Traditions - Cause of people missing the truth; John 7

Lately there has been quite a bit of discussion in the media about whether or not Mormons are Christians. Many traditional Christians do not think so because members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe several of the traditional beliefs of Christianity, though the principle tenet of the faith is a belief that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. It is interesting that traditions can often cloud judgement. It certainly affected how many people believed in the Savior.

Look at these verses in John 7. Jesus explains that it is incorrect to be angry with him for healing on the Sabbath when other good things are allowed to occur on the Sabbath.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you ^acircumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the ^asabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit ^bwhole on the sabbath day?

24 ^aJudge not according to ^bthe ^cappearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Joseph Smith Translation replaces "the appearance" with "your traditions". It is interesting that Jesus was often not accepted because his actions/doctrine didn't align well with the religious traditions of the people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also is not accepted by many as a "Christian" church for the same reason. We believe there's more scripture than just the Bible, that Prophets are alive on the earth again, that the Trinity isn't 3-in-1, but that each member of the Godhead is a distinct being. Ours is the true church of Jesus Christ, but because of tradition, many don't recognize it as even being good.

We shouldn't be surprised as the same was true with Jesus.

Have a good week.