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I have been thinking about this (I saw the Oprah show and had heard the theory before, to which I responded, "Duh--that's the gospel in disguise! That's using your Divine Nature to create, just like your Father does"). I have been meaning to blog about it but haven't found the time, so read this and tell me what you think (you can join the discussion at Segullah or leave a comment here--I'd love to hear from you). Tonight I am hosting our "Making Progress" gospel discussion group for Enrichment meeting and the loose topic is Divine Nature, so I think I will read this Segullah post in our group tonight.
PS: Be sure to read the linked articel by Richard Eyre! Down with the Cult of Oprah!
2 comments:
I'll go ahead and leave a comment here. I've been kind of skeptical of this Secret thing, having heard people talk about it. If it is the Gospel repackaged (or the "power of positive thinking" repackaged again), it seems like it's going to simply take the focus off of the Savior's role in our lives, our Heavenly Father's role, and the Plan of Salvation in general. "The Universe" and "The Secret" seem like a code words for the popular Jesus-avoidance. Does Melonie (the poster on that other blog) really believe her negative thoughts caused her husband to reject the possible rental house? Wow. It's almost Star Trek-ian.
I do believe that what we think, we can achieve; however, it is due to our Father in Heaven blessing us. After all, He wants nothing less for us than all He has to give. It is our own selves that keep us from obtaining not only what we want most for ourselves, but what Heavenly Father wants. I tend to fall victim to the self-help bandwagon and decide that if I just concentrate enough or believe in myself more, I can get that elusive prize. But, as you read in the Bible Dictionary, it clearly states that prayer is what allows us to achieve that which we seek and not merely thinking it to be. “Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.” If we are truly seeking for those things that Heavenly Father wants for us, we will obtain them through humble and sincere prayer and not just thinking them to be. “The Secret,” and all other books and philosophies like it, because they are not based on the Gospel, are good but only half truths. They will lead some to find our Heavenly Father, but also will lead others away as they come to rely on themselves more than on our Savior. It is something that I have to remind myself of daily.
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