Pre-life - Standing on the fence?

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by NateHowe

If we had remained on the fence, we would not have come here. The sides in that war in Heaven became so far apart, so completely opposite, that we had to consciously choose one or the other. So it may soon become in our society.

Was there a conversion during the second council of heaven?

Still, a fence sitter is not a true devoted follower of Christ but one who has to make that decision on whether to choose Lucifer or Jehovah in coming to mortality.

[skalenfehl]

Without having read all the responses, I don't believe there were fence sitters. Remember what Christ said about luke warm people in the Bible? I do believe that there were those who were very valiant and those who were barely active in their decision to follow Christ and come to the earth. There were no fence sitters.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

Without having read all the responses, I don't believe there were fence sitters. Remember what Christ said about luke warm people in the Bible?

Respectfully, I disagree. He didn't say there were no lukewarm people, but rather that He didn't like them. Revelation 3

I do believe that there were those who were very valiant and those who were barely active in their decision to follow Christ and come to the earth. There were no fence sitters.

Can you explain the difference you see between "those who were barely active in their decision to follow Christ" and "fence sitters" please? I would consider the "barely active" (i.e., non-committal) one to be fence sitters. I'm interested in how you view them differently.

[Maedoc]

Originally Posted by Wingnut

Respectfully, I disagree. He didn't say there were no lukewarm people, but rather that He didn't like them. Revelation 3



Can you explain the difference you see between "those who were barely active in their decision to follow Christ" and "fence sitters" please? I would consider the "barely active" (i.e., non-committal) one to be fence sitters. I'm interested in how you view them differently.

With just the fact that the people are on the earth now, we know that they made some sort of conscious effort to follow Christ. Even if they weren't extremely valiant in this conviction, I would say that removes them from fence sitter status. In my mind, a fence sitter doesn't make a decision at all. Those in the spirit world either chose to follow Heavenly Father's plan or not- no fence involved.

[a-train]

As members of the Church, we are engaged in a mighty conflict. We are at war. We have enlisted in the cause of Christ to fight against Lucifer and all that is lustful and carnal and evil in the world. We have sworn to fight alongside our friends and against our enemies, and we must not be confused in distinguishing friends from foes. As another of our ancient fellow apostles wrote: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4.)
The great war that rages on every side and which unfortunately is resulting in many casualties, some fatal, is no new thing. There was war even in heaven, when the forces of evil sought to destroy the agency of man, and when Lucifer sought to lead us away from the path of progression and advancement established by an all-wise Father.
That war is continuing on earth, and the devil is still wroth with the Church and goes forth “to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17.)
And it is now as it has always been. The Saints can only overcome him and his forces “by the blood of the Lamb, … by the word of their testimony,” and if they love “not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11.)
Now there neither are nor can be any neutrals in this war. Every member of the Church is on one side or the other. - Bruce R. McConkie Ensign 1974

Although one-third of the spirits became devils, the remaining two-thirds were not all equally valiant, there being every degree of devotion to Christ and the Father among them. The most diligent were chosen to be rulers in the kingdom (Abraham 3: 22-23). The nature of the conflict, however, is such that there could be no neutrals, then or now. - Bible Dictionary War In Heaven

On December 25, 1869, Brigham Young was asked if “Negroes” were neutral in the War in Heaven, and he declared:

“No, the Negroes were not neutral in Heaven. All took sides.” (The Church and the Negro, p.83)

-a-train

[Maya]

I bewlieve many were more to this than others. Some may even have decided at the last moment and maybe even doubtet a bit.
If we all were SOOO much into this then why are there so many that do not even want to listen?

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by a-train

As members of the Church, we are engaged in a mighty conflict. We are at war. We have enlisted in the cause of Christ to fight against Lucifer and all that is lustful and carnal and evil in the world. We have sworn to fight alongside our friends and against our enemies, and we must not be confused in distinguishing friends from foes. As another of our ancient fellow apostles wrote: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4.)
The great war that rages on every side and which unfortunately is resulting in many casualties, some fatal, is no new thing. There was war even in heaven, when the forces of evil sought to destroy the agency of man, and when Lucifer sought to lead us away from the path of progression and advancement established by an all-wise Father.
That war is continuing on earth, and the devil is still wroth with the Church and goes forth “to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17.)
And it is now as it has always been. The Saints can only overcome him and his forces “by the blood of the Lamb, … by the word of their testimony,” and if they love “not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11.)
Now there neither are nor can be any neutrals in this war. Every member of the Church is on one side or the other. - Bruce R. McConkie Ensign 1974


-a-train

This is where I have to disagree with Elder McConkie. [Will not be the first thing I had disagreed over. ] However, I still love that man as a great brother.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by Mailis

I bewlieve many were more to this than others. Some may even have decided at the last moment and maybe even doubtet a bit.
If we all were SOOO much into this then why are there so many that do not even want to listen?

The last conversion of those who were not totally devoted to our Master, had to choose between Lucifer or mortality. This doesn't mean they will eventually bring forth the same character as it was in the pre-mortal life.

[HoosierGuy]

That article by Elder McConkie is powerful. Wow. I printed out two copies, one to carry in my car and one to carry around with my scriptures.

[KristofferUmfrey]

I agree there were no fence sitters, just folks who didn't help out much.