Determining the proper “application” of a passage of Scripture is not an exact science
by any means. For example, Jesus got up before daybreak and prayed (Mark 1:35). The
interpretation is very narrow, and refers to a day in Jesus’ life and what Jesus did that
day. The application of this verse is certainly not that everyone should get up each day
before daylight and pray. On the other hand, the verse certainly emphasizes the
importance of prayer. Furthermore, we should learn from the example of Jesus Christ, so
it is a proper application to say that there will be times when we should get up early and
pray, just as Jesus did.
The “application” of Scripture is determined from its scope, as well as our reason,
logic, and wisdom. It is also important for us to realize that just as there is both a proper
interpretation of Scripture and an erroneous interpretation, so there is both the proper
application of Scripture and the improper application. Just as much good comes from the
proper application of Scripture, so much harm has come into Christendom from the
misapplication of Scripture. Christians must be diligent not only to properly understand
the interpretation of a text, but to properly apply it as well.
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True ... more than you consider. There are actually two gospels: one spiritual, one temporal. Mormons, like most Christians, focus almost completely on the spiritual aspects of scripture, ignoring the temporal. Thus, their understanding of the scriptures suffers because "you can't have one without the other," as the old song goes.
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