Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:7-8
"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire."
The footnote for "offences" is Sin. This quote describes it with more detail.
"The word "offend" as used by the Master means "to cause to sin or fall." This definition is now almost lost in our modern-day language, but the word was used with this meaning in the days of Christ and even up until a century or two ago.
Jesus also said: "Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
Willful wrong teaching, wrong example, wrong utterance, wrong action by those of influence are offenses to any youth, and the retribution follows as night the day that "no man ever did a designed injury to another, but at the same time he did a greater to himself" (Henry Home, "Injury," The New Dictionary of Thoughts)."
(John H. Vandenberg, "Beware of the Leaven", April 1965 General Conference)
President Spencer W. Kimball gives even more details.
"In our own Society, the murderer who kills the body is hunted, imprisoned, and executed, but the character who kills the soul by implanting doubt and shattering faith is permitted not only to go free but also is often retained in high places. The body which is killed will rise again in the resurrection with little damage to its eternal welfare, but he whose faith has been shattered may suffer long ages before complete restoration of spiritual stature can be had, if at all.
And Jesus said: Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matt. 18:7)
Far better to take from a man his flocks or herds, his lands or wealth, even his sight or limbs, than to be responsible for the loss of his faith. The Son of God put it this way:
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt and maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast It from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire (Matt. 18:8-9)
And so we admonish the leaders in stakes, wards, and missions to be ever vigilant to see that no incorrect doctrines are promulgated in their classes or congregations. Wolves will come in sheep's clothing and will deceive the very elect, if that were possible. And we warn again those who write or preach or otherwise teach subversive doctrines, that their punishment is sure for their "worm dieth not"
(Spencer W. Kimball, "Build or Destroy", April 1948 General Conference)
In this chapter the Lord tells us to be like little children. Then he speaks of anyone offending little children, how it would be better for them to have a millstone hanged around his neck and drowned in the dept of the sea. This makes me realize the Lord isn't just talking about physically hurting a child. It's leading any child of God astray. That would be you or me! The damage for causing another person to lose their faith or to sin is the severest of penalties.
Paul speaks of the parts of the body and how they are the church. How every member of the body is needed. Now I understand how cutting off the hand or foot that offends in this chapter is speaking of removing of the member of the church that offends, and teaches incorrect doctrine, that cause others to sin and fall.
Day 3106
