Milk and Meat is Not Watered-Down Doctrine

In response to some posts recently regarding the LDS faith, I have decided to focus on one small principle, which has been mentioned. That of Milk and Meat.

Why Does God Change the Rules?

In another post, on another site, the question was raised as to why God changes the rules. He doesn't. Look at the bible. Before Christ, The Law of Moses (the old covenant) was in order. Eye for an Eye. After Christ, a 'new law' or covenant was in order: a higher law. No longer an eye for an eye, we were now commanded to forgive 70 times 70. Did God change his laws? Nope.

A Sound Method of TeachingLook at it this way:

When we want to teach a baby to walk, do we immediately put the new born on his feet, let go and say, 'walk'? Of course not. We all know that a newborn is not ready, in any way, shape or form, to undertake such a task.

So, we start with steps. We build, one principle at a time, until the baby has developed all he needs to be able to walk. Then we encourage him to walk. We discourage crawling and other steps we taught him in the process of learning to walk, because we want him to walk. We do not want him to stop his progress or settle for less than what he can achieve. We encourage and 'push' if you will, for him to keep working on those walking skills until he gets it.

How proud he then is of himself and his new found freedom and power.

So, when we teach a baby to walk, did we change 'the law'? Nope. We had 'the law' of 'you need to learn to walk' from day one. We just broke the process down into bite-sized pieces, which he could handle. We made each step of the way all that he was required to focus on so he would not be overwhelmed, and the goal each step of the way would truly be attainable.

You will find this sound and proven method of teaching everywhere: in the school systems (gotta learn to count then add before you can tackle calculus); in the military; in on-the-job training (usually); etc.

How Does Milk and Meat Tie In?

So the analogy of milk and meat is sound. You don't give a newborn meat, even though at some point in their development you will. You start them off with what they need and can handle first (the milk) and work up to the bigger and more important stuff: the stuff they will use for their lifetime (the meat).

Breaking concepts up into bite-size pieces is not watering it down. That would mean it is somehow diluted. Bite sized pieces means it is all part of the whole: not diluted, but rather, given in smaller chunks.

But You LDS Members Get Meat : Its Only the Converts and Prospects Who Get The Milk

Yes, even as members of the LDS faith, we are given 'bite sized pieces' when we want the whole thing. But if you think about it, trying to chew on the whole steak at one time can choke ya! In the end, we are better off learning one step at a time and having that allowance to practice and learn rather than being given it all at once which would also make us accountable for all of it at once, which could cause many of us to 'choke'.

I don't know about you, but it usually takes me some significant time to master a new concept. . .at least to any degree I would feel being held liable and accountable for!

So even members of our church start with 'milk' and work up to 'meat'. And since we are all at different levels of understanding and faithfulness, even amongst long-time members you will find diversity in the 'milk' and 'meat' groups. I have been a member for over 20 years. In some areas I am in with the 'meat' crowd. . .and in some areas I am still very much in the 'milk' crowd. Regardless of which 'crowd' I am in, it still is all given to me one bit at a time. Line upon line and precept upon precept.

Above All Else: Faith is Key

So as far as doctrine and any religion is concerned, Faith is a key element. When we don't understand the 'why' behind a 'law'; when we don't understand a concept we are being expected to adhere to; absolutely we have every right and responsibility to seek answers and further enlightenment. But if we find ourselves in a position where we still don't understand; where we still don' t have the exact answers we have sought: that is where faith comes into play.If we know that our religion is the right one for us, then we need to accept all of the doctrines on faith, even when we do not understand. We cannot pick and choose like we are at the supermarket purchasing produce. Either it is as correct and true as it gets; and as right a fit for us as there can be: or it is not.

If it is not, then we need to keep searching until we find that place of peace. If it is, then how blessed are we to be in that place where we have the comfort, the enlightenment, and the personal growth that organized religion can bring.