Often one is told not to judge one another for that shall be the deed of the eternal god which is in heaven on our judgment day. This judgment is described in Alma 11:44 which reads, “Now, this restoration shall come to all… and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.” [1] This often creates confusion in why then is there a need to have laws in our mortal world. This query was explained in a talk by Dallin H. Oaks in 1998, where he breaks down judgment into two sections, final judgments and intermediate judgments.
The final judgment is the one spoken of in Alma 11. This judgment is reserved to Godhead and no mortal is given the right to condemn another. This is the judgment that is referred to in Mormon 8:20 which reads, “Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay.” [2] We cannot tell how they will be judged because that is not within our power.
The Atonement gave Christ the right to judge us because of our iniquities. In Hebrew the word judge is shephat. This word has multiple meanings, one of which is avenger. Unless we are to repent and ask forgiveness for the wrongdoings that we have committed, Christ is given the right to avenge the wrongdoings against him. That might seem like an eye for an eye philosophy but for us not to repent for our sins, especially after having knowledge of the gospel seems very disrespectful.
The second type of judgment which President Oaks refers to as intermediate judgment is something that he describes as being, “essential to the personal exercise of personal moral agency.” [3] This is the type of judgment that is described and used in Mosiah 29:11 which reads, “let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of God.” [4] This is the type of judgment that is necessary for people to be able to live with full use of their agency.
Though intermediate judgment is deemed necessary and approved by the Lord those that look to judge must be wary to follow the lord’s commandments in judging others. For later in the chapter of Mosiah in verse 28 a warning is given,” And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a higher judge.” [5] Although this may be taken slightly out of context, the higher judge could be shown as the Lord in the final judgment. If we commit unnecessary harshness in the judging of others we will be judged on it.
The main point to get out of this is that some judgment is necessary, while other is reserved for our eternal God. In order for us to without fault we must judge correctly and with Christ in mind.
The final judgment is the one spoken of in Alma 11. This judgment is reserved to Godhead and no mortal is given the right to condemn another. This is the judgment that is referred to in Mormon 8:20 which reads, “Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay.” [2] We cannot tell how they will be judged because that is not within our power.
The Atonement gave Christ the right to judge us because of our iniquities. In Hebrew the word judge is shephat. This word has multiple meanings, one of which is avenger. Unless we are to repent and ask forgiveness for the wrongdoings that we have committed, Christ is given the right to avenge the wrongdoings against him. That might seem like an eye for an eye philosophy but for us not to repent for our sins, especially after having knowledge of the gospel seems very disrespectful.
The second type of judgment which President Oaks refers to as intermediate judgment is something that he describes as being, “essential to the personal exercise of personal moral agency.” [3] This is the type of judgment that is described and used in Mosiah 29:11 which reads, “let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of God.” [4] This is the type of judgment that is necessary for people to be able to live with full use of their agency.
Though intermediate judgment is deemed necessary and approved by the Lord those that look to judge must be wary to follow the lord’s commandments in judging others. For later in the chapter of Mosiah in verse 28 a warning is given,” And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a higher judge.” [5] Although this may be taken slightly out of context, the higher judge could be shown as the Lord in the final judgment. If we commit unnecessary harshness in the judging of others we will be judged on it.
The main point to get out of this is that some judgment is necessary, while other is reserved for our eternal God. In order for us to without fault we must judge correctly and with Christ in mind.
[1] Alma 11:44
[2] Mormon 8:20
[3] President Dallin H. Oaks “‘Judge Not’ and Judging,” Ensign, Aug 1999
[4] Mosiah 29:11
[5] Mosiah 29:28
9 comments:
Your blog was really clear and simple and i really enjoyed it!
This was a really good read. I enjoyed the connection to the Atonement and Christ's final judgement.
Andrew,
That was an interesting picture--why'd you choose it? Also, I'm interested to know more about the insight you gleaned personally from Elder Oaks' talk. Is there a personal experience that relates?
Nice blog. I just had an experience with a non member friend of mine where he told me that I was going to hell for my beliefs. Your blog was an inspiration to all who face these problems
i really enjoyed this. it reminded me why i am here and that i should not judge others, but leave that to god.
Thank you for your blog Andrew! I particularly liked the quotes you included.
Andrew- OO. this talk sounds like it was a good one. I would like to read up on it. Thank you for sparking my interest in your topic.
I thought it was interesting reading about the two different types of judgment, and how one is the preliminary for the other. it was also cool to hear that the laws on earth help us to use our agency best and live life as much as we can.
I liked the way your blog distinguished between judgements made on earth and the Final Judgement. I especially enjoyed your remarks on how those who do have the responsibility to judge should judge by God's commandments.
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