serving in the Church is usually not compensated, but is making money from firesides wrong? If so, how about making money from writing inspiring Mormon books? And if that is wrong, how about writing Mormon history or academic books? And where do you draw the line?
Note: this comment is not aimed at your #8 — it is meant to get people to think about the reflexive “I don’t like John Bytheway” position many people take.
@Geoff B.
Good points, Geoff.
My dislike is driven by my experience working at an LDS format radio station and meeting people in the LDS entertainment business. There was an attitude with SOME of the entertainers that all Mormons should buy their music and owed them a living. I saw behavior and attitudes that I considered reprehensible and that left a sour, if not bitter taste in my mouth.
I’m not easily won over, I guess is what I’m trying to say. 🙂
I have no idea what God’s favorite scripture is. I have not decided what my favorite scripture is. As for John Bytheway, I t think he is wonderful for the youth. However I do not want to listen to him for an hour.
I have not gone to a “Time Out for Women” because I am boycotting it. I agree that as a business Deseret Book has the right to conduct business any way they see fit. What sticks in my craw, is they have the right to advertise at church (get called a fireside rather than a seminar) and no one else is allowed to.
Brian what you describe is true. It also goes for business owners in a not a LDS majority area. They expect the member’s business too. This subject makes me cranky.
You made my day, Joanna! I’m glad I’m not the only person who has issues with Deserted Book!
I still think John Btw made a good case for the scripture, but I think there are many scriptures we have not had a chance to love yet. Who knows, the sealed portion could have a scripture highlighted that says, “This is my favorite scripture.” 😉
JA, I’ve never seen Deseret Book advertised at Church in any way, but I would agree with you that if they are, that’s probably not a good thing.
Geoff I have. It has been announced from the pulpit or put in the announcements. I am glad it is not a church wide policy.
OOHHHH Brian, start a discussion about Deseret Book issues. I have one. Order from them and it takes a month. Order from Amazon and it rarely takes longer than a week.
I do not mind John BTW for teens. He is good at motivating them. I think that adults should have moved past him in their spiritual/gospel knowledge level. I gag at the dumbing down of adults. I expect my mind to be stretched and expanded by professional speakers. John BTW is entertaining like TV. Too much TV turns the brain to mush.
I gave a lesson in Elders Quorum once, which seemed popular with the guys. Later, after I bought a couple John BTW dvds, I found out that my delivery style is something like his. He alternates light-hearted moments with more serious teaching. A speaker can’t keep up an intense level without wearing out the audience, you have to vary things to keep people awake. And a little humor gets people to let down their guard so you can touch them; and it keeps their attention.
The gospel really is simple. The “dumbed down” stuff really is the basics gospel. Look in 3rd Nephi where the Lord says “this is my doctine”, then gives the doctrine, then says “what I just gave you is my doctine.” It’s short and sweet. “Scholars” and “intellectuals” try to make too much of the gospel.
Agree on Deseret Book. But then, its owned by the church.
On God’s favorite scripture, I think the only _specific_ book of scripture that we’ve been commanded to read (aside from being told to “search [all] the scriptures”) is the book of Isaiah, as told in 3 Nephi chapter 23.
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39)