To explain knowledge of God

[Tonus]

Jenny, I'm not familiar with Mormonism, sorry.

That's not something to be sorry for, prof.

Stimbo, if we all knew the consequences of our decisions ahead of time,
wouldn't that short circuit our free choices now?

You mean aside from the heaven/hell consequences, which are the only ones that matter in the long run?

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I told you I do not know.
But this I do know, by experience, understanding and time-
No one will ever be justified by their own goodness, and self righteousness (good works) is the foundation of ALL non-Christian beliefs and that includes the fake Christian ones like the Mormons.

This is one of the things that makes Yahweh scary. While they differ on a lot of things, Christians do seem to generally believe that humanity is fallen and only redemption from god can save us. They believe that god's actions cannot be anything but good because it's his nature.

But your comment makes me wonder about the story of Job. Satan complains that god had protected Job and blessed his efforts, so that Job enjoyed prosperity and didn't fear the devil. The story also tells us that Job was "blameless and upright" and a god-fearing man. By your explanation, god did not owe any of this to Job. And when god withdrew his protection and told Satan to destroy Job's life (and murder at least a dozen, and possibly hundreds of people), the Christian belief is that there is nothing wrong with this --this is sanctioned by god and god cannot do anything wicked.

And the story supports this: Job understandably expects that god, being a good and just being, will eventually explain to him why he (and his family, and servants, etc) was put through such a terrible series of events. Near the end of the story, god shows up and makes a condescending and mocking speech which amounts to telling Job "who are YOU to expect ME to explain myself to you?" Having put Job through horrific trials, god bends him over one last time and Job apologizes for having the temerity to expect god to be honest with him.

Job learns what you guys explain: that god can do what he wants, and it's all good. And if you don't think it's good, he's got a cozy spot in hell where you can writhe and twist and burn for eternity, you ungrateful little snot. Even if you are blameless and upright, all it takes is a casual conversation on a slow day for god to unleash the devil to tear your world apart. Oh, what's that? You didn't appreciate it? What part of "FUCK YOU, I'M YAHWEH" did you not understand?