Consequences and a Loving God

One needs only to read the definition of rhetoric as said by Chaim Perelman to agree that religion uses rhetoric: “As soon as a communication tries to influence one or more persons, to orient their thinking, to excite or calm their emotions, to guide their actions, it belongs to the realm of rhetoric.”

It is obvious that scripture, being a form of communication, tries to influence others, orient their thinking, and guide their actions. Nephi even states explicitly in 1 Nephi 6:4 “For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.” So, if the question is not a “does it use rhetoric?” then it must be a “how?”

One might say it does so by showing the harsh consequences of not following the commandments.  2 Nephi 9:34 states, “Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.” However, such scare tactics are scarce in the Book of Mormon. More commonly, the love of God and his mercy is shown as a method of persuasion. A few scriptures before convey the consequences more lovingly, “O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment (2 Nephi 9:19).” Instead of emphasizing hell, this scripture points more toward a loving God who wishes to save us rather than condemn us. Such rhetoric brings a popular idiom to mind: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

The Book of Mormon is brimming with praises to the Lord and examples of how he loves us and only wants us to return to his presence. Of course, He can only do so if we keep the commandments, and in saying that, our actions are guided, our thinking oriented, and we are influences to follow the teachings of the scriptures.

Jessica Swenson