We claim the privilege
of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience,
and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they
may. – Articles of Faith 1:12
Typically matters of spirituality are kept close to our
hearts. Our own spiritual relationship
with our Father in Heaven is very personal.
I feel that our culture sees sharing views of religion as almost taboo
as there can be discomfort when the subject is approached. I’ve been considering upon all the things in
life I get excited about and want to share with others, perhaps a book I just
read, or a new favorite restaurant.
However, the thing that’s most dear and precious to me, my feelings on
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which I would love to share with others, I tend to
remain silent on. Why? Like, I said it’s
personal, but if I’m honest, some of it stems out of fear. It is unsubstantiated fear, but fear
nonetheless. I fear other’s reactions
and responses to it. I fear criticism
and challenge. However, I need to learn
to be okay with that. I know not
everyone will agree with what I have to say, just like I may not agree with the
viewpoints of others. But this can be
done with mutual respect, which I hope for.
It is often said that it’s a subject we don’t get into, because we
“don’t want to offend others.” I want to
believe that offense doesn’t need to come in, especially if respect is present. And I need to be okay with challenge. I don’t have all the answers. There are things I know, and there things I
don’t know. A lot of this life involves
walking by faith - faith in the idea that one day I will come to know and
understand all truth.
With that being said, I want to talk about why I am a member
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also colloquially known as
the Mormon Church. First of all, I
believe in the idea of absolute truth as opposed to ideas of relative truth. There are some legitimate applications of
relative truth in this world because we are all unique individuals – i.e.
what’s true for you may not be true for me.
However, when it comes to the greater picture of who our Heavenly Father
is, who our Savior Jesus Christ is, and the whole eternal plan that we are a
part of, including the source of peace, joy, and light, I believe there is absolute
truth. I also believe that elements of
truth are found everywhere in this world, in other religions, in other
cultures, where almost universally, there is a search for happiness and an
acknowledgment that real happiness comes from adherence to certain principles
such as kindness, generosity, humility, and love.
I humbly believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is true.
We believe in all that
God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet
reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. –
Articles of Faith 1:9
Our Heavenly Father is continuing to reveal more truth to
his children here on the earth. That
truth has been revealed through his prophets.
It is still today being revealed through his prophets. I believe that we have a prophet on the earth
today. His name is President Thomas S.
Monson, and he has been called by God to lead and guide us so that we may know
how our Father in Heaven would have us live.
I take great comfort in knowing that guidance is available to me because
of our Heavenly Father’s love and continued interest in his children here on
the earth.
I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through
him the true Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored upon the earth. Through the prophet Joseph Smith our Heavenly
Father was able to bring forth a book of scripture known as The Book of
Mormon. This book of scripture tells of
another ancient people who had left Jerusalem and were upon the American
continents. God has revealed his Gospel
to more than just the prophets of the Bible.
I love the Book of Mormon. I love
the truths that it teaches. I love that
it is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” and that points of doctrine from the
Bible are clarified with additional scripture found in The Book of Mormon.
I love that through the Book of Mormon, I can learn more
about my Savior, Jesus Christ. For
example:
And he shall go forth,
suffering pains and afflictions, and temptations of every kind; and this that
the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the
sicknesses of his people. And he will
take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his
people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be
filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the
flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. – Alma 7: 11-12.
This teaches me that not only did my Savior atone for my
sins, which allows me to be forgiven for my weaknesses, sins, and shortcomings,
but also through his mortal life and Atonement, he took upon himself any of the
pain or sadness we experience here on the earth. And comfort, strength, and peace are
available to us to forge ahead and endure anything that we go through in life. I also believe that any “unfairness” present
here on earth will one day be made “fair”, and that eternal life and happiness
is available to anyone who humbly and sincerely seeks for it. Another verse from The Book of Mormon:
And then shall it come
to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state
of happiness, which is paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they
shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. – Alma 40:12
I believe in the Holy Ghost or the Spirit and that it is a
gift from God. I believe that warm,
joyful, peaceful feeling in my heart that I receive when I learn of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ and live accordingly, is a witness to me of truth. The Spirit of God is a testator of truth, and
I can feel that witness in my heart even now as I share my feelings. I also believe the Spirit can help guide us
to make righteous decisions when we open our hearts to its promptings.
I believe we lived as spiritual beings in heaven with God
before we came to this earth. I believe
that we will once again live with God again after we die. I am grateful for the knowledge that we will
be reunited with our loved ones.
I believe that the family unit is God’s plan for each of us. I believe that my husband and I will be
married for time and all eternity and that it is our scared responsibility to
protect and foster the love we have for each other as we continuously strive to
live more Christ-like. My children are a
gift and a joy in my life. I am humbled
by the responsibility I have been given to love them, to care for them, and to
teach them of the Gospel.
I believe that we have temples of God here on the earth. One
of my favorite places to be is within the temple. In the temple I have the opportunity to feel
like I am taking a respite from the world and can use that time to worship my
Heavenly Father and grow closer to him as I learn about him and improve my
relationship and understanding of who he is.
I believe that through prayer we can talk to God and that he
hears us. I believe that he knows all of
the thoughts and intents of our heart and they he loves us very much and wants
us to find the path to happiness by following his commandments.
I know that the commandments are given to us for our
happiness. I love that because of the
counsel of the commandments I have chosen to live a life free from harmful
substances such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and even coffee and tea. I also have chosen to live a life where I avoid movies or shows with inappropriate content and strive to fill my
life with that which is uplifting. I
want to live in such a way that through my choices and the mercy and grace of
my Heavenly Father, I can progress in this life and through out eternity to be
more like my Savior, Jesus Christ.
