As a preface to the following utilitarian views let me say that these statements are strictly my opinion based on past study.

In a thread on a recent blog at Truth Restored I had a mini discussion with someone who claimed that God was no utilitarian. He made the statement that God was not concerned about numbers when it came to mankind’s happiness. According to Jeremy Bentham (who first set forth the moral theory of utilitarianism) utility is defined as the greatest good for the greatest number. The confusion of whether God is utilitarian or not comes into play with the definition of the word “good”. From John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism we read, “The utilitarian doctrine is that happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end; all other things being only desirable as means to that end” (chapter 4). Previously in chapter 2 of the same work we read, “We not uncommonly hear the doctrine of utility inveighed against as a godless doctrine. If it be necessary to say anything at all against so mere an assumption, we may say that the question depends upon what idea we have formed of the moral character of the Deity. If it be a true belief that God desires, above all things, the happiness of his creatures, and that this was his purpose in their creation, utility is not only NOT a godless doctrine, but more profoundly religious than any other. If it be meant that utilitarianism does not recognize the revealed will of God as the supreme law of morals, I answer that a utilitarian who believes in the perfect goodness and wisdom of God necessarily believes that whatever God has thought fit to reveal on the subject of morals, must fulfill the requirements of utility in a supreme degree…”

Now, having quoted Mill, (and let me say here that I do not endorse all Mill has to say on the subject but find tidbits of truth here and there) I will use some of the arguments given me against God being utilitarian. “What about the biblical flood of Noah?” ask the detractors. “What of Sodom and Gomorrah?” “What of the Passover when the destroying angel killed all the first born of Egypt?” While each of these questions is valid one must also look past the immediate act and into the grand picture. If God had not wiped out all the wicked in the earth at the time of the flood, would future generations have found true happiness as they perpetuated their wickedness at the cost of other’s happiness? The same is true with Sodom and Gomorrah. As concerning the Passover, had not the Israelites become much more numerous than their captors who were holding them in bondage and enjoying the happiness of the few upon the blood, sweat, and tears of their more numerous slaves? God gives commandments unto men, not to unnecessarily restrict them but for their own happiness and the happiness of those around them. If we kill, steal, cheat on our spouse, and bear false witness we are indeed infringing on the happiness of the majority and this, in turn, necessitates punishment of the perpetrator for the happiness of the greatest number. Obeying the laws of God and the laws of the land, where they are just, brings happiness to the obeying individual as well. Solomon in his wisdom said, “…he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (KJV, Proverbs 29:18).

Mormonism in this respect could be said to be utilitarian, as well. A main tenet of the religion is that “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25). God wishes joy upon all of His children but gives unto us our free agency to act according to our desires. Just as a man running a race always keeps his eye on the finish line we must not get caught up so much in the here and now but move along with the final goal always constant.

From the moment Mitt Romney began to publicly contemplate running for president of the United States of America until now his Mormon faith has played a major part in the debate of his credentials to hold that office. Of course, most of the accusations about the church are totally false and as old as the church itself and each have been proven, using primary source documents, as such. One key point that has been totally omitted when addressing a “Mormon In The White House” (borrowing a title from Hugh Hewitt’s best selling book) by Hewitt and all other’s addressing how his faith would play in a presidency is the very high regard that Mormons hold for the U.S. Constitution and this great nation which is bound by it. 

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I thought this was a nice way to express the beauty of the state where I choose to reside in a way that words alone cannot do. The music is by the Bar D Wranglers and the photography is mine.

     Having grown up in Jackson, Mississippi at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I saw first hand the occurrences spoken of by Dr. King. I remember vividly walking hand in hand with my mother along the streets of downtown Jackson and stopping to drink out of the “colored” drinking fountain, but before my lips could touch the water my mother jerked me away, telling me that only “colored people” should drink out of those, and she took me a few paces away to drink from an “uncontaminated” source. I recall seeing little black children with wet pants and shameful expressions because they could no longer control their natural bodily functions, as there were no public facilities for those with dark skin. I remember going into the doctor’s office where there were two waiting rooms, one for the whites via the front door and one for the “Negro” via the back. I recollect the Jackson State College riots in Jackson, Mississippi in May 1967 that, locals claimed, were incited by Martin Luther King, Jr. and the white populace bought into the southern propaganda machine. The celebration of Dr. King’s murder, that took place in my all white boyhood environs, still plays in my mind, for we were told that this was the most evil man of our generation. At the time, I thought this was truth and didn’t think much of it. I was a product of the place and time. Only after having moved away from the south and its prejudices and educating myself, bursting the bands of my ignorance, did I realize that I had been lied to!

A Black Man drinks from a segregated water cooler pre-1960. Photograph courtesy of Library of Congress.      

Now, as I look back, I see the wisdom of Dr. King, his methods and philosophies. Could he have achieved the ends that he did, even though he did not live to see them through to fruition, in any other way? Sure, he could have raised an army and killed many white people in the process and possibly (in a few hundred years) been justified in his actions. But by his method of direct nonviolent action, he probably spared the nation another Civil War and taught people that differences can be solved oft times through peaceful means and negotiation. Dr. King lived what he taught and bore upon himself the consequences of his actions as he looked to the future and a better world for his children and grandchildren. As with all great men who have a God given purpose, Martin Luther King, Jr. sealed his life’s work with his most precious possession, his life blood, and in so doing, left a legacy of hope and equality, not just for those of African descent, but for all who dwell under the banner of the stars and stripes which at last, truly symbolize freedom.

Thoughts and recollections of Dennis K Olson – an expatriated rebel

The following filmstrip is an old film by The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints from the 1960’s and 70’s.

It answers the questions that at some time in all of our lives we eventually ask:
1. Where did I come from?
2. Why am I here on Earth?
3. Where am I going after I die?

Furthermore, it shows to the world that Mormon’s have considered themselves Christians since the beginnings of the Church in 1830 and it is not a recent phenomena or a change in our doctrine, as some have attempted to claim.

Part 1

Part 2

I find myself simply astounded and amazed. We have been taught all of our lives (or as long as we have been in the church) that we are Christian. We are taught about Him from our youth and glory in His teachings and life. We are amazed that He would show so much love to us that He would allow himself to be sacrificed and put to death in order to redeem us from our sins and imperfections. We take great comfort knowing that three days after His crucifixion that he rose again (was resurrected) and stands today on the right hand of the Father and is an advocate for us in the Courts on High. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partake of the Sacrament (Lord’s Supper, Communion, etc) each and every Sunday in remembrance of his flesh and blood that was sacrificed in our behalf. We sing hymns such as: 

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