The natural man is an enemy to God

I have heard an assertion several times which I think deserves attention simply because it appears to be so widespread. Simply put, it is that "every natural impulse is right." Most often, I hear it in defense of one position or another saying, "Well, it's a natural impulse, so of course it's moral."

I would like to go on the record with a statement that this ethical philosophy is utterly false and untenable.

First off, let's look at what it really means. What this philosophy essentially does is make instinct the ultimate judge of morality. It implies that something is right simply because I was born with the desire for it or impulse to seek it. Whatever I want is right, as long as I come by that desire naturally (and here I may add that we have some difficulty, as "naturally" has not been well-defined). In the end, almost whatever I want is moral simply because I want it. In this case, morality has no meaning, and the whole philosophy is reduced to Hedonism: There is no right and wrong, only pleasure and those too foolish to seek it. I am strictly opposed to this view, in large part because I am a moral realist whose experience has taught him to be so.

Second, even if you don't buy my evaluation of what this philosophy actually entails, I'd like to give a couple of counter-examples that make this philosophy untenable. Anger is a natural reaction when someone has wronged us, or even when they have not done anything wrong, but something inconvenient to us. I anticipate that most readers will agree that it is immoral to hurt someone for doing that which is right, yet this natural impulse will lead us to precisely this. Another example comes from fear. Fear is a natural impulse to which, in many instances, we ought not to hearken, which will lead us away from doing what is right. I think I could provide several others, but these two suffice me.

Finally, and, at least for me, most importantly, God is no friend of this theory. In fact, the prophet King Benjamin taught, "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit" (Mosiah 3:19). God has been pretty clear on this subject several other times, including to me, personally. God Himself has told me personally that natural impulses are not necessarily moral, and, beyond this, that he who hearkens to all natural impulses is an enemy to morality.

Title: Mosiah 3:19

"The Principle of Power"

Joseph Smith's "Lectures on Faith" are a theological treasure. By them, we understand eternal truths of deep significance. Yet the first lecture has given me a puzzle which I would like to concern myself with tonight.

The first lecture primarily concerns itself with three points: First, the definition of faith. Second, that it is the "principle of action in all intelligent beings." Third, that it is "the principle of power."

I may wish to speak at length on the first point another time, as there are several useful ways of defining and understanding faith. But that would be a post in itself, and I wish to concern myself with the other points tonight, and so I will let suffice that Joseph uses the definition given in Hebrews, that it is "the substance" (or, Joseph says, "the assurance") "of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen;" or, as Moroni writes, it is a hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (see Ether 12:6).

The second point I find clear enough, and I believe that the prophet demonstrates it quite well. The prophet notes that faith's status as the principle of action in all intelligent beings follows necessarily from the definition in Hebrews. To simplify his argument, if you carefully consider any action, you must recognize that motivation to act requires a belief in obtaining a certain result from that action, though you don't yet see that result. So even the most ardent skeptic will never act except by faith, though he claims otherwise, and though his faith is not in God. The full argument on the subject is in Lectures on Faith 1:8-13, especially 10 & 11.

This leaves only the third point, and here we come to my real questions. Joseph Smith provides evidence that faith is the principle of power (a combination of examples from the scriptures and the simple statement of the Lord that it is so) but I have not yet found an explanation as to how or why this is so. Faith is the principle of power, dominion, and authority over all things, but how is it that faith has this power? Why couldn't the Brother of Jared be kept from within the veil because his faith was so powerful? Why is it that faith grants power, above and beyond its necessary role in motivating action? While similar questions with regard to faith's role as a principle of action are answered easily, I am completely at a loss as to how it is the principle of power. I know that it is, for the Lord Himself has revealed as much, and anyway I've seen and even experienced miracles wrought by the power of faith, but I have no idea how it is so. Faith has great power, but I don't know why. Any ideas?

Title: Lectures on Faith 1:15