The pun of "Moron Offerings" was sort of intended.
Saul was called to be a king by God through Samuel the prophet. Saul had some problems with offerings. He didn't have the priesthood authority to offer a sacrifice to the Lord but he did it anyway. Samuel the prophet was the only one who was to offer the sacrifice but Saul didn't have the patience to wait for him to arrive. On that day, the prophet Samuel recognized a critical weakness in Saul’s character. When pressured by outside influences, Saul did not have the self-discipline to stay on course, trust the Lord and His prophet, and follow the pattern God had established. Saul's kingdom came to an end.
Another example of an offering rejected was by Judas Iscariot. While visiting Mary and Martha, Martha had served a meal to Jesus and his disciples, Mary anointed His feet with spikenard, an expensive ointment. Then, showing her great love for Him, she used her long hair to wipe His feet clean. Judas Iscariot, seeing this, complained that such costly ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But, the Lord rebuked him; “For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.”
I can recall a time in my mission when some of the elders would use the mission cars to bring people to church. This was not allowed. The intention was good, bring people to church. But, the priority was wrong, the method was wrong, the timing was wrong, and the Lord doesn't accept offerings that are not done His way.
It is of no value to us if the Lord doesn't accept our offering. Why do it? The end doesn't justify the means. Especially, when it comes to God, our view is so limited and yet we think we are justified in bending the rules for our good intentions. This is a false justification and very offensive to God.
Our vision is very short sighted, especially if we're so results driven. Overlooking those necessary steps that the Lord dictates brings about great disasters. Just as a railroad thats set a few degrees to the left on the track, setting the train to a completely different location that its original designation. The path is straight and narrow. Its not wide and broad. We can't afford to do things outside of the order God dictates or we'll slowly but surely end up in the wrong.
The prize is through obedience. Obedience means sacrificing your will for the will of the Father. No matter what good intentions we have, if we don't trust in God's will then it is open rebellion towards God.
Often we make deals, thinking the corner cut will be justified because it will be faster or easier. We say "A little sin here or there, its fine because its for the greater good" but this is wrong. A little sin here or there doesn't lead to a greater good. Breaking the missionary rules for one person to attend one meeting is like saying "I'll smoke these cigarettes so no one else will. My sin will take away their sin." This is impossible and sounds ridiculous, but we do it so often.
We tolerate a little here and there for the sake of not offending someone or for the sake of someone else. While doing this we are making an offering to that person. A deal with the devil is just that, giving up a little for Satan, so that we can have comfort in our sins. This obviously displeases the Lord because He is the only God that can give mercy unto salvation for our offerings, none else. By no other name are men saved than Jesus Christ.
Reminds me of this scripture "But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man" - Doctrine and Covenants 60:2. We are told in Doctrine and Covenants 3:7 to not fear man more than God. Fearing men more than God means we respect them more than God and are making an offering unto them but faith in God means not fearing what men can do.
God's plan is for the individual to choose the right, thats it. Its actually Satan's plan that we don't be tested, or that we give up our agency to appease others. We don't need to compromises our morals, values, and beliefs for the appeasement of any friends, fashion trends, cultural fads, political points, or any other demeaning thing that may seem okay at the time.
I think this is detailed in Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.
20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.
21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
We must resist the urge to be ashamed of the Lord because of our pride. As it says in
2 Timothy 1:8, "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God."
In 2 Nephi 6:7, the Lord says "they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."
